Fanelia

[Nairohe]

A music box sung a familiar tune, an old tune that was said to have been hummbed by the girl from the mystic moon herself when her great... in reality, she didn't really now how many greats, but the song sang to the children of Van Fanel since the Girl from the mystic moon's arrival.

"Hitomi... That was her name wasn't it?" She closed her eyes and listened to the quite breeze and the music box. She hummed along to the familiar tune till it stopped playing and it would be quiet again. She closed her eyes dreaming. She pictured her mother and father when they were alive. It wasn't always this quiet. Then, she gained courage when she recalled the stories, the stories of Van Fanel how he himself was an orphan and grew up to be the greatest hero of them all. "Her name, there's a nice ring to it." Even after the song was gone, she contnued to hum it again... it was the only way that she could really hold her tears back.

Tomorrow, she was to be crowned Queen of Fanelia...

[Nairohe]

(((OOC: Just to let you know that it's up and will be running pretty soon. tralalalala!)))

[Kayay]

“M'Lady?” A slender woman stepped into the room, feline features softly highlighted by the light that spilled through the windows.

“Yes?”

“The delegation from Freid will be arriving in the morn.” Pale green eyes glanced out the window to the setting sun. “They’ll be here shortly before the coronation, if all goes well. Are you going to greet them yourself, or should I send someone?”

She looked up, finger still lingering along the gilded edge of the music box. “Send Crimmius to receive them. He can get them settled then, if they wish, escort them to the coronation.”

The cat woman nodded, pausing to look upon her queen – her friend – with concern. “Will you be all right?”

“I don’t know.” He voice wavered a bit, but she turned to grace her friend with a smile. “It’s just my nerves, nothing serious. I-I’ll be fine.”

“Hikari-sama, don’t you go letting those advisors and politicians go pushing you around today.” She placed her hands on her hips and, although she was the younger of the two women, adopted a motherly demeanor. “Find someplace where you can rest. Tomorrow will be more than chaotic enough to make up for stealing a bit of solitude today.”

“Thank you. I will.”

[Fairybane]

In the brightly lit temple, a large figure kneeled humbly before the fierce stone visage of a dragon in flight. Low chanting could be heard by anyone who dared cross the threshold of the small chamber, a deep earthly rumble with hints of a snarling accent. Briefly, the massive form bent forward and bowed deeply beneath the dancing torches and thin haze of incense smoke. In one smooth motion that bespoke many years of practiced ease, the powerful figure rose from his kneel and turned around gracefully, black robes fluttering behind.
With a deep breath, Crimmius Renault took a lungful of the scented smoke, and then released it with a purging exhalation, all part of his morning worship routine. The breath, powered by the mighty lungs of the lion-man sent stray currents of smoke curling through the confines of the temple, which were then broken as Crimm strode down the center aisle towards the engraved double doors that marked the only entrance to his temple. Emerging into the halls of the palace, Crimm stared solemnly at a trio of young initiates in his path who cowered at his grim gaze and scuttled past quickly. Continuing on his way, he nodded briefly to guards at their posts, maids tending to their daily chores, and scholars emerging from their studies, but growled menacingly at a court advisor he saw, swaggering arrogantly through the corridors. As the man scurried off, cowed by the sight of the massive priest, Crimm shook his head and continued on his way.
"Today..." he spoke to himself in a deep baritone voice. "Today brings much promise..."
Stepping through a portal into a lush courtyard, Crimm meandered through the garden, letting the morning breeze ruffle his tawny mane. Bumblebees buzzed lazily through the branches of rosebushes and birds twittered far above in the clear skies. It was a typical day in Fanelia but Crimm could feel that there was something different about it...an omen sent by the Dragon God.
A fresh breeze rolled in and Crimm opened his fanged mouth wide to breath in the clear air. Suddenly a bumblebee broke away from the roses and made a line straight for Crimm. Moving with suprising agility, the lion-man darted his hand out and crushed the insect in midflight. But when he opened his palm revealing a sticky mess, the dead bumblebee's stinger was lodged in his flesh.
Silently, Crimm pondered this development. "An omen indeed," he growled to himself, pinching out the stinger with his claws.

[Lady Fanel]

Deep in the bellows of the castle, the little-noticed palace workers were hard at work. To pass the time, they often gossiped about what was going on in the country.

On this particular day, a young woman named Aethaeus was scrubbing laundry over a hot kettle. The older women around her were gossiping, as usual, but this time the news was interesting enough that Aethaeus decided to listen in.

"....A delegation from Freid, are you sure?"

"Of course I am. I was there when the messenger brought the news." The speaker looked indignant at being questioned.

One of the other women looked up from folding the laundry. "Well, why are they coming here? It's been a long time since Freid has visited Fanelia."

The old woman shrugged. "I'm not sure. Someone said it was because a new war was starting."

The work suddenly stopped as everyone stared at her. "I would hope not, Mai," said the woman who had spoken first. "There's not been many battles since the Great War, and I would hope there won't be any more."

A younger woman spoke up. "Well I heard they were coming because the Duke wanted to marry our princess."

Aethaeus sighed and dried of her hands. "I'm going to take this laundry outside and hang it to dry," she said, picking up the basket of laundry she had just washed. As usual, no one noticed her.

She walked outside and immediately felt the cool air stick to her skin. She held the door open a moment to allow the cool air to enter into the steamy basement, and then shut it behind her. Slowly she made her way to the garden, as if every step she took made her life seem more endless and tiring. Making her way over to the ropes that were hung up to use as clotheslines, she started draping sheets over them. Hearing a noise to her right, Aethaeus turned around to see a lionman standing by the roses, his back to her. She looked at him a moment, wondering why he was there and what he was doing, and then remembered that she had work to do. Softly sighing, she resumed hanging up the sheets.

[Kayay]

Tail swishing languidly behind her, Maeko strolled through the palace, the rolled parchment the messenger bird had brought at dawn in her hand. The delegation would be arriving later that day it stated, and possibly in time for the coronation. Upon passing a small courtyard, the catwoman stopped, watching the washerwomen hanging the laundry to dry. She leaned against a pillar and absently rapped her long nails on the stone surface, relaxing in observing the women perform such a mundane yet necessary chore. Closing her pale jade eyes, she felt the warmth of the sun on her face, tinting the backs of her lids orange-red, and her lips curled into a peaceful smile. It was the quiet before the storm that would be the coronation ceremony, and she intended to enjoy it while it lasted. Afterwards, she’d be kept plenty busy helping her friend adjust to her new official position as Queen.

Walking out into the yard, the scattered trees cast dappled shadows upon her tawny velveteen fur. Peering over the wall, she could see the city sprawled below, a much different place than that of a scant hundred years ago. After all, a few decade were nothing compared to the vast history of Gaea. True, it was not the most advanced countries, but no longer was Fanelia seen as the backwater land of farmers. Still, if a curious soul wandered the outlying areas, one could find scattered crumbling remains of the old city, scorch marks from the massive fire faded but visible. Maybe that was why no one had the heart to completely destroy those ruins, tiny monuments, of sorts, to how far the land had progressed since the reign of the legendary Van Slanzar de Fanel.

Turning from the view, Maeko went back to people watching amid the sweet perfume of the roses


((OOC: We’ve got a time warp to deal with. Freid is still in the evening, the ship having left at 8pm. Fanelia is already in the morning. Somewhere along the way the two times will have to catch up since the ship is supposed to arrive in Fanelia before noon.))

[Kayay]

The room was lit by the morning sunlight shining through stained glass and tall clear windows, creating cascades of fractured light and shadows that intersected at various points and reached across the floor, up the walls, and along the columns that lined the room. A particularly intense shaft of light illuminated the sunken center of the temple, where once the White Dragon itself had been hidden. Along the sides of the wall there are miniature shrines within carefully tended alcoves, the centerpiece of which are gleaming multifaceted energists, each seeming to contain a power, pulsing…sleeping…waiting.

No one other than the royal family and high-ranking priests entered the place for decades, but it was here in this holy silence that a bright pillar of pale blue light shot down from the sky. People in the city pointed and whispered, some recalling the last time such a sight was witnessed centuries ago, before the Great War. Some viewed it as a sign of prosperity to come, others made gestures meant to ward against evil, but all knew it to be a vision of great importance.

Needless to say, Silvern, Elisan, Dryan, Fangolas, and Dream, all slowly waking from the smothering grip of unconsciousness, would not be remain undiscovered for long.


((OOC: FYI, it is still early morning in Fanelia))

[DrkZealot]

((OOC: Ugh...hopefully my posting will get better as time goes on...Though it hasn't happened in the FF rpg, I'm sure this one'll be different...heh heh :heh:

The sun elegantly acended above the palace casting a light blue tint across the cloudless sky, banishing the darkness of night, giving it the appearance of still ocean water, devoid of ripple or wave caused by the salty breeze. It was a beautiful sight, the air was clean and sweet to the nose, the several fragrant blades of grass and flowers did well to perfume the air. Contrary to the dull grey mornings in Zaibach where steam and sulfurous gas clogged the lungs, one could take in a deep breath without doubling over in long fits of coughing resulting in bloodying the hands that covered the mouth. The young man extended his arms away from his body in a much needed stretch, his sore bones voicing their displeasure with low cracking sounds and momentary flashes of pain, as if warning him from doing it again. His muscles on the other hand rather enjoyed the stretch, the night before they worked near their limit, lifting several supply crates into the Fanelian Palace and Guymelef storage, while several of his peers struggled with one. That night’s sleep proved unsatisfactory as well, the small, stern looking cot they supplied in his tentative dwelling was so stiff a rigid it could have stood at attention with the best of the Fanelian Samurai. It was all too reminiscent to his nights in his Zaibach barracks, the only exception being the annoying chirping of crickets and other nocturnal creatures through the small window…and the lack of twelve foot rats living underneath the floor he failed to ever see. His chambers where on the first floor, where much of the military slept, though it seemed they forgot he was no longer a criminal and never cleaning tool. His room was nearly the size of a prison cell, the air reeked with the odor of several sour cleaning materials, and he could have sworn late at night one of the maids removed a broom and mop from the corner opposite his cot.

Well, it mattered little now, the morning more than made up for the terrible night(though the fumes made him sleep considerably well and deep). Birds happily welcomed the new day with cheerful songs, children laughed and played their games in the open yards running circles around disgruntles maids, all the while worried parents continued to yell words of caution to the oblivious offspring. His arms where crossed loosely over his chest, the undersized black Zaibachian shirt still stretched over his upper body, and the oversized trousers still bunched up at the ankles and swooshed in the air against each other as he walked. It may have been a good idea to do as Maeko said and remove the clothes of his former masters, but he saw no real reason for it. All the guards and soldiers had been informed of his presence here, and would not mistake him for a spy. The people near him regarded him with only limited suspicion, scrutinizing this odd stranger in unfamiliar garb who suddenly appeared in their yard, like one of the recently uncloaked Zaibachian Guymelefs in the stories told to them about days long past. Besides, it was much more comfortable and fashionably tasteful than the jumpsuit he was offered for his work.

He still had a quite some time until he was to report to the palace again for work. With his help the night prior, they were well ahead of schedule and were granted leniency on the time they had to report in. Working in the Guymelef hangar wasn’t all that bad, though it was painful watching the Falcate being converted into a work Guymelef. Upon first entering the hanger he watched as the mechanics worked on its damaged exterior, welding closed the gaping wounds in its armored chest. Removing several pieces of Crima Claw that had become deeply lodged into its’ back. Hammering out the dents from several powerful blows and sanding over the misshapen features from severe burns of the pursuing Melef’s flamethrowers. In the little time working in the Guymelef storage area, he watched as they removed the left arms flame thrower, replaced it with a normal arm with the thicker reinforced fingers required for moving equipment, rather than the thin deft digits used in the wielding of weapons. The right arm remained the same, the long scythe still rest at the end of the crima claw, the last of the metal used in the formation of this weapon. He sighed longingly as he thought about the damaged Guymelef that lent him the last of its strength, and allowed him to escape from that accursed place…And though it was the first time ever piloting a Guymelef, he felt a strange bond to it. Fate had been with him that night…

[Megumi H]

((OOC: Good morning, and how are you?))



Stone. Cool. Air. Light. Red....

Eyelids opening slowly as the physical world reappeared before her, Dream Chang awoke with a groan, wondering in her haze why there was an unfamiliar ceiling above her, and why her arm was stretched across a man's midsection. Confused, she lifted her arm away and made an effort to sit up, still looking at the man beside her.

His eyes had not yet opened, but his face, framed by blond hair, seemed so familiar. Dream's eyes traveled further down. There was a rough, round wound in his left arm next to her. A concerned frown crossed her face and she reached a hand out to touch it-- and stopped. Her own hand had blood on it.

Suddenly she flinched, as struck by a torrent of memories. She saw smoke, the man, her own arms reaching out.... She saw bright metal, skin parting, blood... so much blood.... and a cruel face.

She blinked and her eyes were wide, her mouth gaping. Her eyes went back and forth between her bloody hand and the man's arm, and she whipped her head around to see that she was not alone with him. She saw another man, a creature... and again the face, no longer cruel but blank and unconscious.

[Kayay]

~~~~Silvern~~~~

He awoke to pain and warmth. His left arm alternated between throbbing numbness and sharp stabs of pain, and the entire left side of his shirt was stained with blood. Groggily, Silvern tried to right himself, immediately regretting the action as the room began to spin. Mentally he cursed the idiot Elisan for not only indirectly injuring him but also for the brutal slaughter of the Kamakura policeman.

Taking a few deep breaths, the blonde waited for his vision to clear and the room to remain still before taking in his surroundings. Dryan and Fangolas, to his surprise, lay nearby, and the girl Dream sat wide-eyed beside him. She appeared scared and confused, but otherwise unharmed. Too weary to speak, Silvern crawled towards the still unconscious foxwoman and Fang, ignoring Elisan and secretly hoping he was dead. A trail of smeared blood marked his path, and he reached to feel for a pulse on both. They were alive. Silvern breathed a sigh of relief then looked back up at Dream.

“Where are we?”


~~~~ Maeko~~~~

“By the Goddess, what was that?”

Past the women hanging laundry and past the gardens she rushed. Of all the people in Fanelia, there were few who knew the legends as well as she, and the shaft of blue light that engulfed the temple was exactly like the one of the tales that had been passed down from generation to generation.

Maeko pushed open the smaller access door beside the heavy ornate double doors. Her feline eyes immediately adjusted to the change in lighting and she spotted what looked like four…no, five bodies. Two were shakily sitting up, and the distinct scent of blood hung in the air. Silhouetted in the doorway, the catwoman turned her head and called out into the courtyard.

“Fetch guards and a medic, now!” She paused. “And find Crimm while you’re at it!” The priest was one of the few who were allowed access to this temple. Maybe he’d have some answers.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus looked up from her laundry, startled by the pillar of light that appeared in the sky. A slender catwoman started running past Aethaeus to the temple. She resumed hanging up the laundry for a moment as thoughts raced through her mind.

It's probably nothing important. Maybe it's an illusion to give the people something to talk about, she reasoned. But what if it's not? What if it's a real pillar bringing our saviour like the legends tell? Is it wise to stay here? Yes, it would be much better if she stayed. If she were to run off and not finish her task, she would get in much trouble.

But eventually her curiosity got the better of her. She dropped the laundry on the dewy grass and ran after the catwoman.

[Megumi H]

Dream had turned toward the wall, facing away from the others. She wasn't sure who was alive, but she couldn't bear to see them with such uncertainty. Her head throbbed, and she rested it on her knees, folding her arms tightly around them. She heard faint sounds of someone stirring, but didn't move. She was not at all certain she'd be prepared to see who it might be.

She felt so vulnerable and helpless. She wished for someone to give her good news. She wanted someone to tell her everything would be all right. She wanted someone to comfort her in this unfamiliar place.

Then she heard it. "Where are we?"

Dream started. She let go of her knees and stood up, turning to see the man with the blond hair.

He's awake... He's okay... Oh, he's alive!

This reassurance overwhelmed Dream, and before she knew what she was doing, she ran to Silvern's side and threw her arms around him, ignoring the blood on his body and burying her head in his side, starting to cry in all her mixed emotions.

She barely knew when the door creaked open and someone yelled from the doorway. Her eyes were shut and streaming, and her ears heard only the sound of her own sobs.

[Phantom Angel]

~----Dryan----~


She could hear the falling of water inside her head. Drop, by drop, by drop, the water fell, ringing in her ears.

It sounded like screams, screams she didn't want to rember, screams she had struggled to forget.

"Gwira..." she whispered softly, feeling her stomach convulse. Nausea washed over her, yet when the fox struggled to open her eyes, they simply fell back like prison gates.

"Get her now! Over there! She's getting away!"

Her breath came in ragged gasps, as the sensation in her stomach intesified by apprehension.

"She's getting away! There will be hell to pay if we lose her now!"

The voices were familiar, yet strange. Their nasal tones matched her own way of speaking. She could feel the scent of the night's air invade her nostrils. It was so pungeat that she choked, and forgot to breathe for a few moments.

"Come on! Chase her off the cliff! That way the chief will never know she was here!"

Their voices were like mallets pounding in her brain. Each syllable hurt more than the next.

Then she fell.

"Oh lord!" Dryan yelped, and struggled to sit up on the cold, dusty floor.

The feeling of nausea from her stomach swam up to her head, making her disoriented, while still maintaining the urge to vomit.

"Where am I?" she asked, her voice sounding alarmingly hoarse and broken.

"It's okay darling. You're home, and you're safe." The familiar voice of her alternate personality whispered softly.

An unfamilar warmth spread through her body at the sound of the deep throaty voice. A tear of happiness rolled down Dryan's cheek, as the foxwoman sat on the dusty floor.

"Gwira...

[Kayay]

“It’s okay. You’ll be fine.” Silvern stroked Dream’s hair comforting her as one would a child. “Dryan?” He turned his head at the other woman’s yelp, one arm still draped around the crying girl’s shoulders. “What is it? What’s…”

“Who are you?” Maeko’s curt, no nonsense voice interrupted. Her shoes clicked sharply on the marble floor as the catwoman approached, eyeing the strangers suspiciously. The conscious blonde appeared to be the only one injured, but the wound didn’t seem fatal; then again, she was no doctor. As the foxwoman struggled to sit upright, Maeko stepped to the side to keep an eye on her as well. “Who are you, where did you come from, and how did you get in here?”

Footsteps behind her announced the arrival of a medic and a pair of guards, but when the catwoman turned to gesture for them to enter she caught sight of one of the washerwomen she’d been watching earlier peering into the temple. Wonderful. Her tail swished with irritation, but she reminded herself it was to be expected, and bit her tongue against the sharp reprimand she was tempted to give. The pillar of light had been seen by dozens of pairs of eyes, and it was only natural a few would come poking around.

“That one’s hurt.” She jerked her head in Silvern’s direction, and the medic hurried over to the man. “And you there by the door, make yourself useful and fetch Crimmius.”

[Eydtman]

Slowly Elisan began to hear the faint sound of voices and scuffling feet fade in from nothingness in which he was envelpoed. With each passing moment the sounds grew louder until they became clear enough that he could make out what the voices were saying.

“It’s okay. You’ll be fine.”

Elisan recognized that the voice was Silvern's. Slowly he began to open his eyes. His eyelids felt heavy as if there were tiny weights attatched to each of them trying to keep him from seeing the world around him.

“Who are you?”

Another voice, this one Elisan did not recognize, but it was in Gaean and not that foreign language that the people tend to spoke in this place. Elisan was now beginning to get feeling back into the rest of his body. Under his hands he could feel the cool hardness of a flat stone floor. Elisan's eye's flashed open quickly upon feeling the the stone beneath him. He quickly began to realize that he wasn't in the same place that he last remembered himself being. Instead of being in the forest outside of the Doc's house he was now in a stone room. As his vision became clearer he noticed that around him lay the familiar faces of the people he had met since arriving in the strange land. Dryan, Silvern and the girl were awake, but Nik and Fang were still laying unconcious on the ground.

"We've been captured?' was the first thing that ran through Elisan's mind. The last thing he remembered was turning to see how Silvern had made out in the battle. Had there been more pursuers in the forest than they had realized? Did they jump me when I turned?

“That one’s hurt.”

There was that voice that Elisan didn't recognize again. He sloely turned his head to face it. In front of the door stood a woman, a feline woman actually. Elisan caught a glimpse of some movement behind her and then saw the two armed gaurds.

"We have been captured." he thought to himself again.

Elisan slowly and laborously tried to force himself into a sitting position. It was then that he noticed that they all still had their weapons with them. Normally if one were to be captured, the removal of their weapons would be top priority. Something strange was going on.

Elisan saw someone hurry over to Silvern's side carrying a medical bag. It was then that he saw the wound in Silvern's arm. Elisan chuckled quietly at the sight of the wound.

"Hey Silvern," Elisan called to him in a quiet voice while rolling up the left sleeve of his shirt and slowly unravelling the bandage that was on his own arm. "Look, now we're like twins." He said pointing to the nearly identical wound he had recieved when he had first arrived in the strange land. With this Elisan broke out in laughter. Regardless of the situation they had found themselves in, and even though he didn't know why he found it so funny, he couldn't help but laugh.

[Megumi H]

Her sobs lessened and she eventually quieted as Silvern stroked her hair, and moved closer to him as he murmured encouraging words to her. Someone came over to them and tried gently to move Dream away, but she clutched tightly at Silvern's clothes in silent protest.

"It's all right," he assured her with a slight wince as she accidentally pulled against his arm. "He's only trying to help."

Dream looked up at him, but loosened her grip and slid her hand down into his, giving the medic enough room to work on Silvern's wounded arm.

Her throat was still tight with fear and from crying and she, in an attempt to still her trembling, squeezed his hand, turning her face away as the medic peeled back Silvern's shirt. She wiped her tears from her face with her sleeve.

Then she heard another voice and her skin prickled. "Hey, Silvern," it said, "Look, now we're like twins." Dream's face hardened and she gritted her teeth. How could this man be so casual? He began to laugh, and each ring sent shivers running up and down her spine. Her nose stung and she felt hot tears building behind her eyelids.

"Make him stop..." she pleaded softly to no one in particular. "Stop...."

[Phantom Angel]

Dryan could barely contain the happiness that seemed to want to spill down her cheeks. They were home, and she could feel the pulse of the presence at the back of her head. Gwira had returned, and never in her life had Dryan felt a more acute sense of relief.

"What happened to you? Why did you disappear all of a sudden?" She asked, breathless with anticipation.

"I can't explain what happened. After the doctor gave you that poison.... after I saw you dead...." Gwira couldn't continue, as a sob constricted her throat.

Dryan felt the cat's tears spill down her cheeks, and deep in the space of her mind, she felt Gwira's comforting presence envelop hers. For a moment, but just for a single moment, Dryan was allowed to feel all the fear, the relief and the happiness in the other's heart. It was a dizzying feeling.

"But I wasn't dead. I don't really know what the poison was or how it acted, but it didn't kill me."

" I realised that now, but after your conscience faded from your mind, I was left alone to search for you and..." Gwira was unsure of what to say next. She knew that under no circumstance was she to retell to Dryan what had happened after she lost consciousness. "Somehow, I begun to fade as well. And then everything I know was that you were back here, and you were dreaming that horrible dream. " She whispered, trying to sound as truthful as possible.

Dryan's suspicious nature was eclipsed by the happiness she was feeling at their reunion. If it would have been any other time, the fox woman would have instantly known she was being made a fool of.

However, as Gwira saw it, it wasn't lying. It was simply concealing a truth, and prolonging a painful decision for the time being. She ardently hoped it would be forever, but her experience argued against that fervent wish.

"Anyway, we should pay attention to what is going on around us." she suggested, meekly.

"Fang!" Dryan exclaimed.

The last thing she remebered from the sequence on the Mystic Moon was the taste of her salty tears, and Fang's chaste, but brotherly embrace. Then.... everything had faded and they had ended up here.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus was startled as the catwoman addressed her. "Yes, m'lady," she bowed. Then she turned and ran towards the gardens. Looking around, she saw her laundry lying on the ground and winced at the thought of the punishment she would receive. Spotting the tall lion-man standing by the rosebushes, she ran over to him.

"Pardon me, m'lord, but I was sent to get you. There is trouble at the temple," she said, bowing low.

[Kayay]

It was quite clear from the glares the blonde one shot towards the other man that there was hostility between the members of this little group. Maeko chewed thoughtfully on her bottom lip as she observed them for a few seconds. With the arrival of the Freid delegates and coronation ceremony that afternoon a bit of paranoia wasn’t unreasonable.

“Search them and confiscate anything that even looks like a weapon,” she ordered the guards. The catwoman crossed her arms over her chest and, tapping her carefully manicured claws against her arms, scrutinized, them before turning her attention to the medic. “How is he?”

The elderly man looked up from binding Silvern’s arm. “He lost a good amount of blood, but he’ll be fine.” He rose and walked stiffly to the woman’s side, lowering his voice a bit. “What puzzles me, however, is what caused a wound like this. It’s most unusual.”

Maeko wrinkled her nose and let out a rather unladylike little snort. What did she care about what the man’s wound looked like? The fact was, she had five strangers who’d appeared out of nowhere, one bleeding, to add to an already busy schedule. Her foul mood was interrupted by the grating laughter of one of the males and frightened sobs of the girl. Paces away, the dark skinned man was also slowly regaining consciousness, in response to the fox’s gentle urgings.

“I don’t know what you find so amusing, stranger,” she spoke icily to Elisan.

[DrkZealot]

Long minutes ago the sky erupted with a pale blue glow emitted from a shaft of light piercing through the clouds like a javelin, stabbing through the Temple below. It took long….very long moments for the raccoon to come to a reasonable course of action. For he was torn between his need to prove himself to those of Fanelia; he wished to work for them, protect them at all cost. He was torn between that and an unimaginable fear that clutched at his stomach, pinched his spine and immobilized his lower body when he tried to move forward (Yet moving backward, away from the light didn’t seem to be a problem). His eyes glanced from left to right, watching as some of the people from the yard abandoned their work to Investigate to the odd disturbance.
Under normal circumstances Wraith would have ran home crying at the unnatural sight before him, his overactive imagination conjuring images of Zaibachain engineered giant wererats being transported with the long pillar of light into the city, wreaking havoc on the cities cheese supply, then when all was consumed turning their attention to the ripe flesh of the Gaens (their preference being raccoon) inhabiting the large Kingdome. But he did finally come to a consensus, his loyalty to his new home took priority over his own life, he pledged it to Maeko and the rulers of Fanelia, and no scary beam of light was going to keep him from fulfilling his duty. He wouldn’t let those large rats from Zaibach destroy this city; he had grown quite fond of it in recent days. And while the sleeping accommodation weren’t what he would have liked them to be, and the food was lacking the subtle hints of iron and other metallic ore found in his Zaibachian meals, he came to accept it as home.
With that settled, and his course of action decided, he quickly made his way to the nearby temple his strong legs propelling him quickly across the city.

((ooc: Mwahahhahah feel the wrath of a rushed post))

[Fairybane]

Crimm looked up sharply as Maeko dashed past the gardens, vanishing before he could call to her.
Something is afoot... he thought to himself, a low disapproving rumble sounding deep in his throat. The old lion was aware that a youthful catgirl like Maeko was far lighter on her feet then he was, and immediately decided that attempting to pursue her would be fruitless.
If fate chooses to enlighten me...well it shall send me a sign. For now, I shall await its answer while enjoying this fine morning.
There was the sound of hasty footsteps upon the gravel walkway, and then a feminine voice broke the silence of the gardens.
"Pardon me, m'lord, but I was sent to get you. There is trouble at the temple."
Ah, so that's where Maeko was headed. Crimm turned around and smiled to the young maid who was bowing to him. Her face was unfamiliar, and looked to be of mixed ancestry but the feline features clearly bespoke her heritage.
"Please rise young miss, I am no lord but a humble priest," he said, bowing in return. "Please call me Father Crimm...but come now, let us see to this matter."

Crimmius was quite familiar with the path to the old temple, in fact he considered himself its caretaker. Though rarely used, he would still keep the grounds maintained for the rare times that one of the royal family would visit. And it was a peaceful place to meditate, knowing the stories associated with the temple, it made him feel closer to the gods just by being within the hallowed confines of the ancient building. But the omens of the morning weighing heavily in his mind, Crimm wondered just what kind of 'trouble' had occured. Glancing behind, he saw that the maid was trailing behind and he considered asking her for details.
"Miss, what sort of trouble has befallen the temple?" he asked in his deep baritone voice.

[Lady Fanel]

"Please call me Father Crimm...but come now, let us see to this matter."

Aethaeus bowed and followed the lion-priest to the temple. He led the way down the well-cared for paths as if he knew every curve, every direction he must take. He was quite a bit taller than Aethaeus, and she found herself wondering what he did as a priest.

"Miss, what sort of trouble has befallen the temple?" he asked in his deep baritone voice.

She almost jumped as he addressed her so formally. "Please, m'lord," she said, "call me Aethaeus." She bowed her head. "I am not worthy of being called a 'miss'." There was a pause. "I'm afraid I don't know much of what's going on at the temple, only that it has something to do with several people that were lying on the floor. They seemed hurt, because the catwoman who sent me called for medics. That's all I know, m'lord." Aethaeus lowered her eyes, embarassed at having talked to formally to one of her superiors.

[DrZepp]

Findel wearily looked up from the wash bucket, his face still red from the warm liquid.
*I've never spent this much time in the wash room.*
The samurai mused idly, thinking back to his Basram patrol days: Long months in the wilderness with little means of cleaning oneself. It was rough, but Findel had grown used to being dirty and unkempt at all times. Things had certainly changed as of late, though. He had barely even touched a glass of ale since Asturia, and he was secretly starting to like Freids airy attire. Yes, things were slowly beggining to change for the once proud (once slightly manlier) Basramian. He now found himself greatly anticipating the levi-ships arrival in Fanelia...
Thus, as he finished up with his wash he made for Gwyndolins main chambers, where he had left the Asturian with Aaron the night before.

*

"Morning..."
The Basramian said roughly, revealing his shirtless self to a groggy looking Gwyndolin. Her room was just as elaborate as the one in Freid had been (compared to the dull shades of Basram at least.) So, after checking out the interior designs, Findel dully noted that Aaron was gone.
"Where has he run off to now?"

Gwyndolin shrugged, standing up to face the Basramian.
Findels eyes showed immediate irritation at the thought that Aaron was wandering around, stabbing people, but that was soon washed away as he realised a new sensation, or rather a lack thereof... "The ship has stopped moving."
Gwyndolin nodded again.
"Yes, we have docked by now. We should be going."

[Fairybane]

"Hmmm..." Crimm's voice thundered and his tail swished back and forth. "Strangers in the temple?" The lion-man's hazel eyes glinted dangerously, and his stride suddenly lengthened so that Aethaeus was forced to scurry in order to keep up with him. For a moment, he had been a little hopeful, knowing the old stories associated with the temple and this land...that the ancient tales had come back to life. But if this was nothing more than a pack of bandits desecrating his temple...
At his hastened pace, Crimm and Aetheus arrived at the scene shortly, passing through the small crowd of onlookers, right up to the entrance to the temple. Glancing around, Crimm was relieved to see that nothing seemed to be damaged or stolen, but that a number of oddly dressed strangers were sprawled about the floor, with medics tending to a few.
"Maeko!" he called, recognizing the catwoman amongst the guards surrounding the strangers. "What on Gaia is happening here?"

[EvaRobby]

<<OOC: I'm going to make a sorry attempt at controlling Findel a little, forgive me ^_^;; >>

It suddenly clicked in Touji's head. The left. The lack of sleep he had last night wasn't helping him think at all. He had a hard enough time staying asleep, let alone getting that way. Nightmares kept finding him as he slept.

When he arrived at Gwyndolens door, he spent a short moment remembering what he was doing, and choosing his words for once he entered. He hoped she wouldn't still be asleep.

He knocked on the door, and it soon opened to reveal an unfamiliar topless man. Touji made an automatic assumption, though he didn't want to make it obvious. He daydreamed for a momet as he considered Gwyndolen's character, and the possibility that...

"Yes?" The man interrupted his toughts, Touji finally remembered where he was.

"Oh. Excuse me." He tried to remember his planned words, but failed miserably. "Is Gwyndolen here?"

[Kayay]

Many scathing words were on the tip of her tongue, but before the catwoman could verbally skin these people alive, Crimm arrived with all his usual forwardness.

“I have no idea Father Crimm. These people just appeared out of the blue,” Maeko make a dismissive little wave at the strangers, “and so far I haven’t gotten any explanations.” She arched an eyebrow and looked aside at the leonine man. “I assume you saw the light pillar. It sounds crazy, but at first I thought, well, you know the tales, but, except for the fact that they just spontaneously appeared out of nowhere, they look like average Gaeans. Unless,” she lowered her voice so the others did not hear, “you have any insight that they may be otherwise?”

The priest had no time to reply, for it was at that moment that the small crowd assembled at the door pushed forward, inadvertently shoving Wraith into the temple.

“Oh for the love of…” The anthro woman hissed, then noticed the raccoon anthro. “Wraith, since you’re here, do me a favor and watch the door, and keep any more nosey busy bodies OUT, or I’ll use them as my personal scratching post!”

Meako turned back to Crimm. He was an imposing figure; perhaps he could get some answers. “Father, the visitors from Freid will be here soon, and I must go meet them, so I’ll leave things in your hands for now. The guards will take them to an extra room near the servant’s wing, but I want them kept together, so have extra cots brought in necessary, and since Wraith and that other girl,” she nodded at Aethaeus, “are already around, they can assist you.”

[Phantom Angel]

Suddenly, the room was filled with strangers that seemed to just appear out of nowhere. For a moment, Dryan was taken aback by the fact that she could understand what they were saying.

"Well, no duh, it is Gaea...." Gwira replied silently.

Dryan rolled her eyes but stayed silent. She didn't like them. In fact, the first thing she wanted to do was to stand up, then to go find the nearest tavern and get drunk, pass out and wake up in the morning all nicely refreshed, minus a splitting headache.

It wasn't often that the fox woman got drunk. In all her life, she had only done so two or three times. The urge to do so now, however, was overwhelming.

"You handle this. They disgust me." Dryan motioned to Gwira.

In the split second that passed between Gwira opened her mouth, the fox's eyes turned a vibrant shade of green.

"Hey, you cat woman over there! And you priest man! How about you help us get our wounded out of here and treated, instead of marvelling stupidly at the fact that we've suddenly appeared here."

"I didn't mean for you to be that rude..." Dryan sighed inside their mind.

"Well, you never said be nice either." Gwira argued back.

"It was implied. After all this is their country and their castle. Would you want to be imprisoned on account of your big mouth???"

Looking around the room, Dryan saw that it fit the description in the old history tomes, that talked about the arival of the seer on Gaea. Undoubtedly, they were in Fanelia, and this were members of the Fanelian castle.

"This is juuust wonderful." she thought, a tinge of sarcasm in her inner voice.

"You're the one that didn't want to talk to them.... "

"I don't, they disgust me."

"Then don't complain about my way of doing things. " Gwira concisely ended the argument.

The argument made Dryan feel fuzzy inside, and she complied, knowing that one way or another they would manage to smooth things over with the others. And if not, she could always find someone willing to get her out of the city without anyone knowing.

"Come on you guys, let's get out of here... They're oviously of little help." Gwira whispered softly to the others, as she slowly crawled towards Fang, trying to shake the slayer into consciousness.

"What is the extent of Silvern's wound?" Dryan asked, trying to smooth over Gwira's not-so-suble insult.

[DrkZealot]

One minute Wraith remembered himself mulling about outside the temple with the swelling crowd, unsuccessfully working up the courage to enter. Even the behind view of Maeko stepping inside, as tempting as it was, was still not incentive enough for the young ex soldier to enter. Yet, the next he was tossed prematurely into the Temple like the innards of an over ripened grape being pinched from the sides by the small crowd that continued to massed outside. His chin slammed painfully onto the hard marvel floor, and he could feel the tears welling in his eyes, and fought hard to quickly suck up the pain and stagger to his feet.

“Wraith, since you’re here, do me a favor and watch the door, and keep any more nosey busy bodies OUT, or I’ll use them as my personal scratching post!” He heard Maeko grumble impatiently.
“But…but I just got here…” He whined dusting himself off. But before he could continue his protest, a sharp glare from the oddly authoritative catwoman shut him up seemingly indefinitely. With his snout shut and his tail between his legs he cast the woman another pleading glance that was (in his eyes) rudely ignored and made his way back outside the temple. Secretly relived he didn’t have to stay inside he slammed the door behind him and held out his right arm and shook his head at any meddlesome soul that got up enough courage to take a curious step towards the entrance.

“Nothin’ ta see here people, go on home.”

He yelled in the strongest, most commanding voice he could muster. Sadly enough it came out with a slightly soprano pitch which led many to merely chuckle under their breath and turn around returning home.

[Kayay]

I’m going to kill them. No, first I’m going to shred them into tiny bits and THEN kill anyone who survives.

With forced politeness and a false smile, Maeko walked lover to the fox, hands clasped behind her back. “’Stupidly’, hmm?” Her jade eyes narrowed and she looked haughtily down at Dryan. “’Stupid’’ is running off your mouth when already up to your neck in hot water, so you’d better shut your shut your trap before you end up drowning yourself.”

Maeko took a step back, and her eyes slid over to the one the woman identified as Silvern. “And your friend will be fine," she continued in a slightly less hostiel tone. "The doctor has already patched him up and tells me he just needs some food and rest and,” she added noting the rather ragged state of the group, “a bath. In fact, you all could use one.” Her ears twiched and swiveled in response to the guard's movements. "Remember," she repeated, "search them thouroughly and confiscate anything that looks like a weapon, even if it's a harmless little nail file."

“You can stop shaking me now Dryan,” Fang groggily muttered and slowly sat up. Once his eyes adjusted to the light, he looked around at the stained glass, the tiny altars, at Maeko and Crimm, and finally at Dryan. “Either they’ve joined the rest of us on the mystic Moon, or we’re back home. The second answers seems the most logical, but that doesn’t tell me exactly where we are other than some sort of holy place.”

[Eydtman]

"Oh forget it." Elisan thought to hismelf. Noone else seemed to be laughing except for himself, but that was ok. He never even bothered to respond to the catwoman who asked him what was so funny since she wouldn't understand anyways. It would just be a waste of breath.

He was still rather confused about this situation however. At first it appeared as if they had been already captured, but now it appeared as if they were just about to be captured by the people here, and on top of that they were most definately Gaean. The last thing Elisan remembered was still just turning to face Silvern to see how he had made out in the battle and then he woke up here.

The catwoman ordered the gaurds to take their weapons, which Elisan didn't like one bit. He hoped that since his blades were retracted into they housing on his arm, that anyone who looked at them would assume them just to be some sort of arm gaurd. One thing was for sure, he most definately didn't want them finding out what the gun he had stashed behind his back was, or what it was capable of. Upon the guise of maneuvering himself into a more comfortable position Elisan slid the gun deeper down into the back of his pants so that it could not be seen. If they frisked him they would definately notice it, but if that happened he'd simply lie and say it was something else, and not a weapon. No weapon such as this existed in Gaea so he felt it safe that they wouldn't be able to tell it was a weapon, unless Silvern or one of the others ratted it out. In which case he would skin them alive and use their face as a hat. Elisan chuckled inwardly to himself at the thought of what an ugly hat Silvern's face would make.

Another anthro, this one much more intimidating, had arrived on the scene and began talking to the cat woman that seemed to be the person in charge here.

“Father, the visitors from Freid will be here soon, and I must go meet them, so I’ll leave things in your hands for now. The guards will take them to an extra room near the servant’s wing, but I want them kept together, so have extra cots brought in necessary, and since Wraith and that other girl,” she nodded at Aethaeus, “are already around, they can assist you.” said the cat woman.

So they were going to be taken to a room in the servants wing? It was a hell of alot better than a dungeon atleast. This only made the situation more confusing though. Just why were they here? Were they to be prisoners?

"Guess i'll just have to play this one by ear for now." he thought to himself.

If they were indeed back on Gaea, things could get messy if anyone recognized him. He wasn't going to go back to that hell without a fight...

[Princess Samari]

OOC: Wehaw! I be movin through threads!

[DrkZealot]

E…excuse me Miss Maeko” A meek voice sounded from behind the cracked door of the temple, and a fuzzy masked face popped from the behind the open door, the gap only large enough to fit his small head.

“The crowed has lessened, I…I don’t think there’s need for me to watch the door anymore”

He stated with a slight wince, bracing himself for the oncoming reprimand he could feel about to explode from the disgruntled catwoman. For long moments he patiently waited as she continued to address the large lion Monk who calmly spoke or nodded his head in accordance to Maeko’s words. “But…but if you want me to stay out here, I’ll be glad to do so” He continued, still waiting for an answer, his clear blue eyes lowering to the temple floor in embarrassment, knowing he was interruption an important development.

The short amount of time he was outside had been quite an eye opener for the young anthro, he recalled standing before this woman, bloody and bruised, pledging allegiance to Fanelia (and to her afterwards). He would give his life for a second chance, a chance to break himself away from the fetid body known as Zaibach, an entity that would not hesitate killing thousands of men and women alike to advance but one step foreward towards their goal. Maeko was the reason he was standing there (though scared to death) at the moment, the reason he wasn’t rotting in one of their prisons as a Zaibach spy; it was because of her. He continued to stand, refusing to enter the temple until given word by her, or the Monk whom he was informed about, and who he held in high respect for the sheer fact he had little to no religious history.
His clawed finger skid upon the surface of the temples outer wall as he waited, his muscles tensing ever now and then when he noticed a quick movement from the woman he owed his life to. It felt as if he broke his mothers favorite vase and awaited punishment from the woman who was now so angry couldn’t speak; her anger standing watch in her throat, violently blocking any statements that stumbled too far near the opening. Maeko seemed so different this day, so angry, tense and irritable…because of this he decided to bother her as little as possible, and offer his services in any way possible. ~ please don’t yell at me, please don’t yell at me~ The words began to scramble throughout his head, bouncing off the walls of his skull like a rubber ball, stealing away every bit of his attention like a greedy child snatching away another’s favorite toy. ~Please…I hate being yelled at…~

[Kayay]

Like hell I’ll let you keep any weapons while we are unarmed.

“I’d take those gauntlets from him if I were you,” Silvern coolly told the guard searching Elisan, “and I’d frisk him too, just in case he’s hiding anything, then again, I think he’d like that.” He smiled as he willingly handed over his saber to the other soldier, figuring it was best to cooperate.

Maeko cocked her head and stared at Elisan for a second. He didn’t seem like that kind of man, but then again…

“E…excuse me Miss Maeko”

She looked dispassionately at the raccoonman. Honestly, he was one of the most timid creatures she’d ever met. “No, it’s all right. Come in.” Wraith shuffled in a few steps and she shook her head with a small amused turn of her lips. Her temper was like quicksilver, changing with unexpected swiftness, and it was hard to be angry towards one so meek. “You can come in a bit more than that Wraith. Father Crimm may need your assistance.”

[DrkZealot]

Still ashamed and a tab bit confused with the sudden change of mood in the temple the young raccoon took a few more cautiously steps within at the sweet call of Maeko, never once lifting an ashamed eye from the floor. The short raccoon was outwardly frightened, his steps were quick and uneven, and his head remained lowered as if trying to evade invisible arrows he could feel whizzing by his head from the mass of people inside. He could think of nothing to say, nothing to do, she scared the living daylights out of him and he was afraid to say the slightest thing, in fears of offending her and bringing back that horrible, angry look on her face. That image burned deep upon the youths brain like a searing hot cattle brand, and that look convinced him to try, at all costs, not to ever make her angry like that again.
He hated the fact people of authority scared him witless, but the because he held the woman and the monk in such high respect, he couldn’t bare to see a disapproving look from either of the two. He knew that if he stayed quiet and out of the way, there would be nothing for those in charge to yell at him for, so he did just that, remained silent and obedient.

He crept further into the temple, his pace quickening as his peripheral vision caught the sight of the catwoman off the corner of his eye, his head remained down even after passing her, the clear blue orbs dead set on the floor as if making an honest attempt to count every weathered crack on its surface. Standing beside Crimm he remained silent, even his long oversized tail took heed of his mental notes, as if it too were afraid to make any sudden moves.
There was no need to speak now, he had his orders from Maeko; he was to assist the large Monk if need be, but the intruders seemed cooperative on the most part, so he assumed he would have little to no work. So, until he was asked to speak, or do anything further, he remained quiet, just like back in Zaibach. Needless to say, the nostalgia wasn’t at all welcome.

[Megumi H]

Dream felt even more confused. Where were they, and what did that cat-like woman just call them? And why did the fox-woman- Dryan, her name was- suddenly seem a little... less normal than before?

Then she sighed deeply at the mention of rest and a bath. With all that running through the streets and tripping through the woods, rest and a bath were the comforts she now craved most. Looking down at herself, she noticed besides the blood some smudges of dirt and bits of dry leaves. She wrinkled her nose in disgust. She looked over at the others, wondering if they'd gone through close to the same thing.

Dryan continued to shake the man named Fang, and he quickly regained consciousness, looking around and mumbling something about 'the mystic moon,' 'home,' and 'a holy place.'

Which again begged the question: Where are we?

Dream gave Silvern's hand a quick squeeze and asked "Silvern...san...sir... do you know where we are?"

There were so many more strange-looking people here besides Dryan... there was of course, the cat-woman, and then that huge lionish man, and then... what looked like a raccoon-man. Was this Dryan's home?


((OOC: I know this is a crap post, but I'm just making sure we all know I'm still here.))

[Phantom Angel]

“’Stupid’’ is running off your mouth when already up to your neck in hot water, so you’d better shut your shut your trap before you end up drowning yourself.”

She had mouth, Gwira admited silently. However, just because she had mouth that did not mean she had to use it so freely.

"Shall I teach her a little lesson?" Gwira asked.

"Just as long as you don't get us imprisoned or otherwise restrained from the nearby supply of food, sure." Dryan, who was not too high on people insulting them agreed from within.

Gwira openly licked her lips, a lopsided grin stretching her smile.

“a bath. In fact, you all could use one.”

"You're just jealous that we travelled to the Mystic Moon and you didn't. But it's okay. We brought back presents." Gwira snarled, slowly.

"Now, if you're a good kitty I'll even give you some mothballs to chase. But... first you have to show me the way to the nearest bath. I want to smell of home again." Gwira added, arcing an eyebrow in silent challenge at the cat girl.

"I think she'll be really pissed now... Dryan commented with a sigh.

"No one, absolutely no one, calls me STINKY!"

"Aye, aye. I'm so not getting involved in this." Dryan added with amusement.

There was no need for her involvement. Gwira was perfectly capable of insulting the cat girl all on her own. The fox's attention strayed towards Fang who was struggling to stand up.

"From the way this chamber looks, I'd say we're in Fanelia." Dryan burst out, in response to his question.
"But, a lot might have changed in 100 years."

[Fairybane]

Silent but by no means idle, Crimm's acute feline hearing was taking in everything the strangers were saying. It was much to comprehend, but the huge lionman quickly uttered a mantra in his throat to keep his great heart from beating right out of his chest.
By the gods! The Mystic Moon!
He had not noticed the beam of blue light, signalling the arrival of these outlanders, otherwise he immediatly would have recalled the old stories...but at least Maeko had arrived to take control of the matter. But knowing the fiesty catwoman's unpredictable temper...
Crimm firmly placed his paws on Maeko's shoulders, gently but powerfully pulling her away from the strangers and towards the door. "Listen not to her taunts young one, she would like nothing more than to see you angry..." Glancing back at the sharp tongued foxwoman, he saw that her attention had already drifted back to her companions. "I think it would be best to make sure that the arrival of our...guests here does not trouble our future queen, as she has quite enough to worry about. In fact, you might tell all the guards that discretion would be preferred in this matter."
Movement from below caught his attention, and glancing down, he noticed the black and grey masked face of a racoon looking back at him with glittering eyes. "Ah, Wraith...I did not notice you there...I suppose Maeko wanted you to help...?" The monk suddenly recalled the shy catgirl that had brought him to the temple. "Aetheus! I would like our guests to be well-fed before I speak with them. Wraith here would be glad to help you bring some breakfast to the guest wing if you would be so kind?"

[Kayay]

With Father Crimm left to deal with this minor crisis, Maeko breathed a bit easier. Wraith, she noticed, was still staring determinedly at the floor. “Relax a bit Wraith and remember to breath, or you’ll pass out on us, and then what?” She sighed and took a few steps towards the exit. The boy would have to grow a spine one day, but until then…

"You're just jealous that we travelled to the Mystic Moon and you didn't. But it's okay. We brought back presents. Now, if you're a good kitty I'll even give you some mothballs to chase. But... first you have to show me the way to the nearest bath. I want to smell of home again."

Her ears slicked back and she whirled around and strode over to the still sitting foxwoman. So this one was a little smart ass was she? Maeko opened her mouth to retaliate but was thankfully interrupted by Crimm’s levelheaded actions. Reluctantly she let him guide her away. Were it anyone else, she’d be clawing his eyes out, but the Priest was one of those few she listened to without too much protest…usually.

“Yes…yes thank you Father Crimm.” She inclinded her head in a little bow and turned to leave, first shooting Dryan a venomous glare that made it clear that their little battle was far from over.

“And I thought Silvern was the only one with a death wish around here,” Fangolas dryly muttered under his breath to Dryan as he watched the angry catwoman leave. “The friction betwixt he and Elisan and you and the feline are enough to send us up in flames before long.” Shifting his weight to a more comfortable position, he shuddered as one last wave of pressure washed through his body, the origin being his energist. Then the pain finally left, and he breathed a bit easier. Now more than ever, however, he wished he could extract the damned gemstone, or at least figure out how to control it.

Silvern, meanwhile, ignoring Elisan’s furious looks for revealing his stash of weapons, focused upon the girl Dream. “We’re in ‘Fanelia’, although it’s no city I’ve ever heard of and…wait, how is it you can understand their language now?” He shook his head. “Nevermind. It’s not important. They’re all on edge, but they don’t seem to mean us any harm.”

[Hitomi_333]

*Everything in Gwyndolin's head felt fuzzy, as if she was unable to get a hold onto reality. The entire night had been spent trying to question Aaron or to keep a watch to prevent him from escaping. However, the questioning was a disappointment as Aaron refused to say anything, despite Gwyndolin's "persuasiveness." She knew that sleep wouldn't be possible for a great many hours though.

"Where has he run off to now?" Findel demanded.

Gwyndolin shrugged, her brain partially not comprehending what he asked. "Oh, he's in the other bedroom," she finally added, dully.

The levi-ship had come to a stop and at that moment the two knights realized it. "The ship has stopped moving." Findel remarked.

"Yes, we have docked by now. We should be going," Gwyndolin replied. She made a move to get her bags and to get Aaron. As little as she trusted him alone anywhere, she knew that from that additional bedroom (which she assumed may have been meant for Touji, her young charge) had no means of escape. However, before she could do that there was a knock at the door and Findel answered it.

"Oh. Excuse me. Is Gwyndolen here?"

Gwyndolin heard Touji's voice from behind the door. "Yes, I'm in here," she called out to him. "Come on in." She moved about her room, gathering the few belongings that she had taken out, though for the most part she was fully packed and ready to leave in an instant.

"You look tired," she told the boy, as if she hadn't stayed up all night. "The levi-ship has landed in Fanelia and I'm told that there are to be carriages waiting to take us to the palace. Are you ready to leave?" she asked him.

Gwyndolin sighed, putting the last of her things in her bag. Traveling with Aaron made her duty much more stressful than it would have been. He'd needed to be watched to prevent him from stabbing anyone or otherwise causing trouble. However, she hated to have him near Touji, whom she was also in charge of keeping out of trouble (though that seemed to be easy). At least having someone to protect prevented her from feeling sorry for herself as she had in Freid, for which she was ashamed. From here on out she would only do her duty.*

OOC: heh, due to Kayay's relentless harassment, I've returned from my extended absence ^^ heh... sorry for not posting.

[DrkZealot]

The large clear blue eyes rose from the floor, and the black tipped triangular ears perked upon hearing his name and being assigned a task. He nodded his head in compliance but couldn’t help but wonder the logic behind it. He heard Maeko’s words of false warning and let out a small sigh, forcing a smile even less genuine than Maeko’s concern that seemed lined with annoyance. His small paw passed through the short fuzz over his head as he pondered how to word his question to the rather intimidating Lion.
“Excuse me…Father Crimm” He mumbled in low tones, taking a quick moment to glance over his shoulder to the sharp tongued intruders, most notably the one exchanging harsh words with Maeko. “I mean no disrespect in what I say, I just want to know why it is these people who intruded upon such a sacred place, blatantly lie to you and Miss Maeko about being from the Mystic Moon, then continue to insult Miss Maeko get treated to breakfast? It’s just…they’re story is such an obvious lie…and instead of being heavily interrogated, they’re given a warm meal, a warm bath, and a room more than likely twice as large as mine….N-not to say the living accommodations you’ve given me are unsatisfactory” he hurriedly corrected himself with the lie, “it’s just that…they’re intruders, just as I was. And they’re being treated as honored guests…”

He wished he could have retracted that statement. Thinking back upon it, it was obvious, even to him he was only jealous. His naivety took control of his mind and he wondered why it was strange intruders of the Temple, who claimed to have come from the Mystic moon flaunting multiple weapons get treated better than a bloodied, bruised, beaten and weaponless ex Zaibach soldier in a nonfunctional Guymelef. He was thrown in jail like a common criminal, and even when Miss Maeko finally managed to get him out, he was stuck in a room that he still believes at one time housed only cleaning products, and he knew there were still several spies watching his every move. He looked down, ashamed at himself for such thoughts; even more so he voiced a sliver of them before Father Crimm. Scratching the back of his head he quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything….I’ll get their breakfast now” He mumbled shaking the thoughts from his head, standing upright and swiftly walking past the group, casting Aethaeus a quick look, signaling he was not waiting for her.

((OOC: Wraith doesn't know anything about the story of Hitome coming from Earth. He wasn't taught anything about it in Zaibach; knows nothing of the legends, and still belives anyone claiming to be from the Mystic Moon is stark raving mad.))

[Kayay]

~~~~outside the temple~~~~

“Where are you off to in such a hurry, young man?”

A cool voice called to Wraith, and a thin, wiry middle aged man dressed from head to toe in finely tailored black approached the anthro. A leader of sorts among the merchant’s, Foucault was a familiar face on the palace grounds, often speaking to the council on behalf of his guild, and while he was an excellent negotiator and politician, he was also, to be blunt, creepy. From under a fringe of limp shoulder length black hair, her regarded the world from cold, distant eyes of an inky black, and he smiled that slick politician’s smile, his lips turning upwards slightly in mild amusement at Wraith’s nervousness. Something interesting was happening, and the merchant was the type who liked to be in the know.


~~~~leviship~~~~

Most of the time was spent showing the girl around the ship, stopping by the library, the small meditation room, the bridge, the dining area, and the observation deck. “This ship is designed for speed and comfort, but it’s not a recreation vehicle, so most people spend their time reading, meditating, or games suited to two or three people,” Dharr had explained. Midway through a stroll on the deck, a deckhand paused by the pair, informing them that the carriages had arrived to take them to the palace. Dharr nodded, and held out his hand to Chigusa to lead her to the gangway. “Your luggage will be brought along ahead of us, so unless there’s anything else, we can see if your friends are already waiting for us.”

*

Aaron, still in something of a daze, emerged from the bedroom, the journal, hidden from sight, weighing him down, an albatross around his neck so to speak. Ignoring the knight, samurai and the newly arrived boy, a face familiar from Freid, Aaron stood silently in the doorframe. His sword was still by his side, not surprising once one realized that any attempt to separate him from the macabre blade might set him off. Somehow he’d managed not to lose control during the night long interrogation, but there was little he could explain. Looking down at his hand, he wondered just why he’d done it. What had come over him, and why couldn’t he remember?

*

He was far from healed, but at least he felt somewhat better. Then again, he thought wryly, anything was “better” than slowly bleeding to death. Early that morning Seth had managed to talk the guard watching the infirmary to help him to his quarters. It had taken more time than usual, but he’d managed to don a suitable uniform. A shame I can’t do something about this crutch. It makes me feel like and old man, he chuckled to himself as he leaned his weight upon the supports. Checking one last time that everything was packed and set aside for the porters, Seth walked out to be escorted to the waiting carriages.

[Lady Fanel]

"Aetheus! I would like our guests to be well-fed before I speak with them. Wraith here would be glad to help you bring some breakfast to the guest wing if you would be so kind?"

The young servant bowed. "Of course, m'lord, as you wish. If you'll excuse me." She saw the racoon-man give her a quick look as he walked by and out of the temple. Aethaeus gave one final bow as she followed him outside.

She heard someone calling to Wraith as she stepped out the door, blinking in the sudden light. Placing her hand above her eyes to shield off the sun, she saw an odd-looking man dressed in black approaching Wraith.

[EvaRobby]

"Are you ready to leave?"

Toujis stopped to consider his long list of possessions, these clothes, those clothes, this sword, that sword, and his watch. He silently pondered how much they'd pay for such a 'magical' device here, he'd probably get enough to buy some extra pairs of underwear.

"I guess so, though I don't know where my other sword has gotten to."

Touji spotted Findel in the corner of his eye, reminding him of his suspicions. He wondered for a moment whether he actually wanted to hear her answer.

"Who's that guy?"

He considered the possibility of something like a male concubine existing. The idea of it made him shudder.

[Eydtman]

Elisan shot mental daggers at Silvern. It looked like Elisan would be planning on making that ugly hat soon now. If Silvern had only kept his big mouth shut they might not have noticed. Bastard. Oh well, if Silvern ended up in trouble and needed to fight but Elisan had no weapons because of him, he'd simply watch and laugh. Well he would have watched and laughed anyways, but that's beside the point.

"Why of course, I was just planning on handing these over to you." Elisan said faking a cheerful expression. "I had no intention of keeping these on here anyways, it's not like I'd need them at all here right?" Elisan carefully undid his weapons and placed them on the ground infront of him. "Be careful now, there are some quite sharp blades within those." He said to the nearest guard.

Elisan knew that Silvern would rat out what the gun was if they found it on him by frisking so he reluctantly pulled it out aswell and motioned for the guard who was picking up his gauntlets to come a little closer, which he did. Normally in this situation Elisan would have attacked, but he couldn't see any way of doing that and escaping in this situation, so instead he tried to play it smart.

In a quiet voice so that noone but the guard and himself could hear what was being said Elisan spoke to the guard. "See this here, this is actually my medicine dispenser but that guy over there doesn't trust me and thinks it's a weapon of some sort. He's a crafty one, he is. Always trying to get me into trouble and all. I really don't know what's his problem. Anyways, I'll still give this to you so that he doesn't make a fuss. When I leave I'd like it back though please. I can;t go too long without my medication."

Elisan worked the action quietly on the gun several times ejecting the bullets onto the grounf infront of him, counting them as they fell a few inches to the ground until they had all been ejected.

"...two, three, four, five..."

Again he spoke to the guard. "I'll need these now though, or else I'll get deathly ill." He said as he picked up the handfull of bullets and swallowed them one by one before handing over the gun to the guard. "There ya go. Don't go losing it now." He said with a faked smile.

As the guard turned his back to walk to the next person he shot an icy look toward Silvern.

"I hate you SOOOOOOO much!."

[Fairybane]

Crimm shook his head quietly as Wraith departed and Aetheus followed quietly. He didn't know too many of the details surrounding Wraith's harrowing escape from Zaibach, but he found the young Racoon-man's personality endearing. The impetuosity of youth, it would be hypocritical of me to berate him for speaking his mind... He would find Wraith later on and tell him some of the ancient tales of Fanelia.
But back to the matters at hand...Crimmius looked up just in time to notice the chilling look that one of the strangers sent towards his companion.
"...looks Zaibachian," muttered one of the guards, tinkering with the clever mechanisms of the retracting blade-gauntlets.
Clearing his throat thunderously, Crimm stepped behind the guard, lowering the gauntlet with his sinewy paw.
"If the guests have entrusted all their weapons to our safekeeping, let us move them to a more accomadating location." Rattling his prayer beads, Crimm subtly drew their attention to the fact that they were in a sacred temple of all places.
Giving a collective superstitious wince, the guards milled about, helping the strangers to their feet and neatly filing them out of the temple until Crimm was left by himself in the hollow emptiness, the mild din from outside echoing within.
"What darkness approaches these peaceful times that requires the aid of the Mystic Moon?" Crimm asked nobody in particular. Others of his faith might have been skeptical, But Crimmius had always trusted his instincts over all else. And his instincts told him that interesting times had just begun.

[Chesta chesta chesta]

Outside, in the glorious sunshine, two forms leaned against the side of one of the carriages. A feathered beast sat perched on a shoulder. Neither of them had any luggage, though one did seem to hold a pastry of some kind.

“I’m going to give it to Chigusa and she will talk again.” The pastry was rather lopsided as if someone had sat on it or perhaps dropped it.

Tonton brushed his hands against it, like you straighten a shirt, but the pastry didn’t seem like it felt like responding to the touch and remained deformed.

“I don’t think she would want to eat that.”

“Of course she would. Chigusa is…what do you call us…”

The earth boy pressed a chubby finger against his chin and tried to think harder than he had ever done before. All it did was to make him hungry. Eitre never moved his gaze from the gangway, it flickered from passenger to passenger as he tried to see if he recognised anyone.

The two had come to an agreement that they would refuse to share carriage with anyone that they didn’t know. Neither did it seem that anyone wanted to question them on why they hogged a carriage. Maybe they were intimidated by Tonton and his lopsided pastry.

“Trouble?”

“The other word. Earth people.”

There was no sight of her as yet, nor anyone they knew of the name of.

“Mystic moon.”

“Yes, Mystic moon eats food.”

If Tonton could’ve been anymore prouder then he would’ve exploded. He had a master plan. He was going to find all the mystic mooners and they could go on a big nice picnic. Everyone loved picnics.

[DrZepp]

Findel grasped his bandaged shoulder, realizing that he should probably put a shirt on before entering Fanelia. He glanced across the room, noticing his pile of sparse belongings. Brushing past Gwyndolin in several strides, Findel cocked his head as the young boy spoke.
"Who's that guy?"
Touji said, seeming to ignore the fact that Findel was standing no more than five feet away. There was a moment of silence as Gwyndolin turned to face the samurai, but she was soon cut off.

"Findel Falor. I hail from Basram."
Findel said routinely, looking down at his Freidian tunic.
"And you are the Mystic Moon boy..."
He continued, slipping the shirt on with an air of disinterest. He remembered Toujis story from the throne room, yet with all the new faces it was unlikely that the earthling recognized him.
Findel furrowed his brow. Just seeing Touji again reminded him of all the revelations concerning the mystic moon... information that the Basramian would have been better off not hearing.
In a fit of inner frustration, Findel immediately started to doubt Toujis tales from Freid, despite the fact that only a day before he had been quite convinced that Risa and the others travels were true. Findel proved too stuborn to be changed overnight, and there was no doubt that it would take time for his beliefs to shift. With a huff, the samurai tried to push the thoughts to the back of his mind.

"I am departing... if you care to join me, so be it."
He exclaimed gruffly, striding past Gwyndolin one last time and heading for the exit.
With his head downcast, Findel barely noticed Aaron, standing quietly at the door. The two men bumped shoulders as Findel brushed by with a low cough.

[Kayay]

~~~~Foucault ~~~~

Not waiting for a reply nor an invitation, Foucault fluidly fell into step with the raccoonman, arcing a brow in acknowledgment to Aetheus’ arrival. Two servants, nervously hurrying from the temple off to who knew where to do who knew what was enough in itself to catch his interest, but after the commotion, it was reasonable to assume something quite important was happening.

“I hope you don’t mind my joining you on your way to the palace, but I myself was just headed that way for a meeting with the Representative of the Guilds.” His interest increased when from the temple behind them emerged several more people, among them the Priest, a handful of guards and medics, and five unfamiliar faces. Well, well, well… Not just anyone gained admittance to the royal family’s temple, and guessing from their escort and the sour looks on their faces, these strangers weren’t exactly welcome.


~~~~Aaron~~~~

Aaron barely acknowledged Findel, looking up blankly at him as the man bumped him aside. It was hard to believe this usually emotionless young man had attacked Seth the previous day, but Aaron was full of surprises, not the least of which was his Draconian heritage that only a handful of people knew about, so whether he’d lose himself in another irrational haze of rage, no one, not even Aaron himself, could say for sure. One thing he did know was, although part of him wanted to seek solitude, he had to talk to Seth again and try to figure things out. So while Gwyn was preoccupied with Touji, Aaron slipped out after Findel, silently shadowing the Basramian through the hallways.

[Hitomi_333]

*Gwyndolin was irritated by Findel's complete coldness, but she put on a happy face for Touji's benefit. "Well, we'd better head out then," she saw that Aaron was following Findel and decided that it would be best to ignore the strange young man for now, as it seemed that there could be little to gain from keeping him captive.

For the nth time in the last few days Gwyndolin picked up her bags and began carrying them down the hallway. In all reality, she cared little for most of her personal belongings, but the bag that she was entrusted with from the King was precious to her. Gwyn missed King Arien although she'd only been his personal guard for a few days. The young king was always very kind and hospitable... unlike certain people that she'd been in the company of as of late.

"We'll grab your luggage and then take one of the carriages to the palace," Gwyn interrupted her own thoughts and announced. "Eh," she realized with a sheepish grin, "I don't even know which direction your room is." Some guardian I am... not even knowing where his room is-- I couldn't have checked in on him if I tried.

[DrkZealot]

((ooc: Things don't seem to be going very well for me in the rpg. I can't seem to get into character *sigh*))

In the early morning hours it could be heard blocks around. The high pitched, woman like scream that erupted and fell upon the ears of all within it’s vast radius. The epicenter? The medium sized raccoon male now sprawled on the floor, his right hand clutching his chest, his face twisted in terror as the screams continued to echo off the stone walls of surrounding building.
His mind had been elsewhere since he exited the temple, his thoughts wandering here and there, most about Maeko and Crimm. Others consisting of his surroundings, such as the beautiful day; how that strange woman across the street seemed to have something caught in her eye by the way she seemed to only blink with her left when looking at him. He also noticed the two guys there across the street, both of them seemingly forgetting the other wasn’t a woman the way they were kissing and all. These thought took over the majority of his attention and he was unaware he was being followed by Aetheus, let alone the grimy merchant who’s creepy face seemed to pop out of nowhere when the young man turned to look to his right. And so there he was in the present. His screams had now subsided, and the initial shock was worn off, but his heart still felt as if it would shatter through his chest with the ferocity it continued to beat. After a few minutes of deep breaths and pounding on the left side of his chest to get his heart going again, he somewhat gained control of himself and propped himself up with his right elbow, shakily trying to bring himself to his feet before mumbling in a low trembling voice answering the Merchants question.

“I..I…I d-d-don’t m-mind at all”

[Endurance]

Nothing had annoyed Ecli quite as much as hiding inside leviship full of busy people for a whole night. It had been quite a challenge to remain completely unnoticed by everyone and at the same time locate Chisuga's whereabouts too.

He had spent rest of the night in half slumped position, silently musing over the situtation again and again to come up with a proper plan of how to deal with both Chisuga and Aaron,who had in some mysterious way managed to obtain Dryden's journal. Ecli swallowed hard, effectively digesting a clod of disgustingly bitter herbs he had been chewing.

This is a reckless gamble.... but I'd rather risk some mild side effects of unboiled herbs than falling down with a sudden, uncontrollable seizure

Ecli observed calmly how Dharr came to escort Chisuga out of the leviship. He was too far away to hear what they were talking about but it looked like they were about to leave soon. Ecli waited for them to leave first and after that rose up, stretched his sore muscles and started pursuing the unaware couple. For Ecli's dismay Dharr and Chisuga were visiting just about every crowded place inside the leviship, including meditation room, bridge and dining area just to name the few.

Finally Dharr and Chisuga started walking to direction where Ecli knew gangway to be. Smiling ominiously Ecli fondled the tip of his dagger as he pondered his next action.

I will blend into crowd and slip inside the palace grounds with them. I have watched that Chisuga long enough to notice that she tends to isolate herself from the others. If she does that again I can easily capture her.

Ecli had always trusted on his instincts. He would succeed no matter how dire things might look.

[Kayay]

“Hello. You’re the boy with the owl,” the Freidian soldier greeted Eitre and Ton Ton, as if the former was now forever cursed with the title of The Boy With The Owl. “I can’t in honest say I’m sorry to see you go, but I wish you better luck in your future.” Another anonymous porter strapped what little luggage the travelers had into place, and Dharr stepped out of the man’s way then bowed to Chigusa, preparing to take his leave, but then he spotted Jirair and Seth disembarking, and the elder soldier gestured for Dharr to come over. “Excuse me.”

The trio stood far enough away from Ton Ton, Eitre, and Chigusa that none of their words carried over above the din of the landing platform, but from their very posture it was obvious that whatever the subject it was serious. From time to time Seth, who leaned on his crutch as casually as if it had always been there, glanced at the group waiting by the carriage and then at the gangway. Even Jirair and Dharr wore concerned expressions. Finally, the conversation ended, Jirair clasped Seth’s hand in farewell, and the two Freidians boarded the leviship again, leaving Seth to slowly make his way to the waiting carriages.

“Good morning, as soon as the others arrive we can leave.” Seth nodded a greeting towards the trio in an absentminded manner, his thoughts obviously elsewhere, but upon noticing the feathered creature on Eitre’s shoulder he looked curiously at the young man, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “It’s not exactly the most important thing to know, but where did you get that?”


~~~~Foucault ~~~~

“Already people are whispering of conspiracy and cataclysm and miracles.” The merchant carefully adjusted the smoke colored glasses he wore, peered back at the strangers not far behind him, then turned his attention back to Wraith. His voice was friendly enough, but there was an intensity in his eyes that made many a man tremble. “So tell me, my boy, who are they, prophets or madmen or charlatans?”


((OOC: Poor Wraith is going to have a heart attack.))

[Fairybane]

The short journey to the palace was uneventful if anything. Crimm and his small entourage of guards ushered the newcomers quietly to the courtyard, past the rose garden and towards the guest wing of the castle. As they passed through an ivy-draped archway, the lionman glanced up at the tower where the princess' room was.
I hope Maeko has a chance to inform her majesty of these visitors before anyone else does. Crimm returned his gaze to the motley band before him, his sad gaze passing right through them. Poor girl, a pity she will not be able to savor her youth...
Since leaving the temple, their little parade had apparantly gained a sizable number of followers, all curious onlookers who trailed behind them with hushed whispers and suspicious glances. Turning around suddenly, Crimm growled lightly, letting his lips widen into a mild snarl. "Please good people, do return to your duties and trouble us not to stare." Crossing his burly arms, Crimm stared down the small mob, mostly servants and bored guards, though a few nobles could be seen among them, standing out rather sorely in their finery. Satisfied that he had done all he could to break up the crowd, Crimm turned away and walked quickly to catch up with the guarded strangers.

"Ah! Naughty baby, come back here!!" came a woman's cry, accompanied by a shrill squeal. Crimmius looked back in time to see a small catgirl in a tan smock emerge from a side door, her tiny legs carrying her into the midst of the entourage, and right smack into one of the outlanders. The one with the ugly sneer that they had to take the knived gauntlets from...
Peering out of the doorway, a bedraggled looking catwoman appeared with arms akimbo. "Milia! Get away from that man immediately!"

[Phantom Angel]

Gwira heard the priest order the crowd of people that had turned to stare away from them. She watched with delight, the big curious eyes that clung to their every step, a plan slowly taking form in her mind.

"You can't possibly want to do that!" Dryan exclaimed, a bit taken aback by the cruelty of what Gwira was proposing.

"And why not? As I recally, we don't have enough money to take a levi-ship home. So, we must make money." Gwira retorted.

"But that's tricking innocent people!" Dryan bit back.

"And you think they wouldn't trick us if they were in our shoes? Gwira asked.

"Well, you do have a point, but we cannot afford to tarnish the image of our business."

"And yet, we need money."

"Yes, that's why we'll sell that blasted figurine I bought from that man in Asturia. And we'll charge extra because it's been to the Mystic Moon." Dryan proposed.

"That could work... and we could somehow try to get our hands on Elisan's weapon and present it as a harmless decoration, and sell that for a lot of money as well."

"Well, we'd have to make it so that it wouldn't be dangerous first, but I'm sure we can get a very comfortable sum for that 'artifact'."

"It's a plan!

"Excuse me, but what has happened to our weapons now that you have promptly disarmed us?" Gwira asked Crimmus. "Will we get them back when we want to leave the castle?" she asked, falling into pace with the priest.

[Fairybane]

"They'll be kept in a safe place for now until we find out why you encroached on holy territory, laden with weapons..." replied Crimmius rather severely. Distracted, he darted a glance back at the catgirl who had fallen on her face after having collided with one of the strangers, and was now wailing loudly. The air was soon filled with the sounds of ear-piercing cries, and the clipped scolding tone of the mother catwoman as she shrieked angrily at the strangers. Out of the corner of his eye, Crimm could see the group of onlookers gradually return as the new ruckus echoed throughout the palace.

[Chesta chesta chesta]

“Oh no. They’ve run out of food!” Tonton exclaimed and pointed an accusing finger at the huddling group. “They want to eat Tonton. Eitre will not let them hurt Tonton, will he?”

If the true path to joy was food - then being said food was the ultimate nightmare for Tonton. His chubby fingers pressed against his cheeks and rocked from side to side whilst repeating “no no no”.

“I’m sure that they’re talking about something else.” Eitre gave a ‘couldn’t care less’ shrug and clumsily clambered into the carriage. Leaning against the side and with a ‘cat who ate the canary’ smile he proceeded to give Tonton a theory of his own. “They’re going to feed you to the dragons instead.”

Tonton who, understandably, had never been near a dragon, after all they were only mythical creatures on the mystic mood, didn’t know how to react at first. He wanted to laugh and say that there were no such thing as dragons but no matter how dim he was, not even Tonton could escape the fact that there had been several un-explainable things in these parts. And Eitre wouldn’t lie.

“Chigusa, don’t let them hurt Tonton.”

The round boy grabbed hold of girl in a tight bear hug and lifted her off the ground. At least she was lucky, he wasn’t trying to swing her over his head like he had tried to do to Eitre at that fateful meeting in Zaibach.

“Tonton will be nice. Chigusa protect me.”

To prove how nice he was, Tonton lifted her higher so that she wouldn’t need to climb up those suspicious carriage steps. He followed quickly after, sat down by her side and leaned slightly against her, not noticing how she seemed to try to scoot further away. Mind you, he was only trying to show how nice he was.

The three sat still, waiting patiently whilst drumming fingers against the sides. Someone sighed heavily. People outside were getting into carriages, some seemed to know each other and others didn’t. Seth was familiar, but Eitre couldn’t put a time or place to his face. He should’ve have done something noticeable like saving their lives, that had imprinted Findel forever on the boy’s mind. But no, this guy just had to query about the bird.

A stale smile spread across Eitre’s lips as he tried not to shout abuse about leaving people alone and not to be so curious. “She found me.”

“It’s someone else’s feathery…” Tonton added.

“Apparently, according to that scholar what’s-his-face Hooter belongs to some minister. She doesn’t seem to miss him too much.” To which Hooter voiced her agreement.

[Eydtman]

"Ouch! Hey watch where you're going!" Elisan let out a startled cry as the little fanelian feline (say that 10 times fast) ran into him and fell backwards onto the ground. His brash words had obviously scared her, and combined with the impact of running into him, tears began to well up in her eyes.

"Milia! Get away from that man immediately!" Cried another cat woman who was obviously her mother.

"Bah, stupid kid! Look what you've done to yourself now."

Normally Elisan wouldn't have cared at all about someone getting hurt, but this wasn't just a regular little human girl. It was a cute little kitty cat that was crying out for his help.

With a sigh Elisan crouched down infront of the little girl. She trembled out of fear and as he stretched out his hand toward her she slowly tried to push herself away as to run away from the man.

"It's ok, i'm not going to hurt you." Elisan said as he gently wiped away one of her tears with one of his fingers. Even if he had wanted to, he knew he couldn't hurt her. "Are you alright? You should really watch where you are going or else you could get hurt like that. Now let's stand you up and make sure that you didn't injure youself." Elisan helped the little girl up to her feet and and gave her a quick visual survey. "Well it doesn't look like you mangaed to hurt yourself too badly. Now you should go back to your mommy before she starts worrying about you." He said as he gave her a nice little pat on the head before standing back up.

The little girls tears had stopped and big smile spread across her lips. "Thanks Mister!" said the little girl excitedly and began to run to her mother. About half way to her mother she stopped and turned back to him. "My name's Milla, what's yours?"

"Elisan. Now hurry up and get back to your mother. I've got to be going now to. Bye."

"BYE!" Shouted the little girl with a big wave.

Elisan turned back to face the others and was met with several odd stares.

"What?!" cried Elisan. "Don't look at me like that!"

[Megumi H]

Dream forgot her own fears for a moment, completely concerned for the well-being of the little girl... cat-girl. She'd seen what Elisan could do... what he had done....

To Dream's surprise and utter shock, he was quite courteous to the poor cat-girl. The Earth girl never would have expected kindness from someone like Elisan... not after....

"BYE!" called the little girl as she ran off. Joy from Elisan...? It couldn't possibly be....

Dream turned away and leaned slightly against Silvern, still holding his hand.

She didn't want to remember... but she knew she'd never forget.

"Silvern.... how can one person.. do something so terrible.... and then... do something so...." She hesitated, not knowing if she could say the word.

[Kayay]

~~~~Seth ~~~~

The knight settled next to Eitre, grateful to be off his feet, and leaned his crutch against the side. Although there was easily room for two more, Gwyndolin, Findel, and Touji would have to ride in the second carriage.

“Scholar what’s-his-face? You must mean that Freidian Scholar Dare,” Seth continued on the pleasant conversation to pass the time. “Actually, I do remember Dharr mentioning a minister who owned an owl had died recently, so I doubt he would miss ‘Hooter’ much.” Automatically he reached to check that the journal was in place, stopping when he remembered it was no longer in his possession and instead checking his throwing knives were secure, as if to cover his error. He wasn’t even sure he wanted nor even had a right to take the book back. He should have and could have handed it over to Aaron and Owen and parted ways back in Palas. But I didn’t. And he didn’t regret that decision.

“Once things are sorted out at the palace, I assume you’ll be leaving our little group to go back home,” he asked Eitre. “You did tell Duke Mahad back in the throne room that you’re from Fanelia, didn’t you?” Casually Seth included Chigusa and Ton Ton in the conversation. “If I understood the whole explanation correctly, you Ton Ton and Touji are all from the Mystic Moon, or Earth as you call it, but somehow ended up in Zaibach, and that’s where you met that agent Cen.” Seth folded his arms across his chest and gave a small laugh. “Well, she’s been something of a thorn in our sides for some time now. I wouldn’t be surprised if she shows up again.”


~~~~Silvern ~~~~

“I don’t know. Some people are like that, kind one moment and violent the next, but there is always a reason behind it, even if it only makes sense to the madman himself.” Silvern gave her hand a gentle squeeze, comforting her as he would a younger sister.

Fangolas, who was feeling better with every passing minute, fell in step along Dreams other side and patted her shoulder. “Do not worry Little Miss. Silvern and I will see that no harm befalls you.”

Silvern nodded in thanks to the other man, so imposing in appearance and yet so soft spoken and gentlemanly. “And I’ll make sure our hosts know just what kind of man he is,” he added with a sharp glance at Elisan.


((OOC: *Seth learned their names back in this post (http://animeboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=537634316#post537634316 ) when they almost all ended up in prison.))

[EvaRobby]

Touji paused for a moment and played his journey backwards in his mind. He pointed to an area down the hallway, he could have been pointing at any one of several doors.

"I think it was that one."

He then started forward.

When at the door he stopped. He opened the door slowly, as quietly as possible, hoping that if he'd made the wrong choice, he'd be able to close the door without them knowing any better.

A familiar pile of clothes laid in the corner of the room. He stepped inside and bundled them under his left arm. An embarrassed smile spread on his face. Damn. I need money.

"Well, this is everything, except for my other sword."

[Fairybane]

It was not what Crimm was expecting at all. Though he didn't know this "Elisan" yet on a personal basis...he had seen the vicious looks that the man wore, and the silky treacherous attitude that he used on the guards within the temple. As the little catgirl ran back to her mother, Crimm noticed the incredulous stares of Elisan's companions.
But yet...he didn't seem to be acting. It was just another detail Crimm would have to remember about these strangers. They were becoming more and more intriguing by the moment.
With that little distraction out of the way, they continued through the palace, into the first floor of the guest wing. Clean and rather spartan, the furnishings were sparse and inexpensive, but these rooms were meant for messengers and visitors of low rank, as well as the servants who actually lived within the palace. Crimmius himself had a room within these plain hallways, as did Wraith.
Softly, Crimm laughed to himself....the young raccoon must have believed that the 'visitors' were being given rooms in the upper floors, where dignitaries and ambassadors were quartered.
Briefly, the priest conferred with one of the passing servants, who showed him a large room that was unoccupied. Quickly and efficiently, several maids pulled the dust covers off the cots and furniture and opened the blinds, allowing daylight to stream into the room through the frosted glass windows. Standing at the doorway, Crimm stepped aside to let the maids file out, and then turned to his guests. Bowing with paws clasped, the monk addressed them humbly.
"Please, let this room be your home for now. Some food should be here soon, make yourselves comfortable until it arrives."

[Megumi H]

She smiled and looked up at Silvern's comforting squeeze of her hand, but her expression changed in an instant. Now that they were finally in broad daylight, Dream could see clearly what Silvern was wearing. She abruptly dropped his hand and stepped away from him, using all her willpower to refrain from screaming "What are you wearing?!" She wasn't sure she wanted to know. It was pink, and it looked rather tight on him; in fact, it looked like a woman's shirt....

She decided to keep her little distance from him the rest of the way to the palace.

((OOC: Oi, I'd love to actually see that scene! I wonder if it's as funny as the way I wrote it?))

The lion-man finally stopped by the doorway of the guest room, politely announcing that they had reached their destination. Dream hesitantly poked her head through the doorway, then, realizing that there were more beds in the room than she had expected, turned and timidly asked the lion-man, "Excuse me... um.. sir.... are we all... expected to stay in.. the same room?" She was sure she knew the answer already....

((OOC2: It's about time I added some comic relief already...
The shirt came from this post. (http://animeboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=537663787#post537663787)))

[Kayay]

~~~~Foucault ~~~~

From the raccoon man’s stammered half explanations Foucault gathered that Wraith knew very little about these strangers, but the words “Mystic Moon” slipped out amid all the other meaningless babble. Shortly before they reached the kitchens the merchant took his leave from Wraith and the unknown catwoman servant who hovered in the background. He dismissed the quiet woman as unimportant. She didn’t seem to have much to say, but the nervous Wraith he wagered might be useful. People often forgot servants were about. In fact, for many nobles a truly valued one was one who was near invisible until needed, which meant they often overheard things of interest.

“It’s been most pleasant chatting. Perhaps we can continue out little conversation at another time.” The merchant flashed that cold smile again as Wriath gathered the food to be taken to the ‘guests’ and finally left the anthro in peace.


~~~~Silvern ~~~~

Dream's sudden withdrawal and the look on her face surprised and confused him, until he noticed the way she stared at his shirt. After the small mess Fangolas and he had caused back in the doctor’s house, the pair had hurriedly grabbed whatever reasonable clean shirts they could from the scientist’s closet. Unfortunately, the only one Silvern had found that fit looked as though it had inadvertently been dyed pink in the wash. Up until now, however, Silvern had figured either no one had noticed or they’d all forgotten about the ill fitted shirt. He sighed. Hopefully they’d be brought a change of clothes along with the food. All of them could definitely use both.

[DrkZealot]

It wouldn’t be far off to say that Wraith was happy to see the Merchant leave, in fact, even though he enjoyed the company of people, that certain human gave him a weird feeling in his stomach. It was a feeling that reduced him and the girl trailing behind to a deep, awkward silence. The young raccoon tried to break it many times, but a large lump seemed to always gather in his throat at the start of each attempt. He looked down at the large quantities of food the servants began piling on the cart for the “guests” and couldn’t help but feel a bit neglected. It seemed the only way to be treated nicely in this place was to sneak into a sacred temple and claim you were from the Mystic Moon. The youth shook his fuzzy head, banishing such thoughts; jealousy and envy were both quite rude emotions, or so his mother told him. “Appreciate whatever you got” He smiled softly at these words, words from a woman who was far away in Zaibach, a woman he’d never see again. He couldn’t help it, his friends constantly teased him about his extreme cases of homesickness, and while he didn’t think there was anything wrong with crying, other people oddly thought it was a quite a humorous occasion. They always seemed to laugh so hard when he began singing old lullabies to himself in the middle of the night, or when he whimpered in his sleep while holding onto his favorite blanket he managed to smuggle into the compound.

He sighed lightly to himself and continued to help the servants load the food onto the cart, his mind once again shifting gears, thinking about that merchant that seemed to show so much interest on the ongoing events with the strange guests.

“Miss Aetheus, did you know that strange man who was just with us awhile ago…I don’t think he should know what’s been going on.” Lowering his head level with hers he glanced around with those clear blue eyes, suspiciously scrutinizing all those in sight before speaking in a low voice, as if his next words kept the most dreaded, and important of secrets. “I don’t trust him” He whispered standing upright (or as upright as his pure blood could manage him) scratching the side of his head. “Do you think we might be able to get some of this?” He said, again obviously loosing interest in his other thoughts and moving onto something more appealing. “Sure looks good and I haven’t eaten yet…you think Miss Maeko’d get mad if I took just a little nibble?” Well, it was obvious he wasn’t looking for an answer, as he already began picking at the food even as he spoke. And after the servants shooed him off from hovering over a different cart of pastries, and gave hurried directions to the guests quarters, larger chunks started vanishing from the guests food cart into his bottomless pit of a stomach with the passing of each second and step.

[Fairybane]

"Hmmm..." rumbled the lion man as he put a single clawed finger to his chin in speculation. He hadn't really thought about it, but it would be more proper to give the women a separate room from the men. "Well I suppose we can provide a different room for you and the lady fox, young one. But for now, I would rather have you all together." Crimm gestured to his left, towards a simple wooden door within the room. "There is a washbasin and other facilities in there if any of you need to clean up." With those words, Crimm left the strangers to themselves, trudging back to the door's entrance where a pair of guards still waited outside. "Wraith should be along shortly with a young lady and a meal for our guests," he informed the men, as he closed the door quietly. "I must visit the royal library for a moment, do make sure that nobody else enters but those two."
As the towering form of Crimm disappeared down the hall, the two guards exchanged glances, wry smirks on their face.
"Wraith, eh?" said one guard, snickering. "Let's have some fun with him and his 'lady friend' when they get here."

[Eydtman]

Finally they had made it to their room.

"There is a washbasin and other facilities in there if any of you need to clean up." Elisan heard the lion man say.

"Perfect." he thought to himself. With a groan Elisan put one hand over his mouth and the clutched his stomach with the other. "I don't feel so good," he said, "I think i'm going to throw up..." Elisan quickly made his way over to the washbasin with his back turned to the others and stuck his fingers down his throat, causing him to throw up. Keeping his hand over his mouth he used his fingers to filter out the bullets he had earlier swallowed from everything else. There was no way he wasn't going to keep these with him. Afterall, he did keep them from the guards for a reason. Having finished throwing up, Elisan washed his hands while still keeping the bullets hidden within them washing them at the same time. When he was finished he quickly pocketed the bullets under the guise of drying his hands on pants.

"Noone would have been able to see that." He thought to himself as he finished rinsing his mouth out.

"Yeuck!" Elisan said loudly. "I don't know why that happened, maybe I'm allergic to a certain someone's shirt." Elisan said mocking Silvern. Elisan himself hadn't really noticed the shirt Silvern was wearing until the girl pointed out just a little while ago.

"Real men don't wear pink."

[Kayay]

Another look out the carriage window to the gangway only proved that Gwyndolin, Findel, Touji, and Aaron had yet to disembark the leviship, and Seth began to grow concerned. There was much he’d leaned from Jirair that he had to tell the other knight, and he wanted to be sure Aaron had been under her watch the whole night. The Freidian soldier didn’t suspect Aaron or any of the others in Seth’s group were responsible for the latest incident, but he also didn’t know that the young man was responsible for Seth’s injury, and the knight would rest easier if her knew for certain...

Where are you Gwyn? What’s taking you and Falor so long? Seth shifted in his seat, tempted to find out for himself.

[Phantom Angel]

Dryan felt the need to avert her eyes as the fat slob who called himself Elisan found it fit to throw up all over the wash basin.

"Yes, you're very right, he is a fat, ungrateful, ungraceful, slobbering, pig." Gwira admitted, unflinchingly.

A smile tugged at Dryan's mouth. Gwira certainly had given name to her thoughts, and more.

"I think we should teach him what it means to willingly throw up in front of us." Dryan suggested.

"You're right, the sounds he was making were awfully strained. Gwira agreed.

"I can't believe he polluted the water. What a jerk. I so wanted a bath." Dryan replied, scrunching her nose.

"Hmm, I say we blackmail him."

"But we don't know if he actually did it on purpose or not."

"Well, that never stopped us before. And he polluted the water. He deserves punishment."

"True."

"Hey, slob-face, why didn't you use the damn window? Now we can't wash because YOU polluted the water with your barf." Gwira growled.

"Yeah, don't you know any manners? It's the girls that get to use the washroom first, then the men, and then you." Dryan replied with a smirk, stealing an amused glance towards Dream.

Elisan made her skin crawl. There was just something about him, that made her want to punch him in the face. He was just so... slimy. There was no other word that could better describe him, and Dryan had tried.

"Even pinky here knows that." Gwira said, pointing at Silver. "Where the heck did you grow up?"

[Hitomi_333]

*Gwyndolin and Touji made their way through the levi-ship and down to the carriage. Although the hallways all looked the same, amazingly Gwyn was able to find her way out. This was ironic, considering the problems that she always had in the palace in Palas, even though she had been there many times.

As Gwyndolin sat down in the carriage with her luggage, butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Whatever it was that King Airien gave her to deliver must be of great importance. She held onto it tightly.

At this point she no longer longed for home... all she could see was the task ahead of her.*

ooc: nice *subtle* hint, Kayay... lol /ooc

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus followed the raccoon-man all the way to the palace. Deep in thought, she hardly noticed when they entered the palace and he began to speak to her.

"No," she replied in answer to his question. "I thought you knew him by the way he was talking to you. It was strange though," she started, walking away. "It almost seemed that he knew what was going on." Glancing back over her shoulder, she saw her companion hovering over a food cart before getting shooed away. Shaking herself out of her daydream, Aethaeus grabbed a cart and started wheeling it after Wraith to the guest's quarters.

[Endurance]

His long hair waved slightly in gentle breeze as Ecli quickly strode down the gangway and took a long breath of fresh air, which was quite different if compared to musty air inside the leviship. Taking a quick glance around Ecli noticed how the carriages reserved for the royal guests were already fitted and ready to leave at any minute. As timing was crucial in his plan, Ecli knew that he should make haste to reach royal palace of Fanel before the others do.

At first Ecli walked through the yard bowing his head slightly, just in case that some dolt would accidentally recognize him and blurt out annoying and unwanted questions. It was easy to go around the carriages and soon he had already disappeared into throng of Fanelian people that mercifully hid him from sight. Ecli's easy-going dash quickened into exhausting sprint and he shoved himself forcefully throught the crowd just as he had learned to do in his early youth in Zaibach.

"Just like in the old days" Ecli thought bitterly.

[Kayay]

“Hello luv,” a husky voice called to the scholar.

It was hard to tell the woman’s exact age, but beneath the rouge and kohl and tightly cinched dress she might have been near Ecli’s age. With a suggestive smile, the woman confidently sashayed towards the scholar, After looking him up and down, she tossed her thick mane of dark auburn hair back and moved closer, the faint scent of jasmine coiling itself around them both.

“You’re new to the city, aren’t you? If you need of a guide, I’d be happy to show you the sights.”

[Endurance]

With a faked smile on his face Ecli hesitantly stopped his stride and turned to face the woman squarely. She was not ugly to look at but Ecli had seen and abused women like her so many times before that he had stopped counting all those sad, unforgiveable instances.

" Really?" Ecli asked in pleasant voice, giving a considerate glance to woman. " Let's make a deal. Guide me to royal palace the fastest way you know and I will reward you with more than modest sum of wealth"

To boost his words Ecli gestured at his medicinal pouch, hoping that it would make this particular wench more interested of his offer. He didn't have any money but usually sweet, honey-laced words were enough.

[Kayay]

“Well, Luv, you’re a generous man, but first would you be kind enough to walk me back to my place so I can fetch my cloak? It looks like it may rain later.” With a suggestive little smile on her painted lips, the woman slipped her arm through Ecli’s, dark curls spilling over her shoulder. “It’s not far. It’ll only take a moment, and then I’ll take you wherever you like.”

Down the street and around the corner she guided him onto a side street. It was less crowded here, and less than a block away she stopped by a nondescript door, its green paint peeling and worn. “It’s not much,” she apologized as she unlocked the door and stepped aside for Ecli to enter, “but it’s home.”

The windows were shuttered, and for a moment as his eyes strove to adjust, Ecli could only make out the vague outline of furniture and a doorway leading to the rest of the house. He heard the door behind him lock shut, a normal enough percaution for a woman who lived alone to do, but then he also heard the scrape of feet on the dusty floor, footsteps too heavy to belong to the woman, and two men stepped from their places at either side of the door. In their hands the brutes held short wooden clubs, and the woman sidestepped along the wall to a corner. She had brought the little fool here; her job was done, and now it was the men’s turn.

*****

Back at the leviship, meanwhile, down the corridors of the leviship and into the late morning sun Aaron trailed Findel, neither speaking a word. The handsome carriages stood out among the crowd, small Fanelian banners waving proudly from either side of the driver’s seat, and the samuari and introverted young man headed for them. One of the drivers bowed in greeting then moved quickly to hold open the door for the pair, allowing Findel and Aaron to seat themselves on the bench across from Gwyn and Touji.

“Is that everyone?” the doorman asked, climbing up beside the driver when Findel nodded, and with a sharp snap of the reins the two carriages lurched forwards then settled into a smooth and steady pace.


((OOC: ALRIGHT, I’m leaving it up to you folk to take the carriages through the city and to the palace, encountering whoever or whatever along the way.))

[Megumi H]

Dream wrinkled her nose at the disgusting sour smell of the vomit. The sterile air of the room had already been contaminated with the smell of the dirt and sweat of the group, but Elisan just had to go and add something even more repulsive, destroying anyone else's chance at a bath while he was at it. Still, Dream couldn't help but giggle as Dryan told Elisan off.

She decided to have a seat while waiting for the food to come, but not wanting to get the clean bedsheets or chair cushions dirty, she sat down on the floor and examined her slippers, wrinkling her nose again in displeasure at the dark smudges of dirt and other things they had accumulated. She tried to shake some of the dirt off by thwacking them against the floor, at the same time wiggling her toes to see if there was any fluffy blue lint stuck to them. She smiled to herself. This is the first time they've been out in the air since.... Her smile rapidly faded. Under the smudges of dirt were still a few yellow cat hairs.

Caspian....

What will become of you now?

[DrkZealot]

“Oh, well I didn’t know him. He just showed up…I wonder why he was so interested in hearing about a few crazy strangers claiming to be from the Mystic Moon” He said in a loud voice shoving an entire buttered roll into his mouth. After a satisfied sigh he looked down to the tray for another, but seeing that particular tray now empty he scribbled the words “IOU 30 fluffy delicious buttered breakfast rolls that just melt in your mouth and slide down the throat leaving a nice warm feeling in your stomach - Signed Wraith” on a napkin, slipped it on the crumbles saucer and placed the tin dome over the empty plate of food; just as he did with the each other plate on his cart, each napkin describing that certain plate of food he ingested. A sad look washing over his face he sighed deeply to himself; he’d eaten enough for about ten people, but that cart of food seemed like a drop in the bucket to his abnormally large stomach.

The remainder of the long walk to the guests quarters was quite opposite to their initial walk to the kitchen. The first was filled with an eerie silence, while this was overflowing with mindless chatter on the part of Wraith. He was happy to have finally received a response to his question about the merchant, and now he was brimming with daring tales of juvenile life back on Zaibach. The one sided conversation dealt with such pointless matters as his friends, and multiple stories about him and the three caught sneaking out of the barracks late at night. A few short abrupt talks about training exercises which were quickly changed back to talks about the four when he grew tired of the current conversation.

Finally arriving in the hallway of the guest’s quarters he shut his mouth at the sight of the two guards posted at the doorstep. His ears drooped and his head lowered as he wheeled the cart before the figures of authority. “Uh…food for the…Wackoe’s” He mumbled.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus smiled at the guards as they opened the door to let her and Wraith past. "Thanks, luvs," she said, winking. A foul odor met her as she entered the room, and she wrinkled up her nose in disgust. "Somebody seems to be having problems," she commented, wheeling her tray to the center of the room. Aethaeus lifted up the covers on the food trays, displaying the delicious meal found within. "If you're hungry, you'd better come eat now before the food disappears," she said to the strangers after shooting a quick glance at Wraith. Then, remembering her place, she bowed her head slightly and retreated back a few steps away from the cart.

[DrZepp]

It was obvious that Gwyndolin was not overly pleased as Aaron and Findel entered the carriage.

The samurai sent a deadpan stare across the small cabin as the driver spurred his vessel into action. He knew this would be an uncomfortable ride to the palace for at least half of the small group. Touji and Gwyn seemed to be getting along just fine. Findel figured it was Aaron who was causing the horrible silence between the passengers. It had been easy to ignore the Draconians presence when he was silently lagging behind in the leviship, but now that he was sitting no more than two inches away...
*Ahem*
Findel cleared his throat, leaning back slightly to show off a false sense of relaxation. There was no way he could reveal how nervous he really was in front of Gwyndolin and the boy. The idea of even being in Fanelia, with a group of people that he was beggining to consider companions was... odd, unfamiliar... uncomfortable in some ways. It was clear that a certain precedent had been set up for the Basramian, one of a rather hard-core badass, he thought. It was important to uphold the image to some extent, for the sake of pride at least. And what better way to maintain the image than to strike up light conversation?

"Yes...yes..." Findel muttered to no one inparticular. He wanted to address Touji, but the fact that the boy claimed to be from the Mystic Moon made the task a bit more strenuous. It was a touchy subject after all.
"So... Boy- err Touji...." There was an elongated silence as Findel tried to think of something other than the mystic moon to ask him about. It proved to be extremely difficult, so the samurai reverted to the only other thing that had been exposed to in the past few days.
"Well then... Are her lessons as stimulating as the barbarians?"
Findel nodded towards Gwyndolin, indirectly picking on the fact that the earthling seemed to be 'getting along' so well with her. Findel was apparently funnier than even he realized.


(OOC: i think Findel saw Touji with Owen, but im not sure... either way... err... nevermind)

[Endurance]

Ecli lost two precious seconds when his brain refused to realize that he had been betrayed by that wench. Assassin's instincts took over his body the very instant that nearest man swinged his club in menacing arc that targeted Ecli's face. Thug let out an surprised grunt as his club met with hard wooden door instead of his intended victim, tearing handful of splinters from door. Second mugger however reacted to Ecli's sudden duck by swinging his club wildly in air managing to hinder assassin's movements only for a split second. Only the wench who had escaped into far distant corner in all ruckus had noticed that something was horribly amiss, no simple scholar should had been able to hold back an combined attack of two strong men who had striked first.

"Look out! He's not what he looks like!" She screamed in husky voice.

Her warning came a little too late though as first thug's overhead blow was nimbly dodged aside. Before the thug could raise his club for an another attack Ecli sprang upwards from his half-crouched position, easily using his momentum driving his right palm into enemy's face with a satisfactory impact, crushing nose, fracturing bone and damaging tissue. Thug let out an disheartening groan and teetered backwards cluthing his face tightly. Second mugger rushed to aid his companion by swinging his club in powerful but inept arc that targeted Ecli's unprotected head. Just before it slammed against the assassin Ecli raised his arm to meet the crude weapon's shaft, absorbing the worst edge of the impact and thus making the whole maneuver almost useless. Ecli continued his block by kicking enemy straight into his unprotected midriff, sending him flying through the air and tumbling against a hard wooden table.

As the first thug was still recovering from the crushing blow and the second was gasping for breath on the floor, Ecli finally managed to wield his dagger and turned towards the woman who had led him here. Wench had propably finally realized what a hideous mistake she had made by bringing this man with her. Panic stricken and horrified by the deadly prowess scholar had showed to her, she was unable to open the lock he had put in place herself. Her hands hopelessly fumbled again and again as she tried almost to rub the complicated lock open.

"Tell your friends to stay where they are or I will kill you all." Ecli's voice had become virulent, completely different voice if compared to how his tone usually sounds like. He snickered at the woman who did not even have strenght to face him.

"In fact, I'll kill one of you now just to make sure that the rest of you understand me perfectly"

[Fairybane]

The guards had been grinning benevolently the entire time, and anyone who was familiar with the samurai of Fanelia's royal palace would have known the men at arms to be at times notoriously mischevous, rude, and quite unwelcoming to outsiders. As such, Wraith had suffered no lack of taunting, pranks, and various devilry at the hands of the palace guards...their distaste for Zaibach was centuries old and as of now, the unfortunate raccoon-man was recieving the brunt of their cruelty.
And that was why their unnerving smiles should have been enough to tip off both Wraith and Aetheus.
With a smirking nod, the larger of the two Samurai signalled to his partner, and in the coordinated grace of trained warriors, the other guard siezed Warith by his bushy tail and yanked the unfortunate racoon from the guest's room, while the first closed the door with the click of the bolt turning.
"Hah!" guffawed the guard, as Wraith struggled in his burly-armed hold. "Look'it him squirm!"
The other guard made kissing noises through the locked door at Aetheus adding in a lewd tone "We'll come back for you later honey! Bwahahaha!"
One of the dinner trays...Wraith's to be exact, was still outside the room and lifting the domed cover of the largest platter, the guard forcefully slapped the writhing Racoon-man onto the polished metal slab and then quickly clamped the lid back down, all the while snickering like a schoolboy.
"Stairs! Stairs!" shouted the other one enthusiastically. Both of them grinned as they looked out the window at the large flight of steps that lead down to the gardens.
With conspiratorial giggles, the two burly men wheeled the cart down the hall, holding the lid down firmly as weak thumping came from beneath it. "Now then, to find some rope," muttered the samurai as the other exploded into suppressed snickering.

[Kayay]

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. The little harlot pressed herself against the wall and watched with growing worry as the scholar, a man who looked like a harmless little bookworm, dispatched the two men. Swearing under her breath, she tried to open the door, but her hands would not stop shaking.

"Tell your friends to stay where they are or I will kill you all,” the scholar ordered, and she turned to face him, rage battling with fear, and then her instincts took over.

“Now d-don’t be so rash Luv.” It was every woman for herself, and she tried to charm the man as she slowly inched her way around the room. “T-they just told me to bring someone…anyone here. I’ve been down on my luck, and…and I didn’t think they’d try to kill you,” she stammered. “I really didn’t have any choice!” she insisted in a pleading voice.

Once she was close enough to the doorway, she toppled a chair over in an attempt to slow Ecli down and ran into the next room and for the front door.

[Chesta chesta chesta]

The carriage shuddered as the horses pulled forward and advanced on the Fanelian capital. The bodies of the occupants rocked back and forth as it moved in a steady motion, almost lazily due to the horses dragging their hooves behind.

Seth was being polite enough, didn’t seemed to be fazed by the manic Cheshire cat grin Tonton was giving him. He wasn’t being too intrusive, unlike most that they had encountered in Freid who had all been “Where you from? What are you doing here? Off with their heads.”

“Dare?” Eitre repeated the name as if it would mean something the second time, before waving his hand dismissively. “Never heard of him.” He returned against the window frame, the familiar sounds and smells of his homeland were finally re-introduced to his senses. It sure made a welcome difference from the awful memories of the Zaibach smog and the nothingness of the Freidian wilderness.

Tonton eased off Chigusa, he couldn’t have been sure whether she had been prodding him or some creature had snuck into his clothes and was nibbling at his skin. But she seemed to welcome the space between them, rubbing her shoulder that seemed to have gotten numb. His attention was brought to Seth’s word about Eitre leaving the group when they’d arrive.

“Eitre-person is leaving?” No reply was given, just distant gazes from weary travellers. Tonton looked down at his hands, crossed the fingers and started to roll his thumbs round and round. He continued to mumbled to himself. "Cen was nice. She gave Tonton food and made him smell all nicey-nice."

“See that street?” Eitre pointed leaned over from his side of the carriage, pointing towards a long alley in shadow. “I was born there. In the white house at the end.”

The streets were full of life. Men and beasts going bout their daily business like countless years before. Many were in full action to ready the last preparations for the coronation. The sweet smell of produce filled the air from the open stalls of the market. Marketers raised their voices to convince the public that their goods were the best in the land. The Fanelian market was hardly as big as the Asturian bazaar, but this had a different feeling to it. Here people knew each other and catching up on the gossip was equally as important as the newly baked bread on offer. Fanelia was a large city with a small village attitude. A few children ran alongside the carriages, laughing whilst trying to catch a glimpse of the important guests inside.

“And over there you can buy the most wondrous rarities.” Eitre continued his tour. “If you follow that street then you get to the square and the front gates of the castle.”

Tonton’s ear perked up. “Is she sleeping?”

“No, should she be?”

“But you got dragons, she should be sleeping. It’s the rules. Isn't that right tall dark stranger?”

[Kayay]

“You have a natural talent for making people despise you,” Silvern commented to Elisan after Dryan’s little talk down. Before Elian could even try to reply to her scathing comments, however, the food arrived, along with the two meek servants he’s seen earlier at the temple. “Someone has been nothing but problems,” Silvern said in reply to the catwoman’s observation, “and now, like a babe soiling himself, he’s fowled our water. Could we have some clean…”

The guards chose this moment to pull their little prank, yanking Wraith out with a startled little yelp. Fangolas stood when the door slammed behind the servant girl then frowned in disgust at the guards’ lewd behavior. “Will the furry one be all right?” he asked the anthro servant. “Perhaps someone should fetch some help.”

[EvaRobby]

Touji watched Findel, and that strange other man enter the carriage. He tried to remember his name, but he'd never paid much attention to it earlier, he was suddenly curious about this elder boy,

'D'... it started with 'D'... David? Luckily, he wasn't given the chance to embarrass himself,

"So... Boy- err Touji...." Findel paused, and a slightly confused expression crossed his face. "Well then... Are her lessons as stimulating as the barbarians?"

Lessons? Touji tried to work out what he'd said. Was he supposed to be trained by her? His eyes found Gwyndolen's face for a moment and he tried to read her expression.

"What lessons?" Did that mean he wasn't going to be trained by Owen anymore? It was starting to seem a bit obvious now. Touji blushed, just a little, at his own thoughts.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus smirked as she heard the guard's comment towards her. Yeah right, she thought. Let them try. Realizing one of the strangers was speaking to her, Aethaeus raised her eyes. The speaker was tanned and dark, and looked like he had seen much hardship. Unvoluntarily, Aethaeus found herself wondering what had brought the strangers to Fanelia.

"He will be alright," she answered, bowing her head again. A scowl came over her face. "No one will help him, so there is no need to go find help. No one cares what happens to the servants." She looked up. "It is only the lords and the samurai that matter."

Aethaeus turned away from the stranger and walked towards the window. Anger pulsed inside of her head, nearly blinding her. Presently she regained her calm and turned back to the strangers.

"Please forgive me," she bowed low. "I should not speak ill of my kinsmen. Help yourself to anything on the tray. If you would like, I can go while you eat and come back when you finish, or I can stay here until you're done. You decide."

[Hitomi_333]

*Gwyndolin studied Findel for a moment after he asked his question. Silently she warned him with her eyes, keeping the rest of her face void of emotion. It was apparent that he found himself to be rather clever. And the boy stuttered in response, seeming to realize something for the first time.

Her eyes flashed again. "I was simply told to watch out for the boy," she told Findel flatly. However, fearing that she would come off and cold and harsh, she turned to the boy. "I've taught sword lessons quite often, and wouldn't mind teaching you in our free time in Fanelia-- that is, if you'd like. However, I'm sure that once we reach the palace you will be reunited with Owen and he could teach you, if you'd rather." She almost made some remarks as to the barbarian, but bit her tongue to prevent herself from doing so.

She never forgave him for peeking in on her at the hot springs-- but wait, Findel was the one who was on the women's side. The memory of it still angered her.

"PERVERT!" Gwyndolin nearly through her bag at Findel, but decided it was too valuable and kicked him in the shin from across the carriage instead. "Hmph..." she crossed her arms and looked out the window angrily. She didn't feel the need to explain her sudden outburst and felt it was completely justified. After all, HE was the pervert.*

[DrZepp]

A bead of sweat slowly descended Findels forhead as Gwyndolin showed off her obvious affection for him...
*WHACK*
Ahh... the pain.

"mMMmahh...."
The samurai locked his lips together, trying to hide the sting from the Asturians sudden kick. She was a tough one, that was certain... Stuborn too, but so was Findel.
As Gwyndolin pushed her nose up, crossed her arms, and turned to the window, Findel quickly mimicked her movements. He would not be outmatched this time.
*The silent treatment it is then...*
He thought slyly... But not before a bit of revenge was had.
Still turned to the window -with a deadpan expression- Findel slowly raised his foot. Touji noticed it, and immediately knew what was comming. Findel smirked inwardly, kicking his boot into Gwyndolins shin.

[DrkZealot]

((ooc: Short and crappy, but I have work in a few hours and can't afford to stay up any later))

Wraith was quite happy and slightly surprised to find himself inside the dinner platter. The past few weeks he’d lived in Fanelia, he found the wide majority of samurai in the area favored garbage tins above all else. The dinner platter with the tin dome clamped over, tied down with thick rope; while extremely uncomfortable, was a refreshing change of pace from before. He didn’t much like sitting in a garbage can filled to the brim with rotting meat, smelly cheese, and other, less pleasant items. Yet, despite the fact he welcomed a change in the vehicle of his harassment from the local guards it didn’t change the fact he was terribly afraid of the dark, and claustrophobic to boot. So, his actions were the same as if he was in the garbage can, he commenced his usual fit of whining, crying, and kicking (though his ability to do this was greatly decreased in the small amount of space he had now) which all proved pointless. The Samurai continued to laugh and giggle like prepubescent boys looking through a crack in one of the back walls of the local brothel. Their ridicule and overall bad manners bringing more than one sad tear to his eye as he listened to his name, and country of origin being used as the butt of a few jokes, and on occasion in the same sentence of filthy farm animals, such as “Zaibachian Swine” and a few more he decided were much to rude to even ponder over.

Eventually he gave up his futile struggle to rid himself of the cramping interior of the tin dome. Well…that was until the “stairs stairs stairs!” chant grew louder and he felt himself being hoisted off the ground. Shifting his body on the dinner platter as best he could he tried to visualize the nearest set of stairs in the general area, all the while forcing his mind to keep from straying to pointless matters as the weather, or the beautiful flowers in the garden right below him…Blinking a few times in the smothering darkness he tapped the side of the dome with his knuckle. “Uh…the stairs leading to the garden’s pretty steep…I…I don’t think the doctors would approve of me getting thrown out the window. Can’t you just roll me down a rocky hill again?…guys…guys…GUYS!” He screamed the last word as he heard the grunts from outside as he was rocked backwards, then felt himself being pushed to the opposite side of the platter as he was flung out the window and onto the long, and painful set of stone steps below.

[Phantom Angel]

"Is he going to be okay?" Dryan asked, concerned as to the safety of the young racoon.

"It doesn't concern us, why are you even bothering to ask?" Gwira asked coldly.

"Because just like us, he's a person." Dryan replied, her lips stretching in a thin line.

"Big deal. He should know how to deal with them."

Dryan sighed, aware that no amount of arguing with Gwira would ever change her mind. When it came to people, her counterpart was more detached and cold than herself. Dryan knew that Gwira's sentiments towards others stemmed from some sort of experience she was unaware of. Perhaps something had happened during her blackouts that had made Gwira become this way. Or perhaps it was just an instinctive mistrust in people. Dryan didn't know, and every time she had tried to ask Gwira about it, she had become defensive about it, and Dryan had dropped the subject.

"You know what? I'm sick of lingering in this place. It's like we're prisoners or something. I'm going out for a walk." Gwira announced, and head decisively towards the door.

"Anyone else wanting to come with?" Dryan asked.

"Why did you do that? I thought we were trying to look for a way to make money and to go back home?" Gwira asked, a bit sourly.

"It'll be more likely that they let us go if we go in a group. Perhaps the girl from the Mystic Moon would express a desire to see the palace. Then we can sightsee as well as assess our situation." Dryan explained.

"Okay, sounds good, but what if she doesn't make an offer?"

"Then we go anyway. I don't want to stay here any longer."

"Well, we'... I'll be going now, before this place starts to smell even fowler."

[Fairybane]

Crimm hummed a Fanelian hymn with his rumbling lion's voice as he padded back through the gardens again with a stack of books cradled in his muscled arms. All of the scarred, dusty tomes held stories and tales of visitors from the mystic moon, millenia-old wars, Draconions, and the legendary guymelef...Escaflowne. Matters that today were considered to be mere fables, but Crimmius believed otherwise.
With as close to a grin as anyone in the palace had ever seen the priest wearing, Crimm started up the long flight of steps that lead out of the gardens and up to the guest wing. No sooner had he taken a score of steps when he saw an object erupt from one of the open windows, glinting metallically in the noonday sunlight as it sailed through the air.
"By the heavens, what--?" exclaimed Crimm as the shiny object landed on the stairwell in an explosion of sparks and then began a break-neck descent careening wildly down the steps. Over the grating sound of metal-on-stone, a thin keening wail could be heard and as the metal object neared, Crimm realized that it was the source of the shriek. Dropping the pile of books suddenly, the bulky monk hunkered down where he stood, preparing for the inevitable collision of the...the screaming shiny thing. Unslowed, the object hurtled down the steps trailing a glittering wake of sparks.

"Kurik! Irwen!!" echoed a dreadful roar from below. Abruptly, the two faces peering out the window blanched and disappeared. Crimm shook his head, a fanged grin growing on his lion's visage as he gently set the roped dinner platter down on a step, neatly severing the cords with his sharp claws. Then trudging back up the stairs, he went about collecting the scattered tomes that littered the steps.

[Kayay]

~~~~Foucault~~~~

The council meeting had been most insightful. In general everyone was content with the current state of affairs, and most were in downright high spirits in anticipation of t coronation ceremony later in the day, but of course where were the usual boat rockers. Always there was a disgruntled soul who was happiest when he complained, but Foucault had managed to silence the little twit’s whining quickly enough. At this ate, he could be an elected official in no time, but that would mean his life would be scrutinized, and, besides, his goals had changed recently.

Turning away from the palace gates, Foucault decided to make a little detour. Those “Mystic Moon” folk were by now settled into their new room and maybe they’d be in the mood for some friendly conversation. A smile spread across his face, but there was nothing warm about it. Yes, things were going much better than he ever could have anticipated.


~~~~Seth~~~~

“Hm? Yes, Fanelia is known for it’s dragons, but they rarely come near the city, so you need not worry. Dragon’s seem to be the lest of our worries at the moment, anyway, and ‘nice’ is hardly the word I’d use for your friend Cen.”

For a moment Seth watched the people they passed. It all seemed so…normal watching the children at play as Eitre pointed out this and that. It was almost cruel, he thought, to disrupt this illusion, but it was for their own safety.

“When we arrive at the palace, most likely you’ll be free to roam the grounds unescorted, but I don’t want any of you wandering off on your own.”

Seth frowned inwardly, realizing he sounded like some overprotective, paranoid adult. When had he been forced into this position anyway? Seth enjoyed his position, cared for the well being of the men under his command, and served Asturia faithfully, but always he reverted to some of the old irresponsible habits when the mood struck, much to the chagrin of the Captain. It was a wonder he’d gotten as far in the ranks as he had.

“Jirair informed me that there was another unusual death, similar to Durjaya’s, that gruff guardsman back in Freid. This time it was servant. He thinks we’re being followed, and after what he told me I'm inclined agree.”


((OOC: Yes, you can ask qestions.))

[EvaRobby]

Touji recycled the recent words in his head and tried to work out if Findel could have inserted some secret sexual code into his words. The only possibilities required a too much stretching, so it didn't make any sense to him. And now they were bickering like children. He shuffled along the seat while no one payed attention to him, intending to give himself a little more distance from the pair, hoping they wouldn't decide to get him involved.

He wanted to ask why the conversation had suddenly changed tone, but something told him that it wouldn't be a very good idea. Touji looked at Aaron again and wondered if it would be possible to talk to him, but that seemed just as impossible.

He decided to step backwards in their conversation,

"If you want to train me, I..." Touji suddenly realised he hadn't considered the words for this. He pushed himself to continue, "I'd like... that." He suddenly felt extremely stupid.

[Hitomi_333]

*Had Gwyndolin thought of the reactions to her suddenly kicking Findel in the shin, she would never had expected him to kick her back. This being the case, she had been rather at ease looking out of the window, snubbing Findel. Of course, she was brought down by a sudden kick in the shin. Reflexively, she jolted upright as she realized what had happened. Pain in her shin caused her to wince, and she rubbed the spot. It was definitely going to bruise, there was no doubt about it-- but she knew that she had kicked Findel just as hard.

A mischeivous smile crossed her lips briefly as she began to raise her foot to kick him again, but she was surprised when Touji spoke. "If you want to train me, I... I'd like... that." Her foot lowered again. Gwyn smiled at Touji. "I'd like that too."

"Sir Falor, I never realized you were such a child," she looked at him accusingly. Then to add emphasis to her point, she stuck out her tongue.... and kicked him again.*

[DrkZealot]

Even as the platter halted it’s speedy decent down the steps, the screams within commenced. A few moments of muffled screams continued even on the safety of the ground before they lowered to pitiful sets of whines, then subsided all together, the tin lid slowly lifting, and a single frightened clear blue eye visible beyond the small crack. The eye glanced here and there, then here again as if doubting his own eye that looked upon the stable ground. The lid fell once more and a relieved sigh sounded from inside before being slowly slid off his scrunched body. Standing to his feet he held his arms out before him trying to regain his balance, a severe dizzy spell buckling his knees and sending him once more to the ground. After another long pause the raccoon attempted standing once more, stumbling on his rubbery legs, but ultimately achieving his goal of staying upright.

With a paw on his head and another on his stomach he staggered to the long flight of stairs where his savior knelt over collecting documents scattered here and there across the stone steps. With an embarrassed look, the youth kneeled beside him and aided him in gathering the documents. “I…I’m sorry. I know I’ve been a lot of trouble here lately Father Crimm…but I’m trying the best I can…I’ve offered my life to Fanelia for taking me in…and I want to help. But in the end I’m just ‘causing more trouble than I’m worth” Another pause as he slid another document onto the growing stack in his arms. “I’m really sorry…I’ll try my best to stay out of trouble…just…just try to have patience with me OH MY GOD AETHAEUS!” He screamed standing to his feet and handing the hulking lion the large stacks of papers in a hurried, yet respectful thrust. “Oh I sure hope they don’t hurt her” He mumbled, his low attention span once again getting the better of him as he completely forgot that Crimm stood behind him, and forgot to apologize for his hasty retreat. Barreling up the stairs on all fours the raccoon man’s over active imagination clouded his (non existent) logic. He remembered their coarse words when addressing the servant, and could only imagine what they would do to her. “We'll come back for you later honey! Bwahahaha!" The words caused him to cringe in disgust as he rushed down the hall, knocking over furniture and servant alike in his hellish rush to the aid of the innocent bystander. “I mean I know she’s a little strange and quiet kinda creepy in a passive sortta way, and short and probably really fun to make fun of and all, but that still doesn’t give them any right to hurt her. I’m the one they’re after, why’re they targeting her too? Oooohh not good not good not good, if someone gets hurt ‘cause of me again I don’t know if I can forgive myself” He said to himself as he rushed in-between the legs of a female servant, sending her loose skirt fluttering in the air, and bloodying the noses of multiple male onlookers as they watched her struggle to cover her panty-less lower body from the powerful gust of air caused by the speedy raccoon.
Finally arriving at the top floor at full speed, he slowed himself to a halt (with the help of an opened door he slammed into). Shakily standing to his feet Wraith placed a hand over his bloody nose and began to walk towards the two guards, who where obviously quite happy to see him again...with the way the grinned and cracked their knuckles and all.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus stood there, waiting for one of the strangers to make a move. "Yes," she said in answer one of the strangers' question. "Wraith will be alright. That's one of the good things about us servants, we're very durable." She laughed quietly at her own joke to cover her sudden rage. "It's a funny thing, isn't it," she started, walking over the a large window and looking out, "that the people who are chosen as castle samurai don't need to have any manners." Suddenly realizing that she was talking too much, Aethaeus clasped her lips together.

"Well, we'... I'll be going now, before this place starts to smell even fowler," said one of the strangers.

A grin slowly spread over Aethaeus' face before she replaced with a look of serenity. "I'm afraid you can't get out, miss. The guards have locked us in."

[Kayay]

He was ignoring them, but when Gwyn mentioned Owen’s name, Aaron looked away from the window briefly. Most of the time he’d been in the slayer’s company he’d spent trying to slip away, but now, though he didn’t completely acknowledge it himself, he was curious where Owen was. He hated to be looked down on. He hated pity. He hated being useless and pathetic, but he’d also grown used to the loud fool turning up whenever Aaron turned around, but as the knight and samurai exchanged blow Aaron fidgeted in his seat. Their flirtatious antics reminded him of Owen, and Aaron felt a twinge of regret. Somewhere along the way Owen had gone from being a nuisance to a friend.

Soon enough he retreated back to his own thoughts, his cocoon of silence isolating him from these people as effectively as a brick wall. Not even the boy he paid much attention to although he’d heard his name associated with the Mystic Moon more than once. That did interest him some, however, since the Mystic Moon had its own ties to Escaflowne, but if possible he’d figure it out without having to deal with any of them. Maybe…maybe he’d ask Seth, assuming Gwyndolin let him anywhere near her fellow knight after what happened.

[EvaRobby]

Gwndolen smiled at him, moments before kicking the man once more. It reminded him of himself just days ago. He wondered for a fraction of a second what had changed him. This world was full of murderers. Kaiya was dead, he wondered whether it was possible she'd done something to incite her own demise, but he just couldn't imagine it.

Gwyndolen and Findel were squabbling like little children, yet they were trained warriors, and assumably they'd killed before. He remembered the bloodied room, and the man who had been so cut up that just half of his injuries would have been sufficiently fatal.

Had Gwyndolen and Findel been there? He had images of them at the scene, but they could have been imagined. Before he had a chance to resist, his eyes squeezed shut, reacting to a sudden wave of thought and emotion. Was he going to be betrayed? He opened his eyes again, hoping that they'd all been too lost in their own world to notice his. He looked at Gwyndolen, she was pretty, and she was acting so childish and innocent, in a violent kind of way.

Is that the face of a murderer?

He shut off his train of thought and decided become social again before anyone would notice his silence. He put his years of anti-depressive behaviour back into practice and get one of his questions answered at the same time. He made sure he projected his voice in a way to get Aaron's attention.

"Hey, uh, you." Moments later, he had Aaron's seemingly divided attention. Divided from what, he wasn't sure. "Sorry. What's your name?"

[Kayay]

Aaron fixed Touji with a blank expression. He remembered the boy from their first encounter outside the Freidian hospital when he’d drawn his sword on Seth, and later he’d caught glimpse of him in the corridors, but they’d never spoke. Conversation, anyway, was never his forte, so for several long minutes he just stared at the boy, and not a trace of whatever thoughts were going on in his head were betrayed upon his face. Gradually, the faintest glimmer of curiosity flickered in his mismatched eyes.

“Aaron,” was his one word reply, then he turned his face away as if silently telling them to leave him alone.

[Megumi H]

"Locked us in?!"

The words were followed by a slight scuffling noise as Dream jumped to her feet, ignoring the awkward unevenness of the surface she stood upon.

"It can't be!" she gasped, stumbling over her slippers and running to the door. She tried the handle, but sure enough, it was locked, and no tugging or twisting would make it open. Dream turned to Aethaeus, shaking her by the arms in desperation. "You.. you must have a key- don't you have a key or something?!" She let go of the maid suddenly, realizing how she must appear to the others.

"I'm... sorry," she apologized to Aethaeus, and crept back to her spot with her slippers on the floor. As much as she did not ever want to be locked in a room with Elisan, going insane with worry wouldn't do much to help. She scooted a little nearer to the door at that unpleasant thought.

Then, thinking of something that might alleviate the situation ever so slightly, she turned to Aethaeus again. "Could we... at least make a... partition of sorts? I mean, at least until we can get.. separate rooms?"

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus rubbed her arms where the stranger had been holding her. "I'm sorry, miss, but I was not given a key to your room." She smiled sweetly at the girl. "Do not worry about it." She walked over to one of the windows and looked at the curtain. "I believe we can make a partition out of these." Reaching up, Aethaeus pulled the curtain down from the window and stretched it out. She walked over to where a large tapestry hung on the wall and tied one end of the curtain to it. Then she walked over to the adjoining wall and tied the other end of the curtain to another tapestry. "I'm sorry it's so small," she appologized, "but it will have to last until we can get out of here." Aethaeus walked over to the window and opened it. "Beautiful day out," she commented. "By the way," she turned back to the strangers, "my name is Aethaeus."

[Phantom Angel]

"Locked us in eh? They think they can keep me from leaving? Well, hah to them!" Gwira scoffed.

"You're awfully determined."

"Well, yeah, this place reeks of the half digested contents of that idiot's stomach. I am not staying."[/I] Gwira replied haughtily, forgetting to address Dryan in their common mind.

When all the others looked at them strangely, Gwira just scoffed.

"They might have locked the door, but they have forgotten the window." Gwira told them, striding over to the open window and starring towards the ground.

"It doesn't look that high..." Dryan remarked.

"No, not high at all. We can use the curtains as a means to get down there." Gwira replied absent-mindedly.

"What are you doing! You just said 'we'. Do you want to get us discovered and locked away?" Dryan demanded rather frantically at the back of their mind.

"That is... if anyone else would like to come with me." Gwira added somewhat sheepishly, and moved away from the window.

"I hope you don't mind us putting your partition to better use." Dryan told Dream gently.

"Yeah, you can come with me instead of staying in this fowl smelling place. We can all leave and let Elisan choke upon the marvellous stench of his own food." Gwira replied, giving Elisan a sharp and poignant look.

Then, without further ado, she untied the curtain from where Atheus had knotted it, and tugged harshly. It shrieked painfully as it ripped away.

[Chesta chesta chesta]

“You don’t suppose that these events could hold any danger to my parents?” Eitre had never thought that there could’ve been a threat to his family.

As if any murderer took such great interest in him and suddenly decided to slaughter his entire family. Fair enough, Eitre was a Fanelian nobody who had by some freaky occurrences ended up somewhere totally different from where he had intended, but the possibility was there. You can’t trust those murderers not to do it anyway, nor someone who had an imagination that suddenly decided to jump to conclusions.

“I’m your friend. Cen’s my friend.” Tonton was in a world of his own. There were no murderers there, just a lot of friends. They let Tonton hug them and play with them all day long. The hugged his own massive frame, rocking from side to side whilst going over who were all his friends. “Chigusa and Eitre and Tall dark stranger…”

Eitre rubbed the back of his hair, looked quizzically at Tonton before sighing loudly. This trip seemed to just get longer and longer. They were never going to get there. It was like a bad dream.

“Say,” he paused as he tried to remember the man’s name, it didn’t seem to want to be. “Have you got any clues on who the killer is?” Then it hit him like a stampeding herd of dragons. “Is this why you’re hanging out in our carriage? People still think of us as being suspicious?”

[Endurance]

Toppling down a chair was completely futile attempt to hinder her pursuer's superior speed. Ecli simply leaped over the chair and as his feet touched the ground again he had already darted after the wench, who had not gained much lead by her sudden stunt.

Her flight halted as Ecli viciously grabbed her from the hair and striked her into shoulder, sending her headfirst against the front door. As she moaned in pain and tried to recover Ecli grabbed her arms strongly and pulled her into standing position. She was unable to resist as Ecli launched her hard against the wall with an audible, dull thump. Her crumpled form recoiled from the wall and she went silent. Pity was the least thing on Ecli's mind as he quickly investigated her belongings and found her purse, which was not empty but not much full either. Ecli also noted that she was still alive but only barely, in so pitiful state that she was not even worth killing.

Front door didn't offer any resistance and Ecli stepped outside and tried to figure out where Fanelian castle was. He also decided that next wench who'd try to offer her services would find her intestines splattered across the street in most gruesome fashion. Events such as this showed how much Ecli could trust people other than himself.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus looked on as one of the strangers ripped down her partition. A kind of sadness filled her, but then she willed it away. It didn't really matter after all. As the rest of the room's occupants were preoccupied in their own worries, Aethaeus slowly opened a tiny window in the corner of the room and crawled out. She slowly made her way down the wall, using the cracks between the bricks as hand and footholds. If the strangers were going to escape, that was fine with them, but she was not going to get in trouble for it. Aethaeus jumped the last few remaining feet to the ground and then walked back to the garden where she had left the laundry lying around carelessly. She hung the rest up, and then walked back to the kitchen to continue with her chores.

[Kayay]

((OOC: ATTN - Lady Fanel will be out of town from the 18th to the 27th, hence her quick escape.
And as promised, here's a mediocre post, so keep your fish sticks to yourselves.))


Fangolas watched with his usual quiet demeanor as Dryan grew increasing irritated, Dream agitated, Silvern annoyed, and Elisan annoying. As Dyran busied herself with happily shredding the curtains, no doubt imagining them to be Elisan, Fang turned towards the servant girl in time to see her squeeze through the tiny window not large enough for even a grown man to use, and his only regret was that he hadn’t the chance to properly introduce himself nor thank the catwoman.

“I’m going with her,” Silvern spoke in an aside to Fang, and the desert nomad raised an eyebrow then nodded thoughtfully.

“She does seem to be in another one of her moods,” Fang observed, “but I don’t think the little Miss is up to repelling down walls, and I doubt you want him,” Fang indicated Elisan, “roaming about. “I’ll stay here and, as the city folk say, ‘hold the fort’.”

Slvern clasped the other man appreciatively on the shoulder. “Thanks, and don’t let your guard down around that treacherous snake.”

“I won’t. I’ve survived the burning deserts, the scorching heat of a dragon’s breath, and tamed the wild stallions of the plains before I was even a man by your people’s standards. One man won’t be too difficult to handle.”

That settled, Silvern went over to inspect Dryan’s cloth rope. One end was now tied to an iron ring on the wall meant for hanging armor and weapons while the other disappeared out the window. The blonde tugged at the rope, and once satisfied it would hold their weight peered out the window to the ground below. “Lady’s first,” he gestured to the window with a sweep of his arm, and Dryan swiftly climbed onto the window ledge, grasped the rope, and repelled down. Silvern followed the moment she set foot upon solid ground. Once he too had made his escape, Fangolas pulled d the cloth rope back up, untied the end, coiled it up, and tossed it in a corner.

“Now we wait until our hosts decide to make their appearance,” Fang said calmly and sat himself next to Dream.


~~~Seth~~~

As the carriages neared the palace the buildings became taller and more elaborate, evidence of the wealth of this neighborhood, and patrols of city guards were spotted more frequently.

“No,” Seth shook his head, “you’re not suspects anymore, or, to be more precise, you’re no longer the primary suspects. On the contrary, Jirair thinks your friends may be targets, but your family I doubt is in any danger, but then again,” he frowned, “we know nothing about the assassin or his motives.”

From the look on Eitre’s face this was not what he wanted to hear. The young man wanted to be reassured that everything was all right and none of them were in danger. He wanted the happily ever after ending, but Seth couldn’t lie about that. It might make everyone feel better, but in the long run it would do them more harm than good to keep them so completely in the dark.

[Megumi H]

Dream looked out the window and drew back after a moment. She couldn't see herself rapelling down a castle wall. And what if she hit someone with a slipper while she was going down? As appealing as Dryan's offer of freedom was, Dream just couldn't bring herself to take it. She stepped away from the window. "I really don't think I could...." she told Dryan, hoping that the fox-woman wouldn't take note of her obvious fear.

She did, however, become rather upset with Silvern as decided to make his escape with Dryan out the window. How could he leave her here with... with that.. that... nasty person?! After Fangolas had retrieved the cloth rope, she sat down on the floor again, scowling fiercely. As if I'm not suffering enough, she muttered selfishly to herself, the only person I trusted so far has left. She drew her knees up to her chest in a little ball of misery and her scowl turned to a rather sour pout.

Then as Fangolas sat himself next to her on the floor, she muttered under her breath, "Well, at least I'm not completely alone...with... *ahrmhm*." Fangolas' normally intimidating appearance comforted Dream a little as she remembered his promise of safety. If he had been Silvern instead, Dream might have latched onto his arm and put just a little more distance between herself and that... worm; instead, she just looked up at Fangolas and smiled gratefully.

[Phantom Angel]

"Your loss, not mine, little girl." Gwira simply told her, and with an extravagant bow to the rest of them leaped on top of the window sill.

"Adieu, adieu, I shall miss you all when you'll be dead and tortured," she continued a wide feral smile stretching her lips. Then, she let herself fall backwards out the window.

From inside she could hear the surprised gasps of the other. Gwira simply ignored them, performed a dive flip in the air and caught the rope with both hands. The material creaked precariously but supported her weight as she came to a stop.

"Must you always go out with a bang?" Dryan inquired.

"If I'm gonna go out, it migh as well be with a bang." Gwira replied.

Dryan simply sighed deep inside, shaking her head in amusement. "You know, all of this could have been prevented. We could have stayed in that room with them."

"You know how I feel about being imprisoned," was Gwira's only comment.

Dryan did not need to respond. The mutual agreement lie inside both of them.

"Are we going to come back?" Dryan asked, unsure of what to do next.

"If we ever get off the castle grounds, then yeah. That girl from the Mystic Moon, Dream, she interests me."

Dryan knew that the interest was on a purely commecial business. She herself had spotted the oportunity Dream's presence brought. However, the fox had been somewhat reluctant to use one so young as a basis for enlarging her fortune.

"Think about all the losses we have suffered because we went to the Mystic Moon. The gains that Dream can bring us would be phenomenal." Gwira argued.

Dryan saw the validity of the point. Dream could be valueless archive of information pertaining to the Mystic Moon. She could provide them with priceless information, which sold at the right price could bring a fortune. Dryna was sure that the Scholars of Gaea would pay their lives thrice in blood to talk to another woman from the Mystic Moon.

She was not interested in their lives. Money or favours were the basis of her world, and she intended to have enough of each to never have a care in the world again.

But they would have time enough to work the minor details when they would return. For now, they still had a wall to descend.

"Hey, blondie, are you coming or what? If you want to see Fanelia, I expect you to keep up!" Gwira called out to him just as she reached the bottom.

[Fairybane]

"Back for more, eh?" sneered one of the guards, taking a few steps towards Wraith.
"We better stash him somewhere so he can't rat us out to Crimm," suggested the other, waving a coil of rope.
His partner scoffed at him though, waving his hand dismissively. "Crimm is the last person i'm worried about." He was met by a wordless stare. "C'mon Irwen, what is he going to do to us...CHANT us to death? He's a monk!"
Irwen shook his head doubtfully, "I dunno Kurik, I saw him snap a polearm with those big sharp paws of his like it was nothing!"
"Oh, he's just a big pussy-cat! I could take hi--"
Simultaneously, both Kurik and Irwen glanced back at Wraith, seeming to have just remembered the racoon-man's presense.
"We'll figure that out later."
"Yeah, let's get him."
Both of the guards lunged towards Wraith.

[Kayay]

~~~~Silvern~~~~

“I don’t see what you’re trying to accomplish other than get us into more trouble,” Silvern dared to remark to Dryan. “If you’d just have been patient they would have let us go.” The fox woman shot him a look that told him he’d best keep those opinions to himself and Silvern gave up trying to talk any sense into her. “Then again, what do I know, right?” he quickly continued with a resigned smile, “It’s your home and your people, and this is better than staying in that stuffy, smelly room, so lead the way.”


~~~~Foucault~~~~

From his position at the end of the hall the merchant could tell that the guards at the door didn’t look in a very cooperative mood and the raccoon anthro was too busy fending off their childish antics to be on any help, so Foucault turned right around and left both parties to their amusements. He’d try again later.

Since his plans to see what information he could pry from the alleged “Mystic Moon” people were put on hold, Foucault decided to return to his manor in the city. There were more than enough papers to sort through, decisions to be made, and deals, some of questionable legality, to be dealt with. His aides and clerks could handle most of the more tedious tasks, but some were best handled personally.

With his mind thus on such affairs, he was caught by surprise when he spotted two familiar figures furtively making their way across the palace grounds. The calculating smile reappeared on his face, and Foucault removed his smoke colored glasses as he adjusted his direction to intercept them.

“You two are a familiar sight,” he called to Dryan and Silvern as tucked his glasses away. “So Maeko and Father Crimm finished with their questioning already? Considering how slowly the system works these days that must be some sort of record, especially when temple trespassers are involved.”

[Chesta chesta chesta]

“B-but,” the Fanelian began, grasping tufts of hair as if he was going to yank them out, “can’t you send out some guards to protect them?” Even he knew that it was too much to ask, too much to expect that the palace would send out some of their people so close to the coronation to look over a simple forester. But forester or not, it was his family.

Then there was the “why would anyone want to kill the kids from the mystic moon?” It was quickly answered as Tonton squealed in delight at the sight of the palace.

The carriage came to an abrupt halt, the Fanelian who had remained standing fell back into his seat. There was sound of metal as guards hurried forward to up the security as their guests had arrived. The carriage door opened allowing the occupants to step out and stretch their travel weary legs. Tonton narrowly missed landing flat on his face as his feet tripped on themselves. Stumbling he managed to grab hold of one of the guards and hoist himself up onto his feet. Still the earth boy was in awe of the palace, his mouth was wide open and he raised a hand to his eyebrow as his head titled backwards so that he could take in the height of the building.

Eitre exited next. When his feet hit the wonderful solid ground of the courtyard he extended his hand to Chigusa and helping her of the carriage. If she fell then they’d never survive the night.

He squinted into the carriage and at Seth. The carriage hadn’t appeared to be so dark from the inside but in the full light of the sun it seemed to be rather dim. “How long will we have to stay here then? Just until tomorrow and then go about our business?”

[Princess Samari]

There had been something terribly uncomfortable about that carriage ride. Perhaps it had been the fact that she was sitting in such close proximity to Ton Ton who made it his duty to try and suffocate her.

"I can't believe no one here has thought up limos." Allowing Eitre to help her down Chigusa took in a deep breath. Target or no she was not about to spend another minute in one of those things. The neighborhood looked nice enough, as did the castle. Maybe the shopping wasn't so bad.

Though would anyone take her card?

[Kayay]

“I can’t do much of anything here. Were this Asturia I could and I would send someone to protect them, but here all I can do is ask, advise, and reassure,” Seth reminded Eitre. “Technically, I’m not even in charge of this delegation, but I will see what I can do. I prefer to err on the side of caution.”

After the carriage stopped and Eitre and the others exited Seth followed, moving slowly and carefully while trying not to let the stress fo his injuries show. He wasn’t entirely successful and winced as he tool the last step down. Out of the second carriage Gwyndolin, Findel, Touji, and Aaron emerged as well, although the last member of that group was carefully avoiding eye contact with everyone, especially Seth.

“Welcome to Fanelia honored guests.” From the line of guards bedecked in full dress uniforms a pink haired cat woman stepped forward and bowed deeply. “ I am Maeko, advisor to the Heir. Rooms have been prepared in the ambassadors’ wing and there you can freshen up before the afternoon meal, which will be held in the Heir's own reception room as it is to be an informal affair. “ She carefully looked each and every one over with her jade eyes as she spoke. “After which you are all invited to be her personal guests at the Coronation.”

[Endurance]

Cold sweat formed on his forehead. Moment of tension was intolerable. As Ecli waited for his ragged breath to calm he leaned against a wall of a building and watched how familiar carriage passed by and entered the palace courtyard. Ecli, for his desperation noticed that guard patrols were much common and dense in these parts of the city.

Finally Ecli made his decision and started moving toward the gate slowly. He walked as though he was just another servant of the castle, setting all his fears behind. Luck, as always, seemed to be on his side as most of the guards had gone to secure their newest guests and the few left at the gate were busy talking to each other.

Against all odds Ecli had managed to get safely inside the Fanelian palace, completely unnoticed by local authorities. With a triumphant smirk on his face Ecli hurried across the magnificient courtyard and started looking for an entrance to servant's quarters.

He had a plan. It was not really desperate but not that foolproof either.

[DrZepp]

Findel wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, silently falling in line behind Seth and Eitre. He took a mental note to keep his distance from Gwyndolin for the time being. In that time he would let her watch over Aaron as well. Findel smirked inwardly at the thought, forgetting for just a moment how potentially dangerous the draconian could be. It was still a complete mystery why he had attacked Seth, and judging from the Asturians reaction the night before, he was just as clueless as everyone else.

And then there was the mystic moon crew, oddly enough being led on by Eitre. Findel vaguely wondered how the young man had fared in Zaibach, and how exactly Ton Ton and Chigusa met up with him. He was about to address Eitre, when an elegant looking catwoman stepped out from the horde of heavily ornamented guards.
She wasted little time in getting to the point. Needless to say, Findel was greatful.

“Welcome to Fanelia honored guests. I am Maeko, advisor to the Heir."
The catwoman said, bowing deeply. Findel, taking his place beside Seth and Eitre, returned the gesture.

"Rooms have been prepared in the ambassadors’ wing" She continued. "and there you can freshen up before the afternoon meal, which will be held in the Heir's own reception room as it is to be an informal affair. “ Maeko carefully looked the newcomers over with her jade eyes as she spoke. “After which you are all invited to be her personal guests at the Coronation.”

Findel arched his eyebrow at the mention of a coronation. Apparently they had arrived just in time. It wasnt every day that a new Queen was appointed.

"I thank you, lady Maeko."
Findel said, remembering his manners.
"If a new sovereign is to be appointed, the palaces general anticipation level must be immense. Do not let us burden you any further, im sure there is much work to be done."

The Basramian nodded again, sending a sidelong glance to Gwyndolin. He wasnt always a gruff bastard.

[Eydtman]

Elisan had remained rather quiet during all that had been going on. He really didn't feel like even responding to the rude remarks that Dryan had made to him. He actually found it sort of amusing now that if he had done what she suggested and thrown up out the window, she'd probably be stepping in it right about now. Elisan took a quick sniff of the air. The smell of his vomit was noticeable, but not as badly as everyone had made it out to be. Or maybe it was just his sense of smell that was off since he'd spent alot of his time the last two years surrounded by foul smells much worse than this.

Once Dryan was fully out of the window Elisan finally spoke. "Well I'm glad that she couldn't take a bath anyways. I can't stand the smell of wet fur."

Next, Elisan made his way over to the door and examined the lock.

"Child's play." He said quietly to himself as he began to unfasten his belt. On the inside of his belt a few oddly shaped peices of metal were concealed within small pockets. He quickly took out the 2 pieces of metal he had been looking for and inserted them carefully into the lock.

"In this world there are two kinds of people; those that use their brains, and those that jump out of windows." Elisan said as he bagan his task of picking the lock.

(OOC: Crappy post x.x I've been away for the last little while due to various reasons and such, but i'm back now :D.

Elisan: "You know you all missed me....")

[Phantom Angel]

As they were creeping along the courtyard, the voice of a man called out to them.

“You two are a familiar sight.So Maeko and Father Crimm finished with their questioning already? Considering how slowly the system works these days that must be some sort of record, especially when temple trespassers are involved.”

Dryan looked up at the man who had approached them.
"So much for trying to stay inconspicuous..." Gwira muttered, retreating to leave Dryan to handle their little crisis.

Where diplomacy was involved, the fox was a much better negotiator. Gwira knew when she was beat, thus she retreated.

"Yes, the interogation moved quite fast. But since we proved conclusively we did come from the Mystic Moon they let us go," Dryan agreed.

When you wanted to craft a smart lie, it was best to simply agree with the assumptions of the others. That way, the story would sound much more natural to whomever was crafting it, and they would be more prone to take it for granted. People seldom questioned when they were told the things they wanted to hear.

So, the fox put on her best smile, trying to look as pleasing as possible. "Excuse me sir, do you know the nearest shop where I could buy a new set of clothes?" she asked, pointing at her soiled shirt. "I'm afraid this set is rather ruined after my adventure on the Mystic Moon. And my friend here also needs a set of Gean clothes. I doubt the pink is very fashionable at this time of year," the fox added, with a cute wrinkle of her nose.

If there was one thing Dryan was good at, it was acting. She had not become a successfull businesswoman through her honesty. It had been her ability to conceal her true feelings and play upon the weaknesses of others that she had gathered her fortune.

"My name is Dryan, by the way," she added pleasantly, "my friend is named Silvern."

[Kayay]

“Planning on buying me clothes?” Silvern chuckled softly to Dryan. “I didn’t know you cared so much.”

If Foucault overheard that particular jest, he showed no sign of it. “There are quite a few shops where you can buy clothes, but you look like a woman who recognizes quality workmanship at a good price. There is just such a shop only a short distance outside the palace walls. Why don’t I show you the way personally.”

The words were more of a statement than a question, as if he were giving them little option but to follow him, and with an empty smile the merchant slipped his glasses back on and motioned for Dryan and Silvern to walk with him. “Or,” he added casually, ”I could ask one of the guards to help you find your way. I’m sure one of them would be more than honored to assist visitors from the Mystic Moon.”

“That’s all right,” Silvern answered a little too eagerly. The last thing he wanted was to risk the guards figuring out who they were, and, with his own mischievious grin, reached over and plucked a stray bit of grass from Dryan’s shirt. “The sooner we both change into something clean the happier I’ll be. Lead the way, Sir.”

[Phantom Angel]

"Thank you very much Mister....", Dryan broke off leaving a significant pause so the merchant could understand that she wanted his name. "You are very kind to take time out of your day to show us around here," she added, with a slight tilt of her head.

Then, Silvern made a snide remark, and brushed some grass off of her shirt. Dryan felt slightly unnerved by his action, and threw a sideways glare at the blond man. Just what exactly was he playing at? Was he trying to gain her sympathy once more? Or was it simply harmless flirting? Maybe a bug had bitten him and the venom made him hallucinate...

"Who the hell does he think he is, plucking grass from your back?? Gwira nearly shrieked inside of Dryan's skull as Silvern moved his hand away. Dryan had to steady her alternate personality's urge to remove Silvern's hand from his body.

"Just let him be. We can't afford to scare off this nice man who is showing us around," she chastised slowly.

"NO! I want to teach him a lesson about how to use his hands!" Gwira protested vehemently.

The fox, deafened by the sound brought up a hand to her temple, trying hard not to cry out in pain. Her head felt like it was about to split into two even parts, right down its middle.

"Sorry," Gwira replied quietly, "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"That's okay." Dryan muttered, under her breath.

Silently, Gwira retreated inside of her, leaving behind a dark and ominous aura. Dryan could see that the cat was upset, but in order to have a nice long talk with Gwira, she would require a quiet secluded spot. Unfortunately, time did not permit for that, and Dryan put it off as the first thing she would do once they would get home.

From inside her, Gwira simply mussed furiously.

"He'll take Dryan away from me. And when he takes her away, she won't need me any more." Gwira struggled hard to control the pain in her emotions. Dryan must never know. "I can't go back to that place. I can't ever go back."

[Kayay]

"Thank you very much Mister....",

“Call me Foucault.” His eyes narrowed behind the tinted glasses as the fox’s eyes began unfocused for a second, as if her thoughts were turning inward. “It’s actually for selfish reasons I’m helping you. I happen to own that particular shop we’re headed for, and I’m quite proud of it.” He turned his head to look back over his shoulder at them just enough that they could see the smile the artful dodger, businessman, and politician used when dealing with facing the Fanelia Council. A little bit of mock honesty and false humility typically made the other person more relaxed and, thus, more vulnerable.

“Oh? So you’re a…tailor?” Silvern hazarded a guess then looked aside at Dryan. He’d remembered Dryan once mentioning something about being an art dealer or merchant, and thought it would be nice if they had something in common with this man who’d volunteered to help them. But when he looked at Dryan he grew concerned. He’d hoped that returning to her home would have improved her state, but the muscles of her jaw seemed tense, and there were fine lines of stress bracketing her eyes. “Are you alright?” he whispered to her and slid a hand onto her shoulder.

“Hardly,” Foucault’s answer made Silvern look away from Dryan at the man leading them through the palace gates. With a nod towards the guards, the he silently implied that the two were with him. Most likely they’d assume Dryan and Silvern were new retainers of his.

“I hope I didn’t offend you. For a moment I thought maybe Dryan and you had something in common business-wise,” Silvern apologized, followed by a soft harmonious laugh, and the hand that still rested upon the foxwoman’s shoulder seemed to rest heavier and grip a little tighter.

[Phantom Angel]

"No! Let me go! Please!

The hands just reached out of the darkness, cold and slimy. No matter how much she tried to move away, the hands just kept reaching further.

"I swear, I never did it! It wasn't me! I'm innocent!"

The pleas fell on deaf ears. When you were one against the world, you rarely succeeded. One single fall and you would be the dust that settled after the crowd.

"You have to believe me... I never did anything..."

Sometimes, you did not have enough strength to keep going. Not when for one single step forward you had to go back a mile. Not when walls rose up from dust.

Sometimes, it was easier to believe what they told you. It was simpler just to close your eyes and believe.

"Don't touch me!" Dryan hissed, moving away from Silvern's touch with a foreign brutality.

There were specks of dried blood upon a worn down wall. A barless prison....

"Somebody help me..."

Dryan felt the massive headache begin to form at the back of her head. There had been only one other time she had felt a headache this bad. That had been the time when....
"Please, don't let them punish me..."

"I trust your tastes Mr. Foucault." Dryan replied with a smirk, trying very hard to keep a mask of tranquility on her face. It was not an easy task when her head felt like it was about to split in two.

"Dry.... an.... Make them stop, please, just make them stop..." Gwira called out faintly, as the void in front of her began to spin and collapse upon itself.

The hands had reached her, and their cold slimy fingers curled gently about her throat. She felt her lungs burn from the lack of air.

Dryan coughed loudly, feeling suddenly very dizzy, but refusing to reach for Silvern. No, nobody must touch her now. Or else...

"Excuse me, but is your shop very far?" Dryan asked, a bit short of breath. "A migrane just hit me and I was hoping we could stop somewhere so I could catch my breath..." she added, doing her best to look unconcerned, trying to make it seem like it was a normal day to day thing.

"Gwira, what is going on with you?? Dryan wondered, pausing slightly to wait for an answer that never came.

[Kayay]

Silverns' move was met by a more hostile reaction than what he’s expected. Dryan’s cold gaze told him that he had over-stepped his boundaries, but after what they’d been through together her aggression seemed all the more unreasonable. And when she coughed and swayed slightly he wanted to reach out to steady her but hesitated. "Dryan,” he said in a voice meant for only her ears, “I'm sorry I invaded your personal space, but believe me when I say have never hurt anyone, and do not intend to hurt anyone. If you’re not feeling well I want to offer my comfort."

"The shop is not far at all,” Foucault spoke as he walked in front of them, finally stopping at an narrow two story building with a high red tiled roof and bight windows left undraped in which the shopkeeper displayed some of her wares. Flowering ivy climbed up the brick and stone façade and a fancy sign of wood and metal above the door identified the place as the store in question.

The door opened with a soft jingle of temple bells and a cheerful woman, no older than thirty with her light brown hair pulled back in a bun, hurried to the front to greet them. She seemed especially preoccupied with making sure Foucault was doing well, and when he told her that Dryan and Silvern were “with him” she began to make quite the fuss over them. “Please, Ma’am, come with me upstairs. I have several fine outfits that would look stunning on you and your gentleman friend.”

Foucault watched the shopkeeper usher Dryan and Silvern away then turned his attention to the view out the window.

[Phantom Angel]

You bloody hypocrite, Dryan wanted to scream out as she and Silvern mounted the stairs following the trail of the woman.

"Wants to help me my ass. He just wants to look like the hero." Dryan almost snarled.

The fox forced herself to remain calm. Despite the pain pulsating at the back of her skull, she had to keep on mounting the stairs, and then somehow find some time alone. Gwira needed help. Dryan felt it with every fiber of her being.

"I have to help her, there's no time to waste!"

The hollow feeling of something having gone wrong haunted her, and she missed a step as she climbed. Before she could hit the ground, Silvern's strong arms caught her, steading her balance.

"Woah there, watch out."

"Let me go! I thought I told you not to touch me!" Dryan almost shrieked.

The shop owner looked back at them somewhat puzzled.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, her brows furrowed in concern.

"Everything is just fine." Dryan lied, throwing a meaningful glance at Silvern. He better keep his mouth shut, this was none of his business.

[Kayay]

~~~~Silvern~~~~

The second floor filled with array of outfits ranging in materials from lace, velvet, silk, to cotton and linen all neatly folded on shelves, draped on hangers, or carefully arranged on dressmakers dummies and awaiting finishing touches or alterations. As soon as she climbed the last step the shopkeeper went over to the two large windows that faced the street, pulled back the gauzy curtains, and let in the sunlight. “Take a look around,” she encouraged Dryan and proceeded to point out several shirts that she insisted would go wonderfully with her eyes.

Silvern, meanwhile, busied himself by looking around, stopping to tap the big framed mirror that stood in one corner of the room and watch it sway gently on it’s stand, but most of the clothes were too fancy for his tastes and, he guessed, probably expensive. “Do you have anything simpler?”

The woman looked thoughtful for a moment. “Yes, I have some tunics that may be just what you’re looking for. They’re rather plain but very comfortable yet functional.” Thus, smiling and nodding she excused herself and went back downstairs, leaving Silvern and Dryan alone.


~~~~Fangolas~~~~

"In this world there are two kinds of people; those that use their brains, and those that jump out of windows,” Elisan quipped.

Fangolas just settled down next to Dream and watched the fool. “And he,” he said so only the girl would hear, “is neither.”

What the dark skinned man meant by that statement wasn’t clear until the other man managed to pick the lock. Completely forgotten by Elisan were two very large, very bored, and extremely mischievous guardsmen and one nervous anthro servant on the other side, and the moment the click of the lock and soft creak of hinges sounded all heads turned to face the door and the would-be escapee.

[DrkZealot]

((OOC: The weeks of homework have ENDED and I can finally post!....until finals preparation next week that is.))

Wraiths worry for Aethaeus had caused him to sprint up the hallway in hopes of helping her, but when he arrived, the two guards were steady at their post. He could only listen for a few minutes as the two argued between each other about what to do with him before his boredom became too much and other, more pleasant thoughts came to mind. They varied in type, but all were useless, mostly consisting of pointless observations such as abnormal amounts of dust settling in the room, to cracks in the wall forming shapes of strange animals. He chuckled to himself as he pointed out a cute squirrel shaped crack that looked as if it was running up the wall with a hand full of nuts, before his pointed ears perked at the sounds of the two guards reaching a consensus about the situation.

It was as if the Ex-Soldier forgot why it was he was there, and why it was Kurik and Irwen looked to him with such menacing eyes, for the raccoon blinked with a perplexed look and scratched the back of his head. “Oh, hey. Why’re you two lookin’ at me like that? Do I have something in my nose…?” Then, with a light bulb moment, the forgetful raccoon gently pounded his right fist into his left palm and proceeded with an idiotic and nonchalant “Oh yeah. The window thing” Now that that little detail was cleared up, the Raccoon realized the full scope of what was about to happen and harshly reprimanded himself for worrying so much about other people. In Zaibach they really tried to keep him from that. In training he never could quite stop going back for a fallen ally when they collapsed on a long run, or when one was wounded in a spar. Though he’d been scolded countless times for these actions, he never could remember not to do it.

So, blinking again at the sight of the two violence starved samurai, Wraith took a cautious step back and chuckled lightly to himself, hoping that his cheery laughter would warm their hearts and they would all join hands in a round of song and drink. But, instead he found himself in a headlock at the hands of Kurik, while Irwen began the job of securing his legs with rope. “Uh….excuse me guys, do you think you could use a different rope this time? This kinda chafes my skin, and I have really sensiti-Mrhph hrmphhphff” His pleas were cut off and muffled as Kurik tied a rather fowl tasting handkerchief inside his mouth, leaving his jaw open, but the material cutting off all speech, or limiting it to “Mrmphs.”. And while he could have easily ground the thin material from his jaw with his sharp teeth, he decided against it. He knew a person once that held his handkerchief in quite high value. Maybe Kurik had been given this by he dear old grandmother while she was on her deathbed (that would explain the strange taste), or maybe an Ex lover gave it to him after a dramatic scene of unattainable love. Maybe his precious, foul smelling fiancé bestowed this foul smelling handkerchief upon him the day she was forced to move away to a far away castle by her evil father, Lord Brandston, who disapproved of their wedding, and forced the unhygienic noblewoman away from her precious lover into the tallest tower of their castle in the west. But no, Kurik could not take such a precious gift from her, even if it was to remember her by. It would not be enough to hold onto her bitter tasting handkerchief that reeked of unwashed armpits, no he must hold onto the woman and smell her foul armpits HIMSELF! So, in a fit of rage, (and of course, super ninja powers) Kurik snuck into the Lords home and slew him (of course with some strange ninja type weapon) and then was thrown in jail by her even more evil Uncle, Baron Van Doom!
Eventually the story continued until the handkerchief lost all meaning what-so-ever, and Kurik, with the aid of a magical fairy were on a mission to save the world. But, the rather intriguing story of Kuriks life was cut short, as his ears perked at a sudden sound from behind, and the door leading to the prisoners slowly creaked open. Unknown to Wraith, he had completely chewed through the handkerchief whilst going over the life of Kurik, then spoke with his newly freed jaws. “Hey, you guys really didn’t do a very good job locking the door. Father Crimm’s gonna be awfully sore when he hears about this” He said with a nod, looking into the room and adjusting the thick rope on his wrists (Tied behind his back) and his ankles.

[Fairybane]

Kurik and Irwen looked at Wraith. Then they looked at the door with Elisan’s face peeking out from within the supposedly locked room. Then they looked back at Wraith again.
It was a quandary indeed, neither of the very intelligent samurai could decide on a course of action. Sieze Elisan? Torment Wraith? It was a moment before the moronic guardsmen both came to the same conclusion. Irwen reached out and grabbed Elisan roughly by the ears, hauling him out the door and into the hall.
So now both the raccoon man and the sly Zaibachian (whom the guards had taken to calling ‘Smirky’) were trussed up like hogs for the slaughter, and being borne down the hallway on their broad shoulders.
“What should we do with them this time?” Kurik asked jauntily.
Irwen thought for a moment, his bushy eyebrows knitting in deep though before his broad face suddenly brightened with a great idea. “Suspend them from the palace flagpoles!!”
“Yeahhhh!” guffawed his compatriot. “To the courtyard with Smirky and Furball!!”

Meanwhile, Crimm finally made his way back to the guest quarters, arms laden with the tomes and scrolls that he had been forced to chase throughout the garden thanks to a particularly whimsical breeze. Stopping at the door, he glanced around quizzically. Hadn’t there been two guards posted here?
Well it WAS Kurik and Irwen. Which means they could be off anywhere playing some sort of horrible prank. Like tossing poor Wraith down the stairs
Shaking his head in irritation, Crimm growled under his breath. That type of behavior was not befitting of the royal guard…he would be sure to have a word with the captain…
Placing a heavy paw against the door he thought was locked, the lion man was astonished to see it slowly creak open. Furiously, he stormed in, his tawny mane bristling angrily.
“What happened here?!”

[EvaRobby]

Touji stepped out into the white behind the carriage's door. Once his eyes had finally adjusted to the blinding light, he was surprised to see Ton Ton, Chigusa, Eitre and others standing with him. He stayed next to Gwyndolen, and strangely found himself hoping she'd protect him from anything. He felt the need to watch her movements from the corner of his eye as well, all the while, a single word repeated in his thoughts, drowning out the conversation in front of him.

The group began moving away from the carriages. Had Findel looked at him? Why?

[Eydtman]

Elisan wasn't very happy. Here he was, tied up, being carried away over some big oaf of a guard's shoulders as they walked somewhere laughing all the way, and on top of that they had given him a new nickname which he despised.

"Smirky?" Elisan thought to himself in disgust. "I'll give them something to smirk about all right!"

Elisan let out a long sigh and frowned as he looked over at the figure that was being carried by the other guard. [/i]"Pathetic."[/i] He thought. Since they had first picked him up Elisan had been descretely loosening the ropes he was bound with, without alerting the guard to what he was doing, until he was confident enough that he could quickly get out from them when he wanted to.

Elisan spoke to the guards. "That's about far enough fella's." Elisan said casually. "Thanks for the lift but I think I can manage on my own from here on. Whether it be in a palace or a prison I don't appreciate being locked up, especially when no wrongs have been commited. So I'd suggest that you put me down now."

He doubted that they'd listen to him but it was atleast worth a shot.

[Megumi H]

((OOC: nyeah...))


"In this world there are two kinds of people; those that use their brains, and those that jump out of windows,” Elisan quipped. Dream would have stuck out her tongue at him, but she knew he'd have tried to cut it off if she had.

Fangolas just settled down next to Dream and watched the fool. “And he,” he said so only the girl would hear, “is neither.”

It took a moment for Dream to get it. Fangolas certainly didn't look like the kind to make jokes. Nevertheless, a soft giggle escaped the girl's lips, and she covered her mouth with her hand to prevent herself from laughing any louder.

As soon as the door swung open, she realized the full meaning of the joke. The look on Elisan's face was priceless as the guards seized him by the ears and dragged him out into the hall, kicking the door shut again as soon as he was out.

As their footsteps faded into silence, Dream's giggle returned. It grew both in force and volume until she let her hand down from over her mouth to around her waist and bent forward, no longer able to contain the full-fledged peals of hysterical laughter.

It was thus that Father Crimm stormed in and found her on the floor laughing like a drunken schoolgirl.

"What happened here?!"

[Lady Fanel]

((OOC: Sorry it took me so long to get back, but I've had one hell of a busy week.))

Aethaeus stopped in midstep. There were strangers at the castle. The strangers were escaping. No one knew they were escaping but her. A mischevious smile crept over her face. Then the servingwoman turned and ran towards the front of the palace where a large crowd was gathering. Looking around, she saw the pink-haired catwoman talking to what appeared to be a group of foreigners. She waited until she was done talking before tapping her arm. "Excuse me, my lady Maeko, but I believe there is something you should know."

[Endurance]

Ecli, familiar with the layout of Fanelia's palace, had no problem navigating inside the servant's quarters. Interior was very neat but not as dazzling or glamorous as the courtyard had been. Clever architecture played with intricate patterns of light and darkness, even walls were decorated with so curious recesses and embrasures that Ecli had to constrain himself not to look warily into every dark alcove and hollow.

When serving in Freid Ecli had been visited by a vast number of foreign scholars, including one from Fanelia. Such meetings were possible in occasional state visits and Ecli had gathered quite a safety net of 'fellow scholars' he could abuse in time of need. Now it was such time.

---- Rankel ----

Rankel, the middle-aged scholar of Fanel muttered heavily as he was interrupted by a loud knocking sound. Quill he held swayed and made long streak across the paper and and sturdy oak table, effectively ruining the official manuscript he had been working on.

"What is it now? Didn't I tell you servants not to disturb me until I am finished with this....." Rankel started yelling but went quiet when he realized that he had not been interrupted by a mere servant. Rankel examined the intruder curiously for a moment before a smile of recognition started forming to his weather-beaten face.
"Well well, If it's not the unhealthy prodigy of Freid then I am damned" He taunted in glee. "What occasion made you to abandon your safe haven and visit ol' Rankel here?"

[Kayay]

~~~Fangolas~~~~

Sitting on the end of the cot with his elbows resting on his knees, Fang watched Dream double over in laughter with a faint smile on his face. “It is good to hear you laugh,” he remarked, although her mirth had an edge of hysteria to it. One way to release so many mixed emotions after the experience she’s been through. The jovial mood however was interrupted by the lion priest, fur bristling, causing Fangolas to jump to his feet and instinctively reach for the saber that was not there. Normally the desert nomad was a quiet, solitary type, but with only he and the girl left in the room, the role of spokesman had fallen upon his shoulders. Perhaps it is time to let my presence be felt, he thought.

“Elisan, the witty one with an upset stomach, saw fit to take his leave, but I believe a pair of your guards are currently metting out his punishment,” Fang explained and gestured to the door with a smile.


~~~~Maeko~~~~

Maeko arched an eyebrow in response to the servant girl’s actions. Although annoyed by the interruption, she motioned to the guards to continue without her. “Please, excuse me for a moment,” she addressed Findel and Seth, made a slight bow, and stepped to the side with Aethaeus.

She looked the other cat over, recognizing her as the same servant she’d assigned to see to the temple intruders. “I assume this has something to do with the ‘guests’ you were to see to?” she asked with a weary sigh; considering how this day was going so far, she doubted it was anything but bad news.


((OOC: *Pokes Gywn, Findel, Chigusa, and company* Hellooooo?))

[DrkZealot]

With a slight blink, then a nod, Wraith squirmed a bit on Irwen’s shoulder hoping to get into a more comfortable position while he and the other unfortunate prisoner was being hauled down a long series of hallways into the courtyard.
He wanted to speak again and introduce himself to the other capture, but his words once again came out muffled grunts, and unintelligible gibberish behind yet another handkerchief that had been firmly tied around his jaw. And though he greatly condemned himself for chewing through the first one, he unknowingly began doing the same with this, except at a much slower pace as he intently listened to the two guards rather interesting conversation. They soon reached the courtyard and came to a halt before one of the many flag poles positioned in the center, before he heard the other capture speak for the first time throughout the entire bumpy trip.

"That's about far enough fella's. "Thanks for the lift but I think I can manage on my own from here on. Whether it be in a palace or a prison I don't appreciate being locked up, especially when no wrongs have been committed. So I'd suggest that you put me down now."

What a stranger person he was. Wraith could have swore they were being brought to the flag pole while tied up, so they could strip them of their clothes and hang them along with the other flags. But Smirky had just said they were just giving the two a lift(ignoring the other parts of his statement and completely missing the sarcasm). Well this seemed quite odd indeed, if they were giving them a lift, shouldn’t they have at least asked the two where they wanted to go? All this was quite frustrating to the young Raccoon who couldn’t fathom why it was they were to drop him off on this side of the palace, when the Guymelef storage facility was waaay on the other side. Did his supervisor move operations to a secret underground lab hidden cleverly underneath one of the flag poles? Eventually he ignored these thoughts, knowing his boss to never do such a thing and squirmed off Irwins shoulder, landing to the floor with a loud thump.
“Well I guess I thank you for the lift too, but you could have dropped me off a bit closer to my work.” He said with mild irritation, the gnawed through handkerchief falling off his shoulders.
Rolling on his back he squirmed and twisted until the ropes around his wrists loosened enough to get his hands free. Turning to Smirky he looked to him with a strange perplexing glance and finally introduced himself while untying the constraints on his ankles. “Hullo Smirky, I’m Wraith, Nice to meet ya! I would shake your hand but you seem to still be tied up so I’ll shake it later. So, why’d you want them to drop you off in the middle of the courtyard? This certainly seems like an odd location for a person who’s supposed to be locked in a room up there, but then again I’m not supposed to be here either so I guess it kinda evens out in the end….unless it doesn’t.”
Now that he had thoroughly confused himself (again), he inanely blinked and waited for a reply.

[Eydtman]

“Hullo Smirky, I’m Wraith, Nice to meet ya! I would shake your hand but you seem to still be tied up so I’ll shake it later. So, why’d you want them to drop you off in the middle of the courtyard? This certainly seems like an odd location for a person who’s supposed to be locked in a room up there, but then again I’m not supposed to be here either so I guess it kinda evens out in the end….unless it doesn’t.”

"So it talks afterall." Elisan said silently to himself. The truth was he could have shook the anthro's hand but he was still making it look like he was bound by the ropes so he didn't, that and he didn't really want to shake hands anyways. It's not his thing.

"Like I said to these two oafs here, I don't appreciate being locked up no matter where it be. So anywhere is better than that." Elisan said as he shifted his position so that his elbow jabbed, hopefully painfully, into the guards neck. "And don't call me Smirky if you value your tongue." Elisan added angrily.

Elisan turned his attention back to the guards. "So are you going to put me down now or is that too complicated for one so simple as yourself?"

[Princess Samari]

"Right." Chigusa had been seeing a lot of odd things since her coming to Gaia. So oddly the cat woman hadn't really caused her much confusion. She had seen a turkey girl and giant mechanical suits.

So what was another freak to her?. Rolling her eyes and brushing back a stray lock of hair Chigusa turned to Eitre rolling her eyes. She was getting bored and he was going to do something about it.

"Yes that was all well and good of her. Can we go do something please? I'm really starting to get tired of touring castles and junk. There HAS to be something more exciting then wandering around palaces with no wireless cable."

Knowing Eitre he would probably protest...but no one was forcing her to stay. Or so Chigusa was certain.

[DrZepp]

Findel stepped back slightly as Aethaeus approached. Simply judging by the servant girls expression, something was amiss. Not that it was a big surprising. Findel suspected that many mishaps would occur in preperation for such a special event, which was all the more reason to leave Maeko to her own meddlings. There was just the minor problem of being on completely unfamiliar ground.

Findel turned back to Eitre and Chigusa as the cat woman excused herself for a moment.

"I dont suppose you are familiar with the castle..."
The Basramian said, somewhat flatly.
He raised his palm to his brow and peered across the cities skyline. This was Eitres homeland, yet right as he returned, they had all been shipped off to the castle. In a way it seemed odd. The Fanelian had family, a concept which intruiged Findel to no end.
"Perhaps...."
The Basramian opened his mouth to speak , but paused. He slowly glanced down at Eitre, feeling a tinge of discomfort.
"Perhaps you would like to see your home...after we deal with the formalities. I would be glad to accompany you."

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus bowed as Maeko spoke to her. "I'm sorry for disturbing you my lady, but the 'guests' were locked in their room by the guards, which in itself is bad enough, but now they are escaping through an open window and are wandering about the grounds." She shot a glance at the catwoman. "Is there anything you would like me to do?"

[Kayay]

“They were supposed to be locked in that room,” she began irritably, “but what happened to the guards who were watching them, and why didn’t you tell them immediately about the escape?” Jade eyes narrowed; perhaps she had overestimated the other anthro woman. “And,” she continued, “what happened to Wraith? Nevermind.” She cut off any reply with a curt gesture. “Come with me. You can explain yourself along the way.”

“Forgive me,” she addressed group from Freid as she and Aethaeus caught up. “I must deal with other matters, but the guards will show you the way to your rooms. If you wish, I can have a guide show you around the place and the city.

“Thank you Lady Maeko,” Seth answered with an incline of his head. After Eitre’s anxiety over his family’s safety an Chigusa’s boredom, this seemed a perfect opportunity. “As nice as it was, we’ve all been cooped up aboard that leviship for too long.”

“Then I’ll have someone sent immediately.” And with those words she bowed and, with Aethaeus in tow, headed back to where the temple intruders were supposed to be kept under watch.

[Fairybane]

Irwen gave Wraith an oddly fearful look, before glancing to Kurik. “Uh…he’s acting funny. D’ya think he’s rabid?”
“No you moron! He’d be frothing at the mouth if he was rabid!”
“But look at the way he’s staring at us.”
Kurik grunted in irritation. “Alright you wimp, I’ll tie him up again and carry him this time if you’re too scared to do it. You take Smirky, he smells like puke.” With these words, Kurik heaved Elisan off his shoulder and set him roughly on the ground. Then pulling out a coil of rope, he turned to Wraith. “This time you get double-knots Furball…”
Irwen still watched Wraith cautiously, expecting the raccoon-man to suddenly leap up and bite Kurik’s nose off. It just so happened that Elisan had suddenly been left unattended…

Crimmius glared at the girl who was giggling madly, and the stern man beside her. Then he stared at the open window and put a hand to his forehead in disbelief. It wasn’t difficult to figure out what had just happened…
By the gods, this is a disaster… Mentally, he recited a few calming mantras until he could feel his claws retracting and his pulse slowing…there were still two of them left.
Kneeling in front of the remaining two, Crimm gazed intensely at them with his fierce cat eyes.
“Where have your companions gone?” he asked simply but firmly.

[Chesta chesta chesta]

“Well,” Eitre started and pulled at the collar of his tunic. “I suppose we could…ehm…” Chigusa was demanding things again and the effect it had on the Fanelian was noticeable on the horrified grimace and the cold sweat that ran down his tensed back. Frantically he looked for something to look at apart from into the girl’s penetrating gaze, still he was always drawn back and gulped loudly.

“I don’t know the castle very well.” With being unable to turn away, Eitre merely answered the Basramian over his shoulder. “In all honestly I have never been inside, I know the outside but not this.”

That’d be if you counted ‘outside’ as outside the grounds of the castle and looking in. Young Eitre had spent many years of his childhood avoiding the castle. Someone had once told him that dragons protected the castle, even just looking at it could anger the great gods and they’d strike him down. His father had always exaggerated the stories of the dragons in a bid to prevent his son to go too far into the forest and thus finding more trouble than he could handle.

Before he even managed to offer to take responsibility of the whole group on some friendly outing in the Fanelian market, Maeko and Seth had saved him from certain eternal shame. Eitre drew a relieved breath, shoulders slumped downwards and he managed to smile briefly at Chigusa.

“The job on the levi-ship, I promised to make it up to you. How about we all go out and I’ll buy you something nice?”

If there was one thing that Eitre had ever learned from his father, apart from the wisdom of dragons, it was that women were ravenous beasts when it came to gifts. This had to apply to Chigusa, even if she wasn’t Gaean.

The allocated guard coughed to gain the full groups attention, they turned and continued down the long hallway. The guard never spoke, he merely kept his stare before him and without emotion he gestured towards the large doors along the walls. “These are the quarters that you will be staying in. Your requested guide will arrive shortly.” He shoved his heel together with a clank, bowed to the group. “I hope that you will enjoy your stay.” With those words he turned his heel and left them.

[Megumi H]

The peals of feminine laughter that had filled the room a moment before quickly shrank to half-hearted giggles, then broke off completely. The teenage girl slowly got to her feet behind the dark-skinned man and at the lion-man's angry glance, she averted her eyes to the floor. She felt somewhat guilty... though she couldn't imagine what they thought she might have done. She looked at her hands, suddenly remembering the blood that she hadn't gotten a chance to wash off. Did they think she had hurt Silvern? She looked back at the floor and hid her hands behind her back.

The lion-man seemed to sigh heavily (several times) and knelt down before them. Dream looked back at him. He didn't look quite so tall now, but his gaze, though seemingly no longer angry, was nonetheless intimidating.

"Where have your other companions gone?" he asked simply but firmly, gazing intensely at them with his great feline eyes.

"Out the window," Dream blurted. "I-I mean... they didn't say- they just.. went." She felt as stupid as she sounded, but you don't get your wits scrambled by angry lion-men every day, do you? "I-I..." The shutting up option became too tempting and safe, and she took it, with a glance at Fangolas that said "You do it..."

She turned and sat down on a bed with her back to the two men, biting her lip and half-heartedly attempting to rub the dried blood off her hands.

I'm not dreaming... am I...?

But I'm so scared....

Why am I here?

[Kayay]

~~~~Fangolas~~~~

To Dream’s relief Fangolas again took up the conversation. “The foxwoman was feeling claustrophobic and nauseous from the smell of Elisan’s accident. The blonde man went with her, but I have no idea where they are now.” Fangolas shrugged then noticed Dream focusing on her dirtied hands.

“I’ll answer any other questions you have, but first could we have some clean water to wash and a change of clothes?”


~~~~Elsewhere~~~~

Carved wooden doors opened to rooms straight from a Japanese history textbook. The architecture was similar, with warm polished wooden floors and lacquered furniture. There was a writing desk in each room and chests and dressers of inlaid wood, accented with rosewood, ebony, bamboo, ivory and horn, comfortable chairs with embroidered cushions, and beds set on low wooden frames. Behind a sliding screened doors were private washrooms that boasted a deep wooden bath and running water, thanks to the ingenious system of pipes and boilers that had been added to the palace only a few decades ago. Fanelia was no longer the backwoods country it was oft mistaken to be.

Aaron immediately claimed one room as his own and plopped down in one of the far chairs, his grinning blade resting against the chair’s wooden arm. Ignoring the others, he turned his attention to the view out the window and the gardens beyond, wondering again if he really belonged with these people.

“Sir Falor, a message arrived from Basram shortly before your arrival.” One impeccably dressed guard approached the samurai and held out a parchment, folded and sealed with the crest of Basram, then stepped back. “The Heir requests a private audience with you this afternoon before the coronation. Until then enjoy the hospitality of Fanelia.” The man bowed and left, followed by his colleagues.

((OOC: For obvious reasons…PM me if there are problems.))

“I won’t be going,” Seth told a very silent Gwyn. “I’m hardly in a condition to go exploring the city, and I doubt he will either.” The knight looked over at Aaron brooding by the window, then smiled at Gwyndolin’s alarmed expression. “Don’t worry. I’ll ask for some guards to watch over him and,” he added with a nod to Eitre, “I’ll ask about those guards for your family too.”

Seth sifted his weight to lean on his crutch, uncertain how his fellow knight would take his next request. “Gwyn, I know King Schezar gave you a message for the Queen, but I don’t think it wise to carry it about while wandering the city.” He held up his hand to interrupt any protests she might make. “And you need to go with them to keep an eye on things; you know that as well as I. Let me take responsibility for it for now.”

Reluctantly, she nodded and handed over the sealed scroll.



~~~~Maeko~~~~

Maeko stopped outside the room where only Fangolas, Dream, and Crimm remained, hands on hips, and looked at Aethaeus. After much questioning Maeko was finally able to piece together what had happened to the alleged Mystic Moon group, and she was not pleased. “In the hopes that you can redeem yourself, I’m going to give you another job dealing with some important guests from Freid. They’d like to explore the city, and I want you to act as their guide.”

[DrkZealot]

“Oh, a double knot!” Wraith said with an ignorant excitement, pushing himself from the ground, yet a look of disappointment washing over his face as he realized his other obligation. “But…While I’m quite sure a double knot would secure me pretty tight and maybe make the trip a bit less bumpy, I really do have to get back to work” He said, patting himself on his chest, brushing away the dust that settled over his upper body. “Hey Smirky, it was nice talking to you…well for the little we did talk, bit it was nice none the less!” He finished, waving a clawed hand while easily jumping out of the way of a distraught Kurik who made a lunge for the simple minded raccoon. Still waving, the young raccoon began walking backwards “Bye bye Smirky, bye Irwen! Talk to you later Kurik! I hope you and the magical fairy succeed in saving the world from the evil dictator!” He yelled. And with that he turned around swiftly, a cloud of dust rising behind him as he lowered himself onto all fours, his strong legs propelling him forward out the courtyard, leaving the two guards with one less piece of entertainment.

[Hitomi_333]

OOC: Please tell me if I post anything wrong.... heh, I read through what I missed quickly, but I'm known to read things incorrectly /OOC

IC: Gwyndolin followed the guards who were to show her to her room. Lately she'd spent a lot of time sleeping in palaces, whereas before she had only had the chance during tournament-- before she was even a knight. As usual, she found the hallways to be winding, long, and confusing. She expected to get lost on the way to finally deliver her important message. King Airien was always understanding when she was tardy due to being lost in the castle, but making sovereigns wait could be a rather great offense.

She mused at how different all of the palaces were, despite the fact that she found all of the hallways to be arranged in the same sort of fashion. "Your room, Lady Valdemar," a guard finally said with a bow, showing her to a room. Like usual it was larger than it need be, with a big comfortable-looking bed and a bath. She left her bags there, except for the important one, and then closed the door.

Gwyn was going to make a point of knowing where Touji's room was this time.

She managed to meet up with the others. They'd been told to enjoy the hospitalities of Fanelia. As usual Seth was going to try something risky and foolish.“I won’t be going. I’m hardly in a condition to go exploring the city, and I doubt he will either. Don’t worry. I’ll ask for some guards to watch over him and I’ll ask about those guards for your family too,” he added with a nod to Eitre.“Gwyn, I know King Schezar gave you a message for the Queen, but I don’t think it wise to carry it about while wandering the city.” He held up his hand to interrupt any protests she might make. “And you need to go with them to keep an eye on things; you know that as well as I. Let me take responsibility for it for now.” Reluctantly, she nodded and handed over the sealed scroll. She knew the logic in not carrying something that important around the city, but couldn't help but to worry about what would happen if something happened to Seth.

He expected her not to protest. Being in Fanelia, so close to her home, had made Gwyndolin feel lighter than she had in a long time, but she was damned if she wasn't going to protest.
"You're being foolish," she growled. "I don't know if you have a death-wish, or why you feel the need to continue to place yourself in situations where I can't help you. I'll go, if only to look out for the others... but if you get yourself killed, I will never forgive you." She turned on one foot and left.

[DrZepp]

Findel snatched the parchment with a short bow, his eyes never leaving Basrams seal.
"Very well then..."
The samurai mumbled, nervously fingering the folded text.
"Until then enjoy the hospitality of Fanelia.”
The soldier bowed in return, swivelling around on one heel as he prepared to leave the guests in private. His movement was cut short though, as Findel quickly raised his voice.
"Perhaps... err...wait!"
The Basramian shot a hand out, grasping onto the retreating mans shoulder.
He looked around cautiously, making sure none of the others could hear his strained voice.
"You wouldn't happen to have any... *ahem*... spare garments... of Fanelians make, that is."

Hearing Findels request, the soldier paused in severe contemplation. Even though his back was turned, the absentminded tapping of a foot could be heard from across the room.
"n-nevermin-" Findel began, but was silenced as the Fanelian spun around, pushing a salty finger against the Basramians open lips. He intently looked the stunned warrior up and down.
"Oh my, i see... This is an emergency, isnt it... i can tell."
He said, removing his now slobber laden finger and putting it to his chin.
"Your quarters should have our standard garments, but, oh my!"
The soldier frivolously flicked his wrists. "We've never had such a personal request before, have we...hee hee!"

At this time, Findel began to sweat.
"Err.. eheh... no, no." He began "Your... standard dress will be... just fine *gulp*..."
The soldier frowned, almost offended.
"WELL THEN..."
He coughed, suddenly returning to his previous stale state of being.
"If nothing more is needed of me, i shall be on my way. Good day."

Findel clasped a cold palm against his brow, watching the Fanelian stomp off out of the corner of his eye.

[Endurance]

Knowing that Rankel was not a fool, Ecli decided to stick to truth, at least partially.

"I came with the group from Freid to see the coronation. I just hated the idea that I would miss an event that big" Ecli began but was interrupted by Rankel, who was tapping his desk most impatiently. "Why are you here then? Should you not be staying with your group, eh?"

Ecli knew that it was not possible for him to stay with the group, he was not even invited along and even less to stay within the palace. The success of his plan depended on Rankel. In desperation Ecli decided to rely on honey-laced words.

"To be honest I'd prefer to stay with someone I am more familiar with" Ecli gazed down to floor and started shuffling his feet nervously. He wanted to look as convincing as possible. " They were quite scary and I really repel the idea to sleep in the same room with them ever again"

Instead of being sympathetic for Ecli, Rankel's reaction was pretty much opposite. He burst out in loud laughter and almost rolled off from his chair. Finally with great difficulties Rankel managed to recover from his laughing fit. "I don't believe a word you are saying but still, I think that I could lodge you for a day for two at the very least. That however means that I must inform officials that you are staying with me. Actually, I can only imagine how lady Maeko's jade eyes will narrow when she hears that you have rejected one of those cosy little rooms she has reserved for most guests"

Ecli didn't like the idea that Rankel would tell everybody about him but there was not much he could do about it either. Regardless of that everything was going better than he had expected.

"Do you know any adequate herbalists Rankel? I need to fill my supplies before I settle in"

Everything was going very fine indeed.

[Princess Samari]

When Eitre meantioned present Chigusa wondered what Gaia could have to offer her. He wasn't rich obviously...and they seemed to be almost primitive in their technology save for weapons.

But there was no way she wanted one of those giant mecha suits. Those were for fan boys and geeks.

Watching the guard go Chigusa took Eitre's arm and wrapped it around hers smiling. "Well...I could use some more news clothes and perhaps jewelry. Maybe a little something nice so I don't stick out like a sore thumb here." Though she couldn't help it if people noticed her natural beauty and wanted to admire her.

"Though...you don't have Lizard people here right? I've seen cat and turkey...but...no lizards there aren't any right?" Those scaly slimy things had *always* creeped her out.

[Alcestis]

Ceren strolled bearishly through the streets approaching the Palace gates. As he neared he could see two guards were tiredly guarding the eloquent place as the sun was high overhead.

"Halt, Who goes there?" - The question was fired at him from the seemingly more experienced "door man".

"Well, y'see, im here on business. Im a knight of Basram, and I believe my companions have already arrived." he replied gruffly.

"Ah. Well, we'll have to escourt you, but I believe we can show you to where you are headed. You have official papers on you?"

Ceren pulled his pack off his back and began digging through the terribly unorganized mess, grumbling a bit under his breath. Shirts and pants and all sorts of garments that were wrinkled and stuffed into the bag were now pouring out onto the ground as he dug for a crumpled piece of paper in the bottom of the bag. "Ah, here we are." he said, pulling a worn parchment with a cracked wax seal. Packing his stuff back into the bag in the same disorganized fashion, Ceren waited for the mans reply to his title papers.

"Mhmm... I see.... Well then, Sir Maelghrin, if you'll bring your bag and follow me this way, I'll show you to Sir Findel's quarters."

Nodding slightly at the guard, Ceren slung his pack back on and paced after the guard. The palace was in immaculate shape, allthough everything seemed to be in a bustle... People were moving here and there, and all sorts of commotion was taking place.

After about 10 minutes of walking, the guard stopped in front of a large building and motioned for Ceren to follow him inside. "These are our guest quarters" he explained. Once again, a nod from Ceren, and they were on their way through the extensive hallways. A right here, ah, then a left, then another right, then straight, then another left... hm Ceren to no ends tried to get a feel for the directions to the quarters. All of a sudden the guard jerked around to a door and said "Here we are. I believe you'll find Sir Findel inside. Is there anything else I can help you with?" The guard inquired. "Eh, no thanks, I can take it from here" was the gruff reply. With a sharp knock on the door, Ceren pushed his way in, and seeing his commander, came to a rough salute.

[DrZepp]

Findel was finally coming to grips with his affinity for foreign fashion. The flame had been kindled in Asturia, it bloomed in Freid, and seemed to be set in stone in Fanelia as Ceren entered the room. The new recruit saluted sternly from the offset, despite his superiors somewhat... awkward position.
Findel would have returned Cerens gesture, if a standard issue maids uniform wasnt riding halfway up his leg. Judging by the scrunched position around his knees, it was obviously the wrong size.

Both men remained still for a moment as the reality of the situation sunk in.

"Err... At ease!"
Was about all Findel could think to say as he scrambled to remove the Fanelian garment. As the old saying goes, first impressions are everything.

Ceren slowly let his arm down, looking on as Findel managed to remove the bulk of fabric from his right leg.
"This will... just take a moment."
Findel murmered, looking up from his tugging bout.
His left appendage was still bound with the elastic like material, and it seemed that there would only be one quick way to resolve the situation.
Hopping up and down on one foot, Findel attempted to strategically kick the other side of the maids uniform off with one fluid motion. In actuality, it took several sharp jerks of his left leg before the garment came flying off. It sailed across the room in a seemingly perpetual state of animation, before coming to rest on Cerens shoulder.

"So..."
A pantless Findel said.
"They took heed of my message after all."

[Alcestis]

Ceren, after recovering from the inital shock of Findel's spandex covered legs managed to pull the limp garment off his shoulder. Holding it up in the air, he could see all the frills and folds...

"Nice er..... skirt" Ceren said with a chuckle as he tossed the outfit back towards Findel. "Yea, I know.... Dont Ask, Dont tell." he snickered with a grin. Who was this guy anyhow? He was supposed to be some upstanding officer and here he was in a maid's uniform... Gimme a break Ceren thought to himself looking over the pantless man that was his superior.

"So, they took heed of my message afterall." Findel blurted out.

"Yes ma..er... sir, and they sent me, allthough im not quite sure of what "business" you or headquarters were referring to. Either way, Ceren Maelghrin, Knight and Pilot of the Basramian Melef Squad at your service..." Ceren replied. Ceren looked about the room seing some food on one of the tables... "Sayyy..... Nice place you got here" he said as he strolled over and took a large bite out of a piece of fruit.

[EvaRobby]

<<OOC: Sorry, I didn't realise it had been so long since I last posted, though I couldn't really think of much to post anyway... Anyway, it'd be so much easier to post decent things if I had a chance to collaborate... damn timezones. Now just hope I've picked up the current situation properly *crosses his fingers*. Oh, and I'll probably be getting busier soon, I don't know how much it'll affect my time on the RPG. But y'all can feel free to lead Touji around whenever you feel like it. I don't mind. >>

One by one, everyone was shown their room. Gwyndolen went in hers, dumped her bag and exited in just a few seconds, but Touji didn't even bother. He only had his sword, and a smelly set of spare clothes that he'd managed to tie into a bundle on the ship. The other sword was probably eaten by bigfoot or something. He wasn't sure why it mattered. He wouldn't have the guts to use either of them anyway. These people had been trained their whole lives, he couldn't challenge that. He suddenly felt sluggish.

As he followed the group, he noticed Gwyndolen and Seth arguing, he would have ignored it if it was possible from Gwyn's side. He wondered slightly about the message, but it wasn't important, he was too busy working out why he'd done anything.

"but if you get yourself killed, I will never forgive you." Touji's breath caught suddenly in his throaght in a manner not dissimilar from a gasp. He rushed to catch up to Gwyndolen as she stormed off. He felt like he'd gotten used to the guymelefs, the cat-people and whatever other hybrid could be thrown at him, but he was never any good at understanding people.

He silently debated to himself about saying something, but the debate itself kept him quiet.

[Hitomi_333]

*Gwyndolin wasn't too far within her own world to notice that hurried footsteps were following her. She assumed them to be Touji's and upon turning around her assumptions were confirmed. Despite her worries about Seth, she was determined to perform her duties, which at the moment involved going into town and watching out for the others. Finally she spoke to the boy, "As it seems that we aren't needed her for a while, we might as well see the town. I'll bet you've never been to Fanelia before," she said, trying to sound light-hearted. Her voice sounded fake even to herself.

They made it down to where they had entered the palace and she beaconed a servant. "Excuse me," she started. "I'd like a carriage to take us into town... if you'd be so kind as to call one. Thank you."

She mustered a smile for Touji, but had all intention of waiting down there to watch the others before leaving. Plus, she wanted to stall as long as possible before leaving Seth alone.*

[Fairybane]

Crimm bowed his shaggy head, cowed by the presense of the irate Maeko. With the dignity of a monk, he accepted responsibilty for neglecting his duty.
"Maeko, this situation is also partially my fault, I should not have left such an important task such as the guarding of our guests, to those incessant trouble-makers, Kurik and Irwen."

The aforementioned Kurik and Irwen gasped and panted exhaustedly as the two samurai knelt on the ground, trying in vain to catch their breath.
"Fast *wheeze* little bastard...*pant* isn't he?" growled Kurik, wiping sweat from his eyes.
Irwen, splayed out on the brick tiles nodded weakly. "I *gasp* haven't...*cough* ran this much since *puff* the cook caught me filching sweetcakes from the *pant* pantry!"
They both had a fond chuckle, remembering that episode from a couple weeks back.
"Good times, good times," noted Kurik, feeling well enough to wearily get back onto his feet. "Say..." he began, glancing back with a strange look. "Didn't we forget someone?"
"Eh?" Irwen stared back, uncomprehending.
"Ahh! You fool!" Kurik bellowed, raining kicks down on Irwen's rear. "You were supposed to keep an eye on Smirky!"

[DrZepp]

*So I send word of Zaibachs activity, and they return with only one samurai...*
Findel tried to hide his frustration, but a small vein on his forhead could not help but bulge out.
It had been some time since Basrams council had taken any of their scouting units very seriously, mainly due to the fact that the need for tight border control had long since passed.
*Why should anything change now...*
Findel mused as he recalled his training days; preparing for a war that would never come, he presumed. Instead of trudging through a battle field, the Basramian had spent his years dealing with merchants, petty thiefs, and any other lowly forms of life that tried to infringe on Basram and its surrounding areas borders. Over time he had adjusted to a scouts way of living, all the while hoping for some sort of conflict to arise. In the back of his mind, Findel realized the naivety of the thought, yet having been conditioned to it for so long... it could not be so easily discarded. The yearning for battle was imprinted on all aspiring childen, giving Basram its somewhat notorious reputation. It was a proud region of warriors, which is why -upon reflection- Cerens presence concerned Findel deeply.
After being stagnant for so long, one would think that the legions of military units would be spurred into action as soon as any word of a Zaibach attack was obtained. Yet only one warrior stood before Findel in the wake of such weighted news.
*Maybe they really have turned into a group of snivelling aristocrats.*
The samurai thought, temporarily forgetting that he still wasnt dressed.
With lingering bitterness still in his mind, Findel turned back to Ceren.

"I suppose they did not tell you much..." He began, momentarily scanning the room a new pair of Fanelian trousers as he spoke.
"Well, hopefully you are not surprised when I tell you that Zaibachs period of rest is over. That is, i assume, why you have been sent after all."

[EvaRobby]

Suddenly Gwyndolen seemed to notice him again and she spun around to prove the fact. Her face was kindly if awkward, but he was still a little paranoid about her aim.

"As it seems that we aren't needed her for a while, we might as well see the town. I'll bet you've never been to Fanelia before,"

"No." was his simple answer, and he'd barely even managed to get that out. He'd considered informing her that she could safely assume he hadn't been anywhere before but after seeing her recent argument with Seth he decided that it wasn't the best idea to say anything that might provoke her.

He kept quiet a while longer as she called a servant to call a carriage. She smiled at him. Still nothing and nobody made sense.

Why's everything suddenly so strange?

"Have I done something?"

[Alcestis]

Ceren Turned around and looked at Findel again, this time speaking with his mouth full. "Well, ye' see, I do actually have a purpose here. Aside from being sent as "back up" or whatever the hell they expect me to be, Im supposed to confirm the activity of Zaibach and send word back to the Council." With this Ceren watched for any kind of reaction in Findel's face. Not only had he been told his duty by the Council, he was also told that this Findel character was a Brigand scout, and to be cautious around him. So far Ceren didnt see anything unlikeable about the guy, except the first odd.... err... situation. Either way, he would proceed with caution, just like the Council had instructed. Besides, he was up for promotion, he didnt want to screw this one up in anyway.

"Anyhow, whatever you've got to show me as far as Zaibach activity is fine... Im sure we'll get to it eventually."

[DrZepp]

Findel smirked. So he wasnt completely wrong.
"Yes, that will come eventually."
The Basramian mumbled, finally catching sight of a fresh pair of pants.
"There seems to be a habit in this company to simply wait around for the enemy to strike. Hopefully they will prepared this time."
Findel slowly made his way across the room, slipping on the new trousers.
*Rougher material than Freids... Yet still surprisingly comfortable. Interesting, interesting indeed.*
The samurai looked down, wiggling about for a second as if Ceren had suddenly become invisible. The pants would have to be broken in, but Findel was willing to invest the time.

"Now, I must make my way to the... heirs chambers."
Findel rushed the last part of his sentence, glancing up at Ceren, who was still working on the foreign peice of fruit.
"If you wish to accompany me, perhaps you should change out of those rags."

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus stood there as Maeko spoke. The catwoman seemed to be quite perterbed, although not extremely angry. She seemed to have a lot on her mind. A pair of birds flew by, diverting Aethaeus' attention. She watched as they flew up and settled in a large tree, chirping loudly. Closer inspection revealed that they had a nest there. A sudden hunger filled Aethaeus, and she licked her lips.

(EDIT: Just fixing up an irrelevant post.)

[Alcestis]

Ceren glanced at Findel, then looked himself over.

"If you wish to accompany me, perhaps you should change out of those rags."

"Quite Right" Ceren responded, acknowledging the tatters of what used to be halfway decent clothing on his body. After traveling on foot for several weeks, and sleeping on the cold ground, any mans clothes would be ragged. "Hmmm" Ceren pondered as he glanced around the room again at its surrounding. "Well, whatever I wear, its NOT gonna be that!" He said eyeing the Maid's Garment.

After a brief moment of silence and disaction... Ceren pulled his pack off his back and started to rummage through the clothes. From somewhere in the bottom he managed to produce a set of white, extremely clean, and well folded garments, A Basramian Diplomatic uniform to be exact, given to him by the high council in case of a meeting such as this. Ceren unfolded the garments and began to change but then realized he didnt even know this other person who had been halfway naked in front of him. Ah well Ceren thought to himself and got changed right there on the spot.

Findel was still "Adjusting" himself to the new clothing, and as he did so Ceren pulled a small leather pouch out of his bag, and a thin slip of parchment. From the pouch was produced a strong bittersweet tobacco and it was skillfully rolled into a perfect cigarrette. "Ahhh" Ceren said sniffing it up and down, and then placing it in his mouth and walking over to one of the torches in the room to light it. "Now This is good stuff" he said as smoke began billowing from the cigarette and his mouth.

[Chesta chesta chesta]

Somehow a friendly Chigusa was far more intimidating that an angry Chigusa. Eitre pulled at his collar and coughed out a nervous laugh. A dress AND jewellery? I’m not made out of money.

“I was thinking only a dress,” he choked on his own words, “b-b-but if you want jewellery then perhaps we can find…something.” Something cheap.

Ton Ton ran past the strolling pair, his arms eagle-spread and a distinctive ‘vroom’ sound as he flew down the corridor. The earth boy wasn’t one to add to the ‘peace’ of the palace, he was destined to rock its world. Something he went fully into until he stopped before a double door that he was quickly to claim as his and Eitre’s – he was flabbergasted at having to share a room with anything that was more hyperactive than a squirrel.

“Why don’t you clean up and then we’ll go out.” Eitre mumbled and opened a pair of doors that lead to Chigusa’s quarters. “Not that you smell, ehm…” He raised a legged and brushed it against the back of his calf. “Ehm, yes. I go and check on Ton Ton before he falls out of a window. We could go with the rest of the group, you know, make a day of it. Yes ehm…”

It seemed appropriate to give her a quick bow before turning his heel and attention to the loud squeal down the corridor, followed by a crash. At this rate Ton Ton would get them thrown out. At least Eitre did have somewhere else to stay if that happened.

[Princess Samari]

Taking her leave of the faltering Eitre the young earth girl smiled to herself. Gaia wasn't so different then earth after all...gaia men had the same weakness as earth men. Chigusa had always thought of herself as a very persuasive person and it was the only handy thing her father had ever taught Chigusa.

"Well since he is taking me shopping I should get ready." She hummed happily to herself getting ready for her trip. Perhaps she had been too hard on Eitre. He was just a very nervous little man and he had been trying.

It couldn't be easy taking care of Ton Ton either. Feeling a pang of guilt rather uncommon to her Chigusa frowned staring at her clothes.

I wonder...

[Kayay]

~~~~Seth~~~~

Seth held the scroll in one hand, tapping taping it in the palm of the other as he watched Gwyndolin storm out, rather surprised by the depth of her anger, and questioning just how much she cared about him. He chuckled and shook his head. After what she told Findel, its should be clear, but still… The knight sighed and turned to watch Aaron, still staring out the window and pointedly ignoring everyone. Tucking the parchment behind his belt, Seth sat down in the chair opposite the Draconian halfling.

“Aaron.” A shiver ran through him when those cold eyes turned to face him, but he’d seen the emotion, rage, loss, and confusion, that lurked behind those bi-colored eyes. He knew Aaron wasn’t made of ice and stone as he led everyone to believe.

“Leave me alone.”

“Aaron, I want to figure out what happened.”

A pained expression flickered through those eyes before the mask of indifference returned, but there was a note of desperation in Aaron’s voice. “I…I don’t know.”

“It’s happened before, hasn’t it?” Aaron’s expression said it all, and Seth didn’t wait for a reply. “Tell me about it.”

“You’re a fool,” Aaron growled, and began to rise, but Seth stopped him, placing a hang on his arm. It would have been easy to break loose, but part of him was tired and ready to unburden himself. Seth had shared something of his past last time, so maybe it was his turn.


~~~~Maeko & Fangolas ~~~~

“Aethaeus!” Maeko said sharply, snapping the other woman out of her daydream. “Where you even listening to me?” Her eyes narrowed. “Oh, nevermind. Go daydream; I’ll find one more suited for the job.” She shook her head and dismissed the servant anthro then looked up the Priest.

“You apology is accepted Father,” the catwoman finally replied after she’d counted to ten…twice. “Those two should have learned their lesson by now regarding their duty, and are to blame more so that you, but what now?” She looked through the door at the two remaining “guests”, Dream and Fangolas. “The delegates from Freid are here, including two knights from Asturia and one from Basram.”

Fangola’s raised his head. It seemed too much of a coincidence. “Excuse me,” he interrupted, “but would one of their names happen to be Falor?”

Maeko immediately fixed him with her jade eyes. “Yes,” she began slowly, “there is a samuari named Findel Falor. What of him?”

“Ah, he and I met in Palas not long ago,” Fang answered without hesitation, “shortly before the attack.”

“Attack?” News of Zaibach’s increased movements had reached Fanelia, but no news of an attack had arrived yet. Was information being kept from her? “Tell me, do you know any of the others, the Asturian knights, or the children?”

“I met a few people there, but I’m much better with faces than with names.” The nomad scratched his head as he tried to remember.

Maeko thought for a bit. “Father Crimm, the delegates are staying in the palace. I suggest you take them there and find out if any of them know these two. I’ll join you shortly after I take this news to the heir.”


~~~~Hikari~~~~

The Heir rubbed her tired eyes. Despite having the coronation that very day she’d spent much of the morning going over sheaves of paperwork submitted by the council. She rested her head in her hands and closed her eyes. Sometimes it felt as if the country were drowning in endless piles of paperwork and beaurocracy. Opening her eyes she glanced at the clock. The delegates must have arrived by now, and she reminded herself to pay them a visit soon, assuming they did not take her up on her offer to visit her first.


((OOC: I hate RPing Seth/ Aaron alone. XP Oh, and Findel has become a fashion connoisseur? Nothing but silk will touch his skin, eh? *snicker* ))

[Eydtman]

Elisan neatly slid out of the ropes the gaurds had previously placed him in and then coiled them up and put them over his shoulders. The gaurds couldn't have made it any easier for him to escape. Not only did they put him down and avert their attention from him, but they had also seemingly forgotten all about him and ran off after someone else.

"Such idiots..." Elisan muttered. "It's no wonder Zaibach managed to destroy this country so easily during the war."

Now that Elisan was free from the guards he needed to find his weapons and then find a way out of this place. He knew that it'd be nearly impossible to find them on his own due to the sheer size of this place so he knew he would need to "pursuade" someone to guide him. Elisan began to roam the area, making sure to avoid any of the guards that were posted around certain doors or that were patrolling the area, looking for a servant or someone who wouldn't put up much of a fight. Elisan turned another corner and was surpised to see some of the others that he had arrived here with, the cat woman who had first found them in the palace was with them too. Quickly he ducked back around the corner and watched them.

"Look's like they were caught aswell." Elisan said to himself.

Elisan strained to listen to what was being said by the cat woman. She seemed to be annoyed with one of the servants, whom he recognized from the room they were in, and had just dismissed her.

"Perfect." Elisan said to himself. "All i need to do now is follow her until she's alone and then i'll force her to take me to where my weapons are being held. She's been around since we were first discovered so she should know where they were taken to."

Elisan watched and waited for the right moment to make his move.

[Megumi H]

Dream had questions she wanted to ask Fangolas, but she didn't trust herself to speak, not in the presence of the anthros. The lion-man had been intimidating enough, but the thought that he answered to another frightened Dream even more. But hadn't she just heard the cat-woman call him "Father"? Maybe she was a lioness-woman? But that wasn't a way to speak to a parent....

Fortunately, Dream's sporadic thoughts latched onto a different train.

Delegates? Knights? Falor? What was Fangolas talking about? And what was that about a palace... and an attack? Things were just getting more and more confusing. Others? Knights? Children? Oi!

"Aiiyahh..." she breathed, putting a hand to her forehead. It wasn't too warm, but she was sure she had a headache. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and she put out her hand to lean against the wall, but her vision blurred and she bumped into Fangolas instead.

"Excu- Are you all right?" he asked, turning to steady her.

"I.. I'm just.. tired... I guess."

"You'll be fine, just wait a little longer." Fangolas turned to Crimm. "Lead the way."

Father Crimmius nodded shortly. "Yes, this way."

Dream took a single step, but stopped and put her hand to her head again. "It's just a little while longer, all right?" Fangolas repeated, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. The girl made no response, so the desert man took her firmly by the hand and led her out.

As they made their way down the hall, Dream found it harder and harder to keep any of her thoughts in one place. Each footstep of the trio echoed in her head like the vibrations of a gong. Passing by an open doorway, she heard other sounds.. voices of several tones... she couldn't make out what they were saying, much less concentrate on the words, but the tones stood out. Her head hurt. So tired....

Blissful oblivion reached up to take her. A split second later, so did Fangolas.

[Kayay]

Dream lay limp in his arms, and Fangolas carefully shifted her weight, draping one of her arms around his shoulder as he carried her. “It’s been rough on her,” he explained, and looked up at Crimm. “Is there somewhere she can rest?” Crimm nodded and led them the rest of the way to the wing where the group from Freid was staying.

A quick knock on the door interrupted the conversation between Seth and Aaron, and the knight frowned in irritation. “Come in.” Finally it seemed as if he’d get some answers, but as soon as the door opened, Aaron locked himself away behind his emotional barriers. Seth's irritation soon faded when he recognized the dark skinned man who accompanied the lion anthro. Easing himself up using his crutch, Seth waked towards them, noticing the girl in the nomad’s arms.

“She needs to lie down.”

“Of course. She can use my room.” Seth led the way to the bedroom and watched as Fang set Dream down. Finally, he could contain himself no longer. “Fangolas, what happened to you? Risa returned over a day ago, but where are the others, and who is this girl?” Seth sat on the edge of the bed, looking from Dream to Fang. From the doorway, meanwhile, Aaron watched silently.

Fang smiled, noting that the priest appeared just as interested in his answers as the knight. Where to begin?

[Hitomi_333]

*"Have I done something?"

Touji's innocent question surprised Gwyndolin. Feeling a bit ashamed, she realized that she may have seemed to act rather oddly. "Of course not," she answered quickly. "You've done nothing wrong. I'm just frustrated with Sir Seth's insistance to place himself in harm's way at every given chance." She sighed deeply. Gwyn knew that speaking freely wasn't safe, but she owed Touji some form of explanation.

She waved her hand as if to dismiss what she'd just said. "But I suppose it doesn't really matter. After all, I could easily tell him what to do, given my rank. For right now, I just want to get a look at the town. I've been here a few times before, but it was a while ago."

Gwyn tapped her foot in impatience. She made as if to be waiting for her carriage, but in reality she was waiting for the others, so that she could keep an eye on them. Gritting her teeth, she hoped they would get there before her carriage did... or else she'd simply have to leave it to fate that she'd run into them in town.

[DrZepp]

Findel examined Ceren with a deadpan expression
"Spiffy..."
He murmered, feeling slightly envious of the brand new formal attire. Just a year ago the Basramian would have been completely loath to even look upon such a gaudy sign of position, but now he almost felt bare without it. On any other occasion it would have been a small concern, but somewhere in the back of his mind Findel was nervous, plain and simple. His palms were becoming clammy, and he simply could not understand why the prospect of meeting Fanelias next queen got to him so much.
He tried to shake it off, looking over at the new recruit again.
"Maybe you can offer some of that herb as a gift to the Heir."
The samurai adjusted his collar one last time, puckering his lips as he spoke.
Ceren simply replied with a puff of smoke.
"Well then..."
Findel nodded, walking for the door. There was no more time to stall.

The sound of muffled voices could be heard coming from the adjacent room, but Findel payed little attention to it. He felt that he had already kept the Heir waiting too long. With that thought in mind, he exited the room, Ceren following close behind.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus' jaw dropped as she realized Maeko was speaking to her. "My lady, please..." she stammered, only to realize that the catwoman was not speaking to her. She growled low in her throat and took a few steps backwards. Fine then, she thought. I'll take my services elsewhere. Turning around swiftly, she stomped back to the garden where her laundry lay, unfolded, on the ground. Grabbing a bedsheet, Aethaeus angerly thrust a pin through it to hold it on the line and reached for another one.

"Ow!" she cried, putting her finger to her mouth. She looked at the drop of blood glistening on her hand. "Stupid pin." She kicked the box holding them over, scattering the sharp clothing pins over the well-groomed grass.

[Megumi H]

Fang leaned against the bedpost, chin down and eyes half closed. "Somehow, on Shezernade's Vale Risa, Dyran, Nikolai, and I were transported to the Mystic Moon. Risa was transported back earlier, although I'm not sure how." He looked up at Crimm from under half lidded eyes, still unwilling to reveal to him or anyone else the secret of the gemstone embedded in his sternum. For now he chose to leave it out of the story. "We ran into the legendary Lady Hitomi there, older but alive."

Seth nodded. "Miss Risa told Duke Mahad and King Schezar that much earlier, but she was concerned what had happened to you and very shaken by the whole incident."

Dream began to stir at the sound of Fangolas' voice. The two men paused, then continued as the girl gave a heavy sigh and turned over. Seth looked at the girl as she stirred. “And her?” he asked, although part of him already knew. “She’s from the mystic moon, isn’t she?”

Fang nodded. “Her name is Dream.”

As if responding to her name, Dream turned back in the direction of the voices, halting the conversation again. Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked a few times, not recognizing her current surroundings.

“Miss, it’s all right; you’re safe here,” Seth assured her, helping ease her into a sitting position. “Here.” He held out a glass of water. “There’s food as well if you can stomach it.” He smiled at her then looked up at Fangolas and Crimm.

Dream slowly took the glass of water and looked down at it, blinking for a moment as if she did not know what it was. After a moment, she took a sip, then drank a little more. She smiled hesitantly at the kind stranger, looked up at Fangolas at the moment he did. "What happened?" she asked. She held a hand to her head. "The last thing I remember-"

“Unsurprisingly, you fainted,” Fang answered and moved to stand at the foot of the bed.

I fainted? Dream thought to herself. Wow, I fainted for the first time in my life.... She looked down at the glass in her hands, her mind recalling events of the past day. Well, if that's what it takes to make me black out, I'd rather not go through it again.

Seth took the opportunity to introduce himself to both Dream and Crimm, inclining his head to both, then gestured to Aaron who was still hovering by the door. “My name is Seth Jeture, Knight of Asturia, and that is one of my companions, Aaron.” The pale haired young man acknowledged them with the barest of nods before sitting down in a chair in the corner facing the bed. He still carried his grisly looking sword with its bloody grin, and while his expression wasn’t hostile, it wasn’t friendly either.

As the stranger introduced himself, she looked up at him, and then at the one he called Aaron. She couldn't help but stare at his face. He was unlike anyone she'd ever seen before. As he sat, Dream's gaze shifted to his weapon, and she shuddered and quickly turned away. After what she'd just gone through, she didn't want to see another weapon for a long, long time.

"You're a knight?" she squeaked to Seth, when she had found her voice again. She guessed she shouldn't be too surprised, with all she had seen so far.

He laughed good-naturedly at her surprise. “Yes I am. They haven’t knights where you come from?”

"Well, I guess... I mean, not really... I mean...." She had been about to say "Not anymore." History had never been her forte. But of course she should remember about the absence of knights in the States. "Well, no.. not where I come from." She felt a little embarrassed at her next question, but she figured it was at worth just asking. "Umm... where do you come from? I've never heard of Astur-ia...."

“Asturia is a kingdom adjacent to Fanelia, the country you’re in now.” She looked puzzled, so Seth rose and held out his hand to her. “I want to show you something that might help you understand.” Tentatively she took his hand, and he led her to the window. Leaning on the crutch, Seth opened the latticework shutters and pointed to the sky. “The blue green one is what we of Gaea, the world you’re on right now, call the Mystic Moon, and what you call Earth.”

"Hey, that looks just like Earth," Dream said; then Seth's words clicked in her brain and she whirled to face him. "What?" she exclaimed, eyes wide in stunned realization. She turned back to the window and looked out. That did look like Earth, but how could this be? She reached a hand out and poked at the empty air beyond the window sill, not finding anything that could be the source of such an amazing illusion. "H-how.. how-" She stepped back from the window, squeezing Seth's hand tightly, forgetting for a moment it was there.

Aaron watched Dream through narrowed eyes. Here was another girl from the Mystic Moon and possibly another link to Escaflowne and his past. There were questions swirling through his mind for both she and Fangolas, but he held his tongue and watched her passively.

“How indeed,” Fangolas said softly.

Placing a steadying hand on her shoulder, Seth rather awkwardly tried to help her back to the bed then sat down beside her. A curious look from Aaron shot his way as Dream clung to the knight, but when Seth looked up, it was gone as quickly as it had come. “How we’re not sure. There are many theories, but most people discount them as fanciful myths; but, if it makes you feel any better, you’re not alone. The last time anyone from your world came to Gaea was over one hundred years ago, but in the past few days we’ve had not one but four, counting yourself.”

“Four?”

“Three showed up in Fried a day ago,” Seth answered Fangolas. “They came to Fanelia with Gywndolin, Findel, myself, Aaron, and Eitre.”

"There's another," Fang corrected. "Silvern."

Seth's previous words did make Dream feel better. So she wasn't alone... but who were the others Seth was talking about? Wait, let's see... She wasn't on Earth any longer.. and people had come here before... and this wasn't Earth but a planet called Gaia.. but why was she here now? And why was anyone else from Earth here now? It was all so confusing, yet exciting, yet scary. She started feeling dizzy again, but shook off the feeling.

Dream felt another gaze resting upon her, and peeked out of the corner of her eye at Aaron. He was making her nervous. Dream shifted on the bed, finally realizing that she was the only girl in the room. I should be okay, she told herself, Fangolas won't hurt me.. and knights have honor. And if that Aaron guy is with Seth, then he won't hurt me either. And as long as they're in the room, I don't think the lion-man would, either.

Just then she heard Silvern's name mentioned. She popped up, asking "Whatever happened to them? I mean-" She hesitated, glancing at Father Crimmius, then went on. "What will happen to them when you catch up to them? Will they.. be punished?"

[Eydtman]

Elisan silently followed his prey that was the servant girl as she made her way away from the others. Eventually she stopped at a garden where he could see freshly washed laundry hanging to dry. He watched as she stooped down and picked up a sheet and hung it on the line with the others using a pin. Elisan figures she must have pricked herself on the pin because shortly after she kicked over the box of clothes pins.

"This is your chance." Elisan said to himself mentally.

Whilst the girl was distracted with the clothing pins she had just spilt all over the ground, Elisan snuck up silently behind her. He slid the coil of rope off of his shoulder and grasped a fair lenght of it in his hands, holding it taught. (OOC: not sure if that's the right spelling for that kind of taught er... but yeah, you know what I mean)

"NOW!" Elisan screamed silently to himself as he pounced upon his prey. He quickly slipped the rope around her slender neck and pulled it tight. Not tight enough to strangle her, but tight enough to let her know that he could very easily if he wanted to. The girl looked as if she were about to scream but Elisan quickly transfered one end of the rope into this other hand and cupped her mouth before she had a chance to.

"Shhhhh! You wouldn't want to alert anyone with a scream now would you?" Elisan said as he pulled on the rope slightly harder than he had been a moment earlier. "Now this is fairly simple, by an unfortunate bout of luck, you have ended up in this situation. You now have a choice, you can either scream and make this situation much MUCH worse for yourself or you can follow a simple set of instructions and before you know it, you'll be free again to do your laundry and change beds or whatever it is you do around here. If you do as I say, nothing bad will happen to you, but should you choose not to, then I can't gaurantee anything. It's up to you now."

Elisan slightly relieved some of the pressure the rope was putting around her neck and uncupped her mouth. "Now here's the first thing I want you to do. I recognize you from earlier, so I know that you'll know what i'm talking about. I want you to take me to where they took our stuff when we first arrived. Do that and then maybe i'll think about taking this rope from around your neck. Simple, isn't it? Now what do you say?"

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus gasped as she felt the rope tighten around her neck and a hand clasp over her mouth. Her mind raced as her captor spoke, thinking of all the things that serving girls had suffered at the hands of the samurai. As her mind cleared, however, she realized that the man talking wasn't from Fanelia. And by what he said, she realized that he must be one of the strangers that had escaped the room.

"I want you to take me to where they took our stuff when we first arrived. Do that and then maybe i'll think about taking this rope from around your neck. Simple, isn't it? Now what do you say?" he asked, taking his hand off her mouth.

What do I say? she thought. That's a good one. She felt his muscles relax and realized that this was her time to strike. Whirling around suddenly, she lashed out and gave a well-aimed kick towards his groin. As he doubled over, she slammed her elbow down on his head, pushing him towards the ground. Then she hoisted up her skirt and started running towards the castle.

I've got to get away from here, she thought, removing the rope as she ran. Before that lunatic catches up to me.

[Eydtman]

Now Elisan was pissed. First she kicked him in the groin and then she elbowed him in the head, and all this after he was being "gentle" with her. Shaking off the two meager blows, Elisan quickly got back up to his feet and began to chase after her. He knew things would get worse before they got better if she managed to escape and alert the whole palace to what he was planning on doing. Luckily for him, it was much easier for him to run in the clothes he was wearing, than for her to run in the long skirt she had on. When he finally got close enough Elisan dove towards her, tackling her to the ground.

"This has just not been my day. First I get "teleported" around all over the place against my will, then I end up in a ------ place like this where I am robbed of my equipment and locked up in a room like a prisoner and then I get tied up by some idiot gaurds who gave me a realllllllly annoying nickname and now this! I guess this is what I get for trying to be nice." Elisan said spitefully. If he didn't need her he'd probably have snapped her neck right then and there, but for now she still had a use to him. Elisan turned her over onto her back and pinned down both of her arms. "Now let's try this again, shall we?" Elisan said, the frustration was now evident in his voice and his eyes gleamed with anger.

Elisan forcefully lifted the woman to her knees and forced her arms behind her back where he bound them together with the rope, then he tied another section of the rope around her neck like a collar. The rest of the rope Elisan held in his hand like a leash, so that he'd be able to prevent her from escaping.

"I hope this time you'll be more co-operative." He added spitefully. "Now take me to my equipment." he said as he nudged her forward.

"It's your own fault you know, I actually had no intention of harming you in any way, but you forced me to take this course of action. Had you only kept quiet and done as I said you'd probably be in a lot less discomfort now."

[EvaRobby]

<<OOC: Damn you Kayay. :p Now I'm writing my posts with paranoia that you'll find something insidious in them... :eek: >>

Touji raised his hand to cover a yawn. Finally, the sound of a carriage approaching caught his attention, and he turned to watch it as it rolled up beside him.

He looked back to Gwyndolen, who hesitated but, after looking around, bade Touji to follow her onto the carriage. It was almost identical to the one he'd ridden before. And with just the two of them, she didn't have to worry about anyone fighting in it this time. Well, as long as Gwyndolen doesn't jump me. Not like I'd be able to do much about it if she did anyway...

Touji sat opposite Gwyn, which felt awkward as always with his sword by his side. He tried to take his attention away from her, so as the carriage began moving he tried to look at the ceiling. But with his thoughts filled with Gwyn, his awkwardly placed sword, and his last experience in carriage, his mind brought him back to an important question he felt he should ask...

"Um. When... do you think we'll train?"

[Alcestis]

"Maybe you can offer some of that herb as a gift to the heir." Findel mumbled.

Ceren chuckled a bit, that was perhaps one of the funniest things he had ever heard.... Give up some of his smokes? Yea right! After a brief period of silence, the two managed to make it out of the room and into the hallway. "Ah yes, more wonderful maze-like hallways" Ceren muttered with a certain distaste. "Why do they have to make these places so damned confusing anyhow?" he complained aloud, but really just idly to himself. "Anyhow, on with this heir business."

Findel seemed a bit perturbed at Ceren's gruff and smug attitude, but to Ceren it was just normal. As Findel paced off, Ceren followed with a harsh pace, simply wanting this meeting to be over... He hated big formal meetings.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus grimaced as the man tightened the rope around her neck. It was quite apparent that she had angered him by the way she shoved her forward roughly and spoke to her.

"You had no intention of harming me?" she spat. "Yes, I could tell that when you first threw your rope around my neck. If that's how you treat a woman, then it's no wonder you're alone." Aethaeus closed her mouth and glared at him, refusing to move.

[Fairybane]

Any of the prisonars who try to bolt will be killed…no ‘ceptions Crimm. The rough voice came back like a dim mirage from the past, and the lion-man recited a quick chant in his mind to chase away the encroaching memories.
“We are not barbarians, daughter of the moon…” Crimm spoke softly and ponderously, keeping in mind that the young woman was in a rather precarious state of consciousness. He had not meant to frighten her before, but sometimes his fierce exterior was a curse. “Our reason for sequestering you and your friends within this palace is for your own protection…this land can be dangerous to those who do not know it well.” This…was not the complete truth, and Crimmius begged forgiveness from the deities for his deception. But even as a servant of the gods, he could not ignore the reality of the situation.
“The appearance of you and your friends is of great importance to those of us who know and believe the old legends. I do not know what role your arrival takes in the grand scheme of the heavens, but I am certain that this marks the advent of interesting times…” Knitting his brows for a moment, the monk appeared to lose himself in thought before the great orbs of his eyes turned back to Dream, fixing her with an earnest gaze.
“I do not wish to see you or your friends come to any misfortune. But I must know, out of your missing companions…are there any who you might count as ‘dangerous’?”

[Megumi H]

“We are not barbarians, daughter of the moon…” Crimm spoke softly and ponderously, keeping in mind that the young woman was in a rather precarious state of consciousness.

Dream breathed a little sigh of relief, setting her glass of water aside. At least Silvern and Dryan wouldn't be killed on sight....

“Our reason for sequestering you and your friends within this palace is for your own protection…this land can be dangerous to those who do not know it well.”

The girl nodded slowly. If the big lion-man said it's dangerous, then who was she to argue with him?

“The appearance of you and your friends is of great importance to those of us who know and believe the old legends. I do not know what role your arrival takes in the grand scheme of the heavens, but I am certain that this marks the advent of interesting times…”

Dream eyebrows rose in surprise. Old legends? Grand scheme of the heavens? What was this lion-man, an oracle? No, stupid, she muttered mentally, he's obviously a priest. That's why that cat-woman person called him Father. Dunceling.

“I do not wish to see you or your friends come to any misfortune. But I must know, out of your missing companions…are there any who you might count as ‘dangerous’?”

Dream's eyes widened. The dizzy feeling returned with a vengeance, and with it, unwelcome memories. No.. no!

*Flashback*

The steel of Elisan's blade across the police officer's throat. The skin parting in its wake. The blood running down the blade.

Fear left her with no voice nor strength to scream. Her head dropped and her enormous eyes gazed at the dead man on the ground in shock and disbelief. She felt giddy, weak, numb; she hardly felt when Silvern stirred in her arms. She clutched at him and her head turned automatically, but her eyes were blinded with a mist that turned crimson, then blue, then dark.

*End Flashback*

Dream gasped and pitched forward.


((OOC: Catch her, Sethy! *giggles madly*))

[Kayay]

((OOC: I'm stalling the carriage so Eitre and Chigusa can catch up once I tackle Chesta. ^^))

“Hold,” ordered the guard’s stationed at the palace gate as the carriage approached. The driver, a pale, black haired woman with a very formal air, pulled on the reins to bring the carriage to a stop. Glancing inside, the man looked Gywndolin and Touji over, nodded and muttered something to himself, and checked over the driver’s orders.


~~~~Seth~~~~

He caught her as Dream lurched forward, eyes unfocused and a heart pounding. Fangolas too moved forward, concerned for the girl. “Miss Dream?” Seth looked down at the girl slumped against her, but she was already unconscious. “Father Crimmius, can this wait until later?”

“I can try to answer any questions you may have,” Fangolas offered.

[Endurance]

"Of course I do," Rankel answered "actually there is quite a number of aspiring herbalists within the city limits, it should't be too hard to find one on your own but I can show you around the city this once"

"Then lead the way good man!" Ecli smirked and bowed over-dramatically to Rankel who in turn gave another jolly laugh before opening the stout wooden door which led to winding hallways.

Ecli followed tightly on Rankel's tow and smiled to occasional passer-bys, after all Ecli had solved most of his problems in a flash, or so he had thought. Couple had almost reached to courtyard when something unexpected happened.

"How fortunate" Rankel exclaimed happily and pointed his index finger at cat-woman who was pacing towards them. "She is called Maeko, takes care many of the inner matters of the palace with extreme precision, I'll introduce you to her and if she agrees with you staying here with me it's all settled"

Rankel let out an horribly loud greeting, which almost shattered Ecli's eardrums into bloody pulp. Even before Ecli had properly realized what was happening Rankel was already introducing him to this Maeko, rather shrewd looking catwoman.

This is it, look convincing Ecli thought in his head and took one of his 'Innocent scholar' smiles. She's sure to ask some spleeny questions

[DrZepp]

After an hour of being lost, hassling random soldiers, and strolling down the sharp corridors, Findel and Ceren finally reached a long stretch of hallway.
The Basramian adjusted his collar, still a bit shaken up from his last encounter with a Fanelian soldier who simply refused to believe that he had an appointment with the Heir.

“Perhaps we are early…”
Findel said as the two men approached a lavishly decorated door near the end of the hall.
“That would certainly explain the lack of escorts around here.”
The samurai crossed his arms, coming to a complete stop just outside –what he assumed- was the Heirs quarters.
In reality, he was just stalling. He clasped his hands tightly near his chest, trying to dry two sweaty palms.
Ceren noticed Findels nervous demeanor, and sending him a sidelong glance, he reached for the door.
Findel swallowed hard, immediately halting the new recruits actions.
“Just…”
He stuttered, peering down at his feet.
“Alright…”
The Basramian cracked his neck, and took the liberty of knocking on the door for himself.

[Kayay]

~~~~Hikari~~~~

She had been listening to the familiar tune of the music box when the knock came on the door. Hikari, young, slim, with wavy blonde brown hair and rich brown eyes, was often underestimated by others due to her appearance, but she’d spent her life amid the politics of the court, and she knew the dance well. In contrast to her childhood friend and advisor Maeko, very much the stereotypical feline at times, the heir was more patient and soft spoken, but behind that exterior was a ruler who could and would exert her authority when need be. In fact, she found it often to her advantage when people took the princess’s patient smile as a sign of weakness.

“Enter,” she spoke in a gentle voice that carried remarkably well even in vast halls, a skill she’d learned by necessity at an early age.


~~~~Maeko~~~~

Oh now what? Rankel was a rather loud and outspoken man, but Maeko overall liked him, except in times of stress, during which she was very short tempered with almost everyone, and right now she was feeling a wee bit stressed. Beside the scholar was another man who’s clothes marked him as a foreigner. Maeko raised a eyebrow.

“Rankel, I’ve very busy right now, so if you can make this brief,” she began hopefully, although the scholar was a social fellow and known to chit chat for hours on end.

[Chesta chesta chesta]

(ooc: Samari, if this is not to your liking, smack me and I'll edit.)

~~:: Eitre ::~~

It’s so nice to be back, Eitre pushed his hands against the stone windowsill, leaned forward out of the window and took a deep breath. If he had to be completely honest then the air in Fanelia didn’t differ too much from Freid, but it was knowing that he was home that was reassuring.

He didn’t know how long he had been standing there sampling the sounds of the much too familiar surroundings; he was pulled back into reality by the sounds of a carriage arriving. Distantly he watched the Mystic Moon boy, who he had briefly encountered before, get in with a lady-friend. Eitre didn’t think too much about it until the doors on carriage slammed shut.

“No! Wait for us.”

There didn’t seem to be any sign that they had heard him. The Fanelian briskly walked down the corridor and knocked on the doors to Chigusa’s allocated room.

”Just a minute.”

Feet shuffled towards the large doors, which creaked open slowly. Chigusa stuck her head out. He had wanted to crack a joke about that even she could scrub up well but his common senses advised against this, he was left with a “You look ok.”

“The carriage is here.” He was almost panicked and lost his senses, grabbing her hand as he started for a run down the great halls.

Their shoes clacked against the hard floor, Eitre pulling Chigusa along. They narrowly avoided colliding with a maid; behind them they heard her grumble as the crisp white sheets in her arms fell to the floor.

“What’s the hurry?”

“They’re leaving without us!” He turned his head to aside. “Unless you fancy walking we should really hurry up.”

They arrived at the courtyard only to find that the carriage had been slowed down due to inspection. Eitre breathed a sigh of relief as he managed, on shaky tired legs, to open the carriage up for Chigusa and helped her onboard.

“Budge up, Mystic Moon boy.” He ordered as he flopped down on the seat next to Touji. “Well, isn’t this all nice and cosy?”

~~:: Ton Ton ::~~

He had been asleep for quite a bit. All the excitement of the travelling had finally managed to get to the big boy. He never heard when Eitre left, and was slightly hurt that he hadn’t been allowed to come on the super fun shopping trip.

However, this had quickly been forgotten as Ton Ton strolled around the palace, maybe in some places where he shouldn’t have been. His reply to every enquiry had been “Ton Ton got backstage pass.”

[Princess Samari]

OOC: Haaaaave I told you lately that I love yooooou? ::voice crack:: That was awesome my darling. Thank you!

Chigusa looked between Gwyn and Touji resisting the urge to groan. She recognized the woman from before...she had been there during the encounter at the disgusting bar.


“Well, isn’t this all nice and cosy?”

"If you are a sardine. Eitre...why couldn't we have gotten our own private carriage? ...Did we really have to rush for this one?" She hadn't forgotten Gywndolin's attitude.

Interrogate me indeed. Crossing her arms Chigusa turned her gaze to the window watching buildings pass by. She hadn't absorbed how beautiful Eitre's city was before.

"Well this city certainly does have a keen sense of architecture Eitre. You grew up here?"

[Alcestis]

(OOC: Sorry for the delay in postin, the net was down for several days for me >:P)

Ceren pushed Findel out of the way as he was knocking and almost harshly barged in the door. Findel looked at him with kind of a stupor, amazed that he could be so rude. What were formalities anyhow? Ceren really didnt care either way. "C'mon lets go, she said enter" Ceren spurted out as he barged further in the door. Even in mid step Ceren stopped and gawked, this "heir" was quite pretty, and he was a bit dumbfounded, but after a minor recovery Ceren did the only thing he knew to do and snapped a quick salute and then waited for Findel to get in the first words, especially since Ceren had no idea who this person was or why they were here anyhow. After a brief moment of silence, Ceren looked over and Findel was still creeping into the door expecting some sentence of death for bursting in so rudely. Ceren just stood there waiting impatiently.

[DrZepp]

All it took was one word to make him blush. "Enter..." Hikaris voice seemed to echo throughout the hall.
Findel was bowing low before he even saw the young woman. He was ready to drop to one knee and declare his position before the door was even open. Yes, Findel was nearing giddiness. He had never been so nervous about meeting -soon to be- royalty in his life, and he absently wondered if he would feel the same if the Heir was a man... Not that a man could be a proper queen but... Findel pushed the thought aside altogether, concentrating on the matter at hand.

The samurai fumbled with the door handle for a moment, but was abruptly cut off as Ceren pushed his way through. Findel sent the new recruit a glare of pure malice, but found that he could say nothing as both men were let in. The Basramian cleared his expression and lightly bowed before the young woman in waiting. For once it didnt seem like a formality.
"I am Findel Falor, at your service m'lady."
The samurai said at last, cupping a hand at his breast.
He noticed Ceren saluting out of the corner of his eye and gave a small sigh of releif. So he had a spec of decency after all... Findels mind was put at ease for the moment and he quickly turned back to Hikari.
"If there is anything I-... we... can do in such hasty times..."
His voice trailed off as he slowly stood, briefly making eye contact with the young woman, soon to be queen.

[Kayay]

At first, the silence had come as a blessing to Dryan’s throbbing head. She could feel Gwira’s presence at the edges of her consciousness, hurt irradiating from her.

"What's wrong?" Dryan asked, forgetting about Silvern's presence. In the quiet of the dimly-lit room, she could only feel Gwira's life flame, irradiating like a red beacon in the darkness of her own mind.

"They... they came..." The words sounded hoarse and desperate.

"Who came?" Dryan asked, a sliver of worry shooting through her. Gwira, however, gave her no reply. Instead she sunk into a sullen silence, shutting herself away from Dryan. The quiet that followed, both in her head and around her, sounded deafening to the foxwoman. "If you won't tell me what's bothering you, I won't be able to help you," she pleaded softly. Still, Gwira refused to respond, and Dryan sighed heavily. Sometimes, her alter ego was too stubborn...

Silvern's soft footsteps treading on the creaky floorboards reminded her she was not alone. Dryan turned around in alarm, to see the blond man heading towards her with a wide smile on his face.

"Dryan? What’s there to tell you?" Silvern whispered quietly, his eyes watering slightly at the sight of his friend in distress and a hint of the smile still remaining. His hands reached out to grab hers, and Dryan felt too tired to protest. " I'm worried about you. Tell me what's wrong, and maybe I can make it better."

His voice was soft.... his words were so alluring... and the pressure of his hands oddly discomforting. Could she just tell him everything? Perhaps...

"I could take you away from here. I thought you’d be happy to be back home, but if this place is so unpleasant, you can come back with me. The Mystic Moon isn’t completely full of people like the doctor. There’re places…"

"NO!" Gwira screamed out, seizing control of Dryan's body and pushing Silvern violently away. "You will never take me away. I'm here to stay! I won't let you punish me you hear? I'm innocent!"

Gwira's violent emotional outburst had knocked Dryan's consciousness into the background of their common mind, and the fox had drowned in Gwira's emotions for a few good seconds. During this time, her counterpart had stood in the darkness, eyeing Silvern through half-closed eyes.

"Gwira, what's going on with you? Snap out of it!" Dryan pleaded, her heart twisting in fear.

"They're almost here, you have to hide! Hide, I'll protect you. I won't let them.... get you too..."

With much more force than Gwira had ever used before, she pushed Dryan's consciousness away, isolating her from access to her own body.

"What the hell are you doing! Gwira! Gwira damnit, this is not real! Nobody is going to do anything to you!"

"They say I have sinned, they say I must be punished. They are coming, at dawn.. at dawn to.. to..." Gwira's voice trailed off, her stare glueing to the floor, watching intently the ray of sunshine that traced a path of light in the dim room.

"Dryan? Are you okay?" Silvern's shaky voice echoed from her right. The blond man picked himself up from the floor, dusting his clothes off. Her face was contorted with rage and fear, and again he reached out to her. " What's going on with you? Do you need to get away from here? You know...I don't exactly need clothes. I can walk around in this," he told her, pointing at his pink shirt with a weak smile.

"Leave! Just leave until she calms down! She'll hurt you again!" Dryan screamed, from the back of her own mind. However, the lips of her body remained sealed. Gwira was in full control, and whatever was haunting her continued to grasp all her attention.

"Dryan, snap out of it!" Silvern exclaimed, noticing the fox's fixed stare.

Slowly, Gwira lifted her head, and in the dimness of the room, her eyes glowed a bright green.

"What did you call me?" she asked hoarsely.

"Dryan. I called you Dryan. That is your name, now come on! We're getting out of here. I'm taking you back home!"

"Home? Where is home?"

"Earth. They have doctors there that can help. I won't stand for this!" Silvern exclaimed, and grabbed Gwira's hand, pulling her towards him.

The cat let out a throaty growl. "You're not taking me anywhere." She hissed, her claws digging into his hand.

"W-w-what? Dryan! Let go!" Silvern cried in alarm, starring down into her eyes.

Gwira just smiled nonchalantly. "You must really think me a fool. I shall not fall for the tricks of those who want to take me away!" she yelled, her other clawed hand reaching up and digging into his face.

"Stop! Stop what you're doing! Gwira, for the love of God, stop! You're going to kill him!" Dryan screamed, and she again felt Gwira's overwhelming emotions drown her out once more. This time, she was lost in the sea of tormented emotions, her calming consciousness lost in the blackness of Gwira's hate.

"They're going to take you away. I can't let them take you away. You... you are the person that I... Gwira's last words became drowned out in the ocean of her hate.

"Your eyes, Dryan, what happened to your eyes?" Silvern asked, noticing their color, remembering a time back on the Mystic Moon when he’d fleetingly noticed the change before and dismissed it, and realizing for the first time that he was not faced with Dryan any longer.

"Stop calling me her name. You are not worthy to speak it. You... you tried to take her away. You will pay." The statement seemed so final, and misplaced in the dulcet tones of her voice.

"What do you mean her name. It's your name, unless...." the blond man did not finish speaking his sentence. "Dryan... I mean, you, you’re not Dryan anymore, are you?” he asked calmly, trying to ignore the pain in his cheek.

Gwira, grinned at him toothily. "So you found out. How unfortunate."

Silvern, still confused, had little time to react as the fox's furred arms wrapped around his neck, all ten claws digging into the soft flesh of his throat. “I'm just so sorry…sorry you were dragged into this. I think I remember now why I never wanted to get close to anyone," Silvern murmured, his voice dying to a gasp as he clasped his hands around those squeezing the life out of him and twisted free. Red blood squirted out willingly, trickling down his shirt.

"I will not let you take me away. I will not let you take her away either. We are one!"

But they would come, they had come in the end. She had sinned, so she had to be punished. They had worn black cloaks, and their fingers had been as cold as ice. They had held her down, and the chains had clunk loudly in protest, as they wrapped around her. The key had twisted in the lock of her manacles. She had been trapped.

"Never, you will never take me away again. I shall not go back. I'll kill you! I'll eat your heart!" Suddenly, the want for flesh became overwhelming. She jumped from her place, slicing the air with the accuracy of an arrow. Together, they landed on the floor, she on top of him, her hands smeared in his hot blood.

In wide eyed horror he watched her, reaching for the rapier the guards had take from him, and finding himself defenseless, but it was just as well he thought. He still didn’t want to hurt her. "No, stop! I'm your friend! I just wanted to make things okay!" Silvern pleaded, desperation in his azure eyes and I his voice.

"Once a coward, always a coward. Now that you feel death grip you, you will lie to save your skin. Sinner!" She pressed hard on his chest, and felt his frightened heartbeat. "You're afraid, aren't you? You're afraid of dying, you little scumbag."

"I'm not who you think I am! You're delusional!"

Without further words, Gwira twisted his neck. It snapped out of place like a thin branch would snap off a tree during a violent thunderstorm. Silvern's body went limp underneath her own. It was so easy. She sat on his chest for a few minutes, just watching the blood gurgle from the holes in his throat. It was, a beautiful sight, to see the red river make its way through the grey dust. It was almost... inspiring. The want for flesh hit her once more, and slowly, Gwira got off Silvern's still chest, eyeing the left side.

"Yeessss, I feel like heart tonight..." she whispered, clawing away at his pale flesh, exposing his interior, and finally ripping out his still-pulsating heart. Then, with a long howl, she brought it to her lips, and took a bite.

[Kayay]

~~~~Foucault~~~~

An ear piercing scream shattered the room. By the door, her hands pressed against the side of her head, the shopkeeper stared in unveiled terror at the bloody scene. Chest heaving and knees weak, she managed to summon enough energy to turn to run, but right into Foucault she collided, instinctively clutching at his shirt and clinging desperately to the man. Hoarse sobs shook her. “M…Mister F-fouc-cault,” she whimpered.

The merchant took her by the shoulders and pushed her gently away. “Go downstairs, bolt the door, and wait. Do it!” he insisted with a little shake when she hesitated. He could hear little cries of distress coming from the shopkeeper, but she was doing as she was told, too scared and numb to do otherwise.

“Now,” the man began slowly, approaching Dryan/Gwira with distain on his face, “what to do about you?” Foucault heard a thump as the bolt slid into place on the door below and paused to pick up a heavy metal poker from the hearth when the fox started and growled at him, blood staining her hands and muzzle. “You’re in quite a predicament right now. What ever shall I do?” His smile was far from comforting.


~~~~Hikari~~~~

The uniform the green eyed one she recognized as Basramian, but the other, who proclaimed himself Findel Falor, wore attire of Fanelia, an odd choice. With an amused but gentle smile she rose and indicated the two chairs before the heavy wooden desk.

“Please sit Sir Falor. You are my most honored guests here, and your manner marks you as a truly honorable man.” The woman sat back down, the desk separating she and the two samurai. "But tell me what brings you and your friends to Fanelia? The message Duke Mahad and King Shezar sent ahead spoke of trouble arising with an ancient foe, but little else, and I suspect they didn’t want to say too much out of fear.”

[Hitomi_333]

*Gwyndolin noted Chigusa's seeming disgust with her. She was a little confused by this, but took it as one more reason why she should keep an eye on her.

"Um. When... do you think we'll train?" Gwyndolin had almost forgotten to answer his question. Swords and all things related seemed to be all that was ever on his mind. Actually... he reminded her a lot of almost all of the little boys in Palas. "I'm sure we'll have time for it when we get back to the palace. For now, try to enjoy yourself. I'm sure you'll find something of interest once we get to town."

With that Gwyndolin settled back in her seat, looking out the window at the palace getting further and further away. She wished that she could just enjoy the trip, but knew she would always have to remain on guard and ready for anything. Especially having to leave at the drop of a hat.*

[Kayay]

Fangolas and Crimm started for the door leading into the sitting room when an unexpected voice intoned, “What was it like?” Fang turned to face Aaron, who had slipped inside the room and stood to the side of the door. The young man had been so silent up until now, he’d almost forgotten about Aaron’s presence.

“What was it like, the Mystic Moon, and why…why are they here? Why so many now?"

The dark skinned man scratched his chin and thought it over. “It was…different. The ground was paved hard and smooth for miles, and vehicles of metal that coughed up smoke roamed their roads. Tall poles of wood and metal connected by long cable ran on as if to eternity, and the lamps…they ran not on oil or coal or energists, but with a flick of a switch you could illuminate an entire building.” He met Aaron’s inscrutable eyes and shrugged. “But you may as well ask me who created the heavens above or why we exist rather than ask the purpose or reason for our journey to the Mystic Moon. I don’t know it.” The gem in his chest beneath the cloth of his shirt he was very aware of as he spoke. It was part of the key to the puzzle of how they’d managed the trip, and maybe the Doctor was another part, but Fangolas wasn’t ready yet to share that information.

Aaron leaned against the wall shoulders slumped as if in defeat. He’d been hoping for answers, yet all he’d gotten in response to his questions were more questions. “Hitomi. You said you met Hitomi,” he said almost too softly to hear.

“Older but alive, yes, we met her…and others.”

“Fangolas,” Seth began, leaning the dark haired girl back on the pillows, “she needs to rest. Can we continue this discussion in the other room?” the knight asked as he brushed her hair from her eyes and drew the sheet up over her, again earning him an odd look from Aaron.

With a nod Fang and Crimm left the bedroom. For a few minutes Seth sat on the bed’s edge watching Dream and thinking over these new revelations, then with a tired sigh he rose, made his way to the chest against the wall, and took out a long scarlet Fanelian sash. “Here,” he said and tossed the bundled cloth Aaron. “Wrap that sword of yours back up. It makes people uncomfortable.”

[Endurance]

"Yes yes." Rankel faced Maeko firmly as he noted her unwillingless to deal with the matter.

"This man here, or boy whichever you prefer more is called Ecli Dare, a scholar from Freid and aqcuintance of mine. I really think that you should have a word or two with him yourself because he is such a clever lad." Rankel gestured Ecli to step forward before bowing to Maeko and fading into background, smiling triumphantly.

Ecli, not knowing how high-ranking or royal feline-woman was, showed considerable amount of humility to her by an exaggerated bow which was an even mix of learnt Freidian custom and his Zaibachian origin.

"I came to see the coronation...." Ecli began but was disturbed by Rankel's chuckle.
"He wishes to stay with me for a time being." Rankel exclaimed with a devilish smile.

Ecli blushed lightly, Rankel really liked to make a fool out of him. "It was a real miracle that I managed to get here on time, unfortunately all inns were already fully booked and I was unable to find a proper place to sleep in." Ecli said solemnly "Thus I remembered that I once lodged certain scholar for a few days and decided to see if he could return the favor."

[EvaRobby]

But I need to train now.

Touji tried to calm himself. He wasn't going to get anywhere by making everyone hate him.

He looked out the window.

I suppose Chigusa is right, in a sense, but I can't help but feel disgusted at the whole thing. I know that Kaiya could quite easily have been just as barbaric as any of them. I don't care. They all saw her death aside others, so far daily, and lived on as if it never happened. The others from Earth are the same. It doesn't make sense. I can't trust any of them.

He wondered about how much better the world would be if he just woke up now, and found out that this was all a dream. This shouldn't be happening.

He turned away from the window.

"What will we be doing?"

[Chesta chesta chesta]

“We didn’t get our own private carriage because,” Eitre paused as he tried to think up a plausible answer, “ because this was the most wonderful one and I thought it’d suit you.”

Smooooth.

Truth be told, he wasn’t sure if there would’ve been another and if he had stayed further in Ton Ton’s company then he might’ve suddenly crave huge meals and wanting to hug everyone. It would be nice to stretch those legs and not have to worry about appointments, Zaibach spies and interrogations.

"Well this city certainly does have a keen sense of architecture Eitre. You grew up here?"

Eitre had to stop his chin from hitting the floor. Had Chigusa complemented his city? The very same Chigusa who came across that she wanted the moon on a stick? That sure was a big change. Must’ve been the prospect of shopping softening her up.

“Hah yeah. I didn’t grow up near the centre though. My father is a forester so I spent most of my time in the forests. But you’re right, I consider Fanelia to be the most beautiful of all countries.” He smiled smugly at Gwyndolin. “It has a special place in my soul.”

Touji remained ignored, dealing with one Mystic Moon boy was enough to last a lifetime and Eitre feared that they were all the same, obsessed about one thing or another. Sharing room with Ton Ton was acceptable, but one of them intruding on his special time with Chigusa was stepping over the line – not that he thought that he and Chigusa might’ve intruded on the other two.

“What about your home world, the Mystic Moon? Do you miss it?”

[EvaRobby]

Touji coughed and tried to examine Gwyndolen's reaction out of the corner of his eye. The two others were finding their conversation quite serious. It scared Touji.

God, these Gaians can't even think of any decent things to say. Trust that little girl to listen to him. Argh. I need to get out of here before my head explodes.

He looked out the window again, trying to shut Eitre out of his mind, and wondering if there was a way to shut him up.

Earth cities are much more beautiful.

But Touji remained silent and still. Though dastardly thoughts continued to run through his head, he still didn't feel ready to ---- off any murderers.

So what will we be doing then? Oh, we'll probably get to hang around these two.
I see a very fun and pointful day ahead of me.

He sighed.

[Princess Samari]

The houses seemed small and simple. Like something she would have expected to see as a backdrop to her play. Though the outer walls had been enormous and so was the castle. They didn't have to build up like in Japan.

“What about your home world, the Mystic Moon? Do you miss it?”

Chigusa nodded slowly her upper lip almost pulled into a pout but, she adjusted herself quickly never taking her eyes from the window.

"Of course I miss it. I miss certain aspects of it really..." She coughed delicatly.

"I miss my friends, my home, my cellphone. I also miss the wonderful meals our chef would prepare. Not as much fatty meat and oily food." She frowned shaking her head.

"I miss not being tossed around as if I didn't matter. I also miss fair trials and not being suspected of murder everywhere I go." She gave a meaningful glance to Gywn before returning her gaze to the window.

"This isn't Kamakura..."

[Kayay]

~~~~Maeko~~~~

“Freid? Why, you’re not the only visitor to arrive from Freid today. You don’t happen to know…nevermind.” Maeko stepped closer to Ecli, looking him in the eye with a cat’s open frankness and curiosity. Then she gave a little sniff and stepped back. “As long as you stays out of trouble and out of my fur you’re welcome to stay scholar, and at least oyu have more manners than some of Rankel’s friends. What is your name by the way, or should I just ring a little silver bell to get your attention?” she asked with a smile and touch of sarcasm.


~~~~Seth~~~~

“Is she awake yet?”

“She’s been through a lot, Aaron. Let her rest.” Seth stood resting his weight upon the crutch and watching Aaron standing on the other side of the bed. The Draconian halfling was staring intently at Dream, but at least the ghastly blade of his sword was wrapped in cloth and bound to his back. “You can go out there and find out what they’re talking about,” the Asturian suggested when he noticed Aaron glancing from time to time at the door leading to the sitting room where Fangolas and Crimm presently were. Fang had mentioned Hitomi, and undoubtedly Aaron wanted to know more, but the young man’s reply surprised Seth.

“I’ll stay here.”

[Megumi H]

((OOC: Whee.. lots of lines.... WARNING: Bad spelling of Chinese and a weird Chinese name! Hwahahahaha!!))


Sleep...

Slumber...

Rest...

Dreams....


****
"Meng-Hua.."

She turned to see standing in the doorway two women, one of them holding a fairly large box. "Shen rh kwai le," they said in unison.

She took the box and curiously looked it over, discovering several round holes in two of the sides. She quickly untied the ribbon around it and lifted the lid. Inside the box slept a small golden tabby kitten. A gasp of happiness escaped her lips. She set the box down on a table and lifted the kitten out gently. The kitten quickly awoke and looked up at her with two baby blue eyes and mewed curiously. She giggled and nuzzled the kitten as it purred.

***
"Caspi..."

No response.

"Caspi..."

Still nothing.

"Caspian."

This time something on her back stirred and seemed to stretch. A moment later, it seemed to turn around and settle back down.

"Caspian." More firmly this time.

A mew came, seemingly in argument.

"I'm getting up." This time the thing on her back moved down her side and off her body. She sat up and stretched, then looked down at her silly kitty and crinkled her nose at him.

***
A loud plaintive mew. The gnarled root of a tree. The scared face of a little kitten trying to free itself. The bark of a dog.

Flashes of steel. Blood. Blood. Blood....

A flash of crimson.

***

Blood.... scarlet... crimson.. round.... White.. blue.. white... empty.... Red.. blood!

So much blood...!
****

Dream's eyes flew open and she sat up, covering her face with her hands as the tears began streaming. She ignored the worried looks of the men by her bed and the queries of the one.

"No! No..." Her voice was strained. "Silvern.... Why?!"


((OOC: Kayay, if it's too early, kick me and me edit.))

[Endurance]

"Ringing a bell is not necessary lady Maeko, I am called Ecli Dare and I will heed that name if summoned"
This time a genuine smile formed to Ecli's face, for he had feared Meako's reaction to be outright negative.
"Now, we shall not pester you any longer with idle chatting that holds no true meaning, yes?"

Her own smile was genuine as well, and Maeko found she didn't mind exchanging banter with this Ecli Dare. In fact, it was refreshing after everything that had happened so far. "Maybe after you settle in and freshen up, you and I can talk, scholar. I'd be interested to know the latest news in Freid."

"That, fair lady,would be my pleasure for I can assure you that there has been many most interesting events happening at Freid lately, most interesting and horrendous at the same time"
Ecli made a bow so deep that it rivaled ones made before kings and queens, robe's sleeves almost touched the ground before him. Finally Ecli rose and smiled warmly.
"Did you hear Rankel? It seems I need to bathe too."

"For once one your friends are a gentleman, Rankel, and not some socially inept recluse. Will wonders never cease? I look forward to meeting you again Ecli Dare." Returning his bow, Maeko excused herself and left.

[Phantom Angel]

"Leave me alone! I'll kill you too!" Gwira screamed, backing away from Silvern's dead body, fleeing into the comfort of the darkness.

"I won't let you take her, or me away! I won't!"

Her shoulders were shaking, looking as if her whole body was about to come apart any second.

"I've got to calm down, for Dryan's sake, I must calm down, or else.. or else we're both finished." Gwira thought, and closed her eyes, inhaling a deep breath.

"Dryan? Dryan where are you? Dryan answer me!!"

All that echoed in her head, however, were the tumultous waves of her emotions.

"Dryan couldn't have drowned... could she??

[Kayay]

“It’s all right,” Seth reassured her, and even Aaron, so typically aloof, showed a glimmer of concern. He didn't like tears; he didn't know how to react or what to do.

“They’ll find Silvern and Dryan.” The knight recalled his last memory of the foxwoman, a sharp tongued but brave creature who’d literally rode out the battle in Palas perched on Aaron’s guymelf. If anyone could survive the insanity they’d been tossed into, he figured it would be her. If a way, Seth realized, she reminded him of Kayia.

"No, no, no! Silvern... Silvern's been killed! He..." she choked on a sob and could not speak for a long moment

“It was just a dream.” But even as he said those words, an uneasy feeling filled his gut and Seth doubted them.

"No, no..." the girl continued to cry. "I... I just..." in her heart she screamed I wish it were, if only it were, but she couldn't explain how she knew it wasn't.

"What do you mean? How can you know?" Aaron asked, sounding more harsh than he'd intended.

Seth shot him a sharp look. "Tell me, why do you think he's dead?" he asked Dream and let her lean against him.

No, no, I don't want to talk about it, I don't want to think about it, no, no, no...

Dream looked up at Aaron, shocked. "I didn't do it!" she cried. "He just... he...." Her voice rose to a desperate whine. "I saw.. he... it.... There was so much blood! Silvern's blood!" She lifted a wrist to wipe at her tears.

Aaron turned away, frustrated that she couldn’t answer and angry that he’d upset her further. Seth, meanwhile, tired to sooth the girl. “You saw?” Hitomi it’s said used to have visions. Is it possible? “Was this in your dream?”

"It wasn't a dream," she said, her voice giving way to the horror she felt. "It was.... It was real...."

“If he’s been killed, then why are we staying here doing nothing?” Aaron grabbed his sword and made for the door.

“Aaron!” Seth’s tone was the one he used when one of his men stepped out of line, and Aaron stopped. “We don’t know where he and Dryan went, and the city guards are already looking for them. There isn’t much more we can do, but maybe, Dream, you can try to remember anything else that can help us. Maybe whatever vision you had hasn’t happened yet.”

"I don't want..." she began to protest. "I mean, I... want...." She stopped and took a deep, shuddery breath. It seemed cruel to ask her to remember it. She didn't want to talk about it.. but she wanted somebody to find out why Silvern had died. "I... I saw... so much blood... Silvern's bo- Silvern... on the floor.... Silvern's eyes were so empty...." she broke off with a little sob, then continued, "There was dust on the floor... there were threads... and cloth.. on the floor...."

“You don’t have to say anymore right now. We can ask Father Crimm about this. As a priest, he may have more insight on visions than we do.” Seth stood with the aid of his crutch and walked past Aaron to the door. “Try not to scare her too much,” he jokingly told Aaron before he left the room to talk to Crimm and Fangolas.

For a while no one said anything, then Aaron, standing near the foot of the bed, turned to face Dream. “Are you really from the Mystic Moon?” he asked in a flat voice. “How did you get here?”

Dream jumped a little after the silence, but relaxed a little when she realized that Aaron was no longer asking about her vision. "I guess I am..." she said slowly, "if that's what you call Earth." She shifted on the bed to face Aaron. "How I got here.... I have no idea."

Blood.

Dream rubbed the back of her hand over her eyes, then brought it back to her lap.

Blood! Red!

She bit her lip a moment, then spoke with a bitter tone. "The last thing I remember about where I'm from.. was... coincidentally, blood. Silvern was hurt while Elisan tried to save his own skin. Elisan killed a man, in cold blood." She flinched, recalling the scene. The next thing I remember... was... red light, no, a blue light... no...." Dream shook her head. "I can't remember. But after that, I woke up here.. well, a building near here. And then we were brought here."

Aaron drew closer, noticing the dried blood on her hands. Blood and death was something he was too familiar with, especially when he was the cause, his eyes twitched in remembrance.

Blood. Her hands were bloody and shaking and reached out to stroke his cheek. She smiled, tears running down her face, then fell unconscious.

“So you don’t know how to get back.” It was a statement more than a question. He already knew the answer.

Dream gave a sort of sad laugh. "With all that's happened here, I don't know if I'd mind going back." But then I would never know why....

[Kayay]

~~~~Foucault~~~~

“Now, now, Dryan,” Foucault spoke, one hand in his pocket and the other hanging by his side, poker in hand, “don’t make this situation anymore…complicated. Just relax. No one is going anywhere, that is, if you calm down and you and I come to an agreement.” He gripped the iron poker tighter, watching the foxwoman with the same cold, empty little smile. “I’m a businessman, and something tells me you know the value of a deal as well. Of course, I could always yell for the city guards, but I’m sure you’d like to avoid a long and unpleasant stay in Fanelia’s prison, and I’d prefer to avoid the lengthy and annoying inquiries. I’m a busy man.”


~~~~Maeko~~~~

“Hikari-sama, we have a problem. The temple…” Maeko stopped mid sentence. Not realizing she had an audience, the catwoman had burst into her rooms, and now she wore a rather embarrassed expression, until she recognized Findel. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but one of the people who appeared in the temple said he knew some of the Freid delegates. He even recognized Sir Falor’s name and claimed they’d met in Palas before an attack on the city.”

“Attack?” Hikari turned an inquisitive gaze to Findel and Ceren.

“Father Crimm is with the two remaining interlopers with the Asturian knight and his friend, trying to get some more answers.”

“I thought there were five people found in the temple.”

“Three escaped,” Maeko admitted with bowed head. “Only the girl and the dark skinned one remained behind.”

The Heir thought over the news then stood. “Sir Falor, tell me about this attack on Palas, and then maybe you can help solve the mystery of these strangers who appeared in Temple of the White Dragon.”

[Alcestis]

(OOC: Is Zeppy Alive? *This is Earth/Gaea Calling Findel*.... or is it my responsibility to post a response to Hikari...? afterall, Findel is supposed to be my superior right? Shouldnt he report?)

[DrZepp]

Findel arched an eyebrow, quickly becoming reacquainted with the cat woman from before. Her news was abrupt, and somewhat confusing; talk of a temple, someone recognizing the name ‘Falor’? Findel broke his upright stance, letting his right arm reach over to rub the back of his neck. He simultaneously exchanged a quick glance with Ceren, recognizing the new recruits apparent suspicion. The Basramian turned back to Hikari and her advisor. He was about to open his mouth when Meako inadvertently revealed all he needed to know.

“Three escaped,” The cat woman said, bowing low. “Only the girl and the dark skinned one remained behind.”

*The dark skinned one…*
Something in Findels mind clicked immediately, recalling all of the dark skinned foreigners he had met in Palas. He could only remember one.
He put a thoughtful hand to his chin in an animated gesture. First Risa had miraculously reappeared, and now the others. But five newcomers? Things did not add up.

Hikari and Meako obviously had other, more pressing concerns than his long lost comrades though. Findel assumed as much, fiddling with his shirts collar as he was once again addressed.
“Sir Falor,” The Heir said, finally standing. “Tell me about this attack on Palas, and then maybe you can help solve the mystery of these strangers who appeared in Temple of the White Dragon.”

Findel straightened his gaze again, trying to concentrate on producing some coherent response. His life had been so blurred… he had met so many strangers since spotting the Zaibach melefs outside of Palas, but through it all, he could still remember the attack quite clearly. In essence, is was what had started this whole mess of events.

The Basramian cleared his throat as if preparing for some long-winded speech. Unfortunately, the preparation was misleading, for little explanation was needed to relay such a simple message.
“Yes…” Findel began. “Palas was under siege, nearly crippled by the renewed strength of Zaibach.”
He guessed that the poor fools in Fanelia really hadn’t been clued in to the attacks.
“And I fear that we were trailed by spies into Freid, and possibly Fanelia as well.”

Suddenly Findel understood in full why Ceren was here. He had explained it to him just hours before, but the reality of it had not sunk in until now. If Fanelia had no official news of the attacks, then it was ludicrous to assume any other nation had such knowledge. Granted, Findel had sent his message, but his news was not exactly official… by Basrams standards at least. Word was slow to trickle down the political ladder, so it was no wonder that the Basram council was still so skeptical of the supposed attacks.
*They are taking all precautions they can*
The Samurai reassured himself, looking Hikari and Meako over as they took in his words.

“And I believe that I can vouch for this dark skinned man in your custody.”

[Kayay]

~~~~Hikari~~~~

“The Duke and King’s message mentioned Zaibach’s increased activities but they musn’t have trusted to say much more in something that could easily be intercepted.” Hikari, not a woman of imposing stature, now drew herself up and assumed the role of leader. “Maeko, the message also mentioned one of the Asturian representatives would have further information. Ask them for that message. Sir Falor, excuse me for cutting this meeting short, but in light of this news there are preparations I have to make. Go with Lady Maeko, and see if this dark skinned man is the same one you know, and help Father Crimm if you can. I’ll speak to the Generals about reinforcing the guard and ferreting out any potential spies.”

“The council will raise a fuss,” Maeko commented with a smirk.

“To the council is largely composed of politicians with a love for beaurocratic procedure. With the coronation today city guard and militia are already on full alert, but if Zaibach truly is on the move we have to be ready for anything. While the council may not believe it, I’m sure the Generals will agree with me, especially when they hear about the Palas attack. If they have the gall to attack Asturia, what to keep Fanelia from being next?”

Maeko bowed deeply. “Yes m’Lady.” She nodded to Findel and Ceren. “Follow me.”


~~~~In Zaibach~~~~

“Jules, assemble Kenia and the Dragonslayers for a briefing. News has arrived from agents in Basram, and The Empress has issued new orders.” Cain sat behind the glowing monitor, disinterestedly pressing a button or two as the information scrolled before him. His voice grew the slightest bit disgusted when he said the words “The Empress”, but doubtful it was that anyone would notice. He hid his dislike for that old hag well. “And Jules...”

“Yes Sir?”

“Has any news arrived from Cen and Ecli yet?”

“No, not yet, and attempts to reach them haven’t been successful.”

“Try again. I don’ want her to be caught off guard like last time.”


((OOC: Zepp and/or Alcestis can get Findel, Ceren, and Maeko guest rooms. FYI Crimm, Fang, and Seth are in the sitting room and Aaron and Dream are in the adjoining bedroom…that sounds so…wrong.))

[Hitomi_333]

*Gwyndolin had tried her best to ignore the girl's whining. She could take the sharp comments and complaints about a country almost as dear as her own Asturia to her... but she did have to draw a line somewhere.

"Listen..." Gwyndolin took a second to remember her name. In these last couple of weeks she'd met a great many people. "Chigusa, you aren't the only one who has been tossed around from place to place. Right now I should be at my fortress, watching out for my men. Instead I'm stuck relaying messages from monarchs, and keeping a dear friend from being killed. When we get back from town, I don't even know if he's going to be alive. Sure, you miss your friends... but they'll probably be alive when you get back. From the sound of it, you've been spoiled. Does it really matter if you don't like the food? At least you're getting some... what you're being served in these palaces is a far cry better from what we eat every day in the fortress." She paused to catch her breath and lower her voice. "You ought not complain so much... things are just as bad all around."

She briefly looked at Touji for a moment. "In town we are going to look around, have a good time, and stay out of the way of the happenings in the palace." The words sounded threatening to her own ears. "Plus," she added with a sheepish smile, "this may be your last chance to get a good look at Fanelia."

With that, she retired to looking out of the window once again.*

[Alcestis]

Ceren's head was a bit of a jumble. An attack on Asturia? He had heard it but could he really believe it was true. It was a rumor, sure, but no one took the yokle report from Findel seriously. But, I guess that is why they sent him anyhow. Figures, those stupid politicious bastards he thought to himself.

From what he had seen, Findel was a bit of a flake, but for the most part, he had his head on straight, in other words, not the type to make up a report like that for sheer fun. Something was up, and Zaibach was in it to make a fuss.... or a war.

The two followed the vivacious cat woman at an incredibly fast pace, to the point of it being annoying. Ceren nearly blurted out a rude comment, but caught his tongue, miraculously remembering his small and meager manners.

After some time the group entered back into the guest quarters and took a few turn to end up in a large sitting room. Ceren glanced a bit coldly at the HUGE lion man and the others sitting in the room Welcome to the freak show he thought to himself.

[KtHM]

OOC: I was in too much of a hurry to post ahaha...

[Princess Samari]

"Oh oh...whats that I hear? it must be the sound of someone buting in." Chigusa frowned wipping some invisible fleck of spittle from her cheek. She then rolled her eyes looking as if to be praying for the strength to continue on.

The carriage was starting to smell bad and she was fairly certain the woman had *something* to do with it. Try as Gwyn might have no one had ever been able to convince Chigusa she was ever wrong and even though most of her words were right on target they slid of the haughty earth girls back like water on a duck.

They key to dealing with girls like the knight was to realize that their words were ignorant and meant absolutly nothing.

"this may be your last chance to get a good look at Fanelia." Chigusa frowned looking to Eitre. Was Gwyn meaning that in a going far away sense...was he going to reach home before she did?

Or was it something worse? Obviously Eitre wasn't going to buy into any of the silly girls threats and idiotic remarks. Fanelia seemed like much too secure a city for something bad to happen.

Though why did it feel like an iron lump had just fallen into her stomach?

[DrZepp]

Findel was too distracted to become annoyed by Maekos rapid stride. The anthro woman was in the front, seeming to be rather distracted herself. Both respective officials undoubtedly had a lot on their minds, chiefly Zaibach and the mystic moon: two subjects that would suddenly propel any situation into a state of urgency. The quicker the matter at hand was resolved the better, Findel thought, absently recognizing his surroundings again.
“Here…”
Maeko said, confirming the samurais ponderings while quietly opening the second door to her right.
Hearing her voice, Findel looked up, only to notice three figures standing in the middle of the open chamber. In a way, it was both a relief and a burden to recognize two of the three faces.

“Fang.”
The Basramian said, stepping into the large antechamber. Scanning past Seth and the lion anthro, his eyes fell heavily onto his temporary comrade from Asturia. It was an odd moment to say the least. In the back of his mind, Findel had presumed all of his missing acquaintances dead and buried. To see another one of them in the flesh was, in a way, stirring… in part because he knew Risas tales of the mystic moon would only be further confirmed.

[EvaRobby]

Finally, it happened, Chigusa's manner forced Gwyndolen to fight back. She told them about her fortress, and suffering of sorts. Touji suddenly felt guilty, but at the same time he didn't.

"Oh oh...whats that I hear? it must be the sound of someone buting in."

Suddenly, he had a target. All she'd done is insult him, again and again, it wasn't that he minded being insulted, but the intent to insult was disgusting. She'd attacked him before as well, it'd only be right if he hurt her back as well. He still owed her anyway.

No. He was disgusted by the path of his thoughts. That doesn't justify it, nothing does. When she attacked him it hadn't even hurt. It wasn't enough. He suddenly noticed his hand wavering near his sword hilt and moved it away. He doubted he could have really drawn it in there anyway.

The only outward sign to his struggle was the deepening of his breath though it was too silent to hear, but the resolution of his struggle came out smoothly to all ears.

"Grow up, Chigusa. There are no mobile phone networks, no cars, no planes. Your money and power are all back at home and if you had any of it with you, nobody would really care. You can't just bully people around like your servants and butlers."

A grin flashed across his face, but disappeared the second before he continued.

"I remember you kicking me. I'm still wondering whether I should pay you back for it."

He was sure that he at least had her full attention for that last part. It relaxed him to give her that warning.

[Princess Samari]

"The only thing that's tying the two of you here is this paper-thin 'honor' you hide behind." Chigusa's eyes went flat and poisonous, lip curling into a sneer. "And really, how much honor could you possibly possess, you pathetic waste of amino acids? Threatening an unarmed lady, yes, that just screams honor."

Lips quirking into a dangerous smirk, she folded her hands together. "And please, Miss, continue to complain to me about problems that I honestly have no care for. After all, you've given me so many reasons to sympathize with you. Pity isn't something I can turn on and off like a switch- though perhaps that isn't the right term. I do pity you, you sad, sad excuse for a flesh-pillow. I pity myself more, since I have to listen to the combined moaning of you and Touji."

She seemed to be drawing to a close. "Now, I would finish with a comment about giving you a quarter to call someone who gives a damn, but this backwater, primitive civilization hasn't figured out the phone yet, so I suppose I'll just finish with an impassioned plea. For the love of God, just shut up now and try to maintain some dignity, you pathetic worms."

Then she arched a brow. "Oh, and for future reference, if I'm not addressing you, I certainly don't want to hear your voice. I don't like you and I certainly don't find your 'conversations', if that's what you want to call the primal grunts you string together, at all interesting. So why don't you mind your own business and if I need you, I'll ring a servant's bell."

[Chesta chesta chesta]

“Hey!” Eitre jabbed Touji’s shoulder hard. “Don’t speak to her like that.”

Had it been a couple of days before, Eitre might’ve not batted an eyelid at this, in fact he might’ve even joined in. But this was now, and for him, at least, it felt that they had established a common ground and underneath it all it appeared that Chigusa was a pleasant enough girl.

He wasn’t much of a fighter, the gods only knew why he had even risen to the occasion – not to mention that Chigusa seemed to be much capable of handling the situation at hand – but still…it was out of principle.

“Why don’t you just leave her alone? Chigusa has much more important things to worry about.” Eitre crossed his arms across his chest and snorted. “I know perfectly well how she feels. It’s an awful feeling that lodges itself in your stomach when you’re far from home, when you can’t stop thinking about how to get home.” Zaibach wasn’t that far away from the borders of Fanelia, but again it was the principle. “And you two are not helping.”

When they got back he was so going to convince Tonton that they were his newest bestest friends and see how they liked it. They had no idea what they had gone through. They didn’t know of Chigusa’s abduction, about Cen, about their magnificent escape from Zaibach and they sure had no right to look down on them.

“For your information, I was going to take Chigusa all around Fanelia and show her how special and wonderful this land is.” He shot a glare at the female knight, quickly wondering whether Touji would jump up to her defence again or just roll over. “You are in no position of lecturing her about Fanelia.”

Then there was the story that most Fanelian’s were so familiar with. The story that had had so many young boys cringing at the mere soppiness and girls wondering if anyone would do the same for them

“Also, Fanelia has had an encounter of a girl from the Mystic Moon before, so any answer queries about how to get everyone home, surely is here, and hopefully Her Highness can elaborate on what happened.”

[Hitomi_333]

*Gwyndolin said to Eitre sternly, "I can't believe you call yourself a samurai... picking a fight with a boy like that. Especially in Her Majesty's carriage of all places."

She sighed and looked out the window once more. "Besides, you can take your petty girl wherever you'd like. I have no intention of spending a single moment longer than necessary with her."

Had she been anything other than a knight, Gwyndolin wouldn't have hesitated a moment to elaborate on exactly how she felt about that nasty little girl. But as it stood, she was a kight and had already stepped out of line in what she's said thus far.

Finally the carriage came to a halt. Nonchalantly she stepped out and waited for Touji.

The city was exactly as she remembered it in her occasional travels to town. Clean streets and buildings completely surrounded by green trees. It was hard to believe that at one point it had been entirely burnt down.*

OOC: sorry, I just felt that that carriage ride had gotten awfully long and we ought to do SOME action other than yacking.

[EvaRobby]

<<OOC: Heh. that got interesting. :rolleyes: >>

Touji listened to the others continuing to argue, but he kept quiet now. This is my fault. I shouldn't have said anything He felt frustrated with himself for what he'd done, but there was something liberating about it.

At the same time, Chigusa continued to act like a snob, but the comment he found hardest to ignore was “I know perfectly well how she feels. It’s an awful feeling that lodges itself in your stomach when you’re far from home, when you can’t stop thinking about how to get home.”

He drowned out the voices then, listening only to the sound of his ally's. It was at least reassuring that she defended him. He liked her more after that, but he began to wonder about Eitre. He had chose his side foolishly, he could imagine Chigusa picking any excuse to hate Kaiya. He could imagine Eitre sneaking up on her and killing her as Chigusa's faithful lapdog. Eitre was a samurai, he had the ability to do it.

It was probably a good thing that he hadn't become friends with that man, but he felt he had to watch his back now that he was an enemy. He watched him carefully as he stepped out of the carriage and stepped beside Gwyndolen and tried to think of ways to confirm him as the killer. He tried to gauge his skills too as he glared at him from Gwyndolen's side. He studied his muscles to measure his strength and speed. It would be difficult.

Once he felt safe turning his back on the samurai, he did, and tried to resurrect some of his friendly demeanour. He sighed and asked Gwyndolen simply,

"So, what are we going to do?"

[Kayay]

((OOC: Whee! Conflict in the carriage! That was fun.))

The conversation hadn’t gotten far. Fangolas had just begun his story of his journey to the Mystic Moon in greater detail when a familiar figure entered the room. Seth, still feeling drained from his injury, remained where he was as the nomad walked over to the samurai with an open grin and held out his hand. “Findel, I am thankful to see a familiar face, and in proper clothes at that,” he laughed in reference to the dresses the female Asturian Kayia had made them wear the first time they’d met.

Maeko meanwhile headed straight to Seth. “You have a message for Lady Hikari,” she stated rather than asked. Seth nodded and handed over the parchment Gywndolin had been carrying, and the catwoman immediately broke the seal and scanned the contents. Her eyes narrowed as she read. “This explains a lot,” she murmured, rolled the scroll back up, then bowed to the men. “I must take this to the Heir, but everyone will be assembled to discuss this matter after the coronation today.”

Seth returned her bow as best he could then watched her leave. After the door shut behind her he sat himself down, resting his crutch against the arm of the chair. “Things jus keep getting more and more interesting,” he commented with a smile then seemed to just notice that Findel wasn’t alone. “Who’s your friend, Falor?”

[Phantom Angel]

OOC: I am back! WOOHOOO!


The dark room suddenly went spinning, and Gwira felt how all the contents of her stomach rose up. She fought hard the urge to vomit. Just as soon as the sensation of diziness had begun, it was replaced by one of icyness. Gwira felt her her eyes roll over in her head, and her body fell to the floor with a muffled thump.

A few still seconds passed, during which Foucault continued to hold the poker defenisively. Then, as the fox showed no signs of movement, he approached her still body and took it upon himself to poke her gently with the poker.

Upon contact, she opened her eyes, and took a deep breath, followed by an exclamation of surprise.

"What's going on here? Why am I on the floor, and why are you poking me with that poker?" Dryan asked, fixing her blue eyes on Foucault with concern.

[Kayay]

~~~~Foucault~~~~

“Ah, so you’ve decided to return to the land of the mentally stable,” the tall wiry man joked without humor. “And what’s going on here is you’ve killed your friend,” he continued and pointed to Silvern’s corpse with the poker,” and lunched on his heart, quite a barbaric thing to do even by my standards.”

The sharp smell of sweat and blood and fear filled the room, and Foucault strode over to the window, cracking it open to air the place out. “Much better,” he said to himself then looked back into Dryan’s icy blue eyes. “Now what happens next is in large part up t you and just how good a businesswoman you are. You see, I could summon the city guards. In fact,” he added with a glance out the window, “I believe I see some right across the street, but to be honest I’d rather not get them involved. I have more important things to deal with than some long and messy inquiry, so I’d much prefer we settle this quietly.”

A creak on the steps drew his attention, and the merchant swiveled to see the shopkeeper huddled in the doorway. “S-sir,” she stammered, but he didn’t give her the opportunity to say more.

“I told you to wait downstairs,” he said in calm but cold voice.

“Yes Sir M-mister Foucault b-but I…shouldn’t the guards...”

“I’ll take care of things, so don’t you worry. Now, goto my manor and tell them to send a couple of men here, then you get yourself home, calm down, and try to forget this, all right?”

The woman, still trembling, nodded and let herself my led to the stairs. When he heard her close the door behind her, he went back to the window and watched her scurry away towards his manor house. “She’s a good woman; it’s a shame…” he murmured then faced Dryan again, a broad smile on his thin lips. “Now where were we? Oh yes, you and I were just about to make a deal.”

[Phantom Angel]

"Oh ----.... Gwira killed him." Dryan thought, and gulped in silence, as Foucault bossed his servant around.

Dryan sighed, knowing that she should go to prison for her act. However, Foucault seemed more predisposed to offer her a deal. The fox wasn't sure whether going to jail was a better option that dealing with the business man. He seemed to invoke an air of uneasiness around him. The way he regarded her...

Dryan knew that from now on she would always be at his beck and call. That is, if she did not want to go to prison. Whatever deal Foucault would make her, she would have to take it, and be thankful he's not spilling her dirty secret to the city guards.

"I don't want to rot in prison."

It seemed as though her choice was made, and Dryan sighed in resignation. Gwira had had the bad inspiration to make a scene at the most inoportune of times, and now they both had to pay for it.

"Of course, Foucault must not find out about how mentally instable I actually am."

Ironically, Dryan realised that it would not be possible. He had already seen Gwira at her worst. Perhaps she could avoid telling him about her other personality... maybe feign some other kind of mental insability.

"I'm prepared to listen, what do you want?"

[DrZepp]

Findel smirked lightly, shaking the natives outstretched hand.
"You know, these are free too."
He said, popping out his drooping collar for inspection.
“And you look like you could use a bit of a makeover-“
The samurai leaned in to Fang, but was abruptly cut off by Seths voice.

“Things jus keep getting more and more interesting,”
The Asturian mused, looking right past Findel. The Samurai leaned back, confused for a moment until he realized that he was referring to Ceren.
“Ahh… how could I forget.”
Findel coughed lightly, taking a step away from Fang and smoothing out his shirt. He absently shot a sidelong glance towards Ceren, who was being his usual aloof self near the chambers entryway.
“Basram has sent a watchdog… to confirm Zaibachs activity.”
Findel scratched the side of his head, trying to find an accurate way to describe his homelands internal politics.
“In other words…”
He began again.
“This is the reinforcement.”

[Kayay]

~~~~Foucault~~~~

“I want you to work for me,” he answered. “I won’t require much other than running some errands, keeping an eye on some people for me, and gathering some useful information, and it should be an easy enough task since the people I want you to watch are those you arrived in Fanelia with.” The slick politician’s smile flashed. “I heard the talk from that raccoon man, and I know the legends, and I want to know more about your trip to the Mystic Moon, what you saw, who you met, and who you brought back.” Callously Foucault prodded the dead man with his boot. “Considering what I’ve seen you capable of, you shouldn’t have any moral problems with my offer, right?”

“Of course I’ll see to it that your expenses are paid.” The man look out a small purse filled with coins and hefted it in his hand, letting it jingle lightly. ” I’m a businessman myself, so as long as you understand where your priorities lay you’re free to take any side jobs you like, but cross me and I’ll see you left to rot in prison…or worse, understand?” Even as he threatened the fox a smile remained firmly in place.


~~~~Seth~~~~

He preens more than a woman, Seth thought as Findel carefully smoothed out the wrinkles in his newly acquired attire.

“A one man reinforcement? I’m not sure if this is good news or not.” Resting an elbow on the armrest, Seth leaned against a closed hand in a relaxed posture. I don’t think you ever told us Findel, just what is Basram’s stance on things? Zaibach has already proven it’s hostility by attacking Palas and then the Vale, and all they send is one man? I hope they’re taking this treat more seriously than I think back in your homeland.”

[DrZepp]

Findel kept his gaze on Ceren, hoping that he would actually heed what was being said.
"The council does not realize the threat."
The samurai said, his voice lowering to a more formal pitch
"And i fear that they will not until they see it with their own eyes."
Nodding towards Ceren, Findel made his point loud and clear.

[Endurance]

Guards didn't give a second glance to Ecli and Rankel as the pair paced out of the palace, discussing rather audibly about most trivial matters such as which herb has most effect against pneumonia and how the weather was in Freid last month.

The last herbalist's shop Ecli visited was very small but ordinary, the kind most city dwellers think of as idyllic. There was many window ledges, all occupied with greenery. Some vegetation was even grown on small pots which laid to large shelves. Every flower, herb and pot seemed to be placed according to their needs of sunlight. Because of all the plants air was very humid and contained most overpowering fragnance.

"Well, if this is not good enough for you Dare, then I don't know what is." Rankel exclaimed in irritated voice. They had already checked through a few booths but Ecli had only bought common, bitter tea, even more common curatives and dried spices. That's how it seemed to clueless Rankel.
" This is finest herbalist in the whole city and most expensive too for that matter, if you dont find what you are looking from here I'll be going to get myself a wench, fine sized barrel of ale and a place to stay overnight, got it?"

Rankel got no reply for his guest was already rummaging through the shop fervently. Ecli had intentionally visited many herbalists in order to not arouse suspicions from sellers or Rankel. Most things he had bought were indeed healthy, additions to his own pharmacy but some things he bought were more interesting, outright vile and poisonous of nature. Finally Ecli laid his findings to counter for shopkeeper to see. Ecli took his already way too often used charming smile and addressed the elder woman.
"Very nice shop you have here, wish I could afford one like this someday"

Woman gave a curt nod, seemingly unaffected by Ecli's compliment. Prices, as Rankel had mentioned earlier were astronomically high.

Soon both Ecli and Rankel were walking back to palace, somehow Rankel had managed to buy a small barrel of ale in all hassle, nothing so spectacular if considered what a drunkard Rankel could be at times. Ecli smiled. His newly filled pouch dangled heavily on his belt, it gave him a feeling of security and warmth that even a weapon could not rival.

[Princess Samari]

Chigusa watched Gwyn and Touji walk hesitantly past them with her face a picture of boredom. Their antics had been amusing for about two seconds when they tried to take the moral upper hand.

It was especially funny when Gwyn had tried to accuse Eitre of picking a fight with Touji. She wasn't sure what to feel from the ride... she hadn't expected Eitre to try and defend her.

Chigusa looked over to Eitre and stood dusting her skirt off. She flashed him a very rarely seen smile "Some people are a waste of time arguing with Eitre. You can talk reason with them all you want but the only language they speak is pepper spray in the eyes."

She stepped out of the carriage and streched glancing back in Eitre's direction. "So where are we going first... you said something about a girl from ear- the mystic moon coming here before?"

[Alcestis]

(OOC: GAH SORRY FOR MY LACK OF PRESENCE.... Computer problems yet again... stupid school T3 servers >:P)


Ceren glanced at Findel and then at Seth. "Well, as far as I can tell, the council sees you as some kind of nostalgic wandering nomad" he said motioning at Findel. "You're not surprised by their response to your report are you?" A meager shrug was the only response Ceren got. "Think of me more as confirmation than as reinforcement, but hey, im always up for any kind of ass kicking."

Ceren seemed a bit overly gung ho, but it wasnt really his fault, thats just how he was, gruff, rough, and ready for a good brawl or battle at any time no matter how foolhardy. The trip here was so boring, and he had hardly even used his lance in the past month, he was eager to exert his energy. After he had blurted this comment out however, he noticed the odd response of both of the figures in front of him... weird.... faces? He fiegned a cover "Er... well, its just that I can see your point Findel, and we need to get the council notified of everything right away.... right"

[Eydtman]

This was seriously wasting time. Any second the guards could have figured out that they forgot about him and be on their way right were he was now. He had no time to waste.

"Listen, I had absolutely no intention on being here in the first place, but that was sort of beyonf my control. Now all I wan't are my things back, and to get out of here as quickly as possible. So far none of you have been very hospitable to someone who has travelled to the mystic moon and back, against his wil I might add. Now if you'd just take me to where my stuff is, I'll be on my way out of here and you'll never have to see me again, and then we'd all be happy, right?"

Elisan knew that she disliked him, and figured that if he stressed the point that once this was all over she'd never have to see him again, that she might reconsider and cooperate.

"You have to give a little to get a little." came a tiny voice inside Elisan's mind.

"Listen, how's this? If I take these ropes off you, will you take me to where I need to be?"

[Hitomi_333]

*The general mood was festive, the coronation lightening everyone's hearts. She smiled as a child ran in front of her, chasing a ball.

"What we're going to do here? I don't know how it is on the mystic moon, but I know that in Asturia males over the age of 12 generally don't like to shop... but since you're from the mystic moon, maybe you'd enjoy going to the bazaar. Even if you don't like shopping, I'm sure there are some interesting souveneers. Besides, who knows when you'll come to Fanelia again?"

Gwyndolin looked at the tops of buildings and down the street. "Well, I believe the bazaar is this way," she said, starting down the street.

As if preparing for some reluctance on his part, she added, "Plus, we could see about getting you some good weaponry and equipment for training."*

[EvaRobby]

Fanelia was the name of this apparently beautiful city. The people here looked... normal enough.

Touji hadn't had much of a chance to look around anywhere before then, except for the short time he used to show of his amazing covert ops skills to escape the castle. But even then he hadn't had much of a chance to look around, so now he had the opportunity to look around Fanelia, as if he wanted it in the first place.

He wondered if they had special discounts for the coronation, but it didn't matter.
"I don't have any money. None that'll buy me anything here, anyway."

Touji stopped to think about what he'd said for a moment.

"Then, I guess you're planning on buying the equipment for me, are you? I don't know why though, you haven't known me very long."

Touji wondered whether there was something wrong with the sword he had. He considered drawing it so that he could inspect it, but he decided a street with children running around it wasn't exactly the best place to be waving it around. He looked around at a few scattered stores they passed, which sold varying useless objects. He didn't notice anyone advertising a special sale though.

[Megumi H]

Dream's gaze turned back to her own hands, and she realized again that Silvern's blood was still on them. Shuddering slightly as the gruesome pictures came back into her mind, she stood up and pushed them away. She felt even more uneasy with Aaron watching her. I have to get this off my hands, she said to herself, searching for the water basin.

Oh, Silvern.... Dream felt a fresh pang of grief as she washed. She had nothing left of him but a few memories, and only a few of them pleasant ones. Why you? Then as she dried her hands on a towel, she thought, Why me? Why was she seeing these terrible scenes? Maybe it was the stress of everything she had gone through. Maybe it was because Silvern had been shot right before she had seen Elisan kill the policeman. But it was too real. It was unexplainable, but she knew it was real.

It hurt her head to think about it, so she went to stand by the window again and look out at the sky. There was that blue-green globe. Why is Earth there, and why am I here.. on this... Gaea? And why did they come, and why did Silvern get....

Everything always came back to Silvern. Rubbing her arms as if to rid herself of a chilll, Dream turned her back to the window, her gaze falling on Aaron instead. He looked so unusual.... Dream had heard of albinos before, but was Aaron one? He looked pale, had white hair, and red eyes. Wait, she thought as she studied him more closely, is that one... yellow? Without realizing it, Dream leaned closer and stared curiously at Aaron and his strange eyes.

[Kayay]

~~~~In the city~~~~

Trouble seemed to find Eitre like bees to honey. First he’d been jailed for a bar fight he had nothing to do with in Palas, then he’d nearly been killed in the ensuing Zaibach attack, then he’d found himself alone and stranded in that hostile land, and most recently he had been accused of being a spy and murderer. Things had finally seemed to be settling down, but whatever gods there were apparently decided that simply wouldn’t do, and a distracted, harried looking woman, her light brown hair coming loose from a bun, plowed into him.


~~~~Aaron~~~~

The tables had been turned, so to speak. Aaron, the quiet observer, was now the one being studied, and, surprised by the girl’s curiosity, he took an unconscious step back. She was staring at him, studying his hair and especially his eyes, and it made him self-conscious, and he turned his head.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked, then a thought him, and he turned back to her, staring at her with his mismatched eyes. “Is it…is it that you know something?” He took a step closer to her with an almost childlike persistence. “Do you know something about Escaflowne or Hitomi?”

[Megumi H]

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

A bright red flush spread across Dream's face and she blinked furiously - she hadn't realized she'd been staring. Her mouth opened to apologize.

“Is it…is it that you know something?” Aaron took a step closer to her with an almost childlike persistence. “Do you know something about Escaflowne or Hitomi?”

Dream looked back up at him, surprised and confused. "I-I..." she started as she met his intense eyes. So eager.. so hopeful....


Darkness.

A flash of tainted white.

Darkness.

Two eyes... One yellow, one red.

A pale face....

A reflection...

The left eye was golden yellow while the right was bloody red. The reflection became closer, and a hand touched the surface. The eyes were neither admiring nor fearful of the grotesque being before them, they were fascinated… to see what he had become.

Scars...

A blur.

Darkness...

A voice.

"The Gemini seeks the path of the dragon...."


Dream's mouth formed the words, her eyes unfocused and her hand clenched over her heart. Her other hand reached out, shaking, to Aaron. "The Gemini... seeks.. the path... of the dragon...." she breathed.

[Kayay]

Eyes wide with a look of disbelief, Aaron stepped away from Dream’s outstretched hand. How? She’d never heard those words, unless…unless one of the others had told her, but he knew that wasn’t the case.

“How?” he repeated aloud and grabbed her roughly by the shoulders. Emotion flared in his usually blank eyes, and he gave her a shake when she continued to do nothing but stare bewildered at him. His grip tightened without meaning to. He couldn’t bear it, and a dull pain began behind his right crimson eye as memories began to flood his thoughts again.

“What else…what else do you know? What else did you see?” he asked as he stared at the girl in his grasp and aware of his skin’s competition changing slightly.

[Kayay]

~~~~Seth~~~~

“We should be grateful there hasn’t been a need for any ‘ass kicking’ lately, although this quiet worries me just as much as an attack would,” Seth commented. “Zaibach has a history of making their move when least expected, but what is it going to take, Falor, to get your council to listen, a personal message from King Airien or Duke Mahad?

****

He held a sealed message in his hand. His instructions had been very specific. Approached by a stranger he didn’t recognize and whose face he had already forgotten, the servant had been told to find the Basramian, Findel Falor, and deliver the message to him and no one else, making it clear that is was for his eyes only. Silver coins jingled in his pocket as he walked.


((OOC: A few possibilities are either something draws Findel’s, Crimm’s, Ceren’s, Fang’s, & Seth’s attention to the bedroom, the servant finds Findel and gives him the message, both, neither, etc. It’s up to y’all.))

[Megumi H]

((OOC: "Kiss me, Aaron!" *ahem**cough cough*))

A pair of eyes. Gold and crimson. Those mismatched eyes were closer than ever.

“What else…what else do you know? What else did you see?”

Dream became aware of pressure on her shoulders, and she raised her hands to them, only to find two other hands there. This is real. Words sped to her mouth as soon as this thought flashed through her mind. "A-Aaron!" she cried. "I-I..." She would have answered, but she felt embarrassed to say "I saw you." Her pulse quickened as she looked up into Aaron's eyes. So pained... It didn't matter. "I.. I saw you... your eyes. I saw something white. I-I'm sorry! I only saw flashes!" She shifted her hand to Aaron's wrist. "Aaron... I-I...."

((OOC: I have been stuck on this evil short post for two weeks. Two reasons: one - I burst out laughing every time I read it, and two - I couldn't think of anything else to write without asking questions or making the whole post seem like a romance novel. And that was probably the hardest part. I think it still does sound kind of like a romance post. XD If I added something about pale lips....))

[Kayay]

((OOC: *laughs* But cheese can be fun.))


The pain came again in his right eye, the bloody red one, and Aaron shut his eyes, a flurry of memories playing in his head.

| FLASH |
His heart pounded in his ears.
His vision was blurred by a veil of pale yellow liquid.
There was another nearby…another he could sense was hurt and calling to him, but when he reached out a hand it met only cold, hard glass. He tried to cry out, but it died away in a cloud of bubbles.
| FLASH |

He couldn’t bear it and quickly let go of Dream, wrenching his wrist free of her grasp, and stepped away. For a brief moment he thought he’d have some answers, and hope bubbled to the surface, but now the mask of coldness was back in place as he stared dispassionately at Dream.

“That’s all you saw.”

It was a statement, not a question, but even as he dealt with this disappointment another idea formed, and Aaron reached behind him and closed around the familiar hit of his sword. The blade was still wrapped in the crimson sash Seth had found, and he held it up in front of him, gazing absently at the weapon. With a flick of his wrist he pivoted the blade to rest the tip on the floor with a ‘thunk’, watching the girl intensely as he came to a decision to keep an eye on her in the hopes that she’d see something else.

[Hitomi_333]

*Gwyndolin unsheathed a sword from a one of the vendor's tables partially, studying it's quality.

"Oh, that's a very nice one. High quality, very sharp. With it you could fight of any opponant," the vendor said. A wolf-person with very shaggy brown hair.

Gwyndolin smirked, well acquainted with vendors and their tricks. The sword was obviously of cheap make, crafted by perhaps a ironsmith's assistant at best. It was in no way the work of a skilled artisan.

"This is sloppy work, barely suited for battling farmers. Show me what you have of any value," Gwyndolin stated plainly.

The anthro's brows furrowed. Digging in the back he pulled out a few more swords. Gwyndolin looked at them briefly, not great quality... but good enough for training.

"Do any of these look good to you?" she asked Touji.*

[DrZepp]

"That might help..."
Findel responded wryly to Seth.
"Although, these days one can hardly trust a message to be unsullied by the time it reaches its destination."

The samurai shifted his stare to Ceren, noticing his eagerness to get moving. Findel could not argue with the sentiment, even though he knew it could mean interrupting the coronation.
"And that might explain why... the *ahem*…queen-to-be had no knowledge of Zaibachs attack on Palas."

Findel shifted his eyes from side to side, becoming slightly uptight at the mere mention of Hikari. If he was going to conduct himself properly, he would have to learn to control his presumably illogical reflexes.
“Which should be coming together soon, should it not?.…
…the… coronation that is.”

Now he was just rambling.
It never occurred to Findel that his nervousness was due to the fact that he had never known a women to be in power before. He had obviously known of them, but the concept in motion was still utterly foreign to a samurai from the male drenched regions of Basram.

“Perhaps I should… go prepare then.”
Findel deduced brilliantly, absently glancing down at his pristine looking formal attire.
“… eheh… well then, I shall be… across the hall.”
The Samurai turned quickly, nodding to Fang as he approached the door… yet just as he was about to exit, a soft knock was heard from outside.
Motion seemed to cease altogether as the knock was heard again.
In a simple question, Fang expressed nearly everyones concerns.
“Expecting anyone?”
He asked.
Seth shook his head. Findel instinctively reached for his blade. Another one of those presumably illogical reflexes.
“Maybe you should… answer it.”
Fang suggested, leaning forward slightly.
But of course. Findel was going to mindlessly strike out at the unsuspecting fool behind the door, but seeing who it was first suddenly made much more sense.
Straightening himself out, the samurai reached forward, sliding the tough slab open.
Standing there (surprise surprise) was an unsuspecting fool… looking somewhat shocked to see Findel Falor staring him in the face. The Basram would only realize later that the sudden shock was from finding his target so quickly.

The servant bowed low for a moment until Findel motioned for him to stand.
“Mr. Falor…”
He stated clearly.
Findel raised an eyebrow, almost hesitant to respond, but no retort was in order.
Without another word, the young man handed a small scroll to the Basramian and then quickly turned to go.

[Kayay]

~~~~In the city~~~~

A young boy held a string of firecrackers clenched in one fist and watched people pass him by. He stood against the side of a building in the shadow of a tanner’s stand across from a row or weapons merchants, plotting mischief as little boys do. The heavy hoof beats and groaning of wheels caught his attention, and he peered around the corner of the stand to see the crowds part, making way for a wagon loaded with sacks of manure.

The grin that spread on his face stretched from ear to ear, and the boy pulled a slingshot from his back pocket. Quickly he lit the bundle of firecrackers, took aim, and launched the sparking mass. A series of loud crackling explosions erupted as the string landed by the horse’s flank, and the startled beast whinnied and tried to rear up on its hind feet, causing the cart to rock and threaten to topple. The hitch groaned and creaked, and the wagon rocked precariously towards a surprised Gwyndolin and Touji.

“Look out!” yelled the wolf anthro as the farmer perched in the driver’s seat of the cart struggled to get the horse under control, but the creature ignored his shouts and the tug of the reins, tossed its head, and tried to rear up again, hooves lashing out dangerously and blocking their escape.

Across the street, meanwhile, the child laughed, turned, and ran off unnoticed in the midst of the commotion.


~~~~Not too far away~~~~

“I-I’m s-sorry,” the woman stammered, absently pushing loose strands of hair back. She backed way from Eitre and Chigusa, wringing her hands and looking like she was on the verge of breakdown. “I’m s-s-sorry I wasn’t watching…oh!”

The woman, who couldn’t be much older than thirty, backed straight into a fruit merchants display, sending oranges spilling out into the street. The vendor’s angry cry fell on deaf ears, however, for that was all it took to dissolve the last remnants of her courage, and she grabbed blindly at Eitre and began sobbing into his shirt.


~~~~Foucault~~~~

He grabbed a sheet of cloth and casually tossed it over Silvern’s body. It wasn’t the sight of the dead man and the gaping hole in his chest that bothered him -- after all he’d seen much worse – but it was a distraction when dealing with Dyran, and Foucault wanted her complete attention.

“So what’s your answer?” he persisted and tossed the purse of coins towards her. It landed on the floor within arm’s reach, and he smiled as she considered his offer.

“As long as you don’t cross me, you’ll find I’m a very reasonable man Dryan. Why, I’ll even see that you get a new wardrobe. We can’t have you parading around I public splattered in your friend’s blood, after all,” the merchant finished with cruel humor.

[Chesta chesta chesta]

~~:: Eitre :~~

”Idiots.”

It was safe to say that Eitre wasn’t going to cry over the lack of quality time he and Chigusa would get with their friendly carriage companions.

He stepped out on the dusty ground, wincing at the bright sunlight. Raising his hand to his brow, Eitre first looked confused as to what story Chigusa was referring to, but with a jolt he remembered mentioning that lovesick story. A storyteller he was not, all he could do was to try to tell it to his best recollection.

“Yeah. The story. The girls seem to be rather fond of it, because it’s oh so very endearing.”

Anything that was slightly romantic always seemed to float their boat. Thankfully Chigusa appeared to have much more sense than to go misty eyed over a stupid story.

“I think it must be slightly exaggerated.” Eitre cleared his throat. “A long time ago this girl showed up in Fanelia. They claimed that she was from the Mystic Moon and possessed some mysterious powers, something or the other anyway.”

Who really cared about the details anyway? It was easier to get straight to the point, which was the whole purpose of him re-telling the story. Not to mention that Eitre couldn’t fully remember all of it, like she’d notice if he changed one thing or two.

“It was at the time of the Great War against Zaibach and they too seemed to express much interest in her. There was some fighting. Some people died. Fanelia won, of course.” His chest swelled with pride and felt like shouting, “in your face Zaibach”, but Chigusa stood there patiently in the sunshine with that adorable smile, that Eitre felt pressed to continue.

“And then, she returned to where she came from. Then there was some business with the King, yadda yadda, he went away and then came back – claiming that he had been to the Mystic Moon. I’m sure that it’s neatly chronicled in the Palace, so that they’ll never forget.”

Who knew what lurked within the Palace library. There had to be at least something that would tell the story in further detail, something that would help them.

“So it must be possible for you to return. We just got to figure out a way. You could try to have words with Her Highness. But I suppose that she’d be rather busy up until after her coronation.”
IF Chigusa still wanted to return to her home world.

Eitre was about to lead Chigusa down one of the side streets, the best way to avoid the those vendors who prowled after customers who looked gullible, when a flurry of brown hair almost knocked him over. Taking a few steps back he could only stare with sheer surprise as the girl apologised profoundly and proceeded to cry on his shoulder.

It was way too much female interaction in one day. The Fanelian merely patted the girl carelessly on her back as he mouthed ‘help’.


~~:: Ton Ton ::~~

Ton Ton was fully appreciating his verbal ‘backstage pass’. Perhaps the Palace staff took pity on the large boy with his vacant expression, or they were just scared. Never the less, none seemed to hinder his movements through the Palace grounds and he quickly found a way out into the lavish gardens.

“Pretty!” He had never seen such beauty in one place. His uncle did have a quite impressive flower box but it was nothing compared to the sweet smell that filled the air.

With lulling steps Ton Ton walked down the gravel path, stopping now and again to further expose his senses to what surrounded him. He was at peace with the flowers and the gentle tweeting of the birds. That was until something furry caught his eye.

It was big and had a big fluffy tail. It looked like it’d be the perfect friend. If only it didn’t run so fast. At the blink of an eye Ton Ton dropped everything he was doing and skipped, with his arms flailing high in the air, after the overgrown racoon.

“Wait, for Ton Ton!”

(ooc: Run Wraith. Run!)

[Princess Samari]

"That would be lovely Eitre." Chigusa nodded eagerly wondering when she would be able to schedual a meeting with...her highness or whatever rank the cat woman was when Eitre was suddenly pile drived by a paniced woman.

She mumbled an appology but then had the misfortune of knocking over a vendors display which only seemed to upset her worse and send her flying into Eitre's arms.

What is her problem...?

"Excuse me Miss." Chigusa stared at the sobbing woman who had attached herself to the hapless Eitre and blinked.

"Now calm down and explain to us whats wrong." Prying the hysterical brown haired woman off Eitre Chigusa straightened her and dusted her off. From the looks of her she was probably some stressed out housewife driven over the edge by a careless husband.

[Kayay]

The woman fumbled in her skirt pockets for a handkerchief, but finding none settled for wiping her tear streaked face with her sleeve. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying and she continued to sniffle, but she seemed to have regained some measure of control over herself.

“T-the woman…that fox, s-she…she seemed so nice, b-but…his heart…” She put a clenched and trembling fist to her mouth and bit her lip, about to break down again. In a lost voice the woman continued, talking more to herself than to Eitre or Chigusa, as if the sound of her own voice could sooth her. “I h-have to go to the manor. M-Master Foucault said to fetch his men.”

She plucked at the fabric of her skirts nervously. "I'm sorry. It's not far," she mumbled, refering to the well known merchant's manorhouse.

[Princess Samari]

"His...heart?" Chigusa blinked raising an eyebrow. Obviously this was more then just a case of broken dishes.

Generally it was not in Chigusa's nature to care. Though something tugged at her perhaps, it was the desperation and fear in the trembling voice of the poor middle aged woman, perhaps it was the her almost motherly apperance, but either way Chigusa much like the Grinch proceeded to do something

Very unstylish.

"It's alright." Placing a hand on the woman's shoulder Chigusa looked to Eitre.

"If you would like Eitre and I will help you to this Foucault you are looking for." It didn't seem like they would be going very far out of their way after all.

[EvaRobby]

Touji looked at the swords the wolf-thing was holding out, two of them looked almost pretty. He had no idea whether any of them would be better than the one he had though. He didn't know much about swords, but what would be the point of having more than one?

He pointed at a particular sword that looked like the smith had at least tried to make it look nice.

"I like the look of that one the best, though I guess it wouldn't be as good as it looks, right?"

He didn't know much about swords, but a few things he knew without having to be taught. He paused and looked across to another sword on the wolf's opposite side. It looked about the right length, whatever that was, and would probably be strong. But it could have been made from aluminium as far as he could tell. His finger swung to the new sword.

"That one, I guess. But what's wrong with the one I've got?"

Gwyndolen didn't even get a chance to reply. A loud series of pops made their heads jerk to the left, though it didn't seem to startle them as much as it had the horse in front of it. Touji watched the wagon as it wobbled precariously. He began to back away, but finally it began to topple. He ran - backwards.

[Megumi H]

((OOC: Cheese can also be sticky. And I have no idea where we're going with this cheese thing.))


The pain in Aaron's eyes echoed in her own. It tore at her heart and made her want to cry in desperation. As he cast her hand aside, she felt more hurt for him than by him. The thought that she barely knew him never occurred to her. She just wanted to find some way to alleviate his pain. "Aaron.." she whispered softly.

But his voice was cold again. "That's all you saw."

Aaron, what is this pain?

"Aaron," Dream began, but stopped as he drew his sword around. That terrible memory of weapons, death and hurt came back to haunt her. "Aaron," she said in a soft voice, "please put that away."

Her head hurt again. She put out her hand to lean against the window frame, and raised her other hand to her eyes, rubbing across her face as if to blot out the scenes. Instead, there came more.

~
"Do you know who this is?" A man gawked at him as he danced around merrily. He moved away to allow the one behind the glass to see his newest creation. He wasn't responding so the man knocked on the glass furiously. "Look, look, I want you to see this!

All he could hear was the faint sound of his heart beat mixed with his breathing.

"That there... see that sword right there? That's your brother."
.
~
.
A case, the glass clouded with the passage of time stood before him. Inside lay a sword connected to tubes and wires, the blade resembling a grim face, smiling mockingly. He stared at it for a moment, unable to shake the feeling that it was watching him rather than the other way around. Was it laughing at him?

He stepped back, fingers tracing the engraved letters of a dusty label. “Abel,” it read. Feeling drawn to it, he scavenged around the floor and found a long piece of pipe. As he swung it forward, the glass shattered and tinted water cascaded onto the floor along with fragments of the shattered case. Tearing the blade free of its wire bindings, he admired its grotesquely beautiful physic.
~

Dream sank down on the window sill, feeling weak, confused, and scared. "Aaron," she said in a shaky voice. "Why do you carry that around?"

[Endurance]

(OOC: Impervious&stand-alone fairy-tale, which surprisingly has nothing do with fairies and their kin alike.)

The room was silent in eerie way. Only audible sounds were coming from occasional splashes and from his silent althought regular breathing. Light coming from the windows high up on the walls mocked shadows that lingered on far-corners of the room. loops of steam rose from the warm water only to quickly dissolve into cool, stagnant air.

"I don't get it how she disappeared like that, well she is an agent like me but still we were supposed to work together" Ecli shook his head furiously to forget Cen, After all it would be something he was supposed to do in this situtation. He would not get help from here now that she had disappeared like a rainbow on warm weather. Some dark suspicions had also aroused when he had removed his garments only to find that his communicator, only convenient way to report his success, was missing.
"A hundred curses on that wench if it was her doing"

Finally, after countless of minutes water started to cool down. Ecli raised his submerged hand from the water just a few inches away from his face. It was wrinkled from moist. "I.... my hand will truly turn like this if my condition gets any worse. I could just suddenly collapse and never recover from it ever again" His life indeed was a cruel and twisted mockery, his occupation chosen out of necessity and most horribly he was good at what he was doing. Ecli rose and let excess water dribble into sink on floor before wriggling awkwardly into his black outfit and finishing wholeness with his scholarly robe.


Rankel's smile greeted Ecli as he entered into his temporary quarters.

"Took your time, eh?" slightly intoxicated Rankel asked "Your potion's already cooled down but at least I managed to brew it per your instuctions. I am not a curer like you but I sure hope it became digestable."

"You did fine Rankel" Ecli walked straight to Rankel and gave only a glance to absent-minded glance to reagent pouch on the table before lifting a small vial of test liquid high up into air. "This one doesn't even have a name as far as I know. It's a slight upgrade to my own recipe but let's hope it has some potential"

Rankel's eyes widened and his smile turned to uncomfortable grin and his voice laced with worry. "Maybe you should be not drinking that then.... it's not tested by anyone, right?"

"Soldiers of fate never surrender Rankel, neither should I" Ecli replied without hesitation. With that he quickly swallowed contents of the vial, grimaced and gave a glance to Rankel. Rankel eyed Ecli worriedly, fully expecting boy to drop to floor and writhe painfully in most gruesome manner. Tension was broken by one phrase. "Bitter, need to add little sugar next time."

[Kayay]

~~~In the city~~~~

“Thank you. I have t-to tell them what happened and...” She cut her sentence short, realizing maybe she’d said too much. Foucault didn’t seem to want to get anyone else involved in what happened at the shop, but the woman was a near wreck, and the promise of some friendly company was very appealing. “It’s only a few blocks away, and they’ll know what t-to do.” She took a couple of shaky steps down the street then stumbled again.

((OOC: Foucault lives in a rather large house in a well-to-do portion of town with servants, of course, but other than that, you’re free to make up the details.))


~~~~Aaron~~~~

Not long ago Aaron would have turned away. He would have dismissed the girl and walked out without a word, but the past few days had changed him, bringing up old memories and creating new one, and he stayed. Abel still in his grip, he stared at Dream, leaving an unsettling silence in the room. Why did she care? Why did she want to comfort someone she barely met?

What are you so afraid of? Why don’t you want anyone’s help? I know that finding your brother and your origins is important to you, and, whether you like it or not, you’ve got several people who are going to help you. Seth’s words came back to him. Naïve and persistent he thought the knight was, and he didn't like to feel vulnerable or pitied, but there was something else, something he couldn’t put his finger on about the knight.

"Aaron, why do you carry that around?"

Memories of the massacre flickered in his mind, and Aaron flinched almost imperceptibly. “My past is of no concern to you or anyone,” he said automatically, shooting the girl a cold look and gripping the hilt of his sword tighter. “And this,” he looked from Dream to the sword, “is all I’ve got. It’s part of my past.”

((OOC: We're playing it by ear, which is the most fun imo ^^.))


~~~~Seth~~~~

Findel was definitely popular of late, and Seth got up to walk – actually more like limp – over to the samurai. “What does it say? Is it from Basram?”

[Hitomi_333]

*"That one, I guess. But what's wrong with the one I've got?"

Gwyndolin started to answer, when a series of loud noises interrupted her. Offhand, it sounded like a series of explosions, a scared horse, and yelling. She couldn't take her time to figure these sounds out though, as a wagon wobbled precariously towards them. Everything moved quickly, but according to her trained eye she knew what was going to happen and could react quickly as well. Normally her first reaction would have been to get out of the way, but at the moment she had someone else to look after.

"Lookout!" she yelled at Touji, practically throwing herself in front of him in an effort to protect him from the crashing wagon. She managed to push him out of the way enough, and barely escaped a major injury from the wagon herself. Instead her ankle was trapped under it, and manure soiled her pantlegs.

Great. Simply wonderful.

"Well, we got out of this one, more or less okay," she said to Touji, wherever he was, as she tugged on her ankle. Stuck. Things got better and better. -_-;;*

OOC: I'll edit out anything, if you have problems with it. However, this is how Gwyndolin would react, I believe.

[Princess Samari]

"Careful..." Chigusa sighed and walked alongside the confused woman. This was going to be even more trouble but maybe she would at least get some networking done.

"So... whats your name?" Chigusa looked back to Eitre waving him to follow. She wasn't going to be stuck with the mission all alone.

[Megumi H]

((OOC: People tell me I have a good ear. *swabs* :squeak squeak: ))

His answer came with sudden animosity. “My past is of no concern to you or anyone,” he said, giving her a look that could freeze molten glass and gripping the hilt of his sword tighter. “And this,” he looked from Dream to the sword, “is all I’ve got. It’s part of my past.”

"If that is true," Dream blurted, "then why do I keep seeing what seems to be your past? Why did I see you and that sword?" She paused and took a deep breath. "I don't know what this pain is, or why I'm seeing all these things, but we both have questions about them, and I don't think I can answer yours without asking some of mine, and since everything seems to be about you, you must have more answers than I do. But if I start asking questions, they'll only lead to more questions." Dream stopped and gave a faint sigh. Were they going anywhere at all?

Searching Aaron's face, she added, "Of course.. it would probably help you more than me, so I think I can live without answers."

[Kayay]

~~~~Aaron~~~~

“You see things?” He’d heard the legends. The kindly wolfwoman had told the tales around the hearth, and he’d listened as intently as the other children, and he was curious that here was someone who allegedly saw things as the girl from legends did. But he was also filled with trepidation. Yes, Aaron had changed since he’d first stepped out from the shadows and met Seth, but much also remained the same.

“I don’t have any answers. All I have are questions. I woke not knowing who or where I was, and only this,” he said referring to the sword, “was familiar…somehow.”

People still insisted on hanging around him and helping him. Fools, Aaron cursed in his thoughts. “I only wanted Dryden’s journal. I didn’t want anyone to get involved with me,” he muttered with contempt. Of two minds, he enjoyed having people like Owen, Seth, and Risa around, though out of stubbornness as well as concern for their safety he wanted them as far from him as possible.


~~~~In the city~~~~

The dark haired carriage driver had seen it all. Eitre and Chigusa were already long gone, but Gywndolin and Touji were still in sight. She snickered to herself then carefully smothered her expression before tying the horses' reins ot a post and making her way to the toppled cart. Carefully she picked her way around the piles of spilled manure, not wanting to get her polished black boots dirty, then looked at the trapped knight and her young charge.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

[EvaRobby]

Touji tumbled from Gwyndolen's push and reached out with his hand to stop himself. His hand ran along the ground as his momentum slowed, then his weight hit the ground with a thump as he travelled further along the ground. He paused, still on the ground for a moment as his thoughts caught up. The side of his leg felt to be burning, but the pain was only slight.

"Well, we got out of this one, more or less okay,"

Touji turned to see Gwyndolen lying on the ground nearby. She was looking at her heel, which was held down by the weight of the cart.

He lifted the hand that had taken the brunt of his fall. It didn't hurt at all and it looked just as well as it felt. He pushed himself up and walked next to her, resisting the urge to limp. He looked at his hand again as he wondered how it had emerged unharmed. He brought it to the hilt of the sword and drew it slowly. He stopped for a moment to examine the blade. It looked sharp enough. He'd only used it while training on his own, so he hadn't hit anything with it yet.

He looked back to Gwyndolen as she wiggled to free her leg from under a hidden piece of wood.

"Um." He looked to the pile of manure. "I think that I should cut it. The wood, I mean."

As he thought about her leg being trapped under there, he suddenly remembered being taught about all of the varous kinds of germs that hid inside poopies. Her ankle would probably be grazed, too, which would mean she would be exposed, too.

He appraised the pile of manure again.

"I don't think we can wait until enough of this is cleared for us to lift the cart."

He paused, expecting Gwyndolen to reply, but instead a voice came from behind offering help. He turned to the woman behind him and smiled weakly.

"Well, if you've got any better ideas."

He turned back to Gwyndolen and rested the tip of the sword on the open ground, still waiting for a reply. It was her decision.

<<OOC: I've been practicing my writing too much recently. Gawd, compared to my previous posts... :heh: >>

[Hitomi_333]

Gwyndolin tugged at her leg a bit more, in hopes that she could squeeze it out from under the cart. It was hopelessly stuck, the cart simply had to be moved.

"I don't think the farmer would appreciate you cutting his cart. I'm sure it can be moved. Perhaps if you tried lifting the corner, I could free my ankle," she said.

Gwyn likewise ignored the girl. Judging by her frame, she could hardly be expected to insist in lifting the cart. But then again, the farmer had yet to be found. Surely he'd be of some assistance.

Finally she turned to the dark haired girl. "It'd be most helpful if you found the owner to this cart, madame."

Until then, there was nothing left to do but hold tight.

OOC: heh, what can you expect from me?

[Ekaterini]

((OOC: We're heeeerre! Sorry about taking so long, minna-san; my summer's been rather busy. ^^; But anyway, from Freid now entering: Risa, Owen, Idein, and Erth!))

"Coronation?" Idein wondered as he watched the farmer who had just informed the newly-arrived party of that day's coming events leave. So, Princess Hikari's finally ascending the throne. The silver-haired young man gazed reminiscently at the city spreading before him and his companions. I haven't been here in a year.

Risa spoke up. "This is your 'ome, ain't et, Brighteyes?"

Idein nodded. "Yes, I'm Fanelian. And so is Owen if I remember correctly." The younger man grinned back at the 'melefslayer riding with Risa on the gelding. "'Home sweet home.'"

Turning back to the sprawling city, Idein looked off to the left. "Down that way beyond the city limits is my father's farm and where I grew up."

Risa looked at Idein curiously. "You're a farmer's son?"

Idein smiled gently. "I am. The son of a horse farmer actually, hence my ease with horses. I mean, we don't breed great prize horses, but we have a few fine beasts even the military buys. Epos is one of those horses, however I trained him especially for myself, right from a spry little colt." He patted his steed's glossy neck. "But for the most part they are plain, good working horses, some being more visually appealing than others. They're ideal for carriages and cabs, the plow, anything really, and a customer can ask for a horse to be trained with more emphasis for a certain use."

The wind blew fresh and frangrant through the newcomers' hair as they gazed over the open, green-yellow fields at the green, sandy-brown, and red kingdom below them; moths and other grass insects floated lazily in the breezy air. The effect was relaxing for the four travellers who had ridden all the way from Godashim, Freid.

Erth, who sat behind Idein on the samurai's black warhorse, looked off to where young man had said his father's farm was located. "That way Idein sir's house? An' famly?"

"Well, my house yes, but no, no family. I'm afraid my parents have been gone for some years now. And since becoming a Fanelian knight, I've left trustworthy personnel in charge of the place in my absense, then I check up on things when I happen to be in town."

Owen, though not normally given to prodding into other people's business, was curious, and began with the statement, "You're not around here often I take it."

"Well, to give an example, this is the first time in a year that I've returned."

Upon this affirmation, the older man went on. "What's a young man who's a Fanelian knight, and therefore must have only recently received the samurai title, doing wandering around from country to country apparently without any orders?"

"Pardon?"

"You told us you were a wanderer, and I must say you act as such. But Fanelia doesn't just let her samurai go wherever whenever; are you AWOL?"

A grin split Idein's features, and the youth chuckled. "No, Owen, not AWOL. I suppose you could call me a wanderer; I did say I that travel from place to place wherever the winds take me. However those *are* my orders. I'm a scout, one of five of my kind actually, and we chosen knights go here and there, taking note of this and that, then report back in a few months. It's just a small precautionary measure the military has taken; heh you don't need to think that I'm part of an elite group or something, though there were certain qualifications."

With that the party continued to the city gates. Suddenly curious but somewhat hesitant, Risa asked Idein, "Brighteyes..is tha' somethin' you should ha' told us? 'Bout you bein' a scout?"

The young samurai thought for a moment before replying. "Well, I certainly appreciate a little secrecy in my occupation, but I suppose you have honest enough faces if I asked you not to blab." He winked at his companions.

Owen gave Idein a little grin back. "So you've been observing us huh? I can just imagine how interested your commanding officer will be about this wild goose chase you've found. Zaibach, Mystic Moon people, Zaibach attacks, Aaron; the list goes on and on."

"Well, I suspect the party that left ahead of us on the leviship is already taking care of much of that with whomever it concerns at the palace. As far as whatever else I've gleaned about you all, how about this: in exchange for you keeping my little uncommonly-known job known by only three more people than it was a few moments ago, I'll only report what Fanelia needs to hear without getting into the messy bits. You tell others *your* details at *your* discretion, I'll tell others *my* details at *my* discretion."

Risa, who had become a little nervous when Owen pointed out how much Idein could tell about them, relaxed again. "Thank ye, Brighteyes. Don' worry, we'll keep your secret."

Idein laughed, though in a way that made the others wonder at its meaning, and said, "Don't worry, I'm not always so distrusting. I believe you."

[DrZepp]

“What does it say? Is it from Basram?”
Seth questioned as Findel slowly opened the scroll.
His eyes wandered for a minute before responding. To say the least, the message was unsettling.

“Yes…”
The Basramian said, hesitantly at first.
“Well… yes, but.”

His fingers rubbed against the papers edges, trying to decide if he should run after the messenger boy or not.
“I would rather not speak the words aloud.”
Findel slowly moved his gaze from Ceren to Fang to Father Crimm… His words were undoubtedly making their curiosity stronger, but the message seemed intended for the samurais eyes only. Although difficult to admit, Seth was the only one Findel really trusted to read the text.
“Here… you may see for yourself.”
He murmured, folding the item neatly in half. Seth nodded, stepping forward.

The Asturian reached out for the scroll, when he felt another quick palm snatch it out of Findels hand.

“Well, if you wont….”
Cerens sly voice trailed off as he peered down at the scroll.
Findel furrowed his brow.

The new recruit peered up at his superior with one eye closed, clearing his throat lightly.

“Sir Falor…”
He began, exaggerating the tone of a noble man.

“You and I are both loyal nationalists who recognize the council as the bureaucratic shortsighted fools they are. A danger that threatens our country is stirring, and soon a decision will have to be made and sides chosen. What side will you be on?

When the time comes, one of my people will contact you.”

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus sneered at her captor's offer. Beneath it's seemingly innocent covering, she sensed an ulterior motive which, to her, did not seem good.

"How do I know you're not going to kill me if I take you to your stuff?" she asked scornfully. "After capturing me, gagging me, and tying me up, I really don't feel inclined to help you right now. No offence meant," she smirked to her captor.

[Eydtman]

"The truth is, you can't know. You don't know me, nor do you know what I am capable of, and any attempts made by me to try and persuade you into believing I am as harmless as a kitten would only further your distrust of me. However, I have been honest so far about all of this, whether my actions be rather crude doesn't mean that I'm not true to my word." Elisan said rather casually.

"The only thing I want right now is to get out of here. I'm not too thrilled with this place as it is right now, and the sooner I get out of here the better, and the sooner you are rid of me. Now, should you choose not to take me where I wish, I cannot guarantee your safety. I would have to find someone else to take me, and I very well could not leave you free to run around and inform the guards. So it's in your best interest, and the best interests of possibly one of your friends should you refuse me, to do as I ask."

[EvaRobby]

Touji frowned as he looked at the cart again. Maybe Gwyndolen was right. It probably only needed to be lifted a few centimetres or so for her leg to be let out.

He winced at the thought of sticking is hands around in the pile though, searching for the part of the cart that was best to grab.

He lifted his sword back off the ground and struggled to put it away. He uncomfortable weight returned to his belt.

Touji walked to the side of the cart, trying to step in as little as he could, but in the end it was unavoidable. His shoes became covered in the muck. He stared at the pile for a long moment, then glanced at the girl who'd offered her help. He wanted her to help now, here, but he didn't have the courage to ask.

He wondered whether Gwyndolen would still get the sword, now that it was now probably coated brown. Her pants were pretty covered too, like his shoes, like his arms soon would be. He watched the pile, gathering the courage to reach inside.

He pushed his arms into the pile, and tried his best to ignore the variations in texture and the feel of it between his fingers. It didn't take long to reach the wood, but Touji felt a little sick.

He tugged on the wood. It didn't move. He pulled harder. He felt it lift slighty, but before he'd had a chance to really try he let go. He had to force himself to breathe in the smell. Then he pulled hard on the wood.

As the cart began to lift from the ground, and Touji's face turned purple from suffocation, his only thought was how much he preferred his idea.

<<OOC: Don't you people get any ideas about the terms "wood" and "pull". :sweatdrop I can't think of any real way to write it that won't lead to Kayay twisting it. Damn. >>

[YellerCrakka]

Owen fealt a little uneasy at Idein's recent confession. He was pretty well versed in the military ranking and special assignments in samurai ranks from his past life, Idein's story didn't really fit. He didn't let it bother him too much. Owen has been out of Fanelia for far too long to be the authority on anything still, but something still didn't seem right.

Silent and observant, Owen followed Idein's lead back into their home country. Fields of grass that refused to change for more than five years spanned out to woodlands Owen was too fimilair with. Nestalgia hit Owen and sank directly into his chest filling him with a comfort he has been without ever since he ended his search for Aaron in Palas. Chills poured down the center of his spine and slowly spread through out his back and scalp till Owen began to forget about their main objective, or at least HIS main objective: making sure Aaron hasn't caused too much trouble.

[Kayay]

~~~~In the City~~~~

“Ye ain’t gonna get very far like that lad,” drawled a short, stout young man with a mass of thick curly hair. His skin was deeply tanned from long days in the field and he looked strong and able bodied.

“I’m t’rrbly surry. Damn’d kids gonna b’getting’ so’one h’urt one day w’their ‘armless pranks. Now, y’old tight there ma’am an I’ll go see t’Mac. Figure we kin calm ‘im down an me an some ‘ere some folk can lift this mess offin ye.” The farmer turned to the dark haired carriage driver and removed his dusty hat. “Ye look like ye know y’way wit a ‘orse, an I ‘eard ye offer ye ‘elp. I could use a hand w’Mac.”

She nodded and followed the man to the front of the overturned cart where the nervous horse pawed the ground. Whispering soothing words, they unhitched the beast and led it away from. The farmer returned to Gwyndolin and Touji’s side minutes later.

“’Ere now,” he called to a few in the crowd of curious onlookers. “Stop ye gawkin’ an give us a ‘and.” Two men quickly scurried over, positioning themselves along the side of the toppled cart. The young farmer stood by Gwyndolin and bent to grasp the edge of the cart, and tensed. “Ma’am, when we lift, ye friend best pull ye’ out from under there. On th’ count of three boys,” he called out to the other men.

“One…two..three…”


~~~The shopkeeper~~~

She’d heard of people being unable to recall the simplest things in the middle of a crisis, but the shopkeeper, who considered herself a very sensible, steadfast woman, always thought she’d be the one to keep her head. However, now she blinked owlishly at Chigusa. “M-my name? K- Kate, miss,” she stammered and clung to Eitre’s arm as if that was the only thing keeping her knees from giving out form under her.

“Thank y-you so much, Miss. You’re very kind.” Slowly she was regaining control of herself as they neared Foucault manor. They had barely reached the building, however, when the front door swung open and a very big and very unfriendly looking man stepped out. He raised an eyebrow at the trio but said nothing. Kate looked about ready to faint.


~~~~Risa & Erth~~~~

They’d entered the section where merchants and businessmen resided, and with every step that brought them further into the city Erth grew more and more nervous. His tiny body began to tremble, and he pressed close against Idein’s back.

“Ach, wha’s th’ matter laddie?” She reached across the gap between the horses to ruffle his messy headfur, but the anthro child buried his head against Idein’s back and whimpered.

“Faster,” he mumble into Idein’s back. “Wanna go faster. Don’t wanna stay here. Bad place here.”

While alone on the road he’d opened up considerable to them all, even Owen, proving to be an outgoing, energetic child at heart. But now he withdrew into himself again, and Risa’s heart went out to the frightened child. “Dunnae ye worry Erth. No one will hurt ye ‘ere.”


~~~~ Dryan~~~~
((OOC: Phantom Angel will be away for a month, so I’ll be RPing Dryan in her stead.))

”Damn!” Dryan kicked angrily at a stone in the street, sending it bounding along the cobblestones. ”I don’t want o be working for him!”

But I don’t want to rot in jail either, the fox reminded herself before her temper got out of hand and Gwira took control. It was because of Gwira, after all, that she was in this current mess, indebted to that sleezy merchant for who knew how long, but at the same time she couldn’t stay mad at her alter ego. Gwira was a part of her, and it was because of the cat that Dryan was a survivor and not just another victim. I could run away. I have enough money now that I could buy a ticket on the next leviship and slip back to Egzardia before anyone missed me. But even a she thought of that, she dismissed the idea. Something about Foucault told her he wouldn’t let her go so easily.

”.. as long as you understand where your priorities lay you’re free to take any side jobs you like, but cross me and I’ll see you left to rot in prison…or worse, understand?”

She understood him perfectly, and the last thing she wanted, besides being locked up like an animal, was to be hunted down like one for the rest of her life.

She hefted the pouch in her hand Foucault had given her in her hand, coins clinking musically. At least he’s was paying her. He didn’t have to even do that much, but as a businessman he knew that gold was just another way to assure her loyalty. Foucault had called her his “new employee” after Dryan had reluctantly agreed, but in truth she was his servant…his slave.


~~~Seth~~~
((OOC: I lied. I couldn't think of a longer post for Seth so I just added to this one. *dies*))

The uncomfortable silence that filled the room after Ceren’s reading of the letter was broken by Fangolas’ clearing of his throat. All eyes turned to him. “That was interesting.”

“Interesting doesn’t do it justice,” Seth added.

Was there unrest in the council maybe or a rebellion stirring amongst the ranks? With Zaibach snapping at their heels like a hungry dog, Gaea’s nations couldn’t afford to be embroiled in internal conflict. The message was purposely vague, but he hoped the Basramian had some idea what it meant and turned expectantly to Findel.

“Any idea who it’s from and how serious this is?”

[Princess Samari]

She would have to try and remember the womans name later. Sighing in relief when they reached the door Chigusa began to knock but was surprised when a large burly looking man beat her to the punch. Catching Kate's horrified expression Chigusa rolled her eyes.

"Excuse us" Then proceeded to bustle the imposing figure aside making room for Kate.

"We're in a hurry."

[Kayay]

~~~~Dryan~~~~

Gywndolin was a familiar face. Dryan remembered the blonde woman from Palas and the leviship shortly before the incident that transported the fox and her companions to the Mystic Moon, but the boy by her side she didn't know. She pursed her lips. Should she join them or head back to the palace alone. She had technically escaped, and even if she slipped back in quietly they'd be questions to answer when she returned, but she had to return now. She hadn't a choice. Perhaps, however, it would be better if she were to be in the company of a knight.


~~~~Aaron~~~~

"The girl of legends, Hitomi, saw the future. I told you, I don’t have any answers, only questions and riddles and memories, so what is it you see? What do you know of my past and this?" Aaron's gaze slid from Dream to the sword.

Suddenly his demeanor changed. He'd seemed sad but also on the brink of opening up, but now he grew colder and more distant. Without warning or provocation, he raised the sword and pointed the tip at Dream. "I could kill you. I could kill you at any time. Aren't you afraid of me?"

[Hitomi_333]

*Gwyndolin slipped her leg out from under the cart quickly as they lifted it. It was a great relief to be free. She looked at her leg briefly... her ankle had a few scratches and was bruised, but it didn't appear to be broken.

She stood up and winced as she put her weight on that foot. It definitely hurt, if nothing else. However, she was resolved not to allow anyone else see how much it pained her. There were tiny explosions in her head with each step that she made, but she tried not to let it show.

"So... how about we go back to the palace now. Sadly enough, I think I'm done with my shopping now," she said to Touji, as if this were typical. Tapping her foot on the ground, manure slid off of her pantleg and boot. Being covered in manure, cleaning up sounded good.

"Hmm... we'd better find a carriage," Gwyndolin said. She didn't particularly feel like walking back.*

[Megumi H]

((OOC: Well, I'm back. Anyone miss me? *extra bows and offerings for Kayay* Look, I brought you Apache-made food from AZ!))

A chill sprang up her spine at the flash of metal. Slowly, Dream looked at the sword, then just as slowly, raised her eyes to Aaron again. In a steady voice she answered him. "If you were to kill me, would the memory of it haunt you as these have me?" Dream looked Aaron straight in the eye and added, "Would it heal your pain, or would it be another one to bear?" A moment of silence hung between them. She could feel her heart thudding heavily in her ribcage, and she could feel a familiar dizziness tease her head, but she didn't trust herself to close her eyes.

She spoke again. "Aaron, I have nothing but these flashes for you. I don't know what they're doing in my head; I don't know what questions they may answer, or what riddles they may solve, but if they can help you, I'm willing to stop asking questions and tell you what I saw. Will you put him down a moment and sit down and listen?"

[Alcestis]

Ceren stood there and scratched his head like a dog with too much activity going on to understand. He knew what the letter said was true, that the council would never do anything until they absolutely had Zaibach riding down their throats... and that was the greatest disturbing factor for Ceren. I've worked my ass of my entire life to get into this damned army as a pilot, and they wont even fight to defend themselves

"Ive got Ideas.... A couple of them actually." Ceren said with a concerned but wry grin. "The council is getting fat.... fat and lazy... I serve Basram yes, but not a bunch of slothful bureaucrats. There is a movement in Basram, underground, but still a movement of anti democracy during times like these. Many many wealthy nobles with silver spoons up their asses are actually donating to its cause, and its growing in size daily. Sure, the council isnt aware of some of the things happening, but the Army listens to your letters Findel, and so does the public, if they ever get a peek."

[Kayay]

~~~~Foucault’s Manor house~~~~

“H-hey, wait a second!” stammered the man who obviously wasn’t used to people so completely dismissing him then barging into the house. The man’s imposing appearance was significantly decreased as he hurried after Chigusa with Eitre and Kate in tow. “You can’t just waltz in here! Aw, come on, I said wait...please?” Despite his brutish appearance, the man firmly believed one did not rough up womenfolk. Besides, they made him nervous.

A couple more stone faced men appeared at the foot of the flight of stairs in the foyer. The first man, his voice bordering on a whine, looked pleadingly at them. Don’t just stand there. Stop them, his eyes said. Idiot, their scowls said back, and the men, who looked so much alike they could have very well been related, stepped to intercept Chigusa, Eitre, and the shopkeeper.

“What do you want?”


~~~~Dryan~~~~

“I’ll take you back.” The dark haired driver offered. “I’ll come back for the other two afterwards.”

”Why don’t I give you a hand too,” added Dryan. She stood a few feet away. Her nose wrinkled at the smell of the manure smearing the knight’s clothes, but she stepped forward and offered the woman her support as the driver went to fetch the carriage.


~~~~Aaron~~~~

For a few seconds he stared coldly at Dream. “I didn’t say I would kill you. I said I could kill you.” The sword lowered. The tip dug into the wood of the floorboards, and Aaron leaned heavily on it. He looked tired, and although her intensions were good, the girl’s kindness grated on nerves already rubbed raw. I don’t need your help.

Frustration, confusion, and anger bubbled up inside, and he could feel another presence inside, whispering that he really hadn’t changed as much as he thought. He was still naïve and stubborn and a danger to them all. I'll be waiting for you. I know you'll find me, it said softly to him.

A slight wave of vertigo washed gently over him, and he blinked to clear his head. “Tell me then,” he intoned as he sat heavily on the edge of the bed. “Tell me what you remember.”

[Princess Samari]

"We're here to see...um.." Chigusa looked to Kate trying to remember who it was she was so in need of seeing.

"Focall or something along those lines. Kate here had something she needed to discuss with him and I really don't feel like being delayed." She was after all, a very important and very busy girl. Perhaps not on this planet but certainly on her own.

"We'd be very happy if you would take us to him right away." Hopefully they would get the lead out and move along. Chigusa didn't have all day to waste.

[Kayay]

~~~~Manor House~~~~

“He’s not here.” Big guy number one glared down at the two women and Eitre while big, nearly identical guy number two crossed his arms and glared with him.

“N-no, she doesn’t have it quiet right,” Kate managed to find her voice. “M-mister Foucault is b-back at the shop, and he said to have a couple of men sent there.” She wrung hands and looked nervously about. “May..may I go now?”

“Of course you may go now,” interrupted a cool voice from the foyer, and a thin man dressed in black from head to toe entered the room with a serpentine grace. He removed smoke colored glasses and tucked them carefully into his breast pocket.

“You there,” he said to the man who’d answered the door, “take the lady home, and you two go to the shop and take care of things there.”

Kate looked anxiously at the merchant, however, and he gently guided her away from Chigusa and Eitre and towards the door where her escort waited patiently. “Don’t worry. Everything will be properly taken care of, so go home, have a cup of tea, and relax. Try to forget this entire unpleasant experience.” The woman nodded, murmured her thanks, and let herself be led away. The remaining two men followed, leaving Foucault along with Chigusa and Eitre. Shrewd eyes regarded them, and his lips curved into that slick, cold smile.

“Thank you for helping Kate. There was an unfortunate accident back at her store that unnerved her.” He dipped his head and bent slightly at the waist, strands of limp black hair curtaining his face. “My name if Foucault, merchant and guild representative. What can I do for you to express my thanks, Miss…?”

[EvaRobby]

<<OOC: Sorry I took so long, I suddenly became really busy with school and dodn't even have a chance to warn you people. So yeah... I'm not exactly sure what I can make Touji do now... >>

Toji suddenly felt like everything was happening around him, and somehow he'd become lost. People were talking to each other, sometimes even talkingto him, but somehow he still felt like he'd stopped existing somehow.

It was a slight shock to see the foxwoman at Gwyndolen's side. He still wasn't used to seeing "anthros", even after making friends with Kaiya, and this one was closer than usual. But that was't what shocked him. Somehow he'd imagined himself being a friend and helping her up, but he'd been so lost in the action that he hadn't noticed she was actually injured. He had to stop himself from staring.

Somewhere in the mess, he remembered someone going to fetch a carriage, to take them to where they could clean themselves up. With the foxwoman at Gwyndolen's side, he couldn't imagine any of her needs not being looked after.

"Are you okay?"

He could think of no place better to put his eyes, so he lay them at his feet as the world continued to rush around him. He would have smacked himself on the head if his hands weren't disgustingly dirty.

[Megumi H]

((OOC: Dream: "I see... London, I see France...." Ahhh, nevermind. Many apologies for that burst of stupidity.))

Dream's heart continued to pound painfully in her chest, and she went to sit in the chair facing the bed. She closed her eyes for a moment, wincing at some brief pain, then began.

"The first thing I saw," she said, "was a big flash of white, with something else on the whiteness, like some kind of liquid, or... I don't know. After that, I saw you... your eyes... you were staring at your reflection in.. in something. I saw scars-" Dream flushed pink, and lowered her head. "I-I saw scars in.. in your skin. Everything grew blurry after that.... Then I heard a voice. What did it say... 'The Gemini seeks the path of the dragon.' What-" Dream stopped herself. "I'm sorry. I promised not to ask questions."

She straightened in her chair and continued after a brief sigh. "I saw a whole mix of scenes... I'll try to go as much in order as possible.

"Someone behind glass... or inside it. A man outside the glass was trying to get the person in it to look at a sword. The man said... something about the sword.. being his brother." Dream paused, her eyes flickering to Aaron for a moment, as if watching for a hint of an explanation.

"So... then I saw a glass case with a sword inside. There were all sorts of.. of.. weird.. wires and things attached to it. It was called... Abel. Then someone- it couldn't be anyone but you- smashed open the glass with a pipe and took out the sword.

"And that's all I can remember," Dream finished, pressing her knuckles against her forehead. I'm surprised I could remember.... she thought silently to herself. "My head hurts," she murmured softly.

[Endurance]

"All beds are already reserved for more important guests" explained one of the maidservants in apololegtic tone. "We DID have extra beds but they too are in full use for the whole week, awfully lot of unexpected guests just like you, see?"

"What? Am I to sleep on cold floor then? or perhaps on the benches outside, eh?" Ecli struggled to keep his miffed expression while at the same tilted forward and stared straight into poor handmaid's brownish eyes. "At my current state ANY bed will do"

"I..I..." the maid stammered and blushed vigorously. "If.. if it's alright I'll prepare a hammock for you. Actually, I'll bring it right away so you don't have to remind anyone else about it. Master Rankel's room, wasn't it?"

The maid left in hurry. Hallway was almost silent again. Rankel had suggested to Ecli that he could visit the library, which was supposedly almost as good as the one in Freid. Ecli dismissed the whole idea altogether because he had no time for such exploration even if there would be a slight chance to find rare tomes and scrolls. Rankel's own bookcase had to suffice for now.

What am I going to do then? According to Rankel I still have plenty of time at my disposal. Since Ecli had gained his new orders from Zaibach he had been at first, fully focused to gain a hold of particular book called 'Dryden's journal. Suddenly he had been ordered to establish a contact with another agent, who had disapperared like a puff of smoke.At that time his orders had also changed a little bit. For reason or another he now had to kidnap an girl from the mystic moon as well. The whole situtation was most fascinating. There was way too many questions without answers and there was only one good place to get them.

Ecli set his course towards guest chambers.

[Hitomi_333]

*"I'm fine," Gwyndolin said reassuringly to Touji.

She didn't want to have to rely on anyone, but she allowed the anthro to help her to the carriage once it came. By now she could tell that her ankle had swollen and walking on it became increasingly painful.

Being stuffed in the carriage, while covered in manure... she counted the seconds until they'd get back as she stared lazily out the window.*

OOC: sorry, I didn't have much to say if I didn't move on... this is a crappy post, but I'm feeling a bit uninspired and wanted to post something. Btw, I wasn't sure if Dryan was going with them or not...

[Kayay]

~~~~Dryan~~~~

”I remember you from Palas.” Dryan would have offered her hand to shake, but the foxwoman didn’t relish the thought of getting more filth on herself. With a smirk, however, the stench reminded her of the fool Elisan and his delicate stomach. Unfortunately, that then reminded her of those she’d been cooped up with in the palace.

”Silvern…I killed him…oh ----, I really killed him.” Dryan gulped and forced the rising panic away, focusing instead on small talk with these two humans.

The merchant anthro touched the paneling of the carriage’s interior as the vehicle headed towards the palace. “Nice,” she said appreciatively. ”So you’re all royal guests of some sort?”


~~~~Aaron~~~~

“Some of that I remember. Neither of us knows much more than the other.”

Aaron shut his eyes tight as visions of his own came unbidden. He drew in a shuddering breath as a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Shoulders sagged and heart pounded. No…

He staggered to get up.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus spun her head around to look at her captor. "You want to get out of here, do you? Well what makes you think that the rest of us don't? You think we want to spend the rest of our lives stuck in this hellhole going nowhere? And another thing--" She bit her lip. Hard. She had already said too much. Turning her head away, Aethaeus looked down at her bare feet and aimlessly kicked them on the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust.

A thought suddenly occured to her. "What do you mean, in the best intrests of one of my friends?" she asked, puzzled?

[Megumi H]

"No, I guess not...."

Dream rose and would have gone to the window, but Aaron's uneven breath made her turn to look at him. He seemed off-balance and in pain. She stepped towards the bed, worried that he might fall.

"Aaron? What's wrong?"

[Ekaterini]

As Risa, Owen, Idein, and Erth entered the city gates, the crowds of people grew thicker, and the travelers had to guide their horses through the throngs with more care. Risa, unaccustomed to riding through city streets, choked up on her reins and nervously hoped that the gelding wouldn't step on any passing feet. Idein noticed her discomfort and called back, "Don't worry; most people will yield for carts and beasts. Just keep a nice, even pace."

Risa had her mount follow closely behind Epos. "Whur are we 'goin', Brighteyes?"

"To the palace. We'll be able to join up with your friends there finally."

The wolf-woman nodded. "Fin'lly is right."

And I need to check in with Captain Rieken, Idein thought sheepishly. I've been gone a bit longer than I should have been. He gazed up between the rooftops at the royal towers in the distance.

***
"Thank ye, Brighteyes. Don' worry, we'll keep your secret."

"Heheh Don't worry, I'm not always so distrusting. I believe you."
***

The last of his, Owen, and Risa's previous conversation replayed in the young man's mind. *Do* I believe that they won't say anything? Idein knew that he shouldn't have told his companions about his being a scout, but them telling anyone probably wouldn't cause much of a problem anyway. A scout is merely that, and any one of the knights involved in the situation could pose as a potential reporter to his or her respective country. And feeling uneasy after telling confidential information is natural.

Hah.

Somewhat sadly, Idein knew in his heart that there was more reason for his doubt than that. Trust was no longer an easily established thing for him.

Behind him, Erth nuzzled himself into the young knight's back, and Risa turned her motherly attention to the bony little child once more. He whimpered something about going faster.

"You ok back there, Erth?" Idein asked over his shoulder.

The anthro shrugged noncommitally, and Idein felt the small bones of the child's shoulders through his tunic and undershirt. Must feed him up, the knight gave himself a mental note. With Erth's movement however, the chain link still attached to his collar made a little *tinkle,* and the image of the engraving upon it appeared in Idein's mind. That in turn brought him back to the reason for his trouble with trust...

In the meantime, Owen was running out of patience for riding. He slouched lower and lower in the saddle behind Risa and gazed wistfully at the taverns and food stands they passed. Finally he tapped the wolf-woman. "Um, are we gonna get a bite to eat anytime soon? If we wait until we get to the palace, we'll probably end up waiting even *longer.* First we have to get admittance, make a few introductions maybe, a reunion.."

Idein smiled despite his gloomy thoughts. "Never argue with the reasoning of a hungry man."

Owen grinned back. "Hey, I'm better at all those things on a happy stomach. Aren't you?"

"Undoubtedly."

"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Owen brightened immediately.

"O'hen," said Risa, "ye shore you're 'ungry? We et the last uv our supplies b'fore ent'ring th' city gates."

"Hmph. Pitiful amount that was. Aren't you hungry?"

"Well, not gretly.."

"How 'bout you, Idein."

"Sorry, not me."

"How about Erth there?"

No response.

Risa sighed then half-smiled as she addressed Idein. "Well, since I s'ppose I could use a likkle snack too, I'll take O'hen for summat t' eat. You two kin ride 'round iffen ye like. We'll meet later."

"Do you know your way around?"

Owen waved the pair on Epos off. "I live here too, remember? Don't ye worry. Now let's get some grub!"

Risa, after caressing Erth's head, carefully spun the gelding around, and she and Owen disappeared into the market crowd. After a moment, Idein nudged his horse on and said to the child still hiding his face in the young man's tunic, "Well, shall we go?"

[Eydtman]

Obviously she didn't understand what he had implying when he said that it would be in the best interests of one of her friends, and he didnt really feel like explaining it to her again. He was however suprised to hear that she was hinting at the fact that she didn't seem to want to stay here either.

"Well if you don't like it here so much, why don't you just leave and go somewhere else?" Elisan asked her. "Obviously you shouldn't stay somewhere where you don't want to be."

Elisan looked down at his captive, she didn't seem any more willing to help him than she had before, perhaps this new discovery would tip the scales in his favor. "Listen, it doesnt sound like you want to stay here so how's this? If you help me like I've asked, I'll help you to get out of here."

[Kayay]

~~~~Erth~~~~

Erth watched Risa leave wistfully, and began to whimper without realizing it. Two of his would be protectors had just left, and what if Idein decided Erth was just a burden and he’d enough of the clingy boy too? I be good. I promised. Bad people around. Don’t wanna go back. I be good. The spunk and rebellion glimpsed on the road was gone. So afraid the boy was of being left behind in a city that held only unpleasant memories, that he’d have done anything Idein asked.

The boy turned his head to the side and blinked owlishly up at Idein. “W-we? Dunno. Anywhere Idein Sir wants t’ go Erth happy t’ go too.”

As they passed the business district, along the side of the road the boy caught sight of two large men dressed in identical outfits. Far from friendly looking, people gave them a wide berth. Erth’s eyes widened, and tiny hands clutched tighter to Idein’s tunic. “Anywhere Idein Sir wants s’fine,” he repeated.


~~~Aaron~~~~

“Get away,” he managed between breaths, bringing a hand to his mouth when a series of coughs interrupted him. Spots of blood flecked his hand, but he wiped it away on his the crimson fabric covering his blade.

No, not again.

“Leave,” he hissed at Dream.

"Aaron, what's wrong?" the girl repeated, becoming more concerned. She stood frozen to her place, a thousand thoughts fighting for dominance in her mind.

I’ll kill you.

Dryden’s journal pressed against his side in the pocket of his coat, and the hilt of Abel held tight in a white knuckled grip. Drowning in this inner conflict, his eyes were unfocused, but she didn’t leave. She didn’t run like she should, and Aaron suddenly lashed out at her, grabbing her by the throat in a viselike grip. He wasn't choking her, not yet, but squirm as she might, Dream couldn't break free.

Pathetic.

“These hands...” he trailed off, an unfamiliar glint in his eyes, but it wasn’t the girl’s face he was looking at. It was his own hand that grabbed his attention as if it was something foreign.

Suddenly Aaron's fingers were around her throat. Dream's own hands wrapped around his wrist instinctively, but she couldn't free herself. What's going on? she thought frantically. "Aaron.. you said.." she breathed, scanning his strange expression. He didn't say he would kill me... but he didn't say he wouldn't, either.

Her words fell upon deaf ears, for now Aaron’s attention was drawn to the sword in his other hand. “Abel,” he whispered almost lovingly.

“Aaron, let her go!”

He looked to the door where Seth stood, leaning heavily on his crutch. The knight was hardly a threat in his condition, but the look in his eyes and tone of his voice were hard, unyielding. He’d left Crimm, Fangolas, Findel, and Ceren in the other room to check on Aaron and Dream. And thank the Gods I did. But his relief was quickly offset when he caught that look in Aaron’s eyes again, so much like what he’d seen in the hangar on the leviship to Freid.

"S-Seth..." His name hissed from Dream's throat. "Stay back."

"Aaron," she pleaded again, her voice quivering. She lowered her hands from his wrist and let them hang loosely from her sides. "What's going on?"

For a heartbeat his grip loosened then tightened again. The mask Aaron wore had shattered, and emotion flickered across his face. “What’s going on,” he said in a low voice to Dream, “is you should have listened to him.”

“Aaron,” Seth began in a more cautious tone and moved towards the pair like one approaching a wild animal, ignoring Dream’s plea to stay back, “let her go.” For a frighteningly long second Seth thought Aaron might hurt he or lash out with his sword again or make a break for it, but the ashen haired young man stood still.

"Listened to whom?" Dream's voice grew flatter and she stiffened.

Gold and red eyes narrowed and Aaron jerked Dream closer, his hold around her neck unrelenting. "You should have left when he told you to."

It was too much like what had happened in the hangar and Seth reacted, grabbing Aaron's sword arm. Aaron twisted to face the knight, disgust in his eyes, but he didn't release the girl. The Draconian was strong, and the knight was injured. If Aaron chose to, he could cut Seth down easily, but he hesitated and stood still as a statue except for the tale tell rise and fall of his chest and stirring of silvery gray hair. Then the pain came again, the thudding of blood as it pumped through his veins, and the blurred vision. He felt at the same time hollow and crowded, as if some part of him was being forced out even as another part was tenaciously holding on. Finally, his fingers relaxed, and Dream was freed.

The girl promptly dropped to the floor. She brought her hand to her throat briefly, as if to reassure herself that Aaron had let go. Tears came to her eyes and she had no idea why. Her thoughts once again refused to obey her, and she sat trying to decide whether or not she should fight the tears. When she finally gave up, they streamed slowly down her cheeks, and she looked first at Seth, then at Aaron, then at Seth again. For the dozenth time, she asked no one in particular, What's going on?

“It happened again Aaron. You could have killed her.”

For a moment Aaron looked into Seth’s steel blue eyes before the former pulled out of the knight’s grip. No…

“I know you don’t want to hurt people, but you can’t push people away forever. Talk to me.”

“You’re a fool”

“I know,” Seth smiled wryly, “and you, my friend, are a stubborn idiot.”

Friend? Aaron blinked and stared at the knight. That was the second time Seth had addressed him as such, and the young man might have been even more surprised if he knew how the knight avoided the label. Aaron then lowered his gaze and turned his back to Seth and Dream. “I’m sorry,” he said.

Seth looked from Dream to Aaron, not sure whom he was more concerned for, but he let Aaron be for now and dropped to Dream’s side. “Are you all right?”

"I'm.. I'm..." Tasteless tears ran into her mouth, and she sniffled and turned her head. "I don't know." She brought a sleeve up to wipe at her lips. "I.. I just..." She bit her lip, then looked up at Seth with her watery eyes. "I just wish I knew what is going on."

Seth put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “We all do.”

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus snorted. "Sure," she said sarcasticly. "I take you to your weapons and you're going to just help me get out of here. What makes you think I can't get out of here by myself anyway? If you think I need help to get out of here, then you're badly mistaken."

[DrZepp]

Findels head turned down, Seths question remaining unanswered as he slowly exited the room.
As soon as the Asturian was out of sight, Findel snatched the text from Cerens hand, fumbling to stuff it down his tunic.
"And you know nothing of this?"
The Basramian shot out as an afterthought, becoming visibly frustrated at the situation.
The others stirred uneasily, half of their minds already wandering towards other matters. With the coronation so close, the last thing palace security needed was Basramian radicals wandering the halls.
Findel furrowed his brow, trying to disguise the thought that two Basramian radicals already were wandering about.

“I have a request.”
The samurai said flatly, turning towards father Crimm.
“You are of some rank, no? Then perhaps you can assist me.”
Findel cleared his throat, sending another sidelong glance towards Ceren.
“I would like to be assigned to Hikar-….”
He paused.
“…-to the Queens security region, for the time being.
If there truly are intruders in the palace, then we must take every measure to weed them out.”

[Ekaterini]

Idein silently regarded Erth as he guided his horse down the street past a smokey stand where spiced meat was being roasted. The anthro-child was obviously afraid of something, but what? The fact that Risa was leaving? But he began acting oddly before she and Owen left. Something here?

The samurai discreetly checked around them for anything suspicious, anyone possibly following them. People seemed to be merely going about their business, and none of the faces he saw now were faces he had seen around him earlier. Well as far as I can tell there's nothing unusual.. except maybe those two brutish-looking men. I wonder if Erth can smell something threatening.

"Hey, Erth?" he asked in a soft tone, his head still facing forward and nonchalantly scanning the crowd. "Erth? I can tell something's bothering you. But I can't do anything about it unless I know what it is. Would you tell me what's frightening you? It's alright."

[Eydtman]

"Then why are you still here?" Elisan asked. "If you seem to dislike it here so much, and you are capable of making it out on your own, then why haven't you?"

This was taking entirely too long. He had hoped to have been atleast on his way out by now, but this woman was still holding him up.

"It would almost be faster to try and find my things on my own," Elisan thought to himself.

(OOC: I know it's short >.>; but :P )

[Fairybane]

"Hmmmm," rumbled the Lion monk, resting his square jaw upon his fist as he politely waited for Findel to finish before speaking. "I am but a peaceful servant of the heavens sir knight. I shall tall you right now that it is rather...unorthadox to assign foreign guardians to Fanelian royalty. Especially, the future queen herself." At first the monk seemed content to stop there, but his eyes flickered briefly as if a sudden thought had occured to him. "Sir Falor, it is true that I hold no power over the decisions of the sword here, but if you speak to the Lady Maeko, perhaps you can convince her of your suspicions... She is very protective of our young queen though, perhaps if your tongue is gilded--"
Crimm's pointed ears suddenly twitched, craning from within his tawny mane as the lion-man's face grew suddenly intent.
"Excuse me a moment," he apologized, getting to his feet rather abruptly. With powerful strides, Crimm returned to the door that Seth had just moments earlier passed through.

He was relieved to see that while not everything was well, it seemed to be getting better as Seth, Aaron and Dream stood close in the center of the room. The sharp eyes of the lion-man quickly zeroed in on the drying tears on Dream's cheeks, and the ghastly sword grasped by Aaron's hand. And while Crimm instinctively felt the urge to bare his teeth and claws and forcibly disarm the pale man, intuition told him that it was unecessary and could furthermore, aggravate the situation which seemed to have settled itself.
"I was just checking to see if any of you had need of refreshments," stated Crimmius, bowing slightly at the trio. "If so, I can fetch for a servant."

[Kayay]

~~~~Erth~~~~

“Don’t like place. Don’t like crowds. Bad memories here. Dark places here.”

He was getting increasingly nervous, hands fiddling with the collar around his neck. The two men he’d been eyeing paused in front of a shopkeeper’s door and one man turned, his gaze seeming to fall upon the anxious anthro, and for a moment Erth’s breath caught in his throat. He recognized the man, he was sure of it, and the boy worried the man recognized him before the pair slipped inside the shop and locked the door behind them.

“Erth would like to go somewhere else if would please Idein Sir.”

He paused. He wanted to ask something, but was afraid, yet he had to know and swallowing past the dryness in his mouth, the boy found his voice. “Mister Idein Sir, you…you won’t leave Erth behind?”


~~~~People at the palace and stuff~~~~
((OOC: I’m writing so much cheese lately I have a hankering for nachos.))

Fangolas had never been schooled in the formal ways of nobles and what to do in such an awkward situation. The society he grew up in was much different from the one enclosed in the sheltered walls of the palace. He wasn’t good at small talk or politics or careful navigation of the conversation to less touchy subjects, either, so rather than open his mouth and say something stupid, he did his best to appear not to be listening at all, carefully examining the carpet or the table or the door which was now opening. The door? He drew himself up as the Lady Maeko, as if on cue, entered with a servant girl in tow.

She stopped in the doorway and looked suspiciously at the men, who in her opinion looked much like guilty children. “I came to see the girl and see that she’s properly dressed for the coronation,” she explained, and the servant woman stepped forward bearing an armful of clothes. She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow at Fangola’s outfit. “I’ll see to it that you’re found something suitable as well.”

Fangolas bowed in thanks as Maeko motioned the servant girl to go into the bedroom.

****

“Oh!” The girl edged around Crimm’s imposing form, then stopped and stared at the odd scene before her. Laughing nervously, she dropped into a curtsy as best she could with her burden. “I’m here to help the young lady, but if I’ve come at a bad time, I can return later.”

“No, it’s all right,” Seth assured her.

Aaron, meanwhile, watched in tense silence. He could sense the apprehensive hostility from the lionman and shrugged it off, but he’d had enough. He’d shared more with the girl Dream than he’d intended, although most of it was vague and confusing, and he’d had his fill of company, so without a word he brushed by Crimm and left he room.

“I’m sorry Dream. I have to talk to him, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

****

In the next room Seth caught up with the young man and placed a staying hand on Aaron’s shoulder. Considering what’d happened the last time they’d been alone it might not have been the wisest decision, but it was time they talked. “My apologies, but we have to discuss something in private,” Seth hastily apologized to Findel, Ceren, and especially the Lady Maeko before he and Aaron left.

((OOC: Yes, Seth and Aaron are now wandering the halls again, a common hobby in palaces.))

[Hitomi_333]

*Gwyndolin was hesitant to give out much information to the anthro, even though she was kind and helpful enough. It's always the silver-tongued ones who decieve you,' she thought. She did seem familiar though. Having met a great many people, she wasn't able to put her finger on it though.

"Yes, we're royal guests. Of little concern though, especially considering the coronation and all. Nothing too exciting, you know how it goes. Staying in the palace is a might nicer than in an inn though," she said very plainly. 'Great, that sounded suspicious. Now I've probably got her convinced that we're important, even though I've been given the roll of nanny.'

"Do pardon my stench... one doesn't really choose to get hit by a cart of manure. It's just a shame to foul up this nice carriage. I guess it's a good thing that I didn't dress up today... I'd only planned on doing a bit of shopping. Didn't get a sword for the boy either," she said. Her incessant chattering was part of a plan to continue to sound plain and simple. It's a might better than suspicious. If she thought that constant chattering was a character flaw of hers, perhaps she'd let it pass.

'Just listen to me, suspicious about the anthro. She's probably not done a thing. I'm going crazy. Perhaps the fumes are getting to me-- I do hope we get to the palace soon.'

[Ekaterini]

"Dark places here." He's certainly got that right, Idein thought, further convinced that Erth was closely connected to the
owner of the symbol on his collar.

The young man replied reassuringly to his small companion. "No, Erth, I won't leave you behind; you're safe with me. However.." Idein paused, suddenly deciding on a course of action. "I would like your help with something."

Erth responded with questioning expression.

"Well, I'll explain more later," the samurai dismissed the subject, "when we're not sitting on a horse in the middle of town."

Turning Epos down a side street, he continued toward the Fanelian castle and livened his voice. "I need to make a stop at the military barracks, alright, Erth? I'm due for a report to my commanding officer. We'll just leave Epos in the stables, and you can rest in my quarters while I go take care of things."

"'Kay." Erth relaxed a little.

In a short while, the palace loomed above them, and Idein veered off to the side toward the barracks and royal military station. The guard towers and battlements were an imposing sight to Erth, but he took some courage from Idein's everyday demeanor. After the young samurai explained to some watchmen that he was on his way to report to Captain Rieken and that the anthro-boy was under Idein's strict care, the pair clopped through two sets of iron and stone and mortar gates into the outer courtyard. To the right stood the large stable. Now dismounted, Erth clutched Idein's tunic hem and followed closely as Idein led his steed past a grassy paddock into the airy stable.

"Sir Idein!" A bright-eyed squire, about fourteen in age, hailed from down an isle and hurried to meet the knight.

"Matt, take Epos for me and clean him up and feed him. I have some business to attend to." Idein passed the boy the reins with a nod.

"Yessir."

"This way, Erth."

The two walked back out into the afternoon air and across to another set of gates. Erth, really beginning to fear the depth of the fortress-like station, hugged closer to Idein's heels.

"It's alright, Erth," Idein solaced his charge. "You'll be fine here with me. Here, the barracks are this way."

Ignoring odd glances from passing soldiers and knights and stiff guards, the pair proceeded past the main building of the compound to the barracks adjacent to the building's wings. Erth chanced a peek at the big main structure as they passed it. The facade, though for the most part unadorned, had a severe and staunch aura, like the face of a massive general. He looked away.

Up a flight of wooden steps, Idein and Erth entered one of the barracks. They found the samurai's quarters down a couple hallways, next to the quarters of another cheerful samurai who greeted them as he left his room for duty. Like most of the other rooms, Idein's quarters were simply but neatly furnished: a bed in one corner, a writing desk with built-in drawers and a matching wooden chair, and another chest of drawers for clothing. Plain, pine green drapery lined two windows looking westward over the inner courtyard.

"Here we are," chimed Idein. "Get some rest while I'm gone; go ahead and use the bed. You don't look like you would, but nonetheless don't go wandering about. Stay in here, and I'll be back in an hour or so, ok?"

Erth, having chosen a spot on the bed spread, nodded and attempted a thankful smile.

"Alright." Idein smiled back then left, shutting the door behind him.

[Kayay]

The place was so big and Erth had no desire to venture from the comforting confines of the man’s room. He’d seen the palace from afar, the buildings towering over all others, but never had he dreamed he’d be so close nor inside, and it frightened his some. Idein, however, wanted his help. Here was a chance for Erth to be useful and he felt a surge of hope for no matter how many times Idein assured him with words, doubt lingered in the boy’s mind. But one lessen Erth was sure of was that if he was useful he was safe.

Thus, for a time the boy sat on the bed with his legs tucked under him and looked around the room. Then, cautiously, he flexed his legs and bounced a little. A smile spread on his face. The mattress was soft and springy, and he tried it again. The boy smothered a small laugh then looked around nervously again, but no one had heard him and he relaxed.

He sat still a bit longer. The room was cozy for all it’s Spartan decorum and as the sense of security built so did his childlike curiosity and restlessness until finally the latter won and Erth scampered off the bed. He investigated every nook and cranny, desk, chair, chest, the space under the bed…everything. Then, as he was looking behind the drapes like a child playing hide and seek, he got up on tiptoes to look out the window.

“Pretty…”

[Princess Samari]

"Only if you have a magical escape route to earth..." Chigusa murmered under her breath looking away from Foucault. She had seen his type before. Slimy buisnessmen who preyed upon halfwits and scared girls.

"No thanks is needed really. We were only too happy to help... Kate out. Sadly we must be on our way." Grabbing Eitre's arm Chigusa nodded to the merchant and walked hastily to the door.

"Have a nice day."

[Endurance]

Ecli walked down the hallway in his peculiar and silent way. Only audible sound he made was slight shuffling of his robe and rapping sound of his sandals. He arrived to guest quarters just to see how one of the nearby doors opened and familiar pair stepped outside from one of the chambers.

Struggling to keep his feigned smile for a little longer Ecli paced forward and addressed them as formally as he could.

"Sir Seth and Aaron! What a pleasant surprise this is for me to meet both of you here." Ecli bowed slightly "I really hate to intrude like this, but I was just wondering if you'd by any chance know where guest chambers of this palace are located?"

[EvaRobby]

<<OOC: Sorry for disappearing. My computer like died, so I spent days fixing it, and many more days catching up on homework I'd failed to complete because I was fixing the computer... Grrr. Actually... do'h. I'm going to have a little trouble coming up with a post anyway.>>

Touji groaned and stared at nothing. He ignored itches he wouldn't dare scratch and they seemed only stronger because of the fact. He wouldn't risk spreading the manure any more on himself than he had to though. He preferred not to think of it at all, but he had nothing comforting to think of. He was in a foreign world, with foreign people. He was covered in poop. His friend had been murdered. He reasoned that he'd probably be murdered too as well. Poo-covered fingers were the least of his worries, but still...

"Gwyndol- Gwyn, I think I need a change of clothes more than a sword."

[Ekaterini]

Having left Erth in his quarters, Idein proceeded back out to the courtyard and across to his destination: the main building he and Erth had passed moments earlier. There, he would find his captain's office.

Up a set of smartly hewn stone steps and past another pair of guards, Idein entered the large building from which hung banners bearing the Fanelian crest. Within the balconied main entrance yet another large flag with the same marking hung proudly upon a high wall. The young samurai, his boot heels tapping against the stone floor, took a left down one of the officers' wings. In contrast to the spacious entrance, the hallway narrowed to a more practical appearance, and, though sufficiently lit by oil lamps, fewer windows spilled forth daylight. Taking a last right, Idein turned into a short hallway where Rieken's office was.

"Well, well. I thought maybe that horse had finally thrown you and you broke your neck." There was a big grin in the voice.

"Throw me? Hah," scoffed Idein and grinned back at the young knight who had just exited one of the offices. He wasn't much older than Idein, and his mossy-colored hair fell to above-shoulder length.

Throwing a friendly arm about Idein's neck, the knight went on. "A little late, aren't you? Tsk, tsk, and you normally follow orders so well, Idein. Where've you been?"

"Well, it's not like I wasn't busy."

"Ohhh, really? Find a conspiracy? Smuggled goods in our borders? A giiiiirrrl? Did you by any chance bother to look for one of those?" Here the man began rubbing his knuckles into Idein's scalp.

Smiling, Idein ducked out of the other's hold in one movement. "I'll look when I feel the need for a relationship." Idein clapped his friend's back with a hand and teased, "You, Quijana, I think might have entirely too much need. Refresh my memory; how many significant others have you had now?

Still grinning, Quijana struck a romantic pose. "Hey, a knight without his lady is a like a body without a soul."*

"Wow, you must have had quite a few personalities these past years."

"Get in there and make your report," Quijana laughed. "We'll discuss your hopelessness later."

The two waved and parted, Quijana continuing down the hallway, Idein donning a serious expression and entering his commander's office. Captain Rieken was sitting at his desk and writing on a page of parchment. He was a fairly tall man, of average build and features strong, particularly his hazel eyes which stared oddly out at their surroundings. They had a knack for making people shut up. Rieken's flame-colored hair, though short, curled haphazardly around his head. A few brown freckles dotted his nose.

When Idein opened the door, the officer glanced up momentarily before returning to writing. Still looking down, he said dryly to the samurai, "I thought that was you out there. Welcome back."

"My apologies, Captain. There were a few more points of interest I wanted to look into these past few months. And these past two weeks were particularly intriguing."

Rieken placed his quill pen upon the desk, put the parchment with stack of similar papers, then leaned back in his chair.
"Well, let's hear what you've seen then."

*((OOC: Little off-topic silly sidenote: those of you who have seen--or listened to--Man of La Mancha might recognize this line. ^^ You might also recognize Quijana's name..))

[Kayay]

~~~~Foucault~~~~

“And where are you headed in such a hurry?” Foucault followed them to the door, that false smile still on his face. “Are you sure you don’t want any refreshment, or, at the very least, let me send an escort with you.” How much did they know, he wondered. How much did the shop woman tell the pair? The woman was loyal enough to keep her trap shut, but these two could be troublesome.


~~~Seth & Aaron~~~~

Aaron looked annoyed, and even Seth looked less than pleased to see the scholar. They’d just started their conversation when it was interrupted, but it seemed every time he seemed close to getting the truth from Aaron, someone or something got in the way.

“Scholar Dare? I’m the one who should be surprised. I thought you’d stayed behind in Freid.”

Beside him Aaron shifted restlessly, clearly not in a mood for small talk with the scholar. The red of dyed leather was glimpsed beneath his coat. It was the journal.

“We just left our rooms,” Seth continued. “I’m sure they’re not the only guest chambers here, though. Are you staying for the coronation, or did the Duke send you on other business?”


((OOC: The coronation is in a few hours, i.e. as soon as I see a good opportunity for it, at which point stuff happens.))

[Lady Fanel]

"That's none of your business," Aethaeus snapped. "Besides, I thought you were supposed to be threatening me, isn't that what you do?" She felt the muscles in his arms tense up, pulling the ropes binding her tighter. "You're all alike," she muttered under her breath. "Every single one of you."

((OOC: Sorry, not feeling very creative today.))

[Eydtman]

"You're really to stubborn for your own good you know." Elisan said in an annoyed voice. Convincing her was going to take entirely too long so he decided that he'd have to move things along on his own.

"Y'know, this woulda been so much easier had you just agreed to help me, but instead you sat here wasting time that could've been spent getting the hell out of here." Elisan said. "I think i'll just go and search on my own now, but that leaves me with problem... what exactly should I do about you? I can't exactly leave you to run around and alert everyone now can I? So what exactly do I do with you?"

He could tie her up, gag her and leave her where they were now, but if he did that, someone could come across her and free her and she could tell them everything that had happened. It seemed to him that the best course of action would be to take her with him. That way if he did happen to stumble into any trouble along the way, he'd atleast have a hostage with him.

Elisan gripped the rope that he had tied to her tightly in his hand and yanked on it. "So I guess that means that I'll just have to be taking you with me." He said as he headed back towards the palace halls with the makeshift leash in hand, and her in tow behind him.

[Kayay]

The guard had been doubled. They patrolled the city, their numbers especially dense on the palace grounds, watched the city gate, and her personal entourage in dress uniforms would be no more than a sword’s breadth away at all times. Every precaution had been taken.

As the heir looked out form her window, shading her eyes against the bright sunlight, she could see the people making their way to the area below the balcony where she’d be crowned. Flowers and ribbons and banners were everywhere, and in the streets the people buzzed with excitement as an air of festival vibrated in the sky.

Hikari turned away from the window and enjoyed this last bit of peace. She’d chased away the dressers and handmaidens to give herself a little breathing space, and Maeko would be seeing that her guests from Freid were brought to the viewing platform for nobles, dignitaries, and the high priests. The heir took a deep breath even as that very same excitement infectiously seeped into her veins. She would be heir no longer. Today she would become Queen.

*****

“Everyone’s in position.”

“Wait for my signal.”

“Yes Sir.”

[Ekaterini]

The report--notes of the activity of other countries, observations of activity at the country borders, reports of little skirmishes, not to mention a general summary of Idein's time spent with the peculiar group he had found--covered a year of travels.

"So you've been traveling around with our guests, huh? Do you happen to know anything about the other little party of arrivals?"

"..Other party, Sir?"

"Ah, you didn't hear about it. Don't go spreading it, mind you, so far it's only among the officers. But since you already seem to have a connection with folks of this type, I might as well tell you. They say some newcomers just appeared out of the blue in the temple of Escaflowne. They also say they came from the Mystic Moon."

"That wouldn't surprise me, if my belief that some of the people I was with came from the Mystic Moon is true."

Rieken nodded. He then asked with measured words, "These people you've met, they caught your interest because there was a mention of Zaibach. Do they pose a threat to us? Do you believe any are from Zaibach."

"The mention of Zaibach was indeed one of my reasons for following, however most of my reasons fueled a personal curiousity I suppose. I do not know if any among them are Zaibach; most are from other countries. A threat to us?" Idein considered his next sentences. "I cannot say if that is true or not either, Sir. As I understand..I think they are looking for something, but they are all joined by personal pursuits it seems, nothing that would involve Zaibach as a whole."

"Yet you've gotten wind of Zaibach activity."

"Again though, it was gossip. The other countries haven't visibly responded to it at all, as I'm sure you've seen."

"Mm. Now, this attack on Palas, I've heard the same from one other scout who returned recently. What do you make of that?"

Idein paused. "Well, I heard that was Zaibach."

"Were these acquaintances of yours in Palas during the attack?"

"Yes, one mentioned an attack while they were there."

"And do you believe there is a connection?"

"I'm afraid I do not know enough to answer, Sir. There may be, but they don't seem to wish for Zaibach's involvment."

Rieken absorbed this before saying, "Well, I'm sure they're taking care of some of this at the palace. Thorough report; you're dismissed. I suggest you prepare for the coronation, which, by the way, you arrived just in time for."

"Yes, Sir, thank you."

Idein bowed, and the captain bobbed his head before returned to his papers as Idein left the office. Well, that's that, the knight thought and headed back to his quarters. He couldn't help but feel though that he may have caused some trouble for Owen, Risa, and the others. In response, a voice rebuked him and asked, Where do your loyalties lie? With your native country or with some people you've just met?

Idein decided not to worry about it. He had done his duty, and he had avoided the peculiar gray areas. It wasn't like he knew the group's whole story anyway.

[Megumi H]

After Seth left the room, Dream took a few deep breaths to still her quivering lip, blinking away the rest of her tears. She got to her feet, keeping her head low.

"I'm sorry..." she mumbled in her after-tears voice. "I know I don't look very decent." As she said this, they heard a curious sound.

Dream blushed and bowed her head lower. "C..could I have something to eat? I kind of missed breakfast this morning... and I'm really thirsty, too." And no wonder.. I've gushed a lot of water today.... she thought to herself weakly.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus winced at the ropes around her bit into her skin. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. There was no way she was going to give this creep the satisfaction of seeing her in pain.

"What do you expect to gain from all of this?" she called to her captor as she slowly walked behind. "If you think I'm going to go easily with you then you're mistaken." She paused. "Don't say I didn't warn you." With that, she dug her heels deep into the ground and pulled herself to a halt.

[YellerCrakka]

After riding through surging crowds of shoppers and reaching a nice secluded place to tie the horses, Owen guided Risa back through the droves of people to his favorite stand.

’It’s still here… Ahhh… Good ol’ Hellie. I’m sure she’ll whip up a grand feast for… Well I think she’ll still honor my credit.’

He looked over to Risa who still seemed a bit unsettled, but was getting used to traveling more often, and Owen didn’t notice that he was smiling. Risa has been so kind to Owen and everybody else even though they were all basically thrown together in this one big mess. He began to think how everything started, but was interrupted by the realization that they had reached their destination.

“Hey Risa?” He turned to see where she had gone. Through the crowds he was able to spot her not far behind. “RISA! We’re here! C’mover here…”

Risa heard the brute’s bellowing voice was seemingly located in front of a tent releasing a strong smell of cooked meats and burnt vegetables. She knew that’s probably where he was.

Owen smiled, parting his scruffy mustache, as Risa parted through the last few people and reach the front of the food stand. “Ey O’hen ya kno dis place? Ya move like ya dunne. Dis it?” It smelt too strong for her, but she wasn’t planning on eating too much.

[Eydtman]

Elisan was haulted quickly in his tracks by sudden tension on the rope he was holding. He turned to see that his captive had decided to make things even more difficult for him. The situation now was not much unlike the situations owners of reluctant dogs faced when they tried to take their canine companions for walks.

"You enjoy this don't you?" Elisan asked after a considerable lengthed sigh. "You do realize that doing things like this will just make things more uncomfortable for yourself don't you?"

Elisan shook his head. "I guess you already answered that question didn't you? But don't say I didn't warn you."

Elisan closed the gap between them quickly, reached down and ripped a few pieces of cloth off of the womans dress and before she even had time to react to any of this he had gagged her with the pieces of cloth from her own dress. He then unlooped a few coils of the rope he held in his hand and tied it around her ankles, so now he had the rope around her neck, which ran down to her wrists which were also bound from before, and now the roped also stretched from her bound wrists to her ankles and then beyond her ankles was the peice of the rope that Elisan was holding.

Elisan yanked hard on the rope in his hand and the woman's feet slipped from beneath her and she bagan to fall, but undoubtedly to her suprise Elisan caught her and set her down rather gently.

"Now just lay back and enjoy the ride." Said Elisan as he turned from her and began walking back in the direction he was earlier, dragging her behind him by her ankles, gagged and bound.

[Kayay]

Over the course of a century the ceremony had changed very little. It began with the elaborate procession through the palace from the heir’s chamber escorted by a squad of elite guards. Findel and Ceren, in a gesture of trust and goodwill between Basram and Fanelia, were included in that group. Dressed in formal attire they made their way past banners and festoons, the crest of Fanelia emblazoned in red and gold everywhere, and Hikari, more nervous than her exterior showed, felt her heart beating loudly in her ears. Muffled by the thick walls, she heard the constant buzz and cheers of the crowd, but as they passed a row of tall windows left open to the breeze Hikari paused long enough to smile down at the people below, and their cheers swelled.

But beneath all this pomp and circumstance it was in the actual main courtyard that the actual crowning itself took place. Fanelian guymelefs stood at attention, armor and weapons bedecked and gleaming under the afternoon sun, and she looked up approvingly at the meal giants as they walked through their shadows. It was here, with an honored group watching from the balconies and perimeter -- Seth and a reserved Aaron being part of the latter -- that the heir and her entourage stopped. The Temple of the White Dragon loomed before her, and the High Priest stepped forward, the soles of his sandals making soft slapping noises on the decorative brick and stonework. Nervousness poked at the edges of her calm until she caught Meako’s eye and reassuring smile as well as the approving looks of her generals and samurai of Fanelia, and her heart slowed its pace a little.

With a deep breath she knelt, the deep blue cloak pooling around her, and received the blessing of the Gods. The whole experience felt dreamlike, and she bowed her head and uttered her oath to country and kin. And when she rose to face the people gathered around the courtyard and standing on the balconies, the ceremonial crown catching the light in an almost ethereal way, she stood before them as heir no longer. Hikari Navarre de Fanel was now Queen.


((OOC: You can, if you want, assume your character is in attendance and make “flashback” posts, thus covering what your character did. You have until, my next ceremony post, which will be in roughly a week.
For an idea of here the actual corning takes place, see this picture (http://rpg.animeboards.com/modules.php?set_albumName=albun09&id=fanelia_coutyard&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php )))

[EvaRobby]

<<OOC: Hitomi, I decided to control Gwyn a little, just so that we can catch up. I hope that's okay, and I hope I do a good job of it. It might not end up being a very good post, but it'll help us get there, I guess. Feel free to add dialogue where I had no foresight for it (you, too, Kayay).>>

Past:

Gwyndolen appraised the boy's clothes for a moment. "Well, I guess you have a point, but I'm sure they'll provide you with something at the palace." She looked at Dryan, who seemed to agree. "Still, we'll need to get you a sword later," she continued.

Touji hated the feeling of the sludge underneath his fingernails. He wondered whether it'd matter if he made the carriage a little dirtier, by cleaning himself off a little. He decided against it; he would likely only make his fingernails worse, anyway.

The carriage halted, and the door opened from the outside. A servants face appeared on the other side. "Goo-" The servant staggered backwards, the stench reaching his nose. "Good god! You can't come to the coronation like that!"

Touji couldn't help feeling a little insulted, but he understood the man's reaction.

The servant motioned to his right as they clamboured out of the carriage. "This way sir, madams." He sped off ahead of them then stopped and waved back at them. "Hurry! There's little time."

Touji stared after the servant, who seemed to walk twice as fast as should have been possible. The group of them had to run just to keep up with him.

"Madams, in there. I'll send someone to leave some appropriate clothes outside for you. These clothes will be much better... than what you're wearing. I expect you to treat them with respect. Be quick about it."

The servant motioned Touji to follow and led him to the next room. "This one is for you. The same goes for you. Oh. What silly clothes you're wearing. Hurry, the coronation is very soon." He pushed Touji rather forcefully into the small room leading to the baths and closed the door behind him. Soon after, he could hear the servant yell at someone else outside.

Touji didn't waste time washing himself, he was alone in the large bathroom. It was convenient, because he didn't want to be forced to bathe with anyone else, man or woman. He wondered how someone like Gwyndolen could deal with being naked in front of other people, even if they were the same gender of a different race. It didn't matter. The manure came off easily, especially as most of it was on his clothes rather than his skin. He took the time to wash everywhere--though he knew the servant would likely strangle him if he knew.

When he returned from the bath, a pile of folded up clothes waited for him where he'd left his "Mystic Moon clothes". He soon managed to seperate the undergarments from the overgarments, but every step was a challenge. He found little ties and strings holding everything together. He put it on in what he hoped was the right way, though he feared that he had somehow completely messed it up. He wished that he cold find a mirror, because he was sure that he looked like an idiot.

He exited to find Gwyndolen and Dryan waiting for him, talking about something. The clothes they'd been given seemed equally lavish. They were wearing large dresses, seemingly with some protest.

<<OOC: So, where are Gwyndolen, Touji and Dryan going to be in the coronation? >>

<<Edit: Sorry, I keep confusing your name and your character's :heh:.>>

[Hitomi_333]

<OOC: Erm, my character's name is Gwyn, not Hitomi XD /OOC>

Gwyndolin was relieved to return to the palace and put on some clean clothing. However, as was typical of palaces, she received clothing that she would have never chosen for herself. It was made of a silky fabric, a pale green with gold trim. Then there was the fact that it was a dress, something that she only wore when physically forced by her sisters. It was a far cry from her normal clothing, but by now they were so soiled that she'd probably end up throwing them away. That is, if the Palace help hadn't done that already.

She hadn't appreciated the rudeness of the servants, but she knew to take it in stride. With the coronation coming up, she knew that they were under a lot of stress, which was understandable. Newly washed she was excited for the coronation. However, her instinct as a knight said that trouble was likely then.

For something horrible to happen wouldn't be surprising at all, especially after everything.

She frowned, her expression darker. Then her stomach growled loudly. A sheepish giggle escaped her pursed lips as she realized she hadn't eaten yet. "Oh well, there will probably be a banquet after the coronation.... Plus, I don't think the kitchen staff would be to willing to allow us any food at the moment."

"So," she said to Dryan, "What brings you to the castle?"

<OOC: heh... I can't think of anything else at the moment... we should get to some joint posties soon XD>

[Princess Samari]

For all the luster and beauty of the event Chigusa seemed unmoved by the ceremony. Even one would dare say... bored. Hiding her awestruck feelings from the nearby Eitre Chigusa watched Hikari assume her place as queen without so much as batting an eyelash.

She had, after all had a very tiring day. Helping someone other then herself and slipping away from the utterly greasy Foucault had taken a lot out of her. The last thing Chigusa felt like doing was appearing to be a slack jawed yokle infront of anyone who happened to be looking.

It wasn't that Chigusa wasn't impressed. It was that she didn't want to *look* impressed. Apperance in Chigusa's mind was everything and she wanted to look her finest even, in the most uncomfortable spots.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus' face turned red as she struggled against her bonds. Little did her captor realize that the farther he drug her, the more her dress slid up. Stupid idiot, she thought to herself as she struggled to hold her dress down. She struggled a bit more, and then realized it was a useless fight. Kicking her feet and making noises with her mouth, she willed her captor to stop and listen to her.

[Ekaterini]

Past:

After making his report, Idein headed back to his quarters to change into more formal attire for the coronation. Upon entering the room, he found Erth on tiptoe gazing fixedly out the window at the preparations being made below. When Erth heard the young samurai enter, he quickly spun around and dropped to a squatting position. He smiled sheepishly.

"Watching all the activity?" Idein asked good-naturedly and went to his drawers to pull out his best uniform. "There's going to be a coronation in a short while."

"Coro..ron...?"

"Coronation. That means our princess is going to be crowned queen." Idein stepped behind a screen in the corner of the room to switch clothing.

Erth looked back out the window with growing curiousity. A crown? A queen?

The samurai, in a clean and starched uniform, returned from behind the small partition and stood beside Erth to look out the window. "I'm afraid the ceremony won't be taking place in that courtyard, Erth," he said, gesturing with his head to the inner courtyard his room looked over. "It'll be on the other side of the royal station's main building over by the palace. It's the biggest open area in the city, used many times for melef tournaments."

"Oh.."

Idein regarded Erth, who was still gazing out the window trying to hide his disappointment. It seemed a shame that the entire kingdom and other foreign guests would be present for this special occasion, yet little Erth would be left behind alone in the barracks without even a far-off view. Idein considered the area surrounding the big courtyard and arena and came to a decision.

"How about this." He knelt down to better see the anthro's face. "I must stand with the other samurai during the ceremony, and you can't stand with me because we'll be right up front and only the Fanelian samurai and officers may gather there. However, I think I know where you can watch from. It will up on a balcony to the side with some servants, but no one should bother you there and the view won't be bad. Just stay there quietly until I come back to get you. Ok?"

Erth nodded vigorously.


******


Idein stood at attention next to Quijana among the other knights who did not own melefs or who weren't to use them for the coronation--there was only so much room after all. From time to time, he let his eyes stray up to one of the balconies where he had left Erth to make sure there was no unusual activity going on. All looked well.

"Quite a show, huh?" Quijana whispered out of the corner of his mouth.

"Yes," Idein whipsered back in agreement, watching the Heir regally make her way to the front under the forest of festive banners. He felt lucky to be able to witness such an occasion. The weather was warm with a cooling breeze, the white clouds hung high and bold in the cerulean sky, and the everything seemed just right.

[Kayay]

~~~~Erth~~~~

It was big, and colorful, and long, and were Erth not so impressed by the enormity of it all, he’d have been bored by the priest’s long speech as the pretty woman below was crowned. A few other youngsters, all palace servants and a few friends that’d been snuck in, crowded around him. Normally Erth would have cowed away from contact of any kind, but his attention was focused on the ceremony, and he ignored the jostling. Never in all his life had he thought he’d be in the palace itself, and never ever in all his life would he have dreamt of being witness to this occasion.


~~~Foucault~~~~

“What do you mean he disappeared? What happened to him?” Gone was the overly courteous smile. His eyes were like chips of black glass and filled with a dangerous anger.

“He was outside the city walls, looking into a disturbance picked up by…”

The merchant cut his lackey off with a curt gesture. “I know what he was doing, and I know about the disturbance, but what I don’t know is what happened to him. Now stop wasting my time and answer my question.”

The man before him was huge, with muscles bulging beneath his shirt, but Foucault’s glare made him nervous, and he swallowed hard before speaking again. “No one knows. He was reporting in on the communication device when he yelled something about ‘ripples in the forest’ then…nothing. The comm went dead.”

Foucault pursed his lips and dark brows drew together. “Call in all our enforcers, send the servants home early, and ready my traveling gear. I may need it soon.”

“Sir? Yessir!” the man quickly replied at the merchant’s look. One did not question him, especially if one wanted to remain good health.

“I’ll be in my study. Unless it’s an emergency, I do not want to be disturbed.”


((OOC: Biding my time and waiting for a few people...soon....soon...))

[Phantom Angel]

"The coronation, of course." Dryan replied calmly.

As a matter of fact, she felt none too calm inside. She was still frightened, frightened of what she had done and how she had to pay for it.

"It's okay, we'll manage," Gwira laughed inside her.

Always so carefree and wild, for one instance her other personality deeply irked her. It was as if Gwira was inherently unaware of the world around her. Instantly, Dryan regretted her thoughts. Without Gwira... she was nothing.

"It's all right... you've got a good reason to be mad. I did... kill him."

"It wasn't your fault..." Dryan replied simply.

"But look at what we must do now, in order to save ourselves."

"This too shall pass," the fox replied with much more calm than she possessed.

In fact, she hated what she had to do, hated the way her freedom was bound to Foucault.

"I hate this stupid dress." she mumbled quietly to herself.

[EvaRobby]

Touji frowned as he examined their weird dresses. He wiped it from his face before they could see.

"You two look nice." He looked up and down the hallway. "Where'd that guy go? How do we get to the coronation thing?"

With a sudden push from behind, the questions were answered. "That way!"

"Uuaargh!" Touji landed on his hands, saving himself from the impact.

"Careful! Don't wreck the new clothes." The servant rushed in front. "Hurry. Hurry. You're late!" He didn't bother to look back.

Touji got up and followed after, resisting the urge to hurt the man.

<<OOC: Er, does anyone know where I'm supposed to be trying to put these people? >>

[Kayay]

((OOC: There's no specific place Touji, Gwyn, and Dryan -- or anyone -- has to be. You could initiate something random if you like. I'm just waiting for a joint post from Eydt and Lady Fanel before I make my next post.

And I'll be out of town until Sunday night.

Edit: It’s been long enough. Tough cookies.))

[Kayay]

The first sign was a thin plume of white smoke in the distance. Maeko looked to the Queen as she gave her speech to the people gathered then back to the horizon. She squinted, and her ears twitched. Was it her imagination or did she hear people yelling? She looked back to Hikari on the balcony, and for a second their eyes met. Then the young woman nodded her head slightly, and the catwoman knew. Her Highness had seen it too, and most likely the same concerns were going through her head.

Quickly and quietly Maeko slipped away, taping the Captain’s shoulder as she passed, and the man followed. “Have the guards check out…” she began as the pair rounded the corner where none could hear them, but her words were interrupted by a loud explosion that seemed to shake the very earth. Seconds later the Claxton sounded.

“Captain!” An exhausted soldier stumbled down the hall towards them. “The city’s under attack! With the guard doubled the men are holding them back outside the gate, but,” the man swallowed hard, “it’s Zaibach!”

The elder man swore then glanced at the catwoman. “We have to get Her Highness to safety.”

“Agreed.”

“Secure the palace, and send reinforcements to the outer wall,” the Captain ordered the soldier. There was another explosion in the distance and the once thin plume of smoke grew dark and ominous, stretching to the sky to cover the sun. The nervous murmurs of the people assembled reached him through the windows, as well as the Queen’s attempts to calm them. “And have soldiers dispersed through the city to clear the area. The last thing we need is for everyone to break out into a panic.”


~~~~Erth~~~~

Everyone was nervous, pointing at the sky and talking in anxious voices. More than once Erth was inadvertantly pushed aside, and he retreated to fom the halway along with several youngsters. The anthro looked around owlishly and scooted farther away as another loud crash sounded in the distance.

The Queen was saying something, telling her people to remain calm. A few were even returning ot their rooms, and when people got close, Erth cringed, feeling suddenly scared and vulnerable, although no one seemed to notice the child. Finally, hair on end, the child bolted down the hall to find a place to hide.


((OOC: Zaibach is attacking, but for not they’re confined to the outer wall. Fanelia has two walls, the outer wall and the one surrounding the palace. You can get caught up in the crowd, avoid the battle, or join the battle, make up opponents – expect for Cain or Kenia – and even defeat a few. Or make up something else.))

[Eydtman]

(OOC: This is a post to catch up to present time with the rest of everyone. Lady Fanel and I will joint post a flashback of the events that lead up to this soon hopefully.)

The halls were beginning to teem with activity. Guards were running to and fro and in and out of almost every room. This alone was enough of a sign to tell that they were under attack not to mention the explosions and plumes of smoke. This also, obviously wasn't the greatest time to be sneaking around the palace having recently escaped from a locked and guarded room. They did their best to avoid being spotted as they wove through the hallways stopping every now and then to make sure that no one was coming in the direction they were heading.

Elisan stopped and peered around a corner. Three guards were making their way towards them. "----." He mumbled to himself under his breath. "Can't go that way, guess we'll have to backtrack a bit." He turned to face the direction from which they had come in hopes of eventually finding a less crowded section of hallway. He took two steps in the direction he was facing before he froze suddenly in his steps. Just a short way down the hall two more guards were heading toward them from the direction they came from. Without hesitating, he opened the door nearest to him, shoved Aethaeus into the room and slipped in behind her. He left the door open a crack to watch and make sure that the guards hadn't noticed them and just passed by before shutting it completely.

"That was close." Elisan said. "If we make too much of a commotion in here it'll only make it harder for us to get out so it's best that we remain unnoticed."

Elisan looked around the room for the first time since he had entered it. It was a very large room with tall ceilings. The walls were made of thick stone which had many cracks and chips in them. The floor was also made of stone which was also cracked in places and well worn. On the far side, opposite them, was a very large wooden door, about seventy or so feet tall. The door was his first clue as to where he was. He looked around frantically and eventually his eyes fell upon what he had been seeking. The only place that would have any need for a door that large would be a melef hangar, and tarped in the corner of the room crouched one.

"Someone up there must like me." Elisan said as a huge smile drew itself upon his face. The melef itself was nothing much to look at. It was a fanelian model, only it lacked the heavy armor plating that so many of them had and it was no wear near as fancy. There were many scratches and dents in it and spots of rust at certain points. Obviously this must have been some sort of geared down training model. A melef designed to aid those who were new to piloting and allow them to familiarize themselves with the operations of similar models, such as the fully geared Fanelian assault melefs. They had unexpectedly stumbled upon a seldom used training hangar.

Elisan ran over to the melef joyfully and inspected it. "Looks like it should still run fine. It won't stand up to much punishment but it's better than nothing." He said as he began to pull aside the tarp that was keeping the dust off of the melef. Luck seemed to be smiling upon him, he hadn't been this happy in a long time.

[Kayay]

((OOC: READ ME!!! (http://animeboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=537768464#post537768464) And comment too. ))

[Ekaterini]

Idein's pulse doubled nearly instantaneously when the explosion rocked the ground under the crowds. A millions questions of "what the heck" and "where" and "why" flying through his head, he looked in the direction of the noise. A chill swept up his back. In his mind, his father's voice softly spoke a line of a story he'd told him long ago..

"And in mere minutes after Lord Van accepted the Royal Sword of Fanelia, the booms of a mighty attack echoed from the city gates.."

Idein was almost incredulous. It was happening. Here. Again. Interrupting the coronation...and it was Zaibach.

The young samurai regretfully thought back to the evening in Freid in the Golden Monkey Inn where he spied the group comprised of several nations, including the Mystic Moon. He remembered thinking with wonder how the events of the past seemed so convincingly to be unfolding again. ----.

A jab in the ribs from Quijana brought him back to the present. "Hey, quit gawking, sir knight, our captain's giving orders," the mossy-haired man said with a wry grin then returned his attention to what their commanding officer was saying. Idein quickly did the same. Captain Rieken was visibly disconcerted by the suprise, as they all were, but he gave his orders firmly and with an unwavering voice to the Fanelian samurai, then he and the other officers departed to rally and command the soldiers of the Fanelian army.

"Well, it seems as though we have some very rude guests," Quijana mused, looking toward the rising smoke beyond the city rooftops. "Shall we teach them how to behave during a ceremony?" Another wry grin.

"They plan to do the same here as they did in Palas," was Idein's ominous reply as he too gazed at the billows. "As they did one hundred years ago."

Quijana looked back at Idein, and for a moment his life's-a-bowl-of-cherries countenance faltered. But it returned, and he jumped behind Idein and began pushing him toward the barrack stables. "Well, let's get a move-on then, we've got a job to do, not admiring the scenery like a goat boy gazing out the window as he sits on the privy. Victory is ours! Onward to glory! That's the spirit!"

Feeling his adrenaline rise again, Idein joined Quijana in a run out of the big arena. But a jolt of memory hit him and he nearly tripped himself in stopping so suddenly. Erth!! Quijana skidded to a halt and yelled back to his friend, "Oi, where are you going? Our steeds await us this way!"

Idein was hurriedly scanning one of the balconies to no avail. "I need to find a small companion!" he yelled back as he dashed to an entrance to the building. Another tremendous boom shook the earth.

"A small companion?! Idein, wha--!"

"Just ready my horse and I'll be back in a flash!" Idein disappeared into the remaining people in the arena and into an entrance way.

Yet another explosion. Quijana shook his head in amused disbelief at his fellow knight, then turned and continued running to the stables singing a hearty Fanelian battle song to the skies.

In the meantime, Idein couldn't remember when he last bolted up flights of stairs so quickly. And when he finally arrived to where he left Erth, the small anthro was nowhere in sight. When it rains, it pours, he thought, his heart sinking.

[Kayay]

((OOC: You rock Ekaterini. I was wondering who else realized it mirrored the past. It’s a case of history repeating itself.))

~~~~Erth~~~~

On more than one occasion he nearly got stepped on, but his small size had its advantages, and Erth was quick. He zigged and zagged between the confused people, some milling about in a daze, others talking in panicked voices in huddled groups, and still others doing much the same thing he child anthro was doing, running aimlessly. Left, right, down the hall, down the steps, and right again he darted, stopping when he burst into the courtyard he’d been looking down upon minutes before. It was just as confusing here as well, though, and Erth didn’t like all the people, so he turned about and scurried on all fours like a frightened rabbit straight for the nearest building, which happened to be the armory.


~~~~Seth & Aaron ~~~

I feel it. I feel him. Can it be?

It’s just like Palas… The audacity of Zaibach stunned him for an instant, and Seth could only stare at the smoke clouding the sky. Beside him Aaron was a coiled spring, the tension showing in the set of his mouth and glint hi his eyes. Something was bothering the man.

Then the orders barked by the Fanelia captian reached him, and the knight shook himself to his senses. “Come on. We have to get to Kaileron and Castor,” Seth said as he wove his way through the people to the hangar. I can’t let it happen again. I can’t fail!


~~~~Ecli~~~~

He’d been on the balcony only a few people away from where Chigusa and the owl boy stood during the ceremony, but now he’d lost sight of the pair. Ecli frowned. Then the frown was slowly replaced with a small smile. This could be the opportunity he was waiting for, and without a second thought the scholar roughly pushed his way through, looking for the familiar pair.


~~~Fangolas~~

“Little Miss, “ Fangolas said, adopting the title Silvern had used with the girl, “come with me!” The dark skinned warrior took Dream’s hand and led her away from the balcony. “We have to get you somewhere safe.”

[Princess Samari]

It felt like the entire planet had exploded in an instant. Gasping as she heard Eitre cry out in surprise Chigusa stepped back as the crowd around her scattered. The city was under attack and the desperate whispering said only one thing

Zaibach

Swarms of bodies flooded past the confused young woman as Eitre took Chigusa's hand to try and lead her from harms grasp. All around her the confused and terrified masses frenzied. Chigusa could hear the guards off in the distance commanding everyone to remain calm and try to find safety in an orderly fashion but it seemed like no one was paying attention.

Of course they weren't. Humans in a group tended to be idiotic sheep following the herd. Somehow it all felt wrong...

Why was she following them?

Struggling against Eitre Chigusa tried to see above the masses of people. Rushing headlong into the enemy was not going to be an option.

Then it happened.

Feeling herself pushed forward Chigusa stumbled loosing her grip as Eitre disappeared into the crowd. "Eitre? Eitre!" Clenching her fist Chigusa elbowed her way past people desperatly searching for her lost compainion.

[Endurance]

Ecli's heart pounded with unfathomable thrill as the confusion around him intensified into pure pandemonium. Guards had already hard time to keep the masses relatively calm and organized.

Without wasting time Ecli waded into the throng of panicked people and started searching for his 'prey'. At first it seemed to be impossible task to find certain someone from such an abject congestion. No matter how much he shoved, pushed and forced people out of his way he was unable to spot Chigusa from rest of the crowd.

Of course she had to get such a nice false start Ecli thought bitterly.

Just as he was about to give up all hopes to find the girl ever again a miracle occured; Ecli heard her voice barely rising over all the clamour. That voice served as unerring beacon which made Ecli to double his effort to reach Chigusa before she could reach the asulyms where everyone were currently heading.

After a few more pushes Ecli spotted desperate looking Chigusa, who was so busy calling for Eitre that she didn't notice the scholar until he deriberately tackled into her.

[Princess Samari]

It hadn't taken long for her situation to turn from bad to worse as Chigusa was sent tumbling to the ground with a loud "omph!" The girl cried out in pain before turning angrily to the unfamilar scholar.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Chigusa snarled getting to her feet quickly. Realizing that Eitre was nowhere to be seen and was probably happy to be rid of her Chigusa grimaced and stepped away from Ecli.

"Watch where you are going next time."

"Oh of all the times for him to ditch me!" Preoccupied with her own troubles Chigusa turned and started for the groups of people being herded to safety.

[Megumi H]

Fangolas grabbed her hand and Dream began to run.

Why does it seem I'm running so much?

Dream watched Fangolas' back as he led her through the crowd of people pushing about to find a place of refuge.

This feels like... like running in the woods... back in Kamakura.

"Hurry, Miss!" Fangolas urged, glancing back at her. "This way!"

Now was not the time to ask questions, Dream told herself. Now is the time to run! Dream hurried along as fast as her fancy shoes would take her, silently wishing that the formal dress the maid had given her didn't have quite so many frills.

[Kayay]

~~~~Seth~~~~

Beads of sweat formed on his brow and ran down his temple. Swinging the guymelef's arm around, Seth brought the massive sword around in time to block the crima claw aimed straight for him. With a twist of his wrist, the blow was parried downwards, and his sword swung down and around to cut into the enemy melef's arm. Liquid metal spilled from the limb, and the Zaibach guymelef stepped back. Seth brought his sword back up to finish the job, with a flash of silver, someone else did it for him. Poised over the fallen melef was a bloody red guymelef, a liquid metal sword extended from its arm. It wasn't so long ago that they'd fought another battle similar to this in Palas, and briefly the head raised as if some silent communication passed between the two men at this strange feeling of deja-vu.

"They've breeched the south wall!" screamed a voice over the comm, and Seth bit back a curse. Aaron's outdated melef had no such communication device, so Seth yelled aloud for Aaron to follow, hoping his voice would carry over the sounds of cracking, burning wood, the yells of people scrambling for cover, and metal hitting metal.


~~~~Erth~~~

Skidding on the polished floor Erth rounded a corner. His feet and hands scrambled for traction, and he took off again, under arched doorways, through the courtyard, and straight into...

"Oomph!"

He blinked and shook his head, large yellow eyes in a too narrow face looking up at whatever or whoever he'd run into.


((OOC: Guess what? Anyone can be that person. Just post accordingly, otherwise I'll choose who it is in my next post.))

[Princess Samari]

(( Chigusa: "Oh please let it be me..." hehe anyone else seen scrubs?))

[Megumi H]

((No, but I'm sure Dream would just love a fuzzy wuzzy. :p You had first dibs, though, so go ahead.))

[Endurance]

"There's no need to get so maddened fair lady" Ecli took one of his warm ingenuous smiles again "After all, it was not a major accident and nobody got hurt in the process"

Chigusa didn't listen at all. Actually she had already turned her back to Ecli and was moaning about his lost friend.

"You are alone? Let me join you. Zaibach's attacking and there is no telling what might happen next."

Ecli patted his robe to check if his pouch and dagger were still with him. They were. He had even found his target. The only problem he now had was how in the earth he could 'persuade' Chigusa to get herself behind the enemy lines.

((ooc: Hopefully this doesn't mess up Samari's plans))

[Kayay]

~~~~Fangolas~~~~

The heeled shoes and formal dress was slowing the girl down and making it hard to maneuver through the busy hallways. Well, there was one way to deal with it. Fangolas released her hand and, without warning, scooped Dream up in his arms. She wasn’t heavy, although he could do without all the lace and ruffles, but even carrying her he’d move faster than dragging her along.

He smiled, teeth white against his dark skin. “My apologies, but this will be easier for the both of us.”


((OOC: Why? Why not? The image just makes me smile. I was tempted to carry her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.))


~~~Erth~~~

“Ow…”

The furry boy rubbed his backside and peered up at the scowling girl. Beside her was another, a fair haired man with blue eyes who smelled heavily of spices, herbs, and medicines. The smell reminded him of Risa, and Erth sniffed. He missed the familiar faces, and that loneliness drove him to do something he’d normally never do. He spoke to these total strangers before being given permission.

“Do..d-do y’know Idein Sir or Risa Ma’am?” Erth paused then added, “Or Owen Sir?” Even the large, loud, man would be a welcome sight at this point. “Have t’find em.”


~~~~Cain~~~~

“The south wall has been breeched,” came the tinny voice over the comm., and Cain smiled.

“Remained cloaked and proceed as planned. We must not be detected.”

“They’ve sent reinforcements and…” The clash of swords to their left interrupted the transmission, and Cain turned in the pilot’s chamber. Behind him he could sense more than see one of his men moving to aid their comrade.

“Stop.”

“But…”

“Are you questioning me Miguel?”

“N-no Captain, sir!” The iciness in his voice sent chills down his spine and the cloaked guymelef quickly fell back into formation. Fanelia’s fighters were good, and their military much improved since the last time Zaibach had invaded. Fear of losing, however, wasn’t what made Cain cautious. He had no doubts in his abilities, but direct confrontation would waste time, and he had his orders, detestable as it was to follow that wrinkled old hag’s commands. But he’d be a good little soldier…for now.

“Good. They’ll be plenty of time for destruction once we reach the palace.”

[Megumi H]

((OOC: Fangolas probably wouldn't be able to see at all if he had carried her like a sack of potatoes. XD All the lace, you know.))

With a shocked squeal, Dream was swept up into Fangolas' arms for the second time that day. Apologizing over the mass of lace, Fangolas smiled. "My apologies, but this will be easier for the both of us."

A rather rich shade of red flooded Dream's face, and she quickly turned past Fang's shoulder to hide the blushing, clasping her arms tightly around his neck and gritting her teeth at the bounce of each step. The dress seemed to be silk, and it rustled quite a bit. It wouldn't do for her to slip right out of the arms of safety, would it?

A thought struck her.

"Where are Seth.. and Aaron?"

[EvaRobby]

<<OOC: About time I posted, eh? :heh:

Well, this is the post I've readied. I've left out Dryan because I have absolutely no grasp of that character (you'll have to fill in the gaps yourself). Also, I'll be roleplaying Gwyndolen a little, and I doubt I very well. Feel free to PM me with any suggestions (such as more appropriate dialogue). I would have tried to discuss this more with you guys, but I've been really inactive so I decided that I should put something up.

The way I see it, there are two soldiers for Gwyndolen and one for Dryan. Is that okay?

Well, on with the rather long post...>>



Touji stumbled forward aimlessly in the direction the servant had sent him. Suddenly his head hit something stiff and hard. He bounced back and ended up slightly sprawled on the ground again.

Damn this crazy servant.

Touji looked up, to work out what this hard thing was. The servant was standing there frozen and silent for the first time ever. He slowly turned around, with a sullen expression on his face.

Hey, I thought he was behind me. Touji found that he was being confused by the strange people of this world again. How...?

Heavy metallic footsteps sounded through the hallway. Touji listened. It was coming from somewhere behind him.

--

Gwyndolen sensed that something was wrong. In here she hadn't heard the explosions in the distance. She realised though, that the armour of these soldiers sounded very different from the kind the guards of the palace were wearing. Also, there should have been no need for the guards to run.

Whoever they were--they weren't guards.

Gwyndolen spun around to face the back end of the hall. She kept her hand by her sword, ready to draw it at any moment.

She waited as four soldiers rounded the corner... Four soldiers with their swords drawn.

"Who are you?" she yelled, as she drew her sword.

One of the soldiers grinned under his helmet.

Touji rushed ahead of Gwyndolen, his sword drawn as he yelled incoherent babble. "Ai tarred a evieng! Aaaaarrggghh!"

--

Touji listened to the footsteps as they grew ever louder.

Whatever it is, it's too much. This world is wrong.

The footsteps kept growing louder.

I can't take this right now. Damn it.

The soldiers rounded the corner. Heavy armour. With swords out, and sinister grins.

The servant finally seemed to break out of his trance. "It's... Zaibach."

No. Touji drew his sword looked at the blade. Why does this kind of thing keep happening? I hate it. I'm...

Touji started running towards the guard at the front, the one with the largest grin.

"I'm tired of everything! Aaaaarrggghh!"

Touji raised the sword over his head and swung down as hard as he could. The enemy soldier raised his own sword to block it, confident in his early defence. The two swords hit each other. Touji's fingers jarred from the resistance but he kept pushing it forward. The sound of metal against metal was almost as painful.

Touji didn't break through the soldier's defence, but he forced the soldier off balance, and onto his back. Touji pulled the sword back again so he could follow with another strike on the fallen soldier.

The soldier blocked again, but this time there was a crack. Touji's inferior sword shattered from the impact. The far end of the blade rebounded off the soldier's sword, cutting the soldier's chin and Touji's shoulder before settling on the ground next to the soldier.

The lower end of the sword continued its path and cut into the soldier's gut, just as the soldier's own sword came up and hit Touji's chin with the blunt side.

Touji fell backwards, stunned by the impact.

[Princess Samari]

Feeling the muscles near her right eye twitch Chigusa looked down at the small boy. It seemed like he was another of the attacks unwitting victims.

Opening her mouth to tell the odd looking ferret...thing to go find its parents and leave her alone Chigusa discovered she couldn't. Children hit a soft spot that few living people knew about.

"No...I'm sorry I don't know them." She really didn't want to take the scholar or the boy. Things were too hectic to really argue the matter however.

Kneeling down next to the child she smiled as warmly as her face would allow."But you can come with us and we will try to find them. How does that sound?"

I'm such a sucker.

[Kayay]

~~~~Fangolas~~~~

He stepped aside for three Fanelian soldiers. As they passed, one raised both brows at the pair, a smirk on his face. Obviously he had his own theories as to what the dark skinned man was up to with a girl in his arms. Fangolas, however, either missed or chose to ignore the man’s glance and continued down the corridor, searching for a suitable place to stop. It had to be defendable, yet at the same time he didn’t want to end up trapped with only one means of escape should the castle be overrun. He didn’t think that would happen, but it was better to b safe than sorry.

"Where are Seth…and Aaron?"

Fangolas paused again. “Seth is an Asturian knight. He’s probably joined the battle, and Aaron…” Aaron wasn’t a knight, but Fang remembered the battle in Palas and the ancient looking guymelef the young man had piloted. No love for Zaibach Aaron seemed to harbor, so most likely he too was fighting. “Aaron probably is as well. Do not worry about them. Both are capable pilots.”

Rounding a corner, Fang came to an abrupt halt. Flanked by several guards they were face to face with the Queen herself.

Against the wishes of her escort, she was watching the growing clouds of smoke from the tall arched windows. When Fangolas and Dream appeared she turned. Immediately the guards stepped between her and the newcomers, swords drawn and quite ready to use them.


((OOC:
Fang: I am NOT trying to feel her up!
Liar.))


~~~~Erth~~~~

“Oh.”

Erth sniffed. He wasn’t going to cry…he wasn’t going to cry…he wasn’t going to cry… Eyes watered and Erth wiped the tears quickly away on one tattered sleeve. She hadn’t raised her hand to him, she hadn’t even yelled, and now she was offering to help. With wide eyed hope he nodded, got to his feet, and tentatively took a step forward.

“Help Erth find them, Ma’am? Don’t wanna be no bother, but…but came here with ‘em, but now…” Clawed hands gripped his striped tail and he nervously trailed off. “Thank you Miss Ma’am.”

[Endurance]

Mystic mooners do really attract the most peculiar types out of the crowd

Ecli took rejoicing smile on his face ,after all, witnessing a scene of such human fondess in a middle of crisis was not something he could have ever guessed to happen. A small child, even if a burden, could not be left behind by any moral standard.

They continued walking forward with the rest of noisy throng. Chigusa took the lead and Erth tagged behind her, still holding his tail tightly in his grip. It looked funny as Chigusa was certainly not the most motherful figure and Erth looked both puzzled and scared. For a good reason.

Zaibach won't have much use for that furball, need to get rid of it as soon as possible

Ecli coughed to clear his throat. He wanted to know why Erth was so obsessed with Risa and Owen.

"I have actually met Risa once, quite briefly but still I did meet her. Are you a relative of hers perhaps?"

[Kayay]

Erth ran alongside Chigusa and Ecli sometimes on two legs and other times dropped down to all fours, his tail curled up over his back like a striped banner. “Rel’tive?” he asked timidly as the trio paused, deciding upon what direction to head next. “No rel’tive of nobody. Met Knight Sir and O-hen and Risa Ma’am on road. Say take care of Erth.” Gaining confidence, the scrawny boy continued, “You healer? Smell like healer, like Risa Ma’am, ‘cept…” the boy wrinkled his nose at the scent of something else underlying the herbs and medicines the man carried, but with a little shudder he decided it was best he not think of that. It wasn’t his place anyway to question the ‘dults. “I sorry. Talk too much.”

[DrZepp]

(OOC: lets see if i can get the hang of things again...)

"Is this proof enough?"
Findel questioned, just as a loud explosion rang out from some distant melef. Slapping Cerens back, the two Basramians raced through the Palace corridors. It had been some time since the Samurai had ran as fast as he was, and the fact that he was still clad in the Coronations formal attire was only making matters worse. Ceren scowled, ripping a sash from his waste as he ran ahead of Findel.
The Basramian wiped his brow, calling ahead.
"Perhaps you should leave the battle to me, and send conformation back to Basram... Or must you see Zaibachs forces with your own two eyes?"
Findels tone was obviously of a mocking nature. He knew all too well that Ceren was blood thirsty as it was... He was itching for a battle, but perhaps this time he would bite off more than he could chew.
"I'll do just fine on my own!"
Ceren called out over his shoulder, turning a sharp right to the Melef hangar. Findel put up a half salute, and then followed closely behind.

*

The hangar area was swarming with personell. Mechanics and pilots alike were scrambling to prepare the beasts to their maximum ability. Findel stood frozen for a moment, observing the sheer size of the Melefs. Fanelia had become quit impressive over the years.
Ceren was already a ways ahead, scurrying towards his machine with newfound a rush of adrenaline. Looking past the young samurais path, Findel saw a hunk of dull brown metal, decaying at the end of the line. It was Ecthalier, the only Melef he had known.
"Is she ready?"
The samurai questioned one of the mechanics nearby. The grease monkey stopped what he was doing for a moment, looked up, and then returned to his work.
"That heap o ----? If you can get er' to move, then ill be impressed."
Findel smirked lightly, nodding to the burly man.
"I am Findel Falor, Basram knight, and temporary ambassador!"
His rank had just been kicked up a notch.
The machanic peered up again, thoroughly unimpressed.
"And?"
Findel looked down, eye twitching.
"And I have a very important request-"
He stopped.
"No... a very important command."
The mechanic grinned suspiciously.
"Hear me out... You must gather all able bodied men... women and children if necessary... and prepare them on the second wall of defense."

The mechanic shot Findel a raised brow.
"Yer crazy son! We need all the able bodied men here, mannin' these machines-"
Findel abruptly raised his hand, cutting the man off.
"I need sulfer, saltpeter on the double-"

"Explosives?"
The mechanic cut in.
"It will be our last measure of defense."
Findel explained.
"Gather as many pouches or barrels as you can... and prepare for the worst."
With that, Findel took off running. His sandles kicking up behind his heals as he left the burly mechanic a little more than confused.

"Last line of defense, eh?"

[Ekaterini]

((OOC: Oops, crap, it's almost been a month since I last posted. ^^; Where'd the first half of November go..?))


Risa felt very shaken. "Not again," she whimpered quietly to herself. It seemed almost unfair to have to see this a second time. Would Zaibach ever stop?

And this time she was alone. Donning a brave face and glaring at the monstrous machines who dared burn his homeland to rubble, Owen had given her instructions to find other citizens and flee to the mountains beyond the city, then ran off to join the battle.

"I'm very sorry t' leave you like this," he had apologized, sorry to leave her in a worried state. "But this is my duty. And no stinkin' bunch a' road apples in armor is going to do here like they did in Palas. So help me!" He hefted Dinky with grim resolution. It was high time he used his weapon again, and using it on a few Zaibach heads would be satisfactory. Before turning away however, Owen gave his anthro companion his old carefree smile. "See ya when the battle's over and done,..friend."

Risa managed a sincere smile. "'Til then, O'hen. I'm sure Laddybuck'll be a' waitin' for ye too."

"Oh cripes, Aaron!" Owen slapped a hand to his head. "Knowing him he's probably already out there. Take care, Risa! I'm comin', Ugly! I'm gonna rip their blocks off! YAHOOO!" he yelled as he jogged away.

The wolf-woman watched the big man with the giant sword disappear. Would she ever see him again? Staring at her deserted surroundings with the clashes of battle not far off in the air, it seemed then as though she'd never see anyone she knew from the group again. A smoke-scented breeze sent a lonely chill over her shoulders. Th' city's burnin' o'er that way, yet I feel so cold.. She pinched her arm. No time f' that now, Risa Misal! Stiffen your lip an' get movin'!

She began running in the direction in which she hoped there would be people. After a while she turned, and then after few minutes she turned again. *pant* Am I getting anywhere?! *pant* She could feel her courage failing again, and her mind began to jumble. It threatened panic, that tight "hand" that gripped her throat and batted away logical thought; she hated it. Perhaps she would have better luck down that way. And luckily, she was right! There, a blond man, and a green-haired girl; why, wasn't she one of her Mystic Moon companions? And also.. ERTH!!

Risa broke into a dead run and waved happily. "Erth!! Erth!!"


*********


Fighting the urge to punch a hole in the wall, Idein dashed back into the corridors of the building and searched as quickly as his eyes could change direction and process whatever it was they were looking at for the anthro-child. Where had he run off to?! Then a voice in Idein's head began to nag at him to get back to his duty. You're supposed to be helping the battle! Idein cursed. He couldn't just leave Erth in a building that could possibly burn down. Not to mention the fact that he still needed the little guy for reasons concerning that symbol. But was Erth still even in that building? He could be in any number of places! The battle probably wouldn't even last long enough to check all of them!

The samurai was beginning to feel he could only hope to find Erth again when the survivors were gathered. After the battle. That means he has to survive it and find his way to other people, Idein thought worriedly. And who knew how events would turn out. Picking up speed, Idein entered another area of the building complex. This is part of the palace; I wonder if he got into here.. Rounding a corner, the youth did find someone, but not at all who he had expected.

Suddenly he was now face to face with the newly crowned Queen and her escort. And another pair, a dark-skinned man carrying a girl, apparently also had run into the royal party, judging by the look on their faces. Taken completely by surprise, Idein stared a moment before hastily bending at the hips in a deep bow and exclaiming, "Pardon me, Your Highness!"

[Kayay]

“He’s nuts.”

The mechanic looked to the other worker who, having heard Findel’s “command” came over.

“So what’re you gonna do? You don’t really believe him do you, that he’s some ‘ambassador’?”

“He is a pilot, and he was in some sort of uniform…”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t mean he’s anyone special.”

“What in the name of the Mystic Moon are you two lazy bastards doing chit chatting?” Both men turned to face the wrath of one of the senior mechanics. In dirt stained work clothes, the woman scowled at them both. She rubbed a hand across her face, leaving a smear of grease across the bridge of her nose. “In case you didn’t notice, we’re under attack!”

“There was a man…”

“An ambassador,” the first man added.

“Crazy son of a…”

“Shut it!” she cut them off. Precious minutes and several swear words later she finally understood. “I don’t know who he was, but he has a point. I heard a transmission coming through one of the melef’s comms that the outer wall’s already been breeched, and if they could take down Palas, there’s a good chance they’ll make it to the palace.”

“Fanelia’s soldiers ain’t pushovers,” insisted the second mechanic, but the woman shook her head.

“Ain’t saying that. Just saying it’s better t’be safe than sorry.” There were muttered sounds of assent. “You two round up what people we can spare. I’ll get hold of one of the officers round here and tell ‘em what we’re up to. We’ll have a better chance if we coordinate this thing somehow.” The woman turned to leave, then paused. “Who was this ‘ambassador’ fella anyway?” she asked over her shoulder.

“Never seen him before, but he said he was from Basram…Falor I think he said. Why’d ye ask?”

“Falor eh? I figure I ought to give credit where it’s due,” she answered then raced away.


*****

((OOC: I absolutely loved how you handled Owen. “Yahoo!”))

Idein wore the colors of Fanelia, but Hikari’s escort, on edge and concerned for the Queen’s safety, challenged him as well. “Please,” she began to say, but was interrupted by an explosion that rocked the stones beneath their feet.

A soldier clad ran towards them from the direction of the disturbance, and panting and out of breath he dropped to one knee before the group. “Your Majesty, a small force of Zaibach’s guymelfs have reached the castle. The visible ones number four, but here may be more cloaked.”

Hikari looked form the soldier to the window and the thick smoke that blocked her view. She couldn’t leave while her people were in danger... “Get everyone out of path of those guymelefs and to safety,” she ordered the man before her, then she turned to one of the soldiers at her side. “Go with him.”

“Your Highness…”

“That is an order,” she commanded in that gentle yet authoritative voice of one born and bred for the throne, and with a quick bow both men dashed off, but not before one of them, who recognized Idein, whispered a quick, “Keep her safe,” to the samurai. “You’ll come with us, of course,” she told Fangolas, Dream, and Idein.


((OOC: Anyone can make up where the “safe place” they goto is.))

[DrZepp]

(OOC: hmm... can we say Ceren and Findel are near Aaron and Seth?)

The leather embrace of Ecthaliers cockpit was both refreshing and frightening at the same time. The luxuries of Freid and Fanelia had obviously spoiled Findel. In such a short time, a lifes worth of training had been countered by a bit of perfume and elegant clothes. The samurai shook his head, falling in line behind Ceren. He toyed with the seemingly makeshift radio comm that the Fanelians 'updated' in his down time, trying to get in 'battle mode'.
"Come in... err... can you hear me?"
Findels voice crackled through Cerens state of the art Basram model Melef.
"Took you long enough."
He remarked snidely.
The sound of Findel scoffing rolled back over in response.
"Zzzeseszz-Rookies should'nt- Zzbbzz- take point-Zz"

"Then you better stay back."
Ceren retorted, finding himself delightfull clever.
"Funny..."
Findel said, his Melef advancing on the outer wall.
"But you should pay more attention-"

Suddenly an explosion rang out, sending both Basramians into alert. Within moments, a Fanelian model melef ripped through the side of the wall. Both arms missing, it plummeted to the earth with a deafening thud. Findel reeled back, waiting for the inevitable wave of Zaibachs to follow. On cue, they did just that. Ceren took the front as two bogeys appeared out of thin air.
"You'r training is a bit rusty."
Findel shouted.
"They must have updated cloaking capabilities."

"I.. arghh... can see that now!!"
Ceren yelled back, both arms raised in defense.
The enemy guymelef plunged its arms downward, meeting Cerens outstretched blade head on. The second assailant swerved around the Basramian, advancing in on Findel.
"Perfect..."
The samurai gritted his teeth, flinging his left arms spike upwards.
"Watch your back... if im taken out, you will be exposed!"

"Ill count on it!"
Ceren spat out, making his final retort.

[Princess Samari]

Shattered homes and peices of happy famlies, it was like her father's dinner parties only with more tact and social grace. Keeping her head above the crowd Chigusa did her best to force a path for herself and the others.

It was more difficult with people who didn't even have the slightest idea of who she was. Had they been in Japan a helicopter would have been easy access.

"Will you move it!?" Raising her foot to plant a kick to the rear of what appeared to be a human wall Chigusa paused as she heard the small boy-thing squeel.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus was sick of getting pushed around by this arrogent and inconsiderate stranger. Looking around, she noticed a chunk of stone lying on the hangar floor. Probably knocked loose from the explosions, she thought. Slowly she crept up behind her captor, who was completely absorbed in inspecting the melef, and slammed the stone onto his head. As he crumpled to the ground, Aethaeus spun around and ran to the door. Throwing it open, she sprinted down the corridor.

"Oh now what have you done," she cursed herself. "That won't hold him for long, and then he's going to come after you." As she turned a corner, she was suddenly face to face with two soldiers who were running in the opposite direction. Not slowing down, they ploughed into her and sent her sprawling.

"Dammit!" she yelled as she hit the floor. Sitting up, she gingerly felt her ankle which was already swelling up. "Sprain," she muttered. Pulling herself to a standing position, she attempted to take a few steps. A scream welled up in her throat as a red haze of pain clouded her vision. She fell to the ground, smothering her scream. "There's no way I'm going to be able to walk on this," she said to herself, "and from the sounds of it, the palace is under attack and now I'm never going to get out of here!" A single tear trickled down Aethaeus' cheek as she leaned back against the wall and gave in to her hopelessness.

[Endurance]

"There's no need to get annoyed, Chigusa. Everyone is moving as fast as they can within the current circumstances." Ecli lectured in vain as the queer trio moved slowly forward with the masses. "We all shall reach safety, so there's really no need to rush or anything like that."

Then he heard a squeel, and another familiar voice which was steadily coming closer. Ecli turned around in disbelief and looked how Erth hugged the woman who had been the topic of discussion barely a few minutes ago.

"Risa? How in heavens are you here, I thought.. I though that you were.. ..left behind on Freid"

At that instant an another devious yet simple plan crystallized inside Ecli's mind. As a downside it was highly dependant on everyone's reaction.

"Risa! What a pleasant coincidence. Could you please look after Erth for a minute, as you are familiar with him too, while I and Chigusa look for a faster route to safety through those alleys over there?" He pointed at one of the dim alleyways and gave a questioning glance to Chigusa who had one of her indescribable expressions once again.

[Princess Samari]

"...If you think I am going in there.." Chigusa shook her head pointing to the alleyway but, just as she was about to finish her sentence she caught Erth's happy smile at seeing Risa and faultered.

"If I see any signs of danger I am going to use you as a human shield." She mumbled crossing her arms.

"You guys wait here and we will make it back soon." Giving Ecli the this was your idea glare Chigusa nudged him forward. She wasn't about to be squished by a falling building.

[Ekaterini]

((OOC: Sick..moving..slowly.. x_- ))

“Your Majesty, a small force of Zaibach’s guymelfs have reached the castle! The visible ones number four, but here may be more cloaked.”

No.., thought Idein. The city was falling apart.

Queen Hikari then ordered the soldier who brought the news and a soldier from her escort to help evacuate the area, and told Idein and the dark-skinned man with the girl to join her and her escort. “Keep her safe,” one of the departing soldiers whispered to Idein, who discreetly nodded then bowed his thanks to his queen. "I'd be honored to join your escort, My Lady."

The captain of the escort interrupted, his voice heavy with concern for the monarch. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but we truly must get you to a safer place. Immediately." Here the party began swiftly moving away from sounds of battle. "Might I suggest opting for the city's rear exit by way of the Temple of Escaflowne. It's the quickest way to the mountains and I'm sure there will be a number of the people waiting there already, M'Lady."

Hikari nodded and followed behind the sturdy man.

The soldiers pressed in protectively around the queen like a wall as they rushed to the back of the castle, and Idein took up a position in the rear with the dark-skinned man. Noticing the young samurai's curious glance, the darker man said to him, "Fangolas; pleased to meet you. I'd offer my hand, but under the circumstances.."

"Heh It's alright." Idein allowed himself a small grin despite the situation. "I'm Idein. Are you hurt, miss?" he asked the girl in Fangolas' arms.

"Um, no..it's just.." she blushed and tugged unhappily at one of her useless slips. "Anyway..my name's Dream."

"Pleasure to meet you, Dream. Hang on, I think the captain put on some more speed."

Practically jogging, the group hurried through muralled rooms and hallways decorated with pale busts and statues. Idein caught glimpses of scenes that depicted the destruction of Fanelia a century ago.. In the darkening atmosphere and with the distant groans of collapsing mortar and timber behind them, the pictures seemed too real for comfort. And how ironic that they would probably be destroyed in the exact manner they documented, as if they foretold their very own end. It sent a gloom to Idein's heart. He checked behind the party, and though he couldn't see any sign of the enemy, he knew they were slowly but surely progressing nearer. Then the group came to the back of the castle where the kitchens were located. Savory scents of the feast that was to follow the coronation still lingered, and carts of beautiful food displays--salads, meats, pastries, and more--stood abandoned and waited pitifully for their moment that would never come. By the ovens, trays of tarts and bread rolls lay forgotten. On tables and counters, half-chopped vegetables and all manner of fruits and herbs sat discarded. Crumpets, pies, bags of nuts, soups, glassware, wine, cheeses... all left in a frozen picture of empty festivity.

Damn you, Zaibach. Today was supposed to be a day for celebration, not destruction, thought the Fanelian knight as the escort approached doors to the outside.


********


Risa held Erth tightly against her and rubbed his bony back with a hand as she hugged him. She couldn't thank her lucky stars enough! "O, Erth, I thought I'd neve' see ye again! I was so worried ye'd be out 'ere all by your lonesome, and wi' th' buildin's fallin' down..! An' I'm so glad t' see someone I kno'!" She laughed and squeezed harder.

*rgghh* *mmph!*

"Oop! Sorry, dear, heheh" Jittery with happy relief, she let go and straightened Erth's dusty tunic like a mother duck. Ecli's voice reminded her that there were others present.

"Risa? How in heavens are you here? I thought.. I thought that you were.. ..left behind in Freid. What a pleasant coincidence! Could you please look after Erth for a minute, as you are familiar with him too, while Chigusa and I look for a faster route to safety through those alleys over there?"

Curious but too relieved to see the little boy again, the wolf-woman nodded without questioning the man's decision. "A-alright. You be careful in tha' place now! I don' 'ave my medicines with me t' take care o' any wounds." She returned her attention to Erth, checking him over for scratches and such as Ecli and Chigusa left. "Nuthin' broken? Jes' tell me if anythin' hurts ye, dear. 'Ow 'bout 'ere? O my, we'll get tha' fixed up soon as we ge' t' safety..."

[Kayay]

~~~~Erth~~~~

“Wait?” As ecstatic as he was to see Risa again, the boy wasn’t happy to see Chigusa go toward the dim alley. Bad things happened in places where the light didn’t shine he remembered, and it made him shiver. “But…but Miss Ma’am promise back soon, right?” The sounds of battle were loud and close, and the boy clung tighter to the wolfwoman as she spoke. “Back fast? Erth can’t come?”


~~~~Foucault~~~~

Once he’d taken care of things at home and with his business Foucault had headed to the palace, seemingly unmindful of the battle raging not far away near the city walls. In fact, he hadn’t even known about the smaller force that’d reached the palace until his horse, sides heaving, burst into the courtyard. Survival dictated he turn back now, but if they all died then he’d be no closer to getting what he wanted. Besides, it was always good to make a good show of loyalty and concern.

It didn’t take him long after leaving his steed to stumble upon the catgirl.

“Well, well, well, what have we here?” The merchant looked upon Aethaeus with his typical half smirk, half sneer, and despite the fighting he seemed unsettlingly calm. “You’re that servant from the temple. I thought you an odd girl, but evidently I was too kind in my opinion. So are you planning to sit there until you get stepped on or crushed by a falling wall or,” he spoke as he extended one pale hand to help her up, “will you get up and help me find someone?”


~~~~Melef Hangar~~~~

“Shit!” cursed one worker when there was a crash.

“Sorry,” answered a young man, a boy really, who’d volunteered to help ready the giant machines. Beside him the guymelef, one of the few that had not yet been deployed, he’d been working on had topped over and leaned against a large wooden door that lead to the training melefs.

“What the hell happened?”

The boy shrunk under the older man’s glare, and stammered, “I…I w-was working on t-the leg and…” He swallowed nervously.

“Nevermind that.” The mechanic cut the boy off. “Get one of the pilots over to move it out of the way and watch go help Jora with those wires.”

Although the guymelef was returned to its place the door had been damaged. The mechanism that opened it was jammed, and thus the doors were stuck shut. There remained an unblocked man sized door to the side, but nothing larger would make it out without an extreme amount of brute force, and that would damage the doors further. Fortunately, the only melefs in that room are training models. Unfortunately, no one knew that Elisan was inside and unconscious on the ground.


((OOC: I’m not sure about the layout of the hangar and where Elisan is, because if he’s in the same hangar Findel was just in, then he should have seen all the other regular melefs and all the people about. So I’m assuming the area the training guymelefs are in is an attached room that he reached from a side door or something. Ah, it doesn’t have to all make sense anyway. I just wanted one hangar.))


~~~~Seth~~~~


The Zaibach pilot spotted the Barsamian machines, and the air around it shimmered as it decloaked, for the pilot was young and cocky and believed in letting the enemy see the one who'd kill them. Raising his arm, the liquid metal shot out toward Findel, who was already locked in battle with another Zaibach melef.

Seth, busy with his own opponent, saw the flash from the corner of his eye. Then he saw the target. “Basram,” he shouted over the comm, “to your right!”


((OOC:Fang and Hikari post in a day or two.))

[DrZepp]

"Right? Who?"
Findel thought, not even taking the time to register Seths voice before he reacted to the obvious warning.
In an instant Ecthalier jerked back under Findels command, avoiding a metal edge that conveniently wedged itself between the Zaibach Melefs shoulder blade. The enemy reeled back, shocked that one of his own kind had dealt him such a crippling blow. Findel didnt let the moment of opportunity slip by. He lunged forward as quickly as he had dodged, sending his own blade into the same wound the liquid metal had created moments earlier. With a downward thrust, the first Melefs arm was severed completely. Only as it fell to the hard earth did Findel look to his side, noticing two more giants approaching.
The Basramian managed a half grin as Seth and Aaron closed in.
"What a surprise..."
Findel coughed out, thinking back to the seemingly countless (ok... three) times where the Asturian and himself had met on the battlefield.
"Where is the main enemy fleet?"
Unfortunately, there was no time for pleasantries.
"We must lead them towards the center of the second wall!"
*Yet if they have not set the charges, this will be the shortest defense run i have ever seen...*
Findel furrowed his brow, hoping that the mechanics hadnt simply blown him off.


(OOC: I just guessed on the 'center of the second wall thing'... i can change it to wherever you need)

[Princess Samari]

“But…but Miss Ma’am promise back soon, right?”

A genuine smile crept over Chigusa's face as she turned back giving the victory sign to Erth.

Though he more then likely wouldn't understand what it meant. "Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as possible okay?" It was nice to have someone worry about her.

Even if they didn't really know who she was. Suddenly the dark alley didn't seem as frightening as it used to. "This shouldn't take too long."

[Endurance]

"We'll be back in a few minutes" Ecli replied to Erth from distance "It's a promise"

As soon as Ecli and Chigusa entered the alleyway, however, almost complete darkness engulfed them. It didn't take long for Ecli's trained eyes to adjust into it shadows cast by houses at both sides. Beams of light emerged from here and there from up the alley and together with intense darkness and ringing sounds of the battle it made the atmosphere extremily ghastly.

The once wide and spacious alleyway had during the years turned into filthy and cramped with rubbish and tools of different trades which were broken or useless otherwise. Ecli didn't have any problems of jumping over thrash but he was considerate enough to move and push them aside a little bit to allow Chigusa to move behind him with more ease and grace, something which was quite a challenge when wearing an overly flamboyant and beautiful dress.

The alley was even tighter when they reached the first T-intersection in the middle of three large buildings. This particular intersection was bathed with bright light and it stinged their eyes when they both stepped out from the darkness.

"We should reach the mountains faster if we turn left." Ecli exlaimed rather matter of factly. It was a lie. He didn't exactly know where it led but he thought it should lead close to one of the herbal stores he had visited earlier. He had noticed lots of dead-ends there, so there was a big chance it would be the first thing he and Chigusa would encounter. He had no intention to give Chigusa a chance to decide otherwise and dived again into beckoning darkness.

Ecli didn't pay any attention to Chigusa even if she had said something behind him, it was not important anymore.

[Ekaterini]

Having thoroughly checked that Erth wasn't wounded save a few scratches and little bruises, Risa sat down with him on a fallen beam in the street to wait for Chigusa and Ecli to return. Erth kept his eyes on the alleyway, and the wolf-woman could see that he was worried.

Risa turned her gaze to the dark passage too. Now that she thought about it, it *was* strange that Ecli wanted to split the group up and go on into the gloom with only the young woman. Not to think ill of the girl, but with all those flouncy, cumbersome petticoats and nothing close to what one would call a weapon, she didn't seem like she's be any sort of help in a problem. Wouldn't it have been better for Ecli to leave Chigusa here with her and Erth? Of course, it wouldn't have been wise to go alone, and it was dangerous for Erth so of course he should stay behind and herself to watch over him. But then again should they have split up? What if something happened to either group, especially the pair in the darkness? Risa guessed then it would ensure at least *part* of the group would survive. Or would it?

Risa shook her head to clear her mind. I don' like this at all. Isn't it "safety in numbers"? Erth n' I should go catch up wi' them. But wha' if that only makes more trouble.. ohhh! Exhasperated at her indecision, she kicked at the dust. Erth watched her questioningly. Suddenly meeting his eyes with her own, Risa took the anthro-boy's hand and said, "We canna let this group get sep'rated. We shouldn'a le' them go on alone, Erth. Let's go find them!"

Glad that they'd all be together again, but afraid of going into the darkness, Erth stammered a shakey "O-okay!" and hugged the wolf-woman's leg as they approached the shadows. Tightly clasping hands, the pair plunged into the alleyway.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus looked up at the man standing over her, too depressed to take note of his criticism.

"So are you planning to sit there until you get stepped on or crushed by a falling wall or will you get up and help me find someone?”

The serving girl looked forlornly up at him. "I've sprained my ankle," she said quietly, "but I will do what I can, m'lord." Reaching up, she took his hand and pulled herself up to a painful standing position. She nearly fell over on the first step she took, and bit her lip to keep from screaming. Standing gingerly on her good leg, she wiped the blood off her lip with the back of her hand. "All right, m'lord, I'm ready," she said with a false smile of bravado.

[Kayay]

~~~~Seth~~~~

“Personally, I’m getting tired of these surprises,” Seth retorted. “The main force is being held back by the outer wall, but they’ve got the advantage of sheer numbers. One smaller force is attacking from north, and if they break through they’ll surround us.”

Metal screamed and Seth looked up in time to see Aaron’s blade slice through an enemy who’d charged the four. Sparks ignited the liquid metal and the Zaibach guymelef, staggering back and the dying pilot fought to control the massive machine, bust into flames. He couldn’t see the other man’s face, but Seth knew Aaron wore that same expressionless mask.

“Basram, you have a plan I hope? We can’t afford to give up so much ground otherwise,” the knight’s voice cracked over the comm.

In Castor, meanwhile, Aaron tensed. A sense of déjà vu came upon him, and he sensed something, or someone, familiar near. Then without warning nor explanation, Aaron broke away from Seth, Findel, and Ceren, and headed straight for the palace.

“Aaron!” Seth called over the comm., but all he got in reply was static. Damn.


~~~~Melef Hangar~~~~

“Ye sure this is a good idea, Jora?”

“No, but do y’have any others?”

The mechanic beside her frowned but shook his head. “Damn crazy idea,” he muttered.

“Not so crazy that officer didn’t naysay it.”

“Aye,” the man reluctantly admitted.

“So is everything set? Is the area cleared?”

“Jus ‘bout. There’s a few workers left checkin’ the charges. Now it’s up t’tha crazy son of a..”


~~~~Foucault~~~~

So eager and willing to serve even when faced with the possibility of injury and death, Foucault liked that in the girl, yet at the same time he despised it. Although he imagined had the others of her kind showed such submission then dealing with them would have been much simpler.

The merchant regarded her, lips pressed together in a thin line, then offered his shoulder in support. “Lean on me or you’ll fall down before we make it five steps.” He didn’t wait for Aethaeus to act, however, instead taking the imitative, draping her arm around his shoulder and grabbing her firmly about the waist.

“I’d come back to the castle to see the coronation,” he lied, “when Zaibach attacked. The streets are a mess, full of debris and panicked people, so it was more sensible to seek shelter here.” He paused long enough to allow the servant girl to rest and catch her breath then casually added, “So whatever became of those temple intruders you and that furry masked one were taking care of?”


~~~~Fangolas~~~~

“Look out!”

The group scattered at the guard’s cry, and the chunks of stone and mortar fell around them. Fangolas, hunched over Dream in what under any other circumstances would be a very embarrassing position, looked up through a haze of dust and dirt. A section of the wall had collapsed, and through the gap was the distinctive red flash of a Zaibach guymelef uncloaked.

“I don’t think it’s seen...” began Fangolas, but then the melef turned towards them.


~~~~Cain~~~~

“Sir, we’ve found them.”

Cain smiled and turned Pollux towards Miguel’s coordinates. “Follow me and cover my back,” he ordered the rest, and within seconds he stood beside Miguel and was looking through the visor at a surprised Queen and her escort. His smile broadened and Cain decloaked, revealing the ancient Oreades. A split second later a crima claw shot out, impaling two of the guards. Pinned against the stone wall, blood dripped from their bodies and they jerked and weak gurgling sounds came from their mouths. The claw withdrew and he men slid to the floor, limp and lifeless.

[Ekaterini]

Avoiding a section of a stone block from crushing him, Idein hurled himself sideways to the floor. When the cloud of dust that resulted from the block's fall had settled, he could glimpse at what had caused the wall to cave in. Guymelefs! The samurai and the others stared up at the behemoths entering the back of the palace.

Idein pounded a fist against the floor, and it made a dull thud and a puff of powdery dust. They had been so close! The exit was just over there! Now a red Zaibach 'melef was glaring down at them with others close behind it. With a deft move of its arm, the red mecha speared two of the soldiers in the escort like a pair of wriggling fish on pikes. As if toying with its prey, the 'melef regarded the group at its feet for a moment before picking off another soldier, then another when he ran. Those still alive froze, cowering behind fallen chunks. The captain of the escort, who was with the queen, had a hand on her shoulder and was pushing her down and back against their piece of stone in a last attempt to keep her out of the crima claw's range. A soft chuckle echoed eerily out of the red giant, and Idein imagined a wolf chortling over cornered baby rabbits.

*pound* *pound* *pound* Everyone's heart was up his or her ears.

Dammit, dammit, dammit! Idein screamed in his mind. This is not ending like this! But how in hell was he or any of them going to stop a guymelef? Something, something.. his thoughts raced. What will stop this guy..??? What... Suddenly an idea came to him, but he practically laughed aloud at himself. Hah You're insane Idein, it's never going to work. But it was their only shot--short of surrender that is, but by the looks of the readied crima claws, that probably wasn't an option either. Do or die.

Pushing himself to his feet and marching directly out in front of the lead 'melef--it was the only red one present--Idein glared up into the pilot's visor and yelled up as strongly and clearly as he could, "Congradulations, pilot!"

The mecha seemed to pause.

"A fine job you've done with your invisible guymelef, armed to the teeth and chasing a group on foot! Has it even occurred to you that today was the coronation of our Queen?! How vile and low can you get?! Has Zaibach indeed lost all of its decency?! If you had an ounce of honor left in your bastard body, you'd come down out of your fire and liquid metal-loaded 'melef and face me like a real soldier or knight! Or are you too afraid to lose when the stakes are even?! Are you a cripple that you can't manage without your big suit?! Come! Prove to me in front of my Queen of Fanelia and in front of all your men that you can take a fair fight!"

Idein prayed that this pilot was a proud man--or he was dead where he stood.

[Kayay]

~~~~Cain~~~~

With a hiss of pistons and a thin cloud of steam the cockpit opened, revealing Cain nestled in his seat with a bemused smile on his face. Wires and tubes ran from his dark battle suit, and as he took hold of the edges and lifted himself up they detached and retreated, lifelike, to the recesses of the melef’s cockpit. Perched with one leg on the edge of the hatch, he stretched languidly. Then he slowly lowered his head opening his eyes and locking them with Idein’s. They shined in the dark of his shadow, gold and bloody rose, studying him like a cat does its prey.

“You are a fool,” he stated flatly. “Nobility and honor will be the death of you, samurai, but if you’re so eager to die by my hand, so be it.” With catlike grace he dropped to the ground in front of Idein.

“Captain?” came a voice from thin air, indicating that he was not alone. There were cloaked melefs behind him.

“Don’t worry Miguel. This will be over soon enough. I’ll deal with this young upstart and you and the others take care of the rest however you see fit.” Peering at Dream with his golden eye, he added, “All of them.”

No sooner did Cain give his order than another crima claw shot out towards the remaining soldiers, including the captain of the escort and Fangolas. Someone screamed -- maybe it was the girl – Cain drew his sword, and there was an instant when time stood still. Then the wail of metal upon metal pieced the air. Fangolas, legs braced and muscles straining, held his blade out before him, deflecting the liquid metal attack, and the captain had successfully deflected another.

He gave his opponent no warning nor time to prepare, Cain merely attacked, sword aimed to slice Idein from right shoulder to left hip.

[Ekaterini]

When the pilot first showed his face, Idein was hard pressed to keep a serious expression and not appear shocked. Aaron?? No..no, that can't be him..right? His hair's different and also his entire manner.. They look so alike! Does Aaron have..?

“You are a fool. Nobility and honor will be the death of you, samurai, but if you’re so eager to die by my hand, so be it.”

Setting his jaw and brushing away how idiotic he felt after his little speech, Idein returned the pilot's gaze and concentrated on the situation at hand. Yeah, yeah, foolish as I seem, at least you're out of the 'melef.

“Don’t worry Miguel. This will be over soon enough. I’ll deal with this young upstart and you and the others take care of the rest however you see fit. All of them.”

Shiiiiit.

Idein didn't even have time to hope that the others could defend themselves. The spears of liquid metal sailed through the air and smashed into their targets. The screech of deflected metal though was a welcome sound, but there was no time for Idein to rejoice in it.

*shing* *crasshhh*

Though he had been completely playing the situation by ear up til then, at least Idein had a feeling that the strange pilot would attack without warning, and he quickly drew his own sword and locked blades with his opponent. Already he could sense that the man was a merciless swordsman. Taking a deep breath to clear and cool his mind, the samurai pushed the pilot backwards to unlock their weapons and prepared for another blow.

“You’re quick. I’ll give you that.” Cain brought his blade back up into guard position, one foot positioned in front and body turned to present his side, thus giving Idein a smaller target. “But how long can you keep it up while your friends die around you?”

The rocks and dirt that littered the ground trembled from the impact of a melef sword, and Fangolas barely managed to get himself and Dream out of the way. The nomad and the few guards who remained fought valiantly, but how could they win against armored guymelefs? From behind the cloud of dust that’d risen between the two swordsmen, Cain attacked again, this time bringing his sword in an upwards slash.

Ignoring the sting in his eyes from the dust, Idein saw the glint of metal in the cloud and thrust out his sword to catch it as it swooshed up. Don't get angry..

"Don't give me that "as your friends die" nonsense; their deaths would only give me more satisfaction in killing you." This time Idein attacked, and he swung his sword in a quick diagonal arc at the opposing man's middle.

Cain brought his sword up to deflect Idein's attack. Then, using his momentum carry him a little past of his opponent, he twisted his body and brought his sword around to Idein's exposed side. There was another block, another parry, and another counterattack as the two swordsmen continued their dance.

"You're good samurai," Cain acknowledged, "and with a few more years of intense training, maybe you could beat me, but," he continued as a gleam flashed in his eyes, a light that bordered on madness, "I'm better." Their blades locked, and with a twist of his wrist and shifting of his weight the Fanelian's sword slipped from Idein's grip and clattered to the stone floor. "Enjoy your honorable death," he sneered, sword poised to deliver the killing blow, but midway in its deadly downward arc he faltered, seemingly distracted by some inner conflict, his jaw clenched, giving Idein time to roll aside, thus inflicting a painful but far from fatal wound. Sheathing his blade, Cain ignored the wounded Idein and stepped over the body of the escort captain, heedless of the pools of blood.

"Your Highness," he addressed the monarch and bowed mockingly. "We can do this the easy or the hard way." He was aware of Idein and Fangolas behind him, still alive, and most likely they'd attempt to stop him, but they'd have to deal with Miguel and the other Dragonslayers first.

Idein, angrily gripping the slash across his upper arm with the other hand, also knew this, and though he picked himself up and exchanged frustrated glances with Fangolas who stood nearby with Dream behind him, he didn't rush at the gold and red-eyed pilot. Neither of them did, useless as such an action would be with all the Zaibach mecha pointing directly at them. Idein silently cursed himself and the enemy. Their time was running out. Think! Think fast..!

((OOC: I corrected the Fagolas typo for ya, Kayay. lol ))

[Eydtman]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Within the City~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The once peaceful streets and alleyways of the kingdom of Fanelia now lay covered with bodies and scraps of metal that at one time might have resembled mighty guymelefs. Two lone guymelefs walked along a street, which had recently seen action.

“Any word on how the other squads have been fairing?” asked the pilot of the melef who was in the lead.

“Not yet Sir,” replied the pilot of the other melef, “I’m still awaiting for word from the commander.”

The pilot of the first melef frowned. He’d already lost most of his men in this mission. They had encountered greater resistance than anticipated and the lack of communication that he was experiencing on this mission was disturbing. He’d much prefer to be in constant contact with his superiors.

“Be sure to keep me informed.”
“Of course, Captain.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Melef training area~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pain shot through his head as consciousness reared it ugly head. He slowly opened his eyes and let the blur that was the world around him come to focus at a snail’s pace. He could hear thundering cracks and metal striking metal in his not-so-distant surroundings. Slowly he raised his hand to the source of the pain and touched it, causing a stinging pain to shoot throughout his body. The distinct texture of congealing blood was mixed with his hair. A loud crash close by brought him back to consciousness and the account of recent events flooded him.

“I should’ve killed her... I know I should’ve the second I found my weapons. Women… nothing but trouble,” he mumbled silently as he laboriously forced himself upright. “I must have a target painted on my head or something because it sure has become a popular target for blunt objects as of late,” he said bitterly as he kicked aside the bloody hunk of stone that had been so graciously used to flatten a large part of his skull.

It was just then that Elisan had remembered why he had been standing in this room in the first place. “The melef! I swear to god if she took it I’ll hunt her down and skin her alive!” However, to Elisan’s relief, when he turned around the melef had not moved from where he had originally found it.

”At least one thing hasn’t gone wrong today for a change.”

The melef itself looked less than impressive, but it was better than nothing and if he were lucky it would at the very least serve him well until he could acquire another. He ran his fingers down a seam at the side of the melef’s chest until they met the latch he was looking for. With a slight hiss the hatch opened revealing the cockpit’s innards. The Interior was quite different from the Zaibachian guymelefs that he was used to, but, from what he could tell, it seemed to be based on the same basic piloting principals as its Zaibachian counterparts. He climbed up and strapped himself in. It felt hauntingly comfortable. With a flick of a switch the cockpit hatch slid shut and the melef powered itself up. “Time to get this rusted heap of jumbled parts moving. I’ve got a lot of built up aggression I need to get out of my system and if Fanelia is as weak as it was back during the Great War, I don’t have much time before this battle will be over.”

With a lurch, the melef slowly began to rise from its crouching position. It was a shaky transition from a crouch to a stand, but as much was to be expected from a pilot with no training in the particular model. Elisan turned the melef to face the rack of weapons on the far wall to his left. With great concentration Elisan took his first step, which could be described as “less than graceful” but with each step he slowly began to adapt to the unfamiliar controls of new melef. As he reached the rack of weapons, Elisan extended the melef’s arm and ran it’s hand over each of the weapons until it finally came to rest upon a chipped, scratched and fairly beaten long sword. “No wonder Zaibach won so easily during the Great War, just look at the trash with which they learn to fight.” He removed the sword from the rack and held it out in front of him. With a quick movement of the arm he slashed the air in front of him. “It’s a piece of ----, but it’ll do. In other words, a perfect match for this melef”

SMASH!!!!

Elisan quickly took a step back and the torso of a Fanelian melef crashed through the hangar doors and slid past him. It was then that another melef, Zaibachian in design, charged in through the now broken door and drove its liquid metal blade into the cockpit of the fallen Fanelian guymelef. The melef’s arms twitched for a moment and then fell lifelessly to its sides. The Zaibachian tore his blade from the pile of scrap that was once a melef. The blade itself was now stained a shade of crimson, a mix of blood and mechanical fluid. The Zaibachian turned and faced Elisan. For a second it hesitated, wondering whether or not a cheap training melef was even worth it’s time, but the thought of another stamp on the edge of his cockpit was worth the extra few seconds work it would take to defeat a pilot in training. The pilot raised its blade and pointed it at Elisan before it began to break into a charge heading straight for him.

“Bah… I was hoping to get a tad more accustomed to this heap before taking it into battle, but I guess there’s no faster way to get used to a melef than to fight in it.”

The opposing melef slashed at Elisan’s right side, but was blocked seemingly effortlessly by the battered sword. The melef then spun itself in the opposite direction bringing around its blade in an arc aimed for the neck of Elisan’s melef.

“Rookie’s moves,” Elisan said snidely. “It wouldn’t be wise to estimate my abilities by the appearance of my melef!” He shouted as he again blocked and forced back the Zaibachian blade with his sword. The Zaibachian melef stumbled a step backwards before regaining its composure and charging again. It thrust the tip of it’s blade straight out in front of it aiming to skewer the cockpit and Elisan inside.

“Pathetic…”

Elisan parried the attack with his sword quite easily. As he did so, he stepped slightly to his side, throwing the attacking melef off balance and sending it stumbling past him. Elisan spun and drove the sword’s edge into the neck of the opposing melef cleaving the head clear off. The melef crashed to the ground and before it could even attempt to stand again a large metal foot pinned it to the floor. Elisan raised the blade above his head and spun it around so that its point was facing down towards the back of the fallen melef. Swiftly he drove the sword downward through the melef’s back and into its cockpit.

“Good job…quite impressive actually, seeing as it was done with only a training model,” came a voice from somewhere around the entrance to the hangar. Elisan spun quickly to face the source of the voice and saw a Fanelian melef standing by the door, which had apparently bore witness to his battle. “But the battle isn’t over yet. The enemy is still advancing and we need you over at the--” The pilot was cut off however as Elisan drove his sword into the unsuspecting Fanelian’s cockpit “Why….” pleaded the pilot as the melef slumped limply on Elisan’s sword.

“Why? Zaibach, Fanelia… it all makes no difference to me. I’m just doing what I enjoy,” replied Elisan.

Elisan placed his foot on the melef and pushed it off of his sword. The crumpled form of a melef fell to the floor, a pool of blood growing beneath it. Without a second glance at the fallen melefs that littered the ground of the training hangar, Elisan turned and headed out the door toward his new “playground” with a smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A few minutes later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The two melefs halted. Just ahead of them they could hear signs of combat.

“Sir, none of our units are supposed to be in this area at this time, shall I go check it out?”

“Go ahead, but if you encounter trouble call for backup first before engaging, Sergeant,” replied the captain.

“Understood. Moving out.”

The captain watched as the other melef passed him and headed towards the source of the sound. The melef rounded a corner and walked out of sight. He waited for word from the other melef in regards to what was happening. He didn’t have to wait long.

“Sir you won’t believe this.”

“What is it?” asked the captain.

“One of their pilots must have gone mad. He seems to be attacking his own troops, and you should see the heap of a melef he is piloting,” Replied the sergeant.

“Hold up sergeant. If he’s attacking the enemy than its possible that its one of our troops in a stolen melef.”

“One moment, sir, and I’ll check.”

The captain listened in over the comm. system.

“Hey you there, identify yourself,” commanded the sergeant.

There was a brief pause before the reply came. “My name? Corpses need not know any names…”

“That voice… it sounds familiar,” muttered the captain. It was then that it hit him, “Him! It’s him! Sergeant fall ba-“ His warning however came moments too late as a haunting scream of pain screeched over the comm. “Sergeant!” hollered the captain as he broke out into a run towards where he had last seen his comrade fade around the corner. His eyes filled with horror as he saw what he had feared he would. In front of him stood his comrade’s melef, a long and bloody blade protruding from it’s back, and holding that blade was the scarcely armoured Fanelian guymelef that the late sergeant had been talking about.

“You…. I was wondering when you would show your hideous face again.”

The Fanelian melef pulled his sword from the chest of the melef and pushed it aside, pausing for a moment before replying.

“Am I suppose to know you?” asked Elisan.

“You may have forgotten me, but I will NEVER forget you!” replied the Zaibachian pilot.

“Well I do tend to have that effect on people.”

“I’ll make you pay for what you’ve done!” yelled the Zaibachian.

“For killing one of your men? If you’d look behind me you’ll notice a pair of Fanelian melefs behind me, so by rights, to be even, you still owe me another of yours,” Replied Elisan calmly.

“No, not for that. You really don’t remember do you?” asked the Zaibachian.

“Refresh my memory.”

“Have you actually forgotten the reason that we locked you away for all that time?”

“Oh… that… Yeah, I know what I did, but I don’t see how it concerns you.”

“You killed my father you son of a bitch!”

“Ah… yeah I guess that would about do it. Long time no see Viris.”

“So you do remember me.”

“I remember how your daddy lavished upon you the title that was meant for me. He deserved what he got in the end.”

“I earned my title! My father had nothing to do with my getting promoted and you know that. You’ve always been just a second rate pilot compared to me.”

“I dare you to repeat that again…” growled Elisan.

“You’ll never be anything compared to me…”

“Then let’s find out once and for all, right here, right now, which one of us is the better pilot.”

“I will defeat you… and I will avenge my father…”

“How touching. A single tear just ran down my cheek, I swear.”

(OOC: I'm not sure how exactly Kayay planned the hangar to look, but Elisan was in a different area than the mechanics and everyone else. It was more like a sparring area, where melefs pilots trained, and its attatched to the main hangar, but separate. I'll have to work out the details of the layout with Kayay later. None of the meat of this post will change by changing the hangar layout, however.)

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus shuddered involuntarily as the pale man slid his arm around her waist. Don't be foolish, she said to herself. He's obviously not a member of the guard, and he's just trying to help. A silent argument raged inside her as she though about her last experience with a guard who was trying to "help." She almost missed what the man was saying until he addressed her directly.

“So whatever became of those temple intruders you and that furry masked one were taking care of?”

"Oh, they...." Think fast, Aethaeus, "they escaped. I left to get them more linens and when I came back, they were gone." There, she thought, that won't get me into too much trouble. No need to say that I left them for any other reason. Who knows, maybe they really did escape.

[Kayay]

~~~~Foucault~~~~

“Oh?” He frowned although mentally he smiled, certain he could use that to his advantage should he run into one of the escapees. “That would make them fugitives then.”

As they neared the back of the castle where the kitchens were located the floors beneath their feet rumbled, and the air stumbled. “What?” began the merchant, squinting to see thought he cloud of dust that now filled the area. Unknown to both the two where just a short distance away from the Queen and her escort, and a heartbeat later the screams of the men impaled by the Zaibach crima claws echoed down the hall. Two voices, both male, Foucault could hear, but he couldn’t make out their words, muffled by the thick haze that hung in the air and the stone walls of the palace, but he did recognize the ringing sound of metal upon metal that followed.

“Perhaps we should turn back,” he muttered more to himself than to the catgirl. Her well being mattered not to him, but his life, in his opinion, mattered quite a bit. The decision, however, was taken out of his hands as another section of weakened wall behind them crumpled, blocking their escape. They could only go forward now towards the sounds of battle.


((OOC: Update
- Aaron has run off in Castor on his own towards the palace.
- Dream, Idein, and Fang are with the Queen and her guards and were attacked by Cain and some of his men. Cain wounded Idein and is about to kidnap Hikari. Megumi, let me know if you want to post something for Dream before Cain makes his next move.
-Elisan commandeered a training melef causing destruction.
- Eitre is wandering alone. He’ll reappear at Chesta’s discretion
- Gwyn, Touji, and Dryan meanwhile are somewhere on palace grounds I think and were attacked by a few Zaibach soldiers.
- Seth is with Findel and Ceren near the breech in the outer wall. By the second wall charges are being set as Findel ordered, and the captain of the Fanelian forces has been told of this.
- Risa, Erth, Chigusa, and Ecli are in the city. Ecli is leading Chigusa off and Risa and Erth decided to follow. The next move is Endurance’s.
I think that accounts for everyone. Look over the posts relevant to your character for more details.))

[Endurance]

The dark alleyway that Chigusa and Ecli were traversing was turning nastier every second. In bleak darkness it was very hard to tell what was lying on the ground, however the smell, which was quite horrible, did not make it difficult to imagine in what kind of state all the filth on the ground was. It was like that the stuff on ground was alive and had a malignant will of it's own, so badly it was on Ecli's and Chigusa's way at the moment.

With a loud mutter Ecli kicked some of the stuff out of way. He instantly regretted that as a pack of rats scampered underneath the stuff and ran away, hissing loudly at their wake.

Damn rats and filth, just like in Zaibach way back. I wonder if it's still like that in there.

They both jumped over a broken-down jumble of wood that had perhaps years back resembled a makeshift-cart of a kind. Now it was forgotten and lost.

Wasn't this Chigusa held captive in Zaibach ?

The question bugged Ecli. He had been away for so long time that some things might have changed. Maybe everything was better now. Maybe he would be able to breath the air of Zaibach without feeling sick all the time?
Ecli glanced behind his back and saw how Chigusa was following close enough.

"Hey,Chigusa! I know that this is not the place and time to ask, but how did you feel when you were in Zaibach?"

"I suppose the best way to describe being in Zaibach...It was like I was trapped in a Motel 6, but that could have just been the cell they were keeping me in. I really didn't get to see too much of the city really, I was too busy trying to escape." Chigusa muttered dryly. It seemed like an odd question to ask just as Zaibach was invading. Gasping sharply as a rat dashed past her leg Chigusa quickened her pace.

This was an uncomfortable city, with uncomfortable... accourtrements. Chigusa loved that word, though she'd never say anything as base and childish as 'I love that word!' aloud. After all, she was much too mature to gush over a foreign language. Did she look like a Ko-Gal?

The cobblestones, damp with mold and stagnant rain, were slick and irregular beneath her feet. She misstepped once, and felt an uncomfortable twist in her ankle. Pausing to test her step, she nodded to herself. She'd live; it would just be a bit sore. And she wouldn't draw attention to her own clumsiness.

Of course, if we were back home, back in Japan, this wouldn't be a problem. The silent statement didn't have as much heat as it usually did. Actually, it was much like the ground. Damp, rotten, and- here Chigusa kicked at a cobblestone and arched a brow at how loose it was, wobbling like a tooth- without any real strength. She no longer could hide from the fact that she'd been chosen by something, brought by something to this world. She hated it, hated whatever had picked her out, hated the fate that had brought her here, but she couldn't change it.

For the time being, it seemed Chigusa was stuck.

Shrugging off her melancholy thoughts, she brought her attention back to Ecli.

"Why do you ask?"
"Just curious" Ecli answered without discretion. "I lived there, once, got sick of it, literally. The air was not so clean, you see. Might be that way still"

A grin worked it's way to Ecli's face. It was about time to find some Zaibachian troops and turn her in.

"So, you wouldn't like being there again, eh?"

"Most certainly not... " Chigusa fixed Ecli with a funny stare as a maniacal grin spread across his features. Something about his smile sent a shiver that started at her neck and worked its way down her spine like some icy specter’s hands.

Which of course was extremely ridiculous since Ecli worked in the palace and was a scholar. Shaking her head and dismissing her worries as nothing more the paranoia Chigusa peered into the inky blackness of their path. "I'm beginning to think that this isn't the way."

"Funny" Ecli replied delightedly "And I was quite sure this would have been the fastest route out of here". He clearly heard a distant screams of pain, and a clashing sound of metal against metal now. It seemed that the battle was still going on strong, and wherever the battle would be fought; there would definitely be high-ranking Zaibachian officers about.

Following the sounds it only took a mere minute to get out the cramped alleyway, back to more lit environment, however judging the sounds heard just a minute ago, this exterior would not be any safer than the alleyway had been.

[Kayay]

~~~~Random Zaibach Soldier~~~

Coughing, Shannon*climbed from the ruins of his guymelef, a good portion of it covered by the rumble from a toppled building. He swore to himself, cursing the Fanelians, the Gods, and the large piece of jagged stone he stubbed his toe. Leaning against the simgle standing wall of the aforementioned building, he pulled his communication device out, intending to contact the rest of his squadron.

It was then that he looked to his right and saw two people, one young girl and one blonde man in robes, stumble from an alleyway.

“Dulce,” he spoke into his comm as he drew his sword, eyes fixed on the pair across the way. Something was vaguely familiar about the blonde man, as if he’d seen that face before in passing in the hallways back home perhaps, but that was impossible…wasn’t it?. “Lock on my signal. My melef was wrecked, and I need back up.”


((OOC: * Remember Shannon and Dulce form the Creten mission in the Zaibach thread? Of course you do. Neither is particularly important, but I wanted to reuse em.))


~~~~Erth~~~~

“Wait f’Erth!” wailed the child’s voice.

On all fours he bounded through the alley, Risa chasing after him. Form time to time he stopped, hissed back at the rats that turned beady eyes at him, looked over his shoulder to make sure “Risa Ma’am” was never far away, then plowed onward through flith and muck. Bursting from the dark alleyway, the sunlight, flitered through the smoke that now hung over the city, seemd blinding, and the child blinked a few times as his large yellow eyes adjusted. His nose wrinkled up and twitched as he tried to scent the girl and medicine man but the stench of the alley and of battle made it had to pinpoint them.

Erth turned his questioning gaze back to the wolfwoman as she caght up, her fingers tangling in his head fur and scratching him reassutringly behind the ears. “Risa Ma’am?”


((OOC: EvaRob’s last post (http://www.animeboards.com/showpost.php?p=537770077&postcount=322) placed Touji, Gywn, and Dryan somewhere in the palace up against some armored Zaibachians. Other people in the vicinity are Foucault and Aethaeus (http://www.animeboards.com/showpost.php?p=537775488&postcount=348) and, of course, Dream, Idein, Cain, etc. currently fighting. Post accordingly.))

[Ekaterini]

Motion and madness. If Dream had had time to think, that's what she might have said. It was all motion and madness. The world was disintegrating around them, and Dream had brain and breath for only screaming. One scream--then her stamina was gone.

Cain’s attention momentarily switched from the newly crowned Queen to Dream and the dark skinned man hovering protectively near her. He was about to dismiss her as of no consequence, when something odd, a feeling perhaps, about her struck him. Strange. She reminds me of… No. It doesn’t matter. “Kill them,” he ordered the pilot of one of the guymelfs and turned back to the Queen.

Idein in the meantime stood helpless under the aim of another set of crima claws. His red eyes glared hatred into Cain's back, and his tattoo burned on his forehead. You want to play dirty? Call off your dogs and I'll show you dirty...

What the girl saw beyond Fangolas' figure nearly made her heart stop. It couldn't be.... "Aaron..?" she whispered.
It couldn't be.... HE was far colder, far more cruel than Aaron had ever looked. This cannot be the future... can it?

The fair-haired soldier whirled about, gesturing to Miguel to hold his fire. “What did you say?”

The enemy's gaze pierced her eyes and penetrated her throat. It felt as if her very voice had been frozen. Dream clutched at her skirt until her knuckles turned white. It can't be Aaron... but who else could it be? The Earth girl swallowed painfully, her thoughts racing through her mind. Unexpectedly, a thought snagged on the edge of her consciousness. The Gemini seeks the path of the dragon. Her self turned inward and took hold of the verse before it could fly away. "The... Gemini...?" The words broke her lips before she knew she had said them.

He held his sword casually at his side, as if he thought Idein and Fangolas no threat, although beneath that seeming indifference was a quiet and deadly readiness, and crossed the short distance towards Dream. Fang immediately stepped to intervene, but a flash of liquid metal from one of the melefs shot out and struck the nomad. Blood blossomed from the wound, but thankfully he’d managed to twist in time to avoid a serious injury. Unfortunately, however, Fangolas was now separated from Dream, and Cain moved closer to the girl. “What are you talking about girl?” he demanded.

Another scream tore from her lips as Fangolas fell. Fear, rage, and adrenaline brought new life to her limbs, and her arm flew out to ready to strike him. "Stay away... stay away!! You're not him! Stay away!!!"

"Him? You mean Aaron?" Cain chuckled as he approached, but he seemed unconcerned, even amused, and when her open palm struck, he didn't bother to avoid her blow. Instead, his hand reached out and grabbed her wrist, and for a heartbeat he stood there, head to the side from her slap and her wrist held painfully tight in his hand. "You're right; I'm not him." His grip tightened. "But what do you know about him anyway? What do any of you know?" Then he turned his head to look directly into her frightened eyes and smiled coolly, releasing Dream.

Dream instinctively brought her arm up. She was half-drowning in her own tears, but was not strong enough to cease the flow. Where are you? Dream screamed out him. Aaron... where are you?!: She choked out "Who are you?"

“Cain.”

With that one word, he turned his back on Dream and strode back to the Queen. She shook more with anger than fear. How dare they! Hikari cursed him and looked around for a weapon, any weapon, but nothing was within reach. Realizing the futility of trying to fight a trained soldier, she then made a dash to escape, but Cain lashed out with one hand, bringing his sword up with the other. A quick blow to the base of her head with the hilt and Hikari crumbled to in his arms. “The hard way then,” he smirked, hefted the woman unceremoniously over his left shoulder, and walked back to the gaping hole in the wall, his sword still at the ready in his other hand.

Despite his anger, Idein's mind suddenly seemed very clear, and time slowed. In a fraction of a second that seemed far longer, he decided that it must be that feeling people had when death was unavoidable and must be faced. After all, Cain seemed intent upon killing them all. As Idein acted--slowly so it seemed--his vision changed altogether, and he was standing in the breezy far pasture on his farm, as a boy, small and light for his age. The memory unraveled before his eyes, and the now child Idein watched a large raven making off with a shiny, engraved buckle he was going to put on one of his father's horse's bridles. He had placed the bridle and new buckles aside for a moment to chase a playful bay filly, and now turning back to his task, spotted the thieving bird. Quick as a thought, the indignant boy grabbed a rock and heaved it hard at the black-feathered bandit. The memory dissolved, and Idein now watched as his rock sped straight for the back of Cain's head. In the final split seconds, Idein smiled with dry amusement; though he was an adult, how childish the action made him feel. Childish, but satisfied. Here, his thoughts stopped for him to dodge the crima claws that would most likely descend. If that would even be possible.

“Captian,” cried out one of his men, and Cain turned barely in time to avoid the brunt of the blow, but the rock struck his sword arm’s shoulder and he faltered in his step. Blood slowly trickled from Cain’s shoulder.

“No. Don’t Migel. The boy wants to throw rocks then give him plenty more to play with. Bring this place down on their heads.” No sooner was the order given, than a guymelef’s crima claw anchored into the palace wall then withdrew. The already weakened wall began to crumble, a pile of stone falling between Cain and Idein as the two men matched stares. "If you don’t want to be buried alive I suggest you run."

It was awkward getting back into the cockpit, even aided by the snakelike tubes that reattached themselves to his special seals on his suit, but Cain managed. Once inside, he set the unconscious woman beside him and shut the hatch. Just as he did, one of his men’s melefs slammed against him, and he wrested the controls to keep from toppling over. “Miguel, what…” He trailed off, for before him was another bloody red guymelef, much like his but without the modifications of his own. The smile returned to his lips. “So you want to fight me, do you?” he whispered to himself. “Not today.” Over the comm. he continued, “Cover me and order the retreat. We have what we came for.”

Idein silently watched the departing guymelefs with a serious expression until the falling blocks and mortar forced him back. Faintly amused that the remaining three of them hadn't been killed--especially himself--he spun 'round and jogged back to Fangolas sitting on the stone floor. Dream was doing her best to bandage his punctured shoulder with torn strips from her many petticoats.

"Come on, before this hall collapses completely," Idein said simply and solemnly, and helped Fangolas to his feet with Dream at the wounded man's other side. So it seems we live another day. You haven't seen the last of me, Zaibach. Backtracking a bit, the trio hurried though the nearest doorway, into the kitchens again. But they weren't alone there; apparently a man and a catgirl maid had decided to escape the city by a similar path.

“Watch it!” snapped Foucault when he was nearly run over by the three people running blindly towards him. He adjusted his grip around the catgirl’s waist to better support her, although if it came down between a choice of saving her or himself, he’d chose himself every time. And he was very tempted to dump the deadweight and do just that, but two of the strangers, Dream and Fangolas, he recognized as from the group who’d suddenly appeared in the Temple of Escaflowne earlier. He couldn’t leave now. “You can’t go back that way. It’s blocked off, and we were just looking for another way out. There should be a servants' entrance near the kitchens.”

Idein studied Foucault's face for a moment. He recognized him as one of the wealthy merchants from the city..but he couldn't quite place a name to the face. Lord Redclair? Lord Kahshin? Lord Foucault? Is that the merchant politician?? But whoever the man was, it was unimportant at the moment; introductions could be saved for later. Right now they had to get out, and the trio plus two made for the said servants' exit.

[DrZepp]

"You're not going after him?"
Findels voice crackled over the comm. line. But Seth was already a ways ahead, Ceren not too far behind. The Basramian arched a brow, and without another thought sent his Melef, Ecthalier, into motion. They would only get one shot at this, so Aarons random actions would have to wait.

*

The streets of Fanelia seemed deserted, with their patrons either dead or in hiding. The damage was quite impressive considering the relatively short amount of time Zaibach had been in the city. Yet the battle was not over. Most of the units had moved on towards the outer wall, which had now become the most logical place to stay the hell away from. Unfortunately, Findel held a sense of responsibility on his shoulders after spewing out some off the cuff order to the mechanics. He was starting to second-guess himself with every step closer to the giant blockade wall. But it was too late to back out now. Seth and Ceren were a few stone throws ahead of him. If they passed the wall, and if the mechanics had followed his 'orders', things were going to get extremely messy.

The sounds of battle were becoming clearer, the muffled screams more immediate. As soon as the trio turned out into what would have been a central square this time yesterday, they were faced with a rather large and intimidating Zaibach fleet.

Findel halted, as if accidentally walking in on a pack of wolves mid feast.

"BZzbzzz..."
The Basramians comm. crackled in Ceren and Seths cockpit.
"We'll... have to draw them further down the wall. That's where the... *ahem* charges should be set."

[Ekaterini]

~~~~Risa~~~~~

"Erth, don' run too far ahead o' me now!" Risa had called after the anthro-boy as they ran down the alleyway. The hasty speed they kept up was somewhat dangerous in a dark, debris-strewn space, but Risa supposed the sooner they got through the better. And those filthy rats (*shiver*) certainly weren't helping her nerves any. Please don' bite us...please don' bite us...

Finally emerging, Erth allowed the wolf-woman to catch up. “Risa Ma’am?”

Risa gazed around her wondering which way to turn next as she gave the child's ears a gentle fondle. "Now where did they go..?" she mused to no one in particular. It was frustrating; they couldn't be that far ahead could they?

A sudden boom told the pair that there was fighting going on not but a few city blocks away. Risa looked up at the smoke rising above and protectively pulled Erth back with her against a brick wall. She gulped. Well they certainly wouldn't have gone that way. Grasping Erth's hand she began to turn in the opposite direction--but then stopped.

Something..something inside told her to go back, and despite her faults, Risa was one to trust her instinct. Tilting down, she asked her small companion, "Erth, can ye smell our friends' scent down thatta way toward the batt'ling? Can ye tell iffen that's th'way they went?"

The anthro-boy took a few sniffs in the said direction. It made him cough slightly from the smokey air, but he replied, "Well, s'hard t'say..Erth thinks he kin smell 'em down der.." He didn't like not being able to give a more certain answer.

Risa straightened up and gazed down the street. "I've got a feelin' that's th'way they've gone." Pause. "Well, let's take a peek. Mind, stay close t'me now!"

[EvaRobby]

<< OOC: Posting in reply to myself. Oh what fun!
BTW: Kayay informed me that this post would make me the first... at something, so yay for me! :P >>

Touji felt naucious. A sting of pain echoed in his chin. He raised his hand slowly and rubbed rubbed it slowly. Over the last few days, he had grown stubble that was short, sharp and... moist. He held his hand in front of his eyes. Blood.

The clang of metal against metal sounded in front of him. "Touji!" screamed Gwyndolen, parrying a blow meant for him. "What are you doing!?"

Gwyndolen pushed the soldier back until he was back near his comrades. "Dryan. Do something!"

Touji stared at the body in front of him. He stared at the half-sword that protruded from the man's stomach. He listened to the man's groan as the last traces of life slipped away from him.

I did it, thought Touji. I killed him.

[Kayay]

~~~~ Seth ~~~~

"You're not going after him?" Findel’s voice came through on the comm.

“Aaron can take care of himself,” Seth answered, the confidence in his voice covering the doubt. He knew Aaron’s odd mood swings, and something could happen, but right now they had Zaibach to worry about.

"We'll... have to draw them further down the wall. That's where the... *ahem* charges should be set."

A liquid metal blade swept close, too close, and Seth swore to himself for letting his mind wander, occupied as it was with concerns for all those he had responsibility for. “Focus,” he muttered to himself, countering the blow and cutting trough the enemy’s metal cockpit. The melef shuttered and fell, but another stepped in to take it’s place.

“Charges? What ‘charges’ are you talking about Basram?” The knight quickly asked before raising his weapon to a defensive position, blocking the next attack.


~~~~ Fangolas , Foucault, etc. ~~~~

“But the Queen,” protest Fangolas weakly, his warrior’s spirit rebelling against retreat even while he knew it was the only course of action. Thus leaning upon Dream and Idein, the nomad let himself be led away, his shoulder warm with blood and burning with pain. He focused upon his feet and the ground beneath them, careful not to stumble and leaving the navigating to the others, but then two new voices intruded, and Fangolas looked up. he catgirl was familiar. The servant, he thought, and the man also looks vaguely familiar, but he wasn’t sure were he’d seen the man dressed in black before.

Aethaeus had fallen into a stupor of sorts, perhaps from the injury or perhaps from shock of the attack, but he had no time to spare for gentle persuasion at a time like this. “Girl, snap out of it!” Foucault shook the catgirl he was helping support. “You should know these halls better than anyone, so help us find a way out.” Dazed, the girl blinked then pointed to a doorway wither chin. That was good enough for the merchant, and he half dragged the servant girl along in that direction.

She proved useful after all, for in the next room was a spiral staircase near the back corner, one that climbed down to a servant’s entrance out to the grounds outside, near the stables and barracks. Foucault blinked against the sunlight and coughed as smoke seeped into his lungs, smoke form burning buildings in the city. They were safe from being crushed under tons of brick and stone, but now they had to worry about getting killed by Zaibach solders and guymelefs.

“Now what?” he muttered, wondering if it’d be best to find shelter nearby, head towards his manor and whatever protection it could provide, or flee the city and take refuge in the surrounding woods.


((OOC: It's tricky geting back IC! ))

[Kayay]

~~~~Random Zaibach Soldier~~~

((OOC: Hopefully this will help giveyou something to do. As a reminder, this is a continuation of This Post (http://www.animeboards.com/showpost.php?p=537778054&postcount=350)))

Shannon tailed them, eyes fixed upon the blonde man in robes, and certian he'd seen the scholar somewhere before. When the pair stepped from the alleyway, he was right behind them, and it was the drawing of his sword that finally alerted them to the Zaibachian's presence.

"Who are you?" Shannon demanded of Chigusa and Ecli.

Less than a block away E'rth scampered down the cobbled street, following the scent trail of the medicine smelling man and nice girl and leavinf Risa hurrying after him, dispite her warning to stay close. At the next turn, however, he skid to a halt, ears back and eyes wide. They were in some sort of trouble, but the little anthro was torn between fight and flight.

[Princess Samari]

"Zaibach." Chigusa's face visibly paled as she saw the soldier draw his sword eyes fixed on them. Taking a step back, followed by another Chigusa grabbed the scholar's robe and began to drag him with her.

"We have to go *now*" She hissed through grit teeth. The alley was deffinitly a poor choice for places to run. Should the soldier approach them Chigusa decided that the best course of action would be to use the bookworm as a meat shield and make a run for it.

Though Chigusa hopped to avoid the whole bloody mess if she could.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus hovered in a pain-inflicted daze as the stranger pulled her along. She felt him shake her and ask for directions and felt some of her consciousness return. Looking around, she noticed three strangers had now joined them. They look like the prisoners, she thought absently. Almost unthinkingly she pointed the way through the palace and down onto the grounds.

As she felt the fresh air blow across her face, her vision cleared and she noticed signs of fighting around her. Smoke hovered in the distance, and she heard the clang of swords from within the castle. A sudden sense of euphoria filled her body and she felt a smile spread across her face. She attempted to step forward, when she remembered her bad ankle and her smile disappeared.

The sound of horses whinnying in terror reached her ears and she looked to her left. Aethaeus could see the stables, but couldn't make out how many horses were inside. She did some quick calculating in her head and decided that, if they were lucky and not too many soldiers had taken horses into the fight, there should be at least three or four. Not enough for everyone, if they had to travel together, but enough for them to share.

A thought suddenly crossed her mind, and she almost gasped out loud. No, no, don't worry yet, she said to herself. If we go to the stables, I can get it then. If not, well, I suppose I'll have to go by myself. She half-turned to face the man supporting her.

"If you want," she said quietly, "we can take some horses and use them to escape or hide or whatever you had planned on. I'm not sure if there's enough for all of us, though."

((OOC: Wow, it's been a long time. As Kayay said, it's hard getting back into character!))

[DrZepp]

(OOC: Here we go.)


"Charges? What 'charges' are you talking about Basram?" Seth quickly asked before raising his weapon to a defensive position, blocking the next attack.

Findel suddenly smiled, a rare sense of excitement filling his bones as the target came into sight. In an instant his inhibition had vanished, and only the long stretch of wall remained.
"Just... go...zbzzz!"
The Basramians voice sounded off in Ceren and Seths cockpits.
"Down the wall, we need to draw them forward!"

Ceren arched a brow, already taking the front end of the attack. Zaibach Melefs were now pouring into the clearing from the left and right, almost as if they were getting ready to fall back as it was, but had stumbled upon a group of stragglers.

"This better be good!"
Ceren cried out, propelling his Melef into action.

*

Inside the Melef Hangar

The ceiling shook violently, a clear sign that the enemy was near. Pilots scrambled to put up a final line of defense, gearing up their rusty Melefs and jerking them from dormancy. The mood was one of utter chaos and despair. It seemed that Fanelia was lost; that it had succumbed to its past's great shadow. As a small unit of mechanics huddled under a broad Melef tarp, the thought that fate was against them was ever-present.

"I-Its ready!"
One of the pudgy workers signaled, peering under the canopy.
A weathered looking mechanic nodded back, pulling his cap down tight over his balding head.
"Here we go, then..."
He muttered in a characteristically haggard tone.

*


"Just... RUN!"
Findel yelled, dragging his Melef, Ecthaliers tattered leg forward. Suddenly a crima claw shot forth, barely missing Findels visor. This was the end of the line, the small group of three was surrounded. Findels assailant emerged rapidly from his front, barreling down at an intense speed. The Basramian instinctually brought his machine ducking down, yet with its support lost in the right leg, the giant Melef collapsed under its own weight. The speeding Zaibach unit, not having enough time to properly halt, flew over Findels broke down form, colliding head first with his comrades directly behind the Basramian. Taking advantage of the enemies folly, Ceren and Seth closed in, attacking the distracted Melefs, tangled in their own mechanics.

Peering up, Findel noticed two more enemies approaching from the cities innards. It seemed that the main fleet was indeed located in close proximity to the second walls center. So he had been correct in one assumption.
"Lets hope I am no fool to trust some... dead. beat. grease monkeys!"

The tone of the Basrams voice became increasingly biting as he propped Ecthalier up, preparing for the second wave of attacks.
This time, the Zaibach Melefs entered the clearing with a bit more restrain than their comrades. They stood from a distance, and immediately landed two crima claws in Findels side, sending a shrill shockwave through the cockpit. The Basramian grunted, moving his blade forward to dislodge the pikes of metal. This proved useless though, as attention was only drawn to his sole weapon. Another sheet of metal sliced into his right arm, severing the metallic appendage completely. Findel cried out. Ecthalier creaked and spat sparks from its orifices like some damaged hound.

*Indeed...*
Findel cringed, lifting his great machines visor and taking in a deep breath of air.
*She is bleeding.*

With a quick lunge forward, Findel propelled himself from Ecthaliers cockpit, avoiding another crima claw as it lodged into his visor.

Suddenly, the smell of gunpowder became overwhelming. Being exposed to the outside in the midst of a battlefield for once had its advantages. The Basramian peered across the clearing at Seth and Ceren, who were steadily being pushed back towards the center of the wall. In an act of desperation, Findel threw himself back towards his cockpit, grasping for his communications device. Between two sweaty fingers, the small wire was pulled from its position, and brought directly to Findels lips.

"Get down!"
His voice strained, barely coming out as an audible message.

In a flash of light, the great wall behind them burst forward, followed by a protrusion of flame and smoke. It was as if someone had fired a rocket of from the other end, and the debris shot forth with such great speed that those in its way were either disemboweled or decapitated. Findel felt the heat rip across his flesh, and in an attempt to save his own life he let himself fall from Ecthaliers wounded cap. 15 feet later, he hit the ground with a thud.

[Kayay]

~~~~Aaron~~~~

Adrenaline rushed through his bloodstream. Weapon at the ready Aaron faced the other blood red melef, but suddenly he felt slow and disoriented, and a feeling of dejavu swept over him. He’d seen the other guymelef so similar to his yet obviously in better condition, newer, and modified during the attack on the airship that carried him from Palas to Freid, but this was the first time they’d faced off, and excitement mingled with foreboding.

Thus, precious seconds passed before the initial attack, but it wasn’t with the pilot of the other antiquated looking guymelef. Two of his slayers blocked Aaron’s way, their blades blocking his in mid air, sparks flying. And behind the two Zaibach pilots, through a haze of dust and smoke, Aaron watched Pollux stride away.


~~~~Cain~~~~

With the newly crowned queen unconscious and secured safely beside him in the cockpit, Cain maneuvered Pollux away from the palace, his remaining elite group of dragonslayers accompanying him. His fingers adjusted the frequency of the comm.

“Target acquired. Mission accomplished.”

“Good job Captain,” Kenia’s familiar rich, cool voice crackled over the speaker. “I’ll order the retrea…” An explosion by the wall interrupted, and the Zaibach party paused, turning to see dark thick smoke fill the sky. “What was that?”

“Captain,” Miguel relayed to Cain as the report came in. “The Fanelian’s detonated a section of the wall. We lost nearly an entire unit!”

Cain pushed Pollux back into motion. “Keep moving. It doesn’t concern us.”

“But Sir…”

“Are you questioning an order?”

“N-no Sir!”

“Then return to the transport.” All for the glory of Ziabach, he scoffed mentally as Pollux’s wings unfolded and the melef took to the sky.

“I look forward to welcoming you upon your return… Captain.”

“Thank you… Major.”


~~~~Seth~~~~

They’re retreating.

The news buzzed over the intercom again, confirmed by the sight of any remaining enemy melefs falling back, but it baffled Seth. Despite their losses, Zaibach had the advantage in sheer strength and numbers, so why the sudden retreat?

It doesn’t matter now, the knight reminded himself, vaulting out of the cockpit of Kaileron, which was crouched down low to the ground, its armor and cape scotched and battered from the explosion. The mangled remains of Ecthalier were only a few meters away, but he couldn’t see the Basramian.

“Damn him!” If he wasn’t dead, Seth had a very strong urge to rectify that. Findel’s crazy plan could have gotten them killed, but, noting the charred, burning Zaibach melefs, he had to admit it’d worked… more or less. “Basram,” Seth called out. “Falor, where are you?”


~~~~ E'rth ~~~~

“Don’t move! I asked you to identify yourselves.” Silence answered him, and the soldier, tired and irritable, was losing patience. “You,” he pointed the tip of his blade at Ecli, “look familiar. Now answer me or…” A scream interrupted his threat.

Holding tight to his leg, teeth deep in his flesh, eyed squeezed shut, and shaking, little E’rth growled. “Damn little…” Shannon swung his blade to get rid of the little pest. And where was Dulce with his backup anyway?

[Ekaterini]

~~~~~~~~~ Idein ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Helping Fangolas along between himself and Dream, Idein followed the man and the servant girl at his side to the exit. The breath of wind that greeted them there was cool, but tainted with the musk of burnt wood and scorched metal, as was the air throughout the city. The perfume of war, thought Idein. Then frantic animal shrieks caught his attention, and, looking across the littered courtyard and walkways before them, he thankfully saw that the stables still stood, in some disarray, but they still stood.

"If you want," Idein heard the servant girl say quietly, "we can take some horses and use them to escape or hide or whatever you had planned on. I'm not sure if there's enough for all of us, though."

"We'll manage," Idein answered. "We'll at least have my horse--hopefully. He can carry both you and this man beside me if need be, and even that will improve our speed considerably." The samurai fixed his gaze beyond the stables to the wooded mountains. "Our original intention was to escape to the mountains through the very rear of the city, where the Temple of Escaflowne stands. I think our best bet is to continue toward the Temple; I can't see any action up there from here, but of course we'll remain watchful."

Seeing that no one objected to this suggestion, Idein re-adjusted Fang's arm about his shoulders and led the way to the big stable. They entered through the barn door handing lopsided on its hinges. Inside, in the immediate area, two horses paced nervously back and forth in their stalls, and another, fully tacked, stood off to the side with a confused and lost expression in its dark eyes. Anxious to see if Epos was still around, Idein helped Fangolas down onto a haystack, then jogged off, weaving around fallen riding gear, to where his mount's stall was located.

The black horse was indeed there, pulling and snorting at the rope tying him from his bridle to a post in the stall. He was also saddled and ready for battle; seeing this, Idein remembered telling Quijana to have Epos readied. "I'll be back in a flash!" So much for that; it seems fate had separate plans for the two knights. I hope you've faired well, friend. Reassuring his horse and unhooking the rope, Idein led Epos back through the stable to the others.

They had not been idle. The man who Idein thought to be one of the wealthy merchants was saddling the two penned horses. Dream was standing next to the loose horse and ripping another stip from her petticoats. As Idein approached her, he noticed that the mare's hindquater was bleeding. "I'm afraid this horse won't be of use to us," he said gently to Dream. "She must have wandered back here from battle, seeing as she's in a saddle and all, and looks fatigued."

"Oh.." Dream softly stroked the beast's shoulder. "Could I at least bandage her up a bit?"

"Quickly. There, on those shelves you'll find better bandages than pieces of your petticoats." He then turned to the others. "Well, we've got three horses. Sir," he said to Foucault, "you take one, the women will take the other, and I'll take Fangolas with me on my horse."

((OOC: Risa post pending..))

[Eydtman]

Elisan’s melef was thrown back forcefully; its left arm lay limp and useless at its side. When had Viris gotten this good? The last time Elisan had seen him he was a mediocre pilot at best, but now he was giving Elisan a good run for his money. They seemed to be roughly on par with one another at the moment, with Viris having a slight upper hand due to the light melef that Elisan was piloting. It was proving to be quite a handicap to him. Defeating the run of the mill military peon in a junker was one thing, but in a fierce one-on-one battle it was heavily outmatched. Elisan plunged his sword into the ground and used it to pull the melef up with its one good arm. Elisan cursed at how difficult even that was becoming in this junked out melef. Joint pressure was dropping rapidly; soon he’d be lucky if it would move at all.

When Elisan finally pulled himself back to a standing position he pulled his sword from the ground and held it straight out in front of him with his one working arm. Even with the odds against him, he was never one to give up on a fight. If this were to be his last fight, he’d make sure as hell that he wasn’t going out alone. Suddenly a loud explosion echoed around them. In the distance one of the walls had exploded, sending deadly shrapnel flying in all directions, and many Zaibachian melefs were caught in it. This was his chance.

With Viris distracted by the explosion Elisan charged forward thrusting his sword at his enemy’s cockpit. It had almost worked, but at the last second Viris noticed the attack and managed to pull to one side, avoiding the deadly blow. Instead Elisan’s sword plunged deep into the melefs shoulder, sending fluid and bits of mechanical parts flying everywhere.

Elisan’s final attempt to defeat Viris took its toll on his melef and its ankle joint gave, causing him to tumble. The sword snapped off in his enemies shoulder under the massive stress of the falling melef. He fell to the ground with a sharp jolt that knocked his breath from him. His melef now lay there useless, refusing to move but an inch. Viris too was in trouble. Elisan must’ve cut one of the main liquid metal arteries in his attack, effectively leaving him weaponless. It was then that the call for retreat was broadcasted to all remaining units. Viris cursed at his luck.

“This isn’t over.” He called as he began to fall back with the rest of his troops. “This isn’t over by a long shot. I’ll have my revenge soon enough.”

Elisan didn’t bother to reply. He flipped the release switch on the cockpit door and slid out.

“I would have won if it wasn’t for this lousy piece of junk.” He said kicking the fallen melef. It was then that from the corner of his eye he spotted the two Fanelian soldiers walking towards him with their weapons drawn.

“This ought to be fun.” He thought to himself.

[Ekaterini]

~~~~~~~ Risa ~~~~~~~~~

"Erth!" Risa huffed as she tried to keep up with her swift little anthro friend. "Erth, wait! Please, stay close!" With a tightening in her stomach, Risa worriedly hoped that she wouldn't lose him, what with the many dark corners and the shadowy debris.

*thunk* Her foot hit a charred two-by-four, which caused her to stumble awkwardly forward before she regained her balance wincing. "I ain't a lizard-woman; I can't keep one eye on m' feet, an' one eye on th' boy," Risa muttered irately. She put on speed to catch up with lost ground. Up ahead, she caught site of Erth turning a corner.

Upon turning the corner herself, her heart lifted, for she saw half-way up the alley the anthro-child standing still. Finally, he's waitin' up for me, she thought, running toward him. But suddenly Erth dashed forward. And seeing who he dashed *to* caused terror to seize her throat once more. A Zaibach soldier!! With a strangled yelp, Risa charged for all she was worth toward the man raising his weapon above her little Erth.

The sword swung closer. Closer, closer with each millisecond the sharp blade glinted over the boy's fur in cruel anticipation of flesh. The wolf-woman could barely breathe as visions of Erth's little blood-stained body transposed over her sight, and the relatively short distance to the soldier seemed to stretch into a mile. No no no NO NOO!!

"ERTH!!"

She nabbed the man's sword arm and held tight. Surprised once again, the Zaibach cursed and yanked in attempt to free his arm from the wolf-woman's grasp. Still hanging on and trying to keep on her feet as the soldier tried to shove her away, she yelled, "Erth, get away!!" But as the words left her mouth, her footing slipped, and seeing his chance, the soldier yanked his arm savagely upward, effectively sending Risa flying backwards. "Gerroff!"

Risa fell stunned to the ground. Panting and swinging his arm back down again--feeling absolutely nettled--the Zaibach slapped Erth off his leg, luckily for the boy merely catching him across the face with the flat of his blade. Erth tumbled backwards, but upon picking himself up he felt something wet on his cheek. Blood. Blood that wasn't his own.

[DrZepp]

(OOC: So is Dream naked by now? Seems like shes been ripping her underskirt to shreds hah)


A quivering arm slowly emerged from the rubble, grasping onto thin air as if it was a woman's supple breast. The arms flesh was ripped, and blood menacingly oozed down its side as it moved around drunkenly. Seth paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow at the appendages awkward movements.
Then, instantaneously, Findels head popped into view.
His mouth seemed to be filled with dirt and debris, and he quickly spat out. A small cloud of dust lingered in front of his face as he continued to stick his tongue out, nearly puking as a thick stream of soil emerged from deep within his throat.

"ACK... FOR THE LOVE OF....AEHGHH!!"
Findel haphazardly removed himself from his buried position, scrambling over the rocks with a hand at his throat.
"Oh-Oh no..."
He paused, bending over and placing both hands on his knees.
"I'm... going to vomit... ACK... GGAAHAG!!"

His sudden escape from the debris seemed to occur within seconds, yet the stream of dark brown that flowed from his mouth might as well have lasted a lifetime. Just when it seemed Findel had finished, and was wiping his mouth with a sense of finality, the vomit would spew out from between his fingers, and he would crouch down once more.

All the while, Cerens damaged melef hung coolly on its side, trapped between a rock and a hard place... Literally. As Findel seemed to be finishing up, Cerens voice could be heard from a distance, emerging from Ecthaliers comm. radio.

"ZZbzbzbZ!!!"
It said, rather angrily.
"ZZZZAGGbbzzzzz."
Was that a threat?
"bZZBbSONOFABITzzzzz."
Then it went dead.

Findel looked up, eyes glazed over.
"He must be trapped..."
He uttered, somewhat out of it. Then he crouched over again, and proceeded to throw up.

[Kayay]

~~~~E’rth~~~~

Fear shook his thin frame, fear of the hurt he was certain the man would cause him, but when his paw came away from his cheek damp with blood, panic began to take hold. Shakily he got to all fours. He hurt, but it was not the sharp, burning pain a blade caused; he knew what that felt like. This was instead a pain that gripped his heart, twisted his gut, and made it hard to breathe. It was a pain born out of his worry for the wolfwoman.

With howl, he scampered towards her, tail tucked between his legs. “Dun’t be hurt please. E’rth very sorry. E’rth was bad. Didn’t listen. Please, Risa Ma’am, be okay!” Like a kitten he bumped against her with his head, nudging under her arm with his nose.

Shannon ignored this all. Blood trickled down his calf, staining his pants crimson. Damn! The flea infested little street rat bit me! Stepping forward, the tip of the blade pressed up against Ecli’s chest. The Zaibach soldier still wasn’t sure where he’d seen the scholar before, maybe it was something as dry as from a routine surveillance report of Fanelia, but the feeling that the man cold not be just left alone Shannon could not shake. Well, if he was some sort of threat, it was better to be safe than sorry, and a dead body was easier to deal with than an uncooperative live one.


~~~Fanelian Soldiers~~~~

“Drop your weapons and surrender!”

They couldn’t be sure if he was friend or foe as they’d received reports of a pilot in a training guymelef running rampant, striking down both friend and foe, so their swords were drawn and they approached the man with caution. To Elisan’s right, to further complicate his situation, stepped the hulking metal form of a Fanelian guymelef. It would take a miracle for him to escape now.


~~~~Foucault~~~~

The Temple… perfect.

“Very well,” Foucault spoke, and he went to the closest horse, a chestnut gelding with dark black mane. He left the servant girl on her own and mounted the horse fluidly, sitting tall in the saddle with an aura of superiority. “Then let’s go. If the way to the Temple s blocked, we can try to make it to my manor house. The longer we stay here, the more danger we’re in.”


((OOC: Leave it to Findel to molest the air. And Dream's neverending petticoats are a great mystery of the universe.))

[Endurance]

Ecli struggled to make sense of it all. A silent curse echoed inside his mind as he realized how all his well-laid plans disintegrated in a blink of an eye. Like Shannon, Ecli had started ignoring everything around him. Ecli's eyes fixated to his adversary's gaze, not to the sword as one could imagine as he could feel it's cold tip pressing into his chest all too well.

This is not how I planned .... Either it was result of his training or rage, or both but the fear that had swelled inside him and made his stomach knot for a second drew back and vanished. All that was left behind was the instinct to live, and kill, of one of the most elite sleeper agents and assassins ever trained on Zaibachian turf. '...Not at all as how I planned'

His mind raced to find a way out of this horribly awkward situtation. For a fleeting second Ecli thought to ask Zaibachian soldier to aid him in detaining everybody present. That particular thought was just as quickly discarded as absurd: There was absolutely no way that this soldier would listen him, being bitten by his seemingly friend and all, besides the chaos such utterance might cause would not be worth it.

"Tell me your name and surrender while on it, or I will have to start slaughtering people, starting from that rat-bastard kid over there." Shannon hissed and pointed at Erth with his free hand. It was quite clear that the bite hurt quite a bit. To fortify his threat Shannon pushed his blade forward, making Ecli to exhale his remaining breath.

Something snapped inside Ecli's head. He didn't want to share anything with this man. Not anything at all. He wanted to get rid of him with all reasoned means and as fast as humanly possible. His hand was already seeking for his concealed dagger. He tried to keep the movement of his hand as smooth and natural as possible. The live on the edge demanded such things.

"You would dare to do that to defenceless civilians like us? How brave of you." Ecli answered to threat with a smirk. The tone of his answer, however, left nothing to guesswork. If a voice could ever turn milk to the curd, it would be most likely something like he had just used. "But just in the case you don't know, the last one asking my name with killing intent got a very serious case of haemorrhage, so please, say that insulting threat you just threw out of your no-good mouth was not exactly what you meant."

[Megumi H]

(OOC: *runs in wearing a long trench coat and throws it open revealing a XL T-shirt that reads “Dream is frilly.”* Ahem… now that I have your attention…)

Fangolas was heavy. Only a few hours ago, their positions had been the other way around. “Careful, careful, careful! Quickly now… oh, careful!” Dream squeaked at him as he faltered. “Easy, now…”

Dream slowly eased Fangolas off her shoulder as Idein indicated a place to set him down. She began to lower herself down next to him when she saw someone else who needed her help. She walked over to the mare and patted her ruffled mane soothingly. “Poor thing, you’re hurt,” she murmured to the horse. She lifted the edge of her dress and began to tear another piece from the soft cloth.

Idein came up behind her, leading another horse. “I’m afraid this horse won’t be of use to us. She must have wandered back here from battle, seeing as she’s in a saddle and all, and looks fatigued.”

“Oh,” Dream said, smoothing the mare’s mane sympathetically. “Could I at least bandage her up a bit?”

He gestured at a satchel on a nearby shelf, and she reached up to get it. When she had finished binding the horse’s wound, she brought the bundle of bandages over to Fangolas and quickly began to change his meager dressing. “If we just had more time,” she mumbled as she gently patted the new bandages and helped him to his feet again. “Are you… ready to ride?”

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus slid to the ground as the man let go of her and walked over to the horses. She was relieved that they were going to take the horses, but new she had to procure her belongings before they left. If they were going to take her. She wouldn't blame them if they left her behind. After all, she was only a servant girl, and an injured one at that. Shaking the negative thoughts from her mind, she slowly crawled over to the stables. Making sure that no one saw her, she made her way to a large pile of hay and started clearing it away. After a few moments, a brass handle came into view on the stable floor. Aethaeus pulled it up, revealing a dark chasm below the building. Gingerly lowering herself down, she felt around the the darkness until her hands felt a large wooden box. Opening it, she pulled out a long metal object and a piece of clothes. Limping over to the exit (her leg seemed to be a bit better now), she managed to pull herself up into the musty stable. She had only been down there a few moments, and was relieved to see that they hadn't left yet. After covering the entrance with hay again, she looked down at her posessions.

Tenderly she touched the scabbard that lay in her lap and pulled out the sword within. It was still in good condition, and had recently been polished. It had belonged to her father, who had been killed before she was born. She held it close to her and tried to feel his presence. She felt nothing, only the stabbing pain in her ankle. Pulling herself up to a standing position, she leaned against a support pillar and fastened the sword around her waist. Verifying again that no one was watching, Aethaeus quickly pulled down the top of her dress and put the thick leather shirt on that she had gotten from the chest. It felt cool and heavy against her bare skin, but she was glad for its comforting weight. The hauberek had belonged to her father, but she had spent hours tailoring it so it fit her perfectly. You never knew when you might need a piece of armor. She pulled her dress up over top of it, and was relieved to see that the sleeves of the hauberek didn't bulge under her dress. No one would ever need to know that she was wearing it.

Now ready to continue on, she limped her way back to the group, clinging onto stable doors and pillars for support. No one seemed to notice as she rejoined them and moved closer to the girl in the torn skirt who was helping an injured man towards a horse.

[Princess Samari]

With the mouth of the alley gaping behind her, Chigusa was faced with a difficult decision. Of course, Chigusa was faced with difficult decisions every day. Should she try a new hairstyle? Which pair of loose socks should she wear? What shoes? Should she deign to spend her time with this social group or the other?

Of course, this decision seemed much more urgent and dire. Stay with Ecli, or make a break for it? It looked like the soldiers weren't too interested in her belongings- though they seemed fairly interested in spilling her blood.

Chigusa had a terrible prejudice against people who wanted to kill her. By proxy, she was terribly prejudiced against the majority of the denizens of the Gaia.

Okay.

Time to run.

And, for once, Chigusa didn't do the selfish thing. As much as the thin, weak, ...raccoon-child (?) would slow her down, she certainly couldn't just leave him surrounded by the evil soldiers and about to get killed!

So, risking getting animal hair all over her precious clothing, Chigusa scooped up the child, took a moment to tap her index and middle finger against her brow in a half salute to Ecli, and then made a break for it.

[Kayay]

~~~~E’rth~~~~

The scholar’s behavior seemed very unscholarly, which made the Zaibach soldier even more curious. “Dulce,” Shannon spoke into his com, “hurry up and get your lazy ass over here.”

“I ran into a bit of trouble with some Fanelian soldiers. What’s got you so worked up anyway?”

“I think I’ve found some trouble of my own.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“A scholar…” Laughter over the com interrupted him, and Shannon scowled, keeping an eye on Ecli at all times. The man radiated danger. “Shut up Dulce! He’s not what he seems, and I swear I’ve seen him somewhere before.” I’m sure of it.

“Right. I’ll be there shortly.”

The com shut off with a crackle of white noise, then Shannon eyed Ecli. “I have no intention of taking back anything I said, and soon… Hey!” Chigusa’s sudden break for freedom interrupted him, and the Zaibachian turned and took a step after her before remembering the alleged scholar. Having his back to the man didn’t seem a very good idea, even if it was for only a few seconds, and he turned on his heel in order to bring his sword between them again.

E’rth’s reaction, meanwhile, was surprise. Swept up by Chigusa, it took him a few seconds to realize what was happening. Squirming and struggling, he began to whimper. “Risa Ma’am! Can’t leave behind,” he whined, but the adrenaline was wearing off, his resolve was fading, and he gave up and clung to Chigusa. Risa will be okay, he told himself. Have to be okay.


~~~~Fangolas~~~~

“Even if I’m not ready, we must ride.” Beside one of the horses, the dark skinned man shook his head and took the creature’s reins. “No, you and the Lady,” he indicated Aethaeus,” take this one. I ride with Idien.” Holding the mare steady, he assisted Dream into the saddle best he could, ignoring his wound. His eyebrows arched up when he noticed the sword and scabbard hanging from the servant girl’s belt, but considering the circumstances perhaps it wasn’t a bad idea, and he helped her up as well without comment.

When that was done with, he turned to find Epos standing beside him. Grasping Idein’s extending hand, the Nomad mounted the great black stallion. They were ready, but where had the merchant gone?


~~~~Foucault~~~~

He despised slothfulness, and he had no intention of letting a few invalids slow him down, especially when his life was on the line, so the merchant had ridden ahead. His intentions were not completely selfish, however, for he intended to go back once he was certain the way to the temple was clear. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. The main road and most direct path there was blocked by burning pile of thatch and stone. The smell of fire and death filled the air, and, not being trained for battle, the gelding flared its nostrils and the whites showed around its dark eyes, so Foucault wheeled the horse about and galloped back to the stables. Halfway there he met the others, Fangolas and Idien riding the black Epos and the women upon the mare.

“It’s no good. We have to take another road to the temple. It’s longer, which means we might run into Zaibach soldiers, but it’ll bring us near to my manor house. If we have to and if the manor still stands we can take shelter there.”

Used to people following his orders, Foucault didn’t wait for a reply. He turned his horse towards the city and urged it into a gallop, assuming the others would follow. The shod hooves of the horses rang against the cobbled road, and the city swept past him. So intent he was on navigating the rubble strewn streets, that he almost missed the sight of a green haired girl carrying something small and furry in her arms.

Foucault pulled back on the reins and put pressure against the gelding's sides. It was the girl form the temple, and she was running right into his path!

[Endurance]

(OOC: I got horribly tired writing this and I will finish tomorrow with a double post if necessary)

Shannon had lost the advantage due to his slacked attention and Ecli, who was suddenly sporting an extremely wicked smirk, was more than determined to take advantage of his opponent's disadvantage.

* A flashback*
Gravel rasped under his foot as Ecli lunged toward his opponent and stabbed furiously. He had been stressed numerous times not to put too much weight forward, as it would surely backlash in one way or another. But Ecli wanted to be best, he wanted to surpass all other trainees and so he didn't care. Impossible, after all, is not a fact, but an opinion.

All his thoughts of being victorious were swept aside as his sparring partner simply sidestepped his attack with disaproving glance. After that, the fight went completely downhill.
*End of flashback*

One powerful stride took Ecli to striking distance. Maybe it was the slight shuffling sound Ecli's robe made or perhaps it was Shannon's combat sense but he was unable to take Shannon completely by surprise. Also, concealed dagger, as dangerous as it was, lost much of it's potency if wielded offhand, in addition Shannon was turning around, alerted.

In response to his opponents sudden movement Ecli quickly spinned to left in wide 360 degree arc and smashed Shannon's face with the hilt of his dagger. With a victorious cry Ecli proceeded to push his enemy into further disadvantage. At the same time stunned Shannon staggered and had problems to stay in balance. Shannon took a careful step backward and tried to raise his sword in defense but it was not enough as Ecli was instantly all over him. Shannon grunted as Ecli's knee met with his midsection and during the next second he fell backwards as Ecli's sweeping kick connected with his ankle, almost breaking it.

Tumbling down Shannon made a large, billowing cloud of dust and Ecli lunged after him, his dagger pointing forward, aimed straight at Shannon's chest.

Suddenly Ecli realized that he had just repeated his past mistake and gritted his teeth in pain. His side felt as if had caught fire. Shannon's sword had made a nasty bleeding gash. A desperate maneuver achieved by vast experience of combat Ecli realized in horror. Shannon had managed to completely lure Ecli into final strike before he himself was completely finished. The table had been turned and now it was Ecli's turn to be kicked into stomach.

Both combatants separated, eyeing each other warily. Ecli's concentration was now shifted on two things: To his wounded and exposed side which was showing underneath his torn robe and black clothing, and to surprisingly adept opponent whose abilities he had grossly misjudged.

It was Shannon who spoke first.
"You are first scholar I have met who can put up a decent fight, for that I congratulate you, but you are also the first scholar who is wearing assassin's garb underneath his robe that I have met so far." Shannon spat some blood as he spoke. "Now, Care to tell me who the heck you are before I kill you?"

[Eydtman]

Elisan sighed.

"Yeah, yeah... I know the routine." He unclasped his gauntlet weapons and dropped them on the ground a few feet in front of him. He purposely left his gun tucked in the back of his pants again. Hopefully they wouldnt notice it, or atleast not figure out that it was a foreign weapon.

[Ekaterini]

~~~~~~Risa~~~~~~

With the Zaibach's quick, violent arm movement came a searing pain, but before Risa could decide what part of her body was hurting, her vision blackened and her breath, immovable, grew heavy in her chest. A sudden fatigue sapped her strength. As her conciousness left her, she thought fleetingly about the thick shadow that drew in from the sides on her sight, how very much like a pair of curtains it was. Like the opposite effect of casting aside the dark curtains on a window to welcome the bright morn into the bedroom...

The next thing she saw was the sky. The sky? She was lying on her back. Still in the alley...and her side felt we- OW!! Wet and extremely painful. The wolf-woman cringed and swallowed back a cry. Taking care to move only her head, she looked 'round her, and, seeing Ecli and the soldier in battle, she remembered Erth. Erth! Where is he?! Beginning to panic--the fact that her side bore an ugly, bleeding slash didn't help any -- she craned her neck in attempt to locate the child, simultaneously covering the firey wound with an arm and lifting her upper body a bit. Needless to say, movement was not easily accomplished.

Where is he?!!



~~~~Idein~~~~~~

Idein was also pondering the whereabouts of the merchant. But his question was answered when the man reappeared galloping toward the group from the direction of the main road.

“It’s no good. We have to take another road to the temple. It’s longer, which means we might run into Zaibach soldiers, but it’ll bring us near to my manor house. If we have to and if the manor still stands we can take shelter there.”

The merchant then sped off. An initial assumption would be that he had run ahead the first time to reconnoiter, but considering the air with which he galloped off the second time, Idein knew that any help from this man would come under conditions -- like that the proffered help would not endanger his wealthy hide. And Idein had noticed the disdain on the merchant's thin face as he had shouldered the servant girl.

Privately rolling his eyes, Idein spurred Epos on in the direction the merchant followed, though at an easier pace. He wanted to keep an eye on the young women. Idein didn't know how much experience Dream or the servant girl had had with horses, though, in consideration of the latter's new appearance, perhaps she did know how to do more than maid's labor after all.

[Endurance]

The wound ached but bleeding was minimal and with some focused discipline Ecli could still move around with ease. Now, as he pondered how to answer to this annoying Zaibachian soldier, Ecli took another look at his enemy in comparison to himself as if assessing and evaluating livestock.

Shannon shivered. The look on scholar's face was just... so inhuman.

Ecli tossed his dagger from left hand to right hand and managed to feign an overconfident smirk. He took a step forward. Shannon's body tensed a bit. Another step. Shannon raised his sword to defensive posture and seemed to be ready to swing it with all his might, if necessary. Third step rasped softly as some granules moved under Ecli's shoe. Shannon's eyes widened. He could have sworn that when Ecli attacked the first time he had not heard a single step until the pommel of scholar's dagger had striked him squarely into the face.

" My name...." Ecli whispered virulently "means certain death to those who I tell it"

Shannon swallowed hard. His heart beat like insane and his legs felt like lead. Run! escape! cower! his mind yelled. There was something very wrong in the scholar's seemingly innocent appearance in relation to the level of skill he utilized. But Shannon was a soldier and he stifled his urge to turn around and run like hell.

Swordplay commenced again as Ecli took his fourth step. Shannon's powerful swing managed to kill nothing else but a large piece of still air.

Even with that wound he's faster than before?

Shannon turned around, alarmed, but noticed that Ecli was not in striking distance. Having a larger weapon would usually have been considered as an enormous advantage in a swordfight but now Shannon felt like his cumbersome broadsword did him more harm than good. No matter how many times he swinged and stabbed, Shannon could not score a single hit into his frightfully agile adversary.

This conflict, althought it had felt like an eternity to both men, had only took a little less than a minute. Ecli withdrew from the close contact as he had finished his thorough inspection of Shannon's battle abilities.

"You grip of sword is flawed, melef pilot of the bronze army!" Ecli chided " You possibly can't imagine to be able to defeat me with basic Zaibachian sword techniques like those! Go get yourself a melef, and you might have a odd chance to win!"

Shannon rushed in, shouting something that might have been a curse or a threat. Ecli sidestepped Shannon's stab and ducked slightly to avoid the bothhanded swing of Shannon's blade in the nick of time. Shannon reversed the motion of his sword and swinged again from right to left but this time to Shannon's horror scholar leaped into the obvious gap of faulty swordplay and stabbed before Shannon had a chance to do anything to his defence.

The dagger pierced through the leather cuirass, clothing and skin punctuating Shannon's left shoulder. A scream escaped Shannon's mouth as the vicious dagger hit a second strike with same stabbing motion widening the wound in the shoulder twice the size.

Blood poured from the gaping wound as Shannon teetered backward. The wound was not entirely lethal, but it definately crippled not only his left arm but his will to fight against the scholar any longer. Shannon gathered all the remaining shreds of his willpower and looked at his enemy, surprised of why he had not died yet.

To Shannon's dismay Ecli's eyes were full of contradiction. The once evident bloodlust seemed to pull back only to be replaced by cold spite. The scholar looked more familiar than ever. Shannon's contemplation was interrupted by loud noises that sounded like a rampaging melef.

Dulce!

[Kayay]

~~~~Shannon & Dulce ~~~~

“Shannon!”

When he saw the “scholar” Dulce understood, and now he knew why Shannon had been concerned. Those were not the eyes of a scholar.

“He’s an assassin,” yelled the injured Zaibachian soldier, crouched on the ground, his uniform dusty, and blood seeping from between his fingers where he gripped his torn shoulder. His broadsword lay right beside him within easy reach, but his injury made that irrelevant. He couldn’t use it. His communication device, meanwhile, had rolled across the ground to stop near Ecli.

Assassin?

The more important question was, however, for whom did the man work for. Judging from his comrade’s condition, however, this looked like one of those strike first and ask questions later moments, and the usually lazy, sleepy eyed Dulce reacted. A crima claw shot towards Ecli, the liquid metal tapering to a sharp, spearlike point with which Dulce intended to pin the man in place.

[EvaRobby]

[[OOC: Post no 2000! :P ]]

Things... seemed to be happening around him.

Metal. What was that metallic sound? Why was there blood?

Why was Touji crying?

A battle, he thougt. There's a battle happening around me. No. No, it's not just around me. I fought too. Touji looked up at Gwendolen. A soldier attempted to cut at her from the side, but she parried the attack with little concern.

In front of Touji there was a body.

Why? I killed him. Why did I kill him? Because he attacked us?

Gwendolyn blocked an attack, but the blow caused her to stumble backwards. Touji was too distracted to notice. She tripped over him and they fell over together into a heap.

The soldier advanced, hoping to follow with another attack while Gwyndolen was on the ground. But she knocked the soldier's sword away, and as she got up she shouldered him in the side. The soldier fell over and Gwendolen's situation had been reversed. "Get out of here, Touji," she said.

Touji pushed himself up slowly as he watched Gwendolen and Dryan continue to fight. It didn't take long for them to finally start killing the soldiers, but each time a soldier screamed, Touji winced. But it seemed that now, at least, he was conscious of his surroundings.

[Endurance]

The sound of approaching crima claw sent shivers racing up Ecli's spine. The sound reminded Ecli of certain, bloody death. It also reminded him that melef was actually the worst match he could find to battle with.

*"This beauty here is a guymelef! I can safely assume that you lot have seen these many times before, propably even in action." High instructor was screaming as loudly as his lungs allowed, pointing at one of the training melef's that was brought before the rounded-up disciples. "Trainee Dare! I have heard a nasty rumor that you are slacking both during your battle and espionage training. That is not acceptable. That is why you will answer my questions first. Each wrong answer will reduce your rations considerably. Do I make myself very clear?"

"Yes instructor, very clear!" Ecli was not surprised of High instructor's decision making. It was true that he had lost conciousness briefly during the last training session but still he thought it to be quite unfair that he was the only one punished from 'slacking'

"Very good Dare. Now. What would you do when you would be attacked by a melef like this one here?" The wicked smile on Instructors face showed that whatever Ecli would answer, it would be wrong.

"If it would be me, sir, I would most propably retreat and wait for supporting troops." The answer was solid and sound. There was absolutely no reason to stay on clear sight against guymelefs.

"Not good enough trainee Dare. If it would be ME, I would run like hell, and I wouldn't stop until I would reach a battalion of our own! Consider your rations cut trainee Dare! I sincerely hope that you like the taste of stale bread and slightly contaminated water. *

Lady fortune smiled as the crima claw smashed into ground gouging a huge hole into the ground, missing the assassin by mere inches. Dulce wrenched the claw from the ground sending pall of keen sharpnel against Ecli's body. His vision blurred and body aching Ecli made a desperate lunge towards Shannon, and succeeded.

"Up!" Ecli ordered, tugging wounded Shannon to standing position savagely. Shannon now served as an excellent makeshift shield. It was evident that Dulce hesitated, but for how long? It took Ecli less than a second to consider most of the options avaivable. Dashing to the alleyway would not work due to crima claw's inflammable nature. He would be incinerated instantly from such an attack. Using Shannon as a shield for prolonged period of time was too risky, as was a suicide attack. Then Ecli's hasty gaze grazed the communicator Shannon had dropped. An idea started to form inside his mind.

"Move!" Ecli shoved Shannon forward violently. "That communicator of yours, pick it up and contact a Dragonslayer or a high ranking officer. Tell them to relay word Lapis to Quarry one. You don't want your liver to turn into prime cutlets just yet, do you?"

[Hitomi_333]

(OOC: eh... just a vague post to remain somewhat active. I'm way too confused as to what's going on to post any specifics. /OOC)

Years of being a knight had hardened Gwyndolin into thinking little of mortality. When she was attacked, she responded with little concern for whether her enemy had a family or potential to be great, rather she fought bad with all her might. It was either them, or her... and she didn't want it to be her. Yet amongst this battle, she strove to protect Touji from the harsh reality of it. She was placed in charge of protecting him, and whether or not his innocence had been placed under her charge or not, that should be protected too. He had seen far too much in the last few days than a boy his age should, although in her country many his age joined the military, or were at least apprentices to knights.

Touji sat in front of a body-- a man he had killed. It was obvious that he was feeling emotionally disturbed, but while she continued to fight off attackers around them, there was little she could do other than to keep him from immediate harm. Not until she fell over him did she realize the immenent danger that him being there could put them both in. "Get out of here, Touji!" she yelled at him, trying not to sound angry, yet to snap him out of his daze. But he stood up languidly, watching the battle ensue.

"Move it!" she yelled much louder at him. Better that she possibly hurt his feelings now than to let him experience more psychological trauma than necesary.

She turned her back on him and continued to fight, her body reacting naturally to block her attackers' blows. So far she'd gotten out without more than a few cuts and bruises, but that was luck.... no, it was her skill with a sword.... and luck that there weren't more soldiers.

[Princess Samari]

Chigusa felt a surge of relief upon looking back. The soldiers hadn't taken the effort to try and follow her... Though that didn't bode well for the scholar and the dog woman.

But the dog woman and the soldiers weren't Chigusa's problems anymore. She had to look out for number one... and the bizarre furry child that she was carrying. Poor thing, babbling about Risa. Chigusa felt a momentary pang of regret, but couldn't go back. The soldiers would kill her, and the child, and she was certain the other two wouldn't appreciate that at all.

Chigusa looked up and recognized the sleezy merchant from earlier. What was his name again? Fogat? Faux Cat? Folgers?

Well, it was something that started with an F. And he owed her.

"You there!" Chigusa called. "Yeah, you! Remember how you asked if you could do anything for me earlier? Well you can do something now! Get me and this kid out of here!"

Ah, so lady-like.

[Kayay]

~~~~Shannon ~~~~

Ecli’s request surprised him, and he was slow to respond. Why would this imposter want to contact one of Zaibach’s officers unless… “You… you’re working with Zaibach?” the soldier questioned, yet he did as the scholar said, more an automated response to the authority in the man’s voice than from any fear. He fumbled with the communication device, his arm numb, his hand blood smeared, and feeling slightly dizzy.


~~~~Kenia~~~~

“Major, there’s an incoming message for you.”

The woman, leaning over the bank of control panels and video monitors, was annoyed by the interruption. “From whom?”

“The only name they gave was 'Lapis Agent'.”

Kenia straightened up and stalked across the room to the door in the far wall which led to her private office. “Inform me at once when Cain arrives,” she ordered with cool authority before the door shut behind her. One inside, she sat down behind her desk and with one manicured nail switched on the comm. There was a short burst of static before the line was secured. “This is Quarry One; it’s been a while, Lapis. Attempts to reach you earlier were unsuccessful, so I hope that means you’ve been productive. I’d hate my day to be ruined by bad news.”


((OOC: Useful posts as a reminder are HERE (http://www.animeboards.com/showthread.php?t=36875&page=46&pp=15)))


~~~~Foucault~~~~

The thin man bit back a curse. The fool girl could have been trampled the way she was running about, but instead Foucault schooled his features into some semblance of friendliness. This was perfect. Despite the earlier setbacks, things were turning out just fine. “Yes, I never did get to properly thank you for seeing Kate safely to the manor house.” He could hear the sounds of the others rapidly approaching behind him. “Here,” he continued and extended his hand to Chigusa. “Climb on behind me.”

E’rth, hearing the new voice, opened his eyes which had been squeezed tightly shut. He looked up, saw the merchant, and his eyes widened. Fearful, the boy’s grip upon Chigusa tightened, and he growled deep in his throat when the man held out his hand.

“Well,” frowned Foucault, “I think it’s be best if your little friend rode with one of them. He doesn’t seem to like me much, and I’d rather not be bitten.”

[Endurance]

Ecli sweated abundantly because from the strain to his muscles and nasty cut on his side. This was one of the rare times when Ecli appreciated Kenia's husky voice over everything else, as it was the voice of life itself.

The communicator emitted a short crackling noise and Ecli began to speak, carefully curbing the fear out of his voice.

" Productive is not exactly the best word to describe the situtation," Ecli replied weakly. "Nor is worthwhile. It seems that my own communicator broke down as I arrived here. I proceeded with the detachment to acquire the girl you wished for earlier, but as I was escorting her to safer place I got attacked by our own men due to ignorance of events"

Ecli's voice stifled as Zaibachian guymelef took a step forward and aimed carefully. His heart skipped a beat and panic welled inside him. It took him a second to ask Shannon about the man who was piloting the hostile melef and respond back to Kenia.

" Before we discuss all the matters on hand in detail, could you please order an Alseides pilot named Dulce to stop aiming me with his crima claw. It's quite disturbing."

[Phantom Angel]

”What are you doing? Where are you going?"

”Don’t worry, I’m going to rip these bastards a new one. They won’t harm you. And with that she was off, overpowering her sense and pushing the separate consciousness that was Dryan in the back of their common mind

Gwira had taken partial hold, her survival instincts cutting a bloody path before her, oblivious to the plight of Touji and Gwyndolin. The enemy numbered fewer now; they were retreating, but to Gwira it didn’t matter. She demanded retribution. She demanded blood, and as they fell back she followed, each step taking her farther and farther from the female knight and boy from the mystic Moon.

"Gwira! Stop! Stop what you’re doing! Stop, this is not your fight! GWIRA!" Dryan screamed, on the edge of hysteria, but her screams fell on deaf ears. Gwira was fully immersed in the bloodlust despite the injuries that she herself had acquired.

There was a wet warmth along her arm, and blood ran in small red rivers from a gash in her arm. That same blood also stained the sword of the Zaibachian soldier before her. Dagger in on hand and the other lashing out claw like, sharp nails ready to tear and rend, Gwira darted in and under the swing of the blade. Her dagger sliced up and under an exposed section beneath armor and into the man’s flesh, but as she did do the hilt of his blade smashed into the side of her head. Spots of lights flashed in her field of vision and a sharp pain ran from her head down her spine. Dazed, she tried to straighten up to face her opponent; another blow was coming, and she was moving to slowly to stop it.

“Gwira! Gwira! Get a hold of yourself!” Dryan exclaimed, frantically taking control from the dazed alternate personality. There was only a weak response from

With new vigor she ducked out of the way of the second blow, and the second knife in her belt flew straight for the soldier’s neck. The man sank to the ground with a gurgle, blood shooting high into the air.

A new sound intruded upon her senses, the loud clash of huge swords and deep mechanical grumbling signaled the approach of two guymelefs locked in battle. Oblivious to the fight below them, the two pilots struggled through the damaged streets of Fanelia, each blow and each pary bringing them closer to where Dryan and the Zaibachian soldier stood. Stone, tile, and mortar crumbled beneath the strength of the melefs as they inadvertently plowed into buildings, and flames from a fire licked the edges of a nearby tannery. The soldier let out a yell of alarm, and with one arm raised above his head, fled the scene, the wounded Dryan forgotten.

The battle between the two melefs was coming to an end, but Dyran took no notice of who was winning. She didn’t care. Instead she focused upon standing and walking and trying to find a safe place, but she’d only made it a few paces before the fire reached the chemical vats of caustic, flammable liquids. Mighty wooden beams buckled and snapped like toothpicks, and the explosion hurled the foxwoman against the wall of an adjacent building. For a second, dimly aware she was still alive and conciseness, she thought she’d be all right, but then the wall collapsed around her.

[Princess Samari]

Heartbeat thundering in her chest Chigusa could feel her panic rising. The Mitsuguri in her demanded calm and cool perfection however. Of course she wasn't going to die on that disgusting little planet.

She would die somewhere they could have a decent funeral for her. A stylish, beautiful, heart warming funeral with lots of people crying (who would no doubt have to be paid in advance.)

“I think it’s be best if your little friend rode with one of them. He doesn’t seem to like me much, and I’d rather not be bitten.” Indeed Chigusa could feel the small boy's grip tighten as his fur fluffed out.

"Hey, hey..." Juggling him in her arms Chigusa brought the boy out to face her. After all, it had been her to take him from the soldiers. Something along the lines of guilt might have plagued her had she just left him with a total stranger.

"Erth we need to get out of here. I'm sure Mr. Whatshisface can help us but you have to promise not to bite him. Unless you want to ride with someone else."

[Ekaterini]

Keeping Epos at a pace that wouldn't jostle Fang *too* much, Idein followed the dusty, deserted street that the merchant had taken. Following behind came the two young women, who guided their horse better than Idein had expected they would.

Now where did that man go? thought Idein as they cantered over the cobblestones. If he gets too far ahead we'll lose him. Although perchance that was what he wanted; it didn't particularly hit the samurai as surprising. Well if it came to that, the others could skip the manor part of the trip. The sooner they found the other survivors in mountains the better. The mountains after all were a haven in past times of war, and surely that would be where the people had gone. At that point, Idein's sense of duty again prodded him to join his fellow knights. But then, it would make more sense to help these civilians to safety, and he didn't hear any more sounds of battle anyway. Speaking of no battle sounds, had Zaibach retreated then?

Idein's thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of the merchant. He was speaking to a girl, who looked very familiar...

An inn. A green-haired girl, dressed in clothes reminiscent of those of the legendary Girl from the Mystic Moon, yelling at a cowering young Fanelian man and another, very large young man who wore strange clothes like the girl. Various soldiers, not all of one country...

Of course! Wasn't she the girl he had seen in The Golden Monkey? And then Idein's eyes moved to whom she held in her arms.

"Erth!"

[Kayay]

~~~~Kenia~~~~

She frowned and drummed her nails against the side of the console. “Due to ignorance of our own men or due to your own incompetence? You had a reputation for quick efficiency, yet now you contact me with nothing but excuses? Maybe your skills were a bit embellished. Never mind, we’ll discuss your performance later. First…”

Kenia flipped another switch, temporarily opening another channel to Dulce’s Alseides. Moments later the guymelef lowered its arm, and the liquid mental crima claw retracted. Unknown to Ecli, however, while Dulce now knew the scholar’s true nature, his orders did not include letting his guard down completely. One could not be too careful.

”Now, if that’s better, you’d best let go your hostage. The unnecessary murder of a Zaibach soldier is the last thing you need to add to your rapidly growing list of strikes against you, Lapis Agent.”


~~~~E’rth~~~~

The boy clung to her as if his life depended on it, shaking his head and silently begging her not to leave him -- even if they would still be in sight of each other -- with pleading eyes. He’d been separated already from the three people who’d shown him any kindness, the big smelly Owen, the nice Idein, and then, the most traumatic of all, the wolfwoman Risa. Thus, in the wake of all these losses, Chigusa’s actions had made such a strong impression on him that he was reluctant to let go. In fact, he was on the verge of howling again when a familiar voice interrupted.

"Erth!"

He blinked and looked up at the man atop a black stallion. His ears perked up and the boy finally released Chigusa then jumped with surprising energy onto Epos. “Idein Sir!” he cried out then began to babble in one long run on, nearly incomprehensible sentence. “Everyone gone. Smoke and noise and everyone yelling, like… like home. E’rth ran, and nice person help E’rth,” he paused long enough to point at Chigusa, “but then Risa Ma’am… blood… haveta help Risa Ma’am!”

“Feh… ahhh, do you mind?” Fangolas sputtered when the child landed between he and Idein, getting a mouthful of fur. “I take it,” the nomad asked the samurai as he pushed the long stripped tail out of his face, “you know this child?”


~~~~Foucault~~~~

The merchant hid a smirked, amused at the anthro boy’s initial reaction. It wasn’t surprising, actually, all things considered, but one thing worried him about the boy, and the frown returned to his face. The scrawny little creature could prove troublesome.

When E’rth eagerly leapt to Idein’s horse, Foucault smoothed his features into a polite smile. “Your friend has chosen his ride it seems,” he addressed Chigusa, “so I guess you’re stuck with me for the time being.”

[Eydtman]

One of the guards bent over and picked up the gauntlets that he had dropped. The guard inspected them closely before handing them to the other guard, who put them into a sack. Elisan was disappointed that they didn't accidentally hit the release switch and lose a few fingers. The first guard took a pair of iron cuffs from his belt. "Now turn around slowly and place your hands behind your back.,” he demanded.

He complied and turned his back to them with a sigh. The guard inched closer to Elisan and slapped the cuffs on his wrists.

"Jeez! You don't have to be so rough, I'm not resisting." Elisan complained.

"Quiet you!" The guard snapped back as he kicked Elisan in the back, knocking him to his knees with his face on the hard ground.

Elisan growled, but there wasn't much else he could do in his current predicament.

"Hey! What the hell is that?" the other guard demanded, pointing to the strangely shaped bulge in the back of Elisan's pants.

Crap...(no pun intended) Elisan thought to himself. They noticed it.

"Um... what's what? Oh that! That's nothing really. Nothing to concern yourself with." he replied.

"Quiet!" Snapped the guard. Elisan frowned. But he asked me what it was..

"Why don't you go check it out?" the one guarded asked the other. "No way," he replied, "I ain't going there. Why don't you go check it out?"

"If you uncuff my hands I’ll go check it out for you." Elisan quipped, turned to face them while still on his knees. "Shut up! No one asked you!" snapped the guard as he kicked Elisan back to the ground. That's right... just keep on kicking me... you'll regret it later on....

"Fine... I'll do it," said the one guard, "Since you seem too AFRAID to do it."

"Hey! I ain't afraid of nuttin'!" replied the other guard, "I'll do it, you just stand there and watch how a real man handles this."

"Go right ahead if you insist." said the first guard. What an idiot... that trick always works on him. he thought to himself.

The first guard moved closer to Elisan and slowly reached out towards Elisan's waistband. He gulped loudly and turned his head away as he pulled it back and reached in with his other hand, grasping the handle of the gun.

...... Blllllppptttt.......

The guard wrenched back quickly, taking the gun with him. "Aw man!!! That's gross!" Elisan was trying his hardest to keep from laughing but he was failing. It was so perfect, he couldn't resist himself from passing wind while the guard was so close. The guard turned and kicked Elisan forcefully in the ribs not once, not twice, but thrice. "Damned git!" he swore with the one last kick. Elisan lay coughing and wincing from the pain in his ribs. It was still worth it. He thought to himself as a small trickle of blood escaped from the side of his mouth during an especially deep cough.

The guards examined the gun that they had pulled from Elisan's pants. Neither of them had ever seen anything like it before so they weren't quite sure what they should do with it. Put it against your head and pull the trigger. Elisan thought silently to himself, he was in enough trouble as it was, and he didn't feel like getting kicked again so refrained from saying what he was thinking aloud. "Put it in the sack with the other stuff." one of the guards finally decided. They put it in the sack with Elisan's gauntlets and tied the top of it in a knot. They then waved to the melef pilot. "Thanks for the help, but we can take it from here now." He said. The pilot turned and left them. "Now get to your feet!" he bellowed as he walked over to Elisan and yanked him up by the cuffs, "Now move!"

[EvaRobby]

(OOC: eh... just a vague post to remain somewhat active. I'm way too confused as to what's going on to post any specifics. /OOC)
<<OOC: That's okay. It's great. At least I'm roleplaying with someone now! ^_^ (Sorry it took so long for this to come out)>>

Touji felt as if someone was gripping his throat. Breathing was beginning tobe forced. He rubbed his neck, almost in effort to remove the invisible hands.

And then, he reached down and picked the remaining half of his sword by the handle. He tried to push out his thoughts of the man on the ground.

He ignored the other soldiers who were bleeding on the ground nearby, courtesy of Gwyndolen's battle skill. One, still alive, grunted in pain.

He didn't even see Gwyndolen as he wandered back down the hall.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus braced herself against the shooting pain in her ankle that she felt on every step the horse took. Oh well, she thought, it could be worse. I could have been left behind. Just then the horse went over a particularily large bump. She bit down hard on her lip to hold back a cry of agony and grabbed tightly onto the frilly skirts of the girl in front of her. She vaguely recognized her as one of the prisoners from the temple, but hadn't spoken to her. As their horse saunted slowly after the men's horses in front of them, Aethaeus siezed the moment to address the stranger sharing her horse.

"I'm awfully grateful for you letting me come along with you, miss," she said quietly, half hoping the girl would hear, and half hoping she wouldn't. "I hadn't expected anyone to take me with them away from the castle. After all, I'm just a servant." She bit her lip, regretting what she had just said. Now you've done it, she thought. Now they're going to leave you behind. Not only are you injured, but now they know you're just a servant. How could I have been so stupid?

[Princess Samari]

"I suppose so." Chigusa cast a sideways glance in Erth's direction and then turned her attention back to Foucault. Chigusa knew she had no other ride waiting for a change... it was either his help or walking and, from the looks of things walking just wasn't an option she was going to be willing to ponder.

In the back of her mind Chigusa couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Eitre. He had been one of the few on Gaia to show her any real kindness. Not that she would have admitted to even noticing him of course. At least he might have found his family and avoided the nightmare she found herself facing.

Not that she really had a choice.

Extending her hand to Foucault Chigusa looked up at him and waited. He didn;t expect her to just hop up now did he?

[Ekaterini]

“I take it,” Fangolas asked Idein, “you know this child?”

"Yes," there was relief in Idein's smile. "This little fellow arrived here with my traveling party; he found us as we were making our way from Freid. But," here his expression changed to one of concern, "it sounds as though one of the other members has run across some bad luck."

From E'rth's widened eyes and tightened grasp, Idein could tell that Risa's plight was not a good one, wherever she was, if she was even still alive. "Blood," the anthro-boy had said. How far away is she and what happened?

But the merchant appeared ready to move on, and with everyone riding double -- triple in Idein's case -- Idein couldn't leave his passengers on another horse and find Risa now. He'd have to make a second trip. And hopefully the effort wouldn't be in vain.

"Don't worry," he told E'rth. "I'll come back for her." He scooted forward a bit in the saddle to make a little space for the boy.

[Kayay]

~~~~Guards~~~~

Reports had come in of a Fanelian training guymelef going berserk, killing friend and foe alike. Without a doubt, this was one and the same. “Murdering bastard,” snarled one guard, hitting Elisian in the gut with the hilt of his sword. After his behavior and with all the evidence stacked against him, they took no chances. Heavy iron shackles weighed him down, binding wrists and ankles, as they led him non too gently to the cells beneath the palace.

Cracks in the mortar showed in place, signs of the battle and the damage the palace had sustained, and the guards paused long enough to examine these. They’d have to bring someone in to check it out, make sure the place was still structurally sound, not that they cared whether the place collapsed atop the prisoner.

At the entrance to the cells, one guard handed the sack of Elisan’s belonging to another solider who disappeared around a corner to lock it up with seized personal property, wherever that was in the maze of passages that made up the prison. Before shoving Elisan into the on man cell – clean but bleak -- the guard removed the shackles so his arms were in front of him then snapped the iron cuffs back on. He smiled. If the killer though they were going to make things easier for him, just because they were two insignificant guards, he was sorely mistaken. That was the problem with people these days. They forgot that it was the servants, often treated as invisible, who saw and heard things other didn’t, and the common soldier was the one who carried out the orders given by the higher ups.

“Make yourself comfortable, murderous Zaibach slime,” the guard sneers then turned sharply on his heel and left, leaving Elisan shacked hand and foot to wait.

In the cell beside him was a faint stirring, like the sound of someone turning over in their sleep.


~~~~Foucault~~~
((OOC: Chigusa’s attitude I <3))

What a little princess.

With a tight lipped smile he grasped her hand, warm against his own cool flesh, and helped her up in the saddle behind him. We were never properly introduced last time. You left before you gave me your name, Miss.” He nudged his horse into a steady trot, yet again not bothering to check the others behind him. “So what is your name, or should I call just call you ‘Girl’?”

Now that the Zaibach troops were concentrating upon retreat rather than destruction the going would be much easier and thus much faster.


~~~~E’rth~~~~

The child squirmed and pressed agaisnt Idein, peering around the samurai at Chigusa and Foucault ahead of them. “We…we go with.. him?” He swallowed and seemed to shrink in upon himself. “And… Risa Ma’am… promise we find her? E’rth… E’rth left her,” he hiccupped, on the verge of tears. “Will Risa Ma’am be mad E’rth aband’n her?”

[Megumi H]

The words reached Dream’s ears between the quick canter of the mare and the conversation up ahead. "I'm awfully grateful for you letting me come along with you, miss. I hadn't expected anyone to take me with them away from the castle. After all, I'm just a servant."

Dream was a little surprised. “It’s nothing,” she said, “In times like these, the only important thing is to get to safety.” Of course, she reflected, in times like these, it’s easy to say every man for himself. Servant Aethaeus may be, but she had been nice servant in the few minutes they had all been locked in the guest room together. Dream shuddered slightly, remembering one member of the group whom she knew had not been able to make it out of the city alive.

[KtHM]

((OOC: Sam sucks.))

[Princess Samari]

Chigusa frowned and lurched forward as the horse began its gait. Without so much as a second thought she wrapped her arms tightly around Foucaults waist. He was slimy to her and fake as Chigusa's school picture smile but she needed out and if clinging to him for a few minutes would ensure her escape Chigusa was sure she could manage.

"My name is Chigusa Mitsuguri though Miss would have worked as well." She paused leaving out how rude just calling someone girl sounded. Chidding the man on his manners would no doubt just lead to more irriation later and her possible abandonment on the side of the road.

Better to keep up niceites untill a safe location could be reached.

[Eydtman]

Elisan tugged on the chains that bound him. Unfortunately they were all quite solid. The guards weren't going to take any chances this time. Perhaps he had taken things a tad too far earlier, but it was too good of a chance to pass up. Even with all that was happening now, he was still in the best mood he'd been in, in ages. He hadn't pilotted a melef since before his first term behind bars. He had almost forgotten how much he loved it.

He was alone in his cell, but he could hear someone stirring in the cell next to his. "Lovely apartment you got there friend," Elisan said, "how much was the rent?" Elisan couldn't see the person, but he knew that he had heard him. "Me, I helped them out with the situation back there and this is how they treat me afterwards." Elisan sighed. He examined the cracks in the mortar that the guards stopped to look at when they had brought him in. He wondered how much punishment they would take before they gave way, and if they gave way how likely were the walls and ceiling to cave in on him. It wasn't an option he was willing to explore just yet.

Elisan hobbled over to a corner of the cell and sat down with his back against the cool wall. He stretched, as much as his bindings would allow him to, with a long yawn. From the corner of his eye, he watched as a small mouse scurried around. This is eerily familair. He thought to himself with one eyebrow cocked. He reached out toward the small furry creature with his hand. It looked at him oddly for a second before sniffing his finger, and eventually trying to nibble on it.

"Don't suppose you know any ways out of here do you friend?" He asked.

[Kayay]

A dry cough preceded the reply. “Ugh,” grunted a scratchy voice, definitely male, but it was hard to place the age. “Well wotcher know, got me a visitor have I? Glad ya loike the accommodations, f’ chances 're you'll be stayin' a while. Ain’t nuffin' people loike worse 'ere than Zaibach.” He laughed, a course, rough sound as if something was wrong with his throat. “Chances are I be getting’ out ‘fore you.”

"I've spent my fair share of time in a cell already." Replied Elisan, stroking the mouse gently on the head. "There's always a way out if you look hard enough. How long you been stuck in here anyways?" He asked.

“Not long, not long at aw. Got picked me couple 'ours ago f’the usual stuff.”

"The usual?" Elisan asked curiously. "So I take it you are fairly familiar with this place." That might come in handy. he thought to himself. "This is my first time in a fanelian prison. It's quite nice compared to the ones in Zaibach. More leg room." Elisan stood up and stretched his back. The mouse scurried away into a hole in the wall at the back of the cell. Again he tested his bindings hoping to find some weakness in them, but they were still quite solid. "The name is Elisan, and you?"

“Name’s Cutty but ain’t even from roun’ here. Egzardia is me country, but you're lookin' for a way aahht, forget it. I've been 'ere a time or two, but for nuffin' so serious as murder, which means things 're a better for me than for you. Wif things the way they 're in the city I'm quite cozy 'ere and in narry a hurry to slip aahht.”

"Wish I were as patient a man as you." Elisan replied. "But as I said before, I've already spent enough of my life behind a set of iron bars." Elisan followed the trail the mouse had taken with his eyes back to the hole in the wall. He walked over to it and stooped down. At the base of a wall was a small crack, large enough for a mouse to easily fit through, between two of the large square stones that made up the brickwork of the wall. He reached down and ran his finger along the sides of the hole. Some small peices of the stone crumbled away at his touch. A few good kicks and the block might give way. "There is always a way out if you look hard enough." Elisan repeated. If the mouse had run through that hole, then there must be a room or a passage way on the other side. "Seems there's someone here who knows the place more than you, Cutty."

Short, dry coughs punctuated his words. “Ya 'ave ter be patient in me line of work or ya end up dead or behin’ bars. Trouble is I 'ave a fondness for the drink and get a bit careless na and then. Anyway, good for ya then an 'ave fan wif your someone in your last 'ours. I’ll drink a toast to ya memory.”

"However, in this situation escaping wouldn't do much good." Elisan said thoughtfully. "With the recent attack the guards are on full alert. To be able to manage and get out without being noticed would be nearly impossible. Luckily there is usually more than one solution to every problem." Elisan walked over to the bars and leaned against them. He used the edge of the metal cuffs around his wrists and banged them against the cold metal bars. That should get the guards attention.

“Waste a time,” Cutty muttered. Other than the clash of metal against metal, there was no other sound, and Cutty laughed again. “Face it, they daan't loike murderin' Zaibachians, so you're gonna 'ave ter do better than that.”

"How about you? Would they come if you called them?" He asked. "They may hate me because I was born Zaibachian, but now I am no more Zaibachian than I am Fanelian or even Egzardian. So whadd'ya say? Will you help out a fellow cell mate?"

“Maybe they’ll come and maybe not. Ya truely 're ignorant if ya fin' it's just your country that make them 'ate ya. Fact is, ya killed their friends. That doesn’t concern me though, but the real question is, why should I bovver? I 'ave nuffin' ter say ter them and nuffin' ter gain by 'elpin' ya.”

"What would it take?" he asked. "What would it take for you to help me?"

“Wot 'ave ya gotta value to offer?”

"I suppose all I can offer is a favor. You said you'd be out soon, there must be something you could use my help with."

"I suppose, but I'll 'old ya ter that. Chances 're we'll ne'r meet again, but least you'll be good for a laugh." Cutty broke into another series of coughs, made a hacking sound, and spit to the side. "Damn smoke and dirt gotta me," he grumbled, cleared his throat, and called out for the guards.

[Lady Fanel]

“In times like these, the only important thing is to get to safety.”

Aethaeus was startled by how nice the girl seemed. It seemed that during the last few hours, most of her opinions about how nobles acted had been proven wrong, except for that nasty hostage incident.

"That's true," she said timidly, "but it's usually every man for himself when it comes to emergencies, and that usually doesn't include servants." She paused. "But thank you again for bringing me along. My name is Aethaeus, and I promise to serve you all in any way that I can."

((OOC: My, that could sound dirty, couldn't it? But let's not think that way.))

[Endurance]

A drop of sweat rolled down Ecli's chin. He blinked and grimaced from the sudden wave of mixed pain and exhaustion. The vision in his left eye was already becoming blurry and he felt like having another fainting fit. It would not do of course. I will have plenty of time to rest... later Ecli reminded himself. Letting go of Shannon Ecli took one hesitant step backwards from the Zaibachian duo.

"Quarry one" Ecli whispered meekly "Unlike many others that have fallen before me, I know where my loyalties lie. And what comes to my nicely polished reputation, you should be one of those who best know, that I too am just a mere mortal tool.”

Shannon’s sword weighted like a sin when Ecli lifted it from the ground with his left hand. Its tip scraped against the cobblestones as Ecli gave a last worn-out glance at the Alseides operated by Dulce and turned his back to Shannon.

“I’ll need these” Ecli stated dryly, indicating to the sword and communicator, and began his limping walk back to the alleyway from which he initially came from.

My right eye is almost gone too..... I really need to stop for... a moment and check the graveness of this...wound

"I will end this communication for a fleeting moment. Be prepared for a longer report anytime, ok?"

Ecli didn't wait for approval. He was not in the mood for that. Besides Kenia had insulted him openly.

Now, where did that Chigusa bitch flee to

[Kayay]

~~~~Foucault~~~~

“And you, Miss, may call me Foucault.”

Signs of the battle were all around them, but the merchant didn’t pay them much heed. They couldn’t afford to stop to help – there were simply too many injured – and if those people could not survive on their own then perhaps they were not meant to survive at all. Besides, it was the soldiers’ job to take care of such things, and the merchant’s plans were much bigger and much more important than the welfare of a few Fanelian citizens.

But some people, he thought, fail to see the forest for the trees.

The area outside the manor house was busting. Broad shouldered, imposing men hovered about, keeping the looters and lowlifes that inevitably crept out of the woodwork during times such as these away. Foucault nodded to himself in approval. His orders had been carried out with the efficiency he demanded.

As they approached, two of the enforcers approached, familiar to Chigusa as the two brutes she’d met during her last, brief visit. They were as she remembered them, stone faced and nearly identical, as if cast from the same mold, although one now sported a deep gash on his cheek that’d been recently stitched shut, and Foucault raised an inquiring eyebrow.

“There was some trouble moving the last shipment, but nothing we couldn’t handle,” one of the men said as he took the horses’ reins.

“I see.” The merchant dismounted. “We can gather supplied and see to his wounds before going to the Temple,” Foucault said, indicating the injured Fangolas.

“You know… you seem familiar, Miss Mitsuguri,” he commented as he waited for the others to follow suit. “Even before we met last time, when you brought Kate, I’d sworn I’d seen you somewhere before. Tell me, where are you from?”


~~~~E’rth~~~~

It’d have taken a crowbar to pry the little boy away from Idein by now. The sight and sounds of the place terrified him.

“Miss Risa Ma’am,” he said in a small voice, tugging at the samurai’s sleeve. “What about Risa Ma’am?”

[Ekaterini]

“Will Risa Ma’am be mad E’rth aband’n her?”

"No, of course not," Idein answered the boy. He hoped his voice sounded soothing enough; E'rth was on the verge of tears, and though the samurai could be kindly, he knew he wasn't used to comforting crying children. "I'm sure she understood you had to get to safety."

Then the group was on its way again, passing the ugly aftermath of the attack. After a while it struck Idein that E'rth ought not see it. Too late now; we've already passed several bodies, he thought grimly and mentally reprimanded himself for being careless. The Fanelian shot a quick glance over his shoulder and saw that E'rth had almost completely hidden his face in Idein's back. He felt sorry for the boy. At least E'rth wasn't looking anymore, though the samurai couldn't say how much E'rth had seen.

Finally they arrived at the merchant's mansion. Idein noted how well it was guarded, like a fortress. Then he overheard one of the sturdy guards address the merchant as "Lord Foucault." Ah, so he is the merchant politician. Idein didn't know many details about the man, but he had heard some talk, and now the haughty attitude and bastioned mansion made sense.

“We can gather supplies and see to his wounds before going to the Temple,” said Foucault, suddenly addressing the other riders and indicating Fangolas. Foucault then turned his attention to the girl Chigusa.

While Dream and the servant girl dismounted looking uncertainly around them, Idein lightly hopped off Epos to help Fang down and let him put an arm around his shoulders. E'rth immediately jumped down too, and clung to Idein, his little hands wrapped around the samurai's wrist.

“Miss Risa Ma’am." He tugged Idein's sleeve. "What about Risa Ma’am?”

"I promise I'll go back for her, E'rth. And you'll come with me so you can show me where she is."

The boy certainly looked jumpy, but Idein contributed it to all that E'rth had been through that day. He let him cling to him, though with Fang on Idein's other side the going was a little slow. They followed Foucault.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus gingerly lowered herself off the horse, somehow managing not to jar her ankle too much. Balanced precariously on one foot, she looked around at her new surroundings. They appeared to be in front of a large house that Aethaeus had never seen before. Of course, that could have been because she hadn't been allowed to leave the palace in years.

She looked around until she saw the stranger that had saved her from the palace. By the way he was talking to two of the men working outside, she guessed that he owned the place.

The servant turned back to the girl she had been riding with. Realizing that her companion must have had a hard journey, Aethaeus immediately switch into servant mode.

"Pardon me, ma'am, but is there anything you would like me to find for you so you can tidy up or anything? Not that you look messy or anything," she added quickly.

[Megumi H]

Dream smiled, touched by Aethaeus's thoughtfulness. "Well," she said as she hoisted herself up and out of the saddle, "I'm all right, though I'm itching to get out of these clothes and into something clean." The dress was definitely less poofy than it had started out. It was now covered with dirt and an amount of Fangolas's blood, and she flinched as she looked at it. There had been too many unpleasant experiences today; why did they have to repeat themselves? Don't think about it, Dream told herself. God forbid anything should happen to Fangolas or any of the others. God forbid that visions would come to haunt her of another death.

[Lady Fanel]

Aethaeus was glad to finally be of use. "Very well, ma'am," she replied. "I'll see if I can get you something else to wear. But in the meantime let's get you tied up." She lowered herself to her knees and started to brush off the girl's dress. After a moment of silence, she glanced up into the girl's face. "If you don't mind my asking, ma'am," she said timidly, "could I please have your name?"

[Megumi H]

((OOC: I'm sure you meant 'tidied.' If you didn't... oh dear.))

"My name...?" Dream echoed, one hand holding one side of her skirt, the other scraping smudges of dirt out of the folds. "It's Dream. Dream Chang. Umm... nice to meet you... Aethaeus." Dream rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, feeling awkward for not properly introducing herself earlier. "Aethaeus... it sounds so pretty." She smiled again, gently plucking her skirt from the cat-woman's fingers. "It really is nice of you to help, though I think we ought to get inside first."

She waited for Aethaeus to rise and follow, then started into the house behind the others. As soon as she entered the doorway, a wave of nausea hit her. Her vision wavered.

This place... what's happening?

She heard something drip. Drip... drop... drip... The sound dully pounded in her ears.

What is it? It's awful...

Snap.
Red.

[Lady Fanel]

((OOC: Oops, sorry Megumi. I did mean 'tidied.'))

Aethaeus blushed and looked down at the ground as Dream complimented her on her name. "Thank you, miss," she said. She looked up again as the woman pulled Aethaeus' hands away from her dress.

"It really is nice of you to help, though I think we ought to get inside first."

"Very well, miss," Aethaeus agreed. Very slowly and carefully she raised herself to her feet, trying not to put too much weight on her sore ankle. Following Dream towards the manor, Aethaeus noticed that the grounds surrounding the manor were extremely calm and organized. It was quite a change from the panic and destruction at the palace. Looking towards her companion, the servant was startled to see Dream start to sway back and forth as she stood in the doorway. "Ma'am!" she called, hurrying towards her as fast as she could. "Are you all right?"

[Kayay]

~~~~ Cutty~~~~

Boots echoed from down the hall and a stone faced guard, his shadow flickering in the torchlight, approached. "What?" the man asked snappishly.

"Nothin' for me. The bloke besides me wants ter have a few words wif ya."

The man shook his head and glared at Elisan's cell, clearly not interested. "And what words would that be?”

((OOC: It’s short, but there’s your opening Eydtman.))


~~~~Dryan~~~~

He’d seen the explosion and the wall fall upon the anthro woman. Wile some would have thought only of their own hide and others might have immediately decided it a hopeless cause, the man did neither. The mere possibility that she might be alive was enough for him, and he ran to the pile of rubble and began to dig through it, calling out in the hopes that she’d respond, but there was no answer. Yet still he dug, tossing debris aside or rolling the larger chunks down the pile.

It seemed like forever before he stopped suddenly. Through a gap he felt fur. The prospect of success fueled a second wave adrenaline, and he dug more furiously than ever, finally freeing her. Her pulse was there but weak, and he carefully stood and took her into his scratched and bleeding arms.

He’d take her somewhere safe to people who could help her.


~~~~Seth~~~~

Findel Falor had seen better days. “You look like ---- Basram,” Seth said to the semi-conscience man, “but your plan worked.” The Asturian stood, flinching as his wounds reminded him that jumping out of his guymelef’s cockpit when injured was a pretty stupid thing to do. He’d be lucky if he hadn’t torn upon the wound. No such luck, he thought, feeling the warm wetness of blood.

“Can you stand…”

The approach of a melef interrupted the knight. In the smoke and dust it was hard to make out anything other than the shape, which was clearly Zaibach in design. As it neared, he could make out a cloak and the glint of red armor, and Seth instantly drew his sword, although if the pilot wanted to fight, Seth was not naïve enough to think they’d win.

((OOC: "No, Findel, you must live, for I luuurve you!” I’m just joshing, but the whole Findel/Seth/Aaron/Ceren group is so… um… yeah. ))

[Eydtman]

The gaurd walked over to Elisan's cell. He thought for a moment on what he wanted to say. It seemed so clear when he first thought of it, but now he was having a hard time finding the right words. "Simple is best." he reminded himself.

"Well? Out with it!" the guard ordered, his patience running thin.

"I wish to make a deal." Elisan replied calmly.

"A deal?" The guard laughed. "What would you have that you could possibly offer?"

"That's not for you and me to discuss. I wish to speak with someone of higher rank." Elisan racked his brain, trying to think of the name of someone he knew that seemed to be of suitable rank. He then remembered those who had first found them. The cat woman, she seemed to be of high authority. What was her name again? Maati? Marko? Meeko? Maeko? Wait... that was it! Maeko. That was what they had called her. "I wish to speak with Maeko."

"Miss Maeko?" The guard repeated. "Why would she want to speak with you?"

"Tell her that one of the guests from earlier has something to offer her." Elisan replied. "Tell her that the temple floor isn't as comfortable to lay on as it may look. She'll know what I mean."

[Endurance]

(OOC: I'm leaving for mandatory military service twelfth July, so this will be my last post to Esca forums for six months at least. It was fun playing with you girls and boys. -Endure)

The southern sky was beautiful. It was ablaze with colours of red, yellow and orange, the colours of carnage. A sham sunset. Huge plumes of ebony smoke drifted upwards from the flaring city and mixed with the few stray clouds above, creating a spectacular effect of combined light and darkness.
The source of those colours, likewise was on fire. For many, including the inhabitants of the city, it would not be a pretty sight but for Ecli it was just a beautiful scenery which he could look at during these last minutes of concluding mission.

A strong breeze made the trees of northern foothills murmur in cacophonic unison. Joylessly Ecli took off his dirty, blood-soaked robe and discarded it without much thought. From this day onward his life as a negligible and peaceful scholar would be over. His jaded gaze wandered around the tranquil forest clearing and he wondered what his promised escort would be like.

It seemed that he had arrived at the extraction point a bit too early.

"How convenient. I can have a breather."

*"Your new orders are as follows Lapis agent: You are to withdraw from the city immediately and make sure that nobody follows you. Travel mile and half to north, there you will find a forest clearing which serves as your point of extraction. The clearing is easily recognizeable from an ancient blackened tree. Kenia's husky voice was absolute, yet Ecli didn't understand why he should abort the mission when he had been so close to success. His mind rebelled against such illogical order and he could not keep his mouth shut because of that.

"With all due respect, I refuse to see any common sense with your latest order Quarry one. Care to explain?" Ecli snarled, barely able to hide most of his spite and scorn.

There was a short pause and then after a brief static crackle Kenia responded with thoroughly irritated voice.

Defying direct orders again Dare!? Very well, if you so wish to know we have assembled a task force here in Zaibach, and for reasons I can not understand there is people who want you to be part of that task force no matter what. Thus the order to get your ass back here in Zaibach.*

A squall of wind woke Ecli up from his daydreaming. When he opened his eyes the Alseides unit which had flown above him was long gone. With great difficulty Ecli rose from his slumped stance, taking support from the blackened tree, and looked around trying his best to not look neither feverish or jumpy. He was surrounded. Everywhere around him were men. Some wore black assassin garbs like he did, others donned royal blue attire with many golden adornements, and the rest had just basic Zaibachian uniform and miscellaneous pieces of equipment. Ecli smiled as they stepped from the shadows silently like ghosts, one by one, and without haste. He recognized most of them. Comrades-in-arms they all had been during training and, now it seemed, that they all were merged together once again.

"Patch up that wound, scholar, You are needed elsewhere"

[Kayay]

*Presses Pause*

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