Reunited but Divided IC

[Genkai]

Thanks to all the strife, wars broke out. When wars broke out, things got damaged. Towns and villages were abandoned or torn down thanks to fighting. War. A three letter word fueled the hearts of so many lost souls, trying to give them something legitimate to fight for. And yet it was a lie. Fighting wasn't a worth while cause. Because of people fighting and disagreeing, the young girl had been detached from any sort of home. When she was thirteen, she was slowly discovering her own hidden talents. Her parents feared she would be attacked because of such thing and moved away from the humble town. For a while, the family of three traveled around, keeping her daughter's power a secret. Magic wasn't seen as a good thing. It was black and white. Some people thought she was some Goddess while others thought she was a demon.

Sometimes she enjoyed playing into those stereotypes, for fun. Of course thanks to those actions, she and her parents had to move around a lot, never finding a safe place for too long. Soon Mela realized that her powers were more of a curse than anything else. The only home she once had was gone now. The friend she once had were also gone and the changed had begun when magic was found. Did she hate her magical power? Not exactly. She found it to be useful but only in rare situations. For the most part, the girl kept them under lock and key. Many people who had powers, could do things like make the earth move and it was those people who got recruited into factions around the land. The last thing she wanted was to get sucked into politics so she tried to keep her power a secret.

When the girl was seventeen, she saw a fight breaking out between someone with powers and a group of people without powers. She scoffed and kept walking until she realized the group was about to kill the male with powers. Quickly snagging her weapon and taking aim, she inflicted a deep burn on everyone in the group. It was in that moment that Mela realized that she couldn't try and stay out of the heavy conflicts. She was involved because of her powers whether she liked it or not. So why not fight for who she was and what other people were? In the same year, she helped her parents settle down in a small town near a lush forest. She insisted they live out the rest of their days without worry. It was obvious they had suffered enough with having her as a daughter. Mela didn't wish to endanger them any longer and left soon after.

The girl traveled around, doing good wherever it was needed. Sometimes she would charge should the need for funding arise. When she was eighteen, a small gang of other magical users recruited her for a few missions. Even though she felt a need to defend those like her, she didn't want to do harm against those who were defenseless. It was a tight line to walk and after witnessing her group kill an innocent village, she gladly turned the tables on them and made them see that they were no better than those who they hated. Mela decided she would be better suited by herself, she went back to traveling around. Her mission was to find a place undisturbed where she wouldn't have to see war. It was something that haunted her and she knew she was far too young to be as disturbed as she was.

If people would get over themselves and accept everyone as they were, then pointless wars would cease to exist. Maybe that was wishful thinking though. The girl continued to travel and didn't stay in any place for too long, mostly due to habit and to protect herself. It seemed whenever she stayed around and got attached, it just got ripped out of her hands. Why would she want to keep getting hurt? She would find a way to end the wars and restore peace. She was determined to do it alone if she had to, and she knew she would. No one else had their heads out of their asses besides her it seemed. At the moment, Mela was walking along a dirt road which reached from one horizon to the next. All around her was lush green grass. It was springtime, and even though many people were struggling to make ends meet, mother nature seemed unaware of said hardship and took to gracing the land with good weather.

"With all this green around maybe the small tavern up ahead will have a decent meal to offer." She smirked to herself as she approached said establishment. There stood a wooden tavern about the size of a small hut. It was covered in dust and made the woman question even entering. But she was tired and had been on her feet for too long so she decided to take a gamble and take a look. Heading up, she pushed the door open and saw the inside betrayed its contents. It was actually bigger than it looked and had a nice bar, seats, tables. Making her way to the bar, she sat down and took out a piece of bronze and tossed it at the bar-tender. "One beer please." She smiled. The man nodded and picked up the small coin which he had been unable to catch.

While she waited, she took off her bow and arrow and set them down in front of her and dusted them off. Sighing she rubbed her neck and figured she could take her time while she rested up before heading back into the heat. "Sounds like a plan. Hey thanks." She said to herself and then to the man who set down a tall cold glass in front of her. Licking her lips, she took a big gulp and set it down. "Hey, got any food to eat?" Mela asked eagerly.

[101 Scout1]

From behind Mela, a voice would sound. "Yes, they do, and it's a ," it was surely deeper than the Sharik she would remember, but the ring of it, the tone which held a bit of a natural, soothing sound to it, would be unmistakeably the boy that had left Mela so long ago. Sharik took a seat beside and raised his hand for a drink, setting out a bronze piece and looking over at her with that slight smile that she would surely remember.

Mela... It had been so long since he had seen her face, and it had changed so much. She was older, her features had changed so much, but her hair was just the same as he remembered it, even if the length may have changed a little bit, it was still that dark, silky colour. He met her eyes with his dark ones, his deep blue hair was much longer than it used to be, it had once been short and hung just a little bit down his forehead, but now it was at his shoulders, clean and combed. His robes looked somewhat formal, he had built himself up in a few small towns, earning his fair amount of cash.

"It's been a while, Mela," He said, still smiling slightly. "But I promised... You are aware that you are one of the hardest people I have ever had to find, do you not? I have been trying to find you for months, it's good to see you again..." Sharik's smile faded a little bit as he looked at the cool drink that was now placed in front of him. He nodded politely at the bartender, something was on his mind, he felt like he was forgetting something, but he wasn't sure what it was.

[Terminal]

"...And you, on the other hand, are incredibly easy to find." A smooth, resonant voice full of youthfulness addressed the two as the door to the tavern opened and closed. "I wasn't even trying to find you, yet here we are. Fancy chance, that."

Iikka Guiomar settled onto a seat one down from Sharik and Mela. Unlike the older man, Iikka's voice and body looked to have changed very little. He was much taller, his voice somewhat firmer, but his hair was still the same long tangled mess it had been when they had last seen each other. His body was still lean, with an almost brittle look to it. The most dramatic change they could see lay within his eyes, which shone with an inner fire that had not been present before. His robes, much like Sharik's, were formal, and looked to have been custom tailored. Given Iikka's talent with the flute even before the wars, it was clear the world had not been unkind to his coin purse.

"Strange indeed, that we should all be heading in the direction of home. I didn't think any of you would be too eager to return." He gave them both a brief, weary look before placing two bronze coins on the table. His sleeve drooped as he did so, revealing several long notches and scars along the length of his arm. "Just beet-root juice with a honey mix for me, if you will." He directed at the barkeep before turning back to Sharik and Mela. "It's surprising to see you here. Especially given the risk involved in traveling watched roads alone while wearing garb such as that."

[Genkai]

A voice from behind her, snapped her out of her attempt at relaxation. Turning, she found the source that disturbed her. Before she could confront whoever it was, she stopped short and realized who exactly was bothering her. Mela stared at Sharik and her expression slowly morphed from shock to anger. "How dare you!" She shoved him. "How dare you just leave and then suddenly pop up like nothing's wrong!" Mela shouted. "If you hadn't just up and left me, you wouldn't have to try and find me." She pouted out. Though it was great to see him again, she couldn't help but feel an old sort of flame ignite inside of herself, a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. Even so, she was still upset at Sharik.

And then another surprise encounter was brought to attention. "Hey!" She looked over at Iikka. "Fancy meeting you here..." She smiled and took another drink and propped her head on her hand and her elbow on the bar, supporting herself as she watched the boys of her childhood. They were all grown up, supposedly. "Risk?" Mela arched a brow at Iikka. "Just breathing the air of this land and choosing to live is a risk." She told him and waved the bar-tender over. "Get me some bread and cheese will ya?" And then she dug out two more coins and slid them over his way. Looking back to the others, she shook her head. "I'm not trying to go home, I heard it's in ruins anyway." Mela shrugged a little.

It was hard to remember those happy days of playing around in the meadow and its surrounding trees. But at the same time, it was also hard to forget them. They were the only things she had left to keep her company on the lonely travels. "I'm just traveling, doing this and that, keeping a low profile." She said simply and her simple order was placed in front of her. Snagging a hunk of bread and a slice of warm cheese, she slid the plate toward Sharik and Iikka to see if either of them wanted any of it. "What about you two?" She asked, not too sure where to begin. How long would this sudden reunion last? The long dark haired archer was a bit reluctant to get too close and it seemed Iikka had the same idea. Was there something she was missing?

[101 Scout1]

Sharik felt himself fall back, not resisting her outburst as his eyes fell in shame. "I know that, Mela..." He muttered, about to open his mouth and apologize, try to explain exactly what happened seven years ago when he heard another voice from behind him. He turned to find Iikka and greeted him with a smirk and a nod, "Iikka, it has been too long, my friend."

"I was less on my way home as well, more trying to find this one here," He explained to his old friend. "However, it's great to see you again," Sharik pointed out. The man looked to Mela apologetically, but decided not to publicly pursure his apology. When it came time to update one another on their travels, Sharik looked to the others. They seemed uneasy about something and he cocked a soft, blue eyebrow at them in thought. Why are they so distant..? He wondered, trying to keep himself from being too reserved.

"I've been traveling as well... Learning a few things... I assume you two have also been growing in more ways than physical ones, yes?" He looked to them, his hands holding one another nervously behind his back as he spoke. Sharik carried no weapons, though if he did, his abilities with a whip were fearsome. It was an odd weapon to take up, and very few in the trio's large area knew how to use one, which made it difficult to find a trainer, but Sharik had a natural flow with the weapon. However, he did not have one of his own at the moment, but planned on purchasing his own the next time they stumbled across a weapon shop.

His mind was snapped back to reality after a moment as he looked to Iikka, "You seem to have stumbled upon a bit of a fortune yourself. Not that anybody expected you to be poor, seeing as you've always had the heart of an amazing performer, but you must have achieved quite a status." Sharik pointed out as he looked over to Mela, "And I'd assume you haven't given up on your archery... Always determined, focused... I sure hope, for your sake, that your aim improved." The man gave her a teasing smile as his hands moved to a pair of pockets. It was clear that he was not comfortable with doing so much speaking, he had grown but was still quiet as he had been as a teenager.

[Terminal]

"Yes, it has been a long time." Iikka said, leveling a cool gaze at Sharik. "Too long." Iikka's subtleties may have flown completely over both of his friends' heads, but his look made it very clear that, friends or no, he no longer trusted either of them. "And yes, you're right about that Sharik. Playing for the courts of the southern empire pays very well. The people of the south are host to an inordinate fondness for Fey music. They believe listening to it makes them wiser and prolongs youth, so they commission researchers to study it, artisans to try and replicate it, and people like me to play it."

The southern empire - whose soldiers wore esoteric armor, manufactured replicas of pilfered artifact plate mail from bygone times, and wielded blades and gadgets much the same. The armies of the south were notorious for salting the earth and destroying roads as they passed, burning villages and towns and desecrating tombs, burial sites and barrows. They did not seek to conquer others. They fought simply to destroy. For the moment they had been pushed back by the previous winter, a particularly harsh one, filling certain mountain passes with enough snow to last five years, blocking their progress. But nobody doubted they would be back with even more artifact-replica laden armies eventually. More pressing was how Iikka had even traversed such a vast distance to reach the southern lands in the first place, since there were almost no routes by land leading there currently.

"And I do admit, I had heard home was gone as well. But I need to find my parents. Family matters." Both Mela and Sharik would know that a good portion of Iikka's childhood had been spent either with them or in solitude primary due to his parents, who had always been exceedingly cold towards their only son. Iikka's drink arrived, and he took a short sip before continuing. "What of you, Sharik? How did you come by your fortunes? You have always had a way with words, but I admit I have trouble seeing you earning a living outside of any court."

[Genkai]

"Careful, I'll have you know my aim is perfect." Mela told Sharik. The two males seemed eager to catch up or size the other up in comparison to themselves so she left them be and snagged back the plate she had offered to them and went back to eating and entertaining herself. Mela wondered about Rik's powers and if he managed to control them or not. He better had, or him leaving would have been for nothing. He had also claimed to be looking for her, so she could assume that maybe, just maybe, he had better control now. Time usually made someone better or worse at something and with any luck they were all better at many things. Mela hoped Iikka was better at socializing but from the looks of it, her hunches were inconclusive.

As she finished her beer and eventually her bread, she kept an ear open to hear what was being said. It still interested her. It was great to know her friends were alive and hadn't been caught up in the mess around them. But from the sounds of it, Iikka might have already gotten caught in something dangerous. Taking another slow deliberate look around the tavern, she saw a man smoking a pipe and playing cards with another man. She saw the bar-tender cleaning up some tables as dust was quick to collect in such an environment. Figures of course. If only currency was filth and distress, everyone would be rich and not dirt poor. Tracing a finger along the long satchel that contained her personal arrows, she couldn't help worry.

If she was a sitting duck, she didn't wish to endanger her friends. Rik might be able to control himself but Mela was still very much unaware of Iikka's power, if he had any. Would it be better for him to be left alone? Would he hate her if he ever found out what she could do? Sure, her skill wasn't as monstrous as someone, wasn't as abusive as some, but it was still inhuman. Feeling a bit of bile surge up her throat, she swallowed and tried to think of something else, something less depressing. Maybe Iikka was right about the risk. That still left a bitter taste in the girl's mouth. "Hey guys, how far do think is the nearest town? I mean I've been walking like this for about three days and so far, nothing." She said. "Thanks to these damn wars, maps have to be deemed useless after every season it seems."

Perhaps either of them could point her in a new direction. She still wanted to speak to Rik alone too, even if she was upset with him, she knew this was a rare chance to see him. Getting up, she slipped her arrows back over her and snagged her bow, even though it was a nice rest, she suddenly found herself determined to get moving again. Maybe it was the run in with the two friends that refueled her vicious passion.

[101 Scout1]

Sharik nodded as Iikka spoke, keeping a careful eye on him. "Oh, I do a number of things. Most often, the nobles just feel like it would be an honour to pass coin on to me, and they spare no expense in passing it over," The man gave a sly smile and a shrug, "But sometimes I earn it myself." However, that was all the information he gave on his work before he turned to his drink, taking another swig of it.

When Mela asked about how far the nearest town was, Sharik looked to be in thought for a moment as he drew a makeshift map in his head. Sadly, he came up with nothing and shook his head. "No, but I don't think we can be too far if we continue on the road, right?" He asked, pointing out the most blatant path that they could. "Unless, Iikka, you have an idea?" The man looked to his old friend... Seven years... What a difference it makes. It felt to Sharik like a blink of his eyes, but they had all learned so much and experienced even more.

His gaze landed slightly on Mela for a moment, filled with apology and a clear desire for explanation. But here was not the place, it was not the time, though he knew he would have to very soon. He looked back to Iikka as Mela had grabbed her bow and looked ready to travel, suddenly gaining a burst of motivation.

[Terminal]

Iikka gave Sharik a flat look. He didn't believe a single thing the man had just said, but wasn't going to press him further for information. By the looks of it, Mela was gearing to leave for adventure, and Sharik was probably going to trail along with her like a devoted puppy. Iikka would have liked to travel with them - despite his front of disaffected closeness, Iikka still trusted the two much more than he did anybody else, and had he not been traveling for an explicit purpose he would have been perfectly content to travel alongside them. But unfortunately, the revelations he had beheld in the forests of the South were too pressing, and the work carefully sealed within a hidden fold of his robes too important to go unheeded. He would have to let the two go and press forward by himself, it would seem.

"I had a bird's eye view of the area a while back." Iikka assented, leaving out the critical detail that he was being literal. "The nearest town is about a two-days walk along the road here. But it also heads away from home, so I suppose this is where we part ways, if you are both eager to return to civilization." He maintained his air of wariness as he got up from his seat. It did pain him somewhat to learn they were most likely going to part ways so shortly after their serendipitous reunion, but that in itself was all the more reason not to get too close to either of them. To Iikka, there was no point in caressing a stray if he would never see it again.

Still, he did suppose there was a chance they would change their minds, although he couldn't see why they would. Presumably they both had their own arrangement to sort out. And even then, he could still spare a few moment to see if either of them had anything they wished to tell him. Perhaps he could wait and try to talk with one of them alone...

No, that would be getting his hopes up too much. He determined to wait for their decision, and then in all likelihood bid them farewell.

[Genkai]

Rik didn't seem too helpful, which wasn't too much of a surprise. Mela then shot Iikka a look who told her how much more of a walk it would be. Her look deepened when he said they would be parting ways now. "What?! Are you serious?" She exclaimed. "Bam, we run into each other and you're just going to leave so simply?" Mela was tempted to break his leg so he couldn't go anywhere. Why was Iikka so annoying sometimes? "You have some nerve!" She closed the gap between her and Iikka, getting ready to punch him in the face as her hand moved around the front of his robe. Then she turned her fury toward Sharik. "You too! You both have been plotting to drive me insane, haven't you?" She looked between them.

Stepping back, she folded her arms. "Unbelievable..." Mela muttered. "I'd find better companions if I just carried around some rocks and named them." She was more than ready to go now. "But you two are coming with me, whether you like it not. You both owe me for the trouble you've caused me over the years, now come on." She grabbed both of them and pulled them outside with her, back into the daunting heat. Sighing, her mouth was already parched and she had to resist going back inside and getting another drink. Stopping, she turned back around to the boys. "Fine, we'll home, for one small trip, even if I already passed it." She grumbled. "That just means you owe more for the excess amount of trouble it's going to be to go all the way back in the direction." She told Iikka.

"I'm still mad at you!" Mela glanced to Sharik, making sure he didn't think he was off the hook any less because Iikka was on it even more so. Dusting off her light armor, she glanced down the road from where she came and frowned. "Come on you guys, let's get moving." She demanded and marched down the road, if they knew what was best for them, they would follow her. If not, she had no issue dragging them in the direction she originally wanted to go. Surely they saw, she was doing Iikka a favor. And of course this was her own way of making sure they didn't just disband all over again. Mela was really happy to see them but she wasn't going to let them get away from her so easily again. Her dead set scowl briefly turned into a smile as she told herself how much she missed them, even if they could be a pain.