AlteredTundra

Palm Beach Royals: Senior Year

<Snipped quote by Altered Tundra>
Friend hadn't seen the new Mission Impossible. I liked it well enough to see it again.

@Inkarnate

Oh neat. Did it hold up?

Palm Beach Royals: Senior Year

Got dragged out to a movie - not that I could post due to internet issues - so I'll have to double-time it tomorrow.

@Inkarnate

You are forgiven. Also what movie?

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As the intensity of the epic battle between Jaakuna and Rio increased, so did the widespread damage to Shion’s library. Books and shelves were set ablaze as the rising tensions between Creature and Transcended Hume rose to unbelievable proportions. When it seemed the two were at a stalemate, one raised the stakes. Jaakuna took a hit that sent him flying in the opposite direction and Rio seemed to boast in his strength, though he seemed to have no problem taking jabs at Emiri’s strength - which Jaakuna didn’t particularly like.

“That’s where you’re wrong, bucko!” Jaakuna shouted to the heavens, looking up at the levitating Rio. “Emiri’s one of the strongest people I know. And if you have to call her weak, then that must mean she’s just that strong,” he proclaimed, shooting a wink Emiri’s way, mouthing “I’ve got your back, girl!”

Jaakuna got up to his feet, taking his eyes away from Emiri as they would then again return to the sight of a smirking Rio. How smug that son of a bitch looked. What Jaakuna wouldn’t give to wipe it off in the best of ways.

If that is your wish, perhaps something could be done.

Jaakuna heard Belias. And then the Esper explained it. When he finished, he started to laugh internally. “Sometimes Belias, you’re a fucking genius!” Jaakuna snickered.

The blond sky pirate took his swords into his hands, pouring his mist deep into their core. Being the source of his transcended powers, Jaakuna put most of the focus he had into them. After a few seconds, they began to emit a radiant light much like that of purifying light. At the same time, Jaakuna’s eyes flickered with gold and red, signs of Logrhif showing through as well as his fiery soul. And when Jaakuna took to the air, a trail of scorching heat followed him, the air itself distorting and taking a knee to his almighty power.

Jaakuna lifted his swords into the air and sent them flying above Rio. The distraction would prove to be useful as Jaakuna brought his arms centerfold. His hands gathered the mist from within him and from the swords - which started to spin over Rio, trapping the man in a prism of light. At the same time, Jaakuna’s gathered mist fired in the form of a stream of fire.

“Holy Hellfiraja!” He shouted, the light from his swords and the fire from his mist combining as Rio was trapped inside a combustible prism of magick, it soon imploding and exploding.

---

Wesley had to admit that the fights raging on in the library was just a tad overwhelming. No matter where he turned his senses, he felt the colliding forces of good and evil mist. Whether it was the chaotic signature that Jaakuna’s magicks had the tendency to produce or Nadeline’s more refined magicks, it was like a game of Dalmascan Ping-Pong. Back and forth he looked and everywhere he was returned with an even dose of Rio’s putrid mist. He couldn’t make heads or tails of it, honestly.

And yet, amongst it, he sensed something...familiar. He couldn’t explain it, but somewhere in the distance, Wesley had gotten a whiff of the air that set off a memory that he had sensed this mist before. “How peculiar,” Wesley noted aloud as he and Grant traveled through the library on their Espers.

Grant’s eyes flickered to Wesley, the prince raising an eyebrow at his friend. “What is it?” He asked him.

“Do you sense that in the air, Grant?”

Frowning slightly, Grant tried to see what it was that Wesley spoke of. All he could feel were the verberating magicks of Jaakuna and Rio, though as they moved, he definitely sensed Nadeline’s magicks. “Am I missing something?” He figured he may as well as him outright.

The Dalmascan King frowned slightly. “Try and concentrate, my friend. Look at what else is there. It’s faint but doesn’t it seem familiar to you?”

It was likely due to noticing the lack of Savayna’s presence that Grant wasn’t entirely sure what Wesley was trying to get at. Concentrating for a moment, he made sure to discern the different types of Mist singing through the air of the Utena headquarters. Once he found what Wesley was speaking of, he looked at Wesley once more. “They’ve returned?” He murmured. “That...can't be good.”

Wesley nodded, the same worry that was clearly in Grant’s voice had spread into his body, producing similar concerns for him. “Let us hurry, Grant! Nadeline cannot hold off her foe that much longer -not in her weakened state!” Wesley urged them to make haste, Hashmal appearing to be waiting for the Humes to agree before running forth.

Furrowing his brow, his expression lifted slightly as he let out a slight yelp of surprise as Zeromus would follow Hashmaal’s lead.

Palm Beach Royals: Senior Year

Kavi vs Elijah

---

As Kavi rested his arm on Sholamlijah’s bed of soft buzz cut hair, he noticed the events kind of unfold around him. The regulars were showing up. Some were loud and others were even louder. You had those who were kind of quiet and reserved that tried to keep to themselves and then you had those who, while quiet in their own right, had a certain volume to them. Of course, those were the nerds - one of whom was now serving as Kavi’s temporary armrest.

Oh, how he enjoyed this specific armrest. The way the short hairs tickled his arm just enough to provide a feeling of comfort. The way that, despite all of his best efforts, Elijah couldn’t escape, lest he invokes Kavi’s wrath ....which wouldn’t be so bad. After all, they were friends, weren’t they? Or maybe fear was that much of a motivator. Either way, he was going to have himself just a little fun with the resident Rabbi-in-training.

“It was fun. Had a lot of sex and did a lot of really swell things. What about you, Sholamlijah? Have any memorable moments?” Kavi asked him, looking towards the school. “Did you hit that nerdy piece of ass that just left? I noticed how chummy you two were.”

Elijah wasn't sure what he had been expecting from Kavi just now. The young guy was truly a tool in training, and Elijah could only feel his throat closing in his presence. He couldn't help but take a step back from him, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Of course, he was going to brag about hooking up with girls. That's all “jocky” guys seemed to think about. The suggestion Kavi made seemed to set something off in Elijah, and his eyebrows furrowed in frustration. But a redness came back to his cheeks. ”Wh-What? No! Aaliyah is just a friend. Besides, it isn't your business.” However the thought of being with Aaliyah had now implanted in Elijah's brain, and the red flush only seemed to expand. Shit.

“Well, then you won’t mind if I--”

”I-I don't date black chicks. FUCK. Why did he say that? He didn't mean it. He didn't actually feel that way. But it wasn't just what he said. It was how he said it. It almost sounded like it came out in disgust, and Elijah instantly felt like an ass. He always was the best at saying the wrong thing. It didn't help that his train of thought was not operating correctly, with his enemy standing right in front of him.

Kavi laughed, looking down at Elijah as he always had done. This time, however, was the closest the teen had come to look at this guy with actual respect. “Wow and I thought I was the mean one. Maybe Aaliyah should hear about this. I’m sure she’d just love to hear how racist her friend Elijah is.”

Elijah was fully embarrassed and becoming cross. Damnit! Why did he always find a way to look like an idiot? But he kept a serious look watching Kavi. He didn't like the suggestion that was about to leave his mouth at pursuing Aaliyah. But the next statement seemed to slap Elijah back to alertness. The anger he was displaying shifted to fear. ”N-No! Look, you know I don't-... Besides, she wouldn't believe you.” Elijah wasn't very confident in that last part. He felt he had really dug his grave now. God, why was he given the family he had? He didn't like these prejudices haunting him so. ”Look, what do you want, Kav?”

As soon as Elijah had spoken his name, the teen felt a spark of anger course through his body. Specifically, Kavi didn’t like the way that Elijah had said his name as if they were equals. Who did he think he was addressing him like that? “What do I want? Why? Are you tiring of my arm, little Jewboy?” Kavi pressed hard on Elijah’s head, further showcasing just who was in charge and who was the little bitch.

Elijah was just about having it with this guy, and whether it was out of spite, or out if the pain it inflicted, Elijah swatted his hand away from the top of his head. Probably not his smartest move, but it left a throbbing feeling on the top of his head. ”You must want something if you're gonna harass me so much, you gook-bean picking mutt.” Oof, there went another one, though this was more in response to Kavi calling him “Jewboy”. When people meant it an endearing, joking way, Elijah didn't mind. But the way Kavi said it, made it sound spiteful.

Well, he was going to leave him alone. To be quite honest, Kavi was getting quite bored with Elijah. After their brief conversation about Aaliyah, he was growing bored of Elijah’s company - well, at least for the time being. That was, of course, until he actually showed some backbone that reignited his excitement in the short Jewish boy. The fact that he stood up for what appeared to be his own beliefs and, above all else, himself, Elijah, as short as he was, stood up to Kavi. That was something the straightedge teen could respect. It wouldn’t prevent him from showing who really was in charge, but it was something, at least.

“You seem mad, Lilah. Are you going to do something about it?”Smiling, Kavi lightly shoved Elijah. “C’mon, show me that anger,” Kavi kept shoving Elijah, but this time, he smacked him with his open palm, laughing as he heard his hands make audible noises on his cheeks. “Do something, bitch!”

That was the final nail in the coffin. The proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. The sound of Kavi’s open Palm smacking Elijah's cheek echoed and rang through his ears and soul. An obvious red imprint was left on his cheek, where Kavi had smacked him.

Elijah had never gotten in a fight before. He never broke school rules. He never acted out. But, being pushed around by Kavi was the last straw. This guy always knew how to grind Elijah's gears. And he had it! Three years of being pushed around. Elijah took in a deep, sharp breath, pulled back his own arm, and threw a punch against Kavi's chest. Now, it made a pretty deep sound, his knuckles hitting Kavi's chest. However, Elijah wondered if the punch hurt himself more than it had Kavi. Because now his fist was throbbing. Was Kavi made of steel? Elijah pulled back his fist, realizing his mistake, and clenching it in his other hand. Damn, he let Kavi push him over the edge. Elijah could feel the color rushing from his face. That was a very poor decision.

As Kavi felt the hard punch to his chest, the first initial contact sent just a small wave of force through his body, which in turn pushed the teen back just a foot, causing him to stumble. His first instincts were telling him to react, but he was enjoying the moment of the fact that Elijah had snapped. He threw the first punches. One could argue that Kavi did, but his only fault was the few slaps, which all evidence of those had since faded from Elijah’s face.

“Excuse me, what’s going on here?”

Kavi looked up. To his surprise, it was one of the teachers of King’s Academy. It wasn’t just any teacher - it was Nigel Kramer, the Senior English teacher.

Busted. “Oh hey, Nigel.”

“Mr. Salvador, are you tormenting Elijah again?”

“No sir. I was just talking to him and hanging around when he suddenly hit me out of nowhere. I am literally traumatized. I thought he was a good, wholesome Jewish boy,” Kavi’s totally-bullshit feigning of a PTSD tone wasn’t fooling anyone - except the teacher. For someone who had gone through college, he sure was dumb. And gullible.

“Is this true, Elijah?”

Taking in a sharp breath, Elijah simply continued to glare at Kavi, before turning towards the teacher. ”He slapped me across the face, Mr. Kramer. Come on, you know the two of us. He always antagonizes me!” His arms now crossed his chest. He was telling the truth, and he stood confidently by what he said. ”I’ve never been known to ‘suddenly hit’ anyone. And you’ve known Kav to be a prick!” Elijah shot a glare at Kav, muttering under his breath. ”Schmuck.”

“See he just can’t help himself. He’s calling me mean names like ‘prick’,” Kavi said to Nigel, repeating what Elijah just called him. He gave Elijah a sort of smirk. All the while, Nigel was assessing the situation.

“It’s obvious you two don’t mix well. I think, from here on out, you should stay away from him, Elijah,” he suggested.

Kavi kept smirking at Elijah, obviously proud without things worked out in his favor. That’ll teach Elijah to think he’s anything more than a little bitch - but that smirk soon faded when Mr. Kramer turned around to face him.

“As for you, Mr. Salvador, I would recommend you stop going out of your way to bother this young man.”

He rolled his eyes. In all honesty, Kavi thought he actually got away with both showing Elijah who was the boss and who was the one that deserved to be picked on. And while he did (for the most part), it seemed that the little nerd had gotten some of the blame taken off of him - which didn’t make Kavi too happy. When Nigel left them alone, Kavi stared back at Elijah. “I’d watch your back if I were you, Abrams. You never know what’ll happen,” he warned the Jewish boy, going past him as he bumped into his shoulder hard, causing the shorter boy to force a path for Kavi.

Elijah heeded Mr. Kramer's words. Yeah, he would try his best to avoid Kav as much as possible through the year. He didn't need to be told to. But he couldn't help it if Kav sought him out. Elijah shot Kav a final glare as he shoved past him. Elijah brushed his shoulder. As if making physical contact with the hooligan would soil his uniform. Whatever. He needed to get to class anyway.

Palm Beach Royals: Senior Year

I've got potential collabs for Kavi and Stella put in place. As for Sonny, I suppose when the current scene with him ends, that'll be the end of that for him.

Where is your "writing sanctuary"?

I do not have a specific location in my house that generates most of my writing or ideas. Like Odin, as long as I have my laptop in front of me, it doesn't matter about the location. I tend to write better with some form of background noise. This can be the television playing in the background, some kind of ambient music playing, or whatever. I just need some kind of noise so I'm not typing in complete silence. That is simply something I cannot write in.

𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘋𝘶𝘴𝘬 𝘛𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘋𝘢𝘸𝘯 | 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒐 // 𝑻𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒂

Kai had expected at least some form of praise from Cielle, or a 'good job, Kai' would've sufficed. To his surprise - which shouldn't have been the case - Kai received none of that. In its stead, however, had been the sounds of a creature that would, in just moments after hearing it, being the horse that Princess Anna had taken off on. And like since he has met her, instead of giving him the praise that Kai felt he was entitled to, she decided to tackle on whatever obviously more important issues were at hand. It wasn't like he was asking for her to be his servant, serving him grapes while fanning him with a big leaf fan - though it was a nice thought. He just wanted some kind of recognition.

This really bothered Kai. Even as Cielle would start talking about how that was Anna's horse and how the princess lacked fighting capabilities, Kai was looking at her with the most bratty pout. Cielle didn't notice it because she was more concerned with what Kai should've been focusing on too. Despite that, he couldn't bring himself to take his mind off of what Cielle never gave him. When he had his mind stuck on something, especially as bothersome as Cielle not giving him props (or taking credit for something that she should've), Kai was more stubborn than a donkey.

When Cielle finished and turned to face Kai, she would see his pout. "You're seriously not going to say anything about what I just did? I listened to what you said! And you're not even going to take pride in that you were right and I was wrong?!" Kai raised his voice just a few levels. As far as Cielle was concerned, Kai wasn't too happy with her at this moment.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As the fight between Jaakuna and Rio unfolded, causing even further damage to the library, Wesley took notice of how Grant was acting. He appeared to be even more on edge than he usually was. At first, he thought it had been due to the intense fight between Jaakuna and Rio, but there was something else that seemed to be bothering Grant. Wesley was pretty observant of most things around him - even before he gained his transcendent abilities. With all of that being so, Wesley couldn’t help but have this gnawing feeling in his gut that something else other than what was happening in front of them was in the works.

Just seconds before Wesley was going to ask Grant, he beat Wesley to it. It in that same moment that Wesley felt what GRant must’ve felt. The familiar mist that he felt when he was in Rio’s presence. There was also something about that, to Wesley, felt familiar. He couldn’t explain it, but something about it reminded him of someone. Even with Wesley’s enhanced capabilities, the Dalmascan King couldn’t pinpoint who it was - only where it was.

“It seems Jaakuna isn’t the only one that will have their hands full,” Wesley noted, looking on, seeing Jaakuna and Rio go back and forth in their fight. Just like Zeromus was summoned, Hashmal also was summoned. Wesley climbed onto his shoulder, looking back at Emiri and Shion. “Please take care of her, Lady Shion. And Emiri, please be safe.” Wesley wished them well-wishes

As he and Grant, and their Espers took off in the direction where the odor of darkness was getting stronger, Wesley looked over to Grant, “It’s Nadeline, isn’t it? She’s in danger, isn’t she?”

---

He had to admit that Rio was giving Jaakuna a good fight. The back and forth between the two men was, in all honesty, refreshing. As odd as it was to say, Jaakuna felt like he was getting back to his roots and being able to enjoy a fight. Of course, the motivations for this fight were vastly different than when he was a young buck, participating in tavern brawls. It was just the fact that Jaakuna was fighting all out against someone who was of equal power. For a moment when Jaakuna and Rio’s blades clashed, he felt as though Rio was feeling the same thing.

Jaakuna lunged forward with a few slashes and Jaakuna saw Rio dodge most of them and blocked the rest, their mist causing shockwaves throughout the library. “Seems like you’re actually enjoying yourself, Rio. What’s up with that?”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

After he had time to adjust to the explosive entrance he made that resulted in damage to some ancient shelves with even older books that Shion doubtless collected over her long life, JAakuna dared not make eye contact with the woman, lest he wants to invoke her wrath upon him even further. But that wouldn’t be a choice for him because he did have to look her way. If not to make sure she was okay, but just so she knew how sorry he was. Ever since they bonded the way they did after Shion bestowed her light upon him, Jaakuna had been feeling this extra sense within him - a feeling, if you will - about how Shion was feeling. And right now, he could feel the dismay and horror as she watched her years of collecting literally go up in smoke.

He didn’t say anything, which was probably for the best. Jaakuna would choose to focus on everyone else. They probably thought he didn’t hear that, but Jaakuna heard Wesley’s comments loud and clear. “How about we save that until after I defeat this guy. Unless you two want to cover my tab?” Jaakuna asked with a cheeky smile.

Wesley laughed, giving Jaakuna a smile. “A generous offer, but I will have to decline. Nothing in Dalmasca’s economy can replace the sentimental value that these books held to Lady Shion,” Wesley stated, making his stance perfectly clear. He beckoned to Grant, “worry not, my future uncle-in-law. Lady Shion is forgiving of most things. Besides, we did not burn down her life’s work, now did we, Jaakuna?”

“Sometimes, I really hate you, Wesley.” Jaakuna scowled at his friend. He was finally able to return to the main attraction: a man who has lived far too long.

Jaakuna stepped forward, the light of Shion manifesting around him. Two swords of red and white and black appearing in his hands. As he would take another pace forward, Emiri warned him of Rio’s powers of regeneration. “Nothing huh? Did you not see how I blasted him into the wall just a minute ago? I’m pretty sure that phased him real good,” Jaakuna laughed, turning to face Emiri. “You don’t need to worry. I have this in the bag. And when I defeat him, we can finally talk about our life together,” he promised her.

Now, as he had said everything he wanted to say, all eyes were on him. Everyone whose lives might’ve been affected by this man, or whose lives were affected by the series of events he set in motion - it all ended here. Either Jaakuna would die by the hands of this monster or Rio will pay for everything he has done. Whatever the results, Jaakuna was not going to hold anything back.

“It ends now!”

Jaakuna’s resolve allowed him to unleash a sudden burst of his mist, a golden, light aura mixed in with the reds and oranges of his fiery mist provided him with just the flashy display of his power that would counterbalance Rio’s own. And as if the two were synced up by something greater, they both went forward and clashed, unveiling such a vivid display of magicks that couldn’t be further from alike even if they tried. All that was opposed to each other manifested in pure force.

This would be the battle to decide the fate of Ivalice. Jaakuna, the Transcended Hume versus Rio, the Tenebrous Celebrant.

𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘋𝘶𝘴𝘬 𝘛𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘋𝘢𝘸𝘯 | 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒐 // 𝑻𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒂

Kai listened to Cielle explain how she was able to change their clothes in as fast as a light flashing before their eyes by...not explaining how she did that. She just chalked it up to it being magic - which in itself wasn't exactly helpful to what Kai had asked her. He didn't understand the concept of magic. Being a boy from Twilight Town, he never had known such a thing. It was never known to him until that fateful day when the Shadow Heartless attacked and he was tossed into this new lifestyle. The only thing that made any sense was how Kai knew Cielle was his best shot at finding Aira. That was the thing that Kai held onto.

Magic wasn't part of the equation until Cielle pointed out that it had its uses. And after the first seven tries of being exposed to it - both good and bad - Kai was starting to catch on. He was just surprised that Cielle had as much patience with him. Most wouldn't have stuck around that long. Just as Kai was about to ask her about the magic and perhaps teaching him some of it, Cielle again said something Kai knew to be right. I hate it when she's right. He let out a grumble of sorts, smiling and nodding as he followed Cielle out the door.

The sudden breeze wasn't as much of a bother to Kai as it was when he was wearing his normal, summer attire. But that wasn't what turned Kai's determined look into one of despair. When they ran out the door and into the courtyard, the first thing that both he and Cielle would see was more of the same heartless from before. "Not again," Kai whined, sighing, though he quickly put his game face on. He summoned his keyblade.

And like before, Kai dove head-first, though something was different. He couldn't properly explain it, but there was some kind of light shining around Kai. In the moments that it had taken him to attack the heartless long before Cielle had a chance to even register it, Kai's entire body became engulfed in the same wind that Cielle's had just minutes ago. With it, when the Snowman Heartless attacked him, they were knocked back a few paces. And whenever the smaller ones attacked, they were vanquished immediately. As Kai proceeded to round behind the bigger ones, he charged into a spiral, his keyblade striking the fat ones in the back, sending them back to the darkness hole they crawled out of.

Just as quickly the wind appeared around him, it was gone. What bothered Kai the most was he didn't know how he did that. "What..just happened?" Kai asked himself, looking over at Cielle. "I guess the coast is clear, yeah?"

---

Somewhere in Arendale

"The windy mountains whisper in Arendale. It was obvious that Elsa's handiwork, whether intentional or not, had generated enough fear and panic to surrender their joyous hearts to the darkness. And wherever there was darkness, the heartless were bound to show up." A raspy-like voice slithered its way into the base of the mountain where Queen Elsa had chosen to reside.

A hooded-figure that had a black cloak on watching from the highest peak of Mount Tundra, the highest of mountains within this frosted wasteland that had just been created. From this point, this figure saw everything: the desperate Elsa wanting to stay away from everyone. Her darling sister rushing on horseback to find Elsa and bring her home. And, in the courtyard, displaying his rising skills, Kai was showing what everyone in The Darkness knows to be true: he is one of the four.

There was a hint of a laugh as the hooded figure faded into a Portal of Darkness.

"He and that girl are ones to watch. This will be amusing."