freedomliveson

The ties that bind (Serenia/Freedom)

The German Shepherd that bounded in circles attempting to get Kaz's attention was a tad distracting, but not surprising. He vividly remembered her love of animals, forcing Kaz(as lovingly as she could, of course) to volunteer with her at animal shelters and help walk her dog(s) when he was in her part of the neighborhood. It was nice to see that part of her remained alive and well; in fact, the "well" was emphasized through her appearance. When he saw her last(he winced internally), her hair was a tad shorter, facial features more angular. Her face had smoothed out(if that could be a phrase) and almost softened, giving Ellie an almost angelic countenance. Or maybe that was a burst of old feeling that had suddenly emerged coloring the way he saw her.
"I...I wasn't expecting to be here myself." He cleared his throat, loosening the black tie that hung neatly against his stark white dress shirt. Another few moments of silence wafted between them, only punctuated by the German Shepherd's sniffing of Kaz's once shined now dirt stained shoes.
"You look like you've really taken care of yourself." He blurted out in an attempt to make small talk only to come off as obtuse. Attempting to fix the perceived social snafu, he added:
"What I meant to say was that..." He couldn't help but smile broadly.
"You look wonderful, Ellie. And I'm...I'm so happy to see you again." That was genuine. It really was. The feelings of apprehension, guilt, sorrow and other assorted, unnamed emotions still swirled around his mind threatening to burst out of his head in a torrent of pent up angst, but in spite of that, he still managed to be happy to see his friend again.
"And your dog seems happy to see me as well...although we're not nearly as acquainted as I'd like us to be." Despite not enjoying the animal shelters when it came to dealing with all other animals, Kaz had a soft spot for dogs. He complied with Ellie's directive, scratching behind the canine's ear for a few seconds. This action seemed to satisfy the creature, who then began sniffing behind his owner for something unknown to the humans at hand.
"I'd like to ask how you're doing, but I suppose that wouldn't be enough." A sad smile this time.
"Probably one of the reasons why I wanted to come here. Prepare my thoughts at a place that holds such youthful optimism before I approached you." His fingers traced over the bar of the swing set as he continued:
"I came...I came back to find you, Ellie. I wanted to talk. About a lot of things that have needed to be addressed for so long." His other hand briefly clenched into a fist before uncurling.
"That is, of course, if you'd let me."

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Hey, no worries from me. Good luck on moving into your new place! Hope it goes smoothly! :)

The ties that bind (Serenia/Freedom)

Done! Let me know if anything needs revision :)

The ties that bind (Serenia/Freedom)

The middle of March was a beautiful time in the southern part of the country. While there were still the occasional blizzard warnings and cars sliding off roads cemented with ice in the Northern states, the South was beginning to bloom. Trees regained their verdant foliage, flowers were budding and most importantly to the denizens of Macon, the cherry blossoms were in full swing. The lavender shaded trees were bursting with color, prompting so many from across the state and beyond to visit the normally small-ish town to view an event that separated Macon from the rest of the state. The awed on-lookers, picture takers and proud citizens who volunteer all year to keep the trees alive and well formed a picturesque scene on that particular Sunday that Kaz decided to plop himself on a bench across the street from the brouhaha(fun word) and eat his biscuit and egg sandwich lovingly prepared as always by "Momma" Lori Stanhoff. Mrs.Stanhoff was a staple of his childhood and adolescence, going to her small diner many a time to secure breakfast served any time of day because "what's better than breakfast in the morning? Breakfast in the evening!".

A muted chuckle came and went as he took another bite, a slightly louder groan of appreciation for the culinary masterpiece emitted. Although most of his adult life was spent on the East Coast, he could never quite find that special diner he could wrap his arms around quite like The Greasy Spoon. His circle of friends back in Manhattan would've scoffed at the idea of eating at a place that had "Grease" in the name, but their pretentious palates weren't here for judgment. Just honest people who make an honest day's work.

Honesty. What an interesting concept that had become over the past few years.

Shaking his head, he finished the sandwich before reaching into his pocket, fingers riddled with grease clumsily unlocking his phone as he grimaced at that small blinking "32" that reminded him of the responsibilities he had attempted to leave behind for the two weeks he was taking off. It had been only a few hours since touching down at the small airstrip outside the city and already his inbox was being deluged on a day most popularly thought of as a day of rest. Of course, his particular business didn't necessarily lend itself to "rest". The world of stocks, bonds, financial holdings and other assets was constantly churning and as the Chief Financial Officer of Ujohiri Holdings Corporation, he was expected to churn along with it. Thankfully, Juntao had recommended this visit and told the Board that this two week absence was for personal business.

Indeed it was.

The urn still remained in the apartment he rented (executive or not, AirBnB was a wonderful invention) and would stay there until he could muster the courage to face Mother's grave. How long had it been since he had visited? Twelve years? Fifteen? He had lost track. When he and his family left Macon permanently, he had cut off everyone he knew from the city, knowing that keeping up his attachment would be too taxing. He was to be an Ujohiri, a powerful player in the global financial market, to learn under Tanaka Ujohiri, one of the most respected financiers in the world. Kaz didn't have time for-

Is that her?

He sat up, spine stiffening. The golden, wavy locks bounced jubilantly in the crisp mid-March air, reminding him of-

No.

When she turned around, it wasn't her.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he stood up, knowing full well that he would have to face this sooner or later.
"Where would she be after all this time..." While his father's remains were of critical import, another matter had admittedly surfaced on the ride to Macon, one that he wanted to confront-

No, no, not confront. Resolve. Yes, resolve. The way he had left was...unacceptable and his subsequent treatment after leaving was even worse. He had to make things right before going back home. He had to. Which meant reopening some old memories left to the annals of time.

___

An hour of searching via Google Maps in his rented vehicle brought him to the farmhouse that he remembered was down the road from "Abe's General Store". It was still ramshackle: roof caved in, doors cast off to the side, interior ripped apart by assumed scavengers and other signs of natural decay all but confirmed it's state. The swing set, too, was showing it's age, but still the same. Situated behind the farmhouse was a swing set probably utilized by the former owners, but was possessed informally by he and Ellie for all those years. No one surprisingly had chased them off during their time there, which allowed for so many...good things to happen.

Running a hand over the chains connecting the swing to the rusting bar above, he smiled, slight dimples creasing his cheeks before-

Grass ruffled behind him, prompting Kaz to turn to face the very person he was attempting to track down. All he could say in this singular moment of revelation was:
"Ellie...hello."

That's all you've got? Really?

This was going to be interesting.

The ties that bind (Serenia/Freedom)

Just setting up the thread. Will get you the IC ASAP :)

Looking for Ciri [Witcher] [shamelessly looking again]

Bump once more

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

I have wanted to explore this for a LONG time because of the time spent in the Nightmare Lands on SWTOR. Feel free to do what you want with the intro to the nightmare lands :)

Right, it's finished by the way xD

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

You've been so nice, thank you. I think you went through a bit of what I'm going through right now in terms of muse trouble. I get bursts of maybe a hundred words and then my brain decides to shut down. I am GOING to get you a post tomorrow, seeing as I'll have a lot more free time.

Don't you miss the days when we could post multiple times a day without worry? xD

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

Don't look! Barely completed, but just wanted to throw something up so I can work on it later xD

You never see it coming[Freedomliveson/The Elvenqueen]

His comfort in knowing that Ari had successfully landed planetside was short lived when out of the stone enclosure wrapping around the circular base of the anti aircraft gun came three bronze battledroids. Their rifles were leveled straight at the Champion, one of them issuing a static command:
"Cease and desist under order of Voss-Ka protocol seven two five. Remove all weaponry a-" His dual bladed saber sung through the air as it slashed through the torsos of two, Yerbol dodging a series of bolts fired from the remaining droid before the saber returned to it's owner and running the third attacker through the head in the process. A triumphant smirk briefly crossed his features, stepping over the wreckage and into the same orifice where the droids had proceeded from. A narrow stairway of four steps led upward into a spherical shaped control room with buttons glowing at various intervals along with a computer panel directly opposite from the entranceway that had a continuous scroll of non-descript characters that would have made sense to a technician, but to a Force user who barely had experience firing a blaster rifle. He briefly examined the arc of mystifying technology before shrugging his shoulders and plunging one blade of his saber into the computer panel, sparks flinging upward and scorching the vibrating ceiling above. Nearly loosing his footing, the Champion dug his saber a bit further into the machinery before withdrawing and making a hasty retreat into a sheet of metal where the exit would have been. Sirens blared in the domicile which threatened to deafen the Champion, a similarly robotic voice proclaiming:
"Sabotage detected. Initiating self destruct sequence two point seven two." If that "sequence" wasn't present before, Yerbol had a gnawing feeling that Manus had ingratiated it somehow into the AA's programming to ensure that no one could tamper with the device.

Instinct kicked into high gear. The Champion thrust his arms forward in an attempt to dislodge the barrier, only creating a large dent. Another thrust, another dent, but no movement of the door itself. Grimacing, Yerbol stepped back as much as he could without potentially getting immolated by the sparks around him, closed his eyes and summoned whatever energy he could from the chaos within the control room before dashing forward, his entire body becoming a singular projectile, saber extended outward.

It wasn't but a few seconds later that he opened his eyes to find the outskirts of Voss Ka visible once more.
"Really?" He muttered with a disbelieving chuckle, looking behind him at the smoldering heap that was once a defense weapon for the Voss.
"HA!" He stood up, wobbling slightly as he regained his balance, turning his head back to Voss Ka to find that a certain spouse of his was approaching without a single singe mark or blemish; in fact, as she drew closer, it looked like she had encountered no trouble at all.

Of course she hadn't.

It was at that moment he realized that she had reached out to him through their bond to assure him of her triumph. Had he said anything in return? Judging by her smirk and remark about his carnage, he must have. Filing away the incident flagged with "review the potential ramifications of subconscious communication through their bond" in his mind, he agreed with their next plan of action and proceeded into the heart of Voss Ka. The signs of battle became more frequent as they marched ahead: Faceless, Voss, Alliance troopers and even a few other unfortunate civilians of various races were strewn across the fabled streets. To think that there was a purpose for all this mess. A shudder had to be suppressed when the duo came upon a scene straight out of a holo.

Cheriss and Voldon were holding off a group of Faceless and heavily armored droids with a kind of tactful precision that Yerbol could only envy. Cheriss' fluidity was complimented by Voldon's heavy handed saber style, which was currently applied to a Faceless who once had a head. As the Champions joined, Yerbol heard a zealous shout:
"DOWN! NOW!" Joining the fray meant complying with Voldon, who apparently had sensed a Faceless cloaked with a stealth generator and was ready to impale Yerbol on her saber. When the Champion dodged, it was his partner who sliced the murderer apart, Yerbol feeling the indignation clearly through their bond.

You know me, honey. Always the ladies man.

___

"You ask the impossible."
"Impossible?" Manus snickered at the thought, gaze piercing the trio of Mystics cross-legged on the floor.
"I didn't think was a word in your vocabulary. Your creed, after all, implies that all things are possible with the strands of fate."
"You misinterpret our words, our purpose as Mystics." Another spoke, a rare cracking of the voice audible.
"Your purpose..." He sunk to one knee, pointing at the three of them.
"Is to understand how time and fate intertwine is it not? Not only to understand, but to INTERPRET?" Silence.
"We're not getting anywhere with this." Soto complained, her arms folded over her ebony chestplate.
"Patience. The process of reaching back in time takes...effort, does it not?"
"We cannot reach bac-" Manus reached his right hand out, strangulating the throat of the protesting Mystic with a burst of Force.
"I did not spend months of my life scouring your putrid philosophical meanderings for NOTHING." He released his grip before continuing:
"You were trained to reach back into the past as a part of your initiation into the caste. I am asking very simply to locate where two people went, two very important people who could alter the fate of the galaxy and bring into existence a revolution for the Force, for the power YOU use." More silence.
"I see we will have to resort to extreme methods. Jean, leave us." Knowing not to question Manus, Jean stalked towards him, whispering in his ear:
"They fought through the first line of defense and are headed towards the temple." Manus nodded.
"Intercept them."

_____

Setting the macrobinoculars down, the boy quietly told the others laced into his frequency:
"They're coming up the main path. Order is to intercept at all costs." With equally quiet acknowledgements, the squadron of Faceless moved into position as Manus had instructed, perching themselves among the tops of the sloping hills that flanked the main road to the Temple. They would prove their skill today.

____

"The temple of Healing." Voldon flatly commented, wiping away sweat forming on his brow before pointing past the destruction that their battle had caused.
"The Mystics made their home there. Manus would have them cornered there in order to isolate them from the rest of the population. We make our way there."
"On foot? Exposed?" Yerbol protested, adding:
"Those hills look perfect for an ambush."
"Indeed. Which is why we're not taking the main road."
"What?"
"We'll have to go through the Nightmare lands."
"The what?"
"Nightmare lands. There's an underground series of caverns that connect the Nightmare lands to the Temple of Healing." Suspecting a follow up question, Voldon quickly added:
"Kira and I had to rescue the Mystics at the time from the corrupted planet core." Another addition:
"No time to recap. Just keep close."