Sorry. Spent the whole 4th partying, and I've been recovering today. I'll get a post up tonight.
Takashi Member
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STATUS: The open hand can roll the stone that the blade cannot cut. 9 yrs ago
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The open hand can roll the stone that the blade cannot cut.
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I think with the next post we should have them move on into the village.
For the next few moments, Kiori felt more alive than he had in his entire life. All the privilege and luxury that came with being a member of the world's most powerful guild was but a fading ember vainly mimicking the dazzling sunlight that he was now baking in. A primal vital force coursed through him, waking not just every nerve in his body, but every strand of aether that composed his soul. He was alive! And he regretted nothing, neither invoking the ire of the guilds nor daring to step beyond the nostalgic friendship he had so comfortably set up a roost in. If he saw that as happiness, then he was blind and ignorant of what was right within his grasp. This was love, and it was worth casting away everything he thought he valued for just one moment of it.
And if that first kiss was a drop of heaven's nectar, the second was a full chalice. Rylee returned his kiss with passion as unbridled as their conversation. It was well that they were sitting, because this would have literally swept him off of his feet. She wrapped her arm around him, he tightened his embrace, and the fact that they were both leaning into one another was probably the only thing that kept them from falling to the ground in their reverie. He let Rylee have full control of the second kiss, letting her passion wash over him, letting it wash away all the memories of blood and pain. There was no past, and he could care less if there was a future; time was completely gone and all that existed was right here, right now. The pounding that Kiori felt, was it his heart or was it Rylee's? Was there even a distinction any more? But, inevitably, they dissolved back into reality with the parting of their lips.
The kiss was over, but Kiori didn't let go; he didn't want to let go. He was still stunned by the unfathomable surge of emotion he had just experienced, and he was in awe about the strange sensation that now lingered. Something had changed, but he could say what. He was still Kiori, she was still Rylee, but they were different. He had seen plenty of "lovers" in his travels before, and had heard the word thrown about too many times to count, but now he was finally beginning to understand what the word meant. And then the time came for words. Apparently it wasn't even easy for Rylee, so how was he supposed to say anything. Well, he supposed that he could fall back on her earlier advice and just say what he was thinking. "Rye, so long as we're together, I don't want you to be afraid. I swear, no matter what, I'll protect you." It was nothing poetic, nothing creative, but it was sincere. No longer would they be trying to survive. Now, they would be trying to live.
And if that first kiss was a drop of heaven's nectar, the second was a full chalice. Rylee returned his kiss with passion as unbridled as their conversation. It was well that they were sitting, because this would have literally swept him off of his feet. She wrapped her arm around him, he tightened his embrace, and the fact that they were both leaning into one another was probably the only thing that kept them from falling to the ground in their reverie. He let Rylee have full control of the second kiss, letting her passion wash over him, letting it wash away all the memories of blood and pain. There was no past, and he could care less if there was a future; time was completely gone and all that existed was right here, right now. The pounding that Kiori felt, was it his heart or was it Rylee's? Was there even a distinction any more? But, inevitably, they dissolved back into reality with the parting of their lips.
The kiss was over, but Kiori didn't let go; he didn't want to let go. He was still stunned by the unfathomable surge of emotion he had just experienced, and he was in awe about the strange sensation that now lingered. Something had changed, but he could say what. He was still Kiori, she was still Rylee, but they were different. He had seen plenty of "lovers" in his travels before, and had heard the word thrown about too many times to count, but now he was finally beginning to understand what the word meant. And then the time came for words. Apparently it wasn't even easy for Rylee, so how was he supposed to say anything. Well, he supposed that he could fall back on her earlier advice and just say what he was thinking. "Rye, so long as we're together, I don't want you to be afraid. I swear, no matter what, I'll protect you." It was nothing poetic, nothing creative, but it was sincere. No longer would they be trying to survive. Now, they would be trying to live.
Haha Yup. It'll make the stakes that much higher when Mr. Assassin comes for them.
"Pickles, huh?" Kiori said with a small chuckle. "I guess it's a bit more original than Wolfie." He expected the two of them to go back and forth a bit about what they would name their hypothetical dog, but then Rylee fell silent, which was unusual for her. He gave her a quizzical look, wondering what would make her look so uneasy, and then he felt her hand on his. It was unexpected, but not startling; as relaxed as he was, his body wouldn't instinctively draw away from her touch, but for some reason he felt something... abnormal. His body tensed up a bit, though Rylee was sure not to notice in her flustered state. kiori looked at her, trying to garner some clue as to what he was feeling from her face, but she would not meet his eyes. They were holding hands, she was blushing and timid; Kiori may have been ripped away from society, but he was no idiot. His intuition told him exactly what was coming.
Despite that sudden comprehension, when Rylee spoke, his pulse skyrocketed. He could no longer look at her, and he felt a cold sweat developing on his body, but he didn't move away. "Rye, I..." he started to speak in a choked voice, but even that little bit tapered off. He had no idea what to say. Sure, he had sweet-talked and caressed more than a few courtesans as a reward for his service, but he never knew any of them, and had never cared if he saw any of them again. They existed in his life merely to fulfill a physical need. This coming from Rylee, though, was completely new territory. He didn't even understand what he was feeling, or even that it was possible to feel the way he did. It was something similar to fear, but without the dread and drive for self-preservation that so often accompanied it. In fact, it really wasn't fear at all, but what he felt didn't really matter. What was he going to do?
It was one thing to fantasize about getting married and starting a new life, but fantasies had no consequences. This question, regardless of how he answered, changed them. Even if he refused, he was sure that they would still be friends, but their friendship would forever be tainted with the shadow of unrequited love. Kiori didn't want that. He didn't want anything that could potentially hurt Rylee in any way. But to go forward... he just wasn't ready. Then again, when would he be ready? Would he ever be ready? Hell, the way Rylee looked even she wasn't ready. Kiori mustered up all of his willpower and forced himself to look at her again. He looked even more scared now than when she faced an assassin at sword point, and for the first time he noticed just how beautiful she was. "If we kiss," he said at last in a soft, shaky voice, "then I suppose we'll have a little bit less to lie about."
With that, Kiori had made his decision. He took a deep breath and gently lifted Rylee's chin so they could see eye-to-eye. He wondered if he was breathing as hard as he thought he was, if he was shaking as much as he thought he was. One thing he did know, though, was that he was tired of being a pawn of fate. Twice already circumstance had abruptly thrown him into a new life. This time, he would take a step into one of his own accord. He leaned forward a bit, but hesitated, his heart a cannon in his chest going off in rapid succession. He had a choice; was this really what he wanted? He found the answer in Rylee's clear, glowing eyes. Right now, all he wanted was to make her happy. There was no more hesitation. He interlaced his fingers with the hand that had been delicately resting on his, gently caressed the back of her head, and gingerly pressed his lips against hers. Then, he wondered why he had been afraid of this in the first place.
Despite that sudden comprehension, when Rylee spoke, his pulse skyrocketed. He could no longer look at her, and he felt a cold sweat developing on his body, but he didn't move away. "Rye, I..." he started to speak in a choked voice, but even that little bit tapered off. He had no idea what to say. Sure, he had sweet-talked and caressed more than a few courtesans as a reward for his service, but he never knew any of them, and had never cared if he saw any of them again. They existed in his life merely to fulfill a physical need. This coming from Rylee, though, was completely new territory. He didn't even understand what he was feeling, or even that it was possible to feel the way he did. It was something similar to fear, but without the dread and drive for self-preservation that so often accompanied it. In fact, it really wasn't fear at all, but what he felt didn't really matter. What was he going to do?
It was one thing to fantasize about getting married and starting a new life, but fantasies had no consequences. This question, regardless of how he answered, changed them. Even if he refused, he was sure that they would still be friends, but their friendship would forever be tainted with the shadow of unrequited love. Kiori didn't want that. He didn't want anything that could potentially hurt Rylee in any way. But to go forward... he just wasn't ready. Then again, when would he be ready? Would he ever be ready? Hell, the way Rylee looked even she wasn't ready. Kiori mustered up all of his willpower and forced himself to look at her again. He looked even more scared now than when she faced an assassin at sword point, and for the first time he noticed just how beautiful she was. "If we kiss," he said at last in a soft, shaky voice, "then I suppose we'll have a little bit less to lie about."
With that, Kiori had made his decision. He took a deep breath and gently lifted Rylee's chin so they could see eye-to-eye. He wondered if he was breathing as hard as he thought he was, if he was shaking as much as he thought he was. One thing he did know, though, was that he was tired of being a pawn of fate. Twice already circumstance had abruptly thrown him into a new life. This time, he would take a step into one of his own accord. He leaned forward a bit, but hesitated, his heart a cannon in his chest going off in rapid succession. He had a choice; was this really what he wanted? He found the answer in Rylee's clear, glowing eyes. Right now, all he wanted was to make her happy. There was no more hesitation. He interlaced his fingers with the hand that had been delicately resting on his, gently caressed the back of her head, and gingerly pressed his lips against hers. Then, he wondered why he had been afraid of this in the first place.
Kiori and Rylee shared many laughs just like in the old days, and for a little while, Kiori was even able to forget that he was an assassin, still armed to the teeth. All of that melted away when they talked about everything from embarking on epic quests, to the best kind of foods, to the best kinds of sticks to "sword fight" with. But, such rapid fire conversations would inevitably peter out, and they were soon left in a calm, relaxing silence. At that moment, Kiroi's mind was at ease. There was no reason to think about difficult things like how to survive, or what they were going to do next; he was here, he was human again, he wasn't alone, and that was already more than he had dreamed was possible. Then, Rylee asked a strange question: what if?
Kiori had never thought about such things in the guild. In fact, he forced himself not to think of such things; contemplating everything he could have had and comparing it to what he had in the guild was a recipe for depression, and that was the path to becoming a true monster. But now that he was free, now that he actually had some choices in his life, he supposed it wouldn't hurt to think about it. He didn't answer Rylee right away. He looked up at the sky, took a deep breath, and gave the question some serious thought. For almost a full minute, he sat in quiet contemplation before he spoke. "Well, the fact that we were able to rebuild our friendship despite everything proves that we were in no danger of losing it. Over a decade of not even knowing where the other is, compelled by the guilds to turn against one another, and yet still friends. I doubt there are many people in the world who can say they have a bond like that..."
Kiori fell quiet for a little while longer, but it was clear that he wasn't done answering. "I suppose if we had a bit longer together we'd have shared our first kiss. You know, like kids do just to see what all the fuss was about. After that, I suppose anything is possible. Even our little story... who knows?" Kiori caught himself off-guard with that last sentence. He had really only meant to say that anything could happen, not that they would have ended up getting married. However, as he thought about the prospect, just as a possibility, a could have been, he found himself smiling. "Ah, there's one thing I forgot. We would have had a dog. I was bugging my dad about it for the longest, and he said when I turned thirteen he'd get me one, and of course he would be as much your dog as mine. But, I guess we'll have to wait a while on that one." His answer complete, he wondered why Rylee had asked that in the first place. Was there something she wanted to hear, or was this just a part of the "training" to make him more personable?
Kiori had never thought about such things in the guild. In fact, he forced himself not to think of such things; contemplating everything he could have had and comparing it to what he had in the guild was a recipe for depression, and that was the path to becoming a true monster. But now that he was free, now that he actually had some choices in his life, he supposed it wouldn't hurt to think about it. He didn't answer Rylee right away. He looked up at the sky, took a deep breath, and gave the question some serious thought. For almost a full minute, he sat in quiet contemplation before he spoke. "Well, the fact that we were able to rebuild our friendship despite everything proves that we were in no danger of losing it. Over a decade of not even knowing where the other is, compelled by the guilds to turn against one another, and yet still friends. I doubt there are many people in the world who can say they have a bond like that..."
Kiori fell quiet for a little while longer, but it was clear that he wasn't done answering. "I suppose if we had a bit longer together we'd have shared our first kiss. You know, like kids do just to see what all the fuss was about. After that, I suppose anything is possible. Even our little story... who knows?" Kiori caught himself off-guard with that last sentence. He had really only meant to say that anything could happen, not that they would have ended up getting married. However, as he thought about the prospect, just as a possibility, a could have been, he found himself smiling. "Ah, there's one thing I forgot. We would have had a dog. I was bugging my dad about it for the longest, and he said when I turned thirteen he'd get me one, and of course he would be as much your dog as mine. But, I guess we'll have to wait a while on that one." His answer complete, he wondered why Rylee had asked that in the first place. Was there something she wanted to hear, or was this just a part of the "training" to make him more personable?
Talking with Rylee again was the best medicine for his sour mood. For a minute, he felt like they were kids again, just prattling on with no restraint about whatever nonsense crossed their minds. Many of their old conversations were beyond meaningless, but the interaction itself held inestimable value. Even now, Kiori felt a certain lightness of heart when Rylee began to describe her dream job. He pictured her with a bandanna, an eye patch, and parrot on her shoulder. Then, he let out a laugh. It was soft at first, barely a snicker, but the image Rye's words had conjured was too much for him, and the first bona fide laugh he'd had in years escaped. His lungs were finally waking up and stretching away the stiffness; by the gods it felt good to laugh again.
Then he noticed that Rylee had moved closer to him. Not uncomfortably close; in fact it felt good to be this close to her. She began to tease him, like she always loved to do, about them being husband and wife, but then she went on... and on. At first, her coy grin told him it was just another silly rambling for him to laugh at, or maybe respond to with a jab of his own, but as she continued, she almost sounded sincere. It then occurred to Kiori that he was taken away before he would have had any real interest in those things. They had their childhood friendship back, but they weren't children anymore. Did that mean that they could have more than just a friendship? The prospect intrigued Kiori, but was accompanied by a shadow of reluctance. He had just found his old self; was it time to move on from that already?
Rylee's narrative came to an abrupt end, and Kiori noticed that she had somehow managed to fluster herself. Kiori simply smiled and said, "Well, maybe we'll get a chance at that fresh start yet. Just promise me that if you do decide to become a pirate, you'll teach your parrot good manners." He laughed again. Had she even been on a boat before? Pirates...
Then he noticed that Rylee had moved closer to him. Not uncomfortably close; in fact it felt good to be this close to her. She began to tease him, like she always loved to do, about them being husband and wife, but then she went on... and on. At first, her coy grin told him it was just another silly rambling for him to laugh at, or maybe respond to with a jab of his own, but as she continued, she almost sounded sincere. It then occurred to Kiori that he was taken away before he would have had any real interest in those things. They had their childhood friendship back, but they weren't children anymore. Did that mean that they could have more than just a friendship? The prospect intrigued Kiori, but was accompanied by a shadow of reluctance. He had just found his old self; was it time to move on from that already?
Rylee's narrative came to an abrupt end, and Kiori noticed that she had somehow managed to fluster herself. Kiori simply smiled and said, "Well, maybe we'll get a chance at that fresh start yet. Just promise me that if you do decide to become a pirate, you'll teach your parrot good manners." He laughed again. Had she even been on a boat before? Pirates...
Rylee was rationalizing the prospect of killing, and that concerned him. Rationalization was one of the brainwashing tactics the guild used. They started with hunting, something that no reasonable person would object to. What, then is the difference between shooting a deer with an arrow and stabbing a man with a sword? A man has a soul! He is sentient! Who is to say a deer does not have a soul of its own? What separates man from beast is adherence to social order. Adherence to law. This man has broken the law. He is but an animal. Now, hunt the animal...
It was this twisted form of logic that the guild used to warp the minds of mere children, malleable and gullible, receptive to their teachings. Needless to say, it concerned Kiori to see Rylee doing it of her own accord. "Not cut from the same cloth" she said. Perhaps Rylee knew how to tread the moral ambiguity without falling into darkness, but Kiori didn't want to see her take a single step into the guild's domain. Yet what could he say? There was no way she could wield the paralyzing fear of killing another human being and come out alive against an assassin. It was best if she thought of him as a mere animal, yet that was the path to darkness...
Kiori said nothing about any of this. Although he was silent as Rylee spoke, it was clear that his mind was abuzz; he was brooding again. However, it seemed Rylee wanted to change the subject to something a bit brighter. How was he doing? Just say what he was thinking about? That would just bring them back to the doom and gloom she wanted to get away from. Still, Kiori figured they could use a bit of lightening up after all they had just been through. He let out a sigh and said, "It looks like a nice place. It's a shame our story isn't true. A seaside village like this would be a good place to get a fresh start." He looked out at the ocean, listening to the hiss of the waves as the crashed into the cliff side. He hesitated for a moment, and then continued. "I guess I'm a bit scared, though. I know that I came from this class of people, and I know that there is plenty of kindness among them, but I'm scared to face them."
He wasn't sure if that was too doomy and gloomy for Rylee, but that was what he was feeling. It was strange that he wasn't afraid of the imminent encounter with their assassin, or even of death. It was actually living among those who undoubtedly harbored an intense hatred for what he was that stirred his uneasiness.
It was this twisted form of logic that the guild used to warp the minds of mere children, malleable and gullible, receptive to their teachings. Needless to say, it concerned Kiori to see Rylee doing it of her own accord. "Not cut from the same cloth" she said. Perhaps Rylee knew how to tread the moral ambiguity without falling into darkness, but Kiori didn't want to see her take a single step into the guild's domain. Yet what could he say? There was no way she could wield the paralyzing fear of killing another human being and come out alive against an assassin. It was best if she thought of him as a mere animal, yet that was the path to darkness...
Kiori said nothing about any of this. Although he was silent as Rylee spoke, it was clear that his mind was abuzz; he was brooding again. However, it seemed Rylee wanted to change the subject to something a bit brighter. How was he doing? Just say what he was thinking about? That would just bring them back to the doom and gloom she wanted to get away from. Still, Kiori figured they could use a bit of lightening up after all they had just been through. He let out a sigh and said, "It looks like a nice place. It's a shame our story isn't true. A seaside village like this would be a good place to get a fresh start." He looked out at the ocean, listening to the hiss of the waves as the crashed into the cliff side. He hesitated for a moment, and then continued. "I guess I'm a bit scared, though. I know that I came from this class of people, and I know that there is plenty of kindness among them, but I'm scared to face them."
He wasn't sure if that was too doomy and gloomy for Rylee, but that was what he was feeling. It was strange that he wasn't afraid of the imminent encounter with their assassin, or even of death. It was actually living among those who undoubtedly harbored an intense hatred for what he was that stirred his uneasiness.
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The Horde of Evil - Tresspassing through treacherous tribes' territory! (RP closed)
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9 yrs ago
Forum: Casual Roleplay
I'd probably make a terribly incompetent, but terrofyingly powerful Magical Girl.
As long as you don't lose your head... *wink wink*
In
The Horde of Evil - Tresspassing through treacherous tribes' territory! (RP closed)
→
9 yrs ago
Forum: Casual Roleplay
Kor listened respectfully to Athinar's plan, but frankly, he didn't care what tactics they used. He had been a solitary creature for many years and had fought his way out of plenty of jams, but his motives were always the same: get in, feed, get out. The senseless destruction and slaughter that had accompanied the last raid, while amusing, was not one of Kor's priorities. However, it seemed as though Shukra cared very much how the plan was carried out. Those two will come to blows one day, Kor thought. That'll be a battle worth seeing. "So you want me to do the same thing as last time," he said in response to the orders. "Kill priests and peasants, and burn down their temple. No problems there."
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