I will post tomorrow, thankyou everyone for the kind words, things seems to have calmed down a little on my end so I should be able to return to regular shceduled posting
Teyao
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Ugh, this post fought me all the way and I am still not happy with it. Got a lot of stress cuz some bad news lately and I can't focus properly on writting. But anyway, post up.
He had to wonder, what had the people of the Academy been thinking when they founded it? Lately he had been reading things about the city but he had yet to come across that particular story. He could ask Chief Shield for it but knowing her she would either launch into a detailed lecture with a quiz at the end or would expect him to research it on his own depending on her mood.
Maybe after the siege he would investigate it, would be a fun way to kill an afternoon after everything was resolved.
As he walked beside Alison he looked at the architecture around them, so unlike back home it was startling sometimes. [i][s]He wondered if Mom and the others would like it[/i][/s]. It was nice allowing himself to be distracted, with so much going on lately God(s) know he needs it.
He was startled by Alison's voice, pulling him from his thoughts.
"James, this is Pete. Pete, James. Pete here is a member of my crew. He may seem about as inbred as the rest of his fellow peasants... and he is, but enough brain cells rubbed together in there to make him useful." she said. Pete made a gesture of jabbing a threatening finger in her face before giving his crooked smile and nod to James.
"Nice to meet ya fella. Boss is a cruel woman, so you best watch yourself round her." Pete finished before expertly dodging the low elbow and fading back into the crowd. Alison shook her head, a disapproving frown on her face.
"Asshole. Anyway, I have them right now combing the town for anyone with an uncanny interest in us. I'm sure you'll get a chance to meet the other two later today. Either way, glad that my intuition was right, cause if the Witch already tried to get you assassinated, she's liable to try again. Speaking of which, you gotta tell me sometime about that. What the hell is a water ninja?"
He watched as Alison and Pete bickered, a smile coming to his face even as he chimed with a "Nice to meet you", it was perhaps strange for him to feel better knowing Alison was getting along with someone but perhaps he had associated her with his party in his mind, so there was a certain feeling of responsibility there despite the fact she was older, practically an stranger and definitely more competent.
But all things come to an end and as her question left her lips so did his smile.
For some reason, his mind reminded him of that one meme about a serial killer being discovered 'It's over, she knows' but then he pulled himself back on track.
"That's..." A deep breath "Okay, shit, you caught me off guard, sorry, sorry, just let me think a little" He wasn't being very inconspicuous "Okay, okay, the 'Water Ninja' was one Zigmund" You don't the surnames, you don't know the surnames "Some robot looking asshole who could turn into water to dodge blows and could make weapons out of water, he was the one who killed Clive and Arthur. We killed him" We killed me "but he was some sort of scout or assassin, I don't think he ever revealed his exact orders but he decided to take care of us permanently"
He was rambling he knew.
He couldn't help it, when was the last time James had been asked about Zigmund? It was throwing his thoughts in disarray and he wasn't a fan of it.
He needed to pull himself together.
"I think the Academy may know more about him, let me introduce you to Chief Shield, she is the head honcho of the Academy and a friend, if you ever need info about something just tell her you know me and she should hook you up with something"
Too much James and not enough Zigmund, pull back, she is going to suspect, calm down, you are you, you are you.
You are you.
I will post tomorrow, its taking me a little longer to post than expected
[Location] Landow, Estren
[Time] Sunday, 07:30 AM, September 15
[Interactions]
He leaned against a small fence as he watched the creatures appear over on the beach. For a moment he was tempted to close his eyes and enjoy the sound of gunfire and screams but the reality was that he couldn't afford to do so, this was an unknown enemy who for all he knew was hiding a long distance weapon capable of killing him in a single blow.
He was also watching with interest as the corpse painted woman faced the newfound enemy. For all her talk it was obvious she was determined to do something about it, her eyes clearly working properly now as she struggled to her feet. There was a feeling of smugness rising inside him, he had not been wrong after all, she was a fighter.
The feeling only simplified as some of his earlier guesses were confirmed, she really was a Regalia after all.
He didn't recognize the Dominant but that was no surprise, for all his Master had been determined to teach him the general workings of the world theology was not a subject the old man had delved into outside Ifrit. Guess that proved there was still more to this world he had to see.
Similar thoughts crossed his mind as he continued to observe the events unfold, a minor sense of satisfaction at the violence happening in front of him.
Not that he was idle either.
At his side lay his drawn sword, held tightly to his palm and hot enough to melt through flesh. Getting hotter too as he channeled his dominion over fire in it.
Then when it reached some unknown threshold he cut the flames and allowed the blade to contain the heat inside it without adding more.
Then he threw it.
The moment the sword left his hands he was moving behind it, following in its wake as it sailed through the air before slamming point first into one of the monsters about to devour some helpless civilian. The hit managed to stun the monster long enough for him to impact against its head with all his might, driving the sword further in as he made his best effort to Cauterize the wound. He had fought a monster capable of regenerating before so it was better to take care of them quickly, usually battles of stamina were in their favor.
Behind him he could hear the man scream and run with renewed fervor, from what he had observed of this man that was in line with his character, he was one of the first to run and even pushed other people in his attempts to escape.
A battlefield was no place for a coward.
At some point, the monster stopped struggling but whether it was dead or not he couldn't be sure as more and more of its brethren marked their displeasure as they approached him with clear hostile intent.
His Master was right.
This Festival was interesting in all the right ways.
The process was easy enough and in no time he was once more on the receiving end of that accursed message.
Despite having seen it before it still gave him the ick, like a piece of ice touching his spine and slowly grasping his throat, oppressive and ruthless until it was satisfied -but it never was. It wasn't until Alison talked to him that he managed to tear himself away from it.
He gave her a nod to confirm her rhetorical question
"Yah, we more or less thought along those lines too, plus the fact that she sent people to kill us kind of soured the deal"
He followed as they left the guild, from what little he had seen then it was likely the people there were going to become very busy soon enough and frankly he didn't have the time to delay, the ritual still needed preparation and he had to gather some regents.
Still, it was nice talking to Alison, even more so as she sprung an old saying as they walked together.
"Ah!" He chuckled, the sudden use of Spanish was surprising but perhaps it should have been considering how common it was across the globe, but saying that it was nice hearing a piece of home so far away "Truer words have never been spoken, but yeah you are right, I am not a fan of becoming some disposable asset or tool after we are done" He gave her a shook of the head "Frankly I would prefer to get everyone back home as soon as possible, some would wish to help I know but I would choose their lives over people I don't know without hesitation"
It was callous of him and he wasn't sure he would have been able to do what had to be done before the 'incident'. But now he knew deep inside his heart to what extent he was willing to go.
"So, I have an errand to run in the Academy, do you want to go too? I could present you some of the peeps I know there" If his read on Alison was correct so far she was the kind of person who seeks connections like a gambler seeks a roulette.
I will post tomorrow
As an added to the post I would like to post the whole document before the edits, Tokyo writting style is amazing and I want to share it.
He watched as the woman rose, she was tall, almost as tall as him, and her age was hard to pinpoint, the paint covering every visible piece of skin doing great work at masking any detail. But even so, the way she moved told a story all on its own.
There was training there, for all that she used the sword as a walking stick, too nimble for it to be a simple prop.
Then…
Then she started walking away?
He blinked.
It was like a douse of cold water was thrown at him, drenching him and attempting to drown the Flame in his heart. But a clearer head only served to stroke his curiosity, whoever this woman was it was obvious she wasn’t someone normal, in fact, something about her was clawing at his memory.
Looking at her retreating back he tried to remember. Had he seen her before? He wanted to say yes but there was a nagging feeling he had. Maybe she was some kind of celebrity or criminal? That would explain the odd familiarity she invoked.
Whatever was the case he decided to follow her.
He hadn't met another proper swordsman in ages and this Festival was proving to be more interesting than he expected.
He watched as the woman shambled down the pier, despite her apparent blindness there was a surety to her movements and using her sword as an aide she seemed to be able to incur the changes in terrain. If he wasn't focusing on her he would have missed the small tilt of the head, the only indication she was tracking his presence.
“I know not, O stranger, what ye seek—only that it dwelleth not in me.”
The sudden way she spoke was almost startling, the voice was unique and he couldn’t quite hear if it had an accent, the words themselves were delivered in a monotonous tone that nonetheless conveyed a sense of authority. It reminded him of some of the teachers he had met, the shared, if basic, nonsense way of expressing themselves.
“Indeed, it does not”
He gave a nod, still following a short distance behind her.
“You are currently using it as a walking stick”
And oh what would his Master say about it, the old man was practical in so many ways but his sword was one of the few things he was truly sentimental about. It was a wonder that particular perspective wasn’t something he inherited, he shrugged at how awful some parts of his pilgrimage would have been if he had witholded use of his sword due to his feelings.
Still, the act itself was interesting, a blind swordmaster wasn’t something he was accustomed to encountering, even less so one as distinctive as her.
“A few pounds of steel and wood; a little silk and sharkskin for a hilt. What, pray tell, is so special about it?”
There was near the sounds of the multitude as they reacted to the falling skies, if he wasn't able to see like the woman he might have mistaken them for the screams of fanatics upon seeing the Regalia, in fact he wasn't sure some of those screams weren't by said fanatics.
“For starters what it is, despite the popularity of such arms it is not common to chance upon one, in fact I am surprised the security didn’t prevent you from sporting one”
That had been the reason he had to store his own, he used to have a permit but it had burned a long time ago, and it wasn’t even from the same country he was walking on so the point may have been moot.
“And usually when I come across someone sporting one, well, they tend to not know how to use one correctly”
More than once he had come across someone swinging a melee weapon around like they were a common bat, the most egregious one he could remember was a spear wielder who decided he wanted to slash at everything, without stabbing even once. The most damage he ever caused was striking someone else's head with the wood before getting caught on the counter attack.
“You have training, or at least have received guidance in some way”
It was a fact.
He watched as the stars kept failing, it shouldn’t take long he supposed. Before conflict arose once more.
“So, who are you? O stranger”
Finally the woman stopped at the point where the wharf ended, seemingly taking a pause to respond to his query. He didn't know what was crossing her mind but she was holding her sword differently, one of the strangest postures he had ever seen a swordman take.
“I confess. ‘Tis more interesting an inquiry by far than the—......the residue-begging I first took it for. Still. I loathe that I must disappoint thee.”
He observed as the woman speaked, the Residue comment was an interesting detail on its own, a missing piece he didn’t realize was missing. But that was not the reason he was here pestering this woman.
He shaked his head slowly before responding.
“A lack of comment it's a response all on its own”
It was just like he told the Regalia of Titan, any reply given in good faith was worth being shared, even if the answer was silence.
“I believe I know the answer but I shall ask anyway, are you interested in having a duel? Not today, or even someday soon. But one day—”
“Thou misunderstandst. ‘Tis not my sword to wield with such frivolity; and if it were, ‘twas built for no such purpose; but were it not, I am none so skilled in its use; and if I was—sir—still I would have with thee no—agh!”
The woman reached for her face and something changed, her eyes, until now dark and glassy turned into a vibrant honeyed brown. He was more interested in the grimace that accompanied her features, seemingly deep pain cutting through her flesh as the change took place.
Then it was over, her body went back to her previous posture, stiff and guarded with a hint of underlaying suffering.
“...no quarrel...”
He blinked.
The again.
…Had he made a blunder?
How strange, he had immediately nailed her as a combatant by the way she moved, even while blind there was a surety to her movements. The weapon was also not some sort of replica, yes it was big but it wasn’t like it was the biggest he had ever seen (that dubious honor belonged to a swordsman in Tenshi), with her recent comment he figured she wouldn’t have problem wielding it but clearly he had been wrong. Maybe she was some sort of dancer? That… would certainly explain a good deal, wouldn’t it? The paint, the weapon, the confidence.
If the old man could see him now he would laugh and berate him in the same breath.
Resisting the urge to bring a hand to massage the back of his neck he decided to continue the conversation. Well, at least once whatever ailment was assaulting her abated.
“Ah, my apologies”
A small bow.
“It seems I was overzealous after finding another person with a sword. Though if I may? There is no need for a quarrel to come into Conflict, only the desire and understanding of what both combatants get out of it. To fight is to be Human, as it is to follow your desires”
Her movements changed once more, where before she seemingly relied on her hearing now it was clear that sight had once more returned to her, to a great shock if the way she looked at the sky was any indication. From her eyes bloody tears fell as she stared at the comets and her expression conveyed a mix of emotions.
Then she looks back at him, as if seemingly having forgotten his existence. With a practiced movement she slings the sword back, slotting it on her back.
This time her tone was hurried.
“A word of advice, far-strider, if thou wilt heed.”
He looked towards the falling skies as the woman once more responded to him.
“I am listening”
She sonliged, in a singsong voice, as if reciting lyrics or even poetry:
He listens as the poem is recited, this was a first to him and the experience was novel. After she finished he took a moment to wonder on her words, they felt like they were chosen carefully, like those stories he heard about prophecies. Was she a Regalia of a fate-weaver? Maybe.
Though the message was cryptic it was also very clear in its meaning and he let out a smile at what he understood. He looks as the woman stares at him for some time before she turns and disappears.
Once more he gave her a bow, it was very clear she wanted to leave now and he had gotten more than what he expected.
“Thank you, may you have a good day”
There was training there, for all that she used the sword as a walking stick, too nimble for it to be a simple prop.
Then…
Then she started walking away?
He blinked.
It was like a douse of cold water was thrown at him, drenching him and attempting to drown the Flame in his heart. But a clearer head only served to stroke his curiosity, whoever this woman was it was obvious she wasn’t someone normal, in fact, something about her was clawing at his memory.
Looking at her retreating back he tried to remember. Had he seen her before? He wanted to say yes but there was a nagging feeling he had. Maybe she was some kind of celebrity or criminal? That would explain the odd familiarity she invoked.
Whatever was the case he decided to follow her.
He hadn't met another proper swordsman in ages and this Festival was proving to be more interesting than he expected.
He watched as the woman shambled down the pier, despite her apparent blindness there was a surety to her movements and using her sword as an aide she seemed to be able to incur the changes in terrain. If he wasn't focusing on her he would have missed the small tilt of the head, the only indication she was tracking his presence.
“I know not, O stranger, what ye seek—only that it dwelleth not in me.”
The sudden way she spoke was almost startling, the voice was unique and he couldn’t quite hear if it had an accent, the words themselves were delivered in a monotonous tone that nonetheless conveyed a sense of authority. It reminded him of some of the teachers he had met, the shared, if basic, nonsense way of expressing themselves.
“Indeed, it does not”
He gave a nod, still following a short distance behind her.
“You are currently using it as a walking stick”
And oh what would his Master say about it, the old man was practical in so many ways but his sword was one of the few things he was truly sentimental about. It was a wonder that particular perspective wasn’t something he inherited, he shrugged at how awful some parts of his pilgrimage would have been if he had witholded use of his sword due to his feelings.
Still, the act itself was interesting, a blind swordmaster wasn’t something he was accustomed to encountering, even less so one as distinctive as her.
“A few pounds of steel and wood; a little silk and sharkskin for a hilt. What, pray tell, is so special about it?”
There was near the sounds of the multitude as they reacted to the falling skies, if he wasn't able to see like the woman he might have mistaken them for the screams of fanatics upon seeing the Regalia, in fact he wasn't sure some of those screams weren't by said fanatics.
“For starters what it is, despite the popularity of such arms it is not common to chance upon one, in fact I am surprised the security didn’t prevent you from sporting one”
That had been the reason he had to store his own, he used to have a permit but it had burned a long time ago, and it wasn’t even from the same country he was walking on so the point may have been moot.
“And usually when I come across someone sporting one, well, they tend to not know how to use one correctly”
More than once he had come across someone swinging a melee weapon around like they were a common bat, the most egregious one he could remember was a spear wielder who decided he wanted to slash at everything, without stabbing even once. The most damage he ever caused was striking someone else's head with the wood before getting caught on the counter attack.
“You have training, or at least have received guidance in some way”
It was a fact.
He watched as the stars kept failing, it shouldn’t take long he supposed. Before conflict arose once more.
“So, who are you? O stranger”
Finally the woman stopped at the point where the wharf ended, seemingly taking a pause to respond to his query. He didn't know what was crossing her mind but she was holding her sword differently, one of the strangest postures he had ever seen a swordman take.
“I confess. ‘Tis more interesting an inquiry by far than the—......the residue-begging I first took it for. Still. I loathe that I must disappoint thee.”
He observed as the woman speaked, the Residue comment was an interesting detail on its own, a missing piece he didn’t realize was missing. But that was not the reason he was here pestering this woman.
He shaked his head slowly before responding.
“A lack of comment it's a response all on its own”
It was just like he told the Regalia of Titan, any reply given in good faith was worth being shared, even if the answer was silence.
“I believe I know the answer but I shall ask anyway, are you interested in having a duel? Not today, or even someday soon. But one day—”
“Thou misunderstandst. ‘Tis not my sword to wield with such frivolity; and if it were, ‘twas built for no such purpose; but were it not, I am none so skilled in its use; and if I was—sir—still I would have with thee no—agh!”
The woman reached for her face and something changed, her eyes, until now dark and glassy turned into a vibrant honeyed brown. He was more interested in the grimace that accompanied her features, seemingly deep pain cutting through her flesh as the change took place.
Then it was over, her body went back to her previous posture, stiff and guarded with a hint of underlaying suffering.
“...no quarrel...”
He blinked.
The again.
…Had he made a blunder?
How strange, he had immediately nailed her as a combatant by the way she moved, even while blind there was a surety to her movements. The weapon was also not some sort of replica, yes it was big but it wasn’t like it was the biggest he had ever seen (that dubious honor belonged to a swordsman in Tenshi), with her recent comment he figured she wouldn’t have problem wielding it but clearly he had been wrong. Maybe she was some sort of dancer? That… would certainly explain a good deal, wouldn’t it? The paint, the weapon, the confidence.
If the old man could see him now he would laugh and berate him in the same breath.
Resisting the urge to bring a hand to massage the back of his neck he decided to continue the conversation. Well, at least once whatever ailment was assaulting her abated.
“Ah, my apologies”
A small bow.
“It seems I was overzealous after finding another person with a sword. Though if I may? There is no need for a quarrel to come into Conflict, only the desire and understanding of what both combatants get out of it. To fight is to be Human, as it is to follow your desires”
Her movements changed once more, where before she seemingly relied on her hearing now it was clear that sight had once more returned to her, to a great shock if the way she looked at the sky was any indication. From her eyes bloody tears fell as she stared at the comets and her expression conveyed a mix of emotions.
Then she looks back at him, as if seemingly having forgotten his existence. With a practiced movement she slings the sword back, slotting it on her back.
This time her tone was hurried.
“A word of advice, far-strider, if thou wilt heed.”
He looked towards the falling skies as the woman once more responded to him.
“I am listening”
She sonliged, in a singsong voice, as if reciting lyrics or even poetry:
A wise-counselled man will be mild in bearing
and brandish his might in good measure,
lest when he arrive his fierce rivals among,
he find others than he even fiercer.
and brandish his might in good measure,
lest when he arrive his fierce rivals among,
he find others than he even fiercer.
He listens as the poem is recited, this was a first to him and the experience was novel. After she finished he took a moment to wonder on her words, they felt like they were chosen carefully, like those stories he heard about prophecies. Was she a Regalia of a fate-weaver? Maybe.
Though the message was cryptic it was also very clear in its meaning and he let out a smile at what he understood. He looks as the woman stares at him for some time before she turns and disappears.
Once more he gave her a bow, it was very clear she wanted to leave now and he had gotten more than what he expected.
“Thank you, may you have a good day”
I will drop this and go
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