The Requiem: The Girl From the Sky

[Juzz]

Sei sighed and sat on a boulder in the corner. The whole mess is taking too long, and in the looks of it, the newcomers doesn't seem to be much of a threat anymore, even the one who was with a panther. He whistled for Vei as the bird approached him and it bent over. The boy took a bottle from the bag and began to gulp down some water as he watched and listened to his companions.

 

As soon as Cloud and Jin began talking about the fall of Kevia, Sei turned pale and lowered his head. A kingdom is as good as gone when the ruler is killed, seized or surrenders... I believe that's how it goes... So Kevia has truly fallen huh... he thought, with a sad expression. Not that anyone would see it since he was trying to hide his face. He continued listening and found it interesting that someone actually finds Kevia as a small kingdom. Technically, Kevia is one of the largest kingdoms in the continent.

 

Hmm... Now that he mentions it... Kevia used to be more prosperous that there was almost no beggars... Sei was in deep thought sighing over the turn of events. Afternoon is already close approaching and they hadn't even made a single progress in their travel. With one last sigh, he patted Vei in the head. "I guess I'd better prepare lunch soon..." he said to his bird friend.

[Saphira-dragon]

Cloud watched experisson -less as Jin smashed a fist into a nearby tree when he received the bad news, the prints of his knuckles were left in the tree bark where they would stay til the bark was stripped.

 

"Prehaps you should start by not venting your angry on defence-less trees first" He said, Cloud was closer to nature than most and didn't like seeing it being harmed for no direct reason but he wasn't going to lecture Jin when he could clearly see he was upset.

 

Listening quietly as Jin posed the question to Cloud and continued on explaining his feeling. "I do understand how you feel to a degree Jin, I haven't gone through what you have but some things I have. Your life was never really normal to begin with...most Azure Knights never do in the end." He began letting the words sink in before continuing.

 

"I deal with such things by chasing down those involved and making them wish they were the ones dead and not the innocent but however we must put Azure first. They were engaged in war Jin, I have been to war and death is ever so common. There must be a loser and a winner, if it were the opposite way around would you feel the same?" he asked trying to make Jin think now like a Knight.

 

"Your body is more than ready from what I can see for sure, but your mind isn't. Rushing to become a Knight isn't the right way, and anyway, at least your free to do as you please! Some of us have duty's!" He joked ruffling the hair on Jin's head trying to lighten his mood up.

 

"You will know when the time is right Jin, trust me" He said.

[Altiboris]

Lucifer hissed in annoyance as the man punched the tree and walked over to it. Running her hands against the rough bark, she allowed a little bit of her energy to seep into the damaged area. Automatically, the dent started to scab over with a new layer of skin. Tapping it gently to make sure it was healthy enough, the girl glared at Jin. "You should care more about nature you know." As the guy that she had been fighting earlier also commented on not harming nature, her eyes widened in surprise. Nobody had really cared much about nature before. Not as much as she did anyways.

 

Lucifer raised an eyebrow as Cloud continued talking about being a knight and those things. A slight breeze brushed a few strands of hair across her face and she pushed them away again. She was contemptous of them mostly and didn't like the way they acted all important. Like they were better than everyone else. Especially when they brought up the subject of duty and honor.

[Rakashua]

"Thank you," Jin replied simply, giving Cloud a half smile.

 

"I know there has to be a loser and a winner, and you're right, I would have felt the same way if it had gone the other way I suppose." He sighed, "and I apologize for my outburst, it was... inappropriate." Now there was a word that hadn't been established in Jin's vocabulary prior to his confinement with the monks five years ago.

 

Jin's expression took a far off look as he watched the lady with the whip heal the tree.

"It's funny," he replied to her, "I could destroy an entire forest and still I believe it would take more power to heal an entire tree than to destroy a thousand of them. I envy your gift, thank you."

 

He turned back to face Cloud, his expression had returned to normal, "I understand my place, or perhaps I don't. A knight is a tool to be used by a kingdom or an individual to accomplish a task, and as a tool has no say in that which it is used to create, or destroy, so a knight is sworn to serve as duty, without question, only bound by the honor and morality of the one holding his duty."

 

Jin paused, "You've seen me fight as a child, and it was those times, in battle, that I felt at peace, free, and in control. But when I would wake up as the battle ends and see what the outcome was, I would be terrified. So often I wouldn't even remember the fight just walking into the arena, and then walking out. I once read about something called 'battle sleep' where a warrior can put himself into a catonic state and allow his body to become a weapon only, with no control, no moral misgivings, only survival and the completion of the task. for me it's different though, when I really fight it's almost like I become something else, someone else, and then I wake up, and have to live with whatever devastation I created and judge it right or wrong."

 

Jin suddenly smiled idly itching at his eye patch, "Sorry, I must be tired, I'm not making any sense am I?"

[Altiboris]

Lucifer laughed lightly, "I know just how you feel. It's rare that I heal anything really. I can walk into battle and just destroy everything in my path. Yet feel nothing but joy and freedom. But afterwards, theres a strange feeling of sorrow." The girl paused, her mis-matched eyes misting over slightly. "Usually, it's like suddenly waking up from a wonderful dream. Only to land in the middle of a nightmare." She shook her head quickly, her shaggy hair flying around. "Eh, I've always felt like that. I've actually thought about becoming a knight before. People have asked that actually. But really, I'm not interested. "

 

Lucifer hated beind bound to or by anything. She was all about nature and freedom. The feeling of joy as she raced through forests and across plains. Lorkin dashing by her side. The breeze rushing through her hair. Suddenly, she laughed again. She was getting too dreamy lately.

[Juzz]

"No to ruin the moment but... It's almost afternoon... And time is passing so... We'd better get going if we want to get to the next town" Sei interrupted the travelers, pointing toward a straight direction. "W-we can continue talking on the way" he continued as he climbed up the large red bird. He felt quite embarrassed for interrupting, but they'll never do any progress if they don't move now, is what he thought.

 

He urged the bird to begin walking with a slight tap behind the head. The morning sun was beginning to grow even hotter as afternoon approached. The forest was seemingly quiet, either the animals were sleeping or trying to hide to find their prey. It was a rather hectic morning, but is seems like everything was sorted out. The young traveler was in some sort of daze, thinking of everything that just happened. It all went by fast, the strange MARK, the fall of Kevia and the gathering of those who posses The Requiem. "We lost too much time... We'd probably reach the town tomorrow morning..." he sighed.

[Saphira-dragon]

"Sei is right....for once" Cloud said as he turned and whistled loudly, he was replied by a loud neigh as Blazer came thundering towards him with his ears picked forward in alert. The stallion trotted around him with his nech arched displaying the powerfull muscles working under his jet black coat and flared his nostels once before eventually letting Cloud grab hold of the reins.

 

"Your full of yourself, you know that" He commented laughing slightly as he jumped into the saddle only this time making sure his heels were down just in case he got any idea's about throwing him off again. He put gentle pressure against the stallion's ribcage either side and he bounced forward in a medium walk chopping on his bit the whole time gagging for a fly around. His wings were itching to be flown in but the stallion could tell after being with Cloud for a while now that the man was in serious mood as they went through this dangerous parts.

[Rakashua]

Jin glanced at Lucifer as the party began to move out, perhaps a little bit of respect had been added to his gaze since she made her comment and then smiled when she mentioned being a knight.

 

"You don't strike me as the knight type," he thought out-loud, "on the other hand that's what most people tell me, actually I think that applies to most Azure knights, take Cloud there for example." Jin continued, "He could flatten a squad with two shakes of his fist, walk and talk like a gentleman, or play diplomacy but he wouldn't know a Fauld from a Vambrace."

 

Jin paused for a moment, itching his eye-patch again, "And, with all due respect," he added a bit more soberly than usual, "you can't understand just how I feel, no one can." He was quiet for a moment but his smile soon returned.

 

"I suppose though that we can all say that about something or other," he nodded, "knighthood is pretty different between kingdoms, but some things are always the same. If you want to be a knight you have to have belief. In yourself, in a cause, some deep ingrained truth that will get you through anything, something that will give you strength of will, because anyone can wield a blade or whip, call down fire and water, lead people or destroy them, but it takes a knight to be able to do all that and still be a whole person on the inside, not broken by experience, or turned into a monster. The ability to retain one's self through any duty you are required to perform, that is the test of a knight, and those who fail, die. Some go mad, some become murderers and animals, others kill themselves, all because they couldn't cope with their duty and their self."

 

Jin spoke as if he'd heard it a hundred times, and he had, "At least that's what it's like in Azure, I guess maybe we're too strict, we don't have many knights, the knockout rate at the academy is nearly 100%. But even if you don't get to become a knight, you can still be a soldier or a guard, or a specialist."

 

"To be a knight, well, let's just say you have to be more than human..." he winked with his one eye, "whether or not that's a good thing in the end, only you can decide."

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Fauld and Vambrace are pieces of plate-mail armor common to medieval times if you want to look it up)

 

 

 

[Altiboris]

((Maro has to do something we're getting ready to leave and I can't move Lorkin til she responds. And she's gonna ride him so he's gotta move.))

 

"That's what I thought too. Thats why I didn't become one. But perhaps Cloud here is more than human." Lucifer teased lightly, her eyes twinkling. She grinned, her fang-like teeth gleaming. "Should I just leave with you guys?" She still hadn't made up her mind yet about this group. But then again, it had been a while since she last traveled out of the forest. Maybe a change of atmosphere would do her some good. The girl chewed on her bottom lip with a canine tooth for a secound, thinking it over.

 

"Yeah, I guess I will." Lucifer said finally. Flipping her hair out of her eyes, she looked over herself. The daggers were in place. So was her scimitar. And that left the whip. She fingered the coils of gleaming leather and tucked them in tighter. It wouldn't do to have them start thrashing around while they were traveling. Finally, she started off towards the woods. "Just a sec." She called over her shoulder as she leaped gracefully into a tree. Hopping to the next one with the speed of a squirrel, she continued out of their sight. Lucifer scanned the treetops quickly and spotted what she was looking for; a small hole in the top of a giant oak. To passerbys, if they could see it at all, it would just be another squirrel den. Shimming up rapidly, she reached in and pulled out a slender quiver.

 

It was full of arrows, each fletched with falcon feathers. Slinging it over her back, she proceeded to return to the others.

[LadyNatasha]

((My goodness, you guys go fast! Don't forget about Nixa! Poor Maro, fighting and being ignored all this time... ))

Maro was forced to drop the dagger as the cat went for her arm. The tussling continued for quite a while, and Maro totally forgot about the rest of the group, though she found them quite annoyingly at home. She managed to fend off until she grew sick of it.

 

The wolf, on the other hand, now saw Lorkin as a giant playmate, which did NOT make the situation easier for Maro. Sometime during the fight Maro managed to re-grab her dagger. By now she was rather scratched up and tired.

 

Finally she got to a position where her wolf was at her left and she was facing the cat head on, a few feet away.

 

"NOW will you take care of your Lynx?" She asked Lucifer politely.

She knew she still had to saddle up the brown horse, and she was unhappy that no one cared to help.

 

This is why I avoid people, she decided. She was used to spending months without people, and she was sure she knew why now. She had thought that maybe some people were different, but she had lost a great deal of respect for [mainly] Cloud now, and she especially chose to control her temper around the new girl, whose name she didn't even know yet!

 

She was extremely frustrated, but training and her naturally optimistic manner controlled it.

 

Still, she had lost respect for Cloud and was disappointed in him. Was the mark really so important at the moment that a fight could be ignored? She had been tempted to blow the kitty to smithereens, mercilessly and with full magic potential. However, she had seen nothing positive to that except to be rid of a nuisance, and it wasn't worth it.

 

What surprised her more was that, even after how helpful the wolf had been, no one seemed to care.

 

Ah well, it's an animal. No one, no matter how 'nature-loving' they act, really cares about how the animals contribute. They only take advantage of animals, like that cruel boy who took the wolf puppy. If they really cared, Cloud or even the owner of this Leopard would be over here stopping this. Yes, this is why I avoid people; they only care about themselves...

She grimaced to herself and forced herself to see the positive aspect of the situation.

Yes, negative is bad for me. Let's see, positive... at least now I know the nature of these new people... and my former group as well. Funny how easily Cloud warmed up to the girls compared to how rude he was to Sei... nono, only positive thoughts. Cloud has... nice hair? Yes, nice hair. And Sei got the group moving, and Nixa remained neutral, and... the kitty has a shiny coat...

 

She stood upright, frowning as Cloud and Sei began to ride their creatures onwards.

 

~If Lorkin continues fighting, Maro will also continue, and will resort to more violent means.

 

~If Lorkin does not continue fighting for any reason, Maro will heel her wolf and respond to the situation.

[Saika]

"Where are you going?" Alazne had been silent during the talking, mainly listening and gathering information about these new people, but now that they started to move she felt like she had to speak up. If they were going in the right direction, maybe she could tag along? Well... Come to think of it, she might have to tag along anyway, considering she had no idea on how to get out of this forest. Stupid, useless directions on a paper.

 

Her attention moved to the woman fighting Cloud from earlier, and her eyes narrowed. She was going to come as well... What happened to the fighting? Or maybe they know each other from somewhere and that was something they did every time they met? Because it didn't make much sense to her to attack and be hostile one second and then ask to travel with them the next. Unless there was something she didn't catch in all this, that is.

 

Sighing, she was just about to walk towards them when someone spoke behind her, and she turned. It was the woman with the dog, still facing off with the panther, and with a sting of guilt she realized that she'd kept the fight in the back of her mind. That wasn't very nice, at all. At the moment the woman looked pretty scratched up, so maybe she should do something... But both the panther and the woman looked to be tense, and she wasn't sure that either of them wouldn't attack if she did something.

 

Her eyes went back to the woman with the whip, and her eyes narrowed again. Wasn't the panther her companion? If she wanted to travel with them she should at least stop her partner from fighting with members of the group! Noticing that a quiver of arrows were now on the woman's back but ignoring it, she walked a few steps closer. "Maybe you should ask your friend to be nicer to the people you wish to journey with?"

Edited February 15, 2011 by Saikachan

[roobot]

((Whoa! Leave you alone for a bit and so many new characters.. >.<))

 

Nixa paused. Everyone seemed to have ceased fighting... but why had so many people suddenly decide that they wanted to meet at the exact place they were? Not to mention that some of them were very odd. Really, that guy just came in and pushed a wolf pup into Sei's arms, fought the wolves a bit, then proceeded to just eat that spice ball thingy! It's just weird! She sighed, and reconsidered, thinking, well, you can't judge a book by it's cover. I can't really make assumptions until I know him better.

 

Jerking out of her thoughts, she heard Sei make the last of his speech. "Sei's right, we've lost too much time already", she said to no one in particular. Despite his shy ways, Sei seemed to be quite determined. It's amazing he got through this much already...

 

Changing subjects, she checked everybody's whereabouts. Cloud seemed to be still talking with Jin.. How can they keep blabbering on about this Knight stuff! Sei had climbed on Vei and seemed to be waiting for everybody. I wonder when he and Vei became friends... Maro, Lucifer, and that girl were all.... Oh come on! More fighting?! Somewhere in the back of her mind she heard a small voice say that her temper was rising, and that really is not a good thing, and just back off- but she ignored it. Marching over to them, she heard the girl make a comment about being nicer. Nicer, indeed!

 

"Really guys! Stop fighting already, we are going to get nowhere if you keep quarreling! You might not like each other, but at least treat everyone with respect, so we can get to the next town without having torn ourselves to pieces!

 

Nixa immediately wished she hadn't shouted. After all, they hadn't really started to brawl and Maro even seemed to be letting it go. Idiot me and my stupid Dark Side!

 

 

[Juzz]

Why am I traveling with them again...? Sei thought as he silently directed the way to Vei. It's not like she doesn't know though, since they used to hang out in the forest a lot. It was like their home, in fact, they used to come to Reaven Town at least twice or thrice a month before Sei entered the academy. I guess leading them the way is the least I could do to thank them for saving me... But if we are all heading the same direction... Then I guess it would be safer to travel together... Then again... Should I be traveling with them? I'm just a burden after all. Even to Kevia... he was in a deep thought with the same sad expression from his face...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile... In Kevia...

 

"Quick! Hide! Gresia Knights are on patrol" a young man shouted. He was around 20, having a short brown hair and black round eyes. He was running around shouting this as people in the streets immediately went into hiding. Merchants quickly hid their merchandise, others took it with them and ran off to their houses. The man, turning around, caught a glimpse of some soldiers. There was around six of them, all wearing typical leather armor with a sword attached to their sides. They were intimidatingly big and strong looking, but the reason for the people's fears was the fact that knights like them usually harass the people. They would usually take money from the merchants, knock over their stands, beat up anyone who pisses them off and mess with a random girl.

 

The man ran toward the inn, escaping the sight of the ruthless knights. "Glad I warned everyone... Those people look trouble" he said in a hoarse voice as he tried to catch his breath. His blue shirt was drenched in sweat and his dark brown pants were tattered and dirty, most likely due to all the running around. "Here you go" an old man said, offering him a glass of water which he gladly took. People inside the inn tried to keep quiet, but soft gossips were still floating around.

 

The inn wasn't how it normally was. The people inside weren't only regulars and travelers, but there were also some women and children. They were most likely on the street during that time and hurried inside the closest establishment. "How did this happen...?! The Kevia Knights are imprisoned... The prince - missing!" the man complained as he sat down one of the chairs, and banged the table with his fists. "I heard that the Gresia Knights captured some new Kevia Knights the night they were dispatched..." one of the women whispered, it was quite loud enough to be heard by those who were close.

"From what my husband heard, y'know, the palace gardener by the way... The enemies were able to infiltrate the castle through secret passages only Kevia Knights and some high officials know of!" another woman continued.

"That's what my son told me too!" added another.

"I bet it's that Sei kid!" one of the women whispered, it was quite loud enough to be heard by those who were close.

"That boy was one of those captured that night... Is what I heard from them Gresia Knights" an old man hissed, sounding really annoyed.

"He's a coward. Most likely blabbed it all to them!" a young man holding a small glass of beer added.

"That boy's nothin' but trouble! Come to think of it, his father's a foreigner who came and left just like that. A spy is what I say! A spy! " an old woman added, sounding quite angry.

 

Soon, the inn was filled with murmurs about the 'boy who disgraced the Kevia Knights' and 'the traitor'....

Edited February 15, 2011 by Juzz

[Rakashua]

"Well my Viziel knight lady friend," Jin replied to Alazne, "I am going back to Azure to take some final tests and become a full fledged knight, then I'm sure Cloud and I," Jin grinned, "because he loves being stuck with me and we'll likely be the only ones there at the time," he pointed to his forehead, "are going to be told a lot of mythical nonsense about ancient people with glowing foreheads and be sent out to right all the wrongs in the world."

 

He stretched as he walked, lacing his fingers behind his head, "and since everyone else here has experienced the glowing forehead syndrome that's been going around, I guess we'll have to take you with us and force you to listen to all the mythical mumbo jumbo as well."

 

Jin perked up a little and began counting off their next courses of action on his fingers, "but it's not so bad, the village is a nice place, I'm sure you'll come to like it after we get done knocking you out, tying you up, blindfolding you, gagging you, and then dragging you all one at a time over some of the roughest terrain imaginable only to finally dump you off in front of a group of old senile masters who will decide on the spot if we should kill you or talk about mumbo jumbo together, and all so that you never ever figure out how it is you got there and therefore couldn't trace your way back to save your life." Jin spoke as if he'd done just that before and in like manner also as if it was a common occurrence.

 

"Right Cloud Sempai? We get to bring them home with us?" He asked pleasantly.

[LadyNatasha]

((OOC: Assuming the fight FINALLY ended...))

Maro sighed and straightened. She looked back at the two ladies who had spoken for her. "Thank you, Nixa. Thank you, other knight-like person." She nodded in gratitude to Alazne. It really did shock her how quickly Cloud had simply accepted the situation and moved on.

 

Sometimes I wonder if people are blind...

 

She realized, though, that she was probably putting too much responsibility on Cloud alone. After all, it was the owner of the kitty that was responsible.

 

She was very grateful that she wasn't the only girl in the group, and she decided that it was simply males who were blind. Laughing to herself, she grabbed her wolf by the scruff and led him to the brown horse. She had him sit/stay, and she quickly saddled the horse.

 

"My name is Maro," she said to Alazne. "Please forgive the strange behavior of the males in this group. It seems they have trouble multi-tasking, but they are quite good warriors when they choose to be. You and Nixa can ride; a walk will do me good."

[Altiboris]

(( I dun't think Lucifer counts as a woman as she's only 16))

 

"Maybe you should ask your friend to be nicer to the people you wish to journey with?" A voice said behind her, sounding crabby. Lucifer whipped around, her former relaxed mood evaporating in a milisecound. "Maybe you should keep your big mouth to yourself. I didn't notice you trying to be nice." She snapped. As if responding to her sudden mood change, the whip rattled eagerly and tried to unravel itself. Quickly tucking it back in, she continued, "Perhaps you should mind your own business." Lucifer turned back to Jin to catch the end of his little speech and laughed. "Sounds fun."

 

Lorkin let out a playful hiss and wiggled his rump. Daring the wolf to try and attack him again, he stuck out his tongue. His tail thrashed around behind him, stirring up the dust. Suddenly, the panther heard a call at the other end of the clearing. Eyeing the pup, as if to say 'Next time then.", he trotted over to Lucifer. Rubbing his head against her hand, he started purring. "Hey sweetie." The girl cooed, using the voice she reserved specially for him. "Having fun?"

[LadyNatasha]

Maro smiled at Alazne, ignoring and interrupting Lucifer's last words. "Forgive her rude behavior," she said, speaking of Lucifer. "I believe she reserves it for her own gender," she said, noting Lucifer's sudden acceptance of Cloud/Jin and lack of notice for Alazne's kindness.

"Again, I thank you much for your assistance on my behalf. Did-did I ask you your name?"

 

She chose to forget about the girl and her kitty; it wasn't a big deal, and she would speak about it later with... well, with whoever she decided was the leader of the group. She realized just then how hungry she was, and she decided that blue really was a beautiful color for the sky...

 

There were so many things to be thankful for. Why get angry over a minor issue?

She began wrapping her hands in bandages.

[Saphira-dragon]

Cloud made note to leacture Jin about how important it was to keep their secrets under wraps, the boy's mouth it seemed was loosely hinged from what he could hear.

 

"Get a move on you lot!" he called behind him as he saw them were taking their sweet time getting on the road, Lucifer had called back her panther at last. It only hit Cloud then that he hadn't helped poor Maro at all.

 

"She will hurt me for sure..." he muttered under his breath, she seemed to be that type of girl from his short time with her. Cloud watched Sei carefully infront of him, he still wasn't sure what to make of the lad but either way he was going to keep an eye on him.

[Altiboris]

Lucifer scratched Lorkin behind his ear, rubbing his shiny coat. Purring with content, he settled down on the ground. "No hon," She quickly pushed him back up, ignoring his mew of protest. "We have to go." Walking over to the edge of the clearing, the girl looked over her shoulder. "Come on!" She called and started walking after the others. The panther followed, his long legs covering the ground rapidly as he trotted beside her.

 

Catching up to Cloud, Lucifer gestured for Lorkin to slow down a little. "Where are we going?" She asked, still unsure. She didn't know what was wrong with her today; she was usually more suspicious. "Is it to the nearby town?" The girl didn't like that town very much. She only visited to bargain for the few things that she couldn't make herself. And that wasn't very often. She only came in the dark of the night so nobody would see her. But despite all her attempts to keep herself hidden, there were still a few people there who could recognize her.

[Saphira-dragon]

The girl Lucifer appeared by his side, her beast followed behind making Blazer slightly on edge about having such an animal behind him and was getting worked up about it until Cloud gentle patted his neck calming him down. He looked down on her as she put the question to him about where they were going.

 

"A nearby town but currently we follow Sei upon Vei...ya I know, talk about tougue twisters ah? Once there I plan on finding out what is happening in the kingdom and from there....well I plan on doing my job" he answered her looking over at her.

[Altiboris]

Lucifer thought for a secound, chewing on her lip again as she did so. "Which is?" She asked absent-mindly, still thinking about the town. What sort of welcome was she going to find there? Especially from the people who knew her? What were they going to say/do when they find her in the company of knights and knight-wanna-bes? Not feeling like walking the whole time( she had tried it before), the girl slid onto Lorkin's back. The panther shook his head, snuffling loudly and flicked his tail. He didn't like it when she did that without warning him first.

 

Lucifer looked as him again, noticing that they were at the same height now. "What are we gonna do after that? After you do your duties and get some news I mean. I have a few... acquaintances.... in the town that I'd rather not meet." By that, she meant the law-enforcers. She hadn't had a very good experience the last time they met. They had caught her doing a few underhand dealings in a back alley. The people Lucifer had been dealing with had been on their watch list for quite a while. So naturally, they were followed.

 

The girl grinned slightly, despite her feelings about the town. She had kicked their butts good. Hopefully though, they won't recognize her this time.

[Rakashua]

Jin smiled and tossed words over his shoulder at Maro, "looks like your wolf made a friend," before he continued up the line that was forming as the group moved out and came to Cloud's left side, opposite that of the whip lady.

 

"Hep!" He flipped onto his hands and began walking on them, giving his tired feet a rest from the morning's chase. Fortunately the wolves seemed to have gone back to their pup and forgotten all about the people, maybe the spices had something to do with it, maybe not.

 

"Oooh, we get to go to town, that should be fun, I bet you haven't been to this town before sempai," Jin began speaking, "it's fun! They have a bar and a stable and a rundown inn that is nice enough. But most fun is the night life! There are always people out at night doing strange things, I used to practice shadowing and information gathering there for a month or so. But then I got bored, no one interesting ever came through, and the local soldiers have no sense of humor."

 

Jin smiled at Lucifer as he noticed her language, "You must not have been in town when I was, I think I would have remembered a lady with a panther and a living whip. You don't sound too thrilled, did you meet the guard captain, Mister Rowen? or Sir Rowen as he likes it, big guy, bigger ego, thinks his town is a little kingdom?" Jin suddenly flipped back to his feet and put a fist over his chest, his voice became grim and tough, "Now see here! We don't want none of your kind in our town. I don't ever want to see your face again. foreigners!"

 

Jin frowned and his face took on a forlorn look, "even after I explained that I was training he didn't seem to believe me, his men are annoyingly observant, and overly cautious, no fun at all." Jin smiled, "So I did as he asked, for the last two weeks I trained there I wore a mask over my face and we never did meet again."

 

Jin shrugged more seriously, "but that was six months ago, I don't know what's been going on since then, maybe he turned into a nice guy and grew a sense of humor."

Edited February 15, 2011 by Rakashua

[Juzz]

Everyone seemed to have settled down as they are now having a peaceful conversation. Sei, who was in a trance suddenly regained his consciousness to the real world after a growling noise emerged. It wasn't a wild animal or anything like that. In fact, it came from Sei, his stomach that is. Can't stop now... We've lost too much time already... he sighed as he clutched his growling tummy. The red bird turned her head toward the boy and gave him a worried look. It was as if she was saying "Don't push yourself". Sei smiled at the bird as she immediately turned back her head on the road. "Oh Vei..." Sei chucked as he tried to grab something in the bag just behind him.

 

"This'll have to be lunch then" he said rather cheerfully this time as he gazed proudly at a shiny apple now sitting in his hand. He grabbed a second apple and gave it to the bird while he took a bite from the first apple. "Time sure flies fast... It's already afternoon" he said to himself as he stared at his companions. Do they have their own food or should I share some more of mine...? But if I do... Then I might get broke before I know it... he thought as his mind wandered aimlessly yet again.

[Saphira-dragon]

Cloud looked first at Lucifer at her comment, it seemed she wasn't on this town's good side and would have to stay hidden. He wasn't going to tell her any of his plans, they were private to him and to him only. He turned his head as Jin flipped onto his hands while continuing to speak, Cloud made a face as the boy kept talking and pondering on the thought of his leg just suddenly knocking him over when he flipped back onto his feet again talking about his time in the village.

 

"Now I remember why Azure was so peacefull....it was because you weren't there! Man you would talk the hind legs off even Blazer and this stallion never shuts up!" he said, Blazer rounded his back shaking his head in protest to this comment.

 

"O you know its true mister...I will never forget the day you went mad when we came across an army of filles....I swear the stallion has never ran faster in his life nor have we defeated an army in such short time!" he laughed and Blazer joined in with snorts and neigh's.

 

"We will get you in don't worry, I'm sure I can give the army or poilce there something to do....hm, I feel like ordering people around. Ya, don't either of ye worry, I got this one under wraps" he reassured them, Jin so long as he was in his company was Cloud's problem since the boy was still in-training and Cloud wasn't going to have the kid injured or chased on his watch.

 

After some time even Cloud began to fill the hungry clawing at his stomach, he didn't know if the others were feeling it too but they weren't his problem. Reaching into a small pack that hung down from the saddle, he rumaged around before finding a lovely piece of meat...cold but was safe to eat as it had been cooked some time ago before he had joined the group. He swallowed it after a couple of mouthfull's, filled for now.

[Altiboris]

Lucifer laughed and nodded. "But I don't think he'll be hurrying to fight me again. Not after last time." Not wanting to get a bounty on her head, she had merely knocked them out so she and her acquaintences could escape. But she could guarantee that he won't be happy if they meet again. "Maybe I should wear a mask too." The girl grinned, after thinking for a bit. "But I think my hair would be a dead giveaway. And Lorkin of course. Maybe I could leave him on the edges of the woods." At this, Lorkin twisted around to look at her reproachfully. "Don't even think about it." The look said, along with a snuffle of annoyance.

 

"Ok. Or maybe not." Lucifer chewed on a finger as she continued thinking. "Maybe I should just err... Oh, what the hell. It's his problem if I have to knock him out again." The panther gave a strange rumble, his way of laughing. The girl looked at Jin again, "What were you training for? Knight?"