The Agency

[Songbreeze2012]

Anri

 

Anri's stallion was anxious, but once calmed by the quiet man, was content to wait till the meeting was over. Charles would not be completely happy with him, but what were simple punishments that Charles brought compared to the tortures he'd been through? With a light step, he ducked inside the meeting place, mingling with the crowd as easily as if he wasn't there. Survival, of any kind, was his job after all.

[Neutual Demon]

Yalio

 

It was a slow morning after the fiasco of yesterday's rush. Only Yalio remained in the kitchens, returning after a few hours of restless sleep to finish cleaning and make the room ready for another day's work. However, he just finished wiping the counters down, mopping the floors, putting away the clean dishes, peeled more than enough potatoes, and then some. Yet, he couldn't find anything else for him to do to keep himself occupied. Yalio couldn't go back to sleep, for he was wide awake, and he needed to do something. The question was what, however.

 

Glancing about the kitchens, Yalio's pale red eyes fell upon the doors that led to the interior of the castle. He never went through those doors, sleeping in quarters that branched off the kitchens themselves. He wasn't allowed to carry finished plates out either, solely a kitchen helper and not a waiter. However, he was curious of what laid beyond the wooden door. Maybe he'd get kicked out if he went to investigate? But who was going to stop him? There was no one in the kitchens, and maybe a few guards, but he wasn't going to go that far into the castle. Just down to the end of the hallway for a quick peek.

 

Slowly, the albino potato peeler made his way to the oaken doors, his pale fingers white against the dark iron handle as he pulled the door open, peering out into the hallway beyond. It was lit by weak flickering candles, but otherwise the coast was clear. Silently Yalio crept out of the kitchens and into the hallway, making his way steadily towards the end of the hall. When he found its end, it only branched off into two other hallways. Should he stop?

 

Curiosity was beyond control- he had time to spare, didn't he? Quietly and carefully as he could, he made his way down the hallway to his left, his pale red eyes flickering about, searching for that someone who'd catch him sneaking around.

 

((*shrug* Something to do...since there wasn't much going on...))

[gistofeverything]

((Neutual, I can give you something to do... Want to work for Mariee as a firewood chopper in the winter and a potato-peeler for Richard in the summer?))

 

 

[Neutual Demon]

(( Such slave work... but it'll give me something to do :3 What time of year is it anyway *has forgot* ))

[gistofeverything]

((Call it late fall, early winter. Will bring Mariee to Richard's castle sometime tonight; would you like to come to her, or shall she some to you?))

[Neutual Demon]

(( She can come to me. I don't think my character would willingly walk up to someone ^^; ))

[gistofeverything]

Lady Mariee

 

She was walking through Richard's halls, trying not to remember what had happened that day. She needed something to do, something to occupy herself. Wait! She saw a shadow in the distance. She briskly walked toward it, and saw that it was an albino. You didn't see too many of those these days... She walked up behind him, and tapped him on the shoulder. Startled, he jumped and faced her. "Hello, young man." she said in a cordial tone.

[Neutual Demon]

Yalio

 

The albino potato peeler had almost reached the end of the second hallway when there was a tap on his shoulder. Spinning around, he lblinked at the woman who stood there. She was probably a noble, taking in consideration of the way she dressed and posture. "Um...sorry!" he yelped, taking a step back. "I didn't mean to- I was just- I..." His pale red eyes were snapping around, looking for an escape. "I'll go back to work! Please don't fire me!" He began taking steps backwards, his eyes wide with fear. He didn't know where to escape to. He shouldn't have left the kitchens! Now he would lose his job and he'd spend another six or seven years wandering through towns looking for some sort of work to keep him fed. But now he had to get away from this noble lady.

[gistofeverything]

Lady Mariee

 

"No, no, I'm not here to fire you, not at all. In fact, I needed you for my services, in fact. It's starting to get colder, and I can't chop firewood very well, and then you appeared in front of me. I thoguht - what a perfect opportunity! I'll make sure that you are fully compensated. If you accept, we can talk to Richard about the transferral between seasons. So. What say you?"

[Neutual Demon]

Yalio

 

The woman's words made him stop backing up, but he was skeptical of its truthfulness. "Not...fired...?" He frowned quietly at the noblewoman, twitching nervously. "But...I'm just a potato peeler..." Yalio began wringing his hands nervously, keeping his eyes staring over the woman's shoulder to avoid eye contact. He had little experience with chopping wood, being solely a tool for the kitchens, but perhaps this was his chance to get away from it all, even for a short while. However, would it be worth it? "I-I guess I could..." Yalio murmured quietly, turning his head away to stare at the wall to his left. "If it's alright with my lord."

[gistofeverything]

Lady Mariee

 

She was trying her best to calm this poor potato-peeler down. "I'm sure that my brother will agree. He only cares about his fashion sense anyways. He acts like more of a girl than I do. And I am one!" She tried to make a joke with him. She turned to go towards the throne room, but when she didn't hear footsteps behind her, she turned her head and said, "Well? Aren't you coming along?"

 

((When shall we start the True Agency meeting?))

 

Edited September 23, 2011 by gistofeverything

[Merryier12]

((Right now sorry bout the mini hiatus, school and family bogged me down))

 

}Kailey{

 

Once she was satisfied that everyone was here, she steeled herself and stepped out in front of the crowd. Facing these people was something she'd done before, but Will's words were ringing in her head still. The True Agency needs you... She wished more than anything that she'd stayed in that cursed wagon just a bit longer. But no, not now, plenty of time to curse her poor choices later. While it pained her to do so, Kailey wrenched her thoughts from Will and ignored the voice inside her that was throwing a fit over it.

 

Will had be- She cut the thought off there and said, "I think many of us know that we have failed to reign in the elusive William, he evaded both myself and Lily last night." The part about Lily caused somewhat of a stir, Lily always got her man, never once had she failed before. In fact, looking around, Kailey couldn't spy her friend anyways. But she picked out a piece of blonde hair and for a moment a picture of Will again caught her by surprise.

 

Ignoring her feelings was difficult considering her very Grace resided in reading them. Kailey knew without a doubt she'd never see someone like that again. She was a fool, but there was nothing she could do about it. Will had swept her off her feet from the moment he'd first spoken. That too recalled memories she did not have the strength to relive, so she drove her mind away from the scratchy, warm, and welcoming feel of Will's voice to the matter at hand.

Edited September 24, 2011 by Merryier12

[Neutual Demon]

Yalio

 

The noblewoman was trying to calm the albino down, playing a light joke to him. It only made Yalio even more confused and worried than before. What did she mean by 'her brother'? Was Sir Richard really her brother, or was she lying through her teeth just to make her seem more powerful than she actually was? The potato peeler didn't know what to think of this woman as she started to head down the hall, his feet rooted to the floor. Was she playing a trick on him, just to get him into trouble and lose his job permanently?

 

The noblewoman, however, paused to turn to look at him. Yalio half jumped, half flinched at her words. "I-I'm coming," he managed to squeak out, his feet scurrying to catch up to her. He blinked his pale red eyes at her, but only for a moment before he looked away, wringing his hands nervously as he gazed at the floor. If she really was the king's sister, then he would have to be extra careful, for she too would have Agents like Sir Richard. Or at least, that's what he gathered from kitchen gossip. Biting his lip, he began to prepare himself for the worse, not wanting to blow up at both nobles if he lost his job. He wouldn't be able to even look for a job if he did that.

[gistofeverything]

Lady Mariee

 

The two were walking down the hall, shoes cloming very noisily. They were not speaking, as the potato-peeler looked frightened. Mariee decided to take the initiative by saying, "Well, there is no point in having an employee if I don't even know his name, now is there? I am Lady Mariee Dragomir, from the Land of Envirium. My capital city is Wynona, and I have no spouse." She smiled sweetly at the potato-peeler. "And what is your name?"

[Kokay]

((You've returned! I was so lost as to what I should do. I'm in the process of reading the book right now, and should be done by the end of next week...))

 

William Jones

 

Once again, he was a bard. Back in a familiar setting and free of cares. Well, as free of cares as someone could be in his situation. Now singing a lilting tune, Will let his mind wander. Kailey. There was something so different about her, so foreign, that he was almost frightened. She could read his emotions as clearly as he could see where the best places to hide were. Her Grace reminded him of a panther. Dangerously beautiful. It was a different kind of fear with her than it was with the Lady Killer. It was the fear of being understood. So long had he been free from such a thing that the prospect of being understood was more fearsome than torture and death its self.

 

The song was done. Cheers erupted in the atmosphere and Will accepted payment willingly. He raised his eyes to look at the bartender. "I'll be leaving for tonight, then. I'll be back sometime soon, hopefully." He told the man. Standing up wearily, he slipped his lute over his back and left the bustling tavern. The horse was waiting for him in the stables. It nickered at his approach. Will was pleased to see that the horse now saw him as its master. It had been only a day. Perhaps giving it apples every time he saw it helped sway it's change of ownership. He smiled wryly at the thought of how he'd bribed the horse. Saddling the brown horse, his mind wandered back to Kailey. He cut it off sharply and mounted Umber.

 

"Help me, boy. Let's ride until you can't run any more." He said quietly. The young man spurred the horse from the stables and in the process frightened more than a few people. Finally, freedom. It felt as though he was flying, free from any care. Physical exertion had always helped him. What he longed for though was mental exertion. The Lady Killer was his target once more. It was a game he had played for many years. He would hunt down someone who would be a worthy adversary, and taunt them into chasing him. From there, his Grace kicked in and save his life every time. This sort of mental exertion kept him frombrooding over his childhood and his current life. It was a gift he worked so hard for so often.

[Merryier12]

*Lily*

 

Lily was in a quiet town, just inside Lovissa's domain. She knew every square inch of the town if she wanted to catch Will, this was the place to do it. She had skipped out on the True Agency meeting, it was an embarrassment that she had missed her catch. She had passed out and sluggishly woken, to come outside as the cariage with Will inside left. She had cursed her luck and dispatched the two that were sparring nearby, they'd have woken with a headache. Nothing more. It hadn't taken much, easy actually. Too easy.

 

With a glance around the Tavern, Barty, her poor frantic sever rushed over. "D-d-do you need s-s-something mam?" Lily sighed and shook her head, "No, just waiting for an informant Barty, thank you though." His face paled at the thanks and he hurriedly rushed to assure her that this was no problem, etc. Lily dismissed him with an annoyed and abrupt nod. He scampered on his way as Lily pensively traced the ring of condensation made by her glass of water.

Edited September 24, 2011 by Merryier12

[Neutual Demon]

Yalio

 

The two of them walked in silence, Yalio doing his best to avoid making eye contact with the woman. He jumped slightly as she broke the silence, introducing herself as Lady Mariee Dragomir from some land he didn't know, but with his luck, was probably one of the bordering kingdoms. However, she also said she didn't have a spouse, which made the albino man a bit confused, his pale brows furrowing slightly. Why would she say that? Unless it was a custom thing for nobles to spurt out that they weren't tied to anyone in matrimony, then he supposed it wasn't as confusing. Although, he hadn't known anyone to just say such things lightly- however the majority of the people who talk to him order him around to begin with, so personal things weren't usually said to him.

 

"Um..." he murmured quietly, looking down at his pale hands. "I'm Yalio...I'm a kitchen servant..." What else was he suppose to say? It was obvious that he was an albino just by looking at his pale skin, white hair and red eyes. "Um...Lady-ma'am?" he asked slowly, his eyes flickering up to her before looking away again. "Why do you need someone to work for you? Don't you have servants as well?" It was an innocent question, one that he wished didn't turn and bite back at him.

Edited September 24, 2011 by Neutual Demon

[Kokay]

William Jones

 

He was heading into Lovissa's kingdom. Why he was, Will had no idea. It was intuition more than anything. If anything had kept him alive longest, it had been his instincts. And so, when he reached the small town, he stabled Umber and pulled his cloak around his thin frame. The wind was cold, as always, and so he sought shelter. Ther obvious place for a bard to seek shelter was none other than the local tavern. He'd been there before. The innkeeper recognized him instantly. "Ah, Cal! My friend! It's good to see you've returned. Please, play us something. People will be crawling over each other to hear your music."

 

Will nodded only. He was modest, but this response was that of numbness. He hadn't felt emotions in a while. Ever since he left Kailey behind. But, it was the obvious choice. They would never work out. He was a wayfarer. She was tied down. He couldn't imagine the idea of having to stay in one spot all his life. It was a gruesome idea to him for sure. Sitting down in a corner, he pulled his lute up into his hands. Stroking the instrument's wooden hull, he smiled softly. It was well crafted. His only permanant friend. William Jones was a wanderer. And that was how he liked it. Forever.

 

The song that he played was one he'd written himself last night. One could say that masterpieces only came from suffering. He may be foolish to call it a masterpiece, but it spoke to him like no other song.

"The wayfarer travels there

Through the night and day he finds his way

Always searches for an answer

Never ends this searching endeavor

In the dark of the night

Only I hear his plight

And only as the rain plunges down

will he rest his tired feet

'Cause he's the wayfarer

Always looking for her"

 

((I love that song. It's Will all the way. If y'all wanna hear it,

))

[Merryier12]

}Kailey{

 

Kailey was done addressing the crowd and now it was time for people to announce the variety of news that they'd collected. Kailey took her chance and slipped away quietly, she headed for the stable, scaring a boy into getting her a horse, and centered off. What she was doing was risky, but getting a rush simply from that. Besides, she could easily remember the effect a note from Will had on Lily. In theory hers should work the same way... With Lady Lovissa. As she sped off she planned it out in her mind, she stopped by a simple shop and she simply... Wrote the note.

 

Lady Lovissa,

I was once told that being apart of your Agency was optional. I'm acting on that now. I have matters to attend to, and cannot manage them under your rule. I am sorry, really, I am, but I must leave the presence of your court behind. Do not try to stop me, I won't let you, and I'll be gone before you do. One day I may just come back. But don't hold your breath.

-Kailey

 

^Lady Lovissa^

 

The proud Lady read the note, not once, not twice, no she read it three times before she fully registered what was going on. With a cold look on her face she turned to her herald. "Let everyone know... My daughter is leaving." The castle responded instantly.

[Kokay]

William Jones

 

Alone as he was, Will wasn't sad. He wasn't upset. He was calm. As he finished the song, the men of the tavern didn't seem to know how to react. He sighed, lowering his eyes. Waving his hand dismissevly at them, he sighed. "I'll play something a bit more upbeat then, yes?" The positive feedback was enough. He played a happier song. A travelling song that he sang often. His heart was lightening with the quick and happy strums of the strings. It was a therapy to him, relieving him of all remorse, except that of his leaving Kailey behind.

 

Suddenly, a wave of saddness hit him. It was like hitting a wall. Will squeezed his eyes shut, finished the song, and stood up. He said his goodbyes quickly and left the tavern. Throwing his lute over his back, Will climbed to the top of the tavern, sitting on the roof silently. The day was winding down. Or so it appeared. The sounds of people bustling in the streets was muffled. Will dropped his hood off of his head and looked forlornly towards Lovissa's castle. It was tall and a sign of his remorse. How foolish he had been. Every time he left a girl behind, he regretted it. But, this time, it was worse.

[gistofeverything]

Lady Mariee

 

"But of course. However, some of my servants have left me, and I am a bit understaffed at the moment." She turned to smile at Yalio. "Of course you wouldn't mind working for me as well, would you?"

 

Dannen

 

After Kailey's speech, Dannen felt obligated to introduce the two girls to the populace. "Come on, you two. I need to introduce you both to everybody so that they know that you're on our side." Dannen motioned for the girls to follow him on stage. When they were all onstage, there was a general murmur in the crowd below. He loudly cleared his throat to silence the crowd. "My friends. Today, I have brought before you two new recruits. These Agents are both from Mariee's fiefdom, as am I. To my right, is Roxanne, who has a Grace for accuracy." Roxanne took a step forward, curtseyed to the crowd, and blushing through 4 different shades of red. "And to my left is Maxime, who has a Grace of supernatural grace." Maxime then took a step forward, and curtseyed to the crowd below, but she didn't blush as Roxanne had."Take care of them, guide them, and teach them our ways. I'm sure that they're eager to learn" He beamed a smile to the crowd. "Thank you all, that is all that I have to say." Dannen felt giddy as he escorted the girls offstage

Edited September 26, 2011 by gistofeverything

[Merryier12]

}Kailey{

 

From far away she'd be nothing more than a speck cantering away from the castle quickly. It had taken her most of the day to deliver the note, and she'd traded horses for her usual black steed. His name was Gaston, and he was fast, very fast. Her hair streamed behind her as she drove Gaston away from the castle. Never in her life had she felt as free as she felt just then. It was a feeling of excitement that drove her. The castle was large, and it was easy to say why it wasn't getting any smaller as of yet, but Kailey honestly couldn't care less.

 

Gaston was quickly and quietly leading her down the road, away from the storm of troops that were now amassing, unbeknownst to Kailey, for her very own capture. It took a few hours before she heard the rumble that announced the soldiers' movements. A look of horror was on her face, but she didn't turn to see the mass of moving men, she could feel them with her Grace, all focused on one thing. Her.

 

She urged Gaston faster, her red locks flying wildly in the breeze as a night chill began to prelate the air. Her breath was now forming little clouds in the air that were quickly swept behind as Kailey rode Gaston harshly through the winding roads. She could hear that the men were farther away so she made a quick, possibly insane decision.

 

Hopping off Gaston she glanced around, seeing a beggar on the streets she handed him a sack of coins and Gaston's reigns. He seemed to think this quizzical but drove away as instructed, with her cape strapped to him. It billowed behind him as he bantered off and Kailey herself ran into a small inn just as the army came storming down the road, she heard someone point out Gaston and "herself" and sighed quietly as the army quickly disappeared down the road.

[Kokay]

William Jones

 

Red hair. A girl handed a man her black steed and ran into the inn beneath Will's feet. She had red hair. Will's heart raced, slamming eagerly against his chest. He took deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down. There was no way that the young woman who had recently entered the tavern was Kailey. It was impossible. But, when he saw the soldier streaming into the town, he was certain of it. They were obviously after Kailey. No doubt, she knew. But, he couldn't leave her behind. Not again. Never again.

 

Will dropped lightly off the side of the roof, landing without a sound. He darted under the windows, heading towards the door. If they were looking for her, they'd be looking for him. Throwing the hood over his head, Will entered the tavern again. There she was. He had been right. Red hair. It was such an unusual color. He should have known instantly and not doubted himself for a moment. His heart was beating so loudly that it had to be audible now. Will didn't know how to react. Deciding to be casual, he forced his emotions down. He didn't want her reading his emotions and knowing what he was up to.

 

"Hey there, pretty woman. Don' s'ppose ya'd know why there be sold'ers by the dozens ou'side this here inn. Would ya?" He slurred, grinning crookedly. His emotions were more than under control. They were calm. That is, if she could get past his Grace. Once again, Will thanked the heavens for such a useful Grace. "Casue iff'n ya do, y'all may want ta be runnin' 'steada comin' to an inn like this."

[Merryier12]

Kailey

 

He was here. Kailey knew it, she could feel his emotions but only for a moment, there was only one person she'd ever met that could hide their feelings from her. It was Will, and she knew it. His voice sounded from behind her, and for a moment she couldn't determine words, simplying reveling in the comforting feel of his voice. It felt like coming home after a long day. Which it had been, but Kailey immediately scolded herself, she wasn't supposed to care, he was just going to leave. He was a bard, a traveler that would never truly tie himself to a single person. Yet her body caught her mind off-guard, her heart was fluttering madly in her chest and her breaths became quick and short.

 

She turned to face him as he finished the first sentence, again her body catching her off-guard as she matched up the picture in her mind with Will's living flesh. No comparison. Her hair was wildly askew surrounding her face in a mane of red curls. Her cheeks were flushed from her hard ride and her breathing that had been uneven stopped for a moment but she quickly forced herself to calm down. She'd set out to find him, and she had. That was good. As Kailey tuned into his feelings, she frowned smally, nothing. His Grace of course in action. The frown turned into an amused smile.

 

"Casue iff'n ya do, y'all may want ta be runnin' 'steada comin' to an inn like this." Glancing down at her clothes in a rush of self-conciousness, Kailey smiled. She'd changed out of the cursed dress and into riding clothes, for once not adorned in the colors of Lovissa. She wondered briefly if Will would notice. She had avoided his eyes for the time being because she always got that stare that was so uneven she felt as though he might take turns looking through each separately. Meeting them she physically forced herself to have no reaction as she said, "Actually, yes Sir, I was very well informed on this information. I had nowhere to go except for this Inn, but be that as it may, it seems I've had a stroke of luck." Her tone was light, and gave away nothing of the turmoil inside. But Will would see through that. He could read her just as easily as she could anyone in the room. She'd have to work on that...

[Kokay]

William Jones

 

"You're a fool if I've ever met one," Will chuckled. He sat down on the nearby bar stool. "Get me and the lady something nice, please." He ordered the bartender. Of course, the man couldn't see his eyes. His Grace always seemed to hide his eyes in the shadows. It was helpful for being in a place like this. He turned his eyes to her's. One brown, one green. He'd always liked them. They were earthen, just like himself. His gaze was as steady as ever. As though he were looking at someone with eyes that matched each other. Graced eyes rarely bothered him.

 

"Kailey, may I ask why you're out and about again? And," He glanced at her clothing carefully. She was not wearing the colors of her court anywhere. "Not even representing the Lady Lovissa. That's hardly becoming for someone of your stature, my dear." He grinned crookedly and looked at what the bartender had brought them. Taking a sip, he found the drink to be a heated tea. He smiled politely at the man and nodded his thanks. "Good thinking, friend. It will be a long journey out to my friend's farm." He raised his eyebrows at the bartender. He'd been eavesdropping earlier. The man nodded his head vigorously. That would be the story if anyone asked him.