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 Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 8:05 pm
Background Information
The land is Ruled by the Three Orders, each of which represents the equivelant of a continant, though much smaller than those we're used to. These Orders are divided up into regions, which are then divided up into clans. All the regions within each order are bound together, albeit loosely, by a treaty in order to preserve the peace that has lasted for the last 50 years since the Great War. Subsequently, the Three Orders have a treaty in order to promote fair trade, peace, and prosperity for all.
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Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 8:06 pm
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Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 8:07 pm
Characters:
Liska
Keela
Matt
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Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 10:32 pm
Keela :: Ruebello Village
Earth. Keela loved the feeling of earth between her feet. It made her feel connected, it made her feel alive. She had always felt this way, and she knew she always would. Why she felt this way, Keela was unsure. It often felt as if she was on the verge of discovering some universal secret, as if something would burst forth from her at any moment: it was at times like this that the girl felt like a time bomb. Still, all Keela knew for sure was that the earth and all its bounty made her feel incredibly safe; she was almost the opposite of her friends.
Keela lived in the small village of Ruebello, and this was the place she had lived all her life. She loved this place: the people, the land, everything. Unfortunately, the profession of this village was something very opposite her interests. Ruebello manufactured and developed steam powered airships and technology, and that meant that the young woman was often removed from the earth she loved so much.
For most of her life, Keela had been in the air. While her friends seemed to adapt well to life in the sky, Keela often found herself uneasy while traveling high above of their land. The sky was something that she could not escape; she often felt as if the sky itself would swallow her whole; it was an immovable force in her life.
Another complication to her life was the fact that she was without a family of her own. Yes, Keela was an orphan, as were many people her age. 18 or so years prior, there had been a war, and, as a result, many families were destroyed because of it. Without a family of her own, Keela fell into the life of the Orphanage which undoubtedly led to her involvement with steam technology. In other words, the orphanage in Ruebello served a double purpose: while it raised its occupants with care, it also served to act as a training ground for steam technology. This provided the orphans with a career once they left the care of the orphanage, and while most of the children loved becoming involved with the creating, building, manufacturing, and testing of steam powered airships and technology, Keela was less than pleased.
As someone inexplicably connected to the earth, taking to the sky was not on her to do list. And while being airborne did not terrify her anymore, it still managed to make her feel uneasy even after all these years. She was, however, able to smother these feelings enough to pilot an airship with relative ease; she was, however, considerably less skilled in comparison to some of her friends.
Currently, Keela was standing on a cliff which over looked the valley where Ruebello lay. Below her lay the lively village, covered with trees, plants, and machinery, as its inhabitants went about their everyday lives under the bright sun and blue sky. Today she felt particularly peaceful: someone watching may have even mistook her for a dryad or nymph.
And why wouldn't they? The girl was most earthen like in appearance. Being outside most of her life, the young woman's skin was tanned and brown, and her feet were often bare [as they were today]. Her hair and eyes were an unusual and striking grass green, and it had been this feature that made her appear as if she had emerged from the womb of the earth itself. Her facial structure was soft and feminine, often misleading others to believe she was rather weak in character. Her eyes and brow were of medium size, and the girl donned a pair of medium sized lips; most of her physical attributes, in fact, could be described as medium, moderate, or well-rounded. She was neither too ugly nor too beautiful, too skinny or too plump. The only thing that managed to deviate from this pattern was the size of her heart; she often felt unbalanced due to the enormity of her capacity to love others; contrastingly, it also provided her with the enormity to hate and be hurt by others. Over all, Keela was considered a kind person, if not a little naive and headstrong as well.
Tranquility taking over, Keela continued to gaze from the cliff top out into the lands of her childhood as the wind ruffled the white cotton dress she wore. Since she had finished her duties early today, she had removed the heavy and suffocating amount of equipment she usually wore as a part of her job as quickly as possible; Keela hated wearing large amounts of clothing – this dress was more her taste.
Thus, air swirling about her, causing her hair and dress to billow softly, Keela remained barefoot on the cliff face. She was in no hurry to leave this spot today. Closing her eyes, Keela enjoyed the presence of the earth for a while longer.
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Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:28 am
Liska :: Parts Refinery :: Ruebello Village
Sweat poured down her brow as Liska pushed with all her might against the lever that was supposed to relieve the steam pressure from the tanks that powered the smelting furnace, which, naturally, was stuck. About fifteen minutes earlier, Nakka had come running for her when one of the pipes had somehow become blocked, causing the pressure to rise dramatically, threatening to not only burst some pipes but it also just so happened that the temperature inside the furnace was rising with the pressure, and if that went up too much higher then the furnace itself might rupture. If that happened, then the whole factory could go under in a heap of melting components, with the occasional spurt of molten metal.
Her eyes fixed on the pressure gauge, Liska backed away from the lever. She took a deep breath, braced herself, and ran at the lever. It was about as tall as she was, with a diameter of about a foot, so when she hit it was like coming in contact with a metal version of herself. When she first came into contact there was no movement, but she braced herself against it and pressed with her feet. Slowly, she could feel it give, but it wasn't happening fast enough. Nakka was standing in the doorway, unsure of what to do. "Nakka! Get your a** over to the pre-furnace pipes NOW! This place is going to ******** blow! Keep an eye on the pressure gauge, and if you don't see the pressure drop in the next 30 seconds then break the pipes yourself! GO!"
Nakka stared at her a moment, unsure if she was serious. Reading the expression on her soot-covered face, red with exertion, he ran. He was fast, she knew he'd make it in time. She doubled her effort to get the lever moving, counting down in her head.
20 seconds.
Harder! Her muscles, already tired from the day's work, screamed in disagreement with the strain she was placing on them. She continued to push, moving the lever inch by precious inch.
10 seconds.
With an earsplitting screech the lever flew forward, sending Liska sprawling across the floor. Lying with her face against the cool pavement, She gave a strangled cry of triumph. She watched from afar as the pressure gauge slowly dropped and felt her heart swell with pride. She left the refinery three hours early, having exhausted her reserve of energy for the day. She'd just saved about a dozen or so lives, after all.
Ruebello Village sat beside the Cuthall mountain range, which separated the Clan of Arlov, of which Ruebello was a member, and the whole Order of Meldova, for that matter, from the neighboring Order of Eskoh. Each village, town or city had its own insignia, which together formed the flag of their Clan. Ruebello's insignia was that of a mountain and a gear, signifying it as a manufacturer of the great Cuthall mountains. Each member of the Ruebellan work force had this insignia somewhere on their clothing, and they all took great pride in their work.
Although only twenty-one, Liska was the co-owner of the refinery and had been working there since she was twelve, like many of the other orphans of the war, which accounted for about forty percent of Ruebello's citizens. Liska vaguely remembered her parents. She remembered looking up at her mother and father, but their faces were a blur. The only other memory she had was hiding in a cupboard when she was three, listening to her parents get slaughtered by some invading army. She liked to think that she looked like her parents, even not knowing their faces. She was tall for her gender, a startling six-foot-one, with a shock of red pixie-short hair that was currently plastered to her face with sweat. Her eyes were a flash of brilliant green and hazel made only more striking by her pale skin tone and thin, red lips. Though she had a pretty face, it was usually hidden under a mask of soot and sweat. Though a woman, her natural strength rivaled that of any man in the village, which is why Nakka had run to her when no one could budge the pressure lever. Years of working in the refinery to produce cogs, gears and other pieces to make airships and other steam-powered machinery had covered her body, which at one time may have been petite and feminine, with thick biceps and triceps and a fierce six-pack, giving her more than just a tomboy look. She still retained some of her natural curves, however, along with a pair of what she liked to think were nicely sculpted breasts.
Although her work kept her on the ground, she loved getting the chance to fly. Looking down at the world with a powerful wind whipping her face and pressing against her body gave her a feeling of euphoria that no other experience could. Often she would hike up the Cuthall mountains with her friend Keela to look down at the world from a secret ledge. It was high enough that the wind would sometimes pick up, along with her heart, and blow hard enough that she had to brace herself against a rock. Unfortunately, unless she joined the Arlovian fleet, she had no way of getting into the sky, and being in the military wouldn't give her the freedom she wanted or needed. Every once in a while, though, her steam expertise would score her a seat as a mechanics expert on a merchant vessel making its rounds.
Though spent, Liska stretched her sore muscles and went in search of Keela. There were a couple of usual spots within the village, which Liska checked. Her search coming up empty, knowing that Keela must be on the ledge but unable to make the climb in her current state, Liska walked to a small hut near the outskirts of town where she and Keela lived together and went to sleep.
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:57 pm
Location: Steel Sphire
Area: Over Ruebello
Matt was an ace pilot, as far as aces go... I guess you could say he hasn't crashed yet. But also never had the reason or makings to do so.
He was stationed in a giant flying city known as the Steel Sphire. Kinda looking like a flying castle but with a big central tower known as the Sphire, it was home to hundreds of thousands of people. Mostly all refugees and war veterans. This was also used as a convenient refueling station for lighter aircraft. Similar to aircraft carriers on sea, it could hold many planes. One particular plane was the Brass Bandit, Matt's plane to be precise. It was a marvel of ingenuity and also an eyesore. Made entirely of copper metals and armed to the teeth with guns it was both fearsome and frivolous. Nobody else could fly the darn thing. Hell nobody even tried, the thing was a monstrosity. Nearly the size of a bomber and with the weight ratio to boot.
He didn't care though. As long as he was happy and not having to buzz around doing errands all the time it was a good life.
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Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:16 am
Liska :: Home on the Outskirts of Town
Liska awoke several hours later to the sound of silence. Her room was pitch black, the air, thick and heavy, weighing down on her like the hand of God. Her limbs were heavy as boulders, trapping her against the bed. She tried to breathe, but instead of air her lungs were filled with a thick fluid; no sound came out. The darkness pressed upon her, and she was suffocating. She tried to cry out....
... And woke up in a pool of sweat, screaming. "Keela! Keela!" she cried, her heart burning for a familiar face to take away the fear. Hearing no answer, she quickly turned on the light, stood up, and ran out of the house into the chilly twilight of autumn. Lately, the same dream had constantly creeped into her sleep like a wolf stalking its prey. It felt like death had grabbed a hold of her heart and gave it a threatening squeeze, just to remind her of its existence. Liska was all too aware. No one in her family had lived past 25, and being in her early twenties, Liska constantly felt the pressure in her heart of her impending doom. How would it happen, she wondered. Her parents had been killed in a rogue attack, leaving her an orphan. Her parents' parents were killed in a mining accident trying to get coal and other minerals from the mountain so that the refinery she worked at today could exist. Before that, all her family had died in the Great War that had torn apart the land before the formation of the Orders. Since then, peace has held the land in a loving embrace for the last 50 years.
As the cool air filled her gasping lungs, Liska was at peace. She shivered at the sudden change in temperature, but remained outdoors to calm her nerves. The crisp air was blowing gently, and golden leaves fell from the trees, drifting in slow circles before finally landing gently on the ground. The village lay only a short distance from her house; it was still evening, and she could hear the hustle and bustle of mothers gathering their children, the men sharing drinks and laughing about work. Liska sat down on the ground and stared up at the stars that were beginning to shine, her mind at peace.
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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:47 pm
Matt awoke again, lately he couldn't sleep. Albeit he was used to all the sounds his plane made as well as the sounds the Sphire did. Something was bothering him. Maybe he forgot to pay some bills... he wasn't sure.
In any case he got up and looked around his plane, it was fine, as usual. He gave it his usual multi-point inspection to make sure all the major things were there. This for some reason relaxed him, frankly any time he was around his plane he felt this way.
He jumped into the cockpit and started it up. The roar of the engines was massive in the silence and calm and gave off a bestial like roar as it echoed of the steel girders of the hangar.
"Whoa..." Matt sat with a surprise/shock as the sound caught him by surprise.
"Bet the neighbors are gonna be pissed off. Ah well..."
He headed to the main elevator which lifted and moved his plane to the deck. Might as well get some mid-night flying in today.
His plane rolled into position as the deck commander watched from the tower.
"Sir, um... what is that?" observed the new tower operator cadet.
"That's the Brass Bandit you fool. She's more or less a hero on this ship."
"So... it's a plane... right?"
"No it's a elephant, OF COURSE IT'S A BLOODY PLANE!"
He began accelerating and heading toward the end of the runway.
"Sir, he's going way to slow, he's gonna plummet right off the runway."
Suddenly a massive explosion and roar erupted as it's truster engines ignited and like a rocket it went nearly straight up and off the runway.
The cadets jaw looked ready to fall clean off.
"His plane doesn't need a runway. Try not to worry so much." The commander said slapping him lightly on the shoulder bringing him back to his senses.
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:09 pm
Keela :: Ruebello Cliffs ---> Home
Like usual, Keela had lost track of time, remaining on the cliff face for much longer than she had originally anticipated. Quickly navigating down the rocky mountainside, Keela made her way past the trees, flowers, and plants that she loved so much. In the distance, she could hear the sound of the evening birds.
Yes, she had been out much longer than she had meant to be. Liska would most likely be displeased.
Oh well, Keela thought, shrugging mentally, she ought to be used to it by now. Bare feet padding softly, the young woman walked among the light forest which surrounded Ruebello. As she walked she took in the changing of the leaves; fall, she supposed, was well on its way. While she enjoyed the earth and outdoors in any season, spring and summer were her definite preferences.
It took her about twenty minutes to get home, and it was now significantly darker than when she had left the cliffs. Nearing her house, which sat tucked away underneath a few great elms on the outskirts of Ruebello, she noticed a familiar figure crouched outside: it was Liska.
As she neared, she could tell that something was wrong. She made her silent footsteps a little louder to make her approach clear; there was no need to scare her friend with a sudden appearance. As she approached, Liska looked up from the ground and smiled sadly. Coming to sit down next to her, Keela tucked her dress under her legs.
"Another dream? Or were you just hopelessly lonely without me?" she said laughingly, simultaneously delivering a sincere smile. Sometimes, a little humor was needed in these situations in order lighten the mood.
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:38 pm
Liska :: Home at the Ruebello Outskirts
Liska grew thankful as soon as she heard footsteps approaching, and when those footsteps became a cheerful Keela plopping down beside her, her heart soared. Ever since their childhood, she and Keela had been close, like sisters. Both their parents, like those of so many others in the village, had perished in an attack by a group ruthless and starving vagabonds 15 years earlier. With nothing to lose, they had set upon the tiny village and many others like it with a vengeance, cutting a river of blood through the land until they were finally stopped by the now revered Arlovian fleet of the Order of Meldova. In the orphanage, Keela and Liska had immediately become friends and, as neither of them were ever adopted, ended up bringing each other up.
"Another dream? Or were you just hopelessly lonely without me?" Keela asked cheerfully, her voice tinged with concern.
"I... I don't know anymore." The autumn wind blew gently, tussling their hair and bringing with it the crisp scent of fallen leaves. "I know it doesn't make any sense, but you know I still worry... about..." she couldn't bring herself to finish. She didn't need to; Keela knew what troubled her.
"There was a broken lever in the refinery today, and it nearly blew. Not just the refinery, it would have been the whole village. I just wonder if it's safe for other people here, while I'm here, I mean." Liska gathered her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on the sinewy flesh of her knees, now chilled with the autumn breeze. She looked sideways to Keela and asked, "And where were you all day, missy? Playing in the mountains like a child again?" She gave Keela a playful push and smiled.
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:18 pm
Keela :: Home at the Ruebello Outskirts
"There was a broken lever in the refinery today, and it nearly blew. Not just the refinery, it would have been the whole village. I just wonder if it's safe for other people here, while I'm here, I mean," Liska said sadly, taking a short pause in between phrases, "And where were you all day, missy? Playing in the mountains like a child again?" She gave Keela a playful push and smiled, and Keela smiled back, nudging Liska lightly in response and gave her a nod to answer to her question. For a moment, Keela became quiet and serious.
"Well," she said quietly as she watched the now rising moon, "I don't know if you're a threat to the village and everyone in it or not... but I do know that no one cares; the people here care for you, Liska. Besides, broken levers happen all the time... Well, not all the time, but frequent enough that you shouldn't take it as some sign. SO! Don't worry about it, dummy." Keela then looked back to study Liska's face. She did seem slightly relieved -- talking always helped -- but Keela knew that it would still bother her in the back of her mind. "Now," she said resolutely, "It's starting to get cold, so I'm thinking it'd be better if we took this shindig inside!" She then stood up, brushing off her dress and sighing with some show. She bent her knees slightly, smiled reassuringly, and offered her friend a hand up.
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 3:59 pm
The plane was in pretty good shape today for not being used in almost a month. The engines were fine, ignited on que and the thrusters were doing well.
"So I'm above... wait... Ruebello? What the heck is that?"
He tried to look at his map but none of them had this area on them.
"Maybe I could find a place to land and take a look around."
But as he did he couldn't find anything in the way of a clearing.
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:30 pm
Liska :: Home at the Ruebello Outskirts
Liska looked up at Keela’s kind, loving smile and let out a contented sigh before taking her friend’s outstretched hand and letting herself be pulled to her feet. Keela was right; she shouldn't be worrying. She decided to banish the depressing thoughts from her head and try to focus on enjoying the rest of her evening and the next day of rest. She had planned on hiking a bit through the Ruebello Cliffs and around the Cuthall Mountains in order to meditate for a while and have some peace.
A few years ago, just sitting at home would provide her enough respite to get through the next period of work, but more and more frequently the young men and some older women of the village would find excuses to ruffle her feathers and try to drag her out of her coup for a little game of match-maker. Not enough to be rediculous, but often enough that she would rather remove herself from the situation. She just wasn't ready. Besides, it was much more rewarding to climb for half a day up beyond the Ruebello Cliffs to the peaks of the Cuthall Mountains and dangle her feet off the cliff edges, watching the airships go by from miles away.
Which gave her an idea. "Keeeeelaaaaa," she said, twirling about girlishly with her hands clasped at her waist. "Won't you come to the mountains with me tomorrow?" She gave what she hoped was a pitiful expression of longing.
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Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:49 am
Keela :: Home
Keela laughed as the two of them entered their small, homey house.
"Of course! And I can show you this new path I found! There's a stream and everything! It's beautiful..." She said as she sat down at their living room/dining room/kitchen table and began combing her hair with a nearby brush. "I think you'll really enjoy it too. There are these blue and purple flowers there that I've never seen before! And the water's so clear! And there are some cool looking fish. And-- Well, I'll just let you see for yourself!" Continuing to brush her long tresses, Keela hummed to herself quietly.
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