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 Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:28 pm
Leve fit, quod bene fertur, onus. The burden is made light which is borne well.
Journal / RP LOG for Edrienne and Alice.
. Do not post without permission.
. This story contains: foul language [yay], blood/gore, and ANGST.
You've been warned.
Le contents :
. Edri
. Alice
. Open
. Story
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:31 pm
Liberate te ex inferis. Save yourself from hell. |___ E D R I E N N E ___|  .: Stats :. Str: End: Int: Eth: Luc: Chr: PerStr: PerWk: - [24 pts Starter] .: Bond/Family Info :. - Bond: Alichino Saga [Alice] Parent [a]: Luan Brother: Fai Li Hisui Brother: Shyr Tien [Seraph] .: Wakareme :. .: Profile :.
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:43 pm
Lex talionis. The law of revenge. |___ A L I C E ___|
/tag .: Stats :. Str: End: Int: Eth: Luc: Chr: PerStr: PerWk: - [24 pts Starter] .: Bond/Family Info :. - Bond: Edrienne Kalakos Parent [a]: Sagato Brother: Llaves Francisco del Oro .: Wakareme :. .: Profile :.
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:51 pm
Oh, I should give you a bit of backstory on them if you want to start reading xd ;; I shall try to make it legible and quick:
1. Edri is Fai and Seraph's foster brother, raised by the same 'mother.'
2. Alice is the son of Sagato, one of the most powerful men in Elysium.
3. Edri, in the course of druifting through Elysium's clubs, spots Alice and is omfg attracted, begins gathering as much information about him as he can. Meanwhile, Seraph is becoming close to Alice and his best friend, Llaves.
4. Edri, through Seraph, finds out more about Llaves and Alice, likes them even more. Yay!
5. Alice is kidnapped/captured by a rough biker gang (lots of details unknown here cause Ogre is sneaky). Edri, KNOWING what such a group would do to a delicate little bit of fluff like Alice, freaks the hell out. He forces the bond open between them in order to track him down and save his life.
6. Though Alice is FREAKED THE HELL OUT by this, being separated from each other is very hard right now. It IS a true bondmate connection, forced or no. Alice is rather cruel to Edri, since he did NOT want this and now there's nothing he can do about it.
7. Edri still adores (and eventually comes to love) Alice. He offers to take him away from his cold father and his harsh city; Alice agrees, and the two flee to hide in the countryside of Imperial.
Then the RP starts, pretty much xd
Note: The bondmate connection is an actual mind/heart link that is forged when two Dou have such incredible trust/love for each other that they are willing to actually let that person so far into their very mind and soul. It's a bit complicated (a bit?!) but necessary for reproduction and various other interesting things.
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:56 pm
Chapter 1
Heartbeat. Endless throbbing, a feeling of life pushing it's way to the
surface- breathing in time to the sound, chest rising and falling as the
feeling of sensuality and security rose over him like a dark wave-
Deep brown eyes snapped open, and Edri's breath caught harshly as the room
settled around him. His body was shaking just slightly- his equilibrium had
been off for a few weeks, making every morning just a little rough. He
regretted that Alice had to live through it; as usual, he clamped down on it
as much as possible, but today a glint of pale blond hair at the corner of
his eye told him he had failed. Leaning in his doorway with a book in one
hand, his little bond frowned at him from the warmth of one of Edri's huge
flannel shirts.
"You've had that same dream three times this week. It's not like the ones
you usually have about ships," he stated, matter-of-fact, and Edri fought
the urge to snap.
"I know," he managed, swinging long legs over the side of his bed as the
last of the nausea began to fade. "It's becoming more frequent- I don't
know what it is. Sorry to wake you."
A careless shrug met this statement, and Alice perched on the corner of his
bed as he watched Edri attempt to come awake. "I was awake already. I've
been reading some of your witchcraft books- they don't sound very much like
what you told me about magic."
It took a moment for Edri to respond; first thing in the morning was not his
best time for discussing religion. "Mmmhmm. That's because Wicca is a
religion, and not a practical field. Religion never makes sense when
compared to the real world."
Alice snorted in amusement, and the extremely sleepy man found himself
presented with a half-empty glass of ice water. His beloved soda had been
left behind on Elysium, but much work and frustration had lead them to force
a refrigerator into working; at least the cold would wake him up. He did
his best not to be distracted by the way the condensation on the glass clung
to Alice's fingers, making them shine in the early afternoon light from his
carefully-repaired window. Averting his eyes, he murmured a low thanks and
held the glass to his face, letting the water drip down to trail along his
jaw. "I used to practice that one, though. Did you have questions, or were
you just bored?"
"Bored, and the cover was shiny," Alice said with a wicked smile, and
offered him an apple from one pocket. "I saw the one about sex magic up
there, too- I didn't think you were as innocent as you acted."
"Hey!" Edri sputtered, taking the fruit after nearly choking on the water.
I bought that so no one else could find it and abuse it, thank you ever so
much," he sniffed, gesturing with the apple. "Some people don't know how
much trouble they can get their karma into, you know!"
"Right," Alice teased, leaning forward to let one sparkly-beaded braid fall
over his eye. "And of course you've NEVER been tempted to try-"
He cut off in mid-taunt, blinking pretty eyes at the apple in Edri's hand.
The taller man frowned, following his gaze- only to blink in equal surprise.
Against the quilt they had rescued from the remains of his Sanctum
apartment, the apple had withered considerably- sprouting a thin branch of
leaves in the process. A root curled from the skin and around his wrist,
affectionately tight enough to keep the fruit from falling out of his hand.
Edri touched it gently before raising his other hand to brush his hair out
of his eyes; he hadn't told Alice about the other two times something
similar had happened, but it looked like this time there was no keeping it
secret.
"...it looks like we need to take a trip North, and see if there's any mages
there who still know anything about magic," he said softly, eyes slightly
haunted. "Maybe this means the magic is coming back. It's nothing to worry
about, really, but I don't want to end up hurting someone by accident."
Alice gave him only a silent nod in response, though his eyes told Edri his
story hadn't been believed; he regretted the falsehood, but the alternative
of going back to Elysium was not attractive. Grim, he shoved himself up to
yank his hair violently out of his face; he would do anything possible to
keep from breaking that promise to Alice.
Alice pulled the flannel around himself, moving back across the room to peer
out one of the windows.
"How far away is the North from here?" He really didn't get the concept of
the map of Imperial. North, South.. whatever. They were points on a compass
to him, directions to walk.. not cities or location names. "... I thought
everything was destroyed here." He turned slightly, watching Edri. "How do
you know there are any mages left?"
"It's a pretty good walk," Edri replied with a yawn, pulling on a
long-sleeved t-shirt over his tall frame. The jeans he'd worn to bed would
do for the moment. "It's where the port is- the one we arrived at. We have
plenty of fuel to make it, though, and we can restock once we get there, so
you can sleep most of the trip."
Tugging absently at the end of his ponytail, the man leaned against the
other side of the window, peering over Alice's head. "I don't...know if
there's anyone left, Alice. The North was hit hardest by the Infernis. I
DO know that there's no one here that can tell me what this means, so if we
don't find anything it's not exactly a worse situation."
Fai would know if anyone had survived with that kind of knowledge of magic.
Fai was good about finding people...but that still required a trip 'home.'
Gentle fingers reached out to pet Alice's hair, worried- he didn't like that
it was seeming like a wise move to make.
Alice grunted, pressing a fingertip to the window pane. "More walking...
back to the port." Imperial wasn't that bad, he actually found himself
liking it here. It was quiet, no cars or buildings. Everywhere you looked
was dirt, grass, and trees. He turned to face Edri, looking up at him.
"So, we should get moving then. It looks like it's going to rain again."
Alice gave Edri's hair a light tug before slinking past him to gather his
stuff up.
"I don't think we're the only ones here... There might be mages there, but
if it's like you said and this place was the hardest hit, what will we do
if we can't find anyone?"
Edri took a long moment to answer that question, folding his precious quilt
carefully before setting it aside. Long fingers lifted Alice's chin,
watching him carefully- willing him to believe what he was saying. "I'll
figure something out. It might not be the best answer, but I'm not dragging
you back to Elysium unless I have no other choice."
He hugged Alice tight, drawing a deep breath and letting it out slow. "I
intend to keep that promise. Besides, you like it here- God forbid you have
to go back, with Shyr and Llaves causing so much angst!"
He kept his voice light, turning away to throw things into a duffel for the
trip. His (hopefully) temporary estrangement from his brother didn't help
the feelings of unease; he'd be a happier man if he didn't think Alice could
read him like a book. >.<
Alice kept his face neutral, watching Edri until he turned around to begin
shoving items into his bag. The man was like a freaking coloring book,
open and waiting to be colored. Thier bond created a whisper in his head,
that never stopped. He could feel the lies, feel the casual way Edri tried
to hide the fact he didnt know a good goddamn what was going to happen. It
would have been easier to deal with, if he didn't have that little voice
in his head countering every word Edri uttered. It would be better to let
Edri think he'd convinced him, so Alice played along.
"Don't worry so much Edri. I know you'll figure something out." Alice
turned back to his own packing, tucking the last of his dwindling personal
items into the bag. When you had to carry everything yourself, stuff lost
it's value real quick.
He zipped the bag, tossing it over his shoulder and waited for Edri. He
hadn't seen Llaves in a long time.. more than he'd gone for ever before.
He missed him, a lot. He thought about him often, especially at night when
Edri slept and dreamed- which he did a lot.
Bag packed, Edri stuffed the quilt on top and threw together another bag
with basic food to augment what they caught on their own. It had been hard
for him to let go of things...no matter how practical he was, his packrat
nature weighed heavier. Little things held memories, and letting go of
every single item so that he could take more weight off of Alice's shoulders
had been...unpleasant.
Now, he carried little more than a change of clothes, with a handful of
personal items thrown in. His rapier rested comfortably over his shoulder
as he stepped into the afternoon light, dressed for travel and frowning at
the sky; as an afterthought, he ducked back inside and grabbed a heavy tarp.
At the least, if they got hit with rain they could keep from getting sick.
Alice was standing out by the remains of the main road, staring out at the FEILDS of grass that surrounded the house.
"Does it always rain like this here?" He tilted his head, smelling the rain thick in the heavy air. It didnt rain nearly as much back in the city. It was also very windy here... sometime last month the wind picked up and hadn't stopped blowing like a constant breeze. He'd seen things in the sky since then as well. Strange things he didn't tell Edri about.
"If it had when I lived here, I'd have been one very frustrated
businessman," Edri murmured, leading the way away from the little house
they'd taken over during their stay. He was careful to match his stride to
Alice's, considering how much longer his legs were. The weather made his
skin scream; it was like there was a storm coming, a bad one, that had
nothing to do with rain. "It's hard on ships to be constantly bombarded
like this. No, this is new to me, too...I wish I understood."
A moment of honesty followed- he hated that, and it always frustrated him to
have to admit his failings. "Honestly, Alice, this could all be for
nothing. We could be on a wild goose chase that leads us to nowhere but
exhaustion...but I can feel this pressure building, and I don't like sitting
still and watching it come." He cast a tight smile at his companion,
shaking his head. "It makes me think someone's doing...something...to
change the way things have been left. I always did hate being left out of
the party."
"Oh, so this is all different." Alice walked beside Edri, keeping up easily after the other had slowed just a little. XD;; "Remember when you told me about those airships, Edri?" He glanced at him, then turned back to the road. "... are they still around? I mean.. could they still fly after what happened?"
He ignored the other comment about someone changing things. The idea of something out there causing storms and other weird magic things didn't sit well with him. o_<;
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:03 pm
That thought made Edri stop and turn to him, eyes narrowed. "What have you seen, Alice?" He asked softly, stepping close as if to protect him from whatever was out there in the world. "I have seen ships I thought would never sail again make it out to sea- anything is possible. If they are alive, though, then someone is running them...and I thought we had lost everyone capable of doing so."
Alice blinked, waving his hands dismissivly. "I haven't seen anything, I was just wondering if they were still around. I wanted to see them." He turned away, heading down the road. "I mean, getting one of those would beat walking all this way back and forth." <_<...
"Lazy," Edri replied affectionately, and lifted Alice's bag off his shoulder and over one of the bags he carried on his own. "I imagine they COULD be alive still...if anything, Fur Elise has the best chance. She was a combination of magic and technology, very revolutionary." He hid his suspicions; he didn't think Alice would have mentioned it, and he didn't exactly feel innocent. "It isn't that bad to walk, is it? Better than walking a city and waiting for osmeone to mug you."
Alice shot him a glance, then made a face. "At least you knew it would happen. Who knows wtf is out here- if anything, they'd do more than MUG us." He snorted, hands in his pockets. "It's not bad, I'd rather be in the air." Alice shrugged, looking to the sky again. "Where was Fur Elise? What did it look like?"
"She," Edri corrected, shaking his head. Honestly, he preferred cities to open space- he liked to be active, in the middle of the rush and flow of life. He'd had to seriously argue with himself about returning to Luan's peaceful life. "All ships are shes unless they tell you otherwise. Elise actually COULD talk...she piloted herself, with the assistance of a captain. She was stunning...named after a song." He hummed the first few bars, shaking his head. "Very musical family, that built and captained her. I was lucky enough to see her relatively close once or twice."
"Hmm..." Alice glanced back at Edri. " 'She'. What happened to her family?" As they spoke, something dark crossed the sun causing everything to go into momentary shadow. Alice blinked, sheilding his eyes to peer upwards towards the sun. A very large.... ship was moving across the ray of light from the sun?!
Edri very calmly watched the ship for a moment, then lit a cigarette and raised an eyebrow at his companion. "Either you're a prophet or you're hiding things from me. I'm more inclined to believe the latter, based on past experience and your inner deviousness. THAT...is an airship, Alice." He watched the vessel for a moment, frowning. "I'd flag her, but...we don't know who's running her. It might not be safe."
"...'flag her'?" Alice grunted, hands on his hips as he stopped walking. "I've seen a few things in the sky, nothing worth mentioning to you." He turned back to the ship. "What do you mean, flag her."
"Flag her down, hitch a ride. I have a few tricks up my sleeve...I don't know. It's up to you- danger and potential transportation, or safety and rain?" He was pretty sure he already knew the answer, and a smile tugged at his lips. "Think quick, before she gets too far."
Alice shrugged. "Flag her." He reached behind him, grabbing something that had been tucked safely behind him at the small of his back. With a quick jerk, the gun was loaded and the safety off. "If anything, we might get to kill some 'bad guys' and steal a ship."
Hand already in the duffel, Edri stared at Alice a moment before removing a flare gun from it's depths, along with a white flag. "You...are so unbelievably cute sometimes I think Llaves made you out of sugar cubes." Without taking his eyes off of Alice, he fired the flare and smiled. "The flag, of course, is to keep them from shooting at us out of hand."
Alice lifted an eyebrow, placing the gun behind his back as they waited. "Do you think they'lll circle around, or keep going?" The ship was still moving in a steady line, as it appeared from where Alice and Edri stood.
"Well, if they don't take notice...then I have to assume they're not going to stop. Usually you respond to a flare. In any case, she's goign in our general direction...might as well follow as long as we can see her." Could the ships be...automated? Surely not. Surely Imperial didn't have enough technology for that...this was getting very strange. "It's almost...as if she's a ghost ship."
Alice shook his head. "...creepy. Er..." The ship hit a certain point in the sky and began turning. As it turned, the ships appearance slowly altered. The sails dropped, totally dissapeared as whatever was on board secured them away. The side of the shop opened, revealing what appeared to be wings. As the wings fully unfurled, the ship caught the wind under them and began to arc back around.. and towards the flare. Alice stepped back. "What does that mean..."
"Oh, glory..." Edri whispered, eyes wide as he stared in wonder. "She's absolutely beautiful...look at that! Real wings on a ship, like a bird. I'd kill to see her original plans."
He shook off his daze, shaking out the flag and holding it over his head. "That means they saw the flare and are responding. This is where we find out if we're smart, or stupid."
"I think we should move towards an open area... if they're planning to land- it's not gonna happen right here." Alice darted around the club of trees, looking around for a larger space of open ground. A field was a few feet to the right. He turned back around, waving to Edri and pointed out the big area. The ship appeared to have the same idea as it swung around above them and turned to come back across the field.
"If you say so," Edri muttered, lengthening his stride to keep up. He stuffed the flag back in his duffel, standing at the edge of the field and catching Alice's arm. "Stay here, they see us. You don't want to be under her when she comes down."
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:08 pm
The ship began its descent, the wings locking in position so the ship appeared to glide down through the air that was provided. As the ship moved closer, the air seemed to react. A sudden gust from the ground pushed the ship upwards as it came down, cushioning it as it skid across the field. The ship's wings dropped as it touched down, acting as brakes to halt the ship in the very center of the field. Alice clapped. "... nice."
A nod answered this, and Edri couldn't help a smile. "Her captain- or navigator- is very, very good. You ready for this, pretty one? We could get shot, just walking up."
"Sounds fun." Alice still had the pistol, but held it so it didnt appear that they were coming to STEAL the ship. "Let's go." Alice waited for Edri to lead, since the other knew a LOT more about this area than he did.
Shoulders back and hands free- unthreatening- Edri strode towards the ship. Stopping at the gangway, he peered up onto the deck, looking for a response- he wasn't sure he recognized the ship. "Hello?" He called, sheilding his eyes from the rain. "Do you have room for a couple passengers?"
Chapter 2
"I haven't seen a flare in over twenty-years." Came a reply. The sounds of footsteps, other voices, and the occasional metallic clank could be heard as they waited. A shadow appeared as a figure leapt up onto the railing, tall, thin, and very tan. He looked almost female, if you weren't looking carefully enough. He had long sable colored hair, the majority pulled up in a intricate bun behind his head, a single wood stick coiled in with the hair to keep it up. The rest of the hair was in two strangly braided cords, the longer down his back, the other, shorter, laying across his shoulder and chest. His bangs were long, but swept to the side across one eye and shadowing the right face which from thier view appeared to be covered in tattoos of runes. The tattoo's continued down his neck and chest, dissapearing below his clothes. He was dressed in an almost asian style open robe, crossed with indian style clothes. The right side was open, sleeve cut and only at his wrist, leaving his arm exposed showing the tattoo's that went to his finger tips. The left side was more formal, robe covering his arm and sleeve belling out to his finger tips. Right side was a long skit robe, which tugged in the wind that still lingered after the ships landing. His left side was black pants and boots that buckled up to his knees. He didn't carry a weapon, but that didn't mean he wasn't armed.
Blinking, Edri tossed a look over his shoulder at Alice before turning back to the pretty b*****d in front of him. "We've been travelling for a while, and were hoping to head North. i wasn't aware that there were any ships still in the air- my name is Edri, and that's Alice. Who might you and this pretty lady be?"
The captain of the ship crouched down, perfectly balanced on the railing as he regarded the two of them on the gangway. "My name is Ries Piro, and this is Symphony #9. You must not be from the North, if you don't know of her fleet. What are you two doing roaming the 'Marked' lands? It's not the best of times to be doing so."
"I wasn't aware that there was much of anything left here- last time I was on Imperial I was watching it die," Edri said softly, raising his eyes to look Ries over. "I was fortunate enough to meet a Captain named Piro once or twice, back when he captained Fur Elise- he family of yours?"
Ries smirked, dropping backwards onto his deck. He opened the little door that connected to the gangway, gesturing for them to come aboard. "Fleet Captain Piro, is my father. Come on aboard, we shouldn't stay on the ground too long, they'll start getting pissed and send flyers." One you got a little closer to Ries, you could see he had little black pointed ears, like a wolves laying against his hair hidden.
Edri motioned for Alice to join them, following the man into the ship. If he were the slightly more submissive sort...damn. He shook his head over that thought, waiting for Alice to catch up so he could slip an arm around his waist. "I figured it would take a lot to take old Piro down. I appreciate the ride- we weren't looking forward to the walk."
"Where were you heading?" Ries shut the door behind them, locking it into place before watching to make sure the gangway was properly tucked away. He turned away from the side of the ship once it was, and made his way across the deck. He made a gesture for them to follow as he did so. The rest of the ship looked like a cross between a sailing ship and several little items that even Edri didn't recognize. The sail masts were shifted far apart, each mounted on the second floor decks on either side of the ship. The middle section was open, and the floor was covered in what appeared to be runes burnt into the wood in a circle.. .much like Fur Elise's driving system for Leander. The crew were all dressed simularly, in uniforms of dark grey with traces of cream-colored white to accent. Some had silver pins with rankings on them, others didnt.
"North," Edri replied vaguely, leaning agaisnt the rail and out of the way. "Looking for a mage with any magic left at all...or someone who knows anything about magic. I was a Southern sailor, not Northern, and there's been some things going on I'd like to understand." He was wire-tense, but not from any fear- this was exactly hwat he had wanted to show Alice, what he'd wanted to see himself. He'd stepped on Elise's deck once...but he never got to fly with her!
"North, eh? That's quite a bit of land, my friend." Ries moved to the far back, leading them up the stairs to the second floor deck. It was clear, with a few seats here and there for people to take a load off. "You two can start here. Since you've never been on a Fleet craft- I'll give you the abridged rules. See the circle, there's a barrier that appears when the ship is being operated, do not step into it. The ships just like any other female, she's picky about who touches her and if she feels someone new she gets shy and will ignore her current dance partner. You can go down to the lower decks, there are officers who can assist you with anything you need. As for the Rune deck, it's open to.. just please be wise of the circle. I need to get us off the ground before we're reported." Ries grinned, and made his way down the the Rune deck.
"Greedy b*****d," Edri murmured, and smiled lopsidedly at Alice as he set the bags down carefully. "I'd have liked to meet her...but I suppose he'd rather keep her to himself. What do you think?" This was suddenly important to him, strangely so. "This is what I told you about, back in Elysium...are you ready to fly, Alice?"
Alice smirked, nodding once before moving to the railing to watch. The wind was picking up again, which felt odd... since the sky didn't show any signs of the storm gathering any quicker than it had been. Was this magic, like Edri had been telling him about?
Ries moved back across the deck, stepping into the rune circle. He carefully planted his feet before giving a whistle. The deck doors opened as two figures in slightly altered uniform stepped out. The both moved to the front raised deck, standing on either side facing Ries in the circle from above.
"Let's get her off the ground boys." Ries lifted his right hand, open with his palm facing downwards. His sleeve slid back revealing his heavily tattoo'd arm. A silver bracelet wrapped around his wrist, a chain attatched to it and down to a ring around his middle finger. Each of the jewelry peices had a clear colored stone set into it.
The men on the second deck held thier hands infront of them, clasped together like they were praying. Each bowed thier heads and began to murmur. The air stilled to the point Alice could feel it being taken from his very lungs. He felt a moment of panic before the feeling subsided and the air began to scream as a great gust of wind slammed into the ground and pushed upwards against the Symphony. Ries shifted his footing, moving his hands gracefully like a dancer. The wings of the ship came to life, pushing downwards as the ship began to move upwards into the sky.
It was almost enough to break Edri's heart, right then. He choked on tears, shoving himself back against the railing to break the spell this ship already had over him- for a man who had lived for ships most of his life, this...was a pleasure he could die without. So much to want in one small space of time...it hurt. Locking it away from Alice was brutal, but part of him found it necessary...it was too personal, too intimate, and he'd barely even gotten Alice to LIKE him.
"Ah, god," he whispered, one hand to his heart as he blinked away tears. "Such glories you have given man." The wind ripped the words away, and he mourned their loss.
Alice glanced at Edri, feeling his emotions clearly before they dissapeared like a light going out in a dark room. It was almost painful. He turned back to watch the captain, the wind crashing against the deck sending a gust across the space. Alice laughed as the air brushed his hair upwards and away from his face. He released his deathgrip on the railing, laughing at himself again at how truely AFRAID he was of flying off the ship.
"Is it always like this Edri?" Alice lifted his hands up slowly, feeling the air between his fingers as the ship moved away from the ground and into the clouds.
"Hell if I know," Edri replied, a smile finding it's way back to his lips as he moved to stand behind Alice, hands on the rail on either side of him. "I've never been on an airship before...though I HAVE been flying once or twice. Look! Look at the clouds, Alice, how close we are!"
His eyes were wide as he peered out over the white horizon. The sky to the north was faintly grey, while towards the south and water, it was pale blue spotted with white.
"You like the sea more than the sky? Or did you just start out doing water ships and never tried the other kinds of ships?" Alice leaned back against him, hands clamping down on the railing again as the ship tilted faintly to the side and began moving at an angle towards thier destination.
"When I was born, there were no airships," Edri told him, eyes closing agaisnt the feel of the wind. "The airships, when they arrived, were a Northern invention. Being a Southie, my chances of ever reaching this were...thin. My rank got me a tour, not a flight. It's the freedom I love, Alice...the sea and the sky both have their joys."
"North.. and South." Alice snorted. "Were they really that different and seperated? You make it sound like the two places were blocked from each other..." Alice still wasn't getting the concept. Elysium was a huge city made up of blocks and street numbers.. but it was all the same people and the same place.
The ship realligned with the sky, locking on it's destination. The wings tucked in, and the crew began unfurling the sails once more. The captain made a few adjustments before he stepped out of the rune circle and glanced back towards his two new passengers. The two men on the other deck remained where they were, but stepped back to watch the ship's actions, alert.
Ries made his way across the deck towards Edri and Alice to speak with them agian.
"Yes, Alice. They were completely different...so different that one could tell instantly where a person was from, unless they dressed in a mix of the styles, like I did. Northies and Southies tended to start fights with each other. Prejudice ran high...and then we found out that we all die, just as easy."
He straightened as Ries came towards them, one hand still close around Alice as he gestured to the sails. "You have a lovely ship, Captain," he said softly, with his heart in his eyes. "I never dreamed the airships would come so far."
"My father learned a lot from the first lady, Fur Elise." Ries stepped up off the final step, watching the sails finally unfurl and catch the wind. The ship gave a jerk, but everyone felt as she reacted automatically to the change and resumed her flight path. "Symphony doesn't talk like the first lady did, but she can still hear you.. and you can hear her in here." He touched his heart, then turned his gaze to Edri. "You look like you've been on a ship before." He grinned. "Come, join me in my office- I have a lot to show you both."
Edri refrained from comment- his beloved ships were long since derelict in the empty Sanctum harbors, and he didn't like to think of them. He offered an arm and a sad smile to Alice, brushing his hair out of his eyes. "I was in the business of shipping," he replied without expression, keeping his face calm. "What do you have for us...?"
advent pawn: Alice took Edri's arm, keeping close to him because he was in the middle of the sky on a ship of strangers... and Edri was the only familiar thing around. He kept silent, listening. The Captain made his way back down the steps and around through the deck door. He waited for the two of them, speaking as they followed.
"A lot has changed since you left, it's been a long time since the Infernis attacked and the continent was rebuilt. We've been without a king for a long time... it's been hard without anyone in the North to guide us. Since the fall of the Northern King, my father has been keeping the ideals they built in the past alive through the Fleet."
Ries moved down below deck, through the halls and to a large set of wooden doors. He opened them, gesturing for them to enter the office. A huge map was pinned to the far wall, a desk sat snuggly in one corner, and a pretty comfy rug lay across the middle. There were chairs all over.
"Are you two hungry? Or.. would you like a drink?" Ries stepped in behind them, closing the doors. "Maybe both?"
"Both, most likely," Edri said with a nod, eyes narrowing at the map. "We hadn't yet stopped for food. Legacy Grey left Imperial for Elysium around the same time most of my family did...there was nothing here for him to lead, then. From what I understand, he was also hesitant to take a throne that should have been Prince Asiago's...this place was a wasteland then. That anyone survived, let alone built something like this lady and the fleet you mentioned...is nothing short of a miracle."
"Have a seat, I'll have the cook make you some dinner." Ries moved to the door. "Give me one second to get that started, you two must be starving." He ducked back out, leaving them alone in the office. Alice walked to the map, tilting his head at it.
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:18 pm
Edri followed, wanting to get a better view of what they now considered the world. "Are you alright?" He asked softly, wrapping his arms aroudn Alice and hugging him tight. "This is all pretty overwhelming."
Alice shrugged, glancing up at him. "It's all new things to me, I can feel how it's effecting you- though." He lifted a hand to touch the side of Edri's face lightly. "Are you alright?"
For a moment, Edri denied his reaction- against Alice, though, that denial didn't go very far. He leaned back against the wall, holding him close and bowing his head. "It's...not easy," he whispered. "You have to understand, this means they rebuilt, at least to some extent...it means we could have stayed, could have made this place our own again. We lost everything, Alice, everythign except each other...and for a long time, I thought we'd lost that. There are so many terrible memories of this place, but there isn't a moment of the day I don't wish I was back home on my docks, laughing at somethign stupid that pissed Hoshi off, chasing Fai in and out of trouble...this was my home."
Alice tilted his head at him, smiling a little. "Well, it looks like you have a second chance to come back and make it your home again.. hmm?" Alice glanced back at the map. "I like it here."
That...was actually a fairly interesting thought. "You might be right," he murmured, following his gaze. "The only thing that's missing is family...but we can visit, can't we? This would be a better place with you in it."
s**t. He hadn't meant to say THAT out loud- he concentrated on the map, hoping Alice had missed to comment.
"Your subtlty astounds me, Edri." Alice gave him a gentle shove, slipping out of his grip as the doors to the office opened and the captain reappeared. Alice made his way to a chair, curling himself into it to listen as they spoke. Ries set a tray of steaming tea down. "Ah, I see you've seen the map."
Smothering a blush admirably, Edri, turned and raised an eyebrow at their host. "It's changed a bit since I last looked at a chart." He eyed the tea, wondering if it was Luan's green, Winchester's grey, or something different. "Of course, the charts I see these days are of a different continent."
Ries smiled, moving over to the map. "Well, the north has shrunken considerably due to the lack of fighting men we have now. The Fleet is trying it's best, and we're able to hold the Capitol without any problems.. it's just difficult to expand outwards when we spend a lot of time defending the cities we already claim." He pointed out thier city on the map, which was near the old Northern capitol. "There are three major factions remaining that we know of fighting over the territories. The Fleet, the West, and a group of Infernis Born. They're our highest threat, and we spend most of our time protecting the out posts from them. The West are pretty tame for the moment, but we know they're just waiting and abiding thier time as they rebuild themselves. We've had 12 negotiations with them, so.. for a while we're on alliance terms."
"And the East?" Edri murmured, eyes scanning the map. "I know that Naphtali supposedly died, what word have you of the Iron Castle?" He'd explain that one to Alice later...he hadn't even gotten through telling him about the North and South yet, this was getting ridiculous.
Ries blinked, shrugging his shoulders. "I've never heard of them. I told you of all the civilizations we currently know on Imperial that are organized and claiming territory. Anyone else is either hiding, waiting, or rebuilding. The southern people that were left have all moved outwards into the forests, some migrated into our settlements and we've accepted them. The Westerners took what survivors fled to them and I've personally seen the castles they've rebuilt in the mountains. Infernis live below the city in the south among the ruins."
"Fascinating," Edri murmured, and gave him a lopsided smile. "Forgive the rudeness, but I'm looking forward to hopefully speaking with Captain Piro- or at least someone who shares the same vocabulary. There is so much to absorb...how long until we reach our destination?"
Ries smirked, walking over to sit in his desk. "Symnphony makes good time, should be a couple hours if that. Depends on the Storms." He gestured to the tea. "Have some tea, it's not that bad. The cook should have your dinners finished in a bit. I also had some rooms made up for you."
"I do appreciate it," Edri told him apologetically, shaking his hair out of his face with a sigh. "I'm afraid my world has changed very little...I'm still clinging to what I left behind here." He stepped forward, taking a cup and sipping it absently. "Even the air is different now."
"The magic for Air returned several months ago. Since then, we've only needed two Wind Mages. Ships used to require six to take off." Ries was drinking his own cup of tea. "Have you met my father?"
Hesitation. The Air had returned...that explained a lot. Edri thought about that for a moment, before raising one expressionless brown eye to Ries. "Twice. Once on business, once when I was fortunate enough to see Elise at Sanctum...I believe Leander was there on business. I doubt he'll remember me, I was never as...impressive as the Southern Kings."
Ries laughed. "You'd be suprised, really. My father has an impressive memory.. especially for old friends and aquaintences." A light knock on the door was met with Ries commanding voice for whoever it was to enter. One of the officers peeped in, mumbling about the dinner being ready and the roomes prepared. Ries thanked him and he left. "Looks like you're things are ready, we can speak later if you wish." He stood. "Shall I show you the mess hall?"
"I appreciate it," Edri murmured, trailing fingertips almost possessively across Alice's cheek. "Come on, pretty one. Let's see what else Lady Symphony has to show us, hmm?" Something about Ries rubbed him the wrong way, making him want to growl low in his throat and bare claws. He restrained it with practice.
Alice stood, walking past Edri and out the door into the hallway. Ries waited for Edri to join him before walking out and closing his office doors. He then moved past them, and lead the way to the lower eating deck. They passed thier rooms, which he showed them- then continued into the dining hall. Thier dinner was already laid out, waiting. "Here you are. I'm needed above deck." He made sure they were fine, and dissapeared up out the hallway. Alice walked over to the long table, sitting quietly.
"Jesus, I need to get over myself," Edri muttered, rubbing at his good eye and taking the other seat. "I've been doing this too long to get riled over some kid with a pretty toy." He picked up his fork, frowning at his plate- fully aware that it was Alice he was being so possessive over, and that he had no right to such an action.
Alice glanced over his water glass at Edri, curious about his mumblings. "What's the matter?" He glanced at the door where Ries had dissapeared, then back at Edri.
A quick, almost little-boy smile touched Edri's face as he glanced up ruefully, shaking his head before looking back at his plate. "I'm jealous. It's stupid, and I'm too old for this kind of childishness...but something about who he is, what he has, pisses me off. Not him, mind you. He's probably a good person."
"Jealous?" Alice poked the odd looking vegetable matter around his plate. "You've commanded ships before.. just get one. I don't think they'd mind having another hand. Jealousy issue solved." He shrugged his shoulders, making a face as he decided not to attempt to eat whatever it was after all.
"It's good for you, Alice, and it doesn't taste half bad," he mumbled around his fork, and shook his head. "It's worth a try, I suppose. At the least, maybe I can work with their designers. What do you think? Could you stand living on a ship like this?"
"Why, do you think they'd give me a ship as well?" Alice glanced up, face neutral as he regarded Edri. He pushed the plate aside, moving the glass of water infront of him.
He could have slapped Edri, and gotten a better response. The man's face went pale, and his appetite dropped with painful suddeness...he stood, unsteady against that question, and moved to peer out of the window. "It was just a question," he said, more harsh than he'd intended. Why had he thought Alice would want to stay with him? There were other people here, after all...others to bask in his glow, others to tempt him and distract him from the man who had taken such a precious choice away. He bit his lip hard enough to draw blood, unable to control the screaming panic that thought left on his heart.
"I suppose that was a 'no'." Alice murmured, moving to his own feet. "Sorry I angered you, I do it so easily sometimes... hmm?" He could feel it from Edri, a weird streak of dizzy panic. He didn't understand it.. but he'd felt it before, and it made him feel sick. "I think I'm going to go try and sleep before we get to the North." He turned around, heading out the doors to the set of rooms they'd been given. He felt like crying, but he didn't know why.
"Alice?" He said softly, fingers tracing his reflection in the glass. It was a hesitant sound, wounded.
"What..?" Alice paused at the door, hands bracing against the doorway to keep himself from falling.
"I think..." Edri replied, voice just loud enough to hear, "...that if they gave you a ship, you would put them all to shame." He meant it, too- he didn't have the same faith in himself, but there was no doubt in his mind that his pretty Alichino would terrify every single damn one of these Northies into obedience.
"I'm not much of a leader, Edrienne." He turned back to the hallway, stepping out and towards the rooms. "I'd much rather watch your ships."
Behind him within a few strides, Edri's voice was soft- like the touch of his hands on Alice's light shoulders. "Personally...I'd rather have you on my ships than watchign them," he whispered, and rested his head against Alice's for a moment. "Sleep well...I don't...think I'll be able to settle down that much."
"...thanks for the warning." Alice mumbled, turning his head slightly to glance at him. "I guess I'll just skip sleep again tonight too. It's getting really easy to do it." He touched Edri's hand lightly, before dissapearing into the room- door shutting behind him.
"As if I needed that little reminder," Edri hissed, angry with himself for being so ******** hurt. He spun, stalking back above deck with the walk of a man used to being in command of his ships; he could give a s**t what they thought of the matter. Right now, he needed fresh air, and a few sharp objects to plunge into his skin...or an icecube. If Alice wanted to be awake, he could arrange to make it a bit more difficult.
Ries was leaning against one of the masts, arms folded across his chest, one hand holding a cigarette as he smoked. He lifted an eyebrow slightly, watching as Edri snarled across the deck. "...curious."
With one hand, Edri flicked out a cig and a lighter, bringing the lit cig to his lips with a dark little glare towards anyone who looked his way. Without his bags, but still carrying that heavy rapier, he was a bit more intimidating than before. If he'd known this ship a bit more, he'd have been pacing the railing...his inability to do so at the moment made him slightly more irationally pissed off.
Ries walked to the edge of the second floor, leaning on the railing as he watched Edri with amused eyes. "I didn't notice the rapier before... can you use it, or is it just for decoration?"
"It was made from the steeple of a church, where I found the body of a little girl impaled upon it when Imperial died...before you were born," Edri snapped coldly, eye dangerous as he raised his head and put his lighter away. "I am not so nmorbid as to use such a thing for decoration. I do not carry weapons I can't use."
Ries lifted his eyebrows at the snarl, but remained easily unoffended. He dropped down to Edri's level, standing up infront of the other man. "That's a fascainting story. When was the last time you used it." He tilted his head slightly, taking a drag from his cigarette as he eyed the weapon.
"I practice with it for at least an hour or two every day," Edri replied coolly, attempting to reign in his temper. It's been a few months since I used it on a person...it's much more suited to city streets and people who piss me off than the countryside."
Ries smirked, stepping to the edge of the ship. He snubbed the cigarette out, before flicking it aside. "The countryside has changed a lot. I've seen things that would make the city look like a childs park." He turned around, leaning against the rail of the ship.
Edri barked a laugh, amused at the thought of ANYthing looking like a child's park compared to anythign at all. "Nothing- nothing at all- can compare to seeing the streets of Sanctum so filled with Infernis that they stole the very air you breathed. I stopped counting when the bodies rose to high to see past." WHat did he think this was, anyways? A contest? It was bad everywhere, there weren't exceptions.
Ries lifted his chin slightly. "Yes, but unlike you- I was here after Imperials defenders abandoned her. I was here when the survivors ran out of resources and began killing each other again. I was here when the Infernis evolved, then dissapeared into the cities. I bet it was nice, to be able to sleep without your eyes open." He snorted, pushing away from the railing. "I helped bury the people you watched die."
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:38 pm
"And I'm sure your father is proud of you," Edri told him contemptuously, disgusted. "Captain Piro didn't strike me as the kind of man that would be proud of such an accomplishment. The North was about peace...all you have told me is that you failed."
Ries laughed, clasping his hands behind his back. "Back peddling, are we Edrienne? Resorted to attempts to insult me through my father and attack my pride?" He shook his head, bangs falling over his eyes. "Sad, coming from someone who knows what it's like to command ships... and lose them." He stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "Can you still hear them, from the bottom of the ocean?"
"Louder than you can hear Symphony," Edri purred, an arrogant little smile playing at his lips. "If you want to call the truth backpeddling, go ahead. I have seen more death, caused more of it, than you would ever want to see- your trivial pissing contest isn't exactly a threat to my convictions." He leaned his elbows back on the rail, watching Ries with sadistic amusement. "I bet she's not shy. I bet Symphony's just dying for a real dance partner."
Ries snorted. "I wouldn't trust you to touch her for a second, deserter." He flicked his hand, dismissing Edri without another look. "Return to the other continent where you belong."
"Oh, please. You're barely out of your diapers," Edri laughed, the slow curl of controlled anger coiling around his skin like a snake. He'd learned this from his brothers years ago...anger made a damn fine travelling companion. I hope you were sleeping, Alice. "I think I'm rather happy to be home. So sorry to rain on your fragile little parade."
"..." Ries ears were standing up, hair bristled. "Good evening." He growled, forcing himself to retire below deck and not leap across the floor at Edri's neck. His father would be upset if he fought someone from the past.. even through he was an a**.
Feeling a bit better about the world, Edri turned derisively back to the rail to watch the clouds. He didn't let himself get so angry very often...one hand trailed almost senually down the railing, and he smiled a bit. "Sorry, Lady," he murmured. "Sometimes I just can't help myself...you're worth fighting for, pretty baby."
Alice, of course, could not sleep. He was pacing in his room, feeling anxious and angry. After his final pass by the door, he spun around and stepped out- slamming into the captain with a yelp.
Ries stepped back, hands up to make sure Alice didn't fall.. but the other figure darted back defensively until he back hit the wall. Ries blinked, flipping his hands over to show he didnt have anything in them. "... Just me, you okay?"
Alice frowned, still feeling the bottled up anger in the back of his throat. "... I'm fine."
Ries lifted an eyebrow, getting an idea. "... Have you ever been in a ship like this before?"
Alice shook his head, moving away from the wall, since Ries didn't seem so bad and he'd been around him at least three times already. He seemed nice. "No, this is the first time I've been on one.. why?"
Ries grinned, stepping over beside him. "I can show you around. There's all kinds of things on the shop that no one would normally get to see on deck."
Alice's eyes narrowed for a second, he still didnt like people.. but then again- he was supposed to be getting back to trusting people- and Ries was a good guy, right? Edri seemed to think so. Alice looked around, not seeing his companion anywhere... so, he decided to go. "Alright, lead on."
Ries nodded, placing a hand on his back and leading him through the hall.
Alice was still awake. No surprise, it probably would have taken a corpse to live through what Edri had just done. He leaned back agaisnt one of the masts, trailing fingers along the warm wood as his eyes closed to almost blackness. She felt like a good ship...a sweet lover, waiting for a man to come home. He liked ships like this. He could sleep easily here...and better if Alice were in his arms. Gah. That wasn't a productive thought...he brushed it off, trailing fingers across his lips and heading back to sit on the rail.
Ries lead Alice through the hall and down a second flight of stairs. The lower part of the ship is where most of the mechanics of her was stored, along with several little magic items that kept it in check during the flight. The room was dark, and Alice hesitated at the top of the stairs that still held light from above.
"... Why is it so dark?"
Ries dissapeared into the inky black, voice calling back from within. "There's a lamp, come on.. I'll turn it on. It's alright, there's nothing down here."
Alice didn't like the dark, but he felt like he should trust Ries- he was a captain... right? He swallowed the heavy feeling of fear and moved down into the dark.
That was strange. What could cause such a strange feeling in Alice, when he was supposed to be safe in his room? Edri frowned slightly, blowing a kiss to Symphony as he turned. "Sorry, love, but I've got some business to attend to," he murmured, and floated in Alice's direction. Walking a ship was comfortable, and he didn't have to think about it much as he concentrated on Alice.
Alice's room was quiet, and empty. The door was open a little, since he hadn't bothered closing the door when he'd flew out and slammed into Ries. The feeling of fright was slowly escalating, as Alice was moving through the dark... waiting for the captain to turn the light on.
That was enough of that bullshit. Edri set his happy little fit of anger aside, ducking through the halls of the ship and zeroing in on his little bondmate. It didn't matter if Alice wasn't 'his;' he'd be damned if he let him be so frightened. His boots echoed loudly in the quiet, snapping like command as he moved.
One of the officers glanced up, standing to meet Edri as he moved down the hallway. "Is everything okay, sir?"
Edri ignored the man, slipping past hm like a dancer. "It will be," he said calmly, eyes locked on the direction he could feel Alice's fear. he kept moving, brushing off their attempts to stop him.
"er, sir?!" The officer flitted after him, flailing. "This area is for officers only, it's where the ships machinery is located..."
"If you touch me again, I will rip off your arm and ******** you with it," Edri responded coldly, steps precise as he avoided the more dangerous machinery and hopped over the lesser. He was getting closer...their voices were fading in his ears, growing less and less important.
The officer didn't find that too pleasing, and backed off immediately.
Alice continued to move through the darkness of the room, hearing only the hum of the ship as it moved and operated.
"..C-captain?" Alice froze, not hearing anything else but the ship and his own breathing. Had the captain left him? Did something happen when he was looking for the lamp... He had been hoping the light would come, but as the minutes passed it felt like an eternity in the dark. He spun around, unable to find any light at all now. It felt like he was drowning, his hands moved to his throat as he gasped for air.
Arms enveloped Alice from behind, and one hand came up in front- to flick open a lighter, with Edri's soft voice following. "Ssssshhhh," he whispered, arms steadying after the terror of the darkness. "Everything is alright, little love. I'm here. You're safe."
Alice spun around, grabbing him like an anchor. "...." He closed his eyes tightly, concentrating on Edri's voice and blocking out the memories. A few moments later, a faint glow of light illuminated the room. Ries glared towards Edri before stepping out with one of the lanterns, the other hanging from the wall.
Edri ignored Ries completely, singing softly to Alice as he felt him slowly steady, before closing the lighter and scooping him up into his arms. "You know better than to go places that scare you," he scolded gently, carrying him out into the daylight. "Don't trust anyone more than you trust yourself, sweetling. Shhh...it's okay. I won't leave you again."
Alice tensed up, freezing to the point he was holding his breath. ".... put me down, Edrienne." Ries had followed them up, observing thier little exchange.
Not stopping until he reached daylight, Edri didn't argue. He was still too afraid, still reacting- and showing Ries up was not enough to make that a trivial concern. The moment they were outside, he set Alice gently on his feet, watching him carefully. "You okay?" He asked softly, standing close- but no longer touching.
Alice ran a hand through his hair, breathing coming back under his control. "I'm fine. You don't have to treat me like a child, Edrienne." His voice was barely above a whisper and he was still shaking a little, but the fear was gone.
"Not a child," Edri murmured, moving slow to touch his chin gently. "You haven't been a child in years, Alichino, but I moved mountains to save you once...I'll do anything I have to to keep it from happening again. I will fight your fears in your stead."
"..oh, come off it Edrinne." Alice snarled, angry that he'd let himself walk into that and come out the weak fool again. "I don't need you to fight for me. I don't need anyone to fight for me." He clamped his hands into fists, feeling the nails dig into his palms. "..." He spun around, dissapearing through the deck doors. Alice wished he'd taken more of his pills... o_<... He shoved his door open, slamming it behind him before snatching up his bag and dumping the contents onto his bed. He scrambled through the items there, snatching a little tin in the shape of a heart. He'd hidden them, and had a few left...
"...Weak," Edri growled to himself, closing his eyes. He could feel it...the feral scrabbling of Alice's hands, the shake of that little tin...dammit, he was tired of this game. Weak was a good word for him. Ries was forgotten completely as he turned to Alice's room, hair cascading behind him in the light as the door slammed once more. he locked the door Alice had left open; he wanted no interference. Silent, he watched Alice with a hunter's eyes- still, waiting.
Alice clawed the tin open, eyes alight as he discovered he had some left. He heard the door shut and glanced to the side slightly. ".... leave me alone, Edrienne. Isn't it enough you're in my head all the time.. do you have to be in my SIGHT as well." He stalked towards the other room, looking for the pitcher of water he'd seen earlier.
"What does it matter?" Edri asked quietly, calmly pouring him a glass of water and holding it out with long fingers. "I know what you're doing. I can feel the pills in your hands, hear your frustration when you can't find them, feel the psychological relief you think you take from them...it's not like it shames you to take them in front of me." His voice fell to a low growl, and his eye glinted in the light as he watched.
"I don't care, I just want you away from me." Alice snatched the glass, irritated and tense. He popped the pills in his mouth before drinking the entire glass of water... then threw the glass at him. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
The glass shattered on the wall, sending flecks of glass to trail blood across Edri's skin. Through this, he didn't move...merely watched, motionless as a single trail of blood like tears flowed down his cheek. His eye closed, just once, and when it reopened it had lost some of it's life. "Break it," he whispered, head rolling back against the door. "If you hate me so much, Alice, break it- because I can't do it. I will protect you until the day you rip my heart out to watch it bleed, Alice- it is your hand to play."
Alice leaned back, sliding down the wall until he was sitting, knees pulled up to his chest. He ran his fingers into his hair, bowing over his knees and curling up.. silent. He hadn't taken one of these in a long time... it had been pretty easy throughout the journey. Alice felt the effects from it almost immediately. He dropped a hand to the floor, bracing himself to keep from just falling to the floor and blacking out.
"... why do you fight so hard, Edrienne."
The medicine washed through his system, backlashing against his anger and intensity, and Edri slid to the floor in front of Alice as his body swayed against the tide. Long arms pulled Alice close, resting his head against's Edri's shoulder as he shuddered faintly. "Because you have yet to deny me," he whispered, swallowing hard. "Because no matter how many chances I give you, you won't break it...and I am damned to love you with every shard of glass you bite into my skin."
".. I think it would kill me to break it. It's almost tempting- but I'm too afriad." Alice's voice was low, sleepy... eyes half closed. He turned his head slightly, breathing on Edri's neck. "Edri...?"
"I'm here," Edri whispered, eye closing as he bit his already bleeding lip. The heat of his own name was like acid, burning through his skin. "Don't be afraid..."
[ lmfao, at this point... we go INFORMAL... insanity ensues. ]
Ries: *kicks the door in*
Edri: *gun in hand, levelled at his crotch* *growls* This is a prvate party, Captain.
Ries: *smirk, lunges at the gun... faster than he appears*
Edri: *shoots his a***
Ries: *snatches the bullet from midair, tosses it at him, spins, kicks the pistol out of his hand and drops to a crouch infront of him*
Edri: *blinku* That was almost impressive. *flows with the kick, letting Alice fall so he can shove himself up, legs cutting out to slam into Ries*
Ries: *skids backwards, using the momentum to roll to his feet, flicking his hair out of the way* Heh.
Edri: I'm not exactly thrilled by your character. Poor Piro, what a waste of genetics. *pushes himself to his feet, easy fighting stance...been fighting with Fai and Raph for YEARS drunk* XD
Ries: Funny, he said something to that effect to me before I threw him from my ship. *darts forward, attacking Edri again*
Edri: *best at flowing out of the way, tutns like a dancer so his back is to Ries and brings his heel up to kick him where he lives* *pleasant* His ship, I imagine. The Lady deserves better.
Ries: *quick-protective reflexes.. o_@; grabs Edri's foot as he blocks, gives it a yank* She belongs to me! *snarls*
Edri: *laughs, slams his elbow into his gut and flicks his lighter out to burn the hand at his throat* Pleasde! you're nothing more than a rapist.
Ries: *bursts into sudden laughter... tightens the grip, actually enjoying the flame from the lighter* Am I? *lifts his free hand, flicking his fingers and taking the entire flame from the lighter, gathering it into his open hand... fire reflecting through his eyes* ...Fire can't hurt me.
Edri: *eyes get strange for a moment, flicker green* *purrs as he tosses the lighter aside* Shouldn't have said that, Ries. *sudden furious motion, enough force behind the blows to break his grip* *smirks from under his eyepatch*
Ries: *steps back to catch his balance, eyes narrow.. ship lurches to the side sending Edri flying to the right.. darts forward to kick him* >_<
Edri: *lets himself slam into the wall, grabs the pitcher of water, chunks it at him* *dodges kick*
Ries: *wet now, thanks* o___<... *attempts to slug him, growling*
Edri: *ducks under the punch, close enough to get HURT if he's not careful, draws a knife and sets it under Ries' ribs* *soft* That's enough out of you.
Ries: Go ahead. Stab me, they'll stab him. *nods behind Edri* :b
Edri: *reverses blade slightly, points it down* I won't kill YOU. Just take you out of the gene pool. If they don't let him go, everyone on this ship dies. *pleasant smile*
Ries: *calm, turns to his men* He isn't listening, I suppose he wants us to kill the prisoner. *glances back at Edri* Drop your weapon.
Edri: *eye goes a bit wide, a bit wild; harsh laughter* *turns blindingly fast, like the room is almsot turning with him, letting the blade cut across Ries as he turns to take out the guys holding Alice* *moves instinctually, hands cutting in patterns he's been training in his entire life, stabbing blows in quick succession*
Guards: *uhm, dead?...*
Alice: O______O... *yelp, falls back, skids away from them covered in blooooood*
Ries: *steps back, watching Edri*
Edri: *hair falling over the eyepatch, shirt fallen open, dangerous, hands covered in blood* *emotionless voice, neutral* You're too young for this, my dear Captain. You're out of your league- and if you ever even breathe Alice's name again I will pull your skin from your body in thin slices and make a book out of it.
Something Big: *slams into the ship, sends it veering to the side.. everyone falls on thier a***
Ries: What the hell?!
Alice: *...panic!?*
Edri: O_o;; *backs up to guard Alice, bracing himself* Calm DOWN you're not helping >.o
Ries: *scrambles to his feet, changing priorities, moves up to the deck*
Alice: What's happening?! *screech*
Symphony: *gets slammed again, from the other side, tilts dangerously to the left*
Edri: *laughs a little* @_o we're under attack?! *grabs him and his sword, follows Ries*
Ries: *snarling orders on the deck from the rune circle, fights the ship back onto it's path*
Edri: *peers over the side* O_o
Officers: *pointing towards the clouds, some of them with bows moving in to take shots*
*huge ******** shadow moves across the clouds, far to fast to be a ship*
Alice: O___O....
Edri: *eyes narrow, tilts his head curiously* Alice, hold on to something. It's going to ram again.
Alice: Eh?! *grabs something*
Edri: *hangs on*
Dragon: *breaks through the clouds, slams into the ship hard enough to send a few men over board, snarls something before pushing off Symphony and arching backwards into the clouds*
Ries: O_O.....
Edri: *howls with laughter, screeches back in dragon* Don't hurt MY SHIP you a*****e, I have plans for her later :b
Fai: *glides over, growling back* There you are you ********. What are you doing here?! *spins around, wings catching the air to halt himself beside the ship*
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:45 pm
Edri: *jumps up on the rail, hands still bloody, grins at him...keeping an eye on Alice* s**t started to happen, I went looking for mages and found this a*****e. No wonder nobody could find you two1 b***h, I actually missed your a** :b
Fai: *snorts smoke* What are you waiting for, take the ship over already.. Kaolin's tired of walking.
Edri: *glances ver his hsoulder* See that guy? Toss his a** for me.
Fai: o_O Who, the driver? *grunts towards Ries*
Edri: Yeah, he's my problem at the moment. I can handle everything else, but I don't want to worry about him and Alice at the same time.
Fai: I suggest you take his bracelet and ring first. *clings to the side of the ship like a leech* ;3
Edri: Mmkay. *blows kissus, floats in that direction* *feints a kick at his crotch again, throws a solid punch at his head*
Ries: *flies backwards onto his back, dazed*
Edri: *sits on him with a knee to his throat, retreives sparklies*
Ries: *glare...*
Edri: You picked the wrong clan to mess with, Ries. Nothing personal....well, okay. Yes, it IS personal. *stands, kicks him for good measure, puts on the shinies* FAI. You still out there, lazy dragon?
Fai: *clinging to ship still, peers over the rail* I'm right here you blind sonufabitch.
Edri: Only in one eye :b *gestures with a sparklie hand*
Fai: *leaps up, snatches Ries off the deck, flies up and dissapears*
Edri: *turns back to the crew, snarls* Anybody else have a problem they'd like to discuss?
Crew: ....*quiet, shake thier head* ._.
Edri: *sniffs, nod* Good. *deep breath...steps carefully into the rune circle* Lady-love, you still with me...?
Kao: *watching the scene curiously from the ground, perched on a rock, wishign he had popcorn*
Symphony: *rights herself under his feet, shifts automatically to change course back where it was before*
Fai: *drops down beside Kao, slinks over tucking his wings in against his body* I was right, Edri was on the ship.
Edri: *breathes, nods a bit* That's my girl. *stays for a minute to make sure everythign is okay...goes to check on Alice*
Kao: *yawnu* of course you were right. is everything alright now?
Fai: I guess, he's turned pirate on me. I'm so proud. ;3 *drops down to lay infront of him* We don't have to walk anymore... if you want to travel with them for a bit.
Kao: *drapes along Fai's body, nuzzles, skritches his wingus* Whatever. I'm easy...you two probably have some catching up to do ^_~
Alice: *sitting with his back to one of the masts, hand resting against his forehead, head bowed*
Edri: *kneels in front of him, ADRENALINE...but quiet* Hey, baby.
Fai: >_>.... Hold on then. *stands up, fluffs wings out*
Kao: o.o! *glee?!?!!?* *cling*
Alice: Looks like you got your ship, hmm? *quiet*
Fai: *WEEE.. running start, leaps into the air, flies back up to the ship*
Edri: *sits next to him, ignores the blood since there's a lot of it, pulls him close* Symphony was a side benefit. Once they laid hands on you, I really didn't give a s**t what happened next.
Kao: o____________o EEEEEhehehehehe~@
Alice: I noticed. *picking little pieces of dried blood off his skin absently* Feeling better?
Edri: *moves his face so he can lock eyes with him, intense* Depends. Are you?
Fai: *flies up above the ship, spins, turns human.. drops onto the deck, sets Kao onto his feet* Ta-da. <3
Kao: XD~!!11 You're such a gloryhound. *nuzzles* *peers about* Mmm, messy. Just the way we like things o.o
Alice: *stares back at him* The pills are working, I think. After seeing several people explode into piles of bloody heaps.. I think I'm okay. *glances at the lower deck where Fai and Kao appeared*
Fai: *nods* Yes, but you love it. *yawn, stretch* Edri, where'd you go?
Edri: *soft* Sorry about that. I didn't know how real his threats were, they were on my blind side- I didn't want to risk you getting cut. *kisses him, so gently, stands* You might want to get cleaned up- check the other room they gave us, it should be untouched. *steps away, peers down at Fai* What the hell took you so long, lazy dragon?
Fai: *lifts an eyebrow at him* I didn't know I was being timed. :b
Alice: *gets up, walks down the steps.. dissapears below deck*
Fai: o_O.... *glances at Edri like..wtf?*
Kao: *been on Elise several times, peers around curiously at the changes* Hmm. I htink we can keep things under control here, Edrienne, perhaps you're needed below deck...?
Edri: *watches Alice go* ._. ...........*HATES it when Kaolin is right, sighs* I'll be back later, Faichan. *follows* ._.
Fai: Hmph... *glances at Kao* What was that all about?
Kao: *frowns* Probably something with their bond. I don't know...that's why we're here to save the day razz *starts barking orders to get things straightened up*
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:50 pm
Chapter 3
[ Aaaaaand back to formal... ]
Edri slipped below deck in Alice's wake, pausing long enough to find
another pitcher of water to rinse his crimson hands in. The adrenaline
was starting to wear off, and the shock sink in- it could have ended so
very badly. He could have gotten Alice killed! Worse could have happened
in the dark...so many frightening possibilities. His hands were clean but
shaking as he moved to track his little bond down, moving slow. Alice
would know he was there, but he still didn't want to startle him after
such an experience.
Alice was sitting in the middle of the second room, on the floor with a
basin of water and a wash cloth. He could only see the blood on his
clothes and arms.. so he was carefully using the washcloth and water to
wipe away what he could see. His blond hair was stained with red in
various places, but he couldnt see it- and he wasn't about to look in the
mirror.
His things were in the other room, but until the bodies were removed he
wasn't going to venture into the other room. By the time Edri entered the
room, the little basin of water had a faint pink tinge to it. Alice had
the flannel shirt he'd taken from him earlier laying beside him as he
worked on blotting away the dark spots of red from it.
For a long moment, Edri just watched, before retrieving Alice's bag from
the other room. He made certain it was clean before he set it down next
to
Alice; carefully, he pulled out another cloth and started working on the
stains in Alice's hair.
"If we soak the shirt, it won't stain," he said softly. Very little had
gotten on his own clothing...the force of his blows had sent the bodies
away from him. "I brought your bag; you have lots of time to change
before we arrive, if you want."
"Those two upstairs, is that one of your brothers?" Alice continued to
maticulously clean the flannel shirt, keeping himself distracted and busy
with the task. He kept still when he felt Edri begin to clean his hair,
moving only a little to clean the washcloth again and get more water on
it. "They look familiar, I think I saw them once or twice around father's
building.. but, I can't remember clearly."
The flannel had taken most of the blood, along with spots and streaks in
his hair. His pants he wasn't worried about.. he could ignore that and the
sheen across his shoes. His white undershirt had a few spots where it had
soaked through, but he wasn't really concerned. Who knows what else might
happen, if he kept changing clothes he'd end up with a bag of blood
stained rags.
"Where did you learn to fight like that..?" He didn't really think Edri
had such a creature inside him... he always seemed like such a pushover.
"The dragon...the day I met you in Sagato's elevator, I was there to see
him. That's Fai Li and Kaolin Hisui- I'm sure you've heard Seraph rant
about them. Fai and I have always been close, just as I have been to
Raph...the distance between them is hard to fight."
He didn't bother to hide the old pain in his voice, though he didn't meet
Alice's eyes as he lifted the boy's chin to check for blood on his face and
wipe it away. He rolled his shoulders, wincing at the tension his worries
had caused. "I came to Luan when I was very young- my father wasn't
particularly pleased with me, so he sent me away. I was left with this
little old woman in the middle of nowhere with her cat and two new
'brothers' that I was supposed to trust and live with...I was so angry at
first. Luan settled that quickly, though. She was so tiny, but I had
never seen any movement so beautiful as when she picked up a sword to show
me what she had to teach...she had me in moments. We aren't trained to
kill, Alice. We're trained to fight, all of Luan's children; killing is
something to be
avoided if possible. As you can see, it causes more trouble than it's
worth. Fai and Raph have always been better at it than I was...but you
don't leave Luan's training without becoming a sword yourself."
His head bowed, and his hand dropped into his lap. There was pink on his
cloth now, too, and he stared at it before taking a deep breath. "I'm
sorry I got you into this," he whispered. "Honest, Alice, I really don't
know what's going to happen, but I'm...afraid. I've never had strong
magic, even with a brother who is a dragon and another with wings...and
now, every living thing I touch responds. I don't know why this is
happening, and this is the only course I knew to take; I'd give a lot to
be back in the country right now, blissfully showing you our past and not
having to worry about this."
"She sounds like a fascinating person." He tilted his head, studying Edri.
"I didn't know you could fight like that... then again, I don't really
know anything about you Edri." He set the cloth aside, standing to his
feet after grabbing the flannel. "You don't know anything about me either,
do you?"
He walked over to one of the port windows, setting the shirt out to dry.
Once he was done, he turned around to face Edri again.
"There's nothing to be sorry about Edri, I wanted to come here... and if
there's something happening to you that requires us to go into the city
and into whatever waits us there... so be it."
Edri watched him, pulling his knees up to wrap his arms around them and set
his chin there. He rocked a little, rag hanging forgotten in his hand.
"Luan was my mother, and Fai and Raph my brothers. Lao Ren, too- you
haven't met him yet. That cat on her porch proved to be a man named Mah,
and so much more than I'd thought...our story is a rich one. No matter how
much we always seem to fight, our clan is devoted to its members- as you can see from Fai obnoxiously coming to my rescue."
His smile was fond, soft- but his walls hadn't gone back up yet, and there
was still something fragile in his expression. "You know...before this
forced bond...I would have reacted the same way I did in that room." There
was hesitation there, uncertainty. "I'd been watching you a long time- long enough to know that even if I didn't know you, I WANTED to. Raph was
already getting attached to you and Llaves, and I started looking for you at clubs because...I really didn't care for them as much if you weren't there."
He pushed himself to his feet, coming to lean against the wall next to
Alice. "I am a master of the style Luan taught me, an architect unequalled
on Elysium, and I have more experience with life than you could
imagine...but whenever I see you, my control fractures. Some time ago...I
decided I liked it that way."
"They sound like an amazing family, Edri." Alice gave a little smile, flicking a beaded piece of hair out of his eyes. "Sagato wasn't that bad really... sometimes he was very kind to me. I think he was mean because he wanted me to be better, stronger. I was never strong enough to make him proud of me." He sighed, shaking his head. "I don't blame him for being so frustrated.. or even hating me in the end. Whatever love was lacking in Sagato I found in Llaves, so I was never unhappy for very long."
He glanced away, quiet for a long time. "I got hurt because I wasn't strong enough to fight. I couldn't defend myself... even with what I'd been taught from my father, I still-" He stopped, mid-sentance, teeth clenched shut. He pushed away from the table he'd been leaning on, arms wrapping around himself. "...Maybe I'll learn how to fight better here." He glanced towards Edri, peering at him through his red-hued bangs. "Or, accept the idea of being protected by someone who cares."
"Happy as I would be to be that person, and keep you safe," Edri said
softly, frowning slightly as he brushed Alice's hair out of his face, "I
don't think you understand how strong you really are. I haven't seen you
around Llaves very often, but every time I have, he relies on you. He
counts on you to hold things together when he looses it." Fingertips
lingering on Alice's cheek, he met his eyes honestly, serious. "I have
taken apprentices I had less faith in than I have in you. I will be honored
to protect you, Alice, but I will be -proud- to teach you to stand on your
own."
Alice turned away from him again, moving away from his reach and to his bag that was on the floor. "We're connected now, you have to protect me- I understand that. That's how these 'bonds' work. One of us dies, something terrible can happen to the other." He grabbed the bag and stood up once more.
"If you want to teach me, I'll listen- but I don't want you to feel obligated to. I'll figure out something, once we land in the new city." He shook his hair out, looking towards the door. "There's bound to be plenty of places to pick up skills in the new Northern capitol."
"Alice!" Edri said, frustrated as he turned to folow. "When will you get this through your head?! I'm not going to just drag you around because I have to. How obsessed with you do I have to be before you'll believe that I'd rather be with you than anyone alive in this world?!" Hands on his hips, he pouted at his bond. "Your ability to dellude yourself is absolutely awe-inspiring."
Alice spun around, one eyebrow raised. "Dellude myself? What's that supposed to mean?"
Meanwhile, above deck, Fai tilted his head at the shouting he could easily hear even through the breeze on deck. He glanced towards Kao, flicking ash aside from his cigarette.
"I don't get my brother sometimes." He blinked, shaking his head. "I don't get either of them most of the time.. but Edri's always been a mystery. I haven't figured out what makes him tick yet."
"Affection, caffiene, and pervy thoughts," Kao replied cheerfully, eyeing the sailors on deck. "I think he thrives on adversity."
"It means," Edri said, stepping close enough that his voice dropped to a growling purr, "that even though you think I'm only in it for myself, every single night since the day I met you you have been in my dreams, every moment I've breathed has been spent thinking about you, wondering if you even give a damn that I'm alive. I'm not in it for myself, Alice- I'm standing here, right in front of you, because you are more important in my eyes than I am."
"I see." Fai grumbled, walking to the edge of the ship and looking down as the ship broke through the clouds and began to descend. He glanced over his shoulder towards Kao, blowing smoke. "... I think the ships is going to try to land."
---
"You're lying, Edrienne." Alice peered up at him, eyes flashing for a second as a smirk played across his lips. "I've seen your dreams- I am not in them. You dream of water and ships... and sometimes, I see people. But I am not among them." He tilted his head, lifting his hands to frame Edri's face. "I've seen the same person in your dreams many times.. who is he? Did he die...?"
Frowning, Kaolin followed and peered over the side. "Bad time for Edrienne to be involved in angst," he noted, shaking his head. "Give him a few minutes, see if they settle it alone."
____
"Then why is it that no waking moment comes without hearing your heartbeat, without craving the feel of your skin under my hands?" Edri whispered, leaning into his touch and closing his eye. "I don't know who or what you see, Alice, I've lost a lot of people. I don't often remember my dreams, but I see you so often in them...I can't even say what I want to say to you. You won't believe me..."
Alice laughed low, shaking his head. "What? You...? Not being able to say something to me?" He scowled mockingly. "As if you havent' said so much to me already Edrienne... I've never heard such things from anyone in my life. Does everyone talk like that where you're from?" Alice was close enough that his whispers were warm breathes across Edri's face.
____
The ship turned slightly, the crew began to move around the deck as if preparing for something. Fai grunted, pointing towards something down below.
Mountains rose in the horizon and most of the fields were covered in white. The trees appeared dead, or sleeping in the winter. ...Where was the ship going?
"I love you, Alice," he hissed softly, hearing nothig but the rushing of his own heartbeat and Alice's voice. "I have never, never said anything...that hurt so much."
---------------
"This...looks more like the west," Kao muttered, eyes narrowing. "I don't like this."
Fai's eyebrows shot up as he darted away from the railing and dropped to the lower deck. "If this is the west, we're in a bit more s**t than I thought." He stalked across the deck, grabbing one of the crew members. "YOU.. where the hell are we going?"
The crewman's eyes were huge, and he was clearly scared shitless. "I-i-i-i..."
"..." Fai jerked him off his feet, carrying him over to the edge. The dragon stepped up onto the railing, holding the flailing man over the edge of the ship. "Think hard, I'm feeling tired."
"AHHGGH?! We're in the west?! The ship was on a course to WUF head quarters!! Please, put me back on the deck..."
Fai's eyes narrowed as he glanced back at Kao. "Edri needs to get back up here, now."
----
Alice blinked, stepping backwards, shock clearly written on his face. "You're not lying..." He would have felt it, if he had been. Alice felt a little dizzy, and the ship suddenly lurched sideways catching him off balance. He yelped, grabbing from the wall. "..are we under attack again?!"
Edri grabbed for Alice, steadying him as he frowned. "We've changed course...what the HELL is going on?!" he snarled, irritated as all hell to have been interrupted. He hugged Alice tight for just a moment, praying his words had truly reached him, before stalking up to the deck.
"Fai! What the hell are you doing to my ship?!"
Meanwhile, Kaolin reached behind him and loosed his sword in it's sheath. "I don't like this," he growled. "Isn't that where Sakito was, and Kaz?! Those people cant be trusted!"
Fai threw the crewman back on deck, dropping back onto the planks after him. He strode over to Edri, frowning darkly. "It looks like this ship and it's crew were WUF loyalists. It appears we're heading into her dock. You better do something, before we all get thrown into prison." Fai's voice dropped low, a growl that made the crewman nearby step backwards. "I am not going to prison again."
--
Alice grabbed his bag and darted after Edri, curious to see what was going on. As they all split off, he made his way up to the second floor dock. The ice and snow looked amazing from this height... but wasn't it supposed to be warm and green in the North? He dropped his bag, walking to the railing over looking the main deck to see what was going on.
"Alice!" Edri barked, diving for the rune circle. "Get down here with the others, and hang on! Fai, make sure we don't lose anyone, it's going to be a rough ride." He snapped his head around to glare at the air mages, lips curled back in a snarl. "YOU. We are going to the North, and if you don't move this ship I swear to any God you please that I will gut you like pigs."
Fascinated, Kao raised an eyebrow at Fai as he secured his grip on the railing. "He's more liek you than i thought," he murmured, smiling.
Alice did as he was asked, dropping down the last steps and over to where Kao and Fai where. Fai didn't need to hold onto anything, since his balance was exceptional and he didnt fear falling off the ship.. cause he could fly if necessary. He moved over beside the circle and Edri, keeping an eye on the crew members as they all scrambled to recover.
The two air mages exchanged glances before moving into position. "We just manipulate the air, we'll do what we can to keep her from crashing into the mountains.. but it takes a Navigator to keep the ship in the sky."
"Navigator?" Edri murmured, stepping into the circle and raising his hands like a man accustomed to piloting a ship. "That's my job, correct?"
The mages both nodded, each looking like they were about to die. Navigators took years to learn the ships they eventually commanded... this guy just STOLE their ship.
Edri grinned, a wicked little smile that said he was looking forward to this. "Looks like I get to see if I learned anything from Seraph. HANG ON," he growled across the deck, hands closing as he closed his eye. It was as if he could feel the sway of the ship, the wood under his feet, the wheel under his hands- he took that control, snarling as he forced his will onto the ship, demanding that she turn.
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:39 pm
At first, Symphony resisted him. She knew her port was close... and the inner desire to be back in it's grasp was enough to shove aside Edri's request. The ship jerked hard to the right, causing people to yell and react to keep from flying off the edge. The sails began to curl up, as the ship prepared to release her wings for the landing.
Fai's head snapped back to Edri, voice rising above the yells of the frightened crewmen. "Edri, you need to get this s**t under control...!!"
"I don't tell you how to fly, so shut the ******** up," Edri snapped, shoving his hair out of his eye. He knelt, hands flat on the deck, and bowed his head; a strange caress that he couldn't quite understand rippled across the ship, and he shuddered with it. "Lady," he purred, voice intense, "come with me. Come away with me...let me show you the wonders that you have never seen."
Locking an arm around Alice as the ship lurched, Kao's jaw tightened. "I hope he knows what he's doing; I really don't want to die in a prison. It's SO cliche."
The ship continued to resist him, as if something were calling her from in the mountains. The mages on the second deck watched carefully, unsure of what to do.. normally they would be controlling the winds to guide thier descent.. and without thier spells the ship was flying towards the mountains faster than was safe.
Fai was scrambling across the deck, grabbing crewmen and tossing them below deck. They were having hard times holding on at the angle the ship was turning. At this rate, she was going to begin to spin. "EDRI!!"
Alice closed his eyes tightly, holding onto Kao as he felt the ship lurch again.
"Spoiled b***h," Edri muttered, and slapped the deck like he was slapping her a**. "Alright, fine, fly baby. We'll talk about where you're flying to in a minute." His eyes darted left to Alice, though he wasn't panicking- this was something he could control, something he understood, but anythign that threatened Alice made him unhappy.
Kaolin raised his head to stare at Fai, feeling the moment of fear Edri didn't have. Not of dying again, not of falling...fear for him, and the man he had seen when Trin brought him back from the Northern prison. He never wanted to see that again.
The ship seemed to respond to that, wings slamming out from thier compartments tucked in the sides of the ship. The wings caught the air, jerking the ship upwards slightly as it hit a gust of wind. Fai yelped as the ground suddenly flew out from under him, causing him to slam backwards onto the deck.
"... I hate this ship."
The mages stepped back, both acting in unison to pull the air in for the landing. The ship moved in accordance to them, righting herself and turning to arc across the sky and around the mountains a second time. As she made her second pass, the mountain seemed to shift and an area for landing appeared.
Below them, an icy runway caught the sunlight and flashed brilliantly.
"Okay," Edri said with a slow breath, getting to his feet again and flicking his hair back over his shoulder. "You had your way. Compromise time, lady-love; I'll let you fly, if you'll let me lead this dance." His touch was gentle but strong now, grasping the reigns and tightening his grip. "Fly, Symphony. Fly!"
The ship felt like it was listening to him, wings tilting to catch the wind and bring them upwards. The mages look impressed, but skeptical.
'I am NOT a horse!' Came a regal voice... it sounded like peels from a bell screaming in Edri's head. A shudder went through the ship, like ripples playing across water. The braclet and ring on Edri's hand felt suddenly very cold then blindly hot on his skin. His vision blurred and everything began spinning. He felt light.. then he blacked out.
Symphony regained control of herself, wings dropping once again as the ship moved downwards to the landing strip. The mages stepped forward, preparing to bring the air to keep them from crashing as they landed.
Alice released Kao, hands grabbing his head as he suddenly heard screams in his mind. "Aggh?! Stop!!"
Fai spun around, seeing Edri go down. "Oh s**t.."
Long accustomed to the s**t that can happen when one bondmate goes down, Kaolin kept one arm around Alice and he snarled at Fai. "keep the ship in the AIR or you'll be in chains, dragon!" He snapped, gesturing sharply to the mages. "Give him time to fight this, or you might as well hand yourself over!"
The blackness that closed around Edri burned, and he blindly reached out for Alice- fingers grasped at that lifeline, and failed miserably.
Fai shot Kao a dark look before darting across the deck and leaping over the edge. He shifted into his larger, dragon form and flew down around the ship. Fai flew up under the Symphony, hands braced on her under belly as he worked on counteracting her descent downwards.
---
"...Hey." Edri felt something touch the side of his face lightly, like fingertips brushing across his cheek. "Navigator..?"
It was the same voice as before, only quieter, not as scared or hostile.
Wincing at the contact, Edri blinked once or twice and opened his eye. It hurt, and he shook his head lightly to try and clear it. "What...who are you?" He muttered, voice rusty as he attempted to pull himself up right. "What th' hell is going on...?"
-------
"Go to Edrienne, keep an eye on him," Kaolin told Alice grimly, giving him a gentle shove in that direction. "If you need me for some reason, shake me. If you don't, leave me alone." He moved to one of the masts, sliding down it to rest his head on his knees; closing his eyes, he concentrated on focusing all of his strength through his bond to Fai. They will not have him. Never again, never in chains, never, never again.
The figure knelt beside him was female, long mahogany colored hair piled high on her head and falling in spirals down her back and shoulders. She tilted her head, amused smirk on her lips.
"I could ask you the same thing, Navigator." She pushed herself to her feet, offering a hand to him. "My name is Symphony."
----
Alice darted away from Kao, stepping into the circled beside Edri. He knelt down beside him, gathering the fallen man up into his arms.
"Edri..?"
"An absolute pleasure," Edri croaked, rolling his shoulders and taking a deep breath. "Should I take this to mean you got tired of my heavy-handed bullshit and decided to take action yourself? Please accept my applause, I wasn't aware the current ships had voices."
Symphony lifted finely sculpted brows at him, hands resting on her hips. She wore what appeared to be a greek style filmy dress, drapped in folds of fabric over her body. "Navigator, I don't understand. What is going on.. why are you denying me my port? I'm confused." She shook her head of curls, biting her bottom lip slightly before speaking again. "What is going on?"
"Oh. Okay," Edri said, refocusing on the situation and nodding once. "It's not you, Lady- I simply ended up in a very bad situation, with several people I care for, and that port is a VERY bad idea for us. I know you don't know me, and that the port below us is your safe haven- bt if we go there, we may be imprisoned or killed." His voice quieted, and worry ghosted through his eyes. "I don't want my brother and bond to be imprisoned, Symphony."
"How can I trust you? You're a stranger.. you STOLE me..." She shook her head, watching him carefully. "I am home. What did you do to my Navigator..." Her voice hitched slightly, fear maybe?
--
Fai wasn't getting anywhere carrying the ship. The b***h was heavy. He gave a grunt, bracing all his feet on the ship and pushing with his wings to keep her from the ground. The mages weren't helping either. Their spells where chaing the winds, easing the ship towards the snow fields. Fai could see the people below.
"Stole, yes. I actually didn't intend to, Symphony- all I wanted to do was go to the North." Edri leaned forward, earnest and focused. "Then...your Navigator tried to frighten my bond, attacked us both in a moment of weakness. I couldn't sit by and let him hurt Alice, Symphony; I have no idea where he is now, but I would not have taken this action if I'd had another choice."
His voice cracked slightly with the strain, and he ran a hand through his hair. "Please. I'll leave you in peace if that's what you want, never assault you again- but please don't set us down into that port. For you it's safe...for us, there is nothign good waiting."
Symphony watched him for a long time, eyes piercing through him. She stepped back, then offered her hand out to him. "You're telling the truth, Edrienne... Please, take my hand."
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:44 pm
Chapter 4
Reaching up, Edri finally took the offered hand firmly, pulling himself upright. "You have no idea how refreshing it is to be believed," he muttered, a lopsided smile tracing his features.
Symph smirked, fingers tightening around his hand. "Don't worry Edri, he'll believe in you one day too." Everything went black again, and suddenly Edri felt the cool breeze of wind across his face.. and he could hear Alice's voice above him.
"What a lovely way to wake up," he murmured, eye opening blearily as he floated back to reality. One hand raised, tracing a soft line across the horizon- and pointing North. "That way if you please, Symphony. For now, anyways?"
Kaolin's eyes snapped open, breathing hard with the effort to help Fai as much as he could. Somethign had changed- he watched Edri with narrowed eyes, noting the movement and gesturing to attract Fai's attention to the change.
The ship shifted under his command, changing course drastically. Her wings moved to catch the wind, pushing off the ground and soaring back upwards. Fai blinked, crawling back up the front of the ship before releasing it and gliding upwards. He didn't feel like standing on her deck at the moment. Symphony slipped back into the clouds, heading north.
Alice leaned over Edri, peering into his face. He had him laying across his lap, hands brushing his hair out of his face. "...Edri, are you okay?"
Catching his breath, Kaolin moved to perch carefully on the rail. His eyes were locked on Fai, trusting Edri- strangely enough- to handle the situation on his own.
Edri, meanwhile, reached up to take Alice's hand, holding it to his heart and closing his eye. "It's okay," he said softly. "For now, at least, everything is okay. Are you alright, love?" The endearment came so easily to his lips...he didn't even notice.
Fai wasn't coming back to the ship anytime soon, he remained higher above the clouds, dodging in and out of the puffs of white- casting a shadow across the deck as he weaved through the sky.
The mages on the ship were both kneeling on the ground, worn out from battling the ship and the air. They didn't speak up, but sat quietly on the second floor deck. The crewmen from below slipped out to fix the sails, since the ship was trying to set them out to head north.
Alice didn't reply to Edri, and for a long time it seemed like he wasn't even there. Edri felt Alice's fingertips brush across his face, slipping into his hair. His hands were shaking, but his bond remained silent. Edri felt his warmth around him as Alice leaned closer, brushing his lips across Edri's.
A moment of stunned silence met this gesture. For a minute, it seemed as if Edri wouldn't respond- and then one chocolate-colored eye opened, silver tears streaking across his skin as he looked up at Alice. A fragile breath escaped his lips...and he smiled. "I'm glad you're okay," he said softly, reaching up to touch his face.
Kao...wasn't very fond of watching Fai fly away. He turned away from the quiet scene on the deck, since he and Edri weren't exactly perfect friends anyways; he headed aft, moving to the back of the ship to find a place to sit alone and recover.
Alice returned the smile, laying across him with his arms around Edri. "It looks like the ship is listening to you now.. I heard her voice."
The light was changing now, as the sun started to move down onto the otherside of the horizon. The West and it's snow fields were falling behind them as the ship began to hit forests. Fai's shadow moved across the ship again as he flew past the ship and down towards the forest to glide over the tops of the trees.
"She's stunningly beautiful," Edri murmured, stroking his hair lightly. "I don't know how much we're cooperating, really, but for the moment it seems to be working okay. Did you really hear her? That's...incredible."
It...depressed Kaolin, strangely, to see Fai like this. He pulled his robes tighter around him, almost huddling in them; he'd rather it be Fai he was holding on to, but for the moment he made do with what he had.
Fai made a final pass through the trees before moving up and over the ship again, as he flew over he shifted forms and dropped back onto the deck. He felt a whole lot better after running the fear out of himself.
"... Edri, you alive over there." He barked out, voice sounding a little too harsh and strained. He shook it away, clearing his throat as he glanced around for Kaolin. "...Kao?"
Alice nodded to Edri, grinning. "I heard her, she sounded annoyed then afriad... then the ship changed course and you woke up..." He leaned up, looking at Edri again. "Are we heading to the North now?"
"Yes, for now. Fai, stop being an a** and go tell your bondmate you're okay," Edri snorted, sitting up slowly and shaking his head. Fai in a mood was familiar, and very nearly comforting. Kaolin would make everything okay with him, much as he disliked the man. He shook his wrist, feeling the bracelet on it, and ofered a hand and a smile to help Alice up.
Slow, Kaolin raised his head, still looking out over the rail. The tension hadn't left his body- for him, everythign wasn't quite okay yet. "Feel better?" He asked softly.
Fai stalked his way up the stairs. His tail, which was NEVER visable, swayed along behind him. His headwings were visable, and tucked against his hair as well. He appeared ruffled, but recovering. "A little... I'm getting there." He glanced up once he reached the second deck, giving Kao a warm smile before gesturing for him to come over to him.
Alice took Edri's hand, pulling himself to his feet. He blinked, looking at the hand with the bracelet. "Whoa.." Where the peices of jewelry sat, burn marks marred Edri's skin. "Does it hurt?"
"It's sore as all hell, but actually burned...not really. It's how she got my attention, I think." Edri slipped an arm around Alice's waist, comforted by the contact, and yawned.
Silently, Kaolin drifted to Fai's side and curled close to rest his head on his lover's shoulder. "I hate it when you're afriad," he said, voice muffled by Fai's shoulder. "I can't do anything about it."
Alice took the hand, looking it over. He winced slightly, it looked worse than it probubly felt.
"At least she's listening to you know.. and we're not in prison." >__>;;
Fai grunted, burying his face against Kao's neck. His tail curled around his lovers feet as he mumbled. "I'm never afriad, just nervous.... very, nervous." He knew it was a lie, he'd been terrified at the idea that he and the few people he cared about in one place were going to be taken to that hell hole. He'd fight demons, he'd bury his family.. but he would never, ever go back to that prison. "Being here with me is enough, Kaolin."
"I know, lover." Kaolin petted his hair, drawing a deep breath and letting go of his own tension. "It's okay. I'll cut your throat myself before I let them take you back...it's okay." His hand caught on one of the wings, and he ran a finger across it. "You're all dragony."
Edri grinned, shaking his head. "Lost an eye, scarred up...at least this injury isn't quite crippling, hmm?"
"I guess..." Alice mumbled, glancing towards Fai and Kao. They were being all cuddly cute. "Is he.. okay?" Alice glanced at Edri, then back. "He was pushing the ship up from underneath while you were talking to her."
--
Fai snorted, leaning into the pet across his wings. "It's oddly comforting to know you'd slit my throat out of love, Kaolin." He gave a little growl, eyes flashing mischief. "I've never wanted you more." He laughed, tail uncurling from around his feet. "It's a side effect from my panic. They'll fade when I feel less threatened."
The ship shifted again, changing air currents. One of the crew men stepped forward, looking to Edri. "We're on the Northern Fleet current now... if we're spotted by one of thier ships, they'll either tag us or.. shoot us down." o__o;;
Edri waved a hand at the crew member, unconcerned. "I'll handle that. Don't worry about it, mmkay? Just keep everything running smoothly, and get my attention when it becomes a concern." He turned his attention back to Alice and Fai, eyes narrowing slightly. "He's recovering. It takes him some time when he gets so worked up."
Moving enough to drag his teeth along Fai's throat, Kao loosed a low, amused laugh. "It's the razor blade fetish," he teased, licking the marks he'd left. "I'm just looking for an excuse to use a knife on you. I like the wingies, they're cute."
Alice nodded, stepping away from Edri- but keeping his hand clasped to his bonds. The sun was setting now, casting shadows across the horizon. Far in the distance, a light shone brightly.. it was like a pale green glow. Alice tilted his head, pointing towards it.
"What is that, Edrienne..?"
--
"Ha.. I see. No excuses needed, really. I'm easy." He tilted his head, wings untucking from his hair and stretching out flightly in little batwing fluffs. "Nef inherited them, which I find highly amusing."
"I wondered where he got them. It makes me wonder what we will see of him in the future...and how much he really takes after you." The phrase was teasing, and he stepped away to walk around Fai and look him over. "I could get used to this."
Edri blinked, letting himself be pulled to the rail. "I...don't know, Ali. Maybe that's where we're headed? Symphony seems to know where she's going. Will you go get that white flag out of my bag? it should be clean in there now."
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Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:38 pm
Alice nodded to Edri, dissapeared below deck to retrieve the flag.
--
Fai grunted, shaking his head as his tail curled around his leg to keep out of the way. "... It's nothing I'm used to, so don't you get any ideas." He leered at him, before walking to the railing to peer down at his brother. "... you in control now?" Who knew if he was talking about the ship of his brothers crazy a** bond.
"Nope," Edri replied cheerfully, peering up at him with a surprisingly cheerful glint in his eye. "I might be bribing Fate, though, so come join the party. Do you know what that is, out there? I haven't been this far since Imperial fell."
Kaolin floated after Fai, getting pervy ideas as he curiously watched that tail. He clamped a lid on them, however, and leaned next to Fai with a studied expression of innocent vagueness.
Fai tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "The capitol was that way, not that far.. but they might have moved it since the Infernis attacks. The castles used to have pillars of light that protected them, each king had a light- I remember Drakes was... blue? and Winchesters was... Gray?" He shrugged. "The last light of the Northern kings was green. But it would have been destroyed with the North."
He glaced at Kao, eyebrows raised. "What do you think?"
"I think we're going to find out very shortly, and speculating is a bit silly," Kao replied dryly, flicking his hair out of his eyes. "There IS magic in the North, we've seen that. It could be anything."
Edri nodded, absently tangling his fingers in his hair and nibbling the end of one long strand. "I'll get us there and let you call the shots. Try not to get us killed, hmm, Fai-chan?"
"I'm not driving this piece of s**t ship, am I?" Fai barked back, leaning on the rail. "You get us there alive, I'll keep it that way when we land."
Alice reappeared with the flag, offering it to Edri before looking back at the light. They were getting closer to something... and as they approached the sky filled with dozens of tiny lights.. like becons in the sky. Alice's breath caught at the sight, like sky fireflies.. or stars in the clouds.
"What is that, Edri...?"
"Thaaaaaaaaat looks familiar," he murmured, and flicked a hand at one of the crew. "You. Are those ships? If we've found the fleet, it's time for me to be paying attention." He took the flag from Alice and tied it around his waist, letting it set low on his hips and out of the way.
Kaolin examined them curiously, leaning on the railing and leaning against Fai. "You so certain, lover?" He murmured, innocent. "Awful lot of ships for you to chew up and spit out."
The crewman nodded, walking over to stand beside Edri. "Those are all Fleet. They're probubly about to notice us." The blinking lights were EVERYWHERE... Symphonies lights, two lamps on either mast suddenly flickered on, casting the deck in a pale blue light. Alice looked up, sheilding his eyes from the odd glow. "Our lights are blue... the other ships are white."
"Of course they are, flags and running lights are always indicative of a ship's alliances," Edri murmured, and shoved the flag he untied from his waist at the crewman. "Go stand at the bow and wave this like your life depends on it. Get someone to relieve you if necessary."
"Silly Navigator." Symphonies purring voice practically caressed across the back of Edri's mind. "Two of the Fleet craft are approaching, they'll be using thier lamps to speak to us.. You need to get the ships communicator up to the lamp to relay messages, or we will be marked as a hostile ship."
The crewman didn't think anyone would see the white flag in the dark, but Edri was the captain.. so he moved to obey the command.
Edri threw up his hands, making a little noise of frustration. "Belay that, crewman. Alright, lady-love, now that you're giving me INFORMATION..." He pointed at a random person, shaking his head. "Get me the ship's communicator. Now."
The crewman blinked, paleing a little. "He uhm.. you killed him, sir." o__o;; *squeek* Fai burst into laughter on the second deck, so amused.
"Alright, then," Edri purred, turning one dangerous eye on the crewman before raising his head to look at his brother. "Alright, lazy dragon. We're here. Go tell them what's going on." The danger signs were startng to show- he pulled away from Alice, motions starting to become sharp and irritable. "If you think it's so ******** funny, you can do something about it."
"Temper temper, precious." Fai called back from the deck. He walked down the steps, then hopped onto the railing. "If they start shooting at me, I suggest you turn around." With that, he dropped off the side and turned dragon, moving through the darkness towards the other ships.
Slightly placated, Edri leaned agaisnt the rail with his arms crossed, glaring at the other ships. He hated it when things didn't go his way. Kaolin smothered a smile and flowed in their direction, nudging Alice his way.
"I bet you could change his attitude in seconds," he whispered, once again perfectly innocent.
Alice blinked, looking at Kao curiously. "What do you mean?" Edri seemed so pissed off, he could even feel the irritation coming from him. "He's angry..."
"Mmmhmm. But you, being over there, will calm him down in moments. It's worth a try, ne? Him angry isn't the best situation at the moment." It didn't really bother Kaolin that Edri might kill him for this later. Actually, it was pretty damn amusing.
Alice shrugged. "I was over there a few seconds ago, he didn't appear any happier." He sounded a little skeptical, looking back at Edri's looming form by the railing. "Why is he so mad..?"
"Spoiled?" Kaolin suggested, and rolled his eyes. "Arrogant, a bit, as well. He wants his way and isn't getting it. Trust me- go and see."
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Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:08 pm
Chapter 5
Alice frowned softly, nodding to Kaolin before moving over towards Edri. He was still glaring out into the darkness at the ships. The smaller dou stopped beside him, placing his hands onto the railing next to Edri's.
"Can you still hear Symphony?"
"Like soft singing in the back of my mind," Edri muttered, unwilling to calm down quite yet but not really able to be angry or irritable for long around Alice. He dropped his arms to lean better on the rail, staring at the woodgrain. "Probably a side effect of the burns."
----------
"I think she likes you now." Alice gave the railing a little pat, before glancing towards his taller bond. "I can still hear her in my head, and I don't have one of those." He reached out, poking the bracelet. "The crew said no one's ever taken over a ship that wasn't trained for it... they're all very impressed."
"It wasn't that hard. I just had to be honest with her- maybe that should tell them something about themselves." A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his lips, dimples creating tiny shadows in the evening light. Reaching out, he brushed Alice's hair away from his face. "Kaolin sent you over here, didn't he?"
-----------
"Sort of, we had a little chat. I decided to come over and see what was going on." Alice smirked, turning to look sidelong at Edri. "You're a lot cuter when you smile, too."
The lights from the two other ships stopped flickering, and it appeared as if they'd halted their movements towards the Symphony. It was silent now, the only voices that of the crew as they whispered behind them and worked on prepping the ship for fleeing or following in the fleet for landing.
A startled brushstroke of pink flew across Edri's high cheekbones, chased by the hand that came up to rub the faint blush away as he averted his eyes to peer over the side. It actually seemed to fluster him a bit, making him almost shy. "I'll kill him for it later, the interfering b***h," he muttered, but there wasn't much violence in it. Searching for a quick subject change, he nodded at the ships. "Looks like something's happening over there. We'd be hearing screams if they gave Fai trouble."
-----------------
Alice nodded, wrapping his arms around himself against the cold air that was moving up through the dark as the sun was now gone.
"Have you ever been to the North, Edri? Before everything changed...?"
"Once or twice, on business," Edri noted, irritation starting to fade as Alice ignored it and dragged him back into normal conversation. "Most Southerners weren't welcome in the North; if you didn't have magic, you simply didn't fit with the society. You also stood out like a sore thumb. I don't like to be where I'm hated, or at least ridiculed- I was happy to leave." He sighed, resting his head on Alice's shoulder. "It was a pretty place, though."
---------------
There was a loud THUD as something landed hard onto the ships deck. Fai dusted himself off, shaking his hair out, little wings arched around his face. His tail swished along behind him as he stalked towards Edri and Alice, hands fully talloned.
"We've been given a temporary docking pass. If you can fly this thing, I'll show you where we're to land. The Fleet will escort us."
Straightening to step close to his brother, Edri frowned at Fai and touched one of his winglets gently. he changed languages, more comfortable talking about anything personal with Fai in the dragon-tongue. "Are you alright, lazy dragon? Did they give you any trouble?"
-----------------
Fai allowed the pet, wings staying in place when they would have otherwise tucked back against his hair.
"Just the usual trouble you'd get from surprising a ship full of armed men, they ended up listening to what I had to say in he end." Fai shrugged his shoulders. "They want to see you when we land, since you're the 'Navigator'. I told them, okay." He pointed out the two ships. "Follow between them, they'll guide us to the dock. The men on the ship told me we should have mages that can land us properly."
Edri threw a glance over his shoulder at the mages, raising an eyebrow. "If they're not too exhausted. Go rest, I'll handle things from here...you've done a lot of flying today." He nuzzled him gently before moving to kneel next to the mages, voice soft as he changed languages. "Will you be able to land us? We have instructions."
Fai gave a grunt, regarding Alice for a second before walking over to collapse beside Kao.
The mages looked up, both fatigued.. but they nodded. The first one shrugged. "We've dealt with worse.. we can land it." He stood, using the railing to pull himself to his feet. The second one sighed, before following his partner.
"We're ready when you are, Navigator."
-------------------
A smooth gesture traced a path for Symphony; his voice was soft as he spoke to her, gentle. "Those are your guides, Lady-love. Follow them in, and these gentlemen can assist when we arrive. Go easy on them, hmm?"
The moment Fai sat back down, Kao dragged him close and held tight, grumpy. "I don't like this jumping off the ship thing," he scolded, blowing on one of the winglets. "It's irritating, when you don't have wings yourself- there isn't exactly anyone to help you if someone shoots through a wing." >.o
"It doesn't hurt as bad as it sounds, only stings a bit.. like being shot in the hand and still having to use it." Fai purred, leaning into Kao's arms. He was tired and wanted nothing more than to sleep. His tail coiled around him and across Kao's lap, out of the way of anyone's feet. "Edri needed me to contact the other ship.. "
'Very well.' Symphonies voice sounded like a whisper to Edri's right side. The ship's wings shifted again, the mages moving to manipulate the wind underneath her. Their two guides lead them down to the city.. in the darkness it looked like hundreds of tiny lights flickering from the houses and reflecting off the water that surrounded the port area.
Alice leaned over the railing, mesmerized. "...they must land the ships in the water. I guess that's easier on them than hitting the ground."
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"More complicated, though," Edri murmured, stepping forward to rest a hand on Alice's shoulder. His eye was distant, feeling the movement of the ship. There's so much skill involved here...it's beautiful. Don't fall overboard, we'll never find you out here." razz
"I know," Kao murmured, stroking Fai's hair and leaning back with a sigh. "Just lay still...let your baby brother handle his own crisis."
"But he doesn't know how." Fai mumbled, a hint of GRR in his voice. The importance of the argument/statement quickly lost its luster as he drifted off to sleep. He trusted Kao greatly, there was no other way in hell he'd be asleep otherwise.
Alice laughed, looking out at the flickering lights of their lead ships. "You wouldn't catch me if I fell, Edri?"
The two mages on the second deck began to speak, voices calling out to the winds as the ships turned and made a second pass over the water. The men were used to landing on snow and surfaces.. not on water. Hopefully Symphony or their Navigator would be able to handle the rest of the landing.
--------------
"I'm not that quick," Edri replied with a light laugh, hugging him gently before floating back over to join the mages. His right hand flicked out, bracelet shifting to show the burn for a moment as his steps echoed over the deck. "Lady-love," he whispered, shaking his hair out of his eyes. "Are you up for this?"
Kaolin took a deep breath, almost surprised by the trust...but warmed by it. He settled back to watch Edri work, eyes narrowed as the ship approached the water.
'Of course, I remember this place.. I was made here.' Symphonies voice was distant, like she was thinking. 'It may be safer for your crew to go below deck and hang on... It's been a while since I touched water.'
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"....are you sure?" There was doubt in Edri's voice, but he rather thought he had reason. "You don't need the mages' assistance?"
'The mages, yes. Your family, no... the air masters are trained to react to the ship... the others are not. It would be better for their safety to be secure below.. unless you can watch all of them at once and keep me from going under the water..' The ship turned slightly, gliding across the water in the wake of the other two Fleet ships.
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"Well, I'm known to be an eminently capable man," Edri murmured wickedly, turning sharply to make his way to Alice's side. Long fingers touched his cheek, intense. "Ali, I need you to go below with the others. You know where our rooms are, show Kaolin the way and help him get Fai secured. It might get rough for a while."
Alice nodded, before darting over to where Kao and the sleeping Fai were resting.
"Kaolin, Edri says we need to get below deck. Do you need help moving him?" He nodded towards Fai, stepping aside so Kao could stand. "The ship is about to land and it might get a little rough out here."
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Carefully, Kaolin stood with Fai in his arms- refusing to let anyone touch him, regardless of how well-intentioned. "Lead the way," he replied, his voice calm and steadying.
Behind them, Edri watched them for just a moment more before stepping up behind the mages again. He took a deep breath, nodding once the three had disappeared and motioning for all excess crew to get below. "Ready when you are, lady-love."
Symphonies wings pulled back, tucking into the ship a little as the lead ships dropped into the water ahead of them. Water erupted around them as they easily moved into the huge lake and slid out of the way. The mages were handling the air around them with difficultly, righting the ship so she didn't slam into the water face first. A few seconds later Symphony slammed into the water, sending a spray of water upwards and onto the deck like a sudden shower of rain.
As soon as she was moving swiftly through the water, the two mages collapsed at Edri's feet.
'That wasn't so bad.'
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The water tricked an outburst of laughter out of Edri as he suddenly found himself splashed. "You did that on purpose," he choked to his ship through his amusement, shoving his hair out of his eyes as he watched their progress. "Well done, gentlemen. Rest for a while, I'm sure the lady and I can handle things from here."
'Of course.' Came her sweet reply, then silence as the ship worked on moving after her companions to their designated dock. As the ship turned, the city that appeared to be built around the huge lake came clear into view.
In the amount of time between the complete destruction of the north, their flight to Elysium.. and the rebirth of Imperial the people who had survived had built an incredible city. White spires rose around tiny buildings, all bordering an elaborate system of docks and wharfs. Huge ships just like Symphony were all tucked sleepily in their places along the edge. Beacon towers marked the city, a few every hundred feet, each lit with a pale green light from within. The moonlight and lights from the city reflected off the material used to build it, causing a sparkling ivory effect, the city looked like it was covered in diamonds.
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"Oh, glory," the captain murmured, dripping hair forgotten as he stared at the shine. Alice... he thought silently, awed by the view, You're gonna love this.
Shaking himself out of his daze, he retrieved the rest of the crew from below with a few barked orders to prepare the ship to dock. Kaolin heard the noise, and raised his head to glance at Alice. "Seems like everything has calmed down a bit."
"Sounds like it." Alice was sitting across the room, giving Kao and Fai their space. Kao didn't seem to like anyone much, and well.. Fai hated everything that wasn't his family. o_O At least, that's what he'd gotten from him. "I, uh- I'll go see what's happening." Alice grabbed his bag, then Edri's.. wincing at the difference in weight between the two, but managing to drag/carry it up to the deck.
Symphony slipped easily into her port, the twin ships that lead them on either side of her. People were standing at the dock, waiting for them to step down. Lanterns were everywhere, illuminating the area so they could clearly see, despite the darkness.
"Navigator of the Symphony #9, I advise you to drop any weapons you may be possessing and stand down. Please Identify yourself, drop your gangway, and proceed to the dock."
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Comfortable with his roll of captain- and finding he had missed it considerably- Edri motioned for the crew to lower the gangway as he stood above it, patiently waiting for it to steady. Another motion, aimed at Alice, indicated that he should stay on board. Long legs carried him down the ramp to confront the strangers, single eye sharp.
"Edrienne Kalakos," he stated in a clear voice that had not lost it's strong Southern accent. "Currently Navigator of my lady Symphony #9. And you are?"
"Franz." The man at the bottom of the ramp was HUGE.. built like a tank. His arms were muscled, like he'd been pulling the ships into dock by HAND for years. His hair was bright white, short, and spiked. A pair of black horns, tiny, rested at his temples. His ears were slightly pointed, and each held a large hoop of silver. "I'm the Fleet Warf Master. You sound Southern.. not Western." He tilted his head, the men behind him still, silent, and watching them carefully.
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"I ran the Southern inland port for over a century before Sanctum fell," Edri stated in response, hands clasped behind his back as he examined the other team. "I have been on Elysium for quite some time, until...circumstances arranged that we end up here. My family and I would like to speak with Captain Piro."
Franz nodded, glancing back up at the ship. "Your 'crew' are Western loyalists. For the safety of this harbor and our city, I ask that you confine them to the ship. Gather your family and your things, and please meet us back on the dock. I will take you into the city where you can rest, and I'll have word sent to Shipmaster Piro. He should be awake still, he keeps odd sleeping hours these days."
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"Give me a few minutes, please. I haven't had much time...to converse with my lovely crew." Edri's smile was dark, and he stalked back on board his ship with a sharp gesture to summon the crew to his side. His expressions stated that disobedience would be a bad idea.
Below deck, Kaolin nuzzled Fai gently. "Hey, lover," he said softly. "You should get up...it looks like things are happening."
Fai snorted, opening one of his eyes a little to look at Kao. "What's going on..." He croaked, pushing himself up and rubbing a hand across his eyes. "It feels like we're on water."
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"We've landed. We were sent below, as it wasn't safe- things seem to have calmed down, so we should go see what's going on." Kao stood, stretching to touch the ceiling and raking his short hair out of his eyes. "Alice flew back above a few minutes ago."
"I see." Fai stretched out like a cat, tail curling up behind him before he pushed himself to his feet after Kao. "I was banished from the North, a long time ago..." He flashed a smirk, before heading out of the room and up the steps.
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"Maybe you should have come in a suit, with a different name, then," Kao murmured wickedly, following in his wake. Above deck, Edri was giving orders- and options- to his crew. "I don't have reason to trust a single one of you," he said distantly, eye cold. "And you have as little reason to be loyal to me. You have a choice- you may either behave yourselves here, or we will gut you when we return."
"I doubt any of these people would remember me." Fai mumbled, stepping out onto the deck and hearing Edri's words over the whispers of the crew. "I think my little brother has a gutting fetish," He glanced at Kao, grinning. "What do you think?"
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The crew didn't have any wish to be dead, and they'd already seen what Edri could do with their dead communications man. They nodded silently, all moving below deck to wait. The two mages were sitting on the stairs, watching Edri as he moved about and spoke.
Alice was watching the city, standing beside their bags.
"Can I trust the two of you to be here when I return?" Edri asked the mages, one eyebrow raised and hands on his hips. He wanted to see Alice's reaction to this city...but business came first.
"I think he probably got it from you," was Kaolin's dry response, and he shook his head as he followed his lover.
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"We have family here, but if you request that we stay on board with the other crew- we will." The mage smiled a little, too tired to put up any fight for leaving the ship. His companion was leaning against his shoulder, eyes closed and seemingly asleep.
Fai moved across the deck to Edri's side, eyebrow raised. "So, what are we doing now?"
Edri waved his brother off, frowning at the mages and working to comprehend the details. "Were you here by force? Forgive me, I have no idea how this fleet operates. If you belong to these people, then I have no wish to keep you away from your families."
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Fai snorted at being dismissed, irritated.
The mage shook his head, gesturing slightly. "Westerners don't possess the magic or skills to fly ships- so they either import deserters from the North, or take them from other ships during attacks. We've been on this crew for a long time, but our ship was destroyed long ago." He shifted slightly as his companion moved in his sleep, making sure he didn't fall away from him. "You have no reason to believe us, but if you would take a letter to my family- I think that would be enough."
"I can see to it," Edri replied with a nod, turning away. "I don't think we'll be leaving any time soon, so you have time to prepare it. With any luck, we'll find allies here...not enemies."
He turned back to Fai, blowing in his ear as he passed. "Looks like we go see Captain Piro. Are you awake enough for this, or do you want to stay here...?"
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