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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 9, 2020 15:42:13 GMT -5
Something was strange about this boy and the way he looked at Eldred, as if he could see through him or something. If Eldred were less able to control himself, it would have made him shuffle uncomfortably.
But then the boy started giving information, useful information indeed, followed by his name. In response, Eldred stepped forward to shake the boy’s hand, taking the optimist to look the boy up and down in an attempt to see if he could deduce anything else from the boy’s appearance. He spouted information about the village easily, but he looked a little disoriented somehow.
“Eldred,” the old man responded, still a hint of wariness in his voice.
But he was more concerned about what the boy had just told him about the dangers of the village around the full moon. When Eldred had left here when he was far younger, there was nothing dangerous about the village. He’d been the only dangerous thing in it, really. A magic-user in this small village.
“The full moon, you say?” Eldred questioned “tell me more about that.”
He tried to keep the concern and urgency out of his voice. It was difficult, though; he had grown up here, these were people he knew. His sister still lived here with her family. If there was danger here, the royal advisor needed to know. Not to mention the fact that the group was in no position to be getting into another fight right now; they were still recuperating from facing the earth elemental. If they were going to stay they were going to need a plan. And it couldn’t be facing this thing with practically no weapons like they had last time.
Eldred’s job was to protect Zahavi, that was what he owed to the king and queen for sparing his life. And what he needed to do for the sake of the boy he had all but raised these last years. There was simply no way he could he suffered to come to any harm, not on Eldred’s watch.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 9, 2020 16:44:18 GMT -5
Oralee
Minke watched through guarded eyes as Alex went to lower Dante softly to the ground. Her grin was dangerous, lips tucked at the corner, a symbol of her disobedience.
"It seems to be a natural reaction, he acts like more of a guarded prince than you do," she noted, voice tipped slightly with her humor. All air of formality was gone.
She held his gaze, though she eventually looked away, glancing back at the bars, "We would be better off extinct." She commented, it didn't seem as sad or forlorn, only like a simple statement. She was slightly surprised he hadn't hurt her yet. Everyone hurt her anymore.
She glanced at him, her gaze sharp as he questioned her on who she was. Without hesitation, she deadpanned, seeming to throw whatever caution she had to the wind. "Does it matter?" she questioned, harshly. "Skip the pleasantries, why are you really here?"
It was blunt, the kid didn't skip out on anything. She stood up, pulling herself closer to his height, as if she was preparing for him to attack. She didn't back down this time, though her hand twitched at her side.
Sometimes, rarely anymore, she could harness some of the energy, use it. Lately, the pain had made it hard to concentrate. Exhaustion plagued her mind, and she wasn't about to show that she was afraid of this new boy. Fear gave power, she was done making that mistake.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 9, 2020 16:58:05 GMT -5
The Journey
Leon narrowed her eyes as the figure, a young girl it appeared, reemerged, running back in their direction, before steering herself into an alley. She looked absolutely horrified, though she seemed to pause when she looked up. Leon hesitantly waved, and the girl seemed to back away hesitantly, shaking her head.
When the girl turned away, she walked into the alley, deeper. She seemed to be gone now, likely wouldn't turn back.
"Something is off about this village," she agreed, looking up at her friend, before glancing back at the horizon. She seemed to freeze slightly at the lightning, her breath halting ever so slightly, before resuming.
The paranoia had gotten to her a bit, it seemed. "I know it's odd to say," she started, gliding a hand over the air, causing the droplets of skin that clung to her skin to lift, pulling into one mass, and dropping away from her. It did little good overall, droplets already clinging back to her. "But it feels like there's just something...bad here?" she questioned, sitting back a little.
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Post by Sparky on Sept 9, 2020 17:56:55 GMT -5
Atreyu shook Eldred's hand with whatever firmness he could muster, nodding subtly in greeting. He found it odd that the man had approached him at all, but at this point it was an opportunity he couldn't lose. Eldred didn't seem like the merchant type, and this gave no explanation to their current conversation. Plus, what was an old man like himself traveling alone for? No, he had to be with company.
"You don't know?" He asked, which was hypocritical of him. Trey himself had no idea how he had inquired this information. "Each full moon a resident of this town is stolen by the sea. Been happening for years now." His eyes narrowed in seriousness. At this point, the words told themselves- he was simply a medium. "The villagers lead an expedition out to an island just a few miles offshore. No one came back, but it's always been said that the missing people would be found there... along with whatever took them."
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 10, 2020 14:31:37 GMT -5
Minke’s comment about Dante caused Alex to let out a soft chuckle as he stopped to lean against the wall while he talked to the teenage girl.
”He is,” Alex replied “probably would’ve made a better prince than me, too.”
Everyone would make a better prince than Alexiares. At least in the eyes of his father, and maybe even the kingdom too. Dante wouldn’t have been such a disappointment, he cared about rules and duty. He was ambitious, did things carefully and paid attention to detail. Alex wasn’t like that.
Then Minke said the telekines were better off extinct. Alex lifted his dim golden eyes from the stone floor to meet the dull violet of Minke’s. He sensed a kindred spirit in her.
”That seems an odd position to take,” the prince said in response “and I don’t agree with it.”
She seemed to be done with the chatting though, drawing herself full height and approaching the bars as if in an attempt to be intimidating. Alex wasn’t intimidated at all; he’d seen enough of his father doing stuff like that.
“I heard the council talking about you,” Alex admitted “when I was eavesdropping on a meeting. I had to come down here and see whether my father had really done something so terrible. Not that I’m surprised to see an answer in the affirmative.”
His father didn’t exactly have a good track record. Alex hadn’t wanted to believe the king would really do something like this, but really he’d known all along the king was capable of it. He hadn’t exactly been a great father to Alex over the years.
He remembered the way he looked at Alex when he found out about the boy’s magic. The utter disgust on his face, as if Alex were some inhuman creature.
No, this hasn’t come as a shock.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 10, 2020 14:54:43 GMT -5
Oralee
Minke glanced at the boy, the prince, rolling her eyes, “Cowards don’t make good royals. Just because he seems more princely doesn’t mean people like him have any right to sit on a throne and dictate how people should and should not be.” She pointed out, an air of finality to her words.
Looking back up, she took not enough of him. His eyes, which seemed normal enough, but his lack of hate was not. People feared being open about their true thoughts. Were so many people prejudiced? Or did they act so out of fear, lies, and fear of what may happen if they chose to think independently? So odd, for a prince to hold such a position.
She simply shrugged at his comment about not agreeing with her statement. The boy had no clue, in reality, how much easier it would be to have all Telekines be gone.
She glanced at him, keeping weight on one of her less-injured legs, eyes flickering to and from him. She looked down then, shaking her head, “Terrible? Your father pales in comparison of his actions to others. That is to say, your father is a massive ass.” She chuckled then, her eyes seeming to be brightened by engaging in conversation.
Perception was important, his mannerisms, his caring. “It’s odd, that a prince who would have no reason to care over an outlawed being is down speaking to one. It’s odd that he seems so disdainful of his father who is carrying out a law, an unfair one, but still a law. And my, your eyes are a very pretty good. Very rare....maybe it’s bold to assume,” she stopped her pacing then, glancing at him, right into the eyes, “But it seems to me that you are rather desperate to find answers.”
She could be wrong, but she rarely was(well, she was sure Veni and Vidi would argue her on such a thing, though that was a painful thought). She wouldn’t come out in say it explicitly unless she needed to.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 10, 2020 14:55:54 GMT -5
Eldred listened to the young man’s explanation, the concern in him growing more and more as the boy spoke of missing people and possibly some kind of creature taking them. What if this was something like what the group had faced before? How long had his hometown been terrorised like this without him even knowing it? Was his family safe, he didn’t know.
“Every full moon...” Eldred murmured, his voice growing thoughtful.
There was another full moon coming up shortly. If this was a creature anything like that which the group had just faced, they would need to take it on. It seemed clear to him that this journey, which he already knew was fraught with danger, was going to involve things like this. The group was going to have to fight monsters, taking useful artefacts as they went. Perhaps this was all part of what was needed for the cure.
He fixed his eyes on Atreyu, a new determination in his gaze. He would have to tell the rest of the group what he knew as soon as possible, and he could already tell they would need this boy’s help. A boy who seemed to know a lot about what was going on around here, and who could perhaps act as their guide. At least for this next leg of their journey.
“Just passing through, you say?” Eldred asked “I don’t suppose you’ll be staying for the full moon? You see, my associates and I could use a guide. Someone who understands what’s going on in this village. To be quite frank, it’s hard enough babysitting them without this mess.”
The group weren’t that bad, but Eldred had never asked to be a part of this. A chaotic group of young people. He’d just wanted to live out his life in peace, but apparently that was too much to ask. Still, he loved Zahavi. He’d protect him as much as he could, and now Atreyu had to help with that. Eldred wasn’t going to give him much of a choice; if the old man had never been given a choice, Trey shouldn’t be given that luxury.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 10, 2020 15:14:36 GMT -5
Alex smiled at Minke’s comments about cowards. This girl, she had real fire in her. A resilience and defiance that Alex always tried to have. Lately he’d been feeling that less and less, as if it was finally exhausting him to keep fighting so much. Minke, though... her attitude made Alex want to bring his old anger back in full force once again.
“Believe me, I know he’s an ass,” Alex rolled his eyes “I’m the ass he raised, remember?”
Sure, maybe it wasn’t a common occurrence to hear a son talk about their father that way, especially if said father was a king. But Alexiares kept no secrets about his relationship with his father. He didn’t like dancing around stuff like that, and neither did Minke, it would seem. The boy wasn’t about to try and protect his father’s feelings or whatever. It was patently obvious what kind of man the king was.
Then Minke mentioned his unusual eyes, at which Alex instantly tensed and froze. Of course she would figure it out, she wasn’t stupid. Why did Alex think for a second that she wouldn’t realise what he really was?
“For someone who seems to like being direct so much, you sure do enjoy playing with your words,” Alex replied “yes, I’m an Electrix. I hope that made you feel smart. But no, I’m not desperate for answers. I know everything I need to know about my father. I want nothing to do with him or this shithole kingdom, so it’s good that I came down here, since that makes me a traitor. Isn’t this supposed to be where traitors go?”
It was the first time he’d ever actually told anyone about his magic. He had been able to hide it all these years without much incident. In fact, he hadn’t experienced any magic since he was maybe sixteen, a few years after his powers first began to manifest. Sometimes he felt the power build up in him, could feel the electricity humming. His skin felt like sparks. But nothing ever happened; he just felt a strange painful burn and then the feeling seemed to vanish.
He couldn’t explain that. But maybe this girl could.
“Still,” Alex said as he met her eyes again, “if you have answers I won’t refuse them.”
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 10, 2020 19:22:12 GMT -5
Oralee
Minke glanced at him again, his joke about being his dad's ass of a son caused her to smile. She chuckled, lightly, "So you art thou ass of the grand king?" she questioned.
She watched him freeze, rolling her eyes slightly, "Oh yes, I'm going to scream to the world that you're a magic user. Totally wouldn't bite me in the ass or anything."
She was sarcastic, a little bitter at times, not like she could be blamed. Her hands tensed around the bar once again, though she shrugged at his words about her skipping around on subjects, "The subject of magic is dangerous to talk about, even when you don't think anyone is listening, it's better to toe the line. Though if it doesn't bother you to be so direct, than I must comply. And no, it didn't make me feel smart, I already am smart."
Then Alex offered to hear more answers, she made a gesture for him to ask away. As for questions, She didn't have many if she had to be honest. But at the same, she had too many to count. The curse of a curious mind. She came about as blunt as could be.
"If you disdain your father so, why don't you, oh I don't know..." It started off calm enough, before she raised her voice ever so slightly, hands leaving the bars and gesturing about, "Leave?” A bit of rebellious nature hid there as she grinned, “I’m sure you could find many people who would support you, Alex,” the nickname rolled easily off her tongue, hurt a bit less than his eerily similar name to her own kingdom, and her own name. A nickname, to show she didn’t see him on any higher level than she herself was on. That seemed to be her motto.
Glancing to the side, she noticed Dante then, who was still out, her hands falling to her sides before she could continue. She looked back at Alex, "If he's dead I'm not hiding the body or taking responsibility."
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Post by Sparky on Sept 10, 2020 23:08:15 GMT -5
Zach observed in bemusement as the young girl, who darted through the streets below them, shrank into the shadows. Leon had waved, but Zach felt himself subconsciously freeze- as he often did when surveying people. The boy's eyes drew away from the streets and met the deep blue spheres of his friend. How had they so suddenly been thrust onto this journey again? Zach felt genuinely at fault for a part of it. He had pressured Leon into sharing with Eldred information that was vital to the king and queen's recovery. If any such recovery was possible.
His vision shifted to her mesmerizing use of hydrokinesis. The shifting of droplets across her skin stirred a flame inside of him. It wanted to come out- be as free as her own ability. The warmth pulsed between his veins, but he did nothing to secede to the fire. It would stay.
"Definitely," Zach said in response to her statement. Some sort of presence was causing the people of this town to become more reclusive than normal. But what could it be? A light sparked in Zach's eyes.
There seemed - to him, at least - to be only one way to find out. "Suppose we go on a stroll? Gather what's really happening here."
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 11, 2020 1:00:12 GMT -5
Alex smiled at her joke, glad to have added a little levity to the conversation. It seemed to him that both of them could use a joke or two right now, purely to get them through the day.
She rolled her eyes at his reaction to her words about his eyes, assuring him she wouldn’t tell anyone because it wouldn’t be of any benefit to her. He didn’t know if he really thought that was true, and he let her know as much when he spoke next.
“Firstly, the information that I’m a magic user is extremely powerful, for all I know you could use it to blackmail my father. He’d know I told you, and then I’d be for it. The council would have my head if they found out I was a magic user and that I’d given extremely powerful secrets to a prisoner.” he explained “and secondly, I’m just not used to people knowing. Only my family do, not even the council.”
With the words about the council he nodded to indicate the unconscious Dante. If the younger man found out about Alex’s magic he would probably have a heart attack, or an aneurysm. In fact, he was the person on the council he’d least like to know about his abilities. After all, Dante was just desperate for an excuse to make Alex look bad. This would be like Christmas to him.
Still, she had invited him to ask questions, before first asking one of her own. The use of his nickname surprised him a little, too. Only his family called him that, or people that knew him well. He didn’t know this girl at all.
“I don’t know how many supporters I’d really have,” Alex answered “people here don’t like me because I’m half Levinian, people in Levina don’t like me because I’m half Oraleean. And besides, I’m meant to be a walking peace treaty between them, which I hate. If I vanished, it could plunge them back into a state of war. There’s a million reasons I haven’t left.”
Not that he hadn’t considered it, or that he wouldn’t consider it. But he just wasn’t sure if it was truly worth it. Besides, normally he had babysitters like Dante, so getting away wasn’t any easy feat. He snuck out of the palace sometimes, but even then he couldn’t normally get that far without being caught.
Her words about Dante caused him to gently, though still with a disinterested expression, nudge the unconscious man with his foot. Just to check he wasn’t dead or anything.
”Neither am I,” was his simple response to the girl.
But now it was his turn to ask a question.
“I haven’t done any magic since I was sixteen,” Alex began “it doesn’t even burst out when I lose control or anything. I can feel the power building, but then it just hurts and fades away. Why is that?”
It would build up, electricity crackling beneath his skin, his palms buzzing with energy. But then there would be pain, and the electricity would fade like a wave crashing against the shore. It was strange, and he couldn’t understand it. He wasn’t even making much of a conscious decision to suppress his magic anymore.
Oh, and there was another thing he really had to ask.
“I know you like being secretive and mysterious or whatever,” he started “but I’m really beginning to feel at a disadvantage not when having a name to call you.”
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Post by Eaglescar9 on Sept 11, 2020 4:18:49 GMT -5
(hey what's up yáll, how can I join ?)
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 11, 2020 9:57:40 GMT -5
(hey what's up yáll, how can I join ?) (Hey Eagle! First of all, I’m doing quite well. How are you? As for the RP, first things first, make sure to read the page about factions and kingdoms. I’m sure you have! But make sure to know what roles you want to fill, as those will require approval from us before joining. Secondly, activity is something we will stress in this RP. We move quickly here, especially given that this is a remake, we want to get through the plots we have planned to keep things interesting. I noticed that activity has been a bit rough on your end, for that reason, if you do join(and meet all other requests), I’ll likely do activity checks for you, let’s say, being on at least 2-3 times a week, once daily if you can. If not, I’d ask to be let known ahead of time. Third, literacy is a bit thing here. Most of us do writing in some form, oneshots, multi-chapter things. Even our posts tend to be longer in length. I tried checking through your small number of posts to find an RP example but haven’t seen anything. Before letting you join, I ask that you either show or write one so we can make sure you won’t get left behind in the RP. I’m glad for the interest in Clandestined! Just tag me with the example post so I can look over it!) |
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 11, 2020 11:22:14 GMT -5
The Journey
Leon was smiling softly at the growing success of her abilities. Like a current, letting them flow, using the properties of the liquid and bending them to move them through the air. The adhesion to the air, to itself, and the cohesiveness. That was, before finally feeling the pull of the Earth, like jumping up. All at once, the droplets fell, the power fluttering away as the soft blue glow left.
Silly as it was, no one was there to see it, no one who could hurt her. Despite his fear in himself, Leon trusted her life in Zach's hands. But he feared his abilities of fire, anymore it was rare to see his eyes brightened at all. To the knowledge of Leon, before Zach, Telekines were extinct. By her knowledge, he was the last of his kind. And yet, he feared the fire he possessed more than he feared his rarity. So when he seemed to gain a spark to his eyes, she felt a small flutter of happiness, one that she desperately tried to push down.
He was right though, nothing would be found unless they looked for it themselves. She felt a wariness, something daunting pulling at her mind, the current hitting stones, trying to pull her back into the safety of the inn. She offered up a grin, doing what she often did best and ignoring such emotions, "A stroll? You make it sound like it's a scenic walk through a garden. My friend, this is a mission," she commented, standing up and flourishing a hand, curtsying slightly as she gestured to the several story fall awaiting them, "Ladies first," she jested, a lazy smirk on her lips.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 11, 2020 11:45:23 GMT -5
Oralee
The mention of family caused Minke's smile to strain. This boy disdained his family, for likely very welcome reason. The pain that she went through wasn't anything she'd wish on anyone. The bruises, blood, the pain of the splitting headaches, tearing her skull apart. No, no, she wouldn't wish that on her worst enemy.
No wait, she would.
Her eyes widened, his words sinking in about his reasons for never leaving. She chuckled bitterly then. "So selfless, so determined to help people that have treated you so wrong. You would make a much better king then your father. Then again, so would a pile of shit." You remind me so much of my sisters. The unspoken words were almost mouthed, but no sound would escape, and they tasted far to bitter.
When he kicked the counsel member, the boy on the ground stirred slightly. Little did anyone know that it was the first time in a while he had actually gotten proper sleep, he reached out, seeming to attempt to latch onto the foot, before curling into himself more.
"I thought he wasn't a pet?" Minke questioned, watching the boy with a exasperated, but humored look. She looked up at him, a bit shocked at his question.
She shook her head, "It's hard to say, suppression of abilities can always hurt different Factioners in different ways. Suppression of Electrix can lead up to an overload of energy in the body, it's dangerous to suppress, much like flames. The major different is, one shocks you, one is an endless means of destruction." She lifted an arm, pointing to the shackles with her other hand, "I am limited on what I can do, very very limited. It is like energy itself, I have to use a certain amount to function, but I can't use much with consequences. It's like sleep."
Or perhaps, maybe the boy's father was much more sick-minded than she previously thought. Perhaps most royals were the same. Controlling the wicked. Perhaps something on this boy limited him, but she couldn't be sure.
She only smiled a secret little smile at his question about what to call her, "You have made this conversation much too fun as it is, Alex. If you must..." She debated for a moment, before shrugging, "Eh...it is kind of hard to just pick one... Minke, would that suffice?" In reality, she basically picked randomly from her head.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 11, 2020 12:12:04 GMT -5
“Please,” Alex scoffed “if you mean my father, siblings and stepmother I don’t care about them in the least. The people of this kingdom didn’t do anything wrong though, they simply followed my father’s lead. Why create a war so more people in this kingdom can give their lives on his behalf? How would that make me any better than him?”
No. Alex could be selfish, and full of anger, but he wasn’t so selfish that he thought it acceptable to create a war just because he didn’t like his father. And besides, where could he go? He had Athena, he supposed, she was an ally. But beyond that the world out there was dangerous, Alex well-known since he was a royal. It wasn’t as easy as just packing a bag and running away.
“You’re the first person to think I’m selfless,” Alex muttered
He didn’t even think he was selfless. He could be selfish as all hell if it called for it. The way he held a grudge against people and didn’t even take the chance to properly get to know them just because he’d rather be angry at everybody. The way that he made innocent people in the palace suffer when they weren’t the ones who hurt him. The reputation that made Dante prejudiced against him hadn’t come from nowhere, after all.
Talking of Dante, the man seemed to stir briefly, trying to grab Alex’s foot. The prince was able to dodge the foot out of the council member’s grip, disgust flashing across his face as he did so. What the hell was up with this guy? It was a little bit pathetic, to be honest, though at least that made Alex feel some kind of sympathy for Dante. Which was better than nothing.
“He really isn’t,” Alex said contemptuously
She did have an answer to his question, though, for which Alex was grateful. It seemed to explain a lot about what he had been going through; her description of suppressed powers was exactly like what he had been through.
But when she pointed to the shackles on her arm, and Alex’s blood ran cold. Colourful gemstones glinted at him, a peculiar cut that he wasn’t used to in jewellery but which looked strangely familiar. That was when he looked down at his own hands.
Two bracelets and a ring, made of gold and inset with gemstones. Stones which gleamed yellow, gold, orange. The same colours as those associated with Electrix, especially their eyes. Between the gemstones were engraved strange symbols and designs the boy had never been able to find in any of the books in the palace library; he’d checked to see if they were some ancient language, to no avail.
But now he understood. His father had given them to him on his sixteenth birthday, told him to always wear them. Symbols of his dedication to the country, he’d said, and so he should never remove them.
Golden eyes lifted from the bracelets to look back at Minke, though he kept his wrists raised. A new hardness was in Alex’s eyes, a stony anger. His skin was burning with it, that surge of anger and electricity, barely contained. Probably not contained if it weren’t for the bracelets.
“I’m going to kill him for this,” Alex said lowly before raising his voice in a furious yell, his voice shaking “I can’t believe I was so GODDAMN stupid!”
To accent his words, he aimed another kick. This time low to the bottom of the bars of Minke’s cell, the sound ringing around the stone-walled room for several moments afterwards.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 11, 2020 12:26:14 GMT -5
Oralee
Minke shook her head then, "You know, words are a powerful catalyst. Maybe you should use them," she suggested. He thought himself selfish for seeking refuge. It didn't make him selfish at all.
At least he didn't run away as his family was in danger. She reminded herself bitterly, lilac eyes focused on him in a mixture of emotions. "That's surprising," she started, blinking once, looking to the side of him, at the council member, "Despite obviously not seeing eye to eye, you would rather help people who hurt you then let them be hurt. What part of that isn't selfless?"
She chuckled at Dante however, and loosed away as his eyes fluttered open, blonde eyelashes tickling at his cheeks, glasses askew on his face. She looked back at Alex. Explaining as she went, answering questions.
Then a realization dawned on him, looking at jewelry that caused her stomach to sink as it confirmed her suspicions. All to quickly, however, he looked back at her. That anger in his eyes had her instinctively recoil ever so slightly. Watching him with eyes that were much too guarded now.
His voice raised, and he kicked out at the cell. She practically jumped back, not caring as she stumbled, hitting the wall behind her with a thunk. She sunk down, a small trembling on-setting, eyes wild with rebellion, but with a new emotion. Fear.
For a moment, the angry Electrix seemed like a looming silhouette, beating stick in hand, raised, ready to strike. She blinked, curling her head into her legs, eyes screwed closed. Awaiting pain. When it seemed not to come, she glanced back at Alex, hidden in the cell, trying to appear brave behind her fear, though the effect was likely lost behind her shakiness.
Dante seemed to focus as he spotted Alex angrily going on a tangent. His gaze flickered to the Telekine, mixed emotions onset at seeing the girl cowering. Though he raised an eyebrow at Alex, choosing to focus elsewhere, confusion in his mind, "My sire, who exactly are you wanting to kill and why?"
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Post by Sparky on Sept 11, 2020 13:54:12 GMT -5
Atreyu studied the man as he listened. His expression seemed to change into that of something fearful, but there was another emotion there as well. Hidden deeper somewhere. Upon hearing the offer, Atreyu's tired gaze brightened faintly. He would learn more about this strange world. He could forget about the blade. Forget about the mission.
"T-that... actually sounds quite nice," Trey said, almost skeptical of himself. "Your... associates. Do they know about the full moon? It'd be dangerous for any of them to be roaming tonight." His thoughts drifted back to earlier, as he was about to enter the inn. Someone had been watching him, he was sure of it. A lightning strike had revealed silhouette of a figure atop the roof.
"And what exactly is the business of your group? This village isn't the safest place to babysit, I might add."
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 11, 2020 14:27:59 GMT -5
Rajani
Queen Ernestine was not a person one should tamper lightly with. She ruled with a cruel, iron fist. Her people feared her every move, as they should. Rebellions had been plotted before, but they all came to bloody, brutal ends.
Ernestine's son had went missing, many speculated the cause to be death. He was the rightful heir to the throne. But he had been gone for much too long to truly take any place on the throne.
Few had known where Ernestine's newest advisor(not officially) had come from. She was poor, an orphan, though she seemed to just appear on day. She had been so happy when the queen seemed to take her into her care, doting on her, kind, and sweet, and everything but the cruel queen her people had made her out to be.
Months carried on like that, the bright smile of the pitiful girl faded as bruises began to form, darkness seemed to linger on her brow.
It had been a few years since the shift in personality, from kind and gentle, to cruel. Eager to prove her worth.
"If you continue to fulfill my tasks, you might just make yourself worthy enough to be a queen, my dear." Mother would say. In public, Ress wasn't allowed to call her mother, she had made that mistake once with the servants. She had fallen ill after being locked into a room, one of the servants supposedly having lost the key.
Mother made sure to let her know the true culprit. However, it no longer mattered.
"Whatever you wish, mother," She granted to the requests asked upon her, lips set into a firm line as she turned, sheathing her sword into her belt. Exiting the room, and tending to her duties as she always had.
That would have to suffice.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 11, 2020 14:38:57 GMT -5
”You seem to know an awful lot about this,” Alex replies with a raised eyebrow “I find myself wondering whether you should be the one running a country.”
Her words describing him as selfless hit him surprisingly hard, creating a pang in his chest. Was it true? Was he really not as bad as he’d spent his whole life thinking he was? Was he better than everyone had been telling him?
“People have their reasons for thinking the worst of me.” was his only response.
He realised during his angry outburst, though, that he had scared the girl. Of course he had, she was stuck in that cell. Had been hurt, clearly. And here he was shouting and yelling and making everything worse for her. He wasn’t even angry at her.
“I’m sorry,” he said rapidly, not used to apologising “it’s not you, I’m not angry at you-“
Before he could say anything more, Dante was awake and questioning him. Shit. Alex didn’t want to deal with Dante finding out about what Alex really was. What would the younger man do if he found out the prince was an Electrix.
“My father, Dante,” Alex snarled “that twisted, sadistic asshole who calls himself my father. Why? If I told you, you’d have a reason to go running straight to the council. While I’m sure you’d love to have an excuse to be rid of me, I’m not going to give you one. I’m not as much of a fool as you assume.”
He was pacing now, one hand looked around the bracelet on his wrist, one moment cropping the smooth metal, the next scratching at his skin. He wanted to take the thing off, but he was almost scared of his own power. Of what would happen if, while he felt so angry, his power was unleashed.
He didn’t even know how powerful he was, hadn’t really had much chance to find out. His father mustn’t have wanted to take that risk. He could be dangerous, very dangerous.
The girl had a name though, a name that she given him, and he was glad of that.
“And I’m going to look into the situation with Minke here.”
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 11, 2020 15:26:54 GMT -5
As far as Eldred knew, the entire group would be in bed. Perhaps they could wait out the full moon in safety inside the inn. At least, that was all he could possibly hope for. They didn’t have time to move on, anyway, even if they wanted to. It was already the full moon, and they’d have to travel by night to move on anyway, which wasn’t safe even outside of this village.
“They don’t,” he admitted “I hope they aren’t outside, but if any of them were the types not to stay in their rooms...”
He walked to the doors of Leon’s room, and then Zach’s, knocking firmly on the doors. Hopefully loud enough that if they were sleeping they’d be roused. Those two were the most likely to be sneaking outside in the middle of the night. He knew this group well enough by now.
“We’re just passing through as well,” Eldred replied evasively “some of our number unfortunately got injured when we were separated on the mountain. We needed to stop and recuperate before we could go on any further.”
He’d been speaking while he waited to se if there was an answer from either room, but it quickly became apparent that neither room was occupied, with which he let out an exhausted groan, closing his eyes for a moment.
“Not again,” he sighed “they’re going to give me a heart attack one day.”
With those words muttered, he turned his unnaturally bright green eyes, from his Flora magic, onto Atreyu.
“I think we may have two idiots to round up from outside.”
He deserved better wages for this.
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Post by Hawkeyes258 on Sept 11, 2020 21:06:42 GMT -5
Zander reaches the bar and settles down in one of the stools. The barkeep turns to look at him and smiles gently at him. "Hello stranger, you look a little to fancy to be from around here. You a merchant?" Zander shakes his head. "Just a noble traveling with a group on business. Heading to Wisteria and possibly visiting the other kingdoms." The man nodded his head slowly. "Good on you, I haven't left this village in a while. I wish you safe travels stranger. My word of advice is to stay on the roads leading to Alfheimr. Heard rumors of bandits, monsters and magical vermin."
Zander nodded his head in agreement. "We will keep that in mind." The hostility for magical creatures didn't surprise him in the slightest. Most people in Aaltonen either hated magical people or creatures and had a neutral disdain for them. Zander had no preference but has wondered what having such powers would be like. "Anyway what can I get ya?" Zander smiles a little more. "Some ale, bread and cooked fish will do it for me." The barkeep nodded his head. "Will be right out!" He said before hurrying off to get what Zander asked for.
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Post by Sparky on Sept 11, 2020 23:35:02 GMT -5
Zach stood with her, dizzyingly close to the edge of the roof. A buzz of excitement took over him. They might not be meant to find anything down there, but at least they'd be able to spend some time together. Time away from the chaos that the rest of the group cultivated.
He leaned over to peer at the ground below them, which only created another surge in energy. They were night owls, that was for sure- thriving off of kept up emotions that could be released freely into the dark.
"Why, thank you, kind sir," Zach said, fully leaning over the edge. The fall was quick and the landing smooth(thanks to a quick pulse of telekinetic energy). He walked onward, fully expecting Leon to follow behind swiftly. They would roam the streets for a while, perhaps. At this time of night, the only things that could be heard were the humming of insects and lapping of waves from a shore not far away. The beach.
A grin crossed his face. He gave a low hum. "After this dire investigation, it might be crucial to cool off a bit. Lest we strain ourselves physically." He shot a look that only asked are you thinking what I'm thinking?
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Post by Sparky on Sept 11, 2020 23:50:25 GMT -5
Atreyu watched as Eldred paced down the hall and knocked on the doors of his suspects. He held a breath as no answer came from them. What kind of people had this group attracted? Children that snuck out in the middle of the night? Must be hell to babysit them. And when the man spoke of injuries happening on the mountainside Trey gave a slight raise to his eyebrow. How had that occurred? He shrugged it off as a simple loss of footing, maybe even rockfall. The mountains were treacherous paths to be sure.
He stifled a chuckle at Eldred's statement, though this wasn't exactly a laughing matter. But then the suggestion of rounding them up came about, and all humour had left. Go out there... did you not just hear me? Trey's frustration definitely stemmed from his lack of sleep. He was just about to get some too before Eldred came along.
"Uhh, listen..." He began, trying to sound reasonable. "The moon has risen. Going outside will only put yourself in danger as well. We should just keep a lookout for their return."
Let me sleep old man.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 12, 2020 16:01:24 GMT -5
Eldred’s eyes narrowed at the younger man’s words. The royal advisor might be elderly, but by no means was he one to be underestimated or toyed with. One didn’t get to be a man in his position without holding some weight and strength.
“I think you misunderstand me, young man,” Eldred said in a warning tone “I cannot afford to lose any member of this group. I have to go out there and get them, and since you seem to have at least some idea of what the hell is going on, you’re coming with me. I don’t believe I ever said you had the luxury of a choice.”
He didn’t care if Atreyu was tired. So was Eldred, the boy was going to have to suck it up. Losing Leon and Zach, that was quite frankly not an option. Plus what if they weren’t the only ones out there? What if Zahavi was with them and he got taken? No, this was a risk he simply could not take.
The old man turned back to his room, stepping inside briefly only to re-emerge with his cloak and staff. If they were heading out there, he needed to be prepared. The last thing he was going to do was make his illness worse, whether it was for the sake of Zach and Leon or not.
“Grab anything you need, kid,” Eldred began firmly “we have at least two idiotic teenagers to find somewhere out there. We’ll find some way to pay you back for your help, if that makes you feel any better.”
Surely Zahavi has any number of trinkets he could give Atreyu in thanks in the morning. Right now, Eldred needed a guide out where and this kid was the best he was going to get in the middle of the night.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 12, 2020 17:13:40 GMT -5
Oralee
"I find myself wondering whether you should be the one running a country.”
His comment had her chuckling slightly, such an ironic comment. She didn't reply much to it, until he mentioned the fact that people had their reasons for not liking him. She practically snorted, "There's a reason to not like everyone, doesn't make the reasons any less stupid."
After everything had went down, she remained huddled in the corner of the cell, peering up at him. Something spiteful came from her, "That's the excuse, isn't it. It's not your fault, it just has to be done?" She spat, voice wavering slightly. She glanced at Alex then, saying his piece about his father, about not giving Dante a reason to doubt. She seemed to calm slightly, nervously glancing between the two, "Alex perhaps-"
"And threatening to kill your father isn't reason enough?" Dante questioned, wicked gleam to his eyes as he picked up one of the notebooks he dropped, plucking his quill into an inkwell on a necklace he wore, and taking note of something. "Conspiring with a prisoner? Are you aware of what this looks like, Alex?" The nickname was mocking, a triumphant look on his face.
This could be it. His shot, his chance. The flare of sadness that seeing the child in a cage brought was over-rode by the thoughts of the atrocities someone like her must have done.
Alex's words, the girl, Minke, and him talking softly. The anger. All of it seemed like the prisoner and the prince were planning something.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 12, 2020 17:29:25 GMT -5
Alex sighed as Dante got that wicked gleam in his eye, immediately going to take a note of all of this. Which was great. Dante really did not have an excuse to get rid of Alex; he could argue for treason if he wanted to. He should’ve known this would happen.
“Firstly,” Alex snapped “you will refer to me as Your Highness and you’ll wipe that smug look off your face. Second of all, there is a distinction between an angry outburst and a genuine threat. And finally....”
He held up his wrist to show Dante the bracelet, and gestured from it to the shackles on Minke’s wrists.
“Are you aware of what this looks like?” snarled the prince, throwing the council member’s own words back at him.
It involved Dante knowing what Alexiares really was, but at this point he didn’t see any alternative. Nothing could be done, nothing at all. Any lie he came up with wouldn’t look any better than the truth, and Dante would go running to the council if he didn’t get some kind of explanation, and even then maybe he’d still go. Besides, how much worse could this situation get? He couldn’t make it that much worse by revealing his secret.
“I inherited magic from my mother’s side,” Alex explained “I’m Electrix. I just found out my father has been having me wear these to suppress my magic. So yes, understandably I’m angry. And I’m sure you’re just itching to take this information to the council. It’ll make you look good, and it’ll give them an opportunity to execute or exile me for treason and for being a magic user. What a win-win you’ve got for yourself there.”
His words were bitter and pointed, trying to make Dante feel bad for his selfishness. To remind him that there was a cost to his desire to impress the council.
“I don’t expect you to care what happens to me from here on in so long as you get to look good in front of the council,” the prince sneered
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 12, 2020 17:30:19 GMT -5
The Journey
A small spike of anxiety came when Zach jumped, but the adrenaline overrode it, as soon as her friend landed safely, she took her own jump. Toes flexed, ever so slightly, knees bent just a little to absorb. Pitching just slightly forward, as soon as her legs touched the ground, she rolled over her right shoulder, kicking up with her left leg, toes pushing off as she took off in a sprint alongside her friend.
The rain pattered softly, though a bit muggy, and she grinned at Zach, looking off towards the beach. "Well, no one is out to answer our questions. Perhaps we can continue our inquiry later." She took off towards the beach, grinning as her feet sunk into the sand. She quickly took off her shoes, stepping closer so the water could run over her feet.
Looking back at Zach, she gave off another smile, "I haven't seen a beach since we left Aaoltonen's gates," she reminisced slightly, though her thoughts were quickly taken up.
Before this whole journey, they had freedom. Stealing from time to time, running wild, and free. Now they had to watch out for the prince and his guard dog. She gave pause then, frowning slightly, "I miss this." She started, before glancing at the horizon, over the water, "I miss freedom. Though, perhaps on this journey, the prince can help us in return."
It was a silly hope, but it was a hope all the same. One prince couldn't change everyone though.
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Post by 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨 on Sept 12, 2020 17:50:54 GMT -5
Oralee: Dante and Minke
Dante blinked when Alex began his demands, eyes wide as he glanced between the Telekine and the prince. An angry glare crossed his face, One, two, and then three.
He paused at number three, his eyes widening, realizing as Dante began his confession. Staggering slightly, the notebook and quill fell to the ground, and he shook his head. There was no way Alex was some...some dirty magic user. There was not reason for him to lie though, and his anger seemed genuine and strong.
He righted himself, his eyes flickering between disbelief and something akin to disgust. Disgust at what, he wasn't quite sure. He convinced himself it was because the prince was a half-blood, a Factioneer. Though, perhaps it was the implication of what Dante himself would do. "So not only are you an utter screw up of a prince, but now your a half-blood?" He practically yelled out, gesturing wildly at the boy.
He stepped closer, glaring at Alex, the fire leaving his eyes almost immediately, the emotions seeming to drain away. The stony face he gave was a picture of calm, "Since your being so insistent, maybe I will. The country deserves better than a...a half-blood Factioneer as it's heir," he spat out the sentence, glaring away.
He turned away, picking up his notes, and about to leave. However, as he went to open the door to the dungeons, something sounded outside the door, the lock. He tried the door, once, twice, and it wouldn't budge.
Glaring back, he staggered back into the door as he spotted Minke standing, eyes seeming to gleam a violet color, though dulled. Her hand had been outstretched towards the door, before she fell down. Energy seeming zapped from the simple use of her abilities, "Both of you are going to shut up and get along." She demanded, glaring at both. "If I have to listen to another second of your bickering, I'm going to personally push you both out of the window."
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Sept 12, 2020 18:05:58 GMT -5
Dante’s reaction to Alex’s magic had been almost exactly what he’d thought it would be. The council member was kind of predictable like that. But still, a knot had formed in Alex’s stomach as the other man went to try the door, insulting Alex as he went. Every word felt like a slap, like everything he’d ever thought about himself was being confirmed and said to his very face.
He did feel understandably relieved when the door didn’t work, glad that Dante couldn’t immediately run to the council. He’d looked at Minke with a mixture of surprise both at her powers and her outburst, and also a kind of strange pride. Pride in her defiance, he supposed.
Her insistence that they both get along, though, caused the prince’s mouth to drop open in indignation and shock.
“How exactly an I supposed to get along with a man who’d happily see me dead so long as it got him a pat on the head from the council?” he exclaimed
Still, he sighed exasperatedly, before attempting to calm himself a little. He turned his gaze onto Dante after a moment, when he felt calmer.
“I didn’t ask for any of this, Dante,” Alex replied, his voice quieter and less harsh than normal “I didn’t ask to be a Factioneer, I didn’t ask to be part Levinian, I didn’t ask to be a prince. I didn’t ask to screw up the outcome of the war. Yeah, I’m a screw-up, but it was obvious from the start I wasn’t going to be given any leniency, and I wasn’t going to be seen as anything but a mistake. That was just because of who I was born as.
“Oralee will never have me for a king, though, so maybe you could cut me a little bit of goddamn slack and get off your high horse about ‘what the people deserve’. What I need right now is somebody to try to understand, which this kid here has done more in the last five minutes than anyone else has in my entire life. I don’t expect that person to be you because you seem incapable of seeing anything from my perspective. But I’d at least as you to hold off on getting me killed. I feel like that’s a reasonable request.”
All he wanted was somebody who didn’t immediately assume the worst about him. Who didn’t look at him like he was some kind of criminal. Dante might not be able to do that, but the least he could do was not go to the council with this. Yet, anyway.
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