Mercakete

And then the rps exploded while I was gone and all my energy was spent babysitting all day wheeee~ *goes to catch up maybe oh man what even is all these posts*

@ Gabbie: Much nicer, actually. Still somewhat annoyed with the dress because she's supposedly fighting in that but whatevs. @Burke: The pose reminds me of Daniel and Jorge. So I picture Jorge being all "Hey, Daniel, look what I found in the back of the wagon! Pretty cool, huh?"

"Just some form of meat," Norbert replied first to the waitress so she could be off with her disappearing act and leave for a while. To Steinn, he replied, "He explained its basics: it's a plan you came up with to keep the Fallen-Human war going for much longer than it would if you decided on total war like your 'rival' would lead your people to do. I know that wouldn't be good for humans and why." Magical superiority, physical superiority, only slight technological inferiority only in some areas and superiority in others, and far more numbers. The only real advantage we have is resources, I guess, and that can be taken from us. "Though the only way I can see this war lasting very long is if the Fallen population goes down by some large percentage. I don't know how Weyland could help you there. You'd be better off asking the Kigenese for help. Even if they don't listen to you, your population would still go down by at least one." Sure it'll reduce how much they consume if their population goes down, but over all, I don't see how that helps them. He seems sane enough but with a plan like that, he can't be right in the head.

"Yeah. Sleep well," Norbert farewelled Raquel before she disappeared into her room. His guide then piped up, informing him that they'd be going to the dining hall now. It was somewhat unnerving walking through the halls alone with the maid. Each footstep sounded louder than it should have what with the hard floors and the quiet that permiated the halls for a while. Activity became more evident as they neared and event ually reached the dining hall, however, and it was at that point that the pegasus rider thanked the maid for leading him back and that he could find his way from there. Entering the hall, a quick lookabout told him about the obvious changes that had taken place in the amount of time he was gone. Presently in the dining hall were Gabbie/Wolfy, the Fallen prince and Blake. It was odd that those he was the most cautious around were all gathered in one place -- waitresses included and perhaps Gabbie excluded -- but it was also fortunate since it meant he could speak with at least the prince. I'll eat shortly. I might as well take care of this first. Casually, Norbert walked over to the table Steinn was sitting at, sat down across from him, and quietly asked, "So, why ask for Ursium's help for Operation: Cease Not?" His posture and expression showed he was there for business, not for a relaxing chat. Though, Norbert was usually in this sort of mode anyway, so little changed. Edit: Miscomunication is a wonderful thing~

Blarg, internet, decide whether or not you want to work. Anyway, will my posts forever go unreplied to, Ether? Or should I just assume Damian ignored Tas?

Tas decided that Miranda was Zaftran since she was included in Ixion's list of people the Haltonions were supposed to let into thier embassy. She probably worked with Ixion a lot, though so far she's seemed to be the Zaftran official's exact opposite. Also, Aiya hadn't responded to his greeting. That was entirely understandable. Maybe she was more interested in the conversation about where everyone would be staying or maybe she simply hadn't heard him. Either one was a legitamate reason for her lack of responce, though she also hadn't paid him any attention at all since their arrival. (Maybe she has things on her mind. The soldier earlier called her "captain," didn't he? Or was he referring to someone else?) There was also the possability that she'd simply forgotten about him. After all, they didn't speak much the last time they were both with the main group. That, along with the best friend theory, would explain why so much attention was given to Irina while not even a glance was offered him. It was perfectly understandable. (I'd bet Irina has a lot of friends here.) The idle thought passed Tas' mind as he contentedly continued observing the goings-on. He supposed he was excluded from the list since he wasn't Zaftran, but it sounded like the summit would be among the various countries' leaders. That meant the group was already somewhat split up unless everyone was staying in the Halton embassy, which didn't sound to be the case. (Tristan's probably with the other Septiminians. I should go say "hello" sometime at a more reasonable hour.) "Excuse me, but is the group already split up? If there are representatives from each country, then it'd make sense that people would be staying with their countrymen," Tas innocently asked Damian.

Looks like I won't be around for most of thursday and possibly all of friday.

Actually, I was referring to tag-teaming for antishipping the obvious OTP (Iso x Kelas). @ Snowy: That was insanely sudden. Are you drunk or just suddenly affectionate?

"Maybe ye bored'er," Gytha offered up. Could've meant any number of things, really, to Gytha anyway. That was just the most harmless of them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Norbert nodded in agreement with the plans being thrown around and waited for the maid to start leading them. He'd follow once she did. It was nice knowing he'd be walking at least part of the way with Raquel. The maids weren't as bad as the waitresses, but they were probably in on whatever sinister plot the coup was cooking up. It didn't likely involve Raquel or those under her employ, but their luck with avoiding enemies was terrible so it was better to be alert for the time being than to feel a sudden, sharp pain in your back when someone snuck up to you without making a sound...

"Aye," Gytha replied, "Doesn't mean th' conv'rsation'll stay friendla, though. Actually, It'll probably lead t' a fight. Best learn some things from'er, though, aye?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Oh, so you're not going to give me a reason to charge you extra? Oh well. Keep yourself safe and make sure no one can take that emblem from you when you're not looking. Shadrak's loose lips probably made that a lot harder for you, but I'm sure you can handle it yourself," Norbert half-sarcastically responded to Raquel before asking Weyland, "So, mind giving me a guide to the dining hall? I don't think I can remember the way back to a place where I can navigate myself."

"Hmm. Well, I guess you're safe enough now," Norbert mulled over the situation in his head as he mentioned this to Raquel, "so I'll only still guard you if you want me to while you nap. Otherwise, I think I'll go get a snack or something." And then see about finding that Fallen Prince. I have a couple more questions. I just hope he isn't still playing with...wasn't her name Gabbie? Or was it Wolfy? I guess she's been called both so it probably doesn't matter. Still, I don't know if I want to know what in Wrath's name they were doing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Something small was running quickly towards them. Gytha stopped the little mage simply by holding out her free hand and catching his forehead to stop his momentum. "Whoa, ahoy, there, Ranyin," she greeted, not sure whether to be amused, conerned or startled. To Amon, she replied, "Seems t' be, anyway. She's onla attacked ye when ye were alone at least. Still want t' talk t'er, but guess that can wait."

In spite of the number of lookalikes and the fact that Gytha only had a description of the person she was looking for, she had not yet assailed anyone. She wasn't one to give up so easily, but she did begin to wonder at how Amon was doing. Her grip was pretty hard and it was only just occurring to her that she might be hurting him. Having wandered around at such a brisk pace for so long helped her to loose her frustration a bit and only now began to slow down. They'd already gone through the festival's circuit, after all. Shows and the like were in one section, the food court was in another, the games in another and the venders were in another. Off away ffrom the main festivities in a field were the boulders for people to sign. Now Gytha and Amon -- and Ranyin, who'd managed to tag along -- were somewhat between the shows and the food venders on the south side of the festival. The venders proper were north of the shows and west of the venders were the games. In the field east of the festival were the boulders. Releasing her vicegrip on Amon's arm, she more casually took his hand. Where she'd been holding onto his arm had a red handprint wrapped around it, though, and would probably bruise. "Are ye a'right, Amon?" she asked, "Not lettin' ye go, by th' way. If yer not attached t' somethin', ye wind up gettin' stabbed, looks like, after all."

They might tag-team. I dunno. (Tag-teaming being unintentional on Iris' part, though.)

However, by the time Robin opened her eyes again, the younger of the Kigenese pair had already ushered her grandmother through the crowd and away and Robin was left standing alone with her new, plush bear.

"I mean, she doesn't know Common very well. So she's trying to say 'blessed' but is accidentally saying 'cursed' and she won't listen to my corrections," the younger replied. "Kuma curse you!" the old lady pointed an accusing finger at the bear doll, "Bad luck!" "No, grandmother, it's 'good luck!' It's a lucky doll," the younger tried to reassure.

"Yes, we are," the younger replied as she handed the six-inch-tall bear to Robin, "As for why she thinks they're cursed--" "CUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSE!!!!" "--I think she's trying to say 'bless.'" That last bit was a lie, but oh well.

@ "*mumbles about Shadrak's head*" : It is quite big, isn't it? @ Darksider: lolol love it @ Volya: I SEE ANOTHER OF THOSE TATTOOS, CHALLENGE IS STILL GOING!! @ Gabbie: Oh dang more of the tattoo!! Also, Try giving her loose pants. Please. B| Also, that chainmail looks more like a form of scale armor.

"Oh, we work for Stitches Associated," the younger replied, "We did help work on some of these, actually. It's a big organization, so everyone pitches in to make lots of things. Today, my grandmother and I are advertising." The whole time the younger was cheerfully talking, the older was still keeping that intense, unnerving glare on Robin. "....Currrrsssssse....." "Just a moment." The younger told Robin before switching to her own agitation, directed at her grandmother in Kiegenese. <"Grandmother, you're terrible at this! Start treating the lady nicely! It's sort of amazing I speak better Common than her, but she can still help us advertise! Now stop saying that terrible word! You'll scare her off!"> <"I told you, you ungrateful granddaughter, I can speak Common well enough to sell these dolls! Show your grandmother some respect!"> <"You keep saying they're cursed!"> <"I know a curse when I sense one!"> <"They're blessed!"> <"They're cursed! Stupid child, let me take over!"> <"No! You'll ruin everything!"> "AIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! CURSE DOLLS CURSE DOLLS!! TAKE ONE NOW!!!" <"By the dragons..."> "I'm terribly sorry for her ravings. Would you still like one of the dolls?"

"So, Ixion can control dogs?" Tas asked in confusion and Namid scooted away from Fenrir of his own accord. That thing made him nervous. (And who's that with the dog? Someone Ixion knows? Is she from Zaftra too?)

Cloth over plate over scale over chainmail = epic layering. I really like this design.

"Curse!" "No, Grandmother, the word is 'bless.' Bllleeeesssss." "Curse family! Curse rich! Curse doll!" "Grandmother, stop saying 'curse!' The word is 'bless!'" "No, curse!" The argument got nearer and nearer to Robin until the two were standing right in front of the Neviskotian archer. They were an old, very short (around 4'7") old woman and a young woman who looked to be in her 20s, both Kigenese. They were both carrying baskets of a great variety of hand-stitched dolls. There were some minature vasili, a few of Nature, Wrath, Mercy and Truth, some looked like various animals and there were some generic human dolls in the baskets, too. "Now, Grandmother, watch me. I'll show you how to advertise." With that, the younger gave Robin a warm smile and began doing as she'd just told the older she would do. "Hello! Would you like a blessed doll? They were all made by Stitches Asociated! We make clothes, dolls, cloth furnishings and we even repair damaged cloth items! We're giving away these dolls during this festival week to show our fine quality. We even managed to get these dolls blessed by their various priests! The Truth dolls, for example, were blessed by a Truth priest. The animal and people dolls have specific blessings. Some will make you wealthy, some will make you healthy! Here, take one! And be sure to tell everyone about the fine quality we put into these!~" "Curse dolls! Curse family! Curse health! Curse luck!" the old lady almost angrily shouted, thrusting her basket towards Robin. Her little eyes held a very intense, frightening gaze. It was that look that an angry mother gave a disobediant child...

As the two got closer, the one with all the scars that had commanded the soldiers rung a small bell in Tas' memory. There was something somewhat familliar about him. That was where it ended, though. The other, though, he recognized now that she was closer. Though she was treating Irina in a way Tas hadn't thought she would. Maybe they were best friends or something and Tas just never knew it. "Hi Aiya," Tas greeted, sitting up a bit straighter in Namid's saddle.

Most of Tas' free time during the travels were spent flying around with Namid. They didn't know where any of the other surviving ranchers had gone, so really all they had left was each other from their old home. They hadn't been spending as much time with each other recently either, so it was good for them. When they finally arrived in the right city, Kiev began leading the way to where the group supposedly was and began raoring loudly. Quite frankly, Namid found Kiev's yelling to be silly and annoying since he would probably get them in trouble. So, he hissed at the plainsd-weller, telling him to stop it. However, trouble came before it could be helped and both Tas and Namid nervously listened until someone stopped the soldiers from arresting them or doing some sort of harm to them. Apparnetly he knew Isotov and Irina. Then, just as suddenly, the Nomad woman -- Tas couldn't quite remember her name at the time -- came running out and hugged Isotov. (I didn't realize our return would have such a warm welcome. That's nice.) Tas smiled as he saw the friends reuniting. It was heartwarming. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Esphyr was awakened from her sleep by some loud wyvern sound or somethign to that effect. Her only reaction was to be frusterated and to turn over in her bed, resting her head under her pillow and holding it tightly against her ears before tryign to get some more sleep.

And then the dead were engulfed in fire. As the blaze sprung up and began eating away at the man and wyverns, a rapid stream of fragmented memories flowed before Tas' mind's eye. The time when as a child, Tas fell into Terance's arms after having tried to ride one of the younger adult wyverns, holding Terance's hand as Tas' grandfather was burried in the graveyard, Terance's proud laughter and clapping as Tas took his first, short flight on Namid's back, a time when they were sitting on Tas' bed together, talking about what Tas' mother had been like, one of the foot races Tas and Terance had shared, Terance's knowing smile as he caught Tas sneaking Namid in to the dining room, a time when Tas and Namid were curled up at Riggs' side in the barn, one of the times when Tas would use Riggs' tail as a slide when he was little, nearly being blown off his feat by Riggs flapping his wings, a time when Tas, Namid, Riggs and Terance were star gazing in the fields, various snippets of advice Terance had given Tas, when Tas and Terance flew a wyvern over to a noble's house with other couriers and Terance was fretting over Tas the whole time... They were all good memories. For a moment, Tas felt happy, but then sorrow would set in at the realization that that was all they were: memories. Following that, fortitude, only to break down again. The smell in the air was terrible. It was very similar to how the throne room had smelled back in Kalten after the battle. ("Sometimes things happen in life that we don't understand and wish we could undo. But the thing is, we can't change what's in the past. All we can do is remember and work toward a better future.") Terance's words from Tas' frandfather's funeral echoed in Tas' head as the fire before him began to dwindle and the wind swept up the ashes. As Tas lifted his wet eyes to the sky, he could still feel his heart's aching agony. (I don't know what to do, though.) He knew what his father would say. ("Sure you do. You're going to help your friends, aren't you? You're not alone or without resource.") Then, Tas remembered what some of the ranchers had said about Terance: that he had come to the ranch alone and no one knew where he'd come from. He learned everything he knew from them and began to live with them. (Am I...following in my father's footsteps? No, he didn't have anything when he came to the ranch... Father left me with some things. "Just remember what I taught you. You'll be fine.") Those words were always what Terance told Tas when he was about to do something he'd never done before and felt uncertain. It was fitting that they would be applied now. Drying his tears, Tas took a couple, deep breaths and looked to the others, composed. "Thank you very much for all your help." Adding a smile, he continued, "I'm sorry for holding you up. We should get going now." He took another look at the sky he was used to seeing when first exiting the main building and finished, "All we can do is move forward." With that, he climbed onto Namid's back and waited to see if they would warp in the air or on the ground to Vaorin. Namid was feeling a bit better, too, having decided the very thing that Tas had: the best thing they could do now was to move on and that is what they were going to do.

The question was considerate and appeciated. One the other side of it, the process had already been drawn out. Several times before this, he'd expected the fires to consume what remained of those who had died trying to escape the marauders. Again, Tas' eyes ran along the impressive, distinct, dark green stripes on Riggs' back, saw the small, innocent forms of the infant wyverns...and saw Terance, frozen in his protective posture, trying to save as many lives as he could. "Yes."