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Post by Sorrum on Jun 11, 2021 18:20:23 GMT -5
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Rain fell down over The Frontier in a heavy storm, pelting against glass windows of Meribia, thunder and lightning breaking the darkness. In his study, Itham lit a match to his pipe as he flipped through papers thrown about on his desk. "Official escort ships to passenger ships to Berseria in celebration of the annual tournament, in celebration of the birth of the twin princesses of the King and Queen..." he stamped a paper, before looking at the fine print again in haste. "Erh.. two battleships should suffice. Calico hasn't been sighted in this region as of late.."
"Working hard?" A voice came from the entryway. A blonde elf woman in a blue and gold dress leaned against the door, her arms folded across her and a slight smile on her lips.
"Yes, Alya.. I'm afraid I've overlooked some documents and need to complete them before the end of the.. yeah." He said, dropping his stamp and rubbing his brow. "'Tis never easy, is it?" He bemoaned, to Alya's laughter.
"No, no I don't think it is. That's why it's called work, though. It's not easy, or fun. Come to bed soon, there will be time to be behind on papers when you're not tired from overworking yourself."
"Yes, soon. Now, away." He shooed. The woman frowned, sighed, and walked away, leaving the door open wide behind her. For a moment, he worried that he had been ignoring her as he had been busy with work. "I'll just.. finish this real quick and be about it." Some time went by, and Itham felt weary at his desk. His candle fizzled, and seemed to produce less and less light even when he relit the damned thing. The low light and overworking himself overcame him as he laid his head low upon his desk, and fell asleep.
When morning came, he found himself covered in a blanket from his chambers, still at his desk. "Mhn.. must have fallen asleep." He stepped out into the foyer, which lay empty. He began to trudge toward the kitchen when a pounding came at the door. He opened the door to see Sam, the chief of the town guard, standing there.
"Sire. There's been an incident in town. We need you to come downtown right away."
"Uh. What's this about?"
"Her Lady's ship is missing from the harbor, as well as her lady herself."
"..Alya is missing?"
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"I was brought downtown to an interrogation room that morning and held there for three days." Itham spoke. "Alya had disappeared after leaving my study, along with her ship. The ship had been sank in the harbor, the same where our navy base is located. The sentries and personnel posted that night had been minimal as most called off to view the eclipse that evening, but it was rained out. The men who were stationed seemingly fell asleep on the job, and as a result were dismissed from their posts. I believed a mage to have a hand at this, but our search efforts found nothing. That night, a powerful storm was upon us, and it would have taken an exceptional mage to both lift the ship from the seabed and a sail it away in that condition, which could only be one of Alya's caliber."
"For years I thought this meant Alya had returned to Vane, resurrecting her old ship and sailing back to the Elf Kingdom to rejoin them. But nothing ever came from them. It's as if she vanished. Search parties spread out, looking for any sign of the ship or Alya, but came back empty handed. Even Frida's own efforts have been fruitless, as one can see on the map in the armory." At this, Aqua slumped forward, reminded of her failures again.
"Strange disappearances seem to happen here often. First Alya, then Frederick.. and now these children. Perhaps it's like Barr said, and these kidnappings are too close to me personally to handle on my own. But I need to know what happened, before it happens to anyone else.. or whom I fear it will happen to next." He said, looking at Aqua. "But.. I suppose that answers your question? As well as yours, Terra. That eclipse would have been about, 10 or 13 years ago now. While it's an event most gather under to witness, I can say we don't usually expect trouble."
Addressing Terra's questions, Itham shook his head. "I'm no expert in blight magic. Alya had more experience with it than I, and while I am comfortable using earth magic, I've seldom used it for more than my own protection. A blight mage making his fortress in an abandoned mine home to the graves of slaves of the Neo-Vane regime sounds unfortunate but the reality we are facing. As for Barr's meetings, I was unaware what he's been doing these days while I've been incarcerated. I'm sure if he was being blackmailed, there would be a trail now. Starting with those working close to him these past few months should reveal something, but I believe that will be best handled by Sam and his men."
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Post by Sorrum on Jun 11, 2021 18:29:26 GMT -5
Aqua folded her arms and gripped tight at her arms as Alriik interrogated her father, as if she hadn't seen enough of her father on trial for one lifetime. Honestly, she welcomes him to her home and repays her by doing this? It was aggravating. Aqua excused herself from the room and headed outside to catch some fresh air. "I'll be back shortly."
Outside, raindrops fell gently on the manor's garden. Aqua sat on a stone bench, rubbing her eyes and watching the water fall from the plants' leaves. Warm tears welled in her eyes as she memories of her mother and Frederick passed by, their presence stolen by unseen forces. Angrily, she swatted the rain from her face, flinging water from herself and the plants around her haphazardly. She soon rejoined the others in time to hear more questions, or possibly be questioned herself at this rate.
"It's getting late. Perhaps we should rest soon, and start again fresh tomorrow?" Aqua asked, hopeful to end today's episode before it carried on much further.
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Post by Vic Alriikerson on Jun 11, 2021 20:42:14 GMT -5
Alriik would listen carefully to each word Itham spoke. He read the elven dignitary's face as he explained his side of the story. He also read the room. This didn’t do him any favors. But he needed to know. Perhaps he should have waited until later, or never even brought it-No. Blight doesn’t wait. It festers and grows. There is no time to wait. He got his answers and he was satisfied. But… Still… He wasn’t feeling too great about it all.
As Itham finished, and asked if it was sufficient, the half elf would sigh, his gaze finally breaking. “Yes, sir. Thank you for your time.” He looked to his Captain, and saw the look upon her face, the disdain. He felt like he needed to explain, to empathize. He'd take a deep breath, think long and hard, but all he could come up with was “… Sorry.” He wasn’t, really. But he needed say something, anything, and anything else may drop a match on the powder keg. And if words were thrown, well… He'd had enough little outbursts lately.
“I'll take first watch at the door. We have to be prepared in case of another attack.” He was saying whatever it took to get out of there as fast as possible. Any number of guards could handle it: he needed to escape the judging eyes of the room before it became too much to bear. And hopefully by the time he went to be relieved the rest of the team would be too busy sleeping to bother with him. As he sped through the door and was met the whipping rain, he groaned. He leaned against the door frame, and grabbed from his bag the small cask he had obtained from his friend at the bar. He'd silently give his thanks as he un corked the bung and poured a full mouthful straight into his waiting maw. As the burn took hold, he'd return the cork and put the hand-held barrel back into his pack.
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Post by Swim on Jun 13, 2021 19:01:50 GMT -5
So the last time there had been an eclipse coincided with the disappearance of Alya Nyhorrlothor... Surely Frida and Itham would regard the event not as a joyful spectacle but a grim reminder of the one they'd lost. As Itham answered Alriik's questions Frida got up and excused herself from the discussion. Terra felt the urge to follow her but she felt compelled to stay, both out of desire to hear Itham's explanation and to keep Alriik in check if the elf pushed the issue any further. And Terra was certainly not alone in feeling this way, a quick glance around the room betrayed expressions from shock to outrage on nearly everyone except the two elven men.
Frida reappeared around the time Itham's recount of Alya's disappearance had concluded, still wet from the rain outside but trying to keep herself composed lest the situation spiral out of control and Alriik for his part appeared to relent. His poise was now awkward and embarrassed and he quickly fled from Frida's gaze. But Terra had other plans.
Terra would politely bid Itham and Sam a good night and then briefly discuss with Frida and Rion their agenda for the next day, after which she strode downstairs and out into the storm. The rain wasn't as fierce as it might have been but the howl of the wind certainly made it appear more intense, shaking the branches of even the largest trees in the Nyhorrlothor gardens and tossing around Terra's hair and the long sleeves of her blouse.
It didn't take her too long to find Alriik, but in that time it seemed the elf was already deep into his flask. The situation felt oddly similar to the time in Shiner's Bay where she'd followed Alriik into that dirty alley and given him the support he'd needed. After that talk she'd come to think of Alriik as a kindred spirit and a close friend, but for most of the time they'd spent in Meribia all they seemed to do was argue. Tonight the frustration had boiled over, and this time she wasn't in the mood to really talk things out with Alriik.
"Hey Al," she called out to him. "I've gotta get this off my chest real quick, I'm really hating all this tension in the air between us. Things were supposed to get better after Itham's trial, and instead of focusing on the Blight Mage we're still throwing daggers at each other. It makes me feel sick inside and I just want to hit something... or someone." Terra stalked forward and forced Alriik to meet her gaze. "So how about it? Let's throw hands, you and me, here and now. No magic or weapons, we just slug it out until we're exhausted and all the haze in our heads goes away and we can start tomorrow feeling fresh."
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Post by Bloodbane on Jun 17, 2021 22:19:49 GMT -5
Rion watched as, despite how forward Alriik was in his questioning, Itham had no trouble with complying to the interrogation. What exactly was Alriik expecting to get out of this, anyway? Though he found himself simply confused, it was pretty clear there was even more tension now than ever. He sighed lightly as Alriik left, followed by Aqua, and then Terra... which left him standing around somewhat awkwardly with Itham. "What... do you suppose he was after, there?" he asked, wondering if perhaps Itham's insight into the culture would yield some kind of explanation.
Before long, Aqua had returned, at which time Rion simply looked back over to her with a nod. "Yeah, we should figure out what to do tomorrow. If your father thinks it's best for Sam and his team to handle the incident with Barr, then perhaps that gives us a chance to approach this from another angle. With any luck, those two strangers may take the fact we didn't meet up with them as a sign to show up here..." he would look back to to the door eventually, as something soon came to mind in the midst of all the internal conflic and struggle to piece together what had transpired; in all this time, Silver was nowhere to be found. Had she even been out of bed yet?
"I hope Silver's okay..."
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Post by Swim on Jun 17, 2021 22:48:20 GMT -5
“… Yeah, I could go for throwing hands right now.” Alrik would pull the small barrel back from his sack and lightly lob it to Terra before standing. “Drink.” He'd groan as he pulled off his sword harness and ripped off his shirt, before swinging the harness back on and looking out at the storm. “Just so you know, I wasn’t trying to be a d@ck. I know how hard it is for them. I was just doing my job. Tried to be nice about it.” As he stepped into the rain and the cold wet raged against his body, he'd turn back to Terra and spread his arms, staring to her. “First one's free. Feels like I deserve it. You'll have to work for the rest.”
Terra grinned, catching the container and taking a swig. Whatever Alriik had been drinking, the stuff was pretty strong, had a bit of residual burn in the aftertaste. Would help numb the pain they were about to feel. Terra unstrapped her gauntlets and placed them on the ground near Alriik’s swords. When Alriik was ready she’d rear back and let him feel the brunt of all her frustration, aiming her fist for the side of his face.
The punch flew true, and Alriik shot back as he was struck, taking five steps in the uneven muddy ground before he caught himself. He tasted metal. He'd touch his lips with two fingers, as he pulled them away they were covered in Mercury. He'd chuckle, the struck cheek swelling. “Alright… Let's do this, then.” He'd step back and take a low, guarded stance before quickly approaching. When he reached her through the mud and downpour, he'd pull back hard with his right hand. Hoping she'd lay attention to his reeling back for what must be a devastating blow… He’d quickly deliver a jab to her forehead with the left.
As the wind whipped around them Terra braced herself as Alriik came in for a retaliatory blow. As the elf reeled back with his right hand Terra stepped in closer to catch the hit, causing his left jab to strike her below the eye rather than higher on her forehead. It stung but that was okay, she wanted a little bit of pain right now. Terra gritted her teeth and dug her feet into the earth, seizing upon Alriik’s right hand with both of hers and throwing the elf over her shoulder, intending to slam him into the puddle of mud behind her.
As he went in for his family's signature Laurey haymaker, he expected the jab to keep her stunned for the big hit. Alriik would like to say he didn't care and just wanted to hurt, and that was partially true. But she got him fair. He felt his momentum continue against his will. He felt the soft dirt give way to hard ground against his back. Somewhat dizzied, he'd need a second to gather himself. Talk. "So, you and Aqua. You never gave me an answer." That'd give her pause, he thought, as he attempted to grab for Terra's heel, hoping between the uneven ground and surprise, that he could pull her to the ground with him.
Lightning flashed overhead blinding Terra at a crucial moment. “You’re really still on that?” Terra had time to ask before Alriik seized her leg and threw her off balance. The mud made the ground too slick to correct her stance and a moment later she’d fallen facefirst into the mud beside him. Terra cursed and wiped the muck from her eyes. She really was not in the mood to have that discussion with Alriik right now. The two of them would struggle against each other for a moment, both attempting to rise to their feet. “Less talk, more fists,” Terra told him, striking his abdomen and hoping he’d double over so that she could follow with an uppercut.
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Post by Swim on Jun 23, 2021 0:15:12 GMT -5
"Nah. Messing with you. It worked." As he attempted to stand, Terra grappled for him and he attempted to hold his own. "Fine. No more wo-OOOORRRGH!!!" Terra would strike him twice, the first causing him to lean forward, before the second struck hard against his forehead, sending him stumbling back. His swords would shake hard with each blow, but afterwards... They continued to give off a low hum. Alriik would crack his jaw, his face dropping any sorrow. All that was left was his anger. He stopped holding back, unconscious or not, dashing at Terra and leaping at her, attempting to drive his knee straight into her face.
Terra recognized that her last blow had resulted in a change in Alriik’s form, their fight had become more intense. Rather than try to pivot around the attack and she decided to meet it head on. There was an audible crack as Alriik’s knee made contact with her jaw but she’d worry about it later. For now it was better that he get all the aggression out, because she could take it. Every hit, every expression of rage and frustration that was directed at her might spare Frida and her father a greater aggravation.
Terra looked up at Alriik and grinned through a mouthful of blood. She was already falling backward from his knee to her face, and she had the presence of mind to grab hold of him and send him flying toward the trunk of the nearest tree.
Alriik's hit landed true. He began to feel a little better about himself. At least, he did before he was tossed toward the tree. All he could do was try to twist so his side would hit the tree and brace for impact. The tree buckled slightly, Alriik buckled more. He'd fall, landing on his feet but stumbling forward. He'd stare Terra down. He'd gotten too sloppy. Too reliant on his swords. And Terra was good. If he had his swords... His swords. All at once, the sharp stabbing pain and the fog filled Alriik's head. He felt an ache where his weapons should be. He'd hold his head for a moment and scream in agony, before darting at Terra. He'd leap at her, hands outstretched, in an almost feral attempt to take her down.
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Post by Swim on Jun 23, 2021 0:18:15 GMT -5
‘Did I push him too far?’ Terra wondered as Alriik clutched his head and screamed. She felt a pang of fear, more out of concern for Alriik than her own safety. Bruises would heal but whatever mental pain she’d inadvertently caused was less certain. No time to ponder, he was on her in an instant, powerful arms flailing and striking from every angle, eventually finding their way around her throat.
Terra stared into Alriik’s rage filled eyes and gasped for air, kicking at his ankles and struggling to break free. She’d known this was a possibility when she’d challenged him to a fight, there would be no backing down now. She’d have to find a way to knock him out in order to stop him.
At this point Terra had begun to feel quite warm. She wasn’t even aware of it yet but as Alriik pushed her past her limits and into survival mode she’d begun emitting an aura of heat around her body, and as the rain continued to cascade down on her it would immediately turn to steam.
Terra leaned forward and bashed her head into Alriik’s own, stunning the elf long enough to weaken his grip. She took advantage of the momentary opening that had been created to push his arms apart, then clap both of hers together striking both sides of Alriik’s head before pivoting into a side kick to push him a safe distance away.
"F*ck it," she snarled more to herself than Alriik, her temper suddenly flaring to match her rise in temperature. She wasn't going to hold back any more either. Terra would rush in, raising her fist in a feint but it was really more for balance than a punch. She'd pivot, spinning around and instead aiming a double kick toward Alriik's head.
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Post by Swim on Jul 31, 2021 17:04:16 GMT -5
At this point the fight began to shift and Alriik was forced onto the defensive. Terra lashed out with a flurry of strikes, each one a potential knockout blow. Something about her fighting style had quickened, there was no way for him to block them all. Alriik tasted metal again and spat out more Mercury before pivoting away from her assault and shoulder charging her. She landed a few more blows to Alriik’s face before he succeeded in grabbing hold of one of her arms and twisting her into a submission hold.
The air around them grew thick and humid as the aura around Terra became hotter. The water splashing into Alriik's face was almost scalding but he was too focused to pay it much heed. He could handle the boiling water, his blood also ran hot. But as Terra struggled and Alriik tightened his hold the aura of heat around her body intensified again, now erupting into open flame.
The fire around Terra’s body burned hot enough that the rain water couldn’t quench it, and Alriik was forced to loosen his grip just enough. Terra took advantage of the momentary opportunity to twist around, socking him in the jaw with her free hand and twisting out of his grip. Alriik felt himself dragged forward, the mud making it difficult to dodge or even brace himself as Terra spun around and delivered a tornado kick that sent him sprawling.
This time as Alriik groped around in the mud to pick himself up his hands found metal. She’s thrown him right into his sword pile. Alriik rolled over touching each of his blades one by one as waves of relief and calmness flowed over him. He was grounded again, he had focus. More than Terra at that moment as it turned out.
Terra stood a few paces away having realized that she’d realized that she’d lost control and halted her offensive. She’d specifically called for fists without magic, and here she was standing in the rain with her body ablaze. This had never happened to her before. Usually her body would passively respond to physical trauma by hardening in response. Why her body had instead invoked her fire magic this time was something she couldn’t explain. And now as she stared down at her burning hands Terra realized with a jolt of panic that she didn’t know how to stop it.
“Whoa, stay back,” she called out to Alriik who was still nearby. “I said no magic and I meant it, I’m not in control of whatever this is.”
Terra would un-clench her jaw and take several deep breaths, flex various muscles and attempt to cool herself down. She didn’t know exactly how she’d activated this power or how to turn it off, and so she reasoned her best option would be to get her body out of combat mode, let the rain do its work and hopefully the flames would burn out. It was a gradual process but it seemed to be working. Alriik also seemed to be coming down out of his fight mode, still eyeing her from a distance but no longer in a combat stance, both realizing that their sparring match had reached its natural conclusion.
There was just one problem. Although Terra’s flames were dying down she was starting to feel quite warm. The rainwater collecting on her skin suddenly gave her searing pain. Her hands most of all burned, and she dropped to her knees and frantically buried them in the mud to ease the pain. It only lasted for about a minute, but the burning agony made it seem much longer for Terra, each raindrop was a tiny heated dagger. When it was over Terra collapsed into the mud, exhaling heavily and trying to recover from the experience.
A moment later Alriik sank into the muck beside her and touched her arm gingerly. “You alright? Should I move you? What do you need?” Terra groaned and rolled over. “Let me have another swig of your flask.”
When she was able to sit up the two sat in the rain for a moment together, back to back supporting the other and nursed their injuries. Apart from some wincing and gasps of pain they were content to let the rain fill the silence. Despite the sharp pain she was feeling Terra felt lucky to have Alriik around, no one else would’ve agreed to such violent sparring and remained friendly after it. Paradoxically she felt closer to him now after being allowed to vent all her frustration so completely.
“You know that I trust your intentions right?” She finally spoke up. “I know you respect Frida and we both want the best for her but I can’t stand by if you’re going to go after her dad like that. I know you’ve got a complicated relationship with your mom, but imagine if the Laureys were giving us shelter and Frida implied that one of them might have had a hand in Angel’s death. I know that wouldn’t have sat well with you. So you must have a good reason, what’s this all about?”
After hearing Alriik out the pair would rise to their feet and support each other as they walked back to Nyhorrlothor Manor.
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Post by Swim on Jul 31, 2021 17:11:46 GMT -5
Some time later Nicholas came into the entryway. He'd just finished his rounds and was about to turn in when he came upon two pairs of muddy footprints leading from the front door up the stairs. He'd utter a cry of alarm and distress before running for cleaning supplies before this muck could sully the manor's flooring.
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