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Post by Book of the Twilight on Jun 17, 2009 2:31:33 GMT -5
::The light fades and her vision re-adjusts. It comes as no surprise that her guide has disappeared again. It takes awhile for Julie to make out the outline of her surroundings since they're lit by dim candlelight. But something about this place seems familiar. A marble staircase with red carpeting is in front of her. It leads down to the room she's in. With a start she realizes that she's back in the orphanage. But it's different. It's not the wholesome enviroment of Leah Garden. It looks much more sinister, closer to how it looked when Natalia lived there::
Well don't just stand there. Step into the light.
::At the top of the stairs Julie can see the outline of what looks like a grand chair. More like a throne really. The slim outline of a woman sits cross-legged on it, dressed in a fine evening gown. Next to her, standing stoically like a sentinel is the tall figure of a man clad in black armor::
Don't make me repeat myself. Kome forward.
::Then she recognizes the voice::
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 17, 2009 2:50:19 GMT -5
'Oh, no...'
:: Julie's past experiences with Guinevere have all been much less than pleasant. But this time, things feel a little different. Probably because she's not involved in a battle against the energy-draining witch. So it's probably owing to this detail that Julie steps forward, speaking with more boldness than even she expected. ::
"I didn't know you went for knights, Gwen."
:: She contemplates asking Guinevere what she wants, but thinks better of it. ::
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Post by Guinevere on Jun 17, 2009 2:55:47 GMT -5
::The witch leans forward, letting the light illuminate her snow white face that stands out against her red silk gown::
Doesn't every girl wish for a Knight in Shining Armor?
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 17, 2009 2:59:15 GMT -5
"Well... not all of us are quite so literal about it..."
:: So far, Julie doesn't feel threatened at all by Guinevere. Which actually worries her even more. ::
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Post by Guinevere on Jun 17, 2009 3:05:29 GMT -5
::She rises from the throne and starts making her way slowly down the steps. The faceless knight remains by her throne::
Oh? So tell me then, what is it that you are after?
::She smiles with her cold pale grin::
Wait, that's right. I forgot. You don't know.
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 17, 2009 3:12:30 GMT -5
:: Julie fights her instinct to take a step backward. She's faced Gwen as an equal so far, and she's determined to continue to do so as long as possible. ::
"You're right so far. I don't even know why I'm here. Or even why you're here."
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Post by Guinevere on Jun 17, 2009 3:26:03 GMT -5
::When Gwen finally reaches the bottom step, Julie notices for the first time how tall she is. She's the exact same height as Kenny who stands a head taller than Lillith. That puts her at a little taller than Julie. Her slim build only exaggerates her height::
There is so much more you don't know; what you want, how you're going to get it, sometimes you don't even know who you are. You still haven't figured out where your power komes from have you? But even if you did, you don't know what to do with it. Just "what sounds good at the time". Isn't that how you say it?
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 17, 2009 3:38:39 GMT -5
:: Gwen is definitely still an imposing figure up close. At her height, Julie is actually used to looking up at people, but something about how Guinevere "wears" it makes it a little intimidating. And yet, she can't help but smile at the sorceress' words. ::
"Sounds more like Rainii, actually. But, yeah... something like that."
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Post by Guinevere on Jun 17, 2009 12:44:32 GMT -5
And you wish to be just like her am I right?
::She circles Julie like a vulture, looking her up and down::
Not that I kan blame you. She's one of the only three people who have ever landed a magikal attack on me. But to konstantly kompare yourself to her like a little girl in grade skhool? What a sad waste of talent. And to think I was once afraid of you.
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 17, 2009 21:53:16 GMT -5
:: Julie frowns. ::
"Of course I wanna be like her! She's my big sister. She's done things that I've only dreamed about. But, I'm catching up. And we're not as alike as you might think."
:: She gives Gwen an almost defiant smile. There's still a slight, buried fear somewhere inside, but she's got enough momentum in this psychological battle to keep a brave front. ::
"Doesn't it scare you just a little bit, that I don't even know my own power? What if I become even stronger than she is?"
:: She stares Gwen in the eyes, and wonders why she had been so terrified of the woman. Even a repeat of their first encounter wouldn't frighten Julie anymore - she's not as young and naïve as she was then. She's still scared, that she might not leave this place alive. But not of Gwen. ::
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Post by Guinevere on Jun 18, 2009 1:23:09 GMT -5
That's exaktly what I mean. "I might bekome stronger than her." You're still drawing komparisons. You're such a pleaser. When are you going to see that you are never going to be your sister? You really think that playing kopy-kat is going to make them akcept you? Even if you bekome an exakt replika, you are still going to be as invisible then as you are now. Do you really think that I would have gotten where I am today if I had simply tried to be what I believed people wanted me to be? What would have been the point of wearing a mask?
::The room starts to spin for Julie and suddenly she's not in the manor anymore. The sound of thunderous applause and whistling fills her ears. She finds herself on a grand stage in front of an audience in a grand theater as they all clap and rise out of their seats for her. Not knowing what to do, she does the obvious and takes a bow. As her hair falls around her shoulders she realizes that they're not her blond but black. She looks down to see that she's wearing Rainii's clothes. And even more trippy, the dim reflection she sees in the polished wood of the stage flooring is staring back at her with Rainii's green eyes, its face adorned with Rainii's markings. She hears Gwen over her shoulder from where she stands with her arms folded stage, stage left::
See what I mean? It's not you they're cheering for.
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 18, 2009 1:49:12 GMT -5
:: Julie squeezes her eyes shut, taking a deep breath and trying to focus on something other than the images around her. Her odd sense of determination persists... if it were anyone but Gwen trying to mess with her at this point, she'd probably be as much of a mess as she was in the other two phases of the test. ::
"I don't care. I know everyone sees me as Rainii's little sister, or Laguna's daughter. I don't need to live up to them."
:: She fixes her glare on Guinevere again. ::
"But I can learn from them."
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Post by Guinevere on Jun 18, 2009 1:55:18 GMT -5
Is that really you talking? Or are you just repeating it? Enough about what you kan learn from your sister's and your father's illustrious example. I want to hear about Julie. What is Julie going to be? When is Julie going to get some backbone?
::The witch's hand shoots suddenly, grabbing Julie by the small of her back. A cold tingling runs up her spine, making her stature slouch and feel very weak. The audience responds accordingly, gasping in surprise as though Guinevere is the vengeful scarlet in this drama, and she's making her move against the tragic heroine::
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 18, 2009 2:38:51 GMT -5
:: In that instant, Julie remembers why she hated Gwen so much. But she's not as easily impressionable as she used to be - what was a terrifying experience has become a severe annoyance. Through a weakened haze, she fights to speak. ::
"Fine... I'll tell you about me."
:: She gasps for breath, and tries to straighten her posture. Failing that, she speaks slowly. ::
"I was born in Esthar, and raised in Deling City by my mother. I was a waitress, an actress, and a dancer before I was brought back to Esthar. Since then, I've travelled the worlds and fought against people like you. I've made friends, and a few enemies. I've fallen in love, and suffered from heartache."
:: She finally manages to straighten up, if only slightly. She still feels as weak as before, but her momentum keeps her going again. ::
"I don't know what I'm going to be. I'm not going to be a president, like Dad and Rainii. I wouldn't want to. And I'm probably not going to be a sorceress. I don't think I have a choice on that one."
:: She makes a fumbling effort to fight Gwen's hand off of her. ::
"Most importantly, I'm going to be Julie... and figure out what that means as I go."
'Now, will you please shut up and go away so I don't have to try and make you.'
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Post by Natalia on Jun 18, 2009 2:53:23 GMT -5
::As Julie speaks, though she can't see it, her hair lightens back to its original blond and her clothing becomes her own again. Her face changes back into Julie and the audience applauds again, rising out of their seats to give her a standing ovation. Some even throw roses onto the stage for her. Gwen's hold over her breaks and the witch steps back::
That is better.
::Julie turns slowly to see Gwen's appearance changing as well. Her pale skin darkens to a smooth mocha, and her hair turns black. Her silk crimson dress fades into a black trench coat and boots, and her predatory hazel eyes darken into the knowing amethysts of Natalia::
You've kompleted...
::The Natalia look-alike stops and clears her throat::
Sorry, you've completed the final phase of the test; The Mother. It reflects what you need. I'd explain it, but I don't think I can put in any better than what you just said. Look.
::She waves her hand over the still cheering audience and finally Julie recognizes them. Rainii and Laguna stand in the front row clapping their hands and looking very proud. Eva and Dante are next to them. On the other side is Lillith and Kenny, their son Simon on his father's shoulders. Little Iole stands by Kenny, whistling with two of her fingers. Galeon's the next one she sees, blowing her a kiss when they make eye-contact. Next to him is Clerian. And then she sees Clive, Vincent and his crew, Shaft, Rose, and a line-up of others she hasn't met yet but feels very familiar with::
You can go back now. You no longer need me to light your way.
::And then her guide exits stage left::
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 18, 2009 3:08:44 GMT -5
:: Julie wants to ask about the identity of her guide before she leaves, but she doesn't have time before the faux-Natalia disappears. It probably doesn't matter, anyway. She looks out over her audience, smiling. ::
'I'll see you all soon.'
:: Just for fun, she takes a bow before turning around to exit the stage - and the mirror. ::
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Post by Lillith on Jun 18, 2009 3:14:10 GMT -5
Rose: Oh good you're alright! Are there any broken bones? Any dizziness? I'm taking you to the hospital wing right away!
::As Julie comes to her senses after staggering out of the mirror in a flash of light, she becomes aware of Rose's hands steadying her. Lillith takes her other shoulder::
Give her some space Rose. Julie, you alright? You with us?
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 18, 2009 3:22:31 GMT -5
"I'm fine. Why?"
:: Julie looks curiously at Rose, then Lillith. ::
"How many students have had to go through that thing? Wait... did I pass? It kinda seemed like I did..."
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Post by Lillith on Jun 18, 2009 3:27:14 GMT -5
Um... did you... learn anything?
::Lillith gives her a weak smile::
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Post by Julie Loire on Jun 18, 2009 3:33:03 GMT -5
:: Julie smiles. ::
"Yeah, I guess I did."
:: The smile quickly drops a bit. ::
"Wait, you didn't know? Weren't you watching, or... I don't know... something?"
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