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Post by Lillith on Dec 12, 2011 3:45:01 GMT -5
::Lillith nodded back::
I can't really say for certain. I don't go into that kind of thing.
::There was slight hesitation in her voice, suggesting that wasn't as honest of a statement as she wished it were::
But you're right Jezebel is playing a factor. Those three from what Nahla said earlier had the same mark on them that was on Natalia's hand when she was alive. I'd hoped Rainii had severed her connection with Gaia when the Second Sorceress War ended.
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Jan 7, 2012 23:42:50 GMT -5
::Before Nahla could say yea or nay to Gideon's invitation, a shadowy whisp beside her made her jump. Nyx stood beside her with an apparently new plate of cookies::
Nyx: Sorry Nahla. I didn't mean to startle you. I was just here to see... the elf. I can't really remember his name. I was going to slip in but I thought that might be rude.
::Gideon smiled. At least one part of her hadn't changed. She'd always been formally respectful to a fault. He felt a lump form in his chest as she knocked her dainty fingers against the door of his cabin. It took him awhile to respond::
Come in.
::She poked her head around the door and when she saw him sitting there she smiled and let herself in::
Nyx: I made these for you. I hope you like them.
::She watched him expectantly and it became clear she wasn't going to leave until he took one. Still crestfallen he took one of the cookies off the plate and put it to his mouth. Its sugary scent was mouthwatering and it was so moist it melted in his mouth. He gulped it down and she blinked her black eyes at him::
Nyx: Well....?
It's delicious. You're an excellent cook.
Nyx: Just something the Miss taught me.
But there's a difference. You can actually make them edible.
::Nyx's face fell and flushed red like he'd just insulted her::
Nyx: I wish you wouldn't speak so negatively about my mistress. I'm trying my best to be nice to you.
I'm sorry. Forgive me.
::Though his plea was half hearted. Nyx scrutinized him carefully. This elf perplexed her. He clearly knew her mistress well enough to insult her, but she had never made any mention of someone of his description. She couldn't recall meeting him in Freya, but he had to be from there. But stranger than that was the sad way he looked at her. He'd insisted she hadn't done anything to upset her, so why did he seem so forlorn whenever she was around?::
Nyx: Well... I suppose you're right. The Miss does lack any sort of cooking skills. Some days I think she'd actually prefer her meat raw. But I'm sort of glad. It means she still needs me, and I'm glad to be of use.
::Gideon's mouth twitched up into a grin slightly::
You're very faithful. It's one of your best qualities. I've always... I do find it very admirable.
::There was no point in trying to convince her of a past she had no memory of, especially in the fragile state she was in. He'd likely just upset her. He had no desire to push the price he had paid onto her::
Nyx: It's simply the code I live by. It's a Wutai tradition.
::He noticed the way she fingered the black ribbon in her white hair when she said that::
Nic... Nyx.
::He caught himself::
I was wondering. That ribbon seems to be very precious to you. You never seem to take it out. Did someone give it to you?
Nyx: Well.... yes. A long time ago. My Sensei.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Jan 8, 2012 0:08:42 GMT -5
Doma Castle---Fourteen Years Ago ::In the castle courtyard Doma, the black clad Wutai trainees whirled and dashed together in a dance of unarmed battle. They were all young trainees, the oldest no more than twelve. But it was the youngest and smallest of them that they each had their blades, their eyes, and their very senses trained on. But this was not a schoolyard of bullies. This was a test of survival, and she had proven herself the greatest threat to them. She was clad in a simple dress of black with dark shoes and knee-high stockings like the rest of the females, but she stood apart from them with her long shimmering hair that shone pure golden after months of having it washed and groomed regularly. But still it hung unruly and long all the way to her knees. And her blue green eyes were feral as she defended herself. No hand could strike her for when a hand whirled to jab her, it passed through her completely, like a shadow. It was an instinct she had honed to perfection in her training. As she spun and shifted in and out of her shadow form, there one moment, and behind her foes the next, all the while her sun colored hair twirling with her, she looked like a strange woodland fairy in an enchanting dance than a girl being trained as an assassin. But still with all her achievement and hard work, Shizuka still watched her from afar with narrow eyes. Every day since the girl had come to live with them, Shizuka had never passed up an opportunity to voice her disapproval of the young outsider no matter the level of skill and grace she attained. Now, just as she usually did, she paid the girl a small compliment, only to pepper it with disdain and judgment until it was tasteless::
Shizuka: You are right Kitsune, she is improving. But she wastes far too much energy trying to locate her enemies through those cobwebs atop her head. Even an animal knows when its fur does not allow for sight.
::Sure enough, the Wutai warrior beside her could see the signs in his disciple that only he could recognize; The wider swings, the more rigid stances that allowed him to see that she was tiring::
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Post by Nu on Jan 8, 2012 2:54:59 GMT -5
::Kamikaze couldn't ignore Shizuka's words for she was right about the situation. He noted Nicole still had trouble fighting if she couldn't see her target, even during a spar with him. He then realized what needed to be done.::
Kamikaze: Nicole, come with me. There is something we need to discuss.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Jan 8, 2012 3:05:08 GMT -5
::Breathing heavily, her brows knit tightly together from determination, Nicole turned to face him. She placed her knuckles against the palm of her other hand and bowed respectfully::
Nicole: Yes Sensei.
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Post by Nu on Jan 8, 2012 3:12:03 GMT -5
::He motioned for her to fallow him, which she did.::
Kamikaze: Me and Shizuka-sensei noticed that you have been having some trouble fighting. You're focusing too much on seeing a single target, and that is leaving you open to assaults from others. Before I tell you what I think the problem is, I want you to tell me what you think the problem is.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Jan 8, 2012 3:20:13 GMT -5
::The girl had been required to grow up fairly quickly in her time at Doma Castle serving under Count Sigismund and being trained by Kamikaze, but in spite of her forced maturity she still bit her lip. She wanted to avoid the correct answer, but she knew that lying to her sensei was unforgivable. Wutai had no need for lies. So her decision was straightforward honesty::
Nicole: Sensei I do not wish to cut my hair.
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Post by Nu on Jan 8, 2012 3:30:14 GMT -5
::He nodded as she knew what her problem was.::
Kamikaze: It's good that you guessed what the problem is. But if you do not cut your hair Nicole, it would keep getting in the way. ::He stopped as he thought:: hmm... I think I have a solution that would allow you to keep your hair and also keep it off your face. Wait here a moment.
::He vanished from her sight before reappearing a minute later, a ribbon clutched in his hand::
Kamikaze: Try tying your hair with this. That way, it's not in the way while you're fighting and you won't have to cut it.
::As she has some trouble, he decides to help her out. He steps back after she finishes::
Kamikaze: So, how does it feel?
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Jan 8, 2012 3:39:14 GMT -5
::She blinked a couple of times, but readied her body into a stance. She swung her arms in the sets he had taught her. After the first three, a blade materialized in her hand. She twirled it expertly in her fingers and her field of vision was broad. And with her improved sight, she felt her senses sharpen with it. She should have known he wouldn't force her to do something she didn't want to. It wasn't her sensei's way. He would simply tell her if something was wrong, and then let her correct it on her own. And to please him, she would do anything. He wasn't like the others. She knew she could talk to him freely. She could ask him the question she had carried with her for a long time now::
Nicole: Sensei, why does Lord Sigismund wish for us to fight? I asked Shizuka-Sensei, but she struck me and told me it was not my place to question, and that I was fortunate he had allowed me to live at all.
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Post by Nu on Jan 8, 2012 13:37:36 GMT -5
::He smiled at her question before ruffling her hair::
Kamikaze: It's because the other kingdoms are ignorant of our lord's intention my little Nyx. ::He started, using his personal nickname for her:: The other kingdoms see him as nothing but a tyrant, one to be crushed. But what they don't know, is that he's an honorable and just ruler. Honor is becoming scarce in this world as corruption starts to set in almost every form of government. They fear him because he has the courage to fight against their corruption. They only want to be rid of him because they want the lands Doma is on for themselves. That is why we fight, to defend the people of this kingdom and our lord.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Jan 8, 2012 19:44:51 GMT -5
::The girl thought to herself for a moment. She liked it when he called her Nyx, after the night fairy::
What if Lord Sigismund weren't honorable like he is? Would you still follow him?
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Post by Nu on Jan 8, 2012 21:12:21 GMT -5
::She sees him go silent at her question before he responds::
Kamikaze: Honorable or not, I would still serve him. The reason is I owe him my life.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Jan 8, 2012 22:36:46 GMT -5
Nyx: Sensei, what if I served a different master that Lord Sigismund hated? Would you kill me?
::She had never meant anything by it. But alone with her sensei she knew she was free to be a child. And like most children her age she loved to ask questions, no matter how pointless, or in some eyes dangerous, they may be. Mostly she loved to ask questions that pertained to him and her, and was trying her hardest to understand this new world of servants and masters and honor she had landed in::
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Post by Nu on Jan 8, 2012 23:43:27 GMT -5
::He gone silent after she asked him that. Truth be told, this was one problem he knew would happen if he took a student. If he or she did indeed betray Lord Sigimund and he was sent to stop them, he doubted he would be able to do it.::
Kamikaze: Part of me would hope it would never come to that. But you would have your reason and I would have my orders. The only thing I would promise is I will not hold back. Doing so otherwise would be dishonorable to you. That same part would doubt I would be able to kill you after everything you and I have been through.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Jan 9, 2012 0:30:10 GMT -5
::Nyx nodded::
I know I owe Lord Sigismund my life, but I don't know him that well. It's easier for me to be loyal to you. As long as I do that, and you're still loyal to Lord Sigismund, we'll be okay right?
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Post by Nu on Jan 9, 2012 0:35:17 GMT -5
:He nodded at her question::
Kamikaze: As long as we don't have a reason to fight one another we'll be fine. Now let's get you back and see if there's any improvement now that you got that ribbon keeping your hair back.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Jan 9, 2012 1:07:39 GMT -5
::Nyx smiled softly as she finished relating the origin of her hair ribbon::
Nyx: After that day, I could see clearer. That my loyalty truly rested with my Sensei. I've kept this ribbon to remind me of that.
Gideon: But now you're opposing him by following Iole. If your loyalty is really with him, why do you choose to fight him?
Nyx: It's complicated... I'm showing my loyalty to him by remaining true to the code he taught me; to follow a master whose ideals I believe in. I believe in Iole. She's never given me reason to doubt her. And I believe in what she stands for; to protect and value life and all it has to offer both good and bad. My Sensei is a good man, but he's lost sight of the truths he taught me. Lord Sigismund claims to be a man of honor, but... I've seen who he truly is through his actions. He's a man who uses others to achieve his own ends when he claims to rely on his own strength. And that is something I know my Sensei abhors. I've decided to show him the truth by living it, even if it means fighting him.
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Jan 9, 2012 1:10:23 GMT -5
::Gideon nodded:
You care enough about him to show him that he's wrong. I wouldn't call that feeling loyalty. It's stronger than that. I would call it love.
Nyx: Love....
::She mused::
Nyx: Yes I suppose you're right. I do love my Sensei.
And if you turn out to be wrong?
Nyx: I will face the consequences. It's better than living a lie. That is also a truth he taught me.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Jan 18, 2012 4:21:51 GMT -5
::The elf stared at her with his cloud colored eyes saying nothing and again she saw that unexplained sadness that only she seemed to create in him. It made her uncomfortable enough to stand back up::
Nyx: I hope you enjoy the cookies. I'm going to see what else Rafee will let me cook. It would be nice if he allowed me to cook dinner for everyone.
Gideon: Nyx,
::She turned back to him reluctantly, but she was surprised by the new look in his eyes. The sadness still lingered, but within it was a new feeling. She was so new at this that she couldn't think of a name to place to it, but she knew it was good::
Gideon: May I call you Nicole?
::She felt a jolt in her chest, like her heart had just done a back flip. She hoped she'd hidden it well enough because that was the first time she'd ever felt it do that and it made her cheeks flush to red::
Nyx: I suppose. But how did you know that was my name?
Gideon: Iole told me.
Nyx: Oh... Alright then.
Gideon: Thank you for telling me that story. I believe you when you say your teacher is a good man. And because of who you are, I know you can save him.
::Before she had only been able to understand reassurance, but now it was different. Now she could feel his encouragement, and that made her realize what that feeling was she was in his eyes now. It was hope::
Nyx: Thank you... Gideon.
::She curtsied politely before vanishing into the hall again, a little too dazed to notice Nahla unable to take her eyes off her. Nahla felt her hand ball into a fist. That exchange had been both awkward and painful to overhear. She slid into Gideon's room and found that he hadn't moved an inch. He was still seated on the cot staring after the woman he knew she loved who had forgotten all about him::
Nahla: Alright look, I don't know much about magic, but I know it can be reversed. That's how it works right? There's spells for hurting and spells for healing.
Gideon: Nahla...
Nahla: I'll bet if we go back to Tzen I can put some holes in those bug-eyed witches. Then they'll have to undo the damage.
Gideon: Nahla--
Nahla: I don't care how tricky or powerful they think they are, I've yet to meet anyone who's smarter than a bullet. I mean it, I'll do it. I'll put a barrel right up that furry one's--
Gideon: Nahla!
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Jan 18, 2012 4:42:28 GMT -5
::It was small, but Gideon couldn't begrudge a smile for the passionate weapon specialist. No matter her gruff exterior or the belligerent number of guns she carried on her, he knew she had a golden heart:: I chose to make that deal and now I have to live with whatever consequences that choice brought me. Nahla: That's bullsh*t! You can't just give up! I'm not. ::She blinked and he waited for her to calm herself and listen:: That was the first time she's ever told me that story. Until then she'd never spoken of her Teacher to anyone. Not even Iole. I always knew that ribbon was precious to her, but she would never tell me why. Nahla: Well... she's not exactly herself right now either. Not the way you know her, but I think she's more herself now than she's been in a long time. I made a deal with the darkness and I paid for it, but despite what humanity may believe, the Gods are not heartless. Perhaps they've given me a way to know Nicole all over again. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQCZQpBnQ4::Nahla swallowed at that statement. The Gods were not exactly a topic she enjoyed. She didn't consider herself cynical, but after all that she had been through it was hard for her to believe in the existence of any Gods, or at least that they gave a damn what happened to anyone down here:: Nahla: So you'll start over completely. You have that kind of faith in her? And in them. ::He pointed up, and she tried not to scoff:: She's taught me more than she'll ever know. She's remaining faithful to ideals she believes with all her heart are true, and because of that she's happy. I have to remain faithful to mine. I know it will work itself out. None of us are alone in this life even when we've given up. ::She wanted to argue it had been Nyx who had given his hope back and not whatever gods he prayed to, but she was reminded of his statement from earlier that the Gods had sent Nyx to him in the first place. She shook her head:: Nahla: Well whatever this is, I'm glad you're coming out of your funk. Between the Captain and Lillith we've got enough of that crap going on around here. ::She stalked off with that:: Nahla, I do appreciate your friendship. If it weren't for you Nicole wouldn't have made it back with us. ::She stopped for another moment. Dammit, how had she been roped into saving Nyx anyway? Talking to Gideon long enough it seemed made even someone as hardened as herself start to wonder if she might be a believer after all. She shrugged:: Nahla: Yeah sure. Anytime. ::Just outside the galley of the Hijrah, Nyx leaned her back against the wall and sank down to the floor, feeling like a barrage of things hitting her from all sides was forcing her to stop to hold herself together. She wondered if she'd ever get used to feeling things this strongly. What the elf had said had bolstered her resolve. She couldn't give up yet. She fingered the black ribbon that had scarcely left her white hair ever since that day:: Nyx: Sensei... hold on. I'm coming for you.
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