Adjournment

[Iole]

(OOC: Okay I'm just going to say this once. This thread is for those in the Campground party. IE everyone except Jas, Kerion, and Ren. Continue posting in the previous thread where Loci will most assuredly have his way with you).

::A hill of loose mud and dirt covered that Black Jack's bow was becoming easy work for the crew that had been assigned to it. As Oliver began digging, he nearly lost his footing as the ground next to him rose up. Something white and furry knocked him flat onto his back as it burst from under the dirt. The giant wolf shook the dirt from its fur and looked at him with its great blue eyes. As it shrunk back into Iole she laughed::

Sorry Ollie. This should be easy though. We'll have her back off the ground in no time. And you say I can't handle an airship.

::She got back to work and as she dug with her claws she found a boulder buried underneath all the dirt::

Hey Stefan, come help me lift this... Stefan?

::She turned around to see the dark haired prince had his claws out just as she had, red plated scales covering his arms, but that he had taken a break from digging in favor of staring off into the sky. Someone else might say he was simply acting the part of a high born noble unused to such manual labor, and others would have called him cowardly or paranoid, being put at unease by their surroundings. But Iole knew better. That connection they hadn't yet explained where they knew what the other was feeling had grown stronger to the point where they were acutely aware of one another's emotional state almost all the time. But even without that, she couldn't mistake that longing in his gleaming golden eyes. She stepped behind him so only he could hear her::

Hey... you haven't flown since we left Doma have you?

::Stefan hesitated::

Stefan: I've had plenty of chances to fly during our battles.

That's not what I mean and you know it.

::He sighed and turned to face her, and this time in those eyes she saw a plea for help, like a child that was too embarrassed to ask to be excused to relieve themselves. She winked::

Hey Ollie, Stefan and I need to do some recon on our surroundings. Looks like we're about finished. Think you can handle things until we get back?

[Kerion]

::Inside the ship's engine room::

Basho: Kusari, hand me that screwdriver.

Kusari: ::As she hands him the tool he asked for:: Are you sure its a good idea to start working on the engines so soon? Iole and Oliver haven't gotten the ship unstuck yet.

Basho: The sooner I can get the main engine online, the better. We don't have to wear the masks because the air filtration system has a back-up generator separate from the main system, but I don't know how long it'll be before the dang thing needs a recharge from the main system. Also, the auto-guns won't work unless main power is restored. Until then, we're sitting ducks if a hoard attacks. And with the navigation down, we won't know if an attack is coming. That's why I'm working as their digging the ship out.

[Iole]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS3dJkOeVD8

Stefan: Don't worry Oliver. I'll watch her back.

::Stefan winked. They made their way to the ledge they had landed near which poured into an expansive ravine. He looked down from the yawning mouth of the canyon to the smog choked skies above them. They weren't his first choice to fly in, but the ache in his wings wasn't allowing him to be choosy::

Stefan: You know, I am still technically a prisoner among you. How are you so sure I won't make an escape?

::Iole smirked::

The question isn't if you'll make a break for it. The question is if you can keep up with me.

::She turned her back on the ledge and let herself fall backwards into the ravine below. In moments she spun back into the air with her wings spread. He grinned and dove off the ledge after her, spreading his crimson wings at once. Together they glided over and dove under the treacherous rocks of the canyon like two children playing tag. She'd occasionally loop a figure eight around him to make her point that she was the faster and the more graceful flyer. He grinned wider before folding his wings and diving head first for the ground. She took the hint and did the same, diving forward like a white missile. They plummeted towards the floor of the canyon where the jagged rocks were surely sharp enough to cut anyone foolish enough to fall to ribbons. Then just before they hit they opened their wings and rocketed back into the sky. They landed on an isolated ledge laughing::

Stefan: I believe I won that one.

No way. You opened your wings way before I did.

Stefan: Well there was no one around to judge, so why don't we call it a draw.

Not a chance. I won fair and square.

Stefan: You really don't like losing do you.

I wouldn't know. I've never done it before.

[Sigismund]

::The two of them laughed, but Stefan could feel a strange sadness behind her smile. He had felt it once before already, in Maranda and he wanted to ask her about it. He was glad they were alone now, because he was afraid what asking her might cause her to do::

Stefan: Iole... that being we met in Maranda. Have you met her before?

::Iole's face fell at once and that felt like a prick to his heart. He knew it wasn't something she wanted to discuss in the slightest::

Iole: What made you think that?

Stefan: Little things... it knew your name. And I felt what you were feeling back there.

::She sighed::

Iole: That's not fair you know, how you can feel that.

Stefan: But you can too can't you? You can feel my heart as well. Does it feel like the heart of someone who will judge you?

::She looked away::

Iole: I guess not. It's just... I've never told anyone. I was kind of hoping it would just go away you know?

Stefan: Is this about the story you told Ren?

::Her eyes widened as she turned them on him again::

Iole: You heard that?

Stefan: Sort of... not on purpose I assure you.

Iole: Then how?

Stefan: I sort of... dreamed it. When we crash landed. You're still dreaming of me?

Iole: Yeah. I guess I can't hide anything from you.

Stefan: I don't have much experience in what you're going through, but I think it would help if you talked about it with someone.

[Iole]

Fine then why don't you tell me what you've been hiding!

::Stefan seemed taken aback by this::

I can play this game too. There's something you keep hidden. Something you really don't want anyone else to know. You keep a pretty calm face about it, but I can tell it's bothering you. Mostly it's when we mention your father. And it's been happening a lot since we started our research.

::Stefan blinked, but he didn't say anything. She took this as a sign of defeat::

There see. You should know how it feels then.

[Sigismund]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5e_pP1Wdj4&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL60E33CCB141E39C2

Stefan: I'm not real.

::He blurted. Iole took a moment to register that, but even when she did she didn't understand::

Iole: ...What?

Stefan: Exactly what I said. You see my Father... when he was younger he went in search of immortality. Like you he wasn't always a dragon. He was human. But legend says that there is dragon blood in the nobility of Doma. Our ancient kings were said to have a special relationship with them. He learned of an ancient ritual, a sort of rite of passage to become one. But in order for it to be complete, he needed to slay a dragon in honorable battle. But... he was young then. He feared for his life and because of that he fought dishonorably by using poisoned weapons. He gained the power he wished for, but it lacked the very gift of the dragons he prized most. He continued to age. He began to search desperately for some means, any means to prolong his life. And for awhile that's all he could do. Certain magics that would give him a few more years. But by the end of the great war with the Empire, he had still succumbed to the form of an old man. It wasn't until he learned the magic of the sorceresses that he found a more permanent answer. He learned it was possible to move his soul from one body to another. But not just anyone would do. So he began to engineer something most of the skilled researchers had only dreamed of. It is a secret he has kept closely guarded for over a hundred years now.

::Iole's eyes narrowed trying to wrap her head around his narration. It was not only difficult to follow, it was impossible to see how it connected to him. So far it had all been about the Count::

Iole: What kind of body did he need?

::Stefan inhaled slowly and let out a long slow breath::

Stefan: His own. He had a system of clones created.

Iole: What?! How? The sixth world doesn't have that kind of--

Stefan: The Wutai have served our kingdom for generations, and many of the clans are loyal to my father. Being based in the Seventh world, they have the means to obtain the technology, and their knowledge of the human body is immense. With those resources, and a sorceress, anything is possible. When one body grows too old the system simply allows him to place his soul in the next one.

Iole: I still don't see what that has to do with you.

Stefan: You haven't guessed? Didn't you find it strange that he had a son but no mention of him ever having taken a wife?

::Iole's eyes widened as the final pieces came into view and fell into place::

Iole: No...

Stefan: It's true. I'm one of his clones. I was chosen specially. Unlike the others I was allowed to grow as a human. He raised me to be his heir should the worst happen to him. The back-up system. That's what they called me. Given that, I'm not even sure I qualify as a real person, having been engineered to life by science and magic. So yes Iole. I understand how it feels. I know how ugly the truth can be.

Iole: ....Why are you telling me this?

Stefan: Because I trust you. And I stand by what I said. Sharing the burden does help. You've helped shoulder mine. Why can't you let me shoulder yours?

::He stared into her with his golden eyes, and it felt as though they were going through her, not breaking down her will, but rather assuaging her fears and allowing her guard to lower. She sighed. He was right, she hated to lose::

[Iole]

::She stared off into the sky as if she were trying to recall some distant memory. In truth it was clear as day to her. She even remembered the faint smell of coconuts that had wafted into her bedroom the day her Auntie had come to claim her::

That being we met... she's called Jezebel. She's a fallen goddess from another world called Freya. How much do you know about Natalia?

Stefan: I know that she was very important to you. My father once said she was his finest opponent. He admired her greatly.

Opponent?

::Stefan looked abashed::

Stefan: Let's just say his search for immortality led him to her and she was less than agreeable about it.

See that's what I mean! All I ever saw of her was this perfect beautiful woman who looked after me and I wanted to be just like her. And why wouldn't I? She saved my life and all. But what did I know then? Suddenly I'm older and I'm hearing all sorts of things about her that I never knew, like how she served Jezebel. But none of that would really matter if...

::She bit her lip as she recalled the words the woman had said to her the day they had first met; a sick little girl lying in bed, and woman with purple eyes so beautiful she had to be the fairy she had prayed would come and take her away::

Natalia: Then I will honor your wish. On one condition. You will swear loyalty to me.

Young Iole: I'll do it. Whatever it is you want. Please just make this stop.

I didn't know it then, but I was making a deal with a Witch. And deals like that always come with a price. In the case of what I asked for, it's tantamount to selling yourself to that thing we saw in Maranda.

Stefan: Are you certain of this?

I don't know! Part of me keeps thinking my Auntie would never let something like that happen to me, but the other part keeps nagging that there was so much about her I didn't know! That thing was a part of her, and now it's a part of me. I didn't want to believe it, but every day I can feel it growing inside me, turning me into a monster. I don't like what I'm becoming and I'm afraid of what will happen if I let it spread to Oliver, or our...

::She pressed a hand against her stomach::

Or our son. Oh Gods what have I done?

::She had felt it coming on for awhile, and her tone had raised as she went on, but she was still frustrated when she found herself sinking her head against his chest to cry. She felt his warm hands fold around her, letting her sob, soaking her tears into his shirt, and running his fingers through her coal black hair::

[Sigismund]

::He had longed for this ever since that night she had first come into his dreams, to hold her like this. To feel her warmth and be hers. He would be lying to himself if he said differently. But he was still a man of honor, and she was right now involved with another man, one he had a great deal of respect for, and his convictions would not let him take advantage of this situation when she had just placed a great deal of trust in him. He would say what needed to be said::

Stefan: Iole, why have you not told Oliver about this?

[Iole]

::He felt her shudder in his arms. She began shivering as she recalled that moment not long ago at all that Oliver had brought her worst fears to life with his own voice::

"Any of ye take it, up on t'is offer, I'll ki'l ye mese'f! Be doin' ye all a big damn favor!"

I can't ... Out of everyone else, there's no way I could ever tell him. He has every reason to hate people like me. I couldn't take it if he ever looked at me that way.

[Sigismund]

::Stefan nodded, still keeping his arm around her shoulder::

Stefan: Someone like you. You mean Oliver hates those who are compassionate? Kind? Heroic? Beautiful? I suppose I could go on. Those are qualities he seems to hold in high regard. And I promise you, if he knew, he would look at you exactly as I am.

::He pulled away from her and held her at arm's length so they could see face to face::

Stefan: Through the eyes of someone in love.

::It was the first time he had said it out loud, and in that moment they both felt something change::

[Iole]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=unVl3AAML-w

::To her it was like the old Stefan had vanished and a new one had taken his place. There no longer seemed to be any danger to him. That sense of dread she had once felt when he had neared was gone. It had been gone for awhile. But in that instant it had been replaced by an intense longing. Their eyes remained locked, blue staring into gold, and they either didn't notice or no longer cared how close those eyes were getting to one another. She felt a small jolt in her chest when she finally felt his warm breath just in front of her face, but then her lips pressed against his, and she closed her eyes and let it happen. That feeling of longing had pushed all reason out of her head. Why was this wrong again? It felt as though she had just found a piece of herself, like an old clock that has been broken for so long it doesn't even know it's hands aren't moving. Then someone comes along and places a gear back in place and suddenly everything is different. Different and right::

[Guinevere]

::Meanwhile back at Camp, Gwen had nearly finished preparations for dinner when she came out of the ship with a request from Oliver shortly after Iole and Stefan had left::

We won't last very long if we don't find a reliable water-source. Oliver, you have the best nose. You'll have to find one for us. Perhaps at the bottom of this canyon?

[Kerion]

::Inside the engine room::

Basho: Now I need to complete the circuit. And this should do the ::Is shocked before moving the wire:: That wasn't suppose to happen.

Kusari: Basho, food for ya.

Basho: Hang on, I'm almost finished! Now this goes... There! ::The lights in the engine room kick on::Oh yeah, who's the man! ::Slams the panel shut.::

::On the bridge::

::The computer consoles kick to life as Anya watches, her face turning into a grin::

Anya: Finally! ::Moves her glasses onto her face and turns to main console before cracking her knuckles:: Now to reboot the systems. First, the defense system.

[Oliver]

Oliver was busy analyzing a map he had scrawled on a discarded piece of paper, marking landmarks he saw from the ship before they were brought down. He was also adding those strange sensors that dotted the bleak and poisoned landscape, using them to map routes based on an old map of Daines-Norse Basin from the Black Jack’s bridge – he would update the regular map when he was done. He had been so caught up in this work that he hadn’t noticed Stephan and Iole had been gone for some time.

“Uh?” Oliver muttered, not paying Gwen much attention, his voice was mechanical under the rebreather he was using. There was no way he was going to risk this air. None, even if Iole and Stefan felt safe, he knew how much it had affected his mother’s breathing and how easily infections hit her from having once breathed this air. “Use t’e s’ip’s reserves, t’is water is probab’y all poison.” He turned to look at her, puzzled now why she would ask such a request. Obviously she had to know this entire area was diseased. He eyed her suspiciously, but she just shot him that innocent, s**t-eating smile. “I’ll c’eck it out t’ough. Tryin’ to update t’is map, might be useful to scout a lil.” He rolled up the map and paper and stuffed them in a little pack at his side – where he kept a few grenades and other hand-held explosives of his.

He rummaged inside the ship for some gear, then headed out to the canyon near the ship. He gave a glance down, and swallowed hard. It was deeper than he had anticipated and of course, filled with sharp rocks. So if the fall doesn’t kill you, being skewered on pointy rocks surely would. Death scenarios aside, Oliver tied the long rope he had acquired to a dead tree stump which still appeared fixed fast to the ground, then the other end around his waist and started abseiling down the sheer face of the canyon.

The fog was thicker there, he could taste the air through the filters now. Why in all the hells was he doing this for Gwen’s sake? She probably wanted him gone to take over the ship or something just as crazy.
Thankfully, Iole and Stefan were still flying around – Gwen would be insane to try anything when they could return at any moment. So, he put those thoughts to the back of his mind and focus on the decent. A little further down, he heard voices with his keen ears, opposite the rock face he was crawling down. He stopped, looked and listened. The mist was thick but when the rips of air cut through the canyon, the fog would fade away just enough to make out two figures on ledge near the bottom of the canyon. After a moment, he could recognize the two, Stefan and Iole. Anxiety and a spark of fear begun growing inside his chest. He remained still and eavesdropped, focusing as hard as he could to see the ambiguous shades moving opposite him. Then he saw, least he swore he knew what he just saw. A fire inside exploded, his clawed fingers scratched into rock and he almost lunged across – but he caught himself. No, maybe he was mistaken, it’s obscured. Maybe he miss-saw. Couldn’t have been. A million thoughts shot through his head with a little voice telling him a truth he refused to acknowledge. Whatever it was he saw, he couldn’t focus on what he came here for and with like a fire lit up him, he shoot quickly back up the rock wall. He wanted to be back at the ship when the two returned.

[Guinevere]

::He made it to the top of the canyon, climbing easily enough over the rock wall, back on more solid ground but still a short distance off from the ship::

Find what you were looking for?

::It was Gwen. But how was she here? With his keen eyes he could see the distorted energy of a spell rippling around her, protecting her from the infected air, but that still didn't explain how she was standing in front of him right where he had emerged. The only way she could have done that was if she had followed him because she had known. She had known he would see what he was still denying he saw in that canyon. And as such, when he met her eyes he expected to see that familiar arrogant smile of triumph that seemed permanently painted onto her face. Instead what he was met with was a look of pity, and that was even more infuriating::

[Oliver]

Oliver hoisted himself up over the canyon ledge and back onto solid ground – though his legs were still weak, either from the climb or what he witnessed. Then Gwen had to chime in, obviously having followed him there, and it wouldn’t take much a guess to know that somehow she had a hand in what he witnessed. Oliver however, despite knowing full well this was some sort of set-up, another game of Gwen. He opted to play dumb instead – though the weight on his eyes and in his voice spoke what he wasn’t.

“No… no water.” He stated, static, lacking his usual rhythmic inflection. He begun coiling his rope, keeping his back to Gwen as if it pretend she wasn’t there. “Deso’ate, not’in more.” He glanced back and took in those eyes of pity – what a bloody fiend. That burned him more than anything else right now. What nerve she had to pity him – he didn’t want her pity. He wanted no one’s pity. “Now if you’ll excuse me, Gwen. Got ta map t’e area a litt’e more before t’e ot’ers return.” He tucked the rope under his arm and begun walking away, towards the ship.

[Guinevere]

You have a tell Oliver.

::She called to him as he passed her. She heard him stop and turned to face him with her arms folded::

When you lie. It's only for a moment but I katch it. Your eye. It swivels down to look at the ground for a moment. There's also a smell, but I try to ignore it.

[Oliver]

“W’ats it to ye, Gwen?” Oliver snapped back as he came to a dead stop. “I said it was deso’ate, notin’ more to say about it. Just dead, cold earth an’ rocks down t’ere. Want to see for yese’f? Take t’e rope.” He tossed it back to Gwen, with barely a glance and continued walking away. “Don’t s’ip. Pointy rocks at t’e bottom.”

[Guinevere]

::The Sorceress didn't even spare his offer a glance. She kept her hazel eyes on him, transfixed, and again there was that fleeting instance of sympathy in her gaze::

I don't need to look to know what is down there. I kan already see it in your eyes. Are you still going to deny it? You've been lying to yourself this whole way. You kan only run from the truth for so long.

[Oliver]

"An' w'at do ye see?" Oliver begged the question, "T'ere's a lot of t'ings out t'ere just beyond t'e veil. Been see'in bunch of s'adows 'ately. I'm not in t'e business of makin' assumptions base on w'at may or may not be on t'e ot'erside of t'is mist because I saw a few g'osts skirt by." Avoiding the heart of the subject in a strange, roundabout way. Though he stopped walking and instead stood there awkwardly - she was right about one thing. He had been running.

"Been runn'in for a long time. W'y s'ould I stop now? Kept me an' mine a'ive t'is long. So, t'at all Gwen? Or can I go?"