Fantasy Howl's Flying Castle (Finished! ---Whoo! (*＾▽＾)／)

[Katsuya]

Echo hunched her shoulders when Johnny stopped at the middle of the sentence and just buried her head into the pillow as much as she could. Silence with just her sniffling and movements under the blanket suggested her arm doing something near her face.

Then she flinched, curling up as much as her body would let her when Johnny called to her. Her ears flattened against her head when she felt him hug her from behind and just listened. She sniffed again. Her one watery green eye peeked out from the blanket to look at him, not moving from her position.

"...I'm sorry too, I should have known better and stopped myself from touching." Then she hid under the blanket again. "Even if it's medicine, it's still not good ..." Oh she remembers those wolfy urges, as she calls them now, from back at Winslow and after Scree. Johnny seemed to get more jealous with any of the other wolves and couldn't stop himself. She wondered if that's why his family and people are so gun-ho about marriage; because they get impaitient and wouldn't wait for their partner?

Echo nervously lets Johnny find her cold hand and did not squeeze. She didn't relax as she sniffed again and moved her head against the pillow for a moment before laying still.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Echo's Tent "​

"Do you want me to leave?" said Johnny anxiously, pulling away until they weren't touching at all and his warmth from behind her couldn't be felt anymore.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"....."

Echo stayed quiet for a moment and shook her head. She didn't want to be alone. She's just...

"...please stay...I'm...I'm just frustrated with myself..." Echo really hates to be this physically wounded. Ever since the orges' cave up till now, she has been nothing but a hinderance to everyone else. They always saved her; she can't save anybody. This experience is just proving it too because even when she was close to beating that dragon, it still caught her in it's jaws...and once again she became a hostage. A hinderance. A bother.

Now with Johnny feeling bad and moving away just makes it even more frustrating because she can't move as quickly to hug him or kiss him or comfort him at all.

Echo sighed shakingly and sniffed before turning around and facing her boyfriend. She tugged the blanket down a bit, revealing her teary doe eyes, tear striken cheeks and frustrated frown. She offered a hand towards Johnny as though she's pleading but she's giving him an out too; if he wishes to leave.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Echo's Tent "​

Johnny immediately took that hand, relieved, and hugged her gently. "I'll stay." he said reassuringly. When Echo flinched and her ears flattened, he thought he was afraid of her and felt disgusted he was touching her, or was maybe just letting him touch her when she did not want him to because he made her cry. He was glad he was wrong.

He cupped her cheeks and wiped the tears away with his thumb. "Why are you frustrated?" he asked kindly.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"Because I can't move." Echo answered quietly as she snuggled into Johnny's warm hug. "Because no matter how much training I do or no matter how strong I am; I still...I still get caught." Tears fell on her cheeks again.

"I still get used against everyone. I'm always the hostage and I just-" Echo sobbed into his chest as the dark whispers from the past repeated in her head. She really can't do anything. She's not a real fighter even with training, she still gets caught.

"I should have stayed at the castle and not bother everybody. I should have not come here if it means that I'll be used against my friends and you and...-sob- I'm such a failure...no matter how much I try or struggle...I...I just." She couldn't finish her sentence as Echo cried again, now her frustrations and self consciousness came out of the open. "I don't know how you deal with me always getting hurt like this!"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Echo's Tent "​

Johnny thought awhile, caressing her hair. "I feel scared, Echo, and it never gets any better the more battles we have. Anything can happen, and I never feel like I'm in control. I just came to accept that and resolved to do what I wouldn't regret the most, though that never made seeing you hurt any easier either. I'm just so happy you are alive."

He sweetly kissed her cheek, and rubbed more tears away.

"You're not a bother. The other soldiers told me what happened. You bashed that monster's head when it was turning them to stone, we would have lost our closest friends if it wasn't for you. I heard that it was right in front of Lydia, but it turned around and grabbed you instead when you broke its wings as it tried to escape. I think it attacked you because it was afraid of you the most. You hurt it the most. That sounds like a hero to me."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

She sniffed when Johnny kissed her cheeks and rubbed her tears away, listening in what he's saying. Her green eyes closed for a moment before opening again, now looking guilty of what he's going through every time she gets hurt.

Echo blanks out whenever Johnny gets hurt or is extremly in danger. So she understands the feeling of not being in control. Actually she understood everything he is saying, which is why she is frustrated. She wants everyone to be safe, especially Johnny.

When he explained and called her a hero, Echo blushed though frowning. "...A hero doesn't get captured and be used as a bargaining chip." She countered quietly. Her ears are slowly relaxing as her shoulders slumped down. Then she grinned a bit self consciously. "...I'm glad our friends are okay. I'm still sorry about Kenren's men though..."

Echo kissed him timidly. "Thank you. I...I really needed to hear that..." Her tone changed into gratefulness as her ears twitched.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Echo's Tent "​

"That's true." chuckled Johnny when Echo said heroes don't get captured and used as bargaining chips. "You are not a perfect heroine, but you very nearly are so."

He smiled when she kissed him. "You are welcome, Echo Mello." then he laughed for some reason. "Seifer was looking at us weird, but in fact his nickname is Snugglebunny."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Echo giggled at the mention of Seifer's reaction to them and his nickname from Renee. She found really amusing that he's okay with Renee calling him that and then looks at them like they were too mushy for his tastes.

"I wonder what is his nickname for Renee...think it's something just as mushy or something not mushy?"

Then she remembered something. "Why do you call me Echo Mello, Johnny?" Echo asked curiously.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Echo's Tent "​

Johnny frowned as though he was trying to remember the reason. "I think it had to do with rhyming with your name and I liked the way it sounded. Yes, I believe that is it." he said simply. "Oh, and Seifer calls her baby, James was complaining about it. Don't tell him I said that."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Echo blinked. "Baby? He calls her Baby? and James didn't murder him for it?" That's a shock for her; the last time Seifer did anything to Renee, James wanted to punch him for trying to kiss her on the dance floor at Dalaran.

When he mentioned his reason for her nickname, Echo winced and places a hand on her head. Rubbing on her temple a bit. That's weird... "Ow..."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Echo's Tent "​

Johnny shrugged. "I know, right? When we were still in Dalaran, I saw James in the library pouring over books about parenting teenagers, Echo, I think that's why he's not murdering Seifer." he glanced at her when she rubbed her temple. "The reason for my nickname hurts?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

That's not something your hear everyday: A teenager looking up how to parent teenagers. What's better is that she clearly remembers Renee telling her about how James hated to look out for the younger siblings and now he's doing research about it.

The irony of it all really...

Echo shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't wait to tell this to Renee. "I don't know, Johnny. I just..." She had to ponder for a moment before wincing again. "I feel like I've heard that before...I just...don't know where..." The fawn looked confused and a bit distressed. Maybe...it's...'No, it can't be.' Echo dismissed the thought.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Echo's Tent "​

Johnny was as clueless as her. He settled comfortably at her side, patting her stomach. He removed the small towel, dipped it into the bowl, wrung the water out, then replaced it on Echo's forehead. "You're sweating buckets." he said, getting up and rummaging for something in his bag. He returned with a shirt and wiped her face, neck, and limbs dry.

He felt her forehead again before settling back down. "Echo Mello . . . maybe it's what?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Echo blushed when Johnny pointed out her sweating a pond on the bed, fidgeting a bit in place. "W-Well Ren did say I was gonna sweat out the fever." It might explain why she's feeling a bit better despite that weird headache...Then she blinked when Johnny asked, her face turning redder when he wiped her down.

Did she say that out loud?!

"U-Um-!" A bit distracted from the care he's giving. "I- I thought it mi-might be an old memory I've forgotten..." If he looked more confused, Echo explained. "I...Remember how I said that mother was shot? Well for some reason I forgot my year around that time."

"No one, not even my Auntie Mel, told me why I can't remember. They only told me that it has something to do with my mother and what she has done for a job, but...they didn't go into details." Her ears flattened for a moment as she sighed as she gave up on trying to remember for a long time now.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Echo's Tent "​

Johnny scratched the back of his head. "Odd that you'd forget . . . How old were you when it happened?" his hand felt her back. It was wet from sweat. He made a mental note to get his sleeping bag and suggest she change into drier clothes after they talk. She might get sick some more if she slept wet in this cold weather.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"I was seven...Mhph!" Echo blushed redder when he touched her back as she already knows she's sweating like no tomorrow. His hand being wet just from touching her back made it very obvious.

"...Um...maybe I should change clothes?" She muttered.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Echo's Tent "​

He smiled when she 'Mhph!'. "Yes, then we can use my sleeping bag. I'll hang yours to dry outside when you're done."

Johnny waited outside her tent, humming the song Echo sang when they were skating together. He recalled that pleasant morning and their meeting with Mildpine. The ancient tree was surprised they knew Luthien's name for the manna trees never tell anybody their names, nor do they speak. From that he knew that they could trust them and told them that the manna tree that safeguards this land was found in 'Minas Ithil' to the north where the frost wyrms roam.

They asked him many questions as much as he asked them, and when it was nightfall, he asked Echo to sing one more song before they parted. He said that he will tell the trees of their names, and add them to the list of creatures that walk this earth: 'The singing satyr and the wolf the form of man, gliding in the ice together garbed in fur and leather'.

They had told Kenren everything after that, though not the name of the manna tree because that was not Mildpine's to give for it wasn't his name. And so now the group was journeying north to the Sea King's shrine in the land where islands float in the sky. The prince had thanked them for this stroke of good fortune and asked them to keep all that they knew a secret and to tell no one of the group's real destination.

When Echo was done, Johnny asked for her clothes, and if she gave them, he hung them outside with her wet make-shift bed by her tent, feeling a little embarrassed and yet enjoying the fact that he was touching her undergarments. 'These touched Echo's bazongas . . . ' he thought to himself staring at her brassiere. He noticed some lady soldiers watching him with a look as though they thought he was a pervert. Johnny hastily hung them, coughed, then went back inside Echo's tent.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Echo nodded and smiled shyly at Johnny, watching him leave the tent and started to undress. It was a bit difficult to get her undergarments off but she managed. Same with putting them back on and she gave up on her brassiere as it was too much of a hassle. Plus it's just comfortable to sleep without one. Once she passed her wet clothes to Johnny, Echo wondered while putting on a long dark sleeved turtle neck, how does Johnny feel with handling her clothes...

And then she blushed when she remembers her handling his underwear, especially the one with the hole on it while he was Slug mode. That was...really something, that's for sure. Echo couldn't stop blushing the whole time she cleaned them and she was tempted to patch that hole or something...

'Maybe I should have thrown that one away and make him a new one...somehow...' Echo thought, not really believing that she can do it but she'll try at least. Then Johnny came in with a blush of his own and she blushed as well, already thinking that maybe she should wear her brassiere or something to support herself...So she grabbed the blanket again and pulled it up to her chest to hide her assets but it's not helping as much as she hoped. Since you know...she's pressing the blanket against them...

"...I-I'm sorry that you had to...um...hang my clothes..." Echo muttered embarrassingly at Johnny. "But...thank you...I really appreciate it, Love." She smiled at him, looking silly.

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Lydia nodded despite the fact that Chenglei couldn't see her. Though his words made her think of all the other things they had fought and killed when she hadn't thought of them before. The Undead didn't make her feel as bad because they had already been dead and when they were brought back, they weren't even themselves anymore. It felt more like she was helping them by putting them at rest and ending the control that had been taken of them. But then by that logic, if she killed a Deathknight, she was ending the control that had been taken of them too and their situation was worse because they were still relatively conscious of what was going on.

A little sigh escaped her before she chuckled slightly, "Renee has liked Seifer from the beginning. It wasn't too hard for her to find a connection because she knew him before he was taken... it's not like with the other Deathknights... he was one of us first."

She felt like she was back at the beginning. She wasn't able to use her magic now just as she couldn't use it before. She wondered if that had something to do with it. Using a powerful destructive spell at a distance was much different from running up and clobbering an enemy in melee combat. Laying back down she turned with her back towards the side of the tent where Chenglei was seated, "I know... I just never expected to be... well doing these things when I started my apprenticeship with Master Howl... and I just keep wondering... why me? You know? Why does it seem to fall on me?"

Hugging a blanket against her and breathed in deeply, "thanks Chenglei."

Katsuya

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Echo's Tent "​

"You're welcome, Echo, and . . . I don't mind hanging your clothes." he turned redder as he stood their awkwardly. He just realized they will be snuggling without her brassiere on. Johnny set up his dry sleeping bag and helped Echo on it, red as a tomato and closing his eyes.

He did not know where to put his arm after he placed the small towel on her forehead and laid back down beside her, so he just lay there on his back, shoulder to shoulder with her and looked up at the tent where there was a gap in the canvas that gave them a view of the stars.

"This is our first time sleeping together." he said. "It feels . . . nice." he glanced at her and held her gaze for a moment, before looking away, embarrassed and smiling. "Good night, Echo Mello." he kissed her cheek.

Katsuya
OOC || Characters || Moments in Time
​

 

[Katsuya]

Chenglei scoffed when he heard about Seifer and Renee, waving a hand around. "Yes but from what I understand, Ren Ren still kept a hand out to him even when he treated her poorly. Then there's Hisaya-kun...and how he reacted to her words as well as Jams'." He might not be seen by the others, but he's around them as much as he possibly could, hidden in the darkness and shadows. The soldier might not be a ninja, but he has his ways of sneaking around...

It's the reason why Prince Kenren trusted him to keep these kids safe while keeping an eye on their movements. That and another reason why...

"Besides...I find it interesting that she is confident in Young Rathmore, but he is not confident in himself. Silly Colt..." Oh yea, he can tell by sword training. The movements he makes are clumsy and seemed more focused when he panics, not a good habit to have. So Chenglei decided to teach him a bit more once he gets a hold of him. Maybe Renee can convince him too, just so he has that option of focusing and maybe accept his hand as a guide?

'Who knows...' Chenglei thought mindlessly before grinning widely when he heard Lydia's thanks. "No one expects anything that happens in life, but it makes it a lot more interesting...." His tone went soft and mellow, comforting even like an older brother would use to a little sibling who's scared. "You're welcome, Lydia..."

It was quiet for a moment. "...I'm still calling you Ly, Ly."

***

Looking like a cherry, Echo nodded and lied down, shoulder to shoulder with Johnny. This is really awkward. So awkward. How does Renee sleep comfortable with Seifer? Yes, she has seen her walking in and out of their tent with him and it boggles Echo's mind as to how she's not flustered about it.

When Johnny cuts eye contact, Echo looked away as well, but she smiled silly as she felt his kiss on her cheek. "Good night, my solid marshmallow." She kissed his cheek too and slept comfortably.

In the morning, Johnny would find himself an arm full of Echo lying on top of him with her head under his chin and snoring quietly with her ears and fluffy tail twitching at times; There's a small smile on her face too if he checked her temperature, feeling that she's not as hot as before and it seems that she can at least move her legs now.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" The next day "​

'Good lawds, strike me dead.' thought Johnny, frozen in place like a sheep pinned under a bear, except sweet glory how it felt so good! He gulped, feeling the heat creep up his face as he panted. Echo was right on top of him. He can feel her chest on his and great Merlin's beard how he was feeling tight down, down his whalluper.

How did she clamber on top of him last night without his notice? He tilted his head slightly and felt happy when he saw her smiling. Carefully he touched her forehead and was relieved she wasn't as hot anymore. Rather, it was Johnny who was feeling the heat right now.

His stomach clenched as he slowly inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. He became aware of her fluffy legs touching his, and he moved his feet ever so slightly to feel them. He shuddered --- they were so fluffy. A shaky hand reached out to touch her twitching tail, but withdrew --- no, he can't touch her tail. That's like touching her buttocks without permission.

'But maybe just a little.' he thought, enamored. But he withdrew again. "Hng." he groaned silently. How he was so tempted to rock his hips upwards. He looked up at the gap on the roof their tent and saw that the sky was still a tame dark purple, with a hint of grey blue towards the east. It wasn't sunrise yet. Maybe he can go back to sleep --- yeah, right. If someone saw his red face, unfocused eyes, deep breathing, and slightly pained expression they'd think he was the one with the fever. His heart was hammering so fast he was surprised that it didn't wake Echo up.

What if he woke her up? But then, she'll move and not be on top of him anymore, or she won't move and they inevitably whoo hoo and he'll give her injuries. No, not wake her up . . . Maybe he can just bear it? Yeah, he'll do that.

Two hours later, when the sound of footsteps, sizzling of breakfast being cooked, and chatter of soldiers could be heard outside . . .

If Echo woke up she'd find Johnny twitching like a crazy person. He seemed to have torn up the sides of his sleeping bag, a few trips of cloth in his clenched fists. His body underneath her was so taut and he was sweating with his eyes closed tight.

Katsuya

​

- James Pendragon -
" The next day "​

James awoke early, as was his wont together with the rest of the soldiers. If there was anything that he admired in the Orientals it's that they wake up before sunrise and dedicate the rest of their day mastering their art.

First up was inspections, before breakfast one's tent and things have to be packed, armor donned, water bottles filled, then it's bowing then standing in attention before the prince, who has been ready before them all, as he moved among them inspecting their gear and armor, exchanging a few private jokes with some of the men.

"Your hair is getting too long, James." said Kenren looking at him from behind. "Cut it before we leave."

"Yes, your highness."

Then it was breakfast time. James shivered and wrapped himself in a blanket. Baths had to be rushed, and he literally jumped into the frozen waters with the rest of the guys before hastily scrubbing themselves clean and then rushing to dry and wear their clothes. It was cold, but refreshingly so.

While they waited for the food, some of the men exercised, chatted, or sparred. He had always wanted to learn hand-to-hand combat. If something happened to his wand he would be useless in battle, unable to summon even the weakest of will-o-wisps.

"Hey." he nodded in greeting at the fighters.

"Ohayo, James-san." one of them bowed.

"Ohayo." James bowed in return. He did not know Oriental very much, only the basic commands and phrases needed for military operations. "Can you teach me?" he posed in a boxer's stance.

"Okay! You follow. Watch." and the soldier pointed at his sparring friends. James did as he said. They fought the way Echo did: fast, fluid, using momentum to strike with power, and their opponent's weight against them. It was a technique a weaker man can use against a stronger heavier one. Though he had trained with them for about two months already, creating spells and studying conjuration interfered with his basic combat training that the most he was able to get under Master Sai and Master Mushi was physical fitness through their obstacle courses.

He felt proud that he was no longer the skinny boy who was out of breath, holding a walking stick and clutching a stich at his side after a now-easy two hour hike. He can travel cross-country now wearing full gear and a heavy pack on his back without having to ride on Frey. He had to admit, he loved exercise now. Plus it made him feel like a rock star, and he looked good.

That breakfast found him sporting some bruises. The soldiers who trained him believe in learning-on-the-job and they didn't show mercy. They ate together talking about the spar and how to improve by performing some basic fighting exercises whenever he had the spare time.

 

[Katsuya]

"Hmnn...." Echo groaned quietly, nuzzling into her pillow before stopping and laid still. She never felt this comfortable in bed lately, maybe her fever is making her hallucinate and if that's the case, she doesn't want to wake up. She yawned, letting out a small bleat at the end before closing her mouth. Then she turned her head to the other side, fluttering her eyes open slowly as her eyesight tries to adjust. She can hear footsteps and someone cooking...

'Time to get up if I can, that is.' Echo thought absentmindedly even though she really does not want to. Johnny's sleeping bag is so comfortable and she absolutely loved feeling the random twitches from the firm mattress...Wait...

Now that she's really paying attention to that sentence, repeating it over in her head, Echo's green half-lidded eyes looked down to see that it's not a mattress that's twitching; It's-

"Johnny?!" Echo yelped, her eyes fully wide now as she took in how red his face is while sweating profusely, her so called 'firm mattress' is actually his body not relaxed at all. Then she notice how the sides of his sleeping bag has been torn and how tight Johnny's fist were. Then her own face changed into a very bright red hue, almost glowing.

"I-I-I'm s-s-sorry! Le-Let me j-jus-!" Echo stammered, trying her best to pushing herself off with her shaky arms and quickly sat up. Only to feel something hard under her bottom and she froze, her ears perked up high in alarm. Her wide eyes grew wider then anybody could ever believe as she looked down again; Her trembling hands on his chest and she's sitting on his lap where she can feel his...his...

"...K-K-Kyaa~!!!" Echo yelped again, quickly leaning over him with her hands and knees on either side of his body without touching anywhere else. Then she looked at his face again, still worried at the fact that he looks pained. She didn't know what to do right now but she does want to relieve something but it's really doubtful that she can even do a small Woo hoo right now. Her body is aching from moving that quickly and her arms and legs are shaking just as much as Johnny's whole body right now and-! and-!

"Oh goodness. Jo-Johnny, what should I do?! Um-!? Maybe water?! The towel! I can dip water in the towel! I-I mean I can dip the towel in the water! Yea! I'll do that!" Echo stammered again, now fully getting off of him and sat besides the sleeping bag, grabbing the small towel that fell off to the side, dipping it in the cooling water in the small bowl. Once she twisted the towel to get the water out, Echo placed it on his forehead, parting his hair so it can be placed properly.

"H-H-how are you? S-Stupid questionbutIwanttomakesureyou'reokay!Soareyouokay?!Love?" What a way to start the morning...

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Camp "​

"Echo ---" Johnny began hoarsely, but he quickly covered his mouth with both hands as his back arched suddenly. A sensual whimper had escaped from him when he felt her bottom. He closed his eyes shut again feeling his body quaking. He gasped and curled up the moment she got off, gripping the sheets. "I'm . . . I'm . . ." he shook his head, not looking at her. "I need to sake a twim!"

He sprang up, the little towel flying off, and dashed out the tent.

"Johnny where you going?" shouted James bewildered.

Johnny didn't answer and dove straight into the nearest river, a whole lot of bubbles erupting from the rippling center where he disappeared into.

He came back to camp sopping wet, but looking relieved half an hour later.

"You better change, mate, and eat as we hike, we're leaving in ten minutes." said James looking at him curiously as he sat still for a soldier who was crudely cutting his hair with a dagger.

"Yes, I will." said Johnny. He shook his head when James was about to ask him something. "Is there any breakfast left?"

"I don't know, check the pot."

Johnny returned to Echo looking sad, his stomach grumbling. "We need to put a pillow between us when we sleep, and we need to talk. But first, do you have any food, Echo?"

Katsuya