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

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Dragon Nest "
​

"Yeah." said Seifer, not smiling. He looked sad for Renee, but nodded his head firmly and was off, disappearing into the bushes.

For the rest of the day, all the ginormous hatchling did was eat, eat, and eat the scrambled yolk non-stop. Every now and then it would look back to where Renee was, a burst of joy and feeling of safety emanating from it and into her consciousness, and then dip its huge head down and continue pigging out, stumbling and rolling every now and then as it still couldn't crawl properly.

They were wrong, it ate all the scrambled yolk in just four hours. It seemed to like the heat of the lava and bathed in it, setting parts of the forest on fire, yet the way the depression was formed, it prevented the flames from growing further out beyond the bowl as though it had been dug like that ages ago on purpose, just like how the river of lava cascading down the sides somehow kept the egg warm and did not set this place on fire.

It squeaked at Renee as though calling her to join it playing in the magma, and once it was tired and sleepy from being full, it crawled sleepily to her and snuggled to sleep, sniffing her for comfort.

That night Seifer returned and with bad news. He did not find another dragon, nor was he able to find animal tracks of prey. It could be exactly because this was a dragon's nest that there was no prey to be found. He decided to try again for her the next day, but still no other dragon, nor could Renee find one too.

For some reason the hatchling was not hungry on the second day. It's big belly still fat and full from all the egg it ate yesterday, and all it wanted to do today was sleep. That behavior got Seifer to talk to Renee about Leviathan, about how they waited for days in the Storm Wall for it. Maybe the little dragon didn't need to eat everyday, just like how zoo keepers don't feed alligators or snakes everyday, only once or twice a week.

Renee could see that he was doing his utmost not to get attached to the baby dragon, but she could see him melting every time it squeaked happily to see him and coil around him as though fearing every time he left he would not come back. Those two nights it slept with them, it totally destroyed their shelter trying to snuggle up and coil around them, but it was so warm that they didn't need a fire as long as they snuggled near its very hot belly.

Finally it was the third day, the day they had to decide to whether to leave it and move on or not. It was also the day, Seifer smacked his own face as though he realized something and felt really dumb for it.

"Renee . . ." he said looking at her, and for some reason he laughed. "You shrunk him. You shrunk him with magic. And look." he disenchanted his key chain which turned into her hair cream, and then cast Fasilin Omor to turn it back. "We can do magic." He laughed, feeling so ridiculous.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Nope, Renee got attached.

While waiting for Seifer on the first day, Renee cooed at how cute the baby is, even when he ate everything after four hours and swimming in the lava, squeaking every now and then. She would love to swim with him but it's lava and she couldn't really swim in it since it would mean she'll burn up. Instead she would run around, playing 'Peek-a-boo' with him by hiding in the trees before coming out just as quickly. She wanted to make him laugh. When he ran out of energy and snuggled up to her, she blushed red at how warm he felt and snuggled back as much as she could, wanting to wrap her arms around him so he can be comforted more. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and tuck him in a blanket and snuggle with him...

When Seifer came back, she was disheartened. There really was no other dragons around the area, just the baby and that's really concerning. She didn't even mind their shelter being destroyed because of how warm he is and that urge to wrap her arms around the baby came back with a vengeance.

On the second day, the baby stopped eating and she got worried about him being sick or something until Seifer said something about maybe he didn't need to eat everyday. Then she wondered...if maybe then...they could...but they can't take care for it. Though by the looks of things, Seifer is reluctant to leave him alone too. Even the baby noticed his behavior and coils around him so he wouldn't leave...but they have to...

On the third day, they have to decide on whenever they care for him or not. However when Seifer mentioned about them able to do magic, Renee was about to say 'Sweetheart, we have been doing that for a while now...' then...she realized that they can use their magic...

Seifer has been using his powers for a while now...so that means-!

"...I can fly...I can fly-!" Renee said in that revelation. Then she remembered something else. "My signal...My signal-! James could see my signal if I aim a solar arrow in the sky-! Seifer, maybe-!" Maybe James can see her signal and know that they are still alive and need urgent help, especially with the baby dragon around. She has done it before when she lost the twins and was panicking under Sunny.

"And we could fly back to where we were before, back where the carved ladies are and see if we can find any clues from Prince Kenren. That's it. I'm shrinking the baby while we're traveling too. Obviously we're getting attached to him and we need help. I know we said that we're gonna leave him but...we can't." Renee added at the end, her wings fluttering. She's talking about how they were getting attached.

"The baby can't exactly walk either. I know we can pick him up and fly around with him if we just shrink him again....I'll put him back into his original size when we land. Can we, Seifer?" She's obviously hopeful about the plan working because she's rather...desperate for some good news for once...

She didn't want to think about why the cuffs are not working for some time now...

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Lydia nodded her head slightly, then looked a bit surprised when Echo told her she could ask for a piece, "c-could I? Th-that wouldn't be rude... would it?" her wide eyes blinked slightly, "I-I mean... I d-don't want you to break them again after they are just starting to grow back!"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

With an amused roll of her eyes, Echo grabbed her left antler and snapped it in half. Then she handed the broken piece to Lydia with a smile. The tiny witch can feel how fuzzy it feels under her fingers like velvet cloth.

"Here. It isn't rude since we're friends and I don't mind. My antler would get in the way while we're out here." Then she broke the other side too. "It would be bad if they get stuck on a branch or something."

Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

A small gasp escaped her at how easily and readily Echo broke her antlers again. She held her little hands out to accept the antler piece, staring at Echo in mild alarm. She supposed maybe Echo so readily broke them off because they were like hair, they'd grow back. She also guessed that like hair, they didn't cause her pain when they were cut.

Her fingers gently rubbed along the antlers, feeling the light layer of fuzz and nodded her head slightly, "I guess you're right... thanks Echo! I'll treasure this!" she smiled brightly and continued to hold onto the antler as they talked.

Katsuya

 

[Zer0]

- Land of Awashima -
" Palace?? "
​

"That's Lydia's." said James in Oriental, pointing at the side of the dragon-lady with green flecked skin and red-tipped white hair. Being ushered into the palace with nigh explanations was so sudden, that all he could do was do as Mizutsune said and walk astride her.

He had been looking around, wondering where they were, what was going to happen to them, and taking in all that they were seeing, but the first thing his eyes laid on was the familiar handkerchief and earrings dangling from one of the transfigured dragon's hair --- and all thoughts of what was going on had left his mind.

"No, this is Myung-yee's." said the lady-dragon, happily, admiring the silver bangles as though they were diamonds. "This is yours, James Sealmaker." she gave her the handkerchief. "The Lydia Emeraldeyes struck a contract with me to give this to you for her silver rings. Now it has been fulfilled." she bowed, then continued walking.

" . . . "

"James, let's keep walking, mate." said Johnny, clapping his back and ushering him forward as he just quite suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Your love later, Hisaya and the manna tree and the Aged Author now."

"R-right." James pocketed the hanky, catching up to Mizutsune and Serena. He had a hopeful and comforted look about his face as though a weight had been taken off his shoulders.

The group walked briskly and all the people who saw them stared at them as though they were aliens, crowding and whispering until the guards kept them at bay. None of them were just flesh, all had arcane mechanical parts in one form or another.

They were led to a set of heavy wooden doors where a herald announced the arrival of "Mizutsune the Rain Giver", "Myung-yee the Spring Wind" and "Tian-ju the Flaming Exocrimson". It was a throneroom, and there seated on two grand thrones of jade and what seemed to be manna stone was a man and woman decked in black and yellow.

They were surrounded it seemed by people of all classes, all lining up to have an audience with who they could guess was the king and queen of these lands.

"Mizutsune." said the man, surprised.

"Izanagi." she and the dragons did not bow, unlike the others who had followed them inside. "I must speak to you about the prophecy." she said in Oriental.

At this whispers and talk spread around the room like wildfire, and suddenly the crowd were pointing at Serena, Chenglei, and James as though they recognized them from somewhere. Izanagi and his queen were surprised as well, but regained their calm as they rose and ordered everyone else out of the throneroom.

The great doors closed with a muffled boom, leaving only the dragons, the king and queen, Serena, Chenglei, and James inside.

"Mizutsune, before we talk of the prophecy, I wish to speak with ourhonored guests," said the king in the same ancient oriental dialect; Mizutsune gave this stern look like now wasn't the time for formalities, but did not object. The king turned to the three. "Tell me young ones, who are you?"

Katsuya

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Where are they? "
​

"Yes." said Seifer, finally expressing his real feelings. "I don't know how we're going to make this work, but we've made a lot of impossible things work, Renee." he took a deep breath. Obviously the hatchling had been in his mind for quite some time and he had put a lot of thought about it. "I don't want to abandon him anymore. But if I have to choose again, Renee, I'm going to choose getting Valdanr's soul out of my heart." he told her seriously.

He looked up at the ginormous hatchling dozing beside them like a steadily breathing hill-rock and he was looking at it relieved, as though he was so comforted that they can take this big baby with them. "Johnny's going to flip at it's furriness."

Later, the two found out that they indeed were able to cast the full prowess of their spells. If Renee flew into the sky she'd see that they were about a three-hour flight away from the ridge where the company had last made camp. Nothing answered Renee's solar arrow, and when the two landed on the campsite that night they saw that there was no camp and that a battle had been fought here about four days ago where many of the mysterious trees had been cut or burned.

There were no clues as to where the group went, but there were fresh tracks that led into the grove and then back out down the ridge and into the forest below. If Renee shot another solar arrow into the sky, nothing answered it either.

With Renee in griffin form, it was easier to search and hunt for prey. She could go out for four to six hours at a time and come back with something for them to eat. Following the tracks from the old campsite the next day, they lost it when the footprints went into a river, and no matter how much they searched they didn't find the tracks on the banks. It seemed that the group had moved on after all. They probably just went to the river for water, and then continued their journey through the grove.

When waiting for some sign seemed a hopeless cause and they began searching for tracks again in the direction of the grove instead, Seifer excitedly showed Renee a fallen brooch he found in the woods. It belonged to one of the soldiers, and, sniffing it, Renee would smell her brother's scent. They would find more of these things scattered far and wide all over the forest in a trail that seemed to head far into the east, as though James and the others had flown through the air days ago. It was their only lead, and if they choose to follow it, this difficult trail to track that often felt like looking for a needle in a haystack as they searched for days for something else that got dropped would lead them to the edge of a sea many, many days later.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Serena walked beside Mizutsume briskly, keeping up with her as she looked around, hearing people around them, whispering and staring at them. She is interested in the arcane mechanical parts, wondering why would a bunch of dragons have robotic limbs? Are they even dragons? She knows Mizutsume is a dragon, so maybe...maybe not?

When they entered through the heavy wooden doors, hearing someone announcing the dragons' names and their titles, finding each one interesting as well. Then she looked at where the thrones are and bowed at them automatically. It's courtesy and part of her training of being Princess Mia's violinist to bow at royalty, no matter where they are from. Then she stood back up, noticing that Chenglei had stayed quiet and payed rapt attention to the conversation being held. So she did the same, catching bits and pieces, raising an eyebrow at the word 'Prophecy'. What?

She ignored the whispers and talk around the room like the silent Chenglei, trying her best to not flinch at what some or well...most of these people are doing; They seem like they recognize them and she couldn't help but be wary as to the why they would feel this way....

Even the king and queen was looking at them like that...What's going on?

When the king asked for their names, Chenglei stepped up, bowing to the royal pair before standing straight again. "I am Chenglei Zhou, a soldier to Prince Kenren. This is Serena Lock," He gestured to her then at James. "This is James Pendragon and this is Johnny Caprice." He gestured at his dear friend in the end.

"We come from the other side of the Storm Wall. There are others who are missing or are coming this way soon that came with us." Chenglei explained like it was a report to the Prince in his mother tongue. His face stayed void and serious.

"We were able to cross the Storm Wall thanks to a little girl named Renee Pendragon. She can hear the Manna trees, Sasagea and Luthien, and they told her to come here to seek the Aged Author and the Manna tree on this side for help; to stop an evil dragon that all of you call 'The Servant of the Nameless One'."

***************************************************************

Renee nodded, smiling happily and hugged Seifer tight as she looked up the giant sleeping baby too. "Of course and I don't blame you for choosing that choice Sweetheart...I would too just so I can come back for the little one." She said, knowing how ironic she called a giant dragon 'Little one'. The winged teen noticed how Seifer felt about the baby as she felt the same way; Relief.

Then she snorted, amused. "Well yea. Johnny loves furry animals. I'm still surprised that he didn't try to touch Echo's tail yet."

Renee flew after they realized about their full prowess of their spells and told Seifer about the three hour distance to the ridge camp. So she shoot an arrow up in the sky and watched the bright light explode before disappearing. No answer. So after shrinking the baby so she can fly, they landed on the campsite and she flinched at the battle scene.

"...I wonder what happened here..." Renee muttered quietly as she sadly took in the burnt trees. There must have been a good reason to burn these trees, she thought as she prepared herself to go down the ridge. With another arrow shot and no answer, the Pendragon teen sighed before transforming to look for more food. Next day, her wings wilted when they lost the tracks to the river but she shook her head and held it high, hopeful and determined to find her brother and friends.

When they searched for any sort of sign or clue, Seifeer came back with a soldier's brooch and from what she can smell, it's her brother's.

"I know that old book smell anywhere." She said happily, her eyes glowed in excitement. It's such a weird thing to be happy about but she is happy about it. The more brooches they found, the more hopeful Renee became despite how long it took to find them. At least someone is leaving a trail for them to follow.

Each time they had to stop for the night, Renee would come back with food and once, she came back full. Why would she when she normally eat together with Seifer while cuddling the large baby? Well...it's to feed the baby. She read somewhere that babies can't have solid food yet and by the looks of things, it's the same for the baby dragon. So...she did what a mama bird would do and regurgitated the food for the baby to eat.

Once that's done and the baby's full, Renee would look at Seifer and smiled a bit awkwardly. Blushing bright red from a bit of embarrassment but her smile said she was proud either way. "You did tell me that parents need to adapt to the baby's needs...and I doubt it can handle solid food right now so...yea..." She didn't kiss Seifer on the lips for two days straight after that. She's horrified enough with knowing of her actions but it needs to be done and over with. It's for the baby. It's all for the baby...

"...Should we name him? I mean...he needs to have a name, Sweetheart." Renee asked as she munched on the food for the night. "We can't keep calling him 'the baby'. He needs a real name...Hmmm..." She thought hard and sort of wanted to name the baby dragon something related to starlight or stars in general. "Because his eyes look like the stars in the night sky, don't you think? Or do you have an idea for a better name?"

There is a subtle change with Renee. Each day passes and each time she goes out to hunt, the winged teen would come back tired but happy with what she finds. It's like helping out more makes her feel accomplished even if it's a small thing and she kept staying positive but in a mellow way instead of exploding in energy like usual. Somehow she's a lot more gentle (even her touches were a lot more loving towards Seifer) and she would make sure that he and the baby are okay before doing her needs too. Yes, that includes her period that unfortunately came up that week and ended as soon they were close to the edge of the cliff.

Sometimes after hunting, she would immediately come up to Seifer and snuggle with him until she fell asleep in the middle of dinner. Renee isn't used to changing on a day to day bases so it was a challenge but a good type of challenge. Like she can strengthen her manna capabilities by pushing herself more and it'll help in the long run. She noticed that she can handle being tired on some days while others she'll sleep next to Seifer.

When they finally reached the sea, Renee smiled wide. "Okay! I'll go hunt right now and we'll start drying up meat. Feed the baby too - stop looking at me like that, it's bound to happen again- Tomorrow we'll go to the other side of the sea and be prepared for travel." For the whole day, she hunted and luckily caught two of those chin monsters, cutting them up with her sharp talons and fed the baby again. Then she changed back, packed the dried meat and herbs into the magical coin purse before cuddling with the fluffy baby and Seifer, falling asleep in the middle of dinner again.

In the following morning, after shrinking the baby and transforming into her owl griffin form, Renee took a running start and jumped off the cliff edge to fly high with a might flap. In her curled up talons, is Seifer and the baby dragon, safe from falling off and close to her chest so they can stay warm while she flies across the sea.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" To the Sea! "​

The first time Seifer saw Renee feed the hatchling like a mama bird, he stared at her, gaping with an apalled look on his face for a long time; the baby dragon readily ate it all happily, licking the corners of her beak everytime he wanted more.

Seifer didn't say anything. But after Renee was done, he stood up with a warm wet cloth in hand and cleaned her beak with an accepting look on his face. He tried to clean the hatchling's huge maw too, nose wrinkling at the smell, but then it licked him affectionately and he pulled a face, so grossed out. "Ew, why do babies have to be so gross and smelly?" but he ended up laughing, and continued to clean anyway, after which he scrubbed himself spotless during his bath.

He did that everytime she was done feeding it, which was four times to two times a week where Renee had to hunt meat enough to fill a small lake, until he and the hatchling ended up taking a bath every time after it ate whenever there was a river nearby. At first, it didn't like the water, as though it was afraid of it, but soon it was splashing and rolling off boulders with its huge snout, making stray logs levitate, chasing fish, and playing peek-a-boo by hiding just its head in the water. Seifer would always pretend he didn't see him and would loudly wonder where he went and pass by the huge breathing black furry hill that would peek at him before stalking loudly away and then play pounce on him, sending huge waves of water splashing everywhere. It always looked like a flash flood or a wrecking ball ravaged an area after the dragon was done playing.

When Renee mentioned giving it a name one night, Seifer pondered as he combed Renee's hair with a dulled bone and wood comb he made. "I like stars . . . Sirius, since Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, but then Sirius sounds so serious. Maybe he should be Blaze since he makes us happy, or Orion? But then Orion is an archer . . ." he suggested more names from: Trias ("Because he has three star-like gems on his head." Seifer suddenly chuckled. "Seems he took after you, Renee.") to Twinkle, and Draco.

Whenever Renee left for hours at a time to hunt, Seifer would spend the day just talking to their big little one, teaching him what things were called and Renee and his' names, and grooming him to perfection, even giving his fur hair cuts with a dagger so that when Renee came back he looked very regal with his black eyebrows on fleek. The hatchling was very intelligent, as though he was speaking to a brilliant young boy, very curious about the world, who absorbed everything he said. It tried to walk like them, standing up on two legs, and then down on all fours whenever Renee shape-shifted into her griffin form. It liked playing peek-a-boo the most and learned that every time Renee or Seifer left they would always come back so that it wasn't so anxious anymore. It sniffed things a lot and tasted things a lot, and was a picky eater every now and then, wanting some other meat to eat instead of the one Renee brought back. It doesn't like eating birds, but loved that chin monster meat the most, especially the manna from its amethyst crystals. It liked eating manna stones too. And as the days passed by, the power inside it grew and grew.

Seifer would greet Renee with a hug and a big, "Welcome back!" whenever she returned from hunting. And when it was that time of the month again --- Seifer made so many jokes --- he took care of her and took over her role. One day coming up to her and thanking her since hunting was so hard, yet she does it all the time without fail.

He noticed how she had mellowed, and her touches had become more gentle. She was happier now and that made him really happy, and he knew it was because their little big one was here. The way he felt about her was more than a girlfriend, like she was something deeper seeing her take care of them and giving her all for them. He didn't know what to call her, but felt so much love for her that one day, when it wasn't a feeding day, he pampered her and when night came made love so tenderly it was like his soul was bonding happily with her again.

Renee would start to notice something. Apart from not being alone in one's mind whenever the big little one was close because it always wanted to be linked to their minds, she would somehow be able to know which direction Seifer was so that they always found each other even when one time the baby dragon ran off chasing something and she came back to find the two weren't at camp. And if she checked his soul, it had renovated itself.

The treasure chest was gone, but it was because Seifer gave it to her. There was a new treasure chest now and Renee would see that it is hers. There was a red string now that tied them both, that allowed her to find the inner Seifer all the time. There was a new door too, and this door led to Renee's heart.

The dragon soul inside him for some reason had weakened. Maybe because it was two souls linked together fighting him now instead of one. The sun shining through the windows had changed too, and it felt like the joy of their little big one that always flared up like a sun whenever it saw them. Somehow, Seifer was healing.

When they reached the sea, Seifer carried Renee to their cot beside the hatchling when she fell asleep again, kissing her forehead, before he went about cleaning up. He sighed in content as he hugged her and placed his hand on the big little one's belly, patting it to sleep, feeling like he could go on and do this forever.

That morning, he was excited and sat in Renee's talons, whooping as they rose into the air. The little dragon gave a little roar that sounding like a puppy's rawr, showing stubs of teeth.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"Hmm...I like Twinkle...Sirius Twinkle..." Renee thought out loud, closing her eyes and enjoying Seifer's combing her hair, pausing on munching on the jerky.

"It's like a pun: He's very bright. So bright that even when we're far away, we'll still see and feel his happy self like he's twinkling..." She giggled while her wings flapped. "Guess he took after you too, being smart..."

Renee felt her heart melting every time Seifer greeted her back from hunting, even more so when he pampered her a few times (especially during her period which he was merciless with his jokes-!) and she would just unwind; Totally relaxed and loved dearly by him. Not once did she feel anxious, only determination on getting back to her...family is what she wants to say because it felt like a family...her own family...'James will flip if I told him he has a nephew, Seifer is the father and it's a huge baby dragon.' Renee thought one day as she waited for her prey.

When it was Seifer's turn to hunt, she would play with the baby until she tired him out and told him stories, fairy tales of what her own mother would tell her and her brothers. Then she would welcome Seifer with a warm smile, giving him loving kisses and snuggling hugs before cooking the food he brings.

It's strange too because now she can tell where Seifer went with the baby dragon. Renee didn't freak out at all as she just followed that gut feeling leading her back to him. She wondered if it's because of the baby always keeping a mental connection with them and it just strengthen their bonds.

When Renee checked on Seifer's soul, she was shocked. His soul is healing somehow and the sunlight outside of the mansion is a lot more happier instead of ominous. Then there's the different treasure chest too, one that's made of colorful stained glass, and inside are five glass orbs; A large dark blue, one that's autumn red while the other is more orange as a pair of the same size, one that's silver with a bit of pink cherry blossom petals floating around, and the last and smallest one is a black with twinkling stars. Somehow Renee knew that these represented her brothers, Seifer, and the baby dragon, especially when she touched the silver one with the pink petals and heard Seifer's voice coming out saying 'I love you.' It wasn't the only saying she heard from him and it left her blushing bright red.

She saw the red string as well, the one that linked her to Inner Seifer and when she blinked out, Renee had happy tears flowing down her cheeks and smiling her special smile as she warmly told Seifer what she saw inside.

They are a lot more connected then she believes and she can't really call Seifer her boyfriend anymore because he felt more than a simple boyfriend...She just didn't know what to call it but she didn't really care; Renee will treasure that connection.

So now she's doing her best to look for any land in the horizon, chirping as if she's asking if Seifer saw anything shiny or a shadow. Renee just flew straight forward until she or Seifer spotted land.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Land of Awashima -
" Palace of Izanagi & Isanami "​

Izanagi sat back down on his throne looking at his queen, who glanced at him before she spoke, "Thank you, Chenglei Zhou. What have you come to tell us, mighty Mizutsune?"

"Hisaya is sick, Valdanr is caging his soul. Show them, James Sealmaker and Serena, friend of Hisaya."

James got ready to cast his protective charms if need be, but the red jewel heart did not show any signs of life. It just sat there in its jar, innocently motionless.

"That is a rare gem. Or no, it is not ruby . . . I've never seen it's like before, but I do sense evil in it. Tell us everything that happened to you."

It was a long talk. Mizutsune spoke first about how the Sea King called her and when she first laid eyes on the foreigners, then Chenglei, Serena, and James spoke starting from when their adventure first began; the philosopher's stone never spoke. A low table and cushions were provided for the guests and food was served. Izanagi, and his queen, Isanami had mechanical faces, and only in the tone of their voice could they discern that the two were becoming more and more grave as they learned about what was happening on the other side of the Storm Wall.

But they believed them, and it seemed that they understood the gravity of the situation more than any of the leaders or powerful men and women the heroes have encountered so far, and called servants to send word to individuals about this news.

"Send word to the Guardians immediately, have them open Valdanr's prison and see if he is still there." said Izanagi. "Summon all the masters to a council meeting, it is time to put our feuding aside and unite to face this threat.

"The Ancients help us . . . the prophecy has come true, we were wrong to think it would happen here. Thank you, brave travelers for braving the Storm Wall and coming here." said Isanami.

"And Hisaya? What of Hisaya?" said Mizutsune impatiently.

"We will save him."

Mizutsune bowed most gratefully. The other dragons, surprised at this display, quickly bowed too. "Then there is no time to lose, I will take him to the Healers."

"No, bring him and our new friends to Historia home. I believe she is the Aged Author they are looking for." said Isanami. "Or would you three rather stay and rest? I can see that you have many questions, and we will gladly answer them."

It was already night time, and the floating dragon city's was dotted with many colorful lanterns. There were pillars that glowed like manna stones, casting everything in a pleasant blue light. The moon was full and if one looked out one could see many long dragons of various sizes flying up to roost on the surrounding rocks that still retained some warmth from the daytime.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

The more they talked, the more Serena became concerned for her silent friend as she stared at the red gem in the sealed bowl. "Hisa-chan?" She whispered during the long talk with the robotic King and Queen, wanting to poke him to have some sort of reaction but nothing. Then she wondered if...if Valdanr is listening in now and that's why Hisaya is saying nothing.

She gulped and tightened her grip on the bowl and on the neck of her violin, not having the stomach to eat at the moment.

When the talk was done and the Queen offered them a place to rest, Chenglei spoke up; his tired tone had a bit of relief as he bowed his head humbly.

"I believe it's best to stay for tonight. Thank you Isanami-sama, Izanagi-sama." Then Serena stood up to bow at the royal pair.

"Then may I go with Mizutsume to the healers? I really want to help Hisaya as quickly as possible." She smiled at her two male companions; they can tell that her smile isn't as bright or as mischievous. Her azure eyes looked a bit watery...

"You guys don't need me here and don't worry, I have shielding spells in case anything happens." Most likely will happen considering what occured before at the Sea King Shrine. "I'll be careful..."

Chenglei nodded, understanding why before looking up at the royal pair.

"What is this prophecy? Why is it happening now of all times?" The blonde soldier asked calmly.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Land of Awashima -
" Palace of Izanagi & Isanami "​

"I'll go with you, Serena." said Johnny. "The Aged Author, I wish Renee was here."

"Then, let us be off." said Mizutsune to the two, standing up. "Izanagi, Isanami, I'll send word to you soon." With that, Mizutsune and her companions strode to the balcony and jumped, robes melding into skin that hardened into scales like close knit shields, back elongating as their hair flowed out and a tail whipped from behind them. The white dragon rose, extending a large claw, big enough to hold a dwelling, for Serena and Johnny to jump on.

"Take care, Serena, Johnny. I'll stay here too. I'll catch up with you after we've told Kenren and the others about our plans." said James, giving them two corked glass vials recently emptied as there was still a bit of blue manna potion clinging to the sides. Inside of each was one of his bees. "This is in case something happens to your radios, don't let them out until you can hear my voice again. I won't be able to control them beyond eight miles. Please feed them nectar once a day." he nodded a good-bye, then stepped back as the wind from the dragon's flight sent the curtains billowing and the lanterns spinning like pinwheels.

He sat back down with Chenglei, then listened to the King and Queen as they spoke of the war that happened around ten thousand years ago.

Katsuya

OOC || Characters || Moments in Time
​

 

[Zer0]

- City of Agraba -
" Sonoran Desert, Jahara Empire "​

A month ago, the empire of Jahara had fallen.

Desert hawks had sped in all directions delivering the news to all allies and friends, and the remaining forces in the Sonoran desert scattered, escaped out of the country or else went into hiding. For the following week since the empire's defeat, enemy forces occupying the captured villages and towns, triumphantly announced the capture of the Sultan's Palace after the month long siege of the capital city, and how the sultan himself fled in terror before the enemy, abandoning his children, Prince Rishon, and Princess Devorah into their hands.

The ports of the desert country had been closed ever since and with the defeat of the allied navy forces about a month before that, enemy ships have been seen crossing the ocean without much resistance apart from rogue pirates. Many of the people have been taken into slavery, building and farming for the enemy.

The southern forests of the jewel hearted elves have fallen into decay and much of the once lush ancient woods were now bald hills where only giant stumps of the ancient groves remained. Their beloved manna tree had been felled down, and the fighting has moved up north, where the elves were being pushed back to their distant borders.

In the state of Leor, in the ruined city of Paroosia, word spread that the goblins, orcs, and ogres have begun a massive labor, building a tall dark wall around the state that seem to be blocking key passages into Leor. In the secret meetings of the leaders of the world, rumors have spread that the black dragon had begun building something more sinister and powerful, something made out of metal, manna stones, and the wood of the manna trees in the craters where Sasagea and Luthien used to stand.

Yet despite all this, Queen Mia, was still fighting her own personal battle, uniting the quarreling dukes who have gone over to Duke of Marchester's side. And always, always in her mind was she wondering what was happening to her friends in the far reaches of the world.

* * * *​

"Minnie, why pineapples? I can barely move. I can't even sit or else I'll fall on my back and roll over." said Seth.

"I think it suits you." smirked Sen. "Anyway, this is the best disguise we got to get pass the guards and into Agraba. Oh, here comes the travelling fair, time to slip in."

'I shall help as well.' said Luthien's voice in their heads.

The four heroes had arrived about a week ago in the borders of one of the captured cities, the city of Agraba, whose governor, instead of resisting the enemy forces, surrendered at once in return for peaceful treatment for his family and the people living there. Many of its citizens, goods, horses, and camels were taken, and everyone was being bullied, but at least the casualties weren't as large as the other towns and cities that resisted and were put to the sword.

The governor had told everyone to be patient, for even he himself was suffering without complaint, the leader of the enemy's garrisoned forces taking his keep and using his family as servants.

The three had heard from a bandit they bullied that the governor knew of a way out of the Jahara empire. They had spent many days searching for a way through all the blockaded docks, but had found no safe passage through what with the enemy patrolling the seas as well. It has been almost two months since they parted with their family, and they felt like they were taking too long what with how the war was faring for the allied forces.

So now, they decided to try to get in and talk to the governor.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

 

[Katsuya]

"Because no one will suspect a silly costume." Minnie answered with a dull tone as she stood still. Her face stayed expressionless as she stared at the struggling twin. She would laugh at him but that would give their hiding spot away.

As for the costumes, she has a modest dancer's outfit; with colors of teal and blue and golden necklaces and wrist bands. Her belly button is showing but that's as far as she can handle with showing skin. And her bare feet. It was the only way she could hide her fold-able gun, under her flowy and very layered skirt. Balanced on her head are ripe fruit that's held together with a head wrap to keep up with the fruit theme.

She's going to have to grit and bare it.

"Are you ready, Rrrrricket?" She asked quietly, letting the twins having their moment before walking with them to blending in with the traveling fair. It's been two months. TWO MONTHS! That's way too long in her book to stay in a country and what's worse, this kingdom is doomed.

The governor here is smart and brave for letting the enemies just come in without harming the citizens instead abandoning his family like what the Sultan did. 'Cowardly bas***d' Minnie thought angrily.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

-Ricket-
"City of Agraba"
​

The feline humanoid wasn't as able to keep from laughing at the twins' disguises as their female companion was and had been snickering softly to himself for some time, though he had his back turned to them whenever a bout of the chuckles would arise, the sound emitting from him as a soft wheezing and if asked he would clear his throat and blame it on a hairball.That was a thing for cats, right? Hairballs? He wasn't in the habit of licking himself enough to get hairballs, but he didn't think his comrades knew that.

Ricket was wearing something similar in color to Minnie's outfit, though he wore puffy pants and a vest with a fez atop his head and over his shoulders was strapped a box that hung down in front of him and when he wound the crank it would turn the little record atop it which would play music from the large cylinder that was perched at the opposite end of the player's needle. In other words, it was a travel size gramophone with a limited supply of discs, each playing only one full song.

He only gave a nod to Minnie as she asked if he was ready, he was relatively used to sneaking, and since this was part of his home territory it wasn't so difficult for him, though he was sad to see the state of things and wished that something could be done. There was enough chaos and bloodshed in the desert without war, but he was glad that at the very least there weren't as many deaths as there could have been thanks to the governor, though he hoped that the Sultan would never show his face there again because he didn't deserve to rule the people if he wasn't willing to suffer alongside them.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Zer0]

- City of Agraba -
" Sonoran Desert, Jahara Empire "​

The four were able to slip in with the travelling fair, a caravan of performers who seemed to hail from different countries. There were vampires in colorful costumes, mermaids peeking from veiled glass tanks built into roofed wagons, men astride exotic mounts, and friendly half-giants carrying bundled up circus tents over their backs, and on the caravans was the title: Madame Goodhart's Travelling Carnival.

The twins blended in perfectly with their pineapple and banana costumes, and so did Minnie in her dancer's outfit, but as they passed the gates, one of the handsome vampires in a ring master's outfit glanced at Ricket then frowned.

"Who are you?" he said rather loudly, which garnered the attention of a few of the performers who looked at Ricket as though they had never seen him before.

A couple of orcs looked back at their direction.


Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

Spoiler: Sneak Success

Minnie (1-6) = 1
Ricket (1-2) = 8
Sen (1-8) = 1
Seth (1-7) = 4

​

 

[Katsuya]

"Here's my practice partner." Minnie chimed quietly from the other side of the gate, waiting patiently. "I wanted to ask the Madame if he can help me with practice for my dancing, but I couldn't catch up to her." Her eyes stayed at the Ring master calmly.

"Please let him pass? I'll throw him out if she says no." She really hopes Sen can come over and help too! Minnie is not really good with interacting others.

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Having fully thought that matching his costume to Minnie's would ensure that he could sneak in with his three friends, he was a bit surprised at being discovered nearly immediately. His ears folded slightly after the initial surprise of being picked out had passed. His large feline eyes blinked a few times, giving the vampire a confused look, like he didn't know why he wouldn't have been informed of a new hire, "dancer lady hired music cat. Music cat for playing music!"

He held up his little portable music player, even opening up the box to show the inside of the player, it was an authentic music playing device and the inside had a little shelf below the mechanisms that would actually make the device work, the little shelf had a selection of discs, he then closed the box and began to wind the crank, giving Minnie a shocked look as she said that she would throw him out if the Madam said so before his expression turned sullen, though the music continued to play.

Spoiler: Music box

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Zer0]

- City of Agraba -
" Sonoran Desert, Jahara Empire "​

"And who are you?" the vampire asked Minnie even more loudly; some of the caravan people stopped walking. "Actually, who are you four?" he said suspiciously.

"Oh, I've seen their wanted posters! They beat up some men and stole their things in the desert. They're criminals!" said a mermaid, poking her head out from her tank.

"Criminals?" repeated Seth, surprised, "Those were bandits, so it was okay to beat them up! Did those raiders put up wanted posters of us?"

"Ah! What's that?!" said Sen suddenly pointing at something. The distraction didn't work, the performers just looked at them with deadpanned expressions.

The orcs watching the group hollered in a guttural voice, "Dul gubdur!" they pointed. People yelled in surprise as they leapt down and shoved performers and passersby out of the way towards them. Up on the walls, enemy bowmen looked on interestedly at the commotion. This wasn't the first time some trouble makers tried to find refuge in Agraba.

"Minnie, do the thing!" said Sen.


Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

Spoiler: Speech Success

Minnie (1-3) = 7
Ricket (1-2) = 8
Sen (1-8) = 10
Seth (1-2) = 4

​

 

[Katsuya]

As soon Sen said those magic words, Minnie quickly grabbed her gun from under her skirt, loaded with a certain glowing bullet and aimed at the ground.

Then she shot her light bullet, a flash of bright light blinded everyone who wasn't expecting it and Minnie grabbed Ricket by his waist. Then she ran with the twins, hoping to get away to safety.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Ricket suddenly had a huge tinge of guilt. If he had better blended in, they wouldn't have all gotten caught! His ears folded flat atop his head as more of the performers' attentions focused on their little group, a glance to Seth given as he justified their actions in the desert before giving a firm and agreeing nod, his lower lip sticking out slightly. His pupils retracted as Sen tried to call out a distraction, maybe he was the only one fooled by that and the fact that no one else looked made him feel a little silly, but it looked like Sen and Minnie had it under control and it was a good thing that his pupils retracted since shortly after there was a bright flash and he felt himself being lifted from the ground and carried off. He only assumed it was Minnie by scent rather than sight and so didn't panic.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Zer0]

- City of Agraba -
" Sonoran Desert, Jahara Empire "​

The crowd yelled in surprise. Seth flopped to the ground and Sen rolled him away. "I --- my face! --- " spluttered the giant pineapple every time his head came up rolling from the dirt and sand.

"I knew we should've stuck to the coconut costume with Ricket!" said Sen.

The orcs gave chase as arrows whizzed passed them, sticking into Minnie's fruit hat, Ricket's bag, Sen's banana, and Seth's pineapple. A large yellow rolling pineapple was very obvious after all.

"We need to ditch these disguises!" said Sen as camels and horses dashed aside from them in the street.

"Stop --- rolling --- me!" gasped Seth his face white with sand and dirty with dirt. The twin slashed out of his pineapple as they turned the street. "Let's split up in two's and meet up later, marketplace!" he said, spitting out mud. Enemy guards chased them around the city calling them bandits and criminals.

The twins went with whoever partnered with them and wall ran up the side of the brick and clay houses, leaped across roofs and tumbled down great heights, swinging off poles and landed cat-like on their feet. It didn't take them long to lose their pursuers as they slipped into the crows and casually stole new clothes to disguise themselves with.

"I think we lost them." said Sen to whoever he's with.

"Ptooey, ptoo!" spluttered Seth, still wiping his face of dirt.


Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

Spoiler: Minnie Escape Success

(1-7) Using phys. def. = 7

​

 

[Katsuya]

Minnie ran behind the twins, not really minding the arrow that's now stuck on her fruit hat. It's really hard to not laugh about Seth's issue though, being rolled around like a barrel.

It's just too silly to see.

Once they stopped for a second, Minnie placed Ricket down and ripped the fruit hat aside. A light thud was heard as the plastic fruits rolled away from the uneven ground. When the plan was made, the gunner ran with Sen. "Be ninja!" Is what she muttered to the other pair before they dissappeared.

The little gunner is used to following Sen up the walls and jumping off roofs, using the shadows to hide. She usually tumbled and rolled as a landing before running off again after spinning down the poles. Just as usual Minnie just wore whatever the twin gave her as a disguise too: which is a pink robe that covered her head to toe and she can hide hed gun in. The only thing that's out in the open is her doe teal blue eyes.

As soon she spotted a corner that's covered in the shadows, Minnie tugged Sen lightly to signal him and made their way to an alleyway. Listening to Sen, the little gunner peeked over the corner to see the guards looking confused and giving up on their search for them.

"....no more fruits...." Minnie muttered, muffled by the pink cloth over her mouth. "We should be cautious while looking for Seth and Rrrrricket." She said quietly as she leaned on the wall for a bit, sighing in relief that they made it inside the gates at least.

Roleplay Skittle Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Ricket curled up slightly in Minnie's grasp just to be sure that he wouldn't burden her too badly or get knocked into things and stuck on them. He had some sudden regret that he hadn't been able to finish off all of those brigands out on the dunes, it would have made coming into Agraba a lot easier than it currently was. He was busy yelling curses at the ones that had shot his pack, annoyed that they would damage his property, after all, he didn't have a lot.

Once he was down on the ground, he quickly pulled the arrow from his bag and dropped his hat and vest, putting his usual cloak on and pulling it over his ears. He didn't discard the music box, figuring he could sell it later and as Minnie told he and Seth to be ninja, He nodded and secured his belongings before scurrying up on the buildings with as much agility as Seth and while he wanted to comment on how nimble the Human was, he kept quiet and focused on his sneaking.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Zer0]

​

- Seth Pendragon -
" Bath House, City of Agraba "​

Seth dipped his head in a camel's water trough to wash the sand and dirt off. Some of the camels looked up, "Nuuur" , they wrinkled their noses. He paused as something caught his eye on one of the saddles. He snatched a roll of parchment from them.

"Rrricket, look at this!" he said hurrying over to the feline, while lowering his cloak over his head and looking around warily. "That mermaid wasn't joking at all. Bandits don't have this kind of money, who'd put a dead or alive bounty like this on us?"

The two were in the area of a bath house. Dark skinned men and women were coming in and out of the building, some with their children, and hurrying into their homes as quickly as possible. As far as they know, no one in the vicinity seemed to recognize them. Then again, it was night time and only the many colorful hanging lanterns lit the streets.

There were orcs, trolls, goblins, ogres, bandits, and desert folk who had gone over to the enemy's side strutting in the streets like they owned the place. They were raucous, and took whatever they wanted without paying, but no one dared to fight back. At the sidelines, though, there were people who glared at them angrily, but did not say anything, but Seth knew that look well. It was the look of someone planning to do something rebellious.

Roleplay Skittle

- Sen Pendragon -
" Temple Square, City of Agraba "​

"You can say that again, Minnie. Look." he nodded his head at a wooden public message board where a couple of wanted posters hung together with other job papers. Sen pulled up the sash around his neck more securely over his nose. "One billion shekels, that's enough dough to make you richer the governor."

A couple of mercenaries were checking out the board. Upon closer inspection, a wanted poster of Ricket was there too and all of them had the highest bounty rewards. It didn't say though for what crime they were wanted for, nor were their names written.

Sen looked around and began tearing down the nearest posters of them without attracting attention and stuffing them in his pocket before throwing them in the trash. "Let's head to the market place."

It wasn't hard to find Seth and Ricket. The group looked for a hidden place to rest for the night and plan their next move. The slums was a place where tongues wont wag much, cloaked criminals and other cutthroats were common here, and it was there in the sewers in the black market where other homeless people slept that they found some respite.

It was smelly and rats kept them company, but a couple of flattened cardboard boxes was enough to give them a dry place to sleep on. Above them, the slums slowly began to come alive as night wore on. As they listened to the voices, it seemed that the travelling fair from this morning was camping nearby, talking about going into the keep tomorrow morning to entertain a Vassal of the dark army in the keep, the one in charge of the enemy garrisoned here, Vassal Ogar, an orc warg rider.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle