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

[Katsuya]

Serena waved away Seth's insisting, saying that she already started, might as well see this through. In reality, she wanted to get to know Jeanne more, trying to figure out why is Seth's girlfriend is so...okay with her being there.

Or why in the face of Gaia and all of Yggdrasil is she okay with her sleeping in the same cabin? No less invite her to sleep in the same bed as her while Seth sleeps in the couch? Wouldn't she want to sleep together with Seth? What is going on? Respect her presence-?!

The blonde was helping around the ship like double checking on the ropes and exploring the place. She remembered Minnie bragging about this ship in her letters, excited about it. She guessed it's one of the gunslinger's favorite inventions Sen made. "Um..." The violinist started, not showing how awkward she really felt right now...and it's not even because Jeanne is the current girlfriend while she's the Ex. "I-It's okay. I don't mind sleeping on the couch. You can cuddle with Seth. It's fine. Really." What will she say to that...

"Oh! Yea, sure. I would love to know how." Why is this lady talking to her like she's an old friend? Her blue eyes looked up at the crow's nest for a moment before following Jeanne to the pilot's deck. "So what do you do? Do I hold it like this?" Might as well act normal for now...or as normal as she can be anyways.

Jeanne is very strange...

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seth Pendragon -
" Shoflo Ocean "​

"Are you sure? Won't you feel . . . awkward or sad if we slept on the same bed?" said Jeanne carefully. "Feel like a third wheel? I don't want you to feel that way, Serena. I'd like to be friends with you, if that's alright.

She taught her how to steer the ship, it was like controlling a balloon that can go forward, backwards, sideways, up and down, like a humming bird. The controls were delicate, the ship reacted to each slight touch quick and smooth, and Jeanne told her she can go crazy with it for a few minutes, but only once as they had to conserve fuel and manna stones.

The crossing was going to take them about five days. That night, Seth was surprised at the sleeping arrangement, and opted to just take the floor while Jeanne take the couch, and Serena the bed, or something like that, but he wasn't going to cuddle in front of Serena.

"Actually, I'd feel more comfortable if I slept in the kitchen below deck near the stove. It's warm there." he said, dragging his sleeping bag out the door. "I'll just sleep there, Jeanne."

"Alright." she said sounding a little disappointed they won't get to sleep in the same room. They hadn't seen each other for a week after all and she had thought the worst.

He seemed to notice the sadness in her voice and added."Wanna help me get settled in?"

"Yes, I'd be glad to. I'll be back, Serena, you can have the bed if you like!"

Katsuya
OOC | Characters | Moments in Time
​

 

[Katsuya]

"...But you haven't seen Seth for a while, right? I don't mind. Really." No, that's a lie. Serena does mind. A lot. However she's more curious and suspicious of Jeanne's reaction. Why invite her in the first place if the brunette didn't want her to be the third wheel? That's just...weird.

If Serena had a boyfriend and they were with the Ex, she wouldn't invite them in the bedroom...or be that considerate of their feelings. Especially when they haven't seen each other for a while. She would want to be alone with her boyfriend and cuddle while keeping the Ex away in another room.

That night, the blonde violinist nodded at the brunette and watched the couple go out the door. Then she plopped on the bed, covering her eyes with her arm, sighing loudly. This is so awkward-! It's so awkward for so many reasons and none of them has to do with their relationship status...

'For the love of all that's good and holy...I need to stop thinking so much...' Serena thought tiredly. She missed her home, her escape from everything. She just wanted to play her violin right now but it might give them away. Chances are small but she didn't want to take them...

"...I need some fresh air. I can't..." Serena muttered, sliding off the bed to write a small letter saying that she's going to keep watch and that her roommate can take the bed. Then she grabbed a blanket and pillow with her, left the room, tip-toeing around the kitchen so that Seth and Jeanne don't see her before she practically ran outside. Into the fresh sea air that blew her short hair and under the moon's soft light. She climbed up to the crow's nest, sat down and leaned on the pole with the blanket cocooning her body. The pillow is more for her to hug as her mind wandered off into space.

"Much better...I hope Renee gets my letter soon..." Before she boarded on the ship, Serena went off to deliver her letter to the Pendragon sister. Letting her know that she might be staying near Seth for a lot longer than anticipated...for a single nagging reason. The blonde stayed in the crow's nest for the whole night, staring at the ropes and at the horizon just in case anybody comes by their ship. After staring at the high ropes some more, she gave up and decided to have fun for the night. Might as well relieve some stress...

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seth Pendragon -
" Shoflo Ocean "​

The kitchen was below deck, next to the storage room where they kept tightly sealed jars of meat and dried fruits, and a box of spices. Today's dinner had been cabbage pottage with potatoes and pork, and there was still a bit left in the bowl that was simmering beneath a pile of glowing coals. Seth scooped up a bowl and sat on his cot.

"Still hungry?" said Jeanne, sitting beside him and holding his hand.

"No, I'm stress eating . . . " said Seth, drinking from the bowl. He took a deep breath. "Jeanne, I cheated on you."

"What?"

"Today I woke up hugging Serena in bed, but I didn't do it on purpose, I was asleep. But my feelings for her have resurfaced." said Seth bluntly, and glanced at her somewhat timidly.

"So . . . you and her . . . " she was starting to look angry and indignant.

"No, we didn't do anything! I told her about my feelings and we talked about it, and she said that she's tired of heart ache and that fate wants her to be alone. We didn't get back together. And I know that this life, the one we have isn't for her."

"So . . . do you like her?"

" . . . Yes."

" . . . Is it serious?"

" . . . No. I just really like her company that's all, it's so easy to be with her. I know if we get back together we're just going to break up because nothing's changed. I mean . . . I still like this life, sorta . . . and she doesn't want a criminal for a husband. So I know it won't go anywhere."

" . . . I get it, she's . . . quite something. And, you're free to like whoever you want, but I'm still not going to let you go. I'm going to sleep here with you."

"Okay. You're not mad?"

"I'm more of sad."

"Oh . . . Sorry."

"Well, at least you told me. That means you care about me. Here, come into my arms." she joined him on the small cot and spread her arms open. Seth smiled and hugged her back. "Do you like this, Seth?"

"Yeah, I've always liked this." said Seth, nuzzling her. "Like I'm holding a small fox. You always take these things well, thanks for not freaking out."

"You're welcome."

That night, Jeanne didn't come back up from below deck. The passing wind lulled the two to sleep, and darkness gave way to the cool grey of dawn.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

In the morning, they wouldn't find Serena in the bedroom or in any other room. The couple would hear a violin playing from the outside however...

They wouldn't find the violinist on the deck or the back, but they can find her way up high. Serena is playing her violin....while on the ship's mast, dancing on the highest spar. It's like she didn't have a care in the world up there with the way she's spinning and kicking her leg up and-

The blonde leaped like a graceful gazelle, landing on the spar easily enough and...was she bare-footed?! The song she's playing sounds familiar as the pair might have heard it in the phonograph...but better. Alive. Like they can really reach up and touch the sky without the fear of falling back down, having the courage and freedom to just explore wherever...

It might explain why Serena is up there but how did she get up there if she wasn't near any ladders for her to climb. There were a lot of rope though, crisscrossing each other...

The violin suddenly stopped and Serena waved at them. "Morning!"

Spoiler: Serena's song

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seth Pendragon -
" Sonoran Desert "​

"Morning!" waved Jeanne. She and Seth were holding hands. "Oh! Be careful, Serena!"

"Morning, Serena! Don't stop playing!" shouted the twin, enthusiastically. For the first hour he manned the captain's wheel, listening to her, while Jeanne went down to prepare breakfast. He seemed inspired as he nodded and tapped his feet to the beat, catching a westerly wind on the sails and making the ship fly faster with the music. "I'm tempted to do barrel rolls!" he shouted up at her, grinning.

"Don't do that, or the coals will spill!" said Jeanne's voice from below deck, where the sizzling of rice and the smell of frying garlic, onions, eggs, and sausages wafted up to the crow's nest, as the wind whipped the light smoke away. It was day two of their five-day journey. The weather was nice, so they had breakfast on the deck, where a couple of migrating birds made landing to hop close and chirp for scraps.

There wasn't much to do on the ship, apart from chores and just enjoying the scenery. Jeanne offered to teach Serena how to fly the Crown Javelin again, while Seth spent his time either exercising, training on the ropes, or making up poetry. He seemed to be kind of awkward whenever the three of them were together, as though he didn't know how to behave, though Jeanne was very friendly with Serena. Those times when it was just the violinist and the twin, he talked like normal and ended up catching up on those lost three years. He was just as chatty with his girlfriend, he could be himself, though their balance was different. Jeanne was like his admirer and he her protector, while when it came to Serena, she and Seth were like old souls who are equals who poke fun at each other, almost like brother and sister.

The days passed without incident, until on the fifth day they came upon the Sonoran Desert. They avoided the official ports, and went straight through to their destination, finally stopping at a cliff side where they had to land and hide the Crown Javelin. There were people living in these areas, and they don't need to know an airship's been here as this was the poor side of the desert. The Crown Javelin would attract to much attention. They had to go on foot from there, and Seth, smiling, once again found himself in a familiar land he's grown to love.

"Serena, is it your first time here?" he said, as they walked through the sands, heading for a village where they could buy camels.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"Don't worry, Jeanne! I'll be fine-!" This is practically her home territory, being around rope.

As Seth requested, she didn't stop her playing, feeling like nothing can really disturb her at the moment. Serena felt better even if she was tired to the bone. Her stress melted away throughout the night as she climbed, jumped, and swung around with the ropes around her. With the excitement of a child going to the playground and the limberness of a trapeze artist, the blonde had fun balancing on ropes, swinging around freely.

'I should keep up with my shinobi training regiment from years ago.' She thought last night.

Serena laughed when she heard Seth wanting to make barrel rolls with the ship, making a sharp spin. She was about to tell him 'Sure!', thinking it would be fun until she heard Jeanne and grinned at him bashfully, remembering that she was cooking below deck. Oops.

She didn't feel as awkward as yesterday, though her thoughts are starting to nag at her again when she secretly observed the couple's interactions as days passed by. It's just really weird how Jeanne is okay with her being here. Almost as if she didn't care much...It's not even like she's confident that Seth wouldn't cheat either. It's more like she honestly does not care much...or at all-!

At least Seth feels weird about the Ex and current girlfriends being together on the same boat! He's being awkward and it shows (To Serena, anyways). With Jeanne, she's teaching her how to fly the air ship. What made Serena really confused is how the couple is not really being a couple. Sure, they are holding hands, but they didn't even try to sneak kisses or brush up against each other or being flirty and have fun-! Why is she mentally complaining about that?! She should be happy that they are not being a couple-ly couple...but...

Is Seth really happy with Jeanne just admiring him? Is Seth really happy that all they do is hold hands? That's Serena's issue right there. Is Seth really happy with the way the relationship is right now with Jeanne?

There were moments where the blonde wanted to go up to Seth and outright ask him 'Is she really making you happy?' while they chatted like old souls but why would she ask him that? He's just going to think that she's trying to separate them or something! She doesn't want that either! Maybe she just needs to observe them more. That's it. She'll just secretly observe more and then...maybe she'll see a touching moment like with James and Lydia or Johnny and Echo or Renee and Seifer. (Then again Seifer and Renee don't really care about others as they are always hands-on with each other but still-!) Maybe she'll hear a different tone from Jeanne too, once the couple are in their comfort spot.

When Jeanne asked if she wanted to learn more, Serena nodded and decided to tell her the truth one day. "Jeanne, Seth slept on top of me back in the taverns but it's not what you think. He was rolling around saying something about Raincoats and hugged me tight. I couldn't push him off because I was worried about his healing injuries, so I let him sleep on top of me. I know it's very wrong and all, but my intentions are innocent. I wouldn't want to come in between the two of you. I just wanted to make sure that Seth gets all his strength back as soon as possible." She frowned, guilt shined in her eyes. "So I'm very sorry. I didn't want to hide it from you since you are together with a very dear friend of mine. Thank you for looking out for him all these years."

After her lessons, Serena left and continued to play her violin. Seth could tell that she had a lot on her mind but was trying to solve it on her own. There were nights where she would swing around the mast and spars again until she became tired and slept on the crow's nest with a pillow and blanket.

Once they landed, Serena noticed the sandy lands and her eyes sparkled at a thought. One very precious thought.

"Yes it is. I wanted to visit here for a while now. Hisa-chan's wife grew up in Jahara!" The blonde said excitedly as she bounced on the sand, seeing the grainy particles fly around from her steps.

"The sand is so hot-! It actually burn-Ow-! Hahah! That's so facinating- Ow! Ow!" She laughed while wincing as she dug her feet in and wiggling her toes.

"So toasty. Too toasty! Too toasty-! Ouch! Hahah!"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seth Pendragon -
" Sonoran Desert "​

The touching moments came whenever Jeanne expressed her worry over what was going on with their friends. One afternoon, when it was Seth's turn to cook lunch and Jeanne was with him cutting up cabbages --- cabbage pottage was their staple meal --- their conversation had turned to what-if's and Seth, frowning with worry, left the ladle in the pot then hugged her. He kissed her forehead, as he comfortingly reassured her that they are going to be alright.

Despite her friendliness, open words, and mellow demeanor, Jeanne seemed to be the type who doesn't let anyone close. She talks, but not a lot about herself. She's definitely welcoming, as though Serena and her were old friends, but the violinist never got to know her more during those hours she taught her how to fly, instead asking Serena a lot about herself.

It was hard to see if Seth was happy with how awkward he felt, but there was an easy-going vibe between him and Jeanne, exactly like old friends who've known each other for a long time, but Serena was right when she mused that it was lacking a spark.

When Serena told Jeanne about what happened between her and Seth, she wasn't surprised. "Seth told me, and good thing too, otherwise I would have flipped." she said testily. She looked like she didn't believe when Serena said it was innocent, and narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Don't lie. Just don't. I'm sure it was very nice to have him on top of you." Serena can tell that what had happened had offended her a lot.

"I'm friends with you, because it's what he wants, and you can be really helpful to our group. I know you still like him, you don't have any other reason to come with us taking on a lot of risks, so don't tell me it was innocent. I can be civil, but lying like that just ticks me off."

* * * *​

Days later, in the desert, Seth looked at her like she was weird. "Don't laugh, you silly." he chuckled, bending down to untie his boots. "Here, use my boots and I'll have your sandals, I'm used to the sand."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

During her meeting with Jeanne, Serena sighed, raising her hands up as if to be open and has nothing to hide.

"I don't like lying either. If I wanted to lie, I wouldn't say this upfront to you at all and that would just be mean on my part. Yes, you're right: I do have lingering feelings but I'm not going to do anything that will harm your relationship with him. That...that wouldn't make him happy. Not at all. So no...it didn't feel good when he was laying on top of me...it hurt. A lot. I cried and I wanted to push him off but I couldn't because I was more afraid of reopening his wounds from the surprise attack from the SCU." The blonde looked at the brunette sadly, her eyes got a bit teary. Being open about this.

"I gave up on being in a romantic relationship a few months ago. I'm not searching nor looking. So I'm really sorry that it even happened in the first place...and I do have a reason to be here. It's part of my job to find out where the artifacts are right now."

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

"A-ah!" Serena shook her head quickly, her hair swaying with. "No-! It's fine. I like it. Besides I need to get used to the terrain anyways." The blonde continued on, walking past him so she didn't give him a chance to pass her his boots.

"And I can laugh whenever I want to-!" She sassed playfully, peeking over her shoulder to stick her tongue out at him.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seth Pendragon -
" Sonoran Desert "​

Seth jutted his chin and stuck his tongue out at her too, as he pulled his boots on. "At least wrap your feet in cloth, or you're skin will start peeling!" he called after her. Then again she does have calloused feet from all the barefoot walking she does, like Renee.

The walk through the cliffs in the sweltering heat was quiet. Bulbous, bristling cacti, some round, some tall with prickly stiff arms and pink flowers dotted the landscape. Seth showed Serena the yucca fruit, a safe-to-eat morsel that came from a tall shrub that had a round head of long narrow leaves. He also showed her pools of water that have white froth or look yellow or pink that she must never drink. There were hopping mice that dashed from bush to bush and fire salamanders basking on the beautifully layered rocks with all their hues of auburn brown, tan, and mocha. Jeanne walked together with Seth, but often she found herself at the back of the group as the twin taught Serena common Jaharian words and polite customs, like where to sit on the table if you are a guest.

As they rested beneath the shadow of a rock, Jeanne, who was oddly quiet, roasting a couple of salamanders, they heard the sound of camels and the grinding of wooden wheels from the direction of the village; Seth pulled his scarf up and hood down. A caravan of weary and injured looking villagers appeared behind a corner of the cliffs, they had arrows sticking out of their wagons and their horses looked tired.

Jeanne shouted out a greeting in Jaharian, then asked Seth to take over cooking their food while she talked to them. When she came back, she told them that the village where they were going to buy camels was a no go. It had been raided by bandits.

"Bandits . . ." Seth's eyes squinted. "Are they still in the village?"

"No, they left, bringing the villager's cattle too. What are we going to do? We need the camels to carry our water."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"Yes Mother~!" Serena teased with a wide grin, rolling her eyes a bit. She wrapped her calloused feet with cloth as she really did want to learn more about the terrain and get used to it quick.

The blonde absorbed all the information Seth taught her about the environment. She tasted the yucca fruit and stared warily at the pink and yellow forming waters. When a line of hopping mice crossed their path, dashing from bush to bush, Serena did the same while laughing loudly and squeaking. Then she was pricked when she got too close to a cactus. "Just-...Just pass me my comb. I'll comb it off!" She said. She winced when she managed to pull the needles out and can move her arm again. "Finally...freedom-!" And~ off she goes, hopping again.

When she saw the salamanders, her azure eyes grew bigger, wanting to poke one. Which she did and was bitten for it. Serena laughed it off, again wincing for the ouchies. "I'm fine. I caught lunch at least-!"

The violinist was thinking of what sort of song to write for all her simple discoveries while traveling in the desert, practicing the greeting and table manners as she sat on the sand. 'Maybe I can do this with Hisa-chan's wife too.' She thought happily until she heard horses neighing nearby. She quickly pulled down her hood, covering her bright golden hair as she listened very careful to Jeanne talking to the locals. Serena peeked over the rock a bit, blinking as she saw the arrows sticking out of their wagon.

When Jeanne came back and told them what's going on, Serena narrowed her eyes; serious and pensive. Then her azure eyes lit up. "...We steal from the bandits..." She looked at the pair of professional thieves. "I can distract them while you guys grab the camels they might have and we get out of there."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seth Pendragon -
" Sonoran Desert "​

"That means waiting until night fall." said Jeanne, thinking. "That's half a day of travel gone if we're just going to steal. Let's kill them instead." she suggested like it was normal.

"Wait, we need to figure out where they went. We can't attract attention to ourselves like that."

"They're traveling with cattle, cattle is slow. We'll find them soon enough. The villagers said they attacked last night, so they had a morning's head start. If we steal without them noticing, we're going to waste time . . . you know how far we have to be if we don't want to be spotted following them, there's no place to hide in the desert. We'll end up meeting the others an additional two days for now --- but if we blitzkrieg and I know you can take them out quick, we can keep to our schedule."

"Jeanne, I haven't killed anyone for six years, I don't want to start now." said Seth bluntly.

"And you know where that got us." she said a bit impatiently. The twin looked at her and it was the first time Serena saw him angry at her.

"Don't bring that up." The two of them looked at each other grumpily for a while.

" I'll get us our camels." said Jeanne. "Serena, do you kill?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Serena listened, watching the couple ping-pong ideas. Then she blinked when Jeanne brought up a sore spot for Seth. Seems like something happened there...and what's with her tone again?!

The blonde stay silent as they had their angry staring contest, already thinking '...Someone, blink right now...'

Her blue eyes looked at Jeanne blankly as memories of what she had done in the past while under the deathknight Sloth came pouring back like a waterfall-

"...I don't need to. I can freeze them." Frostflies can do the trick. "So we'll blitzkrieg. I'm fine with that plan." She didn't want to remember that. Of all things that had to pop up, it had to be those memories...

Serena sighed. "I'm ready whenever you are..."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seth Pendragon -
" Sonoran Desert "​

"Good, you freeze, I'll finish them off." said Jeanne. "We can't leave survivors, or our enemies will get wind of our location."

Seth looked at Serena, but didn't say anything. He turned back to Jeanne. "I'll get the camels." he said dully. "And scout ahead."

They found the village smoking and ruined. Some of the people had decided to stay and were rebuilding, despite all the devastation. There was a funeral pyre on the outskirts and loud wailing filled the air. Seth thought it wise to not go in, and instead went around. he found the cattle tracks easy enough. They led to the east, coincidentally the direction the three were going to meet up with the crew. When all three of them were together, Seth and Jeanne burst into a sprint, kicking sand up behind them like motor windmills.

Somewhere in the distance, a group of bandits were looking at the horizon, wondering what was that line of sand streaks rushing towards them. Looking through their binoculars, they saw two hooded rogues, dashing before the wave, one had two daggers out.

"Attack! We're under attack!" they yelled, and Serena, Seth, and Jeanne were met with a barrage of arrows.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Serena tried her best to ignore the wailing, covering her ears as she can feel the grief behind it. Her eyes started to tear up, pulling her hood even more down as she didn't want to catch anybody's attention. All she did was follow Seth and Jeanne around the pyre with her head down.

Though she was caught off guard when the couple suddenly ran towards the bandits, leaving her behind their dust ... or sand in this case.
She looked up to see a barrage of arrows and narrowed her eyes, before playing her violin. The ground beneath her jiggled as she bounced on it, catching up to the thieves and yelled out "Keep running! I got the arrows!" before bouncing past them a few meters.

The bandits would see a hooded person suddenly stopping and playing a...is that an instrument? What are those glowing balls of light and where are they coming from?

Serena played her firefly spell, casting her rage from the memories into the spell as a massive swarm of fireflies swirled around. The space around her became hotter as she pointed upwards where the arrows are coming down; her fireflies flew up as the arrows shot downwards from their arcs. The wood burned as the pair ran past the violinist.

Once she made sure that there were no more arrows, the blonde continued to sprint and play another tune. Her fireflies are now glowing blue...

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seth Pendragon -
" Sonoran Desert "​

Seth went one way, while Jeanne went the other, Serena's spell foiling the archer's that would have struck Jeanne.

The twin tossed smoke bombs, panicking the herd of goats and camels the bandits were minding, sending them scattering everywhere nuur-ing and meee-ing. The bandits had formed a defensive line with horseman archers at the back, and mounted swordsmen charging for Seth and Jeanne; there was a mage at the back, casting a spell that was making some kind of goopy acid green muck bubble out from the sand and rise like blobby pillars.

Jeanne leaped into the smoke, just as the horsemen charged in.

Her cry of pain was almost drowned by the victorious yells of the horsemen; Serena could see Seth successfully sneak off with two of the camels.

As Serena's fireflies turned blue, the mage's blobby pillars whipped up, taking the form of large snakes, and lunged at Serena, sinking their acid green fangs into her leg. She could feel the sting of poison.

Katsuya

Spoiler

Serena
2/3 Hp

Seth, steal (1-5) ---> 2 camels
3/3 Hp
Phys.Def.= 9 | Mag.Def = 9

Jeanne, one-handed melee (1-7) --> horsemen
2/3 Hp
Phys.Def.= 7 | Mag.Def. = 7

* * * *​

Mounted Swordsmen ---> Jeanne
2/2 Hp
+3 success

Horse Archers ---> Jeanne
1/2 Hp
+3 success

Mage ---> Serena
2/2 Hp
+3 success

 

[Katsuya]

Serena whipped her head when Jeanne cried out, her instinct to want to help surfaced. Then she winced as she felt something biting her-

Snakes! Blobby snakes!! Not good!

She can feel heat starting to rise from the bite and around the area. Shoot! The blonde couldn't stop here, she has to fight-!

Determined to finish, she aimed her frostflies at the mage. Little glowing orbs of blue swirled around the mage like powdered sugar flakes. Suddenly forming spikes of ice on the mage's skin like a quick blossoming flower every time a frostfly landed on him.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seth Pendragon -
" Sonoran Desert "​

Jeanne leapt out of the smoke and fell on the sand, she limped on one leg as the horsemen turned for another sweep.

"Jeanne!" yelled Seth. Then he saw Serena get bit by what looked venomous. He hesitated between the two, then dashed for the mage, taking out his knife and hurling it at him.

Meanwhile, the snakes, having bit into Serena, crunched through her bone and then dove for the sand to slam her down.

The mage was frozen before it could control the snakes. Seth's blades struck the icicle magician, shattering him to pieces; he dashed, stopping beneath Serena, as the venomous snakes dissipated, and raised his arms to catch her; meanwhile, Jeanne was trampled under the horses, her cry echoing through the sands.


Katsuya

Spoiler

Serena
2/3 Hp

Seth, one handed (1-9) --->Mage
3/3 Hp
Phys.Def.= 9 | Mag.Def = 9

Jeanne, one-handed melee (1-7) --> horsemen
0/3 Hp
Phys.Def.= 7 | Mag.Def. = 7

* * * *​

Mounted Swordsmen ---> Jeanne
1/2 Hp
+3 success

Horse Archers ---> Jeanne
1/2 Hp
+3 success

Mage ---> Serena
0/2 Hp
+3 success

 

[Katsuya]

Serena cried out when the snakes dug in deeper, crunching through her bone, and she shut her eyes closed, ready for impact as she fell-

Into someone's arms...?

"Seth?" The hazy blonde looked up to see Seth above her, blinking owlishly as she didn't expect him to catch her- Wait...

The violinist looked over to where she heard Jeanne's cries dying down, feeling her heart stopping...Pushing herself out of Seth's arms, Serena prepared her violin and out of desperation, she played her panic and worry; the swarm of glowing blue orbs grew bigger and bigger, feeding off of her emotions.

A storm of frostflies swirled around the horsemen and archers, not letting them have a chance at realizing what's going on as bursts of ice spikes appeared on their skin and the ground. Frostbitten, the enemies frozen in their places and they can see where Jeanne is; safe from Serena's spell. The place...is now very cold as the glowing blue orbs slowly swirled around the area...

"Jeanne?!"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seth Pendragon -
" Victory "​

"Jeanne!" yelled Seth at the same time as Serena. He was at her side in an instant. "Oh no, nononono." he said desperately, checking if she had a pulse. All around them were glowing blue fireflies twinkling around frozen horsemen, a battle perfectly preserved in ice.

Jeanne was in bad shape, there was so much blood. Trampled by so many horses, many of her bones were broken and she could barely speak. "Serena, my sister's potions --- hurry! We need to stop the bleeding."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Serena plopped down beside the brunette, taking off her backpack to quickly get Renee's potions out. She squinted her eyes as she tries to concentrate on applying the medicine on the poor girl. "G-Got it-! Got it." She passed some to Seth and went to work.

The damage is insane. How does Renee deal with this everyday, knowing that their lives is on her hands? Honestly the blood and seeing bones jutting out oddly under her skin is just-

The violinist let out a shuddering sigh as she tried her best at stopping the blood oozing out of her wounds.

She felt a sharp sting in her heart as once again there's blood on her hands...

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seth Pendragon -
" Sonoran Desert "​

"S-Seth . . ." whispered Jeanne hoarsely.

"I'm here, we're going to fix you up, alright, Jeanne? My sister's potions are the best, don't sleep, okay?"

"L-listen to me . . ." she coughed out blood, her breathing was gurgled. "I worked with Wilde, I sent the note to you and Serena. I'm sorry. I was to bring you to the others, I told him all about our hideout and our plans, he's planning to attack the hideout tonight. I'm sorry, Seth. I'm sorry, Serena --- cough."

Seth was speechless. Tears flowed out of his eyes. "I-It's okay, just live, okay? You can make it up to us."

"I know it's not okay . . . " she whispered, her eyes, closing.

"Don't sleep, don't sleep --- Jeanne? Jeanne!" he felt her pulse. It was gone. "Serena, stop the bleeding, I'll start CPR!"

* * * *​

Later that afternoon, Seth was hunched and quiet as they rode their camels to the cliff city. Tears streaked down his eyes, as the wrapped body of Jeanne, strapped to the back of the camel, flopped lifelessly. She had died. He didn't expect that. Just this morning they were talking, eating breakfast . . .

His sniffles and sharp gasps of anguish couldn't be muffled. His eyes were so sad, with so much pain.

The cliffs came into view a couple of hours before nightfall. They didn't know what time Wilde was going to attack, so they had to move quickly. Seth was just out of it, needing Serena to shake him back to reality so that he could tell her where to go as they passed through the underground entrance, and weaved their way through the maze of clay and rock houses. Vulnerably, he let her lead the way, clutching her cloak and looking so lost.

They came to their hideout at last. Where Sen came rushing to do a cheerful handshake greeting with his brother.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Serena silently nodded, listening into what the brunette's words were and-

Her eyes widened at the news but she hastened with wrapping her wounds. "Seth's right. You can make it up to us later- Jeanne?!"

"Got it!" Her shaky hands quickly wrapped the bandages, trying to stop the bleeding and-

******

Later that afternoon, Serena peeked at his side as she listened to Seth's anguishing gasps and sniffles before they drifted to Jeanne's body. Her eyes are red and puffy from crying earlier, now dry but aching. Her shoulders slumped with her head low like her neck couldn't hold it up anymore. Her once bloodied hands shaking violently, she huffed a bit from the poison as she can feel the heat spreading in her leg. It wasn't strong, just enough to cause discomfort or a high fever.

After a little while, she pulled her reins, steering her camel to go closer to Seth's and placed her shaky hand on his shoulder. "S-Seth?" He needed to talk it out. "...Do you need a hug?" She asked carefully, comfortingly squeezing his shoulder a bit. Serena can feel it, his sadness.

If he said nothing or not react, the blonde breathed in, made her violin appear and played. Staying close to his camel with hers, playing what he's feeling: like something very important was taken away so suddenly and the shock of it is too much to bare. She closed her eyes, remembering that Jeanne is very nice, friendly, a bit spunky...accepting even and the violinist weaved her tunes into the sad song of parting. She hoped...she hopes that Seth will hear it and know that he isn't alone in this...that she's there to grieve with him too.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

​

- Seth Pendragon -
" Manus "​

Seth turned and hugged Serena, sobbing on her shoulder. He couldn't ride while hugging her, it was too bumpy, so he asked if he could sit behind her and cry on her back. His hands gripped her cloak as he sobbed, his wailing becoming louder as Serena's music hit home.

When Sen saw his brother's teary eyes, he immediately hugged him. "Seth, what's wrong?" His friends, who were relieved at the sight of him and had come to greet him and Jeanne stopped short.

"Jeanne is dead." said Seth, and carried her body inside the house. The twin was like a machine as he told them about the attack tonight in a monotone voice. Everyone was surprised Serena was here, and were grief stricken to learn about Jeanne's death and betrayal, but there was no time to grieve or dally, because now they had to leave immediately.

The twin was numb and as lifeless as a doll as he held Serena's cloak like a guide as they escaped, and Sen was behind him, making sure he didn't wander. They had learned from their mistake last time and had a way out of Manus through some underground tunnels that led to a hollow in the cliffs, where the group boarded a zeppelin and headed for another safehouse, this time in Agraba, the city the twins, Minnie, and Ricket had freed from Valdanr's men six years ago.

* * * *​

"Seth, you've got to eat something." said Sen, knocking on his door aboard their escape zeppelin. It was night time, and his brother had locked himself in his room and never left. This airship was their crew's, and it had four rooms: one belonging to Seth, another to a fellow thief by the name of David, another to one of the monkey-folk by the name of Pipino, an empty one that belonged to their traitorous friend Jonathan, and Jeanne's room. David's room was the captain's cabin, while the rest were down at the second deck. This zeppelin had a small kitchen and mess hall, and steam punk cannons very much of Sen's design.

The crew had offered Jonathan and Jeanne's room to Sen, Minnie, and Serena, though the twin didn't want to stay in any of their rooms, and instead just chose to sleep in the loud engine room.

Seth sat against his door, putting his tray of food aside, and just shrugged at the rest of his friends who had also come to try and convince him to eat, saying Jeanne's death wasn't his fault at all.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Serena gritted her teeth as she shut her eyes tight as she played. She let Seth ride with her, crying on her back as she tied the camel's rein to her saddle and continued on.

When they arrived to the Manus, Minnie came out running with Sen too only to stop in her tracks when she saw Seth crying and Serena looking pale and trembling over all. Silent. The gunslinger hugged them tightly, squeezing them. The blonde greeted Sen, Minnie, and his other friends, Pipino and David morosely. As Seth told everyone about Wilde's plan and Jeanne's betrayal, Serena stayed close by, again squeezing his shoulder as support. Minnie watched on with a small frown before urging Serena to tend to her own wound which she found out was a fractured bone.

"How did you even walk like this?" She muttered to the silent violinist who simply shook her head. Minnie sighed and applied pressure by wrapping bandages around the stint and gave Serena an antidote.

While escaping the Manus, Serena peeked over her shoulder at times to check on Seth before watching where she was going. She'd wince while running but she didn't care about her own physical pain at the moment...

*****

At their escape zeppelin, Serena was wandering around until she heard Sen's voice coming from down the hall. She hobbled closer to see the twin standing in front of Seth's door and leaned on the wall. "...le-let me try..." She finally muttered quietly.

Minnie refused to stay in any of the empty rooms, preferring to stay in the engine room with Sen. Serena...Serena didn't really listen as she didn't want to go near Jeanne's room. Wanting to respect the dead for a while longer.

The blonde hopped to the door and knocked on it. "Seth? May I come in?" She asked, leaving her hand on the door. "Please?"

Zer0