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

[Zer0]

- Seifer's Soul -​

"It was the dragon. I learned a long time ago that no one is here except for me and that thing." said Seifer. "I think I got away because it's not strong enough to come in here or get rid of me. But it has been slowly winning. Before, the mansion used to be mine, now all I have is this part on the second floor."

He looked around his room, then at the rain outside. "I miss my mother." with that statement, the rain seemed to pour even stronger.

Katsuya

- James Pendragon -
" Atelier "​

At that moment, James hoped with all his heart that his fever would stay for three more days. If not, he made up his mind to pretend to be sick for a week. "Thank you, Lydia." he smiled warmly, accepting the mug.

He was very calm as he drank, but inside his head was roaring blissfully in the clouds. 'Lydia touched my cheek. Lydia touched my cheek. Lydia touched my cheek. I'm drinking tea she made for me. She's nursing me. I-WANT-TO-BE-SICK-FOREVER.' he gushed in his head, his mouth twitching into a small smile.

"Cough, cough --- I think I caught some serious illness yesterday, Lydia." said James hoarsely. "Me and Johnny were exploring the ruins of old Dalaran the whole day yesterday --- cough, cough."

Roleplay Skittle
OOC || Characters || Interest Check
​

 

[Katsuya]

Now that explains why the mansion is abandoned like that. Renee gently grabbed his hand, cupping his cheek with her other hand as she comforted him. "Don't worry. You'll see your mother soon enough. Once we get that Dragon out of you....somehow."

When he mentioned about the dragon slowly winning, the Pendragon took a quick deep breathe, the feathers on her wings puffed up in her defiance. "Yea well, now you have help against that dragon. I'll make sure to bring something in here next time I visit which will be soon as possible." She grumbled, mumbling how she really needs her paintbrush to make the materials and enhance them with her own manna. Maybe make some traps around the mansion to win back his soul room.

"We'll get your whole soul room back. This isn't a promise. I'll make it happen." Renee glared at the door that leads to outside of the room as if she's glaring at her enemy.

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Her smile brightened slightly as he had taken the tea, "you're welcome," the thought only then occurred to her what her hand was doing and she tried to remove it without seeming too awkward, slowly taking it from his cheek instead of jerking away as she was about to do, her cheeks still red. She didn't know if it was because she cared about him so much or because she was just used to taking care of someone who was ill because of helping her mother with her brothers, but either way it felt very natural to her.

When he coughed and said he might have a serious illness, Lydia pouted slightly and raised her hand slightly to rub his shoulder, though her fingers curled in towards her palm as she hesitated for a moment, her thoughts reeling and her breath catching before she went ahead with the gesture and left her hand there, squeezing gently, "i-it's okay... I-I-I'll... um... I'll take care of you..." she said shyly, her cheeks plumping with the smile that appeared on her full lips as she looked down to her other hand where it lay in her lap, "d-d-do... do you need.. um.. anything?"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer's Soul -​

The little Renee figurine inside the old treasure box glowed all the more brighter, and the rain outside the windows lessened to a drizzle with a bit of light peeking out in the grayness. Seifer hugged her again. "Thank you. Renee, I want to give you something."

He pulled out a golden key, the same one he used to open his bedroom and took the old treasure box from the bedside table. "This is my heart." he showed her the box, " And I'm giving you the key. Only one other person has it, and that's my mother. With this you can come here any time and pass through the oak doors. It will open all the doors in the mansion as long as they were first mine."

Katsuya

- James Pendragon -
" Atelier "​

'YES!' James roared, fist-pumping in his mind. "No, none that I could think of right now, thanks." he said placidly, though was unable to keep a straight face and ended up covering it with a hand like he usually does when he's embarrassed and happy, but this time he didn't look away.

Saying there was nothing he could think of was a lie of course: kiss me, touch my forehead again, put your soft hand on my cheek, hold my hand, feed me soup, go on a date with me, make me tea again, tell me you will take care of me forever, let me hug you, were one of the few things that crossed his mind.

"Ah, could you pass me a scarf from my bag?" said James. "I'll use it as a mask. I think I'll just sleep here for now. Will you please wake me up if its' lunch time?"

​

Roleplay Skittle

 

[Katsuya]

Renee hugged him back, noticing the small light from outside the window that's peeking through the cloudy grey and the bright light coming from her figurine in the box. She tilted her head. What in the-?

When he gave her a golden key and told her the box is his heart, the Pendragon teen gripped onto the precious golden key in her soft hands. He trusts her enough to give her a key to his soul and show her his heart which has a figurine of her and his mother...and Hair cream which almost made her laugh a bit.

Oh Merlin....

"...Thank you, Seifer. This is...I wish I knew how to pass you a key to my soul too." Maybe she should ask her brother how he did that with Echo's present: transferring spells in scrolls to work for someone else. That way, Seifer could visit her or his mother's souls if he ever wants to visit. Yea...that would be a good present for his birthday, other than making some natural hair cream with herbs.

The winged teen read her father's hair cream and shampoos too many times to understand the ingredients and there were moments where she half-expected her father to come out of nowhere to ask her make some for him in the past when he ran out for a day. It's...like he had a secret reason why he gave her the garden other than for studies and she couldn't help but think it's for his hair and body health...

Hey, there had to be a reason why each and every one of the Pendragon siblings are so mischievous and it couldn't be their strict and reasonable mother...So their whimsical and flighty father is the prime reason behind that gene...

"I'll never let this key go. Is there anything you need me to do for you?" Renee asked as her wings fluttered happily. She gently placed her hand on the old treasure chest, wondering what would happen if she touched it.

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

She nodded, the first couple of nods slow before she did a few more that were a little quicker, "o-okay... just let me know!" she said cheerfully before taking her hand from his shoulder and placing it on her lap, cupping her other hand over it as though she were holding in the warmth that his body had given it. If she had been a different sort of girl, she would have at least made one of his wishes come true; when he got that little embarrassed expression and covered his face, it did make her want to kiss him, but she was much to shy to act on that and could only look away after a moment with a coy smile on her face.

"Mmm-hmm!" she answered cutely and rose from where she sat to go to his bag, hesitating as she reached it, realizing she was just about to go through James' things. She stood with her back to him and her cheeks puffed out slightly as she held her breath, 'James asked me to get a scarf from his bag. He gave me permission to get something out of his bag,' a simple enough thing, but it was making Lydia feel like she was going to lose her mind. He trusted her, he trusted her enough to take care of him and help him.

She tilted her head from side to side like a happy little kid, letting the air out from her cheeks before she opened James' bag and found a scarf for him, putting the bag back just as she had found it, or at least as close as possible to the way she had found it. She then brought the scarf back to James and smiled, "of course! Is there anything you think you might want to eat?" she sounded even more cheerful than she had before and crouched down next to him, her hands curling around her legs to keep her dress tight against them.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer's Soul -​

"No, no, no, don't give me the key to your soul, Renee." said Seifer waving his hands immediately. "It's not safe. I can't visit your soul, at least not until I'm entirely myself. But, thanks for offering." he smiled, squeezing her hand. He looked around. "Well, for now, help me fortify the oak doors?"

When Renee touched the treasure box, nothing happened. It didn't feel like an ordinary box. It was warm in a comfortable and familiar way as if she's felt it before but just hadn't seen what it looked like. The closest time she'd probably remember feeling this box was when Seifer asked her if she'll really love him even if he grows bald and ugly.

Katsuya

- James Pendragon -
" Atelier "​

James wrapped the scarf over his mouth and nose, sniffing all the while. There, at least Lydia won't catch his cold. He wriggled back into the sleeping bag really looking like a cocooned caterpillar now with only his eyes peeking out. He must be having the chills if he was trying to be warm in this weather, he wasn't sweating.

His eyes crinkled as he smiled again. "Yes, um --- cough, cough . . . Mushroom soup with croutons?" said his muffled voice from underneath the scarf.

Opportunity! to somehow ask Lydia to feed him. Time to act weaker. "Wheeze, cough, cough --- urgh, I think I should really sleep right now, Lydia." said James feebly, closing his eyes. Here's hoping she won't pull his scarf down because until now he still couldn't stop smiling and she'll see he was just pretending.

Roleplay Skittle

- Johnny Caprice -
" Training Grounds "​

Meanwhile, back in the training grounds, Johnny was lying on Meatball's belly, rubbing and squishing handfuls of its fur while the boar hound lay on its back, thumping its fluffy tail and panting happily. "Good boy, hoosa' good boy, you are, yes you are."

Meatball's leg swung up and down as he rubbed his furry chest. "Meatbaaalls." Johnny moved up and stretched the boarhound's flabby cheeks. The giant dog responded by licking, and Johnny enjoyed it. "Give me your paws, high five." they clapped. "Goooood, dog." he hugged the boarhound.

"That fellow is Chenglei." he turned its head and Meatballs panted absentmindedly at the Oriental. "He's a friend, you protect him too, okay?" the dog didn't look like it understood. "Good boy."

Meatballs jerked around to scratch his floppy ears. Johnny tumbled down, all covered in lick and clumps of boarhound hair, but he was very happy and rubbed the giant dog fondly one more time. "I like dogs." he told Chenglei. "The bigger and huggable the better."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee nodded, a bit confused as to why he'd let her keep his soul's key and not let the opposite happen. Until he explained and she nodded in understanding. "Okay okay. No key until we know its safe." She responded back.

Her cheeks were dusted in pink when she felt something from the box when she put her hand on it. In a way, she remembered the closest facial expression he wore for this feeling and grinned. Yea, she wasn't kidding when she told him that....

When he mentioned about fortifying the door, Renee nodded though this time she wore a serious frown. "Of course. That's why I'm here." After figuring out how to make the key disappear and reappear in her hand like he could, the Pendragon teen said: "Alright, let's do this. Come on Sweetheart."

Renee made sure that the wall Seifer was building is stronger, pouring a bit of her own Manna into it as a second line of defense. Also a lot more neater and had more structure as before it wasn't enough to keep the dragon at bay. Though she wondered why wood when he could've gone for brick but this is up to him. If he actually believes that a wall of wood will protect him, then it shall. That's what she believes wholeheartedly.

***

Chenglei had to laugh when Johnny told Meatballs to protect him too, feeling honored by it. Though it didn't seem like the giant dog understood him. The Oriental soldier was sitting beside the large dog and he scratched his belly the whole time Johnny was on him.

"I see. My grandmama was allergic to any sort of animal, so we could have any pets." Chenglei mentioned before nuzzling into Meatballs' fur with his face. "Ahh~ but I do love animals."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Training Grounds "​

"Do you have one now, or a summon?" said Johnny sitting beside Chenglei. He proceeded to wipe as much of the dog saliva off himself. "Actually, I'm quite curious, Chenglei-san, I have never seen you fight. Want to duel?"

​

- Seifer's Soul -​

It felt like time moved fast in Seifer's soul, either that, or there really was no concept of time for the fortifying of the oak doors took most of the day. He kept on looking about nervously and stopped to look at either end of the hall as if he sensed something Renee could not.

Nothing was there, yet she could feel it. Someone was watching.

The moment Renee returned to real world, she'd find that only three minutes had passed since she cast the spell. The real Seifer was looking at her patiently waiting to hear if he was doing it or not. He really wasn't, his own defenses were too flimsy. He hadn't quite got the hang of this mental barrier yet.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"No, I do not have a pet." Chenglei chuckled. "I don't have magic abilities either, Johnny. It's why I'm not a warlock or wizard. No, my dear friend, I fight with my sword." He showed the sheathed sword that's beside him, the ever reliable companion he has.

When he mentioned of having a duel with him, the blonde orient raised an eyebrow with interest. Hmm...he hasn't fought for while...he couldn't get rusty now. So...

"Sure. I would love to have a duel with you."

***

Renee noticed something about Seifer, be it from the outside world and the inner Seifer. They can feel or sense something when it comes to the dragon's power, so whenever Inner Seifer looks around nervously, she would prepare herself to fight. At least, to fend it off until Inner Seifer can run in the room.

Thing is...now she can sense that someone was watching...and it's not a good thing. Is she starting to pick up it's presence now?

When she realized how long she has been staying, Renee kissed Inner Seifer 'good bye' for now and to stay safe in the time being. "...Seifer, give me a signal when something horrible happens or when you need help, okay? I'll come in as quick as I can." She told him before blinking.

Then she finds herself in his room at the warship. When she heard three minutes past, the winged teen could only stare incredulously. "What? Three min-....No, Seifer. You're not building it right. Inner you is scared sh@#$%#@ because the dragon is slowly winning your soul room. Your wall is made out of wood."

Renee told him everything that happened to her, including how he gave her a golden key to open any of his doors if they were once his. She described his real soul room too in case if he was curious.

"No wonder you spent months in there when it was days out here. Time moves quicker there...speaking of which, I'll be right back! Keep working on your mental wall. Wood isn't strong enough, so think of something stronger like a mental like gold or something tougher than that." She adviced him, leaving his room to run hastily in hers. Renee searched for the item that the elves gave her as a present and triumphantly found the paintbrush she wanted to get before.

She didn't know if elves built or made stuff too, but whoever made this paintbrush is awesome. It looks like any other paintbrush with a dark wooden handle and soft hair at the end but if she poured her magic into it, the paintbrush could make items. Thing is she didn't know for what she could use it for.... until now.

That is, if she can actually make it work since she only ever used her own bow ("talking about that..." Renee grabbed her bow too) and it's from a source outside, from nature. She only used her own magic for transformation and shields, so to try to paint items with this brush is...going to be hard. The winged teen tucked the paintbrush in her braid as she ran back to Seifer's room and sat next to him.

"You need to get used to making mental walls, Sweetheart. I know you can do it." Renee encouraged, grabbing his hand and squeezing as if she's trying to comfort the inner him too.

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Lydia's brow furrowed as she watched James' wrap the scarf around himself, her face marked by obvious concern for his well-being and taking note of the fact that he wasn't sweating despite being bundled up, "make sure you drink the tea I made you, it'll help you sweat so you get better soon," she hated seeing him feeling bad but as his eyes crinkled with his smile, she thought it was sweet he was still trying to act well and one of her hands moved from where it was, her fingers collecting a few strands of hair from over his forehead and gently brushing them towards the side of his face.

If he was faking, he had Lydia fooled. She didn't think that he would pretend to feel worse than he actually did. She nodded and smiled to him again, brushing his hair with her fingertips a few more times before withdrawing her hand, "alright, I'll see you at lunch then. Just sleep for now," she then rose from where she was crouching and moved towards the door, bidding Frey and Pond farewell before addressing James, "sweet dreams!" she smiled sweetly to him and exited the room, closing the door softly behind her.

* * * *​

Later on, the door would softly open and the soft clink of dishes could be heard as Lydia slipped inside with a tray of food for James. Lydia wasn't really a cook, she never really had to cook and her mother hadn't seen it as a skill she would need for marriage and so hadn't hired her a tutor in the skill. Her mother had expected her to eventually marry someone that was wealthy enough to keep a servant that would do all the cooking. With this in mind, when Lydia went to fetch lunch for James, she felt relatively disappointed and embarrassed. She would have to ask Renee to teach her how to cook.

Despite the fact that she couldn't cook, however, she stayed in the kitchen while James' meal was being made, watching what the cook did as she prepared the food. She was taking mental notes, but had determined that mushroom soup was likely an easier meal. She now had the soup on the tray with the croutons in a separate dish as well as a glass of water and a cup of tea.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Master Warship, Seifer's Room "​

"I gave you the key to my heart, Renee? That's so corny." chuckled Seifer, yet he had a warm look in his eyes. "Though it's true I am trusting you more than anyone. Actually, I haven't trusted anyone this much for a long time."

When Renee came back, Seifer was still meditating. "I was thinking of a huge strong wall made of mythril, like the dwarven halls in Ironforge. Why would it be made out of wood? Alright, I'm going to try again."

If Renee cast her spell, she'd find that the oaken doors were still fortified with wood and not dwarven steel. He'd try again and again, and still the oaken doors were the same.

It went on like this until Seifer voiced out that he didn't feel different, he couldn't even see what Renee was doing inside. Was that how souls worked? You just think about it and you're suddenly stronger? Usually what made one's spirit strong was a healthy mind and a healthy body.

Perhaps Seifer's oaken doors were flimsy because maybe that was how he really felt inside? Flimsy. Though when Renee encouraged him his fortifications became less shabby. Perhaps it had something to do with how strong he believed himself to be?

Lately it hadn't been going well for his self-confidence. Being captured by Wrath, having most people look at him like they're afraid of him, plus the same nightmare every night though it got better as he knew Renee was nearby if ever he needed her, no fans praising him, and he's been cooped up in his room most of the time.

He told Renee this as he sighed and kissed her for comfort. It was strange. But if she checked his soul at that instant she'd find the oaken doors not fortified by wood, but fortified by what looked like Renee's wings made hue and out of shining mythril. It was very sturdy. This was what Seifer probably meant when he said that she made him feel safe.

But the truth was, Renee won't be there all the time like what happened earlier, so he had to learn to be strong himself.

Katsuya

- James Pendragon -
" Atelier "​

James sighed when Lydia touched him, her fingers sending pleasant tingles that washed over him like a warm wave that almost made him fall asleep instantly. His entire form relaxed as he leaned against her hand, and with some difficulty pulled out an arm free from his cocooning sleeping bag and held Lydia's other one.

"See you", he mumbled before hesitantly letting go.

Once Lydia was gone, he put the bowl of water, box of tissues, and mugs of tea aside, before rolling around the floor and wriggling in delight.

* * * *​

James was asleep when Lydia came back. The two mugs of tea were empty and his scarf had been pulled down and he was smiling like he was having a good dream. The fever was still there and seemed to be going it's usual course of getting worse first, though at least he was sweating now.

Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

When she had stepped outside the door after leaving James' side, she couldn't help but hold her hand that he had held to her chest, squeezing it with her other hand before she did a little dance that was basically just rapidly marching in place but on only her toes before she coughed slightly and regained her composure, sauntering away from the door somewhat with her hands clasped behind her, her shoulders swaying back and forth before she broke into a skip as she moved down the hall.

* * *
​

She quietly set the tray down on a table, greeting Pond and Frey if they were still out before checking on James. Seeing his smiling face made her smile to and she supposed that he was having the sweet dreams she had wished him. She noticed that he was sweating now and went to find him a towel before returning to his side and kneeling next to him, sitting back on her calves as she gently wiped away the sweat from his face, "James? I brought you lunch," she spoke sweetly, softly but loud enough that he would be able to hear her if he wasn't too deeply asleep.

Zer0

 

[Katsuya]

Renee blushed when he kissed her, however she was worried about his self-confidence. 'That...made more sense then I thought...' She thought as the gears in her mind turned. With everyone praising him and his accomplishments, it's no wonder his ego deflated nowadays. It's like he depends on everyone else to recognize what he does...instead of being proud of himself without a care of what others say. That's...not healthy. Plus...she wouldn't be here all the time for him to depend on. Not with this mission.

"...Seifer, I know you can do it. Even if you were thinking of betraying us, you still watched over us without anyone telling you what to do. You are brave enough to try to save me despite being at the top of a waterfall. We wouldn't be able to get the horses back without your plan against the ogres. We wouldn't be able to defeat Hisaya without your help with the scrying mirror. You did it while thinking of your mother and none of us had to push you. You pushed all of us to help you." The winged teen reminded him as she squeezed his hand again and kissed him. "I believe in you. Your mother believes in you. I'm pretty sure my brother believes in you too...in a certain point if he left you alone, Seifer. They might be scared of you, but it could be because you are stuck here all the time. Come to training with everyone and talk with them. Come visit the atelier if you like. Go outside to get a breathe of fresh air. If anyone says anything, just send them to my way. I'll settle it with them."

Her eyes glowed dimly when she checked again, ignoring the pains of having her manna drained as she was sucked in his soul. Then her eyes widened in shock by the design and the strong material used for it. "Well then..." Suddenly, she was brought back when her manna ran out, looking more tired then before, but she smiled at him. Proud of what he managed to do.

"Your wall...it's like how...you...wanted. Just keep practi-..."

Thwump

Renee fell to the side as her eyes rolled back and closed, her head hit the mattress before she could finish her sentence. It seems with all the visiting and not sleeping last night, the winged teen ran out of her energy and magic. Her breathe softened as her chest raised up and down slowly, her face had a serene look as if she had a good work out or something wonderful happened while she slept. If Seifer stayed, he would hear her mutterings of 'Bloody trolls, those are my flying bacon!' to 'No...James, your hair is not a fruit. It's a veggie.'

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Zer0]

- James Pendragon -
" For the rest of the Week "​

James thanked Lydia gratefully, then made a show of coughing and dropping his spoon weakly after he woke up; Frey who had nuzzled Lydia in greeting and was now resting in a corner just rolled his eyes at Pond who made a secret 'Shhh' gesture and continued reading her book that was upside down.

"Cough, cough --- Lydia, this is a little embarrassing," began James weakly looking at his trembling fingers right after he dropped the spoon, "but would it be alright if you could you help me eat? I can use the fork fine, it's just the soup . . . my hands are shaking too much --- cough."

James fever became worse the next day and he was coughing more into his scarf too, but on the third it broke and he only had the sniffles and for some reason, sore weak muscles that made him unable to feed himself for the rest of the week. He had secretly struck a deal with Renee about lying about his health to Lydia, though he made it in such a way that it wasn't that serious that he'd unnecessarily waste her time. Only just an hour . . . or two . . . everyday just the both of them alone, talking, holding her hand, enjoying her company, and just getting to know her more.

Roleplay Skittle

- Seifer Rathmore -
"For the rest of the Week "​

"Renee, are you alright?" said Seifer, touching her forehead with the back of his hand, concerned. He chuckled when she spoke in her sleep and became relieved. "This is so like you to keep going until you pass out, babe." he caressed her forehead and sweetly planted a kiss there without waking her up.

He covered her with his blanket and tucked her in. He mused for a moment if he should sleep, hugging her, but then the memory of her soul escaping when she saw him with just a towel on came back and he thought that she might probably die if she woke up and found the both of them that way.

So with a longing sigh, he carefully slid off the bed and just slept on the mat he had pulled out earlier. When Renee woke up he teased her, saying that last night was the best he's ever had and how she made the cutest noises until he finally fessed up and told her they really didn't do anything, though he really enjoyed her reaction.

For the rest of the week, he did as she suggested, going out on training and striking conversations with the others except for James who was sick. Kenren came by with a new pair of sealing cuffs for him that was more comfortable on his wrists and ankles, but was powerful enough to make him sleepy all the time for lack of manna until he got used to it a week later.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

When Renee woke up, her whole face was flooded with a dark red, her wings spread open and flapped rapidly and clumsily like they didn't know what to do. She cupped her cheeks as she started to think when did that happen? How did that happen? What cute noises?! How did James not hear that when he could be right next door?! 'AHHHH!!!!' She mentally screamed. That is, until he told her that he was joking...and she punched his arm again for that joke.

She honestly thought that both her and Seifer was going to die by James' hands or Fray's hooves. Ouch.

Talking about her brother, she couldn't believe that she had to lie to Lydia about him being sick, but a deal's a deal: James gets to be taken care of by Lydia for a whole week while Renee gets to have a sleep-over in Seifer's room...until 2AM then she goes back. Which she didn't mind. At least she gets to make sure that for one night, he''ll be fine with a dream and not a nightmare.

During the week, Echo was one of the first ones who accepted Seifer as he is, talking calmly and supporting him by training with him too...with running. It was fun to know that he can run just as fast she can. Same with eating lunch and dinner with him. She has pleasant conversations with him, though she did warn him to use protection if they ever did the tango of the passionate nights, which made Serena spit her drink in shock.

Around the third day, Serena played a song for him when she saw him down, telling him to cheer up. She was the ones who were wary of his presence, but when she saw that Echo was nice to him during training, well...The violinist wanted a chance to go up to him too, she didn't know how until she saw him down about something.

"It's okay...We're here if you ever need something. Let me know if you want me to play something for you." Serena told him once as she started to play a sweet but timid song, reflecting on what she was seeing and sensing from the white-haired archer. The violinist would play something new every time she saw a new side of his as his expressions inspired her.

Chenglei, however, was a different story. He was hard on the archer when he messed up in his training, not giving him a break unless he did something right. Then he compliments him while giving small and subtle hints. The oriental soldier didn't know much about him, only that he has a weird and strong power with his words, so he surmised that Seifer needed to hone his spirit to hone that talent. That's why he would coach him in sword fighting. Then when training was done, Chenglei would smile proudly at him and pats his back hard, passing a cup of water for him to drink.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

When James woke, Lydia fetched the tray and set it down for him, sitting next to him just to keep him company, smiling to him happily as he thanked her, though concern became very evidently written across her face as he coughed and dropped his spoon, her hands moving reflexively as though they were going to try and catch the spoon, but instead they collected the towel she had used to dab his face and cleaned up any splatter the fallen spoon may have caused. She wasn't aware of the sneaky gestures the summons made as she tended to James.

"Hmm?" she had looked up at him as she clutched the towel in her hands and looked at his hand as he did. At his request she gripped the towel more tightly and her eyes widened as she scanned his face before her own face became bright red and she looked down at her lap, her cheeks visibly plumping as she grinned in joyous rapture, "d-d-d... um... th-that-" she giggled squeakily and covered her mouth coyly with one hand, her lips pursing together as she nodded her head briskly. Feeding someone was such an intimate gesture. She didn't know if James realized that or not, he probably did since unlike her, he had dated before, that much she had learned that one time when Johnny was asking him what to do... Lydia's hands both raised to her cheeks, her fingers curling against them as she became slightly embarrassed realizing that James was more experienced with this sort of thing than she was and it occurred to her that he did know what he was asking her and that he wanted her to feed him. With that thought, she tried to regain her composure and not giggle like an idiot, her expression trying to shift back to a somewhat serious look, though the joy still caused her green eyes to sparkle and her full lips remained curved in a slight smile as she lifted the spoon and held the bowl beneath it, careful not to spill the soup as she did as James asked and fed him.

When James' fever became worse, Lydia didn't want to leave him at all and only left when he asked her to. She enjoyed being in his company and helping him as much as he liked having her there. Whenever James was sleeping, Lydia took the time to ask Renee to teach her how to cook things that she knew James liked, paying careful attention to what Renee showed her and asking Renee to watch her when she tried to make the dish too so that she would be sure she wouldn't mess up and would get it right. She then committed these tasks and meals to memory so that she could prepare them in the future without supervision.

When Lydia wasn't with James and she would end up at the training grounds, she continued to treat Seifer with caution. She wasn't really good at lying and so she made an effort not to. Too many of her new friends had pointed out how her facial expressions spoke volumes and so saying something to the contrary of those expressions seemed a bit counter-productive. Though she saw how the others were being supportive of Seifer and finally relented, taking a deep breath and explaining to him that she doesn't hate him and that she had worked really hard to find a way to help him after she found out what had happened at Wrath's camp. She told him that she had held out hope that he would be okay even before they found his body. She also explained that was why she knew better than anyone how delicate a situation he was in and that made her worried for him, Renee, and their situation. She also told him that they completed the notes from Hisaya on the spell circle that would seal the dragon and that the current problem was actually creating the circle on a scale that they could use to help him but that the primary issue was gathering the power to break the bond and get the soul out of him. She mentioned that as he had pointed out to her before that her facial expressions are very telling and that was why she avoided him, she didn't want to upset him and cause the dragon to get a better hold over him and sometimes she had a hard time remembering that he is two beings right now.

When James' fever broke and he was still acting weak, Lydia was more concerned about how he was fairing and began wondering if he wasn't correct when he said he caught some serious illness at the Dalaran ruins. She probably wouldn't have thought anymore of it if not for the fact that James liked to hold her hand when they were together and she wasn't feeding him. It occurred to her that the strength he held her hand with should be enough to efficiently hold a spoon without spilling and so towards the end of the week while he held her hand and her other hand was placed gently over his, her thumb making small circles on the back of it, she brought it up, "um... James? I was wondering..." she was watching her thumb's motion on his hand as she spoke, a little embarrassed to say anything because she was afraid he might be upset if she was wrong, "but... well... are you... are you really sick?" her hair was down so she peered past the dark strands and to him, waiting for an answer. She didn't look mad, more worried than anything.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Molaje Steppes -
" Outskirts of the Jahara Empire "​

The hot sun shone bright and strong through the huge gaping holes of a crumbled cavern. Thick, stubby, yellowed grass grew under the patches of sunlight where three weary figures trudged across the sand and dust. They looked like they hadn't eaten in a while and their clothes looked worse for wear.

"Sen, face it. We're lost." said one from under his cloak, his lips cracked from lack of water.

"I know where I'm going, Seth." said Sen stubbornly, looking back at his brother. Sen had eye bags under his eyes and his mouth was dry too. "There has to be water here, that bandit said so . . . he said so."

Seth groaned. "Minnie, how are you holding up?"

The past week had not been kind to the twins. They lost their elven guide and the scrying mirror. They lost it. They had been captured by the enemy a few days ago and were stripped of all their belongings, barely making out of there themselves and surviving through the skin of their teeth when they had to retrieve Luthien who had taken all her essence and made herself into a tiny ring of woven roots that fitted Minnie's finger.

The twins weren't surprised to hear her voice inside their heads the first time, as this happened with Sunny too. They had been on the run since then and had come close to dying four times before they finally made it out of the forest of the jewel-hearted elves. It was only four days ago that luck somehow came their way. The war had made the bandits and raiders that roamed the steppes on the outskirts of the Jahara Empire bolder, and a band tried to waylay the three. The twins beat them up of course, and took what they needed.

But now they had run out of food and water. They had been going around and around in circles when they reached the cliff that was a labyrinth of impassable rocks that lay between the steppes and the sandy desert of Sonoran. They have been here for four days and had not gotten anywhere.

​

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

- James Pendragon -
" Busted "​

A child who got caught doing the wrong things, that was exactly what James looked like. His hesitant pause and stiff jaw gave him away long before his muttered word did. "Nnnno." he said slowly, peering sideways at Lydia, nervously. His ears were red again and he kind of looked ashamed and embarrassed.

He looked like he was waiting for a bomb to explode.

Roleplay Skittle

 

[Katsuya]

With a tired sigh and gulping down what's left of her non-exist saliva, Minnie panted out. "I'm okay...More worried about finding water..."

She cursed at the incompetent elf guide in her mind as she knew she looked as bad as the twins, with purple bags under her eyes and her lips cracked. Her stomach growled quietly as protest from her lie. The little gunner is definetly going to tell on that stupid elf to the queen elf once they reach to Dalaran, shoot a bullet through his knee cap, and tie him up on a pole above the ocean and away from land. Punishment to losing himself and the mirror too! What in the actual living plane of Midgard-! Why would anyone lose something as important as a Manna Tree...

That's when Minnie's mind warped into her own conclusions, believing that someone must have payed that stupid guide to lose them and let them die in the forest with the Manna tree. Of course she kept that to herself as she didn't have any proof. 'Stupid Elf' She mentally cursed at him again, looking like she wants to shoot at something or someone.

Thank goodness that she still has her gun when they had to retrieve Luthein again and got her revenge on the enemy as she shot them while they ran away. Though she was surprised to hear the tree in her mind too whenever she sensed something or needed to say something to all three of them. That...was new to Minnie, but she took it as a blessing of sorts.

Though when that stupid band of thieves and rogues tried to waylay them, well...Minnie had fun playing with them as they ran...and shot their knees so the twins could beat them beat up. Now four days passed, they have no food or water and they are possibly lost in the desert filled with unknown dangers.

'That's...great...' Minnie thought to herself sarcastically. Her blue eyes looked up as if she hoped to find a sign of something and squinted from the sun's harsh rays of light. Her hood didn't shadow her eyes much, but she won't ask from the twins. They needed their hoods too.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

-Ricket-
"Molaje Steppes"​

In a hole towards the base of one of the caverns crumbling walls a creature no taller than a preschooler was humming and singing an upbeat song to himself as he dug into the sandy base at the wall. This was a hole he had dug before and so it had only been filled with sand, but it was one of his many little hidy holes where he stashed things he found or things he could use and he was in the process of getting to these things.

Oh the holes in the cheezies made by the meezies
A croak in the loggy made by the froggy
The pillows by threezies with feathers from geezies
One busy kitty with no time for doggy!​

The mostly nonsensical rhyme song continued for a while until the creature joyfully singing the song stopped and crawled out of the hole, the long curved ears atop his head protruding from the holes in his hood twitching and turning slightly. his large yellow eyes set in a fluffy feline face looked around cautiously, trying to determine if he had heard something beyond his own singing.

His posture straightened slightly as he realized that he had indeed heard something echoing through the cavern. Voices. Eyes widening as his pupils contracted before he scurried back into the hole he had been digging, quieting down and hiding towards the back of the hole.

Katsuya Zer0

-Lydia Dubois-
​

As she caught the expression written across James features, her gaze shifted more directly to him, her head raising as she looked at him. Still, she didn't look mad as she realized she was correct in her assumption. Her face became expressionless as her cheeks puffed up slightly for a moment, her eyes seeming to glisten slightly.

To James it would probably seem like an eternity of Lydia sitting there staring at him with her cheeks puffed up as though she had frozen, but eventually she'd move. She didn't say anything in response, she only dove at him, wrapping her arms around his neck in an embrace. It was only then that she made a sound, as she finally released the breath she had taken in, her cheeks turning red as she giggled softly against his neck, "you're so silly."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Molaje Steppes -
" Outskirts of the Jahara Empire "​

Three pairs of ragged footsteps shuffled past Ricket's hiding place. If he peeped out he'd see a couple of travel-worn teenagers ambling south. They did not look like desert people at all, nor did they move with the grace of elves. The language they spoke in was foreign, a language those fair-skinned traders who'd visit the big desert towns would use from time to time, and from the look of how two of them were bickering and pointing at the rocks, they seemed to be lost.

What's more, they were unwittingly heading for the 'fake oasis'. Oasis because yes, there was water, drinkable too, but that water sat in the mouth of a giant dune worm half-buried in the sand that snaps up unwary travelers and prey.

There were many such traps in the Molaje Steppes, but Ricket would know how to identify them. It would be the oasis with no plants or date trees surrounding them.

"Look!" said one of the travelers, pointing at something hidden behind the rocks from Ricket's view. "See, I told you! I told you I was right!"

"Water!" cried the other.

And two of the teens began sprinting really fast for what was unmistakably the oasis trap.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

Spoiler: Perception Success

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

- James Pendragon -
" Not busted? "​

Flummoxed, James was speechless for a few moments as he held Lydia in his arms. His heart was beating fast. "You're not mad?" he sighed in relief, head turning a little in her hair.

Her silence and expressionless face had entirely convinced him a few seconds ago that he was a goner, that he shouldn't have lied and manipulated her, and that he should apologize.

Roleplay Skittle

 

[Katsuya]

-Minnie Von Ironheart-​

As soon Minnie heard the twins scream 'Water!', she sighed in relief. "...Thank goodness..." She ran with the twins, not as quickly but almost beside them as she reaches the Oasis.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

-Ricket-
"Molaje Steppes"
​

Ricket listened carefully from inside his little hole, hoping that whomever was nearing him wouldn't notice his hiding place. He held his dagger tightly in his paws, those yellow eyes nearly glowing as they peered out. Seeing the footwear that the figures wore perplexed him. The sounds of their voices perplexed him even more. Once they had passed, he carefully and quietly crawled on all fours towards the mouth of the hole and peered out. He got the gist of what they were saying and his furry little brow wrinkled, 'they's no band of its...' he thought to himself as he watched them arguing, creeping out of his little hole further and slinking over behind another section of rocks that was nearer them.

Of course the trio didn't notice the little feline, which was just as well for him, but when he realized where they were heading he grasped the wall, "they's be eaten!" he said sadly to himself, watching them run towards the sand worm trap. Then as though it really occurred to him what he had just said, his ears flickered and his yellow eyes widened and he said more loudly, "they's be eaten!" that was when his furry little form clad in a green top with hood and matching pants, scurried out from behind the rocks and dashed towards them on all fours yelling, "they's be eaten! They's be eaten!"

Katsuya Zer0

-Lydia Dubois-
"Master Warship"
​

She just closed her eyes as James remained silent when she hugged him, she wondered if she should admit that the fact that he had lied just so she would take care of him had flattered her and made her happy. She shook her head and held him a little tighter, "should I be?"

Maybe she was getting a little better at hiding how she felt when it came to her expressions? She hadn't been mad in the slightest, she actually thought it was really funny that he wanted her to nurse him and part of her odd expression and silence was just her trying not to burst out laughing. If he thought she would be mad, he obviously had no idea who he was dealing with, after all, she was the one that decided to start pranking Seth back after the first time he had pranked her. Little things didn't upset her, a lot of the times it seemed only harm coming to the people she cared about upset her enough to make her mad.

She sat back from him after a minute and just smiled to him, brushing his hair from his face with a delicate touch, her expression saying that all was well and he shouldn't worry so much about it.

Zer0

 

[Katsuya]

Minnie, used to being a careful guard, picked up a yelling voice coming from where they ran out. She slowed down a bit as she looked behind her and spotted a green hooded figure...that's cat-like? What was he screaming about?

'They'll be...eaten?!' Sucking in a quick breathe, she yelled as she stopped in her tracks, not running closer to the Oasis. Instead she backed away slowly, looking depressed that she couldn't drink the really good looking water. It probably tasted good too...

"Wait! Seth! Sen! Don't get any closer to the water! It's dangerous!" The little gunner yelled in a scratchy voice.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Zer0]

- Sen & Seth Pendragon -
" Molaje Steppes "​

"Water, water, water!" cried the twins' far off voices in glee, their yelling and joyful laughter drowning out Minnie's scratchy voice, and jumped into the shimmering oasis with a splash.

Their relieved faces broke the surface of the water. "Minnie, come in the water --- there's a thing right behind you!" pointed Seth at Ricket.

SNAP

Four giant fleshy beaks lined with teeth suddenly rose out of the sand and snapped shut around the oasis. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!" yelled the twins muffled voices from inside.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

Spoiler: Battle Statistics

1. Giant Dune Worm =
   Hp 6/6
   *Deals 1 dmg every round to targets inside belly.

​

- James Pendragon -​

"Because I tricked you and made you worry?" said James. But Lydia's expression said it all, and was it just him or did she look a little pleased? That made him smile. He visibly melted like a marshmallow when she touched him and he held that hand, then pressed it against his cheek.

This woman made him want to kiss her so bad, and she's not even trying. "Lydia, can I do something for you?" he asked, running his fingers through her hair, fondling and ear, and finally cupping a soft cheek. "Anything. Anything that would make you so happy."

Roleplay Skittle