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

[Katsuya]

Renee nodded with a half smile on her face and felt a tap on her shoulder from Seifer who pointed at Sasha. Oh...That's not good. 'It's deja vu...' She thought, already expecting her brother to be screaming by now. Then she sighed in resignation. "That's...lovely...family visit, yay~" Her tone was dripping in her sarcasm before sighing once more.

"I don't know, sweetheart. Summoning magic isn't my strong suit." She told him before lying down again and snuggled up to Seifer; placing a hand on his chest once more as she closed her eyes. Renee didn't want to deal with her brother but she already knows that she's going to have to. So she prepared herself for more headaches as her head is already pounding.

"Lydia, please make sure James doesn't walk into a tree when he gets here." Renee warned, opening her eyes again to stare at the owl. She needed to make sure Sasha isn't alone with Seifer.

***

Echo listened to Johnny, munching on the boiled root and sipped the mushroom soup. She was squirming a bit when most of his family was staring at her, once again making her nervous and anxious. Sure, she told Johnny that she didn't need his family approval to make love and what not, but this is still very nerve-wreaking.

She told him of all the mischief her cousins made her go through, how her aunt taught things before teaching it to others and more of her father's brutal training. "Remember the bear I told you about? The one my dad wrestles with? Once he punted it down a waterfall only to fall himself too. I swear he is too much sometimes." Echo grinned at the memory. When she heard about the boulder, she blushed red but kept on smiling.

"T-thank you, Johnny...I-I-I think?" That's how they determine if the couple will have strong offspring?! Wow...

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Zer0]

- Lotar Farm -
" Dinner Time, Winslow "​

When the last morsels of roasted meat have been consumed and everyone was well fed and watered, Johnny's father stood up and thanked everyone for coming here and announced that it was time to speak about his son's betrothal. With that all the women and children stood up to leave, clearing the food and plates, leaving only the men and Echo in the room.

He explained that Echo's father wasn't here to talk about the dowry and what her family did for a living, which wasn't a good start, so his daughter was here to speak in his place. With that he nodded at Johnny. He stood up and addressed them all in his native tongue. From what Echo could understand he seemed to be telling them about their past, how she helped him conquer his fear of women, and the cultural differences between his clan and the world outside. He was clarifying that he and Echo were not getting married, rather they were 'dating', something his family found indecent especially when they did not have a chaperone and he honestly told them about their intimacy, his legs wobbling a little from their aghast reactions and how they were looking at the two like they were very promiscuous rebels who think they can do these things without at least even becoming fiancés.

There was a lot of talk about dishonor and shame and they wanted Echo and Johnny to get married immediately to make up for it. All this Johnny told her before it was her turn to speak about her family, what they do and what she or they can offer to the clan as a dowry --- since it was the bride's family's role --- though Johnny had told her earlier that she doesn't have to offer anything at least to him because they weren't going to live here if ever they get married and because he didn't want to marry her because of what she can 'offer' to the clan.

Katsuya
OOC || Characters || Interest Check
​

 

[Katsuya]

Echo can already tell that everyone in Johnny's family looked at them like they were rebels and she heard 'dishonor' a few times over and how they should get married now to make up for it. She shook her head a bit, closing her eyes so can calm down and not be shaken up. She fought a deathknight, this should not be scary and yet it is. So she has to calm her nerves down first before speaking.

When it was her turn to speak, the red-headed fawn cleared her throat and spoke with an even tone. Her ears twitched. "My mother used to be the head of my family before she passed away due to someone killing her with a gun when I was seven. My aunt Melody is now the head matriarch. She makes sure everyone in my family is happy and any visitors that come by asks for her services as a mediator. Her job is to resolve any sort of conflict for anyone in the political seat. My father, the one who raised me with my aunt's help, works as a blacksmith in Dawnsfield, my hometown." She never did tell Johnny much about how her mother died or what sort of work her father and aunt does as a living as she didn't think it was necessary...until now that is. "I have six aunts, seven uncles, twenty-seven cousins, plus their children and the ones they are married to."

"My family are a mix of things. Some are farmers of vegetables and medical herbs. Others are good with their hands to make things like clothes and weaponry." It's how her mother met her father. They bumped into each other at a blacksmith when she was hiding from her family while he was admiring one of Echo's uncle's crafts. "Some work as cooks, others in a brewery, some have a bakery."

Echo took another breathe to calm down her nerves and continue with a level head, staring back at the ones who caused her anxiety the whole time she was here. "I'm pretty good at farming and singing. I fight with a hammer and martial arts. I'm really strong too as my father trained me to be strong. If you don't believe me, then I can go outside and carry something for you. I'll even run with you in your wolf form if that will convince you." Another deep breathe.

"However...Johnny and I will not be married by your terms. We will get married by our own terms. When we feel like the time is right and not because of traditions or because of others say and demand of us." Echo did not waver while speaking, did not flinch or move her sight away from the very angered family. She bravely stood there, next to Johnny.

"We both agreed to tell you all of our intentions, of what we wanted to do instead of going behind your backs and lie about it. If being honest with one's own family is dishonorable to you, then I don't want to know what your definition of honor is." Echo narrowed her eyes a bit as that fire Johnny has always seen since their school days burned brightly today.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Lotar Farm -
" Dinner Time, Winslow "​

Johnny was shocked, he never knew Echo's mother had died because of a gunshot, and his hand twitched as if he was going to hold her hand, but it stayed on his knee.

His family was in outrage, first because of their mutual decision not to marry immediately, therefore bringing shame to the family because their son will continue doing all these promiscuous things that only married couples can do, and because of the insolent look and last words Echo gave them, who are her elders and who deserve to be spoken to respectfully.

They were so angry that Johnny's father ordered the two to leave as the family talked it over and cooled their heads. He also added that Echo must apologize to everyone present before the meeting was over and to come back after half an hour.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Echo didn't dare flinch from Johnny's family's uproar, her eyes stayed glued to the males who kept on raging and she just stood there, taking it all in. His father has asked her to apologize to them. For what? Speaking up her mind? Being honest? Really this family is just...outrageous.

"...I'm sorry for disrespecting my elders, however I felt that I had to speak my mind about this as it is a serious topic that I want to take part in. Since it is about OUR marriage." She told the other men calmly with a blank stare motioning herself and Johnny before turning to his father with a sad smile. Her ears wilted down. "I am sorry about the stress we caused on you for that is not my intention. I do hope that I have not disrespected you too for this." With that, the fawn marched out of the house and sighed again, her hands were shaking and her legs made her stop in front of the gate that held all the sheep.

Echo just wanted to punch something really badly, preferably Johnny's male part of the family, except his dad. He's the only one she's okay with. "...Johnny...would you believe me if I told you that I'm absolutely terrified of your family?"

Zer0

 

[Urazek]

Aodh awoke to very stiff muscles. It had been a while since he done that much physical activity at once. Thankfully, the ice he had buried himself in helped. Rising and filling in the hole, Aodh prepared himself a meal with some food that had been left outside his tepee by the family. He silently thanked them for the food, and wrote himself a reminder to thank the family later. While doing so, he noticed a note he had left himself on his backpack. 'Oh yeah, I was gonna check out a blacksmith today,' he thought to himself.

Aodh was heading towards the town when one of Jonny's sisters stuck her head out the door and called to Aodh. The man from yesterday was awake.

"Yay, such a joyous moment. I can't wait to meet this man," Aodh said sarcastically to himself. "Hopefully he will at least be more sensible than last night."

Entering the house, he saw the man sitting and squinting around the room, as if his vision was faulty. Aodh sighed, deciding that he should try and give the man a second chance at a first impression, as something seemed to be up the night before. Waddling across the room, Aodh tapped the man on the knee and stuck out a flipper to shake.

"Greetings, stranger, My name is Aodh, and you are?"

Zer0 ThisUsernameIsALie

 

[Zer0]

- Lotar Farm -
" Dinner Time, Winslow "​

Johnny chuckled. "I would, your hands are shaking, love." he held them and rubbed comforting circles with his thumb. He blew on them warmly, though Echo's warmth sufficed by itself to keep the cold out, and pressed them against his chest. "You spoke well. How are you feeling, my Echo Mello?"

Inside the fence, the giant sheep, thinking that the two had come to feed them bleated hopefully and approached them, sniffing and looking at their empty trough where they usually ate the plant left-overs from the family's dinner.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Sighing quietly though now out of fondness, Echo looked over at Johnny with a warm look as he comforted her. Then she giggled when he blew on them before pressing them against his chest. Finally. They are finally touching! She is so happy that she would river dance right now if she wasn't so scared.

"Did I? Your family made me feel like I just committed a sin or something." She giggled again though a bit sad and frightfully timid. It wasn't the fact that they might eat her or attack her that made her nervous; It's what they might do to Johnny that made her feel guilty. What if she caused a permanent rift between them? She never wanted that.

"...I'm sorry about not telling you of my mother...I didn't want to bring our happy date down with that tidbit." She said quietly as she leaned over kissed his cheek, now squeezing his hands tightly before loosening them. "How are you feeling, Love?"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Dinner Time, Winslow "​

Johnny sighed. "Their reactions weren't as bad as I thought, but I've always known they won't accept us, not with our intimacy." he held her hand tightly. He looked like someone getting ready to take very bad news. " But it's alright, I've never belonged here anyway. I've always been different and felt more comfortable outside my home where I'm more accepted for who I am." he unconsciously touched the stumps where his horns used to be.

He said those words, but Johnny still seemed sad. From how he acted around his family he seemed like he really wanted to be accepted by them most of all with how he was nervous coming here, and how he was happy being back in his room. This was his home after all and they were his family whom he grew up with.

When it was time for them to return they received the bad news, that Echo was not accepted into the family and that they do not approve of their promiscuous relationship. It would dishonor the family name. They gave him an ultimatum, either marry Echo, or be disowned by the family, because they will not suffer the shame of having a son who behaves very indecently.

He was already not inheriting the family farm, which was his duty as the first son, because he ran away instead to learn magic, and now he's doing this to them. His family will not stand it and they have had enough.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Echo frowned sadly as she tries to comfort him as well. She doesn't blame him for missing his family or wanting to be accepted by them. Oh how they get under her skin already-! His family are so blinded by their traditions and following their own lives that they haven't realized what they were doing to him, breaking his confidence.

When they got back inside, the fawn wasn't surprised by their decision with not approving of her but she was appalled by their choice of losing a member of their family to not having shame-! Don't they realize how lucky they are to still have all their family members well and alive? No, they choose their beliefs and silly traditions over keeping Johnny in the family.

"I cannot believe on how lucky you are to have all of your family members well and alive, yet you do this to one of them just because he doesn't want to conform to your traditions that he grew up with." Echo mentioned, now looking pained at the scornful family before sighing. "What's wrong with having a different view? What's wrong with wanting something different and dreaming about it? Why can't you see that you are hurting your son, your nephew, your cousin and grandson for doing this?" She questioned them as her green eyes wavered, her inner fear coming true now and she felt like it was her fault but she knows it's not.

"I just...I cannot believe that you rather disown your son, whom you have not seen for quite some time now, instead of checking how he is, see how much progress he's gotten from last you saw him, giving him hugs and pats on the back saying welcome back with food and-! and-!" She knows she's breaking from this, her facade from before is now breaking because of his family's ultimatum. Echo looked over at Johnny and he can see that fire she had before now dwindling into a small spark in her eyes.

"Johnny, I'm so sorry that they are making you do this. I never ever wanted this for you when we got here." The fawn muttered sadly as her lips quivered and she held her shaking hands together, against her chest. Her ears wilted down. "I'm sorry..."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Outskirts of Winslow "​

"Echo, it's not your fault." said Johnny, "I know you would never want this." He turned to all the men in the room. "I understand the choices you are giving and I . . . I choose to leave so that the family name will be upheld and remain untarnished. Thank you for listening to us." he bowed his head and offered his hand to Echo. "Let's go, love." he was impassive and even voiced, but the hand that gripped hers was tight and she could tell that he was hurting.

The men of the family watched them go emotionlessly. Johnny went to his room and wordlessly began to pack, telling Echo he'll come by the barn with Butters for her and her things too. His belongings weren't much and most were still in his backpack so he was able to pack quickly. When Butters came by the barn with him on the saddle, there were some women outside the house and some of Johnny's nieces and nephews watching him go, some were sobbing.

It was night, and they had lanterns to light their way, but the going was slow as both Butters and Johnny's spirits were low.

"Baa." bleated the giant ram comfortingly.

Johnny didn't say anything. He didn't say anything since they left the farm.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Taking a deep breathe and held it, Echo grabbed his hand, feeling the tight grip he has on hers. She glared at the men in the room for hurting Johnny like this. How stupid and ridiculous, to put their own pride over their family. If she ever has kids, she will never make them choose between family and dreams. Never.

In her own disregard to his family for hurting him, she took off the head wrap and shook her head, revealing her bright red hair that highlighted her green eyes. She wouldn't bow to them either-! They don't deserve her respect as they just destroyed what respect she has for them. When he told her that he'll pick her up, Echo nodded, squeezing his hand before letting him go, watching with a pained look. Then she packed her stuff, placed them on Butters and sat behind Johnny. She couldn't wave at the women and children who came by to watch as the somber mood is weighing heavily over their heads.

She didn't know what to do and she doubted that she can do anything about it. So Echo stayed silent with him, wrapping her arms around his waist and nuzzling his back as she did want to comfort him somehow. She let out a sigh.

"Oh Johnny..."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Frozen Lake "​

Johnny sighed heavily and leaned back on Echo, looking up at the night sky for too long as Butters made his way to the frozen lake. He wiped his face with his sleeves and sniffed, his nose stuffy.

When they reached Pond's castle James wasn't there. He had left earlier after he heard about what happened to Renee and Seifer from Lydia, his tepee still inside the owl bear's little snowy courtyard. Johnny got the campfire going again and after asking Echo for help with his own tepee because he just wasn't in the mood to set it up, he just flopped inside lifelessly without changing and curled up.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Echo did what he asked and sets up his tepee, watching him curl up and not change at all for the night. She looked at Butters, telling him that she'll set up a tepee for him too.

Once she was done and let the large ram make himself comfortable, the fawn looked back at where Johnny was...and decided to stay near him. Her hooves crunched the snow as she walked in and sat next to his curled up form, and caresses his hair to comfort him wordlessly. "...Johnny?"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Frozen Lake "​

"Mm." was the disheartened reply. Johnny curled closer to Echo and buried his face in her clothes, by the light of the fire outside the tent flap, one could see the corner of his eyes glistening. "Hug me . . ." he muttered, holding her free hand and sniffed again.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Her ears folded back, gathering him in her arms and held him. Echo lets him do whatever what he wants at the moment as she just sat there and snuggled with him. Giving him sweet nonsense and telling him stories of her father and his silly antics. Her heart broke at the sight of her boyfriend being this depressed but she wanted him to let it out.

"Of course..." She gives his kisses on his cheek and forehead, pouring her care and affection into each one. Squeezing the hand he's holding.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Frozen Lake "​

Johnny cried silently, sobs wracking his form as he gripped the back of Echo's clothes and buried his face in her shoulder. He hugged her tight and cried the entire night, sometimes quieting into sniffs and chortling when he found Echo's stories funny, but then his sadness would return and he'd cry again.

He kept asking why his family was like that and why he seemed to never be good enough for them, that they always find something to criticize. He complained about how they never even looked at how he helped the people at Holt and all that he's accomplished in the past: sending himself to school, getting into the Sorcerer's academy through his hard work, summoning a tier four elemental and being part of the expedition to the Storm Wall. He said that maybe something was wrong with him and that he is a bad son, but he didn't know how to fix himself.

He talked about how he tried to be like everybody else, but it never made him happy. He felt trapped, like he had no place to belong. If he was himself he made his family sad, if he was someone else he made himself sad and he felt like he had nowhere to go and nowhere to call home. He can't even go back to the farm now and see his nieces, nephews, the sheep and the goats. He really felt so homeless and without a shelter.

But he was glad Echo and Butters were there. The giant ram squeezed inside and slept with them too, nuzzling their heads and bleating comfortingly. Johnny kept asking the same questions again and again until he finally fell asleep in Echo's arms early in the morning.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Echo sniffed as her own tears fell down from her cheeks, hearing his silent cries and sobs from a man that cannot have the one simple thing he desires the most: acceptance from his family. Honestly what a terrible family, to not appreciate their son for who he is and be happy with what he has become.

"Sweetie, they are just stuck with their roots. They don't know how to handle change like you can."

"You are good. You're wonderful, your family is just blind. They only criticize you because you are different. To them it's scary and they are just too bullheaded to realize what a good person, a good son, you really are."

"Nothing is wrong with you, Johnny. You're not a bad son. For goodness sake, you even left the family just so they can be happy with their 'honor' nonsense. They don't know anything about honor; They are just self-righteous people. If you really were a bad son, you would've just lied to their faces about us."

"Don't change for anything. Be happy that you are you and no one can take that away from you. You don't need to fix yourself. You never needed to fix yourself."

The fawn left words of comfort to his ear whenever he questioned about himself or about his family or if he needed to change. Then she told him quietly. "They believe that you wouldn't survive without their help, well I can tell you right now that isn't true. Remember?" She wiped his tears away with a gentle touch. "We're going to live in an airship, with your theater. People will see all of your stories and magic, maybe in breaks they would want drink some apple cider I'll make. If anyone gets injured, I'll be able to help until a medic arrives. Sweetie, we'll just built our own home, for you to belong to." She kissed his cheeks and forehead.

"You know that I will help you build that up. I'm sure the others will help too. Johnny, you have another family: James, Lydia, Serena, Sen and Seth, Chenglei, Butters, Renee, and even Seifer and Mica. Me too. We're your family and we love you for who you are. So don't ever change, Love." Echo stayed awake all night until finally in the morning, Johnny fell asleep and she smiled warmly though sadly.

"Butters? Can you make sure no one bothers us while we sleep...Thank you..." With that, the fawn fell asleep, lean against the large ram with Johnny in her arms, not letting him go.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

Episode 9: Leviathan


- Master Warship -
" Two weeks later, Shoflo Ocean "​

The forges on the frozen shores blazed all night and all day long. Never did the hammering on anvils, sawing of giant logs, and the smelting of iron cease until at the end of the week the men and dwarves gave a triumphant roar that thundered along the shores when the last nail was hammered on the wood and their hard work was finally finished.

All the repairs were done.

Cheer and song, merry drinking and a lot of feasting rang in the halls of the warship as everyone congratulated each other for a job well done, yet in two particular rooms there were two people who wore less than happy faces.

Three days ago, a seething older brother marched into the medical ward to hiss venomously at his younger sister. James had been so upset when he learned that Renee almost died and in a deadly whisper said that she was grounded until she was as old as Madam Suliman.

Meanwhile, Johnny had turned into a slug. He barely ate, hardly changed his clothes, and seemed to only want to spend the whole day sleeping in his room.

Seifer, though still confused and marvelling at how he got Renee back to the warship all by his lonesome, was pleased that her older brother was now friendly with him, actually thanking him for brining Renee back safe and sound. James would even greet him now when they passed each other by in the hallways.

The fleet rose to the sky at dawn the next day, the dwarves waving them good-bye and good luck on their journey. The frozen shores of Baffin dwindled farther and farther away, until rising above a vast sea of clouds, the tundra lands were hidden from view.

* * * *​

One morning, in the Bonsai Courtyard, a little ways away from the indoor garden that held the turtle pond, sounds of construction could be heard from a giant room large enough to hold a cathedral. This area had been cleared of its old buildings before, and now a single large shelter had been erected. Its future occupants: a mysterious lady who kept her face hooded, and a giant wendigo who could reach the roof of the room with an outstretched hand, were helping the orientals set up the humongously heavy wooden door --- more of a great gate for those who aren't giants --- on an arching door frame that was big enough to fit in a viking's ship.

James who was passing by to feed the turtles and koi fishes bread, watched with Kenren who was overseeing the building under the shade of a tree while a servant fanned them. Summer was starting, and the days were slowly becoming more humid and hot. There was a table ladened with plates of of sliced crispy wintermelon resting on shaved ice ready for the workers to eat once this morning's labors were through.

With a great heave the wendigo pushed the giant door in place and held it upright while builders hung down from ropes and began securing the large hinges in place.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle Urazek ThisUsernameIsALie​

 

[Katsuya]

Renee shrunk away from James when he whispered like that, practically hiding into Seifer's side, her eyes wide with a bit a fear as she nodded in understanding. She wasn't going to argue with him as she rather not make her brother even madder then he already was. Same with Lydia, Echo, and Serena, who didn't know about it until the end and just poked her wing with her bow, making her flinch in pain. She deserved it. All the Pendragon sister did was just look at them with a very sorry look and not argue. Though silently she is glad that James is a bit friendly towards Seifer. That's a plus.

The night she asked to speak with Prince Kenren in his room after his ninja guard made sure it's safe to talk, Renee told him about what Madam Suliman is asking out of her, that Kingsbury is in danger of other kingdoms trying to take over it when barely anyone is living there because of how close it is to the dragon and the economy is just bad. She even showed him the coin purse the madam showed him, telling him that she's supposed to put the egg in there. The madam said it was a plan B if plan A didn't work.

When the prince asked what plan A is, that's when Renee hesitated and spoke in a nervous tone. "She was hoping that I can convince you to marry Princess Mia. I swear that I wasn't going to because I'm just a romantic. I don't believe that I need to force anybody to do anything if the match works on it's own. Besides, it's up to you and her, I shouldn't have a say in it neither should Madam Suliman to be frank." She sighed, her shoulders slumped. "I accepted this request of hers because she checked on Seifer's mother for me, back at Holt. I owe her to at least try, but...I seriously believe that bringing another dragon's egg is a bad idea. So...I don't know what to do to keep my home in Princess Mia's hands and need your input on this matter." She grinned rather ironically at him. "So...what should I do to save my home country? You know politics more than I ever will."

***

Echo stayed near Johnny, making sure that he eats at all and have warm baths. She even went to do his laundry and try to make him laugh with jokes and stories, though her jokes were awkward and strange...It just didn't help much, but the fawn didn't give up. She only wanted to cheer Johnny up somehow...

***

Serena cheered on the workers with her music, her light pink summer dress flared as she spun around while playing encouraging music. Echo was with Johnny again. Chenglei is at the training hall, re-wrapping the hilt of his sword with a bright red yarn decoration and getting rid of the purple one that's laying beside him on a black box that's filled with caring for a sword.

Renee is putting the last tray of wintermelons and drinks on the table for the soldiers who were working hard to build a new home for the new comrades. The first time she met the mysterious woman and the wendingo, the Pendragon sister asked them politely if she could draw them in her sketchbook as she wanted to remember this moment of meeting a wendingo and his friend who looks pretty. Then she sat down next to James. Ever since the scolding, Renee has been sticking close to James or at least let him see that she's around for a while before going back to Seifer's room like she usually would. Though in the back of her mind, she has been keeping a closer eye on Seifer since hearing his side of what happened, making sure that she's not stuffing him and acting like it's normal.

After all...she knows the dragon took over when he was sleeping. Who knows what happened when they were unconscious. She really doubted that Seifer could even carry her in his terrible condition so...it made her think 'Did the dragon help? If so, why?'

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Upon returning to the ship with James the day after the storm, she hadn't said anything to Renee. It wasn't her place to chide her friend for going out of the warship alone with Seifer considering his condition. That was the thing though, Lydia hadn't said anything to Renee. It pained the little witch greatly to avoid her friend, but when she thought of the risk that the couple had been in for curiosity's sake, she just couldn't keep from being angry about it.

Her temperament towards Seifer hadn't changed from how it had been since he had lost the majority of his soul to the dragon. She tended to stay away from him, though she was grateful for his saving Renee, though suspicious that he couldn't remember how.

When Lydia became too upset to think clearly when she was back in the atelier working on the spell circle for the exorcism, which she had begun paying acute attention to any differences in how things were written to be sure that they had been written by herself, James, or Renee; she would leave and go to the training hall just to try and work out some of her frustration.

She had recently left the atelier after stumbling across some copied note of Renee's, her agitation rising and after locking the door, she made her way towards the training hall clad in black as usual though now she was devoid of her granny boots and long socks, instead wearing no socks with flat slippers, capris, and a short sleeve boatneck top. Her hair was in a ponytail with the shorter parts of her hair parted slightly at the side and tucked behind her ears.

As she came into the training hall, watching her feet as she went, her mind off somewhere else, she didn't really think about who all would be there and stopped after a moment to make sure that Seifer and Renee weren't. Spotting Chenglei, her lips quirked into a subtle, somewhat melancholy smile before she approached him and sat down beside him though far enough away to keep from disrupting his work. Though she didn't say anything, just watched what he was doing, curiously.

Katsuya Zer0

 

[Katsuya]

Chenglei's ash purple eyes looked over at Lydia, amused that she won't say anything and just watched what he was doing. His hands meticulously wrapping the thick yarn on the hilt and tying it in a pretty manner at the end. Then he grabbed a cotton swab with a thin stick that he grabbed onto and started to gently puff on Kurosaki. He dabbed the puff on some sort of liquid and then cleans his sword.

"Hello Ly. Great weather we're having, huh? Compared to the snow and cold." Chenglei teased lightly as he continued to care for his sword. He was out of his soldier's attire for once, now in a light and simple orange and brown yukata as they were his relaxation clothes that he brought with him. The golden decoration on his head is gone but his black headband stayed and pulled his hair back. He was sitting on his knees and his revealed toes wiggled a bit.

The black box beside him is filled with care products for the aforementioned weapon with different colored strings in one area of the box. However the purple one that he just took off is laying on the floor, a bit used up but still pretty to look at.

Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

She sat cross legged, her elbows resting on her thighs as her hands cupped her face, propping her head up. She looked like a little kid as she watched him, her green eyes intent on what he was doing. She was far from an arms specialist, so she didn't really know what he was doing, The most she knew about weapons she had read in two books for novice users.

Her gaze drifted from Chenglei's hands and the weapon he held to his face as he spoke, that twitch at the corner of her lips appearing again as he teased. She still didn't say anything though, a soft and somewhat amused snort slipped from her slender nose before her eyes looked back to his weapon as he continued taking care of his sword. After a little while her gaze drifted to his feet as she caught his toes wiggling from the corner of her eye before her gaze slowly made it back towards the black box beside him.

Noticing the strings, she pointed at them, "why so many?" still pointing at the strings, she started to look back to him before she noticed the discarded one on the floor and smiled, a more full smile this time, her question somewhat being answered just by the sight of the worn string so she turned her gaze back on Chenglei, "do you like a lot of different colors?"

Lydia thought it was funny that instead of just having one color that he went with, he had so many. She wondered how he chose which color to use, if they had any meanings or if he just picked by his mood. She sat up straighter, one of her hands holding the bare skin of her shin as the other moved up to her head, scratching her scalp just beneath where her ponytail was tied.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Chenglei heard her amused snort and his grin grew wider, looking like a mature young man instead of a flirt who has too much time in his hands. "Yes. My little sister, Tsumiki, loves to decorate my katana with string of many colors. Her weaving is a lot more intricate than mine however." His grin turned into a loving smile at the memory of finding his little sister caring for his weapon, his gift from the prince after being trusted by his side.

"I brought so many with me because I tend to wear out the string and the grip isn't as good from using Kurosaki so much." His eyes looked at the red string with a warm look. "This time is red string. The red string that connects us together even when we are apart...or that is what she tells me before I left with the Prince." It was the sweetest thing his sister has ever told him.

Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

She was watching Chenglei with interest. He was an odd sort, "you sound like my brother. Thomas wouldn't ever admit that though and Frederick is basically good at anything he does but would still say that to try and make me happy," she smiled gently, it was funny how brothers could share parentage and be so different, James and the twins were the same way. She adjusted her position, putting her feet flat on the floor and resting her arms over her knees as she observed Chenglei's affectionate smile. He was definitely more like her eldest brother than the younger one.

"You and your sister are really close..." she had a bittersweet smile on her face, it was funny how varied sibling relationships could be, her mind turning to James and Renee before she shook her head and cleared her throat, rising to her feet, "well... I'm going to..." she gestured towards the training area. She didn't really know what she was going to do there because she hadn't brought her mace and she didn't really feel like casting, but she'd figure something out and so she went to turn away from Chenglei, this time both of her hands rising to her hair as she tugged on it to tighten it.

SNAP!

The hairband she had been using broke, the strands of her soft black hair slowly falling from the lost band as it fell to the floor behind her. The length of her hair flowing down her shoulders, the strands now reaching to her mid-back, "oh! Oops..." she brushed her long hair aside and turned, looking down at the broken band on the floor and sighing as she lifted it with her thumb and index finger, "Darn it..."

Her lips stuck out a moment in thought before she glanced down to the purple string that Chenglei had discarded, "u-um... do you... do you mind if I use that?" her brow furrowed as she asked permission and gestured to the string.

Katsuya