Of Shadows and Swords (Chiarra)

((Wow then, I guess that would be a shocker. Believe it or not that picture was really hard to find. After like 5 searches did I come up with that picture ^_^ . Also, if you would like another name for her then that's fine too ^_^ . Glad we are on the same page about relationships then lol. And I'm thinking maybe he tries to save them without using his abilities but then he is forced to use his powers somehow.


I'm thinking though, that maybe we should just have her be the one in trouble because I'm kind of wanting the magician, who you can name if you want to, to kind of want to be uptight about her using her abilities. While mages aren't hunted down as Ravens are, he could be very strict about her practice which could be why she's not as skilled, so he could get really upset if maybe Lucius would try to help her develop her abilities and could also try to keep them separate and if he had to, kick them out of the traveling circus (which is also what I think would be better than just a fair).))
 
((Natalie's fine. I like Natalie for a name. I think everything sounds good so far, and circus is definitely better lol maybe they asked around and someone eventually told them where one was, then they go to watch the acts, and afterwards he can save her. Should Ravens be able to sense each other, though?))
 
((Maybe, that would be a good idea. Ooh, maybe that could be why she's in trouble and would give us a whole story arc. Maybe there's a rogue Raven who's out to make a reputation for himself that he isn't one and so he is a traitor and turns in any other Raven that he can sense nearby?)) 
((And the story Arc would be Lucius hunting him down for being a traitor to his own people, but I'm sure you got that lol))
 
((Ooo, cool. Like, she and the mage had an act in place and were found out by the traitor, so they're traveling with the circus now to avoid being caught?


I'm not sure if the story arc would be so much him hunting the guy down as them trying to run away, then maybe lure the traitor out to destroy him. . . I feel like I should use this face after using the word 'destroy' > :D ))
 
((Yeah, that works much better ^_^ . So maybe, when they think they've gotten away, he shows up again, so maybe, despite her masters wishes, she goes a bit away from the group, maybe to wash up in the stream nearby, but before she has a chance, he shows up and she starts to run to get away from him, that's when she may run into our little group.


So, I'm thinking that after having them find out that a circus had just come through here, that's the reason they were so close when Natalie came running upon them? And yeah, running from sounds better lol. Also, this may be from the too many anime shows I watch ;) but I think that maybe we should try to incorporate a quest of some kind in this rp, would make for more story arcs as well ^_^ .)) 
((P.s talk about spoiler alerts for people who actually read this rp lol))
 
((And then Lucius has to use his powers to get the guy away?


Yeah, they're looking for it, so they're close and the first people she finds while she runs. Hmmm. I can't think of what kind of quest, though. Maybe looking for some sort of magic that will shield them from being sensed by other Ravens? I feel like Archer should be able to do some sort of acrobatics routine :3 Since his thievery has made him stealthy and graceful lol


I always feel weird when I think people are reading this O_O))
 
((Yeah, that's what I was thinking.


That sounds good about the quest. We can think of someway for them to find out about it later and even another quest after that one. And about Archer, yeah that could work, and maybe he even teaches Melody as well and they could do those acts together? It would also help bring them closer together.


And lol, I just pretend that they don't, but I myself do like to read other rps occasionally, if they sound interesting))
 
((Hooray! Things are sorted :3 Did you want to start with her running, or did you want me to start with Lucius and Archer and Melody trying to find the circus?))
 
(( ^_^ and I was thinking that we could start with her running. Also, did you have a name in mind for the mage. If not I can think of one ^_^ . Ooh, just thought of something, we need a really cool name for the circus. Another thing, I'm thinking that maybe sensing another Raven around should only come with power. So, where Natalie isn't as practiced as Lucius is, and she barely even understands her power, she may not be able to sense any other Ravens at all, where as Lucius may be able to sense powerful Ravens around, but weak ones like Natalie may not give off very much radar.))


Natalie sighed softly. She knew she couldn't stay out too long, she wasn't even supposed to be this far from camp. But she did need a bath and the stream wasn't that far away. As long as she was quick and back before Master noticed her gone she would be fine. It wasn't that he was cruel, just controlling and protective of her. Being a Raven, it was very dangerous for her to use her powers in the open, so she saved them for disappearing acts. She did try to practice them at night sometimes however, when everyone was asleep and she was supposed to be, but she didn't get to every night.


She had just stepped close to the stream when she heard a voice. She froze in fear.


"So," the voice said. "We meet again." A male stepped out of the shadows, tall and imposing, a threatening and evil gleam in his eyes.


"Go away!" she screamed as she ran for it. The man was a rogue Raven, a traitor to his own kind. She ran as hard as she could, trying to get away from him. She couldn't run back to the circus camp though, if she brought this man there, she would endanger everyone and she would be in serious trouble.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Oh, it's such a beautiful night," Melody said as she laid down on the grass staring up at the sky. "I hope we find the circus soon, it shouldn't be too far off.


Just then, a girl burst through into the clearing, looking absolutely frightened. "Help me please," she begged.


A laugh could be heard and a men stepped through. The girl screamed.


"Two Ravens?" the man mused. "More money for me, turning your heads in," he said, throwing shadow blades at Lucius. Melody and Natalie both screamed.
 
((I have a desire to call him Merlin. But I won't, because that's cheesy and probably copyrighted xD Jk. Maybe something like Alrin? I don't know why that popped into my head. And because it's all old-timey, his stage name can be Alrin the Amazing! lol))


It had taken them a while, catching up to the circus, but Archer was navigating and was very sure that they were only 'a few shakes of a lamb's tail' behind it. They had gotten a lot of people to help them try and find it, claiming they were looking for someone in the circus that was part of Archer's family he'd lost long ago. It was the story they'd stuck to.


The night was cool, when they were close behind, and Lucius was about to agree with Melody when the commotion broke loose. He and Archer were on their feet as soon as the girl broke the clearing, Melody rising slower but still rising, and Lucius metaphorical hackles raised when a shadowed figure stepped out of the trees after her. The second Lucius recognized what his own senses were telling him, and that the object coming at them were shadow weapons and dangerous, he threw up a wall in front of them. Archer acted quickly, grabbing a hand from each of the young women and pulling them into a run with him, staying as much in the shield of Lucius' shadow wall as they could. This wasn't a fight for regular humans, and he knew Lucius could take care of himself. Lucius was strong, even for Ravens.
 
((Lol, Merlin would be a great name for him lol, but so is Alrin ^_^ And I most definitely agree with Alrin the Amazing))


Melody and Natalie ran with Archer out of the way of the fight. When they were safe, Melody was breathing hard, but not as hard as Natalie was. "Th...thank...you," she managed to get out. "He...will...b...be alright...won't he?" Natalie asked, catching her breath still. She couldn't believe it, that she had ran into another Raven and he was actually helping her out.


"Who is...that man back...there?" Melody asked. "Why is he...chasing you?"


"He's a Raven, but..." she paused a moment, not knowing how much she should say. "He's a traitor...he takes other Ravens and turns them in to make people think he's just a regular human so he can fit in more. He's been after me for years, but..." she bit her lip, stopping there, she didn't think she should say any more.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Well, at least you put up a fight," he said as he continued hurling blades at the wall as a distraction. Slowly though, vine like shadows were creeping up from behind Lucius, intent on ensnaring him.
 
Archer was straining to watch as soon as they stopped, trying to see what he could in the mostly dark night, and aching to run back to the fight he knew he couldn't win. "He'll be fine." He said, having caught his breath after just a few quick, regulated breaths. "Stay still and quiet." Archer didn't like this. He didn't like not being able to help. Ravens were always complicating things - even their Raven.


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


Lucius kept an arm up to brace the shield, keep it in place, even as black crept over his eyes and down his skin. "I can do more than put up a fight." He growled, and the wall shoved apart even as he sprinted through the opening, his hair and skin and clothes all as pitch black as night and a fury in his heart that drove him to rush into the attack and only deflect the blades thrown his way. He finally - finally - found another Raven, and the man was as dark as they came? He hated it. Hated what had happened to his family because of what they were.


"Let's see how much of a fight you've got!" He snapped as he got closer, and disappeared into a shadow. He burst back out from behind the other Raven, a long blade in hand, and swung as hard as he could.
 
Melody was still holding onto Archer's hand, squeezing it a bit, worried about Lucius. She tried to give Natalie a reassuring look, but she wasn't sure it was convincing. Lucius had gotten stronger in his ability though, a lot stronger now that he had been able to get a lot of practice in. Natalie bit her lip, very scared. She would've been able to defend herself if only Master would let her practice, but it wasn't going to happen.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


He looked a bit surprised when Lucius pulled his move, but then again, he could sense the power this boy had. Smirking a bit, because though the boy had a lot of power, it wasn't enough and he did like his feisty attitude. Maybe he could make an exception this time. He felt the boy reappear behind him, but he didn't even turn around as he easily blocked his swing. He disappeared into shadow and reappeared a few seconds later a few feet ahead of Lucius and facing him.


"You are strong," he said. "But not strong enough. I could teach you you know? Make you stronger." While he spoke, shadows started to engulf Lucius's body, the goal, to prevent him from moving but not harm him. "You know so much, but know so little. Do you even know the full potential of a shadow?" he asked. He summoned up a bird, much like Lucius could, but changed it into a shape of a towering dragon, looming over Lucius, ready to take a bite, but before it could, he melted the shape away. "Such a simple trick, very simple, but when you have the ability to create so many at one time, imagine the possibilities you can get away with. I can teach you this, train you," he said.
 
The impact ran up through Lucius hands all the way to his shoulders and chest when his swing was deflected, and he came to a skidding stop with the force of it before the man was gone. He didn't look, only felt and let the shadows speak to him, tell him which were real and which were made and - there. Right in front of him, and he almost caught it before the man had reappeared.


But by then, he couldn't move his feet anymore.


Lucius glared down at his shoes and tugged at his legs, but nothing worked and the shadows that weren't his were crawling steadily upwards even as the dragon shape nearly devoured him whole. He threw his arms up for protection, his heart beating too hard and fast in his chest, and he glared fiercely at the other man even as he tried to break free. "I have nothing to learn from a b****** like you!" He hissed. "Attacking your own - we struggle to survive without turning against each other!"
 
The man smirked once more, liking this little game and didn't want it to end so soon. "Is that right?" he asked, starting to laugh. "I'll let you think about it," he said and was gone, just like that as well as the other shadows, leaving Lucius free to move on his own.


((Idea, but what if this guy was the one who had turned in his parents? And as he grows more and more interested in Lucius, that's when he realizes who Lucius is?))
 
((PLOT TWIST O_O That would be amazing))


Lucius isn't quite sure what happens. At first there's pressure crawling up his ribs, squeezing his lungs - and then it's gone, and he's left on his hands and knees in the grass, his own skin coming out from beneath the black in the moonlight. Everything's quiet, and he's alive, and the older Raven is just - gone. Lucius can't sense him anywhere, even though he's never felt a Raven's presence like that before, never come into contact with any before. It leaves him shaking with the force of it, staring at the ground between his fingers and unable to rise for too long. He should've been dead. He had to be stronger.
 
(( ^_^ it was either that or actually making him his father, but that was too Star Wars for me lol))


"Its....quiet," Melody said. "Do you think it's over?"


Natalie bit her lip softly and got up, heading back into the clearing, Melody following afterwards. "Lucius?" she asked, running up to him. "Are you okay?"


"Thank you," Natalie said. "For...for saving me. I...don't have much but perhaps my Master will allow you place to rest for thanks," she said, knowing full well he would but she would pay for disobeying him later.
 
Archer hurried over to Lucius' side with Melody when they got back, when Lucius was just sitting there on his knees and staring into space. Lucius finally snapped out of it, though, at the sound of voices and Archer's hand firm on his shoulder. "I - I'm okay. . ." He said, his eyes drifting over to where the other girl stood, the faintest little twinge of instinct making him want to label her Raven. "That . . . We would be grateful. . ." They had just planned on sleeping in the grass tonight.
 
She couldn't believe she was looking at another Raven, like her, that wasn't evil and wanting to turn her in. In fact, he was the second Raven she had ever met. She didn't even know her parents. "It's this way," she said as she motioned for them to follow.


Melody moved to help Lucius up if he needed it. She wondered what had transpired and what happened to the other Raven. She looked towards the girl as she followed them. "What's your name?" she asked as she followed.


"Natalie," she said. "Yours?" she asked looking at all three of them.


"I'm Melody," she said.
 
Archer helped Lucius up and they followed after the girls, after a moment taking the cue and shrugging a little. "Archer," The thief says, then points a thumb at the Raven beside him, "Lucius."


Lucius nods a little and gives a weak wave, still shaken but doing his best to move forward because there's someone here like him and what if there's more? What if they're not all terrible? He has to know, no matter what. It's part of him he can't deny.
 
She turned around and looked at Lucius, walking backwards. "You're a Raven," she said, a bit excited. "I knew there were others," she said. "But that man has been the only other one I've seen until now. Have you met any others?" she asked him, desperately wanting to know if there were more out there.
 
Lucius wanted to feel happy, and some part of him did, but the line of questioning just made his stomach turn, made him think of the parents he'd never had. "I . . . N - No. . ." He shook his head slowly. "No, I . . . I haven't. . . Not until now."


Archer gave him a look that disapproved of his attitude, and gave everyone a cheery smile, patting a hand on Lucius' shoulder. "Forgive him, ladies. He's a little shell-shocked, you see. He'll be bright and peachy once he's gotten a good night's sleep. Promise!"
 
Lucius was hurting, Melody could tell. It wasn't really that hard to tell, though it usually was. She shot Archer a look and said, "You don't have to be bright and peachy all the time." Though, she rarely saw Archer anything but...was he hiding something? She didn't really know that much about Archer's past...in fact, she barely knew him at all. She just knew he was a thief and he acted like nothing was ever wrong. He had to be hiding something.


Natalie turned around then, saddened that he too hadn't met another Raven until now. "We're here," she said.


"The circus!" Melody exclaimed. "We finally found it."


"You were looking for us?" Natalie asked.


Melody nodded, smiling.


"NATALIE!"


She froze and stiffened a bit. "Coming!" she called out.


A man in his middle ages was coming over to them, glaring. "Didn't I specifically tell you to not wander off, you know that Raven is...." it seemed just then that he noticed the people who were behind her.


"Who are these people?" he demanded.


"I'm sorry," she said. "They saved me from him."
 
Archer knew what kind of a look Melody was giving him, a searching one that asked what was wrong and so many other things, things she didn't want the answer to. He just smiled, like he didn't know anything at all, and followed the others until they came upon the circus.


No, Lucius was not happy, but he had been raised as a knight, and he would act like such in the face of his elders - when they deserved it. That terrible man hadn't deserved it, but he'd yet to make judgment for this one. Lucius stepped forward a bit, posture straight, and gave the man a shallow bow, inclining his head in respect. "We were only lucky to be in the right place at the right time." And to not die. That too.
 
"Master if you would permit it, I offered them a place to stay for the night as reward," she said, her head bowed like Lucius, but hers was in asking for forgiveness.


"I'll deal with you later," he said, giving her a stern look before turning to look at the strangers. "If you have indeed saved my ward from disaster then you shall be rewarded. My name is Alrin the Amazing and we do have a spare wagon. It's a bit small, but it's all we have I'm afraid."


"Thank you," Melody said. "We would really appreciate it." They could ask about joining tomorrow.


"Show them to it," Alrin said to Natalie. "And try not to go wandering off this time."


"Right," she said and then started to lead them to the wagon. Like he said, it was small, but still enough room for all three of them to sleep in comfortably.
 
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