"I know, but... It is difficult to explain Miss Shani. I will be frank with you here - Something that I am not with most people. I am simply not ready for anything along... That line." Vance confessed. He reached down and swished the wine around in the glass before giving it an experimental sniff. It would do. He took a couple of sips and looked back at her. "I have never had any experience of the sort and I suppose you could consider me quite sheltered in that regard. Combine that with being taught that such acts were to be kept within your marriage I am wholly unsuited for this. Of course, I cannot marry now but... If you want that sort of entertainment there's better men out there than I. I am not used to it. Don't get me wrong. You're a good woman, I can see that. And perhaps... Perhaps another time. I shall come back round. It would be... Good to see you again I should think." Vance sighed and took another sip. He could feel something wrong, coursing through his veins. The alcohol. He must have drunk more of that cursed vodka than he meant to. And with the wine... He put the drink down and looked at his palms. Eventually, he knew, things did catch up to someone. Finally, everything was in perspective in a strange way. A near brush with a sexual experience reminded him that the way that he thought things like that would work was now impossible. He ha lost the chance to have a nice wife. He could not be what he was born to be. A married nobleman to have a child to continue the line. He had an adopted daughter, sure, but he would never have a child to call his own. Unless he wanted a bastard but that would never get through the world he lived in. The child would have to be acknowledged. There was no wife, no real family. Going home would be a terrible mess. There was a lot to explain... And most of it his father would be none too happy with. The realisation made him look up, a sad expression on his face. "I can never go home, can I? Nothing is the same. What I once knew is now... Well now it is just a world I will never be able to live in the same way. My whole life up until this moment has lead up to something that cannot work properly now. I made a poor gambit." The nobleman lamented, putting his face in his hands. "And now... Here I am." The only thing he could do now was raise Thea to be a better person, not to make the same mistakes as he did. That way, the Dorians could get a useful heir. Even my usefulness in politics is diminished. It is not wise to annoy the heirs of families, because their assistance and a potential betrothal is worth it. Now there can be no betrothal. Powerful we are but now... Now that influence is potentially going to fall and fail unless Thea can take the names of Strive and Dorian forwards as one.
"I suppose that makes sense. Well, last I checked we were at the Guild Hall so it is reasonable to assume that she stayed behind with the other people that did not come out." Vance mused. He looked suspiciously at her when she mentioned her 'rest and recreation'. There was something strange about that suggestion. It seemed wrong. As if she was trying to tempt him into something. He planned on making sure that did not happen. He refused to be tempted by the seductress in front of him. "What do you mean by this, 'rest and recreation'? I should hope you're not suggesting anything improper..."
Vance cracked a smile at her smelling like a drunk comment. Of course, the reason was that he expected that she did in fact get drunk from time to time. More often than not he imagined. However, that he decided not to mention for what was perhaps obvious reasons. What did surprise him was that when she reached under the bed she did actually have some wine which she poured him. He took the glass happily and sniffed it. He set it down on the floor for a moment. "By the smell of it, it's a red and it needs some time to breathe. It will taste much better that way." Vance stated. It seemed that the woman had it in her head that something was bothering him. Of course, nothing really was bothering him apart from her odd behaviour but nonetheless, he could give her a believable answer. "I am just worried about my daughter. In the confusion of Edric inviting us all out, I lost her and assumed that she came with us. However... She was not. Perhaps she made her way here, perhaps she did not? I cannot say. I am just concerned as to where she is and how she is doing. She is dangerous when upset. After all, I did tell you about the setting fairies on fire incident that was reported to have occurred."
"We have to get rid of the Lullaby Flute then. There's no other option. We should find a vault somewhere safe and seal it behind as many magical protective wards as we can. Is there anywhere like that at the Guild Hall? We have to keep wherever it is kept secret." Alessia said astutely. Reluctantly, she stepped off him to allow him to get healing. She was ordered to and as much as she didn't like it, she had to. "Don't try anything ever again Kageyama. If you do... I'll be waiting." With that, she flicked her hair and walked away to lean against a tree while the rest of events played out. If she stayed anywhere near Kageyama, she may well get arrested for committing murder. He could hear the gentle sloshing of the liquid in the flask. It was true, he was thirsty but he wanted his wits about him. He didn't trust the woman not to give him any alcohol. However, he had no choice. He was offered a drink and well, he had no basis of refusal. Reluctantly, he took the flask and unscrewed the lid. Vance tipped the contents into his mouth. It tasted awful. As tempted as he was to spit the whole lot out on the floor, he couldn't. Wincing, he swallowed the alcohol and handed her the flask, accidentally splashing some of it on to her with the speed he shoved the flask at her. "That, is quite possibly the worst thing I have tasted in my life. Is this what people call vodka? Truly it is a terrible drink. Why, this is almost completely alcohol with no other taste!" Vance exclaimed. "Have you no wine woman?"
Username: Alpha437 Real name: Cassandra Merricks Appearance: Brown hair, green eyes. Average height and thin. Gender: Female Age: 17 Weapon Choice 1: Pistol (Evolves into Sniper Rifle) Weapon Choice 2: Machine Gun (Evolves into Sub Machine Gun) Summon: Joan of Arc Race: Valkymir Personality: Quietly confident in doing things, but avoids social situations due to anxiety. She tries her best to play solo when possible but will reluctantly seek another player (Only one) to help if something is too difficult to do alone. Bio: Cassandra at school is not a popular girl. She is not without friends, but equally she is not the popular one. In many ways, she is the odd one out as while in her school there are other gamers she is one of the few that dabbles in VRMMOs largely due to most people not having them. Many said they were too expensive and others simply preferred to play other games, which she could understand. Mostly, she plays with her two closest friend Kieron and Jessica. They played together at all times, being an inseparable trio. They levelled and raided together in Gun Gale Online, being attracted by the promise of gunplay as she had long preferred the idea of a First Person Shooter to a sword swinging contest. As such, she was suitably mortified when the girl wielding the purple Beam Sword went on to compete in the Bullet of Bullets. After watching that, her friends were immediately attracted by the idea of wielding melee weapons but the metagame of GGO made the tactic completely unviable (Further demonstrating the skill of <<Kirito>>). Seeking a new experience, Kieron and Jessica found Summon Arc Online and hastily bought their own copies. Wishing to play, Cassandra followed suit and entered the game... Special Skill: [LOCKED] - This cant be done just yet... Past VRMMOs: Gun Gale Online Other: Cassandra while not fanatically so, is Christian. Username: Julius Maximus Real name: James McKillan Appearance: Ginger, spiked hair, blue eyes and glasses. Is fairly tall and thin. Gender: Male Age: 19 Weapon Choice 1: Spear (Evolves into Halberd) Weapon Choice 2: Sword (Evolves into Katana) Summon: Cú Chulainn Race: Reaper Personality: Cocky, brash and energetic. Believes that he is the best that gaming has to offer and is eager to prove it. Takes insults to his pride very badly. Wants to make a team of the best players in the game. Bio: James recently entered university (Studying classics and in particular, Irish mythology) and plays in his spare time. He has been a long veteran of VRMMOs and has sought to find the very best VRMMO. Indeed, he tested Sword Art Online when it first entered beta but was stopped from buying the full game by his parents because the beta distracted him too much from his studies. By the time the exams were done, the game had already began and he was left out, wanting to be inside and to live the life that the players lived. Ever since, he has travelled VRMMO after VRMMO trying to find a game that captured the fantasy spirit of SAO. So far, he has not found anything, but perhaps this game will be it... Special Skill: [LOCKED] - This cant be done just yet... Past VRMMOs: Asuka Empire, Sword Art Online Beta (Not full release), ALFheim Online, Many others. Other: Nope
"We shall see Miss LeNoir. If certain individuals are present, your tricks will be most useful indeed..." Sherridan remarked, anticipating meeting the man that he had come a long way to kill. Justice had to be done. Dane needed to die. The man was a killer and a ruthless one at that. No sense of morals, he was the sort of man that needed to be removed from the world. And as far as he could see, he was one of the only people who would dare stand up to him. His grip on the bow tightened and his knuckles turned white. The frosty voice of the Winterbringer called him out of his reverie. "For someone who thinks in logic, you do make a lot of ice jokes don't you?" The silence afterwards implied that it was one of the only things that made him possible to be around. He continued to lead their small group towards the source of the sound, doing his best to ignore the mutterings of their fourth companion. He called himself Casimir, but the sallow faced man was an even more uncomfortable presence than the Ice Wizard who hovered alongside them. From what he could tell, he had already sworn fealty to the Hero despite not knowing who he was and was seemingly obsessed with finding him. The man was constantly whispering to one of his swords, the one he never seemed to use. Even when they were attacked he drew the second one. He had picked up both of their names in their journey having heard the murmuring. Duskbringer was the undrawn blade and Nameless was the sword he used the other times. There was a certain irony to the name that was not lost on him, however, it didn't seem anywhere near as funny as it might have been from someone else considering the unbalanced nature of the man. Eventually, they crested a small hill. He breathed in low growls with the exertion of the steep climb, despite the relative low height of the hill. As he looked down, he found what they had been looking for. Below, was arrayed a group of men and woman outside a cave. The signs of battle were all too obvious, however it had broken off some time ago. Now, the combatants stood around, wounded and seemingly talking. A quick scan of the crowd of people revealed the man that he had been hunting all along. The Ranger nocked an arrow and slid down the other side of the hill, advancing towards Dane. "Dane, I have you now..." Sherridan muttered, taking aim and releasing the string. "Master!" The arrow thudded uselessly to the ground next to the Ranger and Sherridan was sent sprawling as Casimir barrelled past him towards the crowd. The Ranger picked himself up out of the dust and retrieved his bow, staring in shock at Casimir as he raced towards the crowd. Yes... Yes... It is soon. I can feel it. I can feel you Hero, I can feel you Master! I am coming! Your sworn blade shall soon be here and together... Together we shall destroy Her! He giggled excitedly as they climbed the hill, his cloak fluttering in the light wind. The hill was steep and a struggle, but it was no matter. No obstacle, no hill and certainly no people would get in the way of this meeting. He had waited far, far too long for this. As soon as they reached the top of the hill, Casimir saw Him. There was no other person it could be, surely! Yes... In the middle of a group, looking as if he was welcoming people. His acolytes to be sure. The way that a man was reeling from him, bleeding from his arm, ripped off by the Hero's terrifying power! Yes! Yes! He was everything he had hoped! Majestic, unassailable and powerful! Between them and the people he had already gathered around him it had to be that man. The white haired man who proudly wore the chains that bound him! Casimir could not hesitate. He raced down the hill towards The Hero. He watched as The Ranger ahead of him nocked an arrow. Casimir's eyes widened. What are you doing Ranger? That is the Hero! Casimir did the only thing that he possibly could do. "Master!" He cried, trying to attract the attention of The Hero as he shoved Sherridan to the floor. He raced towards the group afterwards, hair and cloak flapping about behind him. This may not be safe, but the eye contact on The Hero should be enough to tell him that he meant no harm. He would tell Him more when he got closer, but there was still some distance.
Name: Casimir Elwyn, the Forsworn Blade Age: 24 Appearance: Here Small bio: Spoiler Casimir was not a wealthy person. Not when he started. A city world, where people were constantly fighting to climb up the echelons of society in the pursuit of a better lot in their life. That is the world in which Casimir grew up. He made his way, steadily, being made of stronger, more intelligent stuff than his peers. However, not even that could get him anywhere. He was shunned because of his low class, despite his natural talent and so found refuge in the education of a kindly priest of the Goddess Sapphire who taught the poorer children what he could. It was good for a time, however he was better than his classmates. They wanted nothing to do with him. His rapt attention left him devoid of friends as he devoured the teachings with hunger. It would have been enough for him, except the man was killed. It was known that the keepers of the Temple of Sapphire were wealthy and one day, the temple was broken into and his only teacher killed. This inflamed the heart of the young Casimir and he hated that the Goddess could allow such a thing to happen to such a good person. Surely, any truly powerful person would have been able to see that he was worthy of being saved? From then on, he directed his training to something else. He would avenge that man. The good men of that Temple were the only men who had ever helped him. Not only were they teachers, but when his family starved, when his friends' families starved they help. Their lives were snuffed out too soon. Not only did the men who did that need to pay, but the Goddess who allowed these men to exist needed to. He swore to himself that somehow, he would bring ruin to the Goddess' name. The Goddess who sat and watched. He trained in his home, becoming stronger and fitter, stealing to get the food that he needed. He found the men who slew his teachers and with a cheap knife he bought with stolen coin, he slew them all in their sleep. They were not just opportunists, but infamous for killing people in the same brutal way. Suddenly, their ill gotten gains became his and he took them all, the money included. Elated that vengeance was had at last, he wanted to make Sapphire pay. And that was when the darkness in his heart, planted years ago with the slaughter of the best people he had known finally bloomed. This unleashed magic upon his body, granting him the power but warping him. He looked old, beyond his ears and his hair bleached white. He toyed with his newfound powers as time went on, discovering some uses for them. When one day, when he left that world to go in search of the Goddess with his power and destroy her in the very world that she inhabited, rumour came to his ears. Someone had emerged. Someone who could slay the woman that would not help her subjects. He swore an oath in that moment. He would help the man who would bring her down. Sapphire would pay, and a new God would take her place. And that, he knew, would be the Hero. And if the Hero would not do it... Then he would do it himself. Reason for rescuing the hero: To set up a new, better God for the world and depose the old. Weapon (If applicable): Casimir wields two blades. Duskbringer is his preferred sword, yet he keeps it sheathed. The blade is infused with the darkness that he holds inside himself. The weapon when drawn will radiate a wispy mist around it that obscures the path of the blade, making it much harder to block. However, the blade is oathbound not to be wielded except in service of the Hero. His other sword, he simply calls Nameless. It is an ordinary weapon that he took from the body of one of the men that slew his teachers. He uses it in place of Duskbringer when he must fight outside his Master's service. Power (If applicable): Cloak of Shadow: Casimir releases a dark mist around the battlefield that obscures vision. Eyes of the Night: Grants him greater vision, enough to see normally in the Cloak of Shadow. Also, night vision. Black Wall: Forms a wall of the mists that can be used to block attacks and get in the way. Easy to destroy. Shadowsword: Forms the dark mist into a blade shape that can be manipulated by him. Can be wielded in his hands or controlled telekinetically. Several can be summoned at once. By His Command: When given an order by the Hero he is sworn to, the powers inside him empower him granting him greater strength, endurance and speed when obeying their orders and lesser when he is disobeying them. Flawed Soul: Any attacks powered by the light specifically that hit him 'purify' Casimir. This hurts him greatly and reduces his overall power. However, if fully 'purified', then his Oath to the Hero would be completely dissolved and he would be released from the darkness. At this point, assuming he is not at all dead, he is free to act as he once would have before he was tainted. Other: Will resist attempts to persuade him away from the Hero's side unless ordered by him.
Caliborn, realising that he was actually meant to have been doing **** this whole time ran to the the exit because what the hell else is he meant to do, for serious. Oh, and I guess if there's water then he uses his Sky Dragonslayer and Wind Magic to fly over it because Caliborn is an S-Class badass who don't care about no stupid frigging maze that he really didn't want to have anything to do with anyway. "Yes, I suppose it is family. I suppose that makes me the cousin that nobody speaks to and has a rather superior attitude for some reason, despite being only barely related to everyone at the gathering." He joked slightly. She was correct in all of her judgements as far as he could tell. There was nothing that he could really object to in what she was saying. However, once again and somewhat unexpectedly, the conversation took a rather different turn. "I agree, there are many dishonest people in the world. And I dislike them. It is a shame that people believe they should lie. Liars are amongst some of the worst people in my opinion. Were people more truthful the- Well, I suppose it would be useless to marry her at this point. Not that I even have the chance. And, I suppose you are right in that coming here has opened my eyes to some degree about the world and the state of being." It was painfully obvious what she was trying to lead him into doing, but he could hardly do it. However... He realised that he hadn't much of a choice. The door was shut and she was likely a great deal quicker than him. He didn't want to use magic on her, that would be unbecoming and dishonourable. He looked around for any escape out of this, but deemed it pointless. Either he would go sit on that bed willingly, or he would be forced on to it. Of that, Vance had no doubts at all. "Very well, I suppose I should take a seat. Standing when offered a place to sit is considered rude." Vance sighed before sitting down next to her. His back was rigid and he had his hands placed firmly on his lap. He looked straight ahead, at the wall, determined not to look at the woman who was trying and unfortunately succeeding somewhat at seducing him.
Interworld travel... A fascinating thing. A scary thing. It enabled people from all different places and of all different sorts to connect and meet, to share experiences and enjoy each other's company. It was a special thing, something he had always grown up wanting to do. Sherridan wanted to see the world because there was more to the world than his comfortable woods. There was adventure to be had out there, new discoveries. All out there waiting for him. he knew that somewhere, somehow, he would find a forest and that would be his home, wherever he went. Thus, travelling held no fear for him, because surely the forest was everywhere. Oh was he wrong. He didn't even remember which world he travelled to from the castle, nor did he remember much about it. He certainly did not remember how to get back. If he could somehow get back, then he could rejoin the others. Join Caleb in getting revenge on Dane and rescue the girl! It would be perfect! Justice would be served upon the man. Of course, it never worked out like that. The Ranger didn't know when he lost the group, or even how he had managed to. One moment they were then and then another, he was gone, lost in a new world and much to his horror, no sign of any forest anywhere and certainly no Dane. This begged the all too obvious question - Where was he? And how was he going to get back? He searched the world for a way back to the place he came from, wandering the wildlands and stepping even outside of them in his desperation but to no avail. There were however, other ways. He knew that much. If he could just happen upon one of them then perhaps... Perhaps everything would be okay. He could find Dane, save that girl and then continue the search for the rumoured Hero. Failing to find anything conclusive, he merely picked a world and went for it. He wasn't sure how many worlds he crossed through. After the third, perhaps fourth, he lost count and it all blended together in the way that events do. The world of endless ice and winter was a harsh lesson to the Ranger. It disproved his long maintained theory that the woods were out there somewhere, and so he found an ally in an ice mage for a time. An ally, though not a friend. The man was... Somewhat helpful as Sherridan made his way through the lands. He was a distant man, and the Ranger could not shake the feeling that the man was few of friends and had his own self in mind when he helped him. Regardless, he was thankful for the help. The rest of the worlds passed by in a flash, deserts and temperate climates, small villages and big, strange cities. But he persisted, chasing signs and rumours of the long lost hero and picking up another companion along the way. He was a trickster of some kind from what he could tell, and it was all too strange company that he found himself in. Eventually however, they arrived here in this barren wasteland. It was dry. Large spires of wind blasted rock reached up into the sky like fingers reaching for the clouds. Dusty dunes flowed endlessly as far as the eye could see pock marked by craters and torn up land here and there. Of course, what was most disturbing was not the endless barren lands, but instead the thousands of weapons plunged into the ground. As he walked, each stood as a silent memorial to a long gone war. Some weapons stood straight up and proud, gleaming in their infinite bizarreness as proudly as they must have once shone when their masters lived. Others lay on the grounds, only an errant hilt sticking out of the ground to show their presence at all. Others were buried, half visible and their shine long gone as if the spirit inside had been taken from them along with their owners lives. The Ranger could have sworn that he felt the spirits of the dead walking through here as chills ran down his spine. This place was eerie. How they got here, he did not know, however he knew that he did not want to remain long. However fate it seemed, had other plans. As he moved through the landscape, he noticed tracks not yet lost to time. Recent tracks. People were here, and several of them. The occasional rent in the ground was visible where a weapon was redirected to the floor, or perhaps a crater where a spell blasted a hole after missing its target. All signs pointed to recent activity. He was willing to wager it was them. He recognised the signs of one of their battles. That meant he was close. He turned to his companions. "The signs of battle here are unmistakable. It's them." He reported. "It seems we'll be finding our Hero Hunters soon enough. Prepare yourselves. I doubt that it will be a warm welcome." On the wind, his acute senses caught a sound. An explosion and as he listened closer, the ringing of blades. "Do you hear that? It must be them. This way!" Sherridan indicated and began to move towards where he believed the battle was. He unslung his bow and nocked an arrow. Dane... I do hope you're here. We have business to settle. The Forsworn Blade followed the Ranger silently, his empty eyes scanning the horizon for signs of the one he sought. For once in their journey, a smile was visible on his face and his heart pounded in anticipation of the completion of his life's goal. He knew that the Hero was near. He could feel it. "Not long now, Duskbringer." He muttered, caressing the pommel of the blade in its sheath along his back. Though it was inanimate, he could have sworn that he felt the blade shudder, revelling in the same fulfilment that he too was feeling in this moment. He wondered how many of their present company were here to ally themselves with the Hero. He knew only that they sought Him, but not more than that. The Ranger perhaps wanted to become an ally, but that is all he could say. The Ice Wizard was cold and dead inside. It was easy enough to tell. After all, he was the same way. The girl... She was different. He could hardly abide her. Her nonsense tricks and little deceptions were a constant source of frustration throughout their journey but nothing could sway Casimir now. He had come much, much too far for that.
Vance followed the woman to her room, his heart pounding in his ears and a sense of trepidation in his chest. He truly had no idea what he was supposed to do now. He didn't know anything really. As he walked through the halls, he noticed rooms through open doors here and there. It was nothing like anything he had ever seen in his life. It was all too... Low class. It was exactly what he had expected, but he had never heard of such things outside of what he had been told. It was one thing to hear it, another to see it with your own eyes. As he walked through, he almost felt bad for these people, but he remembered that really, they had the power to change their situation with enough hard work and that they were working. One day they could, eventually, have more than this. But until this day they would have to stay in these conditions. Eventually, they reached Shani's room. He took a couple of deep breaths before stepping beyond the threshold into the room. It was sparse, but it was better than many of the rooms that they had walked past. She sat on the end of the bed and let her hair down. His breath caught in his throat for a moment as the black locks tumbled down her back and shoulders. He gritted his teeth underneath a closed mouth to try and resist anything that his mind threw at him. Framed by the moonlight and a dim candle casting a flickering shadow, she made quite the spectacular figure. Fortunately, she had other things in mind. "Yes, I would say that the guild is grander than this place overall, however even that is nothing to where I lived. At the Guild, they live in separate dormitories and rooms, however at my home, I had a large room all to myself. Several times larger than this, grander furniture, a more comfortable bed. Everything someone could conceivably want, I had. If I didn't have it, I could get it just as easily." He answered frankly, his arms folded. He leaned against the wall, turning his head to his left to look at her. He frowned and thought about being in the Guild. What was it like? "I suppose... Being in a Guild is something different. Special. Our Guild, Sapphire Eclipse is strange. I've never seen a more odd mix. People no more wealthy than you and your people to people like me, all arrayed as one, side by side in adventure. There's disagreements and fights. Some things are downright chaotic and I can't help but feel that there's yet more drama and other things that I don't know about. But despite the chaotic nature of things, I suppose there's an odd camaraderie to the place. It has to work somehow." He looked down at the floor, thinking about things. "And I suppose, in many ways it is probably quite a wonderful place, though plagued with misfortune. The Guild was attacked apparently which caused some damage, yet they fought it off. And then on another mission, the girl who became my adopted daughter set fire to a lot of things, incinerating a large number of fairies by accident. She didn't mean to do so. Her magic is tied to her emotions and, well... She cannot control it well when upset. It is a good thing this coat of mine is fire resistant otherwise I fear that I would have been incinerated, having been right next to her. But it's strange, somehow that worked out. And to think, that entire adoption process happened as a result of being around her on a mission that could have set me up with a wife. I was nearly a married man you know. That would have made this situation far more awkward, would it not? In any case, it is a moot point. The competition was cursed by some green witch that claimed a relation to the lady in question and we all lost, unleashing spirits upon us. That is where I acquired this coat as it happens. Not only did we fail, but due to the rules I am now banned from marrying. Perhaps that was not the wisest thing I have done in my life... But no matter. I suppose that it was inevitable. I did try and subvert the rules by attempting to charm the lady to the point where she would give up, choose me anyway and that would be that. However, it seems that she abided by her dead father's will and now... Now I don't actually know what happened. Perhaps she will be happily married, perhaps she will be miserable, or perhaps that green witch's curse will prevent her from being married at all." His mind cast back to the crippled woman. I wonder how you fare, Lady Nessa Rose Thropp. He glanced upwards, expecting to see the sky, but only a wooden ceiling. In his talking, he had all but forgotten where he was. Vance shook his head to retrieve himself from the reverie. "Of course, there's more to things than that. The first adventure I had with the the guild was recovering some boy's father's last book that had been kept away from him by a certain Lord Everlue. The man was a madman and had the most terrible taste. Can you believe that his idea of beauty was immensely overweight and downright ugly people? His menagerie included horse faced, pig faced and all sorts of people. Of course it turned out that it was a lie. He simply pretended and abused their trust to avoid paying them. I simply lost my temper at that. I am not a sympathetic man really, I am not one to understand and be like people unlike me at all, but even I can see that it was wrong. How is anybody supposed to have a chance in the world if people are abusing trust like that? Where is the sense of honesty in it?" Vance stopped his rant for a moment, only realising then that he had to take a breath. He also noticed that his fist was held in front of him, clenched to the point where his nails had dug into his hand. He smiled and looked back at the woman. "Apologies Miss Shani, I doubt you expected a rant. It seems my train of thought got the better of me there." He said lightly, standing up properly once again.
Welcome back Mindstorm! It's been some time.
"Look... I'll be up front with you for a moment." Vance breathed in a deep breath and exhaled before speaking. "I have no idea what I am doing. This entire conversation has just been, one new thing after another. I have certainly enjoyed your company Miss Shani but more than this I fear I cannot do. The bottom line is, I am entirely unsure of everything right now. You know as well as I do what my male instincts are telling me... I simply do not know if I can follow them." This is strange. I am lowering myself like this before this person. Same equivalent status but in the real world, she is still beneath me by far. How can this be happening? What am I doing? Why am I doing it? Why am I acting as if all of this is acceptable when it goes against everything I have been taught my whole life? I was never prepared for this. Who are these people? What have I missed my entire life? There is a whole world of people out here and... It's just too much. I can't handle this! And... I can't handle her. I can't stop this. Perhaps... Perhaps I should just let instinct guide me for once. Perhaps that will serve me better here. So be it. Let us see what fate has in store. Vance looked up at her. "You are most persistent, I admit. Normally, I would not but... If for whatever reason you still insist on this then very well. I shall allow you victory this time. You have convinced me." Vance surrendered. I go wherever fate dictates now. What is happening to me?
"Ah... Fair. Et works fer me. I always liked the taste o' thes stuff." Edric grabbed another drink and guzzled it. "Boot, et en't fer everyone. An' yer right, good company es the best solution. Me ol' friend Caliborn was good fer tha'. Even Cassie back at the guild. I figured she'd remind me o' things, but nah. But Cassie es a special case. Noot as special as Meekasa mind ye, boot unlike her Cassie en't the stressful kinda special. Oh, don' get me wrong, Ee like Cass boot there en't romance there before ye go thinkin'. She's just a friend that heelps when Ee get like this sometimes. Sometime a good friend es far moore valuable, am Ee right?" He smiled, thinking about some of the folks at the guild. They did more for him than most of them knew. Even the new people did something, always kept something on his mind or made him think about things. Of course, they wouldn't know that. Not even his closest friends knew about everything. They just knew that something happened. He never really wanted to discuss it. Vance knew that he had to draw the line here. Here, and no further. There was no way he could allow himself to be drawn in like this. Succumbing to this woman would be a borderline offence to his family and his personal pride. To be won over so easily... Even he knew the implications of what she said. "Now Miss Shani that would entirely depend on what we'd be doing elsewhere" He said, trying to manoeuvre his way out of things with all the skillful talk he could muster. "After all, many things can happen in private. And you're armed, I am not. It would be dangerous for me I think." He knew the excuse was poor and he knew that she knew too. He wanted to get away, but he knew that would be rude. Deep down, he was forced to admit to himself that he was enjoying the company and the banter. More so than anything, he was just concerned about what could happen in a private place, particularly in this sort of area. He had never had any experience at all and well, to be thrown in at the deep end like this was far too much for him.
Vance was a little concerned when Florica said she was going to leave and asked Conrad to come with her. As soon as she drew the pistol out and fired it in the air to show it wasn't loaded, he feared more for what was to come. Things only took a greater turn for the worse as she ran the pistol down his chest and he could feel the hand sliding up his leg. His eyes opened wide and he sat upright in shock. He blinked a couple of times, reining in his surprise and shock, but it was far, far too late for that. Blast it! I am being defeated by this woman! How is this possible? I am Vance Dorian, firstborn son of Steffan Dorian and heir to the Dorian house and name! How is it that I cannot control my emotions in the face of this scantily dressed pirate! She's a pirate! A thief! Someone that I would never acquaint myself with and I cannot at all possible conceive giving way to this! This is ridiculous, it cannot, nay must not happen! I'll get you for this Shani! He realised very quickly that he had lost. I... I actually don't have any ideas. I, Vance Dorian, have faced down spirits of great power, been cursed by a green witch into being denied a wife and after all that I have been trained for and experienced I have been defeated by not being able to control my natural desire for a woman. He tried to slide backwards in the chair, but he was already right up again the back. With the most composed look on his face and no longer unable to stop the blush creeping up his face, he managed to utter a few words. "I... I... You appear to have me at a disadvantage here Miss Shani." Vance stammered. He closed his eyes and reopened them slowly before looking down at where her hand was. he sighed. "Why must women be so... Alluring. I confess, you have me beat. I've never found myself in quite this situation before." The man's voice was tinged with nervousness. What was he meant to do now? There was no salvation to be found from Conrad that he could expect... "Noo mate. Ee thenk a woman would oonly make the whoole affair worse." Edric answered, sounding exasperated. His breathing had calmed down and the shaking was getting less bad, but there was a paleness to his complexion that hadn't left. He stood himself up straight and pulled over a spare seat. He fell heavily on to it and leaned up again the back of it, looking up to stretch his neck. He felt a little better for sitting down, but the chills were still inside. He grabbed another drink from a tray of a passing waitress and gulped it down. "Ta be hoonest, at teems like thes, Ee'm best off by meself or company tha' doon't remind me o' things" He clenched his empty hand into a fist. "Fucking hell. Say, mester Spreegan. You got anythin' hauntin' ya? Somethin' tha' ye can't forget?" Edric asked sombrely.
Vance smiled and flushed very slightly. He cursed himself for losing an inch of control there, but quickly managed to regain his composure. He was used to seeing that, with young women trying to (out of genuine attempts or politics) sway him their way. After all, his family was fairly well off and with a daughter linked in their family stood to profit. However, none of that prepared him for the woman who was not exactly clothed properly and on the equivalent social standing as him. Just because she is equivalent in her society doesn't mean that she should be given the same consideration! Honestly! She is behaving entirely improperly! The latter was more the years of education in proprietary talking than his genuine feelings, because at the end of the day he was still a male. Not even he could supress that. Thoughts on her appearance and behaviour aside, he needed to say something witty to rescue him from a potentially embarrassing situation. "So, that is why you keep the pistol?" Vance smirked, raising an eyebrow. He leaned back with his arms folded comfortably across his stomach, seemingly to relax. "I wonder, do you keep it loaded at the time? That is hardly safe." That'll do. "Aye, thes neighbourhood en't bad by any stretch. Ee'm a pretty good tell fer where there's trouble. There's a lot o' entertainment aroound here, boot I weeger tha' ef ye were ta buy, ye could make a tavern or bar oot o' thes rather than what et es now." Edric added, thinking back to his days when he worked a more pedestrian job as a guard. A few flashes of his old squad came back to him, before other things came. Blood spattered over a wooden floor. A woman in a nightdress, once white now stained red and the flashing steel of a knife. He gritted his teeth and tried to push the thoughts away. Leaning down to hold the woman, the tears streaming down her face. A man out of the corner of his eye. Dropping the woman and whipping a sword out of its sheath. The man collapsing in a spray of red. A scream, behind him, another man. Edric looked around desperately and swiped a drink off the waitress' tray, knocking other drinks off and spilling them over the floor in his panic. He gulped it down hurriedly, before scrambling for another one. He noticed he had left one on the table and downed that too before grabbing a third from some other table. He stumbled away, back to where Spriggan was stood and clutched his head. It hurt, but the memories were gone again, hidden safely under a cloud of drink. It was only then that he realised that he had been hyperventilating and that he had accidentally stolen someone else's drink. He flipped 10 Jewels over to the surprised and angry looking patron. "Mai apologies, everyone." He said generally, shivering. He looked back at Spriggan. "Soorry aboot tha'. Noo, where the fuck were we? Ah, tha's right. Aye, Ee'll take the best care Ee can o' Zeph. Soo long as she doon't cause too much of a scene. Besides, the money she makes well be handy fer ya."
Vance listened as Florica explained their situation. So, they had a hierarchy, with that strange man at the top. While interesting, it also disappointed him slightly. He didn't know what to expect but, he supposed that he expected more wealth perhaps? These were tier two citizens from what he could tell in their society, so they was as close to the nobility of their people as they could get. Since they were only below the King himself... Even though they were not at his level by any stretch, they were what counted for upper class amongst their people, so he supposed it was only fair to give them the same respect and time of day that he gave other people, even though what he had was far, far beyond compare. That also meant the intolerable Zephyros and Zéphyrine merited the same. So, these people put the Roma or Romani people first, and the others next. He couldn't say he could see the point in discriminating by race, when surely getting the best of each group would profit this whole 'Court of Miracles' far more. "I see... Interesting. So you, the Roma, who I see here come first. You have an interesting way of organising things here, I must say." Vance commented. She did however bring up the issues of magic users. "So, what about magic users? Where do they all fit into this? 'Zeph' would be a special case if I am not mistaken. Where do they stand in this court of yours? And if you may pardon a little of a more personal question, but you say yourselves are not poor, and I can see you keep yourselves well. How did you come by that? Once again, pardon my questioning, however as you noted I am inquisitive." "Yer livin' a hard ol' existence here, mester Spreegan. Ee'm impressed tha' ye've kept all thes together soo long, with tha' as a hand dealt ta ya." Edric spoke, his voice quiet and soft. He could see that the man was having a hard time. "Et's loonely, doown the path ye're walkin', ain't et? Ye've got yer people boot, Ee doon't thenk tha' the oothers really get et, do they? Ee feel fer ya mate, I really doo. Soo, ef Ee happen on ta somethin', soome kinda way ta help ye all oot, Ee'll pass et along. I knoow ye probably don' want charity, boot Ee figure anythin' tha' can heelp with yer situation es a positive. Ef Ee doo feend somethin', oor, ef ye stumble on somethin', you make sure tha' Aysha girl gooes. Et doesn'a matter wha' she says, boot ye have to make sure she gets taken care of."
Edric was about to reply to the King of Beggars but before he could. his fears were confirmed as Damian approached. He felt sorry for him, and also bad for what happened despite not really having any control or expectations about what Damian would or would not do. "Aye... Veery weell lad. If ye feel the need ta goo... Then Ee can't stop ya. Ee canna say tha' I hooped anythin' would happen, though... Ceertainly not thes. Perhaps drinkin' en't fer ya. Teek care o' yerself. Make sure ye get back ta the Guild en one piece. Alreet? 'Cause if you en't there by the teem wer back then Ee'm gonna have to feend yer pasty arse and drag ya back meself." Edric cautioned, allowing the boy to go his own way. Sometimes, it was best to respect the personal space and at this point, any intervention from him was likely unwelcome. Besides, surely he was old enough to handle himself? He looked back at Clopin, a seriois expression on his face. "Ee see... Ee oonderstand yer struggle an' wha' yer doin' here. Boot, Ee joost thenk tha'... Ye say tha' Aysha did et o' her oon weel boot... Lookin' at her... Dooes tha' look like the face o' 'theeir oon 'weel'? Ee can tell ya tha', et's the face o' someone doing something fer someone else tha' they didn'a want ta doo. D'ya have a name other than tha King O' Beggars?" Edric asked before continuing.
"Absolutely. It is fortunate that we have been in the company of competent navigators otherwise surely we would have perished!" Vance agreed heartily, being surprisingly amused by it. He noticed it afterwards as Shani quickly realised their status. I... Laughed with one of them? I... Agree with one of them? He frowned and looked down at the table, pondering what had just occurred. This is different that what I expected. These people are not only reasonable but agreeable. Look, the woman is even apologising for her mistake! As she should, but still! These people are... Different. They are not what I was led to expect. For now... But this is... This is strange. Perhaps there are people of worth within the lower classes, although these people are different. They aren't quite the average commoners. If I look around, they're mixed yet in uniform. Every single one who bears the look of their kind wears jewellery, often earrings of some sort. Zephyros, not just Zéphyrine wears them. It's like they're all in some sort of accordance, as if they're all alike. The more he looked, the more he noticed. Interesting. There are a few more average, typical people, but they're not part of it, because there IS a part of something. They're some kind of group. There are patrons here that aren't part of the social group here. Fascinating... Perhaps it would be worth investigating. These people are different. Perhaps they are more worth my time. After all, they seem to know some manners. "None taken. I would have thought it obvious from my gait and speech, though I can hardly blame you for failing to recognise it. It is not often that ones such as we pass through this place I imagine." "Say... You seem different to most people. I look around a town and I see people. But you're different to them. There's a uniform almost. The jewellery, earrings and necklaces generally. The look, not physical appearances but what lies in the eye. Clothes, not always matching but sometimes similar. The way you walk, act. It seems to me as if you're a group. You're not part of the average people. Even one such as I, who has rarely walked amongst them I admit, can see that." Vance clicked his fingers in realisation. "Perhaps something to do with this Le Roi de Thunes, King of Beggars, that you mention. Yes... You're like someone I know. Minus some of the attitude perhaps, but not unalike Zephyros, or Zéphyrine as they are called. But what do they have to do with the so called King of Beggars and in turn, you?" Vance observed, looking directly at Florica.
Edric rolled his eyes and sighed heavily. He moved the King of Beggars' face away with a gentle push of the hand and looked at him seriously. "Noo. Had roomance once, tha's oover an' Ee'm done weth et. I en't changin' tha' fer ye, oor yer frieend. Boot... Ee ahm curious as ta hoo ye came ta her rescue soo quickly, an' indeed, why ye jus' stopped her from doin' her shift, soo ta speak. Noo, I en't condooning tha', boot et makes someone wonder... Why did ya interfere in her instance, boot not other ones. Ee didn'a see ya steppin' in for Ayshah. They're clearly somethin' special to ya." Edric explained, a serious look on his face. This place was full of oddities, and these people were quite odd indeed. It made him wonder... What kind of life did these people lead? And why was Zephyros/Zépyhrine special in the midst of it all?
Vance listened, somewhat interested in what they were saying. Travellers were interesting people, and occasionally they had interesting stories to tell. Florica seemed to prefer the capital for some reason. He couldn't for the life of him figure out why. Many nobles had their estates their (his family not included), but the place was a peasant trap. There was very little that attracted him to the place other than the politics, which these people certainly did not engage in. Shani, or 'Red' as she was known, preferred the open sea. That was... Understandable. He saw the beauty in the sea and somewhat enjoyed the boat ride they were on. "This town is well enough I suppose, although I infinitely prefer the estate of home. It is quieter there, more peaceful. Crowded cities are good for an adventure, but I find that they grow tiresome after a while." Vance said, contributing to the conversation in some way. "I share your liking of the sea. Such an infinite vastness and a view to kill for with the sun setting or rising over it. I find at times like that, the reflection of the water is most beautiful." Thinking about it, he hadn't travelled anywhere far for some time. He remembered going many places, near and far when he was younger but not any longer. It seemed that his father had more immediate concerns than going travelling of late. It was disappointing really. He did miss seeing new places. It was exciting to be sure. Surprising. I actually have something in common with this person. And they are by no means me, or like me really. They don't seem noble and yet, here we are speaking of travels. "Perchance have you sailed to Caelum, or travelled across to Seven or Bosco? Personally, the furthest I have been is Pergrande in the East." Vance added, recounting a little of his own travels.
