The Affinities

"I like your plan," said Ariana. "I can keep quiet and keep my head down...but my dear partner in crime," said Ariana putting an arm around Jo. " is another story,"

 

Haley smiled as Jo told them about her village but then as Ulrich explained his plan, Haley was simply taken aback. She simply blinked and stared at him for a second as she thought about what he'd just said. That was not what she was expecting. "Oh...um...I'd never considered that." She rubbed the back of her neck as she considered that, "If we did we would need everyone on board. Make sure no one would attack...hmm..." She looked up and spoke loudly to all of them, "Hello. Can everyone please gather round here? We've got a big descision to make, it'll affect all of you so I'd like for you all to be involved. I need everyone on board."

 

Caeli walked towards Haley. "What's up?"

 

Haley waited until she had everyone's attention and they'd all come over before continuing. "Okay guys, as it stands we currently have two choices about out next move. The first of which is we find ourselves somewhere safe and seculded to go where we can relax. There we'll have to hunt or scavenge food. Andrew knows somewhere that will probably be safe for us. Although it is quite a journey to get there, Jo has told us of her village where we could stop to eat and rest. When we reach the safe place, we can live there and decide what our next move will be." She looked round at everyone, attempting to gauge their reactions before moving on to their next choice.

"Our other option, Ulrich has suggested just now, that is we go into a town or city and get work there as regular people. This means we won't be able to use our powers and if even one of us, does or you try and act out one of your stupid plans of revenge, we will be straight back on the run again. We will pool our money together and live a normal human life. It is risky and we can't do it unless everyone is completely on board but it should be safe as it's the last place they'll expect us to be. It's up to you guys though. Whatever you choose you will have to live with the consequences. I value everyone's input on this. So please, what are your thoughts?" She smiled and looked round at everyone, awaiting their verdict.

 

Andrew fought back the urge to cry out in surprise when suddenly Haley and the others surrounded him and his map. He was especially taken aback when Jo actually touched his map indicating her village. Geez, when did you guys get over here anyway? And that is absolutely a bad idea. I don't like it much either, kiddo. thought Andrew slightly miffed. Following Ulrich's words, he took a glance at him. He too knew what was generally poisonous and what wasn't, due to trial and error having to live on his own in the last year, and because he could tell what plants were relatively healthy and such with the soil. Hearing Ulrich's other plan he turned around and pointed at him. "Hey man. I like that plan. That is a great plan. You are a genius. That...is an ingenious plan. I am all for that plan," he said. "But we might have to integrate slowly. All of us going into town at once is going to be suspicious," he added.

 

Ulrich turned to Andrew and smiled. "We'll cross that bridge once everyone agrees to it," Ulrich remarked, hands in pockets. He simply stood where he was, biting his tongue as he counted the number of orphans gathered. It wouldn't be hard to get them all in, but the best manner to do it was smuggling. He frowned at that idea, thinking of another to put beside it. They could break into teams, each one having a leader and each taking a different route. This would seem less suspicious as it allowed all of them to get into the city at different times and in smaller, acceptable numbers. If anything were to happen on the way, their firepower would be lessened... but it wouldn't be as dangerous. Ulrich sorted through his thoughts as he analyzed the group. He sighed.

 

Jellal though for a minute before speaking. He would prefer neither one but his options were limited. "Say we do live among humans, how long will that be for?"

 

Ulrich stared at Jellal for a long moment, calculating the amount of time. "Perhaps for a few months, if everyone plays balls. Years, if we can keep it up. A life time, if we're lucky." He said at last, though he didn't truly believe in the words themselves. How could he? Most of his kind harbored antagonistic feelings towards the normal folk, and staring at his peers now, he felt as though the possibility of living a life of peace was unattainable as immature as they were now. "The only way we can let this succeed," Ulrich went on. "Is if all of you have a strong desire to live rather than die at your own, foolish hands." The words were sharp and there was an unspoken message that hung in between the lines. He stood there silently, gazing at them with his own drooping eyes of amber.

 

Jo warmed at the touch of Ariana. "I can behave. I don't much like the people now living in my village, but I can manage to live among them. I...only have one request if we do stop there... Nobody go near the cave with spirit seals in front of it. No matter what you hear or feel. They'll know you're a magic user if you do." She lowered her head but still spoke loudly. She remembered quite well what lie still inside the cave and it was her job to take care of it without involving her new "family" or the people of the village. After all...it was her fault it was there.

 

Jellal was silent. A lifetime among humans wasn't exactly his first choice of how he'd like to spend the rest of his life. "I'll go along with majority rule." He said finally.

 

Ulrich absently nodded to Jellal as he heard Jo's request. Her words were strained, despite the pride in her voice. The bow of her head as she spoke slightly unnerved him, and he didn't know what to say or even if he should agree to it. Then again, it wasn't much of his own right to even act as leader, so he simply looked to Haley for an answer. Ulrich shifted uncomfortably.

 

"If we go to the city-I'll be one of the ones to stay behind-I don't mind," said Ariana. "But either way, I don't really care"
OOC: If we go to the city I know how Allen can come in teheheheheheh

 

Heart, this is a village/town.

"Oh can you now?" asked Andrew as he looked unconvinced at Jo's statement. If he didn't know any better, it would seem as though the previous trigger happy, war hawk fire girl had been replaced by a less highstrung person. He looked away from her and began truly analyzing the "family". He stopped at Jellal. He wasn't too surprised that he had an uncomfortable and dissatisfied look on his face. Yeah, he would never go for it. Unlike most of these guys, I would rather live in peace. And for whatever reason, I'm guessing Ulrich's probably the same way. Along with Maddie and Haley. For however long it would take before being discovered. If we made friends at a place like that, would they still turn against us if they found out? I suppose it would depend on how great their fear and how widely spread the propaganda went. thought Andrew intently as he looked back at the map. Perhaps this would be the best kind of experiment. Andrew suddenly got an idea to bring Jellal even closer to the idea than his disgruntled agreement. I wonder if he would go for it...a gamble...it would be very costly if I lost. I would have to trust in humanity, which isn't that great of a deal now that I rethink about it... He gave a sly smirk at Jellal before looking back to the map and smiling cynically to himself.

 

OOC: If we do go to the town, I look forward to Keel and Allen's reaction to each other.

"I'm fine either way." Keel said.

 

Jellal noticed Andrew's smirk. He knew that look from when Andrew was still living at the orphanage. He had a scheme in mind. He sighed "What's your plan?" He asked at an odd place between unenthusiastic and intruiged.

 

OOC: Lol you know I changed his appearance right?

 

"Hmm.....I don't know if I'm willing to take a chance..." he said thoughtfully. "Very well then. Come over here. We'll talk in private," he resolved, motioning with his hand to go a short distance away from the group. He then sunk the chair he had made for him back into the ground as he seemed to be fully healed now. Hmm...didn't air had that sort of effect. Would've thought healing was more a water thing. Interesting. Andrew assumed that Jellal would follow him and said to him quietly, "How about a wager? We lay low in a town for a while. Whenever they find out, if they immediately attack us, then you win. Humanity is a terrible thing. However, if they don't, I win. Humanity can be reasonable. Then we can discuss other things from there. What do you say?" he said seriously looking at Jellal.

 

Jellal raised an eyebrow at is wager. "You'd be willing to forsake your morals and join us if you lost?" He asked skeptically.

 

OOC: Since we're all technically agreed... *ahem*

Ulrich sighed in relief. "Alright, since we'll be doing this plan," he began. "I propose we first travel to Jo's village to recuperate. After we spend a day there, we can divide into two groups, or... for moving about undetected--" hopefully, he thought-- "we split into groups of two, each group having different elementals. Once we split, we all take different routes to the city or town, also known as the Rendezvous Point. However, this could be further discussed once we're well rested and well-fed." Ulrich explained, running a hand through his hair. He offered a lazy smile as he looked around. "But, is this alright with you, Miss Leader?" Ulrich asked Haley.

 

Andrew heaved in a breath before replying to Jellal. "We can discuss that when the time comes," he said finally. "Now let's get back to the group."

Blocked.