Raindrop Valkyrie

"I would." she added after a rather long silence. She placed her eyepatch back over the place her eye had once been. "Perhaps our lives have taken... a turn we did not wish. Forged in the fires of vengeance and pain. I'll be honest. I thought to ask you how it felt. How taking the head from his shoulders felt. It's why I didn't try to win. I'd deny you the thing I myself seek. I wondered if somehow... finishing my quest would give me purpose. But... it's seems it wouldn't. But, I would mourn if you gave up your life. I'd mourn for a life that knew naught but suffering. One that was never given a chance to blossom. One seen as less than it was... unjustly. I'd add your name if I knew it to my epitaph. As I've added my own. Who I was died. But... who I am still lives. Whoever they are. Maybe I will find a purpose. Maybe l'll understand who I am one day. Maybe we both will." She paused for awhile, before taking a deep breath. "You know, your soul is as blue as the waves we are staring at. Crystal. Sparkling bright like the sun. Symbolizing water. Further... I know it's your soul's original origin. Despite everything you've been through... you've never let it break you. You're stronger than me. Water symbolizes freedom, change, wisdom, life... purity. There is others but they aren't quite as important. What is, you stand at a crossroads now. I can't make that choice for you. I just want you to be sure this is what you want. You've been forced to stand and fight thus far. You don't have to anymore. But once again. I already know what you're answer will be. You'd not be here I said as much myself. I guess all I can do is watch over you now... another lost soul without a home. I feel like the Mother of the World is trying to teach me something that I've been unable to on my own."

"I..." Akane didn't really now how to respond to that. She never really thought about life after... Was she even allowed to return to the world as she once had? Her old life had already ended. The young girl she once was... she buried her along with her people. She performed the funeral rites just like she had for every other departed soul that day. She touched her arm... or what was left of it. Proof that young girl was dead. She touched her eye... further proof. She removed her eyepatch to do so, showing underneath just how extensive the scarring was. The ruined flesh perhaps even more ghastly then Noah would've imagined. "No you're right. I've... definitely made an error in my words. Perhaps I can. But, I've lost sight as to how. There's no noble reason I fight. I do not fight to protect something... I don't fight for reasons that are even my own. I fight cause I'm the only one left. If I don't, my clan will never receive the justice they deserve. I don't know if this anger... this vengeance, the wrath that burns inside me is my own or someone else's. I don't know who I am anymore... and once I finish my mission, I no longer know what I will do. I no longer have a name. I am only the "One Armed Demon". My only purpose in this world is to enact revenge for a clan that's been dead for twenty years. Once I fulfill that purpose... I no longer will have one. All my life is, is that of a tool. A tool of vengeance... what's left for me afterwards? A tool is made for a purpose. If it does not have one... why does it exist? If I lost my life on this journey, no one would mourn. There's no one left to grieve. Surviving would be more of a curse than a luxury. I'd damn myself to a purposeless life. One without a name, a home... or a reason to go on other than to exist."

She placed the pipe firmly back into her mouth. "Thanks squirt." this time she managed to fill it properly. Perhaps, her emotions weren't causing her to shake quite as much. *fttttttttt* she struck a match lightning quick, maybe so fast the squirt didn't see what she did. She was still proud of how quickly she could do it. She'd have to respond to what he said though... or well... she didn't have to she guessed but... "Wasn't exactly my choice. Not all of us fight because we want to." an off-white puff of smoke broke free from her nose as she exhaled. "Perhaps, it not that obvious with how l am on the battlefield. l accept that. Further, it's not an excuse. Those men choose knew what they were doing. They had chosen that life... or at the least accepted it. Their hearts stained in the darkness of their souls. Men and women like that are the reason people like me, and maybe you, exist. We have to fight because if we don't no one else will. Leofric was your loose end. He was what forced your hand. He's gone now. You can walk away. You can live another life if you so choose. l can't. Even if the reason l fight is gone... l've been forever changed by it. Physically, mentally, spiritually. The person l was before, she's dead. She's just a ghost. As much of one as the people that are supposed to be here fighting in my place. But... they are gone now. l'm all that's left. The difference between us is that your whole life lies before you. You can shape it as you see fit. l didn't get that choice. l never will."

[Rider and Erica] "Aye girlie we definitely hit our target. Doesn't mean they died though... if someone like me is here, there's certainly good competition. But, they certainly didn't get out of there without some souvenirs for their trouble." Ignacio smirked to himself at that. He was experienced with his ship and most certainly with leading his shots. His crew was the most feared for a reason. Probably more so the ship's ability to level fortress's or coastal cities out of nowhere. lt was commonplace for armies attacking an enemy from another island would pay lgnacio and his crew to... "arrange" for their landing. That was after the "Pay this or you'll die in me sea" fee of course. "As fer yer question... did the best l could in regards to not hittin' any civvies, but can't promise none of the lubbers got powdered. YAR HAR HAR!!!" [Nadia and Saber] **Some time later** After some... extra curricular activities... Nadia found that the cut on her hand had finally healed. She was quite happy with the results. The extra heat really just seemed to speed up the process. Body heat seemed to work as well, perhaps even better than just regular heat.~ Though, she was probably just being optimistic on that one. She made her way back and threw on her suit as quickly as she could. "Masaru... you'll have to make yourself a bit scarce for the moment. l came in alone if you recall.~ Afterwards though, feel free. Then... we can finally get this show on the road. That was a fun detour though, something much different than l expected."

"Nothing. Your path is your own. You choose to walk where you do. Free to flow as water." Water was surely the affinity of his soul. A cerulean blue was the impression she got, funny... water shared a lot of properties as her old soul... wind. She'd nearly shuddered at the confirmation. However there was one difference between the two of them. Her revenge still festered in her chest. This boy didn't have the time for such to happen. He had already enacted it. She wondered how it felt. Further... she wondered if she'd feel anything at all once she got hers. She almost felt jealous... but the feeling was so numb and far away she wondered if she was actually feeling it at all. "I can't stop one from walking they path they so choose. Just understand this... you might be walking into the very jaws of death. Or perhaps you'd better understand it this way. That's hell you're walking into. Don't live solely to fight. Don't make it but your only purpose in this life. It's not worth it." at the moment she went to refill her pipe, Noah would notice that she didn't remove it form her mouth while doing so. Not something typical in the least. It was much more difficult to do that way. You could just hold it in your other hand instead. After all that was so much easier... further proved by the fact that she knocked it from her mouth. Her pipe scattered to the floor, spilling out the contents she had managed to get in it. "All Mother's Tits..." something Noah could only assume was an expletive of some sort.

Akane was walking to the prow to look at their destination however she saw the young kid there. Awkward... she couldn't just stand there and not say anything, pretend he wasn't there. However she wasn't a fan of talking to people, and it didn't help that with her feelings towards the Gossians. She breathed in a hit of her pipe. She had to think of something to make this much less weird. She settled on something that she couldn't help thinking. Hopefully, the kid not take it the wrong way. It was all she could really think of. She walked up, exhaling a puff of off-white smoke into the wind. "You know kid, this fight isn't yours. If you went your own way when we disembarked... I'd not think any less of you. However... who the hell am I kidding? You'd not have come this far if you intended to run now. You'd have never got on this boat if that was the plan." He'd know something was bothering her, Akane wasn't good at hiding her feelings.

lt was certainly getting rather late. Perhaps time to retire for the night. The sky... was rather beautiful. Glittering stars strewn across it, diamonds of the sky. Dancing lights in the dark. She remembered all those days she'd lie under the stars in her youth... before things had taken a turn for the worse. She wished things could be that simple again. But, her mission took precedence to that. Though... it didn't mean she could no longer enjoy the little things. She was still human... she had to keep reminding herself that. She'd been known as a demon for years, she'd almost been too used to it. But, she knew she was still human at the end of the day. So, for now she'd enjoy the beauty of the world the Mother had made. She'd sleep this night under her children of light, just like she once had. Like the times before she was a warrior, when she was just any other girl. Luckily, she had the foresight to bring her hammock with her. Never really thought she'd end up using it, espcially not this early. There wasn't much opportunity to use it in these cities, so might as well take the ones she did get. Finding two trees to tie it on wasn't too difficult, though with only one arm she did struggle getting it done for a time. But she eventually got it.

"Well then. I'll take the hint for now then." Meredith said under her breath. Missing that much was extremely frustrating... but, defending was her speciality. Perhaps go back to what wasn't broke. She watched as the fire mage cooked one of their foes alive. Probably passed peacefully... after all this desert heat was making Meredith feel like her armour was on fire already. He'd probably never have noticed the change. She laughed at herself. What a silly thought to be having right now. "Hello, Firecracker, mind if I take this dance?" Move to I12, throw Javelin at the really mad knight.

Rayne saw Cade fall under the effects of the sleep spell. She immediately knew that she had to make space for Emilee to work her magic to end the effects of that magic. The only enemy really all that close at the moment was horribly wounded. She'd not really need to use a lot of force to shuffle off his mortal coil. "Go! Go! Tiny Needle!" she shouted as she swooped in to take him down. Move to D5, Attack Scav 1 with Slim Lance. Canto to C7.

[Nadia and Saber] Nadia smiled. Was it really that obvious? Perhaps it was, but she didn't really care. She flipper herself over top of him, so that she was now straddling him. She stared into his eyes. A hunger in those emerald green eyes of hers. She placed her arms over his shoulders locking her fingers together behind his head. She leaned in close, whispering in his ear. "I want you to kiss me Masaru. And well... whatever else you would like~"

[Rider and Erica] "Hmmm, not many think a simple bird capable of their craft no doubt. Magic is for the realm of the intelligent, or so we say. If that moron is capable of it, I'm sure most are." The bird chuckled to himself though out loud. Erica heard him mimic the laugh of what seemed to be a noblewoman. Clearly reserved. "As for the cannonfire, there's no doubt. You'd have to be deaf as doornail to miss... that ungodly racket. Ugh, it ruffles my feathers just thinking about it..." {Nadia and Saber} It was quite exciting for Nadia on the contrast. She'd never been... touched in this way before. She'd always been afraid her scars would scare people away... But, it seemed that wasn't the case here. She could tell he was trying to restrain himself, she could feel the strength in his fingers and his hands. She summoned a powerful servant indeed. One that was willing to share in her scars. She was full of a happiness she couldn't really describe. "I've... never really felt something like this before Masaru... I've never been this vulnerable before." she started. He noticed her pause, she had to search for the words. All the while he saw the emotions in her glittering emerald eyes. A softness, a warm affectionate look. "I've never been able to open up to someone like this. I've always been too afraid. But... You are a part of me. You weren't afraid of my scars. Thank you for that. But... there's still something I'd like you to do Masaru." she said with a playful smile, and a growing hunger in her eyes.

Akane found a stump outside, one big enough that she could comfortably perch atop it. She'd preferred the space to sit with her legs crossed, civilized benches and chairs weren't really suited for it. Too rigid, too... structured. Everything about their damned world had to be so orderly. So fixed. Stifling, restricting. Why'd everything have to be so damned perfect? She shoved it from her mind she came out here to relax... not brood. *ffffffffft* she struck a match with quick precision. She was really getting good at it. The strange little things were extremely useful for lighting her pipe. She could do light them with a single hand, important for someone like Akane. She guessed there was one good thing the world of the "civilized" gave her. She laughed at the thought, such a simple thing it was. But, one that ended up being important... well at least for her.

Akane felt restless. She wanted to sleep, but being within this building felt stifling. She was used to sleeping under the stars, the open sky. In general she felt more comfortable under the sky or in the more temporary structures her people used. She just wasn't this used to permanence. These people were strange. So... rigid. It never really felt right to her. Perhaps she just needed to be outside to wind down enough to not think about it. She grabbed her pipe and headed downstairs. She passed the young kid and Arthur on the way. She nodded towards them before realizing she should leave someone here with where she was going in case she decided to sleep under the stars. She directly addressed the both of them, "I'm going out. If I'm not here in the morning I slept outside. One of you will have to collect me. Hope that's not too difficult." It was a strange feeling... relying on others. Her mind yelled at her not to... it'd only lead to her being able to be hurt again. But her heart, learning to feel again, urged her not to listen. She was torn. But, she just walked outside finding somewhere to sit down and light her pipe.

[Nadia and Saber] Nadia nodded in response. She leaned further into Masaru, having to press her chest further into his side to reach across him. She ran her fingers along the shape of the scar. Her touch was gentle, loving. She treated his scar with the utmost of care. After all, it was precious. "The mark of a sword no doubt." she said with the utmost of confidence. "I know the way a sword cuts... any sword. The blade is a part of me after all. I'd feel naked without Blank by my side in battle. She is part of me. Do you feel the same Masaru?" She didn't really wait for the answer though, she just continued. She expected a swordsman to feel if not the same, similar to herself. "Masaru... would you like to touch my scars? Would you like to get to know me?" she asked. [Rider and Erica] Cojiro finished munching on his cracker and then tapped Erica lightly on the forehead with his beak. He tried to do it with as little force as possible. She felt, something click in the back of her mind, as if someone plugged an audio jack into it. She heard a voice patch through, and it wasn't Ignacio's. "Greetings Mademoiselle. What would you have me do for you?"i Elsewhere on the ship, the crew was restless. They had just confirmed a clear line of fire on the targets they were tracking. "Sir! We've got a confirmed line of fire! We wait for your orders." "Just fire you bootlicker... if it involves gunpowder and BLOWIN' SHIT UP, you know I'll approve." Orin would see the sudden billowing of smoke, and the barking of the cannon's muzzles from the side of The Iron Mango. The crew had loader the cannons with grapeshot aiming to fire over a wider area to make the vehicle much more likely to take a hit. They only needed a single cannonball to hit and it'd take out the poor modern technology. So, the large cannonballs were hardly needed, covering a large area was better. A rain of iron and brimstone death hurtled towards the master of assassin, whistlin' a tune of misfortune the whole way. A full broadside lit the sky. Doom from the sky.

She'd have laughed at his earlier statement, as she believed it was clear that her calling of sir knight was clearly in jest. Though it seemed her companions were not well versed in the art of sarcasm. Or perhaps... she was just too good at it. She cared little to know the true answer. And it certainly wasn't the best time to laugh given the circumstance. "The truth is always known by the Mother of the World. So, I am content. In her eyes when all is lain bare only the truth remains. I have no guilt or regret. What's done is done. What comes to pass can be dealt with as it comes." Perhaps a boon of her heritage. She always could believe in the Mother of the World. Perhaps her companions did not have such a luxury. Perhaps they couldn't find such solace. There was little she could do to fix that if such was the case. And so she found herself at the final piece of this puzzle. The Knight had given her his name. However, she didn't want to give her own this freely to all those around. "Ah, so that is the name of such a valiant warrior. I'm afraid for now I must decline on my end of the deal. My name isn't something freely given." she said this looking around as to indicate all those around. "I mean you no offense Arthur. Now just isn't the time."

"We'd have been involved whether we'd liked it or not. They decided us guilty without so much as a second thought. Those men were looking for trouble sir knight. We didn't have much a choice." she replied to the knight. She'd hoped he forget their arrangement for the time. She didn't wish to reveal her name in front of all these people. Her true name... something she hadn't used in years. She was more used to being the nameless "One-Armed Demon" these days. "As for personal effects, carry naught but the clothes on my back and my blades. All I have need for in this world. I'm always ready to travel."

"We are truly free from any guilt. I feel like running only makes us seem guilty. However, these... civilized lands seem to rarely truly be on the side of justice. The truth is rarely valued. The narrative that best suits the court is that which is chosen. For as civilized as these places claim to be... they lack in values. After all... it breeds monster like that Inkheart, and further, give them power over the lives of others. This civilization lacks the judgement for something that simple... So perhaps it's best we do." She wasn't really concerned with what they did. She was only here to follow along. Her mission was the thing of most import to her. "Oh, and this is yours." Akane said handing a bloodied arrow to the archer. "In the future, for the next time you shoot an arrow at the One Armed Demon, if such is fate and we end up on opposite sides once more... make sure I actually die." she said in an incredibly flat tone. It was unclear if she was trying to be intimidating or... actually offering advice.

Move to D9

"We'll deal with what comes Inkheart. It's sad knowing there is people that care about filth like you. But... it's predictable really. Most of them probably as morally bankrupt as you. People who believe humans can be treated as property. Funny how we ended up here... I knew you were filth the second I saw you Inkheart. Your soul stained in ink and tar. Black, full of nothing..." She stopped for a moment sheathing her sword. In reality, she put down her blade for now to allow the victim of this Inkblood what was rightfully his. Vengeance. "We're all judged before the Mother of the World. You'll be found... wanting. I can see your wickedness, she will certainly see it. When all is lain bare... I'm sure you weave quite the tapestry of depravity. For you're anything but a noble. You're naught more than a rabid beast playing make-believe... hell, that's insult to the beast. It's got more worth than you..."

[Rider and Erica and... Cojiro?] The bird bobbed up and down excitedly as if Erica got something correct. He squawked loudly extremely happy with himself for some reason. "RAWK! Cojiro find good!" He said triumphantly, taking the cracker swiftly into his beak. He held it in his mouth for awhile seemingly unsure what to do with it until he just tried to swallow it whole. He coughed it back up into his beak and tried to play it off as if he didn't just do that. [Nadia and Saber] "Well, perhaps It's due to the nature of my scars. I've none to be proud of... I can't have trophies." she said this inching closer to the man. She took a moment to rearrange herself. "Most of them are self-inflicted... so they don't warn me from any dangers or remind me of past mistakes. I'm left with no solace in those options. But... even seeing them in those lights.. scars are still a language. A language few care to read. I fancy myself one of the few who ever did. Though... I've only really read my own. I've never really been able to connect with many people... rarely on a level that I'd ever tell them about this little secret. We skipped a few steps though.~" She laughed at that. Their situation certainly wasn't one you found yourself in every day. She had slid over now and was leaning against Masaru's side. Her skin touching his for the first time. She instinctively reached out to touch the scar he had shown surprise over, but stopped herself right before she did. She said, in perhaps the most ravishing tone from her lips thus far, "May I?"

[Nadia and Saber] Nadia giggled to herself. Damn, he was good. "Well... truthfully yes but it's for a good reason. Promise." which it truly was. Perhaps it was a bit strange though, she figured she'd explain anyway. After all, Saber seemed hardly put aback by anything thus far. At least in regards to her. So... it couldn't hurt. "Scars are like a story etched in our skin. They all mean something. I've felt each of mine before. Each was heavy but, they are after all, a part of me now. They are mine, and I remember how I acquired most of them. Perhaps it's due to my life I ended up collecting scars... but I've always been interested in them. They are beautiful in their own way... each the mark of hardship. Symbols of the pain one has endured, the proof one was survived. You and me... are entangled now. Our souls... woven together, two webs now one. I figured I should get to know you better. The best way I found to know myself... was to know my scars. I'd like to feel yours... cause they are a part of me now. I'd like you to feel mine... because they are a part of you."

[Nadia and Saber] "Hmmm... nothing wrong with that. Happy... even if short. I'd have preferred that to my own. Not that I want my life to end... but I'd not mind it if I lived a full life, a good one even if it was short. I thought I was doomed to live in nothing but agony... though. My path has led me to you. It can't have been all that bad of a life." she smiled truly, splashing the water a little with her feet. She laughed a little before placing her hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. This feels... different. I've never had someone look on me with desire before. I've never felt like I've truly been wanted. I've always felt different, as if I was only put in this world for someone else's twisted ambitions. Perhaps, it is the only reason I exist. I guess what I'm saying Saber... I don't know if I have a purpose. And if I do, I don't really know or understand what it is. Do you have scars too Saber? Scars from battle... or maybe something else? Have you run your fingers over them before?" she asked each question with rising enthusiasm, increasing vigor.

[Nadia and Saber] "Well..." Nadia said shifting in the water. She placed her leg over the other, moving to be more comfortable. She once more was unsure just how forward she should be with this servant... this... person. But, she pushed them down again. "You'll never have to meet him Masaru." his name slipped out instead of Saber. Nadia didn't really seem aware that she had done that. "He's no longer in the land of the living. I showed him the door. I... did it to save myself from that man. He'd never stop until he claimed his research. His thirst for power... his ambition knew no bounds. But... I mostly did it to get revenge. Not for myself really... but for my Uncle. He was the one that allowed me to break free... to get away from that accursed place." Nadia however, probably didn't want to continue on this line of conversation given that she quickly changed the subject back onto what Saber had mentioned earlier. "Perhaps it would help. I don't know if I'm truly part dragon from the process, but my blood... does still feel different at times. What was your life like...? I hope it was something happier than mine." she inquired, curious as to what he'd answer.

[Rider and Erica.] "HA! Now yer speakin' me language girlie.~ I do like a preemptive strike. Time for a baptism in gunpowder. HAHAHAHA!" He shouted. Of course, he was still actually waiting for the reports from his men before he got moving if they saw anything. It was clear Cojiro enjoyed being touched as he seemingly purred like a cat in response. It sounded exactly like it in fact. Apparently Cojiro had the ability to truly mimic sounds. "Cojiro help!" he said, "Cojiro help pretty lady! RAAAWK" eventually the bird wanted to assist her in some way, but just kept quietly parroting the word help over and over again and didn't give her much of an indication of how. Perhaps Erica could figure out what he wanted? Maybe he'd make a useful asset. Suddenly a skeleton burst up the stairs. "SIR!" he said saluting. He stood at attention waiting for Ignacio's reply. "Well... don't just stand there you Idjit... SPIT IT OUT!!! Oh.. wait that be a mite difficult seeing as you have no means of saliva production. Regardless, don't hold your tongu... man. Talking to the undead is super awkward. Look, just tell me what you're here for already... it ain't that hard a concept to grasp." "Aye Aye sir. We've got a report. We've seen some figures randomly standing on a roof sir. They looked suspicious sir." "Aye, I cannae believe any idjit would stand on a roof randomly for no reason. It must be something. Show me!" The crewman lead Ignacio to the starboard side of the ship and handed the large telescope to Ignacio. He guided to looking glass for the captain to see what they had found. He managed to catch a glimpse of the two before they left the roof, or at least one of them did. "Hmmm, Silver hair' mask, entirely black garb, that's definitely the spitting image of an edgy protagonist from a shitty shonen anime..." he handed the spyglass back to the skeletal crewman. "Looks like we've found a target boys. No way someone dressed like that ain't a servant. No way to truly tell from here, but my sense be tinglin'. Keep an eye on 'em. Once we get a clear shot... we unleash HELL!" The skeletons all cheered. They'd been waiting to get the great beast broiling and ready for war. Erica would feel the ship moving away from the building now as they went to move up to get better angles of fire for when their quarry moved into some semblance of range. The Crew was taking every opportunity to keep tabs on the positions of the pair. They anticpatied the order to fire. [Nadia and Saber] "It is something I've not really talked to anyone about to be honest. No one but me has really seen these scars with their own eyes." she said making her way to the bath. She had said it aloud, not really noticing that she had. The floor was rather cold on the soles of her feet but she didn't mind it too much, she'd be in warm bliss before too long. She didn't really speak again until she sunk into that heat. She already felt like the magic she was using to stitch the wound on her palm working better. "But, I suppose it's different with you Saber. You're a part of me now... My body is as much yours as yours is mine. So I perhaps shouldn't hide it's secrets. You can already see them, you just can't read the language of scars." She took a deep breath, one part relief as the hot water felt wonderful on her skin, one part because she could feel any pain her body felt melt away... but lastly to expel any nerves she had left. This wasn't an easy story to tell... her life wasn't exactly a great one. "I'm not sure how it was for you... but being mage in this world... isn't easy. Especially when you come from a family that is struggling to remain relevant in the magic world at large. My family once was powerful... they once held a lot of sway, but over time it waned. My father's generation was the first to really feel the sting... the 8th. He couldn't except it though, and instead devised a plan to conduct research he believed would put him back into the limelight. I was the second born onto the family that had the potential for magecraft. Normally, I'd probably just be forgotten. A family only truly needed one to carry on it's legacy. However... my father had other plans." She wondered if it was really safe to continue... but she'd already come this far. There wasn't really a point of turning back now. "Somehow... my father had acquired the blood of a dragon. His research involved infusing the blood of dragonkin with a mage to see if it increases the power of their magic circuits, or would reinforce them. He couldn't ever find a willing participant. So he forced it on me. It... burned. It felt like he'd flooded my veins with acid. I... didn't feel anything but immense pain for days. I couldn't stand it anymore... so I cut of much of it out of me as I could. I... can still feel it every now and then. Burning in the center of my heart as it passes through..."