Fire Emblem On The Forums: Ashes (IC)

[Zetaark]

"I see. Your brother sounds like he was a great person. Nothing at all like mine..." Ecquis said, the last part a bit harsher than the one before. "My older brother, Damon, was always looking out for himself. Unless something helped him or got him a bit more power, he wouldn't so much as send a glance your way. Everyone in the town figured that he was simply going to go out to do great things one day. Although, the fact that I haven't heard anything about him all this time probably means he's still working back at home." Ecquis mused. He actually didn't know what had gone on in his former home since he had left. He hadn't heard anything about the place during his travels, so he had assumed that it was the same place it was.

"At any rate, I suppose its good that Dash cares about the other children, but he'll still need to be careful. Still, I suppose that with all of us around, we can make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble," he stated. Regardless of how well he knew Dash, as a part of the group, Ecquis would make sure that the boy doesn't get into anything too dangerous.

[Sutoratosu]

"Aye, he was...If only I was more like him..." She turned back to the Rider, pursing her lips at the description of the man who quite literally was a full grown man by the time his parents had conceived Eqcuis. "So... your brother must be the king in disguise then, eh? All power, no consideration for those affected by it..." No sooner than the words were out of her mouth though, was she her face flushing with shock at her own gall as she bowed her head in apology, almost as if by sheer reflex. "I'm sorry, that was terrible of me...I don't know where it came from, but I meant no disrespect... you're the one who's shared so much about yourself, after all... it wasn't right to poke fun like that."

[Zetaark]

Ecquis burst out laughing at Mayanna's description of his older brother. Hearing someone else describe him like that made Ecquis very amused for whatever reason.

"Oh, no need to apologize. That description would work well for the man. Some of the older folks in the town nicknamed him Damon the Demon because of how he would treat certain people." Ecquis told her, hopefully easing her initial panic. "The people around his age tried to make sure that they were on his good side as a result. Not like Damon cared about any of them much. If he so much as heard rumors of one of them badmouthing him then...it wouldn't be unusual to find the poor soul beaten up and stuck in a barrel. As for me, he never cared for me much. Since I was the only kid in the town, quite literally, he mostly just ignored me all together," Ecquis finished, remembering some of what his home was like for the first time in a few years. It felt good really, talking to someone again.

"To be honest, I don't mind talking about myself to others. It's not something I get to do very often. The road gets rather lonely when you're the only one walking down it," he said, thinking back on his travels. Yes, they were quite lonely, especially at the start. The actual mountain range near where Ecquis once lived wasn't exactly a tourist attraction or anything. It wouldn't have been strange to not run into people for months at a time.

[Marcello]

"You are most certainly correct, but there is part of me hoping my knowledge of Caelum won't end up being useful in this fight of ours. It's a long shot, but if we could succeed in this rebellion of ours without leaving Dragao, without involving more innocents than we have to... Wouldn't that be lovel-" Terrin began, before a familiar and Klareny voice interrupted them, as he felt hands on his shoulders. At about 170cm, Terrin was somewhat shorter than Klaren, although due to his former training was actually reasonably well built and wide from the muscle.

"Why yes, I did indeed mention you, Klaren. Me and Feri were just discussing how we both learnt magic, and it occurred to me that the two of you haven't properly met." Terrin said politely. Ever since forming his unlikely friendship from mocking Hoshiko, the mage had truthfully loosened up a but, and while Klaren was strange, he was, in Terrin's opinion, one of their most useful allies in battle. And strange often just meant interesting, so he figured he may as well treat the monk nicely for now. Mages do have to stick together, when their little band had only three.

[Sutoratosu]

All she could do was look at the man in confusion. Half the time back in the Church, such a jab as that would've earned her a strike across the face from Rosalynd regardless of how apt a description the wit made... staves hurt quite a bit, as it turned out, when you were actually struck by one. Not many were though, given the general nature of their users... Too bad the old crone had not fallen into the "general users" category.

"Ah...hahaha...eh..." She laughed nervously, face still flushed, though a bit clearer than it had been. She wasn't quite sure how to proceed... luckily though he changed the subject for her.

"I...get the feeling...about Travelling. Guess I'm the opposite though; priests, well, we're supposed to listen to the troubles of others, not have our own. We're supposed to listen and guide, but never fraternize, at least, not outside of our peers. They say the clergy have to be the shepherds of the flock, that the people have to think of them as the representatives of the Goddess' Will made real...see us as those without sin, those who walk the path without faltering..." Her eyes darkened a bit, as she gripped her staff bone white... seeming unaware. "We're supposed to be shining paragons, up on pedestals for all to see... supposed to be perfect, holy...something for people to look up to and follow, but not to relate to. Sometimes it just get's frustrating when everywhere you go, people are more concerned with What you are than Who you are."

[Bfroger6]

The monk's fingers carefully felt their way down Terrin's strangely well-built shoulder muscle physique. The mage was shorter than him so it was kind of funny to poke his eyes over Terrin's head to look at the other mage he was introducing. His fingers having now found the way off Terrin's shoulders, Klaren formed an 'oh' with his lips as he wiggled by and moved over to extend a hand to Feri.

"Oooh, I see~!" Magic wasn't that fun of a topic, really. It'd be way better if they were discussing, hmm... oh, yes, impaling or something very very painful. Still, Klaren kept his joyful disposition as there was really nothing to get frustrated over. "Pleased to meet you, new person. I'm the, how did you say~? Oh right, token monk of this group, Klaren~" Yes Klaren was the name reserved for friends only but all of them were friends by default, now weren't they?

If Feri were to try and return the shake, Klaren would pull it back quickly and smile, but then accept it because a little jokey joke never hurt anyone~

[Zetaark]

Ecquis listened to Mayanna's response intently. He had never personally met too many people from the clergy personally, so he had no clue what their lives would be like. However, her comment towards the end about people seeing what someone was rather than who they were did strike a chord.

"Hmm, I suppose I know what its like to have people view you a certain way from the start. Unfortunately for me, the view I ended up with wasn't a pleasant one. Not so much in Yukihana or Caelum, but when I ended up back in Dragao..." Ecquis stopped for a moment to gather his thoughts. After he left Caelum to go through Dragao, his first entrance into a town was met with resistance and weapons.

"I'm sure you must know, but wyverns aren't well received in Dragao. In other places, the people don't mind nor care so long as you aren't bothering people but here, going into a town is practically begging for people to despise you. I don't know how much time I spent trying to find a place that would at least let me stay a night. At least by then I was rather used to the idea of sleeping out in the wilderness, out of sight from other people. I'm not sure how it is for someone like you particularly, but not being able to be who you are must be rather difficult. I know you said that priests weren't supposed to have problems, but I certainly won't mind if you ever decide to talk to me about any that you have," he told Mayanna. Well, I almost remind myself of old Alvis, Ecquis thought, remembering the old spy that he had run into near the very start of his exile. He had been the first person who was ever willing to listen to his problems, and the first person Ecquis could call his friend. He figured the least he could do is be there for someone else.

Edited September 10, 2016 by Zetaark

[Sutoratosu]

"Neither would I, I suppose." Her face still flushed a bit though, rubbing her arm in embarrassment and looking away after her little tirade against the inner workings of the oh so holy machine called the church. She'd never really had much opportunity to mouth off at length like this... not when it had gotten her a staff to the wrist or fingers and a lecture on proper behaviour. Nuns were strict teachers... and nasty crones when they soured with age. It was only by the grace of Donalto the Grey she'd ever escaped their bondage and rules "...you know... I think you and Meredith might actually be the first people since my brother or mentor who've bothered asking me that... if something was wrong...if I was alright...how I was doing...I was starting to wonder if I'd forget what it felt like, just being able to talk to someone else... like I'm a person and not some icon...some extension of the church... some force to, with a single prayer, make their troubles go away...like I actually matter. T...thank you"

[Zetaark]

"Well, I'm happy to be of service. An old man who I can call a friend always told me that being able to speak one's mind was one of the greatest gifts one could receive. I'm sure Meredith will also be more than happy to talk to you if you need to as well," Ecquis said. He had too been glad to have found someone else that he could talk to. Alvis and Anna weren't liable to be around this place, so being able to talk to someone honestly felt pretty good. Feeling a bit relaxed, Ecquis decided to set his harp down by the river before beginning to play one of the songs that he remembered.

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

Dash was taken aback by all of this sudden affection; so many people worrying about him. It seemed like such a strange feeling. Yet when he was hugged he returned the hug. "I promise Miss Luka. I'll run as fast as I can, faster than anyone just you watch. And thank you for caring so much. It means a lot to me. when you see Miss Maya tell her I said thank you as well okay?"

"Hasn't Saffron informed you yet? Our journey will take us to-" Feri was interrupted by Klaren. As he introduced himself Feri tried to shake his hand and chuckled. "Nice to meet you Klaren, I am Feri. The light of the Goddess is a noble study in of itself and valued just as much as any work Terrin and I might accomplish. Since we are telling tales of our learning how did you start the path of magic Klaren?"

[Bfroger6]

"May the very same light illuminate the path before us~" Klaren followed the mention of the Goddess's light. "And our enemies as well, of course." He added before chuckling. Speaking of, apparently they were talking about how they both started magic and he was to join in. Very well then~!

Klaren put a finger on his nose and looked up to reminisce. "Let's see~ I suppose it all began in my father's- I mean, my former father's library, tee hee. Like, we had all sorts of books in there, including the tomes telling of the Goddess and we also followed the customs of the church anyways, so when the time came around, quite early, of course, one of the options was the holy calling, so I entered the order as an acolyte~ It didn't bother me at all, 'cause I'd read all of the Goddess and the tales inspired me. And besides, you just have to have faith in order to grasp the Goddess's light~

[Sutoratosu]

"See... you were always wrong, Rosalynd you bitter old crone..." She watched Eqcuis play his tune, and the others at their leisure all around in the distance, walking over and sitting down beside him. "I'm not like you... I'm not doomed to be alone... I don't have to get used to it. He's gone, and never coming back...but I've found others who will stand beside me like he did. You'll see, craven old witch...I'll prove you wrong yet. It's just as Donalto said... the Clergy aren't perfect and unfaltering and angelically pure, ever right and infalliable... we're human just like everyone else." She let her iron grip on the staff relax, fall to her side on the ground, leaning her head back against the tree as she gazed up into it's mighty branches. "I won't let you rule over my heart like you did back then...you aren't the Goddess... I'm not yours now, I wasn't yours then... and I was never yours to begin with."

"That's a lovely tune there..." She remarked idly, as if the thoughts were nothing at all "what's it called?"

[Zetaark]

"Oh, this song? I'm not entirely sure what the name of it was," Ecquis replied, still playing the song. "What I do know is that this particular song was made as a way of comforting people who felt that they were alone with nowhere to go. I found the song fitting when I first learned about it, so I took it upon myself to learn it. I suppose that I felt that playing it again now wouldn't be so bad. No matter how you're feeling at the time, just remember that you're not alone."

Edited September 10, 2016 by Zetaark

[InnocentSerenity]

Luka let out a laugh as the boy spoke, still strangely mistaking the Dancer for a girl. "Don't worry, Miss Luka will make sure Miss Maya knows." Now how the heck are you mistaking me for a girl, though? I know I'm cute, but I look like a perfectly ordinary boy, after all. Luka ruffled the boy's hair, forgetting the kerchief tied on his head. "Now, go back to playing with the kids. I'm gonna go now." Letting go of Dash, Luka walked off towards the rather ill-treated tree.

Luka's chat with Dash had reminded him of something. Three years younger than me, and he can wield a knife as if he was a master chef with a dangerous demeanor. Meanwhile, I've never picked up a weapon in my life. Though that was technically a lie. Luka had wielded many false weapons in his career as a performer. Though, none of those swords were probably any use on a battlefield.

He watched the Archer shoot into the tree in all kinds of different manners. I know you're meant to be practicing, but when are you going to need to shoot an arrow during a back flip?

"Hey, Hoshiko." Stop doing cartwheels and let me talk to you. Without pointing a knife to me this time. "Do you mind if I try practicing with your bow for a bit?"

[Chevaleresse]

"Huh? Oh. Well, do you actually know how to shoot?" Somehow, she doubted that the dancer knew the first thing about what to do with a bow. "I know a hero like me makes it look quite simple, but it took years of practice for me to get to this point."

[InnocentSerenity]

"Well, no." Luka's eyes drifted away, not wanting to look Hoshiko in the eye as he spoke. "But I have used many false ones in plays back in my time as a performer." Sure, they weren't exactly real, but that's enough for now, right?

"Just one try, okay? I'm sure you can help me out a bit, though." Besides, do you even have anything better to do? All you're doing is practicing probably impractical shooting maneuvers.

[Chevaleresse]

"Watch me first. Pay attention to how I hold the bow and the arrow both, okay? When you shoot, keep your eyes on the target; don't get distracted by looking at your own technique or something, or you'll miss." She drew the bow as she brought it up into firing position, ensuring that she went through the process slowly as to allow careful observation. The arrow landed in the tree with a solid thunk as she loosed, though it was barely audible at this range. She handed the bow over to the dancer. "Think you can hit the tree?" The plant in question was about 50 yards out from where they were standing.

[InnocentSerenity]

"Alright." No time for sarcastic inner thoughts. Need to focus. Luka brought the bow up to a firing position, trying his best to mimic Hoshiko's posture. Shouldn't be too hard, though. What's the worse that could happen?

--------

"How... did this happen?" Luka's memory of the past few minutes was foggy. Last thing he remembered was pointing the bow towards the tree, and now he was laying on the ground, with an arrow in his shoulder. Why couldn't it at least hit Klaren?! Looking up towards Hoshiko, he tried to speak to the girl standing next to his body. "Okay... Bow training might take awhile, I guess... Oh gosh, someone get a Heal staff! I don't think I can dance this off."

Edited September 10, 2016 by InnocentBoy

[Chevaleresse]

Hoshiko's mouth just sort of opened and closed a few times. "How did you even. . . Are you cursed?" She looked around for a healer, and shouted at the nearby nun. "Mayanna! Luka needs some divine assistance that I cannot provide!" She looked back down at the dancer. "I. . . am not sure the bow is your weapon, friend."

[Sutoratosu]

She sighed as the girl called her over. She'd already heard it, the sickening sound... wood and steel colliding with flesh and sticking firm, the twang of a taut sinew... she shivered a little, felt sick to her stomach. But she pushed it back down, just as she always did. She...wasn't a fan of archers....every time someone got hit in the field, it always brought back the same feeling, same memories... she'd stayed away from Hoshiko thus far for precisely that reason. Right now though... seemed her personal schemishnish couldn't be helped.

What she saw as she picked up her staff and headed over though... was freaking ridiculous "Oh god... a shoulder wound of all things... of all the places, why that?" She felt herself beginning to shake, recalling it all again... she took a breath and forced herself to steady though, kept her eyes on the objective as she knelt by Luka's side as she turned him over as gently as she could, not seeing the head protruding through his back. She felt sick yet again as she rolled him back over and reached her hand around the shaft, bracing her other hand on the fool's chest

"How... did this even happen? What were you two doing over here?" She asked, giving a quick and sharp tug that pulled the projectile free. Despite not even being in contact with the staff, both the carved rod and her palms alike lit with ethereal light as she tossed the thing aside and pressed her hands to the wound immediately as a small gout of blood erupted from the site, the searing sting Luka probably felt quickly ebbing to nothing as she glared back and forth between him and Hoshiko.

[Zetaark]

Ecquis decided to follow Maya towards the duo near the tree, harp in hand. He hadn't had much else to do, so he figured he might as well. The sight he saw was...very interesting. Luka was lying on the ground with an arrow in the shoulder, Hoshiko not too far past. As Maya started healing the poor dancer, he had to echo her questions on what exactly happened.

"Hoshiko, you weren't taking potshots at Luka were you? I don't think he can really defend himself you know," he told the archer girl.

Edited September 11, 2016 by Zetaark

[Chevaleresse]

"All I did was try to show him how to shoot the bow. I handed it to him and he somehow accomplished this." She looked quizzically at the grounded performer. Cursed by the Ice Dragon, this one must be, I swear. . . "Er, Luka, I would recommend maybe studying form a bit more before the next time you attempt this. . . or trying a different weapon. It's somewhat difficult to injure yourself with a wooden sword."

[Zetaark]

Ecquis listened to the explanation and was honestly quite confused. Ecquis had personal experience at how hard it was using a bow for the first time, but even then he had never done anything quite like this. Thinking on it, Ecquis had no idea how something like this could happen.

"So you're saying he somehow managed to shoot himself in the shoulder. That's...I don't even know what to say about that," Ecquis replied, his hand covering his face in disbelief.

[InnocentSerenity]

Gosh dang it, that hurts! Luka yelled internally as Mayanna pulled the arrow out of his shoulder. "Oh, we were doing some Bow training." Can I blame Hoshiko? Probably not the best for friendships. "I honestly don't know what happened. I was shooting an arrow at a tree, then in the next moment, I got an arrow in my shoulder."

"Don't blame Hoshiko." Luka looked at Ecquis, trying not to sound rough. I'm not allowed to, so you're not either. "She was kind enough to try to teach me to use a bow safely." Luka stood up, the pain from the arrow going away slowly. "I was careless. The Bow isn't for me, I think." Luka gave himself a deep breath, his hand clutching his shoulder. "I think I'll stick to dancing for now." I'm the best at that, at least. Giving a smile to Hoshiko, Luka spoke to her. "Sorry to bother you, maybe I'll try a sword, instead." Now, you wouldn't happen to know how to use those, do you?

Edited September 11, 2016 by InnocentBoy

[Sutoratosu]

"Wait, He shot himself!?" she almost lost focus at the sheer idiocy of it all as she turned to Hosh, the light faltering before she re-centered her mind. The scowl on her face was clear for all to see though. "...just...How? In the shoulder... the arrow is facing away from you, how could it turn completely around to hit you, when..." She sighed, shaking her head. "Just let it go...let it go... he's alright, it's not like then... there was no poison..."

"Nevermind, forget it... I don't want to know. Just, please...be more careful... I hate dealing with Archery wounds...especially self-inflicted ones" with that said, she finished and let the power fade, a faint white scar visible on Luka's shoulder from where the shaft had not only entered but been torn out. She could've healed it all the way, easily enough... but the boy should be left with a reminder of whatever foolishness had occurred here. "It's just like I told Dash; I can fix broken bodies. I can't fix foolishness."