Fire Emblem On The Forums: Ashes (IC)

[InnocentSerenity]

Luka wasn't exactly paying attention during the tactical debate. He was never someone to care for tactics, trusting his allies better than any judgment he had. Dancers don't exactly have the best tactical training. Luka's time was spent pretending to pay attention, though he was more lost in thought, wondering what Caelum or Yukihana was like.

The Dancer nearly jumped off of his riding horse when he heard the voice of the Monk. "Oh, Klaren." Who sent him my way, exactly? I was busy... pretending to be paying attention. "Did you need something?"

[Bfroger6]

Klaren giggled and placed a hand over his mouth. "No, Lou. The real question is did you need something~?" Equis wouldn't have lied to him, most definitely not. So it was only natural to assume Luka was really glancing over to him during the whole debate thingy and looking-at-journal thingy. "You were looking my way, weren't you?"

[Sutoratosu]

Her heart beat again in what had felt like eternity. She let out bated breath as the blade was sheathed and the tension dispelled, still pale from it all. For a brief moment there, she'd truly feared that just thinking about it had somehow brought the terrible force right back to the surface... that it was all going to repeat, just like that, right then and there; first Papa, then Mother, then Freyl, then Donalto, the Greys, and... now Meredith too... It would've been the first time though, that it would've happened this particular way...allies striking each other down...

So when Rosa made the execution more a symbolic one than anything else... she thanked the goddess... for at least letting her be spared the cycle just this once. She looked to Ecquis, letting the other women have their moment of acknowledgement.

"...my vote is still for Caelum." She said simply, gaze drifting towards the sky. I doubt you'll be this merciful to me again... but just one more time. I'm probably a fool for hoping he's still out there somewhere... but I'm tired of being crushed again and again...and again... so...just this one thing... let me hold onto something for once..that's all I ask of you... it's all I've ever asked of you... please...

[InnocentSerenity]

"Um, I don't think so." Oh gosh, why did I space out? I need to have a word with whoever pointed him my way. "I was, uh..." Luka's eyes darted towards Rosalyva and Meredith, sharing a handshake. "I was marveling at the birth of a slowly blossoming friendship." Totally paying attention! "Heh, isn't it great?"

"Oh, and I'll vote for Caelum, as well." Better hope these Dancer clothes aren't too heavy.

[Bfroger6]

Klaren was now really confused. What began with Equis honestly pointing him in Luka's direction... was it possible it was a misunderstanding of a sorts? Perhaps Equis saw it wrong, then. Or maybe Luka had something to hide~? The way his eyes flew all over the place was definitely suspicious.

As all this rushed through Klaren's head, he didn't even notice how close to Luka he'd pushed his face, one brow raised and inspecting.

"A slowly blossoming friendship? Do you mean the two of us~? Because I think we're totally awesome friends already, hehe." Klaren straightened himself out again. "Okay then, if you didn't need me, then I'll need you~ Say, what do you think of the headband?" The monk pointed at his forehead and smiled. "I think it's really neat and it's gonna soak up all the sweat in the desert, so I'll be free to have fun investigating~"

[Chevaleresse]

"I would prefer Yukihana. That way I can introduce you to the person that taught me almost everything I know of JUSTICE!"

[InnocentSerenity]

"Well, that headband certainly looks like it'll do its job." Though, why are you still wearing that scarf? Luka pulled on Klaren's headband, not realizing how much he had pulled it back before letting go. Luka hoped he didn't hurt the Monk's forehead. "Ah, sorry." At least he'd enjoy the pain, anyway.

"You certainly seem excited." Though, that's probably normal. "Are there people in Caelum you're hoping to see?"

Edited September 15, 2016 by InnocentBoy

[Bfroger6]

"Yowchie~" Klaren wasn't expecting that Luka would just go and pull back on his band, letting it loose onto his poor head. Not that it mattered, it was a friendly gesture. Probably. And Luka was just inspecting the object as detailed as he could.

Klaren, however, shook his head at Luka inquiry. "No, I've actually never been to Caelum and it sounds pretty exciting to go to a desert, especially as a group~" Klaren nodded. "We could build sandcastles together and push each other into sandpits, hehe~"

[InnocentSerenity]

"Well, sandcastles certainly sound fun to make." Though, doesn't that require water? "But, I can't imagine many people would appreciate you pushing them into sand pits." Luka didn't like the image of one of the heavily-armored units falling into deep sand pits. That's not a good thing to think about.

"We probably won't have much time to ourselves, sadly. Our time will probably end up being spent talking to officials and leaving immediately." Trying not to be a downer for the joyful Monk, Luka put a smile on his face. "But if we have time, I'm willing to join you to try to find something fun to do." Just don't use our drinking water to make sand castles or you won't be feeling pain ever again.

Edited September 15, 2016 by InnocentBoy

[Bfroger6]

Aww, bummer, he didn't think of it that way... Now they were gonna be stuck there asking for army stuff. And it's a war out there so they're gonna be as qzick about it as they can... Though they were still going into the desert and there was always gonna be opportunities to sneak off or something.

"Well, the fun part is that we're gonna have to pull the person back out anyways~ Don't wanna have anyone dying, right? Such near-death experience practices can really harden a friendship, you know!" Or so Klaren read. Or so Klaren read something that could only vaguely be connected to the deduction he made. Not that it mattered. It was Klaren, after all.

Klaren practically started beaming happiness as Luka said he'd go do fun things with him when they got there.

"Wow, thank you, Lou! I'm so happy you said that. I'll make sure we get some free time once we get there. And then we'll build sandcastles and we'll push each other and get undressed and act as if we're on a beach~ Do you know how to swim? I don't. But that's what's great about a desert-there's no sea to swim in! It's like a beach for everybody!"

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

Saffron and her advisors listened patiently as each member gave their say. She would nod at each statement they made, and seemed to weigh it mentally. When Meredith pulled out a sword Keagan placed an arm on her shoulder stopping her.

"It's okay, tension are high things like this happen. They aren't going to hurt each other." Keagan promised, and everything was okay.

After weighing everyone options Saffron clapped her hands together. "I've made up my mind then. Our destination will be Caelum." She looked at Keagan and Feri making sure they both agreed with the choice. "Yukihana is farther away, and while safer in terms of weather it might be twice as dangerous. We'd come dangerously close to the capital as well."

Saffron turned to Meredith. "We will make sure that your title won't affect us; no one will know that you are The Undying, should you wish it that way. You have my word."

She turned back to everyone. "On our long journey to Caelum we will have plenty of time to discuss and learn the traditions of the Kingdom; something I'm sure Feri will be all too happy to teach us."

"Why I'd be delighted; Caelumese meetings always starting with three-"

"Maybe you can start teaching us ANOTHER time." Saffron laughed as she interrupted the historian. "Thank you everyone for your council on this matter. Let's rest up a bit longer before we get back on the road."

[Stalkerkain]

Rosalvya's next item of concern regarded the next obstacle in their journey. She couldn't believe she didn't verify this earlier. If Saffron were to lead them into Caelum, she had better have a plan to go with it.

"Saffron," she said, ignoring her title completely. Heir or not, her status was completely irrelevant now that she had been ousted from the kingdom. "What are you plans regarding negotiations? With Dragao being the aggressor, I'd like to know how you're going to convince them to lend their aid to us after all that's happened. On top of that, what's to stop them from turning on us once we've completed our objective?"

Rosalvya was worried about what their journey ultimately led up to, and the consequences that followed. Should Caelum turn on them, the Misguided Children would not even remotely be a force to fight against an entire kingdom.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Hmmm, I do believe that Saffron. However, things may come up regardless. I'd prefer they not, but if they must there is no sense hiding it. If we come into a meeting with a potential ally hiding things... how are they to trust us?" Quite the valid point. If someone wasn't being straight with ya, hiding behind half-hearted words and deflecting your eyes from something they didn't want you to see... how were they trustworthy? Being forward with the citizens of Caelum was much better a plan than trying to hide who she was. They'd find out in time so if they asked or brought it forth she wasn't going to hide from it.

"I'd rather not hold this to my chest, I think that'd be a further detriment. We need not make it widely known but... we need not hide it either."

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"Before my father... Stepped down from the throne. He was attempting to remedy the relationship between our two Kingdoms. While this is the first case of open war between our Kingdoms in a long time, Dragao and Caelum have never been the best of friends. My grandfather King Percival invested in creating a surplus of crops and my father King Brandon used that opportunity to make peace with Caelum. He was in the process of creating a trade treaty with Caelum until he... Did what he did." It seemed to be hard for her to talk about the subject, but with a deep breath she carried on with her speech. "When meeting with Caelum I will offer them what my father had promise them; a fair trade treaty that respects both parties. I will present them with a quick end to this war, and my ever lasting gratitude. Wether they will accept our offer I have no idea. We will need a stroke of luck too, but with a well put speech I am sure they will find it easy to trust us."

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Well, it's a plan. It's much better than nothing at all. I'm sure we'll work something out even if things head South. You have us to aid you Saffron at the least. I'm sure at least somewhat the word of some from the Misguided Children will help." Meredith was rather surprised to be hearing about this again. She remembered The Old Man going on about Brandon from time to time. However he didn't have much love for him even before... the incident. He'd always mouth off about the "weakspine lillyliver chicken that couldn't raise a weapon if he tried telling the army to not do it's job." However, Meredith didn't really agree with him in this regard. It was a tension point... the one... between the two of them the majority of her training.

She always thought the tensions between the two nations was... just silly. She respected that about Brandon during his rule. That he tried to heal the rifts between their two people. Had the man not... done what he had it'd probably have worked. Though... Meredith was probably just naive for thinking so. She was rather hopeful the two nations could set aside their differences, and stop the senseless fighting. After all... neither ever got anywhere. Dragao could never advance in on Caelum as their troops weren't made for the desert... their heavy armor reliance just got them stuck in a bind. However, Caelum's troops once the sands were no longer a factor just didn't have the oomph to push through Dragao's forces. The two armies were just locked in eternal conflict that would just keep going until one side eventually just ran out of soldiers. It was no way to fight a war. No humane way for either side... not that there were many of those in honesty. But... anything be better than that.

"Also... what good hero didn't need a little luck on their side time to time? It is one of the marks of a great hero. Shame I don't have any. Hopefully the rest of these folks have some to spare. I'm with in this either way until the end... as bitter as it may be, or as sweet a victory."

She turned to Hoshiko rather abruptly. "Seems that neither of us gets our way this day. I'd have surely loved to met this one who had taught you. However, I suppose I'll just keep learning from you instead."

[Chevaleresse]

The archer looked at Meredith with a more than fair degree of startlement showing on her face, though she quickly covered her jump by turning it into a dramatic pose. "I will do my best to share my knowledge with you, then!" After a long moment, one that bordered on being uncomfortable, she dropped into a more normal position. "Though I must say, you were the last one I had expected to express such a desire! You haven't seemed too keen on my ways." A canny observer might be able to tell that Hoshiko was looking somewhat. . . awkward? Embarrassed? through all of her posturing.

[Zetaark]

"So, to Caelum we go eh? It's been a while since I left there. Here's hoping Anna hasn't gotten into too much trouble while I've been gone, she may be able to help us out once we get there," Ecquis mused, recalling the merchant girl he had quite literally rescued from the desert several years ago. Oddly enough, the desert heat of Caelum never really bothered Ecquis very much, even when he came there from the much colder Yukihana.

"Also, if anyone gets too tired or hot, make sure to let us know. It wouldn't be good for anyone if you just collapsed on the desert sands. And if anyone gets very tired, I may be willing to let them ride on one of the wyverns, so long as they aren't too afraid of heights," Ecquis offered.

Edited September 15, 2016 by Zetaark

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Hmm, perhaps I gave the wrong impression. Though I suppose I was a bit overly critical initially... and more than a little harsh as well." she said scratching the back of her head. She kicked her feet a bit in the dirt... another break in her iron facade. Though, this one was much more endearing, rather than frightening this time around. "It was a bit unfair of me. Though... there's still no true way for me to know if it's true what you say and I'll never truly know unless the goddess herself tells me."

It took a lot to admit that, but... perhaps she was just in a good mood after finally releasing what had been haunting her. It felt good to air out something that you'd been holding onto much to long. Refreshing... liberating. She had probably gotten off to quite the bad start with Hoshiko. Though, she hadn't really meant to at all. Perhaps it was time to at least repair some of the damage.

"I don't think you're crazy. I've just dealt with many who believe to be something more in the eyes of the goddess over the years and I've not really the luxury to believe anyone who tells me such. However... you're much different than nearly all the others. It's not about using it to gain influence or powers over others... but a call to action to help those in need. If there's anyone I'd be willing to believe truly was.. it'd be you much sooner than any other I've come across. I hope you'll excuse me for my words earlier. They were harboured and meant for my countrymen... the soldiers I once fought alongside of, and the unreasonable zealots among them that believed that their belief in the goddess gave them due cause for their impious actions. I would prefer to understand, than to ostracize, Unlike a lot of others that walked a similar path as to mine. So, I would rather learn from you... than take the easy road. For the only road worth traveling is that which may be harder, and fraught with challenge... but I'll all the richer at the end for having traveled. Rewarded in the understandings of others, friendship, empathy... and many other priceless things that are truly worth fighting for."

[Sutoratosu]

The decision was made, the di cast. She busied herself looking over the medical supplies the party had been provided with for the journey, taking stock of everything and commiting their exact numbers to memory... she was the resident healer, after all; t was only natural she take care of things like this as well. She doubted they'd actually have need of most of it, most of the others still had their first aid materials intact, from what she'd recalled... these were all just extras. But even so, she'd seen too many times how a vulnerary could've easily saved a life when a clergy wasn't around. It was far better to have and not need than the other way around.

"Two hundred yards worth of Cloth Bandage, two kennings of Poultice, two of Aloe, one of Dandelion, eight ounces of Cannabis, Twenty ounces of salve...Shears, needle, thread, flasks...several Vulnaries..." She just kept going, moving from one saddle bag to the next... anything to stay occupied.

[Chevaleresse]

Hoshiko bowed her head politely in appreciation of Meredith's words. "I believe we can get along just fine in the future then. Though, I'm afraid I might not be the greatest teacher; the only thing I really do is follow what my heart says must be done, and trust that the Goddess will guide me to the correct path." She struck another dramatic pose abruptly. "After all, I am a chosen hero! She would never lead me astray! So I guess trying to learn from me wouldn't be bad."

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Hmmm, I find the best teachers are always the ones that think they'd not be the best. Humility goes a long way." Gerson had been much the same at first. He always thought he'd be a terrible mentor for the young girl. It was only because she reminded him of his resolve that he even decided to. He was harder on her for that reason as well, but... Meredith would've thanked him for it. He didn't spare her anything. This world was rather cruel and those out there wouldn't show her mercy in battle.

"Either way, following one's heart... it is the best practice one can have. It is being the truest form of yourself possible. I think more people could benefit from learning that."

[Zetaark]

Seeing as the group had time to relax now that a destination has been decided, Ecquis decided to figure out what he should do. Looking over, Maya was busy sorting some of the medical supplies, and Meredith and Hoshiko were still busy talking. With that, he decided he should talk to Rosa again.

"So Rosa, what made you decide to go to Caelum? Have you been there before at all?"

[Stalkerkain]

"As Feri, as I believe his name was, had said, Caelum has a large army suitable for fighting Dragao's numbers," said Rosalvya. "Feri and Meredith have pointed out that enlisting their help comes with its own hazards, but the amount of aid they can provide us can be the determining factor in overthrowing Dragao. Although they may not be able to fight as well as on their home terrain, we can make up for that by employing our own knowledge of Dragao's geography. By now, I'd expect that they've had plenty of experience with fighting Dragao, which will also help us."

The possibility of Caelum turning on them still bothered her, even though Saffron seemed confident enough in her persuasion skills. None of them seemed to know the temperament of Caelum's ruler, making their chances appear like a shot in the dark. Yukihana on the other hand, seemed too divisive to rally under Saffron, even with Hoshiko's clan's support. There were just too many unknowns to factor in, but it was too early to lose hope.

"And no, I've never been to Caelum," she shook her head. "I've spent most of my life wandering Dragao."

[Zetaark]

"Oh, you've been wandering around as well. I've also spent a fair portion of my life just wandering, though my travels led me through both Yukihana and Caelum. From a personal standpoint, I do have a friend in Caelum, so if possible I may be able to run into them," Ecquis responded. It was interesting to see that someone else had been wandering around as well. That being said, if it was anything like his situation then...

"I apologize if this isn't a question you are comfortable answering, but why exactly did you start wandering through Dragao?" he decided to ask.

[Stalkerkain]

"When your village ends up being burned to the ground, there's not much left to stay around for," said Rosalvya impassively. It had happened so long ago that she had no trouble talking about it liberally. "A good number of people in my village died there. I could have gone with the other survivors, but that would have led nowhere. Those that were left were simply just the elderly and young children, as the war had drafted the able bodies already. The village was starving because of the war, and it would be impossible to travel far with the people our little group consisted of. So I decided to leave with my own goal in mind."