Fire Emblem On The Forums: Ashes (IC)

[Chevaleresse]

. "AAH!" Klaren recieved a shout in his face and Hoshiko quite literally jumping away - she really was good at backflips, wasn't she? - from him and dropping into a fighting stance, once again pulling out her hunting knife similar to what had occurred several days ago with Luka. "What was that for!?" she asked the monk irritably, returning the knife to its hiding spot. "You shouldn't just jump out and shout in people's faces like that; I almost stabbed you." Although you might enjoy that, wouldn't you. . .

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"I see..." He looked up at the sky for a while, maybe thinking of his dead comrades. Suddenly he jumped up on his feet and punched a knuckle into his open palm. "No use crying over spilled milk. Where's my sword!? The great Radburn needs training. I can't be going around fainting in the battlefield, I'll never achieve my goal acting like that." Radburn began by slowly stretching out his limbs, with various exercises. "You said you were the Undying? I've heard about you with the troops you are a legend. Oh and her!" He pointed towards Serene. "I've seen you before, you were traveling with us and the Commander huh? Were you with the forces when Commander Maris was defeated? I wish I had seen it... The Great Commander Maris defeated."

"We will gladly accept your help should we ever need it." He gave a warm smile and turned his view back to the cooking. Feri was silent for a while, until he brought out a bowl and poured some of the stew into it. He handed it towards Terrin. "Would you care to taste test? I am not half the cook that my wife was, but I still make a good stew. I noticed you looking at the ring, it's okay to ask. The pain is long in the past now."

"This old guy?" Saffron pat the pegasus side. "I stole him from the castle stables. When we made our escape, my personal pegasus was in the royal stables. In a rush we couldn't go get her, so I made due with what we could find. I don't know his original name but I've taken to calling him Grumpy." The pegasus snorted as if understanding the conversation. "He's old, mean, stubborn and of course, grumpy. But he's gotten me here and he's been as loyal as I can ask. So I make sure to treat him well. It is a lot of maintenance taking care of a pegasus, you need to clean their fur, their hooves, their manes, once in a while even their teeth. Their wings are delicate and require a lot of care to clean as well. But I'm used to it, I used to take care of my own back in the palace."

"Good evening." Ian said calmly.

"Oh hello there Mr. Customer! How are you doing this fine night?" Anna put the notepad aside and clapped her hands together enthusiastically. "Why yes I am taking stock! Ian can't do it so I have to pull the weight for both of us! Our stock is nice and light and we've made a good profit. We'll surely be able to restock at the next city and get some more high quality goods."

[Zetaark]

"I'm doing rather well right now. Also it occurs to me that I may not have introduced myself. My name is Ecquis," he told the pair, slightly surprised that he hadn't done so already.

"It seems rather nostalgic to me having a couple of merchants around. Reminds me of when I was back in Caelum with Anna Clara. Those were some pleasant memories," Ecquis stated before reminiscing on his time in Caelum. Remembering his merchant endeavors from the past put a smile on his face, even though it really wasn't all that long ago since he had left.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Meredith could barely believe this one. He was already moving and raring to go, he'd just been unconscious for hours and he was already ready to start. She could barely believe it, but she respected it. "Well, you took that better than I'd have expected. But, yes I'm that Undying, or was. I'm not so much a soldier of Dragao anymore. A lot has happened in a few years."

Meredith figured once she'd probably be bothered by someone recognizing her, but having told her unit what she was, it hardly stung anymore. She wasn't ashamed she had once fought for this nation. She didn't know then what she did now. That much was certain. Further, she was more surprised that he recognized the fire mage... "You two know each other? I don't know either of your names, but it seems you've at least seen each other somewhere before."

[Marcello]

"I warn you, I was brought up with most of my meals being cooked by some of the best chefs in Caelum, I'm a tough judge." He laughed, before briefly sampling the stew. "Y'know this is pretty good. So, your wife was a very good cook, then?" Terrin asked curiously as he less briefly sampled the stew now, safe in the knowledge it was good.

[InnocentSerenity]

“You just took him from the castle stables? What about their owner?” Luka was shocked to hear the rather odd story of how Saffron had gotten her loyal steed. Luka shook his head, trying to not press the issue of Grumpy any further. It wasn't exactly the most pressing issue he had in mind, anyway. Well, it’s not the first time someone sent a person to battle, despite a complete lack of combat training. "Actually, probably not an incredibly important question, I'd imagine."

“You seem so calm about the fact that you had left your own pegasus.” Luka had never had a pet before, but he certainly felt like he’d feel a bit more shaken if he had to leave it back home, especially with no one back home. Yet, Saffron’s expression didn’t seem to change much. Perhaps Luka simply didn’t notice it? Or maybe Saffron is just stronger than him. Still, Luka wanted to confirm it. “Aren’t you worried about her?”

[Code: PIRULUK]

Serene was temporarily taken aback by Radburn's recognition. Staring closely, she tried to connect his face with those she had seen in the past.

"Hmmm... Ah! Nameless soldier E! So that's who you were. I remember now. That explains why you look ember. I saw you in the marching column, didn't I? Nah, I wasn't there when she kicked it. The 274th was posted elsewhere. Not that it really mattered, the 274th hasn't really existed for some time."

Serene turned toward Meredith and introduced herself.

"Serene's the name. Sergeant, 274th Thunder Artillery. Or I was, anyway. I doubt they'd welcome me back after I burned the camp down. You'll forgive me if I say that the title of "The Undying"'s unfamiliar to me; I'm not really a news person."

((TL Note: She uses ember as a replacement for "vaguely <adjective>"))

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Artillery, makes sense seeing your magical ability. You'd probably not have heard of the legend. It was mostly a story amongst the rank and file. More used to inspire soldiers and their ilk to something called "glory" and "virtuous service". Sadly, I don't think they ever knew just how false the tale they were following was." She said, wistfully looking up into the sky. She had to look past Serene to do so, but she didn't really want to make eye contact at the moment.

"Anyway, I suppose I should talk to you about unit type stuff then Firecracker. I'm not really the best at this whole thing since I don't like to keep a strict command really. But, I do like to know those working in my unit are quality fighters and people."

[Code: PIRULUK]

"Ehhh, never did care for stuff like that. Glory? What's the point when you're not the one defining it? End of the day, fire's the only thing you need."

Serene rolled the nickname around in her head for a while. Meredith had called her by the name a couple of times during the fight, too. Firecracker. She liked it.

"Not entirely certain what you mean by unit type stuff, but sure, blaze ahead."

[Bfroger6]

"Oooh, wow Koko! That was one heck of a backflip~ Bravo!" Klaren clapped his hands, completely and utterly unfazed by the knife being drawn at him. "Oh like, and I wouldn't worry about stabbing me~ It'd be an accident, no harm done! Besides, I just had to come up and stop you before you escaped, you know. You have a tendncy to do that." The monk smiled at the archer, a mischievous grin of a child enjoying a forbidden candy. Yet it wasn't candy he was enjoying-it was the fact he got her now. Only fair to announce it, aye~?

"I got you now-so tell me where you keep going after battle or I'll be forced to take drastic measures, hee~"

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Well, normally I'd skip this part... but seeing as our sorted crew deals with something of it's like already, I need to be privy to the people in my unit to make sure unexpected things don't come up, especially not in the heat of battle. We already have one in this unit who is driven by an obsession. This individual is allowed to continue service in my unit because their skills are extraordinary... and their ability in combat most valuable. However, I cannot safely say that they've not caused us grief in the past and nearly enough to considering me letting them go on more than one occasion." She did look at her now. Meredith pushed back a lot of the emotions that were writhing under her skin quickly as she could. Business was in order and she needed to get to the bottom of the exact nature of this woman. What exactly her drive was... why they found her as they had.

"What is the extent of this..." Meredith struggled for a moment. She couldn't really think of an appropriate word here, so she just went with what first popped in her head, "... "relationship" with fire of yours? Is it driven by being drawn to pain... or what exactly? Further, do you think this could cause any issues in the future? My unit is, rather unique. I tend to take the misfits that won't fit anywhere else in our ranks. I'm sure you've seen the folks I work with on a daily basis, or at least some of them. So, no matter what you tell me, be honest. I'm more understanding than most given the chance."

[Zetaark]

While Ecquis went off to talk to the merchants, Mira and Cynthia decided to go follow him, landing just a bit besides him. Morgan had decided to inch closer to the fire in an attempt to get a bit warmer. The red wyvern, seeing this, decided to follow, going closer to the trio of soldiers rather than towards where Morgan went. The black wyvern, uninterested in the other happenings, decided to take a nap where she already was.

[Code: PIRULUK]

"Eh? My relationship with fire? Um.... Er... Hmm... How to put it..."

Serene was taken aback by Meredith's question. It wasn't exactly something she had thought of putting into words. As a result, her response was tinged with a hint of incoherence.

"Er... I like fire, I guess? Like, a lot. Like, other girls like guys, right? Same thing, except I like fire. Not that different, if you think about it."

She collected herself and calmed down before answering the second question, which was something she had been asked before.

"Nah. I'm not in it for the pain. I don't like burns. I mean, I'm not too bothered by them, most of the time, but trust me, if I could touch fire without burning myself, I would. They're more of an unfortunate byproduct than anything. I enjoy the warmth and comfort of fire. I like the feeling of it licking against my skin, like the soft caress of a lover. It provides me nice fuzzy feelings, and reminds me that the Goddess is watching over us all."

She smiled as she delivered the next statement.

"I like setting things on fire. I feel weird if I go too long without setting something on fire. On a battlefield, I do believe there will be plenty of things to set on fire. More than I got a chance to in the 274th, anyway. Stupid higher-ups, shoving me in a thunder unit and making me use thunder instead of fire and cheat on my one true love and taking away my fire tomes just because they didn't want me holding on to fire tomes and..."

Her statement trailed off into an incoherent mumbling before snapping back to the point.

"Anyway! So long as you let me set stuff on fire in battle, that should be enough to get my fix. I do think we'll probably be involved in a significant number of battles, after all, so that should give me more than enough kindling."

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Certainly not what I was expecting, though... I find I always get the ones I can't expect anything coming. Whether that's good or bad, I'm still undecided. I suppose one day I'll find out why all the accursed and the stranger sort are just drawn to me." Meredith her self rambled a little before catching herself. Perhaps it was just the woman's mannerisms reflecting on her. Who knew?

"I'm glad it won't be too much an issue, but please try and keep most of it torching our enemies. I really don't like when my companions are harmed, especially self-inflicted. So, be careful... I don't want to see you come to harm. I'm not going to come between this, but know that I'm not overly fond of it either. Also, I'd never make you use a thunder tome... it's loud, and I swear every mage that uses them are blind and can't hit anything."

[Stalkerkain]

Rosalvya sat quietly by the fire, continuing to knit her scarf. Of course, where they were going, there would be no need for such outerwear. The mere act of it alone was something to pass the time, and soothe the nerves when she wasn't practicing the sword. She smiled, listening intently to the chatter of her allies. The way they all smiled and spoke made the events of a couple days ago seem like they hadn't happened. She was impressed with their mental fortitude. Or perhaps they couldn't forget.

She make a mistake in her knitting, as she heard an unfamiliar loud voice. For a man who survived on the brink of death, he seemed spirited enough. She put down her knitting to go greet the newcomers. Meredith seemed rather receptive to the both of them, so they couldn't be bad people.

"It's good to see that both of you are well. My name is Rosalvya, a swordswoman of this group," she said, introducing herself to Radburn and Serene. "I'd like to thank both of you for your assistance in clearing out those creatures."

[Chevaleresse]

Hoshiko fixed Klaren with a flat look before putting her knife away with a small flourish.

. "I'm going to meditate. Shouldn't a monk of all people understand that?

...and why do you keep calling me Koko?"

[Sutoratosu]

"Hmmm... odd, looks like he's disappeared somewhere. Oh well, I'll give it to him later.Goddess knows he certainly needs it more than anyone else here." She put the vial back, turning her attention to the flames yet again before she heard something close by... a slow rumbling rustle, almost like something large and heavy was trying in vain to be stealthy. She looked over her shoulder and saw none other than one of Equis Wyvern's creeping near the fire. From the emerald gleam of her scales among the dancing light, she recognized the beast almost instantly.

"Well, look who it is~" She chimed to the wyvern in greeting. Even in her mood, she couldn't help but perk up a bit at Morgan's company, "you trying to get near the fire too, eh girl? Well, come on, here's an empty space, you can sit by me~"

[Zetaark]

Morgan, happy to be noticed by someone she liked, went up besides Maya and laid down, making a pleased roar.

Elsewhere, the red wyvern had managed to get close to Meredith and the others, seemingly without being detected.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Zetaark

[Bfroger6]

"Oh, right, meditation!" Putting his hands together, Klaren returned the girl's flat look with a smile. "I'm sure I do it kind of differently from you, though. Mine usually involves knives~ Oh, but you have a knife too. Ah the implications~"

He giggled. It certainly felt relaxing to just have some fun after that thing that happened earlier. Terrin's words have really managed to shift his mood at the time and afterwards he'd thought further on it. He wasn't gonna let their beach episode go to waste! If anything, he should try to be twice- no, thrice as perky as usual to lighten the mood for everybody to just have fun!!!

"Is it wrong that I call you that? I could call you Kokiko if you don't like Koko, of course~ Then it would be like Hoshiko but with 'K's~~~"

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"How is my little Anna doing? It's lucky that you are all going to Caelum because that's where Ian and I were headed. My family is having a little get together in the capital. It's been so long since I've seen my sisters I'm almost starting to miss them!"

Radburn looked at Meredith and Serene speak, adding nothing to the conversation until Rosalyva appeared. He practically jumped up from his seat. "A lady of the sword eh!? My name is Radburn, and I am the future best swordsman in the world." He rolled down the sleeves of his right arm and flexed it. "Swordswoman, show me your sword arm! The proof of your skill; it is all visible in the arm."

"Yes she was the personal chef of King Brandon, the Queen and the youngsters Lady Saffron and Sir Keagan. She also took some cleaning duties along with myself." He stirred the pot some more, and added a few herbs. "Just about all I know of cooking came from her. Bless her soul up in the heavens."

"It was a life or death situations, if I had had the time I would have asked the owner for permission of course." Saffron starred at the ground at the mention of her pegasus though. "It's not about being worried. It's that I've already accepted that she is probably dead. My uncle must be enraged that my escape, the only person with a better claim to the throne than he. I wouldn't be surprised if he burned her along with all of my belongings. I have no trust for him, or any of his servants."

[Zetaark]

"Before I left Caelum, Clara was busy handling some future trade deals with a few other big merchants back in Caelum. Hopefully she hasn't gotten stuck in another sand dune while I've been gone, but hopefully that shouldn't be an issue," Ecquis laughed, recalling the rather unusual circumstances by which he met Anna. He was very interested in hearing about the family reunion though.

"A family reunion? That sounds like quite the event considering the resemblance. You'll have to let me join you both if you don't mind. I'd like to see Clara's reaction to seeing me again seeing as how its been three years," he told Anna, quite surprised that this event is also going on. Though Ecquis did have one other question regarding how Anna phrased that particular part.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but what exactly is your relationship with Ian? Just fellow merchants working with one another or..."

[Stalkerkain]

Rosalvya stifled a giggle, clearly bemused by Radburn's enthusiasm. There was only one other in their band with his kind of spirit, and it was quite welcome in spite of the recent events. "Very well," she said, indulging him as she too, displayed her sword arm. It was apparent that Radburn was physically stronger of the two, but that didn't seem to bother her in the slightest. "Though I may have to correct you on an incorrect notion you seem to have. For I, will be the one to claim the title of the best swordmaster in the world."

Edited October 6, 2016 by Stalkerkain

[InnocentSerenity]

“It's that I've already accepted that she is probably dead.” Something inside Luka snapped as he heard those words.

“You’re just going to accept that she’s dead?! How could you?” An angry tone was behind Luka’s words as his inner thoughts came out. “How could you just think she just died like that? Put some darn faith into her!” Luka’s expression changed as well, his usual false smile gone. “Don’t you have any hope? Hope that maybe you’ll see her again? You’ve got enough hope to stop an entire war, surely you can spare some for your pegasus.” Luka put his hands to his head, trying his best to control himself. He had let out some rather rude words to the princess.

Trying to calm his emotions, he continued, a smile back on his face. “Pegasi are smart creatures. I bet she escaped the castle the minute she noticed something bad was happening. Put some trust into her. I bet she found a safe place to hide until she could see you again.” He honestly did believe himself. Sometimes he wondered if he was a bit too optimistic.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Meredith saw the red wyvern lurking just behind the area where all of them were currently gathered. She was the only facing it's direction so only see could see the creature. She quickly looked at the beast and winked her eye, showing she knew he was there. Only she really noticed as the others were all sorta of occupied.

"Sheesh, You're raring to go huh? I still haven't pried a name from you and you're already challenging my best swordswoman to a duel." of course, she wasn't about to mention that Rosa was the only one. "You sure this is wise to do already? You've just awoken from quite the beating. Or, are you the type that the more I tell you to do something the more you'll just want to do the opposite? Don't say I didn't warn ya at the least if anything happens. But, at least show a woman some courtesy and give me a name. I've provided mine, and waited for your awakening for the past few hours, it's the least you could do.~" she said in a light and cheerful tone. She still couldn't believe this one, already trying to fight right after getting up. She supposed it was a good attitude in life, to never stop moving, though, maybe this man took it to a bit of an extreme.

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"Now there's a good question? I don't know Ian dear, what IS our relationship?" Anna said with a playful tone, arms crossed and eyes focused on Ian.

"Business partners, and good friends." He replied, even a touch coldly.

"Just friends huh..." She muttered, clearly disappointed with the answer. She sighed heavily before putting on her cheerful attitude again. "Well, when we get there you are welcome to join me Ecquis dear I'm sure the family will enjoy seeing you."

"Hmm... I see." He examined Rosalyva's arm carefully. "While you are nowhere near as strong as I am, your small stature makes you nimble and dexterous. Fighting you would be a challenge. And your ambitions are to be the very best..." He rubbed his chin and slowly a grin started forming on his face. "Yes, YES! It all lines up perfectly! Rosalyva, I recognize you as my true rival! We will not fight for we are allies. But when both of us have reached the end of our journeys we shall duel! The winner will take the title of true sword master of the world!" Radburn turned towards Meredith. "I am Radburn. That is my whole name, as I do not hold the title of master just yet. If you will have me I would like to travel with Rosalyva and your gang. I will hone my skills and become a man who can protect everyone around him. My wooden blade shall strike down your enemies as well as mine!"

Saffron took a step back at Luka's words. She looked like she was going to say something but her words caught in her throat. Only when Luka was finished did Saffron say something, in a weak tone nothing like her usual voice. "I do have hope. I hope and pray that the Goddess spared my Snow. She is innocent and did nothing wrong." Tears started to build up at the edges of her eyes. "But everyone is counting on me to be strong, I have to keep going and fight for the people. I don't fight for myself, I fight for them. I'd want nothing more than to go search for Snow but I need to fight for everyone else. I don't have time to think of myself." One of the tear drops that formed on the sides of her eyes started to stream down. She quickly wiped them off. "I'm sorry I did not mean to cry... The tears came out on their own."