Fire Emblem on the Forums: Sea of Crossroads [IC]

[Chevaleresse]

"Hey, hey, calm down, I'm just messin' with ya! 'The likes of you,' geez, what's a girl gotta do to get a little respect around here. I risked my ass to fly here through storms and shit, I can't even throw out a little comment on yours?" She wards her face with raised arms, the staff clonking against her bracers. 

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"You could show some decency and class! You did do a good job on the battlefield." Emilee put down her staff, ending her barrage. She straightened herself and tidied up her hair. "A lady ought to better herself in every way, to be kind and gentle. A lady shouldn't say brash things like that! A lady is allowed to have fun, and poke fun at others but never in rude manners. And most of all, a lady ought to be delicate. These are some of the steps to attracting a wonderful prince."

[Chevaleresse]

Myrdwyn burst out laughing. 

"Delicate? Oh man, that's too much. Listen, last time anyone called me "delicate" I was six years old and I'm pretty sure I might have punched him in the crotch. Not that I was aimin' for it, mind you, I was just a kid with bad aim."

"Anyway, Miss Princess, it's not very ladylike to beat people over the head with staves regardless of them commentin' on your rear or not. How d'ya explain that one?"

 

[Bfroger6]

"Hmm." Cass nodded with a serious expression at Darius's explanation. "But if the wielder is someone who doesn't appreciate stuff like killing people or power as you said it, then that approach from those elder spirits would just make 'em less interested in learning their secrets. Though you said 'vast majority', so does it actually depend on the wielder?" He stopped for a moment to arrange his thoughts. He was most likely oversimplifying it, so it was probably better to just wait for the other's reply.

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"I never said I was perfectly delicate. I'm working hard on it, and there are still so many habits I need to change in myself." Emilee pointed her staff at the wyvern rider and said. "So it wouldn't hurt to change a little. After all it's also the best way to get closer to the Goddess"

[Chevaleresse]

"I don't think the goddess cares all that much about what I wear or what I say when I'm sendin' bad guys to meet her. Or any other times, for that matter, 's long as I'm actin' mostly okay."

[Sutoratosu]

Cadence had simply stood aside and snickered at most of the conversation, as the priestess had berated the rider. Things only got a bit funnier when she'd begun mercilessly bopping with her staff- not that Myrdwyn seemed to be bothered by it at all, with that heavy armor. Things quickly began to lose their jovial air once the matters of docility and the alleged place of a woman was touched on though. Soon enough the girl found any amusement she'd reaped from the spectacle washed away...

"Delicate? Attract a Prince? Geez, what era is these? Please don't tell me you're one of the ones who buys into all that Romanticized Chivalry crap. I came from an entire bloodline of women who spent their lives leading men and killing heretics and anyone else who felt like actively antagonizing the church. If the Goddess actually wanted some arbitrary division where men ran the show and women were simply delicate little flowers to be put on pedestals, she sure as hell didn't stop any of my ancestors from defying that will, if anything she seemed to actually support it, given how long we've been around..."

 

She stopped for a moment, considering what she had just said. It took her by surprise, how much fire she had felt as the words had left her mouth. The pride that had been in her heart. There were things about her house and what had, over the centuries, become the blind force of arms they provided an establishment made up of the desires of mortal men first and the will of the goddess second, if at all, she could not agree with. Yet despite how she'd sworn to disown them, here she was, still owning the name with her very heart.

"Shit..." she sighed under her breath. "I guess even if I do hate her so damn much... just casting everything that happens to be related aside... isn't that easy after all."

"Doesn't matter though, my point still stands: that type of submissive thinking only ever existed to serve the ends of chauvinistic men, men who so grossly feared the idea that a woman could ever possibly rival, or even best, him in anything, that they tried their damndest to keep the opposite sex docile and dumb, easy to suppress. That type of crap didn't have a rightful place in the world when it was first conjured up, and I certainly don't think it has one now either."

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"Submissive? This isn't about submission it's about true love." Emilee smiled unfazed by any harshness in Cade's words, or maybe she simply didn't notice it. "I don't mean a girl can't defend herself, I should learn how to defend myself. But man and woman should be more delicate, violence in general wouldn't exist in an ideal world." She put both hands behind her back crossing her fingers over her staff. "So if violence were to stop existing both man and woman could focus on love alone. Love for our families, love for our friends, love for nature, love for the Goddess. And love for one another!" 

 

"Also!" With one finger up and leaning forward a bit she continued. "I want to be delicate so that I can give all of myself to someone else, but I expect the same from the other person. So it's a neutral submission, both man and woman are equal in the face of true love. That's what it means after all! And that's what the Goddess expects from us to find comfort in each other and love. Which is why I respect Kaito and Cremia for fighting for their love."

[Sutoratosu]

"Uh huh..." Cadence sighed. Already she was tired of hearing about 'love'. People being more 'Delicate' didn't seem to at all be the answer to morons and manchilds like that baron wandrought up on the hill, from what she'd seen. Cadence herself didn't know what exactly the answer was, but just hoping that everyone would learn to 'play nice', and not slit each other's throat over something as trivial as a loaF of bread, was a fool's dream at best. And that was being generous.

I was totally wrong, she's nothing like Meeyla... just plain naive is what she is- the Royal Guard isn't exactly the sensible place for someone who's main concern is trying to be 'delicate' or finding Romance or any of that crap...nothing delicate about cutting men in half with anima magic, and nothing romantic about constantly having to deal with wandroughts who either too insane or too stupid to realize they've lost...

"Why'd you join the guard, if you don't mind me asking?" the question was rather sudden, considering her stretch of silence up till then, "Was it your own decision, or were you just assigned to help out by the church?"

 

[Anstane]

 

"In theory, yes, though most people who choose to study elder magic pick it up for a similar reason why someone might pick up a sword or an anima tome: To be able to defend themselves, to be able to fight. There are some who pick it up out of a general curiosity, but to be able to fully understand it, you pretty much have to take the route of combat with it."

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"Well, in Luceria the priests asked me to come. I could have said no and stayed back with my family, but I accepted. There were many reasons, I wanted to see the world, I wanted to experience new things, I wanted to do something right, I wanted to give back to the church that helped me and my family. And t was really my first chance to strike out my own so, why not?"  

[Bfroger6]

"That's a bummer. But can't help it, I s'ppose, if the spirits want that." Cass knew little about magic, and most of what he knew was purely practical in nature. He'd never literally studied the spirits, only heards songs about them. While they gave a general idea, his lore could hardly compare to the knowledge of one immersed in their secrets.

 

This gave him an idea though. He took his guitar and, albeit he was still stinging from the battle, called Idei over. "Hey Idei, come 'ere!" He yelled at the nomad, gesturing for him to get up and come sit down with them. "Time for some music, whaddayasay?" He grinned as he pushed the drums into Idei's hands and turned to Darius. "You can just listen and well, think? Iunno, if you have an instrument or well, magic, you can do stuff. And Idei, you lead, I'll follow. You know your land's music the best. But do try something slow for the start."

[rokubiraijuu]

Hearing his name boomed across the grass pulls him from his thoughtless reverie, the repetitive long motions of waxing the bowstring having lulled him into a temporary calm, and he lifts his head, seeing a shock of red -- Cass -- gesturing for him to come over some ways away. 

 

Curious, he pushes himself -- somewhat painfully -- to his feet and makes his way over. Their shaman is sitting nearby too; what's going on? But before he has a chance to ask, Cass is pushing drums into his arms and he blinks in surprise. "Now?"

 

But they'd just come out of a battle. Hadn't Cass said that his fingers would be numb if he did too much?

 

He can't really find it in himself to say no, though. Music from home . . . it's been a long stretch of years since he's heard it, but just thinking about the resonant drumbeats and the call of voices makes his chest ache. A hint of a smile flickers on his face. "Something slow . . . okay."

 

After a moment of thought, he rests his hands on the worn surface of the drums and begins to tap out the tentative beginnings of a rhythm. Is this how it goes? No, something more like -- wait, yes. That's it. The pattern settles into his hands again, guided by the invisible strings of memory, a little uncertain at first but gaining confidence with each second. Then the words, which come much easier; he's pleased to find they're as clear and accessible as ever. In a surprisingly mellifluous, soft baritone, he launches into a cheerful melody, its lively but mid-paced beat prompting movement and industriousness, much like a workhouse tune. The words, however, speak of hope, pride, and growth -- it becomes clearer and clearer that it's some kind of coming-of-age song, and though for some time unused, his voice is still noteworthy, gathering warmth and richness as he steadily builds momentum.

[Bfroger6]

"Yeap, now. I'll just play with my other hand." Cass grins at Idei, holding his guitar in his right hand this time. Not that he'd had to done this in a while, but so long as Idei went slow, he could do it. He glanced over at Darius as he noticed Idei was getting ready. "I bet my spirits help me out 'cause they like to hear some nice music. Why don't you try something, eh? Just letting them listen to the rhythm should be enough. After all, songs can hold some mighty mysterious magic, don't forget that."

 

With that, Cass takes a deep breath and gets ready to follow Idei's tune...

 

At first, Idei's beat escapes him. No matter how slow, he needs some time to get used to this reversed situation playing with his left hand. He grins as a speck of sweat glistens on his forehead and he looks up and glances around in embarrassment over the few dissonant notes he'd produced. However, Idei's calmness reassures him too and slowly he catches up.

 

He could remember this song, from way back. He couldn't at the start, but as he listened, it came back. Back from when they were all still together, of course. Idei's singing complements the tune perfectly and soon, Cass is playing like he'd never played with any hand other than his left. The rhythmic guitar melds with the beat of the drums and weavingly intertwines with the vocals. It was perfect, peaceful.

He could only hope now that Darius would follow what he told him.

Edited May 8, 2017 by Bfroger6

[Anstane]

 

"O...kay?" Darius spoke out, a look of utter confusion on his face as Cass and Idei start playing a tune. While he does find the beat a bit catchy, he is left wondering as to the point of this. The elder spirits surrounding him, meanwhile, just listen to the tune and not much else, also wondering as to the point of this. "Well, at least the music is good..." he thought to himself as he listened on.

[Zetaark]

"Whew, took me a while to get everything, but here you are," Solomon says, bringing out several wooden crates. The sounds of glass could be heard within them. "Heh, there's an extra crate for you all to have as well. Consider it a thank you for helping me. Also..." he pauses before handing Madante a few things. "First up is this light brand. We've had a few come into our hands, but we don't have much use for this particular sword. Next up is this lance. It's specifically designed to deal with axes, so that may be nice. Lastly is this here speedwing. I've heard rumors that these are magical wings, but I don't know too much about them. These are all simply tokens of appreciation for bringing my family back alive. I won't keep you any longer, but if you or the Royal Guard ever need anything, feel free to stop by."

 

"Thank you for your offer. I'll be sure to remember it. Now then everyone, lets get these back to the boat shall we?" Madante cheers, putting the weapons away for the time being and heading towards the crates. It took some time, but the party got the crates back to the boat, and the group set sail for Z'ark as the sun began to set.

 

"We should be able to get to Z'ark sometime in the afternoon. In the meantime, you all are free to relax on the deck if you want. Though I do suggest heading inside if you want to partake of the extra wine Solomon gifted you. I wouldn't want any of you falling overboard," Xavier warns as he manages the boat's path.

 

Madante is out besides the rails, looking out over the sea, while Helena is situated near the door to the inner hull of the ship.

Edited May 9, 2017 by Zetaark

[Aurorix]

"Great, Z'ark... This should be fun..." Belros thought to himself before he started to head down to get a drink. But as he was going down he noticed Madante by the rails looking out into the sea. Ya know, he never really took the time to talk to their leader, now would probably be the best time to do so. So he walked over besides him. 

 

"Hey Mandate, whatcha doing out here? I'd assume you'd want to drink some of the wine that the Romanis gave us and not stare out into the sea."

[Twinwolf]

Clarisse nods as their destination is stated. 

"Z'Ark, huh? I wonder if Caleb's home..."

 

She heads inside, mostly to get something to eat rather than necessarily drinking herself into a stupor. If Myrdwyn looks like she's getting anywhere near anything alcoholic, she's going to be on the other end of the hall.

[Zetaark]

"I'm personally not much of a drinker. Mostly due to my family being...a bit wild whenever they had one too many drinks. It ended up making me a lot less willing to have wines and whatnot on a regular basis. As for what I'm doing..." Madante pauses for a bit. "Don't you enjoy looking out at the sea?"

[Sutoratosu]

"In all things, there is a small well..."

 

With nothing better to do and no interest in poisoning herself partaking of the wine, Cadence had retired to her usual place on the ship's back deck, sword, knives and all laid out beside her as she sat cross-legged. She practiced the breath technique her father had taught her so many years ago, eyes closed in meditation as the Anima whispered sweet nothings all the while, filling the air with strange tongues and babbling only a mage- or someone like herself who'd been hearing it for as long as she could remember -could really decipher. Already, a small gout of embers spiraled in the air before her face, quickly forming into a humming bird not at all unlike the one's she'd shown Myrdwyn earlier. Just like it's brothers, it's heat was a slow, gentle pulsation as it hovered in the air, forbidden from burning anything but what she explicitly commanded it to.

      It landed on her hand with all the same sound a noise a normal bird would make. With her mind focused and the sensory imagery clearing, she cast the tiny construct up into the air where it took flight out over the sea. And on her command, what had been but a single humming bird bloomed forth into a fiery plume of light and warmth just as it passed over the waters beyond the front deck, visible to all those standing there as it swooped by, a swarm of swallows conjured out of the flames, each roughly twice the size as the humming birds had been. They dipped down towards the water's surface, just as they passed by where Helena stood on deck and casting a thin stream of mist and steam as their solid wings kissed upon the ocean waves, quickly pulling back up again to circle around once more.

      Slowly but surely, Cadence felt her way through the flight. In earlier sessions, she'd had to do it all at night- which while it made the constructs far easier to track with her own eyes... made it far harder to see out of theirs as if they were her own, given their inherent back-lighting, much like the blinding one might experience while staring directly at a flame after dusk- everything around was illuminated, but everything beyond left black as sin. With the sun to provide light however, Intuition was no longer the only viable option to control them with, and so it was that tentatively, the Girl chose a single construct at the head of it's small flock to serve as her eyes, gazing out onto the ocean with orbs of fire. 

 

All the while, she ensured that they took power from where it was greatest within her- the energy of emotion rather than physical stamina... all the anger she had felt, all the fear, the grief from only a few weeks ago, she'd held onto them, not just for the sake of not forgetting what had occurred, but as fuel. Fuel for herself, fuel for the anima... and as she continued to explore the depths of the maelstrom of conflicting feelings, it only served to sustain the spirits that much further, as they continued their flight- so tightly disciplined and coordinated one might've thought they'd been trained for warfare if they had been real animals...

[rokubiraijuu]

Getting Kite situated on the boat proves to be a more difficult ordeal than even he had anticipated. The stallion had bucked and screamed the moment he'd seen open water again, and it was only after being bitten on the arm and then some long minutes of various calming techniques his uncle had taught him that Idei managed to get him to a point where he was comfortable enough ( though still anxious, certainly ) in order to move onto the boat.

 

Confining him in quarters below decks had been even more of a problem, understandably. Eventually, Idei had decided that the only way he could keep Kite from displaying panicked behavior was to remain with him. At least the stallion seemed to trust him enough to see that if he was calm, then the situation must not be so bad.

 

He waits for over an hour after the ship has departed, until Kite has miraculously managed to fall asleep, likely exhausted by the events they've been through so far. Glad to have an excuse to go above deck, he pushes away the vague sense of nausea ( sea legs are still something he has yet to fully acquire, though things have improved drastically since his first trip to Veritias ) and steps away quietly.

 

Arms laden with the saddle he had gotten from the Romani family, his own mostly-finished tack, strips of leather, and iron bits, he staggers up the steps to the door, shouldering it open. Immediately, there's an impact, and in order to keep himself from tumbling backwards, he has to drop everything in his arms and brace himself against the wall, wincing at the loud thump and clattering of supplies hitting the floorboards. Fortunately, nothing had been fragile.

 

"Sorry," he says instinctively before glancing up as he stoops to collect everything again. Oh, the mage woman from before. "I didn't see you standing there."

[InnocentSerenity]

“Alright, Karik.” The boy looked down over the edge of the crow’s nest, looking for an empty spot. Seeing a safe area for him to go, Karik remembered what he saw her do before. A healer wasn’t too far away, and it’s not like he could die from the impact. “I saw ‘er do this all the time, I can do it.” Taking a deep breathe, Karik stepped back from the edge before running back.

“Here we go, let’s do it!” With reckless abandon, the boy jumped off the crow’s nest, tucking himself in to prepare for a roll.

 

Karik jumps off the crow's nest, roll for safe landing

[Zetaark]

"Oh hello. You were the archer from before. Your name was...actually I don't think I ever did catch your name did I. Well then, I suppose introductions are in order. My name is Helena, you?" she asks.

 

----------------------------------

 

(15) Karik managed the landing, rolling onto the deck without sustaining any real injuries. A few scratches from the fall, but nothing that would be considered noteworthy, unless one was obsessive about their clothes.

[Aurorix]

"I suppose. After a while it tends to get boring for me, however. Though sunrise and sunsets on the sea I find tend to give the best sights. But you might as well try the wine. Have a sip or something because they gave it to us for helping them. I'm not telling you to get hammered or anything like that. Besides, ya might as well be with the others."  

[Zetaark]

"The others huh," Madante pauses, gazing out at the sea. "Belros, if I may ask, what do you and the others think of me?"