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

[Aurorix]

"Well back when I was still part of the guild, when everyone wasn't stuffing their faces or getting drunk, a lot of us played cards. Stuff like poker or black jack, and you wouldn't believe how many fights were had when people gambled too much of their money away." Reminiscing about the good times at the guild made his smile grow bigger, too bad he'll never experience it again.  "Not to brag but I was pretty good. Made quite the amount of money just from that alone."

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

Since their escape from jail, Emilee had something in her mind that she just needed to investigate. So she searched all over the boat to sate her curiosity, untl she found her. "Selia right?" Emilee said when she finally found her. "I'm Emilee, nice to meet you! Can I uh, ask you for a favor?"

[Swordstar]

"Ah, yes, you healed me in that fight, thank you for that." Selia smiled at the other girl, tucking away the tome she had been reading over. "What is it that you need? Your fortune told perhaps?"

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"Yes exactly!" She said over excitedly, and covered her mouth with her hands a moment later. "Oh excuse me, inside voice. Yes, I'd very much like to get my fortune told. I've never met a fortune teller but the prospect always sounded appealing. Would it be too much of a bother?" 

[Swordstar]

Selia chuckled and shook her head. "Your group is the reason I'm alive and free. A few fortune tellings on the house are hardly a steep price to pay for that. Though you understand that it may not be what you want to hear, yes? The fortune you get is seldom the one you want after all... Some prefer not knowing over knowing because of that."

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"I want to hear what the Goddess has in store for me." Emilee answered without hesitation. "If my future is dark, then I am doing something wrong in the present. So if you tell me something I don't want to hear, I'll work harder to better myself and change it. If you tell me my future is bright though, I'll know I am on the right path and ti will bring me comfort. Either way I'll have something to learn." 

[Chevaleresse]

Myrdwyn, for her part, was in her usual condition: a bit bored, a bit surly, and more than a bit drunk. She was below the deck, separate from Ecquis for once; apart from that, the wyvern was in his usual condition as well, sleeping on the deck in a spot that only a wyvern could find comfortable (or quiet enough to sleep on. She had an open bottle of something vaguely foul-smelling in one hand as she reclined in a hammock, and another with a different label resting on the ground. She wondered idly who she was going to have to play counselor to next. Maybe Cadence was going to be wrapped up in some angst again. . .

[Sutoratosu]

Spoiler

Cadence sat with her back to the railing. Hair draped her shoulders, hiding part of her face as she stared into her palm. The ribbon Rayne had given her danced and spiraled in midair as if possessed with a mind all it's own, carried by the dull breeze she circulated. Twas no stronger than the ones she'd generated in the prison. His warning still echoed through her mind, but she knew naught what else to do to distract herself. Far too much had gone wrong back there, and she knew damn well it had been just as much her responsibility as it was belros'. The hand still trembled. She could already sense a familiar presence nearby... 

"I must say, I'm actually a bit impressed. I half expected you wouldn't make it out." the jest only got a glare from the girl, "Oh, what? come now, you're alive, and that's more than your jailers can say-"

"This isn't over yet" she snapped "There's still that swine Nemo and the rest of his pissant hirelings. After what happened in there, I'm not stopping until I've repaid my debts"

A chuckle is the phantom's only response. Though it dies out halfway through, morphing from a exhale of amusement to something the girl could only describe as mourning.

"Is that so? Yes, I think I'm starting to see it now... that spite, that wrath flowing off you in waves. Just like him at your age... well, starting at it at least. Always had some target, always had something he doggedly pursued, as if it personally offended him simply by existing."

"Oh, excuuuuse me then, I only just walked all my colleagues into a trap I'd already sensed coming a mile away and got my ass handed to me by some nobleman whose house is so seedy all they have is a damn alias. But no, you're right, I'm in the wrong here, getting angered about how things played out. go on, tell me the bullshit about how its a "slippery slope" and that it will "lead to far worse things". Go on Mara, please-"

"I would've thought you'd learned that from your damn mother,"

Spoiler

 

the ghosts words carried a weight so palpable, Cadence couldn't help but shut up on the spot. "You're starting down the same path girl, whether you realize it or not. Holding onto the past and letting it fester is a good way to form an obsession that will ruin you. Just as it has her...To the very day she struck down your father and tried to kill you too, she still held onto that hate, that self-loathing, that blame. Ramza died because he loved and trusted a woman who couldn't even do the same for herself, let alone him-"

"Stop...please..."

"Stop? Perhaps once you've learned something, then I'll stop. Just like so many others, she once gazed upon the abyss, you know. And in the darkness she was finally able to see just how ugly and repulsive the light really was. Yet she refused to accept it, clung to it like the soiled safety blanket it was... was so self-righteous that the very idea she might be wrong, what she stood for might be wrong, offended her. And like a fool, she let fury and fear drive her actions, instead of reason... and do you know what her reward was for that, Cadence? Do you know why you don't have any uncles or aunts or cousins?"

"...."

"Death" her form was solid as ever, as she leaned into her face. A mix of disappointment, and something Cadence could not even begin to describe, radiated off her "Needless, pointless death that only reinforced the very ugliness that she'd refused to see. A man simply wanted to avenge his wife the only way that had been left available to him, and the church in all its glory and wisdom, who had threatened and excommunicated him up till then, sent out it's best to silence him once and for all. He had made some questionable decisions, yes, but in a system so rigged towards the mechanations of self-serving clergy, good men are bound to be forced into bad choices. The true villain of the tale? well... he was sitting safe and pretty in some cathedral, protected from just desserts by rank and reputation... the very one who put the order for the "Heretic's" death.

    A good man who simply wanted the justice his beloved had been denied died that day, and so too did any aunts or uncles you once had, all because your mother had a chance to admit, this was a grievous error, to learn from it, to try and correct it... but instead of doing so, she fixated in her ways and buried her pretty little head in the sand. And just like her, here you are... knowing that you erred here, yet fixating on the chagrin and the anger of being wrong, instead of the lesson of why your were wrong."

"Which will it be, Cadence? Will you follow in that wretched woman's footsteps any longer? Will you repeat all the same mistakes, and fail to learn the same lessons? You've a right to be upset about how it all went, but you'd be wise to temper it with some careful thought- Go charging recklessly next time you encounter that man all because of some grudge, and someone will die. And then the responsibility really will be on your hands. Do you understand me, girl?"

"...yeh. Yeh, I do..."

Quote

"I've been speaking with my son for quite a bit, and he's told me quite a bit about what happened since he's been caught and wound up with you. Even so, I still want to hear a bit more about how you found Karik. Would any of you be interested in telling me about your travels so far?" she asks the group in general.

Both of them turned their heads at the voice in the distance. Mara's serpent like gaze was right back on the girl though. She was already fading away with the sea breeze.

"Good. You have the potential to end this madness girl, don't go falling into the same holes the rest of your family has. But I do believe that's your cue, given you probably know the boy best of anyone here. We'll continue this later. And do dry your eyes before you head over there..."

 

She was gone. Cadence took a moment to compose herself and retied her hair before she went over.

Quote

.

"I've been speaking with my son for quite a bit, and he's told me quite a bit about what happened since he's been caught and wound up with you. Even so, I still want to hear a bit more about how you found Karik. Would any of you be interested in telling me about your travels so far?" 

"I think I can explain things a bit," Cadence said as she walked over from the railing. She gave Karik little more than a nod in acknowledgement as she passed "We were supposed to be heading straight to kabumu to investigate reports of a "disturbance" on the island. Early into the voyage though, we were set on by a band of pirates, led by some man called... what was his name again, Karik? Gonzap? Anyway, that's... how we found him. They were forcing him to fight in the raid against us, but well... we could tell something wasn't right. Some of us talked to him, and well... before long Gonzap and his men were dead, Karik had decided to come with us until we could find his par- er... find you.

      The next thing we know though, there's a squal just on the horizon, massive one, and by the time we notice it's already too late. Washed up on the shores of some random isle way to the south, along with what was left of the ship. Was a lucky break everyone survived. From there we had a few run ins with more scumbags, eventually found passage on another ship, and managed to make our way to the port we met you at, before... well, the mansion and everything."

 

[rokubiraijuu]

It had taken the better part of the first day on board to convince Kite he would be all right on another ship. The stallion had been as unruly as ever, and Idei was lucky to get away with just a couple new bandaged bite wounds on his arms rather than having some fingers missing. 

 

Seated on the deck near the door to the interior ( the sea still makes him a little uneasy, but anything is better than being locked in a small room right now ), he listens to Cadence as she briefly recounts their journey thus far. It's almost hard to remember what their original destination had been; it's strange to realize that all this time all they've been doing is getting rerouted.

 

"A boy like Karik belongs with his family," he says quietly to mother and son with a nod after Cadence is finished, "I'm happy he was able to find his home again."

[Zetaark]

"Really now? Maybe if I were good at cards I'd be able to make tons of money too," Madante suggests in a half-joking tone before speaking again. "What did you end up doing with your winnings exactly? Did you save any of it, or did you spend it all on luxury items here and there? Or maybe something else entirely?" he asks, curious as to how Belros handled his money.

 

 

"So you actually ran into them...I can only imagine what Karik had to go through on that pirate ship," she states in a solemn tone as she continues listening to the rest of the story. By the end of it she nodded to herself before speaking again.

 

"It sounds like that storm caused a fair bit of problems for you if it got you this far off course. Though I have heard some horror stories of cargo ships getting blown well off course and stranded at some of the outer isles. Regardless, the weather for now looks to be clear, and we should wind up at your destination soon enough," she says with a smile.

[Aurorix]

"Actually, until recently I've been saving up for a diamond ring. I actually bought it and still have it. It costed almost all I had saved up but I never got a chance to use it before..." He stayed silent. Who would've thought this would be brought up.  "A-anyways, enough about me. How's about instead of flailing your sword in the air you find yourself a sparring partner? So how about a rematch between us? Besides, I still need to pay you back for last time." Belros began cracking his knuckles after he said that. Hopefully this time he won't get taken out in one hit if the man does decide to accept his challenge.

[Zetaark]

"Before that rematch, you have a bit of explaining. You said that you didn't get a chance to use that ring. Does that mean you were going to?" Madante asks as he heads closer and puts his arm around Belros. "Don't think you can just gloss over that bit without anymore explanation. Tell me more about what you were going to use that ring for," Madante asks, getting more and more excited. 

[Aurorix]

"You really can't take a hint can you." Belros sighs placing his right palm to his face while he shakes his head. "Look, I was thinking about proposing to Leona. There I said it, ya happy? Though, even if I wanted to I can't anymore seeing as she's no longer among the living and all."  He paused for a moment,  "What? You really think anyone here would be interested in me? Cadence would kill me, Myrdwyn would break my arm... and probably the rest of my body, Helena would roast me alive, I'm pretty sure Rayne doesn't even know I exist, I hardly even know Clarisse or that new girl Selia, and Emilee is searching for her prince charming which I don't think I qualify for."

[Zetaark]

"O-oh...I see," Madante says, his mood quickly shifting. He then listens to Belros' statement regarding his relation with the other girls in the party. "Er...I'm not sure if this will come across as rude or not, but I wasn't expecting the ring to be for someone with us. As for how you think the girls think of you...I can't exactly say you're wrong," Madante scratches his head, unsure of what to say next. "So...what do you plan on doing with the ring now? Provided you're willing to answer," Madante asks, trying to swap the topic of conversation slightly.

[Aurorix]

"Honestly I don't really know. I'm not going to sell it, that's for sure." The man shrugs,  "I'll just keep it as a memento for now. Who knows, maybe it'll find some use, probably not though."  Belros chuckles. Well, at least he knows not to get his hopes up anymore. Fate is a cruel mistress indeed.  "So, what about you Madante? Anyone in our party catches your eye so far? I spilled my heart out so it's only fair you do the same." The spy teased wondering what his response would be.

[Zetaark]

"Wait me?" Madante asks in a rather flustered tone as he scratches his head trying to think on it. "Er...I couldn't really say. Rayne's only really spoke to me in regards to various individuals she's roped in with her. Emilee...something tells me she doesn't think very much of me. Myrdwyn...well I knew of her a bit from before, and I guess she's alright at times, but I couldn't really say how I feel about her. As for the others...we haven't really spoken too much, so I can't say very much on that," Madante says, frowning a little, before grinning a bit.

 

"I guess both of us don't have much for great relations with the ladies in this group huh?"

[Aurorix]

"Well, I guess you're right about that." The spy grew big smile before jumping up in-front of Madante.  "I guess there's only one thing we can do about this situation. Madante, YOU are gonna get a date before our adventure is over and I'LL be your amazing wing man!" Belros said heroically, pointing at Madante as his cloak flowed in the air with the ocean breeze.

[Sutoratosu]

5 hours ago, Zetaark said:

 

"It sounds like that storm caused a fair bit of problems for you if it got you this far off course. Though I have heard some horror stories of cargo ships getting blown well off course and stranded at some of the outer isles. Regardless, the weather for now looks to be clear, and we should wind up at your destination soon enough,"

"Yeah, hope you're right..." Cadence couldn't help but sigh in a bit of annoyance at the thought. How long had they'd been away, by now? How many days, weeks were they off of the original time table? All that time, and all that blood shed in meaningless conflicts along the way, was something none of them would ever get back "About time too, I have to say... after all the hurdles we jumped through just to keep going." 

 

With that said, she turned to Karik, meeting his eyes for the first time in that whole conversation. As infuriating as parts of this whole detour the past few weeks had been, finding him was one of the few actually good things that had come out of it. Was actually nice having someone even remotely close to her own age around, even if he was a few years younger... someone it was easy to relate to. Hell in some ways, he'd been like the little brother she'd never had.

 

But now, well... he'd found what he was looking for- Cadence was happy for him. Really, she was, but...

"Well I... I guess it's gonna goodbye pretty soon then, Karik" She said "I'm glad we helped you find your mom. Hopefully you guys can go back to however things were before."

 

[Anstane]

 

Darius was looking out at the ocean, standing next to the railing. It had been a rough day or two for everyone and now was a time for some relaxation...at least, in theory. He looked out at the rolling waves, seemingly in thought about something. Someone could interact with him if they wanted to.

[Zetaark]

"Er...I have mixed feelings about just getting pressured into going on a date, but that aside, you as a wingman..." Madante continues scratching his head, unsure of how to word his next statement. "Forgive me, but I have a bad feeling about that. I may be wrong and things might work out but you understand my reservations, right?"

 

"Not quite goodbye. I'll be around in Versidia once we get there, and you can visit me if you want. Right Ma?" he asks, looking expectantly at his mother. 

 

"Yes that's quite alright," she giggles. "I'm glad to see that Karik has gotten to meet some nice people from all of this. But yes, our main shop and home is stationed in Versidia, so if you ever want to see him, you'll have the opportunity. Alright?"

[rokubiraijuu]

After listening to the conversation for a little while, Idei excuses himself, disappearing into the interior of the ship to use the bathroom. Once back on the deck, he spots someone standing off to the side, apart from everyone else. The magician that's traveled with them all this time; he doesn't appear eager to be part of any gathering, or seek anyone out. Come to think of it, Idei hasn't seem him speak to much of anyone. He doesn't even remember his name.

 

He makes his way nearby, standing beside the railing a respectful distance away. "Do you mind if I join you? There is something about you that invites peace." Calmly, he, too, looks out at the placid ocean glimmering with reflected sunlight.

[Aurorix]

"Hmph fine, then you've forced my hand..." Belros then draws out one of his knives and points it at Madante,  "How about we have ourselves a little wager, hmmmm? If I win my rematch then you'll have to take me as your wing man at least once, and if I loose I'll never speak of this again. Does that seem pretty fair to you or do ya wanna raise the steaks even more? Or maybe you don't have the guts to do it." There was a cheeky grin plaster on his face.

[Zetaark]

"Well if that's how we're doing it...then we fight!" Madante shouts as he draws his signature sword and strikes at Belros.

Spoiler

 

(Belros has the advantage)
(Belros will attack twice)

 

Madante:
Attack: 12
Hit: 79%
Crit: 10%

 

Belros:
Attack: 7
Hit: 100%
Crit: 15%

 

Madante's Attack: 5, hit!
Madante's sword glows (37)
Belros takes 12 damage!

 

Belros' Attack 1: autohit!
Madante takes 7 damage!

 

Belros' Attack 2: autohit! (crit roll: 16 (so close))
Madante takes 7 damage!

 

Madante's Attack: 14, hit!
Madante's sword glows (83)
Belros takes 12 damage!
Belros is defeated!

 

Madante's first strike is a clean hit, taking Belros off guard for a moment. He refocuses quickly however, landing two of his blows in return. As Belros moved closer in for his attacks however, Madante was able to follow up with his second strike, which was strong enough to send Belros flat on the deck.

 

"Well, I guess that's that. Your hits are certainly better focused than the last time we fought. I couldn't dodge them at all," Madante compliments Belros as he holds his hand towards him.

[Aurorix]

"Yea, yea, still got knocked on my ass though..." Belros spoke begrudgingly taking Madante's hand, picking himself back up.  "A deals a deal I suppose and I really wanted to see what would happen between you and Myrdwyn. However I must say, that's quite a blade you've got there. How on earth were you able to acquire one such as that?" The spy spoke examining the sword Madante had used during their battle. 

[Zetaark]

"Well, the sword was custom made for me when I joined the guard. It was a special set of circumstances," Madante answered before frowning a bit. "Also...were you going to try and get me to go on a date with Myrdwyn?"