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Post by zarikrahia on May 21, 2007 0:18:21 GMT -5
"Skeletons? I don't remember any skeletons. Or I don't think I do, at least..." Shades voice trailed off, drawing Zari out of her half-trance.
'I remember some skeletons.' Zari said. 'They gave off no heat. None. No thoughts either. Like Marionettes. I remember telling you guys...well...' she gestured at her Wings and shrugged. 'That's all I remember as of now.'
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Post by Tam on May 21, 2007 0:46:39 GMT -5
As she lingered near the table, Tamia couldn't help being drawn into the conversation at hand.
"I remember shadows," she said suddenly. "And a battle. I don't know what we were fighting, or why it was important, though." She hesitated, wondering whether or not she should mention her other remaining fragment of memory.
And? Oran prompted calmly.
Tamia thought quickly. At the back of her mind, she still saw the still forms of Sir Kit and Lady Shade on the cold floor, presumably after the terrible something that would account for the injuries they woke up to this morning. Her memories after that were little more than a blur: scattered colour, muffled cries, and shifting sensations. Howevver, it didn't seem as though any of the other knights remembered such an encounter, and try as she might, Tamia couldn't help but feel an involuntary twinge of doubt that she ever had either.
She shrugged. "That's all I can remember."
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Post by KitClairvoyance on May 21, 2007 9:17:44 GMT -5
Kit nodded and rose to follow Tamia into the central aisle, more than happy to be able to finally leave the sight of food behind him. He was glad that Tamia didn't ask him any questions; it made it easier for him to accept her assistance.
As he turned into the central aisle, he couldn't help but notice a group of nobles dressed in fine robes talking in forced whispers not far off from where he was standing. Apparently they too had been keeping their eyes on him for when he looked towards them they immediately chose to end their conversation. As they walked past him, one of the nobles shot a distasteful glare at Kit and mouthed the word, 'Demon'. It was all Kit could do to stop himself from lashing out at the noble and giving him a taste of what a hungry knight's irritation was like, maybe giving him a broken jaw and relieving him of a tooth or two so he'd know how it'd be like to go hungry for a while as well.
This certainly wasn't Kit's first time at being resented for his demonic association, and after a while he had actually gotten used to it somewhat. Yet, that didn't stop him from feeling a little bit angrier towards the world every time someone acted like the noble and shoved their all too often negative view of demons in his face. Perhaps this was why most demons and demonologists were so hostile towards humans, because they had no other choice.
It didn't help much that when Kit made his way down the aisle to where Tamia was, he caught hold of some of the conversation the other knights were having. Again the topic had reverted to that of demons and their kin. There really didn't seem to be any end to the blame that humans seem to be all to eager to put on the creatures of the lower plane. He didn't bother trying to listen any further to the conversation, it wouldn't do him any good to start harbouring feelings of anger towards his fellow knights.
At the back of his mind, Kit wondered how much longer the knights would tolerate a demonologist within their walls. He wondered if he'd be handed the same fate as Kristen, to be sent out alone against an army of the very creatures they had tried so hard to understand and to forge alliances with. He wouldn't put it past them as yet, humans were known for their low levels of tolerance for those that cast their ranks with the creatures of the lower plane.
"Lady Tamia, if you're ready.."
« Last Edit: Today at 13:13pm by Maya »
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2007 19:19:51 GMT -5
Wolf leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest and balling his hands in concentration. He wasn't quite certain if Sir Jason had heard him—it seemed that Lady Emma had not, as she appeared still to be leaveing the table to find some cloths—and he had other conversation to listen to at the moment.
Shade's a demon? he thought, eyes widening as she said this, I didn't know that... Though, I trust her, but will the people...? Wolf shook his head, sighing. I don't think I'm going to be a popular king much longer if I can't show the people my decisions were wise.
He sat up straighter as he articulated his thoughts: a dark presence? demons? a man in the hall attacking Kat...though, could it be...the same man who had attacked him?
He opened his mouth to speak, though he shut it just as quickly with a glance at Shade. Even if she was only half-demon, she was too good a person, and certainly too good a knight, for him to believe wholeheartedly that all demons were as evil as his people probably would have wanted him to believe they were.
"Not all demons are bad, though, right? And, certainly, demons aren't the only beings to use dark magic, are they?" He shook his head and turned towards Kat, who seemed to be ignoring the fact that Shino still sat dumbfounded and entranced beside her, and said, "Do you recall what the man looked like?" |
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Post by zarikrahia on May 21, 2007 20:06:20 GMT -5
((I found the Knights lack of reaction to Zari's wings alarming. So yeah. Secrets out.))
'Shade isn't the only nonhuman here.' Zari said abruptly. 'I'm a Fae. I had to hide it. I'm sorry, but I had to. I would have told you all sooner, if It hadn't been for the fact my parents would have tried to find me. ' she stood up and left the table. It was out. She could clear her conscience. Zari was suprised no one had noticed the fact that she had acquired a thirteen-foot wingspan overnight.
Which was strange. Too strange.
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Post by Tam on May 21, 2007 21:15:10 GMT -5
"Lady Tamia, if you're ready.."
Tamia nodded, aware that the conversation was starting to take a noticeable turn towards demons again. "More than ready." She led the way through the Great Hall's doors, the words of the knights buzzing in her ears.
The halls seemed to be slightly emptier now that most people had finished their meals and were now headed outside or towards various chambers within the castle to carry out their respective duties, and her footsteps sounded loud against the stone floor. From his vantage point on her shoulder, Oran glared at the few servants they passed who were still not used to his presence. When they were a few corridors away from her quarters, Tamia was beginning to fear that a silence was developing between them. They were very different from each other, granted, and they had a few very different opinions, but she certainly didn't want them to become enemies.
"So... Royal Arbiter now, right? You should be good for that job... are you pleased that you were chosen for it?" It was only after the words left her mouth that she realized that her conversation starter would inevitably lead back to her sooner or later, and she had been thus far trying to think about her own new duty as little as possible.
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Post by Ikkin on May 21, 2007 21:39:37 GMT -5
"Shade isn't the only nonhuman here. I'm a Fae. I had to hide it. I'm sorry, but I had to. I would have told you all sooner, if It hadn't been for the fact my parents would have tried to find me," Zari said before leaving the table.
Ikkin wasn't exactly sure what Zari had to apologize for, or whether she was really supposed to be shocked by this revelation. Of course, Ikkin had an advantage over the others in this regard; she could sense magical signatures, which made it fairly hard to conceal the fact that one was something other than human. Though a new set of thirteen-feet long wings might have still surprised her... if it didn't come directly after a distinct lack of memory.
In any case, the conversation needed to be lightened after being left the way Zari left it.
"Hey, guys, I have a confession too," Ikkin said with a grin. "I'm a kitsune. I know it's shocking." She then realized that it probably wasn't that funny and shut up before she was slapped (like she probably deserved).
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Post by zhunter on May 21, 2007 22:28:55 GMT -5
((I'd just like to point out that Shino did not suddenly lose all his senses and go to sit by Kat just so he could drool all day with his tongue flapping out of his mouth. ;D He just became bold enough to ask Lady Kalianne Triss out, that's all. She accepted and he was happy. After all, usually all his "outings" are formal and no woman really like him after that. Ver suprising...
That's part of the reason he had always showed strictness and formality around ladies and, especially, Kat. I'm no love-sick puppy. XP))
Many murmurs, comments, and discussions bubbled up around him as they began talking, in depth, about the mysterious events of last night. What had happened? He was rallying the Knights to the Ceremony. Trying hard to get them not to worry about the dark aura that Sir Kit and Lady Kat had previously sensed. He was sure everything was going to be dealt with in the right time and moment. Then...
*FLASH*
"Sir Wolf, Sir Shino.. I hope its painfully clear to the both of you now that some of us need to be down there. There will be no more delays. Lady Shade, perhaps it would be better if we both went down.. whatever it is down there, I'm sure just one of us won't be able to stand against it."
...
Kat screamed loudly into the hollow halls of Castle Kestrel. Echoes of the violent cry were sent forth, ringing from hallway to hallway until they reach the Great Hall. Now they were but faint screams, but Sir Kit, Lady Tamia, and Sir Shino could understand the intent of the cry. All thought it might have been nerves though. Tamia was more cautious.
...
"...Lords and Ladies of the court....LORD WOLF!!!!!"
*FLASH*
A jumble of images and a twinge of pain to his head made him grasp his hair and grip his lightly tanned temples. A migraine was building on him as he tried to remember yesterday's events. A black-garbed man? Hadn't there been a vial on the floor while Shino was laying dazed on the stone? Why had there been blood on his clothes? Why couldn't he piece together anything? It seemed like such a blur...
Unfortunately, these images were lost as soon as they were interrupted by a very melodious voice he wished would come back to him later after his headache was gone. "Congratulations, you really deserve to be the king's right hand. If it were me, I'd probably screw everything up. I'm probably less likely to screw things up when they're about magic."
"Of course you'll do fine, m'lady. You have no need to be ashamed or trod over yourself with belittlements." Shino managed as he tried to maintain a steady thought process while recovering from the very forgetful scenes he had attained from his mind. What could be done about them? Could no one fish out the thoughts of the previous encounters before the Ceremony among these gifted Knights?
A sudden dizziness washed over his body and the White Knight leaned over a slight bit. He retained control enough so that he did not smack into the table. Bracing himself on the table, he stood up and felt that uneasy feeling again. "I'm feeling very sick all of a sudden...Would you excuse me for a moment?" Sir Shino stated as he walked out through the doors with his hand on his head. A bit of a lie-down might help him rediscover the imagery he had seen a moment ago.
Shino just couldn't focus right now. That's all.
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Post by Kat on May 22, 2007 2:33:50 GMT -5
"Well, so long as neither of you harbor any ill intentions and nobody gets hurt, I don't find a Fae or a kitsune strange. I've seen stranger things, mind you," said Kat, trying to grin after recalling her encounter with that man who had wanted to take her. "And as for the man...I don't know what he looked like, probably had the visor of his helmet down or something. But I do remember that he knew my name and my old magic teacher's name, and could do magic."
"Of course you'll do fine, m'lady. You have no need to be ashamed or trod over yourself with belittlements."
Kat felt her cheeks burn at Shino's statement. "Thanks," she said, smiling more widely. "But seriously, I can't imagine myself - "
Whatever she was going to say next never came. The Purple Knight stifled a gasp as she saw the White Knight suddenly lean over. The look in his eyes told her that something was probably wrong.
"I'm feeling very sick all of a sudden...Would you excuse me for a moment?"
He stood up and walked away, clutching his head. Before she could think about it, Kat shoved her chair aside and ran after him. Whether it was just a little worry or paranoia, she would wonder later.
"Wait! Are you all right? Do you need me to help?"
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Post by zarikrahia on May 22, 2007 3:01:35 GMT -5
Zari didn't dare to look behind her. If someone wanted to prod her with a stick, fine. 'You did the right thing. They would have found out later. And that would have been worse.' Zaha stated. 'I thought you should have told them earlier.' Zari groaned and said nothing. Zaha flicked an ear towards Kat just in time to hear "Well, so long as neither of you harbor any ill intentions and nobody gets hurt, I don't find a Fae or a kitsune strange. I've seen stranger things, mind you. And as for the man...I don't know what he looked like, probably had the visor of his helmet down or something. But I do remember that he knew my name and my old magic teacher's name, and could do magic."
Zaha sighed. Stranger and Stranger.
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Post by zhunter on May 22, 2007 9:39:47 GMT -5
Stepping out into a corridor, Shino heard footsteps coming rapidly after him. Kat's voice followed and he saw that she had a concerned look upon her soft face. He needn't worry her in any way, of course. She needed to concentrate on the cloaked man she had told everyone she had seen. He didn't want her to lose and more of her memory at the thoughts either.
"I'll be fine, m'lady. No need to fuss about me. I'm sure it's just a slight headache." Shino assured her as he turned to face the Purple Knight, "I'll just slip back to my room to rest for a while. It was probably something I ate anyways." Explaining in this way made it easier not to tell her the complete truth. He knew that honesty was always better in this instance, but he didn't want Lady Kalianne Triss to wait on him or any such thing as that.
Shino turned back away from her and began to take a step down the direction of his quarters...
*FLASH*
Darkness enveloped his view. But just enough adjustment in his vision that he could make out shifting figures above him. He was surrounded by shadowy wraiths on all sides and could see the malevolence in their eyes. Where was he? Lady Kalianne...Sir Kit...Lady Tamia? He had just been in the secret passageway when...
...
Skeletons assaulted the Knights in waves as they tried to grasp flesh and tear it from their bones. Making the Knights unearthly beings like them could fuel their intent fully. But how long could these bags of bones keep coming? Tombs, mausoleums, and graves opening up to flood the Knights utterly in dakness...
...
Shade and Kit stared at him, and without waiting for either to speak, Wolf continued. "They will not strike at the ceremony-- they'll strike elsewhere, at the village or in the castle anywhere where we are not presence." He sighed, shaking his head. "They are already coming towards us."
*FLASH*
Black.
Everything was black.
What had happened? Had they succeeded in-
"Ah!" Shino gasped out as he came back to the world. He was lying on the ground with an even larger migraine then before. He saw Lady Kat above him, but could not find the words to ask her what had happened. It was all very fuzzy. He had to rise though. No need in getting the Knights or King Wolf worried.
Trying to prop himself, he fell back down in disdain. All of a sudden it felt as though he was as before. Weak. Without power or wisdom. Entirely vulnerable. He had wanted more...Was that so wrong? When your like this...
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2007 16:02:16 GMT -5
Wolf glanced up at Zari as she stood abruptly and admitted she was Fae. Wolf squinted at her, not sure why he hadn't noticed her wings all morning, though being Fae certainly didn't sound as bad as the worry in the Crimson Knight's voice made it sound. Unless, Wolf didn't rightly understand what it meant to be Fae. Certainly, he had heard stories—but were they not only stories?
It didn't seem to matter, though, as Zari had stormed off before he could say anything.
And then Ikkin's attempt at lightening the mood, seemed only to further add to the tension.
And Sir Kit and Lady Tamia had walked off, as had Sir Shino complained of feeling ill and left abruptly with Lady Kat in tow. Further, the Great Hall was emptying quickly, the hour for breakfast drawing nearer to an end.
The prospect of an unidentifiable man in the caste, however, still chilled him to his soul, and he reached for his claw unconsciously. But it wasn't there. Wolf glanced at his arm, and truly, his Dragon's Claw was gone.
What? Where is it?
He leapt up abruptly, his chair sliding back against the floor with a painful sound of grinding, his heart racing faster than he could ever recall it. It was habit to don his claw every morn, so why had it slipped his mind today?
"Unless, unless I'm still needed here," he said, trepidation in his voice, trying to say anything at all before rushing off mindlessly, "I think, I think I'll be excused now." |
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Post by zarikrahia on May 22, 2007 17:37:43 GMT -5
((Zari has 'weeded' out all of the books in the library containing myths about Fae. Fae are essentially being of nature comprised of the elements. I'm not shfting on my position on not telling you all too much, but Zari ran off. ))
Zari arrived back at her quaters. She had no idea that telling people she was a Fae would be so hard. Saying it out loud made it real. She grabbed a book and sat down on her bed, opening it and starting to read.
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Post by Shadaras on May 22, 2007 18:45:08 GMT -5
The knights table emptied quickly, with Tamia and Kit leaving together, and then Zari left quickly after saying she was a Fae, whatever that meant. Yes, she had wings now, but Shade would consider that a whole lot odder if she had gained them any day but this one. Shino, claiming he had a headache, left shortly after, Kat following. And then Wolf said "Unless, unless I'm still needed here, I think, I think I'll be excused now."
Shade looked at him, worried. He hadn't gotten this nervous ever before, that she know of, at least. "Is it just me, or did losing out memories make us really scared and paranoid?"
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Post by Dice on May 22, 2007 20:53:10 GMT -5
Pyro watched silently over the rim of her glass as Zari walked off, obviously uncomfortable, the Tamia, Kit, Shino, Kat, and Wolf all soon deserted. Her eyes fell on Shade after the Bronze Knight's comment. The Black Knight twitched her shoulders in a shrugged reply.
"Well, I didn't know I could get any more paranoid, but I'd have to say....yeah. I don't like not knowing where I was or what was happening. And knowing parts of it is even worse." She frowned and set down her glass, sitting up from her hunched-shoulders position to brush a hand across the scabbard at her side. "There was ash on my flame-blade this morning, and traces of it on the stuff I wore last night. I didn't think much of it--the blasted sword bursts into fire half the time anyway--but I believe I had to have been battling those skeleton monsters as well." She sighed. "It's being left in the dark that's getting to everyone."
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