Re: Requiem of Depravity

[that fang]

Aeliel closed his eyes in concentration, trying to feel out with his mind. Unfortunately, he wasn't exactly sure what he was doing and felt quite silly. "No, sorry. Maybe we only feel things when the others are closer. Or maybe training is required to sense things like this... Do you have anything? If not, we should probably just start searching."

[AlluredStep]

'Not feeling anything right now," Sinclair said, glancing around, running hand through his disheveled hair and sighing. "You're right, we probably have to be a bit closer to them to sense anything significant. Tell you what. I'll head this way..."

He pointed east toward a cluster of shacks and buildings. "And you can head the opposite direction to the west. Regardless if you find someone or not, we can rendezvous at the fountain right here in a bit. Sound good to you? It's the best I can come up with right now..."

[that fang]

"All right," Aeliel agreed. "That sounds for the best." He smiled, inwardly cursed his horrible sense of direction in foreign towns (well, basically towns in general), and waved goodbye to Sinclair.

Heading west, eh? Aeliel really didn't know which way west was, so he just went in a straight line opposite of where Sinclair headed. Hopefully, he'd run into someone, and if not, he'd only have to retrace his steps in a straight line to find his way back.

If he had thought about it, Aeliel would have realized he looked really dumb staring at his feet in immense concentration as he tried not to stray from a line. The passersby were forced to part lest they risk bumping into him, scowling as they walked on.

"What are the chances of randomly bumping into someone?" Aeliel muttered, a bit frustrated as he pulled a hand through his auburn hair. Not to mention the other people he ran the risk of meeting. Barahm and Silar weren't exactly on the best terms...

[CodastertheDisaster]

Kaza looked at Cielo with a slight nod. "If you are ready, let us go on our way." He nodded a thanks at Isha for direction, turning on his heels and beginning the trek to the stables. He hoped they wouldn't ask to get a look at his face. He pulled the sleeve of his coat down over his right arm as much as possible, trying to hide his gauntlet, as well as peeling off his glove and ring. He rented two horses, handing the reins of one to Cielo. He hopped on his horse, nodding at his companion, then taking off.

When they were arrived, a man was there to greet them. "Isha told us to come here," he said as the man approached. He just nodded, sending them inside. Kaza shed his stolen cloak, sighing and shaking sand out of his hair. The beggar he stole it from must have been absolutely filthy. He sighed, leaning back in his chair. He didn't get anything aside from a mug full of water, which was cool and fresh, most likely from an underground well. The interior of the building was pleasantly cool as well. He took a sip, looking up at Cielo. "How are you holding up against the heat?" he asked casually.

[Book the Hero]

Cielo had followed him to the outpost, and although the horse-ride was a bit bumpy, they made it there without incident. When they got there, she got herself a nice cold mug of water, just like her companion. She took a seat across from him, taking a sip of her water, when he asked how she was holding up.

"Ok, but I'm still sweating a lot..." She said, while pulling at the collar of her top, trying to get some more air under it. "I'm really not used to a warm climate, or these clothes, really."

[CodastertheDisaster]

Kaza nodded. "I am lucky to be from Tivuor. It is hot there as well, sometimes hotter than here. My clan's land is Mt. Vulkai, which is an active volcano. I was born and raised there. My body was tempered in the heat of the live volcano, as was my resolve." He finished off his water, pushing the mug away. "Tivuorians are known for being hot-headed. I would like to believe that I am not." He paused, staring at his ring for a moment. "Tell me about your homeland."

[Book the Hero]

Cielo smiled as she listened to Kaza speak about his homeland. "Thyella is a cold and snowy place year-round. My village, Niveus, was seated near Mt. Terra, and a large forest called the Niveus Woods." Cielo said, her mind drifting to her homeland. "We're a bunch of cool minded people, who like to think before we act, although there are a few exceptions, like me, who act through instinct. People use to tell me that was why I was a good hunter. Year-round, me and other hunters would scour the woods, looking for game, so we could eat. Each night I would return home to my sisters, who took care of the home chores, like chopping wood, or cooking. In Thyella, we're close to our neighbors, the whole village was like family to each other." She said, before taking another sip of her water. She could continue, but she didn't want to bore Kaza.

---

OOC: I'm making this all up as I go.

[CodastertheDisaster]

Kaza nodded. "It sounds like a harsh place to live. But nevertheless, is also seems like a nice place." His gaze shifted to the other side of the room, though he didn't seem to be looking at anything in particular. "The Vulkai clan is renowned for it's warriors. At age ten we are sent off to train as soldiers. We would be considered full-fledged soldiers by age fourteen." He closed his eyes, recounting the memories. "Bloodshed was an everyday part of life. I was forced to kill. When I was sixteen I fled the army, returning to Mt. Vulkai. I wanted to meditate and repent. I did not enjoy killing." He stopped again to take a deep breath. "I practiced my Arts. I was always the best, anyways. I managed to hide out for almost ten years. I was called to battle again, but I would not kill. I broke that oath when the Old God rose. I killed as a sign of mercy." Kaza opened his eyes, looking at Cielo. "It sounds contradictory, but if you had seen what it did to those poor souls, you would understand."
He leaned forward, staring at the table. "I did not mean to bore you with long stories," he added.

[Book the Hero]

"Oh no, I quite liked it, actually." Cielo said with a smile, having listened to the story with great interest. "I first began learning to hunt when I was about ten, as well. Later, I would learn that I was some kind of archery prodigy, or something. My arts were also a bit above everyone else. Some people thought I'd be better off as a warrior, or something like that, but I refused. I was happy with my life, and Thyella is a neutral nation anyways." She said, taking another sip.

"...It must have been horrifying..." Cielo said after a moment. "The Old God, I mean..."

[CodastertheDisaster]

Kaza smirked. "Horrifying doesn't even begin to describe it. I wanted to hide," he said. "But I knew I had to lead as many away as I could. I kept my face expressionless and my voice calm." He shook his head. "Bravery is keeping calm when you really just want to hide. It is continuing forward when you know death awaits you around the corner." He focused his gaze on Cielo's eyes. "We will have to fight them soon enough. Looking at them you will feel despair beyond any you have felt before. You will feel hopeless. Sorrow. But you must," he paused, hitting the table with a metal fist, "stay strong. Do not back down."

[Book the Hero]

Cielo was silent as she listed to Kaza described the experience. A shiver went up her back as she imagined what it must have been like. "I'm not sure if I'm ready for this, but...I have family back home, and if someone doesn't stop the Old Gods, they could die..." Cielo said, growing silent for a moment, before starring Kaza back, straight in the eyes. "That's why I'll fight. People are counting on me, and I can't just give up cause I'm scared."

[CodastertheDisaster]

Kaza nodded. "You must never give up. Just remember, we number Seven. You have six more behind you." He stood up, sticking his hands in his pockets. "I'm going to find somewhere to sleep," he said, turning on his heel and walking off with a slight wave.

[Book the Hero]

Cielo nodded, before standing herself. "I'm going to go find out if they have a bath around here." She said turning around to walk out. "...If you ever need to talk, I'm here." She said.

[that fang]

Aeliel stopped as his feet hit the fountain. Wide-eyed, he looked around frantically. Had he really been going in a circle? He'd tried so hard to go in a straight line; how in the heavens did he end up back here? He'd been going in a line!

"At least technically it ended well," Aeliel muttered, remembering the reason he'd been adamant in walking in a line anyway. "I mean, I could've gotten lost since my lines aren't as straight as I thought they were."

He sighed, surveying the people around him. Sinclair hadn't yet returned. Maybe if Aeliel made a scene, he'd attract the other descendants. He mused on this idea for a while before scrapping it. It'd probably just get him imprisoned for disturbance of the peace. Besides, a lot of other people would also come to see what the fuss was. Maybe doing something discreet that had to do with temples and descendants and stuff? Aeliel imagined himself doing some sort of interpretive dance and quickly discarded that idea as well.

"I'll wait until Sinclair comes back or someone walks by and let them do the thinking," he muttered eventually, looking at the sky. He only hoped it happened quickly.

[Rose Hathaway]

Corentine had found an alley eventually and curled up in a ball before silently crying for what felt like ages. After a while, her tears stopped, and she sat alone and staring blankly into the wall across from her for a bit longer. Finally, she decided she needed to go join the others to figure out what the fuck was going on. They were at.... the fountain, right? She couldn't remember. So she went there first, only to find the group not there. There was only a man looking up at the sky.

"Dammit." she muttered, trying to think of a plan. Finally she gave up and wandered over to him to see if he'd seen anything. He didn't look dangerous. "Um, excuse me, did you perhaps see a Thyellan girl, a Tivourian man, and a girl with light blond hair and blue clothes?" she asked him, hoping he would help.

[that fang]

Aeliel looked down and flushed red. Wow, way to look like a genius, staring up at nothing, he berated himself. Then he got a closer look at the girl who'd approached him and almost fell off of the fountain (which he now realized he'd taken a seat upon). As he caught the girl's eye, the mysterious feeling intensified almost tenfold.

"Y-you're one of the descendant people," he blurted out quite unintelligently. "Uh, hi! I'm Aeliel. Well met!"

[Rose Hathaway]

"Oh wow, you're one of those people who thinks that too." She rolled her eyes. "I'm Corentine, and I'm looking for these other descendant people too. I found... four of them. Then one told me something I didn't like, I ran off, and I lost them. Have you seen them?"

[that fang]

"Er, no. I met another guy, though. His name's Sinclair. He's nice. We're looking for the rest of them, but we separated to cover more ground and he hasn't come back yet," Aeliel nodded, taking in the girl's appearance. She was pretty, he guessed, in a sad kind of way. Blonde hair, stormy eyes; but currently wearing a blank expression.

[Rose Hathaway]

"Oh. They said something about going to an inn outside of town, but I don't know where it is." she said, disappointed. "But your friend Sinclair sounds better than no descendants at all. Besides, once we find them, it'll make everything easier, I guess. Even though I have no idea what's going on."

[that fang]

Aeliel broke into a smile, pleased he managed to do something in this strange environment. Just last week, he'd been frantic over his uselessness, so this new achievement did wonders for his self-esteem. "Cool. So I guess we're just going to wait until he comes back? I wonder if he found the others?"

[Rose Hathaway]

"Hopefully he has. If not, we'll ask for directions to the inn outside of town. I don't know where, but I'm sure there are several people who know of it. We'll find someone eventually." Corentine finally shrugged.

[AlluredStep]

After wandering around the town backwards and forwards and searching inside all the shops, Sinclair came out empty-handed. Taking once last glance around the town, he ran his hand through his hair again, a habit he had when he was stressed. Shoving his hands in his pockets he strolled back to the place where he agreed to meet Aeliel again.

As he strolled toward the fountain, he saw his comrade already standing near it, along with another blonde-haired woman standing next to him. Increasing his pace, he waved at Aeliel and ran next to the pair.

"A friend of yours, Aeliel?" He asked.

[that fang]

"Yeah." Aeliel rummaged through his pack. "Uh, do you have any money? I think I might have some. Not sure if it's enough for a night at the inn." On his way here, he'd just camped out under the trees. Growing up in Silar, he was used to that, but he didn't want to force this girl he'd just met into harsh conditions. And besides, there weren't many trees here (he thought, for some reason bitter).

[Rose Hathaway]

"Another descendant, more like. At least, according to everyone else." Corentine said, taking in the newcomer. "Are you Sinclair?" she asked. It must be, since obviously he knew Aeliel. "I have some. Enough for a couple nights maybe if it's cheap. If not, it's worth some at the tavern."

[AlluredStep]

Sinclair rummaged though his own pack. "I've got some money... between the three of us we probably have enough to last us." He put his pack on neatly and offered his hand to the newcomer for a shake.

"Yes, Name's Sinclair, I'm assuming Aeliel probably told you that," he said. "Pleasure to meet you, miss...?"

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