Re: Requiem of Depravity

by that fang Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:01 pm

Aeliel bade the ones who went to bed good night before turning to Isha. "By the way, are there any animals in the desert?" He hadn't seen any on their way here, but the horses might have scared them off. Or maybe he wasn't as observant as he should've been - in the forests of Silar, wildlife was much more apparent.

by MrMissMrs Random Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:04 pm

"Of course. Most of it in the high desert is small though. Insects, small reptiles, creatures such as that." Isha replied to the man. "In the brushlands you get more of a menagerie. Beasts and such. The oasis' also have mroe wildlife."

by that fang Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:19 pm

Interesting. Aeliel made mental note of that. "All right, thanks. I think I'll take a bath first, then go to bed. I'm guessing we're gonna have a long journey ahead of us, starting tomorrow?" He gave her another easy smile - he noticed he'd been doing that often. Smiling. It was a habit he'd picked up whenever he was in new surroundings.

by **Masquerade** Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:20 pm

A little disappointed that people were so quick to scatter, Evangeline merely wandered away to find a room to stay in and settled down once she had achieved that goal. There appeared to be a somewhat comfortable bed along with some places to store her belongings, but she didn't have many. Now that she was in a group, she wouldn't be able to be so free with her tendencies. Before, she bathed in rivers and streams while washing her dress in the same manner. The thoughts of lying out in the sun to dry while letting her dress do the same was so natural. She definitely wouldn't be able to do something like that with men around. I know they're decent fellows, but it's so tempting to sneak a peek--too tempting for a mortal man to resist, she affirmed to herself in her head with a light smile.

Kneeling before her bed, she clasped her hands together and began to pray to the Divines for a safe journey to the temple. She knew it was they who were leading them there. Trouble most likely wouldn't start until after they had claimed their inheritance. Pausing in her prayer, she looked at the wall nearby. "I wonder how troublesome this trouble will be," she mused before sighing and continuing on with her prayers.

by MrMissMrs Random Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:05 pm

"Yep. We'll have to get up early to make sure we can find a place to rest during the hottest part of the day." Isha nodded, rubbing her hair and trying to get out any sand that had blown into it. "I'll see you and the others in the morning."

by that fang Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:43 pm

After his bath, Aeliel went for a short walk. Aware of the dangers of Barahm at night, he kept close to the outpost. There he caught a lizard by the neck (it tried to bite him, but he was wary of venom and kept its teeth far away from him). He tried to snap its neck but his arm froze where he tried to move it - the lizard wriggled free, snarled at him, before disappearing in the sand.

He returned to the outpost, not really that stunned over his loss (again). He'd pretty much gotten used to it - he did try the exact same thing at every opportunity with the same results. Aeliel walked into the outpost with no trouble and wandered around until he found an empty bedroom. There he undressed, folding his cloak, gloves, and shirt and slipping off his belt, boots, and shoulder pad. He leaned the quiver and bow against the wall with a regretful air.

He slipped into the bed (hoping this wasn't anyone's designated room; it looked empty enough) in only his trousers. Aeliel closed his eyes and waited for sleep to wash over him.

...
The girl smiled down at him from where she sat, perched atop a tall fence. Her wavy butterscotch hair was tied into a horse tail, with turquoise plates behind each pointed ear. Her eyes were the color of spring grass - this was the angel who'd spoken to him earlier. The Knight of Life.

"You again," Aeliel said, but not with malice. Now he knew more about his situation. "You're the one who chose me for this descendant thing. We have to go to Mt. Styx and find some temple, right?"

The girl didn't nod, only tilted her head as if she knew something he didn't. "Something like that," she agreed. "My name is Methae of Siria. Good job finding the other descendants."

"You had something to do with that?" Aeliel asked. The weird feeling in his chest had guided him to them; he'd done little of the actual searching.

Methae nodded. "Yes, me and the previous knights. We've chosen you for the quest. It will be difficult. The Old Gods have returned. I trust you've heard of them?"

"Yes," Aeliel said. "Of course I have. My people are talking of omens and demons - specifically those summoned by dark mages in Tivuor and Barahm. But I take it those aren't true?"

"No," Methae replied. "Not at all."

"You can't tell me about them." It wasn't a question. Methae's face eased back into a smile. "Then tell me. It is you who is doing this to me? Because I'm the Knight of Life. Your power keeps me from hurting living things."

Methae thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, you'd be correct. There is a reason, but you'll find out soon enough."

Aeliel stepped toward her, trying to muster some anger and force but it wouldn't come. "How am I supposed to help defeat the Old Gods if I can't do anything? I haven't told them - they'll think I'm useless. What do you want from me? To earn their trust only to betray them when I can't do anything on the battlefield? Why?"

But the impact of his argument was lessened by his calm tone.

The girl began to glow again. "I must leave you now. There is a reason. You will find a way." She left in a burst of light that woke Aeliel from his slumber.

The Silarian lay there staring at the ceiling until morning.

by **CodastertheDisaster** Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:17 pm

Kaza woke early, just before the sun was beginning to rise. He quickly got dressed, stepping out into the area where he'd gotten a drink the previous night. He found someone that pointed him towards some food, which he quickly shoveled down, chased by a mug of water. He took a seat, waiting for the rest of the seven to join him. He absentmindedly wondered where Isha was. He was halfway expecting her to be up before he was. He sighed, closing his eyes and leaning back in his chair, waiting to hear the sound of footsteps coming towards him.

by that fang Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:40 pm

Aeliel got up when he couldn't stand the suffocating solitude of the air above him. He paced around before throwing on his shirt - he left his armor where it was - and heading out to find somebody. He didn't remember the way he'd come (not after that dream, which he remembered in full detail this time. Aeliel guessed it was Methae's doing).

He aimlessly wandered the halls; it was a bit comforting being lost since he'd spent so much time lost in the Silarian forests back in his childhood. Aeliel didn't mind that he had nothing to do. He memorized his way as he explored, knowing he'd eventually make it somewhere.

by Book the Hero Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:59 pm

Cielo awoke the next morning with a yawn, before wondering where she was. After a moment of thought, she finally remembered where she was, and why she was there. With a sigh, she got out of bed, and got changed for the day.

Afterwards, she went to get something to eat, asking around to where she could get something to eat. She quickly picked ate as much as she could, before taking a banana, and heading off to meet with whoever else was awake. "Hello...?" She asked as she walked down the hall, to where Kaza was sitting.

by **Masquerade** Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:33 pm

It was an unpleasant feeling to wake up after falling asleep in the midst of intense prayer. Evangeline groaned as she sat up from being slumped over her bed, wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands. She crept out into the halls seeing that hardly anyone was up and about--definitely none of the descendants yet. Taking a peek outside, she noticed the sun wasn't even close to rising. She sighed and decided to go ahead and draw a bath for herself. It was freezing outside, but she knew she could heat up the water once she drew it from the well. Taking relief in that, she definitely enjoyed her bath even if she couldn't air dry. One of the women in the outpost offered to wash her dress for her and gave her some clothes to wear until the dress dried. She spoke her thanks and toweled off, putting on the substitute clothes. The others were still sound asleep, it seemed, so she ventured back to her room to just lay back and relax.

The priestess wound up dozing off again, and when she awoke, she found her dress on the bed which was dry for the most part. The sun would take care of any last wet parts, but she merely tucked it into a bag she found lying around for now. The dress she had been given was beige in color with no sleeves and had pink desert wildflowers patterned upon it. It only went down to her knees. It felt so weird compared to wearing her other dress. She felt so much lighter. The sun had definitely risen now, and when she ventured off to get food, she saw a couple of the others around but didn't want to bother them. Her stomach was yelling at her to eat something, so she scrounged up a bit of fruit and bread and found a nice place to sit over by herself, thanking the Divines for the food before helping herself.

by Book the Hero Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:45 pm

"Hey, morning Kaza." Cielo said to the an as she entered the room, taking a seat across from him. "Did you sleep well last night?" She asked him, trying to make conversation, as they waited for the others to awaken.

She began to peel the banana she got. They never got such tropical fruits up in the north, so she was curious, and decided to try it out. Once she peeled off a little on each side, she brought it up to her face...and tore a piece from the top, and popped it in her mouth. Mmm, that's good...I wonder what pineapple is like.

by **CodastertheDisaster** Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:59 pm

Kaza nodded a greeting at his Thyellan comrade without opening his eyes. "I slept well enough I suppose." He sat up straighter, opening his eyes and glancing out the window. The sun was beginning it's rise now, staining the sky a magnificent hue of orange. He sighed, resting his elbows on the table. "We must take the time to enjoy simple things now. There will not be time in the upcoming days and weeks for us to do so," he remarked idly, as he stared at the sun. "If we should succeed it will be all the more beautiful in the end." He turned back to his companion. "Do the sunrises in Thyella look as majestic?"

by Book the Hero Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:04 am

"Like you wouldn't believe..." Cielo said with a smile, as she remembered Thyella. It may have been cold, and a harsh place to live in, even compared to the desert, but she still loved it more than any place in the world. "I remember watching it with my sisters...the sunlight slowly rising from behind the mountaintops. That first ray of light, reflecting off the snowy landscape of our valley...the mere sight of it was probably the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen...still is today."

by **Rose Hathaway** Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:08 am

Corentine woke that morning with a tear stained face. It was still dark outsde, so she ran quick bath for herself to make herself appear presentable before dressing in her khakis and button down. Her hair was tied up in a basic ponytail, and she headed outside into the chilly dawn. It felt more like home at this temperature, and a smile crept on her face. She was more of a morning person anyway.

The sky was purple and orange now with the coming sunrise, and she found the area where the other descendants were eating breakfast. "Morning everyone." She said cheerfully, grabbing an end of bread from the table and some orange colored juice. She poured it in a cup and tasted it. Delicious.

by **CodastertheDisaster** Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:51 am

Kaza smirked. "I would enjoy seeing it some day," he replied. "When you are high in the mountains of Tivuor, you can see the sky, and nothing else. When the sun rises, you feel surrounded by the colors. It is beautiful..." He stopped, staring out the window some more, when the voice of Corentine changed his focus. He turned towards her, his melancholy expression returning. As was his custom, he nodded a greeting towards her but remained relatively quiet. "I am going to go fill some waterskins for the trek through the desert. I advise you two do the same," he said, getting up and disappearing to the storage room.

by Book the Hero Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:56 am

Cielo nodded as she listened to his story, listening as he described it. "I'd like to see that, as well." She said. It was at that moment when Corentine was heard, and Kaza got up, saying he'd fill some waterskins.

Remembering how hot it was yesterday, she got up as well. "Yeah, I'll go do that." She said, following after him. It might be a long journey, where they were heading, and they needed to be ready for it.

by **Rose Hathaway** Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:59 am

"Hm. He's so strange. Has he been this depressed since you met him?" She asked Evangeline, the only person remaining. Corentine wondered if he was avoiding her now. It made sense, given everything they had really said to each other wasn't the nicest. But right now she sounded a lot happier, or at least perkier. It didn't make sense why he was running off.

by **CodastertheDisaster** Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:23 am

Kaza said nothing as Cielo got up to follow him. He filled up several waterskins and handed them to the woman, then filled up his own. He tucked them into his coat, then turned to her. "I fell guilty whenever I am near Corentine," he admitted, voice low. "I swear it was her father that I saw die at my feet. I wanted to do something to help him," he said with a sigh. "I suppose it should fuel her to avenge the death of her father against the Old Gods." He shrugged, then began walking back, returning to his previous seat. He nodded at Corentine, his expression remaining blank.

by Book the Hero Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:29 am

Cielo's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't expect there to be such a connection among the descendants, but it did explain why Kaza took Cora away yesterday. Frowning, she followed after him, worried about the last thing he said. It would mean a lot of trouble amongst the group, if they started trying to kill each other.

She never liked war, and she never understood why everyone was so obsessed about it. Why couldn't have all seven nations just got along with one another, instead of arguing with one another?

by MrMissMrs Random Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:38 am

Isha was sitting on a rug, having her morning meditation. Even when she wasn't at home, she was still an early riser. Well, they do say the early lizard catches the fly.

After a few stretches the girl dressed in light-weight sand-colored robes tied in place with a red sash before heading off to break her fast.

"Morning." She said to them, sitting down at a free place and picking up a few dates along with some flat bread.

by **Masquerade** Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:57 am

"He hasn't been depressed as much as he's just been...off," Evangeline replied, treading carefully with her words. "I remember the first time I met him. It was at the fountain in Barahm. I had just arrived and was so thirsty that I drank from it. He seemed perturbed by the act, but I enlightened him with words of wisdom. He wound up saying something to me that led me to believe he wasn't as bad as I originally thought. He hasn't shown such a trait since then," the priestess explained, nibbling on some bread. Kaza seemed a lot more straightforward and indifferent now for some reason. She had seen traces of it when she first met him, but now it was just completely overtaking him. She wondered if there was something he was hiding.

by **Rose Hathaway** Thu Jul 19, 2012 2:00 am

Ah, so she wasn't the only one who was seeing strange behavior from Kaza. Corentine was mostly believing it was her fault, so she grabbed an apple from a bowl of fruit and looked at the Tivourian. "You. Come with me." She said, before walking outside.

by **CodastertheDisaster** Thu Jul 19, 2012 3:57 am

Kaza showed no emotion as he rose, following the Myrskite. She led him outside, apparently wanting to talk about something. He stuck his hands in his pockets. "May I help you?" he asked politely. He arched an eyebrow, wondering if it had anything to do with the previous day's conversation. She didn't seem upset, which left Kaza with more questions than answers.

by that fang Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:45 am

Somehow Aeliel made it outside before running into anyone familiar. It wasn't though the entrance they'd used the previous night, making Aeliel conclude it was a side or back door. Nonetheless, he was still facing the same desert scenery, lit up with an ocean of colors. Beautiful, yes, but Aeliel wasn't really one to admire the scenery. Normally Aeliel woke up much earlier than this to begin his exercises, but last night had thrown him off. It was a bad habit to get into so Aeliel resolved not to let Methae interfere with his training (despite the fact that his training didn't amount to much anymore).

After stretching, Aeliel looked around and was disappointed to find no trees suitable for climbing. Or any trees at all. Not that he'd expected much. He stared at the wall of the outpost, wondering if he could scale that instead? It'd be difficult, but the sands had kind of weathered away grips and holds into the rock. But the outpost soldiers might think he was an enemy and shoot him down - this wasn't helped by his clearly Silarian clothing. Aeliel decided it was a bad idea.

He went for a brief run, hindered by the changing sands beneath his feet. When he had made it halfway around the outpost, he saw two solemn figures engaging in some serious conversation, so he turned around and ran the other way so he wouldn't interrupt them. Aeliel didn't really know where he was going now - which entrance had he started from? - so he made his way through the first door he heard voiced through, emerging in a dining area. There Isha, Evangeline, and ...the girl he'd met from Thyella (what was her name again? Aeliel cursed) were eating in an awkward silence.

His cheeks were flushed from the run, and his hair a mess thanks to the wind; now entering a calm atmosphere, Aeliel felt completely out of place. "Um, am I interrupting something?"

by **Masquerade** Thu Jul 19, 2012 11:03 am

"Hm?" Evangeline said as she looked up from her food which was just about diminished. She hadn't worried about Corentine suddenly pulling Kaza away, for he had done the same with her the day prior. That led her to believe that there was definitely something going on that she and the others weren't aware of, but she wasn't about to press the issue. The secrets of the largest pack spread quickly like wildfire, for there are many to pass it on, but to start up the passing takes a while. In the smallest pack, everyone knows it instantly and it takes less time. They'll speak when the time is right, Evangeline convinced herself, keeping her gaze trained on Aeliel.

"I don't think you missed anything worth worrying about," the priestess said rather frankly, though she still gave the man a gentle smile. She wondered if anyone else was thinking about this.

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