Vaude

Hi, all! I wanted to apologise for my sluggishness due to work and life events, but notify you that I should be able to post either today or tomorrow now that things have slowed down a bit. In the words of Square Enix, "please be excited."

Oh, how many times did I try to block this from my fanboy-ing mind? Perhaps just as many times as the Superman crossovers with Bugs Bunny and gang, though I severely doubt it since they are far superiour to a chocolate powdered milk solution drinker.

It gladdens me to see that you guys are thinking as much as you are about Rufus' situation. =) It would require the sacrifice of two people's wishes to free the djinni, which would put both people out in favour of him, or later on they can wait until Rufus gets three wishes instead of one, which will only happen in the endgame and aftermath. For those who wish for happy endings, wait till the last minute and then the last one or two people can make the two required wishes. That way, everyone is optimally happy!

In legalese, Unversed, we the coordinating party are in no way at fault for the delinquence or deficiency of the active participant. Mystics cannot accomodate for you just because you abandoned your post, soldier. In the next RP I think everyone here will remember that you may leave for five months without word and will contemplate deeply about bringing you back on, or will make a new rule in the signups to resolve future occurrences.

First, let me congratulate you for beating Shadows of Valentia! It's quite a good game, and I liked the changes made within it. As for potential changes to be made in a reboot of the game, I shall try to put my ideas in a bullet list like yourself. I thought the divine weapons were pretty profound and had plenty of uses as long as one does not keep it equipped all the time. Nerfing it and stretching the uses, however, is a great idea. Lilina would make a great secondary protagonist, I agree. Idoun definitely needs a buff. The unnamed fire dragon from FE7 was more profound, for goodness sake (even if I liked Idoun's character). Linking FE6 and FE7 in greater fashion would be a great idea. Deeper insight into Zephiel would be phenomenal Infinite-use uber spears. Some free DLC involving Arcadia, the Black Gate, and Etruria. Migration to another continent, maybe, like what happened with Valentia and Archanea. That's all I can think of for now. While I am unsure if the developers would create a remake for FE6, this is a fun concept, and I like your ideas.

Mind you, Unversed, Yuffie's characters were pronounced gone after a few similar events of much shorter nature than five or more months. You ignored PMs, and you left without any notice. More important characters have been removed from roleplays, and yours stuck because there was some slight potential for continuing the story without much change, out of the kindness of Mystics' heart. Perhaps next time you shouldn't make your characters so involved in the RP if you are just going to up and leave without a word. Actually, perhaps you shouldn't up and leave without a word at all. I think of you as a friend, Unversed, yet I cannot help but agree with Mystics' decision. Regardless of what happens, I hope we roleplay again sometime as well.

- Lord Raiden, within Raiden's villa - Raiden quickly found himself amidst a swarm of people crowding the increasingly shrinking room, some appearing out of thin air and others just entering through the door. With such a conglomeration, it was difficult to keep secrets, but now, while all was falling apart, there seemed to be no reason to keep secrets. WIth Jynn in the room and Alderon as well, it was a fine time to enact diplomacy, at least until Alderon exploded in wrath directed at him. Him. Raiden bit back a snarl, glaring at King Alderon with a fit of anger that made him want to lash out in defence of his own sense of justice and judgement. Regardless of the fury in his shaking fist, he stoppered all thoughts of getting vengeance for the verbal thrashing he received, but what held him back, he wondered? Was it honour, or his sense of peace, or popular standing? He hoped it was none of the above, and that it was merely his sense of good character, but that might have not been it at all. He held check his tongue until everyone seemed finished, but the latest revelation was one with which he was not able to quell his surprise. The fabled Source of All Life, an ancient mystery merely hinted at in the remaining passages of antiquated texts written in dead languages -- could it have been real, and buried in the one place that started all of this mess? He inspected the map as if to ensure what he heard was real. The illustration was crude, but the location should not have existed. Teshub and he checked all possible records of the location, and no rough map they looked at ever told of such a location. This intrigued him. "Soren, do you speak truly? Does the Source of All Life exist within this nigh unassailable fortress?" he spoke with a weighted tongue, looking up at the armoured individual with a finger on the X. "With this tremendous artefact, great things can be done. The World Below could be restored to its former glory, the people lost found again, if the legends of sacred mystery are true. I have gleaned a little into knowledge of this area, long ago, but it is still fresh in my mind. Things can change. "Alderon," he continued, looking toward the man with a mixed expression of pain and earnestness with a clearing of his throat, "I will not wholly take responsibility for the charges with which you judged me, but with this new knowledge I can help correct what was done, with everyone's combined assistance who can help. That includes you, if you are willing. "Once this is done, we can go after Yevgeni. The information people here have gathered has led me to suspect he truly is behind the destruction of the world below, but he must be second. Time is of essence, and I must have answers from everyone here, and from everyone of proven strength in our combined armies, if we are to break into Isopolis and find the Source. Does this sit well with all of you? Alderon?" He looked about the room, chiefly at Alderon, hoping for a positive response. This was it, a chance for restitution. Even if he did not receive good feedback, he wondered if he would charge right up to Isopolis alone, if need be, and try to break down the gates himself to gain access to this old secret. Such power was beyond him, currently, but with Teshub maybe he stood a chance, if his twin ever got over himself. - Jari Coriander, within the Burrow in Mystras (part 3 of 3)- ((I put this in spoilers because of its crazy length. Have fun, those who dare to tread within this three-page monstrosity.))

- Lord Raiden, with Soren, Rabiyu, Sifrei, and Alderon - Raiden was perturbed that the knocker of his door came in unannounced and readied a hand to deal with the invader of the solitude of the room, but quickly had second thoughts when he set his eyes on Alderon. His irritation was quenched by the sullenness of the man, the tired restlessness and unkempt appearance that he himself endured for a time. There was much on his mind, and he did not need any type of search magic to be able to discern this. "No, Alderon, it certainly cannot go on in this manner," he answered with tact, shaking his head. "The plan is simple at the moment, to feed and shelter the many migrants to this location and assist in the efforts of protecting the survivors. The farms are bounteous and meat scarce in this land. As long as poaching is denied, this land will help your world's occupants as long as it will take, building settlements and creating infrastructure . . . but you are not talking about that kind of plan, are you?" The lord of Mystras pinched the bridge of his nose, deep in thought, before gazing piercingly into Alderon's eyes. King or no, they both were of elevated birthrights than the common individual. "The main plan is the same, with some extra concerns on the side which hold otherwise equal weight in requirement. Peace will be established with the killer's capture and the World Below's mastermind's death. I will not let this slide, and will give my full dedication to delivering judgement. The anger and frustration is shared by all, though no anger and frustration can be more than those of humankind. You have my promise that things, while profoundly turbulent right now, will settle justly." - Jari Coriander, within the Burrow - Grandfather Wit was a cautious oldster, and he opened up his door upon the seventh rap upon the most ornate door that Jari had ever laid eyes upon. If there was anything that foxchildren cared for more than secrets and wine, it was the art of craftsmanship. The brilliance of the tapestry of metalwork and woodwork was astounding. The two materials wrapped around each other unnaturally but beautifully, and paint accented the design beautifully. The door showed two hundred years of events, which every foxchild in Mystras learned at a young age. Some kitsune, let within the confines of the Burrow through intermarriage and sometimes simply by similar bloodlines, did not harbour much knowledge of these events beyond hearsay, but most knew. "Is that you, young Jari?" Grandfather Wit asked through the crack of the door, suspicion on his furry face. "It is, great grandpapa. I have come to ask for a favour." "What is new? Come in, come in, and don't trip on the rug. It's ancient, older than four of you, if you remember." Jari nodded and padded around the square rug in front of the door, more difficult than not considering its size and closeness with the door. He took a moment of time midway to look over Grandfather Wit. The man was short, shorter than he was by a head, and his face, feet, and hands were that of a fox's, even if the rest of him was more human than not. Coupling the fact that he walked traditionally on all fours, he was mainly viewed as an old geezer, though the knowledge and power gained throughout his century and score of living showed itself through his sagacity as well as his appearance. To have such a level of control on his appearance was seen as mastery to Jari, and he marvelled at his older kinsman. "Have some tea or cucumber water. It's good for you, those things. Can't say what I would have been like if I drink wine like the rest of you youngins, but I guarantee it would have been far worse off than I am now. What can I help you with, sonny?" Jari bit down on his lip, unsure of how to voice what was on his mind and, after some time of coming up with nothing, decided to send the message out without fluff and flowery language. "I want to learn how to be more powerful and courageous, great grandpapa, and was told you could help." "Who told you this?" asked the aged foxchild, amber eyes narrowing in interest, or maybe it was in a condescending manner. Jari had to admit to himself the lunacy of his statement at least partially, but what if it were true? With that in mind, Jari continued. "Hestu, the kitsune warrior who once brought down a tribe of ogres long ago, said that you helped him become who he was. Otthan, another kitsune warrior, said a similar thing, and Mogo, a kitsune mage, said that she learned much about the magics of the land through you. How I learned of this was because I was curious, more curious than most as I asked this over a number of years, but the other piece of information I learned was more surprising." "And what precisely is that?" Grandfather Wit queried. His expression was definitely showing interest now, a smile reaching his face as if he already knew the answer. "Two of them, Otthan and Mogo, said they were foxchildren once, but had kitsune blood in them. I have kitsune blood in me, and I'm guessing Hestu did too. With that said, I want to learn. I want to learn how to be more than what I currently am." Grandfather Wit scoffed, his face immediately showing disapproval. "More than what you currently are? A rubbish answer. Many can say that and mean differently than everyone else. But what the others before you said was true, I s'pose. I did help them, but only because that was their true selves, the kitsune side of them. Your mixed blood doesn't mean you could poof yourself into something new just because you will it into being. It just means that you may." Jari looked at his senior in confusion, understanding lost in translation. Grandfather Wit coughed out a sound of annoyance and went on. "What if you were meant to be a foxchild and not the other side of your mixed blood? Sniveling, craven, full of suspicion and secrets, overflowing with knowledge -- these things are what makes up most of us foxchildren. Can you successfully say that you aren't any of these things or are able to supercede them? Are you willing to sacrifice your lineage for something like bravery, foolhardiness, trust, and withdrawal from all you know?" Jari paused, unsure of what was meant by this and meditated over everything. Grandfather Wit waited for a time patiently, sinking into a fluffy cushioned chair. He had nothing but time on his hands. Five minutes passed by before the younger foxchild opened his mouth to speak. "There are friends I want to protect, people I want to save, but I cannot do anything when I think first of myself. I watched someone I cared about die in front of me, and I was too weak. What can I do with the traits I was born with if I am not able to live beyond them, to cast them off if they become intolerably burdening? I do not want to be a slave to them. I want to break free of them if it means I don't have to stay on the sidelines and do nothing because my instincts say otherwise." Grandfather Wit's expression lit up as he angled himself further in his seat. His vulpine grin was indescribable. "You are just like them, those who were before you. I will teach you."

- Lord Raiden, Mystras, Raiden's villa - The ruler of Mystras glanced up towards the door, startled by Soren's knocking and booming voice before recognising it. There was more too, the calming voice of Rabiyu on the other side. He slowly rose to his feet, feeling exhausted from his verbal debate with Teshub and from the mind-wracking illusions that once swayed within every corner of his study, and advanced to the double doors, pulling them open and neverminding the spread of maps on the silver-oaken floor. "Soren, Hisie, Sifrei, please come on in," he voiced to them, too tired to apply even a smile as he allowed everyone inside and closed the door behind them. While his body had recovered since the stamina-draining battles of the clash against Kilkes Seres, but his mind was still wracked with the pain of those events. "My room is now more bare than before, so I fear you will have to stand. What information of note do you bring for me"--he chuckled dryly as he eyed Soren from head to toe--"and why the great changes you have made to your fashion sense? I favoured the other suit you wore. This one looks . . . darker." - Jari Coriander, visiting his family in Mystras - The air was saturated with heat and the stench of exhalations in the city of Mystras, and while he was against Raiden's rebellion against the crown he was once again welcomed in as a citizen, regardless of his absence of leave in the city's defence. Had they only known that he took up the sword against them, they might have reacted differently to letting him in the city again, but what the guards did not know would not hurt them. Beside that, he was on unofficial business, a normal visitation of family after the absence of such a long time, and with this many people around he felt safe from Alastor's death threat in the Flowering Hyssop Inn about a month ago. Surely Alastor would not find him here in the throng, and certainly not within the Burrow. He travelled down the continually narrow streets until he ran into a dead end, the number of people dwindling through the maze of buildings, and in the corner of the alleyway there was a little door, wooden, circular, and of curious design, outlined with circles of sheet-metal foxes dancing around a bonfire at the very centre of the door. He felt the longing urge to stroke the door and acted upon it, his fingers dancing along the facet of his favourite fox, a seven-tailed ancestor of his named Ayumu, the ageless judge of myths back in the day. It felt like so long since he left home. Unlocking the door was a simple matter. With two levers on either side of the door and a simple raise of both, he popped the tiny door open and it swung open. There was a time delay, however, and he had to be quick before it closed on him. He shapeshifted into his normal form, a small fox, before he slipped into the inky darkness that lay beyond the door. He felt quicker than other times of attempting it, perhaps due to the late month of adventuring, and slipped through with three seconds to spare rather than two or one. The tunnel travelled around a few bends before brilliant light showcased itself on the other end. He reached the Burrow. Kitsunes and foxchildren of many families talked among themselves here, and he knew a grand number of them. Asha, Rummu, Shirou, and Garett were there, all best friends to each other, selling secrets to each other over a bottle of wine wearing their favourite skins and likenesses. Essil, the pretty kitsune lass he had a crush on for the longest time, was making rounds at the local eatery with the sweetest smile on her face. She warmed his heart and his cheeks to see -- beneath the fur he blushed heavily as he watched her -- but the past was the past. Strangely, there was no sign of young Kouroo's being in the Burrow. That was for the best, however. Jari was not ready for meeting him. He quickly realised that he was in fox form still, and he rose to full stature in his favourite skin and likeness as well. However, he had no time for idle chit-chat. He needed to talk with Grandfather Wit, and off Jari went in search of the aged one.

You should come back more often. Next time we will involve the universe of cupcakes. *cue Soren's drooling followed by rejection of involving said universe*. Let me be among the first to welcome you back here and say that you should not worry about apologising to us all. Real life must often come first over virtual life, and hyperfocus is a difficult nut to crack, much like procrastination to others like myself, which can also lead to neglect of many things. I wish you well in your ventures of bettering yourself -- kudos to you for wanting to do so, by the way -- and let me know if there is anything I can do to help in this regard. We motley roleplayers all are rooting for you.

How beautiful were you, exactly? Did your nose glisten in the sunlight? =D

Interesting user name you have there! Welcome to the site, Scott, and I hope you will have a good time here. It has much to offer, especially with the upcoming release of Kingdom Hearts 3. See you around, mate!

- Lord Raiden, the Infiltrator, and Nihil, in their villa near Mystras - The lord of Mystras locked himself away in his study and away from the clamour of the chaos outside, brooding over the maps born from many years of study of both the past and the present. From the oldest of maps, sealed in clear parchment and secured by simple but effective magics, to the youngest still-white sheets that he continued to work on, they revealed many landscapes he could only think of but never had the ability to visit. The northern continent remained a mystery beyond paper, and much of this continent lay untouched by his boot. Teshub's boot has stretched over every stone at least three times, he reckoned, and he envied the freedom that the Infiltrator had taken for granted. The dreams of grandeur, of ruling a balanced community of hard-working and honest souls, was all but realised, and yet his ambition for more ended up laying waste to almost everything. Shiva, once alive and well even if distant, was dead. Mystras now was inhabited by a number of human migrants as well as a smaller population of fae. The world below was decimated, its fragments either drifting or culminating back to its centre of gravity, but with a destroyed populace. It all could have been averted if he had not created the events that led to the destruction of the barrier and his beloved. It could have been averted, as well, if he were stronger, if he was his full self. Raiden slammed his hand on the desk he was sitting at and tossed his maps with a frustrated toss of his hand. The papers fell to the ground in a disappointing series of splashed manuscripts. He should not think of such things. He should not even imagine trying to become him. Odin was a relic of the past. He need not emerge again, after those seven hundred years since he last surfaced. Teshub and he were enough. They were enough. "Frustrated, are we, brother?" the Infiltrator called out from the secret entrance in his study, the hidden panel opening to reveal his smirking, twinned face. Another face appeared behind him, the shadow with whom he was too familiar. Nihil enjoyed misery and seemed to grow stronger from it, the corruptive illusion magic adumbrating the darkness of the room and making it dance. "How long were you watching me, Teshub?" Raiden called out in irritation. "Long enough to know what is going on behind that skintight mask of yours, 'Raiden,' and it is time to renounce both of our names in favour of the real one. They are mirrors, fac similes, but together? Together we can be real once again, and not the imposters we once intended to be those seven hundred years ago." "Even if we once imposted the original, we are better than him. He lost himself many times, and we were the breakthrough. Together but separate, we found his true self, the core before his tampering with things he should not have touched, such as the Well of Wisdom. No other time has he wrought pieces from himself that lasted for more than a decade before fusing. Our separation proves something of value." "You preach as if you knew what you were talking about. There is no finding his true self unless we reunite. Our brethren, all of the other shards before us, knew this. You merely forgot over time where I have not." "Interesting," whispered the inhuman shade, so subtle it was difficult to decipher from movement outside of the door. Raiden's heckles were raised by Teshub's comment, and he rose to his feet with a swift movement that shook the chair from its legs. The object toppled to the floor with a resounding smack. "It is you that forget, not I," he spat. "Our brethren were incomplete, partial. Out of the ashes of the many failures of the past, we arose as whole beings from a whole being, an impossibility brought to life." "Us? Whole?" sneered Teshub, shaking his head and chuckling. He pointed at Raiden's chest with a long finger. "Look deep within yourself and face the music. In time, you will know I am right, but just to speed up the process I will give you a nudge in the right direction. It involves Shiva." Raiden stiffened, biting down on his cheek until it drew blood. His hands balled into fists tighter than ever before. "What about her?" "While your love may have been genuine, it was given up. Odin was so distraught, so frustrated, that he in the end rejected her, and in time you will have to as well. Look at yourself, wasting away, pining for your lost queen consort. You were in the same boat as he once was, before he made the fateful decision that saved him. I only hope you will see reason before you die from self-negligence, and when you do . . . seek me out. You will know how to find me, part of Odin." The Infiltrator, along with Nihil on his shoulder, stepped back into the gloom of the hidden entrance and reset the panel into the wall. Like that, everything was as it once was, and the shadows returned to normality. Raiden swallowed his rage alongside his fear. Has Nihil found his way past his trained mental defenses, or was Teshub getting to him in ways only Teshub can? Regardless, a powerful point was brought up: when faced with that grave decision he would have to face a choice, one which will shape him into either of two things. He closed his eyes, reset his chair, and sat down upon it. Assistance from allies in this area was impossible. Hope was all he had left to depend upon, and right now he hoped he would make the right choice. - Raleigh Marin, seeking out Curvis - Raleigh took the destruction of the world below with difficulty, a strange phenomenon to someone who held such little love for the world she was raised within. She never felt at home anywhere at the time, but now it felt as if the world itself were her home, a home stripped from her by a malevolent and otherworldly force. Raleigh felt flushed with a brewing anger that did not seem to die down, no matter how many arrows she notched and let loose with a musical twang of her bow. Target practice became a method of relieving tension. It felt comfortable after the weeks of reintegrating it into her life, as if a piece of her were restored through the action. She became quite excellent with the bow after she healed from her wounds, the healers spending some extra time with her and assisting with the reparations of old wounds. The injury she received years ago to the tendon in her right arm was now entirely a thing of the past. Her once barely bleared vision was now fixed and corrected to the eagle eyes she once had. Physically, she felt good. No, she felt great. Every muscle sang with a new vibrancy, even through the darkness of her homeless scenario. After the thirtieth volley of practice arrows in the small clearing she housed herself in, she decided to call it a day and seek out Curvis. She did not know what that would solve, but his being around felt comforting. With luck, finding him would give her some sort of peace of mind, or with greater luck she could give him some peace of mind. He still had family on the world of their birth. If she could help him, maybe she could repair the situation between them. Maybe. - Rufus Contralto, in his lamp by Rabiyu's side - Rufus listened in on the conversations around him for some time, refusing to leave his lamp for much longer than an hour. With the whole destruction-of-the-world thing, he felt out of sorts and unwilling to communicate as well (or really as poorly) as he once did, and unwilling to make any sort of wish for himself. It was nearing that decided time where Rabiyu had to make a wish, and he hoped she would make one so he did not have to. ((I will make something for Jari later. I feel rather drained at the moment and unable to think of much for him.))

Whichever you are most passionate about is what I highly recommend.

It's when a war goes on ad nauseum and doesn't let up ever. =) That, or it is a war for Infinity Stones waged by a crazy alien who loves sitting in his throne.

This is a bit belated of me, but to answer your question the verdict is probably a unanimous decision to hunt down Nergal (who nobody really knows the identity of), and the possible reclamation of the throne from Yev's regency, though a grace period is understandable before he is coronated. With so much happening, the regent would have more power and authority than the crown prince in the period before Jynn is named king. As for the timeskip, I am for the timeskip being done. Two weeks, or one week if going with the original plan, is a good way to have everyone surge forward in time while having a believable outcome in what is to come. Within a few hours or a few days doesn't make sense whereas a week or two would, at least in my eyes.

- Rufus Contralto, outside the Mystran encampment, with Arthur and Alastor - Rufus glanced over to Alastor, catching the man speak about a she, and if he had any sense he would have paled at the sight of the man. His aura read of one who could control air, and not just lightning, the former of which could lay him vulnerable and soundly defeated upon one or two heavy blows should they hit him. Instead, the djinni casually glanced over to the armoured individual and flashed a grin. Before he could say anything, others spoke, and he allowed them to finish all that was said before he coughed to free his operatic voice. "She would be a maiden not from these parts, a snowy-haired lass who speaks without emotion. I speak of milady Rabiyu, a person some of you may or may not know, though I know of you and your name, Sir Alastor. I was in my lamp at the time, and I never forget a speech intonation, especially one such as yours. As for her whereabouts, she had sought the one known as Raiden. If you request her audience, she will no doubt hearken to you, especially if you say my magic words. Speak them and she will have no doubt they came from me! Here they be! Are you ready? Ahem . . . 'Zipizoopa Baklava Bratislava!' " He stared off into space for a second before shaking his head. "On second thought, forget the magic words."

- Rufus Contralto, with Arthur Pendragon on the outskirts of the Mystran encampment - Rufus puffed out his chest again in indulgence, pleased as punch to have some level of interest from a question-filled individual. Arthur seemed like a very good chap, and, if his guess was correct, had his heart in the right place, so he prattled on. Honestly, though, he did not need much of a prod to do so. "I can do all that and more! A thousand pounds of chocolate, or fifty puppies! I can cure all magical ailments as long as they are not of true divinity or paradoxical in nature, and not even death can contain my power! Now I sound like a lich. Ohoho! Silly me. But enough about that. I have been claimed, so I must await instructions for such wishes, though once the only wish is used I will be available for another individual. With luck, I will not have such! I intend to be freed as long as nothing befalls my claimant. An accord has been struck of the highest caliber, a promissory dialogue between me and she! Such a conversation must become the key to a play I shall write, with myself as the star! A pageant of such class would be a spectacle to behold, I have little doubt! Or it would, if I could scribble anything on paper."

- Lord Raiden, Mystran encampment, with Maxis, Rabiyu, and Alderon - Raiden took a glance at the man behind him and emitted a smile. The response was certainly quick of him. Seemingly it did not take much to have him enter the conversation, or perhaps he was closer than what Raiden originally thought. "You certainly are not," he commented towards Alderon with a tired grin, "and 'becoming a celebrity' is certainly a kinder way of saying 'put under the microscope,' so I thank you there. We were off to end the conversation anyway and I have no other engagements, so you may speak at your leisure if you allow me to talk in turn. There is much to discuss between us, including one mote of business which you might be interested in. How would you like to meet secretly with royalty, namely the son of the late queen, on a matter of diplomacy?" - Rufus Contralto, with Arthur on the outskirts of the Mystran encampment - The perplexing and perhaps maddening genie of the lamp tittered at the thought about being a ghost and a forest spirit, though those were probably good guesses. He needed to learn more about this world and its many curiosities. "I am neither shade nor spirit! I am much more! I am a djinni!" he uttered, proud as a peacock with his chest puffed out. "I just, er, am claimed at the moment, so perhaps much less than much more!" And just like that, he deflated. "But to answer the question that popped out of your tiny mouth like a Whack-a-Mole -- whatever that is -- I hold no allegiance to either side, but I will help whoever I can who is allied to my mistress, and for now it is thy side! A pleasure to make your acquaintance!"

Let me be among the first (at least for now) to say "welcome!" I'm an older fan of Star Wars and your name called out to me, being the big fan of the Knights of the Old Republic series as I am. I hope you will continue to have a blast on this site and never lose that creative side of yourself. Artists and writers, unite! I hope we run into each other again, if not to discuss Star Wars lore then to discuss what fun art and writing is. Toodles!

- Rufus Contralto, Mystran encampment's outskirts - Rufus was positively piqued -- ecstatic, really -- that he was engaged in conversation with another, even when that was not his goal in the slightest to begin with. He looked down at Helios with a giddy grin and flashed to the front of the young Spriggan, rushing out his hand to the kid. "Rufus Contralto, at your service!" he voiced before realising that his hand went clean through the other's. "By the Ashpit, that gets me every time. Anyhow! I am a new addition to this army, and I have been here for a total of thirty-nine seconds and change before you initiated dialogue! 'Tis a pleasure meeting you!" The bubbly djinni looked around, chiefly towards the others as they went a bit deeper into magical erudition. Bodily regeneration through channeling of electricity? This was a wonderful adaptation of electricity, much more powerful than that of a person he heard of years ago, or perhaps met. Electricity harmed the cells of her body as it passed through her, though she quickened her speed and reaction greatly as a result. Such a technique would have greatly helped Ychera had he the ability to go back in time, or that other world on the fringe of his memory. Now the trainees and Alastor were going on a sensory adventure, delving into the smells of the world around them. Rufus never really thought about smells until now, either cutting it out of his senses or not activating it. Perplexing, but this was worthy of some attempt of reintegration. ((Rufus' actions can be in-between your posts, Star, or after, whichever you prefer. I can make modifications.)) - Lord Raiden, within his tent with Maxis, Rabiyu, and Lorleanna - The lord of Mystras bit lightly down on his tongue at the new turn of the conversation, Maxis' unhinged status not at all being missed. Raiden did not want to start a witch hunt that Maxis would eventually pursue, but he did want to follow up on his question and imprison the murdering rogue that dared spill Shiva's blood. This would require tact. Luckily, Lorleanna entered and made herself known, giving Raiden enough time to think of a manner to relay the information. Furthermore, she carried a message from Alderon, which prompted a pleased bat of the eye from the Mystran ruler. He needed to talk with Alderon, and his desire for conversation presented a good time to do so. "You are happily pardoned, and Alderon may enter as he will, during or after," he spoke coolly to the marvelously skilled lizard woman. "I have a feeling that this conversation will end soon, anyhow." He waited for Lorleanna to exit the tent before he reconvened his conversation with the others. "There are definitely suspicions I can voice to you, Maxis, but take no action just yet after hearing them. One of my colleagues, do not ask who, assured that Yevgeni Malachite of Kilkes Seres was after the Feyslayer weeks before now, and that it was stolen from its protective housing shortly thereafter. However, I feel that I know the man still after the many years of gracing Alexander's court. He would not do anything rashly back in the day, and the assassin, a very different person with ashen skin and flamboyant clothes, was nothing but rash. It may be that there is a connection between the two, but it is also likely that the assassin and his cohorts stole the dagger from Yevgeni and went on their own path. "Beyond that," he continued, rubbing his eyes meditatively, "further evidence is being gathered, of which I might have made you aware. This is the only major lead we have, but I again request that you take no action regarding Yevgeni. You are of Kilkes Seres and respected in some manner over there, and I would have you keep to that. Surveillance is fine, but say nothing to him regarding the matter. We do not need heedless bloodshed based on suspicion alone. We need hard, factual proof." - Jari Coriander, Kilkes Seres encampment - The foxchild barely withheld a blush from his cheeks as Elia brushed her hands against his, probably thankful for him, but also walking up to Aqua. The following was relieving. Their pins-and-needles moment had passed into a beautiful reintegration of friendship between the two girls, and Jari sighed happily as a result. "Jari Coriander," he proffered, holding out his hand toward the elven lass Aqua. "It is a pleasure to meet you under better circumstances than previously. We briefly met before, if you remember, after the meathead incident in the forest, though we never exchanged names." Afterwards, the prince ventured inside the premises, wondering where Yevgeni was, and Jari's tufted ears shifted. He had already pointed him out before and silently hoped that somebody else would point him out again. Besides that, he did not want to even get close to royalty after stealing that well-aged bottle of sour wine. If Jynn recognised him for that for whatever reason, he could kiss his foxy pelt goodbye.

- Lord Raiden, within his tent with Maxis and Rabiyu - The lord of Mystras glanced at the newcomer to the small enclosure with a hint of relief, gladdened that there was someone else around, though unsure if he wanted her around for discussing more about the killer. There was little he could say that Rabiyu already knew, but to have her privy to the conversation between Maxis and himself was unprecedented and, as a result, risky. It seems the two had fun getting acquainted, hugs being launched out of nowhere and a slight hint of an idle threat, and now it was time to give voice. Raiden cleared his throat as he looked tiredly between the two of them. "I mind precious little," he answered with only a slight smile. "We were just getting familiar with one another again after a long stretch of time. Hisie, this is Maxis, long-time retainer and protector of the queen. Maxis, this is Hisie, one of my advisors and diplomatic affiliates. We were going over an exchange of information on who killed the good queen, myself or someone else. I hope we have ruled myself out of the list solidly, Maxis?" He smiled again good-naturedly, trying his best not to offend the suit of armour, before he continued. "We have only speculation so far, though we are hoping that some leads will open up with the exploration of the site. The weapon of choice for Shiva's death was a short blade of immense power, a Feyslayer, though it currently lies shattered on the battlefield after the killer attempted to defend, my own handiwork as I tried to kill the blackguard. Once we lay claim to the weapon, we hope to divine its magical energies everyone leaves behind to find the villain . . . and ferret him out in a way where there is no escape." - Rufus Contralto, above the Mystran encampment - Rufus watched as Rabiyu descended into the crowds, seeking out Raiden, the man who was the lord of Mystras from what he'd heard. They had never met, and he wondered if now was a good time to do so, but strangely enough something held him back. "And I'm never held back!" he exclaimed aloud, harrumphing in surprise and displeasure. Perhaps it was etiquette or lack of desire to meet someone new or not wanting to bother his mistress and Raiden, but he restrained himself for now and decided instead to lower himself and seek out something else that seemed like fun. Explosions of energy seemed to be erupting within the vicinity of his location, and he espied a number of people fighting intensely around a big tree. Clicking his heels with joy, an amazing thing since he was barefoot at the time, he zipped off in their direction, perching himself in the tree and getting a lovely bird's-eye view from within the canopy, above Helios' head. Thanks to his being intangible, he made only very small whooshing sounds upon entering the tree, and not the typical smashing of branches and the cracking of skulls when launching himself willingly into a large tree. He kicked his feet back and forth as he placed his hands beneath his head, lying horizontal and enjoying the show. This is the best bit, I'm sure, he thought to himself, wishing he had some popcorn to eat. Considering the fact that he could not eat to begin with, he settled with daydreaming a big bowl of popcorn. Oh, how he salivated at the thought. - Jari Coriander, at the Kilkes Seres campsite with Elia and Aqua - Jari tipped his ears back involuntarily, fearing that he got himself into a bit of a fight between two friends. He could see both sides of the argument -- a gift he had since he was a young lad, and one of which he was exceedingly proud -- but he felt the need to support Elia more than Aqua. It was true that the young elf did leave Elia for that blond pretty boy, and he could understand Elia's being hurt by that. Yevgeni, from what Jari saw, was definitely rude and arrogant. How can Aqua seek him out for training? And now . . . Elia was crying. Jari, feeling himself unable to do much else, went by her side and tried to coax her with several friendly pats on the back, though he forced himself to stay silent. Saying anything for or against would only pit the two in a deeper argument against each other, and deep within the wells of his spirit he wondered to himself, Couldn't they just get along? Something else poked at the edges of his fox brain. The name of Ariana struck a cord with him, and he could not help but wonder where he heard that name before.

An endless stream of sentient, but somewhat smaller than a normal pound note, pound notes?! This is exactly what I wanted all my life! =D P.S.: Not to instill doubt, but your quidlings cannot match the sheer tenacity and durability of the strapping Canadian dollarlings!

At least two people! I adored the series, especially the first two games.

Air hugs are being sent over land and sea, ready to dogfight with Saber's Freedom Hugs as well as Rabiyu's and Sora's Baby's hugs in a grand battle to the death. We hope you feel better as well, ol' buddy, ol' chum. You'll find a bit of happiness sooner rather than later, I assure you.