Vaude

NANI?! Seriously, though, I love all you guys. Also, no offense, Kuni, but Nergal will have something absolutely horrible happen to him in the end. Sisyphean torment would be infinitely minute in comparison to what the gang will cook up.

*Raiden crumples letter*. "Another fan letter," Raiden says. "It's true, though," Teshub says. "SO VERY INTERESTING!~" Nihil says.

*glances at Kunivas as well*.

They both do not have noses.

- Lord Raiden, flashback - - Lord Raiden, in the Mystran encampment - Raiden's ears perked up at hearing about news which happened last night, fully expecting it to be concerning Midnea, but not expecting in the least that Arthur, the young romantic human, was involved in the process, along with another. A frown furrowed his face as he rubbed his brow with his thumb and forefinger. "So they know. This is . . . frustrating news. Like you both have mentioned, this can turn fortuitous very quickly for our enemies and dissatisfactory for us. While I know much of that book's presence and wished to present it to King Alderon, there was no hardy evidence to support my case that Midnea might be the one who cursed his daughter, and telling without such information can stretch thin our already fragile alliance." A hundred curses upon Midnea's head for involving herself so deeply with the king, Raiden thought to himself, displeased with the mad rush of terrible current events. However, he knew that the show must go on and that he had to salvage what he could, and what better way to do so than with some of the best of allies? Rabiyu had done him a huge service with her presence, and Alastor, even if he walked off, had brought a grin to his face and a laugh to his throat. "You are not the first to say such things," he called out after Alastor. "Such is old hat by now, good friend." Next was Mariel, the disguised angel slipping in amongst the group and offering a salute, to which he nodded his thanks and smiled warmly. Ever the dutiful person, Mariel, and her timing could not have been more impeccable. Now the crowd was prepared and gathered, as were his words. Thank you, Mariel," he voiced shortly prior to her slipping off, after which he turned towards the remaining two, "and thank you as well, Hisie and Sifrei. Even if you are from the North and were directed to help, without your aid, and the aid of so many others, my efforts would be just railings against the heavens. Please remain by my side while I give my speech. It would give me much heart while I say what is necessary to everyone gathered." Issuing one last simper towards his comrades, he migrated to the open water barrel and sprayed his face with a refreshing handful of water. Gasping and feeling invigorated, he reset his hair one last time and pulled open the flap of the tent, stepping out into the open air. The crowd was considerably large, but it found the room to part as Raiden stepped out into it and made his way to the middlemost point of the opening. He looked around him and soaked in the anxiety, the fear, and the anger. The rumours had spread considerably fast, at which Raiden surprisingly chuckled as he thought back to a quote from one of his books: Nothing travels faster than the speed of light with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws. "Good people," he started out in a booming voice, the loudest he could muster, "humans and fey alike, hear me and hear me well. If you look about, you may find the world seemingly under a different sun. It has been so since Queen Shiva, the monarch of this realm for over two thousand years, has died last night. The barrier has dispersed, and magic is now flowing freely away from the Overworld and into the world beyond, but at a cost." A wave of gravity and sorrow overtook him as he conversed, and while the words clung to his throat he forced himself to continue, each syllable becoming a little more difficult. "Last night, a parley was requested of the late queen, and an assassin of fiendish origin attempted to slay us both. He cut her down in cold blood after our accord, even as we exchanged hands in an effort of mutual peace." Malice blazed anew in his countenance as he thought back, and in a way he still felt her icy grip in his palm. He swept his balled left hand in a fit of rage as he recalled it all. "Knowingly he ripped away the brokered justice you and I strove for, and the brokered peace Seres strove for. Soren, who some of you may have heard of, was with me at the time and can testify my case. Together we combated this individual, but the assassin escaped and is still at large. He will be dealt with, and justice will be served with a punishment fit for killing a queen whose only ambition was keeping her subjects happy. "I request from you all a moment of silence for Shiva, sovereign of these lands for an age. While she was our enemy on the battlefield, her thoughts were of the people, even to her final dying breath. Such a dutiful steadfastness has earned my respect, as it should for all of you." - Jari Coriander, with Elia in the Kilkis Seres campgrounds - Jari only made the smallest of smiles as he sat near Elia, sweeping his tail out of the way before he did so. The fairy did not seem particularly enthused in seeing him, and he could only make a thousand assumptions as to why this was the case. The most glaring was Morana, and the second most glaring was potentially the fact that she caught on to the fact that he was drunk last night. If he could have taken back his drinking to forget, he would have. It was not worth potentially shaking the friendship they had. "I feel a bit better, yeah. My head is clearer after all that rest. Thank you for helping me get back. You did me a service back there, something I prob'ly didn't give last night." As he confessed this, his eyes moved from her normally cheerful face to her hand. He tried continuing, but words seemed to gum within his throat and block all breath. With great effort of clearing his throat, he finally managed to do so. "Elia, I . . . my mind's still fuzzy about last night, but I . . . I take it you know about what happened . . . why I was alone last night."

- Lord Raiden, Mystras, at the Mystran encampment - After dispersing the electric field of silence, Raiden did indeed leap in surprise when he found Alastor nearby, commentating on his conversation with the strange druid. Astounding, thought he, yet he also found it alarming. Even if Alastor merely read lips, to understand what was said was a gift of awareness to Alastor and a curse to his own privacy. "I may be . . . though it will take some time to weigh the circumstances necessary for them," he intoned carefully, bracing his head before flinging strands of greasy, errant hair behind his ear. "If the situation demands it, the idea is sound, but I do not crave to remove diplomatic relations for both worlds at the cost of a permanent stalemate. For now, I shall pocket the idea, though I may run this by you later, old friend. I always enjoy your advice." Raiden smiled with gravity towards Alastor before noticing that Rabiyu and Sifrei had made their way back as well. He nodded in gratitude toward them, though his expression dropped into a well of dourness. "Thank you both for finding my right hand, and for disseminating the news. I take it the crowd is mostly gathered outside? If you are all ready, we have not a moment to lose, though I will wait for Mariel before I begin to speak. I owe her that much, and so much more, respect over the fellowship we shared over the years." He waited courteously for an answer in assent or declination from the Northern Judges and his advisor before leaving. The water barrel nearby tempted him incredibly as his eyes wandered toward it. He did not recall the last time he took a bath of any kind, though it was definitely before the profound turn of events that reshaped this world and the world below. Maybe it would not hurt to splash some water on his face and to comb his slick, oily hair with wet hands. His appearance greatly needed a remedy. - Raiden, Mystras, Flashback - Raiden blinked back tears as he watched the two. Since Shiva's caring touch, he had difficulty keeping himself from being reduced to a blob of jelly at her inbound death, though he had to keep himself alert and prepared. "There's no time left. I must slip to meet the healer I spoke of. I'm sorry, Soren." He pulled out a crumpled card from the pocket near his chest and clutched it between two fingers before attempting to scoop up the queen in his arms and rising up. With a flash of lightning, the two were off, heading in the direction of the two encampments. A coruscation erupted from beneath the queen as the card -- a calling card -- sent forth a message ahead of him. "The queen needs urgent healing. If you are around like you said, meet me outside one of the encampments." He scanned the card multiple times within a few minutes, and it was not long until he received an answer written on the crinkled paper in hastily scrawled lettering: "Kilkes Seres camp. I will be outside and south. Travel quick." "Hold on, Shiva. You'll be safe soon," Raiden spoke, if not purely for her assurance then partially for his. He only prayed that he would not arrive too late.

It is confirmed. Nergal is Shia LaBeouf.

- Lord Raiden, Mystras, flashback - - Lord Raiden and Reginald Heathertoes, Mystras, at the campsite - Reginald kept a cool eye on the elven girl as she walked past, having met her previously on the field of battle not even twenty-four hours ago. He still felt the sting of her abilities, his wound throbbing angrily beneath his old and still bloodstained garments. She did not seem to alert others of his presence, and part of him wondered if she recognised if he was there, but there was no mistaking it when she glanced in his direction and still walked on. It amused him, and he wondered exactly what was going on through her head. She was a tricky one, that was for certain, and he had a fascination for the inner machinations of such people. Once everyone present had left to gather the others, Raiden turned around and withdrew into the healer's tents. Licking his lips, Reginald followed and upon lifting a flap found himself confronted inside, Raiden glaring at him with a singular gaze. "What are you doing here?" queried the Lord of Mystras with a low rumble. "Is that any way to speak to someone you sought yesternight?" the other replied, pulling his dark glasses low and revealing his equally dark eyes. "You know me better than that, Odin. I came here for you. I could not save the queen, and the barrier has dropped succinctly and utterly. However, I fear it will not lead the way you want it to, and should the situation ever arise that we need to rebuild this barrier we may need to do it quickly." Raiden blinked in confusion and irritation before weaving a spell for a cone of silence. Sounds drowned out inside and outside the bubble, and only the two could hear each other. "How do you mean? I have analysed this at every angle for many, many years." "You're grasping at straws and do not have all the info, dear chap," Reginald commented, flicking back up his glasses. "You are looking at it from an outside perspective, so I doubt you dig the forces at play. Man and fey are volatile, and both would lust for power and control within years. If your plans fail to work out, war'd ensue again, and a barrier will need to be erected again before things get hairy. However, I still feel it a folly to have crafted such a . . . mutually destructive doohickey, cutting off the magical ties of the lands, so I tweaked it. Barrier 2.0, a more eco-friendly option, got my meaning?" Raiden blinked again in confusion and irritation and commented, "Speak clearer, Reggie. You are getting very strange in your words again." "What I mean," sighed the druid, "is I can make a barrier which does everything the previous one did, but better. Magic could flow through it, though the act of placing the barrier will require sacrifice. It will take a considerably stronger vessel to act as a battery than even the queen, maybe multiples if the vessels are weaker." "I decline this option," answered the ruler with a fold of his hands. "I . . . must have misheard you there," stated Reggie with an afterwards chuckle. "It sounded to me like you were okay with inactivity, or are you just certain of yourself?" "It is not either option." Raiden glanced away towards the stabilised Mystran soldiers, eyeing their ragged breathing as their blanketed chests rose and fell. "Rather, I do not want to knowingly harm anyone more with such an act. Shiva was tormented enough with the knowledge that her being was used as a tool. Why do the same to someone else?" "A fair thought to coax a tortured mind, but you must still consider the possibility, yes? When the lives of the multitude are at stake, the lives of the few must be weighed. Besides"--Reggie grinned toothily--"what if you yourself act as the battery?" Raiden sniffed at the thought and replied: "I am not stronger than the queen. If anything, we are evenly matched in terms of magical potency." "That is not what I witnessed those two thousand years ago when I first was conscripted by Alexander. You carried with you a lust for power back then, and as the years grew younger I noticed a surge in ability, then a decline and lack of interest in power. I am willing to bet that you sealed a portion of yourself away, if not within yourself then without. Am I wrong?" The lord of Mystras shifted uncomfortably and broke his gaze, striking forth a note of triumphant laughter from the druid. "I figured. When you're ready, seek me out again. You still have my calling card, yeah?" "Yes." "Good," replied the hippie with a serpentine grin. "I'll take my leave, then. Don't let it be something tragic that brings us together next time, s'il vous please." Making a swift bow, Reginald left Raiden's company and slipped outside once more, the air feeling a lot less laden with the smell of sweat and dirt. However, so many questions opened up in Raiden's mind, including one most prominent one: What does the future really hold? - Jari Coriander, Kilkes Seres, listening to Yevgeni's speech - Jari woke up late in a bedroll, his head throbbing from last night's bout of drinking and his body achy from sleeping for some time in the knobbly woods. Sadly, he did not remember much of last night's events. He remembered Elia tackling him and after that, well, precious little. His eyes stung a little as he rubbed them, which baffled him until he recalled that he cried last night. The reason for the cry was easy to recall as her name surfaced to his lips: Morana. Snagging a few clothes, he decided to swiftly dress himself rather than bemoan her tragic fate and, upon completion, slipped out into the cold air. People were assembled around a speaker on a crate, most namely the male elf that approached Elia's party outside of the capital Kilkes Seres. What was he doing here, of all people, and why was he--? Jari's eyes opened wide when he listened closer to what was phrased. Shiva was dead? How? Why? For what reason was she slain during her attempt of diplomacy? Unfortunately he thought he knew why. Raiden's desire for war must have led to his killing the queen. Of that he had no doubt after serving in Raiden's spy net for as long as he did. Bile rose to his throat, and he craved to sit down and settle his stomach. It was then that he saw Elia, sitting alone and listening to the speech as well. Swallowing hard, he decided to join her. It was the least he could do in payment for her kindness last night, and all of those other times. "Is this seat taken?" he asked timidly, looking at her in hopes that she would say that it was not. It looked as if she needed a friend, like he did.

Lord Raiden, Mystras, flashback Lord Raiden, Mystras, at the campsite Raiden was deep in thought of past events before he was blocked. The lord of Mystras paused and blinked, surprised to find that Mariel found him as quickly as she did, yet pleased. She looked over him dotingly, at which he inwardly smiled. She always felt like a second mother to him, and he her adoptive child, regardless of age. "I'm all right. Just . . . superiorly shaken," he confessed. A tear or two wormed their way through his eyelids but did not find the weight to fall. Raiden wiped them away with a sleeve and centered his thoughts. With a crows gathering, he felt he should not cry. He had to keep his calm and collection in front of his subjects, at least until he could be alone with his allies. "I would welcome all of your company, of course, especially while I deliver the news to everyone," he replied, smiling up at the two judges and Mariel before the expression fell from his face. "My report is . . . grim, I fear, and it seems mottled rumours have propagated themselves revolving about the events. I would have them rest by saying this here and now that I did not kill the queen, though she is indeed dead." He turned to the many and observed their curiosity. He had to make a speech soon, elsewise issues might arise. "Mariel, Hisie, Sifrei -- I would like you to gather every able-bodied individual possible to the clearing near the healer's tents, especially Alastor. I would like to have him present as well for my upcoming speech."

I do not mind one iota, and welcome back to the wonderful world of roleplaying! Thank you very much for your letting me hold the reins for a time. I had great fun with Colonel Mustang Stin and sending a certain catlike individual to an almost certain doom for recruitment purposes, though feel free to ret-con anything I may have derailed.

Never fear! We'll call you when we find one! By the bye, is this 35k per night or in total?

Lord Raiden, Mystras, at his villa, last night Even if Raiden could sleep, he would not have received a wink of rest after the events that transpired. No solace could relieve the pain of a recently lost loved one, a sensation he felt time and again. Once the morning came, everybody would feel the same way, in one way or another. The queen was well respected and well loved by enemy and friend alike, and yet someone had the gall to kill her, an assassin, he assumed, with ashen pulp drudging through his deadened heart. He shoved a hand towards a wall as he crawled through the dimly lit hallway, momentarily off balance, as his mind was elsewhere. His thoughts could not escape Shiva's demise, and he tried to discern who this someone was that was to blame for the hideous act of regicide. Midnea was too obvious, and, no offense to her entourage, but they were not the brightest of souls. This assassin was more theatrical, more individual, and more impossible than anyone else he had come across, besides the living armours and, perhaps, himself. "You look like crap," resounded a voice in the dark, sneering and insidious. "I can only agree," voiced another that Raiden easily recognised, that being of the Infiltrator. As the latter speaker approached with his mask untethered to his face, Nihil also came, the shadowy creature grinning from behind the man's head with a firm grip on either of the Infiltrator's shoulders. It seemed as if the two were getting along. "Change is aloft in the air, and I cannot help but assume you assisted in that. Shiva is no more, is she?" "She . . . no, she is not," Raiden admitted defeatedly, raising a hand to his face as the tears threatened to spring forth again. "Had you finally realised your foolishness in clinging to false hope? Come now, there should be no secrets between us," continued the Infiltrator, feeling a sense of satisfaction in his being right. "NO!" boomed Raiden, slamming a clenched fist onto the wall and breathing raggedly. "I cannot acknowledge such a thing. My hope was genuine and true, but crushed at the last second by a force I did not fully see." "Your eye is not omniscient. We both know this, my brother. Drinking from the font of wisdom has left us full of knowledge and strength, but this makes it that much harder to fight fate. I accepted this long ago, whereas you clung to your obstinacy like a mule. When will you give it up? When the whole world shatters upon you like glass? Let Shiva's inevitable death be the turning point. Don't let everything fail because of you." "How can you judge me like that?" Raiden bemoaned, glaring through his hand towards his double. "You loved her too, once, Teshub!" "That seemed like a lifetime ago to me, for more than one reason," Teshub concurred, not even batting an eyelash. "You never stopped loving her. That was the fundamental difference between you and me, out of everything. It is high time you stop so we can be reunited. That is the only way we can be whole again, to become Odin again." "You mean to use Shiva's death as a mere stepping stone? You parasite! You wretched louse!" exploded Raiden, a snap of electricity rocketing in several directions and scarring the once beautiful surface of his home with an ugly black streak of charcoal. "I cannot condone such an atrocity. Even if she is no longer amongst the living, I will never give up, never lose my way. I will create peace alongside her, even if it means our not being whole again." The Infiltrator took a step back as if struck, and ire flushed his face. "You wound me with your diatribe, brother," the doppelganger scoffed. "We were once alike in every way but one. How are we so different now, so that I want to reunite and you do not? Nevertheless, I will be around, waiting for your correct answer. Call upon me when you find it. Until then, I am through with discussion with a brooding fool." Teshub turned and left, heading toward the front door and ensnaring the lamppost nearby while he was at it. Nihil rode him all the while, the whitest of smiles beaming out toward Raiden as he watched the two leave. "So very interesting!" the umbral creature cooed in joviality before the door slammed, and Raiden was without company once more. Lord Raiden, Mystras, at the Mystran encampment Raiden slipped into his encampment that morning as silently as he was able, but that was not enough to deter the chatter of observers as they eyed him with a combination of marvel, suspicion, and hate. Feigning indifference, he gripped tighter his Dartmouth green robes and mithril brooch and trudged on, hoping to find someone he can confide in before giving his speech. The healer's tent was perhaps the best spot for him to seek one, having seen an abundance of them last night, and so that was where he headed first. With luck, though, someone would be able to find him first, and he pulled off his sable hood to better get a glance about him. The crowd got vocal, and the rumours were reiterated to each other once more. Soon the news of his coming might spread like wildfire. "So it's true, then? Lord Raiden really killed the queen?" "Shush, young man, it is too early to say. What if it was not so? You might rot in prison for a time for saying such things!" "But what if it is so, or what if it was an assassin? These are dark times ahead of us, mark my words. Mark my words!" "Regardless," stated a familiar druid, raising a hand toward the others in his vicinity, "it is time to stop wagging our tongues and assist our leader. Good or bad, change has come, and it is irreversible. What happens later not only falls on him, but on us." Nobody paid much attention to Reginald in the crowd and moved on to their neighbors. He clucked his tongue. More often than not, he wished he stood out more in a crowd. ((Others I will make a post for soon enough. Don't worry, Kuni and Mystics; I will get a post out for the flashback shortly.))

*pulls a Fire Emblem Fates Arthur*, Never fear! He's still there! In the present he isn't, which I shall chalk up momentarily! *gets struck by lightning three times in a minute*.

Raiden would not be at the lake, so you are in the clear there, my friends. =) I am thinking that he will first head back to his camp, then to his villa, then back to camp. I will yield a post hopefully tonight, if not tomorrow, which will clear things up. Also, excellent music choice, Scrap. I really enjoyed listening to that while reading your post and Star's post. It was oddly very fitting for both. *bows*, thank you kindly. This was fun to perform, though it saddens me greatly that this had to happen to Shiva. From start to finish she was among my favourite characters, and I felt rather ripped to shreds at the tail end.

Indignation is too light a punishment, I agree entirely. Maxis, Raiden, Eclaire, and Jari* would make him suffer. *You don't know Jari like I do.

((I'll wait on others before posting for James and Bistro. I'm drawing a little bit of a blank in their regard.)) Stin with Varius Stin had to marvel at the spryness of this youth, and the lack of effort it took him to accomplish this difficult task in one try. It took him and several other officers many attempts to accomplish this feat, and Gumshoe himself had three attempts before finishing with a smile on his face. This kid had promise, more promise than he himself had, not that he would bring it to voice. Clapping a hand on Varius' shoulder, the policeman answered with a grin, "I do hope you're joking about the cat nap. We've only gotten started in the day, after all." Stin withdrew his hand. "You have done well on the first and second tests, but the third one is more puzzling. Honestly, I still don't understand how it works, but maybe you would be able." Stin next led him to a small table nearby, where a wooden box with a strange red block on top of it sat with a scattering of dust on top of it. Stin offered the nearby crude chair to Varius as he next picked up the box and blew the layer of dust off. "This puzzle is an intriguing thing Gumshoe found in his search for tricky amusements. What one has to do is fit the red block in the box, but as you can see within there is no space for it." Stin offered an example while talking, removing a cover for the box and showing that the red block could not fit in, as it was already full of small blocks of various sizes. "There is a secondary goal for you, one which you can answer immediately or learn throughout your lifetime: to find something you love in life. A hobby or a pastime you will keep throughout your life -- that is what Gumshoe wanted to accomplish, I think, in newcomers and veterans, but let's get back to the puzzle." Stin raised a finger and offered, "One hour is the limit for this exercise, and only two attempts -- or two hours -- are allowed per person. However, if you can solve the puzzle in thirty minutes, I would be happy to nominate you for sheriff. Others might be skeptical. Some will learn to appreciate your new blood, while others might harbour a grudge. If you are up to the task of dealing with mixed feelings, or if you simply want to try the challenge, please continue. Elsewise, you're better off as you are now. Oh, and don't break the box like you were thinking about with the wall." The officer set down the box and smiled in his shadowy manner, waiting for a reply. ((Rules: 1.) Find a way to fit the block in without breaking anything within thirty minutes for sheriff nomination or one hour for acceptance into police. 2.) [Optional] Find a joy in life Varius likes to practice, like a hobby or a pastime. Solution and visual aid:)) Merchant with Vincent in Lakeside Forest The merchant was surprised by Vincent's request, but was nonetheless okay with his decision. Being a profit-based individual, he wanted as much to sell as he could muster, and parting with a few coppers or silvers for drinks was better than parting with materials worth a few golds. Besides, a choice of ales and wine sounded very pleasing to the thirsty man. "I'll accept your offer, my friend!" the vendor replied heartily, waving back towards him even if Vincent was facing the other way. "When I stop by, remember to approach my table so I can drink with warm company! And remember my name! Slartibartfast of Slartibartfast Artisanry and Goods!"

No worries, ol' buddy ol' chum! This RP is slow-going at the moment, and I'm awaiting commentary from the original DM of this roleplay, so I had no problem with waiting. =) Welcome back from vacation! I hope you had fun wherever you went! Also, thank you, both of you, for posting. I shall get onto that sometime this weekend, hopefully today. A happy Julian New Year to you all, too.

This is probably laughable to a lot of the younger folk out there, but here's two of the games I have played with my parents, both of which are DOS games: Great choices for everyone else, though!

Happy birthday, bud! I'm very glad to see that you have had a great day. =)

Stin with Varius The black-maned Stin was not wholly impressed with the time of the new cadet, but after peering in once the moving wall reset itself he was impressed by the untouched set of keys on the fixed wall, and that Varius had made only two attempts of unlocking the door. It was that sort of astuteness and discernment which the police needed, and he smiled down at the boy. "Well done. Most people aim for the two more apparent keys, and some lose faith in their ability to succeed once the wall passed over the key ring on the floor. Furthermore, you are quicker than most both in mind and body, or so it seems. We shall see in the next test." Stin next led the animalistic youth to the staging area outside. Five ropes were lashed from the ground to the top of a monolithic pole of wood twenty feet away in all directions. Its surface seemed tested by time and appeared the victor, having several slashes adorning its side, but nothing scarring deep. "This is our testing grounds, as you have probably seen," commented Stin. "We use it predominately for testing our speed through an obstacle course, but another challenge has proved more daunting for beginners and veterans alike. My test of perseverance for you is to scale one rope and climb to the top, hang on to the next rope for three minutes, and after those minutes are up you can go down the next rope using only your hands. This is perhaps the most challenging test, but with good hand placement I'm sure you would do fine. Do you have any questions for me?" ((Here are the rules: 1.) Climb up any rope to the top using hands, feet, or what-have-you. 2.) Using your hands, reach across to grab another rope nearby and hang onto it for three minutes. 3.) Using your hands again, go to the next rope still and scale it using only your hands. Difficulty level: 3.8/5, a challenge for any man, woman, and child of good upper body strength, but nothing herculean.))

Same to you, mate. =) I hope everyone's holidays are going well and that things are looking on the up-and-up for you all, especially after the craziness of this year's weather phenomena both in the Occident and the Orient.

Stin with Varius ((My imagining of Stin:)) The officer quirked an eyebrow at the newly spoken concept before swatting his own face and pulling it down, shamed by the thought. "Break as in destroy? Of all the--if you do that, this test of courage would be meaningless! Unless the action is necessary, don't break it! Wooden cogs like those cost a fortune to replace. Now, let's get this underway, and remember: don't die, all right?" Spinning on his heel and stepping away militarily, Stin exited the room and closed the door. A solid click resounded through the oaken wood, followed shortly by the grinding of gears coming from the other side. The spiked wall was closing in, and the rest was up to Varius. ((Five minutes remain.)) Vincent in the Lakeside Forest The merchant glanced over his shoulder, half expecting a brigand with the cool, casual manner of speaking Vincent had, but he did not expect the friendly local bartender to assist him. Stunned for a short while with mouth slightly agape, he nodding adamantly to Vincent's offer of aid. "Yes, that would be capital, young man, thank you!" replied the older trader, shuffling over so that the two of them can lift the cart in unison. To his great surprise, however, Vincent the barkeep lifted the cart's side in one try, and seemingly without much effort, which made things much, much easier for the merchant. A popped dowel pin here and there, and off came the broken wheel to be replaced by the new one. The process took three or four minutes to complete, and the wagon once again could continue its trek towards the town. "You may set it down now, young man, thank you," voiced the man through a few huffs, clearly winded from the rush and exertion. "I honestly didn't think I would be able to continue without losing some or -- heaven forbid it! -- all of my goods to thieves and ruffians. I haven't a gold piece of anything on my person, but it would make me proud to give you some of my inventory as compensation. What are you in need of, or, rather, what would you like? I've many things to keep you warm, or to keep you well protected from ill-meaning individuals out there."

Stin with Varius Stin felt weaker, his hand faltering just a tad before redrawing his grip. He looked up at the boy with curiosity and interest. Was the reason of this odd sensation because of strength or something more? He had to wonder. "Reputation is something earned, and hard-earned at that," Stin answered in turn, his hard eyes focused and his hand newly withdrawn. "I as well as Gumshoe before me have long believed that mixed blood holds merely heritage and should not hold prejudice. If you do pass these tests, we would welcome you based on your skills as a prospect for sheriff, not your lineage. Prejudice would yield to respect later. Now, let's get this underway. Follow me." Leading the boy to the back of the office and out the door, Stin revealed a training grounds complete with ropes, swings, and wooden platforms. One of the tests was to get through the course in three minutes, Stin explained, but the first test was elsewhere. Moving on, another space was revealed after opening the door to what seemed like a very large shed without a roof. "This is our test of courage. You must find the key that will unlock the door, a spare of the one I have on me right now." The officer raised a key from a rope around his neck, a silver thing with a long neck and had an oversized link. "There are three keys in the room, but only one works on the door," continued the man. "That wall over on the other end"--he identified a wall with wooden cogs on the side and wooden spikes very sharp in appearance--"will come into the room, and if you are too late you will be splatted between two walls unless you ask me to be let out. One participant got overeager and demanded to be let out a little too late. It was difficult to clean the blood out of the wall, so don't be that guy. Still sound fair?" ((You may start now if you say yes, and Stin would leave to let the challenge start. Here are the rules: 1.) Open the door with the correct key of three keys. 2.) Your character has three minutes to figure out the keys. If he runs out of time, that's fine; the wall will not crush him. Hints: One wrong key is on the floor, covered in dust but still easily visible and easy to trip over. One wrong key is on the left wall, hanging on a nail. The correct key is on the moving wall, its key ring eight feet up and stuck on one of the tips of the wooden spikes, easily reachable by a nimble person or by using a sword or one of the hooks on the wall to catch the key ring.))

Oh, so it is indeed Kingdom-Hearts-related! I was wondering why his hair style looked so familiar. =P Good find!

((Should you desire to change things, Shard, feel free to voice something in the sign-ups or a PM and I will happily change them for the better.)) Fennel / Veran, on the street The officer, burly and with an inset frown behind a coarsely trimmed beard, locked his legs as he gruffly looked up and down the girl (Fennel) in front of him, as well as her associate Veran. It was unfortunate that she had company, but as was the nature of his job he had an assignment to complete, be it easy or hard. "You will have to come with me for questioning as a potential suspect," replied the officer. "A murder has taken place and any information you may give will be resourceful. However, any attempts of fleeing will consider you guilty and subject to prosecution or execution. Is this understood by you?" Fennel blinked stupidly at the man before nodding meekly, glancing over to Veran in uncertainty. Of what was the young man thinking, she wondered. She hoped it was not negative toward her in any way. This was a terrible way of parting ways after having met him, especially with the ongoing issue of Ava's disappearance. "I will have to take my leave early and meet up with you later, Veran, whether at the library or not. I'll continue looking around for Ava throughout this, okay?" She waited for a response, as did the officer, having just enough tact to not butt into the last words between these two. Bistro / Jynn / Vanitas / James, near the smithy Bistro tentatively accepted the offer of being pulled up and reached out a scrawny hand to grab Vanitas', getting to his feet carefully and quickly. He was nervous around this crowd, as can be expected from a kid among grownup strangers, and his darting eyes searched for a quick escape route should things get hairy. Luckily for him, a girl had come closer and apologised for . . . following them? This was weird. However, it was a fantastic distraction. "Thanks," he voiced towards Vanitas before turning to Jynn, "and sorry, I guess. I'm all right, but I gotta jet! Somebody's waiting for me!" This was a bit of a lie, but with the child-like appearance he had he could potentially get out of the situation, trying his best to worm out of the gathering of people and into the trees, where he could be safe. Run. Run run run! James barely paid attention to the kid behind him, instead looking at the lady stranger with distrust in his gaze. Was this part of the journal's wishes in case he failed? Was she spying on him for this purpose, or was it for a different, separate one? He shuddered to imagine the possibility of either, but the journal was definitely involved, he was sure of it. "It's okay. We understand your having to follow what is told," he responded to her, swallowing hard a little as he let the words fall out of his throat. Considering he almost was about to follow the journal and second-guessed it, he had no right to say such things, but, still, he did understand. "At the very least I hope you'll introduce yourself for following us. Do so and I will have no qualms with you," the librarian continued, forcing a smile onto his lips. Varius, at the police headquarters Stin the officer stared at the animalistic boy in front of him with a cold, calculating gaze before smirking, accepting the boy's offer of a handshake and gripping his hand tightly. "I should say that you're a bit presumptuous here, wanting the title without a trial, but we are leaderless and have no clue which of us all is best fitted for the job. Perhaps you would be a good fit, having heard a bit about your actions yesterday from ol' Gumshoe, but we must put you to a three-fold test, one of courage, one of perseverance, and one of gusto. "Would you be prepared for these tasks? If you complete them all, I daresay you would be better than all of us who can only complete two or less out of the three. Ol' man Gumshoe was the one who made the challenges. If you can't best any of them, the police are not for you yet, mate." Stin still gripped the boy's hand tightly, his dark eyes seeking the determination of a leader in Varius' countenance. If Gumshoe liked the kid this much, maybe he stands a chance. Genesis, at the play house The figure which skulked about in the dark stood frozen in fear of being discovered and knew the jig was up, a newcomer finding out about the situation shortly before all of the preparations could be made. Cursing under its breath, it started towards one of the remaining halls which was yet untouched by kerosene, but not before tossing the metal canister of flammable liquid between it and Genesis as an obstacle in Genesis' way. With everything said and done, it slipped into the hallway, trying to gain as much distance as it could. The burning of the location could wait another day, and the fuel will likely still remain for a few weeks still. Jade / Vincent, in the lakeside forest Awaiting either of the two on the way back to the town could be found a wagon with a broken wheel. The owner is having great difficulty picking up the side of the cart, as every time he tries to do two tasks and take out the broken wheel the weight gives on the wagon and down it goes. He groans and wishes he did not carry so many trade goods in his covered wagon. Further he wishes that he could gain help. Any assistance, whether to replace the wheel or get help from town, would be richly awarded, for he could not abandon his wares in these dangerous parts. Infinite, somewhere around town Making its way through the foliage, a shadowy figure came crawling through the underbrush and closer to Infinite, the scent of copper and wet fur creating a pungent odor which came from its direction. It was a wounded wolf, the same one Vincent had flung into the lake, battered, raw, and absolutely famished. Infinite would not have long before the creature snarls, glints its white fangs in the open air, and circles for an opening of biting down on one of Infinite's limbs, or maybe his exposed neck, if possible. The middle-sized creatures like him would make easier prey than big game and a simpler chase than a rabbit.