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Creative Arts and Media => Roleplay => Serious RP => Topic started by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on December 16, 2013, 04:03:26 PM

Title: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on December 16, 2013, 04:03:26 PM

The morning fog in Holloway was thicker than usual, coupled with a grim and rainy sky. Many inhabitants dragged their feet, having lost sleep from the previous night in hearing the loud roars of dragons echo in the air from the distance. At the town's gate, a lone figure came into view from the fog. It was a barbaric looking, one-armed black wolf. In his one hand, he was dragging a large iron blade that was stained with purple blood, and in his mouth, he was dragging a large rope that was connected to a large, broken door. On top of the door was the bodies of 9 fallen warriors. The wolf took the bodies to the town's elder to request burials. Whispers flooded throughout the port town about the adventurer who caused the ruckus the last night coming to bury his dead, and how he was looking for new adventurers to join his party. As payment, the adventurer sold all of his party members' possessions, but buried them with honor. When the dead were buried, the lone wolf headed to the only tavern in town and slunked into a pint, toasting the fallen.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on December 18, 2013, 01:57:51 AM

Kiana was sitting in a back corner of the tavern with her hood pulled up, hiding her face in shadow. As shifted her food around on her plate, she listened to the chatter of the other customers in the tavern. There was one topic of conversation that was the most common amongst them and that was something about an adventurer coming into town to bury his dead party members and find new ones. From the description she heard, he definitely sounded well-traveled and experienced as well as tough. It was long after everyone's conversations had moved on and she was just setting down her glass after taking a drink that she saw the wolf enter the tavern. She watched him from underneath her hood but didn't approach out of respect. Plus, she wanted to get an idea of the guy before she made a decision about whether she would want to be a part of his party or not.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on December 18, 2013, 11:48:20 AM

Suzumibachi had only recently arrived at the town. And despite having graduated from the mage academy a few years younger than most she wasnt really given any specific instructions and as such she decided that exploring the world outside of the grand libraries was a great idea and a good test. The word going around was that a lone wolf had arrived to bury his dead,this was most interesting and her natural curiosity flared up slightly. Deciding to be rather bold she made her way to the tavern, rather quietly making her way inside and to one of the back walls she leaned back against it and looked around. Her piercing gaze searching for somebody that matched his description. Seeing him sitting by the bar and drinking his pint, clearly paying respects to his fallen comrades she pushed against the wall and made a bee line for him. Plopping down on a chair next to him and ordered a drink herself. Taking it in hand she softly spoke up but didn't look at the wolf. "To those we have lost, and the hope of a future."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on December 18, 2013, 04:48:45 PM

Leo had been resting on the floor of the bar with his upper torso underneath a table. He had been there a while with a lit wax candle next to his head, and an open book containing various legends in his hand.  While the original owner might have well been questionable, it wouldn't matter as the owner of the book was no where in these lands. The cat was only half-heartedly listening to the conversations in the room. Some tales of goblins wrecking nearby villages, giant spiders, and the typical rat infestation in the other parts. However, the most promising one being of some one armed giant looking for a new crew. And to this, Leo finally lowered his book with a distinct sign of interest.

His ears flicked as he continued to listen in. “A bad run in with a dragon...” he hummed quietly to himself. His eyes now turning to the door to see the man of the hour. “It's a step up from the normal route. A large step up, but it's my only shot I suppose...” he thought to himself, watching the man take a seat. It wasn't long till he noticed... what he believed to be a short female lizard, and once again his interest had been piqued. He'd shift his wait so he could get a better look from underneath the table, and peer to what he believed may have been a kobold. He watched them for a moment longer, but slowly pulled back, dipped his nose back in the book he stole from somewhere. He'd figure it would be better to wait for the man to finish is grief before approaching with his offer of help.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on December 18, 2013, 11:15:40 PM

Korius paid no mind to the reptilian as he drank up the 2nd half of his pint and sighed. It wasn't the first party that he's lost in the last few decades, but they were still comrades, comrades that he trusted with his life. After a minute of reflection, the wolf slapped his face to wake himself up and walked over to the job board. He pulled a piece of parchment from his sash and slapped it right onto the board. Like most other taverns around the world, the board was regularly laced with cheap adhesive goo that never dried, but wasn't good for sticking anything but paper or thin clothing. He then made his way back to his table to get his sword and left the tavern. Korius' mind was so preoccupied with the mourning of the dead that he didn't notice or acknowledge anyone. In fact, he only paid for his drink out of muscle memory, not from thinking about it, not having even so much as given the barkeep a look or nod. The parchment he posted his need for a party, in search of the Life Stone, and even splits of spoils found. Interested people should meet at the gate.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on December 19, 2013, 03:32:04 AM

Kiana raised an eyebrow when she saw a female lizard approach the wolf and sit down next to him. In a way, it kind of amused her when he didn't pay any attention to his new company. In any other situation, she might have thought it was kind of rude, but since he was drinking over lost comrades, she believed he had the right. As she chewed the last bite of her food, she watched the wolf walk over to the job board and slap a piece of parchment onto it. She continued to watch as he went back to get his sword before leaving the tavern. Taking the last gulp of liquid from her glass, she rose from her seat and put the money for her food and drink on the table. She casually walked over to the job board and looked over the papers there as if she wasn't interested in anything in particular up there and just browsing. Her eyes only roamed over the newest piece of parchment for a couple seconds, just like the other pieces, before she left the tavern with her bow and arrows slung over her shoulder.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on December 19, 2013, 05:49:56 AM

It wasn't until Leo had finally flipped to his last page had his interest finally redirected it's self to the kobold like lizard, and the hulking one armed giant. The book clasped close, and was slid under his head like a pillow as he now began to think of his current options. His eyes narrowed some tiredly as he realized that he had no other choice but to jump off the handles and into the deep end if he wished to procure the life stone for himself. And this man, who is morning the loss of his previous crew, men more experienced than he in adventure, is his only shot. Death just seemed to reek from this man. He was so ready to replace his party and only shortly after their burial.

“This man probably lost more than just that lot...” he hummed quietly to himself with a thought of regret. His eyes continued to follow the man, watching him as he placed the notice. His eyes then shifted to the woman who approached the list, “and people blindly jump up to the call. Adventure sounds sweet, and the fortune it brings is a great lure...” his eyes then shifted back to the door, watching the giant leave. “But...” his thoughts continued as he sighed and slowly rolled out from under the table and pushed himself up to his feet. He left the book exactly where it was, having no further use for it after it's contents have already been read and memorized, “he has absolutely no luck. Bad calls, or bad decisions. His crew probably died all simultaneously, leaving him to be the last to tell the tale.”

The cat now slink from around the table, and came closer to the woman who was at the board. His eyes flicked to her for a moment, and then to the new note. “Ah... the loot will be split,” the thief chimed in a cheery tone, “If I recall, he had some run in with dragons. And when there is a dragon, there is a dragon's horde. But... no thief would dare take anything from a dragons horde, especially a dead dragon less it's given to him or he will be cursed with death. Or greed. A superstition really.” Leo then offered his hand out to the lady, “Leo. And you are?”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on December 19, 2013, 11:41:16 AM

Smirking softly as the wolf paid her no mind, but it was understandable. She had taken a bold gamble that didn't pay off besides something about his body language reminded her of her younger self just after the incident. Her gaze followed the wolf as he got up and stuck the parchment and stuck it there. "I should have a peek." She whispered to herself before readjusting her gloves, the faint glint of topaz gem that was imbedded in each sparked a smile. Silently standing up and dropping a few coins on the counter to pay for her drink she gave a friendly nod to the bartender.

Rather quickly making her way to the board after having seen two others looking at the papers posting all sorts of odd jobs, however there was only one that caught her eye. It didnt promise pay on the spot but he was searching for the life stone..."Impossible..." she muttered to herself. "But...if its not I can bring him back." biting her lips and making her way outside. Pulling a hood over her head to shield her eyes from the sun as she made her way to the gates, trying to avoid any unneeded contact with anybody at this point.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on December 19, 2013, 01:21:10 PM

Korius waited at the gate for a while before he started seeing figures show up. From the mist, he saw a Cheetah, a long-haired lizard that for some reason looked a little familiar (he couldn't quite put his finger on it), a fairly tall cat, and a few others. However, the ones behind this three seemed to quickly leave after seeing him and the weapon that stood from the ground next to him, not having heard that Korius was a berserker. In fact, all but the three in front had quickly left upon seeing his weapon. It was common knowledge that berserkers, though very strong, lose their senses when fighting at full power and have the most friendly kills that even greedy betrayers.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on December 19, 2013, 08:40:55 PM

Suzumi noticed the other two making their way to the gate being a little behind them, her steps naturally quiet due to her size, stepping to the side and in front of the others she glanced back at the tall cat and the cheetah. Introductions would come soon enough she thought while making her way to the wolf. Stopping a few feet away from him she waited a few moment for the others to approach. "So you are looking for a legend." She said quite boldly, "Of course if it exists this little adventure will bring quite a bit of fame." Turning to the wolf and then the others. "Suzumibachi, a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She didn't actually care what the rest would think of her or that she was being so unusually vocal.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on December 20, 2013, 04:04:34 PM

Kiana walked through the town towards where the posting said to meet, the gate. She saw the wolf waiting up ahead for whoever might come to possibly join him and wasn't phased by the weapon he had, just like when she saw him leave the tavern with it. She heard others walking behind her but didn't bother to turn her head to see who they were. When the lizard female from the tavern stepped around her and glanced back at her, she just raised an eyebrow underneath her hood and continued to move forward. "Not like there's a party limit." She thought to herself, not understanding why the lizard seemed to need to pass her while she was going at her normal quick walking pace. When she reached the wolf at the gate, she glanced at the lizard as she decided she had to be the first one to speak even before the wolf. Kiana reached up and pushed her hood back off of her head, looking directly at the wolf. "Kiana." She said in a strong voice with a straight face to match. Being someone who was pretty serious, she wasn't usually all smiles and roses, even with meeting new people.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on December 20, 2013, 08:07:32 PM

Leo smiled to himself as he watched the lady leave the bar, and slowly shook his head. “Ah... no one is the chatty type in this backwater town,” he chuckled to himself as he too slipped away from the group at the board to go find the meeting place mentioned on the bulliton board. It did not take much longer for him to find the place once he left the tavern. After all, if one didn't know the place to well, you could just as easily find the meeting place by spotting the gathering of people around a berserker with a large weapon. If the berserker didn't stick out like a sore thumb, then the gathering easily would.

 
He later arrived at the group, spotting the same female he had talked to earlier, and already found her giving her introductions so soon. “Oh...” Leo thought to himself keeping his smile, “that's why. Serious and brooding. Overly dramatic drama, or naturally so... figures as much.”

 
He then waved his hand, signaling attention to himself, “Leo,” he chimed in a sing song manner. He wasn't the type to come off naturally serious. In fact, he much preferred to see a more debacherous and interesting side of life then having to keep to a single mannerism. He did spot the large blade sitting at the man's side, however he found no need to keep his distance. While the other's may be a bit more paranoid. He knew it's only in battle should a berserker's ally become a statistic.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on December 21, 2013, 12:16:49 AM

Korius saw the three come up and watched as others change direction or walk by. However, his attention was diverted not long after he wanted to wait, hearing them all introduce themselves. "We'll wait to see if there's others." He waited longer, letting the others choose to talk together or to just stand there with him in silence. After no one wanted to join anymore, he stopped leaning on the post of the gate and stood up straight, "You all smell really green, but if your determination and heart are into this, we'll eventually find the Stone. My name's Korius Lambent, and I'll be leading you from now on. Our first leg is to head up north to Agrecia. It's near the infestation season for Cockatrices, and a lot of butchers are offering top coin for large sized and numbers of Cockatrices. It will be a one day trek, and we do not stop for long. You'll get some small rests, but you won't be sleeping tonight. Now let's move." The wolf turned and grabbed his sword, heading north with his weapon propped over his shoulder.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on December 21, 2013, 01:15:15 AM

Kiana looked sideways at the third person to walk up when he spoke then looked back at the wolf when he spoke up saying that they would wait for others who might possibly show up. She turned sideways and watch the area that had been behind her, seeing people head their way only to veer off in another direction or just straight out turn around. When the wolf spoke again, she turned back towards him and listened. The concept of them "smelling" green was odd to her, but it wasn't like she could argue with the possibility. After he finished speaking and headed off, she pulled her hood back up and followed behind him without hesitation.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on December 21, 2013, 03:20:06 AM

Leo's smile faded for a moment after hearing their targeted game for the first job. “Cockatrice,” Leo rasped under his breath in surprise. His hand brushing over one of his dagger's pomel for just a moment. His eyes then flicked to the others who were joining the journey, and frowned. He let his hand drop back to his side, and followed them for a moment. “Well... some of these people may die abruptly, unless there is a cleric who knows how to turn stone back to flesh in this lot,” he thought to himself as he quickly increased his pace to catch up with Korius.
“Korius, yes,” Leo began, only to confirm that he heard his name right the first time. His gaze flicked back to the group for a moment, wandering exactly how many of them had a sword or a knife instead of a bow or magic. He kept his volume at a normal conversation level, if only to prevent the others from hearing anything alarming. “Erm... I am sure you are more well experienced than any of us, so a Cockatrice or a flock wouldn't be your biggest worries. But... I believe you know that they petrify, yes? And not by gaze, but by it's bite. And not a lot of us can actually tough it out if I do say so. I understand you already lost your last group, but another large handful on that toll?”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on December 21, 2013, 03:49:10 AM

Suzumi stayed quiet listening to each conversation before nodding to Korius. Readjusting her gloves and gently brushing her finger tips over the gemstones before turning to start walking. Her gaze occasionally wandering to the side of the path as they walked, the fact that they wouldn't be sleeping was not really a bother for her. "Just like old times" She thought to herself remembering all the nights she spent studying instead of resting, of course this would me a little more physical than just reading a book. "Cockatrice..." she mumbled to herself softly as her gaze seemed to distance itself her mind scanning for any information she had on it, almost sure she had read about them in a book before.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on December 22, 2013, 06:03:22 PM

Korius merely scoffed a bit upon Leo's complaints about fighting Cockatrice, "You listen to far too many old wives' tales. While it's true that a Cockatrice can petrify its enemies when threatened, it's only the female that can do it. Female Cockatrice lay over 1,000 eggs a year, but only less than 1% are born female. The rest are just angry, flesh-eating males. Agrecia's harvest only yields 2 females turned in a year since no one ever goes near them, in fear of dying, or not having the money to pay for a healing. If you see a large plume on its head, just run away, and I'll take care of it." The rest of the day was fairly quiet. They stopped only to catch something to eat or have a quick rest. As they hiked throughout the night, they merely encountered small creatures that they ended up eating or nothing at all. The distant roars of a dragon rose in the night from a different direction. It was obviously from an extreme distance, but the roar was unlike any that were commonly heard when someone tried to raid a cove or ruin. All of a sudden, a couple hours past high moon, that roar became deafeningly loud. There was a large burst of air that shook the group, and from above came an overcasting shadow. The sky was blackened with the silhouette of an unusually large dragon with a lot of holes in its wings, flying by at a high speed. The dragon disappeared as quickly as it had come. When the moonlight finally lit the lightly forested field, Korius was frozen in place, his heart racing uncontrollably. It took only a few more seconds to control himself, but he managed to cool down. "Let's get moving." The wolf's body language spoke with composure, but the tip of his sword was vibrating violently in the moon light. Inside, Korius knew exactly what flew by them, it was one of the Grand Dragons. Particularly, this one was a Bahamut, a Grand Dragon of Darkness.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on December 22, 2013, 09:52:32 PM

Kiana listened as Leo asked Korius about the creatures they were supposed to fight. She felt a little insulted when Leo said that not all of them would be able to tough it out. "You have no idea what I can tough out, buddy." She thought to herself as she returned her attention to Korius as he scoffed and responded to Leo. After that, the rest of the day was uneventful except for catching food and short rests, and she enjoyed the quiet of it. When she heard a roar in the distance, her ears twitched underneath her hood, but she paid it no mind other than that. Later after high moon, there was a deafeningly loud roar and then a burst of air that made her wobble a bit and knocked her hood off her head. When she saw the shadow, she looked up and froze as she watched a dragon fly overhead. In that moment, she was more interested in the dragon than she was afraid of it. She knew that she probably should be afraid of it, but that was as close as she had been to a dragon before. After the dragon had passed, she lowered her gaze from the sky and pulled her hood back up as Korius said they should get moving, starting to walk again.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on December 23, 2013, 02:40:23 AM

Leo stopped when Korius responded, and then sighed, mumbling to himself, “Yes but those statistics aren't always accurate when there are more than one female in a given area, and why kill the females if they get you the profit.” He shook his head, and picked up his original pace once more after spotting a passing adventurer. The stop for rest and something had been a little more than un-eventful for Leo. He had managed to talk one of the adventurer's out of a bit of heavy salt and some seasonings, which was used to preserve his share into rations rather than eating on the one chance they were allowed.

Once it was dry, the meat was then stored into a small pouch filled with a variety of herbs to hide the smell from creatures. This was just an odd habbit he had developed when he was being taught the way of the thief. Starve once, was what he was told, and then survive later.

The rest of the day was almost the same, kept for the roar that plagued the air for a heart beat. Leo's head slowly shifted to the direction it had came from. He had stopped only for a moment to scan the horizon, looking for any landmark of interest before continuing his treck, looking back just once. His thoughts continued to mull over the possibilities of the roar, each time he thought of a dragon he struck it out. Till life decided to confirm his first assumption. The next roar he heard, which sounded much closer than before caused Leo's head to quickly snap in the direction it came from. His eyes spotted the large silhouette in time as it past by. His eyes continued to track it in astonishment after his body dipped down to keep himself from toppling over against the staggering adventurer's. When it finally past over, a bit of worry now ebbed it's way into Leo's mind. “This is not a good sign...” he thought to himself.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on December 23, 2013, 12:31:31 PM

Staying rather quiet as they walked Suzumi couldn't help but smirk at the wolf and his instructions to run and let him take care of it. Not that she doubted his combat prowess, she just though that he just wanted all the fun. The rest of the day passed by rather uneventfully save for the distant roar that sounded deeper and a lot bigger than it should have at the distance  it was at. "It has to be big." she whispered. The sun set and the pathways were illuminated by the light glow of the moon. The relative silence of the night was suddenly shattered by a nearly deafening roar and a blast of air that nearly knocked Suzumi down, her clothing fluttering with the movement of the air as she looked up. Her eyes went wide as she could barely make out the silhouette because of its size, but it was clear that this dragon wasn't a common one, it was too large and the way its wings seemed to have tears and holes in them probably meant it was rather old as well.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on December 24, 2013, 01:36:16 PM

With the sunrise approaching, the fox-kin girl woke up and tended to her duties rather quickly in the smithy, setting it up quickly and efficiently for her father before she would go get her bow and quiver of arrows to get herself to a training area she set up for herself on the outskirts of town: some standing targets at different distances and a hanging one from a tree. She pulled her bow from off of her back and pulled out one of her arrows, closing her eyes before opening them to look the targets, then she started to fire in rapid succession to the standing targets, hitting all three of the closer targets dead-on, but the last one was off-center. She growled a bit before she went on to the hanging target and started to take aim and fire at that one, intentionally hitting the sides of it to make it spin and wobble while she would run to one side and take aim at it to keep moving while firing, her arrows hitting the target but a couple not sticking due to the offset hits. "Why can't I get this right!?" she growled in frustration, going to the targets to retrieve her arrows. She saw some movement coming from the forest, stopping to take notice that they were Kin. "Adventurers... I wonder what brings them out this way." she spoke to herself.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on December 27, 2013, 01:56:24 AM

Korius' nerves didn't calm until sunrise, as they got into the town gate. There was always something calming about farms that would make him forget the Grand Dragon that they missed an encounter with last night. He took a deep intake of the country air, and the smell of fresh soil and crops. The black wolf stopped for a minute to search around until he found spotted the tavern. The town had grown in the last year, and there were more buildings than before. Korius led the group over to the tavern and there were already other adventurers and payday seekers woken up and stretching or lining up at the little registration table out front. "I personally would like to eat first, but we can register first, just the same." He let the group decide to register or eat first. All he wanted to eat was just a quick bite for a burst of energy for the event.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on December 27, 2013, 02:34:43 AM

A little before sunrise Kiana saw the town gate up ahead of them. The dragon they had seen was still on her mind, but not in a bothersome way. When Korius stopped, she stopped behind him and continued on after he started moving again, all the while taking in her surroundings. After they reached the tavern and saw all the adventurers lines up to register, she scanned the crowd, picking out who she thought would survive and who might get severely injured or killed. Upon hearing Korius speak, she turned her attention back to her own group, particularly their leader. "I don't care either way. Something quick might be good." Kiana responded then looked at the other two to see what they thought.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on December 27, 2013, 08:07:07 AM

Leo looked rather ill, mostly due from his own choice of not eating over a day long trek to another town. His mind had lingered on the Dragon's sight, but not for longer than an hour as unease begins to take over the feline's body. He always knew of his own medical risk for not eating, but he also figured that now would be a better time to keep something with him for an emergency. Now when he got to town, food was already the dominant thought. He didn't mind that the meal would have to be quick, he can deal with that. He simply needed the energy provided by a small snack to not fall over from vertigo and get himself killed in the actual hunt.

 
When they entered the tavern, Leo had accidentally bumped into someone, his hands were raised up in an effort to add some form of barrier between the two to lessen the damage. Instead, the results only appeared to be worse, nearly knocking them both over and sending his drink out of his hand. The feline reacted quickly regaining his balance by shuffling his feet underneath him. His tail flicked to the side to make for one more small adjust while he lifted both hands into the air and quickly grasped the pitcher in the air, and made a small adjustment in the containers tilt to keep the contents inside.

“Watch where you are going bloke,” the enraged man growled, taking back his pitcher.

 
Leo, who seemed a bit surprised by the reaction, recoiled quickly by taking a step back. His hands raised in the air as if he didn't want to pick a fight, and quickly stepped away from him with his eyes wide. “Ah, sorry mate! Not feeling to fickle if ye hear me out!”

 
“What ever! Move,” the bumbling drunkard growled, pushing the male out of the way so he could stumble by.

 
Leo, now leaning, on a table watched the man leave the tavern. Once the door closed, he shook his head lightly and tossed a sack of coins to a nearby waitress. “Can I get a sliver of venison and bread,” the male asked politely, but paused for a moment in thought. He then added, “keep the rest.” Once the waiter went away, he took a look back to the door. “Sorry mate, but I am low enough on my dough as is,” he thought to himself, looking back to the waitress who is rejoicing over hearty tip. Satisfied, Leo sauntered up almost uneasily to the registration and signed himself up. Once he was done, he slipped into a table and buried his face into his hands to help ease some of his dizziness.

 
“Can't keep those coins either in case he realizes later. Oh well. Hopefully I won't make an ass out of myself in the hunt like I did just now. Doubt anyone actually saw what really happened.” A few minutes later, he heard a plate click on the table in front of him. He looked up to spot the dish he ordered lying on the wooden surface just ahead of him. Leo slowly started eating while trying to figure out how he is supposed to kill a monster of a chicken with just two daggers.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on December 27, 2013, 12:00:55 PM

Suzumi kept  glancing at the sky after seeing the dragon part of her on edge the other part burning with curiosity. Reaching into the canvas bag slung over her hips and pulling out some vial filled with water. Gulping down some of it she felt a little more energetic than before, but of course just that would not be enough to keep her going for another whole day of trekking. Walking into the tavern she glanced at Korius. "I think a meal before we register is a wiser course of action. Its not like there isnt going to be space by the time we finish eating."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on December 27, 2013, 04:06:49 PM

Karina curiously followed the adventurers to the tavern and entered in as she looked at the group, going to talk to the tavern owner since she knew him to find out more. She kept her voice down despite the chatter going on in the place, making sure she would bring as little attention to herself as possible, but she ended up getting a grab on her rear from one of the drunken patrons nearby her. Out of instinct, she brought the lower-end of the bladed bow between the legs of the one who grabbed her and she turned to growl at him, her blue eyes having turned red. "If you value any future you have that has children, you will not do that again." she spoke, the patron backing off and the tavern owner having a bit of a laugh before he pats the Fox-Kin girl on the shoulder, attempting to calm her down.

"Tell, you what, Karina, I need to get more metal-ware from your father, think you can have him bring me about 20 goblets, 30 plates, and 40 of forks and knives?" The tavern owner spoke.

"Sure. I'll let Father know on the order." she spoke before she left to go pass the order along.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on December 28, 2013, 12:37:56 AM

Korius watched as the others just headed right into the tavern and just followed suit. He went over to the barkeep and asked for a shank of ham, "I'm just looking for a small bite before the Hunt." The berserker leaned his sword against the counter and sat at the bar until one of the waiters came back with a large plate and a full shank portion of ham that was approximately 15 pounds. The ones around him looked at him with faces that said, "Bullshit that's a small bite!" The black wolf picked it up with his one arm and gobbled it up in less than 10 bites. He belched lightly and wiped his mouth before dropping several coins and picking up his sword. Korius exited first and made a left to the little table to register the party. Afterwards, he stood outside to wait for them to come out.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on December 28, 2013, 02:32:25 AM

Kiana watched as Leo went off on his own into the tavern and shook her head. After a moment, she followed suit, missing Leo's encounter with the brute. She went to the bar and ordered some meat, though nothing nearly as big as what she observed Korius getting for himself. Paying no mind to how quickly he ate his food, she ate her food just slightly faster then her normal pace since she wanted to get a move on. Once she finished, she thanked the barkeep and left coins on the counter to pay for her meal. She headed out the door after that and went over to Korius to wait for the others.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on December 28, 2013, 03:57:40 PM

Leo had been watching the area around him boredly as he ate. It wasn't long before he noticed yet another drunken man making an attempt to cope a feel off of a woman. Rather than doing anything, he simply decided to watch after spotting the bow slung over her shoulder. When he noticed her sudden out burst of rage, the feline allowed a humored smile to creep upon his maw. continued to eat the rest of his meal. “Black smith's daughter,” he thought to himself his eyes then flickered back to the weapon her back. It appeared as a strange mixture of a dagger and a bow. He also swore he saw a special design that allowed it to be disassembled into two halves.

 
“That...” Leo began in thought, sliding out of his seat and stretching, “just seems like a very impractical weapon. If the sides were bladed, and had cogs to allow it to contort, then I can see it working.” However, he dared not say anything after the display. If he offended her, he would probably have his own notion proven wrong in a heart beat. Without anything said from the feline, he left, glancing over his shoulder to look back to the woman with the odd bow.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on December 30, 2013, 11:31:11 AM

Suzumi made her way into the tavern after most of the others and found a table in a corner before sitting down, the slightly darker atmosphere as well as the wall to her back made her seem calmer. She ordered a rather odd looking salad with some meat, quietly eating it on her own she mentally kept track of each of the people in the party, her eyes glancing around every few minutes to check what each was up to. However upon seeing the incident with the archer and a rather drunk pub-dweller she couldn't help but smile at what had happened but decided no comment was needed as she nodded in the direction before dropping a few coins on the table for payment and making her way to the registration sheet.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on December 31, 2013, 04:32:43 AM

Karina did not waste any time to go home and tell her father of the adventurers and of the order for the tavern, which caused the white wolf to tap his own chin with his good arm's hand. He wrote down a bit on a parchment, listing out the items for the tavern, then he starts making a list of items that adventurers would need on the same parchment as he looked about at his wares. Karina watched as he did this, then he started work on making anything lacking outside of that list. She was dismissed, still holding onto her special bow and quiver full of arrows as she left the smithy. She went back to the tavern, curious to learn more about the adventurers and what they were looking for, especially since this was near the time of the Hunt.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 03, 2014, 04:21:46 PM

When everyone had finally come back out, Korius registered their party since the person behind the table seemed to have a perfect memory to make sure people aren't sneaking in extra people as it cost a good amount of coin per person. The registration was through the town, but the money came from the butcher. The black wolf stood up straight and grabbed his sword that was leaning against the tavern and looked around at their competition. Many looked as green as his own party, others looked like they're adventurers that happened to be in the area, but his real worries were on a particular small party that were already waiting at the gate. The party only had 4 people, but they looked as they do hunts for a living, and nothing else. There was an amazon sporting a long, ivory spear, a wildman with a halberd larger than himself, a dragon tamer who already has a baby dragon, and a beast tamer who had an adult male cockatrice. Korius felt really nervous with that particular group since he knew that they have gone far with this Hunt over years, and that they were going for the real big prizes, females. His attention was temporarily taken away to an interesting sight that passed through his vision, a bow with blades at the ends. Well that's curious.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 03, 2014, 07:08:35 PM

Leo had approached Korrius once he found him, but quickly picked up on his distracted attention. His emerald eyes studied him for a moment, wondering what had caused such a nervous look from an experienced berserk like him. And so he followed his gaze, slowly turning around to see the party of four terrifying hunters. Leo could perfectly understand now what had caused it, one of them looks like he could probably eat the thief himself. And the others just seemed to be a bit of bad news. “Korius...” Leo began in a nervous tone, and slowly raising a hand to point to the group ahead of them. His eyes dancing between their weapons to size them up. He now wished he had a weapon better suited for combat than self defense like his daggers, for just the purpose of having to defend himself against them if they turn out to be cut-throat.“What in the blue hell is that?”

The feline's eyes glanced back to the berserker hoping for a more desirable answer than the word competition.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 04, 2014, 03:20:18 AM

Kiana noticed the group of four by the gate on her own as she surveyed the crowd while Korius had been registering their party. The group definitely stood out from the rest, even the ones who looked like experienced adventurers. "Death on a platter..." She muttered after Leo pointed to the group and asked Korius what it was. A reflection off of something metallic in her peripheral vision caught her attention. Turning her head, she saw a woman with a bow on her back that seemed to have bladed ends. She had never seen anything like the weapon and it definitely had her interest, but she redirected her attention back to the group by the gate. As she looked them over again, she tried to pick out any weaknesses that the members might have. It wasn't like she'd have to fight them really, but if they got in the way... Well, she'd have to have a plan.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 04, 2014, 01:18:31 PM

Making her way outside to the rest of the group she instantly pulled the hood of her cloak over her head before standing next to Leo and Kiana following where they were looking she could see the very seasoned group of hunters waiting by the gate.  " They look like trouble." she mumbled softly before glancing up at the others. "Very experienced by the looks of things." Her gaze was temporarily averted as she noticed the unique bladed bow she had seen earlier in the tavern. Offering a faint giggle as she remembered the girls threat to the drunk, smiling at how  he reacted to the sensation of a blade resting between his legs, for some strange reason the lizard found peoples reactions interesting and fun to watch.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 05, 2014, 01:48:39 AM

"Oi, not these guys again. " the female fox-kin spoke as she saw the group of Hunters while trying to look for the new adventurers. Her grumbling sigh turned to a curious smile when she also saw the adventurer group, it became a more noticeable curiosity when she saw that some of them were looking at her for a moment. "You must be here for the Hunt, it's not often we get visitors other than this time of the year."  Karina spoke to the group, then she looked back to the ones at the gate. "Those guys are bad news to any up-and-coming hunter, they seem to come back with a female or two as their catch, though, if I were that beast master, I wouldn't try to have them kill the female." she spoke with a shrug, then she looked to the adventurer group again. "You all would probably need better weapons and gear if you plan on participating. I know of someone who can help you out if you need it."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 05, 2014, 07:45:19 PM

Korius slightly tightened his jaw as he answered Leo, "Bad news is what they are. I have no doubt they're exceptionally experienced hunters. That amazon and wildman are exceptionally strong. From the looks of it, probably over 30 years of experience in fighting monsters. The others look like a fairly experienced beast tamer. From the looks of it, he probably hasn't been one for more than 4 or 5 years since he has an adult male on him. Even if he has a couple more years on him, he's not too much to worry if his group has been here for more years. It's the same for the dragon tamer. She only has a baby dragon. Dragons that are tamed at an early age grow alongside their tamer's strength. If the tamer does not become stronger as the years go by, the dragon dies, and they can never tame another ever again." His attention averted from the group once more as the interesting young bow user approached them. He listened to her talking about the group, So i was right, for the most part... He looked at the girl at her offer of equipment and shook his head, "No, this sword has served me well for years. I'm a berserker so the less armour I have on me, the better. That aside, we barely have much money as it is. We're here for the Hunt so as to get money. I've heard of your town's Hunts for years, but I've never been in the area until now. What are our confines? Or do we just wait to be told?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 06, 2014, 01:04:23 AM

This Hunt was big. Much bigger than Helios original expected. Most of the groups he approached seemed wary of him. He wasn't exactly used to fighting much more than then training dummies. He felt his stomach knot and sweat bead from his teal hair. The sword on his back seemed heavy. Helios looked around hoping for someone anyone to attempt to tag along with. That's when he saw him. Tall, muscular, black fur, and enough scars to intimidate anyone. He was missing his left arm, but that was actually reassuring to Helios. He's been through a lot. He'll know how to stay safe. He looked at the group around him and they all seemed rather eclectic and overall the group seemed to be a bit rag tag. He smiled he felt he had a chance.




He carefully approached the group. "Excuse me." He said nervously. "I was, I was wondering if maybe I could come along with you." He bowed leaving his body lowered waiting for a response. Anything would do he'd been rejected by practically every other group in the camp he had no fear of another no. He was more afraid of the danger he'd face if the group said yes.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 06, 2014, 04:46:50 AM

Kiana glanced over at Suzumi when she rejoined the group and spoke. When Korius spoke in response to the question that had actually been just directed at him and not the rest of them, she returned her attention to him. Every now and then she glanced at the group by the gate as he talked, eyeing each one as he described them. She saw a glimmer of light again from a reflection and looked to see the woman with the bladed bow approaching their group. Her explanation of the intimidating group was pretty much the same as Korius' so there wasn't too much new information. When she offered the prospect of new equipment, she felt a little insulted though it didn't show on her face. She loved her short bow and she just shook her head at the idea of a new weapon. It was after Korius' decline of the equipment offer that someone approached them. When he spoke, she glanced at him and looked him over for a second, seeing that he was a swordsman. After he asked if he could come with them, she looked at Korius since it was ultimately his decision if a new person joined the group that was his own making. She thought it would be a good idea to have another person in the group with a bladed weapon but she didn't know how competent the guy was actually.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 06, 2014, 12:29:35 PM

Suzumi listened to Korius explain the group and his evaluation of each of the members she nodded glancing back at each and thinking. Mages might have the power of elements at their command but even her mentor might have had issues with that particular group, but it didnt matter if she wanted a shot at the life stone she needed assure that this hunt went well. Listening to the girl with the strange bow as she spoke and even mentioned weapons, Suzumi couldn't help but chuckle, but naturally this was to be expected she didnt look at all like a mage, no robes and no staff. Speaking up once more she looked at the girl once more. "Thanks for the offer, any more armor will slow me down and I am all good in the weapons department."
Her eyes were averted and focused momentarily on the new comer, who was asking the group if he could join curious to see if Korius would take another member.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 06, 2014, 02:24:13 PM

She looked to the newcomer who was out-right in asking to join to the leader, but she didn't know what to say to him, so she instead turns her attention back to the leader of the group. "Fair enough, though a good temper from him on your current sword will make it last for years more." the female fox-kin spoke with a shrug. Getting a general declination from the group didn't exactly appeal to her tastes, but she was intending to be polite to them despite them turning down her offer. "But that aside, you can't go killing them the day prior-to because they send out a few scouts to make sure the dangers of other wild animals are kept to a minimum. Also, for what you have to be valid for the prizes, you have to be back before sundown on the day of the Hunt. If you're late, then you only get half of the worth. As for when to start, you sign up in the butcher's shop the day before, either as a group or individually... but if you go by yourself, you better be planning to bring home an adolescent male or be brought home in a body-bag. And before you ask on why you have to sign up.... you can't be a child to participate." Her voice trailed off a bit quietly on the last part, as if she had prior bad-experience with that.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 06, 2014, 07:40:30 PM

Leo frowned to this, but he then released a sigh. “Well, at least they aren't to inclined on killing us for their goals right,” He asked. Looking back to Korius expecting an answer. He was a thief, not an assassin. A rogue still but one who does specialize greatly in direct contact. Instead, he sneaks around easily, pick pockets, pick locks, set traps, disarm and spot traps, outwit his foes, and if he really needs to fight someone, catch the jump on em. He does have some self defense training for use against another family whom his had a blood feud with, but even then he was iffy about that. He hoped for some form of reassurance. But instead of hearing Korius, he heard another voice speak up. He turned to look behind himself, and almost immediately recognized the familiar face of the woman with the bladed bow. The other man he wasn't to sure about, from his choice of weapons he could just be a squire or some other knave looking for a quick buck.

“Excuse me,” Leo said now turning his body around to look to her directly. His head now tilted into a curious gaze as he continues, “Aren't you the daughter of a black smith? I don't think armor from him will do me any good. But I might be interested in a weapon.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 07, 2014, 02:23:15 AM

Korius looked over his shoulder at the lynx that had come in to speak to them, "You do realize that we're not responsible for your health, right? Our party is seeking the Life Stone after we get some money from this Hunt." Helios bowed again, "Yes, I understand, but you seem like a hardened veteran for adventure. So please! Let me join your group!" The black wolf looked over the young swordsman, Another freshly released apprentice. Seems I am starting to attract their kind now. I just hope I won't have to bury them too soon. Korius then sighed and planted his sword into the ground, holding out his hand, "Fine, but you're paying for your own entrance fee. I'll add you to our roster. So what is your name, young swordsman?" The lynx dug through his pouch and pulled out all that he had left, being just enough to cover the cost, "He-Helios, sir! Helios Scopes!". Korius took the coins and dropped them onto the table outside the tavern and added Helios's name onto their party's roster. When he came back, he returned his attention to the young archer girl and placed a hand on her head, "You have something to prove, don't you? I can tell you really want to join in this Hunt. No one's stopping you here. If you want to do something with your life, you'll have to take it for yourself." He then turned around to grab his weapon, "Let's get a move on. The Hunt starts in an hour."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 07, 2014, 03:10:31 AM

Kiana's eyes shifted to the other archer when she explained more about the rules of the Hunt. After that, she returned her gaze to Korius and her eyes went back and forth between him and the newcomer. "He's probably getting tired of all the 'fresh meat' he's getting for his group, but you take what you can get. She thought to herself while Korius moved off with Helios' money to pay for registration. When Korius came back and put his hand on the archer's head, she grimaced inwardly, knowing she would be irritated if he did that to her. "Seems like she'll probably be joining us too..." She thought as she looked at the archer again before she started to follow Korius.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 07, 2014, 03:34:52 AM

He felt a knot in his again. He stared at the group unsure who to try and get to know first. When Korius, the leader of the group he'd just joined, addressed a young archer, Karina he thought he'd heard her called, about being new to the group as well Helios approached her quietly following her without a word. He had no clue what to say to her. He began to walk mindlessly staring at the ground hes natural pace eventually causing him to bump into her. He blushed as she looked at him. "I-I'm so sorry." Whatever other words may have come out stood no chance as Helios stood staring at her and her natural beauty.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 07, 2014, 04:08:00 AM

Leo took his time before following the other's, his eyes instead were observing the equipment the other adventurers would be bringing into the hunt. His eyes flicking over each typical item from call whistels, to bear traps, and other forms of snares. Seems like others were possibly more prepared than the rag tag group was. And the lack of their own funds didn't seem to make their situation much better. He rubbed his chin for a moment, now looking over the most advanced group. But he couldn't see much of their equipment. They must either be professionals, or they'd rather not show their own tricks to the public's discretion.

 
With a sigh, Leo turned and began to follow after the group in a brisk pace to catch up. His thoughts continued to ring through his head, trying to find a way to prove some form of use to the group outside of combat like everyone boasts to be found of. Well I could bastardize other people's traps. The bear traps will probably be hidden and baitless. So it's a matter of finding them... but my daggers aren't going to do much for me, that means I'd have to rely on the traps.

 
It wasn't long till he caught up with the group, and he soon found the new Lynx bumping into one of the females in the party. He stopped for a moment to watch and see what he would do, however after seeing him nervously mumble an appology and even seeming to catch his eye over her form, Leo quickly began to move again. Moving an arm to catch him on the shoulder and pull him away. It was an action made in a non-aggressive way. In fact, the Serval seemed more interested in saving a fellow feline from an embarassing rebutal from a potentially aggressive woman.

“Hey guy! Helios right? If I am not mistaken that is derived from another language meaning sun or star. Never mind that.” he looked over his shoulder to see if she was following or not, “Listen man. You can't be to shy with this group. I've been traveling with them for a day and most of them just seems to be gloom and doom.”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 07, 2014, 11:43:02 AM

Rather silently just watched the exchanges of pleasantries between the group as she looked up from under her cloak at the new comer, perhaps another set of blades would be useful. She didn't say a word though as Korius added Helios to the roster, her head tilting slightly in thought as she watched Korius place his hand on top of the new archer girls head and spoke to her. Thinking to herself, that he did have a point, isn't that why she left the academy, sure mages that graduate are free to leave but almost all of them stay to train and study more.

Seeing the group starting to move she shook her head and burst out of her own thought bubbles having to manage a quick jog to catch up, her ears listening to the rustling of the leaves in the wind, it was a calm sound, it relaxed her but she knew that this was simply the calm before the storm that this hunt would turn into. Smirking softly as the caught the tail end of Leo's statement before calming a little closer "Hey... I am not all gloom and doom ya know." A soft giggle on her voice as she turned and offered her small leather clad hand to Helios in greeting. "Welcome, I am Suzumi."
 

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 07, 2014, 02:44:21 PM

Karina almost backed away from Korius's hand due to the treating-like-a-child manner in which he did this, but she did not move. "Then let us get moving before the registration closes. We need to go talk to the butcher first before we get going."  the female red-fox Kin spoke to Korius, though directing it to the rest of the group too. "I can talk to the butcher to get us signed up quickly if this will be our motley-crew? And the name's Karina." She turned, almost running right into the one introducing himself as Helios Scopes. She paused for a few seconds as she could see embarrassment or shyness from him. "Easy there. The ends of my bow are not decorations."  she spoke before they started heading to the butcher to register for the Hunt.

Upon getting there, Karina and the butcher exchanged a nod to each other before she payed up for herself and signed on the parchment her own name. The brown bear butcher did not seem surprised any bit that she was signing up. "Trying again, Kiddo?" he spoke to her.

"At least I'm not going alone this time." she spoke in retort, taking notice that the others had already signed up on the parchment, then she made her way to the starting point in anticipation of the Hunt since there was some time left to relax.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 08, 2014, 02:11:48 AM

Korius stayed with the other hunters for the event, keeping a bit of a distance from the butcher, "You go on ahead, we're already registered." It was another few minutes after Karina came back to join the group that the town's elder stood on top of a box and held what looked like a magical staff to his mouth. His voice rang quite loudly over the crowd, but not painfully, "Ahem. Thank you all for coming to our 34th cockatrice hunt. As you know, their breeding grounds are just within the Sandstone Forest a couple of kilometers from here, but their young start getting rampant and leave there to destroy what they can for food. You've all been briefed about the rules. No destroying anything within our town's limits, and no stealing a separate party's catch. Each of you party leaders should have received this special satchel with my family's crest on it. You will store all your kills in this satchel and bring it to the butcher, who will pay you according what you bring him. Good luck, and may Serenity bless your weapons." Korius smirked and looked at the others, his eyes seeming to glow a little red, "Let's catch us some money." Like the other groups, he broke into a brisk run, not exactly sprinting, heading straight north, where his nose picked up the scent of fowl.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 08, 2014, 02:19:24 AM

He averted his eyes in shyness until she started walking again towards The sign up board.. As she did he looked at her again. She had that same spring in her step that she tried to hide, that same look of loss and hurt masked the essence of hope she had.
Helios smiled, then blushed even more seeing a fellow Lynx, who introduced himself as Leo make a witty remark about the groups morose demeanor. He looked up at the other fur that approached him holding out her hand. This one, Suzumi she named herself, was a reptile, some kind of a hybrid. He took her hand kissing it gently. His father had raised him to idolize knights so he was in all his endeavors chivalrous. “It can’t be all doom and gloom why look at Leo here, I’ve seen cripples who look better than him.” He said with a chuckle. Helios smiled sneaking another look at Karina. Snap out of it you idiot! Remember Luna.
He listened to the rules before following the group sticking close to Leo and Suzumi forming a inner group of their own for the moment. For now he’d have to play the part of the fool. He needed the Life Stone to get her back. “So tell me Leo, Suzumi, what’s this Life Stone, Korius mentioned?”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 08, 2014, 03:11:21 AM

Leo turned to look to the woman whom he assumed was a Kobold breed, and then smiled, “As I said just a moment ago,” He finished by leaning slightly forward, raising up his right and, and used his thumb to the rest of their adventuring party. The manner in which he did it was practically lazy, but was also intended in a humorous manner, “most.” He'd drop the posture back to his default and listen to Helios with a grin. “Oh, I look worse than a cripple you say,” Leo chuckled, and used a hand to scratch behind the other lynx's ears after he turned to look to Kariana, “Says the man of chivalry who is reduced to a nervous wreck when he spies a lovely lady. Now that's cute”

The cat then leaned a bit closer to whisper into Helios's ears in a teasing manner. His whisper came out as a smooth hiss, intentionally loud enough for Suzumi to hear, but no one else, “But be careful Casanova, she has claws sharper than that sword you carry.”

 
He'd pull away, and notice the group had already left for the hunt. He figured he'd wait for a bit and let everyone set their traps down, and continue about their strategy, thus leaving plenty of other fields untouched.

 
“Mmm... this talk of the Life Stone is better left till we leave the village, avoids attention, and scalpers who'd follow ya till you get your goals, and then shank you in the back when you aren't lookin. But long story cut short. It's said to have the power of resurrection of those long deceased.”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 09, 2014, 01:57:20 AM

Kiana was ahead of Leo and Helios but she still heard Leo's "doom and gloom" comment and then a minute later heard him repeat it in a way to emphasize "most" of the party was that way. She knew Suzumi was over near the two since she had heard her as well so it was easy to figure out who he was talking about. "Just because someone doesn't talk much doesn't mean they're 'doom and gloom'." Kiana spoke up without looking back at Leo. "So 'seem' would be the keyword there since none of us know anything about each other." There wasn't any aggression or irritation in her tone, she was just stating the fact simply. She hated people assuming things about others people without even knowing them, but she wasn't going to let that act make her not like Leo. It might just take time to get used to him and the other. Not that any of them knew how much time they would or wouldn't have with each other.
After Karina left to register herself for the Hunt and then came back, Kiana focused her attention to the elder on the box when she heard someone speaking with an amplified voice. Once he was done speaking, Korius looked back at their group and she thought she saw a glint of red in his eyes. Thinking she just imagined it, she gave a quick nod and took off at a run, being sure she was keeping up with Korius. She didn't look back to see if the others were following, she just figured they would be.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 09, 2014, 02:28:08 AM

Karina was surprised by the kiss on the hand by Helios, but she did not let him have a long time in doing so. "Do you mind? I'm not that type of woman." she spoke to him. "And furthermore, if you cannot keep your eyes off of me, you are a risk to yourself and to everyone around you." she added before she took off in a run after Korius and Kiana. She took off one arrow from her quiver and held her bow in her left hand while they were running to be at the ready once they were to stop. She smiled widely as Korius seemed to know where he was going, her own nose twitching at the scent she was getting. "Best places to aim on these creatures would be in the rib-cage or in the neck. You don't want them to let out their shrill call. It either alerts nearby ones to flee or calls them over to attack and we lose the element of surprise either way."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 09, 2014, 02:05:37 PM

Suzumi went back to looking at the others and then at the mayor as he started his announcement. Listening to the rules as she looked at how he was amplifying his voice. Stepping closer to Korius once more as the wolf seemed to be rather eager to start the hunt, seeing how each muscle tensed and relaxed as he spoke. Seeing the slight tint in his eyes she knew he was serious. Nodding at him and then at the others as Kiana and Karina started the brisk jog with Korius.

Waiting just a few seconds before taking off after them she kept a relatively safe distance from Korius bringing herself closer to the two archers. Softly speaking up so that only they would hear. First addressing Kiana for her previous comment. "I think that comment was just to ease the tension, this group is a rag tag crew, and we dont know each other yet, I am sorry if something I said or did offended you."
Looking at Karina and her bladed bow once more. "The neck you say...I will remember that. How much time does one have between when they see you and make a call, and how loud is it?" The lizard seemed rather intressted in the small details as she tried to form a time line for her attack patterns.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 10, 2014, 02:18:01 AM

Korius continued to lead the group forward, and a large group of cockatrice running wild was in sight. The black wolf carefully chose his course to run straight for the largest crowd of cockatrice, and slowed just a little to be running alongside Kiana, "There's a little bottle hanging on the left of my sash! Grab it! If I lose my sanity and don't revert, dip your arrows or Karina's arrows in this and shoot me with them. It's an especially powerful sedative, and I don't have much of it left, but it will bring me right back." After she took the bottle, the berserker broke into a full sprint into the fray, not wanting any other hunters to interfere, or to let any of the cockatrice fall into any traps. His eyes glowed more as he let out a maniacal grin while he brought the large sword up over his head with his one hand and swiped the heads off the first two in front of him. "DON'T LET ANY OF THEM ESCAPE, YOU ALL!" He growled as he continued to charge forward.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 10, 2014, 02:35:38 AM

Kiana looked at Karina when she ran up to her and Korius' pace then turned her attention forward again as she listened to her advice on where to aim on the cockatrice. She then looked to Suzumi when she ran up beside her and spoke to her. "You haven't offended me. No one has. I was simply reminding others not to judge before knowing." She replied simply as she continued to run. Shortly after that a large group of cockatrice came into sight and as she followed Korius he slowed to be running beside her. She looked over at him when he spoke and then her eyes shifted to the bottle he mentioned hanging on his sash. Grabbing the bottle when he told her to, she put in a safe place within her clothing as she listened to the rest of what he had to say about it. She nodded in understanding before he rushed off. It was then that she pulled her off over her head and pulled an arrow from her quiver and notched it. When Korius mentioned for them to not let any cockatrice get away after decapitating two of them, she stopped at a good distance and took aim at the neck of one of the cockatrice that had separated from the group. "Get it through the windpipe and it won't make a peep." She thought to herself. Letting out a breath, she loosed the arrow.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 10, 2014, 03:12:56 AM

Leo watched the other two run, and then checked around himself to see if there were anyone left. Seeing that everyone else had already ran off, he would take a moment to glance to Helios and pat him on the shoulder. “I am going a different route from the rest of the party. Issue is, everyone will run to the same location if the density is high. Things die faster than what you can kill, see?” He finished with a questioning note to see if the other Lynx understood his logic. His eyes scanned over him for a moment before he started to walk towards the killing grounds in a backpedal towards a more unfriendlier area of the Sandstone Forest. “They will likely run into the feeding grounds which will have a high population. But it won't matter with the sheer numbers of hunters. I plan on finding the dens or breeding grounds. It may have fewer in population. But plenty if it's just a few people... and less of a chance of death.”

 
“But if you wish to follow Korius, I'd advise you to stay back when he starts swinging. Fun thing about berserkers is the legendary Berserker's Rage. Once they start fighting, they just.... mm... how do you say... loose control.” He'd turn around and burst into a sprint, eventually disappearing into the sandstone forest.

 
He kept running till the first sight of a cockatrice. Once he found one, he slowed down and dropped down into a crouch to take a look at everything around him. “Just a handful of them here...” he thought to himself. He heard a distant squawk, which seem d to have collectively gained the attention of the other presumably males. They in turned squawked back, and slowly stalked off. “Well, easy part's done...” Leo sighed to himself, now rising back up into a normal stance. He came a bit closer to where the large birds originally were, and began to look around, “Now the hard part.”

He began to search around, looking about to see if he could catch one of them off guard, and by his own spectacle of luck he did. It was a large one, it had it's back towards the feline and it's head seemed to be busy with something on the ground. The air around it just smelled foul, and flies buzzed everywhere. “Oh... man,” he thought to himself, as he now lowered his body closer to the ground. He drew both of his daggers, and crept quietly closer. “There is no way it's eating a fresh kill.”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 10, 2014, 03:40:33 AM

"Less than a second, and I can usually hear them while I'm in bed." Karina spoke really quietly, stopping and notching her arrow quickly as she was readying to let one of her arrows fly if one should attempt to make the call or attempt to leave. After a couple of seconds, she sees another one trying to break from the group after Kiana took down one of them, instinctively letting her arrow go and hitting it in the diaphragm, to which it instantly dropped before she quickly re-notched another arrow. Her head and her ears were constantly pivoting to sense everything around them in attempt make sure that they weren't going to get ambushed by anything, but in the time that she was looking around, one had gotten within arm's reach of her, making her take a swipe with her bow blade due to it being too close, to which it ended up making herself fall backwards. She did manage to kill that one that had gotten close, but she scrambled back up to her feet as she was looking for another target, breathing heavily due to the surprise.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 10, 2014, 06:54:06 AM

Helios gave his fellow Lynx a quizzical glance the words not ringing quite right in his mind. He was an odd one Leo. Something told him that Leo had secrets that none of the others figured out either. Thankfully he wasn't worried when Leo took off. He had his scent dead locked after all he was a fellow Lynx. Turning to Suzumi he smiled and even gave a small chuckle. "He's something else, no? Either way we should probably follow him. We wouldn't want him doing anything stupid after all." He stood waiting to see if she'd come along. Leo might not have thought so, but there was a safety in numbers that he would need on this hunt. Snap out of it Helios you're on a mission. Besides these furs will help you just trust them.
When he'd finally caught up to Leo, he held his breath as he saw Leo creeping up on a heavily distracted cockatrice. Helios held up his hand whether it was to silence Suzumi who may or may not have been behind him, or to steady himself he was unsure. He slowly and quietly crouched behind a bush, watching Leo with awe. Such grace as his blades inched nearer the cockatrice. Some day you'll have to teach me how to get that close to the enemy Leo. That was when Helios saw it. A second larger cockatrice had looked up from it's meal and had set it's eyes upon Leo. Nyx save me, please let this work. He only had one chance he drew his blade slowly. As soon as it charges him I charge it... Let's just hope someone's around to save me. Helios's body tensed he was ready to explode into action.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 10, 2014, 02:04:06 PM

Nodding to Karina before watching Korius head off to the front and instantly cleaving though a few of the cockatrice without any effort. His orders were to make sure none escaped or got away. She though to herself for a moment, reflecting on Karina's words, Less than a second...that is not much time... Throwing off her cloak and closing her eyes she listened for a second to the sound of the wind around her.

If it wasn't clear that she was a mage to the others it would become evident soon, she carried no weapons. The gems on her gloves started to glow faintly as she focused a breeze swirling around her body as she focused opening her eyes she smiled softly and rushed towards a cockatrice her movement a little faster as she manipulated the air around her to push and propel her forwards.  She didnt want to look weak in front of the others but the sound of a cockatrice jumping at Karina distracted her. Forming a swirling mass of air in her palm she attempted to slam her hand and the compressed air against a cockatrice to daze it or crack part of its skull, however she lost focus and instead of landing her blow the unstable in her her palm blasted outwards knocking her backwards and causing the lizard to stumble and fall on her rear.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 11, 2014, 03:27:26 AM

Korius was swinging away, his eyes' glowing growing and fading continuously as he fought himself from losing control. However, he was so focused on controlling himself since his team was so green, he didn't notice Suzumi behind him, which was unheard of in the past, and tripped, falling to his right. Luckily for him and Suzumi, the broadside of his large sword landed right on top of the cockatrice that she missed, crushing its head into its body. There were a couple heading towards the two, one more curious than wanting to attack while the other was charging at full speed.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 11, 2014, 03:31:46 PM

Leo's eyes danced over the target, looking for a decent point to stab on this overgrown bird. His dagger's now slowly rotating in his hand till they were upside down. Once he felt he was close enough, he quickly hurled forward, planting one foot on the back of the cockatrice startling it, and even provoking a squawk. However the sound was now short lived. A crunching sound filled the air as Leo's left dagger drove it's way home into the cockatrice's spinal column. Once it was severed the bird's beak opened wide, and it twitched, making a gargled guttural sound once it was paralyzed. The feline left the dagger in place while he continued it's way up the bird, leaping off the same foot that he planted on it, and pulling the other one inward to pin it's neck down once he dropped on top, his right dagger raised high prepared for a downward strike through the back of it's skull.

 
However, upon the ascent, Leo noticed a glint on the ground, and then several large round containers with flies buzzing around.  Well, to say the least the source of the smell was found. The containers were tins designed for pies, holding bits of rotten meat as lures for game. And just under one of them, Leo noticed metallic teeth. And it dawned upon him as his leg made contact with it's intended goal that under some of these pie tins that were haphazardly scattered about were bear traps. His expression turned into an epiphany of horror after his dagger missed it's proper mark from the lack of focus. “SHIIIIIiiiiIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiIIIIT” rang through the air in a harmonic tone. The tip struck down on top of the skull, and slid down the side after both he and the cockatrice's head had hit the ground.

 
And he hit the ground hard, rolling forward, and tumbling over a pile of rotting meat and tins. Sending some tins flying into the air and setting off bear-traps. Leo was panic stricken, thrashing around heavily as he tries to pull himself away from any possible traps, but only making louder noises. Once he was on his feet, the cat quickly leaps into the air, grabbing onto a low hanging branch and proceeded to climb the tree with the fur of his tail bristling. And if matter's weren't worse, a loud hiss could be heard as several more cockatrice's came in to investigate the racket. Sure enough, they found the aftermath of what could have been the deadliest trap to any backstabbing individual. Crushed pietins on the ground, pie tins crushed in metalic jaws, and of course a paralyzed and slowly dying cockatrice on the ground, who can only manage a twitch periodically.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 11, 2014, 05:00:29 PM

Kiana partially witnessed the mishaps that occurred with Karina and Suzumi after her arrow hit its target. As she kept an eye on the group of cockatrice, she noticed Korius fall because of Suzumi behind him. He had managed to kill the cockatrice Suzumi had missed but now there were two coming at them. Kiana turned and, having already notched another arrow from her quiver, took aim at the cockatrice that seemed more intent on attacking. She was stepping sideways to keep herself aligned with the moving cockatrice when one of her feet got caught on the other one. Wobbling, she lost her balance and fell sideways. She loosed the arrow on accident and ended up hitting the cockatrice in the leg instead, causing her to curse herself for her clumsiness as she scrambled to get back up.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 11, 2014, 11:27:27 PM

Helios watched as Leo stumbled around like a fool. Leo you owe me so much. As the cockatrice hissed and clawed at the tree Leo was in, Helios shot out from his cover and swung sloppily at the largest of the cockatrice the blade fumbling almost from his hands, he thanked Nyx though as his swing may have missed the neck of the largest cockatrice, but instead the blade landed with a resounding thud in the skull. The other two turned on Helios and hissed preparing to charge. Shit. Leo I swear! Without hesitation Helios let go of his blade and grabbed the closest branch he could find pulling himself up into a tree. For the moment at least their attention was solely on Helios.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 12, 2014, 03:36:22 AM

Karina was starting to get mad as she grabbed a new arrow from her quiver, noticing that a few of the cockatrice were trying to break away and rush them. She didn't have enough time to notch it, so she used it and the bow's blades as melee weapons by stabbing and slashing through the cockatrice that charged her. "Strange, one of them by now should've..." she started to think to herself while fending off the ones that were too close, a larger male letting out a very loud and shrill shriek. She had to shake off the feeling off it, quickly taking aim to the calling cockatrice and firing an arrow. Her vision was a little off as she only pinned the creature's outstretched wing to the tree that was right behind, it now letting out more desperate and higher pitched cries. "Sonova... why can't I seem to get a break!?" she growled out as she fumbled to get a new arrow on, rushing because the cries were starting to cause a headache to her.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 14, 2014, 12:01:52 PM

Ducked down at Korius partially tripped over her after her mishap, looking as his massive blade all but crushed the skull of a cockatrice just by sheer weight rather than force. She wanted to apologize for rushing in as she did but there really wasnt time a curios cockatrice was closing in and another one was in a full charge to attack. She glanced back in time to see Kiana loose and arrow that would hamper its charge but it wasnt a killing shot by far. Rolling to the side before standing up Suzumi took a deep breath and focused once more the gems glowing brightly her focus was disrupted slightly by the ear piercing call of the cockatrice that had been pinned to the tree by Karina.

Wind started to rush around the reptile partially drowning out the cockatrice's call. As the wind twisted and spun around her body and towards her hands she turned and ran at the pinned cockatrice. She wasnt going to miss this time, stepping close to it she reached up and slammed her right hand against its throat her left following up by hitting its chest. Several heavy pulses of air rushed over her arms and hammered at the cockatrice hoping to crush its windpipe or damage its lungs so it couldnt call out anymore.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 14, 2014, 10:33:05 PM

Korius grunted as he got up and picked up his sword after Suzumi killed the Cockatrice. He then hefted up the large blade over his shoulder and looked over the field. Their half of the group seemed to have downed about 14 Cockatrice so far. Many of them had run away so all they had left was to collect their prizes into their satchel. Near Helios and Leo, the Cockatrice continued to peck at them until they discovered the rotting meat all over the ground. They finally stopped picking at the two and started eating, snapping at each other angrily if they got too close to each other. A couple ended up killed over the rotting meat. However, while they gorged on rotting meat, the cockatrice began to poop as they ate more and more of the bait whose traps were already long triggered. Most of the grass below the duo was now white and ranque. But not long after, the cockatrice left, leaving the three dead bodies laying nearly untouched.

After collecting the cockatrice bodies, Korius led the group to try to follow where Leo and Helios had gone. After an hour or so, they saw some cockatrice leaving a thicket and they headed towards it. Korius stopped short of the thicket at first from the smell of the fresh manure, but saw the three bodies and some dangling tails from the trees. He sighed and walked into the thicket to collect the bodies. After that, he looked up to the two lynxes still in the trees, "Are you two coming or just going to hang there and smell that foul stench for the rest of the day?" The old wolf was seasoned and used to horrible smells, but they were never as fresh as this. It offended him and he just starting walking backwards, backing away from the thicket. Once the group was together again, Korius turned his gaze over to a small feeding group, "Looks like there's more over there. Let's go before someone else takes them."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 15, 2014, 01:25:30 AM

Kiana saw that Karina took care of the charging cockatrice that she had managed to at least slow down with screwed up shot. It was only mere seconds after that that an ear-piercing shriek came from the other cockatrice. Kiana's ears instantly flattened against her head at the horrible sound. She watched as Karina's arrow pinned its wing to a tree which caused its call to be louder and high pitched. She was quite relieved when Suzumi ran at the cockatrice and crushed its windpipe and lungs with the power of wind. She looked around after that and saw all the dead bodies then watched as Korius collected their kill in the magic-enhanced satchel since he was the one it was given to.

Once the bodies were collected, she followed Korius with the others, she guessed, to find the other two from the group she finally noticed weren't there. When they got to a thicket, she waved her free hand in front of her face at the gross smell. She let Korius walk into the thicket since she didn't want to go any closer to the smell than she had to. She could see the tails hanging down from the tree as he had walked in. When Korius rejoined them and the other two did as well, she turned her attention towards the small feeding group that Korius turned his gaze on.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 15, 2014, 03:40:51 PM

Leo watched from above quietly with a very confused expression drawn. His eyes shifted between the bird like creatures as they sifted through the pans of the disabled traps. Some even fighting amongst each other, and being left as a statistic for them to add to the kill toll later. The feline looked up to his kin for a moment to see if he was just as confused, before looking back down to see them leave. His head slowly turning to watch them go till they disappeared.

“What... just happened,” Leo mumbled just loud enough for Helios to hear. He never once thought in his life he would get a lucky break such as this, when a handful of blood thirsty mobs would suddenly turn on each other and leave. It was almost like lady luck had actually taken to some form of pity for the two cats stuck in the trees. However, Leo dared not to climb back down just yet. He slowly moved closer to the trunk and wrapped his arms around it so he could look in the direction they left. Of course it was clear, but only as far as the cat could see through the leaves. The smell might have been terrible, but it was better than being torn asunder, and then transformed into the same very materials of the repulsive stench.

 
He then heard another noise. His body quickly moved away from the trunk, and lay across the gray and neutrally toned browns and black branch that held him in the air. His arms were stretched out, to help reduce some of his bulk as well as hide his orange furred head. The gray clothing he wore did help  him blend in, but not completely. It wouldn't easily fool the searching eye as easily.

 

"Are you two coming or just going to hang there and smell that foul stench for the rest of the day?"  

 
Leo blinked when he heard the voice. His gaze now peeking over his arms to look down to a familiar face. “Oh... yes... we are just going to sit up here and enjoy the lovely view of clouds and sunshine,” the thief commented, though there was a relieved under-bite to his sarcasm. When they left he slowly sat up, and climbed down from his tree. “Oh, and Helios. I owe you one,” he added after recollecting his two daggers.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 16, 2014, 12:20:14 AM

As he dropped to the ground he thanked Nyx he and Leo had survived. As he retrieved his blade he looked around at all the other members of the rag tag bunch. He smiled, and laughed. "You should have seen your face." Helios said his gut in pain from both the extensive exercise and the sheer amount of laughter he was producing. "I mean the way you stumbled around those traps." Helios was glad the day was over, and he was ready for whatever Korius had planned next.Thanks for keeping an eye on me Luna.He smiled and laughed more turning to see the other staring at him.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 16, 2014, 11:56:09 AM

Stood there for a few seconds breathing deeply before moving her arms away from the cockatrice and watching its body slump to the ground. Stepping back and  brushing her fingertips over each gem she looked back at the others with a soft smile. "I am still learning to control it properly." Her tone was soft and almost apologetic as if she felt bad for not being at the level of a grandmage yet. Looking around her found her cloak and picked it up hitting it so the dust would come off before she placed it over her shoulders once more.
After watching their kills being collected she followed Korius up until the stench reached her nose stopping dead in her tracks and almost retching she gasped out and took several steps backwards "Dear god...what is that smell?" she gasped out and covered her nose waiting for Korius and the others to come back.Looking at the group of grazing cockatrice she nodded.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 16, 2014, 04:40:11 PM

Karina's irises were red at the moment, her hair and fur having frizzed up in the whole fight. She slung off the blood from the cockatrice that she killed from her blades on the bow and looked about to see if there were anymore. "I hate that call of theirs..." she spoke as she was trying to calm herself down, gathering up any salvageable arrows since she only had a limited amount to work with. Though she did smell the stench in the area, she did not seem fazed by it as she was gathering her arrows. Karina heard Korius say about another group, so she nodded in acknowledgement before following his lead. "We are on a time-constraint here, so let's not waste any time sitting idle." she spoke to the others as she looked to the direction that the berserker pointed out.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 16, 2014, 11:56:41 PM

Korius looked up for a moment, noticing it was already just past high noon. The Hunt only lasted until sun down, and turn-in time was within an hour of full sun down. He then led the group onward towards the small feeding group. There was only 3 of them, but one was particularly interesting. It was plumper, though not taller, than the others and had a large, pink plume atop its head. It was a female. A break. The black wolf firmed his grip on his sword and rushed forward, swinging down with his large weapon. However, his swing did not connect with his target. A large halberd and spear stopped the large sword. Korius snarled, "Why am I not surprised?" It was the group that they had seen earlier, and they obviously want to claim the female for themselves. That's when he noticed something odd about the two males around the female. One of them outright killed the other, behavior not seen from Cockatrice unless it was mating season, and it was only 2 months after. Korius also noticed that the female's rear was covered by the familiar yellow, baby dragon. From the looks on the four faces, he knew they weren't going to let him and his group have the catch, but they needed the money and the last thing Korius wanted was a tamer to actually have a female Cockatrice under their control.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 17, 2014, 12:23:51 AM

Seeing Korius take off for another group of cockatrice Helios groaned in frustration that the day wasn't over like he thought. He thought for sure they would catch a break when they found the female, but no such luck. Another group was fighting for the same kill. He watched as a spear and a halberd stopped Korius blade. Seeing a chance to prove himself to Korius and the others. Helios stalked silently around the groups for just a moment then rushed the other still standing male cockatrice. First you then the female. This is my chance to prove to Korius I'm not just dead weight! "Come on you stupid bird show me what you've got!"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 17, 2014, 02:28:05 AM

Kiana saw that there was a female cockatrice among the group and watched as Korius charged towards it. A split second before Korius was blocked, she saw the members of the other group. When contact was made, Kiana reached up and pulled an arrow from her quiver. Notching it, she waited and prepared for what might happen yet. It seemed that they might be fighting the other group for the female, but she wasn't sure how that would happen. Raising her arms, she searched for what would be her mark, be it cockatrice or Kin.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 17, 2014, 05:02:00 AM

Leo watched Helios momentarily, finding him rather odd as he seems to be caught in a silent prayer. He even raised an eye brow when he started to laugh. He slowly looked away to see the others stalking off past the trees, and made a note to himself to ask exactly what the other feline was doing. He gave Helios another curious glance, then followed the party to the next kill. Depression did begin to seep in as he start to notice his own value was greatly limited when it came to actual combat. He can't fight to well when it's just a one on one with no tricks, and fighting a group was most definitely out of the question.

He hadn't exactly been paying attention to the group, when the loudest voice he could hear was the voices coming from his own thoughts, all bickering and mocking him. And to make matters worse, they were all his own voice.

But when his eyes landed on a cockatrice with a plume over his head, he blinked for a moment. When his eyes opened, he saw Korius already on the charge, making a direct B-line to the beast. “And then que the blo-” he began to himself, only to see the large stone sword stopped in place by two other weapons. His eyes widened for a moment and he quickly shifted himself out of sight. His eyes setting on the situation that happened before him. First the wildman and the amazon, and then the oddball Cockatrice that had suddenly slay the other male. The familiar baby dragon behind the female bird, and the remaining male one seemingly taking it's flank.

The cat slid his shawl over his maw while he scanned the area around the party, looking for anything else of interest and a way to sneak around.

“Oh great... this can't be good,” Leo thought to himself as he now kept low moved quickly, but silently through the brush, taking care not to make the underbrush shake more than the wind in the air would allow. Rather than charging the group, the cat decided it would be best to sneak up onto one of the beast tamer's while their pets were away and take em by surprise if anyone's blood turns hot.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 17, 2014, 11:21:26 AM

Following close to the group as they made their was into the clearing where a small number of cockatrice were feeding instantly her eyes locked into the plumed crest of the female watching are Korius rushed forward but instead of the sound of flesh being cut a large clang filled the air, her eyes widening as the massive sword got stopped in place by the halbard and spear. Taking a step back so she was between the two archers slightly behind them. Bringing her hands up into a defensive posture she looked at the other hunters before whispering. "Against them I am useless, I know my limitations but I will try boost each arrow you fire with some speed." The gems on her gloves pulsing faintly with power.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 17, 2014, 04:48:16 PM

Karina quickly notched her arrow when she saw the other group, simply waiting for Korius's word for her and Kiana to fire. Her eyes were looking to each of the group, having the arrow drawn back and aiming it to the tamer in case if he or his comrades made any moves that were deemed dangerous to her. She was not liking the idea of this confrontation, especially due to the sheer experience of this group that they were against, but she was not liking the idea of falling behind on the kills either. "C'mon, Leader... make a choice or else we are just wasting our time here." she spoke, unsure on if he would give the word for the archers to fire or to have them continue their hunt without the female cockatrice.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 18, 2014, 11:19:26 PM

Korius pressed harder while keeping his mind together, but was pushed back instead. The wolf let the sword recoil behind him and directed it so that it dug into the ground at an angle, and used it to stop and balance himself. "Back off, berserker! We saw this one first! We've had our team's cockatrice luring it over." Korius didn't like the wildman's tone of voice, it was as if he was looking down on the wolf, "Sorry, but you weren't with it. We were going to kill it first. It's our prey!" The wildman and amazon braced themselves and prepared for battle. Korius looked around him, checking on his party mates quickly. "Helios! The Dragon Tamer is yours! Karina! Cover him! Kiana, the Beast Tamer! Suzumi, back up everyone as you see fit!" He intentionally avoided calling to Leo, hoping the little sneak could get up behind the Beast Tamer while he was busy with Kiana's arrows.

The amazon and wildman ignored Korius' party, concentrating only on him. They were confident they could beat him, but not alone.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 19, 2014, 01:58:49 AM

Kiana nodded in response to Suzumi when she mentioned that she'd boost their arrows. Keeping her focus on Korius and the other, she watched as Korius' sword was pushed back by the Wildman and the Amazon. She did not once even glance in the direction of Leo who she had noticed sneaking off in her peripheral vision, knowing that attention shouldn't be drawn to him if anyone in the other group was watching her eyes. Listening to the Wildman, she scoffed at his tone. "That one is all high and mighty..." She thought to herself as she listened to Korius response afterwards. When he turned to them and called out orders, she didn't waste a moment. "With pleasure." She said and found her mark in the Beast Tamer. She changed her aim to different areas on the body of the Beast Tamer, trying to find the best target. Loosing the arrow, it flew through the air on its way towards one of the Beast Tamer's eyes. After that, she pulled out another arrow, notched it, aimed it somewhere else, and let it fly. She did the same thing with a couple more. The transition between the shooting of each arrow wasn't very fast, but she hoped that she could at least hit him once while he was distracted by another arrow and maybe Leo would be able to take advantage of the distraction of all her arrows.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 19, 2014, 03:01:40 AM

The thief continued to quickly make his way around the group, and draw as close as he could. But sadly there was a large gap between cover and his own optional target. He cursed himself as he remembered his days as a cub, when his parents had shown him how to throw knives and daggers if lethal force was his only option. It was never a real pleasure for a thief to openly decide to kill someone, nor did Leo actually enjoy the thought, thus leaving home without carrying a supply of spare weapons.

 
And now here he was, regretting every second of his decision as he slowly drew a single dagger from his sash into his right hand, and slowly spun it till it was held right side up. His stance was kept low, almost till he was using all four limbs to keep himself off the ground. He could throw his current set of daggers, but being caught without a weapon would prove to be a death wish. With a silent sigh, he slowly krept out from the brush and slunk off to the side and askew enough to cover some distance between him and the beast tamer, using all four to move further out of perspective once he heard the booming voice of Korius. The motion was to keep himself low to use the tall grass and uneven ground to help assist keep himself hidden from peering eyes while building up the momentum for the jump he needed.

 
Once he saw the first arrow fly, he raised off his hands and quickly made head way with a low sprint, keeping to his toes easily. He curved off to avoid the tamer's view as it was directed close to him, and then snaked to the next direction after the second arrow was fired. He was only a few feet away now, and his hand was outstretched, ready to grab hold of the beast tamer and deliver a sharp crack. However there was something that he had noticed that spooked the feline. The cockatrice's head had followed the arrow past the group, “Oh....” Leo's thoughts began, his sprint not once halting as he was only mere seconds away from the mark. And inevitably, the cockatrice had already spotted Leo, and moved to step in the way with a loud hissing screech, it's beak outstretched and opened to intercept the thieves hand, “...SHIT.”

Thinking quickly, Leo lowered his hand and dipped his body just in time to avoid the snapping beak of the large bird. The same very arm drew back but remained outstretched. His legs quickly pushed upwards, launching his body into the air, and continuing with the momentum of his past sprint. His legs pulled in closer to his chest while tilted to the side to help himself fly over the beast master's pet, once he was sure he was over, he stretched them out. His arm catching around it's neck, causing the feline to swing around it's body to deliver a heavy kick to the beast tamer's head. Leo could only hope that the bird has not given the beast master enough time to avoid that impromptu maneuver. And should it land, hopefully knock him unconscious.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 19, 2014, 05:16:27 AM

Karina did not hesitate to quickly change her aim for the dragon tamer, letting her first arrow fly towards him and quickly re-notching two arrows instead of one as the arrow flew from her unique bow. The dragon attempted to intercept the arrow but the tamer quickly turned and shielded the small dragon, catching one arrow in the back of his shoulder, to which he unsheathed his short sword with his back to Karina and Helios. She quickly moved to one side, as she did in her practice before she met the group, before letting the two notched arrows fly towards their target from the side. One arrow went a little high and the other went a little low, the high-arrow went towards the face and the low one went for the thigh. The dragon tamer used his sword to block the higher arrow but he tumbled a bit from the lower arrow hitting its mark as he wasn't expecting that. "That tamer's trying to risk his life for the dragon. I'd only heard of such bonds being made before but never saw it happen." she thought to herself as she readied another arrow, expecting some form of retaliation from one of the others in the enemy group.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 19, 2014, 12:09:32 PM

Nodding a little at Korius she changed her stance once more her body much lower than before she held one hand downwards and the other slightly backwards, her breathing slowing down as she started to channel her spell small burst of concentrated wind forming behind each arrow boosting them forwards a little faster than a conventional arrow would move, that wasnt the only trick she had up her sleeve infront of each archer she was forming an invisible wall, if any of the pets or tamers tried to attack using a ranged ability the walls would slow it down. There was one catch however, Suzumi was just an apprentice who recently graduated so channeling the way she was seemed to be incredibly taxing.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 19, 2014, 01:52:47 PM

When Korius gave him permission to attack the dragon tamer everything became clear. Helios gave a wicked grin. As he charged her he knew that her pet would come to protect her. Having gained plenty of confidence from the earlier experience swung out at her with his blade, only nicking her ankle with the broad side of his blade. She danced away gracefully, but Helios caught a glimpse of pain as he turned to face the hissing baby dragon.


It's yellow-gold scales glinted in the sunlight, and despite he hatred of the beasts, Helios had to admit it was beautiful. Too bad he'd have to tare it apart. He brought up the broad side of his blade and slammed it into the face of the dragon as it snapped at him. He ignored the first whip lash he felt from the female tamer and focused on the dragon. Not one to be injured thought the dragon began to lunge out at Helios. With a few steps back he managed to avoid it. After a second more painful strike of a whip from behind Helios had a brilliant thought. He only hoped it would work. "Nyx guide me for surely I am crazy."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 19, 2014, 08:18:58 PM

Karina's arrows kept the Dragon Tamer busy enough for Helios to get close, but the dragon did come to its master's aid after having broken the Female Cockatrice's left knee with a strong bite. The baby dragon's scales aren't as developed so parts of its scales are bent from Helios's attack. It let out a cute attempt at a roar when its master was hit with arrows and his eyes glowed as her wound glowed, pushing the arrow out. However, it was all it could do, being a baby, the blood still flowing. The tamer herself started diverting Helios's strikes with her rapier. She didn't expect him to be able to dodge them, but as long as she could keep him busy, her dragon can do the work.

The beast tamer was able to just barely deflect the boosted arrows with his whip merely because of the distance. His vision was a bit cocked as he was kicked in the head, but it didn't phase him too much as the scars on his bald head showed how intensely he had personally trained his cockatrice. The oversized bird came to its master's aid quickly, just grabbing the gruff of Leo's tunic and tossed him aside. The tamer himself would not spare more than a second or two to watch himself when he noticed, knowing more boosted arrows were coming his way.

Korius did not let go of his sword, still holding it in reverse as he had been when he caught himself. These two were looking down on him and wanted to steal what they found. The wolf had expected as much from seasoned hunters like them, and this just proved his bad feelings from earlier. The black wolf roared as he charged forward, slashing hard from the side, using his whole body's momentum in the attack. The short wildman grunted as he jumped up to slash down on the large sword, changing its slash trajectory only by a small bit, forcing the amazon to have to jump, too, the sword getting her in the ankle. Because of its usage, the sword didn't cut into her, but the force behind it was enough to break her foot right out of the socket. She let out a yell as she landed on her left and used her spear to compensate for her broken foot. The tall woman shook as she tried to maintain balance, this type of pain being something new to her.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 20, 2014, 01:43:27 AM

Kiana watched as her arrows were barely deflected by the Beast Tamer's whip while Leo was sneaking up in the background. Once Leo kicked the Beast Tamer in my head and was subsequently tossed away by the cockatrice, Kiana fired another arrow at the Beast Tamer. Turning her attention for a moment to the Amazon who she noticed had gotten injured out of the corner of her eye, she notched another arrow, aimed, and sent it flying at the Amazon while she was distracted by the pain. Once the arrow was in the air, she returned her attention to the Beast Tamer and proceeded to notch another arrow and send it flying at him.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 20, 2014, 01:56:32 AM

Leo gritted his teeth and winced after feeling the hard impact on his lower legs. And landed back on his feet. He was about to leap once more to the tamer, till an easily distracting sound filled the air. Leo's eyes shifted to look to the dragon with the feeble roar. Hostility leaving himself momentairly as he relaxed a bit. In fact he hadn't noticed the still standing cockatrice that was now towering over him with a displeased stance.

“That is just too adora-GRAH!” Leo was promptly cut off as he felt his tunic suddenly snatched up. His body being lifted into the air much like a kitten, and having himself tossed aside to the dirt. His body tumbled for a few feet, till the cat managed to catch himself and kip up back to his feet.

The thief turned to the cockatrice, and hissed furious to the creature. The beast, returned the gesture and stepped forward a few feet with it's wings spread. The feline slowly turned his dagger around now, seeing the creature's eyes dart to the weapon, and back to himself.

 Alright Leo... you could just stab the female when no one is looking and get this over with... his eyes shifted to the female cockatrice, seeing it's new condition. ... but it could just easily turn around and nab me. Nor am I sure of the exact reaction that will receive if I do stab it. Great... I feel useless. And this guy... His eyes now shifted to the once again distracted tamer. And the woman who was lying on the ground with her knee broken. Ridiculous. I suppose I have to fight this overgrown bird first. His gaze went back to the woman with the rapier, seeing helios struggle to get near.. I can't kill this with what I have. And helio's looks like he's struggling. Alright... let's try something different.

Leo shifted off to the side as if he was trying to get around the Cocaktrice, and closer to the beast tamer. However, the creature now charged at him. It continued to snap at him as he drew his dagger near, grabbing hold of the blade, but letting go and retreating when the feline made a move to retaliate. Leo found himself into a forced slow withdraw, having to backpedal to back away from it's vicious snout.

But, the thief had actually hoped for this. He allowed the bird to push himself closer to the other tamer, and made a quick gesture to Helios for a hand. If Helios had responded to Leo's plea, he would quickly spin around with his leg raised to hopefully stomp on the back of the dragon tamer's knee. If successful his free hand would move to try and sweep underneath the arm with the weapon in hand wrap around the chest, grab hold of what it could and lift. The feline's body would follow with the motion to slam her down on the ground.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 20, 2014, 03:59:08 AM

Helios caught Leo's cue out of the corner of his eye and gave a wicked, toothy grin to the dragon tamer. It's like you can read my mind Leo. Helios ducked under the horizontal strike of the dragon tamer's rapier though not with out taking a small gash down his back. Ignoring the feeling of blood down his back, he grabbed Leo with his right hand and held his sword in the left as he swung Leo around full force. Leo's foot planted firmly into the dragon tamer's back left knee as Helios let go. Leo vaulted off of her back and came down hard on her back. Leo looked pleased with his work, and completely ignored the charging female cockatrice and enraged baby dragon who let out an actual roar and charged on Leo as well.


Blood continued to spill down Helios's legs and back as he tackled Leo to the ground and watched the female cockatrice and baby dragon collide and begin to snap at one another.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 20, 2014, 05:32:11 AM

Karina had to separate herself a bit more from the main group to move to the side so she could get a better vantage point to aim, getting an arrow notched and ready for when she would stop or be within range of a good angle to aim. She saw the dragon and female cockatrice fighting each other, so she took the opportunity to resume her aim at the dragon trainer as originally called-out, letting loose arrows in quick succession one right after another.

The dragon tamer was having problems as he was bleeding quite a bit from the shoulder and the thigh and trying to fend off the barrage of arrows from the fox-kin archer. He was slower than before, getting a few arrows knocked a bit off their mark with his short-sword but still causing deep cuts with the arrow-heads on the arms and legs, only able to defend against the ones to the head fully while most of the other arrows were hitting approximately close to their mark.

Karina started to notice her quiver becoming a bit light. "Running low on arrows... this is not good." She notched one more and readied to fire it off as she stared down the heavily-breathing dragon tamer. "Just surrender already! Sheathe your weapon and walk away!" she called out to the tamer, trying to reason with him but he instead stood defiant. "Crazy prideful dragon tamer... their bond also seeps into their personality." she thought to herself as she waited to see what he would do.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 20, 2014, 11:46:11 AM

Closer her eyes for a second as she simply listened tot he sounds of combat each arrow as it flew through the air, each slice a blade made the cracking of bones and the cutting of flesh. Opening her eyes once more they seemed to be burning with resolve. "Time to shift my strategy." She whispered out before glancing at the battle field as it stood, a small gust of wind kicking up some dust from all around, the gems on her gloves glowing even brighter than before, her hands shaking a little. "I wont give up...If I cant help here then I should just give up on saving him." Several small, white,needle shaped objects formed in the air around her hands, solidifying the air into a usable weapon she raised both her hands towards the beast tamer. The needles orientating to face him, with a quick gesture the solidified air projectiles shot forth. Suzumi dropped down on one knee gasping for breath after that attack, hoping that she put enough force behind it to actually do some damage.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 20, 2014, 02:59:03 PM

Thanks to Suzumi no longer boosting Kiana's arrows, it became easier to deflect them, but then there was the issue of the magical needles. He cursed aloud as he swung his whip as fast as he could. Most of the needles were deflected or embedded into the whip, but the few that passed merely missed him or scratched him. With no current target, the cockatrice noticed its master's injuries and was enraged, charging straight towards Suzumi. At the same time, the baby dragon became equally as pissed off seeing its master being double-teamed and rammed right into the two lynxes. Right before impact, the baby dragon glowed in a brilliant light and grew into an adolescent dragon at 2 meters on all fours. Because of the growth, his head's impact wasn't as strong, but because of it growing a long neck from it, it launched the two felines into the air. As the light faded, the dragon's scales showed a brilliant purple, a thunder Dragon. It let out a loud roar, a glow in its masters wounds now healing her, and the skin being partial scales before it turned back to regular skin. Korius and the wildman were temporarily blinded by the light of the growing dragon, and when they recovered, the black wolf's eyes narrowed as he grit his teeth. I guess I really have no choice... Korius let out a loud howl as he let his rage take over, his eyes glowing a deep red. His figure began to bulk up a bit and roared as he hit the wildman with the broad side of his sword, shattering the halberd and launching him into his amazon teammate. The two tumbled a couple meters and got entangled in his whip, being a large wrecking ball that knocked over the beast tamer in which the cockatrice tripped over.

From there, the berserker turned his attention to the dragon tamer, but her dragon was already aware of him. The dragon roared and fired off his newly acquired lightning breath at the charging black wolf. He blocked with his sword, but it was enough to stop him from running and roared as the electricity coursed through his body. Quickly, the berserker tossed aside his sword and continued to charge forward. The dragon took a deep breath to charge another shot, but as it shot another volley, Korius had already punched the top of its head, its muzzle digging into the ground as it shot its breath into the dirt. The dragon tamer tried to come to the aid of her pet when it was hit, but Korius swung over with a backhand. The rapier pierced through his forearm, but the impact from his swing didn't lessen and sent the dragon tamer flying a few meters.

After his swing, Korius's line of sight was now on the archers, exhausted Mage and the two downed felines that landed near him. He was foaming at the mouth as he slowly picked his sword back up, ready to strike his new targets that were in sight.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 20, 2014, 03:42:33 PM

Kiana watched the action that unfolded before her as she was shooting arrows at the Beast Tamer. When the cockatrice refocused its attention on Suzumi, she decided that was going to be her next target. The howl from Korius changed her mind though. She watched as he attacked everyone in the other group, including the dragon which had grown. Considering the fact that the cockatrice tripped over the wrecking ball that was the Wildman and Amazon, she definitely knew it wasn't a problem at the current moment and her attention remained on Korius as he foamed at the mouth and found his new targets in them, particularly the lynxes who were the closest to him. "Please let me have one more arrow..." She thought as she reached back to her quiver again. She did indeed find an arrow there with her hand, just one. After she pulled the arrow out, she grabbed the bottle Korius had had her take earlier from inside her cloak. She quickly dipped the arrow into the liquid while trying not to drop the bottle. Replacing the cap, she put the bottle back in her cloak and then notched the arrow on her bow. Taking aim at his right side that was towards her, she let the arrow fly. She wasn't too worried about him deflecting the arrow since it seemed that he wasn't worried about being hit. "Please let me be right..." She muttered.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 20, 2014, 03:54:36 PM

Korius had turned to Helios and Leo with his sword and raised it over his head. Before he struck down, Kiana's arrow struck him in the rear since they weren't boosted, and he was further away from her than the beast tamer was. Korius roared and turned to run towards her, but he didn't even take 2 steps before he stopped and knelt down as his body shrank back to its regular size, and his senses came back.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 20, 2014, 04:10:08 PM

Helios sighed heavily looking around at the ground that was littered with bodies. All four of the hunters struggled to move, the male cockatrice was in enough pain for the whole lot, and Helios wasn't even completely sure that the dragon was alive. "H-help please..." Helios wasn't certain what happened after that, his wound although clotted and the blood stopped he had already lost too much and blacked out.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 20, 2014, 04:27:32 PM

Leo had been caught completely unaware, and found himself cartwheeling through the air and hitting the ground hard shoulder first. Once his body bounced back into the air, he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder before landing once more chest first with no further momentum. He groaned heavily with the acheing pain that he was left with. He tried to move, but found himself struggling with it. He felt blood run down his body, but he didn't care to check from where. Each limb hurt, his arm in particular felt absolutely horrible. He glanced to it through squinted eyes, but saw that it wasn't broken.

 
However, he flinched after hearing the growl ring through the air. His eyes widened and his fur now stood on end. He heard screams now joining the cries, causing him to look up to now see his teams leader looking to them with foam seeping from his mouth like a rabid animal. Leo's breathing hesitated only momentairly, a sour taste now filling his mouth as he quickly reached out to grab Helios and pull him back while the thief shifted onto his feet. “RUN,” Leo hissed in a fear filled tone, “RUN!”

If helio's didn't bring himself back to his feet in time, the cat would try to pull him onto his shoulder and run and hop off to the side to avoid the first sword strike. However, once he saw the arrow nail the berserker square on the cheek. He hesitated for a moment to watch him collapse to the ground. “... Someone.... please... tell me... wh-what just happened.”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 20, 2014, 04:33:55 PM

Kiana actually smiled when the arrow connected with Korius even though it didn't hit where it had been aimed. She watched him turn towards her a second guessed the power of the sedative for a second but was reassured when Korius ended up falling to his knees and going back to normal size. Hearing Leo hissing at Helios to run, she directed her attention to the lynxes and saw Helios wasn't conscious. "Seriously?" She said, raising an eyebrow at him not noticing what happened, but then it seemed that he at least realized that Korius was down. "He's sedated. He gave me a bottle of stuff earlier for Karina or I to dip our arrows in and shoot at him if he went berserk." She gestured towards the kneeling Korius with her free hand. "And I don't think Helios is going anywhere anytime soon since he's unconscious now." She would have taken that moment to try to kill the female cockatrice while it was down, but she didn't have anymore arrows. Instead, she started walking around to collect her arrows that were all over the ground. She went for the arrow in Korius last. "This probably won't bother you right now, but just a fair warning, I'm pulling the arrow out." She said to him as she grabbed a hold of the arrow, yanking it straight out a second after she finished talking. After that, she remembered how beat Suzumi had looked before and turned her gaze towards her. "Are you going to be alright, Suzumi?" She asked.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 20, 2014, 04:47:58 PM

Dropped down even lower as a sharp pain shot through her entire body, her nerves working overtime as she cringed and slammed her fist into the dirt once. Biting her lip hard as she tried to remain focused the sight of Korius going bezerk was quite a fearful sight indeed even more so when he turned around and looked at the group. Suzumi tried to pull herself up to run or hide but her body currently refused to move at all. She heard the sound of a arrow being notched and shot from close by but didnt realize what it was until Korius dropped down and slowly returned to normal.

 "Are you going to be alright, Suzumi?" Suzumi glanced up at Kiana, a few drops of blood dripping from her nsoe before she nodded and weakly reached up to wipe the blood away. "Yeah... I should be fine, I just pushed myself a little too far with that last spell." Slowly standing up she took a few deep breaths as the pain subsided the nearly electric buzz in her mana channels dulling and eventually dissipating. "Lets not try that spell again...well at least while I am at this level." she said with a soft giggled in her voice.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 20, 2014, 05:28:22 PM

Karina was stunned at the events that just happened in front of her: first seeing the defiance from the dragon tamer to the point where he was risking his life, then the dragon changing barreling the two lynxes out of the way with ease, but lastly and most importantly was the change in Korius and his take-down of the thunder dragon. It took her a few seconds to come to before she realized he was charging at them but when Kiana had hit him with the sedative arrow, she let out a sigh of relief when he came to his senses. With the fight done and all that was left was the female cockatrice, she started to gather her arrows that weren't close to the cockatrice that could be salvaged, then she looked to the plumed bird-like creature and drew back her notched arrow while looking at it, aiming straight for the eyes to go for the kill. She was in quiet hesitation though, never actually having killed a female one before, so she didn't know if it would work or if it would just anger it before she let her arrow fly from her bow.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 20, 2014, 06:00:06 PM

Korius panted as he finally reverted back to his old self and slowly got up. He then let out another howl as Kiana pulled her arrow out of his ass. As a berserker, he was used to being stabbed and cut and crushed by many things, but that was usually against the armour in his legs or across his upper body, including his head, but not once had anything hit him there, before. After a few seconds, he started moving again, walking towards Karina and the female cockatrice. He lifted up his sword and just let it fall, crushing the giant bird's windpipe with just the weight of the weapon, "No need to waste possibly breaking an arrow on this one." Since no one paid it much mind, the tamed male cockatrice took the opportunity to lunge at them. Korius turned in time to jump back with its momentum and grabbed its neck, cradling its head against his left hip and fell on that side, merely knocking the thing out. It was quite a shocker, to say the least, but with this combined with the fight, the black wolf remembered that even previous members of his party forgot he only had one arm after a fight like this. Quickly, he gripped his left shoulder and rolled around, "My arm!! That bastard ----- clipped my arm off!"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 20, 2014, 07:16:34 PM

As Helios came to moments later he looked around to see a dead female cockatrice, a panicking Leo, a dazed Karina, a concerned Kiana, and a crazed Korius. "My arm!! That bastard ----- clipped my arm off!" Once more Helios began to laugh, but quickly became light headed. He held his head to stop the swaying, his head pounding. He used his sword to prop him self up then watched as Korius ran around like a cockatrice with it's head cut off and raved about his arm. Perhaps he was delirious from the lack of blood, but he could have sworn Korius never had a second arm.



"Korius," he said between wheezing. "I do believe you've gone mad. I thought you never had a second arm." Turning to Kiana he smirked. "And it would seem you've been watching all the wrong parts on Korius." He gave another laugh this one bringing up some blood. "Though I do thank you for sedating him when you did." Helios began to attempt to stumble towards the group, almost falling multiple times.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 20, 2014, 08:59:25 PM

Kiana cringed when Korius ended up howling when she removed her arrow from his rump. "Okay. We didn't need anyone dying already." She said after Suzumi answered her then chuckled a little. She looked over in Karina's direction to see that she was going to kill the female cockatrice, but then Korius moved over and crushed it instead. After that, he ended up knocking out the male that tried to attack him. At the end of all that, she was confused when Korius started raving about his arm. She had seen his right arm get stabbed through with the rapier, but she was 99% sure that he had already been missing his left arm. Opening her mouth to say something, she closed it when she heard Helios' voice addressing Korius and mentioning the whole arm thing. When Helios turned his attention on her, she crossed her arms and scowled. "Not my fault he moved after I shot..." She muttered, turning her gaze to the ground and feeling her face heat up slightly. She wasn't used to blushing either since she didn't usually embarrass herself in front of others.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 21, 2014, 12:21:16 AM

Leo listened to the explanation, his body twitching with each and every breath he made, even though he seemed to have calmed down. His ears were rotating a bit restlessly now as he watched Korius scream something about his arm. He was about to make a comment, swearing that this arm was gone well before he even met the man, until he felt Helios writhing in his grasp, which he then lowered carefully back down to his feet. However, mid process he had to immediately let go after feeling a sharp burning sensation in his shoulder. He yelped a bit, and quickly looked back to his own body, noticing the blood that had ran down his shirt.

“How the....” he began in surprise, till he noticed his dagger only a few feet away from him. The ground underneath it had been torn and sprinkled with blood. The cat gritted his teeth when he quickly moved a hand over the wound to apply pressure. His gaze looked to Kiana, who seemed to have been the key blame for the potshot.

 “Oh don't worry about it Kiana. Saved my life, Helios' as well. He will just be walking a little funny after this night, though you'd expect something like that involving a bed somewhere.” Leo hissed through his teeth and shawl. He gave his head a light snake to toss the darb off his muzzle, and allow it to land back in place on his chest, “besides, at least you can't gut yourself with your own damned weapon.”

He'd shift forward a few paces, and slowly crouch down, being careful not to move his arm to much to pick up his bloody dagger with a shaky hand.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 21, 2014, 11:32:33 AM

Stood up and slowly walked towards a tree to lean on just outside of the range of most of the groups vision although if anybody was paying attention they would see her. Pulling off each of her gloved and placing them in her pocket she looked at her hands with a frown on her face, small scorch marks marred her scales each originating from the place where the gemstones rested in her gloves. She knew full well her particular style of wielding magic had its costs but she didnt expect that forcing a higher level of spell would do that much damage to her body. Pulling the gloves over her hands once more she wrapped a extra strip of leather over teh gems to keep them hidden for now before looking at Korius raving about his missing arm. Suzumi wanted to comment about there not being enough blood around to justify his arm being missing but  Helios was way ahead of her.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 21, 2014, 02:56:53 PM

Karina looked to Korius, not amused with his current antics before she turned away from him. "We better head back to the village. We have a female cockatrice and a fair amount of males. It would be wise to cash-in before the sun sets or you are out of luck in getting a good turn-around." she spoke as she looked up to the sky. "Though... that trick only works if you didn't already have scar-tissue on your long-since-missing arm." she noted out as she inhaled a bit, then did a quick-check on the stock of arrows she had, which she could only recover about one-third of her total quiver-size due to the amount of damage her arrows suffered from all of the fighting. "With all of that screeching from earlier and the fighting we had with the other hunters, we're bound to have either drawn attention or scared off more potential prey." she spoke as she looked back towards the village.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 21, 2014, 10:12:29 PM

Korius stopped after a little bit and let out a face, "You lot are no fun." He sighed as he got up and went to retrieve his sword. After doing so, he opened up the little satchel and retrieved their catch. From there, the black wolf went over to check on the injured for both sides. The opposing side seemed fine, just minor injuries and unconscious, nothing life threatening. Korius then checked on his own party, picking up Helios and slinging him over his shoulder, "Such a light weight. Your injuries aren't even that serious, you drama queen." He then looked over at Leo, who seemed fine on his own, then to where Suzumi and the archers were. "You girls take Suzumi with you. We're heading back." The wolf dragged his sword along with Helios on his shoulder, leading the group back to town and towards the butcher's shop. There, he handed over the satchel. He put Helios down onto the ground, giving the lynx a good kick to the legs, "Wake up, you whimp! You've stopped bleeding 15 minutes ago!"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 21, 2014, 10:57:38 PM

Kiana made a face at the latter part of what Leo said but didn't say anything. She noticed that Korius seemed disappointed with his apparent trick not working on the group. After Korius had collected their kill and checked on everyone's injuries, she took his direction to head back to the village. Looking at Suzumi and then Karina, she turned towards the village. "If you're both ready, let's go." She said. She waited for them to come up near her before she headed back to the village. When they got back to the village, she stood by while Korius handed over the satchel at the butcher's shop and set Helios down and kicked him in the legs. "He's new to this just like the rest of us." She said after the kick. "You can't expect him to be like you after one fight."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 21, 2014, 11:02:01 PM

Helios jolted up right when Korius kicked him, his back jerking and straining, letting out a short sharp whine, and glared at Korius. "I would have been just fine walking on my own." Helios might have been a field worker for most of his young life, but he'd never had his back injured. "Besides we can't all be walking walls like you." He said to Korius with a playful tone, sticking out his tongue. He looked at the other's and stood up, walking slightly hunched over to Leo and the rest of the group.


"Ah come on Korius," He said his tone still playful. "I might have exaggerated the pain some, but you know damn well we did good out there today." Helios gave a crocked grin and hoped the others would be as light hearted as he was.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 22, 2014, 12:59:29 AM

"Yeah Yeah, I can walk on my own."  Suzumi said out loudly as the tone Korius took made it sound like she needed help, sure she overdid it a little but then again she was known to do that even back at the academy. Kicking off of the tree she quietly walked towards Kiana and Karina. "Lets head back then, lest we get back late and they don't pay up since we walked too slowly."  Looking around a few times before pulling the hood of her cloak back over her head staying just a few steps behind Kiana.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 22, 2014, 01:33:26 AM

Leo looked back to Helios who had now shifted to his pace. The feline still had his hand on his shoulder, and lifted only to see if the bleeding had stopped. When he noticed it did, he removed his hand, and shivered from the stinging sensation when the wind blew over the open wound. "I am down with some jokes here and there Korius," Leo began, with a sigh, "But seeing your brick house of a body loom over me with a sword that weighs more than a cart made of gold... that shouts death to the mountains... it kinda leaves you pissing your breaches." Leo commented, moving a bit of his shawl over his injured shoulder.


"Yeah Yeah, I can walk on my own."

The thief then turned to look in Suzumi's direction, seeing her lean over the tree in what looks like an overly exhausted state. "Uh... now I don't mean to push any suggestions onto ya," Leo began with a tone of concern in his voice after calling out to Suzumi, "But are you sure? You look a bit.... well... more than tired."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 22, 2014, 08:59:11 AM

Karina glanced back to check on the group before she started to walk back to the village. At the butcher's shop, where everyone was to check in their quarry, she could see her wolf-kin father waiting for her. Her ears folded against her head and her tail drooped a bit as she started to walk towards there. When Kiana turned in the satchel to collect the money, Karina got close enough to speak to him. "Um... hello Father." she spoke to the rather burly white wolf-kin.

"I already closed up the shop. You and I will need to talk a bit later when I get home, Karina." the blacksmith spoke, adjusting his right-arm's sling as he looks to Korius. "And I would like to thank you for taking care of my daughter, though she seems to be getting more and more set on wanting to adventure. She asked me to make her a bow and a pair of daggers when she was about fourteen, but I didn't give her that bow that she uses now until she was sixteen. She trained long and hard with them, getting herself cut a few times along the way. Anyways, Korius was it? I think we better talk, though let's talk over at the tavern, man-to-man. I'll cover for a couple of kegs for us." he spoke.

Karina was a bit uneasy at first at hearing her father's first statement, starting to walk off before she stopped and blushing heavily at him talking about her first experiences with that bow she uses now. She hesitated before she started to walk the rest of the way home. She had gotten out of earshot range before the blacksmith had talked about going to the tavern.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 23, 2014, 05:21:57 PM

Korius waited by the counter until the butcher came back and accepted the bag of coins. He fastened it onto his belt when Karina's father walked up. The black wolf listened to the whole thing, and then was surprised that he turned to him. Korius smirked at the old man's request and nodded, "Alright, then. We'll talk." He turned back to the others and fished out several coins from the bag and tossed them over to Kiana, "Take the others to the inn. Buy yourselves some food, too."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 23, 2014, 06:01:15 PM

Helios turned to Leo and snickered. "So how come tall, dark, and gruesome get's to have all the fun?" Helios couldn't help but cough as he laughed his back still in pain. Korius's kick had done nothing to help his pain. He waited for Kiana to start leading them towards the in before approaching her. "Ya know I never did thank you for standing up to Korius for me. And I certainly owe you for saving mine and Leo's life." Reaching over to her he handed her a beautiful orange rose. "They say orange roses represent friendship. trust me when I'm glad to call you friend." Helios leaned closer as they continued to walk together whispering just loud enough for only her to hear. "Trust me I won't try nothing I can see you've got your eyes set on Korius."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 23, 2014, 06:26:49 PM

Glared back at Leo with a rather heated gaze before speaking up. "I am fine. I simply took a risk that is all." Her tone becoming less cold "Thanks for the concern but I am fine." Turning her gaze back towards the town and quietly following the rest of the group but staying closer to the girls than the guys. Occasionally glancing down at the leather findings covering the gems, biting her lips softly before shaking her head.

Watching the exchange between the blacksmith and Karina and Korius throwing some coins to Kiana. "A place to rest with a proper bed sounds like a good idea. A warm meal doesnt sound that bad either." She would giggles out softly looking at how the sunlight was fading she let out a soft happy sigh and pulled the hood back down letting some soft rays of light wash over her face before they were gone.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 23, 2014, 07:17:16 PM

Leo still wasn't all that impressed from the mage's response, especially when the word "Risk" was used. But he dared not push further after catching sight of a more dangerous expression, nearly recoiling to the look that just seemed unnatural on her. "Ah..." Leo began with a start, rubbing his chin as he watched her gaze down to her gloves. He'd offer a smile, and gesture to her with his hand in a gesture that simply means noted. "As you wish."

After the exchange with the blacksmith and Korius, Leo simply listened to both Shiro and Suzumi. His eyes turning after catching the glint of a brightly colored rose. "An orange rose," Leo thought in confusion with a quirk in his brow, having thought that the cat said friendship.

He simply took a few steps away from the two, and stood near Suzumi instead if only to avoid a repercussions from a foolish move. "or..." Leo began with a sigh "A handful of herbs and bandages to fix these wounds before they sour? Hell.... salt would be just as nice."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 24, 2014, 03:45:52 AM

Kiana listened to the conversation between Karina and he father and then her father and Korius. By the way her father phrased it, it made it sound like he was having a sit-down with her guy before a date. Just the thought of it made her laugh a little. When Korius threw her some coins, she caught some of them and picked up a couple off of the ground. "Don't get killed." She said before Korius walked off, smirking as she thought about a father threatening a guy they believed was going for their daughter. Most likely though, Karina's father just wanted to talk to Korius about him not getting his daughter killed. When Helios spoke, she turned her attention to him as they all started walking towards the inn. She took the orange rose when he handed her. "You're welcome and, uh...thank you." She said, looking slightly confused. When he whispered about not trying anything because he believed she had her eyes set on Korius, she scoffed. "I do not have eyes for him." She said, sounding slightly irritated and putting her bow back over her shoulders. "Yes, I shot him in the ass, but that doesn't mean I had been looking at it like you seem to think, since you mentioned it earlier and I already said I wasn't looking or aiming at it." She adjusted the hood of her cloak so it wasn't held down by her bow. "Plus, I mean, he kicked you when you were injured. That's not really a great trait. Even I'm not that mean, at least to someone who is supposed to be on my team." About that time, they reached the inn and she headed inside with the group. She paid for their rooms and paid for any food that the others decided they wanted.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 24, 2014, 04:03:40 AM

Karina makes her way home and starts to set up everything in preparation for her father's return after the discussion with the berserker, not exactly sure when he would return though.

The white wolf-kin blacksmith looks back to Korius and uses his left hand, apparently his only good arm since the right arm was in a sling, to pat the back of the berserker as to lead him to the tavern. "C'mon. Let's see what's here on their menu and have ourselves a drink." he spoke as he entered in, finding himself a spot to sit down at a table. "I'll take two kegs and a cask of the good stuff." he spoke to the tavern owner before he got a surprised look and rushed off to get the drinks. "Anyways, onto serious matters... it seems like my daughter has adventuring set in her mind. I don't know her reason, I don't know what she plans on doing, but since I can't do anything to stop her, I want to at least have her group up with people she can trust. She seems to trust you and the others in your group." the blacksmith spoke, reaching one hand over and pulling one of two pouches from off of his belt, handing it over to Korius. "I was going to try to use most of what I had saved up for a dowry if she were to find someone special, but I can do whatever it takes to ensure that later on, for now, I intend this to help her to return home safely when she is done." He opens up the bag just enough to show that it was full of golden coins inside. "I will bet that she will be wanting to join you tomorrow when you leave, so at least let me send her off prepared for the worst."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 25, 2014, 01:35:57 AM

Korius followed and sat with Karina's father, only enjoying their drink, not interested in food. He listened intently as the man spoke to him. The wolf would take a drink by scooping up a pint from the barrel that was placed beside him as he listened. Korius was surprised to see the bag of gold and reached into it to pull out a small handful of coins, pushing the rest back to the father, "I'll keep this as an emergency for your daughter. You keep the rest for what you need it for. Our party only requires what it needs. Any more, and your daughter, as well as our party, will be in more danger. I've never been a father in my, but worry not, I will look after her as a comrade and as my own." When the discussion was over, Korius tossed aside the empty pint glass and gripped the edge of the barrel, hoisting it up. "A toast to a promising adventure!" With that, he tipped the barrel and drank merrily that night with Karina's father.

Unbeknownst to the party and himself, the party was already going to see problems. While Korius drank and the party slept, they were already targeted for their winnings, which thankfully wasn't with the party. However, it would a dangerous night for them all.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 25, 2014, 02:37:16 AM

Suzumi retired to her room without much of a conversation with the others in the party, she didn't want to be around others in the state she was in. Physically she had recovered but magic did come at a cost and her was a little higher than most. Since she didn't have wood to absorb most of the crystals energy, especially when casting higher level spells the feedback it caused would negatively effect her body and mind. Quickly pulling off the gloves as she closed the door she looked at her hands and the pattern of burn marks underneath her scales her fingertips tracing the lines as she frowned. Pulling her shirt off just enough to reveal the large tattoo on her back she spent some time studying it in the mirror and comparing it to her hands. "Sod it." she hissed softly before pulling her gloves over her hands once more and laying down.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: EllieDragon on January 25, 2014, 03:59:14 AM

Anoi Firepaw stood just outside the door to the inn.  The Red Panda kin's long, fluffy tail was curled around her left leg in an obvious display of discomfort.  Whether it was the thought of entering a crowded tavern or what might happen within, she was not looking forward to it.  It surprised her that she even managed to make it through the Mages Academy with her dislike of crowds.  Anoi stood about four feet five, wore a long brown tunic that had a hood that draped down over her head.  She  carried a tall, elegantly carved staff with an egg shaped sapphire gem on the top.  Her blue eyes flashed up to look at something in the air just above her head. 


Anoi could feel the tug on the link between herself and the spirit.  She could feel the whispering in her mind from it.  It was pushing her to get over herself and enter the bar.  She had been standing here for at least a minute, blocking the entrance as she fretted about going in and the spirit was beginning to get fed up with it. "But... The awkwardness..."She said to no one in particular, to a passerby it would sound like she was talking to the fox beside her or just to herself.  The spirit, having had enough of her stalling, turned to face the door and then slammed it open.  Of course, the spirit was invisible but Anoi was not and she turned her head away blushing as the occupants of the tavern would most likely immediately look her way.


"Nnnnngggaahhh.."  Anoi muttered to herself before forcing herself to start walking into the bar toward the counter now that so much attention had been thrown onto her. "Sorry..."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Rosanna Foxfire on January 25, 2014, 04:10:39 AM

Keoi stepped up to the inn, back sore after a long day of scrubbing stones, clearing shelves, and carrying boxes.  The foxkin's fur was dirty, and her hair more than mussed after the hours pulled.  However, she'd managed to 'convince' some poor sod to pay for their evening meal and drinks, so it was fair.  An elf like that wouldn't miss a few gold coins.  And there was likely more to be had inside if she could convince someone to play a game of chance with her.


Then she saw her love's face, the worried look, muttering to herself again.  Keio sighed, pushing her tail against her mate's leg, only to be blindsided when the door burst open.  She blinked again, and then, ever quick thinking, like the animal she was purportedly related to; Keio strutted into the tavern.  Tail swishing behind her, hips shifting, and arms held at her sides.  She acted like she owned the place.  Given her appearance, and the paupers clothing she wore, that was obviously untrue.


But still, she kept with it, sliding right up to the bar and slamming her earlier prize of gold down upon the surface.  "Two Malt Beers and a couple orders of Fish and Chips." Her chirping voice was rather mismatched with the attitude she tried to pull off, possibly making for a comical effect.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 25, 2014, 06:41:32 AM

Leo had left the group a while ago, and managed to pilfer a few coins from unsuspecting pedestrians as he walked by. Not once drawing suspicions to himself as his hand moved smoothly to snatch their coin purses. He didn't plan on stealing a lot. Only enough for a handful of coins to purchase a few vials of medical salves and bandages for the group from a local stall, being sure to use up every coin he could to rid himself of the conviction if someone wises up. He spoke with the stall owner for only a small amount of time, only to get the information on what the salves were for.

“Quicken the healing process and to also stave off infections,” rasped the old stall owner as he now began to pack up his things to retire for the night. “That salve is good stuff there'ie boy. Just put it on ur wounds, and let the herbs do all the work...”

“Ah, much appreciated. Sir,” the thief chimed with a smile, now picking up the packages.

“Boy I remember when I was ur age..”

Now interested, the feline looked up momentarily. His eyes now shining with some curiosity. He was almost inclined to sit and hear the story. Only memory of two of his allies wounds told him other wise. “I am sorry, but I need to get going.”

He then entered the Inn he had once saw his group head to with a a few pouches of goods. He easily slipped by the two females without a word or giving them so much of a glance. If he found Helios, he'd give him a whistle and toss him a pouch with a vial of herbal salve and a bundle of bandages. He'd take a moment to look between the two and then asked, “Where's Suzumi?”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 25, 2014, 07:02:38 AM

Helios scarfed down what food he'd ordered, only looking up once to look at the to female furs who'd entered the tavern and again to see Leo. "Thanks Leo, but I'll let my wounds heal like normal. Korius was right, What I got was small. As for Suzumi... I think she's in her room, but if she's like my Luna was then I'd advise against seeking her out." With that Helios turned to the bar ordering a drink. He took it small gulps watching the shy and timid Red Panda and  the lofty Kitsune who'd entered only moments before with interested. He'd only ever known one Kitsune and she was a force to be reckoned with. This Kitsune in a lot of ways reminded him of her. "Leo take a seat I think things are about to get interesting again." He smiled watching the two girls.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on January 25, 2014, 09:14:21 AM

The blacksmith laughed a bit before he picked up the second keg to tap it to the one that Korius held in a cheers manner before he started to drink it down. Once the two of them were done, the blacksmith was still apparently sober enough to speak coherently. "Take the cask with you. It's always to have a drink with'ya on the road." he said as he got up after finishing his meal and paying for the two 'drinks' since Korius took only a small amount from him. "Also, if you can think when you wake up, tell your people to stop by my shop tomorrow morning. It's only fair I give them all something on the way out." He leaves and heads back home, seeing Karina on her bed, so he picks up her bow and closes the door behind him before he heads to his shop to work on it while she's asleep.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 26, 2014, 02:01:46 AM

Kiana was glad when Helios didn't go on about believing she was interested in Korius after they had entered the inn. While she was eating, the door burst open noisily causing her ears to flatten against her head. Irritated, she pulled her hood up over her head to block out everyone else. She heard Leo ask where Suzumi was, assuming that he must have slipped in when the door had opened. All she did in response was point up above them but Helios answered with words anyway. She didn't care if anything interesting might happen with the newcomers to the inn so when she finished her food and drink a minute later, she headed upstairs and entered one of their rooms. Closing the door behind her, she pulled her bow and quiver off her shoulders then sat down on the edge of the bed. Placing her bow on the bed behind her and her quiver between her feet, she started going through the arrows in the quiver one by one to examine them more closely for any issues that might impair the arrows' effectiveness in combat. Memories of her brother started to flash through her mind as she looked at her arrows which were a sort of reddish-colored wood with red feathers. She reached up and tugged her hood further down over her eyes as her vision blurred and she tried not to let tears fall. She grunted in irritation, wiped at her face with a fist, and continued to examine her arrows while doing her best to block the memory of that day, of her brother dying in her arms and red staining everything.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 26, 2014, 02:56:37 AM

Korius attention was temporarily taken away from the festivities when a short, female red panda slammed right into the tavern, looking all nervous. What the hell is wrong with her? Probably a greenback that missed the Hunt. Not too long after, a fox came charging with a presence that was very unbecoming of her stature, Most likely another petty thief who got a lucky break. From the looks of it, she probably still hasn't even had anything more than a regular bounty of a few copper coins like Leo. Their skill sets are different from each other, but the level is around the same. Without thinking any harder about it, he drank more. When the night was over, half the tavern had already turned in for the night. Korius lifted the barrel he had been drinking from and brought it out of the bar, his sword dragging along the floor with the handle clinging to his belt, chugging the last few gallons on his way back to the inn. However, just before getting to the front door, something rushed out and hit him.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 26, 2014, 06:40:03 AM

Leo's gaze followed Kiana's finger, before finally looking back down to Helios with a dull look. He'd raise a hand up and bring it down in a light cuffed slap across the man's ear after shaking his head “After you passed out from your own wounds? You must be down right crazy if you are going to call -that- a flesh wound,” He'd say as his gaze followed the direction he was pointed to. Quickly spotting the two woman from across the empty tavern floor.

 
Rather than commenting immediately, the feline took a moment to look them over dully. His eyes first looking to the red panda, whom he almost mistaken for a fox. The most he could tell was that she was shy and seemed to be well out of place. There wasn't much else he could size up, due to the cloak. His eyes then fell onto the bold kitsune. He found her actions odd at first. Her filthy clothes and fur were enhancing the feline's curiosity about her even further. His eyes no longer seemed to seem to be as bored, but more contemplative and filled with curiosity. It clearly looked as if the cat was actually watching her hips, but seemed to be absolutely disinterested in pursuing any abrasive thoughts.

 
“That one is odd...” Leo thought to himself as he watched her behavior. “filthy, but jaunty and charismatic,” he thought to himself, his eyes now looking for a more specific detail. Her fingers, and eyes. Seeking out any scars from blades. And even looking for lumps in her clothes that would signify any hidden equipment.“Ah... well that's a thief. But why is Helios interested?”

 
He'd look to Helios, and immediately blinked when he saw his expression. His head slowly canted to the side before finally dropping on it's shoulder. “You've got to be kidding me, Helios. Do you really plan on flirting... now?”

He'd make way to his room after a quick purchase of dood.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 26, 2014, 06:57:00 AM

"I knew a Kitsune like her once." He said with a sigh though he smiled at the thought of his Kitsune. "In all my time with her I never knew a dull moment. What ever that Kitsune is up too it will be interesting." Helios watched as she sauntered about as if she owned the place. He couldn't help, but feel a certain draw to her. He downed another pint unwilling to leave the bar. He'd stay here all night if it meant getting out of his sorrow. "Just promise me Leo, that you won't follow me to my bedroom." And with one more pint Helios head to his room and his bed.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: EllieDragon on January 26, 2014, 05:24:03 PM

Anoi took a seat at the bar, eyes still downcast in discomfort at the situation she had been suddenly thrown into.  It didn't help that Rosanna was, as usual when she managed to get a hold of some money, strutting around like a peacock.  She lifted her head and sent a glare toward her mate.  "Must you draw more attention to us?"  Her eyes wandered over Rosanna's dirty clothes and frowned. "You know.. You could always ask me for some money for new clothing."  She whispered quietly to her before lowering her head again, attempting to use the hood on her warm jacket to keep her hidden from the residents in the bar.  However... She soon felt a tug at the link between her and the spirit.

Suddenly her hood was swept back, revealing her to those in the bar as it was. "Ēḍēna!"  She almost shouted as she attempted to reach her paws back and grab the hood to pull it over her head again.  But the spirit held onto the hood, making her even more uncomfortable.   Now that the hood was down it would be revealed that she was indeed a Red Panda kin.  Triangular, white ears were lowered down against her head.  Long, orange hair cascaded down her back.  Compared to her mate she kept herself much cleaner.  They truly did make an odd match. 

Glancing around the bar she noticed two individuals who were intently staring at herself and her mate.  For a few moments she stared back at the cat person, trying to decide if they were a threat to her or not.   Something about them reminded her of her mate while she could not place anything about the other.  She only knew that they made her even more nervous with their staring, but at the same time she was curious.  However, she was more worried about getting that hood back from the spirit! 

After about five minutes of struggling with the unseen force she managed to get her hood back and slipped it over her head again.  Her food had arrived and so had her drink so she busied about that but not before taking out a book to read.  Time passed in the bar and she spent most of it just sitting there at the bar, reading.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Rosanna Foxfire on January 26, 2014, 10:37:09 PM

The Foxkin enjoyed a relatively quiet meal with Anoi after the theatrics of her entrance.  At least, it probably seemed that way.  After a few minutes of waiting, eating and drinking, she excused herself.


"I'll be right back," Keio whispered to her companion, continuing to walk with as much swagger and confidence as she could muster.  Hips swaying, tail swishing, feet placed one right before another.  Her shoulders moved back and forth with her stride.  Until she was out of sight of most patrons and owners.  In the back hallway, she slipped into a washroom.  She quickly and quietly wandered the length of the room, ensuring that she had the room to herself.


Then, she splashed stale water across her dirty fur, rinsing the dirt out.  Her clothing was turned inside out, a process that took a moment or two.  She didn't have a mirror to check with, but she thought it would make her look more respectable to a cursory glance.  Especially without the dirt and grime covering her shoulders and snout.  That done, she left the room, and climbed the stairs.  She glanced at room numbers, tested door knobs, and kept a weary mismatched eye out for open doors and patrons.  All the while, she acted like she belonged- if questioned, she simply said she was lost, had forgotten her room number, or was here to see a friend.


She wasn't questioned often.


By the time she had selected a room, late afternoon had turned to evening, and the patron of this room didn't look to be coming back soon.  She pried out her small knife, and stuck it between the doorjamb and the handle, wiggling it to jimmy open the lock and gain entry.  She slipped inside, closing the door behind her.  Without much care for how much noise she made, but also not making more noise than someone moving about the room would.  She quickly gave a cursory glance of the room, and opened a bag left around, rummaging through it.  She grabbed a pair of gem-encrusted gloves, and shoved them under her shirt, tucked between her waistband and her fur, before making her way out.


The door had to be left unlocked, unfortunately, but then she could simply and calmly make her way back to Anoi.  Once back in public, she sauntered, swaggered, and swayed like one who knew what she had, despite her small stature.


She grinned, tapping the Red Panda on the shoulder.  "Race you home."  And then, she bolted out the door, only to slam into someone much bigger and stronger than she was.  Naturally, she bounced right off and landed flat upon her tail.


"OW!  My tail!  Watch where you're going, Baka!"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 27, 2014, 12:01:11 AM

Kiana found that a few of her arrows had hairline cracks in them so she snapped those ones in two and tossed them aside. It hurt tp get rid of any of her arrows but it had to be done since flawed arrows would be no good to her. Once she was done going through her arrows, she got up from the end of the bed, grabbing her quiver by its red leather strap and walking around the right (handed) side of the bed. She leaned the quiver against the side of the head of the bed then grabbed her bow off the bed and put it with the quiver. Climbing into the bed and slipping under the covers, she stared up at the ceiling for a while. Before she knew it, her eyes were closed and a nightmare like a bad home video played on the back of her eyelids.


In a clearing in a forest near their house, Kiana and her brother were training with their weapons. Kamau was the one who taught her how to use a bow and arrow even though he was proficient with a sword as well. Today, he had his sword hanging from his right hip like he almost always did. Forever the mirror image of each other, even though they were four years apart, Kamau was the left hand to her right. Target practice was the main training today in the clearing. It was moving targets in particular, ones that Kamau controlled with a couple ropes. Kiana was doing pretty well. She had hit half of the targets she had aimed at, though only a couple out of those were on the bulls-eye. She was laughing and having a good time even though she was training. It was always entertaining to work with her brother.
The laughter was interrupted as both of them felt their ears twitch at a sound in the forest. The sound wasn't coming from the direction of their house and it sounded like someone or something big. Kamau instantly looked at Kiana. "Go hide behind the big oak!" Kamau ordered her, always worried for her safety. "I'm sixteen, Kamau! I can help if we need to fight!" She hissed, sounding like the usual teenager who didn't like it if it felt like they were being looked down upon. "I don't care! I'm not letting you get hurt!" Kamau snapped and drew his sword then pointed it toward the oak tree on the opposite side of the clearing from the targets. "Now go!" Kiana wasn't pleased but she did as her brother told her since she knew there was no point in arguing with him at that point. She jogged over to the oak and slipped behind it then peeked around the corner. Seeing her brother standing there facing in the opposite direction, she felt a pang of worry in her stomach. She knew he was a great fighter but she couldn't help it since she also knew that he would avoid fighting if he could.
A moment later, a Rhino-kin burst through the trees. He was carrying a large sword that seemed to have been broken in half. His eyes instantly landed on Kamau, caught by the reflection of the cheetah-kin's sword in the sunlight. The Rhino-kin grinned at the sight of the sword. "I'll take that sword." The Rhino demanded as he towered over her brother. She couldn't quite make out what her brother said but judging by his hold on the sword, he wasn't going to give it up. "You'll give it to me or I'll take it by force!" Kiana's fingers were almost digging into the tree as she stood there, wishing she could telepathically yell at her brother to tell him to fight. Then, it happened so fast that if she had blinked, she would have missed it. The Rhino swung out his sword with a speed that didn't seem to fight his large build. He brother didn't have time to react and he fell immediately, a huge gash diagonally across his torso.
"NO!" Kiana screamed and dashed out from behind the tree towards her brother lying on the ground. The Rhino didn't even take the time to look at her and just pulled Kamau's sword out of his weak grip, running off and leaving behind a trail of maniacal laughter. When Kiana reached her brother, she practically threw herself on the ground, causing her quiver to come off her shoulders and over her head which caused her arrows to scatter over the ground on the other side of her brother. Tossing her bow aside, she lifted Kamau's torso and laid him on her lap. He looked up at her and smiled. "Told you I wouldn't let you get hurt..." Kamau said in between gasps as he placed a hand on hers. "But you're not supposed to die!" She said, tears already streaming down her face. "Don't cry, Little Sister. Be strong like I know you are. You'll be fine...without me..." He said with a smile still on his face until his last breath, and then his hand slipped off of hers when his body lost all ability to keep it there. Kiana hugged his body close to her chest and sobbed. "No... Please... Please come back..." She whispered as the tears streamed down her face. "Don't leave me alone..." At the end, her voice lost its hope and she gently closed Kamau's eyes. All that was left were her tears and the blood that covered everything, soaking her clothes and turning her arrows red, as she rocked herself and her dead brother back and forth as she kept telling him that she was sorry.


The nightmare wouldn't go so far as to show her parents finding her like that and pulling her away from her brother. It wouldn't show how they had screamed at her and blamed her and wished she was dead instead. She had already died inside and all her focus had been on her brother. Her memory didn't bother with her parents. She never mattered to them so they might as well have been dead to her already. It wouldn't be shown that the last time she saw her brother had been at the funeral and she had never gone back. No. It ended in red, just as her brother had with that smile upon his face.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 27, 2014, 02:05:35 AM

Korius looked down at the small, squeaky voice that yelled at him and recognized the little fox. He tossed aside the now empty keg and picked her up by the back of her shirt, his thumb and pinky gripping at her left shoulder and collar bone as well. Because of this, her shirt lifted up a little, and he saw the glimmer from her recently nicked prizes. "Those don't belong to you, little one. They belong to my party member." Korius brought her partially exposed belly to his muzzle and bit down on the gloves, taking them back. He then gave a sniff around her to make sure she didn't steal anything else from his party. He smelled like the bottom of the bar, his fur having been partial wet from the excess alcohol that didn't make it into his maw when he was drinking. The wolf then let go of the fox and took the gloves out of his mouth, placing it securely into his belt. Korius then unhinged his sword and slung it over his shoulder so that he could go into the inn.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 27, 2014, 03:53:26 AM

Leo was sitting on the side of the bed, with his tunic in one hand and a thread and needle he had found in the night stand next to the bed in the other. He had taken the time to repair the hole in his shirt before he went to bed, every once and a while giving a lonely glance to the outside world through the window. His eyes always returning to one single direction to the west. He pulled the string taught, and broke it, so he could tie it off and finish his work. Afterward, a thought slowly began to form, but the feline was quick to discard it with a bight of his tongue.

 
He'd then slide back into his tunic, and throw his shawl back around his neck, covering up his collar once more. He'd sigh some, and shake his head a bit as he now laid back. His gaze now directed to the ceiling. But sleep didn't come to him yet. Instead, he began to recall the recent events. Recalling the tricks he saw made by the advanced group, and some of the fighting. Then everything he had learned about the party he was with, and even attempted to recall some of the skills they have displayed today. “Well,” he began in thought. Begrudgingly he remembered each moment. Each member proving to be more useful than he was. “This is absolutely disheartening,” he sighed, now closing his eyes and drifting to sleep.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 27, 2014, 09:47:45 PM

Suzumi laid down and placed her gloves on the table next to her, she was out cold before her head even hit the pillow her body was heavy just like her sleep. She didn't even hear somebody slip into the room and pinch her gloves her dreams were a mix of past events, the days happenings and rather strange images. her body twitched a little and she tossed and turned gripping at the bed sheets, if she were a mammal she would probably have broken out in a cold sweat instead her tail curled around one of the bed posts and gripped tightly.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: EllieDragon on January 28, 2014, 09:24:44 PM

Anoi sat at the bar most of the night.  Even though she was a graduate she still believed that she should keep up on her studies.  Gradually the tavern emptied as the locals went home and those who stayed went to their rooms.  But Anoi still sat there, reading as she waited for her mate to come back.  For now the spirit seemed content to just watch which Anoi was thankful for.  She was about to get up and go looking for her mate when she felt a tug on the link between herself and the spirit.  Looking up she saw Rosanna just as the fox came to tap her on the shoulder.  She seemed to be in a hurry which could mean only two things. 


But..  Sadly the Red Panda kin was quiet naive so when she was challenged to a race she giggled and quickly got up, tossing a coin onto the bar as she ran after her mate.  But then she saw her run into the large man and this brought her to a rapid halt.  Watching the fox get lifted into the air caused Anoi to growl in anger.


"Put her down!"  She shouted but then sighed, seeing the gems that she could only assume were trophies from Rosanna's wandering. "She is sorry she did so...  Times are hard you know? But that is still no excuse!"  She walked forward after Rosanna was put down and attempted to take the foxes paw, hoping to hold her back from doing anything more. "A party?  Like.. Mercenaries or adventurers?  What are you looking for?"  She asks through narrowed eyes at the wolf.  She never was able to trust a wolf...

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Rosanna Foxfire on January 28, 2014, 10:53:34 PM

The foxkin squirmed within the grasp of the wolf, ears pinning back as he spoke, pulling her prize from her belt.  She was too focused on loosening her sleeves, arching her back in an attempt to get leverage.  Small as she was, she was more than capable of defending herself from assault.  At least for a little bit.  She heard Anoi speak behind her, still struggling with the knife hidden up her sleeve, as well as trying to remove her shirt.  It was just a shirt, easy to come buy, and lifting her by it wasn't a good idea, generally.  And then... She was put down.


Her brow furrowed, ears twitching slightly as she processed the fact that she was not bruised.  Was not in a different location, or seperated from Anoi.  She was unharmed, save for the gloves she'd intended to sell for money.  Her jaw twitched, and she straightened up, turning to face the wolf as he left.


"Hey, Baka, why didn't you attack me?" She shouted after him, ears pinning back, mismatched eyes staring hard.  In the history of stupid questions, this one had to rank up there.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on January 29, 2014, 05:31:59 PM

Korius turned at to the two, first to the one he just dropped. From that vantage point, it was more apparent to the fox that he only had one arm. He put a big paw on her head like she was a cub, "I'm a berserker. You don't want any of my kind attacking you. Besides, someone as young and inexperienced like you should be allowed to live to learn from her mistakes." Korius then stood up and looked at the red panda that seemed to have an interest in his party, though he can see the distrust in her eyes. "We are on an adventure. One for our own causes and gains. We're searching for the Life Stone, said to be the tear of the Goddess Serenity herself." He wasn't sure what the red panda wanted, but he was sure to keep an eye out.

Around this time, an elf had started to raise hell at the inn as she had lost her life savings of 5 golden coins, waking up every single patron at the inn, and even making Korius's ears twitch.  He turned to the little thief and raised an eyebrow, "Is THAT your doing, too?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on January 30, 2014, 12:04:29 AM

Leo awaken with a start after hearing some angry feminine cry enter his room. He looked around momentarily, expecting to see smoke or an orange lime light to seep through his chamber's door, or window. But he found neither such to be the case. With a low sigh, he slowly and reluctantly crawled out of the bed. His eyes batted away the sleep that had kept him for the night. He was now standing in his room, his arms raised high in a stretched.

The cat looked to the door for a moment, “What the hell is going on out there,” he mumbled to himself, now heading to the door. He took the time to pick up his grapple hook and daggers from beside the bed,  and slipped them in their place of his belt under the sash before stepping out to the main floor downstairs. Once he was downstairs, he heard everything more clearly. An elven woman apparently loosing a handful of coins. The cat thought for a moment, not even recognizing her as a victim, then again he never had bothered to look at their faces when he goes pocket diving in the streets. He always figured it would be best to avoid eye contact, show that you didn't care for their presence or if they noticed you (even though you are making sure they hadn't), like a normal civilian.

With the lack of a jogged memory, and a decent amount of rest, the cat stood there, leaning on a table with a tired indifferent look in his eyes. They did shoot to Korius for a moment after noticing his weapon, and bizarre alcohol drenched fur. And like wise, he spotted the girl he had identified as a fellow thief, and the odd and inscrutable (to his abilities, or the lack of caring) companion of hers under the cloak.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on January 30, 2014, 04:23:40 PM

Kiana sat bolt upright when she heard a feminine yell which she almost thought was her own at first. When she focused after a moment, she realized that it was someone yelling downstairs about losing their money. She let out a groan and yelled, "Shut the hell up! Some of us are trying to sleep!" It didn't seem like her yelling back helped though and the woman downstairs was pretty much drowning her out. Sighing, she flipped the covers off of her body and swung her legs over the side of the bed. After she stood up, she grabbed the strap of her quiver and slung it over her head and left arm so it hung across her back then did the same with her bow. She then exited the room and headed downstairs, finding Leo leaning on a table looking rather disinterested in what was happening. She also saw Korius standing by the door with alcohol-drenched fur and clothing with two others standing by him who she didn't recognize since she had never looked when they had entered earlier. Her attention was brought to the source of the yelling though and she saw that it was an Elven woman. She had a huge urge to go over to the woman and slap her but it was understandable that she was distraught over her money. Judging by how the kitsune by Korius was dressed and the fact that she had caught a glimpse of Suzumi's gloves in Korius' belt, she had a strong feeling that she was a thief like Leo. With that guessed knowledge, she believed that it was either the kitsune or Leo who had taken the Elf woman's money. Leo looked a lot less interested in what was happening which was basically a trait of a thief so they wouldn't be found out, but he had also just been woken up like her. Her eyes switched back and forth between Leo and the kitsune then she just crossed her arms and leaned against the side of the stairway, waiting to see what was going to happen next and expecting Suzumi and Helios come down the stairs behind her very soon.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on January 30, 2014, 07:31:15 PM

Jolting upwards at the sudden commotions coming from outside Suzumi instinctively reached for the table next to the bed to grab her gloves and get ready for any situation her eyes went wide as all she felt underneath her fingertips was the wood of the table. She started to look around under the bed and the floor before making her way to the door, she was rather panicked if she didnt find her gloves she would not only have to give up on finding the Life stone but also work very hard to go back tot eh academy, find similar gems, attune them to herself and all the other fun parts that came with that. Walking downstairs to see Kiana standing by the stairwell, glancing to the side to spot Leo looking rather uninterested before her eyes locked onto Korius instantly spotting the familiar glint of her gloves in his possession. Of course she didnt realize that he had just gotten them back from somebody with sticky fingers so she rather aggressively walked towards him. Stopping infront of him and folding her arm so that the markings on her hands were hidden. "Korius...What are you doing with my gloves?" She inquired as her eyes twitched a little.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on January 31, 2014, 07:09:38 AM

A loud screaming woke Helios from his sleep. He tried to ignore it, but whoever it was was hell bent on waking the whole village it seemed. Climbing out of his bed Helios dressed himself in the dark concentrating on blocking out the sound of the screaming woman as much as possible. As he headed down the stares his new companions standing around Korius and the Kitsune who had been sauntering as if she'd owned the place. Taking up a spot next to Leo he couldn't help laughing some as he'd known right from the moment he'd seen her that this Kitsune would be the cause commotions. "I told you she'd be interesting Leo."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: EllieDragon on February 01, 2014, 03:03:15 PM

Anoi blinked a bit in surprise when she heard that the man and his party were searching for the life stone, an object that she herself was planning to go after soon with Keio.  She looked at the Kitsune, knowing how fiery she could get when improperly accused of things.  She put everything together and determined that in fact Keio could not have stolen the woman's five gold pieces.  Keio may be a kleptomaniac but she was not cruel.  That and if she understood right her mate had been in the back of the tavern, searching the rooms.  She moved forward and wrapped her arms around the Kitsune, though she was weak she knew that Keio would not be willing to hurt her while trying to get at the male.


"Keio could not have stolen from that woman.  If she was searching the rooms for things then she couldn't have been out here.  That, and she is not cruel.. She would not steal so much from a single person."  Anoi then turned to the other thing that interested her. "The life stone?  That is something that Keio and myself are searching for as well.  I wish to study it.."  She left out the other part related to the spirit who she could only assume was watching all of this now.


She glanced around the bar after that, curse that screaming elf woman.  She had attracted even more attention to herself and Keio.  She noticed a few faces from earlier in the night staring down at them.  Maybe those were this wolfs party members?

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Rosanna Foxfire on February 01, 2014, 03:12:22 PM

"Is THAT your doing, too?"

Keio bristled at that, it was probably a good thing that Anoi had wrapped her larger arms around her waist, preventing her from dashing forward to punch the one-armed wolf in the gut.  "Why you little-  Hey!"  She turned her head some to catch Anoi's gaze with her own golden eye, "Let me go!  I need to punch him!"  She flailed uselessly in the wolf's direction, any thought of actual conversation banished from the forefront of her mind.

In the back though, the wolf's earlier sentence finally registered.  The Life Stone.  Profits that could set her and Anoi up for life.  That could get her parents out of the slums and keep them from working anymore.

And so, she stopped, snapping her mismatched gaze back to the handicapped wolf.  "Wait-  Life Stone?  You and who else?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on February 01, 2014, 04:49:11 PM

Korius looked over at the red panda, "She was there. These gloves are from my party mate's room. I wouldn't be surprised that she stole from there, too. The thief in my party is on a short leash so I know it's not him, and your little friend there is the only other thief in this village right now." However, he was pretty certain the thief had already spent some, if not all, of the money that she had stole. He turned to go into the inn, "Meet us at the gate in an hour at sunrise. I'll take care of this little fiasco, but I own you now. You're coming with us whether you like it or not as payment to the one you just stole from."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on February 01, 2014, 07:53:53 PM

Leo looked behind himself momentairly after hearing the footsteps of his other party mates. He had already caught the eye of Kiana, who seemed to be suspicious of the cat. His neck slackened a bit now, as he returned to her a dull look. He wasn't sure if it should be a complement that he stole the elfs money, or an insult that he was one of the suspects of the given predicament. Well, she wasn't far from incorrect in assuming it was him however. As the feline would gladly lower someone's standard of living into poverty, and leave them there to rot. But he did have some standards to follow. The elf could have potentially been Leo's target while he went around town picking people's pockets should her coin purse been full, but the appearance of a bag with only five gold coins is to easily mistakable to a bag of five copper coins or five silver coins. In other words, the amount that would normally be carried by a beggar or someone out of their luck. A class to low for Leo to feel morally comfortable with robbing, and also a yield that is not worth the trouble.

 
As Suzumi pushed by, Leo had quickly remembered her condition from a couple hours ago. His eyes darted down to take a glance at the condition of her hands, and quickly spotting the marks of the magical burns created by her gems. His eyes lit up for a moment, but he decided to remain silent about it for now. He could see where she was coming from, but the damage was also enough to rise some concern to the thief. For now he bit his tongue, and looked back up to Korius and the two other female kin in the room.

 
"Uh... yeah," Leo mumbled to Helios. His body fidgeting as a deep pain of nervousness settles into his joints. Korius choosing now to make it clear that he would not be putting up with the thief's antics. "Great..." he whispered so only Helios and possibly Kiana could hear it, "I am useless enough in combat if I am noticed, and now I hear that the one thing I am good at is placed on chop block." he paused for a moment and then looked to Helios with a distant gaze. He did have some other skills he could use. But the likelihood of them being worth much, is low. And then some alertness filled his eyes. He had remembered something only a while ago said by Helios that greatly confused the cat. "Wait... did you say something at some point about not following you to bed?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on February 01, 2014, 11:06:09 PM

Helios laughed at Leo's words. "More like it was the drink that told you that Leo, but hey forget about last night. Be happy and rejoice. Every thief needs someone to watch there back and I'm your guy. From now on you and I are a team on the battler field you got it?" Helios was glad to get that out there. Helios was glad to have someone on his side who would watch his back. Helios was certain Leo would end up saving him more then once.


Turning to Korius as he walked in he could tell the fur was preoccupied by some thought. He was surprised to see Suzumi be so direct with him about the gloves. It wasn't until he saw the gems in them that he realized they were valuable. Though why the gems were in the gloves Helios had no clue. He decided to ask Suzumi about them next time they were on the road.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on February 02, 2014, 03:14:49 AM

Kiana was going to stop Suzumi when she started to approach Korius about her gloves after she had come downstairs but she didn't see much point trying it. She thought it was pretty obvious that Korius didn't have them because he took them. She then glanced at Helios as he passed her to stand next to Leo after coming down the stairs. As she listened to the red panda and the kitsune after Korius had told them what they were doing, she groaned inwardly. "Don't tell me we're going to have MORE people joining us..." She thought to herself in irritation. It wasn't long after that that she heard Korius say that they had to join the group to make up for the elf's life savings being stolen. "Son of a bitch!" After that, she heard Leo whisper something to Helios about being useless to the group. She couldn't blame him. If she were in his shoes, she would have felt the same way. When your main thing is to take things from others it doesn't seem like it could help much. Of course, she realized that his "talents" could help them in ways, but she knew that if she were him, she'd be too focused on thinking negatively to realize the positives. When she heard Helios mention that he would watch Leo's back and they would be a team, she wasn't really surprised. The two of them had seemed to connect instantly when they met. She didn't really believe she would connect like that with anyone else in the group. Sure, Karina was another archer so they had that in common, but Kiana didn't think that would necessarily make them buddies. Hell, it could make them rivals in some way, shape, or form. "It doesn't matter anyway. I'm doing this to get my brother back, not to make friends." She thought to herself. All she had to do was get along with them well enough that they could work together. Just then, a light bulb clicked on in her mind. What would they do when they found the Life Stone? She was pretty sure they couldn't share its power and her biggest threat would be the one she was watching by the door. This was something she would have to think about.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: EllieDragon on February 05, 2014, 03:31:18 PM

Anoi stared at the man for a few moments, her arms still tight around Keio's waist to hold her still.  She approved of her mates sudden switch from aggressive to agreeable.  This could be her chance to find the life stone and use it to study the entity connected to her in more depth.  The entity apparently approved of it as well, a sense of calm coming through the link between them.  Her fluffy tail wrapped around her and placed itself around Keio's leg.


"You have a deal.  We will be there and I can promise that my mate will be of no further inconvenience for you."  She obviously did not accept that she was now 'owned' by the wolf.  Coming from a wealthy family she was the one who did the owning, well figuratively speaking.  To her this was a business deal, a means to an end even though it came from unfortunate circumstances.


Looking down at Keio she frowned a bit. "Let us gather some things love."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Rosanna Foxfire on February 05, 2014, 03:45:16 PM

The foxkin twitched an ear in irritation, "Meet us at the gate in an hour at sunrise. I'll take care of this little fiasco, but I own you now. You're coming with us whether you like it or not as payment to the one you just stole from."

Her first thoughts were to rebel.  To say that they wouldn't come simply because he wanted to play vigilante, to attack the wolf verbally for being so stupid as to assume that there were only two thieves in town.

But Anoi's tail wrapping around her leg gave her pause.  An ear twitched again, and mismatched eyes turned to look over her mate's face as she spoke.

"You have a deal.  We will be there, and I can promise that my mate will be of no further inconvenience for you."

She caught the incredulous look on the Red Pandakin's face, only to nod once.  Her bushy tail swished behind her, and she shook her head, turning on a heel.  At this rate, she supposed it was good she'd been lucky enough to get such a haul earlier, though she didn't think it was from the same elf-  At least she hoped not.

"Hai.  We'll need provisions."  And when they found the stone, and Anoi had had a look at it, she could sell it to some lord or noble or something-  If they found the stone.  She wasn't even sure it existed.  But every chance with One-Arm was a chance to make him regret saying that he owned her.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on February 06, 2014, 10:36:34 AM

Suzumi rolled her eyes a little as she heard that more people would be joining the group, but she remained quite for now her eyes quickly glancing over the two new comers trying to figure out which each of them did for a living. Looking at Korius once more she cleared her throat. "Korius may I have those gloves back please..." a hint of impatience in her voice.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on February 06, 2014, 11:50:27 PM

Korius was surprised to see his party already meeting up with him as he walked into the inn. He handed the gloves back to Suzumi before heading to calm the situation down, "Keep those closer to your person when you sleep." The black wolf walked up to the crazed elf and dropped a powerful hand to stop her from running around, causing her to fall on her face, "Calm the hell down! Everyone in town already knows what's going on at this point. Here. This should make up for it." Korius fished out 5 gold coins from the bunch that he had received from Karina's father and tossed it at the elf. He then turned around, passing his now awake party, "Come. We're making a visit to the local blacksmith. We're going to have to get to the gate in an hour."

When the group arrived at the smithy, Korius knocked on the door, having leaned his sword against the wall. The old man answered the door, obviously hung over and half naked. "We only have just under an hour before we have to leave."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on February 07, 2014, 12:31:21 AM

Kiana didn't pay much attention to the actions or words of the red panda and the kitsune. They were just two more people who would be in her way. Lost in her own thoughts, she only snapped back to when Korius spoke and she looked up to see him standing in front of her and the others. So they were going to blacksmith's place? She wasn't really sure what the man could do for her, but maybe he would have some arrows to replace the ones she lost. She followed Korius along with the others to the blacksmith's then waited as the blacksmith answered the door and Korius spoke to him.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on February 07, 2014, 01:04:45 AM

The blacksmith was still in the same work-clothing he was in from the previous night, not having changed or gotten out of them because of his night-work that he had done, despite the inebriation-and-hungover state. When he heard the knock on the door, he opened it to greet Korius. "My daughter will be accompanying you on your journey. I would've prepared something for your team if I had the time." he spoke, then he pointed with his good arm to the new fox-kin and the red panda kin to their group. "I did not see those two before and would've prepared something for them accordingly. But, that aside..." he spoke as he picked up a full quiver of arrows to hand them over towards Kiana . "I've already given my daughter a set for her trip, your other archer could use some too judging from how empty her quiver is. They are properly balanced and you will be surprised on what material the tips are made from."

Karina watched as this was going on while putting on a backpack of provisions, a larger quiver of arrows similar to the ones handed to Kiana, and slinging her newly-tempered bow onto her back while attaching a small pouch of money onto her belt. "Father... all of this is made from..." the blue-haired fox-kin spoke as she got up to go meet the rest of the group.

"Now, now... don't spoil the surprise for your friends. Let them guess on it." the white wolf spoke, having a bit of a playful side to him as he tapped his own lips in a 'shh' manner. "And I know long good-byes have never been my thing, so I will expect a safe return. Happy hunting out there, my dear daughter, for I know not what your heart seeks."

"Keep the coals warm, Father." Karina spoke in return, raising one black-furred hand in a wave in return as she walks next to Korius.

"For the rest of you, at the moment I can only give of my standard wares. Weapons are made custom to the user, but armor is often made for generic sizes." he spoke as he pushed open the door to show them that he had some chain-mail suits, some hauberks, some brigandines, some gambesons, and even some thickened leather tunics. "I even have some tools here that might suit those who don't wear armor." he spoke as he pointed to some grapnel hooks with rope and lock-smith tool sets.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on February 07, 2014, 11:04:57 AM

Suzumi's eyes still burned with a bit of anger even as Korius handed back her gloves but her voice turned to nothing more than a mumble "If I had the choice I wouldn't take them off." Turning away from him and quickly sliding the gloves over her hand she moved her fingers a few times before nodding to herself. "Ok...Good to go." Turning to look at the door she nodded, and followed the group to the blacksmiths place quite confident that the man wouldn't be able to do anything for her but still curious as to see his wares. Arriving there she looked at all the the armors he had on display comparing one of the leather pieces to the one she was wearing. Seeing a light weight one that had a darker sheen to it she nodded, that was the one she would take. "This piece here...It could work well."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on February 07, 2014, 04:56:58 PM

Thinking back on the last few encounters he'd had, Helios darted to a buckler hanging on the wall. It was nothing fancy, a solid piece of steel, with a black thickened piece of leather for a handle. Helios slipped it on and gave his arm a few swings marveling at the lightness of the buckler. With a smile he turned to the blacksmith. "Excused me sir, would you happen to maybe have a whet stone I could have? I prefer to keep my blade sharpened between battles"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on February 07, 2014, 06:32:20 PM

Leo's head turned to say something to Helios, swearing that he wasn't even drunk lastnight. However, he stopped after hearing Korius's booming voice. His head turning back to the main site of attention, and quickly noticing the elven lady receiving five gold coins. His hatred was now seething for her. The thief who ruined her to him, wasn't even at fault. She lost her own money, and was apparently stupid enough to carry the five gold coins with her, when they were what she could scrounge up for her entire long elven life. But regardless, he left it alone,  now sliding away from the table and following Korius out the door. His eyes shifting just slightly to observe the woman's appearance in-case he decided to do something about her new coins personally.

 
Once they reached the Smithy's shop, he watched the small exchange of words. Only blinking when the smith he had saw earlier looking much duller from his drinking binge. He wouldn't be surprised if the insides smelled like vomit.

 
The cat did lean to the side to look past the other group, and through the doorway, before finally stepping foot inside to get a better look around. His hand reaching up to scratch at his head. His ears slowly slacking when he realized that a good chunk of them were simply to heavy or cumbersome to use. The leather was an option, but it's design was still built for warriors. It would be a slightly more protective version of his shirt, but still slightly limiting to some of his more intricate movements. “Uhh...” he began. He felt all to like a wizard in a weapon shop. The cat turned around, “Do you have the leathers... in a vest form? I'd hate to rip up something that was offered in a kind gesture. Oh... and do you have some other tools? Such as... wire cutters and some pry bars?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: EllieDragon on February 08, 2014, 07:21:54 PM

Anoi glanced back again at the others who were staring down at wolf.  They must be the party that he was talking about.  As the woman came and retrieved her gloves from Korius her ears went down against her head in embarrassment. "I apologize for my mates behavior."  She gently nudges Keio to apologize as well.  She was about to leave with her mate to pick up a couple of things for themselves when she heard that the man was dragging them off to the blacksmith.  Releasing Keio she nods. "We will follow.  Though I have no use for anything that blacksmith might be able to provide for me."  Taking Keio's hand in the paw that was not occupied by her staff she dragged the fox kin with her, not wanting her to venture off by herself now.


When they arrived at the blacksmith Anoi stood there a bit awkwardly.  She needed a few things from her home before they left and if the wolf was determined to leave in an hour she might not have the time. "You could use some daggers, right love?" She says quietly to Keio before releasing her hand and approaching Korius.  She was nervous about asking but there were things that she could not stand to leave behind. "Um.. Excuse me.  But, might I request a bit more time?  I need to run home for a few things before we leave.."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Rosanna Foxfire on February 08, 2014, 11:08:27 PM

The foxkin did not apologize, even after her mate nudged her meaningfully, instead preferring to follow behind sullenly, making a show of how much she apparently did not want to be there.  She followed behind, allowing herself to be pulled by Anoi more than she walked under her own power until they arrived at the blacksmith.


She blinked, one ear twitching atop her head as she considered the gathering around her, and the location they were at.


"You could use some daggers, right love?"  The fox shook her head.  She did not need daggers, she'd had three on her right now... Though, any spares would be welcome, she supposed.


When she determined it was her turn to speak, she did so.  "If you have any spare throwing knives, and perhaps a bandolier for them, I would greatly appreciate it.  If not..."  She shrugged, "I can make do, I suppose."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on February 09, 2014, 02:56:20 PM

Korius looked over at the red panda, "You have your time limit. So make the best of it." He then took a look around inside the shop for a little and actually did find something that he wanted. It was the same type of plated bottoms that he had, but newer, and a plated back holster that seemed it was designed for berserkers. "I'll take these. My sword has been plenty reliable for the last 30 years, no point in replacing it. Besides, it tells many stories by itself." He looked at his trusty blade that leaned against the front door with much feeling, a very small smile curling on his lips, but quickly disappeared within a second. "Take your equipment or clothing and get going. We're leaving as soon as there's light." Korius left first, changing quickly outside despite having only one arm. He then reached inside and grabbed his sword before heading to the gate. The wolf waited there for the rest of the party, around 10 minutes prior to the appointed time. He stared into his sword that he had dug into the ground. Korius' mind winded through the memories he had with the sword. From the dragon blood of the beast that he had slain two weeks prior, the single only chip on the back side of it that was from his first clash against another berserker back 20 years ago and even the permanent green stain near the hilt from killing the sphynx that claimed his left arm 5 years ago.

When the party finally arrived, he picked his weapon out of the ground and holstered it on his back. Standing up straight for the first time in a long time as he began to walk, "Our first real target is up next. There's an old, 400-year-old castle about 10 leagues to the northeast along the coast. It was once a young kingdom of only 20 years before a dragon had claimed it for itself. It's one of the few coastal territories I haven't been able to explore over the years."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on February 09, 2014, 03:26:25 PM

"Sorry, even those throwing knives are made custom to the thrower. I put a lot of thought into the weapons I would make for someone, take for example my daughter over there."  the white wolf spoke to Anoi and Keio as he pointed to the blue haired fox-kin. "I've watched that girl train and train with that weapon for several years. I have to see how a person moves before I make them a weapon. Armor and tools are more lenient, but I have gotten custom orders for both." He then turns his attention to one who asked about the whet stone. "Actually I do have a couple, so here, take this one." he spoke as he tossed a small pouch with a palm-sized whet stone in it. He then looked about to the one who asked about the prybar and wire-cutters. "Sounds like you're into some shady business... so I'm not going to ask what you intend to do. I have a spare set of wire-cutters in my shop, but you can uses these and that kit over there. A prybar would be easy to make, but your leader wouldn't give me enough time. And as for leathers, they're right near by the tools, pick out something that fits." he spoke as he handed over the wire-cutters on his tool-belt and pointed to the kit. The blacksmith smiled rather widely, satisfied at seeing Korius pick something before leaving out. Once everyone had gotten what they needed, the blacksmith watched them as they left and went to work on the metal-ware for the tavern owner.

Karina followed Korius's lead after he changed gear, quite a bit heavier in her walking due to all the gear she had with her. "I hear the terrain is rather rocky around there, but the furthest out I've been from home was half-a-day's distance due to the Hunt." she spoke as she looked in the direction that he pointed.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on February 10, 2014, 01:00:12 AM

The cat would look down to the pair of wire cutters that had been offered to him, and took them appreciatively from his hand. He'd let the clamp's lock drop, to open it up so he can take a look at the blade to see exactly how sharp or abused it was. Once he was satisfied with the blade's sharpness, he'd close them back up and slide them into his lock picks pouch.

“Right then... I am going to find another pouch...” the cat would comment aloud to himself. He didn't have any other bags with him kept for the few pouches that were attached to the belt under his sash. And with a new addition of tools to his slowly growing collection, his own OCD for organization was beginning to kick in at full drive. His eyes then gazed over the other selections of armor that had been offered.

He didn't take much time to browse through the wares, but he did seem to know the base of what he was looking for. His hands carefully lifting each one in display, to test it's weight, and give. And eventually, he found something that he had found to be of better taste to him. Once he picked it up, and noticed the weight. His eyes finally settled down to see what made it different. It was just a leather vest.  A natural stone gray, but with a bit more black hue to it. But much darker than the clothing the feline currently wore. It lacked the sleeves of the other armors, and had a small handful of belt loops that looped securely across several easily accessed but out of the way locations. This was only noticed to by the arm length soft leather gloves that had been strapped onto the side of it. Possibly the remaining portion of the sleeves? Either way, the gloves wouldn't be to useful to the thief without some modification for his fingers. The cat gave it a very contemplative look before finally taking it off the rack with one final word and a childish smile. “Pockets. Oh yes, pockets pockets, and many more pockets.” Of course it was unconsciously said aloud, but he wasn't to far off of his list of priorities in equipment. For what he does, pockets are always necessary. More so than an actual weapon to a thief.

Leo then slipped the vest into his arms. Then the lock smiths tool-set and new grapple-hook and line on top. Without much of a comment, the thief made his way out the door. Though he made sure that as he he moved out, he was being watched so he wouldn't be suspected of stealing.

Once the feline reached Korius, he'd place his new equipment on the ground, and slowly slid into his vest. “A four hundred year old castle,” He'd ask with an excited tone. But that quickly went away after hearing that it had failed in only a short amount of time. His face that was once a beaming smile, now held a frown. “Twenty years? Was... that the time it took to build the thing? Because from the sounds of it... there isn't much of anything else of interest that could be left if it was ransacked by a dragon. Now if there were traps... then I'd probably be a lot more happier about this than I am right now..”

He'd then crouch down and pick up his new set of lock smith tools, and strap them to his belt. The new grapple hook, was left now slung over his neck, and under his arm.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on February 10, 2014, 01:35:04 AM

Kiana took the quiver full of arrows from the blacksmith when he handed them to her. "Thanks." She said quietly as she slung the over her head and shoulder to rest with her original one on her back. When he mentioned that they would be surprised about what the arrow tips were made of and then he proceeded to stop Karina from saying it when she noticed what it was, it made Kiana a little curious. She glanced around the shop as the others looked but nothing in there meant a thing to her. She made one last sweep of the place with her eyes after Korius walked out just in case she missed something, then turned and headed out. Korius and Karina were up ahead of her walking towards the gate. As she walked, she pulled one of the new arrows out of the new quiver and looked at the tip of it. She was still examining the arrow when she arrived at the gate shortly after Korius and Karina, and still doing so when Leo showed up with his new wares. A second later though, she put the arrow back in the quiver with the thought, "They'll do." At least the feathers were red. She would have to make the wood of the arrows red-tinted somehow at a later point though.

After the others arrived and Korius explained where they were headed, she looked at Karina and then Leo as they responded to what Korius had said as the group followed Korius as he started walking. The only thing she cared about, about where they were going was the fact that there was a dragon. She didn't care about the terrain or the age of the castle or anything like that. There were more important things to think about; the dragon being one of them.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on February 10, 2014, 07:34:58 AM

"Thank you sir!" Helios beamed as Karina's father as he bowed as if habit. It'd been years since he'd held a whet stone in his hand. he looped the pouch around his pant belt loop. He looked over the shop one last time before leaving to keep close to Leo.He took a seat next to Leo humming a happy high, low, high, pattern as he pulled out his new whet stone and propped his sword in his hand. Resting on a nearby stump he pulled out the pristine, ivory, stone. He smiled at the rough and yet some how oddly smooth to him feeling, he felt as he ran his paw over it. He could feel the memories of his time spent with Luna flooding back to him as if opening a door left shut for ages. Helios remembered the last time the two of them had sharpened blades together. He and Luna, would listen to the soft rhythm of the whet stones brushing with the grain looking up from time to time to smile at each other. As Helios set about brushing his blade in present time he couldn't help, but let a few tears escape as he remembered the Kitsune he'd love. He looked up from his blade beginning to grow impatient with waiting for the rest of the group members.

"Our first real target is up next. There's an old, 400-year-old castle about 10 leagues to the northeast along the coast. It was once a young kingdom of only 20 years before a dragon had claimed it for itself. It's one of the few coastal territories I haven't been able to explore over the years." Korius spoke when the whole party had arrived.

Helios perked up at the mention of a coastal area. He loved the smell of the sea salt, the warm breezes, and clear skies. "Now this is an adventure I can really get behind." Helios kept close to Leo, dropping discrete looks to the two new members watching them. The whole group knew the Kitsune, Keio, was a thief, but Helios had become curious about her red panda mate, Anoi. What was she? Helios wouldn't question Korius about his choices he was a fur of experience, but what did he see that Helios did not.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: EllieDragon on February 11, 2014, 04:30:50 PM

Anoi was pleased to hear that she would have time to run home and get some of her possessions.  Moving over to Keio before she asked the blacksmith she whispered. "I will meet you at the gate, behave yourself love."  She then set off toward her home, staff tapping along the ground and the blue gem on its top glowing softly to light the way. 

When she had arrived at her home she went to work gathering what she felt Keio and herself would need.  Two back packs, clothes for both, her spell component pouch, spell book, a good deal of her life savings, and some dried food for the journey.  The Red Panda kin stood in front of the hearth of her home for a few more moments, thinking about anything else she might want to take with her.  She felt a tug at the link between herself and the spirit.  She looked over to her left and saw a small pearl floating in the air beside her. "Ah... Yes.. Thank you for reminding me."  Anoi plucked the pearl from the air and slipped it into her pocket. 

The pearl was normal, at least as much as Anoi could tell.  But she had been hoping to try her hands at imbuing it with a spell to turn it into a receptacle for magical energy.  A good project for those times on the road when there was nothing else to do.  Anoi looked around the small home and smiled.  It always felt way to cramped for her and this journey will give her a chance to escape for a while, if not forever.  Slipping outside she turned and looked the door before heading off to the gate.  She arrived just in time to hear the wolf describe what they were about to do and her eyes went wide. "A.. A dragon?"  She muttered quietly as she stepped up beside Keio, cold again already.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Rosanna Foxfire on February 11, 2014, 04:47:22 PM

Keio slipped away after Anoi had said her farewell, the Foxkin wandering the streets of the villiage aimlessly, thumbs stuck inbetween her belt and her waist while she only half-heartedly glanced around at what few other pedestrians that were on the street at this hour.  None would've had much worth taking, which made it a perfect chance to just think and flow.


Her entire life had been filled with people like One-Arm-  People who thought they knew what was best for her.  How she should act, what she should do.  She slumped her shoulders some, hunching forward and paying more attention to her paws than her surroundings. She was never just left to be what she could be.  Her parents were the same way.  Everything her family had ever rightfully earned had been taken away by those who felt themselves better.  Money, prestige, happiness.


She hated people like that.


Without even trying, she bumped into someone on the street, looking up quickly and muttering an apology, even as her hand finished dipping into the purse at their side, coming away with a single silver coin of many.  She dropped it into her own coinpurse as she started to make her way to the gate.


And so it was that she arrived just in time to hear the explanation of their current task.  "Wait.  You want to do what in a dragon's lair?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on February 12, 2014, 01:24:15 AM

Korius turned to lead the group on despite the two women's seemingly potential disagreements, "It's just a regular dragon den. Don't get your sanitation cloths wound up. It's not like we're going to Mt. Lariattis, the Great Desert Ruins or anywhere else the Grand Dragons nest." He then pointed at Leo before rebuking his scoff at the castle they were headed to, "The 2nd son of King Damascus asked for his inheritance and left to start his own kingdom since his elder brother was next in line for succession. They had many loyal servants, and had planned to make a good kingdom that may one day become the support of his brother's own. Sadly, however, after the 19 years of construction of the castle, the transportation of his treasure had attracted the eyes of a few dragons. Before they were able to finish building 1/2 of the city in the next year, the dragons came down to claim the treasure for their own, having killed the young prince and almost all the workers. According to the records, only several servants managed to escape." Korius wasn't too happy with taking these greenbacks to even a normal den, but it was the closest destination that he had not gone through over the last 30 years. The continent is infinitely larger than any past adventurer's will to ever conquer. Because of that, there has barely ever been any wars over the several millenia of history.

It was a two day journey to their destination. During that time, Korius had the two thieves talk to each other to get a feel for each other's strengths and specialties. From his own experiences with thieves, he could tell that Leo was more the creeping and technical thief, while Keio was more of the sly and fast thief. Though it would take more than a mere 2 days, he figured the two of them could take from each other and grow in their professions. He also had Anoi spend time with Suzumi so that they might learn something. The two of them weren't far apart in experience and skill, but they had plenty of time between them in when they had been in the Academy. Korius himself oversaw Helios' practice and coached him through what he knew from plenty of knights that he once adventured with. He didn't want to even suggest the two archers since they sometimes seemed on edge with each other.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on February 12, 2014, 02:14:04 AM

Kiana listened to the explanation of the dragon den and the story of the construction of the kingdom. It was unfortunate that a lot of people were killed by the dragon that took over the castle, but such was the way of the world. During their two day journey to their destination, she noticed that Korius had paired up the members of the group that had alike skills but he never suggested that she and Karina talk to each other. She didn't really have any problems with Karina. Yes, Kiana wanted to be the best archer, but it didn't make her hate Karina because she was another archer. Would Kiana feel competitive? Most likely, but it's not like she wouldn't speak to Karina. Either way, the first time they rested, she found some berries and rubbed them on her new arrows to tint the wood red. Every other time they rested after that, she spent some of that time practicing her archery skills by shooting at trees and such.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on February 12, 2014, 05:38:02 AM

Leo frowned as he listened to the explanation of the story. The dragon to him wasn't the problem. The real problem was that the berserker had, quite possibly, deliberately made it sound as if it would not even be worth the while. The treasure could all be there... or possibly not if the Dragon already has his horde located in some off remote area in the middle of a cave on the side of a volcano. "Well," Leo thought to himself dully, "Maybe there is some kind of scrap lying around. Or, the prince is one of those, I am so rich I have money for paintings sort of guy. Then the paintings would possibly still be there, in near mint condition depending on how they were framed."

It wasn't until they began walking had Leo began, forced of course, talking to the new thief in the party. Though they did exchange some information about their own talents, the cat found the scrappy girl to be quite likeable under her trouble maker appearance. Quite possibly it may be from two like minded individuals connecting. When ever they got the moment to rest, the cat would offer out one of the dried meats from a pouch on his belt to his fellow thief. The herbs had done their job well to keep them fresh and the smell hidden till it was out of the container. He'd take one for himself before closing it up, regardless if she had taken one or not, "Where did you come from, and what's the story between you and the panda girl?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on February 12, 2014, 10:29:35 AM

Karina kept listening intently as he was giving the story of the origin of the castle and what information he knew on it, but also keeping in looking around as if out of instinct. She had been surprised on hunts before, so it was quite possibly an understandable habit for her. Karina wasn't really competitive, but she would practice every now and then just to make sure she was not getting rusty in her aim since the travel was quiet. For the first few times, she would fire an arrow at a target she made but she would frown and shift the bow a bit in her hands, as if trying to get used to the feel of it from the tempering. Backing up a bit to make sure she would not get anyone, she started to practice in using the bow as a melee weapon. "It feels a little heavier..." she thought out-loud as she was trying to figure out why it felt a little off while going to retrieve her arrows, a bit of a wider-grouping than when she was back in her town.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on February 13, 2014, 01:11:34 AM

The time spent on the road was enjoyable yet hard. Korius had seen fit to help him get into better shape and train him even more. Helios had never been as sore as that first night after training. His first teacher may have made a fighter out of Helios, but Korius would surely turn him into a true warrior on the battlefield. When Korius wasn't teaching him how to properly swing a blade or helpping him adjust to the shock of impact on his shield, he was hanging with Leo and by extent Keio. Helios had remained fairly silent over the two day journey far too sore to be bothered with much beyond thanking Korius for his help.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: EllieDragon on February 15, 2014, 09:34:26 PM

Anoi did not like the idea of journeying into a dragons lair but she supposed that if it got her closer to the life stone it would be worth the risk.  She traveled along with the group, trying to stay as close to Keio as she could but she was soon separated and forced to speak with the woman whom her mate had stolen from just the night before.  The first thing she did was apologize, again and then she introduced herself formally, for the first time to someone in the group.


"Hello, my name is Anoi.  I am told that you are a mage as well?  Or at least you have some sort of magical talent?"  It felt strange to Anoi being forced to talk to someone by another.  The normally shy, reserved Red Panda Kin did not find it to her liking.  She tapped her staff against the ground as they traveled, the sapphire on top glowing softly from the magical energies within.  Those who had any knowledge of the mages college would recognize it as being a sign that Anoi was skilled in water magic.


"Do.. Do you not have a focus?  How are you able to cast magic without a staff?"  It was a question that in Anoi's mind needed to be answered for if there was a way to cast magic without a focus it would make that wizard very powerful indeed.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Rosanna Foxfire on February 15, 2014, 10:03:44 PM

Keio stared sullenly at One-Arm when he'd 'ordered' her to talk to the cat.  Not that she wouldn't have talked to him anyway, perhaps even be friendly, but now that she was being told to do so-  It was stupid, yes, but most sullen rebellion is.


She was eventually pulled out of her silent glare by said cat.  Who decided to offer her a bite to eat.  Without so much as a word of introduction he held out a slice of dried and salted jerky, and started asking questions while he fished another out of his specially prepared bag for himself.  After a moment's consideration, she accepted the bite, and scarfed down the chewy stale meat.  Anger could only sustain a body as small as hers for so long.


And it wouldn't do to actually make friends with someone other than Anoi.  They couldn't all be like One-Arm-  And besides, the cat had fed her.


Once she'd swallowed, she nodded.  "Anoi?  She helped me out a while ago after I got caught trying to steal from her school.  I owe her everything I have right now."  An ear twitched, and mismatched eyes turned up towards the cat.  "We're together."  She hoped that'd be enough for him, so she wouldn't have to answer many more questions like that.  "What's your name anyhow?  I can't keep calling you 'Cat.'"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on February 19, 2014, 01:03:53 AM

Suzumi didn't exactly know what to say to her new red panda companion, especially since it was her mate that stole her gloves only the night before. "Well... I've been studying under a special master since he adopted me years ago. I don't need a staff or wand like most mages. My focus is wind right now. I'm hoping to do mix magic later, but these gloves are what allow me to channel my magic." She held up her hand so that the topazes glistened in the moonlight.

---

The group reached their destination just before high noon on the third day. The kingdom was in ruins, though it technically was never fully built. "I've heard that about 2/3 of the prince's treasure still remains in there, and no one has attempted it for the last 60 years because of the dragons breeding. No matter what species you are, you don't ever want to mess with a pregnant mother." Suzumi stared at the castle with shaking knees and couldn't help but take a step back as she heard the low rumbling of a dragon's snoring rise up for a second. She had been psyching herself up for the moment where she would be on a real adventure, but the realization that it was now real almost snapped her mind. Korius didn't feel any nervousness from the sound like the rest of the group, but looked back at Suzumi, feeling her constitution being the weakest. "You going to be alright?"

Suzumi was shaking all over, taking another step back as her instincts started to kick in. "I... I'm sorry! I can't do this! I don't want to die!" She turned and ran to the closest tree, crouched down and trembling. Her species was closely related to dragons, and she could feel their aura. It overwhelmed her, and she couldn't stand it anymore. "Just... go on without me. I'm sorry I wasted your time." Korius wanted to say something, but he saw what it was already doing to her just being here. "I understand. It's better if you head back home. Forcing yourself through your fears during a quest like this will get you killed. Go train yourself some more and maybe someday, we'll see you again." Suzumi merely nodded as she kept her head dug in her knees.

Korius sighed and unholstered his sword, "Let's go. She can find her way back. We have only 5 hours before the mother is going to wake up to forage for food. Just remember to stay calm and collected, and do anything unnecessary. If the tales were correct and the dragon did start breeding 60 years ago, it will be sleeping more and gathering more food. The average Ice Dragon egg takes about 62 years to hatch. Remember one basic thing. Don't take anything unnecessarily. Our main objective is to see if the Life Stone was among the prince's treasure. His wealth is nothing to laugh at." The castle wasn't nearly as big as castles these days, being no more than 3 stories tall with only 1 guest wing and it still had servant's quarters instead of a wing. It was obvious that the treasury had been underneath the throne room since the center of the castle had its roof completely broken away and was pretty much the only part that was clearly wearing down from weather exposure.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on February 19, 2014, 01:20:02 AM

Kiana watched what happened with Suzumi after they all heard the low rumbling of the dragon's snore. In a way, she felt bad for Suzumi but she was also a little glad that that was one person out of the way. While Korius was dealing with Suzumi, Kiana was thinking about her arrows and their effectiveness, or lack thereof, against a dragon. She couldn't help but be worried about it. It wasn't going to stop her though and she refocused her attention on Korius when he addressed the group as a whole. The idea of the treasure in the castle intrigued her but she was sure it wasn't as much as it interested the two thieves in the group.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on February 19, 2014, 09:38:57 PM

The cat's gaze became rather lazy as he looked up to the fox. HIs brows going flat and his head tilted, it was almost as if she restated the obvious to him. "I am quite aware," the cat said, now letting his expression return to normal, "The two of you tend to hold each other closer than a friend normally would. I tend to watch and study people. Don't quite understand why I do it, it's just a habit. Almost instinct." he'd then clear his throat, "I am Leo. But you can keep calling me cat if you'd like. It's a little faster to say than my name."
------

Leo's eyes danced over the ruined kingdom that left only ruins, or partially built buildings, scattered around the field. His eyes slowly shifted over each rooftop, ever cracked brick, and charred wood that lead way to the castle ahead of them. He found the size, disappointing, the cities size abysmal, and even the rumbling of the dragon's snore a successful message of, "Stay the hell away. It's not worth it."

His lips pursed as he too began to contemplate whether or not it would be wise to walk in. Though he didn't spend long on pondering as an internal sense of fear had easily answered his question. His eyes shifting to Suzumi, who he swore had been one of the braver ones, suddenly crack under the heat of the furnace. He frowned as he watched her suddenly, leave. It didn't please him to see her go. Instead, a bit of disappointment showed as he looked back to the castle. The idea of the treasure sounded nice. But it belonged to a dragon now. And he's heard stories of thieves being hunted down for just a single coin of gold. But the treasure indeed was a tempting lure, and possibly worth the risk to take.

But then finally came the last bit of advice from the seasoned adventurer. Leo's eyes widening for a bit as he quickly turned to look to him. "Wait... and..." the cat began. He originally wished to say something different, mostly second guess the reasoning behind the thought of searching the place for a stone that may or may not be there... with a dragon that had evidence of it's existence. Snoring over the air in fact. "...what about the loot.... and the dragon. Especially... if the dragon wakes up."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on February 22, 2014, 08:07:23 AM

Karina shrugs and puts the bow over her shoulder as she would normally carry it while they continued to walk. Seeing Suzumi's sudden show of fear and nervousness, she raised an eyebrow and looked in the direction of the castle, the sounds of snoring having been caught in her ears. She shivered a bit but it was not out of nervousness, she felt a cold wind coming from the castle that just reaffirmed Korius's mention of what type of dragon it was, so she shifted her cloak to shield her body a bit from it. "Man, I'm glad we didn't do this during the winter." she spoke while she was using her hooded-cloak to try to keep herself warmer.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: EllieDragon on February 24, 2014, 02:34:03 AM

"Oh.. I see." The fact that the other mage had such a small focus made Anoi incredibly curious.  It certainly helped her hide who she was and what her power was.  Anoi's staff on the other hand made her stand out like a sore thumb.  She looked away, still feeling awkward forcing herself to talk to the woman whom she honestly felt was inferior to her in talent.  Special master or not she never had to go through the rigors of the academy and that made Anoi a little bit upset.


For the rest of the journey Anoi did as she was told and talked to the mage but returned to Keio's side whenever she could.  It was safe there, and familiar.  It disturbed her when she first heard the low rumble of a dragons snoring but she was not afraid.  Afterall, she had the entity and her mate with her as well as her magic.  Shy as she maybe she was nothing but brave at heart.  She looked back at the other mage as she started to quiver in fear.  She couldn't blame the woman, this was not a quest for the light of heart at all.


She listened to the wolf man explain the history of the area and the lore behind the dragon within.  She had studied dragons in school but never had the chance to see one up close.  Maybe she could nick a scale for research while they were within the castle. "Don't think it will be needing its discarded scales.. Do you Keio?"  She asked her mate.  Not only would they provide excellent research materials but also could fetch them quite a few gold..

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Rosanna Foxfire on February 24, 2014, 05:30:14 AM

Keio twisted around, glancing back at the retreating form before turning to face the castle.  She gave a small nod to Anoi's question, narrowed her mismatched eyes only slightly as she searched over the exterior of the castle.


"Five hours?  How can you be so certain?"  She asked, one of her ears twitching slightly as she sniffed the air, shivering a bit subconsciously from the scent of the dragon that lay heavy in the air.  Even if he hadn't mentioned the loot, Keio wouldn't have thought twice about nicking a few small more liquid objects for herself.  She certainly planned on doing so, unless it came from directly beneath the dragon itself, or involved similar risks.


As for the item that they were there for, she doubted it actually lay inside, if it did, someone else would've come at a safer time and found it, surely.

But other than that one question, she remained silent, if less sullen than she was for most of the hike out here.  It was time to pay attention and put on her focus face.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on February 24, 2014, 01:16:04 PM

Helios listened to Korius intensely enjoying the history of the ruined area. To think they would be with in mere inches of a dragon brought both fear and excitement to Helios's mind. Dragons had always given him a mix of emotions. Still Korius had set forth a mission and he would make sure it got done.


The low rumble of the sleeping Dragon was all it took. Suzumi cracked and left in a panic. Helios was sad to see her go ecspecially since they were about to enter the lair of a dragon. What ever happens now, it's all to find the Life Stone. Helios looked to the rest of his companions who seemed calm and composed for the most part. Shaking off his fears he waited for Korius to lead the way into the ruins.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on February 24, 2014, 05:11:58 PM

Korius saw the looks on some people's faces as he was about to lead them into the ruins, "Don't hold it against her. Like you, she has no experience in something like this, but she also has something you all don't. That's a kinship connection. She can sense the power and even the prowess of the dragon inside. It's something that takes years to develop when going against something that has no kinship to you. If you all felt what she did, I wouldn't be surprised if you all left, too." The wolf also gave a stern look at the newer thief in the group, "Because dragon gather food at night when they're pregnant, sleeping with their eggs all day to protect them. But they're heavy sleepers, and their eggs are usually bunched in her tail. As long as you don't snatch her eggs, you won't wake her." He then proceeded into the broken city. Luckily, since it was barely even started when attacked, it only took a minute or two to actually get to the castle. Korius led the group to the right, towards the shore-side tower which was the servant's quarters. He slowly and quietly opened the partially unhinged door, whispering in a hushed voice before going inside, "From here on, no unnecessary talking, and nothing above a whisper. During this time in its breeding cycle, all other dragons leave the keep for 3-4 months so every little noise echoes extremely high. On the up side, the worst case scenario is we fight only one dragon. Downside of that, it's a mother." Korius led the group through the servants' quarters, through the kitchen, around the servants' pathways, which were to make them invisible to guests while they do their duties. It took several wrong turns before finally making it to the stairs that head down to what used to be the dungeons. Like most castles that became dragon keeps, all the dungeons were either mostly or completely destroyed. The ceiling and several meters of stone were also destroyed, making the dungeons, grand hall, treasury and throne room into one giant atrium.

It had taken them just over an hour to get there because of the labyrinth of servant halls, though it won't be as much of a hassle leaving now that Korius knows its layout. The temperature dropped exceptionally low the second they came through the opening in the wall, their breath more than apparent in front of them, and ice in patches all over the place. The treasure stacked thick and high, but also in one place, underneath and on top of the unusually large dragon. It was no grand dragon, but this one was at least 20 meters in length, a little over 50% larger than the average adult. The dragon was partially covered in the treasure, as were her 30 eggs. Korius felt a shiver down his spine, and it wasn't from the cold. Despite his years of experience and his ability to perceive others' strength and prowess, even he didn't fully know how dangerous this dragon was until they were in here. No wonder Suzumi ended up breaking down so much. And I thought it was only due to her lack of experience."

The black wolf waited a few seconds to survey any other possible exits and for the party to take in the sight. This was going to be harder than expected. It's rare that a dragon would lay in the treasure with its eggs. They normally only do that when they didn't have eggs to watch over. That could only mean that someone had either stolen or attempted to steal an egg to sell, and now she had to cover them in the treasure. The problem is that now if they get too close, the treasure can potentially make more noise against the eggs, and also, the dragon could feel movement easier. Korius looked around for a possible route to search without the dragon noticing and saw a few collapsed cells that seemed to go under the treasure. From the sight on the side, the cells seemed to be mostly intact underneath the pile. He then lightly tapped the two thieves with his hand, "I'm going to need you two to recon the cells and pick their locks. Try to find a path to those cells over there. We'll follow closely, but don't be afraid to leave us behind a little. Your skills should allow you to be faster and quieter than the rest of us." When the two headed out, he motioned for the others that they all had to follow, but to stay quiet and be ready to fight.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on February 24, 2014, 06:01:41 PM

Karina was following carefully behind Korius, shivering even more so due to the drop in temperature but trying to remain quiet and calm despite this. It was obvious that she was not used to cold temperatures due to her home but she was trying her best to make sure she did not draw unnecessary attention to herself through her actions. As they got into the cell-ridden room, she carefully put one hand on the fletching of one of her arrows, ready to draw one quickly in case if it was needed as she held her bladed bow in her left hand. This was mostly nerve-racking on how quiet they had to be in a cold environment that she was not used to, but also a bit troublesome to keep still if she needed to take aim due to her shivering, so she had to do this in a quick-draw manner instead of a carefully-aimed arrow if she needed to fire one.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Rosanna Foxfire on February 24, 2014, 09:01:48 PM

Keio's ears twitched about as she listened to One-Arm's explanation, eyes closed for a brief moment.  She frowned, her question left unanswered.  Tail swished, and she followed close behind, her steps careful and quiet.  She took her time to step around items that might rattle and make noise.


Once she passed into the castle, she heeded One-Arm's warning against talking, her muzzle kept shut and silent, ears twitching to catch all the ambient noises.  The scent of the dragon and the rumble of her slow breath sent the fur on her back to stand at attention.  Over an hour gone.  They had very little time to actually search before they'd have to leave.


She watched as One-Arm glanced around the large room, her own ears twitching as she did the same.  She glanced across the room, taking stock of perches and grooves in the walls.  Places to climb, places to escape, places to hide.  All of them were marked in the foxkin's mind.


And then came the order to move on ahead.  With a quick glance to Leo, the foxkin started ahead, staying wide of the pile of coins and valuables.  Her paws found what few clear spots there were on the floor that weren't piled in coins.  She leant over to scoop one or two off the top to drop into her bag.  She'd taken the time to stuff a good deal of grass inside to lessen the noise that came from it on the hike up.


She led the foray into the room itself, taking a wide path towards the cells that were pointed out by One-Arm.  As she approached, she drew her smallest knife, kept tucked against her wrist for easy access, and prepared to use it's shining mirror-like surface to check around the corner before she'd attempt to pick the lock.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on February 25, 2014, 01:36:17 AM

Kiana followed along with the group toward the castle and listened carefully each time Korius spoke to them. While following Korius through the labyrinth of the servant halls, she did her best to memorize their route, subtracting the misleading paths they took. She wanted to make sure that she would know her way out in case she needed to leave in a hurry. She immediately felt it when the temperature dropped when they passed the opening in the wall and her body instantly shivered and tensed. She hated the cold with a passion. When they entered the area where the dragon and the treasure were, her eyes automatically stuck to the dragon. Scanning the beast, she resisted an urge to move closer to it. Yes, dragons were dangerous, but they fascinated her. It would especially be nice to use one for revenge against the Rhino-Kin who had killed her brother. A smirk played on her lips as she looked over the dragon again then swept the surrounding treasure pile with her eyes as well. The smirk left her face pretty quickly though as Korius instructed the thieves to find them a path through the cells and her along with the rest of the group followed behind the thieves. "It would be too simple for the Life Stone to be here." She thought to herself. "No way it'll be that easy." Just in case they ran into trouble, she pulled her bow off over her head and held it in her left hand, her right hand ready to act quickly to snatch an arrow from one of her quivers. She had major doubts about her arrows having any effect on the dragon if it came to that; she'd basically have to aim for the eyes. "Just don't wake up..." She thought as she glanced back at the dragon once more, not wanting to fight against her.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on February 25, 2014, 02:09:21 AM

Upon feeling the bizzare chill inside the castle, the feline slowly moved a hand to pinch on a bit of his shawl. Once he began to see his own breath, he'd slowly slide the cloth over his muzzle while his eyes took in the sight of the ruined civilization. The cloth worked well to hide his hot steamy breath. Though it was currently unneeded, it helped in the long run should the dragon wake up or another creature is lurking, the steam from his breathing would not be the first thing that they'd see. Nor would the muffled sound of his breathing be the first that they would hear.


His sight seeing was quite unlike the others. He was looking for area's to climb, but more than just exits. He was looking for pathways, foot prints, bodies, cracks, blood stains complete or not. Anything that could potentially tell the story of the dragon's carnage, and lead him to clues of anything that they could not find in the treasury that they are in now. After all, if something as valuable as a rock that could bring souls back from the dead, it would not be in plain sight, or at least not well guarded. In fact, Leo did his best to distract himself from the presence of the dragon. He was well aware of it's stance the moment he glanced at the pile of treasure, when he first entered, and dare not to look back to dissuade himself from the mound of treasure that it lied on, and to prevent himself from turning into a nervous reck from a fear he may or may not have.


Once his attention had been re-diverted by the group's leader, he'd look to the cells block that had snaked it's way around and underneath the dragon. He swallowed a bit but nodded other wise and carefully took step after Keio. Though much unlike her, he did not move as quickly. Instead he opted to take a bit of time, letting his eyes sift over the footing, and redirect himself to an area more desirable. His paws swiping through the air quietly to pluck up a small handful of gems from the stone of a pillar on his way. The gems were safely tucked away once he reached a cell door. Before doing anything else, his eyes quickly glanced over the condition of the hinges after remembering that they had existed eons before his birth. He of course was very surprised to find that they were in near perfect shape. The ice seemingly acting as a method of preserving the metal, even after the metal had shrunk from the cold.


The cat settled down into a crouch and pulled a tension wrench in one hand, slipped a lockpick in the other. The lockpick was the first to go in, his other hand settled just underneath so the pick would rest on it for stabilization. His left ear swiveled and his eyes narrowed to near slits as he honed in on the sound of the tumblers. His pick tickling each one as he slid it in. Once he was sure of their location, the cat would slip the tension wrench in and apply a little pressure. A few jiggles of the pick later, and only a few seconds, the door was opened successfully. And the cat slipped inside of the cell.


The first cell he had ventured into was empty. Almost featureless except for a hole in the wall.


The second cell had a little more that caused some worry to the feline the moment he slipped through and set foot inside. At the sight of an impaled frozen body next to one that had been torn completely in half, the cat retreated into a corner. A tinge of fear now emerging in his eyes. His back pressed roughly against it as a small gasp was cut short by the cat quickly clamping his jaws shut. His wide eyes stared down to what he had found. The legs were gone, and the organs hung, but everything was so well preserved it it's crystalline shell. Even the expression that the soul had left the world in remain. Even body parts of others was found, simply cast aside like refuge. The now jittery cat tried to repulse every thought in his head, shaking it clear as he crouched down once more to observe them. “I.... I got... what I was looking for... but this... this is... horrifying...” Leo thought to himself as he ran a hand across the icy frame. His eyes mostly focused on the one who's in two pieces. “Are... there more of them...” he thought as he slowly looked up to the few holes that he had left as options. “And... why are they in these cells.....”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on February 25, 2014, 03:00:18 PM

Helios couldn't have cared less about temperature drop normally, he was from a colder part of the world, but this was unnatural. His breath froze nearly as soon as it left his mouth. The castle ruins held his attention almost completely as he followed the rest of the group. He tried to stay calm when they entered the treasury, but the wonderment over came him. This dragon was different from the one that had destroyed his life all those years ago. By comparison this one seemed almost tame. Helios knew he was supposed to be afraid of the beast, even hateful with his past encounters with dragons both of which had tried to kill him, then it hit him. To the best of his knowledge dragon's breathed fire and radiated heat, yet the dragon he'd fought not but a few days ago had breathed lightning, and now this dragon seemed to radiate an unnatural coldness.


Shaking off the thought Helios continued to look around as he followed the group. When Korius sent Leo and Kieo ahead to find a path Helios took it upon himself to stick near Anoi. Instinctively he drew his blade, ready to defend himself or any of the group. He could only hope that Leo and Kieo would be safe. And who knows maybe our luck will change and this mother won't wake up. Helios thought to himself optimistically.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: EllieDragon on February 25, 2014, 09:46:10 PM

Anoi followed along quietly, choosing to pick her staff up instead of using it like a walking stick which she had been doing before.  As they moved into the castle she kept her eyes out for anything wrong or amiss though she trusted that her mate and the other thief would alert them first.  She also glanced around from time to time looking for any discarded scales from the dragon.  They would be very valuable to her and worth the risk.  She appreciated the one called Helios keeping close to her.  She assumed that it was because she was a soft mage who needed defending, which was true most of the time.


The entity that was attached to her kept close.  It was not stupid enough to cause any trouble at a time like this.  While moving through the castle Anoi searched her mind for a spell that might work against the dragon.  Unfortunately she specialized in water magic which would not be that great against the ice dragon. Maybe I can control whatever it does against us..  That was the most that she could hope for.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on February 26, 2014, 01:16:01 AM

Korius kept up as best as he could, but his size and weapon wouldn't permit him to follow too closely without making noise. However, there were times when they caught up as the two thieves started paving the way. However, they entered one cell that had many dead bodies of frozen warriors before them. Quite a few had emblems that were the same as what was above them in what used to be the throne room. Leo's fear of the sudden exposure was no surprise to Korius. None of these people have ever known war, or even death of an actual person. He stood by Leo as the lynx shook, "It means we're going the right way. Look up. There's no ceiling and there are remnants of nests near here where treasure was moved from to make that larger pile when the last few months started coming around. The dragons claimed victims trying to get to the mother's pile. You can also see people who used to guard this castle. This means there IS something special underneath that mother pile that was worth losing their lives for instead of just taking treasure from the smaller nests. If we're not seeing them, we're probably not going down the right path. Just try looking for large slabs of ice if what's inside them is too much for you." Korius was more than certain now that the Life Stone could possibly be underneath the giant pile of gold in the far corner of the castle. It would be a full 30 minutes from when they entered to when they would finally get past the entire trail of bodies.

When they finally ran out of bodies to follow, they found a good cell broken open that led into an almost cavern-like opening. Korius stopped the group, signaling that he was going to go in first. He gripped his sword tightly as he walked in. There was some gold goblets and other platters scattered that had poured in from the hole in the roof that was currently plugged up with a chest. The wolf pointed at it to the others, signaling not to touch it as he was afraid it might cut off their potentially only exit. there were a few more of these holes as they progressed further, the light they had dimming despite all the reflective golden objects around them. However, after a few more minutes, he saw something glowing. At the end of the long tunnel was a wall of gold with a glowing stone. He couldn't tell what it was, but his heart skipped as he hoped it was what they were looking for. Korius picked it up and looked at it, but he didn't have even 1 second before there was the sound of sliding coins. In fact, that wall of gold was so tightly packed, that having picked up any of the coins or what he just pulled out, caused the wall to collapse. "Run!" He quickly turned and ushered the others forward. The stone walls around them started cracking and crumbling, gold items or coins shooting through holes that formed. While they ran, they could already hear the dragon roaring in anger as her slumber was being prematurely disturbed. "Just keep running! If you hear a high pitched whistling in the air, get against a wall or behind one of those bodies with shards sticking out of them!"

No sooner did he say that did they finally get out of the tunnel and the loud roar of the enormous dragon deafened them temporarily as its voice rang throughout the entire atrium of ice.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on February 26, 2014, 02:07:03 AM

When Kiana saw the bodies, it was a little disturbing but she wasn't bothered too much since it was no one she knew or cared for. She just kept her eyes away from them as Korius explained that the bodies meant they were on the right path, and she continued to avert her eyes from any bodies they passed. When they reached the cell that led to the cavern-like opening, she stepped aside for Korius to go first but kept a close eye on him as the rest of them slipped into the cavern. She surveyed all the golden items around them as Korius signaled for them not to touch the chest that was plugging a hole in the roof. After a few minutes, she noticed something glowing as she looked around Korius to see what might lay ahead. "No way that's it..." She thought as Korius grabbed the glowing item just for an avalanche of gold things to follow. "Run!" As soon as she heard Korius say the word, he didn't have to tell her twice, and she turned on her heels and ran back the way they had come with everyone else. The dragon's roar reached her ears as she ran and she cringed slightly. She made sure she listened to Korius advice before they exited the tunnel and she was temporarily deafened by the dragon's roar, resisting the urge to raise her hands to her ears.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on February 26, 2014, 12:49:31 PM

The bodies here didn't bother him at first. Helios had grown desensitized to dead bodies in general, after the carnage he'd seen in his home village. Then he saw the faces, the looks of horror and terror on them. Suddenly these furs were made real. Helios nearly lost it right there. When he finally pried his eyes away from the bodies he noticed that even Anoi had left him behind. Quickly he regained his composure and caught up to the group at the back of a cave like area.


"Run!"

It was a simple command, but one that Helios would always follow. He hung back for just a moment allowing Anoi to escape in front of him. It was something of a personal philosophy he'd adopted over the years. He'd never fight alone if he could help it. Hall after hall, room after room, all Helios could hope was that Nyx or any of the gods would grant them this single reprieve and keep the mother dragon asleep. Helios ducked for cover. When he peeked around the corner of his cover he saw Karina fire off an arrow in the general direction of the dragon. Thinking fast he grabbed her and pulled her behind the wall he was hiding behind,

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on February 26, 2014, 04:33:46 PM

Leo wasn’t exactly calmed down by the explanation he was given. If anything, it only made the feline more nervous. But he was quick to steel his nerves after glancing down to each torn and defiled body that he stepped past. Sparing a moment to glance down to them, looking to how they have died. He wasn’t sure though that what they were here for, is what the guards were trying to protect. Nothing seemed to add up to the thief. The bodies only helped to add into the confusion. But he decided not to dwell on the matter longer than he had to. Instead he distracted himself with remembering the pathway out.


When the cavern came into view, he was first amazed by the structure. But a suspicion drew into his body when he peered further in past the veil of shadows. Possibly further than what the others could see. He noticed the source of the cavern stability, and instinct told him that going in could easily be the death of anyone. A burial of gold and riches. By the time Korius had stepped in first, the feline slowly slinked back and out of the way to allow the rest of the group inside. His gaze turned to the exit, and began to make his way out through the cells once more. With each room he entered, he rearranged the coins quietly to make an arrow to point the group outside where he’d be waiting for the others.


Once he was outside, he was sitting on a marble mantle of a far off pillar. His eyes mostly settled on the slumbering dragon, but gave the occasional glance to the cell block. “They will be fine…” he thought to himself. But intuition told him differently. It constantly reminded him of what he saw and exactly who he was with. Only one other member had actually given him the confidence that the cave wouldn’t fall apart I she had went in on her own. The rest only caused worry. And with four people going into a narrow tunnel way with pillars made of coins and other goods, it was just a matter of time.


“They must have reached the end by now… I would have heard something if anything bad happened…” Leo thought to himself as his eyes now resettled back onto the cells. He was now expecting to see the group come out empty handed. However this wasn’t the case. Once the sound of pouring coins, and other trinkets filled his ears, his eyes quickly darted to the dragon in alarm.

“RUN!”

He could only see it stir, before his body soon kicked itself into the air and back down to the ground. He landed on all fours and quickly darted behind the pillar to retreat to the shadows.


Only a few seconds had passed when the cat was now climbing up the pillar to pull himself away from a predicted search area, and hide on the second floor behind a pile of rubble. He’d peak out to make sure that the group was alive. If anyone looked in his direction his eyes would be visible as emerald disk when he peaked out to check on them. Though the dragon’s roar had blown through the cat’s sensitive ears, and disorientated him, causing him to fall forward after nearly being knocked unconscious. He luckily caught himself with a hand before he hit the ground and blew his cover. When he was sure the group was able to get out, he'd make his way to the exit just down the walkway. Other wise, he'd have his grapple hook ready in case they need to fight and the archers needed higher ground.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on February 26, 2014, 06:56:39 PM

Karina was stepping as softly as she could while following Korius into the main room, not seeming as stunned as the others as she saw the bodies, but seeming more like she was remembering something. It took her a little while to snap out of it, which was right before Korius picked up an object from one of the treasure pile-nests, causing her eyes to widen with a child-like wonder in hopes that this was the item that she and possibly the others were looking for.

"Run!" was called out by Korius, to which she did not hesitate to turn-tail and run with the others, keeping a firm grip on her arrow fletching. Right after their exit, she had a moment to think before she quickly notched an arrow on her string, hearing a whistle-like sound that resembled a wheezing inhale. She took only a split-second to fire off the arrow in the general direction of the dragon's open maw before she was tugged to cover by one of the others.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: EllieDragon on March 02, 2014, 01:18:17 PM

Anoi glanced at the bodies and then watched with amazement as the wolf person picked up the object from the gold pile without even examining it to prevent what just happened from well, happening.  If she had time to interject she would have attempted to stop him but it seemed that once his mind was decided there was nothing to be done to change it.  As the gold came crashing down and the dragon roared in response to it she shook her head. "This is..."  She didn't finish her sentence before turning and just flat out running for the exit of the tower. 


Glancing over at Keio she attempted to grab a hold of her paw and lead her with her toward the exit.  Once there she would just keep running, away from the group.  She did not like how she was forced into the group regardless of her mates crimes against them, well, specifically against the one person who had already left.  The only thing they had in common was a search for the Lifestone and she could do that with her mate without them. Looking back at her mate she tugged her along some more. "Come on Keio.  Lets just go..  They can deal with this themselves.  They don't need us and we can search for the Lifestone ourselves and potentially succeed."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Rosanna Foxfire on March 02, 2014, 03:26:10 PM

Keio had stopped at the sight of the bodies, ears pinning back, eyes going wide.  She'd never witnessed such horrible death before.  She shuddered, following behind silently.  The sleeping dragon was one thing, a challenge if that, but bodies?  Death was something else entirely.

And then the avalanche of gold coins.  She wasn't paying attention to the cause, but there it was.  Running from one of the objects of her desire.  Gold coins fell all around, in a rush just at their heels. 

And once they were out, Anoi grabbed her and kept running.  Keio didn't even realize what had happened, her mind still processing all the events.  She didn't hear Anoi's reasoning, she just ran.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 03, 2014, 12:34:32 AM

Korius was surprised at seeing their two new additions bolt out faster than they did through an opening. However, the rest of the party wasn't as prepared for that. The dragon let out an angry roar as its tongue became pierced by Karina's arrow. It took in a deep breath, "Get behind something!" They were barely able to even get 1/2 way out of the maze, let alone even close to the way they had come in. Korius quickly backed up against one of the cell walls as a torrent of cold breath fired their way. Shit! It's abnormally large and it's keeping its distance from us. This is going to be difficult. The blast lasted a total of 5 seconds, in which the black wolf bolted, keeping an eye on his party to make sure everyone was going to make it out unharmed.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on March 03, 2014, 12:53:43 AM

After the sub zero blast that was unleashed Helios saw Korius break for the door. Realizing they were retreating, Helios grabbed Karina's hand and hoped whe would feel his pull and follow. Helios continued to run keeping his shield arm towards the dragon at all times. He wasn't sure how much protection it would offer, but it was all he had. Watching it closely he noticed the dragon was keeping it's distance. Helios was a bit surprised by this since it could simply land and devour them all.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 03, 2014, 04:06:55 AM

Kiana watched the two newest members completely bolt from the place without a second glance. It seemed their group wasn't going to be as crowded after all. "Less competition is alright with me, but right now I just want to get away from the incredible beast." She thought and shortly after she heard the intake of air from the dragon. "Shit..." She cursed under her breath as she swiftly dove behind a section of a cell wall that was still standing, making sure not to damage her bow in the process, then scrambled back to a standing position, ready to bolt again when the blast of cold air ended after 5 seconds.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 03, 2014, 06:34:00 AM

Leo had quickly spotted the fleeing couple, and frowned after seeing another group go. He was actually quite fond of the fox girl too, having some form of competition, and someone he could easily relate to. But now that was probably some rich man's luxury as that one opportunity had now made fleeting feet across the room and out the door. The cat shook his head idly and looked around to see if he could find a way to aid the fleeing group. And by some sheer luck he had managed to spot a portion of the broken pillar he had climbed on lying on the floor. It had been propped up by other large chunks of rubble, and underneath it was a wooden truss that could probably be used as a lever.


He looked back to the group only to see that the dragon was now blowing a torrent of icy wind. "This may get me killed..." he murmured to himself. His mind immediately pulling up images of the dead bodies he had seen in the maze. And then himself among them. A crystalline statue that had been shattered from the head and down to his waist, leaving only the legs. He shook his head, and quickly slapped himself across the cheek. "No... no no... don't think about that now..." he growled to himself, his eyes now darting back to the trust. In no time, he quickly got underneath it. One end braced against his shoulder, while the other was pushed a little further underneath the pillar. The cat grunted harshly as his legs worked well past their limits to push the truss up. It took a bit, and his efforts had wavered some, but in the end he got the result he wanted.


The pillar had creaked and protested before finally hitting the ground with a thud and rolling off the side of the walkway. The air went silent around it for a moment as it fell and thumped harshly into a large pile of gold coins and guilded trinkets. A incredible cacophony was created from the result as coins had been hurtled through the air violently like water from a canon  ball. The feline was quick to relocate after it left his sight. Quickly weaving between the shadows, behind and under cover to stay out of the dragon's sight.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 03, 2014, 09:29:29 AM

The fox-kin took notice that the arrow lodged in the tongue of the dragon, freezing over inside of it due to the ice breath before she was pulled to cover. "It's soft on the inside..." Karina spoke as she was behind the cover, though her voice was quite possibly drowned out by the roar and icy blast of the dragon. After the blast was done, she got up to start moving again while grabbing the fletching for another arrow in her quiver but not quite pulling it out yet, looking to Helios. "If we can aim for the eyes or for the back of it's mouth, we can slow it down or stop the attacks from it." she spoke towards Kiana and Korius while they were moving. She turned back to see the dragon tumbling from being tripped by a pillar and quickly drew out one of her arrows to take a moment for aiming while the dragon was in too bad of a posture to let out another blast, aiming for the eyes before she let her arrow fly.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 04, 2014, 12:14:05 AM

Karina's arrow couldn't hit its target dead on, and it bounced off of the dragon's slightly bloodied lower jaw. The dragon got up from its little stumble and roared again before taking another deep breath. They were at the edge of the maze, so Korius quickly ducked behind the last wall, grabbing Kiana before she ran out in the open. "Leo! Back up!" The dragon let out one more powerful blast of its ice breath at the group. While the blast washed over, he looked over at Kiana and Karina, "Try aiming for the mouth as she takes in breath. We won't have anymore cover the rest of the way, and that's the only way we're going to stop her from turning us into a part of that corpse collection. The hole that those two left in is already covered so we won't be able to escape as quickly!"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 04, 2014, 02:56:19 AM

Kiana saw the pillar go rolling and the dragon stumble over it. She also noticed another arrow fly through the air but miss the mouth after Karina had said to aim for the eyes or the mouth of the dragon. As she went to move after that, she felt herself being pulled back and looked over her shoulder to see Korius. So she stayed where she was and another icy blast went by her hiding place. She looked at Korius again as he spoke to her and Karina during the blast about trying to aim for the mouth while the dragon was taking a breath. With that said, she reached up and pulled one of the new arrows out of her new quiver and notched on her bow. When the icy blast was over, she ran from her hiding place. Paying attention to the timing, she stopped, turned towards the dragon, raised her bow, and drew back the string right before the dragon started to inhale for another icy blast. As the dragon inhaled, she loosed the arrow at her target, the back of the dragon's throat. As soon as the arrow left her bow, she turned and started running again with nowhere to hide anymore, hoping beyond hope that her shot worked and she wouldn't become a Cheetah Popsicle.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 04, 2014, 02:09:11 PM

Leo peaked out from around the corner, watching for his opportunity to get close to the cells once more. Once he saw it, he quickly darted out from under the cover and got behind the cells. His hands planting firmly on the stone surface to help slow himself down and press up against the wall to make himself less noticeable while the dragon blew it's breath of ice. Though he was curious as to why Korius wouldn't just bash an exit through the stone, he did remember a few options of escape. “Double back two rooms and look up! You got a hole in the ceiling, but it's looking directly at the dragon. The other one is on the far left! But it's right underneath!” Once he gave out what he could remember he quickly weaved back behind a pile of gold to be out of the way of the next torrent of ice.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 04, 2014, 10:44:41 PM

Karina only had enough time to pull out an arrow in another attempt to fire off a shot, but she had to spin to put her back to cover to prevent being a frosted-fox. She let out a growl of anger as she heard Korius reiterate what she just told Kiana and him both, only with the limitation to the inside of the mouth. "Way ahead of you!" she called out since she was on the opposite side's cover, quickly glancing back out once the blast of ice was done so she could quickly notch and draw back the bow for when it would attempt one more time. As soon as she could see it start to inhale again, she let go one carefully aimed arrow this time and quickly re-notched a new arrow in to take another quick-shot in the attempt to make sure that at least one arrow made it in since her last shot missed altogether. What happened next surprised her: the dragon's mouth closed after the first arrow, preventing Karina from seeing if that arrow was swallowed or caught in the back of the throat. The second arrow simply caught in the nostril. She didn't even think twice about going back for cover again, waiting to listen for any audible tones of her success or failure.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on March 04, 2014, 10:53:04 PM

Helios hide behind cover beside Karina as best he could waiting for a chance to run for the exit. He kept glancing at Korius waiting for a signal to run. He wanted to do more, but there was nothing he could do except wait. He tried to look around maybe there was something he could use to distract the dragon, but he saw nothing.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 05, 2014, 02:22:35 AM

The dragon was hit in the throat with the first one, forcing the dragon to close her mouth. It was going to dissipate its breath, but an arrow through the nostril caused her to cough and snort out two small jet streams of frost right at the door they were heading back towards. When they reached it, Korius cursed under his breath and slammed the door hard. Most of the ice came off, but knob wouldn't turn. "Leo. Quickly. Pick the ice out." The mother dragon struggled as she tried to get the arrows out of her.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 05, 2014, 08:41:50 PM

Without any thought Leo quickly retreated back to the door after the command and he was sure that he had enough time to not be frozen to death. When he approached the lock, and gave it a quick look over, he held a displeased expression when he realized that his dagger alone would not actually be able to get between the cracks. He glanced over his shoulder quickly to the dragon to make sure he was still out of harms way before lifting the hook from the grappling line around his shoulders and slipped the claw through the crack. He gave it a wiggle, and kept pushing till eventually he got a solid resistance. He took a deep breath and pulled back as hard as he could. His shoulder braced against the metal bar as a dagger was worked through the crack. It poked sharply at the ice a few times, chipping away at it till the gear work had enough wiggle room.

Once he was satisfied, Leo drop the hook and left it to hang from the rope on his shoulder. The dagger would be slipped back into the sash next to it's sister. And the door knob was given a few hard pushes. The final one, the cat pushed his weight down, and finally the door open with a loud snap. The cat was quick to step out of the way after throwing it open, just in case the others may run him over.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 08, 2014, 02:28:16 AM

Kiana's arrow went into the dragon's mouth just before Karina's first one and she watched the dragon's mouth closed. She saw the second of Karina's arrows get the dragon in the nostril causing the dragon to shoot two jets of ice at the door that was their escape route. When Korius slammed the ice off the door with his body and told Leo to pick the ice out of the door knob, Kiana ran over to the door as she took an arrow from her new quiver and notched it. Standing to one side of the door, she stood facing the dragon and raised her bow to aim it at the dragon again in case another arrow in the mouth was needed. Once Leo got the door open, she still stood guard, waiting for the others to go through before she would follow.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 08, 2014, 03:01:13 AM

Karina ducked from the stream of ice hitting the door, but she gets up and looks to the dragon that was now struggling to get the arrows out of her throat since Kiana's also made it in as well. She notched another arrow and focused her sights again on the dragon, waiting for an opportunity to fire another arrow into her mouth since that's the only area that seemed to work so far. Seeing the dragon thrash about so violently was making her back up rather carefully to the door in case they managed to get it open. "Of all the rotten luck I seem to have with this..." she growled out-loud.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 10, 2014, 03:28:12 PM

Korius quickly holstered his sword and grabbed Kiana and Karina with a swipe of his arm, running through the open doorway, and through the halls. Once the whole party was through, the dragon took another deep breath and let go another breath, sealing the entrance-way. Korius let out a sigh of relief as the tip of his tail barely got frosted over. However, he snapped out of it when he felt the castle shaking, "Looks like we're not out of the woods yet." He took the lead, squeezing past Leo in the tight space and went the way they came back. Korius broke open the last door and they ran out, the sun making its way under the horizon. The mother dragon roared as she flew out of the broken castle, but instead of chasing them, she flew off into the distance. The black wolf's heart stopped and started beating again when she disappeared into the distance.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on March 10, 2014, 03:38:28 PM

Helios sighed with relief when they were out of the castle and doubly so when the mother dragon flew in another direction from their own. "I guess now it might be safe to see what you fou..." Helios was cut off by what he was sure was flapping. His heart dropped into his stomach. He looked around frantically looking for the mother dragon again, but then the flapping began to multiply. Surely there weren't more dragons around, that couldn't be. Then he remembered... "K-Korius didn't you say those babies were about to hatch..." Helios stood up drawing his blade. He was worried only a moment realizing that if he couldn't bring Luna back with the Life Stone, then he'd just join her in Nyx's night sky.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 10, 2014, 10:45:15 PM

Kiana let out a puff of air when she was grabbed and pulled through the open door before she had the opportunity to do it herself. When she and Karina were released, she immediately got her feet moving, holding her bow and down to her left. "I was about to follow, I didn't need to be grabbed." She muttered as she ran through the halls. She didn't stop running until they were outside and then she stopped and her head whipped back to see the mother dragon rising from the castle but then proceeding to fly off into the distance instead of after them. She would have agreed with what Helios was going to say about seeing what Korius grabbed inside, but her ears picked up on the flapping too. Glancing at Helios when he mentioned the baby dragons hatching, she grimaced at the thought. "Now I have to fight newborns. That's just not right." She thought as she looked at the castle again. "Running sounds like a much better option." But she was ready to raise her bow and take aim if she had to.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 11, 2014, 12:44:48 AM

Karina did not appreciate being scooped up, more so as she was almost about to let the arrow go. Instead she wasn't able to fire at all as she was carried by the short berserker. "YIPE! Hey, leggo!" she started off speaking before she saw why she was being scooped up, then she was trying to aim while being jostled about during the carry. "W-w-w-we're good! Let us down!" she spoke, again proven wrong by the dragon's exit right after he dropped them. She quickly scrambled to her feet and took aim at the dragon, only to see it fly away. Then the mention of the eggs hatching made her aim in the direction of the castle. "Sonova... got any ideas, Leader? Fight or run?" she asked as she was starting to see a few eyes in the shadows of the remnants of the castle, some movement coming from it.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 11, 2014, 03:51:07 AM

Leo found himself to be correct to step out of the way, as he soon found Korius with the others haul out of the cells like no tomorrow. The feline himself, gave chase. Rather than coiling around multiple stacks of gold, the feline bounded up the mounds and hopped down once he reached the peak to try and close the distance on him and the large wolf.

Soon enough he had already past the wolf and disappeared into the hallway. He only stopped when he heard the footsteps behind him turn to silence. Panting heavily, Leo looked behind himself to Korius, and groaned after hearing his comment. It didn't make it much better when he had to press against a wall to try and move out of the large man's way.


Now outside, Leo listened to the others suggestions and slowly raised up a palm. There was a note of sarcasm, but none of it was actually meant. In fact, the thief was giving his true opinion on the matter. "Uhm... I vote we make like a tree and get the **censor** out of here..." He let his hand dropped and shook his head when he dipped down onto his knees. "A dragon is still a dragon regardless of age. Hard scales... few weaknesses... annoying breath, and flying lizard. I'd also like to wager we'd be outnumbered badly..."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 11, 2014, 11:44:05 PM

Korius listened after his ears finished ringing, and his heavy heartbeat subsided. "I'm going to have to agree. If it was just the babies, I wouldn't have a problem, but..." He got up and quickly started going for the trees, "Get to cover!" When all of the party had made it to the trees, the flapping had gotten extremely loud, and an army of 13 blue dragons flew towards and into the castle. When there wasn't anymore flapping, Korius let out his breath after he had been holding it the whole time. "When the mother leaves, the other dragons come back to feast on scraps and check on their hoards. They usually take longer to show up, but since we stirred her up, they almost caught us with our pants down." He had some labored breathing, but he tried to control it and pulled out the shining orb that they had taken out. The orb was clear with a glowing crystal shard within it. There was a grimace on his face, "This can't be it. All the documents pointed at it being the size of a baby's fist, not its cuticle." His eyes felt heavy and he collapsed, his breathing faint and seemed to whistle.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 12, 2014, 12:07:56 AM

Leo's ears swiveled for a bit as he lets out a soft sigh. However, his left ear had twitched slightly after doing so. His eyes going from relaxed to disturbed and curious.  The ear would continue to twist and turn to hone in on the sound. And eventually he found just the right angle. He'd wince a bit as each vibration hit his ears like a stampede of bulls. He'd remain silent as he looked on through the clouds, and almost cried out after spotting the dragons. He was already running before  Korius's advice.

He himself had dove into a bush by the time he reached the trees. His body hit the dirt hard as he slid to a halt, and stayed low. His ears hard pressed against his head to lower his profile. When the danger past, he'd slowly began to crawl out from under the shrubbery, and lift himself back to his feet.

He listened to every bit of information, and finally looked back to the castle with a frown. But one final note had caught Leo's interest, his head turned to face Korius to find a very defeated expression coming from him. It was surprising to find such a form of emotion being possible from the man, but not at all alarming. In fact, Leo had already prepped himself well in advanced for bad news on the relic. "Let me guess," the thief began casually with almost a humored note. He took a few steps and lowered his body to have a seat on a nearby tree root. His fingers now began to dig through his pouch to pull out the small handful of gems he had collected. "It's not it. Is it," he'd ask with a smile as he now placed them on the ground a small distance ahead of him. He only meant it as a gesture to share the loot, to both ease the impact of the news to anyone who may be upset by it, and also to openly state that he is not a greedy pickpocket.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 12, 2014, 02:09:02 AM

Kiana followed Korius direction and ran for the trees. She stopped once she got into the trees and out of dragon eyesight. Her attention was then directed to Korius as he spoke. She watched him look at what he had grabbed and knew she had been right. There was no way that was the Life Stone. She saw the gems that Leo laid on the ground as some sort of consolation for the item not being what they were searching for, but a sound redirected her attention and she looked over to find Korius on the ground. Quickly putting her arrow back in her quiver and her bow back over her head, she moved over to him. "Korius?" She said then clapped her hands a couple times over him. "Korius!" Then she paid attention to what she thought was a very, very quiet whistling sound that he was making when he breathed. Kneeling down beside him, she leaned closer and definitely knew she heard a faint whistling sound like the air was moving around something when it moved in and out of him. "Shit. What the hell could you possibly have got in there?!" She said as she hit his chest very hard with a fist. When nothing happened, she continued to hit his chest with her fist every couple seconds to dislodge whatever was caught in his throat since there probably wasn't any way she could lift him to get around him and give him the Heimlich.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 13, 2014, 09:40:48 PM

Karina ducked for cover with the others when the dragons flew overhead, the shadow-covered glowing eyes from the castle also retreated as well. She watches them for a bit then Kiana showing sudden concern for Korius made her worry.  "C'mon! Don't be doing this to us!" she spoke as she quickly dropped her bow and the arrow she was holding, looking at Kiana. "We need to lay him where he can breathe better. If he's on his chest, it's not as easy." she spoke, trying to turn him over onto his back. Even though he wasn't large, the equipment still attached to him was rather heavy and made it hard to turn him over.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 13, 2014, 11:06:40 PM

Korius remained unconscious for the ordeal, but after a few more times that Kiana hit him while he was on his side, he let out a large cough. Four golden coins flew out of his mouth, having been caught in his throat. The black wolf gasped for air as his eyes shot open due to the increased intake of oxygen. Korius rolled back forward and gripped the ground as his body finally regained itself and got up. He looked down and picked up the spit-soaked coins, "Well... along with Leo's gems, I'm sure we'll fetch some good money to feed us tonight, and some comfortable lodging. Now, where's that gem shard?" The wolf looked around for it, unable to find where it had gone to, probably mostly because of how much his hair covers the front of his face. Unbeknownst to him, the orb of the shard had clung and sunk a little into his neck, the shard glowing brightly.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 14, 2014, 02:51:01 AM

Leo watched the entire ordeal, with his eyes growing wide. He hadn't realized that the party's leader condition had gone down. But he didn't move, not when the others were doing what they could to save him. After all, one extra person would likely get in the way. Instead, he leaned forward to watch, as Kiana pounded into Korius. His ear flicking just a little, as he caught the sound of some clinking noises coming from the berserker's throat.

Then finally, out came... coins? Leo's eyes narrowed a bit suspiciously, curious if he was toying with them once more. "Korius..." he sighed with his ears laid back in embarrassment. How dare he make them believe that he was dying or critically injured once more! His paws reached forward to dig through the large man's fur and pull the gem free. And held it in front of his nose. "You need to teach me that trick of yours later..."

If it wasn't taken from his hand, the cat would attempt to balance it on the bridge of the wolf's snout.  "So what exactly is this? Your reaction practically says this is not the rock we are looking for."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 14, 2014, 03:07:05 AM

Kiana paused with her fist hovering in the air between herself and Korius when the coins flew out of his mouth. Her eyebrows raised in surprise at the sight and she watched as Korius rolled over and got back up then picked up the coins, acting like what happened wasn't really a big deal or anything. Looking down and shaking her head, she got to her feet then chuckled at Leo's comment about needing to be shown that trick later. "I would rather not pound on another person's chest again so please don't purposely inhale coins to hide or store them." She said, looking over to see Leo pulling the glowing orb out of Korius' neck fur and holding it in front of his nose. After that, she waited for the answer of what the item actually was. "Yeah, that's definitely no Life Stone... Though it looks important."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on March 14, 2014, 05:07:31 AM

Helios wasn't the smartest fur. He could do nothing as he watched Kiana and Karina tried to save Korius's life. When the giant wolf spit out several coins Helios was almost livid at the trick. But that's when he noticed the shard Korius had. It gave off a faint glow giving the impression that it was most certainly magic in some respect. Then it hit him, what Korius had said right before he played the trick. "It's a piece of the Stone isn't it, Not the whole Lifestone. That's why such a large dragon hoard showed up right? The Lifestone attracts people to it so why not animals too?" Helios hadn't realized how smart his statement sounded, but he regretted it hoping no one would take much note in his fault in his acting.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 15, 2014, 01:33:37 PM

Karina let out a sigh when Korius started to breath again, sitting down next to her bow and arrow that she had dropped. "Next time when you go swimming in coins, hold your breath." she spoke with an uneasy chuckle, trying to catch her own breath from all of the excitement that had happened. She was not as concerned about the gem as the others seemed to be because it did not look like what the legends had shown to her. "It kinda looks like a magic artifact for sure, but why only a part of one? Why not have it all-together?" she spoke in a thought out-loud before she got up and put her bow back on her back while putting the arrow back into her quiver, doing a mental check to see how many arrows she used by feeling the fletchings.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 15, 2014, 10:23:46 PM

Korius shot Leo a look on his little comment, "That wasn't a trick. It must have gotten in my throat when I was shouting at you all earlier. I thought my breathing was being hindered by the cold. Unlike you, I don't have a restless hand." He then looked at the shining shard while feeling his throat, "Well, it definitely does have some magical properties. My throat was a little cut up when Kiana got me to cough them up. Just now, it felt like the tearing had mended itself." Right after that, he heard Helios mentioning it might be a fragment of the Stone. "It sounds feasible. The Life Stone has been lost for thousands of years. It would make sense that someone saw fit to try to destroy it, or to divide it up and sell portions of it to become rich. Let's just keep a hold of it until we can find out whether or not it really is a piece of the Life Stone or not."

He took the shard from Leo and placed the spit-covered coins in its place. "Let's go find a nice tavern for some food. I'm sure these coins will get us plenty to eat, and a comfortable enough inn to sleep." Korius never wanted to keep too much on hand, and should times like this that show up with gems and/or treasure, he makes it a point to spend as much of it as possible so as not to be targeted by bandits. Such things were unnecessary problems, and have been the cause of missing out on getting kills, or being able to get to certain places at the right time. Today's quest was one prime example of one that was time sensitive. He led the group away from the castle, heading directly west towards the closest town. It took an hour, but it seemed to pass like nothing. During the walk, Korius just tried to avoid conversation about the coins in his throat. Any questions he got were met with a half-hearted, untranslatable mutter.

Korius was sure the party was impacted by their first encounter with a real quest, but how they dealt with it and how much it actually impacted them, he didn't know. His years of experience only allowed him to judge people's skills, not their inner personalities. When they reached town, he waved the party off, "Go ahead and get some food and rest. I'll see you all in the morning." The wolf separated himself from the group to just go to the inn and rent the rooms for them all. Korius went to his own room and sat down on the bed. The inn keeper brought him a bottle of hard liquor that he ordered, and he drank, reflecting on the past, the present and how the party should push into the future.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 16, 2014, 12:29:07 AM

Kiana followed along with the group to the town after the purpose of the shard was guessed at. She hadn't blamed Korius for getting irritated with his choking being interpreted as a trick. Choking was not fun and she didn't believe anyone would do it on purpose to play any sort of joke (pretending, yes, but not for real). When they were told to get food and rest when they got to the city, she immediately went to get food though she saw Korius head off to the inn instead. She got more food than she would need then took it back to the inn. Asking the innkeeper about the rooms, she headed upstairs to the ones he had said were booked for the group. Seeing an open door as she walked down the hall, she figured that was where Korius was. Walking to the doorway, she rapped on the door with her free hand. She saw Korius sitting on the bed with a bottle of liquor, unsurprisingly, and she shook her head in her mind. "I've learned you like your drink, but I figured you could use some food." She said and raised the tray in her left hand slightly as emphasis. If he didn't want the food, she would eat her own and give the rest to one of the others or dry to use during their next venture. If he did, she would give it to him but she figured he probably would want to be left alone after receiving it.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 16, 2014, 01:26:01 AM

Korius's ears perked when there was a rap at the door an looked up. He was surprised to see Kiana there, though it obviously didn't show on his forested face. In the past, no party member had ever spent any time with him or bothered to worry about him during these kinds of times. However, it didn't upset him. This WAS the first time he ever worked with first-time adventurers, so it just must be how they are. Trying not to be rude, he attempted once more to lighten the mood, "Thank you. And what will you be eating tonight?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 16, 2014, 01:44:33 AM

Kiana was kind of glad that he didn't reject the food, though she wasn't sure if it was because she really wanted him to eat or something else. She stepped through the doorway after he spoke, taking his thanks as an invitation to come in. "Your scraps, if you'll allow me, sir." She said with the attitude of a lowly servant, thinking of how her mother talked to those she thought were "beneath" her (Kiana included), and she bowed while holding the trays out to him with both hands. Chuckling sort of uneasily, she straightened back up. Handing him the top tray, which was bigger, she pulled the bottom back towards herself. He was a big guy so she knew he needed more food than she did, probably more than the other two guys combined, hence the bigger tray. She wasn't quite sure what to do after that, not knowing if she should leave or stay and if she stayed, what she should say or do besides eat. "I knew you'd need a lot of food so I hope it's enough. At least it will dilute the liquor some and maybe allow you to drink more if you want." She was grasping at straws while trying not to offend him as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 16, 2014, 02:08:02 AM

Korius rested the tray onto his thighs and brought the food to his mouth with his hands. He has never had to use utensils before, and with him missing an arm and being a berserker, no one ever expected him to. The wolf ate with a level of politeness, "It will be more than fine. Unlike a lot of other berserkers, only the strongest alcohol can affect me. Liquor like this is nothing." Korius took a swig after each large mouthful, finishing his meal fairly quick. He chuckled a little, but it was at himself. He had never realized how old he was until he met this group, and it was a bit of an awakening. When finished, Korius moved the tray onto the little night stand and took another swig to refresh his pallet. "The alcohol is like water for rare berserkers like me. It refreshes and helps with regeneration. We can't grow things back, but whatever is left heals at a higher rate. However, like everyone else, it helps numb the pain of loss. My last party had been with me for over 4 years, the newest member for 1. Even worse was that he was the son of the one he replaced. I lost 2 generations of noble knights in the short span of 4 years. You may not know my history, but in the last almost 30 years, I've been in and lost over 9 parties in my search for the Life Stone, all of which had been disbanded because they all died."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 16, 2014, 03:56:03 PM

Leo waved over the barmaiden and ordered himself a meal.

"A handful of dried meats, and a plate of venison, and bread please," he asked. Before turning his head about the room to look at the other patrons inside the bar. If any of the party was actually paying attention, he was simply sizing each one of them up, and even guessing what they are carrying. If they were overly violent, or if they were prone to starting a fight with just a wrong look in their direction.

"So.... anybody care for some practice tonight..." he asked his party, just as his eyes landed back on them. While waiting for both an answer and his meal, Leo began rearranging some of his gear for easier access next time. He'd slip three lockpicks inside the belting of his left glove. Each one went in with relative ease thanks to a steady surgeon like hand. He made sure that each one of them had their handles on the outside before giving his hand a hard shake to make sure that they were tightly secured. When he inspected them, he was pleased to see that they had not budged. The torque wrench was next in line, it was slipped in a similar location, only on the right hand. The same method was used to make sure that it would stay secure.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 16, 2014, 04:09:14 PM

Karina followed the others to the town and found herself in the tavern to get food. She had some money of her own to pay for a decent meal of veal and some stewed vegetables in a local seasoning. The food was great, but every once in a while, she would get a male visitor that would talk to her. The blue-haired red-fox kin had to make sure that they would get the point that she was not available for any actions they had in mind by using one of the blades between their legs, as she had done in her home town. She didn't even stop eating as she did this action, which seemed to work every single time they were to approach her. Each male she managed to do this to, they would walk away with their tail between their legs... a dual use in showing their shame and to attempt to protect what they held dear.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 16, 2014, 04:58:24 PM

Kiana sat down on the floor with her tray when it seemed as though Korius didn't care if she stayed. She nodded when Korius said that the amount of food was fine and that alcohol wasn't a problem. She sat and ate in silence and she was still eating when Korius was finished and spoke again. Directing her eyes at him, she listened to him while she continued to chew her food, her brow furrowed as she heard about the number of parties that he had been in where everyone in them, aside from him, died. It wasn't because she was worried but because of just hearing about someone having to deal with so much loss, even if it wasn't family. "Well, hopefully..." She started then made herself swallow her food so she wasn't talking with her mouth full then cleared her throat. "Hopefully, this party will be different." She looked back down at her tray of food. "I don't plan on dying anytime soon." A look of determination set upon her face then she took another bite of food and tried to smother the emotions in her mind.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on March 16, 2014, 05:00:07 PM

Helios smiled at the chance to be in town. He entered the tavern behind the others and took his time getting food. After watching Karina chase off several male visitors he figured he'd give her a hand. Taking his food and sitting next to her he leaned in and whispered to her. "I know you don't need help, but everyone deserves to eat in peace." Without another word Helios ate his food in quiet. This hadn't been the first time he'd sat in silence next to someone to keep unwanted guests away. He'd done this many a time with his Luna. He only hoped that Karina wouldn't see this as him making a move, but rather realize he was just trying to do her a kindness since she'd practically saved the group from the mother dragon.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 16, 2014, 06:23:02 PM

Korius raised an eyebrow, though it wasn't visible. "You're quite composed for having seen that mother dragon. It's not normal for even the most prepared newbie to be like that after facing an abnormally sized dragon like that one." He looked at Kiana, trying to figure out this young cheetah. The wolf felt a little something in his chest that made him let out a hiccup. It was weird since that had never even happened when he DID get drunk. "So what's on your mind?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 16, 2014, 06:34:56 PM

Kiana looked up at Korius again while chewing her food as he made an observation about her being composed after their encounter with the dragon. When he hiccuped, she was the one who raised her eyebrow this time, if only for a second. Swallowing, she paused for a moment before answering Korius' question. "The past, which I don't want to think about right now." She answered then looked down and pushed some food around on her plate. "And after hearing your story, it's made me curious about why you're searching for the Life Stone. But that's not really any of my business." She glanced up at him for a second then put what was left of her food in her mouth, wishing she had gotten something to drink since the food was drying her mouth out.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 16, 2014, 10:53:49 PM

After getting no response, the cat just sighed, and finished his meal. The dried meats had been placed in the same pouch that had been reduced to only one strip that he had saved. Though he did take time to reorganize the oldest peace to the front so that it would be used before it spoils. Once he was finished with his preparations he slithered out of the door past a group and began to wander just outside of town. His thoughts racing as he searched for a sizable tree, preferably a very large one.


He sighed to himself as he looked down to his daggers, "Well I guess these can wait for another day..." he thought to himself as he then turned his attention back to the tree. "No point in attempting to strike at air when it doesn't fight back." His eyes were darting along it's large trunk, identifying the lowest hanging branch and each branch that was safe to use there after. Anything that could support his weight. He took a few steps back and dipped his body downward, readying for a sprint.


"I guess I should just hone other skills..." He hissed to himself, before quickly darting forward. He planted a foot firmly on a root at the base of the tree and sprang upwards into the air. His hands quickly grabbed hold onto the side of the tree before his feet dug their claws in. He scaled up a few feet by quickly shimming upwards with his first goal being the lowest branch. However, his grip quickly weakened when he was a mere few feet away. As a last ditch effort, he'd throw himself off of the trunk, aiming to gain a little more distance to grab hold of the branch. Though, he came short by a foot, and instead he fell to the ground and landed roughly on his feet. and hands.

"Crap..." he growled to himself as he now looked back up to the branch in thought. He slowly rose up to his feet, and took a few steps back. His eyes fixated on that mere branch. "Hmm... getting incredibly stronger in just an hour is out of the picture...."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 18, 2014, 01:03:12 PM

The blue-haired red-fox Kin looked up to the lynx Kin right after she instinctively gave him the same treatment she gave the others, but she pulled her blade back away from him instead of threatening him as he sat down to eat his food. "Sorry about that, Helios. Some habits die hard." she spoke as she finished off her meal and reclined a bit to look at the rest of the tavern. Her ice-blue eyes and her large fox ears seemed to take in every detail of everything around them, listening for tell-tale sounds of the hustle-and-bustle of the town outside of the entry and even observing what people were doing inside of the bar. "Peace does not seem to come easily to those who wish for it, or even stay to those who fight to defend it." she spoke as she was looking to the entrance of the tavern, seeming lost in thought.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on March 18, 2014, 04:06:08 PM

Helios watched Karina lost in her thought and could only smile at her musings as he had once thought like her. Softly he placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a soft look. "Karina of course peace doesn't come easily to those who wish for it, because they must rely on others to keep it. And those of us who fight to defend it must seek it out to keep it at bay. We've chosen a life of adventure, and in doing so must accept all that comes with it." He hopped off his seat and turned to her asking. "Perhaps you'd like to get out for a bit?" He pointed to the front door wondering if she'd agree or not.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 19, 2014, 12:10:04 AM

Korius chuckled and looked down at his large bottle of alcohol, "I guess our stories can be saved until a later time. We've only been together for a few days so I guess it will take time before we're all close enough. Why don't you get some rest? We have a long day tomorrow." He took another swig and sighed, handing the tray back to Kiana, "Go ahead. We have quite the long journey to get to know each other. And please close the door on your way out."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 19, 2014, 06:08:54 AM

Leo's eyes slowly drifted downwards to his side, his eyes now fixated on the grapple hook in his sash. He pulled it free from his belt and gave it a quick spin before tossing it high in the air. He waited for it to slightly pass the branch before giving it a sharp downwards tug, causing it to slam it's self down to place and secure it's self by just the hook. He gave it a light tug, and frowned to himself when he realized that it would likely be to slow just to depend on the rope it's self.

 
His wrist gave the rope a hard snap to pop the hook off of the branch and let it fall back into the lynx-kin's grasp. He held it firmly, and as another idea crossed his mind. He untied the hook from the rope and placed it down by his feet. The rope was then fed through a few loops, and then back over. The hook was then retied back to the rope, under a different style. The rope had been wrapped around the forks, and braided around the metal shaft. Then tied off at the end. Leo's eyes looked over his handy work for a moment, and allowed his fingers to wrap around the groves to test them. He was right on his first thought that it would provide him something with a better grip. With one confirmed, only one other theory was left.

 
The device was now slipped into his sash as he got ready for another climb up the tree once more. He darted forward once more, continuing up just as he had done previously, and sprang off with both legs, having to twist just slightly. Rather than springing off empty handed, his hand had dipped back to pull the claw out of his sash once more and whipped it through the air by the roped handle. A soft thunk echoed in the still night when it caught the branch by it's inner loop, allowing the feline to hang suspended in the air by the handle. He grunted on the sudden jar of the motion, but quickly kicked his legs up to give him enough lift along with his upper body strength to catch the branch by his free hand, and pull himself up.

 
“That worked...” he thought to himself as he now looked up the rest of the tree. “A bit of cloth and it could be quieter.”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 19, 2014, 01:17:00 PM

Karina reaches over and pats Helios on the shoulder as she gets up. "Yeah, let's get out of here. Things are about to get a little messy..." she spoke as she started to see some activity pick up and more potent drinks were being ingested heavily by the patrons. She guided him out of the tavern just in time to avoid a drunken catcall, her focus being on staying out of trouble while they were in an unfamiliar area. "Seems like when mead gets involved, stupidity happens." she spoke in a grumble as she glanced back, holding onto her bladed-bow with her free hand as she was trying to get away from hearing any more calls out to herself.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on March 19, 2014, 01:29:17 PM

Helios followed her out, hiding a smile. He knew if she say the smile on his face she'd most likely think him no different then the tavern patrons. "Mead is something I try to avoid." He said pulling Karina further from the tavern and closer towards the outskirts of town where a large oak tree sat towering over the rest of the town. "You know you can relax sometimes Karina. Even the most vigilant knights must rest. Besides we are team mates now so I'll keep trouble away." Helios silently chastised himself for talking with the usual amount of charm he had. Quickly he tried to change the subject. "So um, what's your story anyway? Why do you seek the Life Stone?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 20, 2014, 03:15:13 AM

Kiana swallowed the last of her food and looked at Korius again as he was looking down at his large bottle of alcohol. She listened as he said that their stories could be saved until a later time when they, the group she assumed, were closer. When he handed her his tray, she just took it and nodded. Getting up off of the floor, she turned away from Korius and headed for the door with her tail slightly swaying behind her. As she walked out, she grabbed the door handle and pulled the door behind her. "Sleep well." She said just before she closed the door.
She then headed out of the inn and back to the tavern. As she walked she spotted Helios and Karina walking together but she let them be since she needed to return the trays to the tavern so she could have her bow back since they had asked for it as collateral until she brought the trays back. She felt naked without it. Going into the tavern, she returned the trays and the barkeeper handed her her bow in exchange. She put the bow back on her back and headed back for the inn, but not before downing a glass of water to moisten her throat.
The whole time during this trip from the inn to the tavern and on the way back, her mind had be wandering with no certain destination. Did she really want the others to know her story? Should she confide in the people who were all searching for the same thing she wanted? What would her brother think of all of this? "Korius seems different than when we're off doing things." She thought to herself. "Maybe it's just the drink, even if he said that it doesn't affect him." There were plenty of other thoughts as well that she couldn't even grasp onto before they slipped past and another took its place. If she had been a little more lost in her thoughts, she probably would have walked right into the door of the inn. Luckily, she noticed it just in time and opened it. After going inside, she headed to the group's reserved rooms, walking past Korius' closed door. Walking into the next room, she closed the door behind her. She headed over to the bed and took off her bow and quivers. She also pulled off her cloak afterwards. Sitting down on the bed, she pulled out one of the new arrows again and examined the tip. She still couldn't really figure out what it was and put the arrow back in its quiver a moment later. Setting her bow and quivers on the right side of the bed and hanging her cloak on the post, she then laid down on top of the covers and stared at the ceiling, wondering if her red arrows would ever find their real target and why Korius was looking for the Life Stone.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 20, 2014, 07:37:19 AM

Korius couldn't help but look up at Kiana's swaying tail before she left. He shook his head after she had disappeared, I must be going senile already. She's probably young enough to be my daughter. Get a grip on yourself, old man. The black wolf took his final swig of alcohol before it was empty, and tilted his head back, using his hand to pull back all of his hair for the first time in months. Korius took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he stared into the darkness, the memories of all his fallen comrades flashing before his eyes. The wolf fell into an uneasy sleep that night, drowning in screams as each death replayed over and over in his mind.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 20, 2014, 12:20:45 PM

Leo continued throughout the night. Once he finished scaling the tree with a mixture of climbing the trunk, and grappling with the hook as quickly as he could. He'd lower himself back to the ground and repeated. After the fourth time when his muscles were aching completely. He began to practice his acrobatic feats with his daggers in hand. Each one was done successively after each other with little time for breaks. He practiced a variety of flips, rolls, and combat maneuvers till his body no longer allowed him to land safely on his feet, but onto his knees instead when he was heavily panting. Figuring it's now time to call it a night, the cat slowly rose to his feet, and returned his equipment back into the sash. He made his way back to the Inn.

Had the town been large enough to be called a city, the thief would take the risk of visiting several homes on his way out, and maybe even treating himself to a walk along the thief highway, the roof tops high above. But alas it's a small town, and maybe a one horse at that.

Once he returned to the inn, his tired body carelessly left heavy footsteps that creaked a bit more loudly than was typical of the thief. If no one stopped him, he'd just keep going without really acknowledging their presence past a worn out tired look. He past by several doors till he got to his own. He pushed it open and closed it behind himself. He locked the door, and quickly slid a chair underneath the nob after what had happened a while ago. He went up to the window and made sure it was secure and heavy before flopping down into the bed and shutting his eyes.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 21, 2014, 01:28:45 AM

Karina looked at Helios when he asked about her reason for finding the Life Stone, which made her want to retort a question back to him, but she just simply looked at him for a few seconds before looking back in front of herself. "Family, that's all you need to know." she spoke, looking to the still night scenery, which was a heavy contrast from the noise in the tavern. She started to grin a bit as she heard something that caught her attention. "Oi, I'm kinda glad that Korius left the tavern as early as he did. Sounds like they're playing 'Toss the Dwarf', which usually ends up they find the smallest person to toss and they each take turns to see how far they can toss them. He'd probably be the one doing the tossing though."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on March 21, 2014, 01:54:29 AM

Helios couldn't help, but laugh at the thought of Korius tossing around a tiny fur. "I doubt it's Korius we should be glad left, as like to be you or Leo for free they'd first try tossing one of you." The thought of Karina or Leo flying through the air nearly brought Helios to his knees in laughter. "It's been a while you know." He said with a soft smile. "Since I've truly laughed that is. When I lost my Luna two years ago I vowed I'd never give up searching for the Life Stone. I don't think it was until Korius found a shard in the pile, that I began to believe we'd find one." Helios stood up closer to her than he'd realized and pointed to a cluster of stars that made the shape of a Kitsune. "I'd never noticed that cluster till after I'd lost my Luna. In a way I think she's watching over us." Helios continued to stare at the stars and the moon not really sure if he was still talking to Karina or himself. Either way he would wait till she was ready to leave or sleep under the massive oak where they were now either way he'd have no qualms.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 21, 2014, 01:28:42 PM

Her expression turned from a cheerful one to a pout in a quick-instant due to his mentioning of her or Leo being tossed, then she relented into a sigh. "Yeah, you're about right on that. They might have some sense to not toss the miniature berserker... Though I can honestly say that mead does things to a lot of people." she spoke. Her hearing of his Luna made her go silent for a while, he had opened up more than she really cared for, so this made her uneasy to just leave her side so open-ended. It took her a little while of thought on how to say it without going completely into her own monologue. "My reason for the Life Stone is to undo what happened 10 years ago... when my father lost the ability to use his right arm and when I lost my mother."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on March 21, 2014, 01:55:22 PM

She'd opened up not something at all Helios was expecting. "Your father seemed a good man, certainly one worth the time and effort of finding the Life Stone." Helios paused for a moment hesitating to speak. "Karina for what it's worth, you are a wonderful companion. In truth you all are. I hope we can have many good times down the roads." Helios sat down leaning against the large oak content to lay out under the stars. He didn't get to do it often in such a calm and serene environment.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 21, 2014, 06:23:39 PM

"I have nothing against you, but there is something you must think about. If what Korius has is a shard of that legendary stone, then why was it shattered in the first place? Is this item really imbued with unlimited power or... is it a limited number of times it can be used before it's drained of it's power?" she spoke as she was thinking. "...But we're not at that point yet, we're not even sure if it can be reassembled... Great, I'm overthinking all of this." she grumbles, looking about for the inn before starting to head towards it to turn in for the night.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 24, 2014, 01:00:53 PM

Korius awoke early the next morning, well before sunrise. He left his room and walked outside with his sword, making his way outside of town. The old wolf practiced with his sword for the morning, fighting imaginary enemies as the battles of his past manifested themselves in his mind's eye. His swings were controlled, but they started shuttering as he started to feel his berserker instincts fighting him. With that, Korius stopped his practice, sweating up a storm. He was about to rest when he heard a lot of running footsteps. The wolf looked over his should and saw a cloaked silhouette running towards the town with several behind it. It took a while before Korius's eyes adjusted to looking at the sunrise before he realized that it was Suzumi, and she was being chased by several bandits. Korius turned and ran towards Suzumi, just brushing past her as he brought his sword down, crushing the ground before the bandits. Some most of them turned tail, but one seemed to keep coming, jumping up onto the large weapon. Instead of lifting it back up, the old wolf merely let go and grabbed at the leaping bandit's neck. The bandit struggled with no success as Korius's hand was firmly around his neck. He was not in a good mood this morning, having lacked even a restful sleep, so he continued to squeeze until there was a disturbing snap. Korius let go of the limp body and looked over at Suzumi, "Are you alright?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 24, 2014, 03:26:34 PM

Leo soon awoke after a bit of sunlight had breached the window and flooded the room with light. His eyes slowly cracked open after he rolled out of the bed onto his feet. With a groggy shuffle, he plucked up his equipment from the nightstand, and moved the chair away from the door. Later he was outside of the Inn, heading outside planning on practicing with his daggers. However, by the time he had made way outside of the town he had heard some noises that sounded like a suffle of some kind.

He quickly made way through the bushes, and had found Korius dropping a body to the floor. "Holy crap..." he grumbled, the fur on his neck standing on end as his eyes looked down to the body. He came closer, his eyes not yet looking up to the cloaked figure as he dipped down to roll the body over. A grimace was worn on his expression as he could tell almost immediately by it's open eyes that he was dead already. Something about killing did not quite settle well with the feline. Luckily, he hadn't eatten this morning, or he'd probably defiled the corpse. But it didn't prevent him from taking the time to search him for anything useful. While what he was touching still was a corpse, he had learned early in his childhood how to steal to survive. Even if it meant robbing a grave. "Does trouble follow you, Korius? Or is it simply a add on to your company?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: ShiroTenshiRyu on March 24, 2014, 03:58:54 PM

Helios woke early greeted by the sunrise as he stretched out his arms staying under the great oak tree he'd fallen asleep under. Instinctively he went to his blade, checking it was there, and then stood up heading back into the town where the market was. After buying a small loaf of bread and some dried meat for the road he began to head back to the tavern to meet the others. As he did he say a group of furs chasing a cloaked figure in the opposite direction. Just ignore them Helios, Korius wouldn't want you getting tangled in the affairs of the locals. Helios would have ignored it, but he heard the noise continue to grow and decided to investigate. He arrived just in time to see Korius snapped the neck of one of the men.



Helios looked over to the fur being chased. "Suzumi! What did you do now?" Helios could only imagine the trouble this one had gotten into.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on March 24, 2014, 11:13:22 PM

Suzumi scuffled around on the floor as she glanced back at Korius shuddering at the loud snapping of bone. Hey eyes wildly darting around as she started to catch her breath and regain some of her composure.  Looking at her hands the gems that were once embedded into her gloves shattered and broken as she let out a rather relieved sigh. "I...I was going to wait for you guys to get out of the dragons lair..." She was honest about it she was planning on waiting for them and helping them once they got out, but things didnt really go as planned. "There were bandits... I tried to stay out of their way but they caught scent of me. I was lucky that for the past few days they couldnt decide what to do with me. It was only today that I found a chance to escape after they made thier mind up as to what to do with such a little mage." Once again glancing down at her gloves she frowned. "Busted my gems up pretty badly... They wernt stupid I'll give them that. I will need to get them replaced before I can be useful again I am afraid."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 25, 2014, 12:34:57 AM

Karina had woken up from her near-restless sleep, gathering up her equipment and purchasing some travel food along with a meal she could take with her. She managed to finish her shank of lamb and fresh carrot before she heard some commotion happening, quickly taking off her bow and pulling off an arrow in case she needed it as she rushed to see Korius holding up the bandit and a familiar figure nearby on the ground. "Suzumi, you okay?" she called out as she kept her aim at the other bandits before they left. She eased up her aim and quietly walked over to the mage. "Let's see... I thought I saw some gems back in that den, but we didn't have enough time to get anything of use other than a few coin. As much as I would like to press on, my take is that we should be able to have everyone able to defend ourselves as quickly as possible."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 25, 2014, 01:08:01 AM

Kiana awoke at sunrise, as she usually did, though she didn't remember falling asleep. Sitting up slowly, she stretched her arms up in the air above her head and yawned. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she sat there for a minute or two before standing up. Grabbing her cloak off the post, she put it on and secured it. She grabbed her two quivers and put them on over her head and arm then did the same with her bow. Untying her hair, she ran her fingers through it then re-braided it with quick, nimble fingers and tied it again. After that, she finally headed out of her room. She didn't really pay much attention to whether the doors allotted to the group were opened or closed, besides Korius' since she had to pass it on her way out, which she saw was open. Before exiting the inn, she pulled the hood of her cloak up over her head.
She found a place where she bought food for her travels then headed over to the tavern. In the tavern, she got herself something for breakfast, though it wasn't much and she was finished quickly. It surprised her that she hadn't seen hide nor hair of any of the other group members, but she wasn't all that concerned. They could have already had their food and been wandering around town or they could have still been sleeping, for all she knew. She did wonder where Korius had gone off to though since she had noticed his door open at least. "Probably an earlier riser than me." She thought to herself, taking the last drink of her water. "Could be practicing or getting information or something." With a shrug, she rose to her feet, leaving coins on the table to pay for her meal. Exiting the tavern, she proceeded to aimlessly roam about the town. She watched the people who were up and about pass by her, hearing snippets of conversations that didn't mean much to her, seeing shops open up. If anything, it was a good distraction to her thoughts that were trying to fight their way to the forefront of her mind. Reaching up, she rubbed the back of her neck underneath her hood then looked up at the sky. After a moment, her hood fell back and she quickly pulled it back up, training her eyes on the ground, people, and buildings again as she continued walking.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Solntse on March 26, 2014, 12:44:04 AM

Sage sat alone her fingers running over the small purple beads of her rosary. She'd heard rumors of a group of adventurers that were staying in the local tavern. Of course she'd heard of, and seen many other groups, each questing for this or that, but never before had she felt drawn to any of them. She was temped to go down to the tavern to investigate the group for herself, but could  think of no excuse to do so. So instead she sat here, mentally arguing with herself, half wanting to go investigate, an half afraid of what she might find. Finally curiosity won over, she would go down to the tavern but only long enough to to see if what she had heard was true, nothing more. Slowly she rose to her feet, tucking her rosary deep into her robes, and began ambling towards the tavern.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 26, 2014, 01:51:08 AM

The other bandits had more than long gone before the others showed up, and any stragglers had already disappeared upon seeing their one brave soul fade into hell. He listened to Suzumi's story, knowing what it's like for a helpless woman out in the wilderness, especially those perverted bandits and dark thieves. However, his lack of sleep really didn't allow him to display his sympathy, not that his long hair allowed anything to be seen anyways. His irritations was a little tickled when he was picking up his sword and shot the thief a look that moved his hair to expose his eye for a split second, letting out a low growl. Within seconds, though, Korius snapped out of it and sighed as he holstered his sword. "Keep your tongue tied during the mornings and late nights. You might just live longer, Leo. Just take what can be sold so we can get some more money. Here's a little extra so you can get some new stones for Suzumi. Take her with you, and don't forget to get some supplies." He placed a hand on Karina to calm her down, "Bandits are spineless. They won't be back here, but just keep an eye out at about high noon. It should take them that long to bring friends, assuming they might have some that have the galls to come after us."

He walked past the small group and into town to get some food for himself for the travel. Korius searched all the different vendors, though there wasn't too many, and only purchased high protein items with thick grains so that he wouldn't have to eat much and still maintain his energy. Being a berserker, he didn't have the luxury of eating lavish or even decent food during travels like others. After he finished shopping, he almost walked right into Kiana, "Oh... sorry. We're going to be heading out soon, so I hope you have everything you need."

---

Helios sighed as he sat down, having heard what happened to Suzumi, "Really? I'm sorry to hear that happened. But I don't think Korius will-" He stopped short as he felt a cold chill down his spine and heard Korius give coins and instructions to Leo. "Okay, never mind. I guess he sees something that I don't get." Helios got up and offered Suzumi his hand to help her up. After that, he walked over to Karina, smiling a little, "Come on. We should probably get some supplies, too."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 26, 2014, 02:07:07 AM

Kiana was still roaming around and her eyes were on the ground at the moment she saw some feet coming straight towards her. She stopped short so that she wouldn't run into them and looked up to find that it was Korius. He managed to stop before bumping into her but he apologized anyway. "Oh, yeah I'm all set." She said, waving her hand in the air in a dismissive gesture. "Already ate and got food supplies while you and the others were, well, whatever you were doing." She rubbed the back of her neck and looked off to the side then directed her eyes at Korius again. "I guess you were up earlier than me. Couldn't sleep?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 26, 2014, 02:31:03 AM

Keep your tongue tied during the mornings and late nights. You might just live longer, Leo.


Leo's eyes slowly drifted away from the corpse up to Korius with a tint of annoyance to the comment. If he was right with his assumptions, he believed the man was calling him a weak annoyance. He was close to spitting out a rebuttal but he thought against it and turned back down to the pile of valuables he had found. He reached up to take the handful of coins, and slide them into a free pouch. He shook his head a bit, and plucked up each dagger, pulling it from it's scabbard to check the blade's quality, before re-sheathing it.


"There isn't much on him but a few coins," He turned the body over, his eyes checking for any identity tattoos that might list the man with a group. He slowly stood up with both daggers. His gaze still on the body, but a look of worry now replaced the feline's usual carefree expression.


"The only thing we could sell are the daggers, and they are worth holding onto right now."

The lynx-kin slowly turned around and offered Suzumi a smile after pushing back his previous worry. If he was allowed he would step forward and give her a big hug. "But! It's good to have you back, friend!" he'd chime only to step back after releasing the hug and gesturing her to follow him back to the town with the daggers. "Let's go find you a new casting gem!"

He'd stop and turn around to make sure she was coming, before offering her one of the daggers, "And here~ In case this happens again you have a back up option. Aim for the eyes, under the rib cage, or the throat and you should be fine."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on March 26, 2014, 12:25:05 PM

Suzumi grabbed Helios's hand as he helped her up, without hesitation she pulled out the shattered topaz's from her gloves a small burst of energy sparking from them as she took a deep breath and pulled off her gloves. The markings that were there still very visible and looking like they grew larger since the last time. "Leo lets get going before it gets late..." Grabbing the dagger and looking at it for a moment before hiding it in her cloak. Looking at him for a moment before whispering. "You need to force me to buy a ruby...Especially if I go for a topaz."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 26, 2014, 01:59:42 PM

Karina put the bow and arrow away in their appropriate spots since she did not need them currently. "I'm already stocked up on food and my quiver is almost completely full. But I guess it wouldn't hurt for me to come with you." she spoke, then extended a hand with a few silver coins in it. "I still have some left over from my Hunt wallet, so maybe we can get you whatever gems you need, Suzumi. But, the next time we get a den like last time, I'll be sure to pick up some gold in case we need to get more items than just food and drink." she spoke to her with a smile, keeping the coins out to her to offer them to her.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Solntse on March 28, 2014, 12:02:36 AM

As Sage trudged along she noticed a small group whose members, she didn't recognize. Wondering suddenly if this could be the group of travelers she had heard so much about she stopped and watched them curiously. She couldn't hear them from where she stood, but it appeared they were discussing something to do with money, as she saw on extend a few coins towards one of her companions. She guessed that they might be buying supplies but, again she had no sure way of knowing.
She was half tempted to approach the group, but, despite her overwhelming curiosity, she was also rather nervous, she didn't want them to get the wrong impression, and if he was wrong about this being the group she had heard so much about, well, that could be awkward.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 28, 2014, 01:45:40 AM

Korius gave a small chuckle, "Something like that. Come. Let's wait for the others outside of town. This bustle is just not my environment. The only crowds I like are at coliseums." He headed for the gate, looking up at the sky. His practice that morning was to continue his progression to get stronger, not just the pains of his past and in his heart. Korius is continually seeking more strength, and being a berserker that lives longer even the average Kin, there was a longing in his eyes. "I still need more strength..." He didn't intend for that to come out, but it ended up coming out in a bit of a mumble.

---

Helios smiled as Karina agreed to go with him, and waited until she was done talking with Suzumi. When she came back to him, he walked back into town with her and started looking for some food for himself. The relentless running from the other day really made him hungry. He looked for some meats and some other foods that he wanted that was within his budget. After getting himself some food, he looked over at Karina, "You ready to go? I'm sure Korius is probably already waiting for us since we even came back into town."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 28, 2014, 02:02:15 AM

Kiana raised an eyebrow when Korius responded with 'something like that', but didn't question further. She agreed with a nod and walked along with him towards the town gate. When she heard Korius mumble about needing more strength, she glanced sideways at him from under her hood. She let out something that was a combination between a scoff and a chuckle. "You're plenty strong." She said plainly as her eyes looked forward again. "If anyone needs to gain some strength, it's the rest of the group. Myself included, unfortunately." She frowned for an instant then straightened her expression, though it would be hard to see unless looking at her straight on anyway.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 28, 2014, 02:33:58 AM

Leo seemed almost disappointed when his hug had went empty. But the sudden change of emotions only lasted for half a second as he turned his gaze down to the extra dagger he held. He rolled it in the light, giving it a good look over and gauging his options with it. It was definitely much smaller than his current set of daggers, but the blade was also wider and slightly thicker. It could easily be utilized as a utility more than a blade, and it would definitely be much easier to control in the unlikely situation of him slicing someone’s throat without being noticed.

His lips pursed for a moment before he finally attached it to his chest’s left pectorial strap. He figured it would be much easier to access in this position if he was in trouble, and the design of the scabbard made it harder for anyone else to just easily grab hold of it and pull it loose.

His gaze turned to Suzumi when she felt him get a little closer and whisper in his ear. He had even raised a brow curiously to her, wondering exactly what the reason was. But he felt that she knew what was best for her… even as odd as it was that the gems in her current gloves were Topaz and not rubies. “Erm…” Leo began, looking down to Suzumi with a confused expression before turning back to face Karina. “I think we are good…” he’d say in a distant tone, his eyes turning back to Suzumi with apparent concern.

His tone quickly changed once more, as he turned around and made way to town. “Besides,” he’d chime with a hand flicking into the air, “a coin is not hard for me to come by.” On his way out of the forest, his eyes would give the newcomer a scrutinizing glance. The kind of look when someone is searching for a reason to consider you a possible threat. Or maybe he was just studying him from the slight flick of the eye in the direction of his equipment.

“So… Suzumi… is there a particular sized ruby and properties you need? This topic is a little… alien to me,” Leo would admit, though his ears flattening out in disappointment. He had always taken a bit of pride in uncanny knowledge, but lacking it when it was needed was simply a kick to the groin. “And… what were they planning on doing to you? It must have been bad... you were more cheery than you are now.”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on March 28, 2014, 12:00:43 PM

Suzumi started to look more relaxed as her eyes looked at the cracked and broken gems on her gloves. "I am a peculiar mage, most other mages have a dominate energy type and from that they choose a gem that is aligned with that energy to cast elemental types of magic." She looked up at the sky and then at Leo and Karina "As you probably noticed I dont dress of fight like a normal mage, I dont have a staff to bear the brunt of the energy I weave. My energy is a dual type I will never excel in mastering great spells in one area..I will never be able to conjure a tornado or a wall of fire but I can wield two types of magic. I have never had two different gems but using just the topaz isn't good for me." She pulled away her gloves the burn marks visible on her scales. "The price for not using a staff."

She smiled softly "A star ruby and topaz will be the easiest to use, they should be about an inch long oval shaped. I can attune them to myself easily enough on the move." Starting to walk towards the market she didnt speak much but Leo's question did make her uneasy. There are many misconceptions about mages... one being that most female mages to vow not to corrupt their purity...That isnt particularly true but for a mageling as young as me there is truth to that. Those bandits wanted to... have some fun."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 28, 2014, 05:19:51 PM

Karina walked with them, keeping her money to help pay for supplies and the gems that Suzumi would need, but definitely keeping her eyes peeled since she realized she 'displayed' her money out in the open and she remembered hearing about bandits. She caught sight of a Pronghorn kin in Clerical clothing. "Yeah, let's get those gems and head on back to meet Korius. We don't want to be left behind." she spoke as she was trying to guide them back to a gemstone merchant that she remembered seeing in the town. Hearing Suzumi's story about their attempt to violate her made her growl under her breath, her blue eyes turning red, taking off her bow to feel along the blades' edges in a light stroke as if she were petting it. "Those guys make me want to test out the new temper my father gave my bow."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Solntse on March 31, 2014, 12:23:07 AM

Sage blinked slowly watching as the group moved towards a gem salesman, and a very expensive one at that. Casually she moved towards the group, figuring she could use this an excuse to learn more about the group. Hoping she didn't seem threatening in any way, Sage casually waved at them in greeting, "You might want to try somewhere else if you're looking for gems" she said waving her hand towards the salesman "This one charges ridiculous prices, and the gems aren't of very high quality."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on March 31, 2014, 02:29:30 AM

Korius chuckled and placed a large paw on Kiana's head, "There's never a 'Strong Enough'. True warriors are always seeking more strength, and you and the rest of the group are just starting out. You all have a long way to go, no different than I, who has been around for over 40 years." He tried to keep the emotions he started feeling to be that of a mentor. He waited outside with Kiana, hoping the others weren't going to take too long. Surprisingly, he saw Helios walking slowly towards them with a moping look on his face.

---

Helios was a bit upset that he was being ignored, and even more so that the others decided to go together with Suzumi, leaving him by himself. He felt a little down and decided to leave them to head towards the town gate. When he caught up with Korius and Kiana, he sighed as he made sure to double-check his supplies while he waited.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on March 31, 2014, 03:05:58 AM

Kiana angled her eyes upwards when Korius placed his paw on top of her head, even though her hood was between his hand and her head. Her focus only remained upwards for a couple seconds then moved in the direction of Korius and not just his hand. She did agree with him, of course. She knew she would never feel like she was strong enough no matter what she did. Not exactly liking the feeling of being small and childlike that his hand on her head gave her, she was glad when he removed it after he was done speaking. She would probably have said something else right after but she saw Helios slowly approaching them, looking depressed. When he reached her and Korius, he didn't speak so she didn't speak either, thinking he didn't want to talk about what was bothering him. Needing something to do, Kiana pulled her bow off of herself then lowered her hood. She looked over her bow to make sure it was undamaged even though she knew it was fine already and pulled the string all the way back a few times to exercise her arm and be sure the tension was right. This was all done while looking very focused about what she was doing.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on March 31, 2014, 04:22:42 AM

Leo’s face remained solid, that small smile remained even after Suzumi stated what they had planned on doing to her before she escaped. In fact, the thief seemed completely unmoved by the statement. Though secretly he did feel some sort of pity for the girl, he knew better than to openly express it when a good lot of them tends to get offended. Or was it because he simply lacked any real social skills? Or maybe, and most likely, well the true reason, he as a thief - had learned how to detach himself from compassion.

"Those guys make me want to test out the new temper my father gave my bow."

Leo’s eyes did soften a bit as he already dared not to look back to see what he may find Karina doing behind himself. But eventually, he did cave and spared a glance to the side only to see the woman devilishly petting her weapon in some sort of sick fantasy.

“Good lord, woman…” Leo grunted in a low note. His face held grimace, his teeth exposed in a cringing way. “I don’t know what’s worse. You and your desire to castrate anyone who as so much offers you a compliment on your looks, or the female sergals in my home land.” Leo stopped in his tracks after bringing up some self-induced unfathomed images, and shivered violently.
He remembered all too well their influence over the land. The reasons why a good portion of males tended to avoid doing as they pleased here, why their preferences were often the way they were. And for him to compare her to that… it just seemed unfair. “Statement redacted,” Leo sighed now placing his face in his palms. He groaned heavily in distaste into his paws before shaking his head. It almost sounded like a horrified sob. Even his ears were laid flat onto his skull. His voice was cracked a bit as horrible memories filled his head when he was a kit. “They are FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR worse still. FAR WORSE. You would look like a kitten with a tooth pick to them.”
Eventually, after his melt down, he’d straighten up in time to catch wind of another voice, and turned around to see where the friendly bit of advice came from. His gaze then would turn back to the vendor, and smiled, offering her a wave of the hand. “Thanks, dear~. But we are running a bit strapped on time.”  His gaze then turned back to the cleric, his eyes still having the same effect on her as before. Yes, he easily recognized her from that small glance. But now there was something else behind it. Confusion, or distrust. After all this cleric had followed them. And naturally for a thief clerics and paladins were something they had to be weary of.

He then gestures to the shop with a thumb, “ So unless you can point way to a closer one. Then this one will have to do.”
 The truth was that the feline did not exactly plan on paying in the first place. Though stealing a gem in broad daylight while everything was bustling around was simply a no no. With a minor set back it just meant that the feline would need to get creative.

His gaze then turned back to Suzumi, “Unless…. Quality does effect your spells?”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on March 31, 2014, 11:59:18 AM

"Those guys make me want to test out the new temper my father gave my bow."
Suzumi couldnt help but giggle at that statement as she looked back at Karina petting her bow, [/color]"I hear you,I would have done the same but I wasnt skilled enough to cast spells without a gem focus...Whoever thier leader was he was smart enough to recognize me as a mage." Suzumi continued to walk and simply listen to the exchange between Leo and Karina.

Once they reached the stall Suzumi went about looking at each of the gems, brushing her fingertips over the colors she had already chosen in her mind. She turned back and glanced at the cleric that stood close by warning them about the price of the gems, Suzumi's eyes wernt suspicious as Leo's more curious. She had never dealt with a cleric before mages and clerics generally never crossed paths after all they did disagree where their magics come from."Thank you for the warning but as my friend here said time isn't on our side." Her gaze turned back to Leo "Fundamentally yes, but since I cant cast higher level spells feedback isn't a problem and I should be able to compensate for any impurities in the gem itself."

Picking up a star ruby aswell as a Star topaz she nodded and looked at them in the sun. "These will do...If we ever pass by a mages collage I can get them replaced but for my needs these will do well. Unless...Out cleric friend here knows of another gem vendor."[/color]

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on March 31, 2014, 02:58:12 PM

The blue-haired fox kin looked to Suzumi as her red-irised eyes reverted back to their blue color, getting her to smile made her smile a bit before she put the bow away, but giving Leo a bit of a glare when he quipped about her mention of using her bow. "Sorry that I believe a woman should be given the strength to defend herself and that a man should not use his strength to cause harm to a woman or a child." she spoke with a near growl, but her attention went to the cleric for a moment, then to Helios as he parted to the others in the group. "...Oi, let's get going before something else happens."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Solntse on April 01, 2014, 12:40:50 AM

"I know of other vendors, but none this close."   Sage admitted with a shrug. She wanted desperately to ask them more, but the looks of suspicion she was receiving discouraged her curiosity greatly. She started to turn away, but stopped some inner force seemed to make her stop and quickly blurt out "If you're traveling, and need a cleric, I could help."  Quickly Sage snapped her mouth closed, embarrassed by her own forwardness, she looked towards the small group warmth rising in her face. "Sorry." she muttered, "I'll go......" She turned slowly away , her head down, already scolding herself mentally.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on April 01, 2014, 02:30:25 AM

When Helios finished off checking his equipment, he put a hand on his sword, moving his head slightly, "Hey... Korius...?" Korius' ears perked at the mention of his name, and looked at the young swordsman, "Yeah? What's on your mind? Is something-" He was cut short as Helios charged with a swing of his sword to Korius' face. The old wolf leaned off to the side and grabbed the back end of the blade that wasn't swinging towards him. Helios then quickly pulled on the sword to get his feet off the ground, knowing the berserker's strength. Korius then lowered his hand and raised his elbow to block the double kick. He then let go of the sword at the same so the kick was barely felt and Helios ended up more kicking off Korius than kicking him. Not expecting that, Helios ended up on his rear, his sword clanging against the ground.
Korius looked down at Helios with a slightly agitated look on his muzzle, "And what the hell was that about? You want to die or something?" Helios chuckled to himself, shaking, "A hair... not even a single strand of hair..." "Hmmm? What did you say?" Helios sheathed his sword and picked up the rest of his personal supplies. "You pulled your sword on those guys earlier, and I couldn't even get a single hair off your head, or that's covering your face, let alone having you draw your blade. I'm sorry, but I don't think I deserve to be here right now. I'm going to go back and look for my old master. When I see you again, I promise I'll be more worthy of being in the party..." With that, he walked away from Korius and Kiana. Korius merely watched, feeling a little happy as the young warrior wanted to push himself to go beyond his current growth rate.
Korius knew Kiana was going to say something and merely put a hand on her shoulder before she even had a chance to speak, "Let him go. He'll be back when he thinks he's ready."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on April 01, 2014, 03:09:37 AM

Kiana looked over at Helios when he spoke to Korius then had to stumble back out of the way when Helios charged at Korius, sword drawn. "What the hell..." She said as she watched the fight, putting her bow back on over her head. She knew Korius could hold his own so she didn't interfere but she didn't understand why Helios had attacked. When it was done though, she understood that it went along with what she and Korius had been talking about. As Helios started to leave, she thought about saying something about the fact that he would get better with the rest of them, but not in a begging way, and opened her mouth to do so. She snapped it shut right afterwards when Korius placed a hand on her shoulder though and looked at him for a moment before looking back at Helios' retreating figure. "Hopefully the others will come back at least." She muttered. "Wouldn't be to anyone's advantage if everyone bailed now."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on April 01, 2014, 03:23:59 AM

 "Sorry that I believe a woman should be given the strength to defend herself and that a man should not use his strength to cause harm to a woman or a child."

Leo had already picked up the touch of hostility in Karina's words. He had already half expected them anyways, and already had a response. “Yes I agree. I see everyone as equal threats, and with same respect. I don't fancy the thought of killing people. It's a waste. But if a child holds a blade to me I will knock him down. But they...” Leo had grimaced once more as his eyes rolled up to the sky. Another unpleasant image came back from the past, “They are abnormally violent. My home land is a war based country... in a civil war... with a dominant population in sergals. A...” The thief stumbled on his words as he tries to recall the term in common. “...Matriarchy if you will. The female sergals are larger than most males, and can have a mixture between a stocky build, or a lanky predatory shape. Usually a good lot of them do join the military with males.”

 
The next bit was then mumbled rather quickly, as if he didn't want to dwell on it to quickly. “Ill tempered, and prone to honor bound cannibalism to opposite parties...usuallywiththedeadbodyorchild.” He clears his throat. And resumes his normal tone. “Unlike you, one does not need to provoke them. They won't threaten you. They will just disembowel you. I've seen it when I was younger. In fact it's a good reason why bi-curiosity is a feasible thought there...” He swallowed a bit, to try and ease his sore and dry throat.

 
“Well, that's not to say they aren't attractive though... even if they aren't exactly docile,” he then looks back to the cleric, and notices her walking away with a sad expression. “Erm... needless to say...” he said aloud in thought. He then leaned closer to the two, and gestured off to her. His facial expression quickly reverting back to it's usual demeanor

 
“Go follow her... try to cheer her up... she seemed like a nice girl.” His smile seemed a bit off... as if he was up to something. And truthfully, he was planning on turning over a sour deal with the gem merchant. He secretly wanted to make sure that the cleric was fully distracted. “While you deal with that... I'm gonna go purchase those gems for ya, Suzumi.”

 
Without waiting for a response, he stood up straight and began to approach the vendor. His eyes weren't shifting around, but he was paying attention to everyone around him. So far... he couldn't see any guards that were in plain view. There were only a small handful of other patrons, all who seemed to busy to pay any mind. The merchant ahead of him had just slipped a handful of gold coins into his coin purse. And to the Serval-kin's own luck. It was practically wide open. The merchant might charge for a fortune, but he's definitely pushing on a statement to his customers.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on April 01, 2014, 04:48:37 PM

Karina was not liking that Leo wasn't getting what she was saying entirely, but Suzumi had managed to get what she conveyed, so her message wasn't completely lost. She inhaled and looked to where Helios had went to rejoin the others, but she shrugged it off as she looked to the newcomer Pronghorn kin cleric as Leo mentioned he was going to buy the gems for her. She wasn't going to ask him how, nor was she going to try to draw attention to him either, so her attention on the cleric was now two-fold. "We've had some tough scrapes here and there, so someone who could heal injuries might be a good idea to have along, though I'm not the one to ask about recruiting." she spoke, intending for the cleric to hear. "But I bet two-to-one that the one who is in charge of our crew could see the value of a healer."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Solntse on April 02, 2014, 12:19:12 AM

Sage picked her head up hopefully, "Really? That's wonderful, well if he'll have me that is. Would you be able to introduce me to him?"  she asked. "I promise, I won'y be a burden to you,. Well too much."  she added, knowing that she was bound by code never to carry a weapon, let alone fight. "I'm Sage, by the way."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on April 03, 2014, 11:49:05 AM

Suzumi picked up the gems as Leo aid for them using some of the parties money, holding both gems in her hand she closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. "We should get back to the others...Besides I really don't want to attune these in the middle of the street." Looking back towards the cleric she smiled softly and nodded at Karina "Having a healer around might be useful." Slipping the gems into the slots on her gloves she smiled and looked at them before slipping a cover over the gems themselves to keep them from prying eyes. Turning towards the gates she started to walk to catch up with Korius and the rest.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on April 03, 2014, 02:03:59 PM

Korius sighed as the sun had finally risen fully over the horizon, and marked a full 2 hours after dawn, "Well, then. That should have been ample time. If they still want to come, they'll catch up. Come." He stopped leaning on the tree and turned to head northwest. "We have a long trek ahead. Be ready." The berserker led the way, knowing that the others will soon be with them.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on April 03, 2014, 03:22:07 PM

Kiana nodded, believing that Korius was right about the others having enough time to do whatever they might be doing by now. When he started to head off northwest, she followed him. She was already thinking about what they would come against next when Korius told her to be ready. Looking over her shoulder as she reached back to grab her hood, she thought she saw someone approaching from the distance. She didn't say anything since, as Korius had said, the others would catch up if they were coming. As she looked forward again, she continued to pull her hood up over her head.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on April 03, 2014, 06:01:03 PM

Leo approached the jewelry seller with a smile and waved him over after pointing to the set of gems that had been previously selected. Though he had to make sure that one of them was at least a ruby. “What’s your price on these, guy?” Leo asked with an interested tone.

“Ah! An… interesting assortment. Buying these for a lady friend,” the clerk asked after looking the thief over with a grin.
“Something like that,” the thief chuckled. It wasn’t a blatant lie, but it was still a half truth. The thief through an arm over the clerks shoulder in a buddy buddy fashion as he then points off to Suzumi while she was not paying attention.

“Figured we’d get her a set of gems as a welcome back gift before we set off.”

The clerk gave a doubtful smile, as if believing he knew what the thief’s true intentions were. “Ahhhhh….” He began, wagging a finger to the thief before pointing down to the two jewels.“I understand… I understand, these two? For you my friend, two gold coins.”

Leo’s brow rose as he turned to look to the clerk. The cleric was right, this guy most certainly is over charging. But regardless, he knew he had more than enough to pay the cost. Even then he wasn’t truly planning on paying. “Guy, you are busting my balls man,” he sighed shaking his head. And to his own entertainment the clerk looked to him in surprise. Possibly the first time he had to barter with someone who was doing something for a significant.

“Say again?”
“My balls… you are bustin them, sir.”
“How so?”

Leo had to resist smirking, knowing that he got him now. He leaned forward after dropping his arm off the man’s shoulder and sweeping it behind him. The other had moved to pluck up a gem and raise it into the light.  He tilted it just slightly so that the glare of the sunlight would contrast against a hairline fracture. “See this? That’s a crack right there. Now this gem isn’t the best quality I have seen. I can’t even say that you’ve imported this from anywhere given how badly it’s been cut.” He tilted it just a little bit more to examine it’s edges. He brought it closer where it was just in front of the merchant’s eyes.

“The edge’s are bad, and contains chips here and there. The polish was rushed, and you can tell that this was the top portion of a larger rock that had been struck by a hammer.”

The merchant’s gaze had been following the thief’s hand movements as he tilts it and pulls it in and out of the light before setting the ruby down to pick up the topaz. He tossed it up into the air to let it glent in the light, and caught it just eye level between the both of them. “And this! This is in no better condition, Man. Hey guy, I know you are trying to make a profit here but you are just pulling some sort of robbery. This is lopsided. Whom ever did this must have been drunk when he was cutting the jewel.”

He set it back down, and looked back to him. Both hands on the counter. “Well I am in a rush… try offering me a better deal,” Leo asked, his stance a bit more slackened now. His eyes meeting the merchant’s as he thinks up a deal.

-----

“Pleasure doing business with you,” the serval-kin chimed just as Suzumi picked up the two purchased gems. The merchant who was also smiling, handed him back his change, giving Leo a small wink.

“Good luck with the lassy, cat,” the merchant laughed as the Thief turned to leave.
“Thanks,” Leo laughed as he soon joined the group. Once he found Korius, Leo tossed him back the bag of coins he was given. The weight of the bag turning out to be heavier than it originally was. If opened, the coins he had been originally given were still there, with a few silver coins being the new addition. The thief had actually managed to pickpocket enough gold coins from the merchant, and used the same coins to buy the two gems for Suzumi. So effectively, the feline had actually stolen two gems and a few silver coins in broad daylight.

"The cleric was right. That merchant was trying to bleed his customers dry."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on April 03, 2014, 06:31:59 PM

The fox-kin was watching a lot of this happen, but definitely made no motion to make nothing appear out of the ordinary to the merchant while Leo was working on securing the gems for Suzumi. Once they were done and Suzumi had what she would need, Karina looked up to the sky and then back to the others. "I think we better get a move on to catch that berserker. He's definitely in a hurry to get on the move, and we should be too." she spoke before she made her stride a bit faster and longer to speed herself up quite a bit but not to leave the others behind. It took them a while to get back to the meeting point, but she saw Korius and Kiana start to walk off in the distance. "Pick up the pace you three!" she spoke before starting to go into a jog to catch up to the others.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Solntse on April 04, 2014, 12:19:26 AM

Sage walked along swiftly with the others, her thin but powerful legs carrying her easily along the road. A mixture of nerves and excitement coursed through her making her wanting to both prance around like a child, and flee in terror, at once. Breathing deeply she fought to keep calm, instead going over the different possibilities of what could happen when she met the leader of this small group she now seemed to be traveling with.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on April 07, 2014, 12:16:54 PM

A smile spread over her face as she watched Karina pick up the pace. "H..hey wait for me." she said as she herself broke out into a brisk jog her movements a little awkward as she kept her hands in her pockets holding on tightly to the gems. "Well I would be in a hurry aswell after all he did take out that bandit." She shuddered a little as she remebered just how easily he had done that but now wasn't the time to think about that

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on April 07, 2014, 09:50:16 PM

Korius' ears perked as the running footsteps of the rest of their group could be heard in the distance, "See? They know they have to hustle. And it sounds like they might have brought another as well. " He heard the unusual running steps of someone else, and from the sounds of it, either a magic user or possibly a healer. The old wolf turned his head when the others finally caught up, "So who is our 'guest'?" After catching the bag of coins, he noticed it was heavier than when he last gave it to the Serval, and he eyed the thief, "When we come back this way, you're giving that merchant his money back. You may be a thief, but we need your skills for more practical uses. This money will end up attracting unwanted attention."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on April 07, 2014, 11:07:17 PM

Kiana's ears twitched as she actually heard faster footsteps behind herself and Korius, curious as to why she thought she heard an extra set of feet. She believed if they were being chased, they would be moving faster then they were at the moment, so she figured someone else wanted to join the group. She turned her head at the same time as Korius to look back at the others around the side of her hood while they kept walking. Her eyes stopped on the Pronghorn-kin with the others for a moment, gathering that she was a cleric from how she was dressed. Her eyes shifted to each of the others as well then she turned her head forward again while she waited for them to answer Korius' question.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on April 08, 2014, 03:43:08 AM

When he heard Suzumi mention the bandit, the cat frowned and looked back behind himself. “Well... from a thief's perspective. If it took us this long to hop town, you might as well take your time,” he sighed. His tone wasn't sarcastic either. He clearly remembered hearing other foot steps before Korius killed the one. And to top it all off they left the body in the open obviously searched for anything valuable.

 
He dropped his voice a bit to near a mumble, but it was still audible. “We probably got an ambush or a tail. Either way we aren't in the clear right now.”

 
He then turned to face Korius and frowned. His ears were swivled and laid back to show his distaste. His brows even dropped till they were halfway covering his eyes. A natural reaction from a thief. But rather than complaining about the unfairness, or saying anything about how the merchant deserved it, he figured it'd be best to try and speak the leader's language. But what came to be surprising to the feline is that the Barbarian, is being the baby sitter of a thief.

 
“And how exactly am I supposed to get better at what my skills are... when they aren't completely reliable in fighting, and can only be practiced when we are,” he then gestured behind himself towards the town, “In town. Or in a place loaded to hell and back with more traps and security measures than your typical residential camp. I also don't plan on having my hands dipped in hot tar, or being executed for thievery mind you. ” He dropped his thumb and gazed ahead of himself in a searching manner.

 
“Besides... I don't like the thought of being executed publicly, or having my hands dipped in black tar this early. It's not something people take lightly. If you -really- want me to give it back, I'll have to break into his home and plant it.”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on April 08, 2014, 02:30:52 PM

Karina caught up to Korius then looked back to the others. "There we go!" she spoke, a bit on the excited-side due to the run. It took her a little bit to calm herself down before she would look to Sage. "Looks like we ran into a Cleric who wants to be on the move as well, or better yet, she ran into us. " the vixen spoke as she looked to Korius, Kiana, then Leo for approval of their new team-mate. "A healer would be useful for our group, given our track-record, wouldn't you agree?" Due to the adrenaline still going through her system due to the run, she didn't realize she was nearing in giving the pleading 'puppy-eyes' expression to them.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on April 09, 2014, 04:24:35 PM

Suzumi slowed down as she caught up with the rest of the group quickly slipping into the middle of the group in an attempt to stay as covered as she could be, she still needed to attune the gems and until she did she was the weakest link. She didnt quite like that feeling, closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths she started to focus a little more, slipping her hands into ehr pockets and taking hold of the gems, a pale purple glow spilling from the fabric.  Suzumi focused some more drowning out the sound of conversations until she could fully attune the new crystals, pulsing raw arcane energy into the two crystals as subtly as she possibly could well aware that the gems were not of the highest quality available.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Solntse on April 10, 2014, 12:21:37 AM

Sage looked at the large wolf-kin, her eyes wide in awe as he spoke. So this was their leader, and obviously a good one she thought, as the fox-kin she had met earlier started to introduce her. Meeting the wolf's gaze she quickly spoke "I'm Sage, " she began "A cleric form the village you just passed through. I was hoping you might have room for another traveler with your group?" She ended more as a question than a statement, her eyes pleading. For some reason she felt that by joining this group she would finally be able to achieve what she was meant to, and a rejection would be nothing less than a death sentence for her, yet she knew not to get her hopes up too high.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on April 10, 2014, 01:58:58 PM

Korius turned his gaze a little more to the cleric, "You don't look like a follower of Serenity. What kind of cleric are you? I have yet to hear of any healer that isn't under Serenity." In fact, it was almost never heard of. Throughout known history, only a very small handful of clerics were healers that were followers of the other gods, 9 in total. Aside from those, all clerics that followed the other gods have been debuffers, buffers and on rare occasions, holy magic users. He then looked back over to Leo, "If you have to, then do it. But I'm not going to have an uncivilized thief in my company. Stay with that set of mind, and you'll never reach the next level of skill. My first party, when I was a lad, had a thief who became a fairly renowned assassin. We don't want to hold onto money as we go along. It's unnecessary attention pointed to us." He then waited for Sage's answer as they continued to walk.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on April 10, 2014, 07:21:58 PM

Leo raised a brow when Korius spoke to him once more. Choosing to ignore Kariana for a moment, he then added in his counter statement to the conversation between the two. A row rose as his head snapped into a tilt to show his disbelief. “Uncivilized Thief? So what are you saying, that I am just as bad as the brigand you slaughtered, but the Assassin is fine?” He began with a near offended tone. His jaws opened as if he was about to add on. But he paused for a moment figuring he’d just as well tie his tongue for now. He tossed his hands up in the air, signaling he was done with the argument, and turned to continue walking down the path, pulling ahead slightly to go ahead and scout out the area ahead of them.


Before he pulled to far ahead of the group, he’d stop and turn around to ask a question. “Now… you said we are returning…  where exactly are we going?” He wasn’t sure if he was the only one who had caught Korius mentioning that they were coming back, but he knew the group leader’s context needed to be checked periodically. Especially when the feline began to notice his behavioral changes from when he first met him.


With an answer or not, the feline would pull ahead. Even if the leader attempted to bestow his ‘infinite’ wisdom from experience. It was something that he’d rather not hear right now. Once he was out further ahead, he’d pull off of the road and let his footsteps become  much lighter than before. A few moments later, he’d let himself glide quietly through the bushes with his stance lowering till the shrubs were just above eye level. He wasn’t too willing to risk being seen, not even by his own party. Especially after the previous events.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Solntse on April 11, 2014, 12:25:13 AM

"I follow Piro."  Sage admitted looking down at her hooves, as small puffs of dust erupted from under them with each step. Looking back up at the wolf-kin still hopeful " I was taught some of the very basics of healing, mostly just theory really, but I'm sure I could learn more" She said meeting the wolf's eyes with a firm, determined glint to her eyes. "If not that, I'm sure I could be of some other use."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on April 11, 2014, 02:27:38 AM

Karina watched the ongoing conversations, trying to calm herself down now that it seemed that Korius was already considering the cleric to join the team. She realized she was trying to use the "cute" behavior for getting her to join the team, putting her own palm to her own forehead with a bit of a sigh. "Oi, let's hope that there's a water-source around here somewhere. I've embarrassed myself long enough to heat up my face for a while."  she grumbles to herself as she starts to walk a little ahead of Korius, only Leo in front of herself while she was keeping her eyes peeled for anything of use or to be wary of.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on April 11, 2014, 08:21:51 PM

Kiana pretty much tuned out when Leo started to respond to Korius. She didn't want to listen to any bickering between the members of the group at that moment, especially about the concept of thievery and morals and whatnot. There wasn't much more to do besides keep walking for the time being. She watched Leo walk ahead of the group, turn and say something, then pull further ahead before walking off the path. She also saw Karina walk ahead too, though not nearly as far as Leo had. Kiana looked at their surroundings as she walked, not really hearing anything but her own thoughts at present.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on April 14, 2014, 01:53:44 PM

Korius was interested now as he heard Sage's little story. No one has ever bothered teaching healing mantras and magic to anyone who didn't follow Serenity, and even more so, there are no concrete theories or even scriptures that have been confirmed that could teach healing to other followers. It's only been hearsay for hundreds of years that only those who have the one magical spark and blood that is perfectly attuned to their god or goddess that would receive the whispers and tutelage of healing. "Interesting. Well, I look forward to what you can do." When they finally caught up to Leo, they broke the treeline, at the top of a cliff, and looked out into a large, open prairie with sparse trees here and there and several small mountains, towns, villages and even castles in the distance. As much as they could see, everything was a very far distance away. Korius took in a deep breath and sighed, but quickly reached out as Suzumi did not stop walking, busy tuning her body's magical energies with her new gems, and tipped right over the cliff. The wolf grabbed hold of her arm and lifted her back up, putting her down next to him, "Be careful, you. You don't want your legacy to be the idiot that fell off a cliff for not paying attention." Suzumi caught her breath and nodded.

Korius looked around, "There's supposed to be a station near here that can take us to the bottom safely. There's a wind and an earth mage that runs a gondola for a small fee. Leo or Karina, go find find out where they are. They are twins, so you can't mistake them." He waited for them to move before following. Suzumi followed as well, but with her attention on attuning to her gems again, tripped on the first root at her feet, and fell on her face. "Kiana, can you make sure this mage doesn't kill herself? I want to see how well this cleric does, but not so soon."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on April 15, 2014, 12:55:29 AM

Leo was actually surprised when he reached the edge of the woods. The thicket giving through to an overwhelming view to the lower landscape. Surprisingly peaceful when compared to week long hell featured with dragons, cockatrice, and a group of other adventurers. He slowly approached the cliff side, and sat down at the edge. His feet dangled idly as his eyes darted from castle to castle. Each town and the like he found had been evaluated for it's age and wealth. He had always dream of sneaking through a palace corridor when he was younger. Always thought of the excitement of feeling over the walls and paintings for any secret corridors that would leave to a treasure horde. But it wasn't the gold, or the riches he wanted. Just the challenge and sport of the heist.

 
“Psh...” Leo hissed to himself after remembering what Korius said. The statement was down right idiotic to the feline. “Thieves have no honor. Sure, we're rogues. But I never known an assassin to be any better.” He looked down to his side to scoop up a stone and looked down to it. “But of course a killer can only see justice in what a killer does I suppose,” he said just as his ears caught the rustling of the bushes behind him. He turned his head to look over his shoulder just as everyone else came into view. His mind was wondering so badly, that he hadn't even noticed Suzumi taking a step over the ledge.

 
"There's supposed to be a station near here that can take us to the bottom safely. There's a wind and an earth mage that runs a gondola for a small fee. Leo or Karina, go find find out where they are. They are twins, so you can't mistake them."

 
Leo blinked to the command, and looked back down to the ground below. Rather than standing up immediately, his eyes were scanning over the open roads that were close the cliff facade for any building or post designed to receive such a contraption. Once he found one that was close, his eyes would follow it's cable up to it's destination, eventually turning to the side. Afterword, he'd lift himself up to his feet and move away from the cliff side. “Well I guess we can check over here...” Leo sighed as he shoved off.

 
Once they were a good distance away, Leo's mind began to wonder. And eventually, he turned and looked to Karina, “You trust me, right?”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on April 15, 2014, 02:45:16 AM

Slowly, Kiana's ears started picking up on the sounds around her until she was fully tuned into the "here and now" again. When they exited the treeline and found themselves on a cliff, she stopped at the edge with the rest of the group. Her arms quickly jerked when she saw that Suzumi didn't stop but they relaxed to her sides when Korius caught Suzumi and pulled her back. She listened to Korius' command for Leo or Karina then watched Leo search without moving from his spot seated on the edge of the cliff. Once he & Karina walked off and Korius & Suzumi followed, Kiana started moving as well only to stop abruptly when Suzumi tripped on a root and fell. Kiana looked at Korius, sort of chuckling at what he said then nodding. Grabbing Suzumi under her arms, she pulled her up & backwards so she was on her knees then lifted her to help her to her feet. Kiana resigned herself to walking beside Suzumi, though slightly behind so she could keep an eye on her and either grab her or warn her if something were to happen while she was distracted. She didn't want to treat Suzumi like a child though, so she didn't really hover, just kept her at the corner of her vision.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on April 15, 2014, 11:59:13 AM

Suzumi was completely unaware of her surroundings while she channeled her energies in and around the gems and vice-versa.
She didnt even percieve things properly in this state, motion being one of the few things she could make out. She didnt notice the cliff untill she had taken a step off of it, the sudden jerk and feeling of something grabbing her collar pulled her back into focus her eyes going wide as she watched herself hanging off of the edge for a moment before being pulled back upwards by Korius. "S..Sorry, I should have probably mentioned that when I am doing this I loose most of my perception...Thanks..."


Taking a few moments to listen to Korius giving the others their orders she looked at Kiana for a moment "I just need a few moments longer, then you wont have to worry about me." She frowned a little at how weak she was without her abilities. Gripping the gems and focusing a little more this time to speed up the process only to trip over a root and go tumbling down rather comedically, very narrowly escaping landing flat on her face. Feeling Kiana help her up once more she thanked her and continued to focus but walking a little slower than before.

Kiana would notice from the corner of her vision that the wind around Suzumi would start to twist and spin kicking up small pieces of dirt and tiny sparks and embers spinning with the wind. Pulling her hands from her pockets and bringing the gems with them she quickly slide them into the gloves the sockets tightly gripping the stones as they pulsed and glowed a little. "Attunement completed. Crystalline resonance is good."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on April 15, 2014, 04:33:27 PM

Karina gave a nod in reply to Korius's instruction, going with Leo to look for the gondola. "Don't let his words get to you. At times there are necessities in killing, but only when your own life or someone you care for is in danger. So far I trust you, yet some of your methods are not to my liking. You still get things done despite them, which is why I trust you." she spoke to him as she was seeing the gondola, then she squinted a bit to see both posts for it. "Okay, a bit odd, but I see it... but not the people. If this is their livelihood, they wouldn't just abandon it, would they?" she thought out-loud as she was following Leo's lead to find out more about what was going on.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on April 27, 2014, 12:51:04 AM

Korius followed along until they made it to the gondola. There, they all saw that it was much larger than they originally expected, even for Korius. The height of the carriage itself was 4 meters high, 20 meters across and 10 meters wide. It had a canopy another 6 meters above the top of the carriage. This gondola was big enough to carry half of a caravan. Right next to the gondola stood two identical komodo dragons conversing with each other. Sage was hesitant as they got closer, recognizing their faces and flipped her hood over her head. Korius noticed, but didn't say anything. As they approached, the two looked over at the party and a low voice came, "You lot looking to go down to the Plains?" The old wolf stood forward in front of the party, "Yes, my party seeks passage. How much?" The one dressed in green answered as the one in yellow assessed the party with his eyes, "4 pieces per person, anything with wheels comes at 50 coppers per kilo." Korius opened his other satchel and pulled out the needed coins, but stopped as he heard a yelling of an abnormally high-pitched voice, "SAGE!? What are you doing with these people!?" The young cleric turned her face as she slunk more into her hood. "Kallow! It's Sage! She's trying to leave with this party!" The one in green quickly came over, his face more stern than it was before, "You know your father won't let you leave the town. Why are you trying to sneak off again?" He then looked up at Korius, "This one must stay here. Otherwise, not only will we not allow you pass, but we will fight you if necessary. This one is arranged to marry in two days, and she has been trying to run away for the last several months. Her father is the town's mayor, and she's betrothed to my brother, Mallow." Korius looked at the one dressed in yellow, eyebrow raised, though it's not visible through his hair, "We have no problem with that. I don't wish to make enemies with any authorities anywhere. Tell him we're sorry, and take this with you, too. See that the gem store owner that sold a flawed topaz and ruby this morning gets it. Tell him the extra is an apology." He tossed the lizard the satchel that Leo had given him earlier. The green-clad mage caught the pouch and tossed it to his brother, "Take it and your fiancee back to town. There's barely any wind today, I'll manage on my own."
Korius took one coin out of his stack and tossed the rest of the coins over, "It's 5 passengers, then." Mallow came over, took Sage's hand and walked her back into the forest while Kallow stretched out a hand to invite the party into the gondola. The wolf didn't like leaving that cleric behind, but he has never had any conflicts with any authority figures, and he wasn't about to start. It was a pity, though, as he was really hoping to see what this cleric had, and if she could potentially become one of history's very few Prophecy Healers.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on April 27, 2014, 01:58:48 AM

When Suzumi said that she was done, Kiana then stopped being as mindful of her since she was paying attention again. Arriving at the gondola with the group, Kiana listened to the conversation. She raised her eyebrows when one of the twins called out Sage. When she heard about the arranged marriage, her lips twitched as she suppressed an oncoming frown. "An arranged marriage? Such a pity..." She thought to herself as she watched Sage be led away by her arranged husband-to-be. "I don't blame her for running, I did. Different circumstances though, I guess..." After the second of watching Sage and thinking, she got onto the gondola with the rest of the group.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on April 27, 2014, 03:27:54 AM

Leo blinked, and quickly turned around after hearing someone call out. His hand now resting on the pummel of his dagger. He continued to listen to the situation, just waiting to see if it would turn hostile or not. When the proxy threat was made, Leo's hand had slid further past the pummel, allowing the handle of the dagger to now slip between his middle and ring finger. He could easily feel for the poor girl. Marriage was just a nail in your foot, it kept you in one area, and in a peaceful life. But for it to be arranged, was more so a crucifixion. For her to be with someone she had no say in, must be a horrible experience.

When what ever was going seemed to be toning it's self down with Sage leaving by being dragged away. He was actually surprised that Korius hadn't bothered to intervene, yet he felt perfectly fine with doing what he saw was right. His gaze then turned back to the 'fiance'. High pitched, young, and whiny. When the the two left, the cat shook his head before stepping onto the gondola and let his hand drop away from his dagger. “I feel sorry for her,” Leo sighed openly, “That guy was not very alluring.”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on April 28, 2014, 11:47:54 AM

With her gems now focused and properly placed in her gloves Suzumi's senses started to return to normal, making her way with the group to the gondola she simply stood there without a word as the brothers explained the situation to Korius, partly expecting him to deny their request to give the cleric over, but he did not resist after hearing the explanations. Suzumi shrugged a little before pulling her hood a little more over her head. "Poor girl..." Her mouth curling into a sneer as she tried to keep her voice low  "Politics most likely"
Stepping onto the gondola she turned her head just enough to cast a hidden glare at Kallow before sitting down.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on April 28, 2014, 03:00:38 PM

When Korius found the gondola operators, she almost gave a huff in an exasperated manner due to them having looked for the individuals because of his instruction but instead to have him find them first.  She shrugged it off after a while and followed his lead with the others. She stopped at the edge of the gondola, having her bow in her hand, when they were stopped by the twins, but mostly to get it off of her back for a while. Hearing the mention of the arranged marriage made her bite her tongue, almost to the point where she was about to make it bleed if she bit harder, her irises being red as she looked on and kept silent... after all, she did not like this objectifying of women and seeing her leave because of this was not easing the blue-haired fox kin's mind right now as she stepped into the gondola with the others. The only thing that was preventing her from attacking to protect Sage from such a fate was the fact that they needed to go through this area without the extra trouble of getting into a fight with the locals if she were to even think on getting the Life Stone.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on May 02, 2014, 11:50:51 PM

Kallow opened up the side of the gondola with a wave off his hand, and motioned for the party to board. Korius got on first, followed by the rest of the group. After everyone was on, the tall lizard raised his right hand to close up the opening and kept an open palm facing the mountain face while he lowered his left palm to face the floor. The gondola seemed to dislodge from the mountain and pillars came out of the mountainside to stabilize the gondola as it slowly went down the line. Korius looked around, walking to one of the side "windows" that allowed him to see out. He wanted to talk to Kallow, but the mage seemed to be concentrating exceptionally hard. The old wolf drank in the scenery, not having seen a plain this large in ages. The lack of any kind of greenery over 1/2 a meter and the sparseness of it all was great, and it allowed one to see all the wild life, both good and bad. In the distance, there was even a couple large Long Gui in the distance trying to look for food.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on May 03, 2014, 01:27:44 AM

After walking onto the gondola with the group, Kiana turned and watched Kallow work for a moment or two. Sometimes she wished she had the talents of a mage just because it seemed so interesting and it was like they couldn't run out of ammo. She loved her bow and arrows though and she would never give them up. After her moment of watching Kallow, she turned and leaned against the side of the gondola, looking out at the prairie. "Now this is a place I could live..." She thought to herself, her tail subtly swaying contently behind her. "So much better than home. Much more space."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on May 05, 2014, 11:59:03 AM

Suzumi simply sat down somewhere were she could keep an eye on Kallow her gaze-although hidden under the hood of her cloak- fixated on the mage. She was observing and trying to figure out just how strong he must have been to be able to cast a spell like that on his own. Looking out one of the windows she seemed to stare off into the distance of the open plains her eyes not used to something that large and open, somehow it put her on edge...the lack of cover.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on May 05, 2014, 07:59:48 PM

Karina was still silent, not wanting to cause any trouble, but she was still angry from the events of the start of the gondola ride. She tried to keep her focus away from the operator, mostly looking out to their destination. She saw the creatures on the ground and started to make her focus towards them. "At least I can see there is a decent hunt, if we can get one good kill once we get there." she spoke out-loud, despite her meaning to think it instead.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on May 05, 2014, 10:54:56 PM

Leo had been sitting on the ground near the window. His eyes surveying the landscape from above, taking in every bit of detail he could. From roads, to camps, and even the creatures that were all to unfamiliar to him. Most notably the larger creature that had been hunting, “Yeesh... if large creatures like that thing roam here... I'd hate to see a dreaded legend be true.”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on May 06, 2014, 02:10:52 AM

Korius looked around some more before walking back over to Kallow, "I won't pry into your business, but I am curious to find out what kind of dangers we might encounter, or anything that might be out of the normal." The lizard kept his concentration, but relaxed his body a little before speaking, when he was comfortable, "The plains are quite similar to the Western Dunes and the Northern Clearings when it comes to air. It's fairly thin, but it's great for training and building up stamina. The Long Gui out here aren't as aggressive as those of the North. The Wyvern dragons out here are very rare, but most of them aren't very strong, they have very little to eat. But be careful of the Northeastern Oasis and any that are larger than 20km in diameter. There's a Bahamut Grand Dragon that feeds off all of the feeding animals. If it wasn't for the Bahamut, we'd have more Grand Dragons out here since Wyverns are really just whithered, mutated fire dragons that weren't able to evolve into Flarebrass. You'll recognize them since they look half serpentine with an upper body like a dragon with a warped face. Despite being weak, they're still stronger than an adolescent Fire Dragon." Korius looked across the plains and didn't see anything that flew or seemed to slither, merely wild and furry animals.
"What about the non-dragons? Any to be worried about besides the Long Gui?" Kallow looked up, thinking for a minute without losing his concentration with his magic, "There are a few herds of Lezardo near the various smaller oasis. And there are a lot of long-haired gorgonopsid packs. Some of them are docile, but there are hunting parties as well. Other than that, no other creatures should be bothersome." He finished as the gondola finally reached the bottom. Kallow sighed as he relaxed and then opened the front of the gondola for the party to get off. Korius thanked the lizard and walked off first, letting the others say what they want or just get used to moving again. "Wait! One more thing. Be careful of the weather. It's completely unpredictable, and can change at any moment. You can have clear skies one minute, and in a flash, have a torrential storm with rain and a tornado. It's rare that it'll destroy the landscape, but it's because of the curse that has laid at the bottom of Kiramantle Castle for the last 100 years. I'm sure you already know what others think might be the cause of it all. You carry a strange, magical item with you. It's a magic I've never felt before. People at our level start sensing the the essence of magic. Be careful around high level mages like us or even stronger. They will sense it, and some are not so straight forward and honest."
Korius felt the small shard in his coin satchel, the magical orb or light that surrounded it bulged the side of the satchel as if it was solid, despite it having embedded in his neck a few days prior. "So this thing has unknown powers, huh? Thank you, Kallow. I think you just confirmed something for us."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on May 09, 2014, 06:51:01 PM

Suzumi didnt say a word the entire ride, she was content with listening to the other conversations going on, taking a particular intrest in the exchange between Korius and Kallow. She turned her gaze to his satchel as it seemed to expand a little yet she couldnt sense it properly. She was still just a graduate an artifact like that would be hard for her to detect, and even while looking at it she had no idea what it was, the magic and energy around it didnt make sense to her.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on May 10, 2014, 03:16:27 PM

"So what is our direction to go once we come to the end of the line, Leader?" Karina asked, keeping her eyes outward from the center of the gondola since the male mage that caused her anger was there. "While we're on the mention of directions... shouldn't we look for a civilized place along the way to invest in a map?" she added as she squinted a bit, seeing something a bit far off in the distance. "Odd... there's something reflective over there." she pointed out with her right hand, the other still holding onto her bladed bow.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on May 11, 2014, 02:46:02 AM

Leo remained where he was seated as he watched the landscape pass by. He decided not to actually speak up, but to simply listen. As for any input that the serval-kin could possibly provide, would not simply be anything feasible in wisdom when compared to the wizard who has been in the area for far longer than he has. But with each important article of information, the thief did take the time to create a mental note, and catalog it for later in his mind.
And when mention of the cursed under-level’s of a castle was made, the cat's eyes darted over the horizon to spot some sign that could produce a landmark of where such a structure was. Maybe the ominous and ever looming circling clouds, or a torn landscape with such a castle in the center.
But the cat finally said something after Karina added in her question, with his eyes looking up to spot what ever she had pointed out. “I'd recommend us to look for some side jobs and bide our time a bit before tackling the big daddy. I'm not a decent combatant just yet, and I am sure some others could use practice.”

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on May 11, 2014, 03:16:22 PM

During the gondola ride, Kiana just listened to the conversation between Korius and Kallow as she observed the landscape down below, looking at each of the small towns in the distance in turn. Kiana looked over in the direction the Karina pointed when she mentioned something reflective, but she couldn't tell what it was. When the gondola reached the ground and Kallow opened the door for the group to depart, Kiana followed Korius off, taking in the additional information Kallow gave them as well.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on May 12, 2014, 12:24:55 AM

Korius looked back at the gondola, where the others were voicing their questions, but before he could respond, Kallow took the initiative, "As you saw from the ride, the closest village is directly north about a day's hike, but if you want to do quests, the closest city is Harlotton, 2 days due east." The old wolf took in the information and processed everything that he was able to learn so far, and what he knew of the party's situation. He had to agree, the party is nowhere near ready for what's in store for them if they ventured further into the Plains. "Then it looks like we're going east. I have to agree with Leo. Our party is not ready for the full wilderness of the Plains. Based on Kallow's bestiary knowledge, you are all going to have to go through some serious preparation and training. Let's go. Our first training is to make this two day hike no more than a day and a half." Korius tossed an extra silver coin to the earth mage, who caught up, bowed, and got back onto the gondola. The opening closed and the pillars that came out of the mountainside slowly lifted the giant vessel upward.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on May 12, 2014, 01:42:36 AM

Leo thought about the idea of training that Korius had mentioned. If anything it didn't sound quite as tedious as Korius may initially have thought it to be. The expression that the thief wore did show his growing puzzlement. The cat could understand that you don't want to start with anything that is absolutely destructive. But the very notion that a small amount of time to be removed from it's intended schedule just sounded... to easy. Almost a complete let down when you expect the first training from your party leader to be rather demented. Especially when he himself is possibly able to lift a tree with his tongue.


"Uhm... well," Leo began, not quite sure how to put his own thoughts into words. After all, he believed his stamina was decent enough to last him for the trip.  "That.... sounds... easy enough."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on May 12, 2014, 04:15:27 PM

Suzumi simply shook her head, she knew full well that she was no where near ready enough to tackle a big task yet, not after the last time. Clenching her fists tightly and cursing under her breath at her own weakness, she didnt know what hiking that fast would do, she was a mage, not a warrior but perhaps the extra endurance she would pick up would allow her to stay in the fights for longer.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on May 12, 2014, 08:16:32 PM

Kiana was kind of disappointed that they wouldn't be going through the Plains. The idea of doing a lot more training didn't really bother her since she enjoyed it. When she heard the plan to turn a two-day trek into one and a half, she thought it was a little odd. She saw that it could help with endurance, but really, the only way she could see them making it was if they didn't rest in any way or sleep. She expected that they would have to eat on the move, if they ate at all. Shrugging her shoulders, she adjusted the quivers and her bow on her back while she waited to get going with the group.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on May 12, 2014, 10:53:52 PM

She didn't respond to either choice, simply just following the lead since there wasn't any input needed from her on mention of where to go, so Karina just quietly followed along, this time putting her bow on her back as she reached into her pack to grab out some of her dried provisions to eat a little while her other hand went for her water-skin to grab it. She finished her bite before she took a swig from the skin, doing a mental check on everything before she put the skin back.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on May 15, 2014, 12:13:03 AM

As Korius was moving forward, he looked back, "Since you all are still new to this, let me give you a small bit of information. When professionals like Kallow give you a travel time, it's based on the assumption that you don't sleep or stop for breaks. If you wanted to sleep, the city is over 3 days off. We're going to be making this trip in a day and a half. I'll give you 1 minute to stretch your legs. It'll be the only time you'll be doing it." The old wolf looked up into the sky as the morning sky slowly reached towards high noon. "Get ready for a scorcher, kiddies. Looks like no clouds today." He began a slow walking pace, letting the others get their short bit of preparation. When the 1 minute was up, he sped up to a moderate walking pace. After a couple hours, he sped up to his traveling speed that he used before he met this group. To some, it might be seen as speed walking.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on May 15, 2014, 12:00:42 PM

“... wait... what,” Leo asked immediately after being told the difference between their typical travel pace, and a “Professionals” pace. If the professional was to walk from point a and point be with no breaks, Then he must be insane or immortal. Or likely a just a random hero that has been over hyped through bards tales. “A forced march!? Professionals gauge travel distance... by forced march,” Leo asked still highly confused after taking a moment to stretch his legs, as recommend. The feline did know some form of military jargon, but only because it's a common phrasing.


"Well, scratch out the term sane from our leader's list of descriptions," The thief thought to himself after adjusting to  match his pace. This brisk walking speed was familiar enough to him, but he knew better than to believe it would be just a cake walk at this point. The terrain for a straight shot didn't look to bad from the gondola, but he was already doubting that Korius would keep them under such nice conditions for long. The weather that was said to be a scorcher, wouldn't be to much of a problem for Leo. His body being built for much hotter and arid conditions made this feel as if it was a very nice day in the spring. And to help him keep his mind off any pain or burning sensation, he began to allow his mind wonder off to much different times.


"So... where is everyone from," Leo asked aloud. They had about three days walk in just a day in a half. If to help time go by faster, he felt now would be a great time for everyone to start building some form of trust in one another. Or at least get to know each other before anyone else decides that now would be their time to just leave.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on May 15, 2014, 12:48:08 PM

Suzumi stretched as much as she could making sure that she was as ready as she would ever be for what could only be a mad mans march. Looking at the sky for a second she pulled her leather cloak away from her body, kicking up a little dust as she shook it out and started to fold it up tightly, neatly placing it into her rucksack. The green scales of her body glittering a little in the sunlight as she soaked up the sunlight.

"Best catch up to Korius...hes not going to wait." She said softly as she made her way towards him Her black pants were a little more loose fitting to allow the most freedom of movement possible without getting in the way, her shirt was a little tighter, the black cloth more fitted over her upper body, sleeveless and with part of her back exposed. The strange tattoo on her back only slightly visible.


Looking towards Leo she took a deep breath "Mages collage...ever since I can remember. I wasnt born there but I grew up there, its my home. Always will be."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on May 15, 2014, 05:21:22 PM

Karina kept her silence, trying to avoid speaking her mind right now. Her pace was easy to keep up with Korius's though she wanted to state her thoughts on him making them go for so long without any rest. She kept her hand close to her bow during the start of the walk, letting out a mental grumble to herself on how they were going to endure over 36 hours of constant walking, along with the addition of the heat as a mentally-degrading obstacle.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on May 16, 2014, 02:35:01 AM

Kiana wasn't very surprised when Korius gave them the information on the trek since it just confirmed what she had been thinking before that. When he told them they had a minute to stretch their legs, she immediately plopped down on the ground, putting her legs straight out in front of her and stretching her arms out to touch her toes. After that she spread her legs and stretched out to each side in turn, not worrying about the position since she had leggings on. Once she was done, she hopped back up to her feet and immediately started walking, making sure to catch up to Korius quickly while trying not to think about the fact that he had just called them "kiddies" a moment ago.
When Leo asked where everyone was from, Kiana looked over at him then at Suzumi when she answered. "Lokridge City at the edge Central Spanse." Kiana answered after Suzumi was done speaking and it didn't seem like Karina was going to say anything. "It's extremely crowded and, basically, the perfect place for my rich, stuck-up, Hiro-worshiping, purebred parents to live and for me to have left." Looking up at the sky from beneath her hood, she contemplated how long she would be able to keep her cloak on with their fast walking pace and the rising temperature. She was definitely going to keep it on as long as possible.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on May 17, 2014, 10:50:06 PM

Korius merely spoke without turning around, "Sorry, Leo, but even the lowest grunts of any kingdom's military has to be able to do this. There are times where emergencies dictate endless pacing or running for days on end. Also, there are areas that you just can't afford to sleep and lower your guard. The sooner you all can build up your endurance to such conditions, the better. Just be glad we're not in the Northern Tundra. It's usually cold enough to turn your breath into ice instantly at this time of year, and kills improperly equipped travelers in less than 5 minutes." He waited for the others to introduce where they were from before he did, "I was orphaned in the west coast town of Kriole, just 3 kilometers from the Amazon border."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on May 18, 2014, 05:33:21 AM

Once everyone went through their own long delayed introductions, leaving only two who hadn't actually said anything. Himself and Kariana. “I grew up in Vil. A military country made of forest, mountains and desert,” Leo began after thinking over some small details of his home land. He paused momentairly to adjust his footingHe then later added onto it with a much sourer note. There was also a tinge of sarcasm the moment he started,“Nice place though, too bad it's plagued with a tribal civil war. It's so far into the collateral deepend, that if you are not paying attention to the horizon or what's around you outside of cities, you'll find yourself the next pin cushion for glaives and spears... even if you are civilian. Be it death by soldiers, radicals, assassins, slavers, what have you. Generally all of them are part of either side's military in some way."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on May 18, 2014, 06:55:20 AM

Karina felt a bit on-the-spot due to all of this, after having cooled-off enough mentally to be a bit sociable. "You all know where I came from. Guess I'm rather sheltered in the way of the outside world..." she spoke, letting herself cut off her own discussion. This was going to be a rather arduous walk for her mentally due to the heat and the sheer duration of it, on several thoughts she wanted to take off in a run but she stopped herself because she knew that it would only wear herself out rather quickly if she were to attempt running it.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on May 19, 2014, 03:46:29 AM

Kiana listened to Korius explain the trek more to Leo and listened to everyone else's answer to Leo's question after her own. "Definitely glad we're nowhere cold. I hate the cold." She thought when recalling Korius description of the Northern Tundra a few moments before. In some form or another, Kiana had heard about the places that each person was from to some extent, but of course she had never been to any of them except for Karina's home. She never knew the extent of the civil war in Leo's place of origin, just that there was one. After hearing about it, she didn't make any comments about it, just kept her thoughts of how pathetic civil wars were to herself. Her mind went back to trying to figure out how long she could last before having to remove her cloak, determining she had another hour or two at best, but she'd take the shade of her hood while she had it.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on May 19, 2014, 12:00:26 PM

Suzumi  kept moving as fast as she could without breaking out into a full jog as she tried to keep up with Korius. Her mind mulling over where everybody else came from, each had such a different past,every single one of them had lived though different experiences, not much common ground...Except that each had lost someone dear to them, and each was on this quest to try and bring them back. Once more glancing up towards the sun she smiled and let out a soft sigh, she preferred hiding her face but the sun was refreshing. She could feel her entire body warm up, her energy levels slowly increasing.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on May 21, 2014, 12:53:58 AM

Korius wasn't surprised that Leo didn't feel like disclosing what village or town he came from. Vil was one of three Amazon territories that declared independence from the civilized nations. Even though there was trading, Amazon territories were in constant wars, struggles or some kind of tribal feuds. But this would not be too much of a surprise for some people who know about the societal states of these territories. Only Amazons, Beastmen, Thieves, Barbarians, Witch Doctors and Berserkers could survive in those kinds of living conditions. It would be a good 8 hours before the sun finally fell, and the area cooled down significantly to around 60 degrees. He was sure that the others would be feeling it by now, particularly with their heated muscles now being cooled stiff. For almost all inexperienced adventurers, this is the 2nd hardest and 2nd most painful part of this kind of traveling.
By high moon, he looked back at the others. Though he was feeling the same conditions, Korius's years of training has allowed him to endure and not be much affected by the "hike". "You all doing okay over there?"

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on May 21, 2014, 01:20:52 AM

An hour and a half later, Kiana had to remove her cloak. The air hitting her arms and the back of her neck felt good for a little while, but then it was just hot no matter what. The heat wouldn't have been bad if she hadn't been walking so fast. When it started to cool down later in the evening, she welcomed it, but it wasn't too long before her muscles cooled and got stiff. She was stubborn though and did her best to ignore the pain and fight putting her cloak back on. When Korius spoke to them at high moon, she was just putting her cloak back on with the hood up and then her quivers and bow back over it. "That's not exactly the word I would use." Kiana muttered as she pulled a piece of jerky out of her food satchel then tore a bite off after she had spoken.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on May 21, 2014, 01:08:13 PM

While the sun was out and the temperature warm Suzumi seemed to do well, she was clearly fitter than most mages due to her unique combat style, somehow keeping up with the quick marching pace the group had to keep. She ignored her fatigue during the day but after 8 hours she was feeling the strain and now with the  sun having set. She quickly pulled her cloak from her bag and put it on, the cooler it got the more her muscles started to burn and ache and by high moon she was at what she thought was her limit. Looking up from under the hood of her cloak at Korius as she bit into her lip and spoke up with her voice audibly more pained than earlier. "G..Good, I'm still good."

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on May 21, 2014, 04:23:46 PM

Karina kept her pace with the others, not seeming to be as bothered by the heat as she thought she was going to be, but she contributed it to her time assisting in the smithy with her father, but she started to get jittery when the temperature dropped. "A vixen without thick fur... I feel like the laughing-stock right now." she grumbled to herself before she heard Korius speak up. "Too cold, too cold... don't stop." she repeated to herself over and over as she brought her cape around herself to shield some of her exposed body from the cooler air.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on May 22, 2014, 12:55:32 PM

Leo smiled to himself as the night soon came. Oh how lovely this was for him! He could still see as clear as day with the eyes of the feline, and thankfully for him, his body was still warm. While he had the body of a desert cat, he wouldn't necessarily have any ability to stave off the cold. No, instead... the tight leathers he wore did a tremendous job at holding in his body heat and keeping him warm. Not to mention the thick canvas leggings and undershirt he wore underneath his armor.

"Normally I'd avoid the cold like the gloom. But oh I feel quite peachy. I'll wager my legs will give before I cave to the cold for now," Leo chuckled in a sing song manner. His hand's moving behind his head to lift up a portion of his cowl and use it like a hood to shield his ears. Though the cloth wasn't as thick, it did help with allowing the feline to stay warm for a little while longer. After all, the ears was what allowed him to regulate most of his body temperature, aside from panting of course. He did wish, however, that he could give Karina, or Suzumi something. But the thief did not pack a cloak with him.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on May 27, 2014, 02:35:30 AM

Despite the insulation provided by his leather, Leo would definitely feel the draw backs of wearing such cloths in the cold weather as it made it harder for him to walk since the leather stiffens with lower temperatures. "We only have 1 more day to go. Keep pace you all. Otherwise, you'll get left behind and probably get lost. This ground is far too solid to leave any tracks, even from large beasts. The only thing you'll ever find in this place is battle damage." Korius looked around at their surroundings. Even though it was cloudless with a bright, full moon, the temperature was still dropping. There were absolutely no signs of damage anywhere, and he couldn't even help but notice that, despite the weight of his sword, his steps didn't even stir up any dust, let alone making an imprint. This is truly one of the worst places to get into a fight, and worse yet if it would be with anything larger than a feral wolf or lion.

Though the old wolf kept his pace up, he was sure to be cautious. He had no idea what kind of creatures are rampant in what areas, and until they got to the city, anything could happen to them. Korius discreetly shook each leg as he walked with each step for a couple metres. The ground was working its way through even his knees as they traversed farther. If it was his guess, this probably used to be a Long Gui habitat and stomping ground. It was only one of two creatures in the world that could do this, but the only one that has a high number in populace. Grand Dragons do not have herds, and there aren't more than 20 around the world.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on May 30, 2014, 01:26:46 AM

Kiana finished a couple pieces of jerky while the others answered Korius and then he spoke again. Grabbing her gloves from a pouch in her belt, she pulled them onto her hands. After that, she grabbed the sides of her cloak and wrapped it around herself tighter to try to get her body warmer. "At this rate, saying there's only one more day to go doesn't make me feel any better." She thought to herself. While she walked, she kept scanning the surrounding area, keeping a lookout for any kind of attackers.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on May 30, 2014, 03:06:29 AM

Instinctively, Karina got closer to Suzumi as if to try to share warmth with her but she herself was shivering quite a bit while the sun was down, despite their movements. "Think warm thoughts, think warm thoughts..." she grumbled to herself, letting her mind venture to the smithy, working with the blazing coals. Apparently this did start to work as she was lessening in shivering, or that she was starting to feel the peeking light from the dawning sun on her, but either way she was definitely calming down in her movements. She still kept semi-close to Suzumi, blocking a bit of the wind that was blowing from the north side of the path.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on May 31, 2014, 01:52:24 AM

Leo grunted to himself as he began to feel a bit heavier now. No it wasn't heavier, it was stiffer. His legs were able to move just fine, but the straining his arms and upper toroso had against the leathers were a bit abnormal to say the best. He hadn't even realized that Leather stiffens up greatly in the cold, especially when it was already hardened for protection against blades. His movements now became a bit more clumsier as he neighbored against his own armor. Having to sacrifice making more noise just so he could keep his own balance, as well as continue to breath against the  constraining chest piece. “A day left, oh grand...” Leo grumbled to himself as fatigue began to make it's course on his own legs. What could possibly be next with this -wonderful- leader of theirs! Combat training for a thief armed with a tooth pick vs a hulking barbarian wielding a mountain?

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Suzumibachii on May 31, 2014, 12:13:09 PM

Suzumi was trying her best to supress the shivering as the cold bit down to her bones, thankfull that Karina did come a little closer and act as a partial wind shield to keep at least that part of the chill away from her. Her eyes strained and watered a little in the cold night air, it was clear that being cold blooded really did have a severe disadvantage when temperatures dropped this low. Every step she took was labored and heavy as even the blood in her veins felt like it was thickening and straining against her movement. "As long as it doesnt get colder I think I can make it." Clearly starting to doubt her own physical prowess in the cold.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on June 04, 2014, 12:19:47 AM

The night wore on without getting much colder than 55 degrees after a couple hours past high moon. For the party, the sun probably could have at least tried to rise sooner as the temperature soared back up to 65 degrees with the giant orange globe rising over the eastern horizon directly in front of them. The sun was exceptionally bright, and even Korius had to cover his eyes for a good 2 hours that morning. The old wolf was only feeling mild fatigue, and he was sure the others would be nearing their limits pretty soon, but he had to force them past it. No matter your class, pushing past your limits is the only way to get stronger the quickest, despite the negative side-effects.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on June 06, 2014, 02:53:39 AM

Kiana was pleased when the sun rose the next morning, even though she had to tug her hood further down over eyes and look towards the ground so it wouldn't hurt her eyes. She straightened up once to crack her spine but made sure her eyes were closed. She also did arm stretches as she walked to try to at least loosen up those muscles since she couldn't pause to do anything about her legs. Her body was feeling quite tired but she wasn't going to say a word about it because she wasn't the kind to whine. She didn't expect pity and didn't want any anyway, especially since everyone else was going through the same thing.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on June 06, 2014, 04:58:47 AM

Karina stayed close until it was far enough into the day for Suzumi to be feeling the sunlight, knowing that she must've been going through agony during the night."Heh, guess I would fare better in this upcoming-heat due to me being raised around a blacksmith's forge." she spoke as she gave Suzumi some space while it was getting warmer. The wind didn't seem to be blowing as strong so it was definitely going to feel warmer soon too. She shifted her posture while she was walking, the only soreness she has was due to the cold, but due to this shift in posture, she caught quite a bit of sunlight due to the direction they were walking. "Hrm, Korius, would there be any markers or direction pointers to Harlotton in this trail? I think I can see something up ahead, but it's hard to see it."  she spoke as she moved one of her hands to shield her eyes to try to see what it was up ahead.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on June 10, 2014, 01:02:21 AM

Leo began to look a bit worried as he kept his gaze on Suzumi. She did not look like she was fairing well at all. If they had a moment to sit still, he would try to warm her up, but such an act would require him to remove his leathers. The wonderful insulate properties of the material never ceases to amaze the feline of course. Instead, he'd speed his pace up to catch up to Suzumi. He'd place a hand on her shoulder, and gave her a light shake. If only to bring her attention back to reality if she was beginning to tone out.

"Just hang in a little more," the cat  rasped through his own labored pants. He removed his hand from her shoulder to pull his shawl away from his neck. The action had quietly exposed the feline's head back to the elements. The wind whipped through his messy hair. His ears had quickly twisted back and laid flat against his skull to protect themselves against the chilled wind. Not caring for permission, he'd quickly slip the shawl over her head and onto her shoulders if he was able to. He'd then pull a portion of it up and over her head to act as a wind barrier. "Just a little longer before the Sun warms ya up."

He offered a smile and pulled her closer. Not to be overly friendly, but to share some of his own body heat to keep her up and moving. Well... what ever heat that had managed to leak through the leathers and canvas.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on June 22, 2014, 09:13:12 PM

Korius looked around, unable to really see what Karina was mentioning. "It's a city, Karina. Don't worry, you'll know by the large walls and ballistas." He looked on forward until he saw the large shape in the distance that Karina had seen. We shouldn't have made it there already, and there's no town or village that brings up walls in this wasteland. So that must mean... The old wolf turned as he started shifting to the side, "Everybody move!" The large shape was rapidly getting larger, being hard to see due to the sun rise being right in front of them. It was a stampede of Golem. Golems are, on average, 3 to 4 metres in height and almost just as wide. They look like humans, but extremely muscular in appearance with tiny heads and shorter legs, but larger arms and abdomens. Most Golem wear the helmets of fallen knights over the years to cover up their hideous appearances. The bottom of these helmets are broken due to the necks of these gargantuan beasts. They can't speak, but they are intelligent enough to understand spoken language. Few of the most experienced Beast Tamers out there are able to conquer and dominate these monsters.

---

Suzumi continued to shiver throughout the night, but was able to stand it thanks to her party's combined help. As the sun rose and started soaking up her scales in heat, she stopped shivering. Her legs still hurt and she was really feeling the fatigue on top of the almost overwhelming urge to just close her eyes and sleep. However, she was awakened by Korius's yelling and quickly moved off to the side as the stampede came along. But she stumbled as she moved a couple metres. The golem were now on them, and Korius noticed the young, fallen mage. She raised her hands and fired off a few fireballs, doing no more than deterring the first few ones from her, but they were coming up too fast.

---

Korius quickly jumped over, getting knocked over by a few of the golems, but got there in time to bat a few off to the side. However, after the stampede passed, two of them stayed behind to attack the party. One kept Korius busy while the other started going around him to get to Suzumi.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on June 24, 2014, 02:55:11 AM

Kiana's tired eyes widened when Korius told the group to move and she, quickly as she could manage, moved off to the side out of the way of the Golem stampede. Once out of the path, she turned to see that Suzumi had fallen. She then saw Korius dive into the fray, get knocked over by a few golems and then bat off a few of them. When the stampede was over and Korius was still occupied while a golem went after Suzumi, Kiana decided she needed to take action. "Karina! Cover me!" She shouted then ran over to Suzumi. Glancing at the oncoming golem, she bent to one knee and helped Suzumi to her feet then pulled her out of the way, opposite of where Kiana had originally been before going to help.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on June 24, 2014, 09:46:23 AM

Karina was starting to feel like a rag doll in being pulled every which way, but to this reason she was appreciative of it as she saw the golems. She heard Kiana call out the request for cover fire, and without hesitation, she had her bladed bow and arrow at the ready, looking for a soft target to hit in the golems. "These guys wear helmets for a reason..." she thought to herself as she took a shot. The arrow flew, but was slightly off-target as it struck the helmet, causing the golem to drop to it's knees and clutching it's head. While it wasn't the expected result she wanted, she did smile deviously, her obviously having a plan as it was starting to get up. "I remember a story my father told me..." she started off, the golem having it's attention towards Karina now as she was readying another arrow. "...about the time he and a friend of his when they were kids. They used to get into a heap of trouble all the time by ringing the bells at the church when they weren't supposed to." she called out while the golem was nearing closer, taking aim again.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on June 26, 2014, 02:00:31 PM

Leo was actually very thankful that someone else pulled Karina out of the way. He could barely even carry his own weight after this death march that they had gone through. He was straining with effort as he tried to quickly pull himself out of the way of a stampede and cover himself behind a tree as the creatures all zoomed past him.

 
“Seriously... what sort of construct stampedes like cattle,” he grumbled to himself, watching each and every one of those strange things all run past him. None of them actually seemed to give a rat's arse about either of them. Well, kept for two who were also wearing helmets for some reason. He couldn't imagine why a magical creature would need a helmet. But it was probably worn as a method to show off who they killed, or maybe to honor their slaughter?

 
Once he was sure he was in the clear he came out from behind the tree, using a hand to lean on the tree to help keep himself study. Fatigue was getting the best of him now. And unfortunately for Leo, what little martial training he did have required on his acrobatic ability. When he saw Karina take aim at one, and fired. He took note how the Golem went down, but when it got up, he figured it'd be best to let the archer have at it, as she had another arrow on the ready. Last thing he wanted was to get in the way, and take friendly fire.

 
The image of Korius getting shot in the rear returned, almost causing the feline to burst into laughter. He barely managed to hold himself together as he pushed away from the tree and hustled to Korius's aid, where he took the flank.

 
Once he got close enough, he put what little energy he had into speeding up and leaping up into the air. He pulled back one leg, and kicked it forward into a side kick when he came into range, aiming to smack his foot against the helmet. Hopefully it would be hard enough to discombobulate the creature like the other had been.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on June 27, 2014, 12:09:46 AM

The golem roared as Leo's kick caused the creature's helmet to ring, bringing its hands up to its head. Taking advantage of this momentary distraction, Korius got a better grip on his sword and ran his sword right through the slit of the helmet, piercing right through the creature's head, killing it. However, now he had another dilemma. His sword stuck right in, and the golem pulled him as it fell backwards, landing Korius's face on the giant's crotch for a couple seconds before he quickly got up and growled and spat around him.

The other golem kept roaring as Karina shot its helmet with another arrow. While Korius struggled to get his sword bad, he looked back and yelled at Suzumi, "The golems are weak against magic! Their bodies, aside from their heads, can resist all physical attacks! Suzumi! Light it up!" Suzumi was nervous at first, really blown away at what has been happening, but she got her senses back when she heard Korius. She closed her eyes and raised her hands, I guess it's as good a time as any to try it with these stones. Her hands glowed red and yellow, respectively to the colour of each hand's gem. a small amount of wind surrounded one hand and the other with flames. Given a couple more seconds, they melded together and crackled as they formed into larger, blue flames. Finally, with a quick yell, Suzumi formed fists and made a double punching motion towards the golem and shot the solid stream right at it. The creature roared more as it was struck and subsequently silenced as the attack stopped and it fell in a smoldering heap.

Korius was in a little bit of shock as he watched. It was a sight that was extremely rare anywhere. While high level mages across the world were able to combine their magic for attacks, only a select, talented few were able to combine the essence of multiple elements. However, before he was able to say or do anything, there was a loud shriek and a shadow was cast over the whole party as a giant claw came down from above and grabbed Suzumi and narrowly missing Kiana. One of the talons of this claw pierced right through Suzumi's chest, the talon itself being larger than her in size. As she was carried off, Suzumi's blood had made a small track, the initial splash getting onto Kiana.

The old wolf looked up in a scowl, the pain of losing another party member to a Grand Dragon more than apparent on his face, and one of his eyes that was revealed from him looking up so quickly. "Daaaaammiiiiitttt!" It was the Bahamut that Kallow had warned them about. It's body was abnormally larger than its wings, and almost seemed anthropomorphic. Its elongated maw was a sight of horror with its large, jagged teeth. That, and the large spikes sticking out of the back of its neck and back. It was a monster of true horror.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on June 27, 2014, 03:11:17 AM

Kiana had turned herself and Suzumi around to face the action after she had gotten them out of harm's way. She watched as the golem was pained by Karina's arrows hitting its helmet and the other golem was distracted by Leo kicking its helmet so Korius was able to put his sword through its head. When Korius commanded Suzumi to use her magic on the golem that was still standing, she looked at Suzumi and was surprised by how she combined her elements for her attack. What surprised her more was when she heard a loud shriek followed by seeing a giant shadow come over them and then Suzumi was suddenly picked up by a giant claw and subsequently impaled by one of the talons. When the claw narrowly missed Kiana, she stumbled and fell on the ground. "Shi--!" She had started to express her surprise until she was splashed by Suzumi's blood from her being impaled. Her eyes rounded as saw the Bahumut above herself and the group and she remained sitting on the ground where she had fallen in stunned silence as Korius yelled is frustration and anger. "That was almost me..." She thought numbly as her eyes passed over Suzumi's body in its claw. This dragon did not have her interested like the previous dragon they had gone up against. No, it just scared her and she rarely was scared by anything.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on June 27, 2014, 04:42:51 AM

Karina let loose the second arrow, which this one hit its mark inside of the helmet before Suzumi let loose the blast of energy, the arrow acted like a lightning rod to some of Suzumi's excess magical energy in her attack, cooking the inside of the golem. She didn't have enough time to relish her small victory before the shadow came down and the horror took place in front of her as Suzumi was attacked. Without hesitation, she took aim and fired arrow after arrow at the creature, managing to get two arrows stuck into the creature but it wasn't seeming to slow down at all with them in it. "Kiana! Snap out of it! We can still save her! Take aim at those wings!" she called in desperation and rage as tears flowed from her eyes at seeing the sight of Suzumi being impaled. She was now becoming desperate to try to save her, though in her mind, she knew Suzumi would not live long from a claw like that through the chest.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on June 27, 2014, 04:01:04 PM

Leo crumpled back on the ground after having his foot successfully land the stunning blow. If he actually had more energy, he would have been able to land on his feet. But this forced marched they just got out of had only left him down to very little in his reserves. Thankfully, Korius killed the Golem they had tagged team, even if it brought him to landing nose first in a humorous location. After hearing Korius growl, and watching him suddenly stand up, he felt now was a perfect time to tease him. “Oh come on, wolfman,” Leo chuckled as he forced himself to rise up to his feet. He had to use a nearby tree as support to help himself up. “It can't seriously taste that bad.”

Leo had turned his head in time to see that the last Golem was now taken out in an eruption of flames. It was an incredible feat indeed! Though Leo knew very little about magic, he still knows that an exploding fire ball to ones face is like a death blow from a giant stepping on your noggin.

The thief grinned and called out to Suzumi, “Incredib-” however he was cut off abruptly. The image of Suzumi suddenly being impaled by the claw of a dragon as she was carried off through the sky warped an expression of horror onto the feline's face. His eyes trailing after Suzumi's soon to be corpse as she was carried off.

He remained standing for a few seconds, before finally dipping down. His hands now resting on his knees as his ears flattened. His body had been shaking some. Not entirely in fear however, but in sorrow for something that he felt he could have prevented if he had been paying a little more attention to the sounds around them. Something that big shouldn't have been too easy to miss. Not even the grand dragon was close. But the feline still couldn't detect it. And now suzumi was gone.

Leo's memories quickly returned to what he had saw in the castle. Even though the corpse he had came into contact with directly were all frozen, take away the ice, and he could see the poor desecrated body of Suzumi lying among them. No proper burial. And nothing left to return her to anyone that may have known her. “Damn...” the feline whispered to himself in sorrow.

“damnit... Damnit! DAAAAMNIT!” he yowled in rage and sorrow, striking the nearest tree. They could make the attempt to save her. But the most such efforts would give them is an angry dragon, or a body with only a few seconds of life left in her as she bleeds out.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on June 28, 2014, 02:02:33 AM

Korius sighed in frustration, and even more so since this would be one of the very few comrades he's ever had that he couldn't bury. He could feel the atmosphere, and could tell that everyone was feeling what he was, though it might be taking a different turn since they are still green. "Don't bother with trying to go after it. As much as I'm frustrated like you all, it IS a Grand Dragon. It's 3 times larger than the last dragon we fought, and more than 100 times more deadly. There is no one in existence who can stand up to them..." His voice trailed off as his memories returned to him from his younger years. Particularly prior to when any of the party was even born. Korius and his 1st party had witnessed the near annihilation of 4 guilds back almost 30 years ago. Back then, the Warrior's Guild, Holy Cleric Guild, Cosmic Mage Guild and the Amazon Guild (made up of Wildmen and Amazons that decided to join society) banded together to take out the Ahzi Dahaka (Earth Grand Dragon) near the southern border of the Central Desert Spans, having been tired of living in fear of it. He had witnessed the gathering of almost 100,000 guild members from around the world, their march on the Shara Kingdom Ruins, the emergence of the Ahzi, and the massacre of almost every single person.

And now, they were in the territory of the Holy Grand Dragon, the Bahamut. While size-wise, it's not as large as an Ahzi, it was able to fly and was just as dangerous. "Let's just keep going. If we don't keep moving, our emotions will collapse our bodies, and we may end up being next on the menu..." Korius struggled a little more before he finally got his sword out of the golem's thick skull, and kicked off the helmet that stuck to the sword's rivets. He dragged his feet a little, but he put in and picked up the pace back to where they were before. Tears fell from Korius's covered eyes and fell onto the plains. The sparse trees allowed a lot of sunlight, and since the eastern side had more grass, the higher humidity made his tears almost invisible.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: tangletail on June 28, 2014, 01:30:36 PM

Leo still could barely stand up straight. Fatigue coupled with his emotions made a heavy anchor now, that greatly slowed him down. But, an old time saying his family had back in his home lands kept him going. "Movement is life." It was only three words. But such words branded it's self into the memories of all those who have ventured out of the brazened cities outside of the larger tribes protection, and managed to survive before becoming collateral in the civil war.

Even while his body shook, he used a nearby tree to pull him up so he was now standing straight, and he slowly turned to take pace after Korius. He gave a glassy eyed look back up to the sky, as if hoping Suzumi would return. But even that wasn't possible from a mastered sorcerer, he was sure of it. Tears rolled down his cheek visibly as he turned his head back around. His ears now low, but this time he was remaining mindful of the sounds he could hear. The guilt he was feeling was terrible enough. He'd rather not have another incident where someone else is picked off by the same dragon. The thief made a small note to himself to stop by an alter when they get to town. Place a few coins down for Suzumi, and then another few down for himself.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vosur Aekira on June 28, 2014, 05:15:56 PM

Karina eventually stopped firing once she saw her arrows no longer hitting into the dragon, who seemed to just shrug and slough them off as though the dragon was shedding scales. The blue-haired fox kin fell to her knees out of exhaustion, almost dropping her bow as she was staggered in her breathing, even hiccuping because of her emotions. "Why... why can't... we... just keep our team... together?" she spoke, trying to calm herself as she slowly got back to her feet. Once she was on her feet again, she gave the fallen golem closest to her a swift kick to he helmet, then showed an expression of physical pain as she limped a bit to follow the others, giving a rather wolven like growl as she was walking after them.

Title: Re: Life Stone
Post by: Vee Katame: His Wolfy on June 29, 2014, 04:05:48 AM

Kiana heard Karina tell her to snap out of it and help save Suzumi, but she knew Suzumi was already gone so she didn't say a word or move a muscle. She heard Korius say not to go after the Grand Dragon since it was a lost cause. As she stared after the Grand Dragon, even with it out of sight, images flashed before her eyes. She kept seeing her brother run through with a sword then her brother bleeding on the ground then him in her arms then the moment the life went out of his eyes. Between each of these images were flashes back to the sky where her eyes were directed in reality. When Korius said they needed to get moving before their emotions collapsed, she slowly pushed herself to her feet. As she began to walk, she stumbled a few times as the images kept flashing in rotation in front of her eyes. She managed to recover her walking abilities a get back up to speed after a minute or so, but the images kept coming. Although she was sad about Suzumi and made sadder by the flashbacks to her brother's death, no tears came.