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Post by Moonlight on Dec 1, 2010 17:58:17 GMT -5
(Hehe, but it was a good post. Good luck with your studies, though. ^_^)
The confrontation was the last thing he had wanted. Hoping that just once, perhaps someone would sell their wares without making a scene of it. Liam's ruby gaze followed the cobblestone as they walked, wishing he could apologize to Kendra for having her involved again. She had made enough enemies in the last town simply for standing up against the ones that wished to kill him - Almost getting killed herself.
That was something that he had yet to forgive himself for. How could he? One of the only people that actually felt for him like a sister having people out for her life? It was hardly a comforting feeling. Bounty hunters struck down sympathizers for bonuses, as well as the main target - Evertos. He cast a somewhat saddened glance at the cobalt tressed myrmidon walking just ahead of him, almost wishing he could change who he was.
But, he knew that that would not happen. Strife or no, his heritage would not change. He could simply hope that it would not become more trouble than it was worth for him to remain with the armada. He had much to offer - All he had to find was people willing to receive. Perhaps he had found that in Damien's legion. The noble had been kind enough to take him in as soon as they'd encountered again, after all. It was a warming thought, nonetheless.
Pausing in surprise when he suddenly felt a hand gently clasp his shoulder, his crimson gaze snapping to the woman's hazel one. Elssandra? Bemused, he nodded uncertainly to her words. Grateful, but uncertain of how to take them. He'd seen her wariness the night before. But now it had greatly diminished - Something he saw even as she jerked back, as if burned.
"... My thanks," Liam murmured, shifting the positioning of his packages before continuing. It seemed that Kendra's gentle persuasion had perhaps had an impact on their newest companion.
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Zorayda
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Post by Zorayda on Dec 2, 2010 11:55:40 GMT -5
Elssandra walked most of the way in silence, still walking far away from Liam and Ezra, but no longer making a conscious effort to distance herself from them. She knew that Kendra's words rang true, and that the young woman was wise, but it still shook her to have her morals and ideals questioned. This was like part of her own foundation, a strong column that was being chipped and picked at. It wasn't something insignificant or small that Kendra was messing about with.
She was secretly glad that it had been Liam that was the one that had had the trouble with the shopkeeper--she probably would have had half a mind to leave Ezra to his own devices, giving him a taste of his own cold demeanor. However...she knew that she probably would have gone in anyway. She really was such a pushover...
But why did she go in in the first place? Why did she feel bad for Liam in the first place? No, I only was angry because that merchant would not give us what we needed, she told herself firmly. There was no need to start getting soft--to leave herself open to attack from one of the everto men. They were dangerous people, and she should treat them as one would treat an injured animal--something to be kind to, but to stay away from.
She needed to stop thinking about this. "So...you and your brother were lucky enough to escape? What is your end goal in all of this? Where are we going now?" She asked, the question directed at Kendra. She was already wondering about it in the first place, though she'd been too preoccupied to ask.
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Post by Moonlight on Dec 2, 2010 12:20:07 GMT -5
She smiled slightly, tilting her head at Elssandra's question. "Well ... We are not siblings by blood, but we are milk siblings," Kendra allowed, somewhat amused by the common misconception. She and Damien bore a striking likeness, even if she herself was not of noble blood. An odd happenstance, certainly. "But, yes ... We did manage to escape. Our goal itself is to enter Yggdra, to put an end to the warfare spreading at Laurus' hand. However, we've inadequate forces. For now, we seek assistance," the cobalt tressed myrmidon informed the archer, glancing over at her. "It will take time. But it may keep us alive."
Kendra's gaze occasionally picked out their companions as they wandered through the town, closer to being able to set out. By the time noonhigh came, the wagons was repacked and orderly. Their horses were simply tied to the backs, to save energy as their riders walked. Between the two wagons and mounts attached, however, it was clear enough a small armada was passing through.
Hours trudging by as they walked, following no particular trail. Seeking only the fastest route to the nearest allies of the Baldur family, only going by the way that the crow flies. Conversation sometimes occupied their walk, further acquainting themselves with their companions and allies.
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Zorayda
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Post by Zorayda on Dec 2, 2010 12:37:22 GMT -5
"O-oh..." Elssandra's delicate brows raised in surprise at Kendra's answer. "You look so alike, so I simply assumed..." she quieted as she listened to the young woman's sobering answers to her next questions. "Hmm...I am glad I chose to come along, then," she told the woman. And she really meant it sincerely.
As they walked, Elssandra didn't so much talk about herself as she listened, especially when Liam or Ezra ever said anything--she wanted to learn as much about them as she could, because maybe she could see why Kendra was so insistent on protecting them.
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Post by Moonlight on Dec 2, 2010 12:47:32 GMT -5
Kendra nodded, smiling as she waved it off with her hand. "That's all right. Even my own mother believes we could be siblings," the young woman returned with a chuckle, clearly brushing it off as just a pleasant confusion. Naught to be upset about. "Mmmhmm ... I am glad that you chose to accompany us, as well."
The young woman waded through the knee high grasses as they spoke, sometimes returning comments directed at her. Although most of the conversation seemed idle, it kept the trail itself from seeming overbearing. Quiet. Maintaining the bonds, strengthening them.
(OOC: Short, I know. Sorry, XD.)
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Zorayda
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Post by Zorayda on Dec 2, 2010 14:10:45 GMT -5
The day crept on, and the group still walked. Elssandra felt a bit footsore after so many hours of trudging through the beaten path, quiet in the wake of her newfound companions. She had a lot to think about--at twenty-three years of age, she was sure that her morals were dead-on, immaculate. But...that was probably her young age, making her think like a fool. Of course she couldn't be right in everything... but how was it that every single human being she knew avoided and feared the evertos?
She stared at Liam's back, not really seeing him, but fuzzed out in space. The green-haired mage had seemed so meek and small, back with the merchant. Elssa guessed it was to stay out of trouble, since evertos were strictly forbidden to ever fight a human being. She frowned in deep thought as she remembered Kendra's question. What makes an everto's life worth less than a human's? Elssandra honestly couldn't come up with an answer. The evertos had always been treated as less than human. Less worthy, less virtuous.
She also wondered if she looked foolish or ignorant in front of the others. Was the assumption about the everto-kind simply a peasant's way of thinking? There really wasn't a way to know, yet. Perhaps she should drop the subject to avoid making herself look any worse than she already had.
"Where are we going next, then?" Elssandra asked Kendra.
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Post by Moonlight on Dec 2, 2010 14:54:17 GMT -5
Damien's gaze occasionally trailed over their group as they walked, idly spinning his lance to maintain the practiced speed. The steel weapon gleamed as it cut through the afternoon air, whistling somewhat. His own sapphire-like gaze settled on each in turn, a small smile gracing his lips when gentle humming reached his ears. Following the sound, it soon settled on Cassandra. After walking most of the day with them, Serafina had convinced her sister to sit on one of the wagons to rest a while. Always concerned that she'd overwork herself, trying to make up for being unable to participate in combat. He found himself oft concerned as well, due to Cassandra taking ill at one point from it.
Stilling his lance, the cobalt haired noble fell back in step to walk beside the supply wagon. She glanced over as he did so, tilting her head. "How fare you, Milord?" the blonde healer queried quietly, though offering a smile of her own.
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I fare well enough, although I was to ask you much of the same. You were unwell so recently ..." Damien acknowledged, although pausing as a slight tinge of crimson colored the healer's pale facade.
"Ah ... I am well, it is all right ... You should not worry so, Milord," she returned hesitantly, flustered. Fingers picking at the material of the sleeves on her simple gown, as if nervous.
The young noble gently settled his hand on the healer's after a moment, causing her to start. However, he simply left it there for a moment more. "I am concerned, Cassandra, only because I wish you well ... This troop is like a family, is it not ...? It would be good, to keep what family we have."
Cassandra nodded silently as Damien dropped his hand, again bemused by the young man. Nobility or no, he treated them as all but family - Equals. Naturally, wary of some, but not conforming to much of superiority that denoted those older of the same rank. Pondering.
A few paces back, Kendra glanced over at Elssandra as she spoke. Nodding, though. Idly listening to Serafina and Alister toss tales between them further back, although Kendra's mind moved to the northwest. "Thira, in Dragomir ... We are hoping that Lord Yarrow will be willing to lend his support in this venture - His legions are well known for their strength, and we've need of any arms we may receive," Kendra offered by way of explanation, resting a hand on the hilt of her blade.
Pausing briefly upon noticing Ezra nearby, always flitting in and out of sight. Yet never straying near the others, beyond what was necessary. Liam, on the other hand, was content simply to speak with Cassandra when their liege moved ahead again.
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Zorayda
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Post by Zorayda on Dec 2, 2010 15:15:11 GMT -5
Elssa didn't miss the quiet exchange between Cassandra and Damien, noting the way they acted around each other. The people here seemed to have been travelling together for quite some time, probably forming bonds or becoming very close. She listened to Kendra's explanation as she walked, glancing over at the others as well. They would need an army for what they were trying to do...
"So..." Elssa trailed off in thought. "What can you tell me about yourself? Seeing as we have a long way to travel together...I think it would be interesting to hear your personal story."
((So. Short. ><))
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Post by Moonlight on Dec 3, 2010 10:41:54 GMT -5
The young woman glanced over at Elssandra's question, pausing briefly. Then chuckling, shaking her head. "I am not that interesting, but I suppose a simple overview would not hurt," Kendra said, smiling slightly. Her amber gaze trailing to Damien after a moment, watching him spin his lance as he walked. Still trying to perfect the technique of blocking arrows without a shield, it seemed. But he was far better at it now, than he had been moons ago.
"It is odd, how some good graces come about. It was only because my mother could not produce milk that we became siblings of sorts. Due to that bond as we grew, it was sufficient to say both of us gained a secondary family. Although we began taking up weaponry training alongside our basic academics, I'd also met Liam when I was young. He has been one of my closest companions for years," the cobalt tressed myrmidon offered by way of explanation, shrugging one shoulder to no one in particular. "It was not until recently that fate began to juggle our lives," Kendra added, although managing to keep her own voice level. Even if omitting a fair bit in the 'overview'.
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Zorayda
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Post by Zorayda on Dec 3, 2010 12:24:57 GMT -5
Elssandra nodded at each pause in Kendra's story, urging her to go on. She would never tell the woman this, but knowing that she wasn't technically a noble had made the archer much more comfortable around her. She felt that she wouldn't have to be so stiff and formal with Kendra anymore. One point in particular caught Elssandra's attention, however.
"You knew Liam since you were young? As in...you were friends for that long?" The question came out before she could stop it, but now that it was out in the open, Elssa found that she truly wanted to know how Kendra could have been friends with the everto mage. The words were probably going to offend someone, but, being slightly less experienced with people and delicate language, Elssa thought nothing of it.
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