[ It's the morning of the day after last night. You all wake up in your rooms and prepare for the day. You've been warned not to wonder far from your rooms; it's easy to get lost in Black Peak. ] [ Who knows what wonders the day will bring? Prolly nobody, but that's alright because you'll find out eventually. SESSION START! ] * Ada would be sleeping, but apparently she's waking up. What a way to start the day. *grumble* * Ethan is currently in his room, with the door open a bit, going through his morning katas. It's a big room, but he's moved the furniture a bit just to be sure he doesn't accidentally slice up the Nice UberPowerful Magess' furniture. * Sei has been up for some time, unusually enough, and is reading through his book with the door open. [ The GM officially makes it 'late morning', sicne he doesn't want to incurr Ada's wrath. Not too much of it, anyway. ] * Ethan throws a flurry of high and low jabs with his glaive, then steps back to sweep the glaive across. He's dressed in a pair of loose pants and light sandals, and is sweating sufficiently to indicate he's been at this for a while. * Ada stretches, yawns, and makes a familiar, short gesture. She vanishes, reappearing outside of Ethan's room. "Morning." * Ethan starts in mid-swing, loses his balance, and just manages to avoid falling on his face by ducking into a fast roll. *chuckles nervously* "Hey Ada. Didn't hear ya comin'." (Ethan has a few minor scars on his torso, along with a big long one across the right side of his rib cage.) * Ada leans against the doorway and smirks. "Sorry about that," she says, though she doesn't sound sorry. She's dressed in lighter clothes than before, and Xivilai's symbol is much more obvious now, as she isn't wearing that heavy cloak anymore. * Ethan grins, slightly embarassed. "Guess this means I don't have to risk life and limb waking you up, hmm?" Not this time. I can throw you out the window if you really want, though. ... what with us being atop a mountain this time, I'll pass. I'm tough, but not *that* tough. (Helluva tough!) (Stop saying Helluva!) * Ada grins. "I imagine not." She blinks. "Where did you get that from, if you don't mind me asking?" Get what from? * Ada walks over to Ethan and pokes gently at the scar on his side. "That." * Ethan is poked, and blushes slightly. "Ah, that. Long story short, I got hit with an arrow. Passed right through my side, between two ribs. Took out a nice chunk of flesh, thus the scar." * Ada winces. "Sounds ugly." *nods* Course, I did dive in front of it, so I've got nobody to blame but myself. *baleful grin* * Ada studies Ethan. "Why would you do a thing like that?" * Ethan sighs. "S'long story of sorts... but if you wanna hear it, I'll tell it. Might give ya some insight on how my mind works." =P ( Wait, wait. Your mind works? ) (Ha!) ( Or doesn't work, as the case may be.) If you'd like to tell it, I'll listen. * Ethan nods, and pulls a chair back from along the wall for Ada. * Ada has a seat and looks at Ethan expectantly. * Ethan leans his glaive against the wall, and starts pacing as he talks. "Okay. As you know, Urik's a military area. With no elves invading, it's primary purpose is to keep the various bandit clans in check. Foremost among those are the Purple Knives, who operate out of the Grey Forests of Urik." * Ada nods, her eyes following Ethan. "You mentioned them before." Nasty buncha guys. Specialize in kidnappings, assassinations, and the like. We keep constant patrols through the Grey Forests looking for them, but they're real good at not being found. Because they're so dangerous, though, the assignment is one of the most prestigious. Only the best get to go. A really good friend of mine named Rachael was assigned to that patrol. We were... very close. Didn't wanna split up, but she couldn't refuse the job. Wouldn't have asked her to, either. * Ada nods again, not quite liking where this is going. (Aw, come-on. We all knew where it was going. c.c;) * Ethan shakes his head bitterly. "As I'd later find out, her assignment to that unit wasn't solely based on merit, even though she was a damn good tracker. My parents, in their never-ending quest to shove a stick up my ass, had a habit of transfering my friends away to new posts or training facilities so I'd concentrate on my training. This was no exception." (Well, *duh*.) Nice folks. * Ethan smirks. "Yeah, real pieces of work, my folks. But anyway... I'm a pretty good fighter myself, and one of the best in Urik. So I tried to get myself assigned to that unit. Pops put it off for a while, but really ddin't have any legit reason *not* to transfer me; at least not one he could explain to his lieutenants. So the sick bastard decided that if he couldn't keep me from joining Rachael, he'd have to do something else... * Ada frowns now. "And?" Few weeks later, word got back to us that the Purple Knives had captured a patrol, and were holding them hostage. Cocky bastards sent back a note with the names of the captured, and dared us to try'n rescue them. When I saw Rachael's name on the list, I freaked. Ran up to my dad's war room to ask to be allowed to lead a rescue party. He wasn't around, so I poked around his desk to find his schedule for the day. Found something else though... buncha letters between my pops and the commander of the Grey Forest garrison, ordering the commander to send out a woefully undermanned scouting party into dangerous territory, to 'enhance the element of surprise'. Essentially, he sent 'em walking into a sure trap, hoping that Rachael'd be killed. Let me see if I understand this, Ethan. Your father, to get rid of your friend, sent her and a number of others on a suicide mission. All to make you better behaved? * Ethan nods. "That about sums it up." * Sei appears at the door. "Good morning." Pops was a good fighter and a great general, but one helluva miserable excuse for a human bei- 'ey Sei. mrrp? (Yes, Sei actually says "mrrp?".) * Ada looks over from her seat and nods. "Good morning." Ah, I hope I'm not interrupting. Nah. Just storytellin'. Grab a seat. * Sei smiles, and does so. "Thanks." ( Xivilai has very comfy seats, because she can. ) * Ada turns her attention back to Ethan. Anyway... Pops had all but sent Rachael and the others into the hands of the Purple Knives. Needless to say, I wasn't too thrilled. Tracked him down, beat the tar outta him, and demanded he let me lead a rescue party. Bastard agreed, mostly 'cause I had the blade of my glaive to his throat. So I rounded up some people I knew and trusted, and made for the Grey Forest. * Ada raises an eyebrow. "I have to wonder why you didn't kill your father before you left," she comments. * Ethan snorts. "I shoulda. But then I would've had to fight through his lieutenants before I could head out." It probably would have been worth it. Prolly. But I wasn't thinking too clearly. * Ethan rubs his neck. "So we get to the Grey Forest, and manage to catch a Purple Knives scout. He won't talk about where the camp is, so I had to force him to talk. *shakes his head* The guys with me had never seen me lose it like that... I was always the calm, easy-going guy. Just beat the hell outta the guy, broke one leg, nearly cut off the other... finally, he talked. * Ada nods. * Sei nods... s'part of the reason I'm always jokin' around... I've got a godawful temper. Long fuse, but if something sets me off... *shivers* You could have done worse, I imagine. And we all have a snapping point. * Ethan continues. "After we get the info, we go charging to the camp. Find it, but they're waiting for us. Got Rachael and the others tied to posts at the other end of the camp, with archers aiming at each of 'em. Leader offers us a challenge. If I can beat five of his best men one after another, he'll release the prisoners. If I lose or refuse, they die. Accepted, of course. The guys were good, but I was just in a rage. Went through 'em like they weren't there. Took a few hits, but ignored 'em. * Sei nods. 'course, the leader, being a theif, didn't keep his word. Ordered his archers to kill the hostages, and the rest of his men to charge us. * Ada shakes her head. Archers were too far away, so I made a dash for Rachael. Knew I didn't have time to cut her or the others free, so I just tried to get in front of her, take the arrow, and hope it hit someplace less vital than where it was aimed at on her. * Sei nods. Got close, and saw the archer fire. I dove, but was a few inches short... arrow went right between my ribs, tore out this chunk'a flesh *runs a finger along his scar*... * Sei winces. ... and went right through Rachael's heart. Fucking archer was a good shot. ...augh...I'm sorry. * Ada frowns. "I see." * Ethan nods, obviously struggling to maintain the slight grin on his face. "Don't remember much after that. Arrow wound hurt like all hell, and I saw Rachael and the others, and she had no pulse... picked up my glaive, turned around, and just screamed." Next thing I remember, I was standing in the middle of the camp, covered in blood, and all the bastards were dead. * Ada sighs. "I... well, I'm not sure what to say, Ethan." * Sei nods... (I like his style. :9) * Ethan nods. "Neither did the guys with me. They just stared, silent, all the way back home." * Ada nods. "Your father. What was done about him?" * Ethan shakes his head. "Don't worry though, Ada. Despite the fact that I apparently freaking suck at protecting people, you can rest assured that nobody's gonna get near ya while I'm standing." *slight grin* Pops? Nothing, unfortunately. He destroyed the letters, and the Grey Forest commander got killed in an ambush. Had no evidence, so I couldn't do a goddamn thing. Wonderful. * Ada blinks, then chuckles. "Really, Ethan. Do you think that I honestly believed I needed a bodyguard?" She stands, straightening her clothes. We should get breakfast. Then... hm. I'm not entirely sure. I did look up Plaguebringer last night, however. Need? Maybe not, but ya got one. * Ethan nods. "Step out for a sec, and lemme get changed. I'll be out in a moment." * Ada smirks and nods, stepping out of the room. * Sei steps out as well. * Ada blinks, glancing around. She frowns for a moment. "I'll be right back." Ah, okay. * Ada gestures and is gone. * Ethan splashes some water in his face, drys off, then gets changed into some clean clothes. A black short-sleeved tunic with dark green pants, to be specific. He leaves his pack behind, but walks out with his glaive over one shoulder. "Okay, rea- hey, where'd Ada go?" She said she'd be right back. Ah. Did that disappearing thingee. * Sei nods. * Ethan looks thoughtful for a moment. "Can I ask ya a favor, Sei?" Certainly. Whenever this big battle comes, or any other battle... if me'n Ada're both injured, heal her first. Hmm. All right...although, it depends on the severity of the injuries. * Ethan nods. "Well yeah, if she has a scratch and I have three swords sticking outta my chest, please heal me first. But otherwise..." * Sei nods. "Very well. That's good of you..." * Ethan nods, then clears his throat. "Er... one other minor thing..." Yes? * Ethan chuckles nervously. "Er, also about Ada... and, er, the training room yesterday..." *blushes* * Sei grins. "Ah." * Ethan nods. "Yeah. Ah. I mean... you're good with women. They throw themselves at ya. Granted, they're elves, Ada's human, might be some difference... was she just joking around?" * Sei smiles. "Little difference, as far as I can tell. I'd say yes, to an extent, but it does show that there's a possible romantic spark between you two." And if Ada knows a good stealth spell, we're both doomed. * Ethan blanches. s'just... Rachael's the only girl I ever got close to, really... and maybe I'm just a goober, but I can't read women to save my life. (Goober!) * Ethan starts pacing again. "And heck, 'fore that, I hadn't even been thinking of Ada like that at all..." (He is a goober.) Hmmm. (A big goober!) ( A goober is me! ) I wouldn't worry about it, Ethan. Like playing a game, paying too much attention to romance will spoil it. I don't believe in fate, but some people are just compatible. * Ethan eyes Sei. "Don't worry about it. Easy for you to say." (Yeah. If Sei loses one girl, he's got plenty more. :P) (Heh.) * Sei nods. "I know, it's difficult..." If a hint of romance is there, it's a sign that the two of you may be compatible. If you are, things should just develop naturally. Sure, it may be unpredictable and embarrassing, but so is life. I mean, how do you handle it? Everywhere we go, girls just throw themselves at you. I think I even saw Xivilai checking out your butt at one point... * Sei blinks. "Really?" Well, no. But I wouldn't have been surprised if she was. * Ethan grins. * Sei grins. "Well, I've grown used to it. All I can conclude is that there's something about me which attracts pretty much every elf. I just try to treat everyone nicely." * Sei sighs. "Having ten starry-eyed waitresses chasing you every time you walk through a town is not conducive to a long-term relationship, though." * Ethan nods. "I can imagine. Iie." You'd need a female elf scary enough to keep the others away, prolly. (It... can be arranged.) * Sei nods. "One who's also a nice person in general, though. Which is the problem." (meep.) * Ethan hrms. "Nice but scary. Kinda sounds like Ada." *smirk* (Or Xivilai. ^_~) The formidable mages that I know are either human, attached, or...unstable, though. * Sei grins. Doesn't have to a mage. Find a woman with a huge battle axe... okay, bad example. REALLY bad example. (I have this feeling that Ada wouldn't be too fantastically happy about Sei dating Xivilai. :P) * Sei winces. ( Guess what, Ada! I'm gonna be your new stepdad! ...) (Her 'stepdad' would be fried.) (;_;) ('sides, a little nookie might lighten Xivi up. =P) (Amen to that, brutha.) ( Xivilai. Lighten up? ) (This could be an interesting little subplot. ^_^) ( *Falls over laughing* ) But yeah. It'd be tough, but not impossible. Lotta fish in the sea... though I suppose you're looking for elves, not fish. * Sei nods. "The 'travelling healer' thing is also a bit problematic." * Sei smiles. "Anyway..." ... y'know, life would be a lot easier if women came with instructions. People in general... * Ethan nods. "Would make things simpler if we had a little slip of parchment showing where to poke Faydra to turn her off." =P * Sei snickers. * Ethan shakes his head. "If Faydra's powerful enough to concern Xivilai... geez." ( No! My secret weakness! ) * Sei nods. "Very worrying." (Chocolate ice cream! *_;) ( WHERE? O_O ) ( ::looks around:: ) * Ada appears behind Sei. "What's worrying?" * Sei turns around. "Just pondering the matter of Faydra." Faydra? Worrying doesn't begin to describe her. She's still just an elf, though, right? Hit her enough times and she'll fall down... Sure. You just need to get to her, and once you do, make sure she doesn't hit you back. * Sei blinks. "One hopes. I just remembered...we never did look into that creepy fellow we had to kill." Yeah, there's that too... * Ada shakes her head. "He'll show up eventually. He's after the Great Weapons, remember?" * Sei nods. The guy that kept on fighting with my glaive sticking outta his chest... lousy cheater... I know. Not following the rules like that. * Sei grins. And dressed in all black... what kinda weenie dresses in all black? ... Xivilai not included, of course. She just looks badass in all black. Definately. Yeah. >_> <_< * Ada snickers. "Anyone interested in breakfast?" * Sei perks up. "Breakfast sounds good." * Ethan munches on a donut. "Food would be nice." * Ada rolls her eyes at the doughnut, then gestures. ( ... I said I gestured, durnit!) (Waitin' for the GM o/~) Suddenly, you're all in a surprisingly small and simple dining room. There is a single large, round table with a turnstile and six simple but comfortable-looking chairs. ... really is a nifty trick, that. There are four more chairs along one of the walls, and the opposite wall is dominated by a large glass window with a spectacular view of the mountains. The wall with the chairs also has a single door, marked 'Senior Chef's Kitchen' and featuring a short list of those allowed within. * Ethan eyes the view, and whistles. * Sei peers out the window, entranced. One of the large silver hawks of the region flies up to the window, perches on the sil, looks at you curiously, and then apparently decides to leave you alone for now. ... I reiterate. *whistle* * Sei nods slowly. * Ada smiles at their reaction, shakes her head, and heads over to the door. * Ada knocks, then opens it and pokes her head in. (Yes, knocks. ^^) A voice with a thick Fenarian accent comes from within the kitchen. "Yes? Who's -- Oh, It's you, Ada!" * Ada grins. "Good morning, Luigi. Can I trouble you for breakfast for myself and a couple of my friends?" "Of course, of course! It is no trouble at all. Erh, is there anything in particular you or your friends would like, or can I go with my whims?" * Ethan downs a muffin. "I'm not fussy." * Sei considers. "Me neither, really." Your whim has never led you wrong. Go with that. * Ada turns and eyes Ethan. "Stop eating the weapon-created food." * Ethan blinks. "Huh? Oh. Sorry. Relfex." * Ethan chuckles nervously. Immediately, the sounds of cooking come from within the kitchen, followed by the smells, chief amongst these being beef and onions cooking in oil. :9 * Ada shakes her head and goes to have a seat. * Sei sits down, as well. * Ethan sits. "I wonder if this thing increases my appatite, too?" I wouldn't know. I assume so, considering the amount you seem to eat... (Then again, I'm one to talk. Coffee...:9) * Ethan shrugs. "Well, food tastes good, so I don't mind." * Ada nods absently. "Nebrinel contacted me." (As long as you don't turn into the Pillsbury Doughboy, Ethan.) * Sei blinks. "She did?" (Subtle. As a rock.) (What's the point of being subtle with these two?) (;_;) (... Nebrinel completely agrees. Rock away!) No, I said that just to see your reaction. Oh, okay. * Ethan hmms as he prepares to bite into a carrot... then blinks, and puts the carrot down. "What'd she sa- ah." * Ada grins. "Actually, she did. That's why I had to leave." * Sei facefaults. * Ethan blinks, then grins. "A joke! Ada told a joke. I'm so proud!" * Ada says dryly, "You know I live for your compliments, Ethan." She considers. "Anyway, Nebrinel told me about her and Fyril's free agent status, as it were. They're not with Faydra." Interesting. Well that's good. * Ada continues, "At least, not for now. Things may change, after all." * Ada idly takes Ethan's carrot. It vanishes in a puff of smoke. * Ethan weeps on the inside. "Alas, poor carrot, I knew it well..." You weren't going to eat it anyway, right? Not at the moment, no... And you can get another one? * Ethan twirls a carrot in one hand. "Prolly, yeah." * Ada points at it, and that one bursts into smoke, too. "Then don't until after breakfast." * Ethan blinks at his head. "Eh heh. Got it." The smells from the kitchen keep getting better, and then the door opens and a fat Human with a bushy mustache comes out with a tray of steaming food. :9 Mmm. Food. Ooh... He puts two plates in front of each of you; a large one with several pastries, strips of vinicent bacon, and scrambled eggs riddled through with countless varieties of peppers. The smaller plate contains simple rolls with bread and some sort of fruit jam waiting to be applied to them. * Ada smiles at the chef. "You've outdone yourself. Thanks." He glances you all over, and then points at Sei. "You, ah, want coffe, yes?" * Sei bows. "Thank you very much!" Yes, please. * Ethan inhales deeply, and grins. "Many thanks, sir." *attacks food while maintaining acceptable table manners* (A deed once thought impossible.) He nods and heads back into the kitchen, returning with another tray. This one features some spices and toppings, which he puts on the turnstile, as well as drinks; two kinds of JUICE XD, chilled cow's milk, and a cup and two- gallon pot of coffee for Sei. "There you, children," he says, smiling wide. "And if you need or want anything else, seconds even, you jus' let Luigi know, yes?" * Sei smiles and thanks the chef again, before happily starting to consume food and coffee. * Ethan holds up his now empty plates. "Seconds, please? It was delicious." * Ada laughs and grabs some of the JUICE XD. She starts in on her meal. Yum. :9 Luigi blinks at Ethan, then laughs. "Ha! You have a good appetite, you do. Very well, Luigi brings seconds." And he does that! * Ethan grins. "Thank you." *munchmunch* [ SESSION END! Damn, now I want venicent bacon. ;_; ]