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Post by Hitotsumami on Dec 14, 2013 12:49:09 GMT -5
Asmoday smirked as Narthan and Susano-swan ran away from the guild. With that, she also ended the illusion and changed back to her regular form. At that moment, she felt a strange sense of pride that she wasn't used to, something that she never had experienced at Atrum. She felt part of something.
Rooster snapped Asmoday back into reality. Asmoday looked down at the jar of red stand in her hand and nodded. As Asmoday ran over to Qi, some may notice that any damage the Guild had taken during the fight was slowly repairing itself.
Finally, Asmoday removed the glass covering Qi and then opened the jar of sand. It felt strange that the girl she had attempted to kill just a few weeks prior was now someone she was going to save. She lifted the jar and tapped it upon Qi.
She hoped it would work.
---
Elsewhere, Azealya Thorn was watching as Alden went on the offensive against Pink Petal. She saw the keys fly through the air, but made no attempt to grab them. She'd simply watch and see what Alden would do. Though, if Alden didn't take them, Azealya would.
---
Elrond finally caught up with the cloaked figure. Elrond watched as she walked on stage and then threatened herself with a knife!
"Who the heck was Cinder giving our details to?"
Elrond jumped from his flying stone disc and landed right on stage.
"Just put down the knife and everything will be alright!" he yelled out, holding out his hands to try and calm her. As he kept her attention, the stone disc slowly floated behind the girl, and Elrond was ready to knock her out if he had to.
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Post by Mise™ on Dec 14, 2013 14:24:47 GMT -5
Jupiter's surefire mosquito killer didn't fail again as he was victorious and the gender confused insect mage Susan had to flee from the scene with his/her comrade Narthan who got beaten by something. Jupiter wasn't really sure, but didn't really care either. "And ya better not come back or I'll whoop yer ass again!" But there wasn't too much time to celebrate as another disaster was about to happen. Asmoday was about to do something horrible to Qi yet again. "That bitch!" Jupiter threw his newspaper on the floor and ran towards Asmoday to stop her; he tried to grab her wrist before she could do any more harm to Qi with the jar of sand. "All the others were idiots and failed to see the damn truth. But I figured it all out! Yer the culprit and now yer here to finish the damn job and make sure she won't ever wake up again. But I won't let ya!" Jupiter didn't give Asmoday too much time to explain herself as he was going to punch her face with all the strength he got. He understood Asmoday's magic was illusions, but if he just had a tight grab on her wrist it didn't really matter what he saw as she wouldn't have much room to dodge the punch. Jupiter had already beaten two enemies today without using magic at all, so why not a third one? He wasn't even damaged from the previous battles. Jupiter might not have been too good with magic, but he sure was good at brawling. Even back when he was a kid and had daily fist fights with the other kids of the ghetto he never lost and it would seem like still hadn't lost the touch even after so many years. But the sad thing was that no matter what brawling just couldn't really hold a candle to real magic and Jupiter was much weaker than when he was using his magic; even if it wasn't very good.
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Post by Hitotsumami on Dec 14, 2013 15:22:48 GMT -5
Unfortunatley, just before Asmoday tapped Qi with the jar of sand, Jupiter grabbed her wrist and balled up a punch.
"Wait, Jupiter!" called out Asmoday. "It's me! Don't--!" But it was too late, the punch nailed her in the face, sending her flying across the guild and slamming into a wall.
As for the jar of sand, it fell down and landed right on Qi's forehead. If that was enough for it to work, Asmoday could only hope as she rubbed her cheek, pushing the rubble off of herself.
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Dec 14, 2013 21:57:42 GMT -5
Seeing the keys fly through the air, Alden made the simple action of walking over to where they landed, and planted his boot down on the necklace. He didn't draw any weapons though, he just stood at the ready in case he needed to. Pink Petal could have any number of tricks up her sleeve, and while he didn't care about the keys themselves all that much, he cared about their result.
"So is this going to stop the storm or what?"
Who he was talking to, it didn't really matter. If he got any answer from anywhere, that would be enough.
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Post by CJ on Dec 15, 2013 20:51:45 GMT -5
"Since you're our new master, the storm should end. I'm not sure why that is, since magic doesn't exist."
Just as Dragon said, the storm began to disappear. The skies cleared and became blue once more.
The tiny seahorse summon bounced right up to Alden. Its cute, beady little eyes reflected its newly restored happiness.
"I am Dragon, a grand and wonderful Celestial Spirit. What should I call you, my new master?"
"New Master?!" Pink Petal barked. "I'm your Master, not that ugly man!"
"Pink Petal!" a voice shouted. "Come on! We've got to go!"
Narthan ran up to the group. His clothes were in tatters from his encounter with Asmoday and Briar, showcasing his striped boxers. He held the unconscious Susano-san in his hands. To the group, the tiny mosquito man hybrid would likely look extremely odd.
Pink Petal stifled a giggle.
"What? Why are you in your underwear?"
The leader of the merchants smashed his foot onto the street in rage.
"The stupid mages back at the guild stole the jar of sand from us. They woke up the girl and figured out our trap! We're done for!"
Slapping both of her hands against the sides of her face, she flailed about on the ground.
"Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
At this point, Alden and Azealya could either let the merchants go freely or act against them.
---
As soon as the jar hit Qi's head, her summons vanished in a brief golden glimmer. She frantically sat up on the table.
"Jupiter," she yelped. "Jupiter!"
The small summoner looked extremely distressed. There were deep black circles under her eyes and her skin was pale. The red skull marking over her face likely hid the damage the spell was doing to her.
"It wasn't Asmoday," she said quietly. "It wasn't her."
Sitting crosslegged on the table, she held her head low and let out a heavy sigh.
"I'm so sorry I doubted you, Asmoday. Just yesterday, I thought for sure you would betray us, but now I can see that I was horribly wrong. You saved my life, but I don't think I deserved it."
She might have cried, but her eyes wouldn't produce any tears.
"I saw everything. The sand didn't make me sleep at all. I'm so tired..."
Qi put her head down on her folded arms on the table and kicked her feet back. She didn't look comfortable, but she seemed too sleepy to move.
"I think... if I sprinkle that sand on my face again, I'll be able to see the end of the universe one more time... I've already forgotten what it looks like..."
She closed her eyes, but she seemed like she was still awake.
Briar stepped up and held up his pointer fingers. Looking nearly just as tired as Qi, he didn't seem all too relaxed in his situation either.
"So," he hesitated, "which one is you is part of Renanscence? The illusionist or the boxer? Or are you both part of the guild and there's something I'm missing here?"
---
Elrond was too late. The woman brought the knife closer and moved to kill herself.
The knife flew out of her hands when she was struck by the mayor's shoe. She tumbled on the ground, having been knocked out by the steel toe of the mayor's expensive footwear.
With a rather adorable twirl, she posed and grinned.
"Wow! Now I'm a hero! We should hold a ceremony for me, Mayor Morgan!"
The crowd cheered. They seemed to geninunely like the mayor. She was rather ignorant and silly, but she seemed like a fair and just leader.
Pointing down at the woman on the stage, she turned her head toward Elrond.
"Is this one of yours, Elrond? Should we keep her in our prison or have you guys take care of her? She hasn't hurt anyone from what I know so it would be rather pointless to put her on trial. I'm guessing she's not right in the head."
Suddenly, Mayor Morgan turned her head with a frustrated look on her face.
"What's that, Asmoday? You want to display more magic? Now is not the time, my dear mage!"
The crowd groaned, clearly not excited for more of Mayor Morgan's confused fantasy.
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Dec 16, 2013 2:04:41 GMT -5
"Alden, but I'm not your new master."
Alden blinked when the celestial spirit responded to him now. Leaning down, he picked up the keys and put the necklace around his own neck for safekeeping. He had a little knowledge of how these magical beings worked, but he had never really encountered one in an extended capacity like this before. He figured Qi would be the authority on the matter, so he'd hold onto them for her, for the time being.
"Oh, well that's convenient."
Narthan showed up, so it seemed that they wouldn't have to wait around or go looking for him. It seemed that between Petal's mishap with the keys and now this, things were all falling into place. Raising his hand, he recalled his shield making it fly through the air to his gauntlet, while he turned his attention to the merchant.
"Hey, you there. I want to file a complaint with your business, and I want to know what your return policy is. If I can exchange that jar of sand for something of equal or lesser value."
While he said this, he gestured towards his own jar of magic sand that was currently rolling around the street.
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Post by Mise™ on Dec 16, 2013 4:26:48 GMT -5
"I know who you are. That's why I punched you, dammit!" And Jupiter was victorious once again, but he still had a problem. He did not really need his magic marbles to do all this, but since he had no clothes on he couldn't share his business cards with his opponents. How would they now know who they got beaten by? Then Jupiter heard Qi call his name: "Oh you're awake. Good!" A short pause followed. "What the hell? She isn't the culprit?! Oh, okay..." Jupiter was too proud and/or ashamed to tell Asmoday that he was sorry so he just embarrassingly scratched his neck and looked away from everyone. Qi talking about feeling tired reminded Jupiter that he too needed some sleep. The adrenaline boost from all the fighting had made him energized for a moment, but it was gone now. "Boxer? I guess ya can call me that. Yeah, I'm part of Renascence. What about it?" Jupiter was hasty to change the subject. Despite what he had said you really couldn't count Jupiter as a boxer. If he had fought like that in a boxing ring he would have been disqualified immediately.
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Post by Hitotsumami on Dec 16, 2013 13:34:46 GMT -5
Asmoday rubbed her head, standing up from the rubble. As she did, she noticed it repaired itself soon after. She then turned to Qi, and smiled. She was alive! She didn't look well, but she was alive.
"I'm glad you've made it, Qi," she said, but she was still not totally sure if the mage had completely forgiven her.
As for Briar's question, Asmoday nodded. "Yes, I am also part of Renascence. We just had a bit of minor confusion, haha..." Part of Renascence. It felt good to say it. She never truly said she was part of Atrum. Even if she did, she never meant it. She never felt the same way. Here, she felt like she was finally at home.
---
Azealya Thorn did nothing while Alden took the key and obtained the Dragon spirit. She found it quite humorous to watch the giant girl fall on her butt and then attempt to run away with her friends.
"I'll let you finish this dispute on your own," she said to Alden, waving. "I'll be heading to the guild know... I guess."
And so she started her way up to the Guild.
---
Elrond watched as the crazy woman was saved by the mayor of all people! He bowed and thanked the mayor, and then when it came to the question of what to do with the crazy woman...
"Perhaps it is best to keep her in the prisons for now... For her's and everyone's safety. I think I'd like to talk to her at a later date. For now, I believe we still have a celebration to have!"
Though happy for everyone cheering for an Asmoday he could not see, he knew he had to get back to the Guild. He did not know what the situation was there, and he hoped Cinder had made it, or that the others had saved Qi.
So he bid farewell to the festival and flew back to the Guild, landing at the door. He swung the door opened and then gasped when he saw Qi sitting there with her eyes closed.
He stumbled to his knees in front of Qi, tears streaming down his face. "D-did we not make it in time? Is it too late now? Oh, Qi! You were so young!"
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Post by CJ on Dec 18, 2013 18:55:01 GMT -5
Elrond left Mayor Morgan and the town to their celebrations. What sort of impact would leaving the woman to the discretion of the mayor and the town have? Only time would tell.
---
Narthan, Pink Petal and Susano-san were just about to take off into the glorious distance, when Alden asked for a refund on Achyls's Sand.
"What?! Exchange?!" the merchant leader spat. "We gave you that jar. There's no take-backsies. Are you that ungrateful? Would you has your grandmother for another present if she worked hard to give you such a thing? How rude!"
He huffed and crossed his arms, nearly crushing Susano-san onto his chest. He was so distracted and surprised by Alden that he nearly forgot he was supposed to be fleeing.
---
Qi's eyes slowly opened. She scooted up and peered down from the table where Elrond cried on the floor. A tired smile came over his face. She went to pat his head, as though he was her pet, not her leader.
"Don't cry, Elrond. Asmoday saved me. You all saved me and I'm so grateful."
Rolling over on the table, her gaze drifted toward the red jar that had fallen onto the bench. It was already filled again with its refilling properties.
She took the jar in hand and brought it up onto the table.
"I've gotten enough rest. I can go a second time. See you in a bit."
It might have come as a shock to the others, but Qi actually reached into the jar and went to sprinkle more sand on her face. She was clearly not in the right state of mind.
---
"Ah, I see... There's been a lot of confusion today... Why... only earlier I was with a weird guy who said he was with you but turned out to be the enemy..."
His shadowy eyes darted away from Asmoday and Jupiter. He looked sullen and embarrassed. He slowly brought his hand up for them to shake.
"I'm Briar Rose... Holder Mage," he said with a deep bow. "So you two belong to Renanscence? Who are you? What do you do here? Who can I talk to so I can join you?"
He had many questions. Would Asmoday or Jupiter be able to answer them?
"Oh?" he asked, turning to Elrond speaking with Asmoday. He blinked to see Qi trying to get more sand on her face.
---
Meanwhile, on the path up to Renanscence, Cinder could be seen talking with a woman operating a food cart. Delicious smells wafted through the air, summoning all lovers of delicious foods. A large, colorful sign could be seen that said "MEAT, OH SO MUCH MEAT."
"I cannot believe I almost forgot to get food for my friends," the glass mage lamented. "What kind of cuisine do you have here?"
"Sausage sticks! Beef sticks! Ham sticks! Bacon sticks! You name it!"
The older woman did a dance, which involved her shaking her hips rapidly. She seemed to be very excited about her job.
"Meat... on sticks? Oh dear, I hope Xing Qi's summons are not vegetarians."
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Post by newb23 on Dec 19, 2013 0:17:05 GMT -5
Ian and Lakin had been walking for days. Months it seemed to them as time started to merge together. They were hungry, thirsty, and tired. Which meant arguing as they walked. "Wha? Wha?! We have no food?" "None." "You ain't it all didn' you?" "I got nothing out of the last batch we had taken!" "Liar!" The two could be heard for miles as they shouted at each other much like brothers. In fact many believed them to be even if they didn't look similar in the slightest. The two of them had bonded over the mutual fact that they both were digging through the same dumpster for food.
As they walked they were suddenly hit by the smell of food. Delicious food. Sounds also came and invaded their ears. It sounded like some sort of party. Making their way quickly down the road they came upon a meat vendor. They could also see a building up the road that sat upon a cliff.
Ian was the first to stop and look around. He could still hear the sound of music and shouting and the smell of food was unbearable, causing him to whine like a wounded puppy. Lakin had not stopped. He continued running towards the meat vendor even though he had no no money in his pockets and neither did Ian. Ian hadn't even realized that Lakin had already made his way up to the meat stand. Quickly Ian sprinted up next to Lakin and grabbed the boy by the collar of his shirt. "What are you doing?" "Wha' you mean?" Ian sighed at the boys question. They had been over this so many times it was starting to hurt his mouth everytime he repeated it. "We don't have any money. How you gonna buy anything?" Ian said.
At this Lakin crossed his arm and stuck out his lower lip, pouting up at Ian. This irrated Ian quite easily. "YOU LISTEN TO ME! WE CAN'T PAY FOR ANY-" the smell of food cut off Ian's train of thought. The meat made him quiver. Staring at the seller of meat his mouth started to water. "Please can we have some meat? We have no money but we're so hungry," Ian begged literally falling to his knees in front of the vendor.
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Post by Hitotsumami on Dec 19, 2013 1:47:21 GMT -5
As Azealya Thorn made her way up to the Guild, she passed by many interesting characters, all who said they were on their way to the Renascence booth to sign up to the Guild.
"I do hope they'll accept me," said a rather shy girl by the name of Celeste Chsase. One would see a set of wands strapped to her waist.
"I cannot believe the... the... the STENCH coming from that despicable Guild!" said another, a tall man in a tuxedo with an eyepiece. "They certainly need someone to keep things orderly and neat! They need me, Jackson McClean!"
"KAW! KAW!" yelled a man in aviator goggles and blue overalls. He was swinging his arms around like a bird, zooming through the crowd. "KAW! RENASCENCE! KAW! FELIPE. WILL. JOIN. KAAAAWWWW!!!"
"Hey baby," said a rather indecent looking girl to one of the random passerbys. She grabbed the man by the collar and pulled him close. "Let me know where the Renascence booth is and I'll give you a reward." She winked at him as the man pointed. "Thanks, hun," and Miranda Grimes left the man standing where he was.
A man with a fake rhino horn and spikey orange hair ran on all fours through the town, roaring with all his might. "This is my day to prove my power! This is the day Groundhorn will prove that he is truly the strongest by joinging the strongest Guild in Fiore! YEAH!"
Azealya wondered just how many new members would join the Guild. Though honestly, it didn't matter to her. The more people that joined, the easier it would be to blend in. That was the goal after all. Just to blend.
And so she continued up to the Guild.
---
Elrond gasped when he saw that Qi was awake and alive! "You're okay!" he yelled, falling back on his butt. "Oh, I am so glad! I am so relieved! I thought it was the end for sure!"
He waved a hand at Briar. "The moment you stepped into my Guild you were an official member! Everyone, cheer for our new companion, Briar!"
He then raised an eyebrow when Qi reached in for more sand, not totally understanding what was going on.
"Don't let her do it!" yelled Asmoday.
Elrond acted fast. He attempted to grab the jar from Qi before she could sprinkle any more sand on her face. If he was successful had yet to be seen though. "What's wrong with you, Qi? This is the stuff that almost killed you, you know!"
(OOC: No need for anyone to respond to the first half of this post. It is just a way to introduce my NPCs for Renascence.)
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Post by Mise™ on Dec 19, 2013 10:11:24 GMT -5
"Actually ya probably were a member before you even got here. It's crazy around here." Jupiter told Briar after he had been welcomed to the guild. Jupiter wasn't quite sure how Elrond's recruitment worked, but it was crazy, that's for sure. It would be only a matter of time until someone horrible would join the guild because it was so easy. Briar didn't seem too bad though.
When Qi was once again playing with the sand again Jupiter was ready to stop her, but Elrond was faster and should be able to handle the situation. Now then it seems like everything was going to be okay so he could finally do what he had been waiting for so long. "Good night." And so Jupiter marched back to his room, slammed his door shut and then in just a few seconds he was fast asleep again. He did not care about the festival, even though he had planned an amazing show. All Jupiter wanted to do was to sleep, but would he be allowed to?
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Dec 20, 2013 13:42:37 GMT -5
"What?! Exchange?! We gave you that jar. There's no take-backsies. Are you that ungrateful? Would you has your grandmother for another present if she worked hard to give you such a thing? How rude!"
"Huh, figured..."
With his shield back, Alden now had the opportunity to draw his sword as well. He didn't heft it towards the merchants, but it was certainly visible.
"I guess that makes two complaints I have to make then. You want them written, or...?"
He tapped his sword on his shoulder with a steady look, though at this point, without knowing Qi's fate yet he wasn't about to just let them go. Had he known the truth though, then he probably wouldn't have cared what they did.
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Post by CJ on Dec 22, 2013 0:49:08 GMT -5
Cinder blinked as Ian and Lakin approached the food stand. Her glass slippers clicked against each other as she stepped away from them.
"Oh," the old seller said with a quaint look on her face. "I understand. It's hard not having any money."
Slamming her inventory shut, she squeaked, but kept the same innocent smile.
"Still. No money, no sale."
"I will pay for them!" Cinder piped up. She brought forward some of the money Elrond had given her before.
"Ooooooooh."
"What would you guys like?" she asked with her melodious voice. She was a beauty in glass armor, a true sight to behold.
The two would be presented with whatever they asked for, within reasonable expectation. There really was only an assortment of meat on sticks, though maybe they'd find out more places to eat... or work, if they inquired it from Cinder.
---
The small summoner barely noticed the jar taken from her. The red sand on her fingers shrunk and disappeared into the air. It seemed the sand could only maintain itself for a short period of time outside the jar.
"I know," Qi said with a smile, "but hear me out Elrond. I have seen the end of the universe. The universe... of my mind."
Her eyes went wide as she held her arms out at her sides, but then she closed them, as though reminisicing a dream.
"I have somehow forgotten it and I think, I think, I think I only have access to it through the waking magic of that sand. Elrond, you saw how I could maintain all four of my summons our plane of existence and turn back the Clock of Ages! I can barely summon one spirit normally, much less control supreme magic."
Her face scrunched up as she leaned forward, looking directly at the guild master.
"I need that power and I don't care what it costs me! Give me the sand, Elrond!"
Qi reached helplessly for the sand, almost like a toddler whose toy had been taken away. It was very clear that the magic inside had corrupted her somehow. She nearly whimpered in her futile attempt to grab it from Elrond's hands.
---
"It certainly is," Briar said to Jupiter with a crooked smile.
The dark haired man watched as Jupiter walked out of the room. A strange delight came over him when he heard two particular words.
"Good night."
As Elrond and Asmoday dealt with Qi, Briar attempted to sneak his way over to Jupiter's room. He was quiet, extremely quiet, having had previously unknown familarity in patience and stealth.
With a small click, the mage cracked open the door to Jupiter's room. His one tired eye and giddy smile could be seen from where Jupiter laid. A faint whisper filled the still air.
"I'm so jealous."
---
"Yes, written- YEEEEEEEEEE!"
Nathan fell back at Alden's second option. Pink Petal caught him just before he and Susano-san went tumbling to the ground.
Dragon went to bounce onto Alden's shoulder. It was quite an impressive feat, considering the strength his tail must have had... and that seahorses normally don't jump anyway. If Alden wanted to, he could easily flick the summon away.
"I wonder," he began, pressing one of his adorable fins to his chin. "New Master, suppose a raging fire consumed these three here? Do you think such a thing would be possible?"
Pink Petal yelped as a small burst of flame appeared near her feet. Another sprouted up by Narthan and another on his other side.
"Stop!" the merchant yelled in desperation. "Your friend is awake now. The illusion mage told us that we could leave freely! Don't kill us!"
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Post by newb23 on Dec 22, 2013 1:21:03 GMT -5
Ian and Lakin almost started crying as the woman went to shut her stand on them but when Cinder offered to pay for them they nearly cried from joy. Ian almost hugged her around the waist but thought better of it, his arms outstretched.
"We'll just take whatever is cheapest." "CHEAPEST?! But...but..yeah cheapest." The two said as Ian got to his feet and Lakin came up to his side. They looked at Cinder and then the meat seller.
After they had gotten their food, not even sure if it was meat, they began to eat like the two hadn't eaten in years. Finally Ian looked at Cinder his face full of questions. "So what is there to do in this town? What kinda of jobs could one get perhaps to help pay for meals and room and board?" At this Lakin started laughing a bit. "Room and board? A job? No job will keep us on. No one will give us room and board. Not with you around." "Hey it's not my fault all those people were jackasses," Ian said a bit irrated. At this the two started to argue rather loudly.
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