The news of Unita and the Grand Concert had been overwhelmingly negative with the schmorgassborg of horrendous events. And it seemed to come with the idiom, when it rains it pours.
News was coming in from Timber. The Galbadian offensive has begun to clear out the entrenched resistance in the city. Images of armored personal carriers, GF Busters and G-soldiers entering many of the cities districts were shown. Some images obviously taken by the locals, others captured by allowed news crews who were with the Galbadian offensive. "Live from Timber. The Forest Foxes organization had already been captured, and Galbadian representatives are emphasizing the surrender of all Resistance members to end this protracted battle peacefully."
Broadcasters showed more static laden images that some may recognize as Esthar. Video of wreckage, and what seemed to be combat were scattered too. "From Esthar, it seems the Sorceress Adel escaped confinement. Laguna and Lloyd Nipal have taken lead of the spearhead to track down and resubsue the sorceress. Informants say that Esthar Garden is pressuring all of their allies to surrender their Sorceresses into stasis confinement. It is believed they are her targets to aggregate power."
"Reporting from Centra, a Sorceress Cult has taken over threCentran Ruins. They proclaim its the end of days and only the stewardship of Salem Everett or Adel may prevent the end of the world. Despite peacekeeper efforts, the group has not been dislodged from the ruins yet."
"In other news, if you're looking to get away from it all, the Chocobo Forest resorts have temporarily lowered their prices. When asked why, Boco the Chocobo had this to say. 'Kweh quark quark qwark.'
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 10:56 am
Salem Everett
Status: Curious. Location: Moomba Motel ____________________________________________________ Xaris may have found someone entering her motel room without warning from the guard, but also obviously not hiding their approach to be contrary to itself. Perhaps thr puzzle would dissolve as she saw that it was no other than Mr. Music himself Salem Everett entering her abode. The man gave her a practiced reassuring smile, before reaching into his jacket pocket and speaking.
"You have some answering to do Zeigmus. You shoot my son, you promise to do no harm to my niece and, somehow, follow that up with healing my boy. Even better, reports suggest you’ve put in a notice with the Bureau." his hand left his jacket, before resting on his waist. "Was it Galbadia that put the hit on Raeka?" ____________________________________________________
She had been deep in her reading, sipping on some tea by the time Salem arrived in her room. When Salem entered the room, the first thing he'd notice was her hair color was slowly turning back to its original purple, and noticeably, the usual strong presence of the dark element in her, was no longer there. By all accounts, she had become weaker.
When he confronted her about the shooting of Raeka, Xaris's expression didn't change much. Closing her book, she gently placed it down in her lap and took a sip from her tea, taking a deep sigh after savoring the taste. She then shifted her full attention to Salem, scooting her chair to the side enough to face him. Folding her right leg over her left, she leaned back in her chair and spoke in a calm manner, despite the accusation. "It's bold of you to assume I would ever take a hit out on my daughter's boyfriend. That boy has done more for her than any other person on this planet." She said as she looked up at him. Despite her lack of power, there was no fear in her eyes, of that she made that apparent.
"The only thing I've done is ensure that your boy makes it out alive." She said it simply, neither confirming that she was the shooter, nor denying it.
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Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 2:55 pm
Salem Everett
Status: Indignant Location: Moomba Motel ____________________________________________________ Funny. That's exactly why you would do it. Anyone else could have gotten it wrong. Salem met her gaze with his own, focusing intently on her movement, half flicker and dilation. I'm not looking for confirmation on what I already know, Zeigmus. He let out a huff. His frustration clear. You reek of magic, of a type thats meant to be out of play. Unfortunately for your prior benefactors, they wanted to play the one person closest to the source.
Salem seemed to he avoiding absolute specifics. Maybe he didn't trust Xaris with the truths he knew yet. But she was playing the same game. Look, I appreciate your benevolence so far... And there it was, just for a moment, a glimmer in his eyes as he spoke. He was looking for information because otherwise he was prepared to go Scorched Earth on Galbadia. Whether or not he would play King like Adel did was a different matter.
I cannot abide my family being harmed, especially as bartering chips against me or worse. All I'm looking for is where and why to aim my ire, and to confirm who to get answers from. I assume it's Breowitz, but the order came from Keller, yes? ____________________________________________________
Hearing his response to her put her somewhat at ease, understanding him and playing around this little dance they were doing. It was simply a manner of being careful with her words of choice, but Salem had made it evident that he was aware enough of the matters. Seeing as the threat was made obvious, she felt there was no need to hide much else from him. "What the president and Keller want is beyond my understanding. They don't share every detail with me, considering my track record of betrayal. What they could ever benefit from such a thing, I couldn't tell you." And that was the truth. She wasn't going to outright lay out everything to him. She had some level of professionalism with her work, and wouldn't destroy her relationships with either of them.
"What I can tell you, is that my choice to give up Diablos and my power, was entirely mine alone. As to who you may take your concerns to, please, by all means give them to my former boss, Keller." Though, truth be told she had no love for either of the two who were responsible for sending a GF Buster all those years ago.
Stock: Fire (x3), Cure (x3), Esuna (x3), Scan (x3)
Status: …
Nyale gave Rem an excuse not to answer. She pretended to forget the question while Kalen goofed off. It was good to see him and Eren tease each other. They’d get along. She didn’t even respond to him trying to run her over; Kalen was pretty sure if he’d kept going, he’d have rolled right over her boot. The levity slid off her like oil off water.
”That’s a lovely idea, Kalen. Eren, help me with these,” she said, shouldering the bag of gifts and picking up one of the vases which had been scrounged up to hold Kalen’s flowers. While Nyale wheeled Kalen out of the room, she enlisted Eren’s help carting the flowers out to the nearest nurse’s station desk, where she found a notepad and began scribbling messages. There wasn’t a single hand to spare among the hospital staff with so many patients. With a little effort and organizing, however, she had bouquets and vases arranged for the medical staff of each section of the building.
She did all this with the same quiet composure with which she’d done everything. Today. Yesterday. The day before. Focus on her task. Move on to the next. Speak only of practical things. Fix this, move that, get a report on such-and-such. The sun was dimmed by the clouds.
Status: Nominal Location: Moomba Motel ____________________________________________________ Confirmation was good. He had figured it was the Galbadian goombas, especially after they had come to him with mentions of being able to help his son. But Keller never did such things without strings attached. A ******** yarn ball worth of them. He almost turned and left right there. But something in the back of his mind stopped him.
What made you think Diablos would heal him? He fidgeted for a second. Just a hunch? I guess it doesn’t matter. Thank you for saving my son, I know you sacrificed quite a bit for it. It wasn't often he felt genuinely in debt to someone. Not manipulating from a position of power or Sorcery was a unfamiliar sensation. But honestly, not so bad. ____________________________________________________
Status: Shockma'd Location: Mouth of Hell Company: Raeka, Rem, Thoughts: Get me out of this bed Weapons: Hrunting ll Thunder Rose Magic:Crystal Stock: Earth (x10)
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Kiss me good-bye, love's memory Follow your heart and find your destiny Won't shed a tear, for love's mortality For you put the dream in my reality
Kalen nodded up towards Nyale, even though he groaned as she grabbed the handles of the wheel chair. ”Help! Police! My foot smashing machine has been wheel jacked by a white haired bandit!”. He flailed his arms comically as they exited the room and jokingly tried to get the doctors and nurses to help him. Many laughed, some nurses waving goodbye to him (and a few blowing kisses) as Nyale dragged him along. ”Of course I have energy, Nya-Chan. I was electrocuted and forced into a bed for four days. I’m…all charged up! Now where are we off to!?”
Eren nodded at Nyale and REM’s instructions, gathering bags and items and carrying them nonchalantly while looking Rem over. He was concerned about her and she knew it, avoiding his looks at times. He hated that. They were getting along swimmingly, though as always, there already had been some murmur about the two being around each other so much the last few days, but it did not sway the feelings of curious concern he had about what was bothering the Princess. For now, he just followed along and did as she asked, keeping his mouth shut until she figured it best to speak to him.
Guardian Force: G...Gilgamesh? Status: O'HO, I HAVE SOMETHING Spells 0
Seeing he was satisfied with her answer, she smiled to him. As he was about to leave, she was surprised to hear his grattitude towards her. Very rare did she find thanks for the things she did, and for the most part she would not want praise for the things she had done. When he was about to go for good though, she did decide to say something to him. "I noticed that you've become less expressive and livelier as you've aged these passing years. The Salem I knew had a passionate heart, similar to Raeka. You still have the love at least, which alleviates concerns in my heart, but if feels like you may be slipping closer to the point where you will need a knight soon." She pointed out to him.
Knowing that Maris was locked up, she thought about it for a moment, and then slowly got up from her seat, turning to face Salem. "You being essentially extended family by proxy of our children, are given much more leeway and luxury with me. If you need anything, Salem, I ultimately am on your side. Given the circumstance, I think you should get your wife out of prison. You're going to need her to fight Adel."
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2024 12:30 am
Salem Everett
Status: Nominal Location: Moomba Motrl ____________________________________________________ Salem stood there for what seemed like ages. All he seemed to do was stare at Xaris. The look seemed hollow, like perhaps he wasn't really thinking for a moment, just spaced out before his eyes narrowed. There was now a mean look in his gaze, but it betrayed no anger. "You haven't heard, the Esthar Garden fell. Aelliana was likely first on the scene to stop Adel." He went quiet for another moment. "I haven't had a Knight in a while, and too many signs point to the possibility that mine is gone."
He looked to the side. "I do not have the leave to go look for her, not with so many of the kids needing me." He smiled, looking back at Xaris. "And without a Knight, I can't let my passions run free." ____________________________________________________
Hearing that Esthar had fallen and likely Maris was among the casualties at the garden, Xaris gave a knowing look to him. When it came to losing loved ones, Xaris was no stranger to such a thing. It was even less fair for him. At least she got to be there for her loved ones final moments, even if it was a depressing memory. "If that is the case, then if you need me Salem, I am here." She said simply to him, her hands gently folded out in front of her, resting against her legs. She gave him a kind smile, but it was more so one of warmth and love rather than any feigned hidden expression. "It is our duty to look after the kids, I agree, but you can't do that if you lose the last bits of your humanity left."
She walked forward towards him, meeting him up at the door and rested against her side beside him, crossing her arms. "If you need a knight, I'll do it. I'd prefer you to be around for Raeka and your other children. It's hard enough as it is being a single parent, and a teacher no less." Of course, this offer wasn't done out of any sort of romantic interest, but rather, one of duty. With her powers gone, her career as a BIE agent was effectively done, but as Salem's knight she could remain active as a combatant and be his reaper when he needed it.
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2024 9:58 am
Lost in skies of powdered gold xxxxxxxCaught in clouds of silver ropes xxxxxxxxxxxxShowered by the empty hopes xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxAs I tumble down,falling fast to the ground
I know I'll wither, so peel away the bark xxxxxxxxx'cause nothing grows when it is dark xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxIn spite of all my fears, I can see it all so clear
xxxxN y a l exxxxL a y t o s
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A loud, melodramatic sigh escaped Nyale's lips at Kalens antics. "It's like dealing with a child, for God's sake" She complained, dutifully pushing the wheelchair along and resisting the urge to smack him upside the head. "You keep this up and this white-haired bandit will dump you on the curb outside!" But she was smiling, pleased to see that her friend was returning to his usual high-energy self. They stopped to wait for Rem and Eren to organise the flowers and gifts at the nurses station. Meanwhile, Ny ignored Kalen's obscene interactions with the hospital staff. Instead she was paying attention to the news on a tv screen on the wall, features creasing into a slow frown. "...surrender of all resistance members..."
"...Adel escaped..."
"....sorceresses into stasis confinement....targets to aggregate power..."
"....cult has taken over the centran ruins...."
"The world's going mad" Ny muttered softly to herself. She was disquieted by the news reels, clenching the wheelchair handles tightly. Surrender all Sorceresses to Esthar? Surely not... She thought, a tiny anxious flicker in her chest. It made her breath catch.
The girl was swiftly brought back to the present situation by Kalen's voice.
"Oh, um...well, what do YOU want to do?" She asked, peering down at him from beneath her baseball cap.
"You could go home and get settled? Oooh or we could do something fun to celebrate leaving hospital? Or maybe there is someone you want to go and see?"
She threw out a few options, looking at Rem and Eren as well for their input. Fun activities were probably a little limited right now, with much of the city ruined. "I bet Rem and Eren could do with letting off some steam too, given how hard they've been working" Ny commented, scratching her chin. With the pair having finished their gift display Ny started to push Kalen towards the exit, occasionally tipping the chair to make him do wheelies against his will.
Perhaps when they got outside they would decide.
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T h exxL i g h t w e a v e r
Let your colours bleed and blendwith mine...xxxxxxxxxx
After the monster invasion, Yukiko had disappeared from the group, having neither visited or checked on friends or family during that time. It would have been a lie to say that she hadn't been shaken up by the ordeal of the conflict, especially seeing her mother dead. It had been hard once already to hear that she had died once before and was revived by a phoenix down, but this, this required Nyale to use her very nature as a sorceress to pull her mother back from death itself. There were no words she could give to Nyale to ever thank her or repay her for such an act, and at the moment she could not find them if she tried. Her mind was clouded in her woes and anxiety, worried for the future of the world, and the people she cared for.
Where she had disappeared off too?
Hidden away deep into the Unita SeeD Training Facility. Due to the lack of a child soldier program, the battles in the facility consisted of a mixture of drones. machinery, and holograms, as well as a fully functional gym and training course.
For the past two days, this was where Yukiko camped out at, away from everyone, and apart from the occassional response to a text message, she didn't go out of her way to interact with anyone. She needed time to be alone.
BANG! SMACK!
Yukiko's fists made contact with the dummy bot, the drone being set up for a simple sparring match. The bot moved about, attacking Yukiko and following up with punches and kicks of its own, making contact with her and knocking her around a bit, but she took the punches and dished them right back out to the bot, almost purposely appearing to be trading blows with it. To anyone else who could see this fight, it was like watching two boxers go blow for blow, punching each other with face shots, gut shots, jabs, and right hooks. This kind of training went on for hours, each day, and it only continued to the point that bruises and marks were forming. The few potions she used did heal any serious damage done, but it did little to hide the constant routine she was performing day in and day out, only pausing to shower, eat, sleep, and groom herself before going right back at it again.
At some point, her fist managed to connect hard enough with the bot that she knocked it completely out. She gasped, putting both hands on her knees, hunched over and panting. Sweat dripped from her face, her knuckles bleeding from abrasions and constant contact with an object.
No matter how hard she seemed to try, the events continued to plague her mind, and she found no peace.
"Tsitsho Leng"
"Selphie Tilmitt-Kinneas"
"Varitas Durentis"
"Tori Hayahiko Yuura"
"Babel"
"Yukiko"
"Mai"
"Xaris Zeigmus"
"Koyuki"
"Etamara Vilisantra"
"Irvine Tilmitt-Kinneas"
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2024 3:43 pm
Salem Everett
Status: Nominal Location: Moomba Motel ____________________________________________________ "I theorize that without a Knight we grow exponentially stronger. Neither Ultimecia nor Adel, and we've seem what they can achieve. I suspect in the coming days I may need that unfettered strength." His humanity was a small price to pay for the safety of his children, and a world where his Kindred may be free. Wholly.
A lot comes with Knighthood. I doubt you are prepared. The wrong knight can only exacerbate the... loss of humanity. He took a moment to actually consider the ramifications of this. Sorceress history shows that romantically involved Knights perform their duties best. I do not believe that is a role you wish to adopt.
He then shrugged. Not that I'm much of a father. I'm scared of my own son and what has become of him. Perhaps being the monster is the only way to fix that. But then Marianna and Malem. ******** style="text-decoration: underline">____________________________________________________
Status: Wheel chair man Location: Pimp My Wheelchair Company: Nyale, Rem, Eren, Thoughts: The world sucks Weapons: Hrunting ll Thunder Rose Magic:Crystal Stock: Earth (x10)
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Kiss me good-bye, love's memory Follow your heart and find your destiny Won't shed a tear, for love's mortality For you put the dream in my reality
Nyale's words were followed by a gentle retort, Kalen slowly residing into the depths of the chair. The energy slowly seemed to peel away from him again after the outburst he displayed to the hospital staff. Honestly, it probably would have helped him feel more normal again if Nyale had smacked him properly, but even as they walked and rolled down the hallway, the sounds of the hospital televisions all ringing out the same messaging. All Kalen could do was agree with Nyale's assessment, tensing in his seat as the news rambled on. Again, that same creeping feeling of uselessness came over him and this time, he felt like he couldn't shake it off with sleep or a distraction. Now it was playing all around him, on television and in real time.
"The world's going mad...and I feel absolutely useless." It was a more somber tone than most would accredit to him, the giddiness having been evaporated almost entirely from him. The temporary smiles he had brought to people were replaced by people rushing back to work, the people in beds sick, injured, or dying. The conversation he had with Rem a day prior had only come back to sit with him further, the reveal of being a Sorceress... "I don't know if there's going to be anything fun to do in the city...nothing is open, the chocobo tracks are destroyed..." The wheelies brought a small smile to his face, but he was forcing it to remain, looking down at his legs. The pins and needles feeling wasn't as strong today, but it was still present sadly. "And them? I bet they're letting off steam when we aren't looking...anything you guys want, I don't mind. As long as we're having fun, yeah?" A crass joke that probably would surprise Nyale, but it was just a ploy to try and keep some of that energy that he had felt evaporate.
"I need to go see them at some point." his voice was a murmur, leaning back as they went outside and let the sun beat down on them. It was a welcome difference after the air conditioning of the Hospital. The conversation with Rem the day before played in his head, the talk about Sorceresses being on ice now putting his worries for Nyale and Rem on the list as well.
Eren walked with Rem, glancing at his phone as he carried a few bags of gifts that blondie had received. Again, this morning he had been pressured by Esthar about the issue with Sorceresses, and again, early this morning he had gone to meet with the President and the other Headmasters that were available. Again, he left his number after stating that Esthar officials were highly insisting, and that he was just the messenger. At least the news was out and it was public that the issue was at hand, something that he hoped public opinion would push towards the heads making a public decision. It made him feel gross, especially as he hung around Nyale and knowing she was a Sorceress, but in this instance, again, he was just the messenger. Eren Kyng did not LIKE the option presented, but it was an option that he was presented to propose. Honestly, with Esthar being in absolute disarray, all Eren knew was that he would probably need to find a new Garden to base in.
This was only going to get worse, especialyl with Adel running free. Make a damn decision already... Was all that he could think about the last few days.
"Honestly, anythin' where we can sit 'r somethin' will do my legs a fava." He replied following up the rear and only hearing the end of what Kalen and Nyale were saying to one another, "Lil' Red here will probly say the same, though she won' admit it! Stubborn." He flashed a grin at her, tired, but still walking beside her. He only stood in a tank top now, his jacket having been destroyed with the work they had been performing the last few days.
Guardian Force: G...Gilgamesh? Status: O'HO, I HAVE SOMETHING Spells 0
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