432 replies to this topic

[Shekey the Green]

Hey Arato, I know you're busy with school and all, but I'm going to control Xavier for a bit. I hope it's okay.

====================================================

Luckily Adastreia wasn't in the general area when the drunken man came stumbling in. There would've been one less drunken man for the world to deal with. When Alabast left, she was finishing the rest of the wrapping of the meat. There was still quite a bit left. She left the meat next to her satchel and her weapons and went to wash off in the creek. Alabast gave her a small nod as they passed. He had just washed the blood off his hands.

He missed his face though.

Her fur was soaked in blood. It took her a while to wash it all out.

"Hey! Hey! Come quick!" Xavier was running up behind her. "Some drunk guy came running in when I was cooking! He passed out! And Arato seems to be sleeping through it all! What do we do?!"

She had heard enough.

"Stay behind me," she said sternly. Xavier nodded. They ran up to the campsite. Xavier was quick for a little kid.

--"This is Shamus he is a flyer pilot , he has one some where around here, I think it's on the other side of the city. Poor guy he must have staggered here from the pub thinking he was going in the right direction."

So they know each other then. Great. Yet another person to deal with. Will it get any better? Adastreia thought.

--"After tonight Adrasteia, Lotus, and I are separating ways with the rest of you." Alabast said sternly.

--"Aww your leaving, it's cause of me isn't it," replied Nameless. He looked sad as his head lowered to the ground.

"Wait, what? Alabast. You. Me. Talk. Now," she said sternly. As happy as she was that he said this, she was still unnerved by his statement. "Xavier, can you finish the deer? Nameless, go get some more water. We're going to need him to sober up. Make sure he drinks plenty."

Xavier nodded happily and scampered off to finish the dinner.

Alabast and Adastreia walked over towards the forest. A seemingly asleep Arato sat nearby.

"I don't think this is fair," she said quietly. "We're miles from any town. I doubt they'd remember their way around the terrain. This is a relatively safe and hard to find location I brought you guys to. We can't just leave them hanging in the wilderness."

Alabast looked at her sternly.

"I don't know nor trust most of these people," he replied, "and from the looks of it, more and more people keep coming."

"Need I remind you, we just met? How do you know you can trust me?" She folded her arms and looked up at him.

"I just don't like a lot of people around me."

"Neither do I, Alabast, but we're not going to leave them in the middle of the wilderness! My ultimate destination is Kinaacha. At least let them come with us to the next town, so they know where they are. And if they're coming to Kinaacha, they're more than welcome to join me."

She looked up at him with pleading eyes. She wasn't usually the begging type, but she didn't see why Alabast was so eager to leave the group behind.

"I'll think about it, okay?"

"Dinner!" Xavier shouted. Arato jumped slightly when Xavier shouted.

"I guess it's time to eat," Adastreia smirked. "Come on," she jerked her head, "let's go eat. Think about it. Okay?"

Alabast nodded and they went off to eat.

"I cooked yours a bit rare, Adastreia. I hope that's okay!" Xavier happily cheered. He had even used the herbs Lotus had gathered and had even found potatoes!

"It's perfect, Xavier. Thank you kindly for dinner," she said as she ate. It was so good.

"Oh, you know. You caught it. I just cooked it." Xavier blushed slightly. Adastreia smiled and nudged Alabast just a little, as if to say 'Come on. Can't they grow on you?'

Either he didn't follow or he didn't want to.

She finished her meal and curled up next to the fire. Her eyes closed, and she drifted off into a light but cautious sleep.

[Ken the Wandering Soul]

Lotus watched the series of events with a bemused look.

Curious, was all he could really think to himself.

Lotus enjoyed the meal, offering a silent prayer just before taking his first bite. The taste was a wonderful sensation--he had had eaten very little meat in the past few weeks, so he savored every small mouthful.

With the dinner going by, everyone seemed to be dropping off into sleep. Lotus decided that he should do the same, and so took a look around. He remembered spotting a large, flat rock that looked comfortable enough. As he walked by Alabast, he remembered that tense situation that happened not so long ago. Just as he walked by, Lotus stopped. Without turning around, Lotus pointed a finger to the sky.

"A wise one once said to this humble one: The bud that stays closed does not bloom."

Lotus then continued on his way, finding the rock he had spotted earlier. It was a fair distance from the fire, but he did not mind. He took his staff and laid it on the ground, along with a number of his other possessins. He took off his clothes until he was down to a large square of leather and animal skins wrapped around his waist, forming something that looked could be effectively described as a long, patchwork skirt. The pendant still hung about his chest, it's green gem glistening in the dark night.

Lotus leaned back, laying himself on the somewhat rough texture of the rock. It was how he prefered sleeping anyway. Being part of the North Thunder meant living in tough conditions, but ever since he was little, Lotus had found he had liked sleeping where others would toss and turn, even earning the nickname of "Rock Sleeper". It seemed odd, but it was a trait Lotus enjoyed having.

Edited by Ken the Wandering Soul, 06 September 2008 - 04:30 PM.

[Renegade]

"A wise one once said to this humble one: The bud that stays closed does not bloom."

Alabast looked up and watched him, then got up himself and went back down to the stream, sat down cross-legged, took his katana off his hip and placed it in his lap for comfort, closed his eyes and thought.

All of what Adastreia and Lotus had said was spinning around in his mind.
He didn't trust any of the others beside Adastreia or Lotus and yet they seemed to trust them.

Alabast put the katana down at his side and stretched out, putting his hands behind his head, staring into the night sky.

This always helped him think.

Well they really haven't given me reason not to trust them...so I suppose they can stay..for now

Alabast continued to stare into the night sky.
The wisdom behind Lotus' words had hit him hard.

Edited by Renegade Soul Reaper, 06 September 2008 - 08:20 PM.

[Steel Samurai]

OOC: KinaaNcha guys, not Kinaacha. Geeze. Did I make the map for nothing?

Wil looked up suddenly from his daydreaming, somewhat startled.

"Ah, Business. Yourself?"

Before the other man could reply, the captain walked up at a brisk trot.

"Tide's about t' turn. You'd best get your things on board."

Wil nodded and turned to the strange looking man in tattered clothes.

"My apologies, but I must leave. Perhaps we shall run into each other later."

He picked up his worn canvas bag and slung it over his shoulder, then followed the captain across the wooden planking of the dock up the gangplank onto the ship.

"Hold's down there." He pointed towards a metal grate framed by seasoned oak. A rather large padlock, though open at the moment, was through the iron ring embedded in the ship. Wil nodded and opened the trapdoor, then stepped down the ladder to the floor. It was a good thing he rarely got seasick. He put his bag in an empty corner of the ship, and went back up on deck to watch the shoreline disappear . . .

[Arato]

Thats fine guys, you can control Xavier all you want.
------------------------------------------------------------
"Dinner!" shouted Xavier excitedly. Arato jumped a little, he had fallen into the rhythm of the woods and was almost asleep. He felt bad because he was supposed to be watching the camp. He stood up too fast and became dizzy. He smelled fresh venison, and lots a of beer. Whats with the smell of beer? he wondered to himself. Then he saw the man dressed as a flyer pilot. He was unconscious from drinking too much. "Oh," he said aloud as he made the connection that yet another person had joined their group while he slept. He vaguely remembered Alabast stating that he, Adrasteia, and Lotus would be separating from the group after eating. But by the look in Adrasteia's eyes he assumed she didn't like the plan. Arato saw Alabast walk off into the woods and decided it would be best to follow him. He caught up with him staring at the night sky.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked. "I have always enjoyed being alone in nature myself.
"I think you and I are more alike then you think. I don't know your story, I barely know you, but for some reason I am compelled to tell you my story.
I was found on the island of Skye when i was about 9 months old. I was alone, in the middle of a road. The people who found me were called the Fargor's and I didn't know they weren't my parents for many years. On the clothing I was in when they found me, there was a note attached with one line written. 'Vashta Nagru, God help this child.' That is my only link to my past. I suspect my mom was some sort of magic wielder and used that she used magic to teleport me away from some town that was under a raid. My parents are either dead or slaves. When the Fargor's told this to me, it became an obsession for me, no, not an obsession, it was beyond an obsession. It was passion. It became a passion for me to become the best fighter I knew, the smartest person I knew. I had to be better, I had to avenge my parents, or I felt unworthy of life. I was given a staff and my stiletto, Endulon and when I was 16 years old, I left the Fargor's home. I've been wandering ever since, watching and waiting for clues of Vashta Nagru. When I was 18 I won this cloak in a knife throwing contest, and have worn it ever since. I found Xavier when he was ten, he was a slave cook because his parents had fallen in debt. They had taken him in order to pay for his parents debt. I rescued him from this life, and he chose to follow me. So now, for two years its been just him and I. Wandering from town to town, cooking food for the poor, while we search for information about Vashta Nagru. Now I've found you guys, I have a chance to go to places I've never been able to go to yet, look for more information and make some new friends in the process. So I guess I just want to say, think this through before you stay in your comfort zone. You never know what wonderful things can happen to you, if you never give them a chance to happen."

Edited by Arato, 07 September 2008 - 09:57 AM.

[JRPomazon]

The large man had left.

"Business . . . he was a knight." Gate thought.

Gate decided to leave the pier and focused on his destination. Kinaancha was still the place to be, but the method of arriving there was still vague. There was that ship he had left in the wilderness. It was large, but it might be manageable. Without anymore thought, Gate took off. He hoped the ship was still where he had left it and hopefully the bodies of the crew and thieves were cleaned up.

[nameless]

After all the talking had subsided and the eating was over nameless went for more water.

"Leaving, hmm this always happens. Oh well I bet I'll meet them again some time. At least we get to go to KinaaNcha first. Well I better get back to Shamus." He pulled his bucket out of the water and started back to the campsite when he heard a rustle behind him. He turned slowly. "Hello? Anyone there?" More rustling. Nameless pulled his gun. "RIGHT!!! come out o' that bush or I blow it in two!" Slowly a shadowy figure came out of the bush and growled. "A cat?" There sat a small black kitten only big enough to fit in the palm of your hand. "Hey what are you doing here? this is the middle of nowhere. Hey come back to the camp site I'll give you some food. Nameless reached out his hand to the kitten, it looked apprehensively at it and then came closer and closer and CHOMP! "Owww. why the heck did you bite me?" The kitten just stared blankly at him and then proceeded to head towards the camp. "Hey! wait! come back Alabast doesn't want any more travelers." The kitten continued. "Fine I'll feed you." He followed the kitten back to the camp and gave it a bit of the venison. "What to name you. Hmmmmm." He started petting the kitten. "Maybe...*Chomp* Oww...."

[JRPomazon]

The walk was longer than Gate remembered, maybe he was going a different route. It wasn't really a problem, the destination was still the same. Along the muddy shores, he trekked to the place he had left the boat. It was going to take some time, but he was far enough from Cha'Firen that the city was nigh visible. He just kept walking, not a distracting thought entered his head as he kept moving.

After what seemed to be an endless period of time had come to a close, Gate stumbled upon the site. He looked on to see that the crate that had occupied the area was gone, most likely taken by a vagabond such as himself. The bodies of the men he killed were also missing, an unexpected change. Well, their blood still stained the earth around, so it would have to make due for the corpses the crimson markings once inhabited. Gate found the boat, untouched since the incident. He climbed on board, everything was still where it was, save the cargo that was taken.

It should be known that Gate knew nothing about piloting a boat, even one as small as this. However, something that trivial would not stop his attempt. He was going to Kinaancha, he felt there was something there to be be obtained. He often questioned how he became so determined to do these unusual things. Perhaps it was instinct. There was a wheel, a leaver and two peddles. He pulled the leaver back, and up came the anchor. Good, he was learning. He pressed the peddles and sure enough, they somehow propelled the ship using a series of oars and masts. Strange transport indeed. The wheel was obvious, so there was no need to play with it. He headed towards the back of the boat and shoved off from the mucky shore. Lucky for him, the mucky and sludge didn't get tracked with his shoe.

He took the wheel and held down one of the peddles. He headed off into the deep waters of Lake Cha, hopefully to arrive near or around Kinaancha.

[Ken the Wandering Soul]

(ooc: I will move us forward a little bit if no one minds)

Lotus woke up in the new day, just as the clouds started to show the light of the sun just over the horizon. He sat up for about a half hour, keeping his eyes closed as mumbled prayers under his breath. With that done his nomadic spirit struck, and quickly got his belongings together and dressed himself fully.

Lotus walked the short distance needed back to where the campfire had died down. Everyone still seemed to be asleep.

"This humble one believes that we should begin our walk now, while the earth is still cool from the night," he spoke in a somewhat loud voice.

[Arato]

Arato woke up to Lotus' statement. He started packing his stuff in a silent agreement with what Lotus had said. After gently waking up Xavier, Arato gathered up all the empty water sacks and left the camp to in search of some fresh water. The stream which had been the location of his conversation with Alabast came to his mind and he quickly retraced his steps from the night before. He tested the water, and it was drinkable.
Arato returned to camp about an hour later carrying enough water sacks for everyone. He returned everyone's sack to its rightful owner, then went to help Xavier pack the little bit of stuff he had. Xavier was cleaning up his cooking equipment before packing them up, so Arato decided to help.
A few of the others were still asleep so after cleaning up the equipment Arato decided to wake them up. Arato was anxious to leave. He anticipated a wonderful adventure to come and did not want to hold it off any longer then necessary.

Edited by Arato, 11 September 2008 - 10:00 AM.

[nameless]

Nameless had slept a deep sleep, filled with dreams that he couldn't remeber but knew he had. When he opened his eyes he could see a small black lump just a few inches from his face. "Eh? black blob?" He sat up and looked at it, then he poked it, it was fluffy, then her remembered the kitten. Ah! its the kitten" he then got up fully and went to splash water on his face to wake up fully.

When he returned to the camp site he could see Arato and his little friend cleaning some things, Lotus was getting ready to leave, Shamus was still out as well as Adrasteia and Alabast.

"I'm hungry." He walked over to Arato and xavier. "Got any breakfast munchies?" He asked.

"I know we are going soon but we can't travel on empty stomachs."

[Tseb]

Voices. They dragged on distorted and stretched, something about breakfast, Shamus's stomach rebelled at the idea of food. His mind attempted to quell the riot, it only partially succeeded, pausing the vomit long enough for Shamus to crawl to the closest tree before emptying his stomach. At least I feel a bit better. His mind was still sluggish and kept skirting his attempts to use it for thinking. He propped his back up against the tree away from the mess he had made and scanned the surrounding area, Blast whoever came up with the idea of daylight to the hells. The kid from the day before came into focus slowly, he was talking to another kid He found a friend? he shakily got to his feet and approached the two, "Wher do I find my selff this bright monring" His speech still slurred due to the beer.

[Shekey the Green]

(ooc: Renegade told me to post for him. He should be back soon, I just don't know when...so until further notice, my posts will include his as well as mine so characters aren't behind.)

Adastreia woke to the stumbling drunk staggering as he got up. She turned over on her stomach and stretched very cat-like, right down to the kneading of the ground. Yawning, she got up and didn't say anything to anyone. She eyed the kitten suspiciously. Instinct told her to show the kitten who was dominant in the relationship, but her human side said to leave it alone. Poor little thing. It was lost, or its mother was dead. It wasn't even weened off of mother's milk.

They'd have to make a special trip to a small town just to get some milk, that is, if the mother wasn't around.

Adastreia decided she'd ask later.

She looked around at the camp. She couldn't see Alabast, but Xavier was eyeing her expectantly.

What would she say? Good Morning? Would she ask him if he slept well? She didn't understand the dealings with humans, but she would learn, eventually. As she gathered her things, she started a fire and cooked some more meat. They'd need it for the trip, seeing in how Nameless ate so much. He was kind of a goofy character.

--Wher do I find my selff this bright monring...?-- The stumbling drunk asked. From across the camp, she could smell the ale on his breath.

Disgusting... she thought. It's not that she didn't like drinking; she didn't like being drunk. Arato handed her a water carrier. He smiled as he gave it to her.

"You're in a camp of travelers. You stumbled here last night, drunk. From the looks of it, you still are," Alabast said. "You need water, and food. It'd be best if you sobered up before we set out."

"My ultimate destination is the Imperial City of Kinaancha. I can get us to any town or the shore itself. I just need passage to the island. I know Alabast is coming with me. Again, any of you are more than welcome to come along."

Adastreia glanced at Alabast. He nodded in agreement...

--Change in perspective--

Alabast turned around and looked at the camp. He still didn't trust very many of them, but he figured if Adastreia and Lotus trusted them, then he would attempt to trust them as well. Alabast wasn't usually a cold person, but he didn't warm up to change very much either. In the past day, his entire life had changed. He had gone from being a penniless delivery man to being a penniless traveler with a bunch of companions he didn't know. Something about this Neko intrigued him, just like she intrigued everyone else.

He hadn't expected her to be the one protesting. And he definitely didn't expect her to be the one to change his mind. Alabast didn't change his mind very much, but she seemed right enough at the time. Maybe he was too hasty on deciding that they had to leave.

He looked over at the pile of meat. There was enough for a couple of days of travelling. Next to the meat were the intestines. Someone, probably Adastreia, cleaned them out and laid them there to dry. Who knows what she'd do with them. She probably had something in mind.

Arato handed him his water container. Alabast thanked him and sat down.

"I'll finish cooking if you'd like," he told Adastreia.

She looked over at him and nodded.

"Why are you cooking so much?" he asked.

"Because there has to be enough for eight people. Arato, Xavier, the drunkenman, Nameless, Lotus, You and I."

"But that's sev-"

"Nameless," she cut him off, "counts as two people." She winked and walked away. He chuckled slightly as he finished the meat.

"Finish up whatever it is you need to do," she said. "We leave within the hour and go back to the shores of Lake Cha; from there we'll keep heading North. Hopefully we can find a small settlement with a ferry to the island and some supplies should we need them."

Sounded like she knew what she was doing. She was rather adamant about going to the island, and he was adamant about following.

[JRPomazon]

Lost. Lost was a good word to use for this particular moment. Lost was exactly what Gate was right now. He had taken the small boat out, learned how to sail and headed off into the waters of Lake Cha. The only problem was his lack of direction. It was blue all around and there was no noticable sign of land. The air was cold on the water and lacking the proper clothing to handle so much cold for so long was quite a bother. Well, it would have been for most people. Without the ability to feel, be it a sensation or emotion, Gate was able to handle the cold, although he body would eventually say otherwise.

He was going to live. That was what he decided and that was what he was going to do. Even if it meant a week of being lost, he would do it to survive. Gate was tired,being awake for most of the night took its toll on him. He looked at himself in the reflection of the lake, seeing himself through the distorted ripples of the lake. Ragged clothing, a long sleeve shirt with a large shirt collar (perfect to hide the lower half of his face when desired), medium length untidy hair that covered some of his eyes and all of his ears, and grey eyes that look devoid of life. It was him, and that is all there was to it.

But what of the ripples in the water, the waves that rocked to boat. They were a nuisance, distorting the picture in the lake and corrupting the clear waters. They were just like people, creating a nuisance that went on and on. Gate wished that he could stop the waves, so he could see the beautiful clear water be still. He decided to throw the anchor down and stop his travel for now.

When the boat had stopped, he moved to the back, which was separated by the elements with only a large sheet to act as a wall. The back was open as well, but it did not let air breeze through. He was tired, or rather his body told him to stop for now. He lay on the wood floor of the small craft and closed his eyes. The lake will be there when he woke up.

[Arato]

Arato was intrigued by all that was happening. All these people, headed fro the same place he was. He hadn't thought about it before but it really was nothing short of coincidence. How could all these people have met, in the same town, within a few hours of each other.
Arato was also continuously intrigued by Adastreia. She was so... different? No, that wasn't the right word. She was so... well, she was so intriguing. He couldn't think of a better word to describe her, although that didn't seem to fit either. She confused him, and he found it fascinating. He wanted to get to know her better.

[SL the Pyro]

Shadow had went on quite the sight-seeing trip, to say the least. The city of Kinaancha had stables right next to each gate that led out of the town, as well as one inside the fortress. Very convenient for them, being able to burst out of the city gates or reach a certain part of the city quickly if they had to. Unfortunately, there were no conventional ways out of the city that weren't the aforementioned gates or through sea travel. He noticed that the wall around the city was roughly the same size as some of the buildings around it, so perhaps going over the wall was a possibility... but not with a horse. He'd have to go on foot. This escape plan was going to take some thought...

On the bright side, he did find out information about Xervan, using the excuse that the theives he's slaughtered were asking about him. He wasn't a Dragon Knight -- which somewhat relieved Shadow, it would definately have changed his opinion of the knights if that rumor were true -- but he was quite the business mogul. Supposedly, he was the leader of a trade guild that came by Kinaancha recently. That was much more feasible; being a former thief, Xervan would have more than enough knowledge of how to run an economy... and cheat people out of their wares, no doubt. In the past, Xervan's trademark was his lust for wealth and power... being the leader of a trade guild would supply that in vast quantities. He knew the name of the guild: Val'Nir.

Unfortunately, neither the townspeople nor any of the knights he'd asked knew where his headquarters was. He would need to go to a popular trading town to find this information... perhaps Cha'Firen, or that fishing town he'd been to? Since they were the closest destinations he had, these towns would be where he would try to find information first.

So now, the only thing Shadow could do now was wait for night to fall while he organized a plan to escape from this Dragon Knight stronghold...

[nameless]

"Wher do I find my selff this bright monring"Shamus managed to slur as he got to his feet.


"You're in a camp of travelers. You stumbled here last night, drunk. From the looks of it, you still are," Alabast said. "You need water, and food. It'd be best if you sobered up before we set out."

"Ya you were totally out of last night I poured about three buckets of water on you and it did nothing." Nameless added to the statement of Alabast.

The camp was up and running now. Every one was getting packed up and cooking more food. food......the smell of the deer meat roasting made Nameless's stomach grumble louder.

He walked over to Adrasteia and Alabast. "Soooo ummmmmmm there wouldn't happen to umm be some food to eat would there?" He smiled hopefully.

"Meow" Nameless looked around at the kitten. "Hey there" He picked up the kitten and then looked back at the two he had previously stated the food question to.

[Tseb]

"Food" "Water" He caught those words from a man he had never met before, they even sounded like a good idea. Water he looked around, Bucket, people, meat, trees, lake! He knew there was one way to take care of being hungover, so he started running, the solution was one he had used frequently over the years. He reached the edge of the lake, and jumped. He fell and a loud splash echoed around the lake. OUCH! his body hit in an almost perfect parallel to the water.

He emerged from the lake a few minutes later his mind recovering from his reveling last night. After returning to the camp he located the food and began to eat while taking in the strangers. They seem like a decent sort.

"I heard something about Kinaancha. I'm on my way there, I can offer a ride to whoever wants one."

Offering wouldn't hurt and he was going anyway.

[Arato]

Arato stared at the former drunk.
Shamus is what Nameless said, right?
He approached the man and smiled.
"My name is Arato, this is Xavier, that's Adrasteia, he's Alabast, that's Nameless, and this is Lotus," he said, pointing to each of them in turn.
"According to Nameless, who apparently knows you, you're name is Shamus, right?"
"Whoever is in charge of breakfast, how much longer is it going to be? This man needs some food and dry clothes."
Arato could tell that the man was dressed like a flyer and wondered if this man could be a help to their journey.

[Shekey the Green]

Alabast looked up at Arato.

"Meat's done whenever anyone wants any," Alabast said. His words probably weren't very audible. His patience was being tested. Shamus dove into the stream thinking it was the lake. Alabast looked towards the lake; they had to be atleast two or three miles from the shoreline. Smart of Adastreia. She seemed to be the one leading the group. She was doing a fine job.

The thing that was testing his patience the most was, everyone seemed to be standing around, not doing anything. Arato had gotten water, Adastreia had cleaned the deer and was presently packing the meat with Xavier to where it could be carried easily, and he (Alabast) was cooking breakfast.

This is going to be a long trip, he thought. He wasn't sure if Adastreia was going to take Shamus's offer. How many people could he transport? The group members were adamant about following her.

"Meat's done if anyone wants any to eat," he said a bit louder.

Adastreia turned around and smiled at him. Lacking better words, he felt sorry for her. In an instant, her world had changed more than his. She had gone from being a lonely traveller to having seven people who were extremely intrigued by her nature follow her around.

He, himself, was guilty of this.

However, in the journeys to come, he felt it would be necessary to put these thoughts aside until the time came.

As Xavier and Adastreia neared the fire, Xavier's eyes filled with what seemed like delight.

"Whoa! That's a lot of meat!" he proclaimed.

"Well of course!" Alabast replied. "We need to cook extra for you and Nameless. Growing boys need their nutrients and Nameless, according to Adastreia, is a bottomless pit for food."

At this statement, Xavier grabbed his share of meat and bounded off to eat.

--Change in perspective--

Adastreia turned around when Alabast said something about meat. He seemed edgy today. Probably because no one was doing anything except for waiting. She sighed. The meat was packed nicely in the remainder of the skin. One of them was going to have to carry it. There wasn't much left. It looked like it would make them through the next day.

This is how the human race is, Adastreia, she told herself. They're all followers. And they were, to her atleast. Few of the group members seemed to take any initiative to prepare for the day's journey.

--I heard something about Kinaancha. I'm on my way there, I can offer a ride to whoever wants one.

Shamus looked at the group as he said it.

"I said something about Kinaancha. I'm going. I need to get there. I don't know who else needs to get there..." Adastreia trailed off. She didn't realize how hungry she actually was until she smelled the meat.

And then she smelled the kitten. Again, her instincts told her to beat it into submission; but it was so small. So tiny.

And so hungry.

"We need to make a special stop though," she said, specifically to Nameless, mentioning it for the second time. "We can't give that kitten meat. Or grass. Or anything of the sort. It's so young it's not off it's mother's milk. It's mother obviously isn't near, so we'll have to go to a city and get milk for it. If we give it meat, it won't be able to get nutrients from the meat or the milk. And while we're there, we can get salt for the meat to preserve it. And now, we have to figure out who's going to the Imperial City, and who Shamus is willing to transport..."

Adastreia picked up a small piece of meat and bit into it's juicy goodness.

[Arato]

"Meat's done whenever anyone wants any," Alabast said.

Arato turned to catch Alabast looking at him.
That meat sure smells good, he thought.

"I'll go to the Imperial City with you as well," stated Arato. He had decided to buy Xavier some new cooking utensils and clothes with his leftover money. He wanted it to be a surprise so he didn't tell Xavier.

Xavier came running up behind Arato.

"Arato, Arato, can I come too? Please, oh please let me come!"

"No, I think you should stay behind and help watch the camp while I'm gone," said Arato, smiling inside while showing no emotion at all on the outside.

Aww comon! It's my kitten too! Right Nameless????, I should be allowed to come along," whined Xavier, pouting visibly.

"Well I'm sorry Xavier but I don't want you to come along this time. Who knows what could happen in the city. The Imperial guards might lock us up for association with a Neko. You don't want to go to prison now do you?"

That seemed to satisfy Xavier for the moment, although Arato hated lying to him.

Edited by Arato, 17 September 2008 - 09:58 AM.

[nameless]

((OOC: Umm Arato it's my kitten not Xavier's, I found it wandering in the wild wood.))

Nameless descended on the meat with a ferocity that had no equal.

"Oh that was good thanks Alabast." He smiled and rubbed his belly contentedly.

"We need to make a special stop though," Adrasteia said, specifically to Nameless, mentioning it for the second time. "We can't give that kitten meat. Or grass. Or anything of the sort. It's so young it's not off it's mother's milk. It's mother obviously isn't near, so we'll have to go to a city and get milk for it. If we give it meat, it won't be able to get nutrients from the meat or the milk. And while we're there, we can get salt for the meat to preserve it. And now, we have to figure out who's going to the Imperial City, and who Shamus is willing to transport..."

"So we are going to the imperial city. Well I need to go there I got some business to take care of there so I'll come with you." He told Shamus. The started packing up his things. "Anything else I can help with?" He stated after he was done.

[Tseb]

Shamus's Stomach growled, reminding him that he was hungry and should probably eat. He followed Nameless to the meat and began eating.

In between mouth fulls he said. "ta' for the food" ,another mouth full, "I can take all of you if you want, my flyer is a converted sloop"

[Arato]

(OOC: My bad Namelss, I forgot to add something in the quote, I fixed it.)

"I can take all of you if you want, my flyer is a converted sloop"

"Well that settles it then. Alabast, Adrasteia, Nameless, and I will go to the Imperial City and settle all our business there. We will be back as soon as possible, probably sometime tonight I'd imagine. Lotus can guard the camp as effectively as anyone else, so it should be safe," stated Arato.

"Where is your flyer at Shamus?" Asked Arato.

[Ken the Wandering Soul]

Lotus had listened carefully to the planning going on around him. He had figured out that Shamus had an airship, something he wished to look at, and then...

"No disrespect is intended, but this humble one wishes to see the Imperial City."

[Shekey the Green]

(ooc: >.o )

Adastreia wasn't liking the idea of leaving people behind.

"No. Everyone goes today or no one goes," she told the group. "That's the way this works. We stick together. No splitting up. Something could happen while we're gone. Besides...I..don't even know why I'm going there."

It sounded stupid to her. Going to a city and not knowing why. She trusted her instincts, but her mind was always getting in the way; her mind made her doubt her heart.

"So, if you're going...you're going. If not, then your time with me is over."

--change in perspective--

Carefully studying the members of the group, Alabast turned his attention away from the Neko. She wasn't as intriguing as Arato at the moment...who suddenly wanted to split the group in half.

Alabast grew suspicious of Arato. No doubt he had good intentions in his heart, but he was curious as to why Arato was so eager to split. Alabast didn't think that Arato knew how far the Imperial City was from where they were. If they split up, it could be days or even weeks before they returned.

Arato seemed like a good person. Not many people are willing to share secrets of their past after only knowing them for hours. Trust was still going to be a huge issue. Alabast didn't trust humans, with very good reasoning.

--"No disrespect is intended, but this humble one wishes to see the Imperial City."

"It sounds like everyone wants to go. So, let's go. Shamus. Lead us to your ship," he said.

[Tseb]

"It sounds like everyone wants to go. So, let's go. Shamus. Lead us to your ship,"

"alright," he said pulling a small compass like object out of his pocket. "The ship's this way" He walked off in the direction his compass was pointing. Shamus had thankfully only gone east when he should have gone south, He had had several occasions when festival days found him in completely the wrong direction. After about a mile of walking he came to his ship and began preparations for take off.

"Drop your things wherever, and grab your sleeping space" he called to over his shoulder.

[Arato]

Arato was visibly frustrated, he had wanted to be able to surprise Xavier with some gifts, which he could no longer do. He sighed deeply but had to agree with Alabast... who could know what would happen if they split up? Frustration aside, he decided to make the most of it, even if he couldn't surprise Xavier, he could still buy him the new equipment. As he turned to follow Shamus to the flyer he saw Alabast watching him. He could tell Alabast was inwardly debating about him, though what about him he wasn't sure. He still didn't know if he could trust this Alabast character yet. He decided not to dwell on it.

"Anyone need help loading stuff on to the ship?" He asked, more out of habit then out of chivalry, though he would never admit it.

"Xavier and I are pretty good at cramming a lot of junk into a small place," he said, trying to lighten the mood a little. It had been a long time since anyone had laughed.

[nameless]

"It sounds like everyone wants to go. So, let's go. Shamus. Lead us to your ship," Alabast said.

"Oh joy were going. come my little friend." Nameless put the kitten on his shoulder grabbed his bag and then started walking in the direction Shamus was going.

"Drop your things wherever, and grab your sleeping space" Shamus called to over his shoulder.

As the group clambered onto the ship.

"Hey Xavier, have you ever been on one of these before? There freakin amazing, come see the engine.

"No this is my first time on one of these, it dose look pretty cool."

Nameless threw his bag into a corner and then headed to the engine room with Xavier following behind him.

[JRPomazon]

The sun was rising on the water, the light crept across the boat and reached the sleeping Gate through a tear in the cloth wall of the ship. Slowly, he opened his eyes to the new day. He stayed like this for a few minutes, just taking the time to enjoy the morning.

"Another Day." He thought.

He lazily got to his feet and headed towards the front of the boat, discovering the morning dew covering the craft. Everything was wet, things are always wet at this time in the morning. Taking the wheel of the ship, he began to steer and propel this boat. The shame of it all was that Gate had no idea where he was.