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"What was that?" Maya shook her head. She quickly took note of the ring, and wondered if she were now cursed. Holding it up for Kenji to inspect, she said, "A lot of strange things happen here..." Well, it is a strange place, she thought to herself. She immediately tried to take the ring off, and failed. That's when she realized how strong she felt, and how her powers were working perfectly again.
“I have a nice voice,” JD nearly snorted out his laugh but subdued it. Silver was paying him a compliment and here he was guffawing at her efforts. “Well, thank you. Either way I probably should get going- I don’t want people getting the wrong ideas.” Not that he didn’t like Silver, but alas he was still a bit unsure of the dynamic here. Honestly JD didn’t know if there was some hidden boyfriend she had in the background that would jump him at a moment’s notice and turn his face into a nice JD cobbler. Also he kept reminding himself that he wasn’t here for fun and games- and that there was a lot at stake in their visit to Sorcerer’s.
Still he didn’t much want to leave Silver high and dry. “And you have very gorgeous eyes- buuu…” JD was cut off by some odd sensation in his hand and a voice erupting in his ears. He twisted his head left and right, and those eyes shot down to his finger only to discover a ring was now there. “What in the nine hells is this?” He asked incredulously and shook his hand as if like a rat or some other feral beast had gotten a hold of it. “Gah I think I just magically inherited gaudy jewelry and voices in my head.” It was then he glanced over to Silver- and notice she had just had the same thing happen to her.
This place was- odd.
Yet JD didn’t ruminate on it for long because as he glanced outside one last time before exiting the room he thought the saw Voltaire running towards them with Eos in his arms. “E,” JD remarked before he bolted out of the room- dropping his clothes to the ground.
He saw JD bolt towards him with Eos in his arms he felt relieved. "Ah, JD..don't get too worried. She's alright, but she passed out...I'm not sure what happened. She ran into the woods out near the springs, as if something was out there...and something began to glow around her neck, but by then she was out cold. I wanted to see if you knew what happened and if you knew where her room is...I apologize for having you see her like this." He hung his head, disappointed in himself for not being able to help a lot but at least he found her brother. He would've been more help than Volitaire.
Sasha was relieved that Enzo wouldn't tell anyone, and was about to thank him when a voiced echoed inside the room. Instinctively, the girl moved to offense mode, which was quite the feat, considering that she was in a towel. However, once the ring attached itself to her hand, Sasha began to relax, though she was still wary of the man that'd appeared before them.
She listened to him explaining the situation, how the kid from before, Enki, was possessed by something, and that they had to stop him, " Che, seems that this'll be interesting," she muttered, and stood up to walk across the room. Turning the handle on the door, Sasha looked back at Enzo, " Well, I'm going to go get dressed now, see ya."
She opened the door, turning away to exit. However, as Sasha slipped out, a word slipped out of her mouth, " Thanks. "
JD spotted Voltaire and Eos immediately, and his hand came to the girl’s chest- taking a hold of the red pendant there. It still ebbed, flowed, and continued to pulsate underneath his grasp and his resonated back in the same fluid pulsations. That caused his shoulders to lose their painful clench. “It was the pendant,” he stated bluntly. “We both have them, but they are supposed to help with our abilities- not knock us unconscious.” It was then his hand came to Eos’s hand and he saw the ring upon her finger; he wondered if the reaction had come from that. “It isn’t your fault Voltaire.” There was no sarcasm after that, no snarky comment, but instead he just dropped Eos’s hand and motioned for him to follow. “I think I know where her room was.”
This worried JD for more reasons than one. His sole mission was to protect his sister, and here he was letting her get knocked unconscious at the near drop of a hat. Still he didn’t know what could have been done otherwise to prevent it, because he had no idea what had caused the catalyst to begin with. That would be a good question for Eos- he reckoned. It was then he opened the door and found Eos’s clothes, towel, and what not strewn about the room. “I supposed just lay her there- I’ll watch over her. I’m sure you have other things to do.” JD’s eyes looked darker and his lips seemed to be pressed into a fine line. “Good night Voltaire.”
Kenji saw the ring form around Maya's finger. He smirked. "Try and get some sleep tonight." He said as he turned and walked off.
Once Sasha stated that she was leaving, it snatched Enzo out of his daydream. "R-right, then." He hadn't really noticed that they were still in towels.
As she left, he heard her gratitude, and couldn't help but smile. Temporarily forgetting the urgent matter that they were about to head into, Enzo laid down to sleep.
[[Next day in 2 posts]]
Sasha reached her room and sighed, " I will never understand that man," she spoke, shaking her head as she went through the dressers to find clothing that seemed slightly less girly. Sasha found only the same sort of dress as before, but this time, with brown lace as well. There was no sleepwear stored within the drawers, which annoyed Sasha, but the girl was too tired to care.
She fell back onto the bed, and drifted off...
He noticed the sudden drop in his tone. His usual cynical tone was absent, he knew this was something pretty serious. He decided not to comment and let her down on her bed. He let his hair cover his eyes, he still looked of disappointment. He still felt it was his fault. "I guess this is where we are similar, I suppose. But good night, I hope Eos awakens soon and your worries lifted." He left, closing the door behind him and started looking for a place to sleep himself.
And so, the next day came.
It didn't take long before the ghosts of Anvil - it's villagers, - to fill the town with activity early in the day. Sounds of chatter, laughter, and silverware filled the Inn.
Enzo opened his eyes, he found himself in an impossible sleeping position. Without wondering how he got that way, he sat up straight. He put his hand to his head, and thought I must have just.. passed out or something. Looking over to his side, he noticed a set of clothes had been laid onto the desk. It wasn't really modern, but it would do. Enzo dressed into it, and soon, walked out of the Inn room. He wondered if everyone else had gotten a ring, too, like he and Sasha did. That's right.. Sasha..
Last night had been quite the night, not just for him, but for everyone. Secrets were told, feelings came out, and most importantly, everyone warmed up to one another. Enzo could sense it. Walking over to the stairs leading down into the main tavern area, he spotted the old man walking up them. "Oh, sonny. You're up early." He stated. "There is some morning tea on the counter, feel free to have some." The old man's wrinkled face managed a smile, and he resumed walking. Enzo, with a hand still on his head, walked down the stairs. The Inn was full of people. Some people were gathered around, telling stories of some kind of hunt, others were moping about at the counter as if it were a bar.
Enzo didn't see any of his friends yet, and so, he walked over to what seemed like free tea. He took a cup, and went to turn around, when he bumped into someone wearing leather armor. He nearly split the tea, but was able to balance it before it tipped. "S-sorry, sir." Enzo said without directly looking at the man's face, half expectant to be angry. "Ahh~, and look, they run right into me." The man in armor seemed to have been chatting to someone else about a matter. "Hey, boy, are you busy right now?" He asked Enzo. "N-no, why?" Enzo answered. "We're down a hunter, can you handle a bow?" The man was probably a hunter, judging by the large bow and quiver he had on his back. "A bow? I-" Enzo was cut off when an extra bow and set of arrows was pushed into him, nearly making him drop the tea once more. "Good, we need you."
The voice still rang inside her fuzzy mind, the familiar voice ripping away at the very fabric of her sanity. Am I hallucinating? She thought, pulling her legs close to her body. Her hands gently grazed over her ankles - completely healed. She could have sworn they were cut up from running last night, but when she awoke they were completely clear.
Even the ring on her finger, she couldn't explain. And more importantly, she couldn't take it off. Eos had a lot of questions, but out of embarrassment kept herself locked up in her room. Memories of last night flooded into her mind. She was so close, so very close to that perfect fairytale moment - but then it happened.
What divine force was keeping her from pursuing happiness?
Her eyes glanced down at the brilliantly designed ring on her finger once again, "I don't understand any of this."
She'd gotten up early, remembering the scenes from last night.
Spoiler
" Tch..." Sasha rubbed her eyes, " I was too vulnerable last night...I even told him about Josef...and said that embarrassing line!"
She punched the frame of the bed, successfully denting it a little. Sasha sighed; there was no use dwelling on it now. The girl slipped out of her room, padding through the halls, and down towards the main floor. Her fingers traced the toffee colored lace of the dress, and Sasha grimaced. It seemed so girly, to wear lacy things, and Sasha didn't like it.
Silver was in that same place she was before, the place with literally nothing around. No light, no sound, no others. She was already tired of it, even if she had only been here once. She sighed and turned around in place, wondering what she should do.
[[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaeuBeuWkgA ]]
Suddenly she felt a presence nearby. Something powerful, something familiar.
She turned again, but she saw nothing until she felt a chill on her back. Something whispered into her ear, "You know I can always see what you're doing, no matter where you are, Silver."
She froze. I know this voice..
"Just keep that in mind, yeah?"
Before she could respond, she woke up in bed. She blinked at the ceiling a few times before sitting up, wondering when she fell asleep, and hoping that the person in the dream wasn't who she thought it was. She shivered and got out of bed, looking at her ring and remembering how powerful it made her feel. Looking out the window, she spoke. "Yes... Today is a good day to test out my magic." She looked to the ring. "Don't you agree?"
"I.. don't know how to hunt." Enzo said shamefully. '"We just need some extra manpower, really. Come on." The hunter then walked out of the Inn, and was joined by a couple others. Enzo hesitated, but he didn't want to be rude. Not after he learned what happened to the village. Just before he left, he caught a glance of Sasha coming down the stairs. He quickly sipped his tea, set it on a nearby table, slinged on the quiver, and headed outside.
She sat down at a table, resting her forehead upon the cool wooden surface. A cup of tea lay across the table from her. Sasha moved her finger up and down, making the tea move with it, looping loops, and drawing patterns. Her finger grew tired of moving, though, and the girl stopped, only watching the water move with her eyes.
Then she froze.
She could move water without physical action?
This was new to Sasha. The girl decided to do a little experiment. Standing up, Sasha imagined a small spiral, spiraling up to the ceiling. When she looked back at the tea, it was indeed spiraling up and down.
How interesting...
Enzo struggled to keep up with the hunter group. Supposedly, they supplied the shops with meat. All kinds of meat, and were pretty damn good at what they did. "I can't kill an innocent animal." He spoke up, so that the hunters upfront could hear him. "We were notified of a .. flaming puppy around here. You can carry our gear if you don't want to take any shots." Enzo sighed. Flaming puppies, huh? The group started to head into the surrounding forest. It looked normal, as far as Enzo could tell. Little did any of them know, there were a pair of glowing, orange eyes watching them from the trees.
Silver stepped out of her room, looking back and forth to see if anyone was there. Before she left, she saw Sasha playing with tea. Silver grinned and decided to walk over and ask if she'd care to do a bit of experimenting with her.
"Hey, Sasha," she said with an innocent smile on her face.
Maya slipped on the dress that was left for her, not caring about its lacy backing or its slightly poofy skirt. She didn't care what she wore, as long as it was something that covered her up. "Hmm," she looked at what she drew yesterday and frowned, noticing she was the only one left uncoupled with someone. Sighing and pulling up her sleeve (which seemed intent on sliding down every few seconds), she walked out and down to the main floor. Maya absentmindedly played with the ring as she went. So, I wonder if it makes me any stronger, she thought, ultimately deciding to test out her strength once she found a quiet spot.
The tea splashed back in its cup. Sasha turned, her separate colored eyes meeting the green ones that belonged to none other than Silver. She cocked her head, " What do you want?" asked Sasha, raising an eyebrow.
"Why do I have to want something to talk to you? Can't one simply make friends with her acquaintances??" she asked as she stood next to her, still giving Sasha that innocent look.
"And you know what friends do, right? Train with each other! What do you say? Let's go experiment with these things," she said as she raised her hand up, showing Sasha the ring.
Volitaire woke up from his bed, a lot later than everyone else. He had another odd dream he can only remember snippets of. He does remember seeing his brother and him training and something overcame them and that was it, he could never remember dreams that involved old memories. He tried not to care and perform his morning rituals in the bathroom inside his little room, he was shocked to see toothbrushes and toothpaste inside. He always figured you had to bring your own, though he didn't complain. He found his tux he wore to prom, he never got to go get his original outfit. Donning everything but the jacket he left out his room, feeling a little refreshed, and a bit elated from last night but still full of worry.
"I still have yet to battle either of you," Maya hummed, a faint smile appearing, "mind if I tag along?" She fiddled with the ring on her finger, but it would still not come off. After a pause, she added, "I don't want to impose." Maya leaned against the wall. She wanted to bond with these girls, as she had felt they were not as close as they should be. The closer they were, the better they could fight alongside one another.
A battle would be fun.
Sasha waved her hand around as well, smirking, " Heh, sounds fine with me," she replied, a grin on her face. Then Maya came up. Sasha looked the girl over, thought for a moment, then nodded, " S'fine with me." She looked towards Silver for her thoughts.
Unfortunately for Enzo, the hunters's spirits took the better of them, not only making them move faster, but become nearly invisible. Enzo tried to keep up, but stopped, once he could no longer hear or see them. He was quite the distance away from the village. "Crap.. Where'd they go?" Enzo looked left and right for them, but to no avail, then, a voice arose.
Silver looked at Maya, a bit surprised. When she thought about it, she hadn't fought or trained with Maya at all, so she figured it would be nice to know what she can really do. A battle between the three of us, huh?
"Alright, we should probably go outside." She gestured towards the door. "Shall we?" she asked with a much less innocent grin on her face.
Maya smiled in response. "Try to keep up." She took long strides as she walked out. Some would consider it speedwalking, but it was her normal speed when she was alone. Upon exiting, she glanced around, and looked back to make sure the others were following. Then, she headed towards what looked to be the nearest forest area.
Sasha stood up, smirking, " Sure, let's go."
She then heard Maya's comment, and nearly laughed, " That'd be my line..."
Sasha kept up with Maya, walking with her towards the forest, " We going in there, or...?"
Silver walked behind them both, wondering how she was going to fight without her swords. She glanced at her ring and felt reassurance, as if the ring was encouraging her. She smiled and looked up to the forested area where Maya was walking to. At this point, she couldn't help but grin at her excitement.
Perfect.
"Don't want to kill any of these villagers a second time. Plus, yesterday, I saw a clearing just through there." She pointed. "Big enough for all three of us to fight at once." Maya slowed her pace slightly, waiting for Silver to be completely caught up.
Finally, Eos had emerged from her room. How long are we going to stay here? She thought, confused as to why we weren't trying to actively leave this place. Either way, holding herself up in her room all day wasn't productive in any way, shape or form.
She didn't feel like herself today, and wasn't sure if she would make the best company. And honestly, the idea of seeing Volitaire again made her more nervous than she had ever been. He must think I'm an absolute loon.
Walking down the hallways he peers out the window and sees Sasha, Silver, and Maya walking into the forest. Though, looking at Silver left a cold feeling that rubbed him the wrong way. He did remember they all got these rings that made them seemingly stronger and it could be a possibility it's reacting negatively to her. Which made him think of how it will react to him at a later point. He knew how Silver can get and figured he should moderate, to an extent. He saw a casting shadow from a tree and warped over to it, and greeting the three ladies "Hey you three..I was curious to what you all are up to, mind if I ask?"