Pleasure Kingdoms: Second Attempt

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

Zarl turned, and looked at the half-elf. He glared at him a minute, and shook a finger at him. He opened his mouth to say something, but turned instead to Logan. He wagged his finger at the unicorn a moment, and then huffed and started off towards the wizards body.

He pulled his blade out halfway there, and started attacking the corpse as so as he was close enough. For five minutes he yelled in his own language at the lifeless body, bringing the blade around again and again.

After the five minues, he stopped, wiped his blade off on what remained of the wizard's robes, and sheathed his blade. He walked back over to the group, and looked at all of them for a while. Then he turned to Logan again.

"Thank you, very much, Logan. I almost died. A moment later, and, had you not killed the Wizard, my very soul would have been lost."

He bowed, and took a deep breath. He turned towards Taren, and stared at him blankly a moment. "Fuck off, elf-boy. My soul was nearly ripped from my body and completely destroyed, I was nearly killed by a lot of fucking ninjas, and I had to look at a female of my species. I think I'm allowed to be a little angry at the moment. But, now that I've desecrated the corpse of the miserable Fae flea who created the beast that nearly destroyed me, I'm doing a lot better. Now, why don't you tell me how hard your day was, where you only got some fucking bruises, and I'll tell you how to feel?"

He turned, and started back towards the tower, muttering under his breath.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan looked to Zarl thankful that his anger was not directed at him, but to the wizard. He nodded to Zarl as he turned and headed back to camp. "I'm glad I was there then when he decided to impale himself."

He shook sightly, to rid himself of some of the blood but to no avail. He looked over the clearing, and spotted the pool that the girls had bathed in and headed that way. He felt he had to rid himself of the wizard's blood and quickly. He knew he would never rid himself of the feelings over a man dieing by his horn, even if that man had been a threat to his friends.

He had been taught that life was to be revered no matter and even though he was raised to believe creatures were more acceptable to kill he had never fully accepted that. Being he could be considered one himself with his bloodlines.

Luckily the pool was big enough and deep enough for him to enter without changing, but then after the blood had rinsed from his body and horn, he shifted back to his human form. He had not been injured physically, but had taken a few emotional wounds in that battle.

He leaned back against the edge of the pool and closed his eyes. Listening to the sounds of his friends, thankful for the lack of battle sounds.

 

[roleplaylifer]

Ritsuko felt more than relieved to open her eyes. Her aura sight had caught her the unmistakably pure and light spirit of who could only be Evee approaching. As much as she fought against it, the samurai couldn't help but smile a little sheepishly at the priestess' gentle admonishing.

"You still might want to let me look at your wound sweetie. It could be more than a simple cut. We don't want you to die on us."

Again, the elf maiden found herself nodding in submission. Stepping back and away from the priestess only briefly as she advanced, her smile turning into a faintly worried frown.

"I'd much rather we make sure everything is all right first, if you don't mind. I caught a glimpse of Zarl right before those kirin attacked, he looked far worse off than I. Perhaps you should see to him first?"

Ritsuko's frown deepened as she paused a second to fully take in the implications of this. Not finding any immediate answers, she turned a quizzical look on Taren.

"Zarl said he had a ritual to conduct? It sounded like an all day procedure to me. So why is he back so soon, and beat up like that?"

When the half-elf's only response was to silently shrug his own puzzlement, Ritsuko gave Evee a last apologetic smile. Slowly, she advanced towards the Macrai-Itoche, hoping to arrive their in time to deflect any conflict that may be brewing between him and the miserable looking Logan.

She hadn't even realized that she had been followed, so silent were her companions footsteps, until Taren's voice could be heard over the growling Zarl.

"Uh, guys? Zarl, what's wrong? The battle's over, we won...you can calm down now...we don't need the battle rage."

The question hardly seemed to placate the already steaming Macrai-Itoche who seemed to be taking out his fury by pureeing the body of the deceased wizard.

"Fuck off, elf-boy. My soul was nearly ripped from my body and completely destroyed, I was nearly killed by a lot of fucking ninjas, and I had to look at a female of my species. I think I'm allowed to be a little angry at the moment. But, now that I've desecrated the corpse of the miserable Fae flea who created the beast that nearly destroyed me, I'm doing a lot better. Now, why don't you tell me how hard your day was, where you only got some fucking bruises, and I'll tell you how to feel?"

Ritsuko coughed gently, getting the winged monster's attention as she stepped timidly forward. She kept her troubled eyes to the ground, too ashamed to meet his burning gaze. She knew she too could very well feel the angry lash of his temper, but she knew also that she deserved it far more than Taren did.

"I'm sorry, Zarl. I'm sorry that they interrupted your ritual....I had....no idea that they would find me so soon.....or that they would even pursue me at all. I was a fool to think that they would be satisfied with my exile."

Slowly her gaze hardened, even though she never lifted it to meet his own eyes, anger crept slowly into the samurai's voice.

"They sought to weaken us by picking us off one at a time. A sound tactic if it had worked. But make no mistake, the only reason any of the lives here are in danger is because of me."

Smallish shoulders lifted and fell in a heavy sigh....

"I owe you all an apology. I have committed a serious error in judgement in thinking that my enemies would be longer in coming after me, if at all. I have placed you all in danger, and deeply regret ever having done so."

Her eyes lifted then. Turning to briefly catch the gaze of all surrounding her.

"If it is your wish, then we could certainly part ways here. I've no wish to bring my troubles to your door. Not when it seemed you had troubles enough when I first arrived."

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan heard the change in Ritsuko's voice and turned to perr over the edge of the pool, he would have to change once more before exiting the pool.

Even though the brief thought of exiting the pool naked passed through his m ind. He figured maybe that would change the tone of things. He decided against that when he heard Ritsuko spoke of leaving.

He changed back to his unicorn form, a lot quicker this time, he seemed to be able to change faster than the times before with each new change.

He walked back towards the group, the water dripping from his now clean coat. He did his best to concentrate on sending his thoughts to everyone, he knew he could talk to one maybe two of them at once, but he didn't know if they all would hear him this time. "Ritsuko, you do not have to leave unless that is your wish. We have all become friends of a sort in this group, so it is only right that no matter who's enemies show up, that we stand and fight together."

He looked to each of the others, and hoped they had heard and agreed, then he continued. "I do not know about how the others feel nor can I make their decisions for them, but I wish for you to continue along with us. You can probably handle what your enemy sends your way alone, but if he thinks you are still with us he will send worse after you and I would not feel right knowing you have to face worse alone because of us. So please travel with us, I am sure the others will agree."

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

He raised an eyebrow, looking at the elven female. He burst out laughing, a rich, deep laugh that came from the center of his being. He turned an eye to her.

"Are you kidding? I'm fucking glad they interrupted the ritual! Best part of my day. I'd be dead if the female hadn't shown up, but I was beaten enough she decided not to rape me, which is all that ritual is. Calling a female to take the crystals home to where they will be prepared for the afterlife, and probably being raped for most of the day. They saved me a lot lot of torment."

He watched her a moment, and noticed she was paying a lot of attention to Logan. Ahhh, the thought-speech unicorn thing. Whatever. Once he seemed done, Zarl got her attention again. "Hey, I promised to help you, didn't I? The Macrai-Itoche do not make vows lightly. I shall be your Macra. And that reminds me, I've been meaning to do this for a while..."

He grabbed Ritsuko, and pulled her tight against him. One of his hands went hto her ass, holding her tight against his body so she could feel his excitement, and the other went behind her head as he pressed his lips to hers in a hungry, lustful kiss.

 

[Armphid]

Taren had restrained himself from lashing back at Zarl when the monster insulted him. Even so, his teeth had been bared in a snarl and his hands had sought the hilts of his shotels. How dare he! What the hell had Taren done to deserve that? Did Zarl think he could just spit on the warrior and walk away?

Ritsuko's assumption of blame shocked the anger into stillness. He kept his face serious as she spoke. Foolishness. Enemies attacked and came whenever they wished. Her presence was a help not a hinderance. Since she had come...he'd felt more lonely than ever before, but he also felt as though it would be worse if she was gone.

He was thinking of a way to say all this without embarrasing either of them when Zarl grabbed Ritsuko and kissed her. Taren's eyes went wide, shock again on his face for a moment. Then the anger he felt before boiled up tenfold.

Taren was not a full elf, though it seemed Zarl had not noticed. He was half-elf, and half-human. The elves were graceful and agile, and though stronger than they looked, were not given to great physical strength. Humans were not as agile, but were far stronger and tougher than elves. Taren was not as agile as his elven mother, though he had trained hard for many years to get as close as he was. He was gifted with natural strength, his long and hard years of tavel and training only making him stronger.

He never did remember moving, or what curse in the tongue of elves he roared as he charged. One hand grasped the arm on Ritsuko's head and drew it back, twisting wickedly as it did so. The rough action drew a slight cry form Zarl, the Macrai-Itoche's face pulling away from hers. Taren's other fist, with all his strength behind it, smashed into that face a moment later. The tall and strongly built half-elf did not stop moving, body checking the monster swordsman and sending them both tumbling away from the slender elven samurai.

Both rolled to thier feet at the same instant, and Taren came up with Overture and Finale in his hands, curved blades gleaming as if hungry for this fight. "Bastard!" "I knew you'd pull something like this eventually...try to rape one of the women, you claim to be honorable, but you're just as driven and beastial as the trolls we killed." His handsome face was contorted in a vicious snarl. "I thought you were better, I thought you could be trusted!" "I should have known, you're just another monster."

Zarl had proven his intent. Sooner or later, one or more of the parties females would suffer for his lust. Taren would not allow it. "You say you don't take oaths lightly...well, an vows is all that can help you now." "Without it...I won't have a choice, I won't allow you to rape or touch anyone without thier consent."

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

Zarl got to his feet, and stared at the half-elf. He watched him a moment, and then broke out laughing. "Rape? That, boy, is not rape. That, is a kiss. Granted, not one she expected, but if she doesn't want to go further, I wouldn't push. Although I'm sorry, for it seems I touched your woman. Of course, does she know she's yours already?"

He folded his wings back as he drew his katana. He stared at it, and them looked up at the half-elf, his eyes dancing with laughter. "Omnihusiro has tasted much Fae blood this day. Will you test my steel to yours? This blade has never failed once, in protecting generation upon generation of my people. Will you beat it, today?"

He took a carefully placed defensive stance. "Yris vuy tefra."

 

[Armphid]

Taren did not advance, his eyes never leaving the winged swordsman. "She is her own woman, and I don't remember hearing her asking or giving permission for you to touch her." "You don't just molest someone because they're there and you feel like it." "Had you done so to the Holy One, I would have reacted the same." "I know what monsters do when the passions take them, Zarl, and you have those hungers." "A kiss this time, what about next time?" "And don't lie to me that there won't be a next time."

"Laugh it off, but I know the danger you present and so do you." He shook his head, a faintly regretful expression on his face. "I take it seriously." "You've proven yourself a good ally and a strong fighter...I consider you my companion." "I don't want to kill you, but unless you can control yourself, I will."

Neither warrior moved, drawn blades gleamed in the light. There was a strange stillness in the air, as though the land itself was holding its breath to see what happened next. While Zarl's eyes danced with laughter, Taren's were steady with determination, tinged with regret. The birds that had begun to chirp again now fell silent once more, and the tension thickened in the air.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

"And since when do you know anything about the hungers I face, elf-boy? You know nothing. Don't attempt to lecture me on what I feel. Not about how I should calm down, or how to control myself."

His voice and his eyes took on a hard tone. "What do you fucking know? How can you even begin to assume you know what I go through? Because, I'll tell you, all you know is oversimplified bullshit you regurgitate, because you and the the rest of the Fae never fucking ask. You just assume, and you hate, and you kill. Well, let me tell you something, you little half-breed. I deal with it. I control it. I force the darkness into submission. Every day of my life, I control it, and some little shit like you has no clue what it's like."

"And let me tell you something else, a little fucking kiss ain't gonna make her any less her own woman. And where I come from, and from all I;ve seen, you Fae don't seem to have any complex system of rules. So don't fucking act like I'm not allowed to touch her. If she didn't like it, let her say so, and I'll back off."

He slid his sword back into his sheath. He stood proud, and spread open his arms. "If you think you know, then kill me! If you think you have any idea what goes on in my mind, then you kill me now! Because, you don't know shit! You don't know me, my people, or what we feel! So either you kill me now, or you keep your racist half-breed mouth shut!"

He stood his ground, glaring at Taren, and he waited.

 

[Armphid]

It was Taren's turn to laugh, "Now you're the one insulted?" "And I'm the racist?" "You are the one who has been saying, "You Fae do this" and "You Fae do that" since we first met." Taren sneered, "Your hypocricy would do the Elven Elders credit though, I'll give you that." "I've faced hate from man and elf every day of my life, Macrai Itoche, don't lecture me on racism."

"But you know what?" "You're right, I don't know what forces you struggle against, and I haven't ever asked a monster." "When I was in Garnet Town, and the Orcs swept down from the mountains, killing as they came, I didn't go out and ask them to talk about their feelings." He laughed again, "When the ogres came into Caer Arlyn and began to kill the men and rape the women, empathizing with them wasn't a high priority." Taren was now out of his stance, though his blades were still bared. As he listed each atrocity, his voice grew quiter, but more intense. "When the rakshasas came to Argetlahm and demanded the city turn over every infant under two years of age for thier king's wedding feast or be razed to the ground, I wasn't concerned with asking them why they wanted to eat them." His eyes were burning now, with anger both at zarl's presumption, his arrogance, his hypocricy. "When My master and I found the lair of the a band of trolls that kidnapped, raped, then killed and ate all the women of Penn Ein, we didn't stop to think if our actions were racist."

"I regurgitate nothing taught me by anyone, only what I have born witness to!" He bellowed the next part, scenes of a dozen massacres in his mind's eye. "Born witness to a dozen times and more!" "I have seen what monsters do, time and time again, I have seen savagry and horror inflicted on people who did nothing but live thier lives and left thier monster neighbors alone!"

"You're full of bullshit, Zarl, YOU and the other monsters kill US." "Monsters attack towns, murder, slaughter, rape and burn, and you are angry at us for killing you?" He shook his head, "I marvel at our restraint!" "If I was what you claim, I'd have struck your head from your shoulders the second you revealed yourself." "I wouldn't have given you a chance...not after the horrors I've seen."

Taren stared at Zarl a moment longer. Overture and Finale twirled through the air...to slide back into thier harness. "But I did, and I do." "You've been true to your word, and you just proved yourself again." "Though you may not care, I respect your prowess, your candor, and your honor...you keep your word, and that is a rare thing, indeed." Taren stood as proudly as the Macrai Itoche, matching his gaze, though Taren's was no longer as angry.

"I don't know what demons you wrestle with, but I've seen what happens when other monsters let them go." "To ignore the possible danger would be foolish...I'd like to think you're smart and honest enough to realize that." "I think you are wrong about much of what you said, but you also right about much of it." "I apologize for striking you, that was rash act, and treated you worse than you deserved." "But I do not regret my words then or now." He turned away, and took a few steps before halting and speaking again. "For what it's worth...I trust you more than almost anyone I've ever met." "You keep your word, and unlike so many...you do not hide your true self." "That's admirable."

Taren then kept walking, past Ritsuko and Eeve, past the stunned looking unicorn, past Lavastine and her angry eyes. "I think we should move away from here before nightfall, the enemy knows this place, and the scavengers will soon be out." He did mean what he had said, but he knew he had appraoched the problem in completely the wrong way. He could almost hear Gynan calling him a fool. He should get away from the others, at least for a time.

"I will scout ahead." "When you are all ready, come forward, I'll leave markers to guide you." Then he slipped into the trees, and feeling the breath of the forest on him, began to consider whether or not the party would be better off without him.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

He didn't let Taren get away. His feet pounded on the ground as he ran after the half-elf. He didn't bring out his sword, he didn't yell with anger. He simply grunted as he rammed into the man, toppling him to the ground.

"You bastard! You fucking bastard! Don't you dare compare me to those,...monsters! I am a Macrai-Itoche! A Macrai-Itoche! This is exactly what I'm talking about. Every single one of you Fae bastards! You all look at me like one of them! I'm not, you here! I have a mind of my own! I am not like them! Do you hear me?"

"You don't understand what it's like, having that inside you, begging to be out, to be like the rest of them! But we don't, none of us do! We fight and we struggle every day to be better than them, to be ourselves!"

"And you keep fucking lumping us in with them! Comparing us to them! Killing us because we're not like you! There are less than a thousand of us now! Less than a thousand! Because as soon as you see us, you act like we're supposed to be like them! Even once you elarned I was different, you all are still amazed at how one of them can show such restraint! I'M NOT A MONSTER, DAMN YOU!"

"I am a Macrai-Itoche! They may think of you as an inferior half-breed, but at least a majority of them don't question your right to live! They don't want to be near you, maybe, but they don't hunt you down and kill you!"

He was yelling. He was barely a foot away, and he was yelling at the man. He got up, and looked at him, and then sighed, and held a hand out to help him up. "I-,....I'm sorry. But,...I'm not like them,....I'm not..."

 

[Sky Jade]

Evee blinked a moment as Ritsuko suggested that she part ways with them. She quickly shook her head.

"No, please don't. You are a great friend and ally to us, it would be quite a bow to the group if you did leave us. Please stay.."

She wasn't quite prepared for Zarl's forceful kiss on Ritsuko and had to take a step back. She opened her mouth to speak when Taren and Zarl suddenly got into the little fight. She sighed softly for a moment and watched the two go at it for a few moments before she finally spoke.

"Boys, please stop this nonsense. This is going to get us nowhere fast, and will do more harm than good. Please try and work this out soon. We should be heading out quickly so that we wobn't get attacked again soon."

 

[katalynn]

Not sure of what or how to handle the things that unfolded after the fight. Lavastine was more than happy to see Zarl looking much better, how he used the void magic to heal himself as he did. But the scenes afterward.

She couldn't really hear the words from where she was, her sight told her more than she needed to know. Zarl was clearly upset, took most his anger out on the dead wizard, at least now she knew the wizard was dead. Still should burn the body though! thought for a moment.

Suddenly the unexpected kiss came Yup, hes back to his normal self again. Within moments the fight broke out, they both took off running after that she couldn't see much as they ran into the trees. Shrugging it off for the moment, if they hadn't killed eachother by now, they will not. For now that is. It was all out of heated words and what seemed like jealousy. They just needed to calm down and either learn to live with eachother, or just simply ignore eachother.
Perferrably they learn to live with eachother for as long as this grp stays together.

With not much else that could be done. Lavastine just sat back, watching the clearing and waiting for the others to return to camp.

 

[roleplaylifer]

"Hey, I promised to help you, didn't I? The Macrai-Itoche do not make vows lightly. I shall be your Macra. And that reminds me, I've been meaning to do this for a while..."

With that, Zarl took a step forward, seizing her smallish frame firmly, stepping closer to her....

Her mouth opened of its own accord, too stunned at the boldness of the man before her to utter a single word before his lips covered hers in a searing kiss. Ritsuko tried in vain to keep herself from being drawn nearer, as the Macrai-Itoche moved closer, pressing his finely chiseled body against hers. There was no mistaking Zarl's arousal as soon as their bodies seemed to meld together, her thoughts a whirl of confusion. A brief flash of memory of a smiling, teasing, Chupa and Tanzer came to her as Zarl finally released her and stepped back.

She had never let her guard down to be approached so, why had this happened now?

Vaguely, the thought of drawing her own weapon in indignation came to her, the thought of honors besmirched. Somehow, those thoughts were followed swiftly by the image of a beaten and broken Macrai-Itoche picking his way across the battlefield, still struggling to be of some use in the battle that raged around him.

As her thoughts gradually turned towards the present once more, she realized the heated battle that even now threatened to engulf her once more. Taren, thoroughly indignant, had stepped forward to protect her honor. The roguish Zarl was becoming more and more angry with each passing second as the two argued heatedly, exchanging more and more insults between each other that Ritsuko only hoped that each would regret saying later in the day. Dazed, the samurai nodded faintly at Evee's assurances, trying to find some comfort in the gentle words.

It was not until they had both begun attacking each other's heritage that Ritsuko finally came to her senses and stepped in.

"ENOUGH!"

Neither man seemed to hear her, so caught up in the argument were they, and she was loathe to add yet another drawn weapon to this fight.

She made a move to corner Taren herself, as he turned to leave. There was still much that needed to be said after the battle. Unfortunately, Zarl pursued as well, tackling the gangly half-elf to the ground before continuing the argument.

Ritsuko watched in shock as Zarl screamed at the half-elven warrior, moving quickly into a position that she hoped would keep the two from killing each other. She was about to yell at them again, probably futilely, when Zarl's anger finally seemed to spend itself, leaving the Macrai-Itoche appearing like a miserable broken man...the first of apologies spilling from his lips.

Finally seeing a chance, Ritsuko approached the two warriors silently, not wishing to anger either of them. She had been the point of conflict between them, and she had no desire to inflame either of their hearts against each other a second time.

Turning first to Taren, she bowed politely and respectfully.

"What Zarl says is true. Though he is of a roguish sort, it by no means takes away from me being my own woman. I have no doubts that you would have defended me should he have tried to rape my body. I also assure you that in the future, I will not be taken by surprise so easily. My father once told me that a mistake not learned from is a fatal one. I do not consider my honor compromised, so I pray that you will not continue to as well."

Turning to face the exhausted looking Zarl, she continued.

"I too do not know what burns in your heart, Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche. It is too easy for Fae like myself and Taren to be swept away in the atrocities committed against our peoples. I am not familiar with the battles that Taren named, nor do I wish to be. My people are isolated, and even they have problems. I do not judge you by what other monsters do, I judge you by your own actions as you should be judged."

Her eyes closed briefly, thin brows furrowing slightly as her head dipped low.

"I again accept responsibility. Both for my enemies actions, and for yours. This would not have happened if I had not stumbled into your midst, though I can hardly say that I regret yesterday's battle, or saving Logan from those trolls."

She lifted her head once more, sapphire eyes flickering dangerously as they met with Zarl's.

"If at any time, you feel that you are owed for your services, let me know. It was my fault that you felt pain today, despite whatever pain your physical pain made you miss out on. In the future, if you desire something.....ask for it. You claim to control the darkness within you, and I believe you. But you give in to it just a little every time you take what isn't offered."

Moving slowly toward the prone half elf, and the Macrai-Itoche that was a mere foot away, she could hear the gasps as she lifted a slender hand to cup Zarl's weary face. Moving slowly, stooping to bring her face to his, she pressed warm lips against his. After a moment, her lips opened slightly to allow his warm tongue enterance, dancing playfully with her own.

After a moment, the elf maiden drew away, her gaze never leaving Zarl's.

"That is for all which you have suffered today because of your oath. It is freely given."

She turned to extend a hand to Taren, and help him up, moving to assist him if it was needed. A single long finger traced the ridge of one ear as he moved slowly to his feet.

"We must have words, Taren Orlandau. There were many things I left unsaid in the heat of battle, that I would wish to speak. Tonight, when we have moved far from this place, and our enemies are hopefully left behind us, I would seek you out...if you would hear me.

She nodded in the direction of Evee, indicating that her advice had been heard and noted.

Still feeling a little rushed and confused, the samurai turned back to the rest of the party, eager to see this place behind her....

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

He stared for a moment. It was,...not what he had been expecting from her. But, afterwards, her words...Fire heated within him. Anger surged up, but not the anger he had felt with Taren. It was not fury. He turned his back on the half-elf, and stepped after Ritsuko. He grabbed her arm, and pulled her around. He kept his distance, and jabbed a finger into her chest.

"There! Right there! 'What other monsters do'! I am not a monster, Ritsuko! Nor do I ask for anything in return for what I do! And if you think that is what I want in return for helping you, it is not. I do not want you to make a whore of yourself for my assistance. I vowed to help you because my fellow Macrai gave their lives to you, and you honored their requests! I gave you a vow of my life because that is what they would have wanted. It is for them that I will protect you, not for your body! If you truely wish to give something of your free will, than do not tie it for help I give!"

He turned, and started away, back towards the tower, to get his things. His mind burned. Not with the thought that Taren might slay him, but on the fact that after centuries of his people's suffering and trials, they were still nothing but 'monsters' to the Fae.

 

[roleplaylifer]

The samurai spun as she felt her arm jerked from behind her, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she brought her free palm up in an instinctive strike.

She pulled her blow, fingers just brushing Zarl's chest as he diverted his anger to her.

Ritsuko winced.

The only sign of how deeply Zarl's words had cut. Had she been wrong to say what she did? She had only been trying to diffuse a difficult situation. She took a step back as Zarl likened her to a whore, her eyes widening in shock.

"I do not wish to give you my body, Zarl. Perhaps you misunderstood me. Though if there is anything in the future I can do to comfort your tired soul, it is my intention to do all I can."

She turned slowly away from him, still speaking as she slowly walked away, not really caring if he moved to stop her again. As his footsteps faded with their parting of ways....she wondered if he'd even heard her.

She looked down at her own robe, the shimmering fabric and the katana tucked neatly into her worn sash her only belongings currently. With a deep sigh, she moved slowly toward the treeline to wait for the others to pack up camp.

She needed to be alone to pick through her troubled thoughts....

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

He turned back. "Misunderstood you!? I know that you're acting like that's what I want for helping you! I don't expect you to give me anything in return for helping you, and I certainly don't want you thinking you have to do that for me, just because I've vowed to help you!"

He moved towards her, not touching her. "You want to comfort my soul? I don't think you could even comprehend what my soul goes through! My people are killed because of what we were created from and by. We are slaughtered, insulted, and dying off! You think you felt pain at the loss of your clan? My entire people have know that pain for generations! What can you possibly do to help my soul?"

He frowned. "Because, let me tell you something,...my soul is not something that needs anyone! I'm not weak, I don't need anyone else to try and make me feel better, especially not by someone who doesn't even comprehend that I'm not just not like the other monsters, but that I'm not a monster at all!"

He huffed. "And I-I,..."He gritted his teeth. "I don't need your kisses given like payment of some form! Because that's what it sounds like when you call it 'for all which you have suffered today because of your oath'. I am not helping you because I expect that! And nor do I ask for it in return for helping you! If such this are given, I do not want it be because of my vows, but because you want it."

 

[roleplaylifer]

"Because I want it?"

The samurai stopped dead in her tracks. Turning slowly back to the Macrai-Itoche, a slight tremor of anger rippled through her shoulders, bitterness creeping into her voice. As she spoke, she retained enough prescence of mind to keep her hands at her sides.

"Since when have you given a damn what I want? You sure as hell didn't give a care moments ago when you TOOK what YOU wanted. Perhaps I am being a little hypocritical, though it certainly does my heart justice to see that I'm not the only one."

Ritsuko turned her back on the Macrai-Itoche once more, her feet turning towards the treeline. Pained thoughts turning to those of anger and back again.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

"Well, I am sorry! But I ask you, had I asked, would you have said 'yes'!?"

He grunted, and shook himself, but didn't head back to the tower. Instead, He shook himself and concentrated. Concentrated hard on not doing or saying anything. He only seemed to be making things worse. Control, control, control....

Breathe, breathe, breathe,....

Zarl calmed himself down, closing his eyes, and trying his best not to anger anyone.

 

[Armphid]

Taren shivered slightly as Ritsuko's finger traced the ridge of his ear. Gods...such a light touch...that felt soo good. He almost lost himself in it, but then Ritsuko and Zarl got into an arguement.

Taren reached out, hoping he wouldn't offend either of them, and out a hand on the shoulder of both the Macrai Itoche swordsman, and the elven samurai. "Please, let's all just stop a moment." "We've all spoke out of temper and heat, and said things out of anger that were not warranted." "I started it, and I'm sorry."

Taren turned and bowed to the winged warrior. "Zarl, I accept the apology you made, and I offer my own." "I don't know about yoru people, or your ways." "My master went to the lands that you and Ritsuko hail from, but I haven't been there." "I acted in ignorance, and I am sorry." "If you are willing to teach me, I would like to learn."

He then turned and did likewise to Ritsuko. "I am sorry to have started this." "I let my temper get the best of me." "My master said that it was a weakness and he was right." "Thank you for seeing the good intent I had, if not the good action." "I would very much like to hear your words, Ritsuko of Clan Hitari." He smiled faintly, "Whenever you wish to speak to me, I am yours."

Taren took a deep breath, looking over the battle field. "We're all tired, hurt, and upset." "I will admit also to frustration at how easily we were found and almost defeated." He looked both in the eyes in turn. "Let's not allow that to drive us apart." "We are companions, and dispite my words, I would give life and limb for any and all of you." "Please, let us place these thinhs aside and argue no longer." "Anger is a poor sustitute for wisdom, as my master said." "I always had trouble putting that into practice, but...you two are wiser and nobler than I." "The three of us must be wise, and let anger subside for now."

"There is an evil energy that lingers here, and I think it would do us well to be away from it." He glanced skyward. "We have...five hours until sunset, and can be well away from here by then." He gestured toward the wooded foothills that loomed in the near distance. "We can make it to the hills before then, they will be a good palce to stop and rest." "Let's gather what we need from the tower and go." He sighed, "I think we will all feel better once we've left this place behind."

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

He opened his eyes, and smiled at the half-elf. He clasped hands with the man. "Alright. Apologies all round, then. And yes, I think it would be nice for you all to learn a bit. Perhaps, when we have settled ourselves in, I shall tell you the stories of my people. Of our creation, and our role in this world."

His face turned emotionless a moment. "Though how well you may like these stories is not for me to know. In the old days, our tales elected much anger from the Fae, who said we were wrong. However, our means of record-keeping is a little more,...Well, that is a story all by itself."

He gathered himself up, placing his wal firmly in control, and started off slowly towards the tower, stretching his wings and arms. "Just a question, though. Ritsuko: do you think these people who are after you are connected to the monster activity in the area, or that it's just a coincidence because you happened to come here?"

 

[roleplaylifer]

Every muscle in her body tensed as again she felt her arm seized as she turned away in what seemed to be a vain attempt to seek solitude. Her pursuer must have noticed the change in her poster, as the hold on her arm loosened almost instantaneously. As Taren began to speak, the elven samurai turned slightly to look back at him, pointed ears twitching as she chose to listen. Anger faded away to curiousity, and for once, she was glad that she'd decided to trust herself to that usually annoying trait.

She turned fully to face the others as apologies made their rounds. Waiting patiently for the others to finish, Ritsuko once more demurely hung her head.

"I apologize as well for things I have said. My words were spoke in haste, and not carefully chosen. As a consequence, I only served to further anger, not stop it as I intended."

She nodded at Taren's acknowledgement of her earlier words, meeting his piercing gaze with a tired smile. She winced slightly at the mention of how easily they had been found, continuing to listen anyway. Finally, as they all began to part ways, Zarl threw one last question over his shoulder.

Ritsuko paused for just a moment to consider the multitude of strange events that had happened in the last few days. Slowly and with full gravity, she shook her head in denial.

"I believe that this is a strike against me, Zarl. I have been wrong in the past however. But from what I know of this particular clan, they would be more likely to strike at us with their ninjas, bolstered by the kirin and oni that serve to fill their ranks. Before yesterday, I had only heard of a troll from stories my father told me during childhood. I think it is safe to assume that my enemies did not send them, or the goblins."

She continued to talk as they walked back to the others at the campsite.

"I spent some time thinking about last night....about my current situation....and all the people who seemed to have come out of nowhere to assist me with it."

A fleeting smile graced her face at the memories that flitted through her mind.

"I think our best course is to stay on the road that you have chosen for yourselves. My homeland is a long travel from here, one that would take many months. Perhaps someone at the Magic College could help us reduce some of that travel time."

As she finished, her feet crossed the threshold of the encampment, well within earshot of everyone around the area. The samurai met each gaze with a slightly nervous smile.

"So I hope you don't mind if I follow along for a while?"

 

[katalynn]

At this point Lavastine has made sure the horse that she had *rescued* was unharmed and that the her packs were still with the horse. During of which she packed her things from the nights rest and was ready to leave this hated place.

Still having this feeling deep in her gut about the mages body, but she left things unsaid while finishing the last of her things.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan stood and watched as Taren and Zarl went after one another. He wasn't sure how to get involved or if he even should. He stood to the side and let them settle their differences. He had gotten involved in instances like this before and always scored poorly on both sides for he was really neither human or creature but a combination of both.

He waited for them to settle their differences, he knew leaving this place would be a good idea. He watched as Levastine checked her horse and gathered her things. He walked up quietly as he headed to do the same. His amber gaze settled upon her for a moment.

"Levastine, is your horse alright or in need of healing? It seems that we'd travel faster if no one was injured. I know I can help carry a few of the others but not everyone and I am sure you would rather ride alone, but maybe...." He let his words trail off as he glanced b ack to Eeve, Ritsuko and Zarl.

 

[Armphid]

Taren scooped the few on his things he had left out, including the badly dented brest plate, into his magic pouch. He smiled as he patted the small leather bag...he really depended on it. Without it, he'd need a wagaon to crry just his weapons, let alone his other supplies.

'That sounds like a good plan to me, Ritsuko." The tall half-elf frowned a bit as he looked out over the small plain and the lush forest, toward the hills. "To get into the Magic College though, we have to do a great deed." "I think that finding out who's been training trolls and goblins to fight and think as military units will do nicely...since that would take some hefty magic."

As her question, he came down to where she stood at the threshold of camp. "You don't need to ask, Ritsuko." "You're one of us now." "And I know I wouldn't have it any other way."

He turned to watch Logan trot up to Lavastine. He'd have to talk to the changer later. Logan might not understand Zarl's anger at him, but Taren did. Plus, this was the first time Logan had killed another of his kind...a human. That tended to knock you for a loop. He suspected Logan would need someone to listen. "Let's hurry up, everyone." "I want to be well away from here and following those tracks to their lair before we have to stop again."