Little Serenity

That night, Irima's thoughts and dreams were filled with horrors that she didn't quite understand. With Tyniah snoozing gently on the floor, Irima thrashed about in her bed, sweating bullets and saying random snippets of senseless language. [i]"Whe... where am I?"[/i] Irima looked around her subconscious, squinting through some kind of mist. [i]"Tyniah? Boots...?"[/i] A figure appeared in the mist, dark at first, then he became clearer. [i]"Sariyah!"[/i] Irima's heart lept. She began running, stumbling over unseen obstacles and reaching for him. [i]"Sariyah! I'm right here! Over here! It's Irima!"[/i] Sariyah's form turned, his expression stoic. [i]"What are you doing here?"[/i] He sighed, looking down at her with a hint of disgust. Irima swallowed, but her smile returned. [i]"You... you ran off! I was worried but, here you are!"[/i] [i]"You shouldn't be here. Didn't I tell you to beat it?"[/i] She took a step back. This seemed worse than a slap in the face. [i]"You want me to leave...?"[/i] There was silence, then an ear-splitting shriek. Irima covered her ears in agony, but Sariyah seemed fine. He drew his sword as several humanoid creatures loped out of the mist. [i]"SARIYAH!"[/i] [i]"Go away!"[/i] He yelled as one of the creatures with a particularly nasty set of claws sliced his forearm. [i]"You're only holding me back!"[/i] [i]"I-I could heal you! I'll do my Holy spell! Just let me-!!"[/i] Several more creatures came out of the mist, blocking Irima's means of escape. [i]"You're only holding me back!"[/i] He didn't even cry out as his shoulder was sliced open. [i]"You're going to die without my help! LET ME HELP YOU!"[/i] [i]"You're only-!"[/i] This time, several creatures ganged up on Sariyah. Irima didn't quite see what happened, but when the monsters cleared, Sariyah was a heap on the floor, lying in a pool of blood. Irima felt her face grow very hot. Her knees locked. The monsters passed her by as she twitched, in total shock. "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!" Irima, knuckles white, gripped her sheet and drew it up around her. She lost her balance and fell on top of Tyniah. "YAI! What the-?!" Before Tyniah could finish his sentence, Irima had thrown open the door and was halfway down the stairs. "Irima?!" She kept running blindly. All she knew was the inn's door and that she had to get to Sariyah. She ran, barefoot out into the cold night, down the road, and into the forest. Tyniah, hopping on one foot and trying to put on his shoe, tried in vain to catch up. "IRIMA! Come back!!" He caught sight of the white sheet, and made a beeline for it. "Leave me alone Tyniah! I'm going to find him myself!" "Like hell you are! I'm coming with you!" "I have to talk to him!" "So he can hit you again?!" "I have to ask him! I have to ask him if-- YAAAAAAAAAA!!" In her blind rage, Irima had run straight into some kind of bandit's trap. A thick rope net rose up around her and hefted her high into a tree, sheet and all. (Sorry everyone for leaving this thread dead for a couple... months... ^_^;; School can do that to ya, but now I'm back! ^^)

Irima sat up, rubbing her face. "What happened? I don't remember anything! I remember..." Irima replayed Sariyah hitting her, then all went black. "That's right." Irima's cheek was swolen and there was dried blood at her lip. "Master Tyniah?! Master Tyniah!" "So prettyboy took a fall, huh?" Boots and Monte were downstairs. Irima took one look at the broken banister and panicked. She ran to the landing. Tyniah was lying on the remains of a table. Irima gasped. Boots looked up at her. "Lady Irima? Why is your face swollen?" "I- I fell. Into my beside table." "Your table." Boots arched his eyebrow. "Yes! Is Tyniah alright?" "Just a few cracked ribs. He'll live." Tyniah groaned and opened his eyes, seeing Irima. "THAT BASTARD! Where is he?!!" "Slow down Master Tyniah! Who are you referring to?" "Sariyah! He smacked Irima a good one!" Irima's hand shot to her face, covering the corner of her mouth. "Sariyah hit you?!" Monte exclaimed, "Jeez, I never thought he had it in him." "I don't care if he hit me or not! We have to find him! He must have gone out into the forest, and if he did... the mists will get him!" "Wait just a second here!" Tyniah stood up with the aid of a chair. "You want to go out and rescue the guy who just popped you one? WHAT ARE YOU, INSANE?!" "I have to! Tyniah, I was hoping you would help me." Tyniah paused for a few frustrated seconds. "Irima, I hate Sariyah's guts right now, but I love you, and I'll make sure that nothing happens to you." Irima smiled down at him, "Thank you." "Don't forget us down here Irima." Monte raised his eyebrows at her, "I'm single too." Irima sweatdropped and laughed nervously. "I will accompany you as well. I've become quite attached to Master Sariyah and I am curious as to the reason why he hit you." "Right," Irima nodded, "Let's go, first light, we're off."

"Why do you resent me?" Sariyah almost jumped a foot. Irima lay there calmly, her face straight. "I don't resent you." "Really. That's good. So I guess it was just a fluke that you weren't concerned about me when I was cut to ribbons. You didn't even flinch when I was coughing blood." "You can take care of yourself. Or have someone do it for you." "What?" "Go back to your friggin castle and eat your damn bon bons! I don't care!" "Sari-Sariyah I thought you knew that I hated it there. I don't even know if it's safe to go back..." "So you want to!" Sariyah practically screamed in Irima's face. She cowered beneath her sheets. "I'm leaving. I'm going somewhere else. I'm sick of everyone." "Sariyah..." Irima stood up, wincing as she walked. She put her hand on his shoulder, "Don't-" "GET OFF ME!" Sariyah turned around and slapped Irima across the face. She fell to the ground, blood running from the corner of her mouth, unconscious. "****..." Sariyah muttered. He turned to leave. "Lady Irima! I-!" Tyniah dropped the tray he was carrying. He was face to face with Sariyah. "What are you doing in her room?" "Nothing." Tyniah passed Sariyah in the doorframe and saw Irima on the floor, her face slightly pink. "You struck her." "She was being annoying." "THAT'S HOW YOU JUSTIFY HITTING HER?!!" Tyniah drew his sword. "Put it away." "Like hell I will! I'll kill you first!" Tyniah charged at Sariyah. With one fluid movement, Sariyah jammed Tyniah's sword into the door frame and punched him square in the jaw. Tyniah stumbled back. "Is that how you want to play? Fine! I'm ready for you!" Tyniah put up his fists.

"All of you just stand back!" Irima yelled, clutching her side. "Miss Irima," Boots strode up next to her, "I will not allow you to do this alone." "Do you know the Holy spell?" "I do." "Then let's get on with it." Irima and Boots slipped through a hole in the boulders, leading to the other side. "Alright!! On three Boots!!" "Of course!" Irima and Boots posed in perfect synch. "[i]HOLY!!![/i]" The dragon, who had only given them a passing glance shrieked in pain and horror as it vanished without a trace. Boots stumbled a bit, but regained his composure. Irima coughed blood and fell to the ground. (OOC: Tag, you're it.)

The wind blew through the empty schoolyard. A girl with brilliant red hair stood in the middle of the cement, holding her bag close to her. However, rather than making a beeline for the schooldoors, the girl walked down the steps and down into the basement of the school, where she took the ramshakle elevator to the topmost floor: the attic/clocktower. "Look, all I'm saying is that with Ojiro-san gone, we have to work to keep up the KNIGHTS name. We can't have you going around stealing stuff. It just isn't with the-" "Ah screw the code. I was just messing around, that's all." The elevator gate creaked shut with a spectacular squeal. Ars and Rue stood up, readied for a fight. "What, you're going to attack your own leader?" "Ojiro-san?" "Rendea?! Where the hell have you been?" Rendea Ojiro: The Red Tsunami. She had a slender face with lots of brilliant red hair in a ponytail. She wore a large black sweatshirt and tight pants. She smiled weakly at Ars and Rue. "You been keeping up our honor, boys?" "Hai!" Rue said immediately. "Where did you go this time?" "A week's suspension for fighting in the halls. My mom shipped me off to cheerleading camp again." The guys winced. "Sorry to hear that." Ars sighed. "Who are we fighting first?" "Those odd card people." Rue said, consulting the calendar nailed to a wooden beam. "They threatened Aiko." Ars' mouth got very tight. "Well, then, we'll just have to win, ne?" Renie set her bag down and brought out her staff. "Training begins now, have at me!"

[i]Wait!! Woah woah woah! DESTROYS anything more?!![/i] Hoshi groped around trying to find someone. "What is this thing?" The tiny dragon looked skeptically at Hoshi, who tripped and fell. Hoshi lashed out at the spot where the dragon was, but he dodged. "Watch it, little one," Zo narrowed her eyes. Hoshi stood up and shook her hand, signalling that it was okay. [b]This thing is like Hiei. I don't blame it.[/b] Hiei threw a glare at Hoshi, then remembered she couldn't tell whether he was about to kiss her or kill her. Zo placed her hand on Hoshi's shoulder. "Don't worry. Soon both Hiei and his pet won't be able to make fun of you." "He's not my pet!" Hiei spat. [b]One question.[/b] Getting no response, Hoshi tapped Zo on the shoulder. [b]How do [i]I[/i] get to... wherever we're going?[/b] "Oh... oh that's right..." Zo thought a moment. "You're sure you won't take Serena's spirit?" Hoshi nodded gravely and shook her head. [b]I wouldn't feel right doing it.[/b] "Alright. We'll figure something out Hoshi. Just sit tight."

Everyone rushed back into the hut, including Hiei, who seemed very pleased with himself. "What... what that?!!" "He's unconscious now. We can leave, or better, kill him." Hoshi, a bandage still over her eyes, kept turning her ears toward conversation. [i]I wish I could talk to Ryden... but I have no idea what happened! They're talking about killing someone, and Ryden's refusing to be healed![/i] Hoshi stood up suddenly and defiantly, turning her head towards a wall. "Hoshi? What's wrong?" Zo asked. "Yeah, what's up?" Ryden stood up, wincing a little. Hoshi's head turned instantly towards Ryden and approached him quickly. "Wha- what are you doing?!" She gripped his shoulders and he winced. Hoshi's mouth opened in shock, feeling warm blood on her hand. She fell to her knees. [i]This is why you refused healing? You maniac![/i] Hoshi frantically gestured to where Zo's voice came from and to her own chest. "I think she's asking why we didn't let her in on what was going on." "Why would she need to know anyway?" Hiei snorted, "It's not like it's vital to her existance. I just mortally wounded the man who did that." If looks could kill, Hoshi's glare might have killed Hiei if her blindfold wasn't over her eyes. She sat down, her head on her knees and shaking silently, tears going down her face. [b]Why?![/b] Hoshi mouthed. [b]Why did you do this Ryden?! I thought you promised I wouldn't have to feel this way again![/b] "What? I didn't follow that." Ryden scratched his head. "Er... she..." Hoshi crossed her arms and tightened her mouth. "She's upset because you broke your promise to her. She's feeling awful because she can't do anything anymore. She's been crippled Ryden. She isn't a dragoon anymore and she has no voice or sight." [b]Where's Serena?[/b] "I don't know..." [b]Please tell her...[/b] She paused, [b]Tell her that I can't take her dragoon spirit.[/b] She shook her head. "She says it isn't right." Zo muttered. "YEEKS!!" Serena looked outside the hut. "Xaru's up again!!" "Arg! This infernal cripple distracted us from him!" Hoshi knew that Hiei was talking about her. She sat on the floor, trembling slightly.

[i]"The western wind is blowing fair, across the dark Aegean Sea. And at the secrect marble star, my Tyrian galley waits for thee. Come down, the purple sail is spread the watchmen sleeps within the town Oh leave thy lily flowerbed Oh lady mine, come down."[/i] Irima stepped outside her door, peering around. Tyniah was at the foot of the stairs, [i]singing.[/i] "Tyniah! Shh!! People will hear!" [i]"Come down, Lady come down, Come down, Lady come down."[/i] Tyniah ran up the stairs striking a rather silly pose. "Come on Irima, I know you know this one. I memorized it from you after all." Irima sighed. [i]"She will not come, I know her well, Of lover's vows she hath no care. And little good a man can tell Of one so cruel and so fair. True love is but a woman's toy, They never know their lover's pain. And I who loved as loves a boy, Must love in vain, Must love in vain!"[/i] [i]"Come dooooooown! Lady come down!"[/i] [i]"Come down! Lady come down!"[/i] Irima collapsed on her bed in a fit of laughter. "I haven't sung like that in years! Thank you Tyniah." "Ah, it's nothing." Monte poked his head inside Irima's room. "Miss Irima? Is Sariyah in here? You're making such a racket..." "No, he's not here... MONTE?!! How the... what the...? I know that I-" "Boots." Monte simply said. "Is he gone too?" "Yeah," Tyniah sighed, "They went off on an [i]important mission.[/i]" "Oh, the dragon thing." Irima was silent, staring at the floor. "When are you going to change out of that nightgown Irima? It's covered in blood..." Tyniah grimaced. "Monte!!" There was the sound of heavy footsteps coming up the stairs, "Monte!!" Boots burst into the room. "Monte! I need your help! Sariyah has been crushed by rocks in the dragon's cave and I can't get him out on my own!" "Sariyah?!" Irima gasped. "He's trapped?!" "I fear the worst Lady Maria!" "Just call me Irima, please. Tyniah, I need some other clothes and... oh no... I left my staff at the castle..." "Don't worry, I grabbed it before we ran out, and..." He presented Irima with her old clothes, "I grabbed these as well." Irima smiled at him. "Thank you." A few minutes later, Irima, scars and all, threw open her door and ran down the stairs. "Let's get him." Tyniah, Monte, and Boots followed her out. "The cave's there!" Irima saw a pile of boulders that had some resemblance of a cave. The ceiling had caved in. "I can't exactly move the rocks in the entrance and I..." "Move." Irima stuck her staff in the wall of rocks and boulders. "Everyone clear out, now." She rose slightly off the ground and hovered there, glowing white. "HOLY!!" The wall exploded, rocks blew everywhere, but the entrance was still blocked. "HOLY!" Irima flinched slightly at the next explosion that cleared the entrance. The aura vanished abruptly and Irima stumbled to the ground. Tyniah steadied her. "I'm fine..." They entered the cave, navigating around and through various rubble. Finally, they found what resembled a dragon claw. "He was covered here!" "Alright... here we go... SOUL SPLITTER!!" Irima's soul erupted from her body, shining white. Boots and Monte stared at it in awe. "I never get tired of seeing that," Tyniah grinned. Irima's winged form threw rocks aside as if they were pebbles. "Strength of will... I suppose." Boots mused, nodding. Irima suddenly uncovered Sariyah's form. She screamed, covering her face. Tyniah ran over to her. "Don't look! Oh God... he's worse than you were..." "Nevermind his condition, move!" Boots kneeled near Sariyah and murmured a few words. His wounds vanished, leaving scars like Irima's. "Thank God he's alright..." Irima sighed. Suddenly, a transparent black claw burst through a boulder that Irima was standing next to and grabbed her. She passed through the rock yelling. "What in the name of hell was that?!!" Monte yelled. "It's the dragon's soul!" Boots picked Sariyah up. "It's angered that it's dead and is taking it out on Irima! It can't interact with anyone in the physical world, but Irima's soul is on the same plain! We have to help her! Monte! Watch over Sariyah and Irima's body!" [i]OOC: The song at the beginning is from The Importance of Being Earnest, the movie. I didn't write it, it belongs to them. O_o;;[/i]

Tazo sighed, watching Hinoto being loaded onto the ship. "I'm lucky I didn't electrocute myself crossing all those wires... I'm no electrician..." "Curry?" Ray asked. She and Cecila(sp?) exchanged a knowing look. She chuckled. "I'll pass." "You're gonna need it." "You're just trying to pass that stuff off to me, aren'tcha?" Ray looked at the package, then shrugged, smiling. He went to sit down for take off. Tazo sat in her chair and relaxed. [i]Tazo...[/i] an old voice rang in her head, [i]Have you forgotten me?[/i] Suddenly, the entire ship was gone. Tazo was floating in complete blackness. Suddenly, Akamatsu appeared slowly, turning to her. Then Ray, Clyde, and Cecila. They looked at her with mild interest, but then in horror. Slashes erupted on their bodies and they fell to the ground. The entire blackness was filled with red and a demented chanting. [i]They're dead... they're dead... because of you... you... you...[/i] Tazo's body was overheating, and she was covered in blood. It was running all down her hands and up her arms. She screamed. "Tazo! What is it?!" Cecila asked, looking horrified. The ship was back. She was in her seat. No blood, no dead comrades on the ground. Nothing. "It's... nothing... at all."

A ray of light danced across Irima's face. She stirred a little, but found that it hurt to move. "Don't move Irima. You're still injured." Tyniah sat next to Irima's bedside in a small wood room. Irima looked at her arms in shock and horror. "Wha- what happened to me?!" "Calm down. You're okay now. I found Sariyah and his two companions and one of them-" "Sariyah?! Where is he?! I want to see him!" Tyniah stood up and faced one of the walls. "I don't want you to see him." "What?" Irima was throughly confused. "You don't know this, but... Sariyah hasn't even mentioned one word about your condition. He could only stare at you bleeding to death in your sheet. His companion Boots, a white mage, healed you, but the scars are still there." "So... so I see..." Irima looked down at her arms. Tyniah must have made some kind of mistake. Sariyah would surely feel concern for a friend being cut to ribbons. "Tyniah? You can't be- I mean, you're not really... are you sure he didn't..." "Why are you so stuck on a man that won't even mutter your name when you're injured!" Tyniah yelled. He sighed and his voice was softer, "I was so... so scared that I'd lose you. I was frantic. Everything last night is a blur." He sat down on the bed and held Irima. "I'm happy you're alright..."

"You have a horse?!" Renie and Dorolin were running down a forest path, trying to escape the gang leader. "Sorry. Didn't exactly pack one." "Well, that's alright, we can just run faAAAH!!" The bandit had swiftly ridden up to Renie and snatched her right off her feet, kicking and screaming. He still had the arrow in his arm. "Dat hurt ya little punk! Now lissen t'me." He gripped Renie's shoulder and she winced in anticipated pain. "Don'tcha be comin' after meez no more! Dat is... if ya ever wanna see your frien' here again in de shape she is now." "You wouldn't maul her! You're too much of a coward!" "Das true, das true. But... I happ'n ta like yer frien' Renie 'ere... if ya catch my drift. Don' mess wit me again, punk." He began to ride down the path again. Dorolin aimed to kill this time, but never got the chance to shoot. The gang member squeezed Renie's shoulder and she cried out in pain, distracting Dorolin for a fraction of a second. "Dammit," he cursed under his breath.

"Owwww..." Tyniah got up around an hour later. Irima was lying next to him in her sheet. He grimaced and wrapped it tighter. "Hold on Irima, we'll get to Sariyah and... and he'll help you... right after he kills me... Irima?" She was unconscious. Tyniah broke through the forest and onto the road. It was still dark outside and there was no sign of any mists. He sighed, relieved, but he noticed that the sheet was getting redder and redder. "I have to hurry!" He ran along the road for what seemed like hours. Finally, a cart came up on Tyniah. "Whassat you got there sonny-boy?" "Sir! Good sir! I need a doctor!" "A doctar, eh? There's not one for twenty miles. He's in Koralass." "Twenty miles?!! My friend won't live till daybreak!" "Well... ifya need some help, there were dees three men awalkin' on the road. Didn't pass 'em but twenty minutes ago. One of 'em appeared ta be a white mage. P'raps yer friend could enlist his help eh?" "Three men? Tell me! Did one of them have a sword?" "Two of 'em did..." "Well... well what about a cloak? It would be blue!" "A cloak... well yes. One of 'em did. Kinda scruffy lookin' guy. Kept lookin' back at the castle." "Sariyah..." "Yes, that was the man's name. Well, I would help yeh, but I need to be going. Got a delivery for the castle." "Don't go my friend." "Whassat?" "I have in my arms the dying Princess of Aurocon. She was attacked in her sleep by viscious monsters. Don't go..." "How do I know yer not-" Tyniah pulled the sheet back. The man's eyes grew very wide. "Holy Gods above... Sonny-boy, take my horse! Take him now! Get to the city of Koralass now!" "I thank you!" The man unhitched the horse. Tyniah stradled Irima over the horse and he took off into the night. "Ride fast sonny-boy!! Daybreak's in a mere four hours!" "I know... I KNOW!" Tyniah muttered. --- "So how far are we from Koralass?" Sariyah asked. He, Monte, and Boots were camping for the night. None of the party was particularly tired. "Around fifteen miles. Maybe ten." Boots mused. Monte sighed, staring into the fire. "So Irima's a princess, is she?" Sariyah nodded numbly at Monte's statement. "Too bad. I could have married into royalty." Sariyah rolled his eyes and gave Boots a 'yeah right' look. The steady sound of hoofbeats pervaded the silence. "A rider? At this hour?" Boot frowned. "I don't like this..." Sariyah stood and drew his sword. Monte stood behind him. "Right behind you, pal!" Sariyah sighed. A black horse with two riders burst into the clearing, rearing, stamping and whinnying. The three men gasped in fear, scrambling to get away from the hooves. "WOAH!! WOAH easy there!" The horse stood down, Tyniah peering through the darkness to see who it was. "Sariyah! The old man was right!" "Tyniah?! What are you doing here?! Aren't you supposed to be back with Irima?" Tyniah dismounted. "Sariyah, you have to help her!" "She sick of life already?" "No!" Tyniah laid Irima's figure on the ground and unrolled the sheet. Sariyah looked at Irima in shock and horror. Monte covered his mouth and even Boots' eyes widened. Irima had been slashed to ribbons. She had been stabbed twice in one shoulder, once in another. She had a long gash from her chest to her face. Her arms were covered with slashes and stabs. She had been slashed in her abdomen and stabbed in her side. Her legs were also a melee of slashes, like her arms. "She was attacked, Sariyah."

A small beam of light danced across Renie's closed eyes. The pain in her shoulder rose from a dull ache to peircing knives. She tried to use her good arm to sit up, but both her hands and feet were bound. "What the- oh gods, that's right..." Renie looked over at the black cloaked man munching away on an apple on the other side of the clearing. "Who the hell are you?!" "None o' your beezwax, youz farm wench." Renie wrinkled her nose at his horrible dialect. "Why did you bring me here? Why didn't you go after someone important like Sariyah, or Kitty, or Clyde?" "Youz knowz t'much about de Snakeskin Bannits. Scipio was an idjit, provoken youz like dat. Wazn't smart. Youz ovaheard a lotta what dey was talkin about, an' it lanned youz here." "Great. So I get kidnapped for protecting what's mine. This is just greaaat." "Ey, I'm da head honcho here, dun ya fegget it lil' missy! Don' youz be givin me no lip." "What are you planning to do with me, exactly?" "Oh, da usual. Cut out ya tongue an' sell youz as a slave. Lotsa demands fa cute missies like youz!" "You wouldn't! That's inhumane! I'd rather die!" "I could take youz up on dat offer, don' kid around like dat." "It's true! I'd rather die than become some man's slave!" Renie glared at him, fire in her eyes. "Ey, whats ya name?" "It's Renie, as if it's any of YOUR business." "I like youz Renie. Keep pleasin' me, and ya might just get outta ya predicament. Ey, d'youz know if ya look good in leather pantz?" Renie scowled, "I wouldn't know, and I don't want to know. I'm not going to become a member of your gang." "Yeah yeah, we'll see what kinda tune ya sing later."

Renie was gritting her teeth over the pain in her shoulder. "Don't move," Kattarin turned away to mix something, "You'll make it worse." "Sorry..." Renie mumbled, then changed the subject. "I don't think I've seen you around before." "You haven't. Simple as that. I don't normally go outside." "Oh. I don't go into town that often either, so I think that most of this town doesn't even know I exist." Kattarin gave a short laugh, "The reason I don't go out is because people DO know I exist." Renie was silent for a moment, "They're afraid of you?" "More or less." "Well that's just ignorance." Renie looked at the ceiling. "I mean, I'm lying here on your table and you're not doing anything to me. I was in pretty bad shape until Tell brought me to you." Kattarin looked at Renie oddly, "How do you know everyone's names if they don't know you?" "Well I... er..." Renie shrugged her good shoulder. "I- I have this dream. Kind of a vision for myself. I- I want to live here and be able to walk down the street, and have people smile at me out their windows. I only know Sariyah and Lorien because we used to play together as children. I always think, 'Today's the day that people know my name and face and who I really am.' But I always choak. I get too afraid that they won't like me. I've spent countless hours in Claudio's tavern learning everyone's names slowly, but I never really get the courage up to talk to them." Renie sighed, "Stupid, isn't it?" Kattarin shrugged. "I've never been much of a fan of all that. Here." She bandaged Renie's shoulder to her torso. "Don't move the shoulder too much or it could dislocate again." Renie nodded and propped herself up, wincing. "I'll make something for the pain." Kattarin turned around again and began making a flask of pain killer.

Soooo.... Princess Maria... eh [i]Gavynn[/i]? ^_~ I must say that this one made me laugh out loud. (whispers) But her hair is brown! But anyway, I can't wait for the next episode! I would hope that this would be longer than 20 eps, but I can see why you want to do something different. Heck, happens to me too. ^_^ Keep up the good work man. ~Serenity

A chill ran up Irima's spine. "What WAS that awful... noise...? Must have been an animal or something..." Irima crawled into her bed and drew the covers up to her chin. She closed her eyes, wishing that the cloud that drew over the moon would pass. Something cold and clammy brushed across her cheek. Irima sat up. A kind of black mist was hovering around her bed and room. She stood up in horror, thinking to run, but stayed where she was. She knew the properties of this mist. She reached for her bedside lamp, but it was knocked out of her reach as a staff came across her face heavily. Several black figures loomed out of the mist. "'Ello there, Princess Maria..." Irima's eyes grew wide and she screamed. "What the-?!" Tyniah, across the hall and halfway through undressing, threw his shirt on the ground along with his sword and ran into Irima's room. Irima was writhing on her bed and screaming. "Shaddap!" A rough, slithering voice yelled as it struck Irima over the head. She was silent and limp. "What are you?!" Tyniah gasped. The lot of them looked like scaly half-humans mixed with some other type of animal. They began to advance on him. "Hell!" Tyniah cursed under his breath. He extended his arms and concentrated on bringing all the monsters into his illusion. Suddenly, their bodies filled with ice and they fell to the ground, dead. Tyniah ran over to Irima's bed. "Oh God Almighty..." He held Irima's body close to him. "Don't take her... don't let her die... I need some kind of help but... this mist is probably all over the castle..." Tyniah looked out Irima's window and to the path Sariyah had traveled. "I need him." Tyniah wrapped Irima in a sheet and carried her out of her room. He grabbed his sword and her clothing and staff and lept lightly out the window.

"So, these... Snakeskin guys... they don't mean us any harm?" "Apparently not, but Sariyah and I have our doubts." Renie had met Lorien in the street outside Claudio's Tavern. Renie hadn't sold anything that day, mostly due to her inability to put herself out there. "In fact, there hasn't been any sign of them since around noon today." "I don't like that at all..." Renie whispered. "Do you know where they went after they left Claudio's?" "No, I'm sorry, I don't." "That's alright." Renie smiled at Lorien. "You know, we used to talk all the time. What happened?" "I guess it's just Sariyah's duties and everything..." Renie snorted, "Sariyah's duties. Right. Once again, he screws me." "Don't worry, he thinks very highly of you." "Does he? I couldn't care less." Lorien smiled at her. "You think of him often enough, don't you?" Renie climbed onto her cart. "Enough to make me ill. I'm going home." Renie's face broke into a broad grin. "G'night! See you tomorrow!" Lorien waved as Renie disappeared down the road. The night was dark with the new moon hung high in the sky. Renie hummed to herself while on her way home. Finally, she approached the house. Her candles were lit. Renie frowned. "That's strange. Did I forget to put them out last night? No, they would have run down by now..." Renie jumped off her cart and let her horse, Erlitou, into his stall. She silently approached her front door and listened. "This is a regular gold mine! Food ev'r where, and enough space fer all o' us!" Renie heard the clinking of glass. [i]They're drinking! Where'd they get that?![/i] "'Ey, shove ov'r. The bed's mine." "Not on yer life!" Renie picked up her garden hoe, just in case someone came out of the door. "Wha's dis?" A fourth voice spoke as he audibly opened a drawer. "Me Life En Black 'Aven." "That's My Life In Black Haven, you dolt." Renie was silent, but blushed angrily. Those were her private things! "T'day..." Read the one who had discovered the book, "We leave. Sariyeh is leadin' us all. Somefink tells me, that he doesn't want me ta come wit him. But I'm going none the less. If he lef' and I neve' saw 'im again, I don't know what I'd-" "GET OUT OF THERE!!" Renie kicked the door open, brandishing her hoe. Five or six men were seated in her tiny two room house. They all looked genuinely dumbfounded. "Well lookie 'ere," The man speaking shut her book. "You mus' be the owna of dis fine establishmen'" "I am. Now leave! Before I have to use this!" "A garden hoe." The only one with proper grammer stood up, smirking. "How old are you sweetie?" The gang laughed stupidly. Renie's anger was growing by the millisecond. "I am not a child!! Do not talk down to me like you are my superior!" Renie swung the garden tool with all her might, catching the man off guard and hitting him square in the temple. He staggered, holding his head, infuriated. "YOU LITTLE *****!!" He swung his arm and hit Renie with such a force that she went careering into the wall. There was a sickening popping noise and Renie cried out in pain. She looked up dimly at the man's arm. There was a tattoo of a skull and a snake. The man smiled sickeningly at Renie. "I think, we should take advantage of this little miss's hospitality." The men grunted and started advancing on Renie. Her eyes widened. [i]No... get away from me... NO!![/i] Renie did a sweep kick, knocking the leader to the ground. With one arm, she crawled out the door and rolled down the steps. One of her pigtails came undone and her dress was filthy. She whistled and Erlitou trotted up next to her. "Down." Renie managed to grid out. Erlitou, as if he understood, kneeled down. Renie threw her good arm over his neck and pulled herself onto his back. Erlitou started trotting towards town. "Should we go after her boss?!" "What's the point? She'll probably pass out from all the pain." Renie gritted her teeth as Erlitou continued to trot towards Black Haven. She felt her vision getting fuzzy, and a small voice kept telling her that it wouldn't hurt if she just let go. "I- I have to get into town, or people will end up like me! Who were those creeps anyway?!" Erlitou started to pick up the pace with a canter. Soon, they were in town. Nobody was on the streets. "They're probably all in the taverns still. Good boy Erlitou." She stroked his neck. "Help...!" Renie cried out in a weak voice. "Someone help me...! My farm's been taken over by a gang of men...!" Lorien stuck her head out of the Mayor's mansion. "RENIE!" In a matter of seconds, Lorien was on the street. "Renie what happened?! What's wrong with your arm?!" "I think they dislocated it... don't touch it... it hurts..." Renie winced away from Lorien's outstretched hand. "We need help. Get people to help...!" "A gang did this to you?" "Yes. They're in my house, going through my stuff. I had to stop them...!" "That was really stupid! You could have gotten killed!" "Lorien, you can get on my case all you want, but now I need some assistance or this town goes hungry for another season!"

Renie scowled. "Oh, it's you." "What a wonderful greeting." Sariyah chuckled. "You better believe it." Renie pushed a pigtail over her ear and stood up. "Whaddya want?" "Just to talk with the fine people of my town." Renie spat in the dirt, "Right." "Why do you hate me so much Renie?" Sariyah raised his eyebrows and smiled slyly. "None of your business!" Renie stuck out her tongue. "Still a child." "I AM NOT A KID!!" Sariyah laughed, knowing that he had hit a sore spot. "Now, I have to get these vegetables into the market or the Inns won't have anything but beer to serve people." "Now that you mention it... you're not mad about that time I got you drunk right?" Renie's face flushed in anger. "I WAS NOT DRUNK! I only had a buzz on! And if that hadn't happened, I wouldn't have left my family chasing after you!" "So that's why you hate me?" Renie was now loading vegetables into her cart and hitching up her horse to it. "No..." She sighed and gave him a small smile. "I just enjoy fighting with you." Her scowl returned, "So if that's all you want then you can get lost." "How about a ride back into town?" "Damn vulture. Always mooching off everyone in this place." She let him onto the cart nevertheless.

Irima sat by the window in her room. A few women were standing around her, tempting her with food and other things. "I could draw a bath for you Lady Maria." "How about some tea and cakes? Or chocolate Lady Maria?" "I could arrange for a walk in the garden, Lady Maria." "Lady Maria-" "I would like to be left alone, thank you." The women looked at each other. "This isn't all because of that ruffian Sariyah Jovan, is it?" "Please, leave me. Leave me alone..." "You heard the lady, scram." Tyniah stood in the doorway. The women gave him superior looks, but left anyways. He sat near Irima. "Don't worry, you'll forget about him." "I don't want to..." "C'mon. You've got me!" Irima half laugh, coughed, and sobbed. Tyniah held Irima and she cried against his shoulder. "It's alright... it's alright..." "If I didn't have you around, I don't know what I'd do. I hate being here! I'm not someone's doll to play with!" "Don't worry. I'll keep those old biddies off your case. Who knows. Maybe you'll be giving them orders someday." "Maybe..." Irima watched the red sun dip behind the mountains, wondering every second where Sariyah was and if he was alright. Slowly, the moon shined through Irima's window. "I have to change. I'm tired." "Fine." Tyniah kissed the top of her forehead and left her. He looked over at Irima's old clothes and armor on the bed. "I'll just take these and keep them somewhere... special." Irima nodded, but didn't take her eyes off the moon. Tyniah sighed and left. Irima changed rather slowly into her flowing white night gown. She sat on her bed, unable to get Sariyah's condition off her mind. "I guess... he got what he wanted... I'm not there to bother him anymore." A cloud covered the moon and Irima's room was dark.

Irima woke up the next morning in a giant room. There were around twenty people around her bedside. "Erk!" She pulled the sheet up over herself, "What are you doing in my room?!" "Here is your breakfast My Lady Maria. When you are finished, your dressers will dress you." Four or five women held up a black dress, another holding a corset rather threateningly. Irima gulped. "Could you call me Irima? I mean... I'm used to it..." "You will be called by your proper name Princess Maria, and that is final." Meanwhile, in Tyniah and Sariyah's room... "Wow, what's with the fancy clothes?" Tyniah was admiring some rather fancy court clothing that had been brought in. "How am I supposed to know?" Sariyah muttered, still in bed. "What's wrong now? You haven't touched your food or gotten out of bed. Don't you want to see Irima?" "You mean [i]Maria[/i]?" "Come on. You know her name is Irima. Children don't choose their names. Are you depressed because Irima's a princess?" "Don't be stupid." "Because you'll never see her again most probably?" "No." "Because you'll miss her?" "Not a chance." "Because you... like her?" Sariyah tore of out bed, "Because I'm going to be stuck with you!" "Gotcha. Now, get dressed. The king's called us to his court at noon today and it's already 10:30. You've got some nice travelling clothes here. Improved versions of your old ones, I assume." "Yeah, whatever." Back in Irima's room... "GAAAAAH!! STOP IT!!" "Hold still Princess Maria! If you don't, we'll have to do this again!" "It's too tight!! I'm going to die in this!" -- "I can't stand this. I'm going to go mad." Sariyah stood up. "Where are you going?" "I'm going to see the Princess Herself." -- "Lady Maria! Come back!" "No friggin' way lady!" -- Sariyah stormed down the hall, passing a guard. "Which way to Ir- Maria's room?" "That's Princess Maria to you!" "Where is she?!" Sariyah roared. The guard meekly pointed down the hall to a door. -- "You're only in your underskirt and corset!" "I don't care! I can do whatever the hell I like!" Irima slammed the door behind her. Sariyah's head turned and he saw her. His face darkened. He had heard the last thing she said. "Is that what you think of this?" "Sariyah! Thank God! You have to get me out of here! Look at what they're doing to me!" "You just want to kick back and do whatever you feel like doing? You don't care what happens to anyone else?" "Wha- what are you talking about? What I said back there?! Oh no, that was just to get those women off me! You should have seen what-" He turned around and left her. "Just stay there. You're in your underwear anyway." "Lady Maria! Come back in this room! Three of the women carried a fighting Irima back into her room. -- "So what happened Sariyah?" Tyniah was still trying to figure out what hip his sword should go on. "Irima'd be able to tell me which one was proper protocol..." "I don't want to hear you speak her name EVER in my prescence." "What's up with you?" "She used us to get here! She knew she was the princess! She knew all along! She even told me where she got a scar on her wrist! She knew everything about her past and she just used us to get here safely!" "Are you mad? Lady Irima would nev-" "She told some women that now she could whatever she wanted to, alright? If that doesn't scream 'stuck up' I don't know what does." "Sariyah... I just can't see-" "Just get ready for this meeting. We're going to get in, get out, and get on with our lives." Later that day, Sariyah and Tyniah were called to the King's court. They bowed and then stood there. The King and Queen sat before them and Irima stood off to the side, looking at the floor. She was wearing a sleek black dress and her hair was up in an elegant knot. She had a small jewel fixed on a chain around her head. "I must thank you, noble gentlemen, for assisting my daughter in her safe return to the castle." "It was nothing, Your Majesty." Tyniah elbowed Sariyah in the ribs. "Nothing at all." "Well, we want to reward you for your kindnesses." The King smiled. "Lord Tyniah, you have lost your lands to the Mists. You shall stay in the castle and serve Princess Maria. The only question is whether or not you would like to stay in her room." "Well Your Highness..." Sariyah could have gagged at Tyniah's trying to hide his excitement. "Of course, it would require you becoming a eunich." Tyniah's eye twitched reflexively, "I would have to decline. But I shall serve Lady- Maria to the best of my ability." "I thank you Lord Tyniah. And for you Lord Jovan..." Sariyah raised his head, turning his gaze from Irima. "You shall be given the ransom for the Black Quessir." "Thank you." "Wait! Sir!" Irima interrupted. "Sariyah isn't going to stay?!" "Maria this is hardly the time to discuss this! Return to where you were!" "But I-!" "Do not cross me!" Irima looked to Tyniah and Sariyah for some help, but Tyniah shook his head slightly. Her eyes watering, she returned to where she had been standing. Sariyah looked at Irima. She was crying silently, not making a sound and keeping a straight face, but tears were rolling down her face. [i]Look at what they're doing to me![/i] Sariyah replayed Irima's words in his head, [i]You have to get me out of here![/i] "Irima..." Sariyah whispered. She turned her head at him and he smiled, "Don't cry." She smiled at him in relief, but she couldn't stop sobbing. "Don't refer to my daughter by that name! Lord Jovan, I have given you everything that you desire, you may leave now!" The guards stood at attention. Sariyah bowed to the King and Queen and then nodded at Irima. He turned and began to walk out of the court room. Tyniah looked at Irima questioningly. She looked like she was fightning with herself. "Wait!!" Irima ran down the hallway. "Maria!" "Maria come back!" Irima didn't listen. Sariyah turned around to see what all the comotion was about and he found Irima's arms around his neck. "Ir- Irima?" "I don't want you to go... ever..." "I have to... you have a different life now. I can't stay here and you can't leave." "I hate it here though... you're the only one who calls me by my name!" "Irima... trust me... life around me isn't something for you. Stay here and be safe... for me?" Irima nodded. Sariyah stepped back from her. "Tyniah." The illusion master turned questioningly. "If you try anything, I'll come back here, got it?" Tyniah raised his eyebrow and smiled. Sariyah nodded to Irima, "Take care of yourself." "Wait." He turned around. "I have something for you." She raised herself up and kissed Sariyah's cheek. "Thank you... for everything..." Sariyah sputtered a little, but then a couple surly looking guards escorted him outside. "Well Maria, I don't think I've ever seen a more disgusting display in all my life!" "Bite me old man." Irima ran out of the court, crying loudly. Tyniah followed her.

Name: Rendea (Renie) Eristo Age: 17 Race: elf/human Gender: female Occupation: well, since DW DOES have a point about the food thing... ^_^ farmer/market-girl person... O_o; House Type: Wood house Looks: Renie has long dirty-blonde hair in two long pigtails that frame her oval face. She has one green and one blue eye from her elven father and human mother, respectively. She wears a yellow sundress for most of the year and brown sandals. She's around 5'5". Small Bio: Renie came to Black Haven two years ago with Sariyah's party. She used to admire him, but now he just gets on her nerves. They fight often. (This okay DW? ^_~) Renie's parents allowed her to go off on her own because she wanted life experiance. She runs a small farm that feeds all of Black Haven (somehow... O_o) and she sells her produce in the market. Renie does not want to be married or attached to any male just yet because of bad experiences in the past. Hope this all checks out DM. ^_~ See ya around.

"I- I er... well I... I mean... it's not like I-" Irima stared bluntly at the stammering Sariyah. She laughed lightly and pulled him onto the dance floor. "I'll take that as an 'I'd love to.'" She raised her eyebrows and grinned. He wrapped his hand around her waist and took her other hand. Sariyah had never danced much before. Irima led him around the floor, making it seem as though he was leading her. "Thanks." He muttered. "Sure thing." She drew closer to him. "You don't mind... do you?" "Er, I... no, not at all." Sariyah looked nervously to his right, his eyes resting on Irima's wrist. It had a burn mark on it. "Where did you get that?!" "A fire. In a village that I lived in when I was young." "Oh." "Listen. We need to corner the king, right?" "Right." "Let's get started." They moved across the dance floor towards Tyniah who was surrounded by a few young girls. "Yes, that's right. I defeated twelve black mages, one of whom was The Black Quessir herself!" "Ooooooh you're so cooooool!!" One of the girls squealed. Irima cut in, leaving Sariyah in the middle of the crowd. "Giving me a bad name, are you?" "Er, Lady Irima! I wouldn't dream of it!" "We're going to see the king. Back us up." "Got it." Sariyah cut in and Tyniah merely strolled behind them, seeming to be very interested in the ceiling. Finally, Irima and Sariyah bowed to the king. "Your Highness, I request a private word with you." Irima flashed her ring. "Along with my accomplices. You may bring your guards if you wish, but I assure you that there will be no violence of any kind." The king looked rather baffled, but nodded. His guards escorted him out of the ballroom and to a large balcony. Sariyah and Tyniah flanked Irima. "State your name and business, young lady." "My name is Irima! I have come to clear the Black Quessir's name!" A murmur went through the guard. "I knew that this day would come! Your Highness, she has surely come to overthrow you." "That is not the case!" Irima drew her staff. "I am a White Quessir! I am not responsible for the Mists of Aurocon!" "She is threatening the king! Attack them!!" Sariyah and Tyniah pushed Irima behind them and drew their swords. A frenzied battle followed with Tyniah pushing two of the guards into a terrifying illusion. Sariyah managed to confuse three guards and then knocked them out. The head of the guard was the only one left. "I will not let you harm His Majesty!!" The guard leapt over Tyniah and Sariyah and grabbed Irima's hair. "Don't move, or I'll kill her!" "Wouldn't you think that the Black Quessir would have done something by now?!!" "No don't!!" A woman's voice pervaded the balcony. "Release her!" "My Queen..." "Do it!" The guard let go of Irima. She fell to the ground in relief. The Queen approached her. "My dear husband... could you not recognize our own child?" "WHAT?!" Sariyah yelled. "Lady Irima is the Queen's child?!" "I- I'm not. I was raised in a village." "She denies it! She is not your child, she is the Black Quessir! Insolent wench!" The guard struck Irima across the face. She staggered back into the balcony's stone railing. It crumbled and gave way to her weight and Irima began to fall into the dark oblivion. (I'd like to write the part where they go their separate ways, okay? ^_^)

Irima looked at the castle uneasily. "I don't like this guys..." "Oh come on, it's right there. The sooner we get to it, the sooner you can get out of my hair." Sariyah muttered. "Lady Irima's right... I don't like the looks of this." "Oh shut up pretty-boy. You just want to camp here another night and try to pull another stunt." Irima sighed, a vein pulsing in her head. "Do you two always have to fight?!" "Well... er-" "What's with you Irima? You're biting our heads off every five seconds." "Must be that time." "Let's just go!" Irima stomped ahead of Tyniah and Sariyah. [i]Why am I like this? Am I just sick of their fighting...? It seems like... they don't really care anymore. Sariyah didn't seem upset when he found out about Tyniah kissing me.[/i] Irima gasped, [i]Why do [b]I[/b] care?! Sariyah just wants to dump me off at a castle with no money or place to stay. He's heartless! Cold! Cruel! He left me at a bar for crying out loud![/i] "Irima! You're going to fall into the moat!!" She looked down. She felt her feet slipping on the gravel and could almost imagine plunging into the green water with God knows what in it. However, Sariyah grabbed her around the middle and held her there until she got her footing back. Irima looked down, then at Sariyah. "You... HENTA-!!" Before Irima could finish her exclamation, a bridge dropped over the moat. "Guess that's the welcoming committee..." Tyniah looked inside the dark interior uneasily. "I REALLY don't like this. Sariyah, can we please go back...?" "Quit your moaning. Let's go." Sariyah pulled Irima by the wrist over the drawbridge, a whimpering Tyniah following.

Tazo, abandoned by Akamatsu, continued her way along the hall, trying to avoid the sound of gunfire and mechs coming down the hall. "Alright... I'll just... get to the... en-engine room... and then get to my mech Hinoto. Simple, right?" She opened the laundry chute and started to skid down it. About halfway, she stopped herself, her legs screaming out in pain. She climbed through a vent and through several twisted passageways. It was totally dark. Finally, Tazo managed to find her way to the vent she was looking for. She dropped to the cement ground, spilling blood on the floor. She pulled a flashlight from her toolbelt and began searching for the problem. "Akamatsu... why did you think that I could fix engines?" She groaned. Tazo wasn't a whiz at fixing things, but she managed. "Ack, the fuel line's been cut in several places... this part seems heavily damaged... I'll have to find two more cylinders..." Rumaging around in the spare-part closet, Tazo found what she was looking for. She set to work and suprising even herself, she managed to fix the engine without interruption. "Just one more pass around this hose with duct tape and... there!" Tazo pulled a few switches and the room filled with light. "Score. Now, I need to get to Hinoto..." "HEY YOU!!" Tazo whirled around. An orange mech stood in the doorway to the engine room. "What are you doing here?!!" Tazo pulled out her firearm, "Who are you with?! Me or them?!" "I'm in the Luna Enforcement. Why did you start up the engine?!" The pilot then noticed that Tazo had an ER tag on her orange jumpsuit. "You're with the Earth scum!" "Just back off! Leave the engine alone! I managed to fix it, so get lost!" "You were in Bunker 12 weren't you?!" "What of it!" "I personally saw that everyone in that Bunker would never see the light of day again!" "You missed one!!" Tazo backed into the engine. "Are you willing to give your life for that hunk of scrap?" "It's more than that! If I die here, then so be it! But-" Tazo pulled out a radio communicator. "Everyone will know you're here. Earth Rebellion this is Mechanoid Pilot Tazo of Hinoto. I have just fixed the engine and am being threatened by the LE. Do not come unless gunfire is heard, repeat, do not come unless gunfire is heard." "Why you-!!" "You wanna fire a shot? I'm sure that everyone that pilots an ER mech will be happy to welcome you to the Rising Sun." "Rebel scum..." Tazo laughed at the pilot's pathetic insult. He raised his rifle, "I can take on a million of you!" Tazo hit the Transmit button, "DIE." The pilot open fired. Tazo felt herself get hit in the leg and shoulder. She slumped down against the engine. "Missed."

Name: Michiko Age: 16 Country: Cloud Country Rank: Genin Skills: Doesn't know very many set attacks, but is excellent with Shurikun. She does know two scrolls: Art of the Doppleganger: Creates solid likenesses of the target. Art of the Mists: Controls mist to mask herself or can take the form of mist. Description: Michiko has wavy black hair with some random small braids. Her eyes are blue, but have been known to change to steely gray when she's angry or turquoise-blue when she's using Art of the Mists. She wears cloth shoes that muffle the sound of her feet, knuckle gloves, a sleeveless turtleneck, a cargo vest full of shurikuns, and baggy black pants. She has a facemask that she only uses when she needs to. Bio: Michiko comes from a very loving family consisting of her father, mother, and two brothers. She went to the Shinobi Academy so she could protect her family and her friends. However, after the graduation, her friends led her out into the woods and tried to assassinate her because she graduated at the top of the class. Michiko escaped without seriously injuring her friends, but sports scars on her arms because she did not kill them. She wears them proudly, but gets upset if people ask about them. Can't wait for this to start! ^__^