Everlast

Tallia-Pixie-Village Streets

It was darker than I had remembered when I got off of the bird I had used to get over here. Once I was completely off, she started flying back towards the message bird room.

I looked at the villagers below me. Some hurried in and out of shops, eager to get home, and others lingered and chatted with others on the way to their destination. I flew out above the crowd and consentrated. "Let me see the energy, let me see the energy," I mummbled. It was true, I did not have to say these commands in order for me to manipulate energy, it was more comforting than necessary. Gently, like the ocean moving over the beach during the tides, I could begin to feel the energy of the people around me.

No, unlike what some believed, I was not seeing auras. Such a thing is something others do, an ability that I wasn't capable of preforming. I was feeling their energies. Whether people knew it or not, they radiated energies, their feelings and such and it sometimes rubbed off on objects that they were around (many objects seem to keep the energies for a while).I felt multiple things from the crowd. The tavern radiated sadness mixed with the confusion and happiness of the drunk. A bit woozy, I flew away from that spot and continued on. Happiness. Anxiousnes. Excitment. And...I felt a small bit of energy that I wasn't able to catch before it dimmed as the subject walked away.

Quickly, I flew in the direction. "Stronger," I said to myself. The emotions intensified, and for a second I had to stop and hover in one place to make sure I wouldn't faint. Then I was off. I felt it again. What was it? It was such an unusual emotion to feel. I honed in on it and soon I saw him. He was muscular with brown hair. As I neared, the emotion revealed itself. Rebelliousness entangled in silliness. Such an odd combination. I quickly did my best to memorize it.

After making sure that he was of no danger, I landed on his shoulder. Emmediatly, his energy became overpowering, too much to handle. "Hide," I muttered quickly. The man, twenty maybe, looked at me quizically, an amused expression on his face. Oh yeah, I was some stranger sitting on his shoulder. I pulled back the hood of the orange cloak I had hastily thrown on before I left. "Hello," I said. "How are you? My name's Tallia." I had given him my real name, normally a major DON'T for spying, but I had a feeling I would be talking to him often. I would have enough cover keeping my lies straight.

I was going to become a rebel, or until my work was done. I smiled to myself. Lies and secrecy. Two of my most favorite past times.
"I'm Zack." Goddess, I already know this is going to be interesting.
~~~~~
*Sorry it was a bit long guys. Oh and Boltage, I decided that my character was going to run into yours. She may be visiting him periodically. Hope that's okay.*

Princess Isadora - Healer - Corridor in Everlast Castle

Isadora grasped the tattered book she’d been looking for in her father’s old study as the wolf appeared in the dim corridor. She was relieved that it was just a familiar soul in a body that no doubt had just confronted somebody with their deepest fears.

"Oh, Mirrior, you scared me," Isadora said with a pleasant smile.

"I get that often, Princess," He responded, moving to the side to edge around her. "It seems I scare a lot of people. I wonder why that could be."

Isadora clutched the book close to her chest as he tried to intimidate her. “No, I just didn’t see you down there; I’m more than pleased you’re not a dark shadow.” Isadora’s smile brightened naturally. Her biggest fear was the dark, which was unfortunate considering Mirrior’s normal appearance, was a dark shadow. Kneeling down she rubbed Mirrior’s ears mockingly, “What could possibly be freighting about such a creature?”

Isadora’s delicate dress began to blow is a gentle breeze that followed another familiar figure. Standing up she straightened her shoulders before Tavias had a chance to approach.

**I know it's nothing special but I didn't know where Billy was taking it and I didn't want to wreck his next post**

Laedin

Laedin roared irritably, swiping a claw out at the annoying disturbance.

"Laedin!" shouted a voice. "Laedin, get up! Soldiers in the cottage!"

Finally the words punctured through Laedin's exhaustion. He jumped up. "Adron - he got out?" said Laedin, staring at the spirit.

"Yes, yes," she said anxiously. "He's on his way here now!"

Laedin nodded to her. "Many thanks," he said briefly before stretching his wings and soaring out of the cave.

Adron

The soldier's horn sounded from behind him. They had realized Adron and Kayla were missing. Adron urged his horse onward, anxiously scanning the skies for any sign of Laedin.

As Adron reached the top of the hill he was climbing, he spotted a flock of birds erupting from the forest below. Adron squinted into the setting sun.

A cry of triumph fought its way out of Adron's throat. "Laedin!" he yelled, waving his arms. The great bulking form soared lower. Adron glanced back anxiously at the approaching horde of soldiers.

Laedin landed on the middle of the road, shaking his huge head. Adron smiled as he swung off of his horse.

"Its good to see you, old friend."

Laedin nodded. "And you. But formalities can wait, Adron. Those soldiers are coming fast."

"Of course," said Adron quickly. He glanced ruefully at his horse. "Pity to have to loose another horse to the Queen..."

"A horse isn't worth your life, Adron."

Adron was silent for a moment. "No, I suppose not. Besides, the army is short on horses. They'll take care of her."

A barked order sounded. Adron glanced behind him. The soldiers were close now.

Laedin pawed anxiously. "Come, Adron. We must leave."

Adron climbed up onto Laedin's beckoning form. The pair took off as the first soldier topped the hill. Adron glanced down as dismayed shouts came from below. Adron tipped his hat to the soldiers.

"And good day to you, sirs!" he cried. Laedin snorted.

*I'm twisting your post a little phantom...tell me if this is ok!*

Kayla~

My heart beat as fast as a horse's gallop. The soldiers were right behind Adron; I could see them clearly on Laedin's back. I was in my human form and I clung to Laedin's feathers with all my might.

As soon as Laedin hit the ground, Adron hurried onto him, his feet dangling.

"And good day to you, sirs!" he cried to the soldiers. Laedin snorted. Then Adron tipped his hat, swinging his elbow into my face.

I let out a yelp and tried to regain my balance but Laedin had already started to take off. We were already nearly 30 feet off the ground when his feathers slowly left my hands and fell off his back. I hit the ground with a thud; my body writhed in pain.

I heard Adron yell to me and Laedin's flapping come closer but it was too late. I could hear the soldiers running up to me. A swift hand grabbed my mouth and my hands were torn from under me and tied together.

I wanted to shapeshift but it is impossible for me to change when my hands are bound. I was captured.

*Um, can Kayla be brought to one of the Queen's people (Tavias, Sendai, Mirrior) in the castle somehow? I posted on the DT but no one replied (except MidnightVampire)*

**I didn't actually have much of a next post...but maybe this can be linked in with Kayla's being captured, maybe they have to collect her or some such thing**

Taivas

The aeromaniac folded his hands in front of his chest and gave a low bow, as he'd been taught in the Temple. "Good day, Princess Isadora." He then bowed to Mirrior, although not nearly as deeply as he had to Isadora. Apparently he didn't have the same respect for a nightmare. "Mirrior."

"Hello, Taivas." The nightmare replied. Thigns between the two of them had always been strained, Taivas one of those who, like most, feared Mirrior's psychological capabilities. And Mirrior probably didn't like him because of that. Either way, he'd shifted into one of the two grand masters Taivas feared on more than one occassion.

"Leyta said you had a game for me." Taivas said, "That the queen wants us to find someone and bring them back here?"

*Billy, that might work. Lets see*

Mirrior - Castle Corridors

"Leyta said you had a game for me." Taivas said, "That the queen wants us to find someone and bring them back here?"

I cast a quick glance at Isadora before nodding. "A rebel."

Taivas looked behind him a moment before moving aside to let a breathless soldier through. The man stopped in front of the Princess and gave a low bow. Then he turned to face Taivas and myself.

"Excuse me, but the Queen wishes for me to inform you that one of the Rebels have been captured. She says you two, and Sendai, should know what to do," the soldier said, his eyes darting nervously to me then away again.

I shook my head in irritation. I had been looking forward to having to hunt for these rebels. Not just going out on a simple retrieval mission. This cut my time away from the castle drastically.

"Tell the Queen we understand," I said with a low snarl. The soldier nodded and ran off again.

"Excuse us, Princess. It seems we're needed elsewhere," I growled. "Taivas, do you know where Sendai is?"


Joran - Northern Everlast Forest

The night grew thicker around us. Ryan and I had been running for about an hour before he finally slowed and called for me to stop.

I circled around a tree and came trotting back to him where he was bent over, panting for breath. He looked up at me after a moment with a look of confusion and surprise.

"How are you not tired?" he asked between breaths.

I gave a small shrug. "I do a lot of running. I guess I'm just used to it."

He shook his head - though I couldn't tell why - and looked around us.

"Are we almost there?" he asked after another moment.

"A little less than halfway. But now it won't take us quite as long to get there. Here, get on," I commanded, my shape slipping easily from human to lion in seconds. "I'll carry you the rest of the way so that you can rest."

He gave me a look of uncertainty before climbing onto my back and grasping my mane firmly in his hands. "Ready," he said.

I sprang forward through the trees, easily running twice as fast as we had been before. At this rate, I hoped to reach the village within the hour.

"Let me know if you want me to stop," I called back to the Hydro still clinging to my fur for dear life. He gave a nod to show he understood.

Wow- I'm gone for a few days getting ready for my religious confirmation and I come back to this! Man, this thing has taken off.Dang! This means I have to read and catch up because I have no idea what's going on!.....So can anyone bring in my character...the oracle.


PLEASE!!! I'd even donate points!!

Moonlight

P.S. I would greatly appreciate it if instead of me spending a lot of time reading what you guys have, that maybe someone could pm me letting me know what's happening.

*Is the oracle on the Queen's side? If so, Billy or Maybe could have him (or her) come in the room as they are putting Kayla in the dungeon or something...I dunno.*

Kayla~

Everything was black. I sensed I was in some kind of bag. My head throbbed and my body ached. I could hear the sound of the whistling of trees and birds. I was in a forest. I couldn't see anything since I was blind-folded but I could feel the cold dripping of something down my forehead.

I imagined it to be blood.

I just laid there on the ground waiting for something to happen.

And something did. I heard footsteps.

*Sorry for the shortness and poor quality...lack of time but i guess Tavias etc can find Kayla in the woods??*

**For reference: Anney is a Rebel and Evan has no side [he's an uber foreigner]**

Annibella Christian [Anney] ~ Elf ~ Rebel Village

I paced back and forth along the entrance to our village - Joran should have been back by now. It was dark, and I was worried.

"Anney, calm down! Joran's a big boy!" one of the others called. I ignored him, as I'm sure he expected. My fear of the dark added to my worry for Joran had put me quite on edge.

The pitter-patter of padded feet reached my ears; I recognized the sound immediately.

He burst into the village, kicking dust up behind him. When he came to a halt, I saw the man on his back. My daggers were in my hand before the man had gotten to his feet. The other rebels who had been paying attention joined me, none quite as ready to fight.

~~~~~

Evan Rice ~ Pyro ~ Castle Grounds

Holding out my hand in front of me, I attempted to figure out where I was. It had fallen dark so quickly that I had no idea where I was, or how to get back to where I was staying the night.

"Hello?" I called, noticing a movement a few yards away.

"Don't move!" a strict voice ordered. I hadn't planned on it, but upon realizing that three people were walking toward me, I was even more unlikely to move.

"What are you doing here?" the same voice asked as a young man with long white hair stepped up to me. I stared at him for a moment, also noting the dark shadow being and slender, dark haired girl who stood behind him.

"I'm not sure, actually. I seem to have stumbled upon the wrong place - would you mind telling me where I am?" His jaw slacked slightly, as if he couldn't believe that I was lost.

"You're on the castle grounds of Queen Elyane, fool! How could you just stumble upon such a place?"

"I told you, I really haven't the faintest idea..." I answered. The feeling in the pit of my stomach said that the wrong words would cause for a horrible situation.

Joran - Rebel Village

I skid to a stop as I reached the village and let Ryan climb off me before I moved again. He slid to the ground and stood a second to get his bearings and balance as I turned to look at the small crowd of rebels that had gathered around me. I recognized one in particular, with a look of fierce determination and suspicion as she stared down the Hydro.

"Anney, relax," I said, standing protectively between Ryan and her. "He's with me."

She glanced up at me a moment before shooting one last distrustful glance at Ryan and slipping her weapons back into their holders. The rest of the rebels that were paying attention all had their eyes locked on the newcomer.

"Everyone, this is Ryan, a Hydro. I found him near the Eastern Shores and brought him back here because I thought he could be a help. He has agreed to join us, so there is no reason to fear him."

"How do you know he isn't working for the Queen?" someone nearby asked.

"Because she has no reason to send a spy out that far. She knows there is nothing to the east that is of interest."

There was a scattered murmur of conversation until eventually people began to lose interest and move off. Only Anney and Ryan remained behind.

"And why were you out so late? You're usually back before dusk," Anney accused, pointing a finger in my direction, though her tone was playful.

"I lost track of time," I supplied as an excuse, which earned me an eye-roll from her. "I was running."

Ryan stepped out from behind me, his eyes lingering on Anney a moment before turning to me. He was rubbing his arms and shivering slightly.

"Is there anywhere for me to stay, or at least get warm?" he asked, his breath forming a white cloud as he spoke. I hadn't realized how cold it was, probably thanks to my thick fur coat that I currently wore.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it was so cold. Here, follow me. Anney, I'm taking him to my hut. You can come too if you want."


Mirrior - Castle Grounds

I looked at the intruder, my eyes adjusting easily to the darkness. He was tall, with shaggy blond hair and deep blue eyes which kept darting back and forth from each of us. With a sly smile, I easily shed the form that I currently held and changed into an older, dark-haired woman with green eyes that held a look of eternity. Drawing the fear to me, I made her normally-tanned skin pale and ghostly with dark circles under her eyes.

The man's eyes darted to me again and a look of confusion passed across his face. Then a look of recognition. Then that unhidden, indescribable fear and sadness that usually overwhelmed everyone who came into contact with me. He quickly turned away, his face nearly as pale as mine now was.

"I - I'm sorry. I'm a newcomer to these lands. I really had no idea...I'll just be on my way now," he said hurriedly, trying to edge around us. I give a sigh of irritation and move past him, trusting that the other two will follow. We needed to get to the prisoner and bring her back as soon as possible, or else risk punishment from the Queen. And who knew what new form of torture she had on her mind, just waiting to be tried out.

Sorry I keep forgetting to post on here.

Ryan~~

"Thank you," I said and Joran lead me to his hut. It wasn't to big, but not so small that the three of us were cramped in there.

"I'll start a fire," I said and then began to bang rocks to get a spark to light in the fire pit. After a few failed attempts, I got one going, and after extra drying the air around it, and wood in it, the fire grew to make the hut warm.

During the time, I heard a few scarce whispers from the others, but nothing I could pick up, so I decided to ignore them and go to my first question.

"So I got two questions. One, what will I be doing here, and two what is the state of this village to the queen?"

"Well mostly you will be helping get some water to grow crops, and quench peoples thirsts, maybe help battle if need be," Joran told me, as he tossed a few more twigs in to the fire.

"Okay, that's fine with me, so long as I am supplied a sufficient enough weapon to fight with," I said, when he gave a look that said "Is that okay,"

"And as for the state. She thinks of us as a minor threat, but she checks up on us often, we are thought of as rebels, like some of the other villages, but as not a huge threat," Joran explained to me, I nodded signaling I understood.

"So is that all?" Joran asked, after a bit of silence.

"Yes, for now," I said.

Annibella Christian ~ Elf ~ Rebel Village

I curled up in the chair that I had claimed as mine the first time I had been to Joran's house. He smiled at me, knowing how uncomfortable I was around the newcomer - I have trust issues.

As Ryan spoke, I listened carefully. I wasn't listening to his words, so much as the way he spoke. I was trying to get a read on him - figure out how he worked. His questions were simple. After Joran answered them, the room fell silent again. I was growing tired, and my eyelids drooped. Shaking myself awake, I watched Ryan with intent.

"How did you come to be here, anyway?" I ask.

"Well, Joran brought me," he answered. I shook my head.

"No, I mean what possessed you to leave whatever life you may have had to join us? Where were you before?"

~~~

Evan Rice ~ Pyro ~ Castle Grounds

I glanced around nervously as the three pushed past me. The one looked much like my aunt, only...I shuddered, not wanting to continue this train of thought.

Looking around again, I realized that I really had no idea where I was, or where to go. Staying here seemed dangerous, unless I was with someone. The group of three where a good ways away when I made my decision.

Keeping a few yards behind, I followed them.

Hi everyone. Okay, well it seems I've ended up overwhelming myself with storybooks, so seeing as I didn't even have an open minute to post under this particular one, I'm dropping out. Since that means you need an oracle replacement, feel free to control my character- anyone can. Just remember she was a rebel. Thanx.

Moonlight

Ryan~~

"Well that’s easy," I said as I sat down in a chair myself, "Adventure. My life was boring. Wake up, eat, tend to food, re fill pools, eat, hunt, eat, and sleep. Gets a bit boring, nothing to do, everything the same, starts to drag. And when a guy comes along brining you something to do, well that seems like a pretty good thing. So I figured, "Why not, I get something different, and to help people," and that’s it."

"Okay," She said simply, "But why were you living alone? Don't Hydros usually live in groups?"

"Well see that’s another story," I said making myself comfortable. "About ten years ago I was in a Tide, that’s what we call our groups, but then something happened. See I had been with three families, and we got along, me and the others used to run around and play, practice the bending...then one day we were attacked. A group of Gryphon, they killed my family, and the others didn't want me. My parents used to carry my height, I was never a gifted hunter or gatherer, and sense we moved around often my skill at crop growing was useless, and they didn’t want me eating their food they earned. So I was abandoned at eight. After that I headed to find a village, but instead fell into the home, Joran found me in. When I woke up from my fall, I found it a good place, spacious, near the water, above a clearing good to grow food, and the fish and crabs slow and easy to catch. So there I spent my life alone."

**OK, so a couple new things for my character: she doesn’t know it was her mom's fault her father is dead. She’s told the rebels outside of town are the cause for all the towns’ worries and her mother restricts medical care to those of higher rank and privilege therefore Isadora sneaks out at night and goes to the people to help. It would be cool if there was somebody she could meet while she’s outside, also Maybe and I will slowly be revealing exactly how the king was killed**

Princess Isadora - Healer - Bedroom tower, going out to the village.

As the day grew older and the sun began to diffuse down into the horizon, Isadora began to settle into her room. There were the meticulous tasks that she followed everyday as a ritual. Now she was currently going through one of the many tasks, which were drilled into her head by her mother. She took the brush and stroked her soft brown hair continuously even though it was knot free.

Her day had been simple, she thought as she went over the events in her head. In the morning, she ate breakfast in the dinning hall, then she went for a walk in the garden, followed by archery classes - she took those against her mothers will. Followed by ridding classes which she taught, then lunch out in the gazebo with a few women from the courtyard. Followed by her favourite: English literature.

Yes, Isadora was being made into the ideal woman, perfect to match with an ideal man. Well educated for today’s society, a perfect cook even though women of her status never had to enter a kitchen and she could hunt and ride a horse. Not to mention her extra abilities to heal, abilities which she has been unable to use to her full potential.

The last time she remembered feeling that tingling power beneath her skin she was dancing with Travis right before she found her father murdered. Isadora shivered at the thought putting down the brush and pushing the thought back into the dark hole it came from. She’d have to put on her cape and go down to the villager’s houses tonight while nobody was watching her. This was something she did every night.
Isadora didn’t understand her mothers need to restrict medical care but at the same time, Isadora never knew her mother had her father killed. She was left in the dark.

Out of fear nobody would ever fill in Isadora, to let her know who her mother really was. Nobody bothered to explain that the great despair washing over her fathers land was because of her mother. If anybody did tell her they would most likely be sentence to death, or something worse - it would be just like Queen Elyane to conjure up something worse than death.

Isadora put on her black rob, covered her hair with the large hood and walked down the stairs of her bedroom tower. Walking past the wall torches Isadora’s heart began to race, soon she’d be outside and in the dark. Even though this was a nightly ritual the fear of a nights cover was still one of her greatest.