|
Post by Conrí on Apr 4, 2019 17:01:04 GMT -5
Ailill looked from the floor of the hallway then to the Vagabond. He had noticed how Rand had lowered his eyes and didn't even attempt to chastise him. He offered his colleague a sad smile and shook his head slightly. "That was a memory triggering a response in my heart. The weapon that was hiding there was something I found right as my world died. I didn't realise it could happen."
The cloaked man looked away from the door and the Vagabond. "I believe the next two floors are yours. I will be with you every step of the way." The man truly meant it, though it took a great deal of restraint for him not to start rubbing his forehead from the foggy feeling that was getting to him. "Can a heart lie? You're a researcher, so I wanted to ask. That, and you were right in my heart just now anyway. So, could a heart be stronger than a half-insane mind?"
Éirín chuckled at Mink's question. "Being a deity comes with a lot of responsibility, though. Like, protecting people no matter what." Right as she finished saying that, Conrí nearly turned around and faced his lover.
The wolf girl groaned, then was relieved when Jason managed to catch up. She sighed. She begged Conrí to go as fast as possible, because that...thing seemed to be nearly on top of them. "Yeah...deities protect people." Right as she made up her mind, Fenrir reappeared ahead of the group with Rand.
The priestess's face went from stone to slightly sad, but she smacked Conrí to keep him going, and leapt off of him, Avalon's Spear in her hands. "I'm not going to die by running, so, if this buys us any time at all, don't let this sacrifice be in vain." Threads of light exploded from the spearhead as she landed on her feet, only to be thrown into the air again by her brother. She found herself back on the black wolf who was growling and pushing himself as hard as he could. It seemed like they were going to be swallowed up by that monstrosity.
|
|
|
Post by hoodwink on Apr 4, 2019 18:09:15 GMT -5
"That was a memory triggering a response in my heart." Ailill explained as the Vagabond rested against the wall, sitting quietly while looking at his comrade. Triggering a response...? So their own hearts could affect the memories the castle showed them? "The weapon that was hiding there was something I found right as my world died. I didn't realize it could happen." The mention of his home world dying caused the Vagabond to silently sympathize with the cloaked swordsman. He too had lost his own world to the darkness, not sure if it even remained to this day. He hadn't stumbled across it since, the memories growing foggy in the back of his mind. "I believe the next two floors are yours. I will be with you every step of the way."
Ailill's statement jerked the Vagabond into motion, who had rested long enough as he pushed himself into a standing position. The hooded man took a step towards the stairs that led to the next door, a nervousness gnawing at the back of his mind as Ailill's voice caused him to halt. "Can a heart lie? You're a researcher, so I wanted to ask." The question surprised the Vagabond, who crossed his arms and rested his chin on his hand in thought. "You were right in my heart just now anyway. So, could a heart be stronger than a half-insane mind?" The question seemed to stem from a deeply personal feeling, that's the vibe the researcher got as he analyzed the man in front of him from the shadows of his hood.
"Hearts can be swayed, overpowered, convinced...but they don't typically lie." The Vagabond had begun to walk towards the steps again, a pale finger pointing in the air as he made his way up the white stairs. "I think your mind could try to trick your heart, but if it's strong it won't be fooled." Reaching the top of the steps, the hooded man spun on his heels so he was looking down at Ailill, pointing at the cloaked swordsman directly. "Your heart holds your true essence. Even though it can be swayed, the core of it is still you." His finger fell to his side as he turned back towards the large brown door, pushing it open before turning to look at Ailill over his shoulder.
"Even if you lose your mind, your heart will know who you really are." The Vagabond disappeared through the doorway, motioning for Ailill to follow and anxious for what waited ahead.
The Vagabond yelled out in surprise, shocked to see such a familiar surrounding. He was standing on a staircase leading down into a market square, littered with small shops run by Moogles that bustled to carry out inventory and restock. A few locals ogled the items in the shops, fewer buying any as the modest yet lively square bustled in action. "Wait a minute!" The researcher looked around, running down the staircase and into the market square. "I know this place!" This is where his lab was! "It's...uh..." For a moment, the hooded man stood in the middle of the square, a hand to his chin as he lowered his head in thought. "Huh? I can't think of the name?"
Grabbing at his head, the Vagabond grimaced and spat out: "Damned castle!" He couldn't even remember the name of the world he had picked as his home base. After losing his own world to the darkness...and escaping that place...the Vagabond had come across this world. Where was the base...? It was hard for him to remember the details, everything was foggy and picked apart. With a frustrated sigh, the Vagabond decided he would have to search for it. Motioning for Ailill to follow, the researcher made his way through the crowd across the market. The buildings were all fairly short and modest, though sturdy and well built. The town was a wash of grey, yellow and purple.
Reaching another small staircase across the square, the Vagabond made his way up to another large shop building crowded with customers. Ignoring the business, the researcher made his way down the street towards smaller alleyways that dodged between houses. The Bailey...I remember the Bailey! He knew that wherever his base was, it was near there, where the town thinned out and became deserted. His pace was steady, though he was a bit unsure as he made his way down.
Trying to remember what he had said to Ailill about hearts, the Vagabond kept his courage close as he pressed on.
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Apr 4, 2019 21:22:44 GMT -5
As he and Fenrir reappeared in the ruined city Rand immediately noted two things. One, they were nearly to the base, and two, the massive Heartless was nearly upon them. He nearly leapt down when he saw Éirín do the same, but before he could Conrí had already pulled her back onto his back. Giving him a silent thanks, Rand focused on the base ahead.
Jason gave a wordless shout at Éirín's actions, but soon enough he had his own issues. Just as the base came within view the Demon Tide shot out a column of Shadows nearly ten feet wide at the Dustflyer he was riding. At the last instant he Flash Stepped to the base, panting from how close he had just come to death.
It was only then that he realized just how close the creature was, and hope left him. There was no way that the others would be able to make it before it reached them, unless a miracle happened.
He saw Mink look behind them again, straight into Jason's eyes as they flew forward for once. "Don't mess with the castle anymore, okay?" Their serious eyes turned impossibly knowing for a moment, and then they turned to face the Tide. "Get into the base! The door ahead's going to be where the smithy usually is." Drawing their rapier, they flew past the rest of the group. "I'll give you all the time you need."
Jason and Rand lost sight of them in the cyclone of shadows, and the noise nearly drowned out Jason's cry of their name as his knees nearly fell out from under him. It was Rand that caught him, and it was Rand that pulled him into the hangar. "Hurry! I doubt they will be able to hold that thing off for long, and I don't want to know what happens if the door is destroyed." Under his breath he offered a prayer for the child, hoping that they would somehow do the impossible and make it back.
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Apr 5, 2019 13:27:59 GMT -5
Ailill smiled gratefully at Ba'alzaemon. He took what the man said into the depths of himself, and enjoyed the silence of the hallway. He followed after the Vagabond and found himself in a strange, sprawling city. The cloaked man wondered where he was, and it seemed as though his colleague knew where this was, only to appear confused a few moments later.
Ailill closed his eyes and tried to focus on anything other than the man who had appeared before him and the man he'd been remembering. The castle effects mixing with those of his own worsening insanity made it exhausting to concentrate. The cloaked man watched two tears fall to the ground, but was confused as to why he was emotional. Wiping his face with his sleeve, he turned his attention back to the Vagabond. "So, do you remember anything about this place?" He wondered if these memories of theirs would prove helpful to them or not.
Éirín twisted around, and watched Mink flying straight for the terrifying beast. Her own scream echoed Jason's. She barely noticed that Conrí had leapt for the base, hardly making it, and not of his own power. She nearly fainted when she saw just how close Fen had come to sharing Mink's fate before he disappeared back into the spirit realm.
The wolf girl was relieved when Conrí transformed back into himself, and she hung her head slightly as she thought of anything to say at all. Her thoughts failed her, and she just walked, completely defeated, making sure to stay away from Rand, to the exit door before walking through. "We trust that they are alive." She barely whispered.
|
|
|
Post by hoodwink on Apr 5, 2019 21:30:32 GMT -5
The two arrived in a small alleyway that wound behind local houses, all crammed together in order to make room. "So, do you remember anything about this place?" The Vagabond turned to look over his shoulder at Ailill from beneath his hood. "I do! This is where we sent the Heartless!" Leading the swordsman down the alleyway, the Vagabond recalled the stairs to the Bailey being somewhere down this direction. "I have a base of operations here, a lab." They rounded a corner to the right, entering a small clearing lined with small houses. To the left was a small path that led to a large wall.
Heading down the pathway, the Vagabond led Ailill down towards the left where a large staircase loomed. His heart raced a bit as recollection hit him. "This way! To my lab!" The din from the crowded market reached them as the two came to the top of the staircase, a long pathway scaling the top of one of the town's guarding walls before them. Picking up his pace a bit, the Vagabond walked down the long pathway, looking out over the open purple fields and cliffs exposed beyond the town, into the open world. The sight reassured the researcher as he made his way to the end of the long cobblestone path, a large Bailey looming before the two.
Making his way through the open gate that led from the town out into the world, the Vagabond led Ailill through the Bailey, a large concrete room with wide windows that led to the gate of the town, where the world beyond was visible and shining light to guide them. Going down cobblestone steps, the two emerged on a large open road, lined with walls of cliffs that shaded the pathway. To the left the path sloped down, leading to the canyons beyond. To the right, the path sloped up, leading between the cliff sides. Motioning for the swordsman to follow, the two turned right to walk up the path.
"Agh! I can't remember the name!" As he walked, the Vagabond clutched his hooded head with his hands, swaying dramatically in defeat. "Damned castle. How can I not even remember the name of this world?!" Frustrated with the gaps in his memory, the researcher took a deep breath. If you can't rely on your memories, rely on your heart. The solution rang through his head as the two emerged in a clearing with ruined remnants of tunnels and buildings, a looming castle lined with pipes and overgrowth in the distance. If the castle stole his memories to form this world, he would just have to follow the world's lead. "There it is!" The Vagabond ran up the pathway, hoping Ailill would keep up as he reached the bend at the top.
The pathway formed into a circular platform that created a small clearing, overlooking the town at the base of the gigantic castle that loomed above them. "Somewhere around here should be the tunnels..." Wandering to the edge of the platform, the Vagabond peered over the edge and shouted in surprise. "Ailill! Over here!" Waving over to the swordsman, the Vagabond leapt down off of the clearing, landing on a small path formed in the cliff side not far below. Down the winding path on the cliffside was a large square entrance into a tunnel system.
Vines and overgrowth marked the entrance of the tunnel, matching the castle's abandoned state. Entering the dark entryway, the Vagabond had a jolt of recollection as his body seemed to guide him on autopilot. The hooded vagrant led the cloaked swordsman through a vast array of tunnels, all created from the large pipes that snaked across the castle above. Wandering in the dark tunnels, the Vagabond had no issue seeing through the dark, allowing it to guide him as it had when he first found it. Eventually, the tunnels began to grow less dark and more room-like as suddenly the two stood in a hallway with a looming door.
"At last!" Running up to the large brown door, the Vagabond heaved with all his might as the rusted hinges groaned in protest. Entering the dark room, the Vagabond reached instinctively for the light switch to the right, the lights above on the ceiling flickering on to illuminate the scene. The room was small and heavily disheveled, littered with old books and portraits long ruined. At one end of the room was a large tunnel, previously hidden by a wall no longer there. "This way~" Leading Ailill into the tunnel, the two emerged into a large room with a massive computer system lining the wall beneath an open window which led to a hangar. To the right was the doorway holding the white staircase, glittering in the dark.
"Funny, the memory seems to be before I made my renovations..." For a moment, the Vagabond looked around the room, scrutinizing it from the shadows beneath his hood. When he had first arrived, the computer system was busted and inoperable. Where the doorway now stood had been a large gate of some sort, though that too hadn't been working. He had done a lot of work to clean the place up and change it to his needs, agitated that the memory didn't show any of this. "It's like how I first found it." The disdain in his voice was obvious. "And here I thought I might get some work done, while we were here." Shaking his head a bit, the Vagabond motioned at Ailill, bowing near the doorway a bit.
"After you. You are the guest, after all." Though his broad and joking grin was hidden beneath his hood, he was sure his comrade would oblige his humor.
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Apr 6, 2019 20:38:48 GMT -5
Rand pulled Jason through the door before allowing him to sink to the floor, turning to stare through it. All they saw was the living room, tattered and dusty, and not a soul within. "Come on, come on..." His words were more of a plea than a command, hoping against all else that he'd see their red hoodie come into view.
When something finally did change, it was the ceiling caving in, quickly followed by a mass of dark shapes. They attempted to follow the group through the door, only to be blocked by a barrier and the door shutting.
"No!" Lurching to his feet, Jason ran over to the door and pulled it open, only to be met with the sight of a simple, white staircase leading to the lower floor. He rapidly opened and shut the door, repeating himself each time in the vain hope of something different happening.
After nearly a minute of that Rand solemnly placed his hand on the other man's shoulder and shook his head. "It won't open again, Jason. Maybe they escaped using their time travel abilities."
With tears in his eyes Jason turned around. "You can't leave a floor without going through the door. I tried that four years ago when I was here before. They're-"
He was cut off by a buzzing in his pocket, revealed to be his phone after he fished it out. Pressing a button, Mink's voice came through. "Hey, how's it going in there? We just finished up here."
"No matter what happens, don't come in here. Even if it's before this point." Jason's voice was nearly panicked in its intensity, only to be met with sass on the other end.
"Uh-huh, like I'm gonna go in there with memories of a literal god's Heartless wrecking worlds in my head. I'm staying right here, thank you very much." The sarcasm and inflection showed exactly what they thought of the idea.
Suddenly there was more noise on the other end, before a different voice issued from the device. "You just saw what you thought was Mink's memory, didn't you. The castle can pull people from your memories and make you think that they're actually there if it wants to. Try to follow it's rules and you should be fine."
Finally Rand spoke up. "So that Mink and floor was an illusion based on our memories? I'm starting to dislike this place even more..."
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Apr 8, 2019 11:49:13 GMT -5
Ailill gawked at the place in which he found himself. He glanced at the Vagabond with some concern, but he quickly breathed a sigh of relief when his colleague seemed to remember where he was. The cloaked man silently followed, taking in everything. He felt like he'd almost been in this city before, but wasn't completely sure. Had there been a big tower in the distance, then he would have thought himself in Tar Valon, but, he quietly pushed back on those memories and on the swirling insanity in his mind.
Ailill kept up with Ba'alzaemon easily enough and managed to laugh at his colleague's jokes. He bowed before entering the secret passage. He found a place that reminded him of his own office and lab. There were notes pasted here and there, and, it made the cloaked man grateful that he was able to store his notes in dimensional pockets, though, it was difficult to remember exactly where some of them had been. He reached out with his hand and felt for where the blade should be in his hand, and sure enough, the Dragon's Fang appeared in his hand in a swirl of dark fog. Am I nothing more than this? A symbol of power within Therin's grasp and nothing more? He did look...remorseful, but, I don't think I can trust him again, at least not yet.
Ailill brushed the thought aside with a shake of his head. "Do you know anything about this blade? It seems to be tied to me now."
Éirín watched Jason and quickly lowered her head. Had this truly been her fault? She wasn't exactly sure, but she flinched when she looked at Conrí. She pushed herself up the stairs to be alone on the next floor, giving her brother's mate a mournful glance as she passed. When she hit the hallway, she slid down one of the walls and tucked her knees up to her chest and pressed her forehead into her kneecaps. She could feel the tears starting to form, but had to force them back down. Goddesses bear their weight without tears. Even if that weight tries to break them in the process. She stared at the door across from her and stood to her feet before anyone could have suspected something. Damn bond...Rand...I'm sorry. I'll get better at hiding it.
The wolf girl paced back and forth, acknowledging his feelings about the situation, or, at least what she could feel through the bond. He seemed overwhelmed, but calm. Worried about her. Maybe a little angry with her, but, it was to be expected with how she had been acting back there. Her tears turned to anger, and she found herself punching at the wall with enough force that her strikes left slim wisps of smoke behind.
Conrí watched his sister go with a disapproving glare. He supposed she had learned her lesson, but, he couldn't worry about that right now. Silently, he wrapped Jason into a tight hug. "I'll go through the next one. I'll try to make it a happy memory. Without fighting the castle. Just focusing. Maybe that will work, but, Rand is right. The only way we get through this is by moving forward."
Right as the wolf boy finished speaking, he heard Mink's voice and relief filled him. It was followed by a familiar voice, and he found himself nodding. "Yes, Rand, it bleedin' sucks being in this place, but, let's go."
The would be king walked up the stairs, hoping the others would follow. He saw his sister, with her hands split open and bleeding, and blood smeared over one of the walls. He grimaced. Perhaps he had judged her too soon. Not that he could agree with her form of grieving. Self-harm never did any good. He quickly took her hands in his. "Before Rand sees. He cares deeply for you, and, I think he would hate to see you like this. I'm sorry if this burns." He used a bit of crimson flames to sear her wounds shut. He looked over at the wall and tsked his tongue before returning his gaze to Éirín.
"Leave it. I'll make something up."
Conrí sighed, then nodded and forced himself to let go of her hands and walk down the hall. "Your skin will appear normal in a moment or two." He faced the door and concentrated on the summer before they both went their separate ways. He closed his eyes until he could see the fields they had sparred in and pushed open the door.
When the wolf boy looked into the open door, he could see the fields and smiled. "It worked. This one shouldn't be so bad."
|
|
|
Post by hoodwink on Apr 9, 2019 21:08:53 GMT -5
As the two walked up the white staircase that led to the next floor's foyer, Ailill's voice echoed off of the vast empty walls. "Do you know anything about this blade? It seems to be tied to me now." Looking up at the cloaked swordsman, who had taken the stairs first, the Vagabond peered at the blade the swordsman held. The researcher shook his head a bit, peering out from beneath his hood at the weapon. "I don't know much about weapons." It was true. The Vagabond himself had no need for weapons, nor any knowledge of them.
Being completely unarmed, the man resided on the heart that lurked within him, siphoning its strength into his own. "Personally, I detest the things." The statement was true, though not very thoroughly thought out. Believing himself to be more of a researcher and peacekeeper, the Vagabond hardly enjoyed weapons or tools of violence. His battles with the Heartless were terrifying enough, in his opinion. He never understood why others sought out to do the same thing to each other that they all feared themselves.
From the shadows of the steel blue hood, his dull green eyes remained on the swordsman above him. He's like that. The Vagabond was currently in this oddly familiar castle in hunt of opponents, as Ailill had bargained new test subjects in exchange for some assistance. Maybe I was too eager to agree. The thought wasn't heartfelt, as a reassuring thought returned to the researcher's mind. Though, maybe taking on others darkness is peacekeeping in itself. Taking on the burden of dark deeds for others certainly qualified as a peace keeping act, in his opinion.
He didn't have anything to lose. His heart already belonged to the dark. It wasn't his heart that mattered, anyway.
The two emerged into the large foyer, exactly the same as all others before it. Which floor is this...? The Vagabond had no idea as to how long they had been in this castle now, or how many floors they had gone up. Was it still his turn? He didn't really remember, but walked up the steps towards the next door instinctively. Looking over his shoulder, the hooded man swallowed his pride and asked his comrade. "Ailill, how far have we progressed through this place?" Everything seemed foggy to him. Where had they just been? Shaking his head a bit, the Vagabond reached out for the doorknob while waiting for an answer.
The door opened, a vast darkness waiting within. Stepping forward into the place, the Vagabond's nose was filled with a familiar scent. For a moment, the hooded man jolted in surprise as he stepped forward further into the place. Is this...! His heart returned to his chest as he realized it was simply a dark room, his steps echoing off of a firm floor. The walls seemed blue, the ceiling a vast black shadow, as no lights seemed to work. Luckily, the man had had to see in worse kinds of darkness for a long time. After a moment, his eyes had quickly adjusted and he could see the room around him.
It was tall and vast, similar to the foyers inside of the castle. The walls and pillars were blue, but all were similar in design. There was a large table, stacked with texts and a small lamp that was turned off. Walking over towards the table, the Vagabond ignored the lamp as he sifted through the texts. "Wait...I know this place!" Though the castle had foraged the memory from his mind, it took the Vagabond a moment to recognize where he was. "We're...still in the castle!" He turned to his comrade, realizing that what he said had sounded redundant. "Er...well...we're always in the castle...but I meant right now! This memory!"
He motioned for the swordsman to come closer, finally reaching for the small lamp at the corner of the desk. Turning the small oil lamp on, a small waning gold filled the room from the candlelight, casting shadows upon the already dark space. "This is where I first found it!" He was rifling through the discarded books and papers littering the space before knocking his own head. He lifted up a piece of paper, looking at the scribbles and grinning from beneath the shadows of his hood. The report! It was an identical copy to the pieces of report he had found.
"So...I did find it here."
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Apr 10, 2019 10:37:08 GMT -5
As Jason finished talking to the others Rand felt Éirín's pain -both emotional and physical- through the bond. A glance failed to locate her, and so he followed the bond up the stairs. She must have left before Mink had called, he assumed, else she would have been in a better mental state.
On the next landing he frowned softly at the blood on the wall, knowing full well what had caused it. Rather than point out the obvious, he instead offered what he hoped would be a good explanation. "That wasn't Mink, Éirín. This bloody castle apparently is a flaming son of a goat kissing Trolloc if you break the rules and made an illusion of them based on our memories." He still had no idea why the people of Radiant Garden found him swearing funny, but either she would as well or she would share his sentiment.
Jason came up the stairs next, his phone once more in his pocket. A glance at the wall told him what he needed to know, but it appeared that Rand was already addressing the situation. Trusting his new companion, Jason chose to join Conrí at the door. "That's a beautiful area, Conrí. I can't wait to see it in person one day." He ended with an encouraging smile and a peck on the cheek.
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Apr 10, 2019 14:01:47 GMT -5
Ailill quickly put away the weapon with a bow and something of a flourish, since the other man seemed to be so offput by it. For some reason, a flash of a memory came to him. There was mud tearing through the grass. He let the sounds of his men battling die around him. The only thing in his gaze was her. Fair skin, brown hair, and brown eyes just as entrancing as the rest of her. He always felt like he towered over her, but, that never seemed to stop her from chuckling and kicking his legs out from under him. Right now, though, with one look, he could see that she was fading away. Her forearm was gone. The cloaked man shoved the image out of his mind. He wasn't needed back there. He was needed here and now.
He barely heard Ba'alzaemon ask his question, and he touched his chin, thinking. "Sixth? Seventh? I'm not really sure." Before he could really get a grip on what was going on, he was quickly drawn into another door.
Ailill smiled when the Vagabond finally recognised some things. He looked at the books and papers, wondering what the man was looking for. Part of him ached to read the books, but, he refrained. "Is that piece of paper important to your research? I miss my researching days."
Éirín pushed back tears. She tried to let the bond stay masked, but, the way Rand frowned at her handiwork caused her to crack slightly. She forced herself to breathe as the red haired man explained what had happened. "You flaming bleedin bastard of a castle..." she whispered.
Still, the wolf girl was happy that she hadn't done any damage. She looked at Rand sheepishly and smiled slightly. She leaned toward him and opened her arms slightly for a hug. A gleam in her eyes suggested that she might be intending to steal a kiss while she was at it.
Conrí snorted, watching those two interact. "If you're going to kiss him, then kiss already. We really don't have time to get all sappy." Right as he finished saying that, he felt his cheeks warm at Jason's approach.
The wolf boy nodded slightly. "I would love to see these fields with you in them. The grasses are tall enough that...anyway..." He shuddered at the kiss on his cheek. Clearing his throat, he grabbed Jason's hand. "I'll show you how a kiss is done later. This memory should be happier."
The would be king stepped through the door and saw two children sparring. One of them had a staff, and the other was unarmed. The girl was fierce and determined, and the boy looked as though he was terrified of hurting her. He looked back, and saw Éirín and Rand standing in the field. He smiled slightly.
"We're leaving this summer, why do we have to do this, Éiri?"
"So that you won't be eaten alive by the druids."
"But, aren't you supposed to be working on being more...like a lady?"
The boy landed on his back with a thud.
"You mating with a woman will bring this world's downfall. The cards have spoken."
"Yeah, sure. Besides, druids aren't female and girls are..."
The girl gave the boy a look that nearly caused him to swallow his tongue.
Conrí laughed and scratched his head sheepishly. He shook his head, and the scene started to shift.
|
|
|
Post by hoodwink on Apr 10, 2019 16:44:43 GMT -5
The ink on the paper was slightly smudged, though the Vagabond could still make out the most important details. Extra copies wouldn't hurt... He folded the loose papers neatly before placing them into the inner pocket hidden in his jacket's lining. "Is that piece of paper important to your research?" Ailill's voice caused the hooded man's head to jolt up, almost as if he had forgotten he was with someone. "I miss my researching days..." There was a fondness of nostalgia in the swordsman's voice as he watched the researcher shuffle through the odd assortment of texts. Nodding a bit, the Vagabond stepped away from the table, leaving the lamp on as he walked towards the other side of the room.
There was a tall rectangular tunnel that led out of the room, though the Vagabond wasn't sure where it led. The walls of the tunnel were lined with books of all different colors and thickness, a vast wealth of information stored in the dark. Walking through the large tunnel, the Vagabond's voice echoed as he made his way out of the room and through the darkness. "Yeah...it's a close study that was done by an ancient scholar. I don't know their name, but I've been slowly gathering their works." There was a slight irritation evident in the Vagabond's tone as he continued. "Unfortunately, the texts are scattered. I first found them here, in this very castle, but only a few small pieces. I've stumbled upon others in a few locations, though only every now and then."
There was a craving he had, a powerful yearning driving him forward as he reached the end of the tunnel. At first glance, it was a dead end, just another large wall-sized bookshelf littered with texts. Instinctively, without really realizing what he was doing, the Vagabond reached out with his gloved hand and tilted one of the books off the shelf slightly. Once the book was shifted out of place, the wall rumbled as the bookshelf was drawn aside, revealing a large doorway leading to a large white staircase. Hm...odd... It seemed even when his memories failed him, there was some kinetic memory that remained.
Turning over his shoulder, he grinned at Ailill before making his way up the staircase towards the next floor of the castle. He was grateful that this memory had been an easy one.
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Apr 11, 2019 18:03:18 GMT -5
Rather than wait for her to respond to Conrí's taunt, Rand decided to kiss Éirín as deeply as he wanted to as he returned her embrace. After he was finished he stood, helping her to her feet as well before moving through the doorway and into the field.
Jason followed Conrí through the door after a quick blush and longer laugh, quickly noting the younger versions of the siblings. The spar paralleled the one in the simulator before it had started to glitch, leaving him with an odd feeling of nostalgia and caution blended together.
As the memory unfolded Jason couldn't help but grin at the interaction. "So that's why you're afraid of women? Seems like the sort of thing she didn't actually do a reading on, to be honest. You sure she wasn't just messing with you?"
Meanwhile, Rand turned to his fiancee to ask a similar question. "Was that an actual reading of yours, or were you just picking on him?" His tone was full of honest questions, though his slight smirk proved at least a tiny amount of amusement.
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Apr 11, 2019 19:03:28 GMT -5
Ailill smiled and nodded when the Vagabond explained his reasons behind search. Well, some of them, anyway. The cloaked man walked beside his colleague and wondered where they were headed to next. He wondered if there could finally be a break in the castle's twisting ways, and nearly exhaled in relief when nothing happened. Just another staircase up.
Ailill started up the stairs and was met by a large room. The change was almost jarring. He tapped his chin thoughtfully. He was having enough of the castle, and so was the Vagabond. He sighed. "Let's wait for them here. It will be a good point to take stock of everything, then, and then, if we want to go, we can. Okay? I didn't know just how jarring this place would be."
The cloaked man hoped that his plan could work, though.
Éirín tried to let her emotions out to the surface, but, she felt weirdly close to someone while feeling slightly numb. Her gaze filled with concern, and, she backed away from Rand a bit when they first entered the fields. She didn't want to hurt him at all, and, she knew this had to be hurting him.
The wolf girl saw her love's smirk and nearly met it with one of hers, but, she nodded and whispered on Air quietly, "No one believed I was his sister, and it was common for the priestesses to choose one of them to...mate with the heir." She still shared a laugh with Jason.
Conrí crossed his arms and gave Jason an exaggerated serious look. "Of course she read it. I amn't gullible, dear." He sighed when the fields shifted to an all too familiar throne room. His small frame was bowed down, trembling. What had he done that time?
Éiri stood defensively in front of him, meeting her father's eyes. Yelling and berating echoed down the hall.
The wolf boy found himself nearly flinching. The younger version of him certainly had.
"No. Don't touch her. I did it, not her."
"Not possible. We know that she is your darkness, and I will see her be punished."
"Dear, please. We know they are going to their separate schoolings in a week. Let it go."
The would be wolf king nearly cried when he saw his mother again, but turned away to see a staircase. That had been the last time he'd seen her look so vibrant and healthy. "Should we have left her, sister?" He asked this as he climbed up the stairs. "Someone, just go through the door, okay?"
|
|
|
Post by hoodwink on Apr 12, 2019 1:12:41 GMT -5
As the two emerged into the foyer, the Vagabond looked over his shoulder at his comrade as he heard a sigh from behind. "Let's wait for them here." It seemed Ailill was feeling the toll the castle put on others. Taking memories and forcing individuals into them was surely an exhausting process. The hooded man halted his steps, turning to face the swordsman. "It will be a good point to take stock of everything, and then, if we want to go, we can. Okay?" It was odd to hear the man asking, as the Vagabond assumed he would simply be calling the shots during their exploration.
He certainly wasn't here of his own accord.
"I didn't know just how jarring this place would be." It seemed his hunch was correct. The toll was proving to be heavy on the mans mind. Nodding, the Vagabond turned to gaze across the foyer to the looming brown door perched on the raised platform. How many times have I seen this site? For a moment, the vagrant wondered if he would ever escape the castle. Will there always be thatdoor waiting for me? A chill went down his spine.
"We rest." He had turned back to face Ailill once more, though his gaze was shrouded his head stayed turned so that the swordsman could look into the shadows. "But it's dangerous to stay in place too long." He looked over his shoulder once more at the door, feeling an odd sense of claustrophobia despite the rooms vastness. "I can handle the next few doors, too." What was this paranoia he felt? This sense of hopelessness? Was it always there, or something born within the confines of these vast white walls?
It was getting to him, too. An itching sensation was crawling over his skin and the Vagabond couldn't help but scowl in the dark of his hood. A memory had suddenly found its way to him. He remembered this feeling. "I met someone, once..." The Vagabond's voice choked as he struggled to remember. There was someone he had met in a foyer exactly like the one he stood in. What was their name? He couldn't think of anything, a name, a face, nothing. The Vagabond sighed in frustration as he walked over to sit on the steps before the next door.
"I think...it was here?" He was looking up towards the ceiling, struggling to remember. "Maybe it was a different castle?" He realized he probably wasn't making any sense to Ailill. Shaking his head a bit, the Vagabond lowered his gaze from his sitting spot to look at his comrade across the foyer. He couldn't remember anything about the person he had met, other than the fact they had terrified him. He remembered why they terrified him.
"They were just...sitting here. Just like I am now." Just thinking about it caused a jolting shiver to snake down his spine, forcing him to sit up right and shake his shoulders a bit. "They were stuck. Didn't even know why they were in the damned place. Just waiting...for anything to make them remember." He choked up again, but this time for a different reason he didn't feel was necessary to delve into. He couldn't remember much else about the person. Did they leave with me? He couldn't recall, but felt a guilty pang in his chest.
"So, we should rest...then keep moving."
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Apr 12, 2019 12:47:57 GMT -5
Jason's look of amusement quickly shifted into something harder as the scene shifted. Yet again, someone was using Darkness as an excuse to hurt people, and it made him sick. His own Darkness resonating with is anger, he very nearly intervened, only stopping himself when Rand of all people placed his hand on his shoulder in a surprising show of solidarity. "It's a memory, Jason. It cannot be changed, only learned from."
His grey eyes seemed impossibly ancient as Jason looked into them, but eventually he nodded. Satisfied, Rand tightened his hand briefly before turning to join Conrí on the stairs, pausing alongside him. "Regret and doubt can be useful, but take care not to let it consume, Conrí. I've gone down that route before, and at the end lay only frustration and sorrow." His voice was calm, the wisdom of several lifetimes evident within as he moved forward once more to open the door to the next landing.
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Apr 12, 2019 16:18:29 GMT -5
Ailill nodded slowly, agreeing with the Vagabond. He walked over to the steps and sat down next to his colleague. He sighed slowly, and put a hand on the other man's shoulder. Ba'alzaemon seemed distraught over something that was clearly trying to be remembered. "I'm not going to leave you here. I promise. And, whoever was waiting here, I'm sure you'll remember them."
The cloaked man smiled and wondered what he was going to do when he actually saw Rand come charging at them from that door across from them. He looked from the door to his hands. For some reason, there was a fleeting thought of wrapping his arms around the red haired man. Quickly, he tried to brush the thought away. "When they are almost going to see us, we need to look ready for a fight, then we can maybe lure them to go into the door at the same time we do." Ailill was certain to keep his voice to a whisper.
Éirín looked from Rand to Jason to Conrí. She saw her mom half-smile at her younger self, and she nearly also started crying. She followed Rand up the stairs, trying not to marvel at how wise he'd sounded just then.
The wolf girl also put a gentle hand on Jason's shoulder. She looked into the man's crimson eyes and smiled. She walked quickly after Rand, hoping to catch up to him as he opened the door. "Rand...will you be okay?" She was sure that the man felt her emotions through the bond.
Conrí looked at Jason briefly before lowering his eyes. "That was the last time she looked so lively. After that..." He sighed and shook his head. "Let's just keep going, okay?"
|
|
|
Post by hoodwink on Apr 12, 2019 22:17:41 GMT -5
As Ailill came over to his side, the Vagabond slumped over a bit, resting his arms on his knees. Feeling a weight on his shoulder, the hooded man looked up at his comrade. "I'm not going to leave you here. I promise." The sudden devotion caught the man off guard. Maybe, I've made a friend here. There was a subtle wetness dabbing his cheek, the Vagabond was surprised at the tear, thankful for his face being shrouded in his hood. It fell to his chin and dissolved in the jacket, sheltered from view as Ailill's voice echoed through the foyer. "Whoever was waiting here, I'm sure you'll remember them."
A sudden grief had been lifted from the man lost to darkness, a burden he hadn't even recognized lifting from his mind. Within the shadows of his hood the man smiled, looking up as the swordsman whispered. "When they are almost going to see us, we need to look ready for a fight, then we can maybe lure them to go into the door at the same time we do." There was a slight excitement in the Vagabond that stirred. Originally, he had come here to cash in on a favor. Now, he was aiding his friend, taking some of the burden of his darker duties.
Nodding, the Vagabond stood and turned to face the looming brown door. Stepping onto the small platform, the hooded vagrant straightened his posture and buttoned his jacket. What he became was a tall broad faceless figure, which he was sure to be intimidating. Giving the swordsman a 'thumbs up' with his gloved left hand, the Vagabond kept his voice low as he spoke. "Okay. I'll take the door when we lure them in." He was ready. There was a strong feeling in his heart of what lurked behind the next door if he opened it. What a perfect place to lure enemies. The thought was honest, bitter and terrifying. His items were in order, what few he had anyway, and a new determination fired in his broken and dark heart. Tendrils of darkness began to pool on the mans shoulder blades over his steel blue jacket. The effect was unnerving, as the tall hooded man's back began to swirl with the dark energy.
He did say look ready for a fight. Though the Vagabond had never fought anything that wasn't Heartless, he certainly could look the part of an imposing enemy.
|
|
|
Post by Ziya on Apr 14, 2019 1:48:16 GMT -5
Rand smiled gently at his fiancee as they entered into the pure white room beyond the door, knowing full well how she felt. "I will be okay, raya am'chali'mashio'vin." The term, meaning "my beautiful, sweet betrothed," in the Old Tongue, rolled off his tongue easier than before. "I have experience with memories, especially the unpleasant kind, and this place is awakening some from Ages long, long past. Time is cyclical in my world, and Lews Therin was not the first time the Dragon was called upon." His smile grew into a grin before he lifted her chin to kiss her softly, proving that he was still himself despite the added history.
Meanwhile Jason sighed, reigning in his Darkness once more before looking sadly at his love and nodding. "I'm sorry, elskan mín. You were hit pretty hard by that, and I was too wrapped up in my own issues to notice." Lowering his eyes, he followed Conrí up to the others before shutting the door behind him. He felt guilty, confused, and concerned all at once, as if his mind didn't quite know how it should feel. Why was he so insistent to defend Darkness here, of all places?
Jason's musings were interrupted by Rand, who had broken the kiss as they approached. "I'll open the next door, but I want everyone to be prepared first. There is a high chance that saidin, the half of the Source that I and all other male channelers use, will be tainted in this memory. I would advise against using any magic of your own, in case it too is corrupted. Also," he paused for a moment before continuing in a softer, yet somehow more serious tone, "we will likely need to remain unseen. Most of my enemies, and myself for that matter, are capable of Balefire. That weave is so potent that it will burn through anything save cuendillar, and can actually burn anything you have done out of existence for up to an hour before you were hit, depending on its strength. I will wait to open the door until you are all prepared."
|
|
|
Post by Conrí on Apr 14, 2019 11:45:07 GMT -5
Ailill nodded along to what the Vagabond said. He admittedly was getting a little tired of waiting, wondering where they could be. He reached out with his senses, and shuddered. He caught a glimpse of Rand in front of a door, which he was preparing to open. Why he was able to see that, he didn't quite understand.
The vision was enough to make him slump forward before catching his head with his hand. He nearly vomited on the steps. "I am sorry to have kept it from you, but, I'm quite ill. It comes up whenever I try to use the one magic source I learned from my world. But, there was another kind of magic that I learned long ago."
Again, the images of war filled his head, and he heard his breathing get heavy. He wondered what the hell was going on, and, before he could understand it, he looked at Ba'alzaemon and smiled sadly. "Something is happening, and, I have a feeling that I'm about to meet them a couple of floors down. Wait here, please."
In a blink, he was gone.
Éirín got swept up in the language that rolled off her lover's tongue and made her blush, even though she wasn't too sure of the meaning. She could just feel the emotions coursing through the bond. She was further caught off guard by the kiss, shuddering and whimpering slightly. She heard his explanation and nodded. She grimaced at the thought of having to see Balefire again, but, she had to be ready.
The wolf girl bit her lip and met Rand's eyes seriously. "Lead and I follow."
Conrí lifted Jason's chin up and kissed him without warning or consideration for others around them. When he was finished, he looked into those crimson irises that he loved to get lost in. "No. You need not apologise. I get it. Now, let's go face something that sounds like death and live to tell the tale. Rand seems to like keeping things as interesting as the others in our pack do."
The wolf boy walked up to Rand and nodded. "Ready."
Ailill blinked into existence right in front of Rand and landed on his knees. He looked up into those blue-grey eyes before lowering his head again. He raised his hands slowly. "I mean you no harm. The damned castle just...and here I am. I...think it wants me to go with you."
The cloaked man properly did a bow from the Age he remembered, pressing his forehead into the floor, hoping no one else around him could notice his blush. "For right now, my duty is tied to that of Tamilyn Lews--I mean, Rand al'Thor, Dragon Reborn, last of the male Aes Sedai." He slowly, carefully stood to his feet. His face looked haggard and worn. He was swaying, despite himself. "I'm not ready to be Healed, not yet. I'm sorry." The madness seemed to be subdued for right now, strangely. "As for not touching saidin, at least one of us only touched it thrice for nearly two Ages."
|
|
|
Post by hoodwink on Apr 14, 2019 21:58:01 GMT -5
As the Vagabond prepared himself mentally for the possible battle ahead, his gaze fell on the door that loomed ahead. How far up were we...? Ailill had mentioned 'seven' floors earlier, though they had gone up one or two more since then, right? Er...wait...did we just go up one or two? For a moment, the hooded man simply spaced out in his thought, looking at the brown door. Ailill's voice broke his concentration as the man mentioned an illness not previously noted. Just as he mentioned going down a few floors, the Vagabond took a step towards the swordsman before he simply vanished into thin air. No portal. No movement. Simply within the blink of an eye, he was gone.
"Ailill?!" The Vagabond had reached out with a hand towards his comrade, only to have grasped empty space. He stood there on the raised platform before the wooden door, alone. For a moment, silenced filled the vacant room. Thud. Thud. Thud. Beating heavily, his heart roared against his ribs as the Vagabond realized what had just happened. He's going to just rush in and meet them?! What was the entire point of everything they had been doing then? Hadn't he just said they were going to meet these guys and lure them into a trap? What the hell is going on?!
Kicking the clear white floor beneath him, the Vagabond's fists clenched at his sides as he gritted his teeth. What the hell is he thinking?! The hooded man rushed off of the steps, running through the foyer back towards the staircase the two had entered from. Moving with a surprising speed, the Vagabond skipped multiple stairs at a time as he hurtled down the white staircase. "Ailill!!!!" He had to find the swordsman, who knew what he was getting himself into. The Vagabond wasn't entirely sure what would happen if he reentered one of the previous memories, but he knew he had to go down if he wanted to find his new friend.
He crashed through the entrance of the previous memory, ready to go down the next couple of floors in search.
|
|