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Post by GX1997 on Feb 17, 2015 16:20:58 GMT -6
Elia's jaw dropped upon seeing the mural. She already knew that the palace had some kind of magick, making many incredible things possible, like the illusions, but that... It was something totally unexpected. Amazed, she walked toward the wall and placed her hand on the new mural, and she began to smile.
"Maybe... this represents the beginning of a new age for Gorgath. The city is going to be filled with laughter and joy again after all. I just know it."
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Post by Neo on Feb 18, 2015 15:50:26 GMT -6
"Maybe you're right," Vincent agrees thoughtfully, smiling back. At least, I hope you are... It could also mean something completely different. These murals only appear at turning points in Gorgath's history, but they do not necessarily represent a... Good turning point, as I've learned the hard way.
His eyes wander to the mural depicting his own coronation, as if in answer to his thoughts. "Are you leaving today?" He asks suddenly, his voice soft and distant. For once, he didn't even try to hide his obvious sadness at the thought of her leaving.
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 18, 2015 21:28:29 GMT -6
"No, not today," she said, her voice echoing the sadness in Vincent's, "I shouldn't be gone very long. And I'll try to get back here as quickly as I can."
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Post by Neo on Feb 19, 2015 12:54:45 GMT -6
Vincent nods, clearly relieved. "That's good to hear. Just... Don't hesitate to call on me if you find yourself in trouble. Promise me, Elia."
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 15, 2015 19:16:42 GMT -6
"I promise you that I won't hesitate," Elia said.
If anything, I will probably end up bothering you by repeatedly calling just to have someone to talk to.
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Post by Neo on Mar 15, 2015 21:25:52 GMT -6
The remainder of the day proved to be very quiet and uneventful. Vincent spent most of the time with his student, and with his thoughts. While he remained true to his word about giving her a break from daily lessons, he still taught her more of Gorgath's history. It only seemed fitting, since she was now a part of the city. He was still uneasy about her going out on her own, but he was comforted by the fact she had both the Evening Star and his signet ring. The Evening Star would protect her against malicious or harmful magic, and with his ring, she could contact him at any time. And if someone else besides her tried to remove either object from her possession, he would know immediately. So why was he still worried?
Vincent bid her goodnight, and returned to his throne, sighing. I just can't get over the feeling that something is coming. But what? And why does the mere thought of her being hurt threaten to drive me over the edge? It's like raising Silver all over again, when she was young and I was terrified of looking at her wrong. But this is different. Elia isn't a helpless cub. She may be young, but she holds even more power than I. So why I am so scared? It doesn't make any sense...
He sighs again, and rises back to his feet. For once, sleeping on the throne doesn't actually appeal to him. He heads into his bedroom, and props the door open as a sign to Elia that's where he was sleeping. He had asked her to wake him in the morning before she left so he could see her off, but admittedly, he was worried she wouldn't.
Maybe I'm just being an old fool.
He changes out of his royal regalia and into a simple pair of black silk leggings, and slides into bed. Whether his worries are founded or no, they still make it difficult to rest. Sleep eludes him for a long time before his exhaustion finally takes over.
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 15, 2015 22:00:53 GMT -6
"Vincent," Elia's voice called softly as she stood in the doorway the next day, "Are you awake yet?"
It's so dark in his room, I can't even tell if he's still inside... Could he be somewhere else in the castle? It probably depends on if he was able to get any rest last night. He did seem worried...
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Post by Neo on Mar 15, 2015 22:28:36 GMT -6
A lamp on the bedside nightstand flickers on, bathing the room in a dim light and eery shadows. It was quite clear the room didn't see much use. "I am now," Vincent calls back, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. The dark circles beneath his eyes were even more prominent then before.
"I'll be right there. Let me just splash some water on my face and throw some clothes on."
He swings his very long legs over the side of the bed and stands up, stumbling into the bathroom like... Well, like the undead. He splashes an old rag with water and absentmindedly cleans his face, staring into the mirror and thinking. That dream again... But something felt different this time...
A minute later, he walks back out into the bedroom and over to the closet where he kept all of his clothes and armor. However, he's already halfway into changing before he remembers Elia is probably still in the doorway. "Sorry, Elia. Could you give me a minute?"
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 17, 2015 16:59:00 GMT -6
"Hmm? I'm sorry Vincent, did you say something?" Elia called from the main hall, where she had just finished setting the table so they could eat, which she had been working on for several minutes already.
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Post by Neo on Mar 17, 2015 18:26:47 GMT -6
I must be even more exhausted than I thought. Sleeping in here last night may have been a mistake...
Vincent sighs as he finishes changing into his normal travelling attire. His eyes briefly linger on the locked chest on the floor of the closet, and he hesitates. She wouldn't make the connection, would she? No... Of course not. I never explained the armor Lazarus wore in great detail. It's fine. And I may need it, if she calls on me.
He unlocks the old chest, dusts off his black and crimson mithril armor, and pulls it on over his normal clothes. He then slips his long coat over his shoulders, and straps his two legendary blades at his waist. He then walks out into the Great Hall, smiles at his student, and sits down for breakfast.
"You seem in good spirits this morning," he notes casually.
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 17, 2015 19:14:33 GMT -6
"If your words are sincere, then I must be doing a better job of hiding negative emotions," she said in a cheery tone, which likely only added to the confusion. "Today is not a day to look forward too, but sometimes there are things we simply must do, and realities we must face. I like to think that this journey will help me in the long run. It is time for some sense of closure and finality. Oh, but that's enough of my musings. The meal is ready."
Armor? That's an unusual choice for today of all days, when I won't be around for lessons. And I've never seen him use that armor before...
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Post by Neo on Mar 17, 2015 21:11:05 GMT -6
"That's a very wise way of looking at it," Vincent replies, a hint of pride in his voice. "But today isn't necessarily a bad day. Remember, I'll be with you every step of the way, even if I'm not there physically. And I'm only a thought away."
He intentionally eats slowly, knowing full well he could be called a hypocrite for wanting to drag the meal out so long just to keep her near. But... He's been called worse. As he eats, his mind begins to wander, and he starts to feel a bit nervous. She was in the Great Hall... Wasn't she? He didn't know why he felt the need to, but for some strange reason, he needed to make sure.
"I uh... I want to apologize. Before breakfast, when I was changing into my armor, I uh... I didn't realize you were here, in the Great Hall. I thought you were still waiting for me, in the doorway. I shouldn't have left the door open while I was changing, and I apologize for that. But... I mean... You were in the Hall, right?"
Good gods of old, why am I suddenly acting like a fresh faced teenager?! I'm not exactly unknown to the fairer sex, so why does simply speaking to her sometimes make me act like a bumbling farmboy?! What in the world is wrong with me...
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 18, 2015 16:00:11 GMT -6
Realizing very quickly just how close they had been to a very awkward situation, Elia's face turned red and she wasted no time snapping out her response, "Yes, I was here! As soon as you said you were awake, I came into the hall to set the table!"
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Post by Neo on Mar 18, 2015 16:43:29 GMT -6
Vincent felt an odd wave of relief and disappointment. It was a truly... Disconcerting feeling. He stares at her for a few moments, then leans back in his chair and gives a light laugh. Suddenly, all his worries were just gone, evaporated into thin air. He still didn't know how she did it. "Ah, just look at me now... How far the mighty have fallen. Thank you, Elia. Don't ever change."
He finishes his breakfast, and rises to his feet. "Are you all packed, Elia?"
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 18, 2015 17:40:37 GMT -6
"Is-... Is this funny to you?" she asked, confused by his reaction. She had yet to regain her composure, and her face was still bright red.
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Post by Neo on Mar 18, 2015 20:25:26 GMT -6
"Oh, very much so," Vincent replies, grinning. Seeing Elia so flustered made him strangely giddy. She was adorable, and It made him want to tease her more. "I find a great many things humorous, including this situation. We do live together, you know. It was only a matter of time until something like this happened. Should I just accidentally walk in on you while you're changing sometime, so we can go ahead and get it out of the way? You know what they say, better sooner than later."
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 18, 2015 20:50:39 GMT -6
Elia's tightly clenched hands flew up to her mouth in a quick, alarmed movement at his preposterous suggestion, almost as if to hold back words she desperately didn't want to say, and also as if to hide. That lasted for mere moments however, because she picked up what was left of the bread from their dinner the previous night and threw it at Vincent, hitting him in the forehead and then bouncing off, which when combined with his expression very nearly made her burst out laughing.
"But nothing actually happened! And I resent your insinuation that it did and will become commonplace in the future as well!"
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Post by Neo on Mar 18, 2015 21:00:40 GMT -6
Vincent stood there for a second, in shock, as the half-loaf of bread rolled around on the floor. "That was a perfectly good loaf of bread," he says in mock offense. "Now I have to go to the store and buy more, you bread killer. And fine, fine. Nothing happened. You would probably think I'm disgusting anyway, with all my scars and whatnot."
He meant it in a playful, casual way, even if it was true. But he still felt a pang of pain at the thought.
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 18, 2015 21:14:28 GMT -6
"No, you're wrong. I wouldn't think that. Scars are just signs of where we've been. They're part of us, but they aren't something to be ashamed of. All people have scars. They don't make anyone ugly. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a deluded fool," she said with solemn conviction, regaining most of her composure. She would have been completely composed were it not for his words. She knew they hurt him, which made them very painful and unsettling for her as well, though there was little she could do at that moment to help him.
If only he would stop shutting my words out, maybe I could do something to help him heal...
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Post by Neo on Mar 18, 2015 21:44:16 GMT -6
Vincent stares at her for a long moment. He gives a sad smile. "Maybe so, but not everyone is as understanding or as wise as you, Yekiri. But... Thank you for saying so. It means a lot to me."
He moves to retrieve the bread from the floor, when he realizes what he just instinctively called her. He freezes for a split second. The ancient Shiryuan tongue... It's been a while since I've spoken it. I guess there are some things that just never fade, no matter how many years pass.
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