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Post by GX1997 on Feb 5, 2014 17:20:26 GMT -6
"I won't go. I want to go back to my old home, back in Censa. I want all you people to leave me alone," she said as she continued sobbing, while pulling her legs up to her chin in a fetal position once again, in order to keep Graecius from hugging her.
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Feb 5, 2014 20:20:09 GMT -6
Throughout the three days since fighting the Golem, Pearl had two main focuses: improving her speech and finding an outfit she liked. Her old battle armor was found outside the Galatine house in the morning proceeding, most likely delivered the same way her weapons were. She began to grasp the concept of determiners in Cleatian, but no audible progress. She developed a fondness for skirts when she first tried one on, and after some pleading, she got Arcturus to buy her a few as well as a traveling bag. Among other things, she found an Inn with sweet bread nearby.
Wait! Don't go yet... There's still so much I want to ask! Jam wakes up startled. First time she's had the dream in a century. I don't even know who he is. Why did the dreams start again? Why does he offer me his hand? If only Rhea was here, Well I'll tell master later after going to the Inn. Sitting around for about minute closing her eyes, she finally gets up. Her initial trip is to the closet where she changes into a light blue women's tunic and a green, medium length skirt. Grabbing her bag, she brushes by the older man. She hugs Arcturus by the waist. "Master, Jam go buy bread. Come back 20 minutes." She skips out without even noticing the two strangers or Elia.
Merrily humming the tune Barbas usually whistles at the forge, she goes to an Inn one block across the street. "Hello Mister Bakery man. Jam come buy favorite."
"Why if it isn't my latest customer! Say Pearl why were two men knocking on the front door so loudly?" She stares back at him with a blank expression.
"Someone Knock?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 5, 2014 20:40:34 GMT -6
"I'm sorry." Graecius lowered his head as he stood back up. "I would be more than willing to take you back to Censa, but there is no village named Censa anymore. It was burned to the ground by barbarians two years ago. You have no home, and we're offering you the finest in Cleatia. So please, just come with me. Come live a new life in Shaldra."
Arcturus was just about ready to help to try and convince Elia to go with Graecius when Pearl snuck up behind him and gave him a hug before telling him something. The older man gave him a strange look, but turned back to the matter at hand a second later.
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 5, 2014 20:54:45 GMT -6
"My entire family... dead?"
Elia took a minute to let that soak in, before she felt like she might faint. She continued to cry, her eyes now shut tightly to try and stop the tears and shut out the cruel world around her.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 5, 2014 21:09:00 GMT -6
"Don't cry." Gaecius sat down in a cross-legged position in front of Elia. "Death is but a passage into new life. You shouldn't be sad, but glad that they gave their lives so the world could move on. They will always be with you, as long as you keep them in your heart. Even though your family may not be here in person, we did find something buried in Cesna's ashes left for you by them."
He burrowed his hand into his cloak to bring out a pair of tear-drop shaped golden earrings.
"These were found were the Arrington home once stood. I hope they bring you joyous memories."
Arcturus could only stand there silently as he watched Graecius treat Elia kindly as he tried to stop her sorrow.
I can't stop them. It seems they only want the best for her, but she keeps denying them. Why? Why prolong your suffering?
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Feb 5, 2014 21:17:01 GMT -6
Running back with a brown bag filled with various loafs and deserts, she climbs the stairs to find someone offering Elia earrings and Arcturus observing. "Master, what happening?"
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 5, 2014 21:23:07 GMT -6
They're... so beautiful. How could my family afford to buy them?
Elia continued to cry, though not as much as she had been. She clutched the earrings tightly in her right hand, and held it near her heart, eyes closed once again while she thought. After several minutes that felt like hours for her, Elia opened her eyes, and looked at Graecius. He seemed to genuinely care, and somewhere inside that changed something in Elia.
Still holding the only thing she had left of her home and her family close, she slowly extended her left hand to Graecius.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 5, 2014 21:23:56 GMT -6
"Pearl, be quiet." Arcturus told the nymph quietly as he placed a finger over her lips. "Elia's going through something right now, so let's not bother her."
He then grabbed her hand and pulled her up next to him to keep her still as he watched Graecius take Elia's hand and pull her up off of the floor.
"Come, Elia." the man said with a friendly smile. "I'd like you to meet your new family."
Wait, is he trying to marry her or something?
"My name is Graecius." he continued as he began to lead Elia towards the door. "I'll be your new brother."
Thank goodness.
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 5, 2014 21:33:39 GMT -6
A new family? But... no one can replace my family. Are they really going to try to replace them?
Elia slowly walked with Graecius, a million thoughts going through her mind. But in the end, she always came back to one in particular.
They're dead...
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 5, 2014 21:51:56 GMT -6
"Uncle Pollux, we're leaving." Graecius addressed the older man as he walked down the steps with Elia.
The older man, presumably Pollux, gave Arcturus a bow before following his nephew down the stairs. They all looked set and ready to go, but as they headed out the door, Arcturus dropped in from a portal and blocked their path.
"I understand the kindness you are doing her." he spoke as he held Lenna in his right hand. "But the question I ask is 'Why'. Why go through all this trouble to help her? What makes her so special besides the fact that she's a Type-1?"
"Perhaps you would like to come with us to find your answer?" Pollux responded as he pulled Arcturus aside. "I'm sure she would appreciate a friend coming along with her for this, young master..."
"Galatine." Arcturus replied as he put Lenna away and walked up to Graecius. "Arcturus Galatine. And yes, I would like to go. The palace seems like it would hold a fantastic library, perhaps as great as Alucard's."
"Well that's settled, Arcturus, you're coming along." Pollux graciously spoke with a smile bordering on friendliness and self-satisfaction.
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 5, 2014 22:09:57 GMT -6
"I think it will be good for Arcturus to come," Elia said, breaking her silence, but not for long.
I wonder what the palace is like? If it has a nice library like Arcturus thinks, I think I'd like to visit see it for myself. I don't have my old books, but if there are that many...
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 5, 2014 22:20:30 GMT -6
"Well, I did promise that you could have almost anything you want." Graecius smiled a bit as they entered the business district. "Don't worry, he would've come along anyways. It would be good for both you and father."
"Lord Graecius," Arcturus spoke as he stopped by an alleyway. "I have created a network of slipspace portals throughout the city, so we could take one to Grangold Academy. It would speed up the trip by quite a bit."
Pollux looked at Elia who raised no objections before Graecius yawned as he stretched his neck.
"Sure, anything works."
Arcturus nodded as he opened up the portal and directed everyone into it before walking into it himself.
"I'll never get used to that." Graecius remarked as he lurched over in nausea.
"Get going, we needn't waste time." Pollux spoke in a wise tone as he lead the group uphill towards the royal district.
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 5, 2014 22:23:58 GMT -6
"I don't like them either, Graecius."
As they walked further, Elia saw a huge, magnificent building ahead.
"Is that the palace?" she asked Graecius and Pollux.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 5, 2014 22:57:53 GMT -6
"Yes indeed." Pollux answered as Arcturus gave a whistle. "It is also your new home. I do hope that you enjoy it. Be warned though. Titus may be physically fit as a fiddle, but his mind has taken a great toll from stress.
The group walked up a small set of stairs that led to the palace before being met by four guards who let them past and into the entrance hall. The decorum within the hall itself was beautiful. All sorts of paintings and sculptures lined the walls along with fancy vases that rest on pedestals inbetween each glossed marble column. As breathtaking as it was, the throne room was far grander. The polished marble was pristine white and decorated with gold crests along with a lush red carpet leading to the throne where Emperor Titus sat, wearing his royal toga and laurel crown.
"We have brought Elia as you have requested, father." Graecius stood as the other three bowed in respect. "We also brought a friend of hers, Arcturus Galatine, who was housing her while we were searching. He came along wishing to know why you wanted to take Elia in as your own."
"Well then, he ought to know." Titus responded cheerfully as he stood up off of his throne. "Stand up, you three. Especially you, Arcturus. Now, I summoned Elia here because of a great problem within this house that extends to the farthest reaches of the kingdom. For years, I've been plagued by grief and agony, and Elia can remove that. You see, 34 years ago, in the beginning of my reign, I had a daughter. She was bright and beautiful, much like Elia. You could even say that Elia is her spitting image. She was my pride and joy, my brightest light in this life. However, when she was sixteen years of age, she just disappeared. For years, I hadn't been able to get any sleep. Was it my felt she left? Was she stolen away because I was unable to protect her? Did deep down, think I was a bad father and ran away? I'm not sure, but ever since, it has haunted me. That is, until I heard of you, Elia. You are even a Type-1 like her. Your family had passed away, and I felt it my responsibility to do for you what I was unable to do for Caesaria."
Caesaria, that was mother's name.
Arcturus stood, not sure whether to be in awe or dumbfounded by Titus' reasoning.
He isn't doing this for himself, but for Elia and Cleatia. He knows that if he loses his mind, Cleatia will be sundered. Now I understand why he went through all this trouble.
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 5, 2014 23:10:23 GMT -6
Wait, what? That description, and the name, it all matches...!
Elia was speechless, and she looked at Arcturus. Judging by the look on his face, he knew that some of it matched up, but obviously he didn't know all of the story.
His father must not have told him everything. But still, this is just crazy!
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Feb 5, 2014 23:55:28 GMT -6
Left to my own devices again. At least I got breakfast. Jam sits down at the table, watching the cat take a nap, listening to the sound of forge, and counting the seconds turned minutes turned hours. When will I ever find out who that man is...
510 years ago
"Is she ours?"
"Yes. She is to be the last of my daughters, and your first."
"She's beautiful. Such a shame I'll miss out on her life."
"You still intend to go through with this foolish plan?! Even if it means depriving her of a father?!"
"If there's only a sliver of a chance I can rid the world of that monster, I'll take it. I want the world she grows up in to be gentle and kind. Besides, why give her something to mourn? I'm only mortal." The hooded man caresses the infant's cheek. She smiles and reaches out to him. Taking hold of his hand and giggling all the while. He returns her smile. Walking through a portal, he vanishes into the courtyard of a Gothic castle.
"Rhea, take her to the lake. Raise her as I did you. Watch her until she's ready." The goddess hands the now crying infant to her oldest descendant. The white haired nymph cradles her in her arms. The rocking motion lulls her into a gentle sleep. "As you will it Mother."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 6, 2014 10:54:24 GMT -6
"What's wrong, Elia?" Titus inquired as he walked down the steps that led to his throne to inspect Elia's face. "You look like you've just had a frightening epiphany. Are you okay?"
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 6, 2014 11:16:13 GMT -6
"Oh, I'm fine. It's just a lot to take in."
If I really am going to live here, I'll need to learn how to hide my reactions better.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 6, 2014 12:02:40 GMT -6
"You'll get used to it." he told her as he put his hand on her shoulder. "However, Elia, you will need a new name. It may raise controversy for others to find out I had adopted a foreigner, so a Cleatian name should help prevent that. You should choose your own name though. It is yours, after all."
Titus let go of Elia's shoulder as he spotted the small black mark on Arcturus' forehead hidden behind his hair.
"Young sir, I noticed a small tattoo on your forehead. What is it?" he asked Arcturus as he walked directly in front of him.
"Your lordship, it is a sign of a curse." Arcturus answered graciously with a bent knee. "In about a year from now, my flesh will turn to stone. That is, unless I kill whomever placed it upon me. It should be none of your concern."
"No need for formalities." Titus responded with a hearty laugh as he pulled Arcturus up. "Even I hate them. Come, we should celebrate. Plus, I would like to reward you for your service to Elia. Those that my son entrusted her with before were uncaring swine. They have been punished."
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 6, 2014 12:14:45 GMT -6
But... how am I supposed to just choose a new name?
Elia didn't say anything as she just followed the other's lead, as she felt very out of place in the palace. Her face showed little emotion as she struggled with so many different things inside, and felt very drained. The one thing that was clear was that she wasn't comfortable there.
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