Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Human Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Sabby on 19-09-2008, 17:40:15</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sabby</strong> on <strong>19-09-2008, 17:40:15</strong>
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				Once a thriving monastery, Circadus Academy was nestled into the crook of two great mountains, protected on three sides by the great cliff faces, and before a colossal drop to the forests below. The old town and its wealth of knowledge, veterans and young talent was hidden away from the world, but it wasn't a mystery to the world. Everyone who had ever felt the flow of magic, natures natural force, through their body, would hear eventually of this place. Those with gifts were sent here to learn, and many would return great and power people, with the elements at their sides and many skills to assist in times of both peace and war.<br><br>Abandoned as it was by eastern monks, the old temple had a distinct Asian quality to it, much of the ground unpaved in favor of well tended grass. The sun was high up but the air was stagnant and cold, the hot breath of the many young trainees frosting before them as they trained and sparred. In one such clearing, in a ring of turned soil, stood Jakkalin.<br><br>A sour faced girl of Eastern appearance, she seemed to always taste lemons. High cheekbones, slanted green eyes and smooth, white skin, she would have been considered pretty if she knew how to smile. Thin, nimble and sinuous, she gave the impression of a viper, one that may strike out at anything and anyone. This was not far from the truth, sadly. Her emotional state was something that was always bringing new gossip to the Academy.<br><br>Brought here as a baby bound in blankets, she was abandoned by her mother, for she bore an ominous birthmark. A candle flame. This had always been her home, but never had she been happy. She grew with a powerful and growing hatred of all things around, and looked upon happy lovers and families with self destructive rage. While this fire was always just below the surface, her mental and emotional stability went much deeper then simple anger, and more then a few times she had simply cried for her self inflicted exile.<br><br>Wearing a simple set of sack cloths, a pair of knee length pants and a shirt, she tossed her two long, thick ropes of black hair out of her face and spread her feet, hands near the hilts of her two weapons, a long and slender sword on her back, and wicked looking dagger at her left hip. Her feet were bare but she needed no foot wear. <br><br>"Ready?" the few times she was genuinely happy was during sparring with her friend. She would almost always lose to the girl, but she was one of the few people that she could fight against without ridicule or argument.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brittlby</strong> on <strong>19-09-2008, 22:39:15</strong>
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				Mezolene stood on the opposing end, her staff perched upon her shoulderblade, giving her the look of a crucified woman. Her petite burgundy satin vest, strained to maintain her modesty. Cunningly woven with strips of a pale white leather, the garment was left open, exposing her slickened flesh from the collar down to the sash at her navel. Under the best of circumstances, it failed to hide the swell of her breasts from prying eyes, though it offered modest coverage for her small dark nipples.<br><br>Slick. Her skin was always slick with fine oils, both her body and her movements marked by a fluid grace, like a dolphin. She seemed to swim through the air more than step, as she clutched her staff. The hollow metal weapon made a whistling chime as she spun it about her neck, the gesture sending her beaded golden braid tinkling merrily.<br><br>She snapped her head about sharply, sending the shimmering tail spinning as it wrapped about her slender neck. Her staff continued to sing as it rolled down the length of her forearm, as she swung it into an underhanded grip, her slender white gloved fingers clutching its length gently. Mezolene extended her free hand out, the palm open towards Jakkalin for balance, "Do you best, Jakka!"<br><br>It wasn't meant as any kind of reproach or snub. Mezolene was simply more skilled and they both knew that. Once when they were younger, Mezolene had made the mistake of letting Jakkalin win. She had been so furious with Finch, that she didn't speak to her for three weeks. Since then, Mezolene had made certain to give it her all, no matter how much she didn't want to at times.<br><br>She had promised, and Finch wasn't the type to make promises lightly. Her pale white boots scrapped against the floor as she spread her legs into a comfortable stance and waited for Jakkalin.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sabby</strong> on <strong>20-09-2008, 03:58:15</strong>
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				Striding forward, she looked her dead in the eyes, drawing both her blades and picking up her pace into a canter. She growled and closed the distance, leaping into a strong kick at the girl. This was an ill thought move, as Mezolene was on the defense and waiting, but caution and planning had never been her strongest traits. She simply threw as much energy into her attacks as she could.<br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brittlby</strong> on <strong>20-09-2008, 06:23:42</strong>
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				Mezolene veered bonelessly to the left, dropping to one knee as she sidestepped Jakka's wild kick. The end of her staff dropped, the glistening muscles of her arms tensing for a moment. From her crouch, Finch had both an opening and the proper leverage to flip Jakkalin over onto her face. It would be simple to just stand up, hook the staff behind her knee, and lift. <br><br>Mezolene let out a sigh as she instead somersaulted forward to put some distance between them as Jakkalin sailed over her. She rolled to her feet, turning about with a whirl of her staff and arms, to keep Jakkalin at bay as she fell back into her defensive position, "You're getting stronger, but slow down. Remember your breathing, Jakka." It was true. Jakkalin was getting much stronger, but then it hardly mattered as she was becoming more reckless.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sabby</strong> on <strong>20-09-2008, 06:34:25</strong>
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				She landed on her feet and turned to face her again, weapons held behind her in an assassin style backwards grip. She calmed a fraction and took note of her words. Mezolene was one of the only people that could 'lecture' her. "I'm breathing fine..." she muttered under her breath, and came at her again. She stepped into ranged and slashed her sword in a wide, horizontal arch. It was obvious the blades were bound in soft leather to avoid serious injury. As the blade sailed across, she continued her twirl and brought dagger her way as well. Using the momentum of the twirl, she brought her leg around in a wide, powerful kick to her neck area. One of those landing was enough to send anyone down.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brittlby</strong> on <strong>20-09-2008, 07:00:10</strong>
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				Finch's eyes widened at the glint of the blade through the leather, reacting before rational thought could register. She leaned backwards, as if she were attempting to limbo beneath the blade. The sword didn't even come close as Mezolene stretched over past the point of maintaining her balance and fell backwards.<br><br>Finch lifted her arms up over her head, the tip of her staff clanking against the ground as she stopped her fall. It was a move that Jakka had seen before though, she followed up with her dagger lunging down towards Mezolene's exposed abdomen. Finch kicked off of the ground, twisting her body awkwardly out of the way, the dagger missing by an inch. So close was the downward strike that the cool skin of Jakka's hand brushed across Finch's taut stomach. <br><br>Her breath tickled against Jakka's shoulder as she warned, "Step back." Jakkalin had to know she was too close. Mezolene was a grappler at close range, and they were skin to skin. The proper move was to step back for some room. Instead, Jakka continued to spin, bringing her leg about for a roundhouse kick.<br><br>Finch bobbed beneath the flailing leg, the gravel biting through her gloves as she pushed off of the ground and back up onto her feet. Standing back to back with Jakka, she jerked her arm back sharply, the tip of her staff whistling past the fiery girl's ear before it came to a halt. The hollow weapon's keening howl faded slowly, the two girl's back to back, Finch's staff had only missed the back of her head by the narrowest of margins... and it was clearly intentional. Finch leaned back against her, whispering, "Thank you for sparring with me, Jakka." <br><br>What? Thank you? Did she think it was over?
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skilgannon</strong> on <strong>20-09-2008, 15:04:45</strong>
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				Nikkolas came flying down from the citadel, his friends were sparing again, he was supposed to be there but had gotten so caught up in his lesson and then stayed behind to discuss with Master Orin about the certain application of Keflas root in a potion and the possibilities... never mind he chided himself, if he wasn't lucky he would miss the whole thing and Jakalin had wanted him there so he could see that new move she had been practicing.<br><br>Lean and swift he moved over the grass, his sandled feet flying, he slowly deepened his breathing and let the lan flow past him, his every step seemed to extend further than possible letting the ground flow under him as he covered the distance in half the time most people could, seeing the glint of metal and the flash of golden hair he knew they had begun and slowed...<br><br>Not caring about his expensive looking black robes, he flopped down onto the ground sitting and watching his two best friends, the glowing Mezoline, always smiling, always cheerful and his friend Jakalin, always on the outside, her determination and internal strength a thing of envy to him.<br><br>Watching as Mezoline's carefully aimed staff whistled past Jakalin's ear he saw how good she was and not for the first or he doubted the last time he wished he was as good... He saw Jakalin's eyes narrow and knew she was about to suddenly take the sparring match far too seriously again...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sabby</strong> on <strong>20-09-2008, 15:39:11</strong>
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				She knew this position well... the staff just hovering before the defeating blow. She knew if Mezolene had finished that attack she would have finished the fight. Her knuckles went white on her weapons hilts, shaking slightly for a second. "Two... moves..." she mouthed, almost in disbelief. <br><br>Grunting, she turned with a back hand swipe, a blind but incredibly strong attack. The move brought her into a tight crouch, and she rammed her skinny shoulder up and towards the girls torso. It was without pause she pushed her attack, weapons made for speed and finesse used as if clubs, banging against any guard she managed to strike. Ever time a gap was presented between the two, she would hop to close it, often times trying to sweep the girls feet out as she did so, or paralyze her with a kick to the kidneys.<br><br>This was not a battle she could win... these raging attacks could never last long enough to put the girl down, and soon her exhaustion was showing.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brittlby</strong> on <strong>20-09-2008, 16:55:17</strong>
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				Mezolene closed her eyes. She always replayed the match afterwards in her mind's eye. With her breath held, she felt the wind as Jakkalin spun about to attack. It wasn't the first time, but it was the first time in a while that Jakka had lost her temper after sparring. Finch didn't move, her head bowing slightly as she let out a sigh the moment before Jakka's wild backhand slapped against her shoulder blade. <br><br>She staggered from the fury more than any real pain, spun around by the blow. Then she felt pain as Jakkalin drove her shoulder into her exposed gut. Finch gagged as the air was knocked out of her, her lavender eyes snapping open in shock. Wheezing for air, she dropped her staff from numb fingers, her arms lifting up to try and block the flurry of blows.<br><br>More of a punching bag than an opponent, the soft leather opened welts across her golden arms. Jakka's knee lifted up over and over into her kidneys, elliciting a pained grunt from the girl as she was pressed back. Only the observant who knew her might have noticed, as Jakkalin moved to take her legs out, Mezolene's foot stepped deftly up and out of the way. <br><br>It was so deliberate and well timed, it was apparent she wasn't as helpless as she seemed. She just didn't want to be knocked down. She was letting Jakka rage. As the blades began to slow, Mezolene lifted her head up to stare at the wearied Jakkalin. She was clearly in agony from a dozen welts, a number of purple bruises already growing livid about her belly, but her breathing was shallow and unhurried. There were a hundred sets of eyes on them, Finch knew, and she also knew Jakka could feel them much more intently than anyone. The reproach, the disgust, the anger.<br><br>Mezolene was unarmed, but then she was an aero master. Jakkalin had seen her fling away three hundred pound men who were more monster than mortal with a powerful gust. Finch's arms lifted slowly, her hands open as if she were cupping the air. With a shambling step forward, she reached out, her arms delicately wrapping around Jakkalin. She was gentle as she placed the back of her hand against Jakka's head, trying to hide the girl's sour expression in her shoulder as well as hide Jakkalin's eyes so she couldn't see the gaze of the crowd. Finch was warm and soothing against her body, her lips tickling at Jakka's earlobe as she whispered almost maternally, "It's going to be okay, Jakka. I made you a special lunch last night. Let's go meet Nikkolas now, alright?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skilgannon</strong> on <strong>20-09-2008, 17:14:33</strong>
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				Nikkolas watched as Mezoline stopped the fight, knowing that she had safely brought Jakalin to the end of her strength... he hurried towards them, his robes flapping around his ankles as he adjusted the blade belt he wore with his knives.<br><br>He walked over and saw the welts on Mezoline's arms and slowly ran his hand down her arms. He didn't even ask anymore, he knew they both trusted him, opening the gateways to the healing strength in him he slowly let the power radiate from his hands, the welts dissapearing instantly, they were easy. Resting a hand on both their shoulders he let a little more flow into them, reviving them after their fight, re-energising, soothing the tired muscles just enough that they felt refreshed.<br><br>"Did I hear you mention you had been cooking again Mezoline?" He smiled for the first time that day... the thought of her delicious food always brightened his day.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sabby</strong> on <strong>20-09-2008, 17:56:44</strong>
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				Burned out, she let the girl stop her, her anger at the quick defeat having passed for now... she was quiet however, eyes downcast and face set in grim stone. It was one thing when she was raging, but her silent brooding was far worse. She simply followed her friens as they left the training field, dark thoughts blackening her mind. She had lost a thousand times before... but she was convinced she could have held her own this time.<br><br>"What a freak..." one of the boys muttered as she passed him. She knew this one... he always had some kind of whispered taunt or insult to her. She was in no mood to let his comments slide today. She turned and reared her fist back, landing a solid, cringe inducing punch to his cheek. He stumbled back and she delivered a snapping kick to his backside, lifting him off his feet and crumpling into a pile.<br><br>"You have something to say, then say it to my face..."<br><br>She turned and strode out of the clearing on her own, without her friends. She needed to be alone.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brittlby</strong> on <strong>22-09-2008, 06:31:03</strong>
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				Finch could feel the palpable rage of the girl as she began to storm off. She needed to be alone. Mezolene had learned the hard way that when Jakka had her mind set on her alone time, there wasn't anything to be done. Still she gave chase, unwrapping her braid from her sweat slickened neck as she sprinted to catch up to the retreating form. Mezolene murmured gently as she caught up, "Jakka..." She gingerly rested a hand on her shoulder, hugging her warmly from behind. <br><br>Jakkalin wouldn't brook the embrace for long, she knew, so Finch removed a small bundle from her hip pack. She pressed the lunch into the crook of Jakka's arm, reasonably sure Jakka couldn't be bothered to turn around and accept it while she was in the middle of storming away, "You'll feel better, I hope. Eat this when you do." She nuzzled Jakka's cheek with an almost maternal smile, "I love you, Jakka."<br><br>Finch let her go at last, resting her fingertips against her own abdomen as Jakka retreated. It was still sore, despite Nikkolas' efforts, the wound having gone from an angry purple to the slight yellow of a bruise on the mend. She didn't want him to remove it though. A little pain was cathartic at this point, particularly since she had hurt Jakkalin.<br><br>Turning around, she tilted her head at the boy who was nursing his swollen jaw. She knelt by him, sweeping the hair from his eyes, "Talin... are you okay?" She hadn't heard what he'd said, but Finch could guess. She knew him. She knew all of the students after all.<br><br>Talin hadn't been the same since his mother had passed on. It had made him so sad. But unlike Jakka, the fire didn't burn within him. He just wanted to fit in. Maybe if he pointed out the strange girl, no one would notice how he cried himself to sleep. Mezolene helped him to his feet, hauling his heavier form up with some effort. She looked to Nikkolas for a moment, before nodding to Talin, "I'll help you to the infirmary after lunch."<br><br>Nikkolas could heal him. Probably he WOULD heal the boy if she asked, but... she certainly wasn't going to. Jakkalin was as much his friend as hers, and Talin had hurt her. The hardest lesson Finch had learned was not to dictate morality to others. Everyone had their own idea of what was right and what was just. What was right, wasn't always fair... <br><br>It was Nikkolas' choice to be noble or to be just. Either way, she was thirsty, and said as much, "I'm parched to the bone. I've got a lunch for you too, if you're interested, Nik." She wanted something cool to drink more than anything, her richly tanned flesh shimmering with a thin sheen of sweat. She offered Talin a sheepish shrug, fanning herself to cool down, "I only have the two... But I can share mine with you if you're hungry." She offered, bending down to retrieving her singing staff from the ground. Knocking the dirt loose from it, she peered over her shoulder at Jakka, who was a small speck in the distant courtyard, "... you can help yourself. I'm not very hungry today."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skilgannon</strong> on <strong>22-09-2008, 21:35:19</strong>
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				Nikkolas watched Jakalin leaving and felt his heart sink. The food was always delicious but having the two of them sat with him always made him feel complete, surrounded by the only two important people in his life. He looked at Talin, a brief wave of anger and pity washed over him then with a soft sigh he moved towards him, placing his hand on Talin's jaw he let a small healing burst flow out of his hand, easing the swelling and letting the jaw recover almost all the way.<br><br>He turned his back and walked towards Mezoline. Reaching into his small bag... "I know how parched you get after your sparring here..."<br><br>He pulled out a small vial, just enough for about 5 mouthfuls... "Try this, it is my new formula, I was working on it yesterday and I perfected the taste this morning. A sip should be like a full mouthful of the most refreshing juice..."<br><br>He smiled at Mezoline hesitantly, always afraid and unsure, he knew she liked him but never believed in himself enough to take things further. He gently placed the vial in her hand...<br><br>"Now what were you saying about lunch?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brittlby</strong> on <strong>23-09-2008, 01:56:44</strong>
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				Mezolene eyed the vial suspiciously, before grasping the neck of Talin's shirt. Tugging on it, she deposited her second bundled lunch down his shirt with a laugh, "And you stop being a goon. You're better than that, Talin. Eat and feel better, okay?" She left him speechlessly clutching at the bulge in his shirt, wrapping her arm around Nikkolas'. Linked at the elbows, Finch nudged him in the ribs playfully before dragging him away from the sparring area, "So what's in this formula of yours?"<br><br>She lifted the vial up to the sun, peering at the contents curiously. Mezolene had tried his concoctions before. Healing was his speciality, but then taste was her family business. She never had the heart to tell him when it was too salty or had the plastic hint of artifice upon the fruit. Finch's family were makers of the sacramental wine, and she had been blessed with their sense of taste and smell. Some days it was more of a curse, she had to admit. But still... she upended the bottle, drinking down a tiny portion of the liquid. <br><br>Finch squinted at the flavor, divining the mechanism of how it worked. It was so tart, her mouth began to water profusely. She nudged Nikkolas again, giggling as she caught sight of herself in the reflection of the meditation pond. She looked like Jakka with her lips pursed at the sour flavor. Taking a seat at the edge of the pool, she let go of her chaperone before flopping onto her butt. Mezolene fished around, drawing out the last bundle. Peeling open the package, she took a hefty bite from one of the cakes inside, taking note of Nikkolas' face as she ate his lunch. <br><br>With a playful smile, she grasped his robe, trying to pull him down to her level, "I just wanted a bite. Here." Finch slid the rest across to him. She drummed her fingertips against her staff, as she always did when she was thinking deeply about something. Her lavender eyes worked back and forth as if they were following the train of thought across the ground. At last she breathed a sigh, resting a hand on Nikkolas' thigh, "Thank you for healing Talin." She wouldn't have held it against him if he'd turned his back on the boy. She wasn't sure whether helping him was the right thing to do, but it was what SHE would have done. If Nik had left Talin to ache, she would have understood. But then she'd forgive Nik and Jakka for anything she could think of.<br><br>The three were inseperable it seemed. Finch was clever enough to see the dilemma, but not so clever she could find a solution. She was only alone with Jakka when she was comforting the girl, and only alone with Nik when Jakkalin had stormed off to brood. She had no hesitancy or fear as her fingers tickled across Nikkolas' thigh reassuringly. There was just something... wrong about her being happy while Jakka was so miserable. She removed her hand, poking a finger against the tip of his nose, changing the subject "You eat up. We have to beg the headmaster not to write up Jakka for demerit hours. I don't want her to be punished."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skilgannon</strong> on <strong>23-09-2008, 17:49:21</strong>
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				Nikkolas ate his lunch with gusto, enjoying every mouthful though he almost choked when her hand came to rest on his thigh wondering if she knew how she affected him... confused beyond words about how he felt regarding Mez and Jak... both his best friends and sometimes he wished more.<br><br>"I can have words... he seems to like the healing potion I give him weekly now... good for his aching bones he says."<br><br>Nikkolas watched her out of the corner of his eye, once more running his gaze over her and admiring the view, perfectly formed as a warrior and a woman.<br><br>"This is delicious Mez... Thank you..." He smiled at her, his slow hesitant smile that only ever appeared around her or Jak or when he had done particularly well in his studies.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brittlby</strong> on <strong>23-09-2008, 18:23:35</strong>
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				Just as rare as his smile was Mezolene brooding. She stared at the pond, her fingers hovering across the surface. The headmaster had told her a story once. It was common enough and well known, but there was something in his voice that she knew meant it was a story for her. It was a tale of a swordsmith who was charged with fashioning the greatest sword the world had ever known for his lord. It was to be a blade that could fell an army with a single strike. <br><br>He prayed to the gods to give him the wisdom and skill, and they took mercy upon him. Into the steel he blended things which never existed. When he had finished, he cooled the blade in the blood of a dragon. The great blade hissed and split into two. <br><br>And so it was he tested the blades, dipping them in the rushing river. The first blade, serrated and sharp, cut the water, and the river screamed, so deadly was the weapon. The second was dipped into the river, parting the way without rippling the surface, the river flowing freely past as if it weren't there. He presented the lord with the two blades, each the greatest blade to be forged by man. Each could fell an army with a single strike. And of course, the lord chose the deadliest. <br><br>Mezolene murmured at the time, "Why didn't he chose both?"<br>"No man can wield two such blades for long. Eventually, a choice must ber made."<br><br>She jabbed her finger into the pond, sighing as the surface parted without rippling. As Nik complimented the meal, her smile returned and she shook off her finger, giggling, "You just don't want to eat at the mess hall." Watching him gorge, she politely made no comment, waiting until her had finished before turning her back on the pond. Leaning against the stone, she smiled softly, patting her lap, "Lay down. I wanted to talk." She was quick to add for clarity, "About Jakkalin. Our last year is coming up, Nik. What do you... plan to do afterwards?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skilgannon</strong> on <strong>24-09-2008, 17:15:54</strong>
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				Nik finished and brushed away the crumbs smiling at her and lay down, brushing his hair from his eyes, he stared up looking at the sky and the faint clouds drifting across the sky. His smile fading...<br><br>"I don't know, I guess I will travel and ply my skills across the country healing... I'm being tempted to stay, one of the Masters offered me a post as his assistant. It would mean I could stay here and train further and then teach others. I don't really know what I will do... I would like to stay with you and Jak but I am not sure what you are both going to do... I doubt Jak will stay here, she is too bitter..."<br><br>Nik stared up into her eyes and his voice faded away as he realised what he truely wanted but wan't able to speak his mind fully.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sabby</strong> on <strong>24-09-2008, 20:19:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Jakkalin sat by herself on a flat shelf of rock over looking the river that coursed down the mountain side. She held one of her knees to her chest and let the other leg dangle, bare toes just skimming the swift water. She had a blank look on her face, eyes just scanning the horizon, like she had shut down. She got like this sometimes. Her failures always took their toll eventually.<br><br>"I'm just no good... all I do is make them worry..." her thoughts went to Nikkolas and Mezolene, as they usually did. The boy had always held a soft spot in her heart of stone, but tender feelings did not come easy for the asian viper. Mexolene, however... she both confused and infuriated her, yet through no fault or wrong doing. Quite the opposite. <br><br><em>So perfect... so gifted... so loved... so... beautiful...</em><br><br>She refused to dwell on such thoughts. They were simply not in the realm of possibility for her. She sighed and let her head hang, as if to let the breeze cast her inner turmoil away for another few days. It would bottle up inside her, where it always went. Her destruction and torture was no ones fault but her own, but Jakkalin was not a mentally healthy girl.<br><br>She looked at her red and abused hand, flexing the fingers before her eyes and rolling a small body of sand in the palm. They looked like the hands of a farm girl, who plowed and toiled all day long. Such a girl would at least have rewards for her efforts, where as Jakkalin found no such thing.<br><br>"Useless..." she seethed, clenching it tight, and then the strangest of things happened. She felt an incredible heat, but it did not burn her, and when she opened her hand, all she held was a nugget of glass, as if molded in her clenched fist. She blinked, and then tossed the hissing chunk into the water, more then a little uneased.<br><br>"Did... I do that?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brittlby</strong> on <strong>24-09-2008, 20:51:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mezolene ran her fingers through Nikkolas' hair, smiling down at him softly, "That's good. I think you'd make a good teacher..." She stretched her head up to catch the same breeze that Jakkalin was enjoying by the riverside, the sun warming her cheeks, "I would always know where to find you then too. I'd like that..."<br><br>She carressed his cheek with the back of her nails, the scent of her sweat mixing with the lavender oil she favored. Her eyes snapped sharply towards the river as the wind shifted suddenly. The wind whispered to her always, and she had become expert at divine the subtle warnings carried aloft the air. Unfortunately... this was a new one. <br><br>Something had just happened. <br><br>An abomination against the natural order... but a small one, if such a thing were possible. Gooseflesh crept across her body as Finch shivered with a slight feeling of nausea. Shaking it off as she looked down at Nik, her smile warming him again, "I was asked to stay by the headmaster as well, but you know I can't let Jakka be alone. So... I suppose I'll just go where ever she does. She's not strong like you, Nik." Mezolene was always torn between the two, but if her love was divided in equal parts between Jakka and Nik... then logic had to prevail where her heart was broken. <br><br>It felt so right being with him now, but then she couldn't deny that she felt somehow complete when she held Jakkalin. Without her, Finch was somehow sure that Jakka would lose herself in her own rage. Perhaps Finch's love would be enough comfort for Jakkalin in this world where everything seemed to pierce the girl's tender heart. It was the only choice that Mezolene felt she could live with. <br><br>But she still wished that this afternoon would never end, with Nikkolas laid out upon her lap, the two of them watching the sky pass by. She kissed the tip of her finger, before pressing the digit against Nikkolas' lips, "I love you, Nik. Always. So... we'll visit all the time, I promise!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skilgannon</strong> on <strong>25-09-2008, 16:57:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Nikkolas's eyes widened as her digit pressed against his lips, everything he wanted to say seemed to boil within him... His wide eyes showed all too much of his innocence and the fear that held him in iron chains just melting.<br><br>"I will come with you both, I could not abandon Jak, and this school would not be home without you, a job is wonderful, but family and people that... people that I love are what make life worth living..." He said this last in a rush as though afraid the words would not come out.<br><br>"I love you as well Mez, and Jak and I wouldn't want to chose between you two... I would rather stay with you both but I will follow you, if you stay I stay, if you go then I will be there are your side..."<br><br>His face was pale as he struggled to say what he had been feeling for a long time...<br><br>"I love you as well Mez..." His voice but a whisper on the wind as he stared at her strong, beautiful face and that easy smile that had always comforted and befriended him ever since they met. Jak was his strength and Mez was his soul...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brittlby</strong> on <strong>26-09-2008, 06:21:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mezolene's smile didn't falter a bit as she took her middle finger beneath her thumb and gave Nik's earlobe a thump, "Stay or go. Go to the world or have it come to you. It doesn't really matter. The world is full of beautiful people. You only get to meet so many in your life. So many, vibrant and full of dreams like we were, will come here to the academy. Outside these walls though, there so many different people. I wish I could know them all, but... most of all, I'm glad to have known you and Jakka. No matter where we go or how far apart we are, we have these days. We'll always be family." She would say something like that...<br><br>It was at times maddening, and in her own special way she was as damaged as Jakkalin. Though one could not readily chastise her for nobility, self sacrafice, and a compulsive need to touch everyone's life that she crossed, the urge was always there to remind her that sometimes, you had to do something for yourself. At times it was clear that her selflessness cost her in ways she didn't seem to comprehend in these days of her youth. <br><br>Regardless, there was no debating with her. She had intentionally missed the point of his confession of love. It was so very obvious that they were equally smitten with each other, and that the strictures of friendship could scarcely contain their feelings... but then, there was Jakka. In Finch's mind though, Jakka was not an obstacle. She was a hook in her heart. Torn in two directions, Mezolene had chosen the noble thing to do, and had strove to balance her affection between the two. Just as she yearned to kiss Nikkolas now and hold him close, Finch could see herself closing her eyes, resting her head on Jakka's shoulder and passing an afternoon simply basking in her presence. She shook away her fleeting melancholy one last time, rubbing Nikkolas' shoulders as she changed the subject, "So... exams coming up, right?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skilgannon</strong> on <strong>26-09-2008, 15:44:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Nikkolas felt her miss the point and brief spike of pain went through him, not quite the reaction he had hoped for but understood that Mez was as torn by feelings for Jak as he was, confused by what was right and why it would seem to cost them the friendship of one of the three...<br><br>With a bright voice he shifted to the changed subject.<br><br>"Yep, I think I am going to be fine with my potions and magic, I can access my speed quicker and easier now though I am still not as skilled as you or Jak with my weapons. The masters say that I am improving and they can see my coordination. I don't know if they are just being kind but the other day Master Tyrin said he thought I was close to reaching the level of mastery where I react without having to think everything through, to instinctively know where to block and strike... Maybe one day I will get there but I still prefer healing people after fights than giving them the injuries in the first place..."<br><br>He lay looking up at her and the sky slightly lost in thoughts again now.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sabby</strong> on <strong>28-09-2008, 15:22:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When the next day came to be, Jakkalin was no where to be found. Her bed was left unmade and an empty bottle of seasoned spirits was laying on the ground near it. Jakkalin often sought escape through drinking, and ironically, she was quite mellow and calm when intoxicated. This was a strong drink however, and a large bottle... where ever she was, there was a good chance she was still under the beasts influence.<br><br><br>By the stream, a good distance down hill from the Academy stood the black haired Asian, in the same sack farm clothing she had worn the previous day. While her hair was entangled and frizzed, she seemed both calm and collected. She didn't often show signs of intoxication, at least physically. Her dreamy, almost placid behavior was telling, however.<br><br>"Once again..." she muttered, and summoned the flame to her hand with a crackling flick of her wrist. Her eyes narrowed as she concentrated on keeping it alive, but it soon wavered and blinked out of existence. She sighed at yet another failure in calling up the flame, but she did not get agitated. She simply tried again. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Firewind: Chaper One. The Academy in the Mountains</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Skilgannon</strong> on <strong>29-09-2008, 13:30:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Nikkolas woke early and left the Citadel, running through the hills in just his shorts, bare feet on the earth, feeling the connection, calling on his speed to move faster, sometime just a comfortable jog, other times he appeared to be just a blur moving over the landscape, this was when he felt free, running, nothing but himself, the hills and the feeling of freedom.<br><br>He slowed as he returned to the Citadel, his lessons today included fighting skills, he needed to go and collect his knives from his room. A resent from his father, his only present from his father. His thoughts turning sadder, the only respect his father had given him was when he proved he had some skills with deadly weapons. Upon reaching the age of manhood his father had given him the two Knives, inscribed and blessed and reinforced with spells they were supposed to accent his skills, enhancing them and yet he still could not find the peace and rhythm needed to wield them as he should... perhaps today would be diferent.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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