vibrafinal | 1st moon [accidental video]

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1st moon [accidental video]

Did... did we fail? Did that being somehow kill us all?

[The video post must accidental, because it shows a naked, pale male chest. It looks like someone is holding his journal against himself in a desperate attempt to ward off the cold.]

I cannot remember him attacking... Perhaps I hit my head? But would the afterlife not heal such wounds? [The sound of rustling hair.] No blood, and no swelling. Perhaps the wound can be healed, but the amnesia cannot? ...I suppose it matters not, in the end.

[His feet barely make any noise on the ground, but his body is obviously moving, even from such a close range.]

I should be thankful I appear to be the only one present at least. Perhaps Ceodore and the others have survived... As long as this crisis is averted, my death is an acceptable price to pay. But still, I’d hoped...

[But whatever he’d hoped, he does not say.]

...I should try to find my sword and shield. This afterlife might not be as pleasant as it appears to be.

[[ooc: As a reminder, tags will come from

puppet_paladin.]]

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[Rydia doesn't look as though she would protest that at all. If it was possible, she would have Meteored them all long ago.]

The ones who hold the most power here, though don't think we aren't looking to change that. I'd love nothing more than to break their hold on us. Even if we can't return, we still deserve to live a life free of experimentation and forced battle.

[Leave it to Ceodore to inject some of his mother's kindness into the situation.]

But better us than the civilians or children. They don't belong out there.

...Yes. Yes, you're right. Someone has to fight in their place.

[He calms down, slightly. But he's still angry, and it shows.]

Have their been any attempts to overthrow them? Do we have anything they might want or need?

[Rydia takes to pacing, answering the second part.]

They want us for their experiments and as fodder...that's all I know for sure, really. I can't even say they want us for our powers, since they have plenty of people here with none. If there's a viable pattern, it has yet to be revealed.

I don't believe that one that says they can't help it.

[Ceodore doesn't like the Malnosso or their methods any more than the other two do. It takes a lot to break the boy's trust, but he'd just as soon end their captors himself. He's pretty fed up with having the people he cares about messed with.]

[Cecil leans against the oven and sighs.]

This is the second time in mere weeks I find myself in a situation where I cannot be certain I have the power to do anything, and I am starting to hate it. Are we supposed to merely play along until the opportunity to rebel arises?

Edited 2011-03-10 17:00 (UTC)

[As much as Rydia hates to say it....]

More or less, unless you can find out something we don't about them and how to fix this. With our abilities not at full power, that barrier in place and those Malnosso elusive...it hasn't been easy. But if there was a chance to do something about them, I'm sure there would be a lot of people willing to jump at it.

[The concept that his father could possibly ever feel powerless is so foreign to Ceodore, who's idolized the man from birth, that he just stands there staring dumbfounded.]

I'll look for a sword and start training, then. Perhaps with enough time, I could bring my strength back to its usual levels. I might also try to figure out new band combinations... Between the five of us, we'd have access to a few, but since most of you have never used them... We need all the power we can get.

[Don't worry, Ceodore. Cecil will change that powerlessness into determination quickly.]

Edited 2011-03-11 00:06 (UTC)

[Rydia nods, eager to learn more Bands.]

There's a good place to train--the battle dome. It's pretty close by, so I can show you soon. In there, we can simulate environments to mimic those we know at home, fighting monsters that we know...or pick something completely different, if we so choose. Kain and I have spent considerable time there.

[There's a pause and considering look, as she wonders what to tell Cecil about Kain....]

[Like that's not going to be an awkward conversation to sit in on. Ceodore however is oblivious that it might be coming and nods eagerly.]

It's great!

It sounds rather advanced, if it can simulate environments. The two of you will have to show me how to use it. When will Kain return? He'd certainly be happy to join us for training.

[Cecil is oblivious right along with Ceodore. Nope, nothing awkward here!]

[She sighs, suddenly finding the window fascinating--but, no. Time to face this, and so she turns to look directly at Cecil.]

In a couple of days, but he might not be in any shape to train when he returns. Kain went to...get a penalty removed. When you die here, they take away something from you, but we've since found a way around that. Still, it can have side-effects.

Edited 2011-03-11 02:35 (UTC)

[Ceodore winces and looks away.]

One of those is my fault.

[For a few seconds, there is nothing but shock on Cecil's face.]

[...But soon that shock is replaced by fury.]

Kain was killed? ...Who was responsible? How does this settlement deal with criminals?

[At the moment, he's taking Ceodore's words as a 'I couldn't save him' type of feeling.]

[Oh, no. Rydia doesn't want Cecil killed, too. She rakes a hand through her hair.]

It was in battle, when we were both drafted. I...died, too. Kain found out, and...he didn't want to live anymore. So, he sought this demon who was also drafted, someone that he's fought many times, and....

[Staring away. So much guilt in that expression. Ceodore is going to have to finish.]

[Ceodore's head has been on a downwardtilt and he only just lifts his eyes. Leaving Rydia to be killed was bad enough, but then telling Kain.... Despite all the reassurances and lectures to the contrary, Ceodore still holds himseful fully responsible for both deaths.]

I tried to protect him from the demon and... he pushed me out of the way and took a blow meant for me. It killed him.

[His first thought is "Thank goodness, he kept Ceodore safe." It almost makes him feel guilty, and he looks out the window to distract himself.]

...At least it was in battle, and not due to some treacherous attack in his sleep.

[A very cold comfort, that is. His next words are bitter.]

Demons and battles, all these deaths... I suppose it'll feel like home, then. How is the local moon?

[Rydia shakes her head, almost relieved to move away from that topic though knowing there's still more to tell.]

Not like ours. It's just...there. We can't reach it, and it doesn't seem to affect us in any way.

Not even my magic.

[Which Ceodore hadn't really noticed at first, until he realized that it wasn't any stronger or weaker, except when he was sent out with the drafts and that didn't coincide with the moon's phases at all. the bitterness from his father is a new sensation and the young prince wonders if home truly has become so dire as all that.]

We have this small blessing, at least. This world seems terrible enough without having to worry about moons.

[Not that he looks very happy or relieved. Going from active to helpless is not a pleasant feeling, and it's obviously affecting him.]

The boost to our powers could have been useful, but it's not necessary. I'll adjust to its absence soon enough.

[Rydia nods encouragingly, not wanting him to focus entirely on the negative.]

There's also powers to be gained by contacting the filial spirits, so that helps a little. They don't work outside the barrier, as I've already discovered.

[Despite being both relieved to have his father back and concerned about this new round of ominous stuff at home that's to come... he's also very much still a teenager. Having nothing much to contribute to the discussion of filial spirits, he begins rummaging the kitchen for more to snack on. Boy's gotta eat. He finds a stashed bag of bakery cookies and starts to chow into those while Dad and Rydia chat.]

Are there? Perhaps they could be combined with our natural powers... You mean that you've gained some of them? Are they safe? Did they affect you in anyway?

[For some time now, Cecil had been craving fresh fruits and vegetables. But he's so hungry, those cookies look rather tempting. He'll be glancing at them every so often.]

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