Let's Begin the Research!

Oh, this does not bode well...

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:54:01 GMT

It's late in the afternoon, and Raie Sage expects her little brother home shortly, anxious to introduce the young boy to the 'situation' that has somehow fallen into Raine's lap. The woman was sitting outside her home, reading a book, and formulating in her mind exactly what to say to Genis when he came home. It wasn't going to be easy. Genis was budding into puberty and was prone to unstable emotional fits of chidlish behavior. So, how would he react to this news? Good or bad, Raine was ready for the consequences.

Genis comes up to the house, whistling a happy tune without a care in the world. He is carrying his backpack on his back and a few books in his arms. He intends to do some 'light' reading before fixing dinner for himself and his ever-considerate and oh-so-honorable big sister. So intent is he on his plans thathe faisl to see Raine sitting in front of the house until he is right upon her.

"Oh, hiya, Sis! Say, I hope you like fish cuz I was thinking of making us Fish Cakes for dinner after I did some reading. Does that sound good? By the way, what are you sitting out HERE for? I thought you had some research to do before dinner."

A smile crosses the woman's lips as her ltitle brtoehr skips up to him, her eyes taken in his care-free youthful form. How happy he must be. How his heart must sing as he skips from place to place, reading as he sees fit and soaking in all that life offers like a clean, healthy sponge. Raine's smile momentarily vanishes, as she stuggles, in vain, to remember a moment she was like that. She masks that sullen look as Genis speaks to her, "Well now...it's good that you're home, Genis, and that you're in a good mood." A soft laugh, "I have...well...a bit of an unplanned surprise for you..."

Genis stops in his tracks and looks more closely at his sister. "A surprise? What kind of a surprise? You didn't cook dinner already, did you?" Genis feels panic at the thought. Not only would dinner be horrible-tasting, but perfectly good ingredients would be wasted, as well. He hopes she didn't use any Purple Satay; it was super-rare and EXPENSIVE.

"Dinner? What's for dinner, Raine?" The voice came from a girl that seemed just on the brink of becoming a young woman. She was quite cute, but also a bit 'odd' looking... Her ears came to a small point, rather than the usual rounding like most humans, while her teeth were sharp like a feline's. The most noticeable thing, though, was that her eyes were a bright and wild red, making her appear almost demonic in the eyes of some.

She smiled warmly as she walked up, bare feet hitting the caublestones, a sweet bun in one hand, while her other held a bag most likely filled with other such treats and a small bit of flour on the tip of her nose.

A moment of silence for Genis's happiness.

-snooooooooooort-

Raine is about to answer her little brother when SHE arrives, dressed like someone who works in a bakery. Funny thing life is, yes? Raine motions to Ruby, "Genis, this is Ruby, a vagrant I picked up on the streets a few days ago. She was stealing food from a merchant and I'm rehabilitating her. ANyway, she's working at the bakery now and she'll be staying with us for a few weeks, alright?"

Raine sits back and waits to see how Genis will take this very abrupt news.

Genis lowers his books as the BGM stops playing. "You invited a thief to stay here, Sis? Why?? This is weird for you. You never like to invite people to the house and you're always yelling at me when I do it. Especially people you don't know. What's so special about HER? Is she a research project?"

Not waiting for an answer, Genis continues. "It's gonna be awkward having her in the front room. Suppose she wants to sleep when we are reading or playing a game? Are you sure you thought all this out, Sis?"

Ruby made a face as Raine called her a vagrant, which only proceeded to get worse as she was called a theif by the boy who was obviously Raine's brother. He certainly wasn't a very pleasant person. She hadn't asked for all this fuss when trying to get a bite to eat that one day... and she was only staying with them because it was better than the alley, which was all she could afford at this time. She gave a slight growl as she placed a hand on top of Genis' head and turned it so that he was looking straight at her, her red eyes seeming to almost burn with irritation. "Do you regularly insult you're guests or am I just lucky?" She gave a sniff of distaste as she let him go and returned her attention to her sweetroll.

Placing a hand over her lips, Raine stifled a coy giggle as Ruby and Genis make 'nice-nice', or total lack thereof, with each other, "My my, Genis, if I didn't know, I'd say you were envious of my sudden attentions." The woman lowered her hand, "For now, Genis, all you need know is that I am helping Ruby get back on her feet. That is all. She is..not from here..and is not use to civilized customs." He eyes slide dangerously over towards Ruby for a moment, the woman visibly keeping her cool at something. She looks back at Genis and says, "Unless you want her to have your room, Genis, I suggest you get used to her sleeping in the front room. It will only be for a few weeks, until the Baker is sure she wants to keep Ruby. After that, things will take care of themselves."

At Ruby's mishandling of him, turning his head and all that, Genis gets mad. No one touches the little mage without his permission! Certainly not a smelly thief! Genis hauls back and attempts to kick the shit out of Ruby's shins. (Athletics 2, Fire 6 to damage, 1 point physical damage)

"Don't touch me!!" he yells, attracting the attention of passersby in the street immediately around them.

Ruby gave a wicked giggle as she skipped out of the way of his kick and stuck her tongue out at him, he sharp teeth flashing in a grin. "Nyah!!! Missed me! Wanna try it again? You don't even know what you're messing with, kid... I'd watch it..." She snickered and crossed her arms, more willing to just outright ignore him than to actually pick a fight with some immature little brat. (dodge 3, adorable - unless you attack or insult someone first, they find themselves unable to inflict violence against you without first spending a power point.)

A glint goes off in Raine's eyes as her little brother and guest start to act up. This wasn't the kind of reception the grown woman was hoping for, not even close. So as she stands up her voice booms out like thunder "That's enough out of both of you!" Her hands dart out and snag a Ruby-ear and a Genis-ear, hitting the mark without fail. (Power Point to auto-hit, no damage inflicted) The Elven maiden hisses, "Now you both listen to me. This is a necessary arrangement, it's only for a few weeks, and I will NOT have neither the sanctity of my home or the stability of my routine ruined by either of you! Ruby, you are to stay out of Genis's room unless he invites you. You are a guest and will remember that we invited you here. Genis, you will show respect and honor to our guest while she is in our home. Remember the duties of the Host, little brother!" The woman looks between both 'children' and scowls, "Is this understood? We're going to get along and get through this without any huge explosions....yes....?"

As mad as he is at the other girl for offending his dignity, he knows better than to answer Raine back when she grabs ears and speaks in -that- tone. So he swallows his anger with poor grace, and says menacingly, "I'll be a good host but only if SHE is a good guest and doesn't bother me and ONLY if this is for a few weeks. And you better take a bath before you sleep on our sofa!" *glare glare*

Ruby gave a soft yelp as Raine caught a hold of her ears and there was no end of squirming. For someone that was raised without much authority, it was a bit of a shock to have it suddenly come down. "Okay!" She continued to frown as she was released, mumbling something about him starting it in the first place, but willing to comply. Until the next insult that was, which just caused the inner fire to roar back to life and also a nearby lantern to shatter. For some strange reason the small oil lamp within had suddenly exploded into an angry flame for no reason at all and the glass couldn't stand the heat nor sudden consumption of the air within. This of course was all ignored by Ruby as she glared at Genis, her voice soft and dangerous. "For your information... I bathe twice... daily... Learn to hold your tongue before you lose it..."

Neither 'child' is let go until Raine is satisfied that they are going to behave, and when Genis let's loose with another insult and Ruby quips right back, Raine holds on even tigher, "ENOUGH!" the woman bellows, "I will NOT have my home torn asunder by such childish behavior. Now, both of you, apologize to each other and then to me, at once or so help me, I will put you both over my knee." She let's the threat of a spanking sink in, then adds very calmly and gently, "After you both have apologized, we'll go inside and have a nice dinner, yes. Fishcakes are on the menu, I believe, and there is an abundance of fish out back."

Genis decides to retire from the battle field, for now. Turning to the other girl with a rather insincere smile on his face, Genis says, "Sorry for putting you out with the truth so hard. Welcome to my house. Hope you enjoy your stay."

He then turns to his sister. "I'm sorry, Sis, for not acting like a proper host. Can I get my books and go start dinner now?" (They are laying on the street, along with the backpack.)

Ruby, however, was not quite so willing to let it go. That was, of course, until Raine mentioned the fish. A sweet treasure to be coveted... loved... and eaten with oh so much love... Ruby bowed slightly at the waist, speaking her apologies to both Genis and Raine for her short temper and begging their forgiveness and patience with her. She would deal with the spoiled boy later, for now there were greater things to be granted her attention. She glanced at Genis as she heared him ask to start dinner. He was cooking? "Keep my fish raw, please?" No one could cook the fish the way she wanted, only Hiro had been able to do that and who knew where he was now...

Raine gives a sigh of defeat as she let's go of the two wayward ears, "I'll be inside..." She grabs up her book and, keeping her head as high as it can go due to being 'defeated', the elf maiden turned and walked stately into her home, not looking back at either of the miscreants.

Genis gathers up his stray books and backpack and goes into the house, brushing past Ruby without a glance. He says nothing to her. His inner peace shattered, he's gonna have to do more than just a little light reading to get back into the mood to cook a swell dinner for three. He moves into the house after his older sister.

Ruby scampered up behind them, catching up with Raine and catching a bit of the cloth of her overcoat in between her fingers. Following the woman and also trying to get her attention. "Raine... I meant to ask you something..." Her voice was soft, so as Genis might not overhear.

Stopping as she is accosted by a question she'd probably rather not hear, Raine turns and gives her guest a halfwards glance, raising an eyebrow, "Yes...? What is it?"

Ruby looked a little embarassed for a moment. "I think I might have upset the lady at the bakery... She... kinda saw something she wasn't supposed to, ya know? And I tried to be really good and everything, but I looked away for a moment and the fires in the oven kinda went out and then she kinda saw how I lit them..."

Reaching up to rub her temples, Raine staved off the headache that was urging to come, pausing only long enough to long down at Ruby and exhale through her nose, "Right..." She honestly had not a clue what Ruby was talking about, and for the moment, she didn't care. She had to get away and recenter herself. It was vital to her well-being. "Tell me about it after dinner, alright?" With that said, Raine heads into the house, to go into her room and detox.

Ruby blinked for a moment as Raine walked off. Surely what she'd just mentioned was at least intruging, right? Ruby gave a sort of shrug as she let it pass from her and moved towards the living room and the couch she'd claimed as hers. She curled up on it like a small cat would, humming softly to herself and closing her eyes as she waited for dinner.

(Fade to black...)

Teaching morality to the amoral...

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:52:06 GMT

Afternoon in Lindblum, the brids are signing, the children, just getting out of school are playing, and the citizens are preparing for the nightly activities. As she leaves the steps of the Lindblum Royal Academy, Professor Raine Sage hoists a large folder ofpapers - tests for her Junior Classmen. A contented smile is on her face as she contemplates what Genis is making for dinner.

"Look out!" The shout came from a young girl tearing past, her bare feet slapping the ground as she ran, a bag held in her arms as if her very life depended on her keeping it safe. She barely missed crashing into Raine as another cry ran out. "Stop! Theif! Catch the thief!"

Watching the young girl tear through the streets is not common enough for Raine to not take notice. And the call of 'stop' and 'thief' is enough to spring the maiden into action. She had nothing to throw by teh papers in her hand, and for a long inner moment, wrestles with the idea of stopping the girl versus sparing herself the headache. Justice wins out and Raine, with a sigh, Opens the folder and flings the storm of paper at the young girl, the paper blossoming out to stop the girl.

Ruby gave out a yelp of protest as she turned to spy her persuer and spied the paper. She took a deep breath, ready to let loose a gout of flame, but manage to stumble over a loose cauble stone instead and fall to the ground. The bag flew from her arms to the ground scattering a few fruits and more than a few fish on the ground. The girl gave a soft groan as she laid on the ground, but not before giving a small hiccup, which let loose a little puff of smoke to waft upwards and vanish into the air.

Sighing to herself, Raine walekd over to the mess and looked it over, a small frown on her lovely face. The woman closed her eyes and shook her head, "If you'r hungry, that's the wrong way to go about doing it..." That said, the woman starts to pick up her papers, sparring the girl a glance, "Are you hurt? You fell pretty hard." The soldiers are coming, of course, but Raine isn't concerned. Right now, her humanitarian side is kicking in.

Ruby made a face, curling up into a little ball. Of course she wasn't okay. The ground was hard on it's own, even more so when covered with stone. She gave a little sniffle, though the sound was muffled. "What do you care... Can't get any food from here by any way but nickin' it... shows what you know..."

Frowning some, Raine picks up the bag of spilled found and starts to place the items in the bag, one at a time. It takes only a few moments for this to happen,a nd then Raine is placing the bag of food next to Ruby. "Stealing is never a good idea, young lady. There are hundreds of different people who would pay you for a few hours honest work." The papers collected, Raine looks over the girl, still frowning. "Well. I can't have you being injured like that on my conscious." A Mage's Staff appears in the woman's hand as she says 'First Aid!' A minor white magic spell, but it'll heal minor injuries. She then reaches into her pocket and pulls out some Gil. Counting it, she waits until the merchant arrives with some soldiers. "Here. I'll pay for the girl's food. Now there is no crime committed, correct?"

Ruby sat up and glared at the merchant. He'd started to problem in the first place. Demanding she pay for anything she wanted. How dare he! She had no money and she'd been hungry! What kind of bully was that. She huffed softly , grabbing her bag and hugging it. Bright red eyes still smoldering with irritation.

The merchant took the money, but returned the small girl's glare. "That's fine, but if I see her around my stand again, I don't care. She'll lose a hand to my knife for stealing from me." Ruby growled at him, red eyes flashing as she barred her sharp teeth, causing the man to shudder and make the ward for demons. She certainly looked like one with those teeth, eyes, and pointed ears.

"We're not Barbarians!" snapped the woman to the merchant, "It's infantile and 7th Century to go around threatening to remove body parts simply because one is hungry and steals food. Besides, this isn't Siraag, this is Lingblum." The Professor glares at the merchant, "Get out of my sight!" White hair moves as the woman promptly tursn to look -down- at Ruby, "And you...you and I are going to have a little talk." A hand firmly comes out and grabs Ruby's arm, not painfully, but very firmly. Raine knows just where to hold a person to partially constrain them without hurting them. And unless Ruby resists, Raine will pull Ruby to a shadier spot further from the University doors, and prying eyes and ears.

Ruby really only let the woman take her since she'd gotten rid of the merchant, which she glanced at from older her shoulder and stuck her tongue out at him. That didn't keep her from swatting at the woman's hand, once she began to lead her away though. "I can walk on my own..."

Raine does not let go. Although there is a sincere kindness about her, there is a very stern look in her eyes. She brings the girl to a bench and instructs her, "Sit." Dusting off her bright orange frock coat, she inspect her papers for damamger, looking at each one until she is satisfied that they are okay.

Ruby sat down, hugging her bag, then snooping inside it and grabbing a small fish. She popped it into her mouth and swallowed before looking at the woman. "So what... ya gonna scold me and stuff? I get enough of that from the Goddess... don't need some human doing it too..."

Raine erps softly when she sees the girl eat the raw fish, a soft look of digust on her exotic face, shaking her head some at the thought. Yes, she knew that some plaes made dishes out of raw fish, btu that wasn't her 'cup-o-tea' per se. Once the moment of disgust past, Raine gets hit with another insult. Being called a human wasn't BAD, but it did show ignorance. "First off," starts the woman, "I'm not a human, I am an elf. Second off, young Lady, scolding is not the same as lecturing. No talk of Goddesses or Gods can alter the fact that you stole. And regardless of where you live or waht you do, stealing is wrong." Sighing, the woman rubs her temples, "Are you even listening to me?"

Ruby glanced away from the woman, murmuring softly about how all mortals looked the same to her and how scolding and lecturing were the same thing, but she wasn't going to be one to argue semantics. She looked back at Raine when she asked her question. "I hear you, but it isn't gonna make any difference in what I did today. I was hungry and so I took it. If things were like back home it wouldn't have made any difference, b ut that man goes wailing at me to pay for the food. As if I could pay..."

There is a moment in which Raine looks likes she might actually have an ounce of sympathy for the girl, but that passes as soon as the explanations start (or in Raine's mind, the excuses). The woman motions for Ruby to follow her, saying, "Back home isn't Lindblum and food here costs money...unless you catch or grow it yourself..." Raine heads towards her house, "You don't have any money, do you?"

Ruby rolled her eyes and grabbed another fish from her bag. "Course not... Only things I have are myself and my ribbon..." She pointed to the bright yellow bow tied cutely into a bow in her pink and brown hair. It was her most treasured possession and she'd had it for as long as she could remember.

Raine gave no indication that she did or did not hear about the ribbon, merely walking along, "Obviously, you're not from here, perhaps grew up in the mountains or in some other wild. That's why I'm taking you to my house...protection." She turns a corner in the Ametris District and heads up some stairs, away from the Universities and towards the State Alchemy building.

In all truth, Ruby could only remember patches of the past. She'd grown up in a village, that was for sure, but after waking from her prolonged slumber, it was all left in a haze, perhaps due to the immesurable time she'd been asleep. She almost laughed at Raine's mention of protection. As if she needed it... her... the great red dragon of Althena! "It was in the mountains," she murmured about her home, but she'd have to find a new one now, she knew that much...

Walking past the State Alchemy building, Raine leads Ruby towards a set of buildings that form an archway, leading to the Ametris residential area. The streets were bustling, but people were giving Raine small nods, bows, and greetings, calling her 'Professor Sage'. And indeed the Professor reaches the house, a nice quaint home, and opesn the door, "My little brother, Genis, isn't home yet, but please, feel free to place your bag of food on the kitchen table."

Ruby was wary to relenquish her bag, and did so only because the woman had paid for the contents inside. She looked around her curiously. The home was certainly larger than any she'd been in before and she said so. "It's so big in here... How many families live here?"

The house is split into several rooms. The front room, a palor, goes into the common room, with many bookcases a nice sized fireplace, and two wing-back chairs, a big on and a little one. There is a hallway leading to the bedrooms and a door leading to the dining room/kitchen. Raine stretches some and places her papers on the table. Not touching Rub'y bag, Raine goes and gets an apple out of a barrel. Cleaning it off, she starts to eat it, "So then," says the Elf Woman, "My name is Professor Raine Sage. What's yours?"

Ruby blinked, stopping her inspection of the house to look back at the woman that had now introduced herself as Raine. "I'm Ruby." She spoke her name proudly, as if she expected it to be recognized instantly, or to strike fear in the hearts of all that heard it.

Giving a polite nod of the head, Raine spoke back, but onyl after eating more of the apple, chewing,a nd swallowing. Once it's all down her throat, the Elf Woman tosses the core into a bucket marked, 'Refuse'. "What a lovely name," Raine comments before folding her arms and looking the girl over, "So then, the penalty in Lindblum for stealing food is three days in the stocks. Do you know what that means, Ruby?"

Ruby tucked a bit of her hair behind her ear as she shook her head. "No..." How was she supposed to know? Though there was no doubt Raine would educate her on the matter.

Assuming the natural role of professor, Raine unfolds her amrs and places one on her hip. The other hand gestures out towards the young lady as she speaks, "The stock are sort of a brace in which your ankles and wrists are locked in place by huge metal and wooden bars with very ltitle room to move then. You are forced to sit for the length of your punishment, out in the hot weather, and the night weather, without any food. Of course, friends and family can feed you and you are given water. You aren't beaten, but you're in the middle of a public area, so the humiliation is incredible." Raine pauses, "Are you with me so far?"

Ruby made a face. If that wasn't barbarics she didn't know what was. What about the people who didn't have any friends and family. Course, she wasn't particularly concerned about herself. A simple change of shape would release her from those bonds, but still. It wasn't a pleasant thought that others had to go through that. "Steal when you're hungry and they just let you go hungry for even longer? How wrong is that... tsk..."

Raine shrugs, "The laws aren't made for those who look for reasons to break them. While I can't say that I agree with them all the time, they exist to protect people as a whole." The woman pauses for a moment, a long moment, lowering her head and bringing the index finger of her right hand to her lips. After some careful though, Raine asked, "Have you ever heard of Cause and Effect?"

Ruby shrugged. She probably had at one point, but how was she to remember when even the simplest things were hazy. Her assumption was that next time she was out for food she wouldn't get caught, simple as that... and to perhaps slink around a different food vendor.

Raine's eyes closed as she began to speak, "Thik about this then, Ruby. You stole fifteen Gil worth of food from that merchant. Supose he doesn't make a single sale today? That would mean that he lost fifteen Gil today. That would mean that he has to make it up tomorrow. But let's say that you steal fifteen Gil from him again, now that's thirty. And fiften more, now that's forty-five. Then sixty, and then sevety-five. So let's say that you steal five times from this merchant. That's seventy-five gil. Now let's say that five other people are also stealing from him. That's three hundred seventy-five gil." Raine opens her eyes, hand-lidded, "That's enough to feed that man's family for an entire week, and buy medicine in case someone gets sick." The woman looks up at Ruby, "The cause is stealing something that someone relies upon to make a living, the result is that himself, his wife, and two, maybe more children starve for a week..." A half-laugh, "But I suppose it's okay to steal and not find another way, since you were hungry, right?"

Ruby gave a sigh. She'd heard something like this before, that was for sure. "And how exactly do I do that? People aren't particularly keen on asking dra... me... for help... or whatever..."

Raine things for a moment, her brow furrowing with brainful thought. "I've got it!" The woman snaps her fingers! "Do you liek bread? And cake? Are you afraid of high temperatures?"

Ruby giggled. "Who doesn't like cake...? And no... I don't mind heat..." She could walk through an inferno with no ill effects. It really wasn't a concern to her in any way.

Smiling softly, Raine fodls her arms under her chest again, something she often would do when making an offer, "Instead of owing me for food I bought you today, how about we make a deal? I know that the baker in this district needs ocassional help in the morning. If you want, you can help her. I'm sure she'd pay enough in gil and bread or cake that you'd never go hungry again."

Ruby blinked and tilted her head to one side. "But... I don't know how to cook." In fact, that was often why Ruby ate her fish raw. Sure, she liked them that way, but she had this bad habit of burning things when trying to cook on her own, or she didn't know what spices or ingrediants to use when making other things.

Covering her mouth, Raine laughs softly, "Of course you don't, silly girl..." Her hands slips back to show a small and gentle smile, "She needs someone to mind the ovens and take trays in and out. Just -no- eating while working. If you can do that, you'll have a lot of fun, I think."

Ruby smiled. She made no promises about not eating while working, but she would be sure not to get caught. "Okay! I'll do it!"

Giving a small chuckle, Raine holds out her hand for Ruby to shake, "Then let's shake on it. You can stay here the night and eat with Genis and I. And in the morning, I'll bring you to the Bakery to get started. Fair?"

Ruby grinned and took Raine's cool hand with her own warm one. "M'kay! Whats for dinner?"

(Fade to Black)

Finding one's protege...

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:50:01 GMT

A bright and cool autumn day in Lindblum, the weather on the cusp between fall and winter, late in the afternoon, with only a few hours of daylight left. The various students and alchemists are milling about, discussing topics ranging from assignments to current social concerns to activities in the world around them. These conversations are softly but clearly spoken, for the Ametris District is one of freely-spoken ideas and intellectually pride.

Sitting in the shade of a large tree, on a bench, Professor Sage quietly reads a book, her lips pressed together, almost a smile upon them. Her gray-blue eyes take in the writing in front of her as if drinking it into her mind. A few of her students pass by, wave and call out to her. She waves back, half-distracted, then goes back to reading. Such a relaxing day.

Yuna is about - only due to making deliveries. The fact that she is not one of the students likely obvious by the manner in which she makes the deliver of a letter and/or small parcel to one of the alchemists present. Nothing of great import likely, given the public reception - but something left in the capable hands of a trustworthy young woman. There is a quiet bow of her head to the individual receiving the package - though given the manner in which she seems to easily interact with those she doesn't quite know (such as the passing greeting), it's likely she makes an effort to treat others the same way.

With the task done for the time being, the young woman takes an opportunity to regard her immediate surroundings with a seeming appreciation for the architecture and beauty. A hand moves briefly to push some of her hair back into place, so as not to seem unkempt and for a moment, she remains content to take a breath and perhaps - a small break.

Looking up, Raine catches sight of the messenger girl, finding a small sense of wonder in her wide-eyed curiosity at the structure of the buildings. Keeping her thumb firmly planted in her book, the Professor straightens her shoulders and stands, walking towards the mismatched eyed woman. Her voice had that gentle but firm quality to it as she spoke, like a woman who was mother and teacher to so many. "The style is unique, is it not?" Raine remarks to the woman, pointing at the buttresses of the various buildings, "Lindblum's architecture was influenced by the Western Roman Empire, but also was heavily influenced by the Byzantine style. The result is...quite unique...wouldn't you say?" Her smile is patient and gentle, and her standoffish manner is only superceded by a genuine love for the topic she is speaking on.

"It's certainly a beautiful blend of styles," Yuna replies, letting her gaze linger a touch longer before turning to regard the other woman with a warm and friendly smile. "It's really the first time in a while that I've had an opportunity to really stop and appreciate it. Making deliveries doesn't often allow for breaks." Having said this her hands come to rest in front of her and she offers another polite bow of her head. "I'm Yuna."

In turn, Raine bows her head slightly to the messenger girl, saying in that strong but gentle voice, "I'm Professor Raine Sage. Nice to make your acquaintance." INtroductions made, Raine turns to look up at the State Alchemist Building. "It's partially because of the Alchemic influences that the city has this mixture of styles. Magic was not heavily utilized in the Roman Empire, not as much as Alchemy, so when the Alchemists that survived the fall of Rome came here with the first Regent, it was natural that their tendencies would gravitate in that direction." Covering her lips with her hand, Raine stifles a laugh, "Pardon me. I'm already going into lecture mode and you're not even one of my pupils."

Yuna shakes her head gently, in contrast to the Professor's mild apology. "No - please. I find this all very interesting," she replies, shortly before her attention returns to the buildings. "I like to believe the more we can learn about the past, the less likely we are to repeat the mistakes made then - in the future." Pausing, her hands move upwards, still clasped together for a moment. "Besides - dedication for architecture and art like this requires will and determination. And strength of heart. Or, so I would hope."

Raine's lips smile more openly now, the youthful woman glad her internal gamble that this messenger woman was, indeed, quite intelligent, paid off. Walking back to the bench, the woman takes a seat and, with the motioning of a hand, beckons for Yuna to sit with her. She bookmarks the book in her hands closed and tucks it away in her orange frock coat. "I've learned that the biggest mistake made in history is the inability for people to learn from it. If we could, then we wouldn't be in the Dark Ages, now would we be?" Both hands rest in Raine's lap, "You're a new face here in Ametris. Are you from the Roman countryside or did you hail from Gaul?"

"Gaul," Yuna replies quietly - facial features drooping a touch as she mentions it. Whatever has brought her to the area has likely not been something of a particularly pleasant nature. "I enjoy learning and travelling, so I decided to see the world while delivering letters and parcels to others. It takes me all over. Unfortunately, sometimes it gets me into trouble. But I meet interesting people. And the sights more than make up for any hardship along the way."

While she takes not eof Yuna's lowering mood, Raine says nothing on the matter at first, other than to file it away in that mind of hers. She keeps her two eyes upon Yuna for a long moment before saying, "Hardships in life are like tests, they challenge our resolve and the convictions of our personal beliefs. If your convictions stand firm and your beliefs are strong, hardships will not topple them."

Yuna considers this for a moment, before her facial features brighten once again. "Not many people feel that way, Professor Sage." It's as if Yuna empathizes with the other woman. Or at the very least she appears to. "I believe that you're right. But there are days when even I have my doubts."

Rubbing the smoothness of her chin, Raine casts her eyes heavenward and speculate, "Oh I am not a fool or idealist, Yuna, I know that there are some things that are not meant to be changed, just as there are some sacrifices that must be made for the greater good, but when I look at the way humans operate, the way they grow, and the way they stunt their growth, I feel myself wondering what shapes their beliefs. And why are some beliefs so inherently different from others that violent conflict is the only tangible result?"

A bit of a fool, combined with a stubborn idealist, tossed into a possibility with those she considered her pillars of strength would be Yuna. So a slightly sad albeit goofy smile settles in amidst her features as she listens, letting her own hands fall in her lap. There is not much in the realm of a response she has for that, or at least - not one which she's willing to share just yet. Nevertheless, she seems more than willing to listen to the other woman.

Not getting a response from Yuna, Raine hushes for a moment, those blue-gray eyes showing some discomfort. A woman who always speaks her mind, Raine was often times the victim of her own bad timing, mostly in that she'd strong-arm a social gathering into discussing topics she wanted to discuss. Thankfully, her little brother and his slightly older friend was helping the woman overcome this flaw. So Raine sucks on her breath fro a moment before rephrasing her statement, "I don't think that there is a correct answer for this Yuna. Perhaps I am questioning human nature itself?"

An encouraging smile is what Yuna responds with at first, as if her way of showing that she was more genuinely interested in listening to the topics than anything else. But, after a few moments, her facial features take on a more serious expression. "I suppose it would depend upon what you define as human nature. Most would consider human nature the standard behavior of the masses," Yuna begins taking her opportunity to focus on something. Not upon the heavens mind you, but upon a small group of students gathered. "I like to think, that it isn't about the outward behavior or outward characteristics. But the hearts and the courage of the few who make a difference. Those who don't - often lose sight of the bigger picture and lose themselves to pointless struggles and conflicts."

A happy look overcomes Raine's face as she hears the words spoken by the young woman besides here. Here was a real intellectual dynamo, someone to talk to with rapt and deep interest. This spirit of debate was something that Raine missed in her life, and even if her and Yuna agreed on the proposed points, it was exceptional to find a person who can vocalize it so wonderfully. Her blue-gray looks towards Yuna's face, "Yes! I have long subscribed to the belief that the when people are unable to look beyond themselves, everything around them collapses into ruin. This is why so many great empires have fallen. The leaders of those empires lost sight of what the empire and the people of the empire stood for, they were only able to think of themselves. They...lost focus of the bigger picture."

Raine is certainly a rare gem indeed. There is certainly a markedly changed expression in Yuna's features - presumably due to finding someone who thinks along the same lines. Happy. Curious. Yuna is both of these things really. Ah - alas, but eventually - the time has come for her break to come to an end. "It feels good to hear someone else say that, doesn't it," Yuna notes, shortly before beginning to push herself to her feet.

"I should be going. I will need to see about making other deliveries soon enough. I'm hoping to be in the area for a while though. So perhaps we'll meet again, Professor Sage?"

Oh no you don't Yuna, you're not going to waltz into Raine Sage's life, be as much a gem as the Professor has decided, and then just leave. Pushing herself to her feet, Raine holds out her hand in the universal symbol of 'stop'. "One moment, Yuna. Reaching into her frock coat, Raine pulls out one of her calling cards, her name, occupation, and address clearly marked on it in Italian. "This is my address, Yuna. I simply insist that you come to my home for lunch some time soon. Just stop by. If my younger brother, Genis, answers the door, just show him this card. He will know that you are invited." That strong but soft smile stays, "I simply won't take no for an answer."

Yuna accepts the card and regards it for a moment before tucking it safely in her obi - where it is likely not to be lost or easily stolen. A small sigh escapes, though it is one that is accompanied by a small amount of laughter. The sort that's often associated with knowing when not to press a matter. "Alright then," she replies with a smile - taking a moment to offer a polite nod of her head once more. "Lunch it is. I will come soon. I promise."

(Fade to Black...)

A chance encounter with two warriors...

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:47:00 GMT

It is a beautiful sunny afternoon in Lindblum with a few wispy clouds in the bright blue sky. Birds sing from the trees planted along the avenues and children play in the quiet side streets. Here in Business Square, the open market is doing a brisk trade of wares from places both near and far. Sellers shout out to the crowd, advertising their wares, buyers haggle with merchants over a price, children laugh and play while their mothers shop nearby. The smells from various stalls waft over the square: baked goods, fresh produce sliced open to reveal their ripeness and succulence, meats roasting over open flames to tempt the passersby. In amongst all these people, old and young, tall and short, male and female, walks a short elf boy dressed in blue shorts and shirt, his punky white hair blowing in the slight breeze.

Genis Sage walks away from the Pickle Seller, a jar of awesome yummy pickles under one arm and a smile on his face. (Boy! Raine's gonna be so surprised to see these with the Rice Balls tonight. This is the first shipment of pickles into Lindblum in a fortnight. And -I- got the first jar!), he thinks to himself, with lots of satisfaction. Genis continues to browse through the open market, checking out the wares at various stalls and humming a little tune to himself.

Standing a bit away from the small boy, the Professor, or Professor Sage, as she is almost always known as by the residents of Lindblum, is having something closely resembling an argument with one of the Book Sellers in the Open Market. Dressed in her usual orange frock coat, identifying her to the residents of the city as a Professor of the Royal Academy, the woman's tone was less than pleased as she firmly planted the book in her hands upon the table of a now quaking merchant. Her tone was harsh and one temper away from accusatory as she dresses down the seller, "Two hundred Gil? That is an outrageous price for a book that is still in print? What kind of a scam are you trying to run, charging so much!!"

The merchant looked as if he'd rather be anywhere than in front of the angry woman, trying to placate her and not daw out more of her wrath, "Please, ma'am...this book comes all the way from the country of Karuda. It's price just reflects how hard it is to transport it here...!"

A sigh of exasperation escapes the woman lips as she rummages into her pouch and slams the money onto the merchant's table, "There." Her aggravation plays on her voice like a thunder in the distance, "One hundred seventy Gil, and not a penny more..." Her arms fold as she glares at the hapless merchant, who is probably questioning why he offered to pull first shift today.

An extremely large man stands at attention keeping a very close watching eye on the area. he thinks to himself ( ahhh what a glorious day. everyone is happy and going about there business. i sure do love lindblum and that is why i must proactively protect it by seeking out evil and crushing it with the might of the armstrong family!!!) a smile appears on his face..of course you can only tell that he is smiling because his face is lifted slightly because his mouth is covered by his mustache. he almost looks excited to just stand around and watch people do there business like he is ready for any hint of disturbance...his eyes perk up as he hears the cries of a woman who may need his help. he rushes over to the merchant that is offering a ridiculous price for a book. he approaches almost like a knight in shining armor would approach. "how dare you offer 200 gil for this book?!?!? that is outragous!!! i demand that you lower the price for lindblum and this young lady here for I know robbery when i see it!!!" he gives an innocent wink to the young lady as he towers over the merchant.

Along the road from Central Square, a cloaked figure approaches the business district of the city of Lindblum. Though it was a sunny day, the figure's hood was pulled over his head so that his face was barely visible. It was a man--one had to assume from his height and broad shoulders. His cloak was long and black, covering most of his body except his face and his boots. Strapped to his back was a large instrument of sorts--it appears too large to be a sword. Perhaps a bulky instrument, or a machine part that he was transporting?

As he reaches the square, the cloaked figure pauses to glance around. He seems to stand out, yet the way he gazes about in each direction, at old shops and new shops, it's almost as though he knows this city. He is a newcomer, and yet he is not. He passes through the open market stiffly, as though he were not particularly comfortable around so many people. He can smell the food though, and Guts was, after all, human. After some hesitation, he purchases an apple and pulls it to his face, taking a healthy bite of the fruit as he makes his way through the market.

Just as he's about to take a second bite, the tall figure hears an argument starting about 10 yards away at a book merchant's table. Some lady's getting a little excited haggling the price. Guts snorts and looks a little disconcerted by the entrance of a giant of a man, a 7-foot soldier covered in bright medals pinned to his shirt, immediately rushing to the defense of the haggling woman.

In all honesty, Guts didn't care much about books. And 200 gil WAS a lot of money to throw away on something so stupid. He'd listen a while longer.

Genis was enjoying the sunny day, the excitement of being around people at a market, the fun in hunting down items and exploring the wares. He's still humming a happy tune as he makes his way to the other side of the square. All is well and right with the world until... he hears his sister yell about an unfair price and an even louder voice back her up in the protest. He checks his tune. The birds stop singing. Clouds obscure the sun. A cold breeze blows. Genis is afraid!

Determined to see what (or who) has his sister so riled, he changes direction and heads over to a merchant selling books (next to a fruit stand). A small crowd has gathered to watch the fun. Someone starts taking bets-- Raine was locally famous for her temper when it came to 'certain matters'. Genis begins shoving his way to the front of the crowd, not an easy task when you are 4 ft nothing!

Huffy as a Nobleman of Paris, Raine's indignant manner does not fade as the merchant cowers in front of her. Brow-beating someone who, she thought was taking advantage of another's thirst for knowledge was not just a pasttime for Raine, it was a 'mission from god'. And perhaps if it had been just her, the merchant would have dropped the price by himself, falling before Raine's 'haggling' techniques. Or, just maybe, Raine would have been out one hundred seventy Gil. All of this is moot as a towering State Alchemist appears and, like Don Quixote and the Windmill, bowls over a man who is just trying to make a living.

Raine has no qulams. The man had it coming. Two hundred Gil for a Karuda Cookbook. The nerve!

The merchant ducks low and babbles out, "Sorry! Sir! Mister! Officer! Here...take it for fifty. Just fifty...!" Sweeping fifty gil off the table, the merchant almost throws the book into Raine's arms. The Professor smirks and takes back her money and the book, making sure both are well deposited before turning to Alex. Note please that Raine is obscuring the title of the book from others at the moment...what could she be up to?

"You're a State Alchemist, are you? Thank you for your assistance just now." A polite bow of the head, Raine showing respect to one of the men dedicated to her, and her brother's protection.

"Yes ma'am i am ineed a state alchemist and it was no trouble. i know when a fellow lindblumian is in need of assistance and i consider it my duty to make sure that they are treated fairly and with dignity..." looks to the merchant "And as for you sir hopefully this experience will make you think twice about over charging for some of your merchandise...but do not be afraid as you are from lindblum as well and you deserve the same fair treatment that anyone does so i offer my apologies for the sudden outburst that i gave you" he gives a large genuine smile to the merchant...but still no mouth in sight. takes another glance at the young lady and blinks a few times " you are Professor Raine! it is such an honor to meet you and allow me to introduce myself" he rips off his shirt in a blaze of glory and an odd backdrop of flowers and pinkness appears behind him all the while his face is surrounded by a flourish of pink sparkles " i am alex louis armstrong the strong arm alchemist sworn protector of lindblum and all who need my beautiful assistance. my muscles can tackle any challenge as they have been sculpted by generations of armstrong lineage." he continues to flex and show off his perfect physique giving a show to anyone who wants to see his gorgeous body.

The cloaked figure has by now paused to listen and gaze at this interesting display. (A State Alchemist? If he works for the city, then perhaps he knows something..) But as Guts strongly begins to consider entering the conversation, his preparedness amounts to nothing as the grand State Alchemist introduces himself in a fantastic show of flowers, pink sparkles, and shirt-ripping flexes as the giant flaunts his incredibly muscular body. While Guts is highly disturbed by the display, as evidenced by his sweatdrops and blank-eyed stare, he can't help but admire, as a warrior, the perfect body tone this guy has. (What the.... damn.) But he apparently does not seem one to particularly admire the male body, as the cloaked figure gradually turns his attention away from the flexing giant and to the haggling woman. So she was a professor? Perhaps she could tell him something. Looking around without help would do him no good--Guts had to question somebody in this town. Taking another bite of his apple for good luck, the cloaked man slowly approaches Raine. His eyes were not visible, but his uneasy frown could be seen beneath the folds of his hood. "Hey..." he grunts in a deep voice. "You're a professor?"

Genis shoves his way to the front of the crowd ('Excuse me! Coming through!'), a task made much easier by the sudden parting of the crowd as everyone gazed in admiration (or disbelief) at Alex. At the front now, Genis is confronted by a man with his shirt off posing ridiculously for Raine and the crowd at large and a cloaked man who also seems to by vying for Raine's attention. Never one to stand down in the face of a challenge, Genis strides up to his sister and asks loudly, "Is there a problem here, Sis? Are people bothering you?" And his free hand makes a sweeping gesture across the crowd to include the now-swooning merchant and the two men nearby. Genis looks for all the world like a protective little brother, which would be a ridiculous pose for anyone other than the young, feisty mage-- being short and youthful in appearance. However, his reputation for being an accomplished adept is well-known in this square, and the crowd backs up. If fireballs start to fly, the crowd makes sure the exit is handy.

Genis shoves his way to the front of the crowd ('Excuse me! Coming through!'), a task made much easier by the sudden parting of the crowd as everyone gazed in admiration (or disbelief) at Alex. At the front now, Genis is confronted by a man with his shirt off posing ridiculously for Raine and the crowd at large and a cloaked man who also seems to by vying for Raine's attention. Never one to stand down in the face of a challenge, Genis strides up to his sister and asks loudly, "Is there a problem here, Sis? Are people bothering you?" And his free hand makes a sweeping gesture across the crowd to include the now-swooning merchant and the two men nearby. Genis looks for all the world like a protective little brother, which would be a ridiculous pose for anyone other than the young, feisty mage-- being short and youthful in appearance. However, his reputation for being an accomplished adept is well-known in this square, and the crowd backs up. If fireballs start to fly, the crowd makes sure the exit is handy.

A hand comes up to cover Raine's mouth as Alex inflicts the status ailment 'Ripped' on himself, posing for all of Lindblum to see. The hand is politely covering a laugh that wants to erupt in a most impolite way. What a show! She had no idea until his introduction whom she was in the presence of, but the flourish of an introduction does indeed impress the Professor. She eyes the man's gorgeous body up and down. If she is any bit impressed, she is not showing it. Then again, this is the woman who can stare at a Dragon and say 'My, what a big specimen" instead of "Oh gods, it's a dragon, run for your lives!"

"Alex Armstrong. I should have realized whom you are from your physique. Yes, I am as familiar with your family as you are with me." A soft laugh catches in the woman's throat, "Apparently there is a certain amount of privacy lost from reknown in a kingdom as large as Lindblum." Her shoulders shrug some, "It's an acceptable loss." Her hand reaches out to shake the State Alchemist's in greeting. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mister Armstrong."

Attention is turned to the cloaked man, but before an answer can be rendered, the small, but not soft, voice of Genis Sage rings out into Raine's sensitive ears. She turns to her brother and smiles, shaking her head, "No Genis. I was just haggling when Officer Armstrong, a State Alchemist, assisted me. Genis, this is Officer Alex Louis Armstrong. Officer Armstrong, this is my younger brother, Genis Sage."

Those introductions made, Raine turns her attention back towards the cloaked man. Her mannerism is coolly professional, but not cold, "Yes. I am a Professor at the Lindblum Royal Academy. How many I help you?"

He takes Raine's hand and shakes it as lightly as he can. "indeed and my mistake i forgot to mention i am , more specifically, Lt. Colonel Armstrong but you can simply call me armstrong." he looks down at Genis and when i say down i mean down...there is a three foot difference in height. "So who might this little one be?" he says with a smile and yes he is condescending slightly. "did you enjoy looking at my muscles? don't be shy everyone must look at some point in there life and your time is now" he continues to flex just for Genis "feel the bicep of destiny and find the secret of the universe within it" he slouches down to Genis level and flexes his massive bicep showing that it itself is almost as big as Genis. "impressed? i bet you are." he smiles some more as if actually entertaining the youth.

Guts sees that the woman's attention is divided into three, but waits patiently for her to return it to him. Once she confirms what he'd heard, the figure removes his hood--revealing the face of a 22-year-old warrior with a firm jaw, tanned skin and short black hair with a few spikey tufts, some which fell over his forehead. Faint scars were visible on his neck, one in particular across the bridge of his nose. His left eye was black, with a look that gave the distinct impression that the man had seen better days. His right eye was closed, as though permanently glued shut. Was it missing?

The man's single eye stares at Raine fixedly once her attention is on him, as though he were reading her expression and movements. "Then you must be educated on recent events here, right?" he asks, his tension rising. "I need to know something." Glancing back and noticing that the State Alchemist was currently distracted with the child, Guts is reassured. The man returns his one-eyed gaze to Raine and continues. "About the government. It's important." The warrior seems to have difficulty getting out what it is that he wants to say. If he has problems expressing himself, it could be the complexity of the subject, or the lack of privacy. (But it's really Tact X).

Walking into the square to do nothing more than buy a few items is a man wearing a strange blue outfit, his name? Kratos Aurion. The man notices that the large crowd of people have started staring in one direction, toward this shirtless man. Very unimpressed the man in blue starts to turn away and go about his bussiness when something catches his notice. A blinding bright orange froc coat. Only one person alive the he knows of would dare wear that. To be sure he looks about her feet and sure enough there they were. The sages, and as always Raine was being hit on by the masses. The man looks down and shakes his head a moment then looks back up and decides that it would be in his best interest to head over there.

Kratos walks over through the crowd of people gasping and aweing. He then steps right behind Genis and lightly taps the back of Genis's foot with his own to let him know that there is someone of note behind him. Other than that Kratos just stands there staring at the bafoon flexing for an obviously unimpressed Genis.

Genis backs away from the self-absorbed man, shifting the jar from one arm to other, his eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. The man was a loony! State Alchemist or not. Remembering his manners, though, Genis says, "Uh, nice to meet you, sir." His Kendama hand was now free. "Um, thanks for helping my sister." The young mage really has nothing more to say. Genis is tongue-tied!

At this juncture, Genis feels someone behind him, tapping his foot. Turning to see who it is, the young mage is very relieved to see his friend Kratos standing there, looking as unimpressed as ever. "Hey Kratos!" he says enthusiastically. "Boy am I glad to see you." He rolls his eyes in Alex's direction. "I don't know what's going on anymore!"

While Raine, again, had to admit that she admired the man's physique, she could not find herself falling into it like many of the women of the square were as Alex spoke. She does offer him the most pleasant smile as they shake hands, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lt Colonel Armstrong. As you know, I am Professor Raine Sage. Again, it truly is a pleasure to meet you." Seeing that Kratos has not only arrived, but rescued Genis from Alex, as far as Genis believed he needed to be rescued. Therefore, the woman took this time to turn her attention to the cloaked man.

"I'm afraid, sir, that you must have me mistaken for a Political Science Professor. I teach Math, Science, History, and Geography." Her mannerism is genuine and sincere in its pleasantness, but there is that cool air of professionalism that makes the woman extremely astute, even during relaxed conversation. "If by recent events you mean the festivals and tournaments in Lindblum, yes, I am aware of those. However, if you mean recent events outside of Lindblum, then I am afraid that one such as myself, who is drowned in Academia, is not the best source to ask." A motion of the hand points to Alex Armstrong, "When he's done posing, he may be better suited to help you. He's a State Alchemist, and therefore is an Officer of the Law." Finally, her free hand rests in front of her body, finger running over the rim of her bright orange frock coat, "But if you ask your question, I'll do my best to answer it."

Meanwhile, about ten to twenty woman in the square are all fawning over Alex's body, hearts int heir eyes, making 'oo' and 'ah' and 'oh, Lt Colonel Armstrong is so sexy!' A few women go up and touch the perfect muscles. Oh heart!

Armstrong is now officially befuddled as the attention has gravitated to the other nice folk of lindblum. he puts on his thinking cap by rubbing his fore finger and thumb across his massiveand manly jaw. he thinks to himself (how could the boy possibly not be interested in my muscles...for that matter who in the world could possibly be not interested in my muscles just look at them they are perfect in every way and they scream grace and beauty not only that but they produce the great artistic alchemy...thats it!!! if one Armstrong isn't enough then five armstrongs will be plenty ...it's genius!!) after a long good thought process Armstrong reaches into his pocket and grabs two spiked gloves and puts them on in a flash "excuse me ladies ispiring stunt about to happen" he begins to flex again as he punches down on the ground where no one is standing of course and activates his alchemy creating four stone armstrongs that are in a line with a space between the two middle ones. the two end ones are posing the same way and the next two have their hands open showing off armstrong as a show piece. the real armstrong is in the middle of them with his hands clamped together flexing every muscle in his body to show the pinnacle of human evolution..."everyone come and gaze upon the majesty that is ARMSTRONG. come and feel the grace just flourishing from him along with many pink sparkles and a spotlight on him

Guts narrows his one eye as the woman tangentially explains why she cannot properly answer his question. "No... you study knowledge, so you must know something," he insists. As Raine suggests he go ask the State Alchemist instead, Guts' frown deepens. "I don't want to hear what the government wants everyone to know." He lowers his voice in a sardonic tone. "You tell me with a straight face that that man is better suited to answer anything." He motions with a thumb to the flexing, half-nude man at the center of the crowd's attention.

Continuing in a lower voice, the cloaked warrior attempts it again. He still hasn't introduced himself, oddly enough. Perhaps that's not the custom where he's from. Wherever that was, it obviously wasn't here. "The political state of Lindblum. Is there anything the people or the government have against Alexandria?" His tone is urgent. What could be so important about relations between the cities that this man had to know right here and now?

Kratos nods as Genis rolls his eyes towards the man. "I haven't a clue either Genis, tell me why it is every time I run into you two someone is always hitting on your sister?" He looks over at the large alchemist, Kratos knew full well who this man was but still chose to say nothing to or do anything about him. Kratos looks back to Genis who once again seems to be the most intelligent person in this entire square. "So what were the two of you up to before you obviously got takled by muscles over here?"

Genis moves away from Alex, giving the large man a wide berth, and stands at a right angle from where he was before, facing Kratos while still keeping Alex in his field of vision in case the man comes at him unexpectedly. "We were doing our weekly shopping for supplies and food for the house." He looks around to make sure his sister is occupied and NOT payin ghim any attention. Then he turns back to Kratos, lowers his voice,, and says, "I got the first stock of pickles available for the last three weeks. There was a shortage for a while but they finally got some in." He lets Kratos see the large jar of pickles while keeping them shielded from all other eyes. "I also got some gels and dried meat cuz we used up a lot of it last time we went out with Lloyd. I don't know or care what kind of gels they are; I just grabbed up whatver was in the bins. I hate gels!"

The woman's thumb presses to the underside of her chin, and her forefinger relaxes against her lips. her other hand rests at her fist arm's elbow, creating a cradle for it. She regards the stranger with an admonishing look as she says, "You're very bold to presume such things, young man. First off, just because I am a Professor does not mean I know a single iota of information about the political state of this country. Some of my colleagues are so engrossed in their thesis's that they do not have half a mind outside of their field." That finger at her mouth points skyward to emphasize her disapproval, "We of Lindblum's Academia are some of the greatest minds to come from the former Roman Empire, although I don't know if a traveler such as you can appreciate that implication. Furthermore, despite his outward appearance, Lt Colonel Armstrong is one of the best authorities in all of Lindblum. Why, I would dare say that only Colonel Roy Mustang, the Head of the State Alchemists, would know more." That finger returns to her lip as Raine considers how to address the situation, "But to my knowledge, as limited as that may be, Lindblum is allied to Alexandria. In fact, if I am not mistaken, the Regent's wife is the sister of the King of Alexandria. I suppose you can call Alexandria and Lindblum kith."

She abruptly turns her attention to Alex as he performs a wondrous show of Alchemy, "Ah! Bravo!" The Professor claps her hands together approvingly, turning to her little brother, "Genis, please come here and see this. This is an example of Alchemy. You recall my lecture on how Alchemy is a scientific approach to magic? Well, here it is! One of the best State Alchemists is performing a feat for us right now."

The Book Merchant has since closed shop and run away.

A little disheartened at the lack of appreciation of good alchemy is lifted as he sees Raine has enjoyed the show. having acomplished his goal of recognition he punches the ground once more to return the statues to their original place in the earth. he puts his shirt back on an all the while is wearing a very happy smile. as he puts his shirt on he approaches Raine and he begins to tear up and eventuallu tears are rolling down his face "your kind words have touched my heart and i greatly appreciate the sentiment of watching my display, i hope it has brought you as much joy watching it as it has been making it. i am so greatful i cannot express the feeling i have right now...but i will anyway. you are the kindest person i have met and you will forever hold a place in my heart as the one who enjoyed my artistic alchemy, of course they did too they are just rpoud to admit that it touched their hearts as your words have touched mine...you are truly a wonderful person!" he covers his face up and wipes the tears away and once again stands at attention.

Yeah, yeah, get on with it! Guts wishes the woman would answer him already as she spends 5 minutes telling him why she can't answer the question as well as a colleague and how great and wonderful mister so-and-so is before she actually /addresses/ his question. The cloaked warrior looks rather irritated but keeps his mouth shut even as her words go mostly in one ear and out the other until she finally begins to answer his question. At that point, Guts fixes his full attention on her words, his eyes widening a bit at her insight. It was news to him about the relations between the cities. "...." Her answer does seem to have been rewarding, at least, as the man straightens and reflects on the news before speaking. "Then... Lindblum would never bear any ill will to its sister city?" he asks, though the question was highly rhetorical, as she'd obviously made her point, even in his mind. "Then..." he turns off, glancing back at the State Alchemist who had approached Raine and begun to tear up, sniffle, and thank her for giving him lip service.

Guts had given the brief alchemy show enough attention to merit that he saw what Alex did, though the stranger had other things on his mind and could not give it his full attention. The warrior looks rather astonished to see a man even bigger than himself begin to cry, and blinks wide-eyed, once again driven to silence. "......" He honestly couldn't think of anything to say. He'd had another question lined up for Raine, but it was momentarily forgotten in the brief shock this giant was giving him.

Kratos has now forgotten why he came to the square because Alex has somehow drained the intelegence from the surounding crowd. Kratos looks down at Genis with a dumbfounded look on his face and only says one word. "Huh?" He then looks over at Alex who is further tring to impress the crowd. It takes him a minute or so but Kratos finnaly shakes off the feeling of stupidity. "I think I have seen enough here. Genis would you care to acompany me to the item shop? I am looking for something in particular." He says this rather loudly wich is quite odd because Kratos is never loud. And with that he takes a few steps back away form Alex.

At first Genis was taken aback at Raine's sudden demand that he turn and give Alex his full attention. The man was as bad as Zelos Wilder! He half-turned and was about to say something dreadfully sarcastic when Karna smiled upon the young mage-- Alex himself galloped over to Raine and began making SUCH a display in her personal space. Turnabout! Genis, now vindicated and feeling pretty good about it, turned cheerfully back to Kratos.

"Sure!" he replies to Kratos. "I'll go to the shops with you. I still have things to pick up. Actually, I was on my way over -there- ((points to Seafood stall)) when I got derailed by all this!" Sweeping gesture takes in whole scene of crowd, Alex, Guts, Raine, and empty book stall. "You wanna go? Let's go!" Genis starts to walk away with Kratos. "I have no idea why anyone wants to hit on my sister. It's not like she does anything to encourage it, you know?"

It's not that Raine is taken aback by Alex's reaction, it's that she totally did not expect the invasion of her personal space. Being..what she is, the woman valued her personal space more than anything else. The urge to whap Alex with her foot was as immense as the State Alchemist himself, but Professor Sage fought the urge for two reasons: One, he hadn't actually done anything to offend her before the invasion of her space. Two, he was showing a sincerity that Zelos Wilder lacked. Then again, Raine could see the difference between the two men immediately. She had to get out of this situation without offending the man.

So while Alex sobs on about how Raine touched his heart, Raine hooks the nearest fawning Armstrong fan over and very quickly trades places with her. There, let her hold his hands for a while. (Power Point to Auto Escape).

Turning back to the one-eyed man, Raine nodded her affirmation at him, "Correct. There is no reason in the world while there would ever be any animosity between the two sister cities." Her head cocks to the side, a curious look on her face, "Why do you ask this, stranger? These are very well known facts."

Armstrong is now befuddled to find he is completely ignored. the pink sparkles that once floated around him have now fallen to the ground in defeat. "i can see that my services are no longer needed so i will make my exit just in the fashion that you all have come to know me" he once again puts on his gloves and punches the ground rather hard this time and creates a giant statue of himself. as the statue is rising he jumps up on the open palm of the statue and rises to the second floor of the INN to get away from the undeserving eyes of Lindblum...until his ego is built up again by flexing in front of the mirror. he steps on the balcony and begins to wave to all the lindblum shoppers "goodbye everyone you have seen the greatness that is armstrong and i have met some great people today but i must take leave of you all for i am in need of some serious self image boos...i mean some serious firing up" he he then punches the giant statue and it falls to the ground in pieces and the remaining pieces spell out "long live lindblum and may all your days be sparkly and beautiful" after a minute or two you hear a large slam and the pieces of rock return to the earth.

Guts gives his full attention to Raine again as she confirms his train of thought. Satisfied with her answer, he starts to turn and walk away from her. However, when she questions him, the cloaked stranger turns back and looks her in the eye, his heavy frown never ceasing. "Things can change. You never know." Again Guts starts to leave, but after a moment's hesitation, for a second time he stops and forces himself to turn back to her one last time. "It was Raine, right?"

Kratos walks off to the shops with Genis who obviously got that he was tring to get him away from Maniac Armstrong. "So what have you been up to lately Genis. Its been about a week or so since I have last seen you and your sister." He looks about at the items for sale not really paying any attention to them at all. "Well anyway I must be going, I have some very important business elsewhere. Now you can continue shopping without any disturbance, so have fun. And after hearing what Genis has to say Kratos leaves quickly and quietly.

Genis walks part of the way with Kratos, telling him about his days at school and the latest dishes he was dreaming up to cook, until the older man ditches him at the oil lamp seller. Left to his own devices, he peruses the oil lamps and considers getting one for his bedroom so he can stay up late at night reading without straining his eyes. The simple candle was not nearly good enough for such a task. However, he has run out of the pocket money that Raine gave him before they started on this expedition and he will have to go to her if he wants to make any more purchases.

(Well, maybe I can hold off on buying this until... some other time), he thinks to himself. The idea of going back "out there" where Raine is, with all those crazy or eccentric people, is not appealing. He decides, instead, that it is time to go home.

Suiting action to words, he walks out of the shop and heads for the Water Cab. "I'm heading home, Sis!" he calls out, hoping she can hear him. "I'll see you there!" And Genis goes home.

Raine pays partial attention to Alex as he leaves. She has heard of the Showmanship of the Armstrong Family, and while she has never seen it first hand until today, she had to admit that it was inspiring. The woman turns her attention back to Guts as she departs. A swift nod of the head and the woman says, "It is Raine, not was. Yes. Professor Raine Sage of the Lindblum Royal Academy. And you are...?" This man was obviously less than well-mannered, and while that was his own decision, Raine would prefer at least a name. As Lloyd would often say, 'Give me your name and I'll give you mine.' Only Raine won't speak that aloud.

As Genis calls out that he is leaving, Raine gives a half-wave, not realizing until her little brother is gone, much to her dismay, "Oh drat! I forgot to give him his present! Damnable delays!"

Raine doesn't eat the book.

The stranger seems satisfied that he knows her name, ignores her long-winded title and her correction of his grammar (what the hell is that?), and blinks as she requests his name. Well, since he'd asked hers, he might as well be willing to give out his. He turns back one last time, one eye focusing on her as though trying to imprint her face into his memory. "Guts," he says finally, and turns back on his way.

As Alex does his... uh... thing, Guts only finds more sweatdrops rolling down his temples. What an egomaniac. o_o Shaking his head as though to rid himself of the image of the big guy flexing (argh!), he walks off and pulls the hood back over his head, once again closing himself off from the world as he continues on his way.

Finding herself more intrigued than she cares to admit, the woman repeats the man's name. "Guts." After a moment, she shrugs to herself, then turns and heads home, lost in her own thoughts.

(Fade to Black...)

The adventure concludes!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:44:09 GMT

The next morning has come, and, like always, Raine is the first awake, already packing her bags and breaking down her tent. A small smile of happiness was on her face as she folded the metal rods up, then rolling up the canvas, and she, again, was humming to herself. Why so cheerful? AH, last night was a wonderful meal a chance to get to know her two favorite pupils a bit more. Wait! Lloyd one of her favorites? Yes. One of three: Genis and Collette being the others. It always did the Professor's heart good to see her little brother enjoying himself, which is something that the good-natured child often did, especially when it turned out to be an educational trip.

Speaking of Genis, Raine decides to go check on her brother, and as she pads to the tent, she quietly steps over a still sleeping Noishe. Opening the flap of Genis's tenet and sticking her head in, she sees that the young boy was curled up, on his side, and snoring away. The woman's lips curved into a sweet grin...he was such a dear boy! Reaching forward to cup his little shoulder, Raine shook the boy softly, muttering, "Wake up...Genis....wake up...."

As Raine shakes her little brother awake, he opens one eye groggily. "Is it morning already, Sis?" he asks sleepily. On receiving an affirmative answer and a gentle but firm prod, he gets out of his sleeping roll and gets dressed quickly (after Raine leaves him to his privacy, of course.) Emerging from his tent five minutes later, Genis assists Raine with the tearing down of the camp site. He makes sure the fire is put out completely, and they leave the area exactly how they found it. He is responsible.

Speaking of responsible, Lloyd is still snoring away on the ground near the fire circle, flopped out unceremoniously on his back, mouth wide open... and even Raine's and Genis's movings about has not yet waken him. Genis decides to be helpful in this department. Going over to his best friend in the whole wide world, Genis leans over Lloyd and pinches Lloyd's nose and mouth shut! "This'll wake him!" he says with a boyish grin.

A short distance away, Lloyd had fallen asleep using his backpack as a pillow, having thoughtfully moved the sack carrying bread closer to the corner so it wouldn't get smushed by anyone during the night. It's just as Genis says! As usual, if allowed, he might just sleep through the whole morning, no matter how well he slept or how early he went to bed. Some people are just inclined to sleeping in, and Lloyd is one of these people.

Hey, at least he doesn't snore loudly. One could say he picked up the habit after getting caught snoozing during lectures at school--eventually, Lloyd learned how to catch naps without being -heard-. He's graduated on to being able to nap while standing up (and holding a bucket of water in each hand, at that), what next? Sleepwalking? As for him, he slept in his usual outfit, including sheathed swords, which one might think would be uncomfortable, but he calls it 'safe'!

Noishe only responds to the passage of the Professor with an instinctual flick of one long furry ear, but otherwise remains peacefully asleep with one paw over his nose.

When Genis pinches at Lloyd's mouth and nose, his brows furrow a moment, and after a few more seconds, he flails a little, waking up. "Gah!" A blink, and then Lloyd sits up, attempting to hook an arm around Genis' neck and give his hair a thorough rumpling! "Let sleeping dogs lie!" (Hand-to-Hand 2)

Some distance from the fire lies Zelos - poised languidly with one leg bent over a rock and one arm curled beneath is head, using both it and his mane of hair as a pillow. Though he had snored up a storm, such nightly noises were quelled with the passing of night - at least according to his biological clock. Escaping the realm of dreams, the swordsman awakens slowly, yawning loudly in a near-bellow. The expression on his face is groggy but that is quickly dispelled with a few blinks of his eyes. Though disoriented from the lethargy of sleep, he manages to prop himself on his elbows. Eyes open he gazes at the group and then at his feet. While Genis and Raine had tents to sleep him, Zelos had a tent of his own, of the different variety.

The young man mutters, frustrated, annoyed, it's hard to tell but with some struggle he rises to his feet and proceeds to stretch out. Muscles stretch and joints pop as tension is relieved, if only that.

A small smile is given to the young boy as he emerges from the tent, and a gentle pat on the back, not the butt, because that would be rude to little Genis, as he passes by, "Let's do this double time, alright Genis?" The Professor continues to work on the tents as Lloyd is very unceremoniously awakened by Genis, a sight that forces a crack of a smile on Raine's face, her eyes watching both boys act up as they did when they were older. A look of pleasantness passes Raine's face...her little brother finally had found a real home, one he could live at, with a friend who really cared about him. Continuing to hum a tune, Raine pours water on the hot embers of the nighttime fire, then empties the bucket by splashing it a wee bit too close to the red-maned Zelos, "You can help, you know..." Raine says, annoyed.

Genis easily evades Lloyd's clumsy attempt to give him a "noogie" (Dodge 3) and stands just out of reach, grinning. "You have to be faster than that to catch me, Lloyd!" Adopting his characteristic pose of feet planted wide apart and one hand on hip while the other gestures to punctuate his words, the young mage says, "Better hurry! Sis is on a roll and you don't want to be left behind. If you want breakfast, I have some food in my backpack that should tide you over til lunch. You don't wanna eat too much right now cuz we're going to be moving a lot."

Genis turns to the others. "Same goes for you guys, too. If you want breakfast, help yourselves, but don't eat too much. We'll have a bigger meal later."

It's a good thing Lloyd sleeps like a rock--the new addition to their travelling party is pretty vocal, huh? Lloyd's still groggy, but he'll wake up fast by whole degrees over time. It's his turn to stretch and yawn, though, when Genis manages to escape his attempt to noogie him, getting a few cricks as vertebrae realign. Sighing happily, he gets to his feet and dusts himself off. "Okay. Thanks, Genis!"

Lloyd will work on acquiring that food and eat a little of it while he starts checking his backpack and pockets to make sure he isn't leaving anything behind. And, to make extra sure, he ties the string of the bag holding the remaining loaves of bread to a loop on his backpack.

"It's too bad we couldn't just ask anyone what really happened here. It'd make figuring it out so much easier..." Well, use your own head, Lloyd! You can't rely on people telling you what happened all the time, right?

The bucket of embers crashes down near the swordsman, spilling some of the embers over the side and sending a faint splash of sparks into the air. In a rather suppressed, and manly, yelp, Zelos spins out the way, batting at the air around his hair all the while. (Athletics 4)
"Professor! It's necessary to practice safety in a dangerous place like this. I am sure it was a lapse of judgment brought upon by thinking too much about me and the dreams we shared at night" exclaims the young man, flipping his mane of red over his shoulders.

"Because the Great Zelos is ever humble, I will accept the fact that you may have to think of me not as often as you would like...but if only for your own sake, my sweet Professor" he concludes, flashing a wide smile at Raine.

"Oh, help, right I'll help lighten these loads" and with that he begins to move over towards the backpacks, as if to extract some food out for his own consumption.

Raine...just stares at Zelos, the woman's face showing signs of fatique, even though she just woke up. It was a very helpless look that the Professor had on her face, a look that speaks of mind's lost and brain's broken. Somehow, the Great Zelos, Chosen of the Colon, High Magic Swordsman of the Wiggity-Whack, Keeper of the Seven Keys of Chastity, and wearer of woman's underwear, has succeeded what no man or beat or god has succeeded in doing - making Raine's train of thought derail. The woman stands up and, after a moment, shakes her head, "I have no idea what you just said, Zelos, but if you can..." The woman points at the packs Genis and Lloyd will be moving, or is she pointing at Genis? "Pick that up and carry it outside. That would be most beneficial..."

Genis finishes up his part of the chores of breaking up camp and getting everything/one ready to move out. Then he stands impatiently at the entrance to the next room, tapping one foot against the hard stone floor. He is completely alert to everything in front of him while mindful not to stand directly in front of the dark hole. "You guys are way slow."

Poor Raine! Lloyd, being none the wiser to Zelos' prior predicament nor has he understood much of his speech to the Professor (admittedly, he wasn't paying much attention, though the part about the 'Great Zelos is ever humble' was worth a chuckle and a sideways, amused glance to Genis), has in the meantime slung his backpack's straps to one shoulder. It'll go into the back of the cart soon.

The cart is an ingenious thing, really, made so that Noishe could help Dad carry things to Lindblum and back, especially when they were bigger than Dirk was. Not big enough to carry passengers comfortably, but enough to carry supplies at least!

"Heheh, sorry," replies Lloyd to Genis, "Thanks for breakfast. Come on, I'll hook Noishe up to the cart outside. C'mon, Noishe!"

Noishe gets up, long tail wagging, but as soon as the canine-like pet gets closer to the exit, his ears flatten and he lets out an unhappy whine. "...Aw, man. What's got Noishe so nervous?" It's probably just a squirrel or something outside.

"Going through puberty tends to slow you down" comments Zelos offhandedly, as he extracts an apple from the backpack and bites into it. The red fruit is sweet and juicy, but its shade of crimson is no match for the fiery intensity of the swordsman's hair. Still, it is eaten completely and the core is disposed off behind a rock. "Now that's an artifact."

Breakfast finished and the rituals of awakening now complete, the young man hoists his own pack on, slipping the shoulderstraps over his body and adjusting them accordingly. Giving a look over at Lloyd, he affords the boy a shrug before striding over towards the tiny-mage.

A vein pops out on the elf woman's forehead as Zelos tosses the slimy apple core onto the ruins she so adored, the very BLATANT disrespect of archeology, science, and just about anything else Raine held dear makes the Professor's blood boil as if Genis had just cast fireball on her veins. A very dark and angry look, one of momentary rage, crosses the woman's face as she stalks towards Zelos like a Predator approaching it's prey. "You...insolent..." As soon as she gets within foot-shot of the red-maned beauty, Raine turns to the side and let's loose with a side-kick right to Zelos's guts, focusing her rage for his disrespect into that single kick. (Power Point to auto hit...Fire 2...sob)

And very stern and authoritative finger points at the discard fruit as the woman says, "Zelos...you - pick - that - apple - up - right - now!"

Genis stares in incredulity as first Zelos tosses an apple core onto a ruins site and then as Raine kicks the crap out of the red-haired fop. Giving an impressed whistle, he says in a singsong voice, "You should have known better... throwing trash on a dig site is WRONG and doing it in front of my sister is just STUPID." Turning to Lloyd, Genis continues, "Hey, Lloyd. You're not the thickest brick in the party any more. We got a real GENIUS here." ((Gestures with thumb toward Zelos.)) He grins wickedly, enjoying the scene as it unfolds before him. If he had popcorn, he would roast it and eat it right there!

Chuckling a little nervously at Genis, Lloyd rubs the back of his head. "Guess we should've warned him about Ruins Mode, huh?" whispers the swordsman, who never does seem to catch on to what it was Genis was implying about his own intelligence. ...Case in point, right there.

Wow. Right now Lloyd has a choice. Stick around in here with a furious Professor Sage, or duck outside to find out what's got Noishe so nervous and hook him up to the cart for their supplies.

That's... not exactly a tough choice! Lloyd chooses to dart outside. There's nothing out there other than a random furry woodland creature who promptly gets spooked off by SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF A HUMAN BEING and scurries away. Shaking his head at a still-whining Noishe, Lloyd manages to cajole his pet down to the cart and harnesses him to it, depositing his pack in the bed of the cart. He'll wait there for the rest of the group.

The young swordsman is brought to a halt, stopping in mid-stride as he hears the brewing of Raine's fury. He didn't make much of it, it was just a core and eventually it would break down into dust or something. Still he turns around, eyeing the Professor with innocent eyes, "Such foul words, my lovely Professor. You should try smi--" he ends in mid-sentence as the the side-kick is unleashed.

Though he doesn't cry out, his eyes widen briefly in surprise taking the impact of the kick mostly on his stomach. A grunt escapes the young man's mouth, though he was a pretty boy he wasn't that frail. Regardless, it's enough to send him breathing for air before hobbling over to pick up the core, "All right, all right sheesh" he says through his clenched teeth and goes to dispose of the waste outside.

The Justice of the Almighty dished out, Raine takes her backpack and satchel, slings it over her shoulder, takes her staff in hand, and casts a look over her shoulder at Genis and the repentant one: "You two had better get out of here soon. We need to get back to Lindblum before noon. If you haven't forgotten, we're rather close to the equator. Noon time will be very hot for us, and I don't want to get sunburnt or heat stroke." And with that, the woman leaves, following....Lloyd of all people...the Charge of the Doink Brigade.

Without a further glance at Zelos the Defeated, Genis heads outside after his sister. Best to move fast now that she was in a temper. Thanks, Zelos!

(Outside the Ruins...)

Emerging into the bright daylight, Genis blinks a few times while his eyes adjust to the light. Once he regains his bearings, he will follow the others down the path back to Lindblum. For once, he is glad Lloyd came out first. Seeing that all was ready for their descent should ease Raine's temper somewhat. He hoped. Otherwise, it was going to be a L-O-N-G trip back.

Emerging into the daylight, the young swordsman takes a moment to gaze skyward, allowing his eyes to squint a bit to take in the sun. A deep exhale escapes his lips as he languidly moves back towards town, pausing a bit to idly cast aside the core of the apple into some bush. It's then that he notices the hobbling cart and proceeds to run after it.

"Wait up!" comes the shout and with some dexterity he leaps onto the back, moving into a somewhat comfortable position as to avoid the work downwards.

Lloyd has been waiting, but not very long. He's scritching Noishe behind one of his long ears by the time Zelos hops into the back of the cart. Propping his fists on his hips, he tilts his head at the redhaired swordsman, around the same time that Noishe does much the same. Dual headtilt! "...Hey, Zelos, you're not supposed to ride in it. It's for carrying stuff, not people."

Unless you're a dwarf, that is.

He'll wait until everyone's stuff is stowed away in the back of the cart (and Zelos is out of said cart) before starting off towards Lindblum.

(Later that afternoon, back in Lindblum...)

Raine is sitting in the common room, in the room that makes smart thoughts, reading a book to herself. Her expression is relaxed, almost soft, as her eyes scan page after page of text.

Lloyd peeks his head in through the door, having returned to Lindblum after heading out to drop the cart back off at home, and let his dad know what they found. Shutting the door behind him while he enters the residence, he stops his exploration when he sees Raine. "Hey, Professor," greets the boy, smiling. Judging from how he isn't hollaring Genis' name and instantly heading for the other boy's room with some sort of idea of what they could do, he's here to visit, rather than ask Genis to come out and play.

Oops, he interrupted her reading. Somehow, this doesn't deter him any, but Lloyd does shuffle a booted foot a moment before speaking again. "...Um, Professor? Before, at the ruins..." His eyes drop to the floor, scanning sideways while he scratches at the side of his head with one gloved finger, "You seemed kind of... I don't know. Down, sometimes. Is everything okay?"

Crystal BLue eyes looked up from the book, studying the boy's strong face with no emotion being shown, and yet, the usual sternness wasn't there. No, Raine looked relaxed and...almost happy...and it wasn't about ruins. The book closes softly and the woman closes her eyes, rubbing the area between her eyes, the bridge of her nose, with a forefinger and thumb. She exhaled softly, a small smile on her face, as she looked back up at Lloyd. It was very surprising, and yet very nice, to have the young man show concern for her feelings. It was...very unlike Lloyd...yet very like him....no wonder Genis was his best friend. "I think I'm okay now..." the woman spoke, motioning for the boy to sit, if he wished, "I often think...I think...too much..." she says with a thoughtful expression on her face, "And...those thoughts got me down..." It wasn't a whole truth, but it was not a lie. EVen now, Raine tests. How would LLoyd respond?

Truth be told, Lloyd already feels a little... bad. Not for being here! But because he had to dredge up something unpleasant - or at the very least unhappy - when the Professor seemed so... well, so at peace and content. Man, talk about bad timing, Lloyd! The mental chastizing would be why he looked a little sheepish or awkward when he asked his question.

That's also a good point, though; where Lloyd tended to be the last one to pick up on more intellectual details, he seemed in tune with some of the more basic feelings of people around him. And then... in the same vein, he might be completely -clueless- about more complex feelings. Whether that's a part of his personality that will never change, or if it's just because of his lack of experience, only time can tell for sure.

"Think... too much?" repeats Lloyd, visibly surprised. "Heh... I wish I could take some of that thinking for you, I could use it, sometimes." A pause, and he looks sheepish all over again. "Okay, maybe all the time," he adds, chuckling quietly. "Thoughts like that, is it better to forget about them, or talk about them?" Which kind of thought is it? He's experienced both, honestly. Perhaps--in a way, the question's an invitation to talk, too.

Somehow, even though he was a blockhead bigger than the Lindblum Castle, Lloyd had those scary moments of clarity that meant the word to others, Genis and Raine included. The woman's smile softened more and her eyes shifted down, not wanting to match the boy's gaze as she chuckles soundlessly to herself. She had to admit, the boy was right, she should either forget about them or talk about them...but not wallow in them. Not bad for a student that can barely pass history, let alone math or science. (Raine's affection goes up) The book slide to her knees as Raine leans to the side. Alright, little boy, you want her to talk, she'll talk, "You know that Genis and I have moved from city to city, looking for a place to call home, correct? I think that...finally, I found a place he can be happy, you know? But..." Her voice drops, just incase Genis was in his room, "...being in those ruins today made me wonder...just...for a moment...what it would be like to explore...larger distances..."

Not bad, huh? Admittedly, just about the only course he does passably well in (besides PE) is anything that has to do with the stars in the nighttime sky, and that's only because of his fascination with them, something he's had all through his life. Why? ...Maybe he'll remember, someday, that memory from when he was very, very young, and who it was that gave him such an interest in the stars at night.

Emboldened by a response that shows Raine is about to talk it out, Lloyd rests a hand against the hilt of one sheathed sword, his other hand lowered to his side, weight leaned against one leg. "Yeah... I remember, near when I first met you and Genis, he mentioned that you both moved a few times before." ...Genis had seemed very lonely. It wasn't that which made him befriend the young mage, but rather, an intense and personal desire to befriend him. No other reason than that. Even though he's never really gotten along with his teachers, Raine was always his favorite--even if she did have plenty of right to get frustrated at his nonsense!

"...Oh..." Lloyd is quiet a moment, taking this in. "It's great if Genis is happy." His brows arch in concern, "But ... I know he cares about you more than anything. Are -you- happy?"

The woman's lips tighten at that question. That was a bit too insightful for Lloyd, even though Raine bets that the boy has no idea just how close to home that last question hit. Was she happy? Really? A hand reaches up to stroke her chin, again emulating a wiseman's beard. The woman wondered, truly, if that was a very fair question to ask herself. Was - she - happy?

A minute passes as Raine muses, before finally, closing her eyes and shaking her head, "It's a lot more complicated when you're an adult, Lloyd, I'm afraid. I'd like to be able to say 'Yes I am' or 'No I'm not'...but it's never black and white.

Thsoe crystal eyes open and look at her smooth hand. She was twenty-three...and when she is fifty, her hand will look the same. Her blood...poison to her soul...her blessing and curse.

"I want to be happy..." she mutters, "...but I have to know..."

Was it really? Lloyd must not be aware, but to him, it's common sense! He loves his Dad, but if his Dad isn't happy, it doesn't matter how bright the sun is, or how happy he's been--the moment he realizes it, his good spirits usually drop like a rock. It's... just how it is, isn't it? With people you're really close to. Like, if Genis or Raine are down, he feels a twinge of unhappiness too. Isn't that just part of what it means to be close to people?

Hmm... maybe he really is too simple-minded for his own good, or perhaps even those moments of insight are really just his own blind blundering, which can occasionally strike true--and luckily.

"..." Never black and white. Then... when you get older, things naturally get more complex. But, as the elves he believes Genis and Raine to be, they must be far older than they appear. Maybe. How much more complex is life for the two of them? "I don't really understand." That's to the complexity of growing up. "But what is it you have to know, Professor?"

My, this was getting to be a rather heavy conversation, now isn't it? The grown woman stands up, motioning to the other comfortable chair, "Sit...please..." and walking over to a bookcase. The book she was reading slides back into place, and with a deft motion, Raine removes a much thicker book. She hefts the book, all fifty pounds of it, over to her chair and sits. Opening the book, she takes out...another book! Interestingly enough, this big huge book is hollow, and inside are many secret Raine Sage things. The heavy book gets placed on the ground and Raine takes the smaller book and opens it...producing....a very small book! Well...no..not really. She opens to a page and shows it to Lloyd. On it are a columns of numbers. Dates. Height. Weight. She turns the page, showing rows of notes. Temperament. Food likes. Interests.

"This..." says the woman, "...is all that exist of Genis's records from two to five..." She closes the book, "...a series of numbers and words. That's no way to define a boy like him. We don't know...where..." Raine stops and closes her eyes, "...I mean...I...don't know where others of my kind are..."

Sitting is a good idea. It certainly does wonders to make Lloyd feel less awkward, standing there and asking such probing questions of his Professor, but... it's kind of like... he gets to know Raine so rarely--as Raine, instead of as 'Professor Sage'. It's uncommon on both ends, so it's a little hard for him to just turn away from the situation, even if he does wind up feeling ...silly about asking such serious questions.

At sight of the fifty-pound book, Lloyd begins to wonder, inwardly, if she's about to give him a lesson. Aww, man...

"...Huh? This is..." It looks like a record the school nurse might keep, on times people called in sick from class or maybe ate something bad for them and had to go home, or caught a flu from one of the other students. Except it's all about Genis, as he grew up. Do all parents keep such a record of their kids? Dirk doesn't, but he's a Dwarf, maybe they raise people differently. "Other elves? Ohhh, so... you want to go out there, and find out where they all are?"

The book closes shut with a soft pop as Raine lower it to her lap, looking Lloyd over. He'd be a very successfully young man...one day...when he got responsible. Raine smiled inwardly. It was certainly worth researching.

"That's right, Lloyd. Have you, in your time here, ever seen any other elves? I don't think so...just as your father, Dirk, is one of the few Dwarves I've ever seen. In fact..." The woman taps her fore-finger to her lips, "...I think Dirk is the only one..."

Haha! Lloyd, responsible?! It'd take years! Or at least a good, long journey involving disappointments, betrayals, and the weight of hundreds of lives in one's hands! --Oh, wait. That may very well happen, it wouldn't be the first time that destiny dropped into the laps of the unlikely, and what could be more unlikely than a couple of kids, their teacher, a mercenary, a gigolo, a ninja summoner and various others?

Lloyd answers honestly, simply shaking his head. He's never seen another elf, not personally. He's heard STORIES, but... no way, in Lindblum? Furthermore, Dirk really is the only dwarf he's ever personally seen. "Dad? ...I guess you're right. I never really thought about things like that, but it must be kind of lonely."

Leaning forward, the Professor looms over Lloyd. Well, not looms, because that would be threatening. The woman DOES lean forward and look the boy in the eyes, getting close enough to pierce into the fourteen year old's personal space. Raine had a lavender and jasmine scent to her, one that was a result of her elven blood. Yes, no need for perfume when you're an elf! Just imagine what Genis will smell like when---

The sound of a needle popping a balloon in the background kills that conversation string...

"Lloyd..." the woman says in a softer than normal voice, perhaps not to wake up her little brother, "...if Genis and I went on such adventure...would you come along? I wouldn't want Genis to be...away from his friends..." Is that all there is to it? Probably. Raine leans back, "Of course, you'd get extra credit..."

Woah. Yeah, Lloyd might wonder stuff like what his best friend will smell like when he's older, but that's kind of the simple-minded, innocent wonderings of a mind that has not yet come to realize the meanings behind some of the most basic 'naughty jokes'. Still, even that thought would strike him as a little odd!

'Extra credit' is an alien term to Lloyd, who has never, ever received extra credit, mostly because whatever points stood between him and totally flunking his classes and getting kicked out of school was usually desperately completed make-up work and a lot of charity from both Raine and Genis.

...sob.

Instead of trepidation, or hesitation, Lloyd's eyes light up with enthusiasm instantly. "...Really?" Fortunately, he's not so excited that he forgets to keep his voice down too. "I... I would be honored!" That is, if his dad doesn't mind. "Besides, I couldn't just let you two get rid of me that easily," he adds, joking lightly.

Leaning back, Raine outwardly smiles now, not a big smile, mind you, Raines don't do that. But she is smiling at the rambunctious youth, the glint in her eyes that of a teacher watching her pupils learn. //One way or another, Lloyd Iriving, you will broaden your mind.// And her look is one of curiosity at how Lloyd will grow, but there is something else there...a motherly look that Raine has learned to give, mostly due to Genis.

Still...it would be a blessing to have those swords protecting them.

"Then I'll let you know when we're ready to leave..." says Raine, "But it won't be for at least a month or two, or longer...so don't jump the crossbow and give Dirk a heart attack..." With that said, Raine stands and heads towards the kitchen, "Want some peach tea?" She asks, "Genis made it..."

That's Professor Sage, all right. Almost always professional, intellectual, and cool! ...Until ruins are involved, and then she's like a kid in a candy store, if the kid was willing and happy to rattle off the historical significance and origins of twizzlers.

Even in the most innocent and simple of minds, the world has a way of forcing people to grow up, to broaden their horizons. With the right guides, the right friends, any experience can be changed into a productive and healthy lesson, even if the experience itself might be hurtful or damaging. This is part of why Lloyd is so lucky to know Genis and Raine Sage.

"Peach tea, sounds great! Thanks." He's obviously trying to curb his excitement, already eager to do this adventure! ...Watch, he'll forget all about it in a few weeks, only to be reminded and get all excited about it again!

(Fade to Black)

Adventure Interlude - Campfire Scene

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:40:37 GMT

-=[Ruined Chamber]=-------------------------------------------------------------

Genis allows Lloyd to range on the far side of the room to get firewood. "Thanks, Lloyd! Be sure to get dry wood, not wet. We don't wanna smoke ourselves out of here." Grateful for Lloyd's help, Genis gathers as much wood as his little sturdy arms can carry. He himself stays well within healing range of his sister, in case something nasty DOES com eout of the hole.

Thinking of sisters, he glances over at Raine to see where she is standing... and is appalled to discover her rummaging around in HIS backpack... AND pulling out ingredients and implements for cooking with a sly, determined look on her face! "HEY SIS!! Don't even think about it!" He rushes forward, as best he can with an armload of wood, and drops the wood on the ground near his backpack and "caught" sister, and plants both feet far apart, one hand on hip and one gesturing in the air to punctuate his words: "Going through someone's backpack is NOT cool, especially if I'M doing the cooking tonight! And I am! So please, step back, sis and let me handle the cooking. You can get the sleeping tents set up; you were always better at that, anyway."

Raine gets a hurt look on her face for a second and then, with a resigned sigh, nods. She knows her cooking is horrible, like a bad dream on Christmas Eve, and with a muttered, "I wanted to surprise you, Genis..." the dejected older woman shunts off to the discard pile and makes with the tent-making. She is over her upset, visibly, in about a minute or two, and gets a more and more thoughtful look on her face as she sets up the triage of tents in record-breaking time.

There's probably not much wood inside the ruins themselves, if this stuff's been here for a couple hundred years, it's either dust or practically fossilized by now! ...Not that Lloyd would have any idea what 'fossilized' means. "Okay!" Dry wood, not wet, dry, not wet. It means he has to nip out of the ruins for a little while, but he's at least quick about running this errand. (One could say he has the same incentive his dwarven dad gave him on learning the dwarven vows! FOOD!)

It isn't long after the tents are set up before Lloyd can be heard on his way back. It sounds like he briefly struggles with getting himself and the stack of branches through the entrance, but some shifting around and he arrives to dump the lot next to the pile Genis had made. "There!" announces Lloyd, visibly proud of himself. "I saw a larger one too that I can chop into a few logs. I'll go get it." Besides, it means he gets to hack at something. That boy has way too much fun with his swords.

Genis noticed the hurt look cross Raine's face and inwardly chides himself for being so blunt and tactless. (She was only trying to help, after all), he thinks to himself. (What would she do if it were me? Ah yes! She'd praise me for something I did right.)

Suiting action to thought, he walks over to where Raine has set up the sleeping tents. They were perfect. Each tent pole was balanced so that it gave and received equal support from its mates. Not only that, but teh canvas was stretched at just the right tension to provide maximum coverage and warmth. Impressed, he pokes his head inside one to see sleeping bundles arranged neatly along with their supply packs.

Turning abck to his sister, he goes up to her and beams a smile. "Sis, camp looks great! I don't think anyone could set it up half so well as you in such a short time. It's perfect!"

Noticing her brother sudden praise, Raine inwardly smiles... //He is trying to make up for what he said earlier... what a dear boy..// A hand comes out and ruffles the twelve year old kid's hair, then tickles under his chin. "Thanks..." is all the older woman says as she smiles softly at him.

Her eyes cast up to where Lloyd is, and with a smile in her voice, she says, "Great work, Lloyd! We'll eat well tonight!" Dusting off her frock, the Professor looked around the ruins and mutters, "This...brings back some very distinct and...uncomfortably realistic...memories..." With that bit of wisdom, she trots off to go sit by her satchel. She takes out the map to the ruins she made and examines it, a very contemplative look on her face.

For the nonce, Lloyd is outside with that large branch propped up between two stones, swinging one blade down to cut through, then moving the branch to the side, and repeating the process until he has a few good logs for the campfire. Sheathing the blade and wiping his brow with his sleeve, he gets to the task of bringing back the pile of logs.

"And done," sighs the swordsman, when he's dropped the pile near the rest of the wood and drops back to sit against his heels. "....Hm?" He's spotted Raine's contemplative expression, and he turns his attention to Genis, making a little pointing motion to his older sister. "Is she in ruins mode again?" whispers Lloyd, behind one hand cupped at his mouth.

Genis builds the campfire then sets it ablaze with a very *small* Fireball. As it roars to life and burns brightly and hotly, chasing away the evening chill and dampness, Genis gathers together all his ingredients in one pile to reorganize them after Raine's inroads. "Fruit here... vegetables here... spices here... meats... starches... dairy..." As he sorts he idly wonders where Lloyd got off to and if he was ok wandering out in the dark all by himself. Raine looked pretty comfortable, sitting there studying her maps and whatnot.

At that moment, Lloyd came back in carrying a chopped-up tree in his arms which he dumped unceremoniously beside Genis's neat little pile. "Well, we won't get cold tonight leastways," is his only remark to Lloyd's return. Finished with the organizing, he takes a stew pot and hands it to Lloyd. "We need fresh water... and I saw a stream not to far from the entrance on our way up this afternoon. Think you can fill it up and carry it back here without spilling half of it?" This last is said with a cocky grin, as much challenge as jest (Genis doesn't want Lloyd to fail; their dinner depends on his success.)

As if she were answering for Genis, Raine speaks up to Lloyd, having overheard the youth, (Perception 5) "No, Lloyd, I'm not. As much as you like to pass notes to Genis and Collette in class about it, I don't always go into... 'Ruins Mode' ...when I'm in ruins." Her eyes scan the map, which she then folds up and places back in her satchel, "No doubt about it...this was the place..." She pauses and, leaning back on her hands, looks the place over, her face neither smiling nor frowning, "I wonder...maybe I'm looking on the wrong continent..." Her eyes close for a moment as she does some math in her head, then, with a sigh, Raine leans forward and, totally changing the topic, inquires of her brother, "So, Master Chef, what's for dinner?"

Ack! She overheard him! "Urk...!" That'd be Lloyd, all right, giving Raine a stunned, oh-no-did-I-get-myself-in-trouble look. He puts a hand to the back of his head, rubbing it as he laughs sheepishly. "Heheh... Sorry, Professor." And color him extremely confused (and curious!) about the Professor's murmured words. He's just about to ask about what she means when Genis offers him the stew pot.

"Hey, I'm not a klutz!" Although, he's been known to share in Colette's clumsiness, just as she seems to share in his cluelessness. However it seems Lloyd hasn't taken offense, only getting to his feet as he takes the stew pot, grinning. "I won't get lost. I can probably see the fire's light coming out of the entrance out there." Now that Genis got the fire going with his magic, it should be easy to find his way back, provided he doesn't go getting himself lost. Besides, he'll have Noishe with him.

With that, he heads out to fetch the water!

Genis sweatdrops at Raine's comment regarding their note-passing in her class and even more so about knowing the topic of said notes. He gets busy to prepping his ingredients for cooking, hoping she overlooks the Small Busy Cooking One.

NO! No such luck, genius. Not only does she notice you, but she asks you a question. And Raine's questions must ALWAYS be answered.

Genis replies, "I though a nice hardy Beef Stew would warm everyone up. We can have some of Lloyd's fresh bread with it. Cool water to drink... and top it all off with Fruit Shortcake for dessert."

Licking her lips softly, in a manner that would not even provoke a rude comment from Zelos (but a few comments from Zelos's player - sob), Raine nods, "That is a great meal, Genis. Good job!" Five points for Gryffindor! "I sure need to get my strength back up after this journey...I fear I'm badly out of shape." Leaning forward...Raine covers her out of shape self, rather self-conscious all of a sudden in her 'old age'. Noth another word is spoken as she takes out a book and opens it, starting to read, "Genis...Lloyd...." she asks without thought of who may be around. They had better be at least one person around! "What do you think caused that explosion." She pauses, "This isn't a quiz...I want your...honest thoughts..."

Fruit shortcake! Oh man, THIS is one of the best outings ever!

Watch as mention of dessert will make Lloyd forget all about WEIRD SKELETONS and totally embarassing situations like being caught getting spooked by something like that. Fortunately, it doesn't take long for Lloyd to find the stream and fill the pot with water, and even more fortunately, he takes his time returning, so he doesn't spill any. Nothing's worse than spending the night in wet clothing.

He's returned to set down the pot by the fire, intending on propping it between two larger fragments of stone, when Raine's mention of his and Genis' name causes Lloyd to glance up, curiously. "That explosion? Beats me. Maybe Alchemists lived here. There's explosions all the time near that place the Alchemists hang out to experiment. Or maybe someone tried something that's never been done before--and, well, no one knows what it is, now, I guess. Since they're probably all dead..."

Genis pauses in his prep work to consider Raine's question. "Well, at first I thought it was a high-level Fire or Holy spell or maybe a combination of the two. But it was Ancient Greeks who were here, not desert people. So, maybe something from the ancient gods... Zeus used to throw his lightning bolts to the earth, but the evidence here doesn't support that theory. The explosion was caused by something in here, not something thrown in from the outside. Maybe something went wrong..." His voice trails off uncertainly.

Raine nods at Lloyd's unusually intelligent (but not uncommon or surprising) answer. "That is very insightful, Lloyd, I hadn't considered Alchemy. It is no secret that the founding roots of Alchemy in Europe started here in Lindblum. Indeed, the Ametris district was built originally to serve Alchemists and not Mages. It was only due to the alliance with Alexandria that Magic was given equal footing with Alchemy." A page turns as Raine looks down, apparently done with Lloyd. A moment later, she smiles softly, "Good job, Lloyd..."

And then Genis's answer gets a very quixotic look from the Professor. She looks up at her little brother and asks, closing the book, but keeping it open with her thumb, "What do you mean, Genis? What could have gone wrong? An Alchemy experiment? A wizard duel? A ritual? Please....follow your line of thought and see where it leads you..."

Holy crap! Hold the phone, was Lloyd insightful? Even Lloyd himself seems a little taken aback, but he does his best to simply blink and not say the first thing that pops in his head, as he's fairly sure it might be something that ruins a good thing. Let's just hope he appears smart this time and doesn't put his foot in his mouth--Genis' answer sounds a LOT smarter, but Genis is always the font of knowledge between the two friends. Lloyd, meanwhile, smiles at the boy and resumes putting the stones close to the fire to support the weight of the stew pot, without blocking too much of the heat.

He manages it, and mostly because his dad thought to make him gloves that could deal with building fires (and working near his dad's forge) without being damaged (or burning the wearer!). Dwarven craftsmanship! Can't beat it!

He'll just claim its the fire for his blushing. Aw, man! He gave a good answer. *_* All right! As for Genis' answer, Lloyd's ears are pricked, he wants to hear him out! This is bound to be good!

Genis briefly thanks Lloyd for his assistance and empties 1/3 of the water into a large container (for drinking water). Then, with Lloyd's help, he puts the stew pot onto the fire to boil the remaining water. Sitting back on his heels, he contemplates Raine's and Lloyd's remarks.

"You know, maybe a ritual WAS performed here. These were Greeks, after all, and these ruins are kinda like a shrine or temple. There's no way to tell if something went wrong or this was intentional. But the blast was so intense it melted the walls into glass and affected many rooms... whoever was in here was surely killed. A person can't survive a blast like that. Funny thing, though, I don't recall seeing any bones of humans or animals in here."

"Maybe they were disintegrated..." remarks the elven maiden, tapping her finger to her lips. "A sudden violent change in heat to several thousand degrees would do this..." But then she shakes her head, "The rock formations would have melted... this was more of a very hot and rapid expansion of air...an explosion if you will." Again, the woman taps her finger to her lips, who then snaps her fingers, "Lloyd! What did you find earlier?" It looks like a lightbulb went off over Raine's head.

"Me neither, Genis. Disintegrated, yeah, maybe--" Lloyd begins to say, and then his teeth click together in the haste he makes to cut himself off. After a moment, the brown-haired boy shakes his head, brows lifting sheepishly. "No, that doesn't make sense... Glass is made when sand is super-heated, so..." That much he knows, and that's thanks to being raised by a dwarf who does a lot of various crafting jobs for people in Lindblum. "At first I thought we can't find bones because they got burned to ash, but there's still pottery around. The Professor found some."

So there goes that idea. "Huh? Oh yeah! There was this wooden thing lying around," says Lloyd, pulling from his belt the wooden spike, and from his pocket, the sepia card. "This should've been burned pretty badly too. Especially the card, but both look fine." He offers both, should either of the other two wish to take this opportunity to look closely at the two objects, the Ex-sphere on the back of his left hand reflecting firelight. "I just don't get it."

The water has achieved a roiling boil by this time, so Genis adds the Meat, Carrots, Potatos, Onions, and a dash of Black Satay. With that done, he turns his attention to preparing the Fruit Shortcake. First up, browning the pastry shells so they are crispy. The fire has gone down from its initial roar, so he places the shells on the coals farthest from the center. Next, he begins to cut up the various pieces of fruit into attractive, bite-sized pieces: strawberries, melons, bananas, peaches, and blueberries. The milk, cream, sugar, and White Satay are far from the fire, to stay chilled.

Genis turns his full attention on Lloyd as the other boy produces the Sepia Card and Wooden Spike. "Let me see the card, Lloyd. Where did you find these?" Wiping his hands on a clean rag, he reaches for Lloyd's proffered card. ((Perception 3 to notice anything unusual about the card; Magic Lore 4 and Eidetic Memory to recall anything of magical value the card could relate to or point to or represent, etc.))

It seems almost out of character for Raine, but she temporarily goes back to reading her book as Genis takes control of investigating the two objects taken from Lloyd. THis was, in a manner of speaking, Genis's moment to really shine...or was Raine testing Genis again. She had her own theory, but she wanted to hear what her little brother thinks.

The card has three images on it, of a spinning wheel, loom and pair of scissors. Isn't there a legend about three Fates who spin the thread of destiny, another who weaves it into a tapestry of life, and another who cuts the string of a life at the end? Lloyd doesn't know anything about stuff like that, mostly because if he was taught such things, he probably slept right through the whole class.

Lloyd leaves the wooden spike on the ground in case anyone wants to pick it up and look at it, but the card itself has been handed off to Genis. "It looks really old. I don't know why it has pictures like that on there. Did the Greeks advertise? Maybe it's a coupon for a clothing store! ...From a few hundred years ago! That's really cool!" ...Oh goddess, Lloyd, that's really awful.

Genis scrutinizes the card for 30 seconds before a light bulb goes off in his head. "I know what this card is! See the pictures on it? It's one of the missing cards from the Tournament. You remember, someone stole the cards and the grand prize not too long ago... and the State Alchemists were trying to find the thief and the stolen items. This must be one of the missing cards. We'll have to return this to them when we head back to town."

Stowing the card away safely in his backpack, he turns his attention to the Wooden Spike. "It looks like an old wooden stake. Can't have much use for that right now. Where did you say you found these, Lloyd?"

Raine rubs her nose as Genis and Lloyd together turn out to be like Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Flatsom. The elven maiden smiles as she watches the exchange between the two boys, their friendship as apparent as the mole on Genis's butt. <3 The woman's brow, though, furrows when she sees that stake, a look of concern on her face, "Lloyd..." her mind moves like lightning, "Did you find that...around a corpse...?" (Air/2 to be suspicious).

"Are you serious?!" All of a sudden, Lloyd's all at attention, awestruck and enthused. "Wow! You mean they're using cards for that tournament that the Greeks used? That's amazing!!"

Er, actually, it's more likely that the cards were stolen much more recently than that, and one of the thieves snuck in here--or perhaps some animal picked it up and brought it back in here, intending on making the ruins its home. Or that skeleton in there was the remains of the brigand who had the card to begin with. Ewww. That skeleton didn't seem quite fresh enough for that.

The stake...? Lloyd turns to Raine, glancing down next at the wooden spike. "Well, there was that big slab of rock in the way, right? Somewhere under that there was that skeleton." Shudder. "And on the other side of the room was the spike. About... four feet away or something. Why, Professor?"

Genis looks first from Raine then Lloyd during their exchange, then he realizes the pastries are getting ultra-crisped, the stew's boiling over, and he isn't finished prepping the fruits! Ok, it's not as bad as all that, but he does "hop to it" and finishes preparing the dessert as the stew cooks to completion. "Hey guys! Dinner's almost ready. How about washing up and helping me serve? We can finish our discussion over dinner." He finishes assembling the dessert (Fruit Shortcake) as everyone else gets busy.

Meanwhile, Raine was finished her book. Closing it, the elven woman stood and walked over to the stream, washing her hands, "What if..." States the Professor, "...the reason we're finding only pottery and not people is..." The cold water splashes over her face...she is tidy and clean. "...because the people weren't killed, but were taken, someplace else..."

Being one who is passably good at cooking, himself, but nowhere near the natural chef Genis is, Lloyd doesn't exactly realize what it is Genis is making with the pastries and fruit--all right, he's just clueless. He'll figure it out probably while they're filling up on stew, as the smell of it's already making his stomach grumble appreciatively. Lloyd doesn't need to be told twice, he climbs to his feet and follows Raine to the stream, intending on washing his hands. They need it, being dirty from handling wood and generally mucking around in the ruins for the majority of the day.

"...Taken? Where, Professor?" Lloyd asks, standing up again at the side of the stream and shaking water off his fingers. He'll wait to hear what she has to say, or, if she would rather speak while they return to camp, he'll follow suit, to get the loaf of bread out from his backpack so everyone can have some with their meal. "It's hard to imagine they'd pick up and leave so fast, especially with the place looking like that."

When everyone returns from the stream, Genis ladles out proper portions of stew for everyone, serving himself last. Sitting down with a mug of fresh, cool water and a hunk of Lloyd's bread, he munches contentedly as he listens to the conversation around him. (Wow! Raine's really into this), he thinks to himself. (Hope Lloyd can keep up this time. She really likes him. Otherwise, she wouldn't bother taking this much time with him.)

Genis eats his dinner--it is really tasty (Cooking 4)--and reflects on his friendship with Lloyd. It all started five years ago when a boy older and bigger than himself entered his classroom, sat down at a desk beside him, and asked, "When's lunch?" Genis really liked Lloyd and was glad they were friends. Best friends, even. Looking over at Lloyd, his smile grew broader as watched Lloyd struggle to keep up with Raine. It was the normal things, the little things, that Genis loved most about his life right now. His friends, his family, his studies, his hometown. All wove a tapestry of peace, of harmony, around the young mage. He was content.

Raine saves her answer until she is seated, motioning for Lloyd ot follow her to the campfire. Genis, after all, just did a lot of cooking, and cheating him of officially serving his food would be the same as someone defacing a ruin - it just isn't done! And so, Raine sits, takes the stew, and with a few healthy slurps, tastes the meal. It is, to no surprise, like heaven, and the woman finds herself lost in the wondrous tastes and sensations for several minutes before remember that Lloyd asked a question. She spares a moment to lower the bowl and say, "I'm wondering, Lloyd, if the spell here didn't have purely destructive capabilities...but prehaps...teleportative as well..." She raises the spoon to her lips, "Like...a Gate..." And she eats.

Truth be told, it's Lloyd's honor to have such friends. While he doesn't think anything of it, their background makes life difficult for them both, and despite having more reason than anyone else Lloyd knows to hate him and all other humans, the fact that they give him so much of their time and friendship says much of their character. Who really could ask for anything more? ...Oh yeah, and the cooking is really awesome. *_*;

Lloyd eagerly thanks Genis for his bowl when it's filled with stew, all too happy to hand out generous portions of the bread Dirk had thoughtfully packed for him (or else Lloyd would have forgotten all about it--again!). He settles down on the ground, inhaling the steam from the stew appreciatively before digging in. Had their friendship really started just five years ago? It feels like a whole lifetime! In fact, that's the funny thing about friendships - really good ones. It's hard to think of a time when you WEREN'T friends with them, because, well, they really do make the world a brighter, more fun place, don't they?

Noticing Genis' expression, Lloyd glances up, a crust of bread held in one hand. The bread drips stew into his bowl for a moment while he blinks at Genis. "...What, do I have some on my face?" He starts to feel around his mouth for any missed stew, then pauses. "What's tele--uhm... Telly-portiv?" He lowers his bowl to his lap for the moment, intensely curious. "A gate? I'm not sure I follow." That much is obvious! "Like the gate we passed through when we left Lindblum?"

Genis comes back to the present when Lloyd makes noise about his face. (Ah, Lloyd, the ever self-conscious.) Addressing Lloyd, he says, "My sister means a gate that you can teleport through to get from one place to another. Like stepping through a shrine gate in Lindblum and ending up in Alexandria." Turning to Raine, Genis continues, "I thought that was just a myth, a fairy tale. Did such gates actually exist back in ancient times? That would be way cool." His face lights up excitedly at the thought.

Rubbing her non-existent beard, Raine mutters, "I thought it was a legend as well..." Then that maniac look gets in her eyes and she loooooms towards BOTH boys, "But the possibility of a Gaet having been opened here is truly fascinating! Yes! This could be the archeological find of the century....!" And another wholesome LOUD slurp of the stew, emptying the bowel, and Raine suddenly laughs like 'E-B-I-L'(tm).

"Ohhh..." Genis is getting one of Lloyd's wide-eyed and wondering stares, the kind that suggest he's either actually learning something new for the first time and ACTUALLY MAYBE CATCHING ON--or he's about to have his imagination take that idea and run off in a totally nonsensical direction with it. He doesn't get the chance to actually vocalize which of it this is, because Raine has suddenly hit Ruins Mode again. "...U...Uh oh..."

QUICK! Duck and drink your stew! Which is precisely what Lloyd does, until the laugh of EBIL(TM) makes him nearly choke on it.

Genis groans as his sister enters Ruins Mode in earnest. "There she goes again. I hope we get out of here before Christmas." ((It's late fall now.))

Genis finishes his stew and notices that the others are either finished or about to be. He gets up and passes out the dessert to everyone: Fruit Shortcake. He then seats himself, and digs in. Yum!

Looking around at his companions, Genis feels very good about being here with his family and friends, both old and new ((we love you, Zelos and Kratos!)). Their first real adventure together! These were halcyon days, and somewhere in his heart, he knew these would be the best times of their lives... the stuff dreams and memories are made of... their grand adventures into the World, together.

(FADE TO BLACK)

The adventure continues!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:36:10 GMT

Noontime and the sun is high in a near cloudless sky, the air fresh and warm, graced with a light spring breeze drifting through the busy streets of Lindblum's business district. The marketplace is bustling with activity, full of people hawking wares or bargaining for a good price. Visually, it's easy to pick out the wealthy, who set out in finery and are often accompanied by a guard or an entourage in livery. As for the rest of the people, many of them have come to market with carts for their own goods to sell or baskets.

Lloyd had gotten up early (!!!) but only because his dad had some business in Lindblum, and had surprisingly enough needed some help loading a few things in locked chests into a cart to travel with the dwarf into market. Since Dirk would be busy for the rest of the morning and afternoon -- the ride had given Lloyd time to update Dirk on the trip to the ruins, as well as acquire a handy shovel that could amazingly fold up for easy carrying -- Lloyd was currently on his own and was trusted to come back when their trip to the ruins was over.

So he's presently seated on the parked cart, where Noishe is huddled under a canvas tarp on the cart bed, whining after a couple of kids had pulled his tail one too many times. As for Lloyd, he's seated with the large 'dog', scratching him behind his long ears, idly.

The clamor of the marketplace fills the air, melodic to the usual customer and merchant and noisy to the visitor. Still, it deters no one and dozens of people pile into the square. One such crowd is composed of six young maidens, of various colors and clothes, that serve as the entourage for the red-haired man in the center. The group maneuvers through the plethora of people with the girls pushing and shoving people out of the way to make room. Having caught the attention of something, Zelos leads his pack of hunnies to one of the stalls.

"Are any of my hunnies hungry?" asks the gigolo, his eyes bearing a subtle gleam brought from the sunlight.
"Oh Zelos, you're too nice!" reply the groupies in unison before falling into a giggling fit.

Apples and other fruits are passed around and coins are exchange. Casually, Zelos begins to throw the apple in the air as if juggling it but lo and behold, his dexterity fails and the red fruit is sent flying into the air.

The eyes of a few watch the apple as it sails through the air. It sails a few feet and starts to make it's decent. Everyone watchs it dall, fall, fall and... The apple falls perfectly into a hand. Thge hand that just so happens to be attached to Kratos. The man after catching the apple brings it down out of the air and takes a bite as he continues to make his way toward Lloyd. He approches most casually and give a nod to Lloyd. "Morning Lloyd, How are you?"

That apple could very well have clocked someone on the head, had Kratos not caught it right out of the air. Lloyd is, of course, oblivious to the fact that his head was just spared an unfortunate rendezvous with said piece of fruit, though he is at first very curious as to why Noishe had started looking up and whining. "What? What's wrong, Noishe?" Then, all at once, Noishe sat up, tail thumping against the bed of the cart under the tarp he was huddled under, panting happily. Surprised by Noishe's sudden change in attitude, it should come as no surprise that he gives a visible start at the greeting he hears.

Lloyd turns his head. "Kratos!" He unfolds a leg, letting one booted foot swing off the edge of the cart, leaning on his arms, "'Morning," greets the boy in return, looking to his pet with a laugh. "Look at that, huh? He's usually kind of shy. I didn't get to introduce you to him earlier, but this is Noishe. Noishe? This is Kratos."

The giggling of the girls over yonder eventually gets Lloyd's curiosity up, and he glances that way. "Huh. There's that guy from earlier..."

The young man gazes skyward as he watches the apple sail through the air before disappearing behind another crowd. He pauses and contemplates to go after it but decides otherwise, instead he returns to his own group and buys an orange and subjects it to the same feat of dexterity.

The girls 'ooh' and 'aah' as the young man, twirls on his heels, catching the fruit as he tosses it about. So impressed are the girls that they begin to toss their own uneaten fruit at him, for him to juggle. Clumsily he attempts to compensate the added burdens and stomps about trying to catch them all before throwing them up in the air once more.

"Go Zelos, you can do it!" scream the girls, as they leap into the air, clapping and cheering wildly. Finally, the gigolo loses his touch and begins to stumble, through the crowd and into a nearby cart with the shower of falling fruit coming after him and those nearby.

"Aaaah!"

Genis leaves his house 15 minutes after his sister, Raine, because he was finishing up kitchen chores. Cooking for Raine was almost a full-time job because she ate a lot and couldn't be trusted to do any cooking herself. Lunch consisted of Genis's favorite dish, Rice Balls (with salty plum and cheese stuffed inside(he loves cheese!)), and fresh apple cider to drink. After lunch, Raine departed for the Business District, telling Genis to catch up when he finished at home. So he cleaned the kitchen and packed clothing and what supplies they had on hand for a three-day journey. Looking at the meager sack, he shook his head. "This will not do! We're gonna need more supplies, especially if everyone is hungry... and Lloyd is always hungry. So I better follow Raine to the Business District and buy food supplies." He picks everything up and a potion bottle rolls out of the pile. "Oooh," he says as he picks it up and puts it back in the sack. "I'd better get us some potions, too. People are gonna get hurt if there are monsters or ghosts or cave-ins in there." He finishes with the packing, and exits the house, locking the front dooe behind him.

Boarding the Water Cab, he looks at the scenery unfolding around him then disembarks at the Business District. "Ok, now to the shops!" And our little boy genius mage strides into the square, pausing only to let a crowd of young ladies in brightly-colored dresses go by. He's so short and there are so many people, he doesn't see anyone yet.

Emerging from the Crafter's Guild, the Professor is carrying a canvas bundle,s lung over her shoulder, the noon-day sun shining off of her orange frock so brightly that she looks more like a walking piece of citrus fruit than an elf woman of academic standing. Keeping that usual pleasant smile on her face, Raine looks around the plaza, seeking the diminutive form of her younger sibling, her eyes instead falling upon the bright red troublemaker known as Lloyd Irving, her 'star' pupil. Normally, Raine would scowl at Lloyd being 'lazy', but the gaze of the teenage swordsman peeks Raine's interest, and she follows his gaze to see...something that truly speaks ill of the noble class.

The woman's eyes take in the antics of Zelos long enough to watch the red-maned dandy kiss the wooden side of a cart, the impact enough to make the Professor shake her head. "My my...so this is the regal blood of Lindblum..." And with that comment, Zelos is filed into the 'outbox' (see trash) within Raine's mind as she heads over towards Lloyd.

"Hello Lloyd," the woman says with a pleasant layer to her usually formal tone, "I see you've come more prepared than usual. I'm glad to see that you take this trip seriously." Within the back of Raine's mind, the woman -hopes- against all hope that Lloyd would actually take the comment this time. But...in all logic, she wasn't banking on it. The odds were not in favor of that.

"That guy?" Kratos looks over in the direction Lloyd was and notices the "guy" from yesterday. "Oh yes him." And thats all he says. He looks back to Lloyd and then to Noishe. "So, Noishe is it? He looks a bit big to be a dog don't you think? What breed is he?"

Then a sound he was beginning to become familiar with came from behind him. He turned around and saw exactly who he was expecting to see. "Ah hello Raine. You don't seem to be in the same mood as yesterday. I like that." And with that he turned back to Lloyd and waited for his answer.

Lloyd's own packing is a brown backpack tucked into the back of the cart, containing an extra set of clothing, his kit for caring for his two swords, some utensils, flint and steel for campfire-building, and a seperate bag containing -- tada! -- a few loafs of bread. Genis' cooking is the best, but at least he came prepared with his own rations! There are a few other odds and ends in there, such as a few apple gels and a bottle of Panacea that his dad absolutely INSISTED he bring along 'just in case'.

"What breed...?" Lloyd's gloved right hand drops to Noishe's side, patting him in distracted fondness, tilting his head in thought for a moment. "Huh. I don't know. He's been with me as long as I can remember." Pretty long-lived, at that, huh? Kratos isn't so bad! Even Noishe seems to like him. It's too bad that Lloyd's attitude changes at the drop of a hat, especially when he realizes Kratos is a better swordsman than he is.

"Professor Sage!" greets Lloyd happily, "Dad let me borrow a shovel. See? It folds up! He made this a while ago." Putting the shovel on display, he unfolds it, and then refolds it. Its joints are rather squeaky. Rather suddenly, he looks up, fuming. "Hey! Of course I'm taking this trip seriously! I asked dad and everyth--" Lloyd gasps, pointing upwards. "INCOMING!" he shouts, seconds before he's pelted by assorted fruits.

The 'manly' scream is cut short as Zelos slams into the cart. With an audible grunt he recoils and tumbles backwards before scrambling to his feet. As he rises, the young man flips his red-hair over his shoulder. The voluminous strands of silk glisten beneath the light before cascading down - caressed by the passing wing. A slight bounce signals their landing and his back once more remains covered by the mane of red.

"That was so not cool" speaks the gigolo with a slightly pained voice, more so annoyed than anything.

Partially gloved hands work quickly to dust off the man's body before he finally turns to regard the surrounding crowd. "You can have the fruit, consider it a gift from the great Zelos" comes the remark, cool and arrogant as a mock, half-bow is offered.

The young ladies glide past Genis and surround a red-haired man who looks like he just fell off a wagon. As they coo and exclaim in concerned tones over him, Genis recognizes him. "That's the girl-man from yesterday. He looks awful! Wonder if he's been drinking? He sure stumbles around a lot!"

Turning away from the spectacle that is Zelos, Genis scans the crowd for his sister. She was supposed to meet him here. Did she disappear in one of the curiosity shops and lose track of time? "We don't want to get a late start this time. We have a long way to go before we get back to the ruins and then we have to make our way to the caved-in part. Hmphf! I hate waiting. Maybe I'd better go shopping THEN meet up with her..."

As he is saying this to himself, he suddenly hears a shout in front of him and to the left: "INCOMING!" that sounds remarkably like Lloyd. Shoving his way into the crowds toward the source of the shout, Genis sees it IS Lloyd... and he's about to be pelted by random fruits. "Hey, Lloyd!" Genis calls out as he runs forward toward his friend.

Kratos gets a polite nod from Raine, which is more than most people get.

Watching as Lloyd takes out his shovel, unfolds, then folds it back up brings almost a chuckle to Raine's throat... watching Lloyd, at this age, playing with one of Dirk's toys was a lot like watching Genis open an 'Easter Sunday' or 'Christmas' present. Those sparkling eyes, that gaping mouth... God, Lloyd, you look like a ten year old!

Lloyd's irritated reaction to her inquiry makes the fire of debate stoke in her chest, and the Professor inhales a meaningful quantity of air in preparation for a lecture to Lloyd about attitude and non-verbal communication when, quite suddenly, the Gigolo Express derails, sending the wave of fruit into the crowd, one of the apples hitting a high arch. Looking up, Raine gets a very distraught look on her face, ducking and covering as about a dozen apples and pomegranates land on her head, some of the fruit rather soft and giving Raine that fruity fresh scent...without the oil extract.

"Disgusting..." murmurs the woman as she stands up and, taking out a kerchief, wipes herself off, getting the juice and seeds out of her silver-blue hair and off her previously recently cleaned frock coat. The kerchief is flicked clean as Raine holds her temper when the man speaks his name.

"Hmmm...that must be one of the Wilder children." Raine scowls some. "Well, I can't just slap a Lindblum Noble, a part of Academia or not...but he has a line and if he crosses it, I will so go Tantalus on him." The muttered words vanish with the Professor's temper as she spots Genis making his way towards them. (Perception 5)
Without a glance towards the state of Lloyd and the fruit, Raine heads towards her little brother with intent to intercept. She looks mad...but she's not mad at him...hope Genis can tell the difference.

Approximately two seconds before Lloyd shouted his warning to the world, Kratos notices friut, flying at him. As quickly as he can, Kratos jumps out of the way hoping that the fruit is not faster than he is. (Athletics 4)

There are a few things Lloyd really gets awed over, and that's usually swords, Genis' cooking, the Latest Cool Thing(TM) and Dirk's craftsmanship. And stars, but that's a habit he picked up from some half-remembered childhood memory. In fact, one could say that this and PE were his only good marks in school. Goes to show, huh? It should come as no surprise that he acts years younger than he is when he's amazed by some new and interesting piece of Dwarven engineering!

Zelos, looking awful? A lot of girls would beg to differ! And probably a few guys, too, but hey. Don't ask, don't tell, right? In Lloyd's opinion, he's just WEIRD, but kinda funny. And probably has a rough life, being followed around by giggling girls all the time who throw stuff at him and drag him screaming down streets. Give Lloyd a few years and maybe he'll get a clue.

Giving himself a cursory wiping off, Lloyd picks up a piece of fruit off the bed of the cart and decides to eat it. Free snack, right? "Wilder? What--him? Aren't they some rich guys who live in Lindblum?" Not that he naturally knows that kind of stuff, but he overheard a girl in class cooing over some guy named Zelos Wilder--SAY WAIT A SECOND. "That's Zelos?"

Excuse Lloyd while he bursts into a fit of laughter. "Genis! That guy! That's Zelos, the girl in our class has a huge crush on him! ...Hey! Want to ask if he wants to join us to the ruins? At least he wouldn't be throwing fruit around." Kratos gets a LOOK. "How did YOU avoid getting hit?" Hmph! Showoff!

Casually, Zelos strides over towards the kid and the older man, "How'd he avoid it? I think senior citizens are allowed such privileges" he says with a faint laugh, flashing the pair a smile that glistens. (Charisma 3) "No, no, it's a joke, I'm sure you're quite sturdy...and not too past your prime" he adds with a playful wink before surveying the smashed fruit.

His gaze wanders, looking from the pair, to the cart, to the weird-dog-thing-that's-green before finally settling on the departing Raine. Hurriedly, he dashes forward to catch up. As he lessens the distance between the two, he begins to wave at the woman, "My young lovely, you have Zelos' sincerest apologies" the gigolo says in a smooth voice, his pace settling as he attempts to follow Raine side-by-side. "If your clothing..." the voice begins and stops, as he looks over the weird apparel of the professor before continuing, "should need cleaning, I'd make it happen." So it begins. (Charisma 3+1 (Gigolo powah!)=4)

Genis's head is up and he is very alert as he runs forward through the crowd toward Lloyd. At his size, one misstep, and it's pancake time! He reaches the cart with Lloyd on it as the fruit rains down but he isn't hit because he's so small, falling fruit just naturally misses him. At Lloyd's comment about the red-haired cornmuffin, Genis only says, "He'd trip on something and cause a cave-in."

He starts to say more, but at that moment, he sees Raine coming towards him... with a barely-contained pissed off look on her face. At first alarmed--is she mad because I'm late?!--he hesitates, but as she comes closer, he sees why she is so angry. She's covered in smashed fruit and the juices and the seeds and falling off her randomly as she walks. Groaning inwardly, he thinks to himself, (She just had her clothes professionally cleaned yesterday, and she took a shower before she left. Wow. We're never going to get to those ruins now.) In his mind's ear, he heard a balloon letting out its air.

Outwardly, Genis allowed a look of concern to cross his young face as his sister rapidly approached him, then stood in front of him. Ignoring Zelos for the moment, Genis waits for Raine to speak.

Kratos looks over at Raine when the comment is made about Zelos being a Wilder. He then shifts his gaze to Zelos who still doesn't impress him, raises an eyebrow, then turns back to Raine. "I was under the impression that Wilders were a lot more noble than this." He then turns to Lloyd and reacts to the look and question with two words. "I train."

And then it happens. Zelos makes the one comment that sends Kratos's Affection rating for him so low you couldn't pick it back up with a crane. But this time Kratos doesn't even look at the fool. All he gives is a... "Hmph."

Well, Raine wanted to both talk with Lloyd and Genis, especially Genis, for whom she had about sixteen questions for, ready to fire off in that rapid-fire succession, and expecting a rapid-fire response, as was custom between the siblings. But that ritual of sister-and-brother wit is interupted by none other than...

"Zelos Wilder..."

Raine turns to face the handsome nobleman. Yes, Zelos IS handsome, and Raine won't disagree with that assessment... but, like his hair, Zelos's reputation for being a shameless ball of teenage hormones that forgot to grow up precedes him. "Really...your Grace...you shouldn't waste your time on a lonely Profressor of the Royal University, especially when she can see the blood coursing through your veins is hot enough to turn all that water in your body into steam to inflate your noble head." (Perception 5 for defense - she sees exactly what you're up to)

Lloyd's words catch Raine's ear, and for a moment, Raine seems COMPLETELY IMPRESSED with Lloyd, "Very good, Lloyd. Yes, as you can see, one of the Wilder children (acccents on the word children) has graced ups with his presence. Very good, Lloyd, you get an extra bonus point on your next exam."

Turning to face her little brother, her backside firmly presented to Zelos, Raine says, "I guess that it's too late to do much else, Genis. We need to hurry up, get the few items you need to get, and go... it'll be dark before we reach those ruins."

"I train too!" protests Lloyd hotly, the effect of anger lost when he abruptly stops his rant to help Genis up into the cart. It's not often that Lloyd gets all -that- rebellious. One could even say he's fairly well behaved as far as fourteen year old boys go, though he does tend to get himself into trouble merely from neglecting to think things through. But purposefully rebellious? Not often--and lately, only seems to happen when Kratos is around. Sure, they've more or less gotten along, but then -sometimes- he'll say or do something and Lloyd just gets the urge to go against it.

The precise reasons why might just add up to being a teenager, though the real reasons are something that may or may not come to light someday in the future. "Maybe, Genis, but don't you think he's got it rough, getting chased by those girls all the time?"

Anyway, it's Kratos' response to Zelos that really seals the deal for Lloyd. He decides, as of that moment, that he's going to get this Zelos Wilder to join them on their trip, just CUZ. Letting Noishe eat the remainder of the piece of fruit he'd been snacking on, he slips down off the cart and approaches Zelos, emboldened perhaps by the promise of an extra point on an exam--it might spell the difference between failing and passing! "We're headed west to check out some ruins. Want to come with us? Come on, Professor, he can help clear up the passageway, and we could really use all the help we can get." (Equal Opportunity Friendship! Charisma 4+1=5)

You paged Lloyd with 'I'm not near enough to you for you to grab up into the cart. Raine is now between me and the cart. I can't see you anymore or Kratos, for that matter. We are 5 paces away from the cart. Zelos is beside Raine, also in front of me (kind of, since I am facing Raine, not him.)'.

"Professor?" exclaims the young man as he looks at Raine, "A woman with brains and beauty. But my lovely professor, you are worth the time, though it is your choice" he adds without much attention to her comments. But then his brain finally catches up and with it comes his reply, "Hot-blood? Well, it's a gift...but steam in my head? That'll ruin my hair!" Zelos says, his tone mildly defiant.

When the other woman's backside is presented, Zelos takes the opportunity to size it up with a good ole sleazy leer. Satisfied, in his own respects, he regards Lloyd once more. "An adventure? Well I am quite experience and I'm sure I'll be quite capable to lead your little group through the many perils that await!" the voice comes quite strong, enthusiastic in some regards. By then the group of girls had found their way over and overhearing the trip to the ruins they begin to gasp and show some worry, "Oh, our beautiful Zelos is off to be a hero!" "Return soon with tales and treasures!" "Oh, my Zelos take care!" the many comments pour from the entourage before finally being silenced by the gigolo's rising hand.

"My hunnies, you are on a mission, take this gold and restock up this rag-tag group's supplies" he orders, somewhat, in a rather charming voice. With the passing of a coin-purse the girls set out into the various stalls to purchase what they think is needed.

Genis protests. "But Sis, you can't go to the ruins LIKE THAT!" He gestures at her appearance. "You're covered in juice and would attract bugs. Not to mention you'll catch cold. Maybe you should go home and get cleaned up while Lloyd and I go shopping for the rest of the supplies. We could meet you back at our house when we're done."

Genis turns on Zelos. "Stop bothering us! We dpon't want your money, your loud girls or YOU coming with us. You can't even walk straight!"

Genis does not yet see Kratos standing near Lloyd's cart. Raine (and Zelos) is blocking the view. "Where's Kratos at? Isn't he coming with us, too? HE (emphasis on the word "he") can fight with swords AND magic." Genis looks scornfully at Zelos.

Stepping out from behind Raine (careful not to touch her) Kratos looks down at the youth and nods. "Yes, I will be going with you." He then stands in front of Zelos blocking it's view of Raine.

Well now, Raine should have known better than to engage in witty banter with the Wilder Boy...it was akin to playing Chess with a Checkers player. And the way Zelos handles it was akin to the way a five-year-old says 'Nah ah! You are a stinky bum-bum!', or something akin to that. It would be totally fascinating if Raine could drum up the desire to care - but seeing as how there are Ruins to explore, Genises and Lloyds to teach, and Z-Skits to be had...Raine could possibly care less about Zelos.

Then the offer is made by Lloyd. Then the offer is accepted by Zelos. Then the offer is refuted by Genis. Then Kratos steps in front of Raine. Then Lloyd tries to buddy up Zelos. Then Zelos tries to appoint himself group leader. Then Genis gets 'tude on Zelos. Then Kratos gets stoic on the universe. The Genis makes noise about her frock coat and hair. Then Noishe whines. Then Zelos's hunnies make cooing sounds. Then Noishe whines again. Then the Lindblum Clock strikes one. Then taxes are raised. Then the sun comes out from behind the clouds. Then the party that Zidane is in gets caught in another trap. Then Anime and Tsunami train more on Mount Quaf. Then--

"ENOUGH!!!" Raine shout out at the entire universe!!!

The woman was -not pleased-. her ruins expedition was an hour late, and all she had to show for it was a headache the size of the Regent's Castle. Quickly, the woman took a step back and pointed at each person, her voice not screaming, yet, but very loud, and very annoyed - that scary Professor voice.

"Lloyd, you get that cart and dog out of here and meet us at the front gate!"

"Genis, you march your little butt into the Item Shop and get our supplies!"

"Kratos, give Genis a hand. We'll meet you both at the entrance in thirty minutes."

"Zelos, shut your mouth and help Lloyd get to the gate."

Her eyes narrowed with the SCary look of Doom, "I'm getting cleaned up. I'll meet all of you in at the Front Gate in thirty minutes..." Her voice lowered and took on a sharp, daggerlike qaulity, "And - no - one - had - better - be - late...!"

With that, Professor Raine Sage stalks off to the her home...scowling like a thunderstorm on the Gaul Plains.

Lloyd wouldn't think of getting between anyone and Raine at this point. It's a bad idea! If Raine gets mad, it would mean he's stuck between Raine and whoever she's mad at, and chances are he'd be the first flying into a wall! ...Besides, Genis and Kratos seem to have it covered, but all of a sudden, Lloyd feels a little alone in his efforts to bring along a possible new friend. Nevertheless, he pushes on!

Sure, Zelos is kind of strange about women, and seems really big on himself, but so what! Lloyd's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he can see a good personality and potential for friendship in some pretty unlikely places. Not nearly as trusting as Colette, but his eagerness certainly puts him in the category of soft-hearted.

Fortunately, he has friends who think to caution him against leaving himself too open to disappointment, or let him take a fall when he might learn from it. "Genis..." This time, he does move, to position himself a little behind, but between both Genis and Zelos, so he can see both of them at the same time. "Come on, don't you think it's got to be boring, stuck around Lindblum all the time? I bet he doesn't get to go exploring much." His brows lift while he shrugs a little, "You gave me a chance, and I'm not nearly as smart as you are, and I... can't cast magic, either."

Pardon him while he grumbles that part, realizing as he says it that this actually puts Lloyd on a lower rank of 'usefulness' than Kratos. Swallowing his pride, he adds, "It might be fun--" (Still using Equal Opportunity Friendship, Charisma 4+1=5)

Lloyd shuts up, along with several dozen other people in the Market. You could probably hear a pin drop.

As Raine leaves, he straightens up abruptly, practically at military attention! "Yes ma'am! --Oh man... Genis, I--nevermind. Zelos! Help me drag the cart to the gate, okay?" That said, he gets to work!

"Magic and swordplay? That's easy! But I won't show off now, no need to rile up the crowd" replies Zelos smugly, placing a hand on the pommel of his sword before giving it a soft shake. His eyes dance over to Lloyd, "Thanks pal, what's your name?" he asks and then insincerely looks over back to Raine.

All that screaming and the silence that followed would be very unnerving to a normal person. But to Zelos? Well watching Raine flip out and get demanding only caused his cheeks to fluster, flushed a rosy red. "Oh, my lovely Professor, yes as you desire" the gigolo replies compliantly, offering a mock-salute before darting over towards Lloyd and the cart once more.

"So, is she single?" he asks quietly, placing a hand on Lloyd's arm in a friendly gesture, before giving a mischievous grin, "Or is she your girlfriend?"

Without another word, Genis leaves the group and begins shopping for supplies, just as She Who Must Be Obeyed has commanded.

-=[Lindblum Way: Roman Mountain]=-----------------------------------------------

Raine's portrait is reading a book, "Hmmm...Shovel, Pick, Lanter, food, potions. Did we forget anything?"

Lloyd's portrait looks mildly flustered when he interrupts Raine's list. He is, supposedly, continuing a conversation with Zelos. "...NOT my girlfriend! That's my TEACHER."

Raine's portrait looks over, "Hmmm? Lloyd? Are you talking about Collette again?"

Zelos's portrait shakes as he laughs, "Colette? Wow Lloyd, no wonder you were so inclined to talk to me. We share something in common, hopefully it's not /someone/"

Lloyd's portrait, flustered. "Uh, um..." Even more flustered! "Hey! Why are we talking about Colette all of a sudden?!"

Zelos's portrait tilts as it sidles over to Lloyd's portrait, "Colette's a girl right?"

Raine's portrait shurgs, "Nothing. I just heard the word 'Girlfriend', that's all. Would you prefer I didn't call her that? You two are very close friends and about that age." The woman goes back to reading with out even waiting for response.

Zelos's portrait swoops over to Raine's portrait, "My lovely Professor, with what do you indulge your beautiful mind with today?"

Lloyd's portrait seems exasperated. "Of course she's a girl." SIGH. "Man, when you say it like that--"

Raine's portrait looks annoyed at Zelos's portrait, "Would you mind? You're in my personal space..."

Zelos's portrait wiggles a slight distance away, "But my lovely scientist...you could light up the world if you smiled" The portrait spins around and looks over at Lloyd, "Well Lloyd, it's just you have a big green dog...maybe you're into these weird creatures that pretend to be humans but really want to suck out your soul!" The portrait grows large as it looms over Lloyd in mock-terror.

Raine's portrait goes back to reading her book.

Lloyd's portrait fumes at Zelos. "He's not a monster and he's not going to suck out my soul! Noishe, don't you listen to him!" His portrait slides away!

Zelos's portrait droops as it as a large sweatdrop appears on it, "What, kids don't have any imagination these days?" and then slinks away!

Raine's portrait gets a very thoughtful look, "You know, it's interesting, they say that there is a certain oversized breed of canine and eats anything red..." She shrugs and slides off screen.

(skit over)

-=[Collapsed Passageway]=-------------------------------------------------------

Having left the cart outside with one very whiny Noishe, who absolutely refused to enter the cave, Lloyd now faces this mound of debris with the foldable shovel Dirk entrusted to him. Unfolding the tool and adjusting the strap of his backpack, he looks to Raine. She's the brains of the outfit when it comes to ruins, so maybe he'd better defer to her decisions on digging. "Well, Professor, this is it. Should we just start digging?"

Raine, of course, is already in Ruins-Mania Mode as they reach the place where they were halted last time. Unrolling the canvas, she reveals a set of tools meant for miners: Shovel (with Lloyd's, they have two), pick, lantern with shutters, a sledge hammer, and a hand-drill. Looking at Lloyd, who was already ready, a smiling, almost maniacal, Raine says, "Yes! GOod work Lloyd! Everyone else..." the woman picks up the pick, "...lend us a hand. We have to be careful and methodical about this....or it can cave in. Slowly remove the rubble from the top and work your way down. We only need a hole big enough for us all to crawl through..!"

Humming absently to himself, Zelos wanders casually through the passageway, his hands locked behind his back as he shifts his mane from side to side to study the new area. "This place wreaks" comes the comment, on a slightly annoyed tone. "Though, hope remains, I remember some hunnies who would totally be into this" continues the young man with his commentary.

His pace is brought to his halt and any thoughts are extinguished as the professor takes center stage. "I'll supervise!" exclaims Zelos as he stoops forward to pick up the latern. Slowly and carefully, he begins to shine the light on the rubble, "There's a good spot. Go ahead Lloyd, give it a nice whack."

Kratos Walks quietly behind Zelos and pushes him towards the rubble. "I don't think so. Your going to have to prove your usefulness first pretty boy."

Genis grabs a shovel and starts to clear away the rubble the others create with their digging. He takes the rubble to the opposite side of the room to get it out of the way.

While it might be fun to smack a pile of rubble with a shovel just to see if it makes the whole place shake, Lloyd isn't too keen on getting himself trapped in by a cave-in. For the reasons why, one need only know that he suspects he'd get stuck in here FOREVER to hear Raine lecture them about ruins. NON STOP. That's a fate worse than death! Supervise? Lloyd gives Zelos a flat look that doesn't quite hide the fact that he's pretty amused by their new companion. "That's a good idea. Let's try it out on that red-haired nobleman guy..."

Just kidding.

Lloyd does as Raine asks, if not because she's his teacher, but also because she knows what she's talking about. Using the shovel, he gingerly starts loosening some of the debris at the top and starts making a small pile of dislodged debris behind him. Hey, good teamwork, Genis! They could form a chain and get the debris out of there faster! "Thanks, Genis!"

Raine uses the pick and assists Lloyd and Genis, the only two who are helping right now, the two swordsman playing red-rover with each other's buttocks about half a stride away. Raine, for the moment, ignores them, concentrating on using the pick to loosen the rubble in key places for Lloyd nad Genis to clear away. All the while, she looks for signs of collapse or opening. (Perception 5)

"Aah!" yells out the gigolo as he stumbles forward, catching himself barely by grabbing onto the nearby wall. "Wow, not so rough gramps" he says as he straightens him off, pausing a bit to brush the dirt off. With a faint snort and roll of his shoulders, the gigolo takes to the sledgehammer. His hands wrap around the handle and he moves to lift it and then stops.

As if to take a 'precautionary' measure, the young swordsman begins to stretch absently, feigning knowledge in what he's doing. Finally, after a few moments of 'stretching' he grabs onto the sledgehammer and pulls as if to lift it.

Nothing.

Again....nothing.

Once more and with a grunt, it rises. Zelos grins with triumph and slowly makes his way over to the pile of rubble. But the man is not graced with balance, not when a sledgehammer is head over his head. Dreadfully he begins to spin out of control, threatening to topple over and slam the sledgehammer on anything or anyone unlucky enough to beneath it.

It takes a little while, but with the dedicated work of everyone present, a way is cleared -it seems that a few of the marble slabs have collapesed in such a way that a small tunnel might could possibly be bored through them without significantly affecting the pecarious positioning of the several metric tons of soil and rock above it.

With all the ruble cleared Kratos looks toward the other side of the room. "Well lets get going then." And with that he walks of.

Genis looks over at the drunken performance of Zelos in complete disgust. "See? I told you he couldn't walk straight. He's going to kill us all with that hammer by smashing it into a support wall or something."

His eyes widen as Zelos does indeed seem to be heading straight for a support structure, totally out of control. Genis yells, "Somebody stop him!" Throwing down his shovel, Genis runs to Zelos and launches himself at the older man's legs, hoping to knock him off balance and laid out on the ground, harming no one. (Athletics 2)

"W-woah! Hey, Zelos, watch it!" Dropping his shovel in his haste to stop a very bad thing from happening, Lloyd attempts to help Genis out by seizing Zelos about the waist and pull him in the opposite direction, so at least the hammer would drop to the floor without harming anyone - thanks to Genis' fast thinking - and his own efforts to keep either of them from getting hurt.

This also means he HIMSELF loses his balance, but at least he has the grace to let go first. Lloyd finds himself sitting down, hard, and lets out a quiet, "Oof!" (Athletics 4, so Zelos and Genis don't fall down!)

Well, at least it looks like their hard work paid off--the way is open! Standing up and dusting himself off, Lloyd gives Genis a thumbs-up gesture and loosens his swords from their sheathes at his sides and carefully picks his way after Kratos, keeping the bared blades close to prevent them from harming any of his companions.

Genis and Lloyd will be okay. They've braved Colette in the Public Library or walking Noise through the countryside during mating season. So, Raine goes through the stylized hole into the next room, nabbing the lantern and a pick and very casually going past the Diluted Comedy of 'Lloyd Fauntleroy' and 'I Dream of Genis'.

-=[Blasted Room]=---------------------------------------------------------------

The young man moves into the room through the space created, rises to full mast and stumbles about for a bit - still dizzy from his bit in the room earlier. The sledgehammer had landed rather softly with Zelos being able to get ahead of it with the interference of Lloyd and Genis. But for a few moments he's feeling a bit disoriented still.

Finally, pausing to lean on one of the walls, the gigolo catches his breath and reaffirms his senses. It's then that he notices the glassy look on the walls. With vanity on his mind, he steps back and admires his reflection on the lustrous surface. "Damn, I'm good looking everywhere, it's official" Zelos says with a smug expression, turning slightly to admire his backside - seemingly unaware of the rest of the group now.

Kratos who was going to say something intellegent now decides that it wasn't worth it. He instead looks at Zelos and gives a.."HMPH."

Genis ignores the drunkard admiring himself so uselessly. He studies the room, walls in particular, instead. Giving a bit of a whistle, he says, "A lot of heat and intense pressure turned these walls to glass. What a spell!" Genis wishes longingly for the knowledge of this spell.

"Wow..." That would be Lloyd, gazing around the glassy, spherical formation the walls in here have taken with wide eyes, totally taken aback by what he sees. It's a few moments of this amazed staring before he catches on that Zelos is admiring himself in the walls' mirror-like surfaces. Which is precisely why, as Lloyd passes Zelos, he brings the heel of one booted foot down on the toes of Zelos' shoe, 'accidentally'.

Come on! "I bet you could learn a spell like that! You should give it a really cool name, like 'Ultimate Volcano' or something!" Lame name, Lloyd. "But... I didn't know people made rooms out of glass like this!" ...Feel free to fall over, if you'd like. He hasn't seemed to figure out that the state of this room is due to an accident or something. Lloyd thinks it was some kind of magical attempt at interior decorating!

Looking over the room, Raine starts to get that wide-eyed look again, her cheeks flushing like a maiden about to have her maiden's head removed, as she rushes from one 'edge' of the room to the other. He eyes were wide with manic excitement and her body hunched forward as if she were about to lay an egg. "Oh my gosh! Genis...you're absolutely right. The power of this spell must have been very strong indeed! Maybe it wasn't even a spell..." The Professor's mind was working a million miles a minute, "Maybe it was a summon? Or even the destruction of a magical artifact?" In her mind, Raine goes through pages and pages of information, trying to ascertain if there was any spell, summon, or artifact that could cause this... (Arcane Lore 4)

And yes, she does hears Lloyd's comment, his stupid stupid comment. And as she thinks, she goes over and whaps him on the side of the head, "Don't interrupt me when I'm postulating!"

Entranced, the swordsman models and poses for himself in front of the mirror-like walls, that is until jealousy strikes. Down the youth's foot comes and collides the Zelos' foot, to which a yelp is sounded off in response. Hastily, the gigolo lifts his stomped foot to massage it briefly, "Why must the gorgeous suffer for the sins of others?" he questions loudly to the ceiling, as if calling upon a higher force for the answer.

He doesn't wait long and only watches at the professor practices corporal punishment. In response to that, he carefully goes to follow Raine about, much how a puppy would follow its owner around.

All this time Kratos has been judging where in the party the intellegence was. And by this time it was quite obvious that is was only coming from two people, and one of them was completely out of it while they were in the ruins. So Kratos goes and stands by Genis.

There are a number of spells that could pack this sort of punch, although this seems a bit controlled for some legendary ones such as the Dragon Slave. It's the same for items -most, such as Nuada's Hand or Ahura's Disk would have left a crater, rather than ruins, if the stories are true.

Lloyd's not jealous! He... just didn't want Zelos to spend all his time posing in front of the mirror-like walls! It's embarassing! But he himself is back to gazing at the strange interior of this blasted room and far too distracted with wonder to notice Raine's advancing on him until it's too late. Lloyd looks up at the last minute, and manages to step back and too late! "Oww!" (Disadvantage: B-But, Professor!! -- Raine's strike autohits!)

"Sorry, Professor." Lapsing into sullen silence, the swordsman who was raised by a /dwarf/ of all people just waits for his ears to stop ringing from the smack and continues looking around. Ow, damn! How does the Professor know how to hit so hard?

Rubbing her knuckles, the Professor looks around the room, carefully walking along the sides and then into the middle, hmming to herself. Finally, she says, "It could have been any number of things...most likely high level magic, but nothing legendary. Besides...who knows the Dragon Slave in modern times like these...that's a very old spell..." With that, Raine walks to the exit, stopping to look over at Lloyd, Genis, and the others, "We need to move forward. I feel that we don't have all the pieces to this puzzle...not yet..."

-=[Ruined Chamber]=-------------------------------------------------------------

The door to this room was enlarged by the blast in the preceeding chamber. It does seem like much of the room was destroyed in that same said blast. However, a stone slab from wall has fallen over, blocking off a part of the room. From the glassy look of that fallen slab, it absorbed most of the explosion. With some serious effort, you might be able to get to the other side of that wall -perhaps there's something to be found there.

Humming lazily, the young man saunters into the next chamber, following behind Raine in a rather obedient manner - his path guided by where the professor's backside goes. His eyes seem like in a daze but from out of the corner of his eye, he sees various reflections of himself on the glassy walls and that frees him from the hypnotic effect that had bound him mindlessly.

"This is just like before...are we going around in circles?" he asks of no one in particular as he begins to style his hair with his hands, running fingers through it before adjusting it over his shoulders - using the reflective walls to aid him in his vain endeavors. "Also, where's the treasure? I don't want to return back to town with a chunk of glassy rock. Though..." Zelos says and falls silent, seemingly lost in that mind of his.

Kratos is now sure that he wants nothing to do with this so-called Wilder child. He remains by Genis's side and says nothing to anyone.

Glad for the silent Kratos's company (Intelligence is such a blessed relief!), Genis follows his sister into the room and looks around. "What do you think it was, that did all this, Sis?"

Now, they face a large slab of rock that blocks their progress. "It -does- look like we can squeeze through... I'll go through first. I'm small enough, and..." Well, let's just say that mages typically don't take physical injury as well as 'front line fighters', and besides which--it would tear Lloyd up something fierce to think one of his dearest friends were injured because he was too chicken to go first. "Well, you know." He shakes his head, adding earnestly, "I promise, I won't touch anything."

Provided that no one stops him, Lloyd will work on slipping himself and his bared twin blades in past the large rock slab. Being a rather spry fourteen year old, it shouldn't be too tough! Provided there are no nasty surprises on the other side, he'll start helping the next person through.

Looking around the room, Raine replies to her little brother, "It was obviously a powerful spell or magic artifact that did this, Genis. I would suspect that a high concentration of mana was suddenly released...." The idea struck her. Being of elven blood, she is attuned to the flow of residue of mana. "Good work, Lloyd. Someone, please help him get through." Raine focuses on the mana in the room and adjacent rooms, feeling for any concentrations...

With a languid flick, Zelos readjusts his mane of bright red hair, sending a third of it over his left shoulder. "Perfect" he says, giving his reflection a coy wink before finally returning to regard the group. "Another magic spell? Artifact? Well I don't see anything" the gigolo says in an absent mutter while traversing through the chamber - in circles practically.

"Oh, Lloyd are you going in alone? Well I'll come along then just go first...it's always unfair when the young and pretty have to die" he remarks in a smooth voice, his face flashing a wide grin as he moves to follow - and push if necessary - Lloyd through the opening.

There is little space behind the rock slab maybe enough for for two, but those two had better reeeeeeeeeeeally like each other. To complicate things a tad more, there's also no way light can filter past Lloyd's body, making it quite dim in the narrow space.

Curiosly, Raine finds a surprising lack of mana, as if something sucked all the mana out of this area and what is present is stuff that has seeped in.

Kratos starts to go after Zelos and knock him one, but he quickly regains his composure and looks at Genis. It is easy to tell by the look in his eyes that he would love nothing more than to kill Zelos where he stood. But of course Kratos doesn't say it. He just looks at Genis so that someone will know what he is feeling.

Genis smiles sympathetically up at Kratos. "The blind leading the stupid, or vice versa, wouldn't you say?" Having made that catty remark, Genis goes back to the problem at hand.

Genis thinks back to his studies, and the MANY books he has read. What spell(s) or artefact(s) could have done this and would the era match up to the apparent age of this place? (Magic Lore 4)

There's the sound of a sheathed sword, a few rather rude words, and eventually once Zelos is through, HE gets shoved, at least to make a little more room so it's not like he just got shoved in a closet with the gigolo. Then Lloyd's hand pushes through the opening he had previously squeezed through. "Someone hand me the lantern? It's really small in here, hard to see anything." Now, hopefully, while he's feeling around for the lantern, he doesn't accidentally smack anyone in the nose or something even more embarassing. Someone give him the lantern! Should he actually get it, he'll bring it out and take a look around.

Few the moment, Raine leaves her little brother in Kratos, the young boy safe, in so far as any plausible threats from monsters or otherwise. So, the Professor takes the lantern, unshutters it and approaches the hole. Using her staff to jab Zelos in his cakehole a few times, saying, "Hey, Zelos, hand this to LLoyd, okay?" the woman leans down and hands the lantern to the Wilder boy.

A skeletal hand is reaching for Lloyd's face!

Well... not quite. The arm juts from beneath the massive slab. The bones are yellowed with age. In addition, in the very far corner of the room, where the space between the slab and the floor is smallest, is a spike of wood with what looks like a pommel at one end. Beneath the ancient spike is a small, sepia card.

Various grunts and 'oof's await Raine's constant jabbing and finally with some squirming and Zelos takes hold of the lantern and gives it over to Lloyd, "Hey, they sent a lantern" he starts, waving the light source about carelessly.

"Do you see anything Lloyd?" the voice questions, curious and wariness threaded within.

Kratos stands there wiating and watching. He looks over at Genis. "I don't think we are going to fit. Honestly I think that the two smallest ones should have gone in there. Lloyd is prpoably so cramped that he can't move." He walks over to the hole and peers in not expecting to see anything.

A number of spells pack this sort of punch, most high level, some legendary. Given that the ruins are apparently Grecian in origin, there's not a whole lot that it could be - as a rule, the Greeks were big on monsters, not artifacts of doom or destruction. It's possible, assuming that they are an actual item and not an innate power, that one of Zeus' Thunderbolts could have discharged here. Given Zeus' penchant for lobbing them from above, though, how one ended up in a cave under a mountain would be quite the qestion.

Genis comes up with no satisfactory answers to his burning question(s) so he wanders over to Kratos and the Hole. "I could fit in there, easy!" says the small mage. "Want me to go in, Sis?"

Lloyd can be, sometimes, VERY oblivious. Once he has the lantern, he unshutters it and scans directly in front of him. "Thanks, Zelos. Now, let's see..." Making a curious noise when he notices the sepia card on the ground, he stoops to pick it up and the spike, if possible after sheathing his second blade. "Hey, I found something. It looks like a card or a note or something, and this weird spike. Okay, I'm coming back now--"

"Zelos, get your hand out of my face. ....Huh?" There's a dry rustle, and then the swordsman goes ABSOLUTELY DEAD SILENT. Yeah, just ignore the startled hollaring just seconds before Lloyd emerges in a flash, instantly tackling the first unfortunate person he'll encounter. "YAHHHHHH!"

Man, even Zelos' story about man-eating monsters on the way to the ruins didn't get THAT kind of reaction! ...Although, the tale probably contributed to it.

From the looks of things, though, it seems a toss up between Zelos, Genis, and Kratos who get tackled by one hell of a startled Lloyd, after he more or less shoved Zelos out in his haste to escape. DON'T LET IT EAT HIM OMFG. Yeeaaahhh. In a second now, he's going to be REALLY REALLY EMBARASSED.

Heck, you never know, in close quarters like these, it might be a pig pile. x_x

(SCENE PAUSED)

The adventure begins!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:25:54 GMT

-=[Lindblum: Amestris Residential]=---------------------------------------------

Lindblum in the middle of the day, or as close to the afternoon as people without Atomic Clocks can get. Ah, atomic clocks, now that is something Raine would love to see. In fact, there are a lot of great wonders Raine would love to see, which is why she's outside her home today, dressed for travel, in her orange 'look-i-can-only-camoflage-in-a-pumpkin-patch' frock coat, with a backpack and walking sti---her Staff. Adjusting the rim of a handmade compass, she looks about, watching the people of Lindblum walk by. My, this is going to be a good day for an adventure.

There are a few things that never change about daily life in Lindblum.
Death.
Taxes.
And Lloyd Irving's incessant need to fall asleep in class or show up at the Sage residence, often hollaring if Genis is studying or if he can come out and play.

Which is more or less what a certain red-and-black clothed swordsman is doing, arriving from down the street in an awful hurry, sheathed swords clattering and a pair of ribbons fluttering from his collar behind him. "Professor Raine!" He calls on the approach. 'Where's Genis?' would have been his next question, but instead, he just blinks in surprise. "Where are you headed off t--Professor!"

That last part? It's because he only -just now- noticed there's a redhaired guy running straight for her, and isn't even looking. Don't mind Lloyd if he screeches to a halt and starts to make frantic 'get out of the way' motions. BEHIND YOU, MA'AM.

From around the opposite end of the street a man with redish-brown hair and dressed in blue walks casually towards the small crowd of people gathered. As he looks through them he spots a couple of them he recognizes and stops to say hello. "Hello Raine was it? What are you up to today? Off on another trip to the library?"

Clear skies spread out overhead, a canvas of blue with wisps of white brushed lightly about - thin enough to appear as heavenly gauze that light can easily filter through. The golden sun hangs up high, almost centered above the world as its golden glow illuminates the city of Linblum and fills it with a natural warmth, comfortable and well enough. A slight wind blows and the city churns with life.

Down the street, emerges a red-haired man as he runs out from one corner - his gaze over his shoulder, and runs down the street. Voluminous and silky-smooth, his hair sways as the wind runs its hands through it, lifting it up with the movement of his run. Absently, his hands work to button the clothing covering his torso as he somehow manages to run all the while. Yet, as his gaze remains to his back - paranoid in some respects - he is unaware of the other woman in the street and as the fates conspire, a flair of clumsiness does as well.

Genis walks out of his house and carefully locks the front door behind him. He is dressed for travel (in his customary blue outfit with white designs on it) and has a small backpack of supplies on his back. In his hand he carries his kendama, a device that looks a lot like a yo-yo but is necessary for him to cast spells. He has a bright, eager look on his face and walks up to the group with a smile.

"Hi! I'm ready to go, Sis!" Then he looks at the group more carefully. "I know Lloyd and Kratos, but who's the girl with red hair?"

As the ever interesting specimens of Little Lloyd Fauntleroy and the rare Linblumian Red-Maned Manh00r steam in her direction at a pace that can only be called reckless, thoughtless, and careless, Professor Raine continues to check the settings on her homemade compass, apparently not noticing the dire predicament she's put herself in simply by DARING to go outside the house today. Even as Kratos greets her in his typical direct fashion...well...she guesses that's typical since she's only seen him once before...the elven woman makes no move to get out of the way. Only once she is satisfied that her compass is properly calibrated does she make a move. And i true Raine fashion, it is one deep stride to teh left, leaving a happy open and empty space for the careening Zelos and Lloyd to make with the face-to-face encounter.

Raine looks over at Kratos, nods politely, then says to her little brother, "Ready to go, Genis?"e

Finally Zelos turns his head, his lush mane obscuring his view for a second before finally clearing - the strands sliding over before flailing in the air. Giving a very manly shriek, Zelos buckles his knees and tumbles out the way - barely avoiding Lloyd, but his grace ends there and he continues to pinball along a nearby building wall and then rolling off to another wall and once more. Once the momentum has cleared and energy diffused, the young gigolo unravels into a disgruntled pile.

Around the corner of one of the nearby buildings emerges a crowd of screaming girls, "Zelos! You promised us!" they shout in unison and begin to grab at the young man. Enforcing their grasp around his limbs they proceed to drag him around the building and down the alleyway, the young man protesting all the while, "But I'm too tired! My hunnies, this is no way to treat your Zelos!" he calls out and leaves a set of grooves in the road, carved by his fingernails.

Kratos watches this so called man bounce from wall to wall with a bit of amusement. As he stands and the girls start to scream however the amusement quickly turns to disgust and he tirns his gaze back to Raine and Genis.

From a bad situation (of the impending danger of being run over, that is!) to worse! As in, Raine gets the added disadvantage of being addressed by several people at once, and even that's bound to be enough to distract a genius. But not, as proven, enough to deter her from a sidestep right out of danger's way! Frantic gestures go to a complete halt a moment, and Lloyd manages a surprised, "Woah!" when he throws his hands up in front of his face.

It's a few moments more and some sounds of Zelos crashing into walls behind him before Lloyd looks over, wincing. That had to hurt. "Genis! --I... I wasn't sure at first, but," says the brown-haired teenager, shrugging helplessly, "...I don't think that's a girl. Who's Kratos?"

"..." Wait on answering that, because before he can hear out an answer, he stares on as a troop of fangirls drag away the protesting Zelos. "...Poor guy... I wonder what he did to piss all those girls off."

Lloyd turns around, finally, "Going? Where? And who is this guy?" 'This guy' would be, of course, Kratos, who is next to receive a long, curious staring-at from Lloyd.

Genis nods enthusiastically. "You bet, Sis! I have our food supplies, cooking utensils, and recipes in my backpack. Got my kendama in case we run into monsters or something." He sounds as if he wants there to be monsters, is hoping for monsters, in fact.

He turns to Lloyd, grinning. "Wow, late as usual Lloyd. Oh, I have to introduce you to Kratos Aurion... we met at the big library the other day. He's pretty cool, knows spells and stuff." As Lloyd and Kratos look at each other, Genis turns to look at the commotion dying away in another direction, and says, "That was a guy?! Wow."

And then chaos in the background of Zelos crashing in to the walls, much like Colette has several times, followed by the swarm of rabid fan girls who run in and ferry him away to 'Raine doesn't wanna know where'. An annoyed hmph comes from the throat of the Lindblum Professor - all the accord that Zelos has earned from Raine at this time. Turning her attention to her brunette pupil, Raine presses a very firm finger to the older boy's nose, "Good thing you showed up, Lloyd! You're just in time to come with Genis and I on a trip! A field trip if you will! To some fantastic ruins I've been researching and -finally- have the time off to go and investigate." Raine is not her usual calm self. Instead, she looks, in the face, like a twelve year old 80's school girl about to go to a Van Halen concert.

Someone is in Archeologist Mode.

Sorry Kratos, but Raine's not ignoring you our of malice....

"I know, right?" replies Lloyd, proving he shares in Genis' amazement, when he looks around at his friend with wide eyes. Long, flowing hair, wearing pink? Way to confuse people! "...Wait! Those girls!" He looks shocked, staring back where the girls had dragged the protesting Zelos, then snaps a finger. "I got it! They're angry because they must have mistaken him for his sister or something! I bet guys like that have sisters they wind up looking JUST LIKE."

...Or not. "...Oh, wait, that won't work. What if he doesn't even have a sister?"

Don't mind Lloyd; he'll just ponder this and other frivolous puzzles with all the enthusiasm he'll give a new idea--until he gets bored of it and lets the whole thing drop.

"--Your trip is TODAY?!" Late as ever. "I thought it was tomorrow! Oh man! Genis, I have a test tomorrow! There's no way I'm taking it alone!" A fist goes to the air, determinedly. "So I'm coming with you! Besides! This sounds like a lot of fun!"

How brave.

"Uh oh," adds Lloyd, looking a little nervous. "The Professor's in mania mode again, huh..."

Kratos raises an eyebrow. "Mania mode? Do I want to know?" He sounds a tad scared. After all he hasn't got a clue what this woman can do.

Genis turns back to Raine. "So, uh, Sis, if you can hear me, where are these ruins anyway? Will we be gone all day or several days?"

Considering the boy-in-red for a moment, Raine muses, an almost...okay, a DEVILISH smile coming to her face, one that could and would look evil if it weren't for the fact that Raine was...well...only a villain to Genis or Lloyd when they were being naughty. The devious grin on her face held nothing benign for Lloyd, though, as she takes her finger from his nose and lifts his chin with it, "Lloyd..." says Raine in that deeper woman voice of hers, "...if you assist me in my expedition today, I'll give you a three day extension, and I'll let Genis stay over at your house the night before to help you study." Raine Sage. Professor. Archeologist. Shameless Briber. And Pimp of Younger Brothers.

"Mania mode. She always gets like this when it comes to ruins and stuff," confides Lloyd to Kratos, putting a hand up to his mouth to conceal the whisper, and poorly at that.

Good question, Genis. If they're going to be gone for days... Lloyd will have to find a way to get food, fast! Sure, he has a little money, but at that rate, all he'll be able to afford is bread! One supposes they could eat 'on the hoof' if they run into something edible out there, but... who wants to eat something that lives in a ruin? That sounds kinda gross!

On the other hand... Raine drives a hard bargain. Lloyd blinks at her a few times, "...Really?!" Oh, bless your heart. *_* "I'm in!" And SOLD, to the guy in red! He'll just buy some bread and put it in his shoulder pack on their way out of the city!

Kratos now looks scared for the two kids instead of himself. "If this is how she will be the whole time then I will go as well. Someone has to look out for you two."

Kratos joins the party!

Genis looks first at Raine, then at Lloyd, then lets out a cheer. "Huzzah! I can stay overnight with you, Lloyd! We'll have a blast!" A whole night away from She Who Cooks Horribly and She Who Makes Me Rub Her Feet. Oh sweet Freedom!

Then he looks a little more stern as he says to Lloyd, "You better study this time and not eat all the rice balls then go to sleep."

Turning next to Raine and Kratos, hands on hips, he says, "So are we going, or what? The day's not getting any younger."

Smirking as her bribe works on Lloyd, Raine let's go of the boy's chin and places them at her side. "Come come..." says the Professor, or, for Genis, She Who Paddles Small Butts, "...since when do I have the opportunity to study ruins now a days? What, with raising Genis and teaching, I hardly have enough time to keep up with my reading."

Gesturing with her right hand as she speaks in a fashion that seems too repetitive to be realistic, Raine continues, "Anyway, the ruins are just west of the Crossraods once we exit town. If we hurry, we can get there before nightfall. Remember, the Roman countryside gets very dangerous after dark."

NOW acknowledging Kratos, Raine says, "Welcome aboard."

The screen fades to black, but only for a second, and when it fades back up, only Lloyd is on the street.

Someone has to look out for these two! Right! They're helpless in the face of Mania Mode Raine! ...Wait a sec! "If they don't mind you coming along, sure--hey!" This time, Lloyd is characteristically quick to protest, "I'm not a kid, and Genis is a really great mage! We can take care of ourselves, right?" Hmph, older folks acting like they're so much better!

And because Kratos started it...

Lloyd has joined your party! Time to head out to the crossroads! West. The RIGHT way. Because Raine thoughtfully brought a compass.

-=[Lindblum Way: Crossroads]=---------------------------------------------------

Raine's portrait appears on the screen, "My first expedition in two years. Oh GOD I am SO excited!" *hearts in eyes* "I'm so tired of being in that stuffy University all day." *sighs* "If only I was able to explore more and do field research..."

Lloyd's portrait assumes a resigned expression. "...Are we there yet?"

Raine's portrait checks a book, "Hmmm...it says here that the trees in the outlying area are all poison oak...how fascinating..."

(Skit ends)

-=[Lindblum Way: Roman Mountain]=-----------------------------------------------

As the group approaches, a selection appears, "Mountain Ruins", Press 'X' to Enter and 'O' to Not Enter.

The Mountain Ruins!

Trailing behind the rest of the group, Lloyd has long since lost interest in the trek all the way to the ruins, and by now is letting out his latest of three total sighs. The last one had been accompanied by a bored-sounding, "Are we there yet?" before he decided he'd better shut up and put up or else run the risk of Mania Mode Raine going on a spiel about the wonders of the ruins they were going to go see.

Noishe had shown up for part of the journey, but did a lot of whining (predictably) the closer they got to the ruins before the large 'dog' simply refused to budge. The rest of the journey was done by foot, since Noishe was no longer giving a free ride.

Oh, goodie, a lot of rocks. "...Man... that was a long walk." Which means going back home is out of the question now!

Unlike Lloyd...okay COMPLETELY unlike Lloyd...Raine was anything by bored over this journey. In fact, she was completely excited, spending the entire time marching straight ahead with a type of energy the normally reserved woman never has, that sort of determined, almost maniacal look in her eyes as she went along. Every foot fall of her journey, every last step, was accompanied by either the woman scribbling in her notebook, or lecturing Lloyd and Genis on one of the flora or fauna of the region, pointing out the various specimens that live about the mountains.

Once at the entrance to the Mountain Ruins, however, Raine hushes up and gives a very appreciative sigh, as if responding to a lover's touch. Her cheeks blush a considerably strong shade of rose, and she looks at the corresponding area, takes out a map, and does a few calculations, "It seems that the entrance to the ruins should be only a few decameters from here." Pointing to the left of her, near one fo the rock-beds, Raine continues, "We should all search this area of rock for any openings, no matter how inconspicuous. The ruins' main entrance collapsed two hundred years ago, and now all that remains is a mere splinter for us to squeeze through. The hole is...about two meters high and thirty centimeters wide."

Genis absorbs Raine's lecture with intelectual interest. He was at the top of his clas, after all, and he loved learning. After a long while, he looks back at Lloyd, hearing the other boy's comment about the long walk. "Yeah, looks like we'll be spending the night up here. It's too far to walk back before sundown."

At the ruins' entrance, Genis looks around at the stark area. "It's lonely up here. And a little chilly, too." He shivers. "I wish I had brought my jacket. Oh well, can't think of everything. If it gets too cold, I'll just cast Fireball at some sticks."

Kratos looks around taking in everything around him. He gives Lloyd a look that says 'you're way too easily bored.' And with that he starts looking for the entrance. ((Perception 4 to find the entrance))

Way, way too easily distracted! Lloyd will jump at the first new, shiny thing or idea and go all gung-ho about it! And then he'll be the first in line to lose interest, just that fast, and be bored all at once as if he'd been stuck with the hobby for ages instead of a matter of a few hours or days. Lloyd bristles under Kratos' regard, but for the most part, can't seem to decide if he wants to be offended, or just plain sheepish for his own behavior.

Ultimately, Lloyd settles on 'sheepish', and concentrates on the new task of trying to find the entrance. He didn't completely understand Raine's very educational description of the entrance's condition or location, but he figured it would be pretty tall and kinda skinny. Like a crack in a bunch of tumbled rock, or something. Given how bored he is with the task already, his heart really isn't in it! (Perception 2)

Crinkling out the map of the area that Raine painstakingly drafted just for this occasion over the span of several long nights of burning the midnight oil at the University while Genis was at home, doing whatever it is that twelve year old boys do when they're alone, and lays it out flat. Reading the lines with a compass and performing a few calculations, the Professor quantifies, "Let's see, if the plates are moving at the standard rate of one to four centimeters per year, then the entrance of the ruins must have shifted...let's see...by the cube root of...and carried to the modula of...hmmm...." That strong and focused look reenters her eyes as she does the calculations, Keeping the map and paper open in case Genis should want a trigonometry lesson...

Genis scours the area for the entrance. He's really excited now. Maybe there were ghosts here in additon to monsters! One could only hope. He needs the field practice. In the meantime, Lloyd is already bored--figures!--and Raine is in Lala-Land. Kratos, well, he seemed to be as stoic and self-possessed as ever. Genis wonders if he stuck a pin in Kratos, would he yell? (Perception 3 to find the hidden entrance)

The entrance does take a bit of searching to find. A second, more recent rockfall has covered the first one that had collapsed the entrance. Kratos finds it by walking past a section of scree and feeling a cool, earthy breeze coming from the rock facing - out of place in the still air of this place.

Walking casually back to Raine, Kratos carefully approaches. "Umm...Raine? I found the entrance. It's over there." He points to the place where he felt the breeze. "We may have to move a few rocks to get in."

Raine says, "Raine's affection level for Kratos increases!"

Maps, compasses, rations and stuff-- man, everyone came prepared! Except for Lloyd, but if he hadn't tried to go invite Genis out for some mischief, he would've totally missed this adventure! It should come as no surprise at all that Kratos is the one who locates the entrance, as by the time Lloyd has made his half-hearted attempt to find it himself, he wanders back to rejoin the group, or at least, to the nearest other party member. "No luck over there," reports the boy, one hand draped over the hilt of the blade on his hip, his other hand pointing back the way he came.

Kratos announcing that he's discovered the entrance does perk him up visibly, however; Lloyd turns around, grinning. "That's no problem! Genis, rocks like that should be no trouble for your magic at all, right?"

Flashing a look over at Kratos, the elven woman grins a slick grin, folding up the map as quick as one can say 'Sylvarant'. As she pockets the map and her tools, Raine addresses the mercenary, "Very good power of observation, Kratos. I can see that having you come along was a very good idea..." Her footfalls are soft and almost ladylike as she heads gingerly to the Ruins' Entrance, "And Genis, be sure to remember what I taught you about conversation of energy. I'm counting on your magic should there be any haunts in there..." And without a single iota of praise or acknowledgement towards Lloyd, Raine enters the Ruins. <3

Genis looks over at Lloyd and shrugs, Sorry man. He looks over at Kratos and says, "Thanks, Kratos. You probably saved us 3 hours." Then, in anticipation of haunts, ghosts, goulies, monsters, and something that goes bump in the night, Genis enters the Ruins with complete alacrity. ((cue cherubs with the banner that reads, 'Bon Voyage')).

"Well shall we go in?" And with that Kratos heads for the entrance.

Why should Lloyd get any praise? He didn't find the entrance! Admittedly, acknowledgement from Ruins Mania Mode Raine isn't always necessarily a good thing, you know? It might cause her to go crazy and give another lecture about the importance of vases found from a few hundred years ago!

One thing people must understand is that Raine's lectures inspire him to fall asleep, which is a bad thing when one is about to enter ruins that might or might not be infested with monsters.

Conservation of energy? Guess that means no spells. Returning Genis' look with a shrug of his own, Lloyd grins in sympathetic apology to his friend and continues along after them, loosening both swords once inside. One can't be too careful!

-=[Shattered Alcove]=-----------------------------------------------------------

Entering the Ruins, instead of the other way around, Professor Raine Sage looks more like a ballerina on stage than a fully and heavily dressed woman of Academia. Tripping mirthfully into the Shattered Alcove, almost immediately dancing over to the piles of bones, then to the walls, and then to the grimy walls, "Yes! This fungus proves it! These walls ahven't been touched by human hands in over three hundred years!" Hearts float above Raine's head as she looks around the dirty room, investigating the structures, and trying to determine the origin of it's architects. (Education 2 to determine that the ruins are Grecian in origin).

They are in fact, Grecian in origin.

Genis stares about him in wonder. "So these are the ruins. Cool." He wanders over to the pile of bones and starts studying them. "I wonder what did this?" (Perception 3 to notice anything remarkable)

Not really sure of why he is there Kratos looks around to make sure that no one accually has been in here for three hundred years. And if not he is making sure that there is no immediate threat to any of them. (Percaption 4 to notice anyone or anything that could attack us.)

Lloyd's pretty much along for the ride! Ruins are Raine's big thing, and learning cool new stuff is Genis' schtick. And while Kratos is being watchful, so is Lloyd, only in his case, he's kind of wandering around, poking at things (or in the case of bones, nudging them with one booted foot while making an unpleasant face) and generally being mildly curious but altogether unhelpful.

Danger! Danger! Short attention span reaching typically Lloyd levels! Trouble might be around the corner, just as a result. If not? Then they -totally- lucked out. "Why would someone build a place like this out in the middle of nowhere?"

Raine, meanwhile, is 'in the zone' and so entranced by the utter beauty of these grimy, slimy walls that he doesn't here anything until Lloyd asks the question of No-You-Didin't. Turning to Lloyd, Raine remarks, "Lloyd Irving, I am so disappointed in you! Can you not tell that the ruins or of Grecian Origin. Most probably, this area was populated before the Romans fled here after Rome was sacked..." Raine pauses, "You do remember that Rome being sacked lead to the Dark Ages, right Lloyd?" And without so much as waiting for an answer, Raine continues, "The Greeks used this place, in my guess, as a central point. But of what? Worship? Residence? A palace? I simply MUST find out! Onward!" And with that, the only professor in Lindblum known to kick her students prances down the Broken Cooridor! <3 <3

Genis finishes examining the bones without any result. Well, it was worth a shot. Turning around in time to see Raine's disappearing figure, he scurries after her, determined not to be left behind. "Better hurry Lloyd. She's on a roll, and we DON'T want to get lost in here! Hey Sis! Wait up!!" He hurries down the Broken Corridor after Raine.

Kratos without a word to anyone follows the trio.

Lloyd pauses to hear Raine out after scooping a rock up from the floor. Idly, he listens on, nodding on occasion as if he has even an inkling of what she's talking about. He must've been asleep in class that day. Or messing around. For the moment, though, he's doodling with the rock, leaving a slightly chalky residue on the floor. Instantly dropping the stone when Genis makes him aware that Raine and Kratos are headed on down into the ruins, he stifles a dejected moan and troops on after. Aw, man! It's just some dusty ruins!

-=[Broken Corridor]=------------------------------------------------------------

As she enters the Broken Corridor, Raine gets a most thoughtful look, pressing her lips to her knuckles, and then looks over at Genis, or perhaps Kratos or even Lloyd, "It looks like a cataclysm hit this place...and judging from the way the damage gets progressively worse from the inside, and not the outside..." The elven woman gets even more introspective, "As if something happened inside...like..." And here those thoughts go internal, not to be shared with a world that may need to know...

Genis looks at the marble as he walks down the corridor. "I wonder what did this? Marble is pretty tough." (Perception 3 to determine type of damge, whether fire, flood, earthquake, or Other).

It seems like Other, though there are indications that heat was a part of the Other.

Kratos enters the room of desruction with much surprise. "What ever did this was extremely powerfull. I just hope it isn't here anymore." He looks around the room for anything usefull. (perception 4)

If one defines useful as whalloping someone upside the head, there's a lot of broken rock for that. Not much else.

"...Like?" Lloyd might not be all that interested in ruins themselves, but he -does- like stories, and what Raine's talking about might be one! Besides, explosions and stuff are pretty cool. Happens around the Alchemist's part of Lindblum all the time, which admittedly can be really exciting. Lloyd had to sheathe one sword to pick up the rock and doodle with it, but he keeps the other one bared as he meanders along after.

While the others continue to investigate their surroundings, Lloyd does his own kind, which involves wandering on ahead and kicking a small fragment of rock on down the broken corridor ahead of him.

-=[Wrecked Parlor]=-------------------------------------------------------------

Upon entering the newest room, Raine GASPS and flustered like a maiden at a Lowell production 'I want to be your Canary'! "Oh! Oh my stars!" Prancing to the center of the room, Raine brings her hands up to her chest and looks side to side, her face a mixture of ecstatic rapture and devious mirth. She then hurries from end to end of the room, to the other, all the while examining the walls and floor, "It looks like the explosion was nearby. Perhaps in this room or the one beyond." Carefully, she examines the pieces of pottery for clues as to their contents. (Perception 4).

Genis follows the line of destruction and gives a low whistle. "A really powerful spell did that. I'm sure of it! It would be the type that shoots in a straight line, targeting anything in its path. Stronger than Fire alone. Maybe Holy or a combination of the two that's now lost to us!" His eyes gleam excitedly and, at this moment, the resmblance between him and Raine is striking. (Perception 3 to study the strike path)

There's nothing really to indicate what they once held -time and whatever destroyed this place has taken care of that. However with a little time and some careful assembly, an art pattern similar to wine bottles found on costal Grecian ruins emerges.

Upon entering the room Kratos gets the feeling that something very bad happened here. "Im not sure but I this whoever was here didn't put up much of a fight. It looks as though they were all slaughtered without a chance."

From the blast, it seems like it exploded from the far doorway; most of the walls must have absorbed any non-linearly directed energy by the time it reached this room.

"What a d..." Uh. 'Dump' is not the word one wants to use in reference to ruins when the Professor's in That Mood again. "...uhh..." Come on, Lloyd! Save it! Save it before she catches on! "Hey, look at this, the hallway over there's all collapsed!" So, rather than check if anyone caught his rather lame attempt to cover his ass, Lloyd progresses to the passageway, prodding at its collapsed portion with the tip of his sword, trying not to gawk.

Raine continues to piece the pottery shards together until they make something that resembles a container, "Ah! Well, these were too destroyed to reconstruct fully, but they are, or were, Grecian in origin." And what does Raine do with that messed up pottery? She puts it in her satchel! <3 Looking over at her little brother, and hearing his words, Raine walks over to her little brother, "What have you found out, Genis?"

Genis stands stock still as the realization hits him. "No Kratos... the blast didn't come from anyone coming IN. It came from someone already in here! It's directed OUT! Don't you see? The lines are smooth here but get more and more destructive as they go out, til finally the spell explodes hugely--" Points behind him witha thumb. "--back there." He ruminates on the possibilities. "What really happened here? Sis, do you have any ideas?"

Kratos took a step back to observe the patern and sure enough the kid was right. "Wow Genis, you are preety good at this." He takes a while to follow everything but to his dismay he can't figure anything out.

Lloyd looks away from the collapsed passageway, scratching his head. "Huh. Well, maybe someone was studying for a test!" He pauses a moment, and feels the need to explain his unusual logic further. "Um. You know, if you cram too much, your head feels like it'll crack open, so maybe it did! And all the magic they knew came out!"

He laughs. "That's a little outrageous, even for me..." Kratos' assessment of his friend gets a hearty agreement from Lloyd, who nods emphatically. "Of course he's good at it, he's top of the class. You should see him cast magic sometime, he's really amazing!"

Taking a suddenly kind hand, Raine places it on the back of her little brother's small neck and rubs softly, "Very good, Genis! You figured it out! I'm very proud of you." A moment is taken to appreciate her younger sibling's keen observation and intellect...not so much at her Flop-Pupil, Lloyd. A scowl crosses the young woman's face as she stands, hands now folded underneath her chest, "We should press onward, then...to discover the source of the magical explosion. Be on your guard, just in case something is there..." And with that said, and the tension as thick as Lloyd's H-E-A-D, Raine moves onward...

-=[Collapsed Passageway]=-------------------------------------------------------

Wandering further down the corridor, stopping at the mound of debris. The woman stops, and stares at it, arms still under her chest, looking at the pile as if trying to think it away. (Air = 9/2 = 4 to see if it's loose enough for magic or force...or if digging is the ONLY way to get past).

The rubble can be cleared in many fashions; it is simply a matter of how much collateral one is willing to do and where the rubble will be relocated to.

Genis gets a little embarassed at the praise from both Lloyd and Raine and, turning pink, says, "Aww thanks, guys. I always try my best." Then he gets a straight line... at Lloyd. "The explosion did NOT happen because someone's head exploded from too much thinking. Just because that's YOUR fear, Lloyd, doesn't mean it came true long ago here."

Genis turns and heads to the collapsed rubble. "I would give anything to know what did this. If it WAS a high-level spell, can it be learned? Would any trace of its components remain?"

Kratos too walks over to Genis. "I would like to know the same thing." He looks over everything to figure out what did this. (Arcane Lore 2, Supernatural Lore 1)

As Genis says, it is most likely a high level spell.

"Aw, man, I kind of liked my idea," replies the swordsman to Genis, sheepishly, as he proceeds into this room and stops at the collapsed section. Lloyd does a minimal amount of thinking things through in this situation. All he sees is 'pile of rubble' and 'gee, do we really want to go through the effort of getting through there' and '...hey, I bet there's something neat on the other side' and finally to 'HEY, I have this ring and--'

The boy has this mental image of himself using the Sorceror's ring, and all four of them getting buried alive in this place, to spend the remainder of their days trapped inside to listen to Raine's lectures about ruins. FOREVER.

Shuddering once, he pockets the ring and decides to just leave well enough alone, and let them figure out how to solve this. "...Should we just start digging? I'm kinda curious, too."

A pointy elf-woman ear pricks up and turns to see Lloyd pontificating, which is truly great for Lloyd, since the swordsman doesn't even know what 'pontificating' means. "Lloyd! That's a brilliant idea! You have the Sorcerer's Ring...and Genis has his magic."

The woman starts to pace, left hand behind her back, right out in lecture mode, "Now, it will take an exact angle and perfect timing, but we should be able to do it. Yes. The mana of the Sorcerer's Ring should react with one of Genis's spells. Yes. The resulting explosion should be enough to maximize the effect and minimize the risk."

The elven woman turns to look at both her little brother and Lloyd, "ALright, here is what you do. Genis, cast a low-level fireball directly at the rubble. Lloyd, just before the fireball hits, hit the fireball with the fire from the Sorcerer's RIng. To be safe, we should be out of the enclosed hallway."

Genis turns to Lloyd and asks, "Did you bring a shovel? Because it looks like that's the only way we're getting out of here if Raine's idea doesn't work."

Turning to his sister, he says, "Sis, what if your idea was how this place got destroyed in the first place? I doubt these walls are very stable, not after all this time, and considering the beating they took so long ago, I'm not too sure another blast is a good idea." Genis has misgivings about Raine's plan.

Kratos looks around at the place more closely. "It really is hard to tell Genis whether or not this place will crumble but I suspect that if it has stood this long a small blast like that shouldn't do any serious damage." He then looks around even closer to reasure himself. (P-ception 4 to see whether or not this place looks stable enough to withstand a blast.)

"...Wh--huh?!" Oh no! He didn't do it! He didn't--oh, it's just about the Sorceror's Ring. Lloyd puts a hand to his pocket, brows raised. "Are you sure?" ...Of course she's sure. She's practically decided for them already! And Genis does give an excellent point. What other choice do they have? Putting the ring onto one gloved finger, he nods to Genis. "We better go to the end of the hall and try from there. --If we're going to do it, that is."

Just to check ahead of time, Lloyd glances down at the ring to verify it hasn't changed or anything. Last thing they'd need is to use the ring and find out it's shooting lightning bolts or causing earthquakes instead of shooting small tongues of fire. He'll wait for their word before doing this, because there's no way he'd think a little fire (a fireball's another story) will solve the problem of that debris, it's not flammable!

It's hard to say just by looking at it. Being able to see the other side would probably help figure it out a lot faster.

Genis's caution does slow Raine down, although the Archeological Maniac will not be waylaid by anything at this point, not even a little and insignificant thing such as ceiling caving in or being buried alive! Bah! The Greeks and Romans survived plagues, tidal waves, monsters, and.... "Pressure...!" Raine runs back to the rubble and pushes on it, moving around in the dirt in a manner that is most unladylike, as she pushes to see if the rubble is loose or compact, thin or thick, solid or tapered. All the while she says, "Pressure can cause the rubble to clear...butonly if..." (Air = 9/2 = 4 to see if the rubble is thin or tapered at any point.)

Reassured by Kratos's words, Genis readies himself to cast Fire Ball, a low-level Fire spell. He begins by tossing and catching the ball attached to the kendama repeatedly.

After much prodding and pushing and moving of rubble, it seems that it' most likely thinest attthe top. If the top part is serving as a pillar, though, it might be back to square one. Way back to square one, meaning Raine lectures everyone on ruins in a cave in for the rest of their lives.

Noticing that Genis Was starting to cast already he darts out of the way of everything. "Hey Raine you might want to get out of the way."

That's that, then! There's nothing that will stop Raine when she's in full on Ruins Mode! But at least this means they won't go immediately launching fireballs at the rubble. Like Genis, he remains out of the way and turns the Sorceror's Ring on his gloved finger a few times, having once again sheathed the remaining of his two swords. Too many cooks spoils the soup, and he's not interested in ruins enough to muck around! ...So Kratos and Raine can! <3 Lloyd feels lazy right now. Hah.

Turning around and sliding down with her new found data, Raine sees the magic energy around her little, tiny, small brother as he charges up his spell. "Oh God Genis, stop!" The woman bum rushes her preteen brother, all of her adult poundage flying at the little Nuclear Magic Bomb. (Power Point to autohit!)

Genis is totally concentrating on his spell and does NOT see Raine charging at him like a mad bull at the Running of the Bulls in Spain. She slams into him and he goes *flying*, kendama flung out of his hand and landing many feet away from him. He himself lands in a crumbled heap and lets out a moan.

Then a sniffle.

Then a small sob.

Kratos walks over to Genis and picks him up. "Don't worry about it, just pick yourself back up and deal."

"Professor! --Genis!!" OUCH. That sounds like it HURT. ....On second thought, really hurt. "Genis? Hey!" Is he crying? That's no good! Abandoning the effort to open the hallway, all curiosity forgotten, Lloyd pretty much drops what he's doing (just nothing literally) and hurries over, stopping only once to pick up the dropped kendama.

Lloyd stops near Genis when he reaches him, shortly after Kratos arrives to help him up. "...You okay?" asks Lloyd, offering Genis his kendama. "Professor, maybe--um, maybe we'd better leave that," he means the opening of the passageway, "To you." No more flying leap tackles!

As soon as they hit the ground, Raine feels that small body underneath him scream in pain. No, the kid doesn't scream, but Raine's magical senses pick up the young boys pain. Very quickly, the Archeological Mania is gone and Raine is sitting up, cradling the small boy in her arms, being so very motherly to him, "Genis! Are you okay? Oh, of course your not! Here...hold on!" Reaching into her satchel, she pulls out an Apple Gel, then stops, remember that her little brother HATES Gels. Instead, re-pocketing the gel, she casts her magic on him, "This should help... Recovery!" (Healing level 1...+4 to Life Force). And then, just as fast, she goes back to cuddling the small boy, whispering, "I'm so sorry, Genis...I didn't mean to hurt you..."

Genis wipes away his tears, gulps, and nods at Kratos. "I-- I'm okay." He stands up a little shakily and dusts himself off before taking his proffered kendama from Lloyd. He refuses to look at anyone in particular. "Thanks, Lloyd." *pause* "I don't need a gel so don't bother."

Kratos then walks back to his spot and tries to find a different way of getting through here.

After handing over the kendama, Lloyd gives Genis some space. His sister's handling it, and in his own opinion, if he was in Genis' shoes, he wouldn't want to get too much attention if he'd been, you know. Ahem. RIGHT THEN!

He heads for the caved in section too, only to discover that Kratos had a similar idea, himself. With little more ideas than to try using his own hands, Lloyd starts trying to take a few of the looser, lighter bits of debris from the top (or what he can reach of it) and carry it into the next room to deposit it off to the side. Lather, rinse, repeat.

While Raine wants to coddle the young boy a bit more, Genis is showing that independence that she does admire //He so takes after his mother when he acts this way...so proud...// and so she lets the issue go. Standing and dusting herself off, she looks at Lloyd and Kratos, "Maybe we should head back to Lindblum and purchase some some digging equipment. The Ruins will still be here when we come back tomorrow." She ruffles Genis's hair, "Besides, we can get some venison ( XD ) and have Genis cook for us. Lloyd, you can stay the night over if you like..." Sometimes, even Raine acts more human than elf...just never say that to her face.

Genis doesn't really know what to do now so he stands there, watching everyone else. This ruins thing isn't so exciting anymore. He'd really rather go home now, thank you. Raine's suggestion of leaving and coming back tomorrow better prepared is the best one he's heard today. "I agree, Sis. Let's go home for now. I can cook a really nice hot stew for everyone. You can eat dinner with us too, Kratos, if you want."

Looking quite suprised Kratos takes a moment to answer. He had never been asked to eat with others as though he was a part of there group or friend per say. "I...Well why not I haven't got anything else to do." He looks over at Genis and nods. His way of smiling.

"Okay!" Staying over at the Sage's? If it meant Raine wasn't cooking, then count him in! Genis' cooking - be it stew or rice balls or whatever was on the menu, chances were very good that he'd excel at it. "But before we get to Lindblum, I have to stop by my house and tell Dad. Otherwise, he'll worry. It's okay, I'll ride Noishe back to Lindblum, it won't take long."

((THE GROUP WALKS BACK TO LINDBLUM.))

-=[Lindblum: Business Watercab]=------------------------------------------------

Raine's portrait looks refreshed and quite chipper, "That was a wonderful first day out, don't you think so, Genis?"

Kratos's portrait looks like Kratos's portrait.

Genis's portrait looks tired. "It was great til you tackled me. And who was supposed to bring the shovels anyway?"

Lloyd's portrait looks relatively neutral about the experience. "...I wonder what's behind that collapsed hallway." He then gets fired up! "We have to go back soon! I have to find out!" We'll see how long this enthusiam lasts.

Genis's portrait looks at Lloyd and gets a straight line. "That'll last until you get hungry or bored... I give it, 15 minutes!"

Raine's portrait smirks, "Genis, you are so short-sighted sometimes..." then the portrait looks matter-of-fact, "We'll have Lloyd carry all the gear, of course..."

Kratos's portrait is empty.

Lloyd's portrait's stomach growls, his head bows unhappily. "Man, nevermind... I'm too hungry to get excited." Then, shocked. "Me?! Aw, man...!"

Raine's portrait ignores Lloyd, "Well, Genis, let's get home...venison takes a while to cook, if I remember..." Her portrait slides off scene...

Genis's portait hurries off-screen. "Wait up, Sis! Stay out of the kitchen, ok?"

Kratos's empty portrait falls off the screen.

Lloyd's portrait is alone! "..." Noishe appears! ...And whines. "Hey, keep your comments to yourself!" Lloyd leaves!

(End of Skit...)

(FADE TO BLACK)

An Interlude between brother and sister...

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:13:54 GMT

After the humiliating experience of being dragged through town by his ear--and having sooooo many people witness this--Genis took to his room for three days. During this time, he wouldn't eat or bathe or even get out of bed. Raine removed plates of uneaten food from his closed bedroom door. All was silence from within whenever she put her ear to the door. Being a busy professor, she didn't intrude on his sulk or think much about it for the first day. He was young, emotional, and touchy but she figured he'd get over it soon enough. When he didn't emerge after the second day, however, she grew concerned. It wasn't like him to not go to school or want to cook. He wasn't eating meals either, but she felt maybe hunger and boredom would drive him out. It didn't, and by the end of the third day, Raine decided enough was enough... she needed to intervene. Whatever was bothering her little brother was pretty serious to him, enough to make him drop out of life like this.

She went into his room and immediately threw open the window to let in light and fresh air. It was dark and smelled like boy-funk! Then she sat down on his wooden desk chair and proceeded to draw Genis out. She was a professor, after all, and she knew what to say to upset pupils. Her brother was no different, and she put her knowledge of psychology to good use.

First she got him to talk about his feelings: he felt humiliated and hurt and was SURE that EVERYONE in town and at school was talking about him and laughing at him. She acknowledged his feelings, then drew out the cause: she had dragged him through town by his ear in front of countless others. Ok. Fair enough. She could admit that that was not the best way to have handled the situation of his disobedience.

Then she got to the heart of the matter: he wanted to be seen as "responsible", an "equal", and "a young elf-man rather than a child." Ah! She understood all now: he wanted to be treated in a more grown-up fashion from now on, since he was approaching his 13th year. Teenage pride, teenage angst... the smallest set-back was DISASTER, and any failure or loss of face was THE END OF THE WORLD. Raine nodded to herself and sighed. Her little brother was passing into the next stage of his development, and it was going to be rough going for both of them from now on until he fully matured... 10 or so years from now.

But the situation in front of her needed to be addressed, NOW. Raine cleared her throat and spoke. "Genis, I apologize for losing my cool with you the other day. There are times when I do not stop and consider my actions properly before doing them, and I always regret it afterward. Like now. Please accept my apology to you."

Genis sat up and took notice. His sister had never apologized to him like an equal before! He readily accepted the apology, and Raine continued. She reassured her little brother that no one was talking about him and indeed, the folks who had witnessed anything had forgotten it by now, most likely. And as for his schoolmates, none of them knew anything about it. Lloyd certainly never said a word, feeling embarrassed himself over it and fearful of Dirk ever finding out (and punishing his adopted son for disobeying a teacher.) So Genis really had nothing to fret over and if he would consider the incident water under the bridge, Raine would do likewise, and no one need ever bring it up again.

As for how she would handle such things in the future, Raine made no promises to always remember to hold her temper in check, but she did promise to give Genis a fair hearing before deciding anything.

Genis listened to all this with a lightening heart, and by the time Raine was finished speaking, he threw his arms around her in a sibling hug and declared he felt 150% better. And he was hungry... wanted a good square meal. And he wanted to take a bath and catch up on his missed lessons.

Raine rejoiced to see her brother's smile again and hear the cheerful confidence in his voice. She left his room to warm up some dinner with a gladness in her heart and step that told her she had done the right thing by Genis.

(And), she told herself, (the good times will far outweigh the bad times. I hope.) Welcome to the Teen Years, Mother Raine.

She Who Must Be Obeyed...

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:10:13 GMT

-=[Lindblum: Nocturne Alley]=---------------------------------------------------
Like most alleys, here it is dark and damp with a hint of poverty thrown in. A couple of bums sitting against the walls frequently ask for spare change and reek of cheap ale. One should keep a sharp eye out when they are walking through a place like this. But there's more here than poverty; ladies of the evening dress themselves in suggestive frocks and offer often more than just a peek of what they have to offer, while peddlers try to hawk stolen or strange and unusual goods.

"Genis!"
School's out, and Lloyd couldn't be happier; he'd spent most of the time standing at the back of the room with a pile of books balanced on his head, because he was caught sleeping -- again! ...How anyone manages to fall asleep with a pile of textbooks on their head while standing up is another mystery of the universe, but Lloyd really managed it. Currently, he's running to catch up with his friend while other students leave.

Once he's caught up with Genis, he folds his arms behind his head, gloved fingers lacing. "Man! I thought the teacher would never stop. It's a shame to waste a great day like this indoors, huh?" And a good day it is; the sun is out, the sky is clear, and there's not much of a breeze, so it's not really that cold. With sunshine, one could even say it's almost springlike.

Genis grins at his best friend. "You're just glad to get all those books off your head! You shouldn't have fallen asleep during the Spell Wars lecture. You missed some good stuff!"

He looks around atthe beautiful afternoon and sighs contentedly. It IS a gorgeous day out, the perfect day for a ramble. "Anyway, I don't feel like doing homework right now, either. Where do you want to go today, Lloyd? Maybe the Charms Shop again?"

"Spell Wars," muses Lloyd aloud. "It's got a good title," sounds exciting! Like there might be powerful warlocks hurling GIGANTIC SPELLS OF DOOM down on unsuspecting heroes in shining armor! "...But I bet there aren't any evil wizards or knights in shining armor." ...What? Huh? Oh man, Lloyd was definitely daydreaming.

"Charms shop? I guess..." But they've been there recently, and on a day like today? Well, it just seems to encourage an adventure! "Let's go someplace new! Come on, Genis! Isn't there a place you haven't been to, yet?" implores Lloyd, propping a fist against his hip and looking off down the street. "There's gotta be! Lindblum is huge!"

Genis thinks for a bit then his eyes light up as he exclaims, "I've got it! I know the perfect place!"
Then he hunkers down a bit and looks from side to side furtively as he whispers, "But we have to be sneaky. If Raine catches us, we're toast!"

Grabbing Lloyd by the arm, Genis pulls him off the street into an alcove, out of direct sight of any sisters of doom. Speaking in a low voice to you, he says, "Have you ever heard of a place called Nocturne Alley?"

The perfect place? Genis' enthusiasm is infectuous; by the time they duck into the alcove, Lloyd's attention is all on his friend, eager to hear just what this new place could be. "...Huh?" The brown-haired youth blinks a few times, nodding in surprise. "Yeeeah...I've heard of it before, but I've never been." Give him a moment, he'll catch on to what you mean. "Oh yeah! We should go there!"

"Come on!" And just like that, Lloyd takes Genis by the wrist and literally hauls him away. It's through the streets and around a few corners (especially when he takes a wrong turn) before they finally reach the forbidding entrance to Nocturne Alley.

Even its sign is old, dingy, and creaks. Looking up at it, even Lloyd has to stare and sweatdrop a little. "Okay, this is it. Last one in's a rotten egg!" Not that it's -really- a race, mind you, since Genis is pretty much getting dragged into the alley with him, whether he likes it or not! Not his most brilliant idea, but... oh well! Adventure calls!

Genis stares around him as he rubs his sore wrists. (He wishes Lloyd would stop doing that!) So -this- is Nocturne Alley! The place forbidden to him by Raine on pain of death or the punishment mask, whichever was worse. He swallows nervously a little as the atmosphere of the places settles onto him. "Maybe we should be careful in here, huh Lloyd?"

The street is bustling, filled with the smell of sweat, reeking ale and of powdered sand, crushed by many feet, among other fouler things. People are shouting here; selling and buying questionable wares with even more questionable value. Some are begging, others beckoning hither with blackened teeth and heavy makeup.

Lloyd and Genis feel a brush between them as a young street urchin pushes his way between and under their hands. The tiny kid attempts to let his nimble fingers check Genis' inventory to relieve him of any 'terrible' weight his valuables must be adding to him. (Pick Pockets 2)

(To: Genis, Lloyd, and Overture) From afar, Raine wonders where her dear, well-behaved little brother and his good-influence of a best friend might have gone off to.

(To: Genis, Lloyd, and Overture) From afar, Raine goes to the University to check out some three hundred year old books.

"...Wow," breathes Lloyd in some amazement. This isn't particularly a place that's worthy of wonder or something like that, yet the young swordsman is still pretty surprised. This place is... certainly new! And smelly. And noisy. And kind of creepy. And-- "Hey, watch it," protests Lloyd when he's lightly jostled by the passage of a street urchin. But that's about as far as his interest goes, as he doesn't seem to notice that someone's just tried to pick Genis' pockets. "What a brat. Let's go see what they're selling!" That's Lloyd for you - gung-ho! Until he suddenly gets bored of this place, that is. (Perception 2)

As Lloyd is pondering on the merits of the alley, Genis is jostled by a boy smaller than himself as said boy pushes his way between Genis and his best friend. And, as he is being jostled, he becomes very aware of the young miscreant's fingers trying to filch his, Genis's, allowance of coinage. ((Perception 3 to foil the Pickpocket))

"Hey you!!" Genis says loudly. "Stop trying to steal my stuff or I'll roast you like a chicken and take all YOUR stuff, too! I hate thieves!"

The tiny kid squeals and begins to run, going a little distance before coming to a halt and untying something at his waist. Turning his head with an evil grin, he drops his trousers and moons Lloyd and Genis with gusto. The kid then drags his pants back up and flees, receiving a few laughs from nearby pedestrians.

As they pass a few 'ladies' (the term being used as loosely as possible), one of them wearing a mangy old fox fur mantle with a tarnished pin growls at them, with what she must have thought was a purr:

"I'll make a man outta you fine gents, yet!"

With that, she turns to her working friends and laugh, cackling much like what children would think witches would.

No, she really didn't come this way, not ever, for any reason. Women...no, people...of good character just do not go to the underpass, let alone Nocturne Alley. There wasn't much in the way of 'nightlife' in Lindblum, and there weren't many places for the ne'er-do-wells to congregate. And so, as vermin are attracted to rotten food, the less-than-savory characters of Lindblum are attracted to Nocturne Alley.

Surely not a place where a good, sweet, law-abiding, sister-obeying, well-behaved boy like Genis would go...right?

When Raine first got home from her afternoon lecture, she expected one of two things: Genis to be in the kitchen making dinner (today was going to be a delicious and savory meal of Rice Balls) or Genis to be in his room, pert little well-behaved nose buried deep within a book. What she did NOT expect was to come home to an empty, locked up house, a Genis that was anything but reading a book or preparing dinner, and a complete absence of a characteristically bored Lloyd Irving yowling as to where his best friend might be.

Hmmmm...apparently someone forgot to inform Raine about the break in routine. Not good.

It wasn't an easy task, but observation is exactly one-half of the battle, logic and deduction are the other half. Let's see: Genis's books are not here, so Genis never came home from school. Lloyd is not hanging around the house asking where Genis is, so the two are most likely together. Genis just got his allowance two days ago, so they most probably went to go spend some of it. It's late in the afternoon and the Watercabs are exceptionally busy, so they would probably stay in the Ametris District. (Perception 5, Worldliness 2)

With a furrowed brow, but pleased with her still keen logical mind, Raine locks up the house and goes looking.

The only person easier to track than Lloyd is Colette, who has a habit of leaving large, Colette-shaped holes in wooden walls. But Mister Bright-Red and Loud, padding along with Mister Booty-shorts, isn't hard for a woman like Raine to ask around about. Three soldiers and two tips later, Raine is heading down the underpass, hoping against all hope that the odds are just such that Lloyd and Genis went into the Rusty Cauldron to have some stew, or the Curiousity Shoppe to poke at a tarantula, instead of going into the one place that they are never supposed to go.

Chaos Mathematician, Raine, thou art not.

So as Raine enters the most nefarious area of Lindblum, sticking out like a plank in a biblical sailor's eye, she sees the two boys who belong just about anywhere in the world but here. Suddenly, the Raine-shaped Shadow of Doom appears behind an extremely naughty little elf-boy.

"GENIS SAGE!!!!!"

Imagine if you will: A Dead Black Shadow looming behind Genis with the fire of Gehenna roasting the souls of the unforgiven in the background, eyes only red glowing cinders of primal rage. Well...something like that...metaphorically speaking...

Good, sweet, law-abiding young boys get themselves into DEEP TROUBLE! Lloyd has a really great knack for trouble, and getting into it thoroughly. His problem is his attention span, his habit of getting really enthusiastic about an idea and running headlong into it without thinking things through, and often... dragging his friends along with him. It was a good idea at the time! ...That excuse often doesn't cut it.

The break in routine can, however, be partially blamed on the good weather, a constant law which applies to everywhere in Lindblum except for THIS PLACE, which is a BAD PLACE and one where certain young boys should not be! And here Lloyd's beginning to think he knows why.

While the 'ladies' behind them seem to... well, titter, Lloyd rounds on Genis, eyes wide. "I figured it out!"

Uh oh.

"I figured out why most people don't come here! It's because the walls are so tall none of the sunshine comes in so it's cold!" Tapping the side of his head, he smirks, straightening. The ladies behind him? Totally forgotten about. Right now, he's convinced that he's a total genius, having figured out the mystery of Nocturne Alley. "Why didn't I think of ... it... be...fore--oh /no/," moans Lloyd, eyes widening in fear.

It's Raine. "RUN AWAY!" howls Lloyd, attempting to grab Genis and run for it--that is, until he trips.

Genis freezes in his tracks, arms in mid-flail, all thoughts of thieves and roastings and butts and scary witch-like "ladies" forgotten as the Voice of the Almighty rings out across the alley. It doesn't matter that people are now staring over at them with open amusement. It doesn't matter that he foiled a pickpocket's attempt on his money. It doesn't matter that Lloyd is with him. It doesn't even matter that he got straight A's this term and cooked his sister's favorite dishes all week. He has been caught by the Punisher in the one place he was never allowed to go. ((You know the story of the guy who ate the forbidden fruit and was kicked out of the pretty garden? Yeah, well, meet Adam Sage.))

Genis s-l-o-w-l-y turns around and faces Her. "Um, hi sis." Said in small voice. "We were just leaving. Right Lloyd? We didn't go in far at all, we're just at the entrance practically. See? Heh heh eh err..." His voice trails off unceratinly as he tries to gauge how -angry- his sister really is.

Raine looks unimpressed, very unimpressed with both boys, both very naughty boys who can't even make up a good excuse as to why they are mucking (or mushing) about in a place they have no business being within. Not only did Lloyd and Genis go into Nocturne Alley, even when Raine expressedly told Genis never - to - go - down - there, but then both boys had the temerity to make such pathetic lies! If you're going to get caught, at least be like the Greeks and come up with a good philosophical reason! Anything! Just don't try to make up something dumb! And for heaven's skae, if you're going to run, at least have the sense to LOOK where you are running and not trip, just like Lloyd!

Raine's arm shoots out like a serpent striking its prey, the elf-woman boldly stating, "You expressly disobeyed me, Genis. Prepare for your punishment right now!" Her intent to grab her little brother and keep him from running!(Hand-to-Hand of Average).

"Uh...Y-yeah, sure. We were just leaving," manages Lloyd nervously, picking himself up off the ground and cautiously attempting to dust himself off. You'd go about it cautiously too, if you were busy keeping a wary eye on a woman whose ire could send you flying into the nearest wall faster than you could say 'Wait!' or 'Stop!' or maybe even 'Mommy!'--The Professor is SCARY when she's mad!

And right now, even Lloyd can tell they're... in BIG... trouble.

Just how angry is Professor Sage? Apparently Genis is about to find out! Lloyd winces visibly, all but covering his eyes in sympathy for his best friend. He'd protect Genis from fire-breathing dragons! From slavers and from evil warlocks or even knights in shining armor, but there is no way in any of the nine hells he's going to get between Genis and his older sister!

There are some things you just don't meddle in. Poor, poor Genis!

Genis suddenly gains mobility! Effortlessly, he dodges his sister's clumsy grasp (Dodge 3) as she attempts to arrest his flight. He stands his ground, though, and looks up at her.

"I suppose we better face our punishment, Lloyd. But just so you know, it was my idea to come here. Lloyd just came along to make sure I'd be ok. So go easy on him, ok, sis?"

Raine's little brother looks up at her with the look of a knight going to battle against an unbeatable dragon, knowing he will die but facing it anyway because it -must- be faced. The nobility shines like an aura.

He....Dodged....?

The Valkyries of Valhalla have nothing on the light blue-haired elf as her gaze breaks mountains as she looks down upon the very brave and very small (very very small) Genis who just ducked from a grab. Clumsy? You want to see clumsy? Again, like a serpent, an asp to be certain, Raine's hand darts out and the forefinger and thumb of her right hand gets intimately acquainted with Genis's ear. "You are in BIG trouble, Genis!" Raine strongly words her very seriously toned threat. As she turns to face Lloyd, her eyes burn just as strong, and that angry look she gets rips over her usually pretty face. That left hand darts out and does the same to Lloyd's ear.

"And you..." Raine hisses, "Are as guilty as your cohort...!"

The harlots and pickpockets and murderers and ne'er-do-wells of Nocturne Alley back off from Raine, viewing her as one would view a thundering dragon, no one daring to stand between her and her two 'kills'. Both boys in 'hand', Raine starts up the stairs, fuming like she was just called a Desian. (Power Point to get (auto hit) both boys.)

Hey, wait! Is he defending them both?! "Genis!" protests Lloyd, while he heroically owns up to ... something he literally dragged him into! Ashamed, the brown-haired youth hangs his head, contrite, eyes lowered and casting a sideways glance while shoulders slump. "...Actually, I'm the one who pulled him here. I should have said it right away--"

Swallowing his pride (and no small amount of terror!), Lloyd lifts his head, hands balled into fists at his sides. "Don't let him take all the blame, Professor!" Or he'll... he'll...! Um. He'll feel really guilty! He really will, can you imagine how it feels to see your best friend take all the heat for something you did wrong? Lloyd just can't stand back and do nothing!

Except he won't be standing back and doing nothing, especially not when his ear just got grabbed! "Ow ow ow ow!" And then Raine hisses at him, at which point he lets out an undignified squawk of alarm, almost cringing. "Woah!" Ahhh! Have we mentioned that Professor Sage is even scarier than her cooking when she's mad? He has no choice but to get hauled along by his ear, unable to help from flailing on his way up the stairs. There's no way he's going about this gracefully!

Genis yells just as loudly as Lloyd over the ear-hauling and the fact that it's completely undignified, being treated like a juvenile when he was almost 13. Genis now hates Nocturne Alley and vows never to come here again. (Besides, the people might remember this day and snicker at him and he just won't stand for that! So he's never coming back to give them that chance.)

He allows himself to be dragged all the way back to the house (what choice does he have, really?) and he thanks his stars it isn't far. Reasoning with Raine won't work right now. Best just to take it and move on with life. Although how worth living life will be after this is questionable. Depends on Raine's mood.

-=[Lindblum: Amestris Underpass]=-----------------------------------------------

Underneath the Amestris District, the only source of light are torches and the walls of the various alleys are close together, giving the streets a very dark and almost sinister feeling. A few shops and bars are open, places of a dubious nature. Here is where the darker sides of science and magic meet...and strike deals...away from the prying eyes of the light.

-=[Lindblum: Amestris Road]=----------------------------------------------------

-=[Lindblum: Amestris Square]=--------------------------------------------------

-=[Lindblum: Amestris Residential]=---------------------------------------------

-=[Sage Residence: Common Room]=------------------------------------------------

Deftly pulling both boys with her up the stairs, with everyone able to see, down the overpass, with everyone able to see, across the Ametris Road, with everyone able to see, into the Residential District of Ametris, with everyone able to see, and into their home. Let's see, given the factors of it being the late afternoon, when pedestrian traffic is the heaviest, and given the high density of the population of Ametris in the evening, most of them mages, teachers, and classmates of Lloyd and/or Genis, both boys were scene being lead through the streets by their ears by approximately:

Underpass: 35
Ametris Road: 68
Ametris Square: 236
Residential District: 116

That leaves a total of 455 people who saw Raine dragging Lloyd and Genis by their ears from Nocturne Alley and into the Sage Residence.

Once inside, punishment is swift and unforgiving. Raine looks at Lloyd and says in that dangerous voice, "Never take my little brother any place dangerous again, Lloyd Irving, or so help me I will medically stunt your growth!" A side kick to the gut, with torque, is all the punishment Lloyd gets - for now. (hand-to-hand on Lloyd)

Turning to the smaller of the two Sage Pieces, Raine says, very matter of factly, "You have some nerve...I thought I..." Lifting the preteen up and over her knees is like lifting a small sack of potatoes that probably DON'T want to be picked up. The Hand of Judgment rises and lands onthe small boy's bottom several times, as Raine reads him the riot act:

"Told!" *WHAP!*

"YOU!" *WHAP!*

"NEVER!" *WHAP!*

"TO GO" *WHAP!*

"THERE!" *WHAP!* *WHAP!* *WHAP!*

The effect is, well, they say a picture's worth a thousand words. IF that's so, eat your heart out, Yuna: http://idata.over-blog.com/0/02/25/77/110469949232.jpg

Oh no! They won't be able to show their faces at class tomorrow without EVERYONE asking what on earth today was about! But that's nothing compared to the humiliation of getting floored in one hit! Lloyd takes a lot of pride in his ability to fight at his young age -- and to think, it's all self-taught, too! -- but when it comes to an angry Raine...

Well, not even all that training helps prepare him for that kind of kick! One kick, and he thumps to the floor and stays there, seeing stars!

Genis gets spanked and hates every minute of it. But the sting of Raine's hand is nothing to the bitter sting of humiliation he feels over the fact that EVERYONE in the district -saw- him being dragged along in that awful fashion... and it's sure to be THE hot topic of gossip for the next 200,000 years. And to think that in another 30 seconds, he was going to walk out of there on his own accord and not return (for a long time, anyway.) Life just isn't fair!

Putting the little boy down, Raine feels her anger start to ebb. And this had started out as such a great day, too! Her request for time off had been approved and all she needed was to draft a proposal for the expedition to the ruins she had discovered and her and Genis would be off exploring their ancestry. But, no, her perfect day had to be ruined by Captain Oblivious and Tag-A-Long Boy! Sheesh, if the Tower of London were falling down would they stay inside it because they think it's safer.

"I'm very disappointed in you two..." Her arms fold and the agner is her tone is gone, just that thick disappointment. She looks at Genis and says, "You could get hurt down there in ways I hope you never discover..." She knew what those kind of people did to boys as young as Genis...and she'd have killed every last one of them if they had so much as touched him.

Raine then looks over at the woozy Lloyd and her eye-brows arch, a look of melancholy defeat on her face, "And you, Lloyd Irving...I thought I could trust you to protect Genis..."

The grown woman turns her back on both boys and says in a sad tone, "I want you both to reflect on your behavior, long and hard, while I go through the trouble of making dinner for us..."
And with that, Raine heads into the kitchen.

Off in the distance, a Church Bell tolls...and crows squawk and take flight...

(Fade to Black...)

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:07:17 GMT

-=[Lindblum: State Academy]=---------------------------------------------------

Entering the Academy, Raine brushed the dust off of her bright orange frock, gathering the book under her arm and looking at the near empty halls of the University. It was a day off for many of the students and faculty, so only the Graduates and Professors at work on Thesis are still around.

Turning to Genis, Raine comments, "Genis, when i go to my office, feel free to look around the library. But please, don't touch anything that isn't a book. And don't wander off too far. And don't bother people who are busy in their own studies. And don't go into any restricted areas. And don't..." And thus the list goes on...

Genis groans inwardly as his sister lays out The Rules. Why couldn't she just say, 'Genis you can walk around if you cut off your legs first.' But he refuses to be dampened by his sister's MANY warnings and such. "Ok, sis," he tells her. "I'll stay out of everyone's way as much as possible. I don't want to make a bad impression before I even get here!" He walks off to begin his exploration.

Kratos Watches the two of you enter and continues to watch as you talk to each other. He lightly chuckles to himself at hearing Raine's book of warnings but quickly goes back to reading the book before him.

Leaving Genis to his exploration and Kratos to his meditation, Raine heads off to the hallway where the faculty offices are located. As she enters her office, Raine slides the bookpack off and slides in the book she had left on her desk the night before. A pause...a long long pause, and Raine sits down, turns on the oil lamp, takes out the book, and starts to read it.

"Might as well let him have some fun...he rarely gets to come here." Raine chuckles to herself as she opens the old pages of the book to the place where her leather bookmark lay.

Meanwhile, Genis skipped happily through the main hallway and up the stairs to the second floor. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a red-haired man sitting on a bench reading a book near a balcony overlooking the first floor, but he ignored the stranger in favor of entering the school's main library. It was a place filled with books both old and new, a bit musty smelling like libraries generally are, and humming with the mental activity that knowledge gathering generally entails (i.e., learning.)

Genis begins walking the aisles, taking in the layout of the place and the types of books it had (titles, et. al.)

Looking quite surprised that Genis did come over to him Kratos pretends that he is not at all interested in what the boy is doing and continues to read his book. But when he looks down at it he realizes that he has already finnished it. He then stands up and walks over to the bookcase in which he got the book and puts it back, he then goes through the aisles looking for another book that would catch his eye.

Meanwhile, in her office...

Raine's eyes light up and her cheeks start to flush, the pink coloration coming to them like a virgin on her Wedding NIght. Her palms get sweaty and her knees begin to quake. "Oh my gosh!!!" The woman exclaims as she clamps her hands to her breast, the tightness in her throat loosened only by the bitter taste of adrenaline and hormones, "...those ruins are only a few days journey from town!!!"

Quickly, Raine gets out her map of the surrounding area, charts and graphs that she's collected or drawn herself. (She's particularly proud of her coastline of Norway...won an award for it...) Her tongue slips out of her mouth, moistening her lips with heat and slickness as she plots out the distance with several metal tools.

Her eyes burn with a maniacal light as she focuses solely on her task...!

Genis feels an unexpected feeling of doom come over him but it passes as quickly as it came and he dismisses it from his mind... for now. Wandering down yet another book aisle, he sees the red-haired stranger near the other end, perusing the shelves to presumably find a book. The man is well-dressed and looks educated, probably one of the faculty, so Genis approaches him.

"Excuse me," he says to the red-haired man. "Would you know if this library had any books on combining two or more elemental spells to form a new spell?"

The man looks over at this little boy. "I...I do not know. I havent been here for very long. Good with magic are you?" He looks back to the books.

Meanwhile, in the Laboratory of Doctor Strange-Love...

The maniacal pace continues to speed up as the elven Professor triangulates the distances between two points of interest and the point of origin, then plots out, on paper, the distance between the city of Lindblum and the supposed r-u-i-n-s of Must Be Studied.

Raine licks her lips again as she rifles through some old papers, finding a design of an ancient (spelled right) culture and their diety.

"AH HA!!!! I KNEW THERE HAD TO BE A CONNECTION!!!!"

Deftly Raine, fingers through her calendar and checks, "Yes...! I'm not due back for another TWO WEEKS!"

Genis replies, "Yes, sir. I study it every day at the Junior Academy. I'm pretty good with spells and am at the top of my class in all my subjects. I like magic a lot and hope to come here one day to continue my studies. My sister is a professor here. Are you a professor here, too?"

Turning back to and lookin g you in the eye as he speaks. "No I am not a Professor. Just someone who, like you is interested in magic." He looks back and continues his search not really sure what he is looking for at the moment. "The Junior Acadamy eh? Thats one of the finest schools around you must be proud of your self and your sister. To be a professor here must mean that she is extremely good and intellegent."

Genis beams at the compliments. "Thanks... we both study hard and enjoy learning about magic, both ancient and modern." He pauses for breath and realizes that he has not introduced himself properly to the older gentleman! Giving an embarassed cough, he says, "By the way, my name is Genis Sage." He bows to the red-haired stranger.

Genis says, "sorry, skipped Raine. Raine don't kick my arse!"

Meanwhile.....in the office of the 'good and intelligent one'....

Sitting back with a satisfied smirk on her face, Raine looks over the diagrams and charts, her course of action happily plotted out. She grins, a sliver of white showing...then a grins a bit wider...and then even more so. Her ruby lips waver and quiver as she looks down at the papers, her eyes going into small beads, her eyes turning into white, upside down u's....the woman chuckling several times.

Suddenly, Raine flings her head back and let's out the most maniacal and EVIL laugh, a laugh that is tantamount to a mad scientist bringing to life his foul undead creation, raising it from the grave to wreak havoc on mankind.

"MWAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAAAA!!!!!!"

The laughter rings out loud, long, and true, throughout the corridors of the Academy, causing some int eh hallways and rooms to shudder in primal terror....!

Genis hears the sound of that laughter and shudders. Then he remembers the feeling of doom he felt earlier and panicks. "Oh no! She's doing it AGAIN! I- I don't wanna go down there and find out what's up."

Kratos looks toward the hallway after hearding the most interesting laugh. He then looks back at Genis. "You know who that was? Wait don't tell me that was your sister!" He then also realizes that it is his trun for an introduction. "I am Kratos Aurion."

The laughter continues for a few more minutes before Raine regains composure, very calming getting a drink of water from the water fountain in her office. Once the water is drank, Raine, readjusts herself, waits for the color to die down on her face, and starts to roll up her charts, maps, and file them away with her books.

"Oh Genis...wait until you hear about this..."

Genis nods a bit glumly (ok, a lot glumly) when the stranger asks if the laughter was coming from his sister. But when the stranger gives his name, Genis perks up and says, "I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Aurion. Do you come to the library a lot? If you do, I'm sure we'll meet up again. Maybe we can help each other find books!"

"No this is my first time in this library. I was just looking for something to do to pass the time for you see I am very bored."

For the moment, Raine found pleasure in checking her date book, and delighting in finding out that her darling little brother Genis had no immediate exams to study for...not that she knew of...and also delighting in the fact that the Junior Academy would be out on days that the State Academy was out.

Genis nods at Mr. Aurion's saying he goes to libraries when he gets bored. "Yeah, I look for good books when I get bored, too. 'Course I never stay bored cuz I like reading and taking walks to explore places."

Kratos turns to Genis this time as he speaks. "You know your quite interesting for a kid. Perhaps we should meet again and talk about magic."

Raine eats a chocolate chip granola bar.
Raine will get her wayward brother next pose.

Genis feels happy when Kratos offers to have a discussion on magic with him sometime, just like an adult, like equals! ((Kratos's affection meter goes up by 20 points!)) Genis replies, "Yeah, that would be cool. I live in this district, in the residential part, so you can stop by any time. I'm usually at home if I'm not at school or on an errand for my sister."

Kratos Nods. "Perhaps I will take you up on that offer." He looks at you and gives you a pathetic attempt to smile.

Raine exits her office, satchel again over her shoulder, and heads out to the library, knowing that is where her little brother is, obviously behaving like a good little, doing no wrong, and making no offers to complete strangers. Oddly enough, on that train of thought, Raine finds her little brother engaged in verbal intercourse with am auburn-haired adult. Imagine the look of surprise on her face as she blinks, audibly, several times, and looks from Genis to Kratos, "Well well, Genis. Who is your friend here?"

At the sound of her voice, Genis turns around with a smile. "Hi, Sis. This is Mr. Kratos Aurion. He studies magic, too." Turning to Kratos, Genis says, "This is my older sister, Professor Raine."

Kratos turns to Raine and gives a slight bow then extends a hand. "So that was you I heard laughing. Quite a maniacal laugh you have there." He turns back to Genis. "Your brother and I were just having an interesting conversation. He is quite intellegent for his age I would assume that has something to do with you."

Raine takes Kratos's hand and shakes it, then releases and goes and ruffles little Genis's hair, "Yes, he is quite the little prodigy, isn't he? Sometimes I wonder if he'll end up taking my job one day..." A smirk crosses her lips, for oddly enough, nothing would bring her greater pleasure than for Genis to surpass her one day. That hand leaves the top of the boy's hand and rests on the back of his small neck. She smiles softly down at the little boy, "So then, Genis, are done? Or do I need to wait for a while longer?" Raine pauses, "I don't mind. There are a few books I could read here as well."

Genis continues to smile. "Oh no! Mr. Aurion and I are finished talking, for now. Is it time to go home, Sis?"

"Perhaps we can talk again sometime about Anceint Magic Genis. And I think that I will take you up on your offer." He then turns back to the bookcase and pretends to look for another book.

Raine smiles still, even as Genis and Kratos give their parting words to each other. She even waves goodbye a bit as the tall man leaves and then, turning to Genis, the woman asks, very plainly and calmly, "What offer is he speaking of, Genis...?"

Genis says, "And he blithely walks off the cliff into oblivion."
Raine gives a helpful push. ^_^v

Genis, with a smile, says confidently, "I invited him to come by the house at any time to discuss magic with me. I think we can learn from each other. He's pretty well-read on the subject and between the two of us, we can probably come up with some new theories. Well, I guess we're ready to go. Goodbye, Mr. Aurion. Hope you find your book. Take care. And I'll see you sometime soon." Genis waves goodbye to Kratos ((and to the rest of his life. The end.))

Kratos looks kind of confused but decides its probly better not to get involved. He waves goodbye to the two and walks off.

Just staring at her little brother, her very - little - brother, Raine asks, her fingers pressing more into Genis's neck, "You invited a stranger over to our house...?" Pulling her thoughts inward, Raine thought, //He must really be lonely. Other than Lloyd, he has no other friends...// and the grip on her brother's neck lessened, "We'll talk about this tonight, over dinner, okay Genis?" Her hand drops from the back of the boy's neck and she picks up a book he was looking at, "Take this one home with you tonight, okay? You can read it after supper."

Genis felt the fear of impending Punishment at her first words; but when her grip lessened, he got the impression that he was not as "in trouble" as he normally would be. Wondering what had happened to get him off the hook, but knowing he would still have to sit through one of his sister's Dinner Lectures, he just nodded his cute little head and said, "Thanks, Sis." He takes the proffered book and then HUGS HIS SISTER. "Thanks for bringing me here today. I really wanted to see it and I did and I even made a new friend. Today was really cool."

Her hand wasn't on the back of his neck, but it did come to rest on Genis's back as Raine returned the hug. Keeping her hand on her cute little brother's back, Raine lead Genis out the door and homeward, for some of Genis's grand ol' cooking!

(FADE TO BLACK)

To the Academy!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:01:32 GMT

Early afternoon in Lindblum, and Professor Raine is rummaging through a bookcase, moving books to the side, takign them out, opening them, scaning then, and sliding them back in the bookself. A slightly frustrated look covers her brow as she seems to not find what she is looking for. *THUP* The last book slams back into place as Raine turns and leans back agains the bookcase, exhaling hard, a puff of smokey wisp from her mouth, eyes close, head lowered. She murmurs to herself, "This is just not working..."

Genis wanders in from the kitchen, munching on an apple. Seeing his older sister and sole caretaker looking so disgruntled, he swallows the rather large bite he was chewing and asks, "What's wrong, Sis?"

Opening one eye to see the smaller of two pieces of the Sage family, but quite possibly the only person she's ever cared about, Raine stands up tall and, brushing off her orange jacket, mutters, "I need to get some research material..." Then, looking over at Genis, the woman adds, "I've misplaced a book on something very important, a set of ruins that I was researching..." The woman sighs and walsk past her little brother, ruffling his hair, towards the other bookcase, Genis's bookcase, and starts to rummage through it.

Genis feels some panic at the sight of his sister beginning her frenzy of rummaging in *his* bookcase, the one he had just finished straightening and organizing that morning. "Sis? Sis? Hey Sis! Cut it out-- I just straightened all those books. If you told me what you're looking for exactly, I'll let you know if it's on my shelves or not. But please STOP MESSING UP MY BOOKS!"

Turning around and GLARING at her little brother, brow crossing heavily, Raine stops when she sees the upsetness on Genis's face. Well, it was HIS bookcase, after all, and she'd whup his butt if she messed up her bookcase. Therefore, Raine puts everything back in the right place and then, walking over to her brother, leans over and looks at the small boy, nose-to-nose, saying, "Hey...Genis...you wanna come with me to the Academy...?"

Genis takes a moment to calm down and he inspects ALL of his books before he answers his sister. "The Academy? Sure, I guess. I can look around for a bit while I'm there, right?"

Raine wags her finger at Genis, her eyes now closed as she lectures her brother most efficiently, "Now, Genis, the purpose of you coming to the Academy with me is to help me locate the book I need in order to continue my research. Therefore, I cannot have you running around, nilly-willy. I need you to help me find that book."

Visions of spending the afternoon exploring the "Great" Academy fade from his head as Raine lays down the stipulations for their outing. Genis wishes he were older and less under his sister's thumb. However, he wouldn't have traded her in for all the freedom in the world. Deep down inside, he loved his big sister and knew MOST of what she said and did were for his benefit, although it was times like these when he wished she would lighten up. Anyway, what was all the fuss about a book anyway? She made it sound like a life-or-death issue, which was typical of Raine when she encountered setbacks in her pet projects... like Ruins research. With a small sigh, Genis replied, "Ok, Sis. I'll help you find your book. You probably left it in the lab again."

Getting a very flustered look, Raine, feigned a cough - once, twice, thrice - and then shoke her head, "No no! It couldn't be that simple, Genis...!" Sadly, Genis was right, and the moment Raine heard him mention the lab, she remembered that is exactly where she had left it. However, to admit this, would mean that Genis had no reason to go with her to the State Academy, and for a boy who was smarter than the Junior Academy, but too young to be allowed into the State Academy, Genis deserved a day-trip to a place he dreams of going to school. Wagging her finger again, the older woman tapped the small boy on the nose, "Now, no more back talk, get your shoes on and let's get going." She smiled to herself, knowing that Genis will enjoy his day in the State Academy.

Genis nods once then goes back to the kitchen to toss the apple core into the trash (yes, he ate the rest of it while Raine was pontificating). That done, he heads back to the front room to put on his shoes, which are next to the front door. As he gets into them and laces them properly, he asks his sister, "So are there classes going on right now or do they have the day off like we do in the Junior Academy?"

As Genis tosses the apple core into the trash, like a good boy, Raine gets her backpack and, stuffing a few random papers into it. She then makes sure her boots are laced properly as she watches Genis lacing his little boots. Her hands rest on her knees as she looks at her questioning brother, nodding in response, and saying, "Yes, the Academy has the day off, and while there should be some Graduates and Professors still there, most are busy with other things and won't bother us." With that said, the older woman stands up and heads to the door, "Lock up after me, okay?"

Genis nods again. "Ok." He follows his sister outside and closes the door behind them. He takes his house key out and locks the front door. Then he puts it back in his pocket. "Ready, Sis."

-=[Lindblum: Amestris Residential]=---------------------------------------------

Heading outside of the house, Raine squinted at the bright sunlight of the Roman coast, the sparkling pavement of Lindblum catchign the sun and making the area ever more brilliant. The woman turns to her little brother as he padded outside, smiling softly at him, motioning for him to follow her, "This way, and don't fall behind, alright...?"

Genis feels a little indignant at being admonished to not fall behind, like a baby. But he bites his tongue for once: he doesn't want to jeopardize this outing (like almost happened five minutes ago!) He simply nods at his sister and turns his attention to the area around them, the shops and people, the sounds and the smells, of his street, his home. Inhale, exhale. Lindblum.

-=[Lindblum: Amestris Square]=--------------------------------------------------

Walking along, the people of the Amestris District nod in greeting to Professor Raine as she walks by, and in several cases, she nods back, a small smile on her face. This was her home now, and she and Genis belonged here, were accepted here, and were not ridiculed here. This was important to both siblings, their unique heritage making finding a permanent home difficult. But here, at least in the Ametris District of Lindblum, they had a home to call their own. "Good day, Professor!" One of Raine's graduate students walks by, waving a hello to Raine as he heads into the State Building. Raine politely waves back, but does not answer. That look was in her eyes. She had a mission. And that mission had a goal. And that goal needed to be met.

Genis walked along behind his sister, taking in the sights and sounds of his hometown. He recognized a few people, a shopkeeper here or a student there, but for the most part the people held no interest for the young mage. His mind was on the prospect of walking the halls of that most hallowed institution, the State Academy. He didn't even notice the growing intensity of his sister's look. "I'm going into the greatest school in the world...!" he thinks to himself excitedly.

-=[Lindblum: Amestris Road]=----------------------------------------------------

Oh Raine! If only you could get your head out of the clouds when it came to your brother! He's excited about going to the State Academy, not about your research or anything else. As her movements became faster and faster, she suddenly stopped and pointed to the stairs going into the underpass, "Genis..." pontificates the Professor, "...those areas down there are not appropriate for a boy your age. You are not going down there, correct?"

At the sudden stoppage, Genis came back to himself and focused his attention on Raine. "Those areas down there? Why not? What's down there?" He tries to peer down the dark and secretive (and suddenly interesting-looking) underpass.

Leaning forward and down, finger out and pressing against the little boy's nose, Raine continued, "They have people down there who trade in the darker arts of magic, forbidden stuff that little Genis's should not be getting into, you see?" Those tinted lips smirked at the small boy as she leaned back up, hands on her hips, "You will be punished if you go down there, Genis, make no mistake about it...it's off limits." And with that, the woman turns and heads upstairs, up the overpass.

Genis is quite taken aback. What was so bad about a place (that was quite near his house) that would prompt Raine to threaten him with the ULTIMATE PUNISHMENT if he were to step foot in there? He tried once again to peer down the underpass then thought better of lingering too long in sight of temptation and evil... and he hurried to catch up with his sister. "I have GOT to see what is so 'off-limits' about that place... one day...!" he thinks to himself.

-=[Lindblum: Amestris Overpass]=------------------------------------------------

Walking along the overpass until she reached the top, Raine stopped in front of the Potion Shop and considered something, "You know? I really ought to go in here one day and see if they sell any medicinal herbs." The words appear to be thoughts spoken out loud, and after a moment or two, Raine walks off towards the Plaza, where the Academy was located.

Genis began to lag a little further behind his sister. The interior of the Charms shop seemed to beckon him, like a Cave of Wonders to a small street rat. When Raine paused in front of the door to the Potions shop ahead, Genis considered ducking into the Charms shop, just for a moment. There was something shiny in there, probably a lot of shinies....

-=[Lindblum: Charms and Trinkets]=----------------------------------------------

Genis peruses the middle and upper shelves near the back of the store, heedless of anyone around him. There were lots of jars with various colored liquids softly glowing, pretty stones, sparkling jewelry, and many other curious shinies. The smell of incense is in the air-- not a heavy smell but gentle, fading into the background, creating an ambience of tranquility and seeking. His back is to the front door.

Raine looks to the side as she starts off to the Plaza, and as she approaches the State Academy, turns to say something to her little brother, and sees, instead, a dog, with a cute wagging tail, looking up at her and panting. Raine's expression clouds up and she gets a twitch on her right brow, a very painful looking twitch. The woman locks her jaw a moment and then turns, a determined look on her face, past the dog, who tilts his head at Raine in confusion. Down to the Overpass Raine goes, looking in the Potion Shop and finding nothing. Then, the Charms Shop catches her eye, and movement within seals a little boy's fate. Entering in as silent as the Tenth Plague of Egypt, Raine steps behind the very naughty little boy-elf, and loooooooooooooooooooms. "G-E-N-I-S!!!!!" sayeth the 'Voice of the Seven Thunders...'

Genis's eyes get huge and a look of fear settles on his young face. He gulps and s-l-o-w-l-y turns around to face She Who Must Be Obeyed. "Uh, hiya, Sis..." Nervous laugh that dies away quickly.

With Raine, punishment is always swift, sure, and painful, but then is over. A hand hand raises into the air as Raine says in that scary voice, "Don't walk off like that ever again!" The hand falls...! *SMACK!* The side of Genis's head is cuffed, a place that is not the least bit vital, but sure as heck doesn't feel good, either. Hands on her hips, Raine looked at the Rulerbreaker and said, "Would you like to go home?"

Tears form in Genis's eyes at the blow but he refuses to cry over it in public. "N-no," he manages to say. "I want to go to the Academy, I really do, but something caught my eye in here and I had to see what it was." He points to a table in the center of the shop. Something gold and bejewelled was lying on it, something shiny and new.

The shopowner looks on indulgently. "That's one of a kind, that is. Was just telling the young master about it, ma'am. It's quite new, all the way from Siraag."

Eyes suddenly widen, cheeks get very flustered as Raine begins to blush like crazy. Hands come up to right between her chest and neck. Her voice goes up a pitch and her body leans forward. The look of the woman is nigh hysterical. "Oh my goodness, all the way from Siraag?" Hearts appear over Raine as she muses over the bejewelled and golden shiny something, looking at it from every angle, "My goodness, I can see the intricate designs on it! My goodness, this must be from the Third Dynasty, Fourth at least, and...ooooohhh....look! It has the signature of the artist on it!"

The shop owner gets a bemused expression on his face. "Ah no, ma'am, that is not an artifact. It was made just last year and they sold like hot potatoes on a cold day. This is the last one available. It's a magickal dagger that protects one from being turned into a frog."

Genis has a straightline and just thinks to himslef how much a fool his sister has just made of herself. But he's already stirred her temper twice today and isn't about to stir it a third time before they get to the Academy of Wonders. However, words don't have to be spoken aloud; the look on his face is enough to convey his feelings about the situation Raine is causing/has caused.

Getting a very, very exasperated expression on her face, her blush actually getting bigger as she feels humiliation settle upon her. As she recovers from the initial burst of embarrassment, Raine stands tall and, coughing again, eyes closed in rapt concentration, declares, "See, Genis? This r-e-p-l-i-c-a of the Dagger of the Rain God is cleverly made, and the intricate design shows that the craftsman took great pride in his forgery. Any questions? No? Okay, great! We gotta go! Bye!" And taking the young boy by the hand, Raine tore outside like a Typhoon in the midsummer, leaving a very bewildered shop owner.

Genis feels a great sense of defeat. He only hopes that she doesn't embarass him like this at the Academy of Many Things. He crosses his fingers and says a little prayer to any god/dess who may be listening right now.

-=[Lindblum: Amestris Overpass]=------------------------------------------------

Storming outside the shop, Raine says nothing to her little brother as she heads to the Plaza.

-=[Lindblum: Amestris Plaza]=---------------------------------------------------

Oh my god...! Almost there.... Finally, after much an exciting adventure, Raine reaches the Plaza, again, with Genis in tow. Nearby, there is a very cute dog wagging its tail. It barks a few times at Raine, who looks at the dog and says, "Stuff it, pooch!" The doggie tilts its head at Raine (in the other direction) and then pads off to find something less stuffy. The sparkly heavenly doors of the State Academy beckon forth to the two elves, like a Mecca of Knowledge in an otherwise Barbaric World. Raine looks down at her little brother and smiles softly, "What do you think, Genis? Do you want to go inside first?"

Genis's eyes light up and he is filled with a magic, thrilling feeling as a host of the seraphim sing from the heavens and Lord Yggdrasil himself performs an aerial dance of celebration. "Let's go inside

(SCENE PAUSED END PART 1)