Eternal Dawn

[GamerKale]

The worm realized that something was amiss when Ember stood upon the edge of his bruiser's axe, was flung skyward, evaded the blast of death he sent at her, and landed with her feet upon the haft of her axe sticking out of a bugbear. The second one swung at her with it's enormous weapon and she redirected it's swing with a glance of her recovered blade, and it's head landed on the ground before the worm. Ember turned pale sky blue eyes on the creature and stalked towards it in a slow circular path. It shambled away from her throwing half-hearted blobs of death at her that she didn't even have to dodge until it fell backwards over the fallen treant. In desperation it unleashed all of the magic it had left in an omnidirectional burst of decay that consumed the treant and caused the ground to crumble several inches, but Ember was untouched and she stood upon air. "HOW!? How are you still alive? Why can you use magic?" Ember didn't answer, in point of fact Ember wasn't home, in reply Serah created a bubble of wind around the worm that walks that crackled with electricity as it shredded the creature. The attack left a pile of fine red sand on the blackened earth.

When Ember came to she found herself curled up at Hale's back beneath the shroud of her snow white cloak. Her injuries were gone and the blood too; she wore her white tunic and leggings. Her armor, shield, and sword rested at the base of a tree near their heads. Despite the cloak and warm weather Ember's lips were blue, her breath came out in a frost, and she was cold. It's decay magic must have made whatever I did to myself at the gate earlier worse. Fantastic. I shouldn't call to the Aesir until I've recovered some. She pulled away, despite the warmth Hale provided, and looked around. A trail of bloody footprints led up to where she had lied and there was a large stain on the ground there. Guess it wasn't a dream. She looked skyward. Mother, thank you. She kicked Hale in the leg once she was equipped, finally noticing a smudge of blood on the back of his hand and forearm. She looked down at her own hand and then in the direction of the capitol and started a slow walk down the bloody path she had apparently made on her way back from the fight, it was in the direction they needed to go after all.

[SakuraAlkaid]

Adrian returned the playful grin, but quickly pulled his practice sword down, staggering Edgar slightly, and stepped back, holding his blade at the ready. "You seem to have learned a lot while you were gone, Edgar."

He looked as if he were about to attack again, but slowly lowered the sword with a satisfied smile. "I must admit, I'm proud. I didn't think you would be able to keep up with me after you're little vacation," he teased. "Still, I can't believe that both Justine and Bianca were able to keep you being here a secret from me. I thought Justine looked a little too excited earlier, but Bianca gave nothing away... Have you seen her yet?" he asked curiously, twisting the handle of the sword around in his hand in a way that said he was familiar with the action.

[kai the pkk]

Edgar: it wasent a vacation I mean granted there was a fair share of down time but still...and yeah of Course I actually managed to see her earlier when I arrived ( he mimics Adrian) you know people thought I was silly by doing this and one I think about it I don't really get it myself..but yeah I ran into Bianca and the I met with Justine but we can talk about this later I came to bring you back for a family dinner well the surprise..( he scratches his head shyly like a kid) I'm home...and it's time you come home lets go

[SakuraAlkaid]

"Welcome home, kiddo," Adrian said, clapping Edgar on the shoulder with a light nod. "Let me finish up what I was working on real quick, and we'll go." He turned back into the room and made sure everything was in order after replacing the practice sword, although he really just needed a moment to go through his mental checklist. Everything for tomorrow was in order, thankfully. However, Bianca and him would have to go after the Light Devouring Beast as soon as they could tomorrow. He hated to break the news to her, but they had to stop him before he could kill any innocent civilians. Once he was done, he turned back to Edgar and led the way out of the building.

"I bet Bianca and Justine were thrilled to see you. You have no idea what I had to put up with from the two of them after you left. Justine acted like a mother bird whose first chick took it's first flight, and Bianca became so distracted in her training that I began to worry about her. She had never gotten as many bruises and cuts as she did the first week after you left," he said with a faint laugh as they walked through the streets leading toward his house. "So how did you like traveling, Edgar?"

[kai the pkk]

Edgar: ( he smiles to himself lightly) I actually do like traveling a lot but I guess and don't tell Bianca this or was lonely no matter how long I was traveling I allways did feel alittle home sick I guess this is the only place I could really call my home but I mean I enjoy seeking out new places and I love seeing and experiencing things that only some people can dream off ( he tells Adrian a short version of one of his stories) sorry I got distracted what about you you still like your job?

[SakuraAlkaid]

"I do. I miss certain trainees every now and then, but I still get the occasional fun trainee here and there," Adrian teased again, laughing heartily as he did. They were getting close to home now. They could practically smell a huge meal waiting for them. "Justine worries about me working so much, but it's all unnecessary. I wouldn't know what to do with my time if I wasn't here, after all."

Once they were outside, Adrian knocked twice and entered. Justine met them at the door with a large smile and a variety of both Adrian and Edgar's favorite food smells coming from behind her. She was wearing a slightly more formal dress with an apron on top of it, although nothing stained the apron, showing her years of experience in the kitchen, and her hair pulled up in an elegant bun. "Just in time!" she said happily before turning around and calling, "Bianca, make sure everything's in order, please." Adrian embraced his wife, taking her hand in his gently, and looked to her before saying, "I can already tell you did too much, dear."

"Nonsense!" Justine replied while leading the two into the dining room. The table was covered in a variety of food, and set as if it were a holiday. Bianca was pulling a final dish from the oven, a dessert, when they walked in. She too was dressed up in a knee-length aqua dress, an apron also covering the front of it, and her hair in loose curls. "Sit, you two," Justine continued, pointing towards the table. Adrian did as instructed, laying his sheathed sword against the wall beside the table.

"You did too much, dear," he teased with a smile, earning him a small swat from his wife.

[kai the pkk]

Edgar: ( he almost seems distracted by the food to not pay any attention to anything other than the food although he looks towards Bianca as he blushes slightly but he tries to cover it by acting like he's getting a cold but he knows if anyone Adrian would notice) ...jeez come on Edgar get it together so what your just surprised.. ahh uh let's eat!

[SakuraAlkaid]

Adrian watched Edgar carefully as Justine returned to help Bianca with their final touches, and couldn't help but to playfully clear his throat in an attempt to draw Edgar's attention back.

"Take a seat, Edgar," Justine called over her shoulder, drawing a minor smile from Adrian. When she finished up in the kitchen, she smiled a content smile and finally removed her apron. Bianca did the same, revealing a stitched floral pattern starting at the neck of the dress and flowing to the bottom hem, flowing from the right side to the left. They joined the men at the table then, with Justine sitting across from Adrian and Bianca across from Edgar, as it had always been.

"I'm so glad that everyone made it home for once," Justine said as she began handing filled plates to everyone at the table. "It's been such a long time since we've all been together like this."

"I wonder if we'll be able to be like this tomorrow night as well..." Bianca couldn't help but think, somewhat souring her mood, although she kept it from her face easily.

[kai the pkk]

Edgar: yeah allright ( he looks at the food) thanks for the food I'm gonna enjoy this its not everyday I he to eat like a king! ( he begins eating along with everyone as his mind wanders back to when he was a kid but he snaps back) You two seriously outdid yourself but surely this is alittle much I don't even think I can finish all this and that's saying a lot


-----

Soma: ( camping under the starts near the edge of the forest as he throws more wood into the camp fire as he lies down) its going to be a long day to tomorrow I can allready tell. Even though security is gonna be Be tighter than usual

[SakuraAlkaid]

Adrian nodded in agreement, but knew not to vocalize his opinion any further, as Justine would simply shoot it down and pass more food their way. Sure enough, she laughed off Edgar's comment and replied, "Will the two of you shush and enjoy yourselves? I swear, you two act too much alike sometimes. Don't you agree, sweetie?" Bianca nodded with a faint giggle, even though she agreed with the men. Her mother had really overdone things tonight. She cooked enough for the entire knight base, and she knew it, but it was what made her happy, so Bianca didn't question it aloud.

"I assume you got everything set up that you needed to, father?" Bianca asked a little timidly as she sat her fork down, her plate of food barely touched.

"I did. We'll discuss it later, though," he returned, his own tone showing nothing other than the enjoyment it had held since he had been home. Bianca nodded once more, and looked down at the table momentarily, her thoughts obviously racing. If he had to discuss it with her later, it most likely was not the news she had hoped for.

[kai the pkk]

Edgar: ( he notices Bianca and does something to take her mind off the topic as he reaches history across the table to take some of her food ) now no you have to pay more attention to your surroundings did you learn nothing off your training ( he mimics the way Adrian acts when he was training the two of them and soon after awhile dinner was finished and edgar helped clean up) *yawn* that was good ( he holds his stomach in slight pain from eating too much) I dot think I can eat another thing till...well atleAst breakfast)

[SakuraAlkaid]

Bianca walked up behind Edgar and joking pushed him just enough to stagger him. "You probably wouldn't feel so bad if you didn't feel so compelled to snatch my food from across that table every time we eat together, Edgar," she teased, drawing a laugh from both of her parents. Adrian fell silent first, a somewhat somber look falling across his face.

"Bianca, can I see you for a moment whenever you get the time, please. I have something I need to discuss with you," he asked before leading Justine out of the kitchen. They went into the sitting room, leaving Bianca and Edgar alone again, as soon as she nodded in reply.

"I'll wait a little bit before I go talk to him," she said once the room was silent. "It's nothing too important."

[kai the pkk]

Edgar: hmmm (he looks st Bianca as he stands up and grabs her hand) come on then ( he leads her out of the kitchen and up the stairs as he opens the window to his room he climbs out and stands on a overhang) and he holds his hand out to her) you need to relax come on remember how you would allways find me napping here there's a reason it's quite the relaxing place and you look like you need to relax Before you talk to big bad grumpy Adrian

[SakuraAlkaid]

The way Edgar was acting made Bianca feel as if he knew exactly what her ‘talk’ was going to be about, and the fact that he was doing so much to make her feel better made a small smile fall onto her lips. “He’s not exactly grumpy, but I will admit that I don’t really want to know what he’s going to tell me…”

She reached out, taking his hand gently but steadily, and followed him out onto the overhang. When she was sure she was steady, she let go of his hand and looked around. Everything looked differently from up here. It felt differently… It was relaxing. Somehow or another. “I guess I do see why you came here so often, Edgar. It’s very nice out here…”

[kai the pkk]

Edgar: you see I was being lazy and skipping training for a good reason ( he smiles playfully as he lets her look out into the distance) so how do you like it? It's quite relaxing isn't it? Just remember if you need to relax you can just come out here

[SakuraAlkaid]

"It truly is..." Bianca replied softly, her voice almost a whisper on the wind. She finally pulled her gaze from the town below and took a seat in between the open window and Edgar, sighing softly as she did. She was feeling more relaxed out here, but no amount of relaxation could completely wipe away her worries about the talk she was about to have with her father. She just knew it would be bad news. She could feel it. She fiddled with the skirt of her dress for a few moments in silence, ultimately tucking it around her legs to keep the wind from tugging on it. She knew it was more of a personal distraction, but she could only use it as such for so long before she began to look crazy.

"You know, honestly, I wouldn't even mind going to talk to him if you hadn't just returned home," she almost whispered, her gaze lifting toward Edgar's. "I just know he's going to send me away again as soon as I wake up tomorrow, and I really missed having my best friend around, Edgar. I know it was essentially this whole knight thing that took you away from me before, and who knows how long I'll be gone once I do head out tomorrow..." Her gaze fell, falling to the clay shingles below her hands. "I'm not scared at all about fighting anyone or anything that I may encounter on the way, but I am scared that when I get back again, you'll be off on another adventure without me... And I know how selfish it is of me to ask you to wait, especially since I have no idea how long I'll be gone, but still..." She was thankful that she had looked down as tears began to outline her eyelids. She couldn't let herself cry though. Not now. Her final words were almost mouthed as opposed to spoken, she had fallen so soft. "I want to ask so bad..."

[kai the pkk]

Edgar: yeah it truely is strange the path of the knight had caused the two of us to move in opposite directions of each other...its okay though besides of so I really do want you to come with me (he grabs her hand as he looks at her) it's be nice if I could travel the world with you ( he wipes the tears from her face) I'm sorry it has to be this way of course I would be willing to stay until you got back heck I'd even come with you but unfortunately because of my darcsan blood I'm almost certain that would cause trouble with your fellow knights ( he laughs playfully) you know you don't have to act around me it's okay to cry and let it out

[SakuraAlkaid]

Bianca laughed softly as she reached up to wipe away another falling tear, a faint smile falling back onto her face. "I know I don't. I guess it's just become a habit, though. Being the only female in my squadron of knights and all..." She took another second to calm down, wiping yet another falling tear from her cheek.

"I just hate that the only reason we had to take separate paths in the first place is because some people are too ignorant to see past minor details that ultimately mean nothing in the greater scale of things. So what if you aren't just like the rest of them? My father has no reason to distrust you, and neither do they, but it doesn't matter to them. Somehow or another, they would stir up some kind of situation and because of that one tiny fact, they would try to use it against you... It's so ridiculous!" Bianca said, her tone filling with spite at the mere thought of someone doing that to him. She knew he was right, though, as sad as it was. Her hand tightened against his momentarily, and she lifted her gaze to meet his own.

"I just don't understand, Edgar... You're a better fighter than any of them put together. You've lived here longer than many of them have, and the only people that should matter trust you... I just don't get why that one detail can bother someone so much as to basically force you to leave home..."

[kai the pkk]

Edgar: it's fine Bianca really...it's not there fault since the war the darcsan have allways been despised I've grown used to it if people look at my eyes close enough they can tell I'm not like them they didn't force me to leave Bianca I left on my own the main reason I left was because I didn't want to bring any more trouble for Adrian? Justine and especially for you since you were hving a tough time with training and being one of the few woman knights I didn't want you to experie ce any persecution or have to deal of course I did allways dream of going on adventures ever since I was little and when my mom told me stories of my old man..a-anyway im sorryb( he blushes as he looks away) I'm sorry I thought that leaving could of been for the best and since they wouldn't let me join the knights or even take the test I had to forge my own path besides you give me too mug credit I'm not that good of a fighter ( he laughs playfully)

[SakuraAlkaid]

"You're easily twice the fighter of any knight I've ever trained with or seen in action on the field..." Bianca replied softly as she pulled her hand from his, returning it to her lap as she looked back to the city below. "And I'd have welcomed any kind of persecution that came my way if you would have just stayed..." she thought to herself, although she had to really fight with herself to keep it inside her head.

"And it's not fine, either, Edgar... All of them should really get over themselves, because I trust you at my back way more than I could ever trust one of them, and not just because I grew up with you like I did. You're so much more reliable than any other knight I know of, and stronger, and..." she fell silent for a moment, knowing that if she continued, she would risk making him feel bad about leaving, which she didn't want to do. She understood why he left, sure. That didn't mean that she liked it, however. After being silent for a moment, Bianca stood, using the edge of the window to help her balance.

"I should probably go and see what time I'll be leaving in the morning now. If you need anything and you don't remember where to find it, you know where my room is. Just come knock," she called as she carefully stepped back into his room. "Goodnight, Edgar. Hopefully I'll be able to say bye in the morning, but if not, be careful on your adventures." With that said, she slipped inside and walked into her parent's room, pausing momentarily outside their door to wipe away the clear trails illuminating her cheeks before she entered.