The Jeuno streets were quite noisy as usual. Adventurers from all around buying and selling equipment, spells and serviced. Many thinking they are the strongest beings every to walk the planet. People staring in awe as a troupe of paladins walk to the gates in their shining gear ready to meet a foe head on. Elvaan, Galka, Hume and even a Tarutaru Paladin proudly march by. Close in toe are a few mages. From the looks of it a few white mages in their red and white armor that seems to radiate a peaceful aura. A summoner with a brilliant green cloak and strangely shaped headband chatters with some Black Mages standing near by. The Black mages look less spectacular in their blue and brown clothing. Standing off to the side is a Red Mage leaning against the wall, looking impatient with the gathering. It seems this group is preparing for something. Other adventurers are oblivious to this gathering by the gate, going about their daily business.
The Red Mage seemingly getting more annoyed by the minute lifts the brim of his brilliant red hat revealing his plain hume features to the rest of his party.
"Where are these idiots? I have much better things to do than wait for them. Humph, just like them to think they are gods of everything under the sun. Those damn rangers really get on my nerves."
A small tarutaru white mage looks up with a cheerful smile on his face trying to cheer the irritable hume up.
"Don'taru worry, they are sure to show up soon. You know how they are in their pubs with bardy-wardys. Justaru try to be patient."
The red mage continues to scowl until he hears a commotion up the street a bit. It seems something has caught the people's attention. 5 people walking up the street with a gait that shows that they believe themselves to be gods. The most noticeable is the Hume Dragoon with his lavender armor that so closely resembles a dragon that an adventurer passing by has to do a double take. Beside him walked a tall Elvaan Dark Knight with his jet-black armor covering most of his body and face. His eyes barely visible seemed uninterested in the commotion of the city and only intent on reaching his destination. The three other members of this small group seemed a bit more cheerful so to say. A Mithra Ranger, Thief and a hume bard pranced through the street as if there wasn't a care in the world. The bard singing merrily the whole time. As they reached their destination the red mage from before shot a look that could have killed the Shadow Lord.
"Where the hell have you all been? We have been waiting for ages. I have half a mind to warp out of here and go find something to take my anger out on."
Continuing to fume the red mage checks his gear and gets ready to leave. The ranger shrugs off the insults and adjusts her hat especially made for hunting and sniping. Within a few more tail twitches the entire group disappears in a flash and slight mumbling from one of the taru white mages.
All the while someone was watching from the shadows giving a chuckle to himself. A red haired hume standing slightly taller than most others of his race. His auburn hair unkempt and somewhat short. A scar running down the side of his neck, possibly from a difficult fight with either a woman or a monster, or both, as the difference it hard to tell sometimes. Either way this hume has seen battle. His armor, a chain mail type material, black in color. Every piece of armor on his body jet black, much like the dark knights that passed by before, yet the material for this armor made no noise with movement, unlike the knight armor which sounded like a blacksmiths shop being worked in full swing. On his head he wore the shell of a dead monster, yet this one is special. When a person wears this as a hairpin, his reaction seems to increase slightly making them a bit more agile and able to evade more. In his pouch he carried some powders and small tools. The average passerby would not recognize them, as they are from a land to the Far East. While still in the shadows the hume pulls out a powder and while holding it in one hand proceeds to concentrate his energy into the pouch. The powder disappears and the hume starts to fade away much like the party of adventurers before, however this was no teleportation, rather a trick of the mind and eye to remain unseen by any casual onlooker, be it friend or foe.
Skirting through the crowd of Jeuno the hume comes to a door with a sign above it. No fancy billboard, no assistants outside shouting for patrons. The patrons here are not the type to be drawn in from off the street. As one patron made his way through the door the hume slipped in behind him and nodding to the mithra behind the counter, who gave a knowing wink back, continued to follow the stranger.
"Welcome to Neptune's Spire sir, is there anything I can do for you?" the mithra desk clerk said without the normal mithra accent on the R's and S's.
"Um yes I am looking for, um, some assistance. Where can I find that?" The older hume said with a slight rosy color coming to his cheeks. Whatever it was he came for, he wasn't going the same way as the younger hume. With a slight bending of his will the younger hume reappeared and continued walking down the hallway, almost making the older man jump out of his own skin.
After a few doorways the man clad in black sat down in the corner of the pub section of Neptune's Spire, the legitimate part, and began to survey the area. After a quick scan of the room he saw nothing of interest and closed his eyes for a quick nap. No one here would dare bother him… at least if they were smart.
The man woke up to a slight buzzing in the room. It seems from the commotion that some adventurer who thought he could take on the entire area within a ten mile radius tried to do that… and now there were monsters crawling at the walls and adventurers being pulled in bleeding and bruised. The man sighed and got up, at least it would be interesting. After navigating through the crowded street to where white mages of all races were busying themselves with curing adventurers who had tried and failed to end the fiasco outside… all except one.
A tarutaru white mage stood in the middle of the broken and bleeding, just surveying the damage it would seem to the untrained eye. This was not the case though. He was actually chuckling at the people being pulled inside.
"Try not to be idiots and fight them all on your own. You are all pretty pathetic" he let out with a sigh.
"Speaking of pathetic, don't you find it interesting that there are white mages who hate people…" the white mage turned around to toss an insult at whoever had just spoke "…Psoleus?" and instead of an insult, stood slack jawed for a second and then burst out into laughter.
"MG, where the hell have you been recently? Missing good times traveling around and watching people get beaten up by all types of monsters, morons all of them."
"Well you know, a bit of this and that, mostly away to Norg training and learning some new stuff."
Just then a young Elvaan paladin from the looks of it came up and tapped MG on the shoulder, which caught a glare from the corner of the humes eye that could have destroyed the paladin if looks had the ability to kill.
"Good sir, you seem quite seasoned, are you not going to help out the masses"
"Be gone paladin, take your mindless self righteous zealotism somewhere else. I have no time for it."
"I can pay you to help these people, ten thousand now, and twenty thousand when you return."
"I said… Hmm, that might be worth my time. I will look, but no promises. If I do not return in a minute, give the money to this cheerful white mage here, Psoleus. Pso, steal my money and you know what will happen."
"The day you can defeat me is the day I compliment a dragoon." Psoleus then turns his attention to the paladin "Give me the money now you stammering idiot of a paladin."
With that MG looks at the setting sun and smiles. "Night time, good I like night time" and with a quickness not displayed before he sets out through the gate.
Rolanberry field was a lush farmland inhabited by large bees, crawlers, bats, molboros and giant goobbues. As MG stepped through the gates he saw all of the natural inhabitants of the fertile farmland, and also some beastmen. Goblins and Quadavs were busy chasing adventurers down as they raced toward the gates. The Jueno Ducal guards could do nothing but watch as they are not allowed to leave their post. If a monster chanced chasing an adventurer close to the gate they were unlucky enough to meet a blade from one of the mighty guards. Unconscious bodies were lying everywhere and more soon to join from fleeing adventurers. A few chose to fight back, and were holding their own until another monster decided to join the fray from behind. However off to the left a high pitched battle cry was heard. I taru red mage was doing quite well, but could not last forever as she was surrounded by more beastmen than could be counted. As they closed in she began chanting and finished pointing her finger at the nearest goblin as it and 4 more goblins caught flame around her. MG hurried over noticing a quadav about to attack from behind and land a slow but strong attack on the small red mage.
The red mage looked over her shoulder as her eyes widened at the emanate attack. She stood staring in horror bracing herself for the blow, which stopped mid swing. The quadav collapsed in a pile of shell and blood, shurikens protruding from the back of it's head. Another barrage of shurikens flew by the red mage and downed another wave of beastmen.
"You shouldn't be doing this alone. How many times have I told you to let me know when you are going to do something dangerous Yamaroo." A warm smile crossed the face of MG for the first time in what seemed like an eternity.
"M! Where have you been! It has been ages since I last saw you."
"No time to explain now Yam, lets finish this and then talk over a drink."
With a nod the red mage went about casting, as M pulled out first one weapon, resembling a small knife, and then another, holding them against his arms instead of out like most fighters. He went to work slicing two bestmen at a time occasionally throwing a shuriken at one further away chasing down an adventurer. All the while the small red mage cast one spell after another stabbing and slashing with her small fencing sword at any monster without enough sense to stay away.
After what seemed like hours the bestmen were defeated or were retreating. Bending down and wiping blood from his katanas on a fallen goblin M replaces the blades in their sheath. The small red mage bowed to him and smiles after seeing her friend return after what seemed like one hundred years.
"Where has my favorite ninja been! Off winning the hearts and minds of all of the ladies in far off lands no doubt." She giggled at the last part.
"Oh you should know me better than that, I am not interested in that stuff, just becoming more powerful, unless of course, those ladies could make me more powerful."
He shot a glance back at the taru red mage making her giggle more.
"Speaking of which, how is Tarutopheroo these days, I have heard news of almost everyone since being back except Toph, what is he up to?"
This brought a frown to her face as she began to speak "He was lo…"
"Let's talk about it another time, Pso is holding my money, and I trust him as far as I can throw a galka."
Her face looked a bit sad, but brightened up after a second.
"Alright, let's head inside, since you have money, you can buy!"
Once inside the gates angry shouts were heard. M thought to himself… "Psoleus's doing no doubt, I wonder what trouble he is in now." M and Yam made their way through the crowd to where the shouting was coming from, and much to M's surprise it wasn't directed at his white mage friend, but rather at a mithra thief… whom he knew all too well.
"Wolfy you the waste of the land, who did you cheat out of money now? Some unsuspecting fool no doubt. I hope a dragon swallows you up whole and shits your flaming carcass out."
With that said, not waiting for a reply, M headed over to Pso to tell him that they were stopping for drinks and that he had found Yamaroo. The little white mage was counting out money and pocketing a few pieces of gil once every now and then when Yam threw her arms around him catching him off guard sending a few pieces into the air, which were immediately caught by M.
"How nice of you to hold some of it for me, we can use that part for buying drinks. Now, where shall we go?"
"You damn ninja, I hate how you are silent, you must have… Yamaroo! What have you been up to! Oh that reminds me, M we need to talk soon… Alone."
"Oh Pso, I am going to tell him about it over drinks. He needs to know, sooner or later he would have found out. I would rather he heard it from me."
With that the trio headed up to Upper Jeuno to get a drink in a nice quiet pub away from the bustle of the market below. The two taru's sat quietly while the hume looked back and forth between them.
"Okay who is going to tell me what is going on? It can't be anything good if Pso hasn't said anything yet, and he is usually the bearer of bad news."
Yamaroo looked down at her hands, which were folded in her lap. A distant and sad look was on her face, as if she was reliving some memory that was meant to be forgotten but no matter how hard she tried, couldn't.
"Toph, he was lost in a battle with a monstrosity while near Tavnazia. No one saw what had happened, we just heard him yell and saw his faithful carbuncle lying on the ground nearly crushed. Oh it was horrible, and… and…"
"You don't have to go on. I think I understand what happened… even though I am confused. The monster had to have been incredibly strong to take him away without a fight. Toph is not one to be trifled with."
MG was deep in thought when there was a commotion outside. In walked a group of ruffians who were cheering and yelling, something about a ballista match being won without a problem. No notice was paid until they started boasting that they could beat anyone out there without a problem. Still oblivious MG kept about his thinking, but Pso had other ideas. Raising his voice a little he started a conversation… pretty much with himself.
"I hate idiots who think they are awesome at everything, those who say they are awesome usually are horrible. It takes someone else to say you are awesome. Like my ninja friend here, he could destroy anyone at ballista."
With this MG's head shot up his senses returning to normal and suddenly aware of the grave situation at hand.
"Pso you fool, what have you done? I am in no mood for conflict, especially with some loud mouthed rookies who can't tell their assholes from holes in the ground."
"Say something there partner" A large Galka, warrior by the looks of it, said as he hefted a giant axe onto his shoulder. "I am sure I could take you out, you look sort of fragile." With that he swung the axe aiming the broad side right at MG's head… but instead hit the bench at which he was sitting. A few feet away was a stunned Yamaroo and a ferocious looking ninja. His face was flushed and eyes narrowed. It was obvious it he angry, but what wasn't so obvious is what he was holding in his right hand. Suddenly the giant warrior fell to the ground unable to move. The rest of the group started to move forward, but instead fell in a peaceful slumber on the floor.
"Pso what took you so long? I was starting to wonder if you remembered the old routine."
"Just making sure you were still sharp is all" The taru beamed up at him moving over to the galka who was still suffering from the jubaku, a ninjutsu that paralyzes an enemy. "Looks like all you won today, we won." Psoleus cheerfully took their winnings and started walking out the door tossing up a bag of gil. On the third toss it didn't come down though. Confused he saw MG tossing the bag to the landlord of the pub.
"For the troubles." Looking back at his taru friends with a satisfied look on his face he said. "I have some more people to round up, then I have a plan."
Later that night after Psoleus had departed, M and Yamaroo were walking the streets of Jeuno. Only a few intrepid adventurers and the Ducal Guards were still on the street. Yam stopped on an overpass looking over the street below sighing. M having put considerable restraint on his speed while walking next to the short-legged taru stopped and instead of looking down, looked up at the stars and moon.
"Red moon, firesday. I hate firesday."
As if she didn't even hear him Yam started talking. "Why were you always so nice to me, even when we first met, you were nice to me and not really anyone else. I have always been confused by that, but then again your nature is confusing." A warm smile appeared on her face as she looked at the tall hume. "Life is pretty confusing sometimes isn't it."
MG looked down at her, "Speaking of confusing, you are doing a good job of confusing me." Sitting down he let his legs hang over the edge, forehead resting on the guardrail seemingly deep in thought. "You were always so accepting, I never had to prove anything to you Yam. Never had to prove my abilities or intentions to you, and that made me admire you. I think of you as more than a friend." Her taru face lit up for a second. "More like the sister I never had, like I can talk to you about anything and not have to fear judgment." He sighed and looked at her, now she was forcing a smile. "I would do anything for you Yam. I will find Toph, and return twofold anything that they have done to him. It is a promise."
Yamaroo was sitting besides the hume ninja, listening to him lay his feelings for her out. It was difficult for her to not just blurt out how she felt; yet at the same time, she wasn't sure how she felt. She was in love with the taru summoner Tarutopheroo. And at the same time, she also felt a desire to be with this hume ninja forever, to have him there to listen to and for him to listen to her. Why did feelings have to be so complex? And then he said it. "I think of you as more than a friend" A smile that could brighten up the room suddenly appeared on her face, "More like a sister I never had," and in that moment her heart was crushed, but also reassured at the same time. Could the love work, probably not, and trying only brings pain and suffering, mostly to her. She kept smiling for his sake though, he loved her, just not in the same way she loved him. He got up to walk her back to the inn she was staying at, and after saying good night he left to his nightly business, whatever it may be. Back up in her room Yamaroo the red mage was preparing for bed, thoughts rushing into and out of her head. She dismissed them with a wave of her hand and climbed into bed for a restful nights sleep. Her dreams started out as nightmares, but soon turned to dreams of love, and the realization that no matter how torn her heart, no matter what happened, she could always rely on him.
The next day M was searching Jeuno for an Elvaan man who was said to roam the streets this time of week. He was particularly hard to find since he always wore beggars clothes. He didn't like to be sought after. With all the beggars in Jeuno it was becoming increasingly difficult. At noontime he was about to give up when a man walked by, but his walk was different, a proud swagger rather than the humble walk most beggars had. Quickly catching up to the man he put his hand on his shoulder, only to have it thrown off with considerable force. Immediately realizing who it was the ninja cast a quick, but weak Katon ninjutsu to burn the ragged robes off the man. Underneath was a glimmering red uniform of a red mage; much like the one Yamaroo wore. The man, without looking his way said.
"What the hell do you want, you know I don't like being disturbed." He started walking away not even paying attention to the onlookers pointing in awe.
"Tarutopheroo."
With that one word the red mage halted and his noble stance sunk a little.
"M, I have tried to put that behind me, I was there… I could do nothing to find him, why did you bring that up! Why dammit!"
"Dark, I am going to find him. I will do it, I made a promise to Yam."
"Has she told you yet? It took her long enough. So what do you think?"
"About toph, I am going to find him, and bring him back."
"Right… about him. I am assuming you are asking for help, because I don't want to go back there. That land of "Promise"" He scoffed at the last word.
"I suppose me Pso and Yam will go alone then, it can't be helped at this point. I will see you when I see you."
Deep in though the red mage known as Darkdreamer finally turned to him, "You won't come back alive you know. No matter what promise you made or how brave you are. You are going to die there." With that he walked off into the crowd.
After the meeting with Dark had put him in a bad mood M walked through the crowd browsing the auction house. Looking for familiar faces that could help him out, who would be strong enough would be a challenge. He didn't get the ally he would rely on most for power and wits. However there were other options. Out of his pouch he pulled a list of people who owed him favors. As he walked into Neptune's Spire he just put the list in a pouch of gil and gave it to the mithra tending the front desk. With a smile she took the bag, knowing exactly what to do and how to get a hold of him.
Walking back through the city without any real purpose something struck him. Dark had mentioned how Yam felt… yet she didn't talk about how she felt. Curious as to what he meant M headed to where the taru red mage was staying. As he approached the stairway he nearly tripped over something lying on the floor. It was the innkeeper bleeding from a nasty looking wound. No weapon could have done it, and within moments the realization hit him… Demons. At full sprint MG headed up to Yams room. Quickly casting Utsusemi on himself he turned the corner to see brilliant colors coming from an open door. Jumping inside he saw the taru red mage holding back the demons, 3 of them, 2 knights and a wizard, while attempting to get closer to the window. However her sword lie on the table by the door. Quietly and quickly MG picked it up, just to hear the demons guttural language say the word "Silence". Sliding the rapier across the floor much to everyone's surprise the ninja charged the nearest demon throwing a shoulder into him sending his dark leathery body sprawling on the ground. Kicking back up M immediately drew out one katana and holding it in an inverted position drew the blade across the demon wizard's neck. Shocked by the sudden attack the demons turned their attention to the troublesome ninja. It was too late for the wizard though; MG had already taken out the other katana and impaled the wizard twice, once in the neck and once in the face. Its black blood blending in with the jagged katanas dark gray color. Ripping them free MG took a defensive stance. The demon that had been knocked down was just recovering, and was infuriated. Blindly charging forward sword lowered and leveled on the ninjas chest just about to impale the hume… who was grinning a vengeful grin. He seemed to be saying something, too low for the demon to hear.
Yamaroo watched in horror as the demon rushed MG, he didn't seem to move, only stand there and watch the rush. Within seconds the demon was going to end her loves life. She couldn't let him go without telling him how she felt. Tears began to well up in her eyes.
Sparks and a small explosion rocked the room. Blood flew in all direction. Yamaroo stood up not able to see through the smoke, a warm sticky liquid covered her body… she only feared the worst.