Ink and Blood
By: Asnee
Chapter 4 - Stirfe and Sand
AN: Yay Chapter 4. Excited. It's finally um...going somewhere. Lol. >>; Anyway, a transition chapter with lots of humor and a fight scene! Hooray! And remember: if you dun review, I dun write! (goes on strike)
LOOK AT YOUR WATCH NA! JOO STILL A SUPER HAWT FEEEEMALE! JOO GOT JOOR MILLION DOLLA CONTRACT!
...Sorry, I love that song. (Dances around in gypsy outfit)
Disclaimer: Whoever thinks I own RO should be assraped with a splintery log. That has Aura Blade on it. Aura Log.
...Rofl?
xXx
"Kay like so this one time, I was in Comodo, and I swear to God that Kafra was like, totally all up in my face and completely drunk! Honestly the woman made so many jokes about my 'storage--".
"That is quite enough, thank you," Fafnyn grumbled. Inside, he tutted Ozi's complete lack of self control. And swearing to God about such a vulgar thing...He glanced over at his blonde companion, who was busy gazing into the summer sky. It was late in the day, now, and an uneasy sense of peace veiled the three men as they pushed southward. Byri's mouth tightened. False security, he idled, as a balmy breeze swept his cape up. Gyri warbled. The air was hotter now, dryer. They were at the border of the Sograt desert, green fading into a beige that contrasted sharply to the blue-orange skies. Purple clouds spiraled outwards like tattered sheets.
"...Which is why I think that all alchemists should be lined up and brandished. I mean, how many times has one of those anuses coated your best armor in that acid shit? I mean, man, one time I was only wearing a silk under my armor, and I swear to God my nipple nearly melted off...Eh, Byri?"
"Mmm, what's up, Ozi"?
The dark-haired knight raised a black eyebrow at his best friend, his red-brown eyes narrowing in suspicion. "You're not listening to me."
"Yeah, sure...".
Ozi, frustrated, split a wide grin and immediately stabbed Byran in his weak spot. "I banged Seddy." He was sarcastic of course, but the lord knight had something like a medieval version of A.D.D. and demanded constant attention.
Two things happened simultaneously. Firstly, Byri reached across Fafnyn to smack his friend in a slightly non-playful way. Then, like lightning, Fafnyn's large hand was around Ozi's neck, blue eyes shining eerily.
Ozi's breath caught in his throat, feeling like his insides were freezing from the stomach up. The somehow-cold metal of Fafnyn's gauntlets stung his exposed flesh. "Never...slander a maiden's name. Especially Lady Alumani," he grated, his lips pressed close against the knight's ear. His breath was cool, as well, and smelled strangely crisp, like the air just before a snowstorm. Shivers traveled down his spine, and he nodded numbly. Fafnyn let the ghost of a smile dance across his lips. "Glad we have an understanding, friend Ozias."
"Ozi, if you please," he said mildly, trying to swallow. His throat still felt cold, like he had swallowed ice before sucking it warm. It was painful.
Byran said nothing, his brown eyes not betraying his utter shock. The crusader's sheer animosity had made the air crackle briefly. He broke the awkward silence with, "Man, I know he was just kidding. Don't worry about defending my sister for my sake. I can kick Ozi's ass any time I feel he has it coming." He grinned.
Fafnyn glanced at the blonde man. "You speak the truth, Byran," he said smoothly, all charm and eyes like a sky on a clear day, "However, it was not entirely for your sake. Your sister is lovely, not to seem out of place."
Byran sweatdropped. "Uhh...thanks, I guess?" He chuckled. "There have been worse things said about her." He glanced at Ozi, who pulled down his lower eyelid and stuck out his tongue, using his free hand to flip Byran off. The gesture was returned, and Fafnyn sweatdropped, a vein popping up on his head.
Oh, of all the people to be stuck with...
Byran was of course a good man, but his ego often got in his way. And Ozias Tyrmee. Beneath the impish, handsome features, Fafnyn knew for a fact that a beast lurked. He sniffed. Being the spawn of a human and a filthy demon, what more could you expect?
"Filth," he muttered. Ozi whirled, gold eyes flashing.
"Are you making a reference to my parental history?", he said sweetly, but his eyes blazed and shimmered with power. Fafnyn smiled.
"It is a sin to lie". The men locked gazes for a moment, before turning back to stare at the path ahead. An awkward silence held them for a while, and Byran watched as his best friend's gauntlets tightened and went lax on Yuli's reins.
Shit.
xXx
Seda dusted the book cover carefully, minding the delicate lettering. Her mind was miles away, however, caught in a desert wind rushing alongside a certain leather-clad boy. She sighed wistfully, propping her head on her hand.
"Excuse me"?
Her elbow slipped in surprise, and the sage's head hit the table hard. Everyone in the store turned and sweatdropped, muttering sympathy for the poor girl. Just as it seemed like she was going to slip into unconsciousness, there was an intense cooling sensation, and the ringing in her ears stopped. She turned, and found herself face-to-boobs with a high priestess.
"Oh! S-sorry! And thanks"?
The woman smiled beautifully as Seda backed up. She was lovely, with pale gold hair that hung in soft curls down her back. Claret eyes regarded her with concern. "Don't mention it. My heart jumped when I saw you hit the table like that. I feel awful for surprising you," the woman said, her hands folded demurely in front of her.
"Ahahaha," Seda laughed, her hand behind her head. "So...may I help you Miss"?
"Riseen, and you are"?
"Seda, but call me Seddy," she chirped, surprised her usual shyness wasn't taking over.
"Ohh, I love your name. 'Forest Voice'." The red-clad lady smiled again, and the sage felt her heart melt.
"I guess I was meant to be a sage? Haha, I like yours, to."
She blushed modestly, then, clearing her throat. "Do you have any books on alchemy?"
"Tons, follow me, if you please," Seda said, perplexed as to why a priestess would want books on that. She strode to the back, the priestess keeping up in elegant strides that had most of the population of the book store starring, women included. She knew that, like her, they were probably envying the priestess. They arrived at the shelf, and Seda gestured at the massive collection.
"Oh, dear...".
"I can help ya narrow it down, if you want," Seda said, again confused at her own ease with Riseen. The woman dragged a long finger along the spine of a couple titles, mumbling to herself under her breath.
She smiled at Seddy. "That would be very helpful of you, Miss Seda."
"It's my job," she grinned, "Plus, books have a good habit of picking their owner. I'm here to help you find the one that'll be perfect for you."
"You really love books, don't you?"
"Always have, always will," she said easily. Riseen closed her eyes for a moment, the tiny bells on her tiara tingling softly. She sighed.
"I need help with alchemy, because I'm trying to impress the man I'm very desperatley in love with," she said, almost in one breath.
"Ohhh," Seda said softly, blushing along with Riseen. "Lucky guy!"
"Lucky girl," Riseen twiddled her thumbs. "He doesn't notice me half the time though, since he's so busy. I thought maybe...if I could help him or strike up a conversation with him--". She stopped, sweatdropping, as Seda pile dived the shelf in chibi form, her glasses shining eerily.
"Alchemy for Beginners. Alchemy for the Curious Mind. Alchemy and You, Alchemy for Blondes, So You Want to Piss God Off--", she blushed, realizing she had probably given her too many.
WRONG. They were swiped out of her hands with a startling velocity, the priestess hugging them to her bosom. "Perfect perfect perfect! Dias is sure to notice me now"! She practically danced - then stopped, embarrassed. She coughed, closed her eyes - "That will be all, then".
Seda grinned knowingly. "I'll carry those for you, Miss," she said, and flicked her hand. The books rose out of Riseen's arms and floated gently behind the sage as she walked back towards the counter.
"Neat"! The priestess ogled. More and more, the composed Riseen was becoming sweet and childish. "You're a good sage! What rank"?
"Seventy four," she said shyly, neatly penning out the receipts. Riseen signed in feathery script complete with a heart, and rocked back and forth on her heels as Seda put the books in a bag. "I've been training in the Glast Heim sewer complex, but it gets dull."
Riseen made a sour face, marring her lovely features briefly. "I hate that map! You should train in prison with me."
Seda shuffled. "I run out of energy fast--". She was cut off by Riseen's tut-tut.
"Me! I am very capable of taking care of you, you know," she giggled, taking the bag. "I'll be back in a couple days for more books, I'm a fast reader."
Seda sighed. "Me to."
Riseen looked shifty. "Is it against policy or something for us to be friends"?
Seddy blinked, flushing. "N-no."
The high priestess grinned. "Let's have tea in a couple days, and get to know each other. This may sound dumb, but I've never really gotten to know a sage before."
"Sounds fun. Same with me and the higher members of society. I only know my brother and--".
She stopped short. Riseen blinked. "Brother"?
"Ummm...Byran Aluma--".
"HE'S YOUR BROTHER"!
Many people dropped things in the store. "That's so cool! Who else"?
"Ah...someone," Seda said softly, blinking back tears. The other girl said nothing.
"Tell me over tea dear, I'm good with secrets," she brushed her on the shoulder, and then left. Seda felt her flowery scent linger after she was gone, and a sense of peace drifted over her heart.
In fact, she outright smiled.
I made a friend.
...And she's hawt.
xXx
Ludi glanced suspiciously at Ryxam, who shot her his best one-eyed WTF look.
"Well...are you going to answer my question or not?", the female assassin cross asked, quirking a dark eyebrow at him. Blink. She sweatdropped, pulling on Ryxam's ears.
"Ryxxxx, I'm your sister. You can tell me things," she purred.
He sighed. "I'm sorry, Ludelle. I'm just...-".
"In LURVVVVVVVV?"
She dodged a katar, sweatdropping in the "ack" pose. "No need to be testy," she grumbled. A perverse look suddenly pulled at her small features. "Heeeheee. Testy testic---".
"They're here," Ryxam hissed, starring out over the edge of the cliff. "Be ready, half-sister."
She spat at him, but readied herself, her hazel eyes narrowing as she stepped back, blending into the cliff.
Far below the waiting killers, our favorite angsty trio transverse the rugged terrain. The only sounds were the rustle of the sparse vegetation and the dry wind dragging across the flat plain. Fafnyn closed his eyes, leaning westward. "God has told me the following: There is a waiting ambush."
"God has told me of the following: No shit, bitch," Ozi mumbled, still grumpy from earlier. Surly demons aren't too great. "I could smell them half a mile away." Fafnyn anime-glared at Ozi, apparently not at all pleased with being referred to as a female dog. He composed himself, watching the silent Byri, who was starring at the cliff with a sort of horrid fascination.
Ludi and Ryxam stood at the edge, Ludi with her legs slung over the edge. She clapped. "Neat! That's neat!" Ryxam put his hand on his forehead, sighing and wishing his half-sister would just burst into flames. She seemed to sense it and looked over, flashing a shy grin. A giggle that sounded like panic erupted from her tiny chest. 32A and damn proud.
She pulled herself up sinously, standing beside her sibling. "Ready boys"?
Byran tore his eyes from Ryxam. "Ladies first."
Ozi winked and giggled at Ryxam. "You heard"!
A vein popped.
One second she was there, the next she was here. Ozi just dodged a katar, pulling back the reigns on Yuli. "Hrm, good dodge"!
"Hay thanks, you're hot to," he grinned, sliding off Yuli and bowing. Not to his surprise, she regarded him seriously and bowed back. She was short, just barely taller than the 5'1 Seda. Her face was small and cute, with a round nose and big dusty brown eyes. Ryxam nearly flew to her side, grunting his greeting, his eyes never leaving Byran. Fafnyn grumbled. He supposedly had to wait to fight.
The blonde knight twitched. Ryxam smiled.
"How's your sister"?
SCHWING. The scythe sailed just above a tangle of silver locks. Fafnyn said nothing, though his heart jumped. Even Ozi stopped clashing blades with Ludi long enough to stare. Byran was completely into it, his brown eyes narrow, lips parted. His broad shoulders heaved slightly with his breath, blonde hair dancing along to the tune of the wind. Ryxam smiled, his own weapons now hanging at his waist. Fafnyn was now watching Ryxam, his predatory blue eyes dissecting the other man. He knew Lady Alumani..?
"I take that as a 'She's fine, thank you for asking about the well-being for my younger female sibling.'"
Schwing again. This time the tip of the scythe caught, pulling down the fabric of his arm. A bare miss, but olive flesh was exposed and a red eye was now wide open. "No small talk. If that is what you wish...", he bowed, watching Byri tip his head in return. There was a flash of silver, rippling like heat in the air, as they charged each other and leapt back again, flashes instead of beings. Again and again, clash, draw back. Occasionally, Byran would be the aggressor, taking the extra risk to bring the scythe down in what would be a deadly hit. On other occasion, katars would singe the air across his throat and chest, close enough once that there was a small peeling of skin across his lower lip.
Fafnyn watched Ozi, who was easily deflecting the female's moves with building speed. Excellent, perhaps he was useful after all. Another heathen would fall, shortly. Ludi was becoming alarmed, and quickly. Ryxam, even mostly distracted by the ferocious blonde lion he was dueling, noticed Ludi's peril. Her footing was becoming sloppy now, and twice now she had tumbled to the ground in a shower of sand and red rags.
A breaking point, at last. He caught Byran off guard, laying a long slash across his exposed face. Byri cried out in pain, blood splashing from the bridge of his nose. Blinking blood out of his eyes, he held his stance blearily as Ryxam crossed his arms to give the finishing blow. Ozi noticed it at the last moment. A Soul Destroyer?
Shit. Ozi whirled, throwing the girl aside to rush to his friend's aid. Ryxam didn't see him coming to the last moment, and let out a cry of anguish as Ozi's Halberd pierced his left side.
"BROTHER"! Ludi screamed, her voice hoarse.
"Run, Luu..", Ryx started, blood dribbling from his lip and he starred at the furious dark-haired lord knight. Gold eyes? One like him, then. He knealt, his knees giving out. No..musn't...
Byran leaned in close, his handsome face inches from Ryxam's. He smiled eerily. "My sister is fine, thanks for asking." He then brought a hand up to the assassin's temple, knocking Ryxam into darkness.
Miss Alumani...
AN: OMGWTFCLIFFHANGERLAWL. Reviews please! xD Lol meet Ludelle Tyrik, Ryxam's younger step-sister. She'll be cool, you'll see. (If Ozi doesn't maim her first O.oa...)
Ryxam and Ludi: (wait for knights to cross with boulder on cliff)
Trio: o.o (meander)
Ryxam: (push)
Ozi: MEEP MEEP! (ZEWM)
Ludi: >>;; (snaps fingers) Damn. D:
