Hello! I'M SO SORRY FOR MY ABSENCE OMG PLEASE FORGIVE ME! I had family problems, technology problems, school problems, best friend problems, random other story ideas and I completely abandoned this for WAY TOO LONG JESUS CHRIST!
Anyways, just a notice. Kris, in his real life setting, went through some drama, so to prevent myself getting mauled by any fans who might read this, I am using my own character design now! The only thing being kept is his name, Kris.
So….ONWARDS!
"Ughhhhhh" I moan lazily. I mean come on! We've been walking through this castle forever! (Yes I remember where the room is...shut up…) I mean in the game you could just run for like five seconds and you've entered the next room but NOOOO! They had to make each room freaking huge!
"You okay there?" Yuri asked, sarcasm lacing his voice.
"You know, I expected a situation like this, running for our lives, kind of kidnapping somebody, with danger around every corner, and yet, this is so boring!" I sigh as we walk through another extremely large room. Truthfully, it wasn't THAT boring, I just really don't like this castle. I laugh as Yuri simply rolls his eyes, while Estellise gives me a curious tilt of the head. I avert my eyes quickly. That is WAY too much pink for my tastes.
Extra: Nickname Experiments
Yuri: Hey Tina?
Tina: Yeah?
Yuri: Back there….you called me Yui...why?
Tina: I was trying to get a good mocking nickname, but I don't think that one works...hmmm...
*walks away*
Yuri: She seems really into that whole nickname scheme of hers...
End
Okay, I'm just say this right now.
We found the entrance.
We made it through the sewers.
Done.
Nothing that happened there must ever be mentioned…I shudder at the memories.
"Never again." I mutter as we walk through the middle quarter. I can feel my idiot of a brother breaking a rib or two from laughing too hard. Luckily I'm pulled out of it when we reach the ramp leading towards the lower quarter, even better, I also missed Leblancs speech.
"First you go like this." Yuri picks up a stone, and I quickly grab one as well.
"Then you go like this!" I shout, chucking the rock at one the tweedles heads...the short one.
"Head shot!" I cheer, giving Yuri a high five, before we bolt down the ramp into the lower quarter.
"Um...Tina?" Estelle watches me curiously as I precariously walk down the few stairs at the bottom of the ramp.
"I hate stairs." I mutter. When I lift my head, I gasp, before my mouth widens in a nostalgic smile. The smell and feel of this place…
"What's up?" Yuri asks, probably noticing my weird face.
"It…" I pause, trying to find the right words.
"It reminds me of home…." I finally answer. Yuri stares at me a little longer, a look I can't identify in his eyes. Finally, he turns away and walks towards the old man whom I forget the name of. Not wanting to intrude too much, I walk over to the street that I know we'll be exiting and sit down quietly. Kris is extremely bored right now, and I can't help but chuckle at the feeling.
"Eh?" I exclaim as I hear a loud shout. Crap! That knights are here again! I stand up quickly, as Yuri and Estelle make their way over. Suddenly, I see the knights getting trampled by lower quarter citizens, and I burst into my cackling laughter. Yuri gives me a grin while him and Estelle jog towards me. Suddenly, I hear the stomping of many pairs of feet behind me, and Yuri and Estelle's faces turn to that of comical horror.
"Holy shit!" I swear as I'm pushed around like a rag doll. I fight my way through the crowd, heading for the exit behind me. More than one elbow collides into my hip, and I almost fall on multiple occasions. Suddenly, someone grabs my hands, shoving a small pouch into its grasp before I'm launched out of the crowd. I gasp for air, looking at Yuri and Estelle, whom look worse for wear, but better than myself. I probably would have gotten away with less injuries if I had revealed myself more obviously! Geez! Stupid me.
"They're gonna miss you a lot aren't they?" I chirp with a grin, placing the small pouch into my pack. Yuri rolls his eyes.
"They're just glad to get rid of me." Yuri holds out a small pouch of gald, his eyes widening.
"Hey I can't take this!" I grab his shoulder gently, giving a shake of my head, causing him to sigh in defeat. I turn forward, a bright grin on my face.
"To the road ahead, Yuri, Estelle!" Yuri grins at me, while Estelle pauses, her face frozen in a curious pose.
Shit! I said Estelle!
"To the road ahead." Yuri agrees. Not noticing my inner panic.
"YURRRIII LOWEELLLLL!" The Knights run towards us, before Repede launches in front of them, tripping them easily, and walking smugly towards us.
"Nice Repede!" Yuri says, giving Repede a pat on the head.
"A dog?" Estelle questions, forgetting about her nickname at the moment. I simply give Repede a thumbs up.
"Now then, let's go!" I hurry them up. Seriously, this is rush time! Finally, after so much time, we've left the city.
"Woah..." I gasp out loud, looking at the fields in front of me.
"I thought you walked through here?" Yuri questions. Shit shit shit shit!
"Um..." I give the fields a scan.
"Not around here...I don't know how far I am from where I was exactly. After all, they kidnapped me while I was sleeping. Speaking of which, I still don't know why they did in the first place..." It was weak, but it would work hopefully. Yuri raises an eyebrow.
"Yeah I wonder..." He mumbles quietly, though with my sensitive hearing, I catch it. Well shit...
I'm swearing too much lately.
"Let's go!" I chirp dancing in circles.
"Which way? Right or left?" Yuri just gives me an amused look, before pointing left. I laugh, doing a roll in the grass towards said direction.
Skit: Nicknames and getting to know more
Estelle: Estelle...Estelle...Estelle...
Tina: Wow...it's like she's never had a nickname before
Yuri: Yeah...you give a lot of people nicknames?
Tina: Not usually, her name was just a bit too long for my tastes. Where I'm from we usually don't have extremely long names, and those who do almost never use them.
Yuri: Sounds like the people were pretty relaxed in your village.
Tina: *looks down sadly* For most things yes...
Tina: Hey Estelle! Don't fall behind!
Estelle: Coming!
Yuri: ...she's hiding something...
Repede: *whine*
End
Skit: Dogs make good friends
Repede: Woof!
Tina: Well hello! You're Repede right?
Repede: Arf!
Tina: Hah! What a good dog you are! Saving us from those knights! Hey, how about this? If you ever need me to sharpen your knife I'll be more than glad to help!
Repede: Woof! Woof woof! *rubs against Tina's leg*
Yuri:Wow...Repede has never acted like this since he was a puppy...you just keep getting stranger and stranger…
End
Deidon Hold was much bigger than what was shown. It was quite the place, and while Yuri and Estelle adventure onwards, I quickly peek into a few shops, buying items we may need in the future, as well as bartering fiercely along the way. Before I know it, I've once again lost track of time, and the alarm starts to sound. I quickly dash towards, the front gate, scanning the outside stragglers as the hooves beasts get closer. Wait! That pregnant woman...she wasn't there in the game! Shit! No! I sprint as fast I can, ignoring ye others calls. My legs burn and I can feel myself slowing down. NO! FASTER! I scream in my head. A gold glow of aer surrounds them, and I whisper to myself.
"Spirit of the Cheetah!" I dash by Yuri, skidding past the woman and picking her up, before continuing my journey back. I make it just in time, before my legs give out , and I collapse. I drop the woman carefully onto the ground, before I start coughing, breathing faster than I ever have before.
"Tina!" Estelle calls running up to me. I simply shake my head, pushing her back before she tries to heal me. The pain is horrible, and I crouch there shaking, barely noticing the pregnant woman from earlier looking at me worriedly from her husband's embrace.
"Get on." Yuri's voice is soft, and I blearily make out his back between my coughing fits. I crawl forwards, clutching tightly to his back.
"Heh *cough* side effects…" I whisper into his ear. He carries me away from the front gate, reassuring the woman I saved that I would be fine, before laying me down on his lap. I fight the heat in my cheeks, breathing in the scent of his hair deeply. It only takes two minutes before I can finally breathe normally again, my lungs no longer screaming for oxygen. I sit up, blushing lightly as Yuri's gives me a worried look, before getting off his lap.
"Sorry." I mumble, glancing away. He stands up, and a hand comes into my vision. I look up to see him smirking, his grey eyes glinting as he waits patiently. I grab his hand, letting him pull me up, before jumping high into the air.
"Let's find another way!" I exclaim. Yuri raises an eyebrow at my enthusiasm and seemingly quick recovery, before shaking his head.
"Is there another way?" Estelle questions. I grin widely. My legs start to shake again, but I will them to stop. I don't need them worrying about me too much.
"With this happening as often as I've heard, there is bound to be another way through! So, we simply need to find the right people to ask!" I cheer bouncing on my feet lightly, ignoring my aching knees. I look around, before spotting that redheaded woman, who was the leader of the...merchant's guild? Yeah, I think so…
"It really is dangerous outside of the barrier with so many ferocious monsters around." Estelle muses. I turn to face the two, leaning slightly against one of the pillars near the gate to rest my legs.
"This place could definitely use a barrier against a pack that big."Yuri agrees. I shrug in response. This place is probably the most adapted to attacks, but even so, why is there one placed on Ehmead Hill and not here?
"Couldn't they install a barrier blastia here?" Wait….I thought Estelle knew these type of things, I mean, it had to be written down in even basic books about blastia, stating their rarity?! You know what….I'm done questioning things, let's just go along with it…
"No, barriers are a precious resource." Yuri says, I can feel myself zoning out, as per usual, and force myself to focus on the conversation. Kris is still worried, as I can't keep the vibes of pain away from him, but there is little I can do to comfort him, being the worrywart he is.
"You're right….and with the current technology we can't make anymore…" Estelle says in the background.
"Hey Tina, what do you think?" I look up at the two, pulling up the sleeves of my hoodie as I do so, and adjusting my wraps absentmindedly.
"Well, many of the history of the creation of the blastia has disappeared...but...there was probably a reason for that…" I mumble the last part quietly. Yuri gives me a questioning glance, and I can tell he heard me.
"Even if we had all that information, I can't see the Empire using it for the common good." I nod in agreement, glancing at Estelle, who seems mildly ashamed.
"You three there! I'd like to have a word with you!" A knight calls. I moan quietly, as I put full pressure back onto my legs. Repede leans against me, giving me some silent support. Before I can let out a snappy comeback, an annoying voice speaks up loudly, causing me to groan in my mind.
"So why can't you let us through? I'll beat those monsters to a pulp with these fists of mine!" Not the Hunting Blades! Please no! I've never liked them.
"How many times do I have to say it? These monsters are tougher than you think!" It's at this point I start to feel bad for the knight arguing with them. I gaze at them examining them closely while I have the chance for future reference. The leader has a built that obviously isn't made for speed, while the hooded guy as a multitude of loose placing practically made for a fighter like myself to take advantage of. I lock eyes with the leader as his subordinate continues to argue, before letting out a sigh, and glancing at Yuri and Estelle, who are watching the exchange curiously. The leader guy takes that large blade of his off his back, pointing it in the air, causing the knight to crouch in a defensive stance.
"S-stop!" The poor guy yells, and I can't help but feel sorry for him. The leader guy swings his giant sword downwards, slamming it into the ground. (Seriously is he compensating for something or what? Geez!) I ignore the rest of the arguments, sighing in relief as the knight turns away from us.
"Now then...who's in for looking for another way?" I break the silence. Estelle simply nods, while Yuri sighs at the sight of the two sides fighting. As we walk off, I sigh, leaning against Repede more, who doesn't seem to mind.
Skit: Quite a Scene
Estelle: We made quite a scene didn't we? I was worried once those knights noticed us…
Yuri: I told you we couldn't stand out.
Tina: Oh stop pouting Yuri! All three of us went and helped out!
Estelle: You were the one who just jumped out Yuri…
Yuri: I can't just look away when monsters are attacking someone right in front of me, right?
Estelle: Heh heh.
Yuri: What's so funny?
Estelle: I'm sorry, that sounded just like the way Flynn described you, that's all.
Tina: You and Flynn seemed pretty close huh?
Yuri: I guess…
Estelle: He often said that you could never turn a blind eye when someone near you was suffering.
Tina: Sketchy and a softy, wow Yuri, you're certainly an interesting guy!
Yuri: Stop calling me sketchy! Also, next time you see Flynn Estelle, tell him I said he was the same way.
Estelle: I'll do that.
End
"You there, how about coming to work for me? You'll be paid of course." I look lazily at the redhead, who is giving Yuri a interested look, she turns to me..
"You're welcome to as well." She holds up the bag of cash tauntingly. I turn my head away, money had never been something I would budge on, and that certainly won't change.
"Watch your manners around the president. Well, whadda ya say?" Her companion asks. I look back at them, giving a small smile.
"So, it's not bad manners to try and buy someone without introducing yourself?" I grin at the casual sass of one Yuri Lowell.
"Watch your mouth!" The guy beside her threatens.
"You're just as charming as I expected, I'm Kaufman, of the merchant's guild Fortunes Market." She says, and I grin widely, finally! The name of her and her guild!
"We handle everything, from trade to distribution." She goes on.
"Guilds huh…" Yuri mumbles.
"Well I don't know about you, but I'm not much of a salesperson, I can haggle, but I don't think I'm what you would want." I muse, bending down to pull up my pants, making them baggy capris. Suddenly, the ground shakes as the monsters continue to try and trample through. Repede presses up closer, supporting me even more as I try to stay standing. The others continue to talk, and I lean against the wagon behind me, Repede whimpering quietly at my feet. I definitely won't be doing that again unless it's an emergency…
"Tina! I got us a way through!" Yuri calls. I walk up beside him, noticing a missing pinkette and dog.
"Where to?" I ask, grinning widely.
"Quoi woods. It's to the west of here, and apparently it holds some surprises." I grin widely, I love forests, and no monsters will stop me from enjoying myself!
"I can't wait! I love forests! Climb the tree's, smell the flowers, lots of fun!" I cheer, whilst Yuri gives me a growingly familiar amused look.
"There doesn't seem to be much that makes you unhappy huh?" He asks. I frown slightly, looking to my feet.
"I learnt a long time ago...that life is too short to not enjoy yourself to the fullest...so many people wallow in their troubles and problems, that they forget how to be happy…"I look up at the sky, the clouds floating by lazily.
"Huh...I never thought of it like that…" Yuri muses. I give him a smile, before giving gasp as my left leg gives out on me. Warm arms wrap around me before I land, and I lean against him, my face heating up.
"I knew that was still bugging you." He accuses. I simply laugh.
"Come on, let's get Estelle to heal you up before we head out." I smile as we limp down to where Estelle is sitting with Repede. I brush Yuri's hair out of my face, getting a whiff of his shampoo.
"Hey Yuri?" I ask.
"Yeah?"
"...what type of shampoo do you use?" He pauses.
"Tina?"
"...yeah?"
"Shut up."
"Yes sir!" I cheekily reply.
DONE FINALLY! Anyways, I had some fun with this chapter! I'm really excited to do the Quoi woods area! Also, next chapter I'll introduce Kris, though I won't reveal a lot.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Review if you want, but please no flames, those belong to Rita!
From: Dragon S.W.K.