"Cold...this top does nothing to keep out the cold." Those were the first words that came out of one Aschlyn Strider's mouth as she tried to stretch out her body, only to become wracked with pain from the barely healed injuries. It didn't help that they chained up her hands and feet; with the jarring and utter discomfort, she could clearly say it wasn't a dream (much to her dismay).
"So. Somehow I ended up on Aludrant via bullshit magic or simply getting hit by a truck and ended up in Kimlasca. KIMLASCA of all places. Why couldn't be in Malkuth or hell- Keterburg?" Thinking it over, she shook her head. "Actually, the hypothermia and shock would kill me if I landed there- nevermind."
Looking around the dreary dungeon, Aschlyn couldn't help but to notice that there were unfamiliar sigils around the place, mostly on the bars and that was new. From the looks of it, it was a procedure to prevent Fonon users from breaking out before their trial or released early. It made sense, especially considering this was where Van was going to be held after Luke comes back from Malkuth...Though being here for an entirety of a month was not something she wanted to do at all, but it's not like she was going to suddenly spawn super strength. This was an alternate world based on a game, not an anime. Sighing and hanging her head, Aschlyn couldn't help but to notice something was missing- one very particular something.
"Son of a- they really took my hair clip?!" Now she was in a really rotten mood.
As the loud clanging of metal took to her attention, the red-haired prisoner glared at the White Knights banged their greaves against the cell door bars- their laughter echoing against the helmets shielding their faces.
"Wake up! Duke Fabre and the King wants to see you now." Opening the door and haphazardly unlocking the chains- the knight pushed her forward- eliciting a growl while going to her 'command'. As annoying as they were perpetually useless, they guided her up the stairs from the dungeon and into the audience room.
Much to her shock, Kimlasca Castle was a lot more imposing than expected like in the game. It was to the point where she actually felt threatened, since there was no way she had any idea on what was going to happen.
Prison? Already happened back on Earth.
Exile? Living in Engeve didn't seem like it would be a bad idea, plus it would give time to fix the Liger problem.
Execution? ….Escaping would have been the best choice it if wasn't for those Fonon-nullifying shackles that would instantly have her recognized as a runaway criminal.
With a sigh, she steeled herself and walked in.
Everything seemed almost exactly the same, though Aschlyn could see how aged the King looked and how cold and manipulative Duke Fabre could be. Call it intuition or just plain knowledge but this wasn't going to be easy. Next to King Ingobert was his daughter Natalia Luzu Kimlasca-Lanvaldear while Suzanne's presence was devoid of sight in the throne room, most likely due to her weak body. Forced to kneel down, her eyes slid to the ground for a split second before looking back up- a unamused scowl present on her face.
"State your name, trespasser- and why you invaded the Fabre's estate." King Ingobert said as Aschlyn stood, now that the White Knights had returned to their posts back at the manor, though why they were even allowed at the castle was a question in itself. What about the actual Kimlascan soldiers or even one of the Generals? Even if she wasn't a major threat in their eyes without a weapon, anyone else would be able to assassinate the King, Duke, and his daughter with this lack of order.
"Aschlyn Luke Strider. And the reason why I invaded the Fabre's estate wasn't for any reason but an accident. If it were my choice, I would have gladly avoided setting a foot near it, let alone my whole body. After all, what would I gain from hurting myself in the fall and causing trauma to a Servant?" She kept herself from rolling her eyes at Natalia's gasp at her rudeness, preferring to keep this basic and swift. Probably wasn't the best idea, but at the point she was somehow shambling around with bad injuries and magically avoided a concussion. Or the possibility that she got a minor one with the nausea in her stomach. Though by saying that, she managed to singlehandedly piss off Duke Fabre.
"You actually dare to be rude in the presence of the King and Kimlasca as a whole? By just that is considered treason!"
"It would be, if I were from Kimlasca. But I'm not. Just a simple traveller who ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time due to bad Fonon control. Red is the color of the royal family and it's nobles, but I am simply nothing more than a commoner, a Vagrant of Music if you will." Aschlyn announced, though inwardly cringing at the theatrics.
"Even so, to appear in such a flashy statement is dangerous. Our counties are on a fragile arms stance and if Luke were to be injured or even killed would have been catastrophic." King Ingobert...made a very strong point. Even though she wasn't the one in control of being thrown into another world, she sure as hell would have been the start of another war if something happened to Duke Fabre's "Son". It was a sobering thought.
"I understand, your Majesty. That was not my intention to cause harm or a stirrup within Baticul. I am willing to take any punishment you see fit from my transgressions."
He was silent for a minute, listening to the angry whispering of Duke Fabre's and Natalia's staring straight at Aschlyn as if transfixed for some odd reason. Finally after coming to a decision, he spoke.
"If that is how you truly feel, then I sentence you to a month in prison, where you will be tried again after it has passed." That made her look up in shock. From what had happened, that was a light sentence. Yes, it was prison, but that was a lot better than the threat of war or execution. Plus the look on Duke Fabre's face was priceless.
"I understand, your Majesty."
Xx-Determination-xX
Ashi: Well when inspiration comes, take it by the horns I guess. Anyway, welcome to Chapter 2! I meant to say this before, but FRtA is going to be written in third-person POV since switching was so bothersome in FStA and garnered a lot of hate. Now, time to answer Reviews!
DanteShindo: Great to have you back on the team, man! I usually check FF once in a while so I just read your PM that day. I'll need a lot of help with Nathan and refreshing some of the plot, so your assistance is greatly appreciated. Also YES, I'm loving hand-to-hand characters as of late thanks to Tales of Xillia, so the answer is YES.
Guest: As to answer your question, Aschlyn didn't 'pop' into Luke's chamber, but fell out of the sky into the courtyard where everyone could see and onto Luke. Being heavily injured and seeing the 'Duke's Son' covered in blood during a time where war is on the borders, its actually a good thing that they arrested her, even without knowing the full story first. If it was anyone else, Aschlyn would be considered either an Assassin trying to murder Luke, or attempt to kidnap him again. Either one of these could have been the flag to declare war on Malkuth, since Daath could not have been involved as a neutral and heavily religious state. To Kimlasca, Luke is the scion that will bring them prosperity and anyone threatening this would be considered an enemy of Kimlasca and to Lorelei. Which meant there was a chance she could have been executed without anyone testifying if it was serious or Luke had a major injury from the encounter.
