Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 9:07 AM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Rynn glared at Gideon when he made the offhand comment about her face, but pushed it aside as she recovered.  She followed the woman's explanation as she looked over the map, her eyes taking in the whole world.  It's pretty big.  Finding Jace will be a pain, but at least it doesn't seem entirely impossible from here. She smiled, and looked to Gideon.  "Thank you, again, for everything!" the draconian said.

"No, no!  Thank you!  And you're welcome back here any time!" the woman replied.

As Gideon turned to her and stated they had just begun their journey, Rynn turned and nodded.  "Right.  Well, let's head off then.  No time like the present to start."  She took Gideon's hand, and started off, "We'll find Jace, and then…well…we're figure it out from there!" 

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 1:12 AM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

She was stepping close. Maybe? Maybe just maybe this time they could? His heart skipped a beat as he read her movements and actions mirrored what he wanted and he went to lean in. She was talking too much again. They were so close…

"Here we are!" 

GODS DAMNIT ALL!

Rynn swerved and avoided him and he staggered forward, pretending to have slipped on the damp planks. He recovered like a pro and turned with a broad smile as he accepted the map and the packs from the woman. 

"Thanks," Gideon smiled. Rynn, however, had not recovered quite so well and was bright red. The woman question her, concerned perhaps that she had gotten ill while helping the children. 

"Oh no," Gideon reassured her. "That's just her normal color, she's fine," he said with a slight wave. He opened the map and looked at it. "All right, can you tell me where we are now?" he asked. He showed the woman the map and she pointed to the southern most region of the map. "This is the Perediti Cemetery. We are only about two or three miles off of there," she said. "You'll want to avoid there. Nothing good can come from treading those grounds," she explained. 

"You mentioned a place where others like us might be found?" Gideon asked. 
"Oh yes. I hear they are over here, in the mountains of Baltil," the woman explained, pointing to the opposite end of the opposite continent, and Gideon frowned. "Buuuut," she said thinking, "I do know that there are half-celestials living here, in Sularia," she said pointing to the northern end of the continent they were currently on. "If you travel to Adeluna, you should be able to connect with the trade routes there. Or you can cross the swamps and go to the port of Vilpamolan and try and get on a trade ship. But Vilpamolan is full of pirates and cutthroats," she explained. 

Gideon nodded. "Thanks. That helps," he smiled. "You take good care of those kids, ok?" he said. She smiled broadly. "I will. And thank you!"

He nodded and handed Rynn her pack. "Come on, Rynn. We've got a long way to go."

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 12:52 AM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

"Thank you so much," Rynn said along with Gideon. As the mother hurried off, Rynn and Gideon were finally left alone.

"Yeah.  Things definitely could have been worse.  But you should well know, the Alzrahi's have a family curse.  Wherever we go, you can be sure there will be something wrong, and we'll have to fix it.  It's almost as bad as those stories Father used to…"  She paused.  "You know," she said as Gideon squeezed her hand.  "I don't think I've had the chance to properly thank you for everything these past few days."  And you more than deserve it…  

"Gideon, if it weren't for you….I doubt I would even be here alive."  She leaned in closer to him.  "You asked if I wanted things to be different, but you should at least know, the one thing that I want to…I mean, I just would like us to…"  Rynn moved in closer, her heart beating rapidly.  "I just…for once…wouldn't mind…"

"Here we are!" a sudden voice said, starling Rynn and causing her to jump back.  "The map and the provisions for you," the woman said as she waltzed back into the room.  

Rynn's face turned a beet red, and she took another step back.  "Oh yes!  T-thank you!"

"Are you sure you're fit to travel, dear?" the mother asked.  "Is it possible that you caught something trying to help us?"

"N-no!  I'm fine!  I promise!" Rynn replied sheepishly.

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 12:44 AM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

"Yeah," Gideon agreed. "A map would do us a lot of good. We aren't familiar with this land at all," he explained. The woman nodded. 
"This is a fishing village, so we should have one we can give you," she said with a nod. "If you are going to be traveling, we'll also pack you some rations for the road. It is really the least we can do for you," she insisted. 

"You are really too kind. It is greatly appreciated ma'am," Gideon said giving her a slight bow. She smiled and nodded and hurried off to find the map and to pack them food for the next day or so. He looked at Rynn. "You know, despite our crash landing, this certainly could have gone a lot worse," he said. "I mean, I definitely wasn't expecting to be put to work so quickly upon arrival," he said with a slight laugh. "But, all in all, it seems that luck is on our side here," he said as he took Rynn's hand. "I think it's a sign of things to come," he told her as he squeezed her hand. 

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 12:22 AM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Rynn did as she was asked, placing her hands on his shoulders.  The entire process went smoothly, with Gideon drawing from her reserves only a little, but it was enough to cause her minor fatigue.  Look at you…saving the day again, you saint…  When it ended, Rynn helped Gideon up, giving him a genuine smile when he stated that he was hungry again.  "Of course you are, id-…"  She stopped herself.

Rynn watched as her partner downed another three bowls of the porridge, as well as a full loaf of their bread.  The draconian herself only had a single serving more before thanking the women for their food.  When Gideon finally finished, she started to pull him to the side to thank him, but was interrupted by the first mother.  Her praise was definitely appreciated, and it showed in her motions.

"No, it's fine.  You don't owe us anything," Rynn tried to say.  "Really…the food was more than enough."  

"No, I insist that we do indeed owe you," the mother pushed.

"Well…actually…"  She looked to Gideon.  "If you had a spare map.  Or at least can give us some directions, that would help.  Are you fine with that as well, Gideon?"

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 12:11 AM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

With the five remaining children situated around him, Gideon took Rynn's hand and squeezed it reassuringly before he took his place sitting on the floor in the center of the circle. He pulled Rynn down beside him. "Put your hands on my shoulders," he instructed her softly. "Just provide a little mana that I can siphon if I start running low again. It will help me keep from going too fast," he explained to her. He sat criss-cross on the floor and lightly rested the palms of his hands on the floor. He exhaled slowly and took a deep breath before a bead of light began to manifest at his heart. 

Slowly this ball of light grew to envelop him and Rynn before it stretched out to bathe the five children in the warmth of the healing magic. Lines stretched out across the floor to each individual child, as the flow of energy left Gideon and passed to them. 

One at a time, the children began to stir as the white magic purged the poison from their bodies. Sweat began to bead on Gideon's forehead and he carefully began drawing mana through Rynn as his own energy levels began to get low again. It wasn't near as bad as before though, and after maybe ten minutes of continuous magical flow the final child woke up and began asking for her mother. A smile painted Gideon's face, and the magic faded back into a tiny bead that retreated back into his body. He sighed in relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead and sat up, and looked up at Rynn with a smile. 

"And that's that…" he said as he grabbed her hand and squeezed again. "I'm starving again," he said with a bit of a laugh as he went to stand again. "Let's get these kids some breakfast. They definitely need it," he chuckled. 

Three more bowls of porridge and a loaf of bread later, Gideon was full, and the children were laughing and running around the docks again, while several of the women burned the offending berry bushes. 

The first mother who had approached them walked up to Gideon and Rynn again, wiping her muddy hands on her apron. 

"Thank you, so much. We were worried we were going to have to send someone away for a cleric. It's a long way and we weren't sure the children would have been able to make it," she said. "We owe you a lot."

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2018 11:50 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

As Rynn and the women gathered the rest of the children, she couldn't help but still hold concern for Gideon.  She genuinely hoped that this wouldn't put too much strain on him.  After all, he had carried most of the burden since they had crash landed here.  I'm sorry.  I'll make it up to you somehow.  She tried to catch his gaze, to see where his head was, but was unable to by the time they were prepared to heal the children.

"Okay, Gideon.  We're ready," Rynn said, holding out her hand.  "We're ready if you are."  

I'm so sorry, Gideon, for making you front all of this.  I know that I'm standing by you…but I hope that you'll stay within my reach.  I don't know if I could have ever made it this far without you.  So please…just a little longer, and I'll find a way to repay you for everything…

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2018 10:21 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

"I'll clean up when I'm done," Gideon replied almost sharply. He didn't feel like cleaning up when he was just going to get messy again. "I won't eat them out of everything," he added defensively as he tore into a loaf of bread. With his energy level stabilizing, he was beginning to feel a lot better. He looked at Rynn and slowed down eating, even taking time to clean the porridge he had sloppily spilled on his coat and shirt. He looked up at the women who had provided the food. 

"Thank you. Thank you so much for the food," he said gratefully. Now that he had food in his stomach, he felt energy returning to him with vigor. "All right. I've got the energy I need now," he said as he stood up. He stretched, and pocketed another bread loaf before he asked the mother to show him to the next sick children. 

"I have an idea, and Rynn if you feel up to it, you can help," he said. "Can you bring the last five together in one place? I think I may be able to do a mass healing now that I've had something to eat. With Rynn's assistance we should be able to help them all in one fell swoop," he suggested. 

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:59 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

As Gideon moved to the side, Rynn started on the seventh child.  Good.  Rest.  I'll take care of everything.  The healing process was much slower with Rynn heading it, due to her lack of experience and restricted mana flow, however it still didn't take more then half an hour for her two finish healing the children.  By that time, they had put out a spread of foods in the room.  The first bowls went to the children which Rynn could understand.

Gideon started to move, which turned Rynn's focus to him.  He tried to get up quickly, and Rynn let out a sharp 'tsk' sound, shaking her head.  "Don't move to quickly, idi-"  She paused.  "I'm…I'm fine, Gideon.  A little tired, but fine."  She smiled at him, and with the aid of one of the mothers, helping him up.  A bowl of porridge was pushed into his hands, which he immediately downed.

"You're so sloppy," Rynn said with a a mix of amusement and disgust.  "Here…"  She handed him a rag.  "Make sure to clean yourself up…"

"Here, for you as well." One of the woman pushed a bowl into her hands as well.  With a grateful smile, Rynn scarfed hers down as well, though not nearly as fast as her partner.  By the time she finished her first bowl, Gideon had already moved on to his second.  

"Slow down," she said with a glare.  "You'll eat them out of stock at the rate you're going…"

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:32 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

"Oh, yes! I'll have the others help to get it done quickly!" the woman agreed and shuffled off with another mother of the sick children they were in the process of healing. They were eager to help now, wanting to show their thanks for all that these two strangers were doing for them. Gideon wiped a trickle of sweat from his forehead, and stiffened ever so slightly as Rynn pressed up against him and ran her hands down his arms. He let out a sigh of relief as she lent him her energy to finish the sixth healing, his fingers gripping hers. 

He could feel her breath on his cheek and ear. He resisted the urge to nuzzle her, since he was working. With her this close, it was impossible to hide his physical fatigue. "I'm alright," he lied, and he knew she could tell. Sure enough a second later she ordered him to stop. Frankly, he was too spent to argue and once the sixth child was successfully healed, he curled up on the floor of the hut and immediately shut his eyes. He was asleep in seconds, his large wings encompassing him like a downy cocoon. 

He wasn't sure how long he slept, but the smell of food was what made him get up. His need for sustenance outweighed his need for sleep. Friends at the Academy had called him a walking stomach, and it wasn't too far from the truth. He could really pack it away when he had the opportunity. Two sets of wings required a lot of energy, and energy required food. He sat up, and immediately regretted doing so as he felt the room spin. 

"I'm good, I'm good," he said, laying back down to get the room to stop spinning. He looked at Rynn. "How's it going?" he asked groggily as the mothers of the sick children began bringing in bowls of porridge, in season greens and fruits, and bread. He tried to sit up again and one of the mothers, recognizing the fatigue, helped him sit before she pushed a bowl of porridge into his hands. 

"Here, eat, please!" she encouraged. Gideon, again, didn't need to be told twice as he began bolting down the porridge, completely foregoing the use of a spoon and swallowing it in gulps.

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2018 3:23 AM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Rynn couldn't help but feel irritated at the whole situation, but she held her tongue.  Despite the differences between their worlds, there were still those who would fall for traps that the land set for them.  She followed Gideon and the villagers to the berry bushes, and surely enough, it was confirmed that these were indeed the cause of the ailment.  Good going, Gideon.

Now that they knew the cause, Gideon set to work on healing the children the moment he returned.  It was around the fifth child, though, that Rynn noticed Gideon's fatigue really start affecting him.  She sighed, Idiot.  Stop pushing yourself so hard.  

"As we're healing the children, could you please spare us a meal?" Rynn asked, putting on her smile and charm.  "It's the least you could do.  And make it quick, if you would…healing isn't an easy art, and it requires immense stamina."  She then turned to Gideon, and as he started to work on the sixth child, she leaned into his back, her hands trailing down his arms.  She gripped his hands, pressing her body against his, her lips inches away from his ear.  

"It's ok.  You don't have to take all of the burden."  Her words were soft spoken, and endearing.  She closed her eyes, and let the mana flow through her.  Her healing art was nowhere near the level of Gideon's, but it was enough to supplement his spell and ease his task.  "It's only a little more.  Can you handle it, or would you like me to take over?"  Of course, a single apple wasn't much to go on either, but she also hadn't utilized her wings, which was a massive draw on the energy reserves.  In fact…  

"No.  Nevermind.  You're done…I'll take over.  You go and rest.  I'll take care of it…"

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 8:59 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

"We harvest those berries every year. I didn't think twice about it, but they are a little too early this season," the woman answered. "The children brought them in… I won't be surprised if they decided to eat some while picking them…" the woman told Rynn and Gideon. 

Gideon looked at the woman. "We once came across berries like these. They have a counterpart that ripens later in the springtime that are incredibly good and healthy…" he said thoughtfully. "Can you take us to where the berries grow? We'd need to check the plants to be sure," Gideon said. He knew where Rynn's head was at, and knew that she wasn't ready to be wrong by any stretch of the word. 

"Certainly. It isn't far from here," the woman said, and Gideon motioned for Rynn to come along. They followed the woman out across the water again before they went a short distance into the swamp to where dozens upon dozens of berry bushes were growing. Most of them were empty, but there were a couple of them that were already fruiting. 

Gideon walked up and took a good long look at one of the fruiting plants. "Yeah… this is it Rynn. Same stuff Erik ran afoul of…" he said. He looked at the woman. "These berries are what have caused the kids to get sick. They look and smell like the good fruit, but they are toxic. So, first thing you are going to want to do, is pull out all these bushes and burn them. Make sure you get the entire root or in a few years this will be a problem again," he told the woman. "Rynn let's go treat the kids," he said. 

They went back to the village and Gideon set about healing the children. About the fifth child in he began to get light headed again, and shaky. The loaf of bread really hadn't been enough. 

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:45 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

With Gideon at least somewhat fed, Rynn turned her attention to the children and their affliction.  Gideon was a smooth talker, and knew exactly what to ask, and how.  Rynn was more than willing to let him handle the niceties.  When they came to the berries, though, Rynn almost lost it.  Stupid woman.  That counts as something new.  She walked over to the basket, and leaned over.  

The berries inside were small, and orange-yellow in color.  Rynn took one, crushing it between her fingers.  The smell was overwhelmingly sweet.  "This is probably the cause…" She said, motioning for Gideon to come over.  "It's similar to what Erik found when we were out training.  Not exactly the same, but I'm sure it has a similar cure.  It should be easy enough, and with our magic it shouldn't take much…"  Though this has never been my specialty.  What if…I'm wrong….  

And image of her silver haired cousin, Aeolus flashed through her mind.  Will I be the cause of another pointless death?

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:14 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

"Of course," the woman said. "I'll be back." She turned and left the hut to find food as Rynn had just requested. He looked at Rynn and rubbed his chin as she made her assessment. "Yeah, I agree. There's nothing magical about this…" he rubbed his face again. 

"They are running a fever, chills, but they are sweating profusely… if it were just a natural fever they wouldn't be sweating," he tapped his chin. "This it's a poison of some sort. Not sure what might have caused it though…" he looked around. 

"They live on the water, so the chances of it being a water or fungus isn't likely. This village has been around for a long time. So whatever it is here, it was brought in…"

The woman came back with a couple of loaves of bread that she handed to Rynn and Gideon, and Gideon tore into his ravenously.  The woman looked a little harried when Rynn asked about the villagers, the men, and if anything had been brought in to the village. 

"Um… yes, the men are out trading with the next village over," the woman replied. "But I don't think anything was brought in…" 

"What about strange new foods or spices? Did anything get traded that was something out of the ordinary. Something that was out of season even?"

"No… not that I can think of…" the woman said. 

Gideon got up and looked around again before his eyes fell on a wicker basket. Inside were berries. 

"When did you bring these in?" Jace asked. 

"Oh… two days or so ago?"

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 5:54 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Rynn had to contain her shame as Gideon did a little twirl to show off his wings, but as the woman mentioned celestials, the draconian smiled.  So they are here after all.  That's good.  Judging by their superstition, though, it seemed a better idea to keep her draconic wings magically sealed.  Not that she had a choice.  The woman asked for Gideon's help, and the two made their way into the hut.  Well, more Rynn following a surprised Gideon as he was dragged into the hut.

Rynn rolled her eyes.  Of course, she thought to herself, It's never anything simple for us, is it?  She followed Gideon over to the children, and came to the same conclusion as he had.  There was definitely an underlying cause, but their unfamiliarity of Revaliir might cause an issue with figuring out what it could be.  

"First thing," Rynn said, looking back to the woman.  "Can you spare something to eat.  Small is fine.  Even bread will do.  It's hard to help when we can't focus."  She was worried about Gideon, and he could easily down a small piece of bread and still have time to help the children.

"I can't feel anything…but judging by the symptoms, I don't think it's magical in nature."  Poison?  Or a plague?  But why just the children.  "Where are all the men in the village?  I'm guessing out at sea?  Have they found anything recently?"

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 4:17 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

The woman looked at him and Rynn like she wasn't sure she could trust her own eyes. Despite feeling shaky and light headed, Gideon figured that these people were probably highly superstitious, or had simply had too many experiences where they could not trust what came out of the foggy swamps. He carefully extended his hands to the woman, showing that he honestly was not hiding anything, and even did a little twirl so and extended his wings a bit to show her what he was. The wings made her step back in shock, but less fear than awe. 

"You… you are one of those celestials… the one's they talk about from Parvpora…" 

Gideon looked a bit uncomfortable. "Well, I am… a half-celestial…"

"But you bring good luck?"

"Well–"

"Can you heal the sick?"

"Well, yeah—"

The woman grabbed Gideon by the arm and began dragging him across the damp walk. Gideon looked back at Rynn, giving her a surprised look as he was hustled towards one of the floating huts. 

She shoved him inside and pulled him towards a rush mat where two little children lay, looking very pale and sick. Gideon's instincts kicked in and he knelt by the children and gently touched their foreheads. They were running hot to the touch, and were shivering uncontrollably. 

"Fever? How long have they been like this?" he asked looking up at the woman. 

"Two days. I've tried everything I can think of. They aren't the only ones. There are others who are sick too…"

"How many?" Gideon asked. 

"Twelve."

Gideon looked back at Rynn and sighed. "Well, I can heal them, but unless we find the cause, it will probably be short lived…"

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:58 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Rynn used the short walk to the seaside village to regain her composure, and by the time the two arrived, she was feeling much back to her old self.  As Gideon called out to see if anyone responded, Rynn stepped onto the main bridge that led to the first set of floating platforms.  "Anyone here?" she asked aloud.  Slowly, a few female tenants of the village emerged from the floating building in front of them.

"Yes?" the first woman asked.  She reminded Rynn of a mother hen, the leader of a group.  

"We're sorry to disturb you.  We just…" Rynn glanced back at Gideon.  "We just er…ran across some troubles.  Mostly, we just need food and some basic supplies.  Is there a merchant or a shop here?  Or perhaps we can arrange a trade?"  She smiled, and looked back to the woman.  "I know it's a bit much to ask…"

The woman stared at Rynn, and then to GIdeon.  Rynn realized they were being scrutinized.  I can't say I blame them.  We probably look terrible in our condition…  

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:39 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

"Come on, Rynn. Who would I tell?" he asked her with a chuckle. 

This was the closest he had ever come to seeing Rynn cry. He sat up and gently pulled her closer. "It's ok, Rynn," he told her. "You don't have to be strong all the time," he said as he held her tight to him. "We will find Jace. That is for sure," he promised her. "We didn't jump across all of space to come here and not find him," he told her. "But you are right, we have to make sure to take it one step at a time," he agreed. "I'm all right. If I take it easy. But fortunately, we aren't too far off from that village," he said with a bit of a shrug. He carefully got to his feet. He swayed for a second, feeling a bit light headed but it passed. 

He reached out and gently pulled her up and squeezed her hand. 

"Come on…"

It was a short walk to the little seaside village that was actually on the water directly, floating because of the unstable ground. Gideon walked up the plank walk and looked around at the strange floating village. 

"Hello?"

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 9:20 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

As Rynn continued to stroke Gideon's hair, she smiled.  

"I remember," she said.  "You're nowhere near as useless as I had initially thought you were.  I was just too stubborn to get along with you then.  I hated my parents for sending me to that useless Academy, and what it did to Jace didn't help my opinion of it.  But the bonds we made there…I cherish those more than you could ever imagine."  Her face flushed as the realization of what escaped her lips hit her.  "But you better not tell a soul I told you that…"  

That was when he asked her a question.  That question…she had thought of it herself many times.  She silently stroked his hair, running her fingers through his golden locks.  "I've always wished for things to be different."  She stopped stroking his hair, and knelt her head down, looking down at him.  "I wish everything could have been different.  Why did my idiot brother run away…why did this stupid war have to tear us apart like this?  Why did…"

Why did Aeolus have to die.  

Rynn closed her eyes.  I can't cry.  I won't cry.  She took a deep, shuddering breath, and exhaled.  Another breath.  Exhale.  Her eyes opened to see Gideon's, looking back up at her.  "Maybe….maybe if…"  She shook her head.  "When.  When we find Jace, we'll start from there.  A step at a time, right?  But first, we need to get you food…I can't have you passing out on me…"  Rynn started stroking his hair again.

"Though..if you need a moment more…I guess we can wait…"

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 9:07 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

It was a rare moment when Gideon got to hold Rynn, but it was even rarer when she held him. He relaxed against her, relishing the softness of her fingertips as they shielded his eyes from the morning sunlight. 

"I'm all right," he promised her. "I've been through worse. Remember when we first got partnered up? We spent near two days in that forest with no provisions and we were chained together," he chuckled. "Two sets of wings, burns through energy like a beast," he reminded her. He sighed contentedly as her fingers went through his hair. The thought about the closeness they had shared while flying. The way that she had screamed at him, as he had expected, and clung to him. 

"Rynn… do you ever wish things could be different?" he asked her softly as they sat on the damp swampy ground. "Do you think things could be different? New world… new chance?" he asked her, his voice soft. 

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 7:50 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Rynn blushed at the way he simply smiled at her, but that feeling immediately disappeared when he simply let himself fall off of the cliff.  Sure. she trusted Gideon, but she couldn't help with lurching feeling in her stomach as gravity took over.  If she could unseal her wings, it would be one thing, but to trust someone else with her entire being…

It was absolutely terrifying.  

Rynn gripped Gideon tighter, her eyes closed rightly.  The wind rushed past her, whipping her long, raven streaked hair into a wild frenzy.  Her heart was beating faster and faster, but she wouldn't give him the pleasure of showing a weakness.  No, not her.  Not the immaculate Rynn.  Not the one who, even when Aeolus died, shed a single tear in front of others.  No…she couldn't….

"YOU IDIOT, SPREAD YOUR WINGS ALREADY!"

She opened her eyes as he caught the air.  The sudden weight of the world was gone, and the two were soaring through the sky.  Rynn gripped Gideon a little tighter, exhaling the rest of her breath from screaming at him. But it was done.  It was over.  She could breath normally again.  Gideon's wings were strong, despite their original tenderness against her arms.  It was surprising, his angelic wings in contrast to her leathery, draconic wings.  But now was not the time to dwell.

When they finally landed, Rynn immediately switched roles, and moved to Gideon's side.  "Here…rest a second…"  She knelt down, pulling him into her lap.  Her hand idly covered his eyes, blocking the light out.  "You idiot…you're shaking…"  He gave me the apple…  "You should have eaten it…not given it to me."

Why did I fall for such an idiot like you…?  She smiled, and stroked his hair.  

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 7:30 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Drop her? Who was she kidding? He was one of the best fliers that had ever graduated from the academy. He took a steadying breath as she grabbed his shoulders. She smelled so nice. She always smelled nice. And despite the skill he knew she had, she was still so incredibly light. Almost fragile. She called him an idiot again, at this point it was almost a term of endearment, and told him to get a move on. He glanced back at Rynn, almost smirking at her before he casually just… fell, with her off the side of the cliff. 

At first, he waited for her to scream, just for the fun of it before he spread his double wings again and caught the air currents. Suddenly they were airborne again, soaring upward into the sky, wind whipping at their faces and hair. Gideon felt the exhilaration of flight through every bone in his body and it was intoxicating. Not the most intoxicating thing though. 

There looked to be a sort of village or something several miles to the south, which took them right past the cemetery, thankfully and closer to the coast. That meant that he would be able to carry Rynn a lot farther.

It was about an hours flight, but Gideon hadn't eaten since the night before, or even longer, and he was beginning to feel shaky. He landed on the outskirts of the town, and plopped Rynn down on the soggy ground. "Whew… that took it right out of me. I've got the shakes real bad now," he said as he plopped to his knees, taking a breather. 

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 6:22 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Rynn cursed under her breath.  Not much survived the crash for Gideon either.  That put them in a really tight spot, buy he had managed to find useful things at least.  Still, his find of the precious stone and the shells might fetch a good price, if Gideon was right and they were indeed worth something.  She smiled briefly, I knew I kept him around for something.  

As he tossed Rynn the apple, she took a better look at the surrounding.  Indeed, Gideon had managed to save them from the cliff side.  Good boy.  She bit into the apple, and a burst of tart and sweet flavor made her smile even wider.  She hadn't realized just how hungry she was.  Well, anyway, we better get going.

"All right, Gideon, you better not drop me," Rynn replied to him, her tone serious.  She gripped his shoulders, leaning into him.  She could feel his soft wings brush up against her exposed arms, and a wave of longing for him made her want to grip him harder.  Now's not the time.  It's never the time…  She took a deep breath.  "Well…get a move on then, idiot…we don't have all day."

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:56 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Like all their embraces, this one too was short lived. Such was their life. After Jace, Aelous, and Crystal, Gideon had a suspicion that Rynn was afraid of letting someone close again. He didn't blame her. He couldn't. She was ordering a scavenge now, like the boss she was, and who was he to argue. He went back and began picking at the rubble that had been dislodged during their descent down the hill, but all in all there was not much left to find. 

"Well, my armor is gone," he answered her. "If I had been wearing it last night I would have been struck by lightning, so I took it off," he said. "I'll have to see about getting a new set… but, I've got my rapier, my dagger… the clothes on my back… the spyglass and I've managed to salvage the airship's compass… so we won't be horrendously lost," he commented. "Oh, and check these out," he said pulling a couple of things out of his pockets. 

One was a spire of amethyst, easily about as long as his finger, and the other two were fossilized shells that were spiraled in rainbows. "They might be worth a bit of coin when we find a town. Could use it to trade for supplies. Or at the very least a map," he said optimistically. He handed her an apple. It was all that was left of their food stores, or at least all he could find. "Gotta keep your strength up," he smiled.

The sun was coming out and the fog was dissipating. It gave Gideon a pretty good idea of the layout of the land now. He also realized that they had come pretty close to death. Not another fifty feet of sliding and they would have been off a cliff. He whistled. "Well, we got lucky there," he commented. He spread his massive gold and white wings, both sets and motioned for Rynn to hold onto his shoulders. "I can fly us down. The air currents up here are strong so I should be able to carry you for some distance, even with all our gear. Come on."

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:52 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Rynn's breath caught when Gideon held her.  It had been far too long since he'd held her.  Her face flushed as she enjoyed the feeling of his warmth.  You're such an idiot… She closed her eyes, and took a deep, calming breath.  "Thank you," she barely whispered, and then tore herself from his grasp.  "All right then.  On to gathering what we can."  She clapped her hands, the sound breaking the morning silence.  

'Oh, look.  My spare sword!" she said excitedly, hurrying off into the rubble as if the moment earlier had not happened.  

It was nearly midday by the time they pulled the remaining salvage from the wreck.  All in all, it wasn't much that survived.  Rynn had some bare basics, her sword and a spare shield, and her cloak survived.  Her current attire, consisting of a ragged tunic and trousers would have to do for now, but she knew she'd need something better if they were to get into a scrap.  

"Well, Gideon…I didn't get away with much.  How about you?"  She sighed.  I already hate this place.  

"Well, I'm ready whenever you are.  Our next goal should be to get some more basics before we search for Jace.  I'd say we search for a town, or at least someone who can point us in the direction of one.  Once there, we can establish our bearings and maybe I can find a star to synchronize with, even if it's just temporary."

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:23 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

He stood up and took her hand like she had asked. 

"I know, Rynn," he said softly. "The magic here is different. Those stars are still there, but they are different somehow," he said. He knew it was hard for her to admit she needed his help. It always had been. Her shiver made him pull her into his arms and he held her simply to help her warm up. "We'll find Jace, Rynn. And it might take you a bit, but I am confident you'll connect with the stars again. We just got to find the flow here," he told her. 

He followed her gaze and in the fuzzy dawn morning, he too saw the outline of the cemetery. 

"Yeah, that's a big whopping no," he said flatly. "I wasn't ever into horror or anything, but I do know what is supposed to crop up in places like that, and I'll tell you what, we are NOT equipped for a skirmish like that," he said with a slight laugh. "Come on, help me scavenge for some supplies and I'll fly us out of here," he said as he jumped down off of the piece of decking again and offered his hand to her to help her down. 

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:44 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Rynn would never admit it to Gideon's face, but she was far more appreciative of him than she would ever show.  The two had a very complicated relationship.  If it hadn't been for the war, they could have been married and had children by now.  Rynn glanced away from Gideon as he felt for her injuries.  She winced, resisting the urge to slap him, and nodded when he asked if it hurt.

"Yes…" she was doing her best to hide her face from him.  Finally he finished working on her ankle, and she could look him in the face again.  "Well, if Jace is here, then he's done a good job hiding himself.  I can't feel anything.  Or…"  Or does this have to do with the fact that I can't feel my star?

"Gideon," Rynn said as she held her hand out to him.  "Help me up.  We need to…talk about something."  

"I can't feel the Dragonsoul.  I can't feel Serah's star either, nor Angel's Heart or Soulforger.  Revaliir must not have them, or if it does, they're different from where we're from."  She shivered.  "It means I might be depending on you a little."  There.  She said it.  And hated it.  But Rynn knew that it needed to be said.  Gideon was more than capable of taking care of her.  

"Anyway, let's…"  She looked around.  "Get…out of here."  It was slowly dawning on her where they were.  Off in the distance, she could make out faint gravestones.  A cemetery.  Rynn glowered.  "Oh no.  I've read enough at the academy to know where this is headed.  We are not going that direction…" 

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:16 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

He would let her finish her little bout of blaming him. It was something he was used to by now. He cast a slight glare up at Rynn as she was rubbing her ankle, but immediately felt bad about the bubble of anger he felt. He got up and moved back towards her. He heard her questions, but he didn't answer her right away. 

"Sit down Rynn," he ordered her, but gently as he climbed back up onto the busted up piece of ship where she was rubbing her ankle. He gently pushed her to a sitting position and gently lifted her injured ankle. Gingerly he peeled off her boot and massaged her foot. "Does that hurt?" he asked as he gently applied pressure, pushing her foot to the left and the right.  Gauging by how she either flinched or winced, he figured on it being a bad twist or sprain. But both would be painful for her to walk on, so he wasn't about to let her walk around on it and exacerbate it. He pressed a hand over her ankle and a twinkling white light left his hands and spiraled through her muscle and bone, spreading warm relief. 

"There, how's that?" he asked gently. He gave her a gentle smile. "I'm fine. A bit bumped and bruised, but I'm ok," he told her. He stood back up. "In answer to your previous questions: no, there is no fixing it. Even if I could piece it back together, the engine components are completely drained. There's no getting it back up into the air. As for where we are, I believe we are in a world called Revaliir. Southern region of one of the continents. That's what I got out of the airship instruments before we got hit by lightning," he told her. 

"As for if I know for sure Jace is here… I am pretty sure we are in at least the same world. Jace's aura mark is very distinct, but we've been looking for him for over a year, so it was faint," he explained. "But I am pretty sure we found the right place."

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:18 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Everything hurt.  Absolutely everything.  Rynn let out a groan as Gideon untangled himself from her, and she rolled over to her side.  She had half a mind to go back to sleep, but Gideon poked at her to make sure she was alive and well. 

Thanks.  I guess.  

Her eyes slowly opened to see Gideon walking away, studying the wreckage of their once proud airship.  Aunt Kyari won't be happy that we broke another airship.  I'll just…withhold that tidbit of information from her.  She sat up, her eyes trying to bring everything into focus.  She brushed several strands of hair out of her face, and started to get up.  "Okay…okay, Gideon….you can fix this, right?"  The world finally stopped spinning as she clambered up, leaning against a part of the wreckage for support.  

"Oh…oh no, that's…that's not fixable is it.  Auntie is going to kill you from crashing it," Rynn said.  She took a step forward and winced.  Her ankle seemed to be burning now.  The adrenaline was running out, and now she could feel the rest of her wounds and bruises, instead of an overall aching.  Her wings were sealed, so that wasn't a problem, Though without access to magic, I can't unseal them anytime soon.

"Any clue where we are?" she asked.  Maybe…I should apologize for calling him an idiot.  She flushed.  No…no, bad idea.  It'll go to his head.  "And are you sure Jace is even here?"  

While waiting for an answer, she knelt down.  Maybe I can…  She felt a pressure in her head; the flow of her own mana moving.  It's been a long time since I've had to do things without the Dragonsoul.  Maybe..I've been taking it for granted.  The mana flowed into her ankle, and the pain subsided. 

"Are you okay?" She finally asked. I probably should have asked that first…. 

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:03 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Idiot. Yeah, of course she blamed him for this. It was a common thing in their partnership. He was a bit too preoccupied with the sudden appearances of cliff faces to really yell back at her. He was barely managing to stay upright and she was being tossed around almost like a rag doll. He had half a mind to throw her a tether, but there wasn't a chance for that. About the point she got to her feet again was when they bounced off one rock face and she went falling again. Wood splintered and he was pretty damn sure he'd just lost the rudder and half of the lower deck. 

All magical power to the small airship died with that hit and they were no longer airborne. Fortunately the ground wasn't too far away after the initial strike. Gideon figured it was probably a good time to grab hold of his partner. This would be one hell of a place to lose her, and he didn't really feel like going it alone in a strange world. He slid across the splintering deck to her and grabbed her about the waist before he held on for all the forces of life as the airship broke apart all around him. They skidded across the ground before eventually coming to a full stop. 

He blacked out at that point, his typically hard head hitting rather roughly on the wood planking. A flash of lightning and then darkness. 

When he woke up again, it was still dreary and gray, but it was at least not raining anymore. Gideon winced and touched the swollen knob on his skull. He was bleeding a little, but they were alive. Mostly just sore from the wild ride. He carefully checked Rynn to make sure she wasn't hurt, and she seemed banged up a bit but for the most part unharmed. It made him sigh with relief. He untangled himself from her, and though it was a bit damp from the rain, he draped what was left of his cloak over her to keep her warm while he stretched his double set of white and gold wings and surveyed the damage done in the crash. 

Yeah, there was no way they were going to be able to get the airship off the ground ever again. It had broken into almost four perfect parts, but the helm was completely smashed and the engine crystals were completely dead. 

"Well.. at least we survived it…" he muttered to himself as he started scavenging the wreck for what supplies and gear might have survived. 

Author: Shadowfang, Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 10:19 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

It had been a miserable time since they had arrived here.  Wherever here was.  The sudden feeling of something inside of her being ripped out of her was the first of many unlucky streaks.  

If only I could feel the Dragonsoul Star.  

That was all that Rynn could think as the rain and wind buffeted them relentlessly.  Thunder crashed around them, the sound splitting through the air.  She could barely hear her partner yelling across the deck, but she knew exactly what he had said.  She felt it too, but was far too late to react.  Lightning crashed into the deck, throwing Rynn into the air.  She landed hard, sliding across the deck back into the helm.  

"GIDEON, YOU IDIOT!" she yelled, struggling to get to her feet as her partner did his best to crash land.  "WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST DODGE IT!"  Of course, Rynn would later reflect that it was an impossible thing to do, but during her initial panic, she couldn't think of anything else to say, and thus insulted her partner instead of commending him for his efforts thus far.  

Rynn cursed as she finally managed to stand up.  Of course, it was at that point in time that Gideon crashed, once more sending Rynn flying.  She cursed the world they had found, cursed her partner for his flying, and most of all, cursed a certain dead individual who had gone and done something completely stupid, and hurt her brother.  

Her last thought, before blacking out, was nothing more than cursing the name of Aeolus Alzrahi, her cousin who had gone and died, and left them all alone.  

Author: Starchaser, Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 10:05 PM, Post Subject: Strong Winds and Strong Storms [PR]

Rain. Rain, lightning, thunder, wind. Nothing but that. Oh there was fog too. Lots of fog. He was drenched, waterlogged, and practically blind EVEN with the goggles he was wearing. They might have been helping him keep the water out of his eyes, but there was so much water that it really didn't matter. Lightning flashed across the skies and illuminated nothing but fog. 

"RYNN CAN YOU SEE ANYTHING?" he called out over the roar of the wind. He could barely hear himself and if he couldn't see anything even with his goggles, then he was pretty damn certain his companion was going to be seeing anything at all. 

He was about to shout out something else when he felt the familiar tingle of electricity in the air. He could hear the crackle. 

"RYNN HIT THE DECK!" 

Lightning snaked across the sky, the air around the small airship turning red and superheating as it cut straight through the deck. The aiship buckled and Gideon Starchaser looked at the instruments at the helm. He swore. 

"BRACE FOR IMPACT!"