Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Post by Danny Ravensdale on May 7, 2014 16:06:29 GMT
Danny skipped through the grounds with a grin on his face. The weather was too warm today, so he left his coat and scarf in the room he was staying at. Instead, the boy had a plain white workshirt on accompanied by his usual pants, boots, belts, and mittens. The fingers of the mittens were folded back as usual. Ah, the sun felt wonderful. Danny pased in his roamings to watch a little confrontation taking place at the fountain. His curiosity piqued, the boy made his way over to the woman sitting on the cultural piece.
"'ey! 'e didn' bother ya or nothin', did'e? I mean, if 'e did, then that ain' what 'e shoulda done... but ya are sittin' on the fountain. Might be easier ta avoid bein' the center of attention if yer sittin' somewhere else, ya know?" As Danny spoke he looked to where the woman had been gazing so intently. "Who ya lookin' at? Someone ya know over there? Hey! Tha's Clariee-pie! Wonder if she knows who yer watchin'..." Danny plopped down next to the brooding woman and grinned. "M'name's Danny, by the by. Who're you?"
Stephen snorted in slight amusement from Amon's jests. "Fine with me, but I do not lurk, sir. You might be a lurker, but I most certainly am not the lurking type." Turning, he followed Amon to a less crowded area. "So you say Viktor will be here? We best be sure to keep an eye out for that every energetic fellow. I do not think I will be able to keep up with his vast amount of enthusiasm today. It is tiring to be around someone like him.."
Post by Viktor Croswell on May 8, 2014 3:43:56 GMT
Like the devil, speak his name and he shall appear. Viktor was already among the festivities long before Amon and Stephen arrived. He had been drinking much, swinging off post signs that hung over doors, flirting with women and men alike as he could not tell the difference, and playing music on his fiddle. Drunk and loud, the mechanic made his way through the crowd happily hollering out to other drunks that occupied the streets when he came across two familiar people across the ways. Excitedly, the red headed pirate wanna be approached them from behind and jumped between them as he threw his arms around their shoulders, his fiddle and bow in one hand, and a bottle of booze in the other. It was safe to say he reeked of alcohol and the lopsided smile that was on his face did not help to hide this fact. "Good day, gentsh," he announced as he made contact with them then let go and stepped forward, turning around and nearly stumbling backwards but caught himself at the last second. "Ishn't it a great day? Sho much food and drinksh--man, I haven't... had this much fun in forever! Why... why do you two look so down...? Here, take a drink or two," he said as he shoved the bottle he held at both of them. With the sound of the parade approaching he grinned even wider and whether they took the bottle or not, he would have let it go in favor of making for a grab at Stephen's hand to drag him along while he called out to Amon, "Come on, the parade ish... ish starting and we need to be closer." They had already left a crowded area, but Viktor was inclined to lead them back to witness the parade in its full.
Elsewhere, among the crowd was NK-5. Viktor might not have been able to measure up to his father's level of engineering but Nikolai would give him that when the youth had time, he was a creative fellow. Since the night he was first introduced, Viktor had spent countless hours, days, and weeks pouring into making NK-5 a proper disguise. With several mixed materials, Viktor had created pseudo skin for him then painted the skin to appear humanistic. This covered up a majority of the clockwork doll's features so that at a glance he would not be so readily suspected. As precautions, NK-5 had been made a long coat to fit his form, given gloves to hide his hands, boots that covered him up to the knees, loose pants, goggles for his eyes, and a scarf to wrap about his mouth and neck. His hair was already natural in appearance but it hung everywhere and stood on all ends in a wild display. All in all, his disguise was rather comparative to the sloppy job he'd been given before. Now free to walk around without people suspecting him, he came to this event in order to watch over Viktor. Unfortunately the buffoon had managed to escape him and run off elsewhere. Currently, he found himself at the fountain with a familiar figure though he couldn't quite place it. It wasn't until he drew closer to Danny and Maeve that he felt a surge run through his body's in what could be compared to as a high for robots. He was careful to keep his distance and so remained a few paces away as he studied the supposed boy.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on May 8, 2014 5:24:42 GMT
Did he just proposition her?? First he calls her by her first name, addresses her intimate family affairs, then insuates he knew her mother well enough to perceive a fire in her. Regardless of whether that was true or not, it was incredibly inappropriate to speak of that late baroness with such unabashed familiarity. If her father had assumed aires around the man, it was probably for good reason.
Caitlin just blinked at the man, and barely maintained enough decorum to think it through before replying. Clearly he was a man of some means, though she couldn't say how much. He assumed to know her father, though his remarks were anything but polite. If he wanted to mingle with the gentry, he needed to learn how better to disguise his insults behind flattery. Then there was the matter of the young man who had approached her. Did this guy work for the elder? He was willing to take orders from the man, despite looking as if he'd rather not.
Focus on the less confusing of the two, Cait thought to herself, turning to face Tyrell and wordlessly accepting Lefiruc's verbal itinerary as his intended farewell. "Please don't feel obligated under any circumstance to accommodate me," she told the younger of the two. "I appreciate your concern but no amount of chaperoning is going to change my circumstances." She wasn't trying to be rude, and after a pause she offered a weak smile. "Of course, if you would like to join me for just a moment to see the parade then please be my guest."
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Lefiruc blinks before he realised how his words must have sounded, facepalming at the situation he had unwittingly created. "My apologies if I came across... well, you know." he said with a slight sigh. "I had thought to spare you some sudden surging from the assembled crowd from your parentage. Even with the parade being the focus right now... I had meant no offence." said the elder before bowing and taking his leave before he made any more of a fool of himself. Besides, he had seen enough men marching to know how the parade would look... it would just be prettier.
The combined might of the EIRALs moved out from behind the gates of the Barracks complex and into the street, each hand and foot moving in coordination as the Company Commanders stood just to the left of each block and shouted out the cadance of left, right, left.
At the head of the entire formation stood Faolan, feeling naked and exposed as they moved. He was the focal point for everyones movements and if he made a mistake it would be duely noted by the rabble watching from the sides of the marked off parade route. So, there was only one thing to do, fake it. It was a Command trait he excelled at. Never let anyone in close enough to know how he was really feeling, while on the outside exuding a mask of calm and confident professionalism.
As they moved, he smiled and waved to assembled crowds pressing against the barriers that kept them from wandering into the street. So many of them were in attendence, perhaps the whole city. His eyes scanned the crowed for any sign of threat, though in truth he was hoping to catch a glimpse of the Barroness. Not that the odds were in his favor. She was undoubtedly with her father preparing for the parties that the knobles were known for.
A low hum caught his attention, growing in strength and he pulled his focus back to the event at hand. It was time. With a flourish, he gestured towards the skies as the five EIRAL Airships dropped into formation over the military contignent, their colors clearly dispalayed as their officers stood on the edges of the deck to show their solidarity with their brothers on the ground.
"Huh...this explains why he didn't drag me over here...the buffoon looks like he's been drinking this entire time!" Amon muttered to himself. He made his way to follow Viktor and Stephen, a slight smile on his face forming at the thought of not being the only one having to deal with the drunk merchanic, when a thought occurred to him.
"Hey, Viktor? Out of curiosity, where is Nikolai...?"
"I will destroy you in the most beautiful way possible! And when I leave, you will finally understand why storms are named after people!" - Taryn, Nerf This
Post by Agnes Cogwheel on May 8, 2014 20:25:44 GMT
"Oh, God, don't be rude!" Agnes mumbled to the thing in her hands. She was sitting in the corner of the street with an old gun, and she tried to fix it. The CAEsAL's newbie wasn't so happy. This night started terrible. She just wanted to enjoy herself in a little shop she liked, when some idiots started to insult her, and she (as usually) started a hand-to-hand fighting. And she got some very bad scars. After that precious gun broke. It wan't a surprise, because it's not the best, but now, without her screwdrivers and wrenchs, she couldn't prepare it. He took a big, deep breath. "This night is totally ruined. I want to find someone or I'll be in a really bad mood." She wishpered. Agnes didn't like being alone. So she started to walk in a random street in the way to the city central.
Post by Stephen Leland on May 8, 2014 23:25:30 GMT
Stephen jerked in surprise when an arm was sloppily thrown around his shoulders. Turning to his attacker his nose was assaulted by the smell of booze "Oh Bloody hell, you are completely wasted" he said with a disapproving frown. At the drunks mention of a nice day he grunted in reply, to tired to tell off Viktor. "No alcohol for me thanks, I like to have my wits about me unlike most fools." When the fool dropped the bottle suddenly his hand impulsively shot out to catch it as his other hand was suddenly grabbed and he felt himself being yanked back into the crowd. A look of pure dread went across his face as he looked helplessly at Amon as he was dragged back into the crowd. Viktor dragged him through the bustling crowd, causing him to bump into a good many people and hurriedly apologize as he was dragged along. Queens, this guy was strong "Hey! Viktor I do not appreciate being yanked around everywhere!" he snapped, finally regaining his balance so he did not stumble after the man.
Post by Viktor Croswell on May 8, 2014 23:50:19 GMT
Japes made at him by Stephen went unnoticed as Viktor sang a silly song loudly and drunkly while shoving through the crowd to lead his two 'friends' toward the rails. He paused his singing long enough to look back at Amon with a lazy grin and shrug. "I... I don't... know. He wash here a minute ago," he replied and when they reached the rail, he stopped then leaned heavily on Stephen so he would not stumble and trip as his legs felt wobbly while standing still. "Hey... hey, you two. Sh.. shtop being so sherious all the time, alright?" It was a wonder why Viktor ever needed Nikolai... Luckily for Stephen and Amon, Viktor caught sight of a beautiful lady on the other side of the streets and stood upright as well as any wasted man could then let go of Stephen. "'shcuse me but I'm... I'm going to go say hello," and with that, the merchanic went to turn and shove his way back out of the crowd with his fiddle in hand only moments after leading them into the mess. Now he just had to find some way to get to the other side. What was he even doing again? He decided it didn't mater after he left the crowd and stopped to take a seat against the wall of a building in the shade.
Post by Tyrell O'Callaghan on May 8, 2014 23:59:39 GMT
Tyrell felt caught in a rather precarious situation. On one hand, he could take his leave of her now and bother her no longer, or on the other hand, he accepts her invitation and joins her for the parade. Quietly, he observed the consequences of either action and decided that to decline her would likely mean his employer would be upset with him but to accept would likely be further intrusion on what he's already committed. He blinked as he realized that she was waiting on him to reply, then looked over the gathered crowd to where the parade was beginning, then to Lefiruc before looking back to Caitlin. "It is no obligation, Milady, I only wish to no longer force myself upon your company if you did not wish it but the parade is starting and I have never seen it. If you would still wish to view it then perhaps you and I can find a well enough seat to view together." Seeing his employer leave from the corner of his eyes gave him a sense of relief and then he smiled to Caitlin. "I'm... sorry about my master," he felt the need to apologize as well.
Clancy was beyond excited about going to his first festival in Lodan. So excited that he put on his best outfit for the occasion. A bright red vest with a grey thinly stripped button up shirt that was rolled up to his elbows. He had a white carnation in his vest pocket, a few of his trusty tools in the pocket of his dark black pants and new, shiny black shoes. Giving his reflection in a closed shop window a quick look once again, he grinned. He looked good. With a chuckle he strutted down the streets, towards the festivities. A light brown hair girl passed in front of him, causing him to draw up short. The pleased grin on his face turned to a frown when he saw how distraught she was. "Hey Miss! What ya lookin' so down for? This a festival ain't it? Ya should be off dancing and celebrating with yer friends." he said, hurrying after her.
"Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye" -K. Jackson Brown Jr.
Stephen was thrilled when Viktor decided to stop using him as a support. But not for the reason as to why he left "Oooh Dear, he is going after a woman. Should we stop him? I think we should stop him." he said in a frantic hurry, looking from Amon to Viktor's receding figure with a nervous look. "I feel terrible for any woman that he tries to approach in that state. I could not live with my self if some poor woman's night was ruined because he threw himself at them. Well, I suppose I could be still, but still; I am going after him- we both should" With that he hurried in the direction Viktor escaped to, being sure to throw away the bottle in his hand on the way there. He found him slumped up against an ally wall. With an aggravated huff, he stormed up to him with an angry look on his face "Viktor, you are in no state to go gallivanting off. You are roaring drunk. You should stay where someone can keep an eye on you. Like Amon, he seems like the perfect man for the job. Do not hang around me, I have an image to up hold but I am not so proud to have you go off un supervised." Glancing around for Amon he ticked through the medical information he had read in a book a while back "Are you feeling dehydrated? Did you have any food before you decided to load your system up with that vile stuff?" he asked in a scolding tone.
Post by Lorraine Blackmoore on May 9, 2014 13:12:17 GMT
Luckily for Blackmoore, her tardiness had gone unnoticed by the high commander and Alistair or if it had gone noticed, nothing was going to be down quite yet. This gave her a slight room for breath as their company son began to move out into the streets. At her feet and just beside her, Felix squeezed himself between the lines in order to walk with them. The poor animal however had a difficult time with his walking in these formations but did his best not to move ahead and to not fall behind. Out among the crowd, Lorraine had really only one goal besides not making a further fool of herself, and that was to see if she could catch a glimpse of her family, if they were even out today and not hosting in their manor. However, not wishing to appear out of place, she kept her head forward and so scanned the crowds as they approached before giving up part way. This would not work, so she opted for another choice. As they made their way through the streets, she at least had the privilege of seeing the buildings they drew near and so she scanned the roof tops for anything that could be considered shady.
Roan Everette stepped in tune to the metronome that tick-tocked left and right ahead of him on the table in front of he and his fellow cadets. Everyone stepped lively, keeping the pace, save for Calen, who disrupted their rhythm with the heavy sound of fists pounding a large hanging burlap sack filled with sand. The others wasted no effort trying to make him feel bad about being omitted from the parade, as they knew he couldn't care less.
"Okay guys. It's important for us to show our support for the commander by being the first in line behind him. Make sure to keep in step. No yawning, no sneezing, no breathing if you think it'll make you look out of place. Unison is the word gentleman." chided Bregor as he looked directly ahead, hoping to take the lead he felt he was meant for.
"AUGH, come ON! We're gonna be too exhausted to march before we even get there!" groaned Adelheid before stopping short. He shook his head before waving his hand dismissively and walking over to the exit.
"Well... yeah. Adel has a point... I think a week of practice is enough... right?"
Bregor continued on, never missing a beat while Roan slowly stopped as well. He looked over to Calen who stopped his training long enough to look back to the others with a smirk. "You know, it might be fun to watch your commander prance around with his little sword. There's supposed to be sporting events there too right? Maybe I'll show up... if I get bored."
The three cadets looked to eachother before looking back to Calen, and to themselves again.
"Well, that doesn't sound ominous at ALL." joked Roan as he watched Calen walk out of the room before them.
Now...
Roan, Adelheid, and Bregor marched behind Commander Faolan, keeping in step as they had practiced (over and over... and over again) throughout the week. They didn't have to hide their emotion behind stern, disciplined scowels because they all had the same sense of forboding about them. They expected Calen to ruin everyone's good time some how. They just didn't know how. Or what the consequences might be.
After the events of the Festival of Hearts, Calen's demotion left a bad taste in everyone's mouths, and simply seeing him made them all nervous. What's worse is none of them knew whether it was all intentional or if Calen simply didn't care that his motivations rubbed others the wrong way. And it seemed Roan was the only one who cared to find out. Throughout the months that passed Roan was the only one who reached out to Calen in hopes of befriending him. Unfortunately the most he could manage was to become his personal sparring partner. Roan found that by keeping up with him in combat, he could exhaust his violent tendencies. Still, it felt awkward to the young cadet. That he would take up the title as babysitter for a grown man who didn't seem to know how to contain his emotions.
As they marched Roan peaked around to his left and right periphery, making sure that his head never actually turned. Through the corner of his left eye he noticed that cadet Blackmoore was arriving late. He hoped the commander didn't see her come in that way, lest she get chewed out later. The hulking foreigner Ross was nearby as well. He had helped make sure their uniforms were in tip-top shape, which made Roan feel a bit awkward. He was sure that as an adult he could dress himself, and it reminded him of times when the widower who ran the orphanage used to straighten his clothes for school. She'd lick her thumb and rub the grime from his cheeks, or brush his hair for him, all before placing a kiss on his forehead and assuring him that "there's my special little man!"
The fact that Roan was disappointed he didn't get a forehead kiss and a compliment after having his clothing adjusted by Ross made him legitimately sad. And then legitimately creeped out that he would even be thinking of that. His wierd grimace halted when he noticed Adel attempting to gain his attention.
"Psst! Hey! Look to your right Ro! See over there? See the dark haired angel bein' jostled by all those groupies on that bench?"
Roan looked to Adelheid with a sort of "stop drawing attention to us before you get us in trouble!" glare, but figured obeying his instructions would help them get back to position faster. He turned to where Adelheid was referring to and saw who he was mentioning. It was her. The girl from the picture. Adelheid's little sister.
"...ohhhhhh..."
Roan stopped dead in his tracks as his vision closed in on the young girl and... for lack of a better word, got stuck. He was shaken awake when one of the soldiers behind him bumped him and forced him to march forward, almost stumbling into commander Faolan.
"Well don't break yer neck starin', sheesh!" barked Adel, surprised that little timid Roan was looking at his entirely-too-young, entirely-too-innocent little sister for an entirely-too-long time. In his eyes Roan wasn't a bad guy. It's just that no man alive was good enough for his little sister. And if there was one, he wouldn't be a lilly-livered pantywaist like Roan. And there definitely would'nt be a five year gap between them. "Eye's front, Everette!" snapped Adel, lowering his voice mid warning after realizing that Bregor could hear their entire exchange.
"HEY! Don't make me come over there!" grumbled Bregor, never looking away from his straight-ahead focused marching formation. Roan snuck one last glimpse and, as he did so, noticed that there seemed to be someone watching the girl just as vehemently as he was, though her glare seemed to have malicious intent behind it. Still, too frightened to stare any longer at either of them, Roan swallowed hard and turned his gaze straight ahead while continuing to march. Adelheid did the same.
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