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
The blue haired girl peered around Stephen's room, noting the amount of books and lumps of cat fur dotted around the place. "Clearly the maid doesn't come in 'ere." she snickered as she stepped in through the window and into the inner sanctum. She could have just come in through the front door, but then she'd have to contend with Charles, who would be his loud boistrous self and ruin the surprise. Since she and him were trying the relationship thing out, they hadn't actually done much on that front... too many times they'd been caught up in the businesses of their respective guilds... and so the thief decided to rectify the situation.
By picking the lock on his bedroom window and sneaking into his room.
Ikuze looked around before spotting the man himself asleep in his chair at a desk strewn with papers. She casually walked over to them, holding a finger to her lips at the small kittens lurking nearby as she peered over his shoulder to the work he'd been doing. Then she decided to have a little fun with him. Slowly she checked for any nearby weapons, knowing all too well what a sudden surprise could do to someone who was armed. Satisfied there was nothing pointy he could accidentally kill her with, she took up a position sitting on the desk, right on top of his work, and then poked at him with her boot... and just to really screw with him, she meowed as well.
Post by Stephen Leland on Sept 7, 2015 21:13:59 GMT
It had been a long and tiring week for the noble: Due to some complications with the guild and his father's maddening antics, he had been unable to sleep for two nights in a row. So it was no surprise that he had passed out while working at his desk. Unfortunately he was suffering from a very unpleasant nightmare at the moment, one of the many prices he had to pay for being an assassin. So the slight nudge from Ikuze's foot caused his tired mind to kick into defense mode.
Jerking awake, he jumped away from his desk, knocking the chair back with a clatter as he got into a fighting position, expecting the murderer in his dreams to be his attacker rather than a small woman. The assortment of cats were just as startled from their owners reaction as he had been, causing one of two of them to hiss and another to scamper under his bed. When he saw Ikuze setting on his desk with an amused look on her face he glowered, dropping his stance instantly. "Queens Ikuze what are you doing? I could have hurt you," he snapped, fatigue and nervous energy showing on his face as he reached up to rub at it while nudging his chair back onto it's feet with his foot.
Wait a minute... this was his room. She was in his room. Why was she in his room?! He dropped his arm to his side to stare at her with a suspicious frown, "How did you get in here?"
The blue haired thief chuckled at his reaction. "Maybe, maybe not." she admitted with a shrug as she stayed put right where she was on his desk. "Thought I'd pay a visit, without Daddy being the one to wake you up." she said, pointing downwards as if to indicate the larger patriarch. When he got around to asking how she got in here, she casually pointed to the window. "How any good kitty or burglar gets into places they aren't supposed to." said Ikuze, her smile still plastered on her face. This was the part of their relationship she adored the most... his reactions. It just wasn't as much fun to tease someone who didn't react in the right ways... like that Lasair bugger from earlier.
One of the cats decided to plop itself near her, and her fingers began to gently make their way through their fur. "You really need to relax... you are waaaay too on edge." said the blue haired intruder as she looked at the man. He did look way too tired for his own good. "Someone in your line of work can't be on too much of an edge... otherwise they're likely to make a mistake..." said Ikuze, trying to figure out a way to sort of make up for her little intrusion to his rest. She tapped her chin in thought before sighing and looking around the room. "Right, take off your shirt and get on your bed. I know a trick or two that should help ye to unwind and de-stress." she said, eyes widening a moment later at what the man's mind could be inferring. "On, not in. I ain't doing... that, if that's what you were thinkin'!" she quickly explained before covering her face in her free palm, her other hand still stroking the kitty that had claimed it.
"Just... lie on your stomach on your bed alright? A couple of the girls showed me this massage thing, and it seems to do the trick whenever their... "guests" needed some relieving without paying for the full service." the thief explained to the assassin before pointing towards his bed. "Now, move, before your dear daddy gets up here to investigate the noise ye made from your chair falling over and gets entirely the wrong idea." she half-ordered.
Post by Stephen Leland on Sept 10, 2015 5:35:06 GMT
"Ah, how foolish of me. The window, of course - because that is what most normal people do when they wish to visit others in their own home," his voice dripped of sarcasm as he stretched, rolling his neck gently so as not to pull a muscle. He walked over to his bed then knelt down to look underneath it to coax the frightened cat out. "I think it best we not mention anything about my line of work," he warned, flicking his eye over to give Ikuze a serious look before turning it back to see the small tabby emerge and crawl into his waiting hands. This house had ears : anything said about his line of work would be detrimental because his father would find out about it - do not ask how, the man had ways. An uneasy feeling settled in his stomach due to her presence. There were some things he needed to tell her and to be honest he was not sure he was in the best mental state to do so.
Her next request caught him completely off guard. His reaction must have been quiet comical to watch: he visibly twitched then slowly turned to gawk at her, shock written all over his features as a blush light his face, "I beg your pardon?!" The cat in his arms was held up between them as if he was trying to shield himself from the unconventional woman sitting on his desk. God give him strength, this was too much to think about with barely one hour of sleep in his system. With an agitated huff he set his cat down, stood up then stomped over to his bedroom door. Ripping it open he jabbed a finger in the direction of the hall, a frustrated frown on his blushing face, "Out. Out of my room. Right now. We are going for a walk."
"When did I ever claim to be normal. Plus, if I'd come through the front door, your dad would most certainly have woken up... and come on, him seeing me dressed like this," she said to indicate her current lack of what high society would deem proper for a lady attire, "coming to see you, neither of us would know any piece." said the thief with a smirk. "I'm just saying, an heir to whatever business it is your father does, has to let himself relax now and then." Ikuze said, in order to cover herself, before she tilted her head and thought for a moment. "...Come to think of it, what exactly does your father do?" she asked him, even as he grew flustered with her earlier suggestion, using the kitten as a shield.
When he ripped open his door she sighed and got up. "Alright. Guessing I should've poked you later then..." she said, the cat she'd been stroking mewling in frustration at the strokings having stopped. "We'll be back later little kitty okay? Your daddy just wants a word in private." said the blue haired thief, tickling the cats nose to console it before she stepped into the hallway. "So... what's up then? If it's the window thing, there is that whole Martial Law curfew thing in effect... front doors aren't exactly the sneakiest way to get around a curfew." said Ikuze.
Post by Stephen Leland on Sept 22, 2015 19:41:42 GMT
"The best description of my father's work is that he is a landlord. He owns a great deal of land in my hometown and manages it out here," he replied hesitantly, clicking the door shut. Turning he gave Ikuze a small frown then gestured for her to follow him down the hallway, heading for the stairs that lead to the main floor, "No, what I wish to speak about does not pertain to your peculiar comings and goings - thought I do ask that you refrain from climbing in from my window. I do not particularly like people being in my room..." Reaching the entrance hall he walked over to the front door and held it open for her. If she truly did not wish to be caught by his father or any of the staff it would be for the best that they continue their conversation outside of his home. It was also getting moderately late in the day so he should walk her home before curfew kicked in.
"Wouldn't it be easier to landlord where the land is? Not that I'm complaining mind you..." she said as she followed Stephen through his house. She gave a slight chuckle at his room comment. "Consider it practice for later. It'd look a little weird later on if we didn't share a room once this is all wrapped up. The scandal." the thief teased, although she did roll her eyes at her own commentary. Knowing the morons that were the nobility, they probably would think it was a scandal. She gave a little curtsey as he held the door open for her and she stepped outside, waiting for him to follow suit. "So, streets or roof?" asked the blue haired girl, as she waited for him.
Post by Stephen Leland on Sept 22, 2015 20:53:36 GMT
The noble just shrugged, knowing a few reasons as to why they did not live in Brisol anymore and it was not information that he wished to share. Going outside he shut the door behind them quietly then turned and headed down his driveway to the main street. "I prefer the streets. It would be unseemly to be hopping about on a roof," he sighed, knowing all to well that his decision to stay off of the rooftops had nothing to do with his reputation.
"So, Edelweiss talked to me the other day. She said something about you upsetting an important member of the Magicae Incolentium. Care to explain?" Edelweiss had told him to chat with her about this but he also wanted to hear her story as well, to get the facts straight. It was a shame that he did not have the time to ask Lasair about his side either.
The blue haired thief shrugged. "Suit yourself. Prefer the rooftops to be honest... the rush as the wind goes through your hair as you run, nobody to get in your way, an entire world above the streets." she wistfully described before shrugging once more. "Maybe next time I'm on an exercise, I'll drag your butt along." Ikuze offered her fiance, as they walked down the street. Then came his mention of Edelweiss and almost immediately she knew what he was going to talk to her about. She sighed and rubbed her face. "Yeah... not exactly my most shining moment." she said, heading for an alleyway so they could have a little privacy from any patrols or wandering eyes.
Ikuze leaned against the wall, crossing her arms across her chest. "You know how I grew up right? Mum was a doxie, I was a doxies brat, raised in the brothel till I was... must have been eight or something." she began to explain, holding up a hand. "I've got a point." said the thief before she continued. "Anyway, there I was, eight years old, and the brothel mistress decided she could earn a few more bob from me... had a client all lined up who enjoyed "feeling young again" as they say. I still remember the smile on his face as he looked at me..." she said, spitting a wad into the alleyway, her arms drawing tighter around her. "I was as much a brat then as I am now... bit the cleaver on the hand since she'd been holding my shoulder, and then ran for it. Small skinny kid, big lumpy woman and client... lotsa places to sneak and squeeze into." said Ikuze with a slight smirk on her face before it left her. "But, I never forgot what almost happened... I'd seen it before with other doxie kids... nobody gives a drat, especially if the kid in question's got "dirty blood" in them." the thief said before she ran a hand through her hair, the pin that Stephen had given her on their former wedding day gleaming in the half-light, before returning her hand to her earlier crossed position.
"So, there I was... at Edel's place, teaching the kids how to sing and stuff... when this man I'd never seen before comes walking up to them with this big grin on his face..." said Ikuze before she sighed. "In hindsight I should've figured that your boss wouldn't let anyone like that near them... but..." she said before shaking her head a little. "You don't survive on the streets without being a little paranoid, especially when you're a doxies kid with dirty blood having to fend for yourself. Kinda stick out like a sore thumb." said the thief as she pointed to her azure hair. She gave a little snort. "Figured that I'd give the bugger a test of sorts, see if he'd play along or not... that'd be the magic bit your boss told you about that I used on him. Obviously he didn't take that too well. Gave me this drat speech about using magic responsibly..." she said before slamming a hand into the wall.
"The hell does he know anyway huh? Bastard probably never had to use his magic to survive day in and day out... Responsible mah arse tha' slimy red headed bastard. An' Ah bet that's where that damned bloody cold came from as well. An' the bastard called ME irresponsible?" she snarled before she caught herself and took in a slow breath. "Could at least have kept his head around the children the arsehole. Bit he was pissed at me for using a freezing spell to keep the ice-cream from melting that I tried to apologise later on with... Needs that stick pulled out from his arse, and smacked upside his head..." she grumbled before sighing and looking at Stephen, waiting for his response.
Post by Stephen Leland on Sept 23, 2015 4:44:53 GMT
An alleyway was not exactly a place he cared to chat in but he followed her anyways, standing a few feet away from her. How she started her explanation surprised him, causing him to raise his eyebrows a little, questioning how this was relevant but he stayed quiet and let her go on. Her tale was not a happy one and he felt sympathetic for her past, not even beginning to fathom how difficult it must have been. He almost felt lucky - no... not lucky, just privileged. It dawned on him that he would never be able to understand her upbringing, just as she would never understand his. Something flashed in her hair, catching his eye as he glanced up to see a small hairpin - the very hair pin he gave her. He felt sick at heart seeing that ornament in her hair because of the memories it invoked. The uncomfortable feeling stayed as he listened to her calm explanation turn into a rant.
"Ikuze... I am aware of your toilsome past and I can understand your hesitation in situations like that. Yet your behavior in that situation and even now is nothing short of puerile. Who are you to test someone like that. You tried to make him act a fool in front of all those children. How is that a cautionary action to test if his intentions are pure when you are suspicious of him? Would children not be drawn to someone who acts a fool? Your reasoning does not match with you actions," he replied in an even voice, trying not to let the disappointment he felt seep into his tone.
Shaking his head, he then carried on, "Ikuze, I am not sure what you know about Lasair but he is a member of Magicae Incolentium and they are nothing short of expects in the field of magic. If he warns you that you are abusing your magic, you probably should take heed to his words. Do not let your pride get in the way, as many of us so often do. Deceit is a terrifying thing when misused and honestly I do not feel comfortable with the fact that you used your deceit in that way." What if she tried to do the same thing to him - no, had she already tried to do something like this to him already? Nothing scared him more than losing control of himself due to another's manipulations. Hearing that she had used her magic to mess with someone
He stopped and then looked at her - truly looked at her - and realized that she was not the person that he had once thought she was. He thought he had known so much about her and yet here he stood, having not the slightest clue as to who she was. Suddenly, he became very nervous of her company and that pin in her hair pushed him over the edge.
"It was a pique of the moment, I wasn't thinking clearly..." said Ikuze as she sighed, hearing his disappointment. "Yeah, I figured that out after the stunt... honestly, the guy should have opened with that instead of big grin... and hey, I'll use my magic if it means protecting someone... even if it turns out that those people didn't need protecting in the first place." the blue haired thief admitted. She heard him speak about letting her pride get in her way and she sighed. "Sometimes my pride is all I've got that's mine. Would've been much easier to survive by just using my body like they wanted... but I didn't... How can I just throw it aside after so many years?" she genuinely asked him, trying to figure out how to go on from here.
It was then that he asked for the pin back. She blinked and pulled it slowly from her hair, looking at it. "For the record... I've only used it on you once, and that was back when you and Danny were together... that dinner you shared. If that's what you were afraid of. All I do is plant suggestions... I can't make them happen." she said, offering the pin back to him, her eyes slowly watering as she imagined what this single act from him and her meant. He had given this to her on their wedding day, along with that stupid note... the idea that someone had genuinely grown to love her... and now here they were.
"I am, what I am..." said Ikuze after a moment's silence. "A doxies daughter trying to survive, a black haired girl playing music at the Gears, a blue haired thief in charge of the Brotherhood, a nobleman's grand-daughter trying to not spill blood, and I thought... for a while..." she trailed off softly, the tears falling from her eyes as she gave him back the pin and slumped down the wall. "I hate this... I hate feeling like this... Who am I meant to be? What am I meant to be?" the distraught thief asked of the air, half expecting Stephen to have left her by now, for in her mind he'd made himself clear... She ran a hand over her eyes, looking at the water on her fingers. "Is this it? Is this what I was meant to feel back then at the altar? I remember laughing... but not why..." the thief noble said to herself as she sat there in the alleyway, the skies slowly opening up and mingling their rains with her own tears. "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players... wish someone had given me my script if that's the case." she said as she let the rains form around her.
"...One mistake... one mistake and everything's shattered... now he hates me and doesn't want me anymore..." the thief said. "Why should he? Grandfather only wants me because I'm his only blood left... father never wanted me, whoever they are... why should he be any different?" she asked of nobody and everybody, before slamming the back of her head against the wall. "I'm such an idiot! Everything's fraked up... everything's fraked up... and it's all my fault..." she cried once more, burying her head into her knees and sobbing, not caring for the rain that poured down and around her.
Post by Stephen Leland on Sept 24, 2015 4:49:29 GMT
The noble took the pin and gripped it tightly in his hand, recalling how many times she had taken his wallet before. Standing there, he listened until he realized what she was doing. This was cruel; she was trying to make him pity her enough not to leave her. Why would she do something like that? A relationship built on pity was never one worth keeping. He closed his heart to her then, listening but not really hearing what she was saying. It started to rain then, momentarily drawing his attention away from the distraught woman in front of him as he turned to look at the sky. Funny, it looked fine a moment ago but he was not complaining.
Reaching up, the noble put his hand over a sore spot on his neck as he worked on his response, "I do not hate you, and I never have. I simply do not like you in a romantic way. Be honest, any chance our relationship could have had ended the moment I left you at the alter - no, the moment our marriage was arranged. It was never just a simple mistake on your part and you are not completely the one to blame. Being together is awkward; our personalities conflict too much that we end up not understanding one another. I do not enjoy that and neither should you." The proper thing would be to offer his jacket and handkerchief but they were both damp from the rain so they were useless.
After a moment's pause he sighed, anger flickering across his originally blank face. Striding forward he reached down, grabbed her arm, and gently pulled the azure haired woman to her feet, moving her away from the wall. "Stop that, if you keep that up you will hurt yourself and that is never acceptable," he said in a firm voice, anger seeping into it. "I am taking you home," he stated, his features reverting to a softer look as he lead her out of the alleyway, "I refuse to abandon you like this."
She didn't hear his words, lost and trapped within her own mind she couldn't hear anything beyond the drumbeat of the rain cascading down across her world. When she felt something grab her arm, she tried to wrest herself free as she was pulled to her feet. "Gerroff me." she snarled, her free hand immediately going for the shard of mirrored glass she still kept on her even to this day, before she blinked and saw who it was. "S-Stephen?" the blue haired thief asked. "I... I th-thought y-you'd... I thought you'd a-already..." she stammered before her face turned crimson, especially under the words she spoke to him. "...Y-You heard all that?" the thief asked the nobleman as he began to lead her out of the alleyway... Before she pulled her arm free. "If... if this is our last goodbye in a sense... then..." said Ikuze as she made her way towards a ladder. "Then let me at least show you my world." she asked, holding out her hand towards him before then beginning to climb the ladder up to the rooftops.