[center][color=007fff][b][u]Azura[/u][/b][/color] Level 1 Day 3 Location: 26th Floor of Tetris Castle, the Reception Hall [b]Experience: [color=black]||||||||||[/color] (0/10)[/b] Word Count: 1063[/center] The look given to Azura in response from the President did not please her, but neither did it phase her. A brusque attitude was, after all, the only form of rebellion one could have against someone in a place of authority. His eyes and face made it clear, furthermore, that after embarrassing both himself and then shamelessly demonstrating equal parts immaturity and unsuitability for leadership, he expected his new underlings to lap it up. [i]Such damning conceit.[/i] Through eyes half-closed out of indifference, Azura turned her attention to her remaining allies in turn. She regretted failing to understand much of what the strange young man, who gave his name as Vent, had to say. In a refreshing turn of self-awareness, however, he did say that he expected as much. Even with his strange physiology, Azura could figure out that he felt almost as annoyed by their supposed superior's antics as she did, but in contrast he behaved more chipper and obliging. [i]Maybe that is the attitude to have,[/i] Azura considered. [i]It's possible that the Boss is acting the way he is in order to get a rise out of us. If that's the case, I'm giving him exactly what he wants by reacting poorly.[/i] She resolved to pick up cues from the remaining members. Out of the remaining two, the more sizable machine spoke up next. Though her materials and make were unknown to her, Azura recognized Piper as an inorganic construct, not too dissimilar from some of the golems that could be found in her own world. This one, however, proved herself possessed of intelligence practically indistinguishable from a human's, so the songstress resolved to treat her as such. Right after Piper, the unknown soldier introduced himself. He gave a salute, which Azura dismissed as a formality wasted on the Boss, before describing both himself and his world of origin. Though once again Azura found herself irked that some of his terminology escaped her, he gave out every impression of being a capable and competent soldier. For a moment she stared at his equipment, watching him handle its small parts, before coming to a conclusion. As appropriate as it might be for the Boss, her silence and lack of cooperation were rude -even tactically unsound- to these other comrades. Taking a breath of the chilly air, she prepared to speak. Not unlike her lance, the words of the Boss cut over her attempt at introduction, and for a moment Azura appeared paralyzed by the name assigned to her by him. [i]Spear...babe?[/i] A pet name suitable for a tavern wench. She pursed her lips. [i]Since I didn't introduce myself, I suppose its to be expected. If...he is lascivious, I will have to speak to whoever delegates these assignments.[/i] A sigh escaped her. [i]If we survive with him at the helm.[/i] What followed was a strange series of events: a fellow Azura guessed was a local approached, his stance indicating no violent intent, before fleeing with a shriek at the sight of Piper. From beneath furrowed brows, her yellow eyes watched him sprint back toward the nearby encampment. [i]How out of character for a warrior. Could these 'steel gods' be so intimidating? He must have mistaken Piper for one such enemy. Perhaps that gives us an idea as to what our enemy is like.[/i] Her reflection fell by the wayside as the familiar sound of feet on the move met her ears. Refocusing in the direction that the scout retreated in, she spotted a troop of fighters headed her way. It didn't take a genius to guess their intent. The Boss suggested fighting them, but that struck her as a hot-blooded and asinine solution. These people were supposed to be, from what she understood, allies or at least contacts. Any sort of conflict between them would lead to nothing but problems: strained relations, casualties, foes taking them by surprise or making advances during the infighting. Azura sensed that her time had come; an opportunity lay to take out three birds with one stone. Ignoring the Boss's quibbling about team names, she stepped forward in front of the rest of the group. The Stormcloaks were still far enough to give her a brief moment to do what she needed, and Azura did not intend to waste it. Holding her lance horizontally against her thighs, she bowed in the soldiers' direction, and called out. [color=007fff]“I am Azura, from the kingdom of...”[/color] There came the briefest pause. [color=007fff]“Hoshido.”[/color] She straightened up, and dropped the Blessed Lance in the snow. The Stormcloaks were getting closer, not yet convinced. [color=007fff]”We wish to parley with your leader. There is no need for violence, or fear. This is for you: a token of peace.”[/color] [i]This is the moment.[/i] She cleared her throat, and began to sing. Her soft voice rang with astonishing clarity through the frigid air, rolling across the snow like the first sunbeams of a brand new day. For a couple seconds she sang without words, but carefully-chosen lyrics began just after. [color=007fff][i]“In endless dreams, countless realms collide Hope falls only to rise like the changing tide But all dreams come to an end, A light lost to time, just whispers on the wind.”[/i][/color] Beneath her heavy winter clothing, her pendant glimmered. Her song soothed the mind of all who heard it, calming the urge to fight and allowing stress and fatigue to slip away. It did not force compliance, like a siren's song, but rather invited serenity and appreciation. If it ensnared the eye and enchanted the mind, it was because her performance possessed true beauty and grace, not because of some sinister magic. When she finished, Azura could not help but to gasp at the sting of pain in her heart that followed. It clawed at her from deep within, a brief but acute attack on her soul. She knew its origin, but could never speak of it. Once the moment passed, she opened her eyes to stare out at the soldiers with a gently sorrowful face. Every warrior in their camp must have heard her song, but if it did not quell the fighting spirit of those just in front of her, she could not be assured of her own survival, much less the success of her mission. This was a test—to see if the outpouring of her heart held true in this world as much as it did her own.