Crimson Raven

Phoenix Wing (A Fairy Tail RP-Always Open, Open)

Ferrin Astra

Tenrou Team

_{@MarshiestMallow}

As if to punctuate his words, the ground began to shake violently. Ferrin reacted instinctively, sucking in aether, enhancing his body for a burst of balance and crouching to lower his center of gravity. He managed to remain upright as the quake subsided, but even as it did, a massive, frightening bestial roar blasted over the magus. His own cry of pain because of his enhanced hearing was lost in the deafening sound as it continued for a sadistically long time. Every muscle in Ferrin's body clenched as the noise flooded his head. Shiden, summoned on reflex, fell into his hand. He tried to concentrate to cast a silence spell but his head felt like someone had put in a vise and it was slowly being squeezed. After several dozen painful seconds, he managed to claw together some semblance of coherent thought. Gasping, he sounded out the spell. The roar cut off. Blessed Silence. Well, not exactly. The noise was still there, but it was muffled greatly. Sagging a bit, he groaned and pressed a finger to his temple. He could feel a migraine coming on. He really had to work on that particular flaw of enhancing himself with aether. Sometimes the enhanced senses that came with it were useful, other times, like this, it was a real pain or even a danger.

Out of the corner of his eye he watched Sasha equip a very intimidating suit of ice armor, complete with a spear. Her magic to him was a winter's breeze: a crisp, clear, gust of air that left a biting chill in it's wake. He forced himself to relaxed as he watched everyone's reactions to judge when he could drop the spell.

Eventually it seemed to fade. As it did, Ferrin let the spell around him cease. Not one to let a good tense moment go to waste, he turned to the previously ignored Time Lord and said "Empty Night. Timmy, feed yourself." with a completely straight face.

Sasha spoke as the roar's echos died. "I do not think anyone can plan for this… I don’t know what we are to expect. But I think it’s safe to say, we ought not dally. I think we should stay together, but… if you have any ideas, I’d be open to them.”

Ferrin nodded, looking thoughtful with his metal hand on his chin as the wheels in his mind immediately started turning. His mind went back to his time in the Second Trade War and Mavis's teachings. He wished she was here right now, she had a knack for these things. Where she here, what would Mavis do? He asked himself.

"Well." He started slowly. "The first rule of warfare is 'Know thy enemy'. In this case, we need to figure out what is here, what it is capable of, and what is going on. Also, I think it would be reasonable to move with as much haste as possible. Whatever is going on we need to shut it down immediately." He started pacing, five steps, turn, five more, turn, repeat. "Scouts. when one want to know what their enemy is up to, send out scouts. We could send out wizards with skills and magics for moving without being seen, each with a communication lacrima connected to one here. They fan out to comb the entire island, which isn't too big all things considered. The rest of us can set up a base of sorts while we wait for their reports. But, doing this would take time and those scouts will be at extreme risk if they get into trouble while the majority of our force would be safe just in case we go from the hunters to the hunted. We could set some kind of pre-arranged signal if they do need help. Something like..."

Ferrin lapsed and stopped pacing as he dug around in his pockets. He cursed as came up with only three cylinders trailing string. "Damn, I thought I had more." He held one up. "Something like a firework, should they not have the magic to replicate one in some form." He sighed. "But I only have three left so...there goes that idea. We will have to work on that."

He gathered his thoughts again before launching into he second idea. "Another option is to split all of us into teams of three to five, based on skills and strengths, each with a communication lacrima paired with one back here. These numbers would ideally allow us to cover a lot of ground, while still packing enough power to get out of a dangerous situation and numbers enough to look out for each other. One team would stay here to facilitate communication and direct everyone's movements. Each team would need at least a 'combat' wizard, a 'scout' wizard, and a 'support' wizard. The scout would be in charge of, well, scouting. Their job is to find anything of interest and keep an eye out for danger. The support wizard would be the center of the team: they hold the lacrima and stay out of danger at all costs, thus playing a 'support' role. Finally, the combat wizard's job is self-explanatory. Their job to keep everyone safe and enemies unsafe. These need to be wizards with great power and combat experience. I would consider myself an example of one. Depending on how numbers and skills turn out, we may have overlap in these roles, which is fine, even ideal. Redundancy is good. Should one team get in deep trouble, the team back here can direct the closest teams to back them up. However, a pre-arranged signal, like a firework, would not be amiss, should they be unable to contact the base. This gives us the most flexibility, while covering the most ground and still keeping everyone relatively safe."

Ferrin took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Our third option would be to travel as one large group, with a few scouts. This would give us the advantage of numbers should we attack or be attacked. This is the safest option, but also the slowest and least subtle. Anyone within half a mile would hear us crashing through the woods. We would have a few wizards as scouts so that we don't walk into an ambush or get some warning in case of any other danger."

Ferrin stopped and spun on a heel to face Sasha and Patrick once again. "I would advise toward the second. but each option has its own pros and cons. As the leader, the decision on which path we take is up to you dear girl."

As he fell silent, he questioned himself. Did he consider every option? Was there a better way? Was there some detail he missed? But he shoved his doubts aside and forced himself to project an air of supreme confidence.

Heroes of Beacon - the Next Chapter

⚙️ Ferris Grey Solidor
Combat Retcon ⚙️

_{@Eklispe, @Suku, @SevenStormStyle}

Things were suddenly moving quickly. At this point, Ferris was simply taking the sudden re-reorganization of teams in stride, giving up trying to figure it out. Although if he was being honest with himself, he was disappointed at no longer having the leadership role. But, so it goes. He was sure somebody knew what they were doing in all this. His disappointment was completely overshadowed by his excitement at being back out in the field. This was what he trained for, this is where he belonged, not trapped in some stuffy room playing schoolboy.

He watched his new teammates as they stepped out of the airship. They had barely had time to exchange names (which he had promptly forgotten oh well) before being bundled out on a mission. Knowing the capabilities, if not the names, of those around him was something Ferris prided himself on, and not knowing theirs's was not only frustrating but could prove fatal. Of course he had basic info on his scroll, provided by Beacon, but there was only so much a few short paragraphs could explain. He needed to know more-- how they acted, how they thought. Were they impulsive? Cautious? Short-tempered? Did they trust easily? Were they suspicious? Analytical like him? Unsystematic? Most importantly he needed to know their skill with their auras. A powerful aura was wasted on one that didn't utilize it properly, and vis versa, a weak or limited aura could be used to great effect if properly understood.

Although, dangerous situations do tend to be good learning environments. Should one survive the lessons. He thought with grim humour. For sure, he would be carefully observing his teammates.

He strode out following them with his hands clasped behind his back, then stood with the same posture, but at attention, as Mr. Doesn't-do-Well-With-Formalities gave them the details, such as they were, of the mission. They were quite simple: Seek and Destroy. The best kind. Ferris took the warning to be on the look out for Grim to heart. He reached back and drew Damocles in gun-form from it's holster under his coat, treating it with the respect it was due. Having it in his hand and ready could save precious seconds, and it's familiar weight and feel was comforting. He kept his eyes scanning the trees for any threats. Meanwhile, he tilted his head toward to the blonde who had spoken. "What do you mean 'hook us up?'" He asked.

Fire Emblem: A Blinding Light

Kara

Chapter 1 - In Times of Need

@Lmpkio, @PlatinumSkink

Kara woke not long before they landed. Hevel felt her shift as she sat up and glanced around. Consciousness came back to her in a rush as she remembered the strange series of events that lead her here. She surreptitiously wiped a smear of undignified drool from the corner of her mouth and glared at Hevel's back as if checking to make sure he hadn't seen anything. But a soft growl from her stomach reminded her that she hadn't eaten since before that scuffle...a few hours ago? It felt like it had been longer.

Eventually the small group landed within sight of the keep to eat, drink, and refresh before stealthily making their way closer. And now here they were, peaking over the imposing wall that surrounded the keep and discussing their next move. She made a sound of disgust at Servus' immediate urge to fight. "I say we sit tight and wait. That is an army down there, if you haven't noticed and one that I don't particularly feel like tangling with at the moment." She winged down to the base of the wall, then folded her wings a sat with her back pressed against it, her tail curling around her feet. "My only objective is to see to the Fire Emblem's, and by extension, the world's safety. What do I care if humans are having another one of their wars? It will pass as all wars do." Her gaze grew distant as she spoke, her words a reminder that despite her looks, she was far older then any of them and not even slightly human. She pressed a hand to the ground. "I sense...the Emblem is underground, probably in a tunnel of some kind and moving fast. I shall wait here and follow where it goes. Whomever is carrying it will most likely head above ground eventually, or at the very least, lead me to a passage down." She said. "Until then, I wait. Feel free to go kill yourself fighting if you you wish." She said dismissively, trying to convince herself that she didn't care.

Phoenix Wing (A Fairy Tail RP-Always Open, Open)

Ferrin Astra

Tenrou Team

_{@MarshiestMallow}

Something was wrong. Something was definitely wrong. Before Ferrin even hit the shore, he felt the island's power. It was in turmoil, rolling, twisting, and turning. Fighting. But against what? He also felt something like anguish, mixed with a malevolent, pulsating energy that reminded Ferrin of oozing, festering, maggot-ridden flesh. He felt like he could smell it, see it, even taste it. He blanched and put up his mental blocks to dampen his naturally acute senses while fighting to keep his stomach under control.

The phantom sensations weren't real; none of what he was sensing was literal, he reminded himself. It was how his mind was interpreting the information it received through his magical senses, just like his physical ones. He hadn't noticed it earlier because he had been too wrapped up in his own thoughts, but coming closer it hit him like a slap to the face.

He hesitated on the water, taking deep breaths. He could do this, he had dealt with his magical sensitivity for a lifetime. He carefully lowered his blocks, like peaking through closed eyelids.

It came again, but he was ready for it and steadied himself. The island itself was powerful. It radiated light and life, but mixed in was something else, a dark energy. It felt twisted, corrupted, and horribly wrong. Ferrin couldn't tell if it was part of the island's own anima or something else entirely. Never the less, something was wrong here.

It would appear that the girl's premonitions had some basis. The island's very anima loci is wounded. Not to forget that dark energy.

He put up his barriers once more and forged forward against the pervasive wrongness, each step growing harder then the last until suddenly, it was gone. He stumbled forward at the sudden absence, taking his first steps on the shady shore.

He was standing on Tenrou at last. Hesitantly, he reached out. He still felt the dark power, but it seemed to be held at bay for now.

Suddenly, the island's anima swept up against him and washed over him in a nearly physical wave. Ferrin reflexively shielded himself, but then he caught his breath in awe. He wasn't standing on the shore anymore. He was in a clearing the base of the tree, facing a hollow in the trunk and surrounded by jungle. Little pin-picks of light, like fireflies, flit about. They swirled, gathering and danced around him, laughing. Finally. They seemed to say in a discordant chorus. A lost Fairy has returned. He saw some detach out the the corner of his eye and he watched them float down to land where his guildmark was hidden. Ferrin gasped as his suddenly felt his guildmark pulse, sending waves of magic through his body. Then the lights scattered with phantom giggles.

And the feeling was gone. Ferrin was back at the shore, feeling like he just awoke from a dream. What was...? Did that...actually happen?

Disturbed, he wandered around a bit, searching for that strange sensation again. Failing to find anything, he did a more physical search of the edge of the tree line, approximately where he felt that sensation of being watching seeming from. His search turned up nothing. He never was a terribly good at woodcraft and hunting anyway. He stood from where he had knelt and brushed himself off. Time to go back to the others. He decided. He turned to walk away and then, he felt someone gently tug on his sleeve. At the same time, something cold and wet brushed the back of his neck.

Fortunately no one was around. Otherwise his brave, manly image would have been quite ruined by the decidedly unmanly, frightened yelp that certainty did not come from him. He leaped away in what certainly not an undignified scramble and called fire to his hand.

The firelight revealed a large bramble bush.

Ferrin stared for a beat. Then he started laughing. Hanging from his sleeve, caught in the folds, but not the enchanted material itself, was an arm of the bramble bush. Hung over where was crouched were some low-hanging branches, dangling leaves. He chuckled at his tension, but who could blame him? All things considered, it was lucky he hadn't just incinerated everything around him. Still amused, he used his handy, pun supremely intended, metal Gauntlet to carefully disentangle the thorns. As he did so, he noticed something he missed: a black thread, caught on the same bush. It was small and blended with the shadows. He reached in and picked it from the vines. It took a few tries, but he managed to free it. He held it up against the weak light that filtered through the trees. It was plain, black, and unassuming. Nothing much else. He considered trying a thaumaturgical spell to track it's source. But he immediately shot it down. The thread was too small and fragile. He could easily burn it up if he charged it with too much magic. He was better at big kabooms then really delicate magic like that. Still, it might be useful later. He pulled a little wooden cube that he kept for just this purpose out of a pocket, and placed the thread inside. On the lid was carved a small rune. He placed a finger on it and muttered "Memoria." Picturing the thread as he did. The rune glowed softly, then faded. Now, if he simply touched the rune, it would remind him what it contained. He had dozens of the things, and he had to keep track of them somehow. They were meant to contain anything small that would be easily lost in his pockets, that he might need later, like that thread.

He didn't invent the spell, he had met the guy who designed it and convinced him to show Ferrin how it worked. Ferrin, however, didn't quite have the hang of it yet. The boxes had been made by that man. The best he could manage was activating them. He was currently trying to find a way to use them to remember names.

He stowed the box and picked his way back to shoreline, spotting S...(Oh. Sasha right), along with Time Lord (when did he show up?!) and a few other members getting out of their boat. He called out and strolled up to them. "You were right in coming here. It seems something valde malus is afoot." He said nodding to Sasha, deliberately ignoring Patrick. "So what now? You are the de facto leader of our merry little band of merry men, women, cats, and others. Do you have a plan or do we need to make one?" He asked.

Phoenix Wing (A Fairy Tail RP-Always Open, Open)

Ferrin Astra

Tenrou Team

_Pensive

Despite himself, he grinned a little at the young woman's exuberance as she and her cat flew after Sasha. It was a genuine grin of pure amusement. Something he had thought he had forgotten to do. Left alone at the ship's bow, Ferrin turned his gaze back to the island and leaned on the wooden railing of the ship. In truth, he didn't quite understand how he felt. His circumstances were so bizarre that the enormity of it eluded description. His emotions were a storm of things that he couldn't quite put a name to. He was nearly two centuries after his time, staring at the island that started the guild that took in a talented but incorrigible miscreant orphan like him, gave him a family, friends, somewhere to belong and turned him into someone he could be proud of. That very same guild had gone down in legend. The people he had known, talked with, laughed with, and fought with were famous the world over.

And all very much dead.

But yet...looking at the island, he didn't feel anything in particular. Should he? It was hot. The water was beautiful. The island looked like something out of a postcard. "Wish you where here!" it would say. He could see it now, he'd send it back to Ashe with some plants and flowers. She likes strange flora, especially flowers.

But he couldn't could he? He would never see her again.

He shook his head. No fatalistic thoughts. He would find a way back. That was one reason he was here.

He glanced back at the various member of the guild preparing, some with haste and others, like him, at their leisure. What reasons did they have for coming here? He knew that Sasha had her premonitions of danger, and while potential disasters were high on most people's priority list of things to stop, most people ran for cover instead of danger. So why were they here? The Dragonslayer had mentioned wanting to meet her dragon. But, obviously not all of them were dragonslayers. Like Ariel, the girl who had somehow his absorbed his magic. Thinking of anyone else holding his power made Ferrin feel uncomfortable. He had always felt that his magic was an important and inherent part of him. Aether magic had only ever been tamed by the Astra family, and even then only one in several generations inherited it. As far as he knew their bloodline were the only ones who could wield it. Even other mages who specialized in copying or stealing magic in one form or another couldn't master Aether, which essentially made him unique and he was perhaps a little too proud of that fact. So her sudden and inexplicable acquisition of it presented a mystery. He had spend several days thinking it over, and the most probable answer that occurred to him was that they were, possibly, distantly related.

Family. He could have blood family here. She could be something like his many greats grandnephew. Or well...

He winced. He drew in a shuddering breath and let it out slowly. He was not going to lose his composure here. But neither was he going to shy away from where that line of reasoning had taken him.

He--he had left behind his wife and an unborn child. In nearly two thousand years what had happened to them? They might have lived out their lives, gotten married, and had kids of their own. Did Ashelia resent his sudden disappearance? Did his child resent him for leaving? Did they wonder what happed? Did they ever try to find him?

Or did they forget about him. The man who vanished without a trace.

Stop. Tangent. He was on a tangent. Right. If Ariel was related to him by blood, would that change things? He unexpectedly felt a fierce surge of protectiveness. This mission may be dangerous, but if anyone were to harm her...

The wood railing cracked under his grip. Ibi erit Inferno reddere. There will be Hell to pay.

He lingered at the prow of the ship a little longer to compose himself. But as he was turning away, he thought he saw something out of the corner of his eye: movement on the island's shore. He turned back but saw nothing unusual. Trick of the eye? He wondered briefly. No, he trusted his instincts, and they were practically screaming that something was watching him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Acting casual, he turned his back and pulled his shaving mirror out of a pocket. He palmed it and held it out at waist height, careful to keep it in shadow so that the sun would not glare off it. He angled it until he was able to see the shore. He watched, tiling it back and forth but he saw nothing. The feeling quickly receded but it made Ferrin uneasy. It should be uninhabited, but someone or something is on that island. And they know we are here. Wonderful. He supposed it could have been an animal, but the gaze felt too purposeful. He pocketed the mirror and looked up. Due to his idling, he was one of the last of the wizards on board still. He glanced disdainfully at the boats and sighed. They were bloody wizards, why were they all piling into bits of floating wood to row a few hundred feet? He casually walked to the railing, and in a smooth motion, jumped overboard.

He cast a spell as he fell, landing in a crouch on the water's surface, which had abruptly solidified. He cocked his head and eyed the rowboats, noting Ariel. Keep my distance for now. He thought.

"I will walk, thanks." He proclaimed instead. He extended his Gauntlet over the water. "Aquae Solidum." In a surge of magic, the sea between him and the island suddenly became still as glass in a ruler-straight path a few feet wide. The unaffected water surged and eddied around it. "I will wait for you there." He tossed over his shoulder as he strode along at an unhurried pace.

Sure, he could have frozen the water, but this was much more impressive.

Fire Emblem: A Blinding Light

... Right, I'll get this rolling soon enough.

Eisenhorn has informed of personal problems and will be pulling out until further notice. I'll figure out what to do with Voss.

@PlatinumSkink

Aww :(

Fire Emblem: A Blinding Light

rolls around with nothing to do

Cloud Chasers | First Book: Casting Stones Upon the Glass Sky |[ Invite Only ]|

Amara Solidor

Around the ship, the storm raged. Inside the bowels of ship, the crew made merry. Raucous laughter in several echoed off the creaky wooded wall. The omni-present clank, smash and thump of mugs being placed, slammed or banged together formed a discordant chorus. Even on their best days, Amara found to crew of The Cloud Chaser, also wizards of the guild that bore the same name, to be an irritatingly rambunctious bunch. She had stashed herself in a corner of the room trying to find some privacy so she could focus on her studies, but there was no escaping the noise of some two dozen pirates drinking. Normally she would be outside, but with the storm raging and the atmospheric disrupter on the fritz (again) staying inside was marginally better. A pilfered lacrima-lantern swung on a hook above her, holding at bay the darkness and providing an unsteady light for her to read by. In front of her, laying open, was The Book.

The Book didn't look special. In fact it looked completely ordinary. It had the appearance of an unused shoddy old journal that one could buy for a handful of jewel. It had soft, brown leather bindings sandwiching off-white pages with the yellowish tinge of parchment that, when opened, were completely blank. But, as so often with magic, appearances were deceiving. For one thing the book was more than a century old, and yet looked like it was just made. Also, it was very durable. Fire couldn't touch it, even blades couldn't harm it. As far as she knew it couldn't be ripped, stained, soaked, or otherwise effaced. Writing in it was futile; the ink wouldn't transfer to the pages. It also faintly radiated magic to those who were sensitive to such things. However, it was still a book. or more accurately, a library. Hard coded into the blank pages was a vast amount of knowledge from centuries of wizards. But clearly the ones who had created The Book did not create it to be easy to read. It was more like the information had been *shoved* in, making it difficult to find anything useful. At best she could pick out a random 'book' and read it But less useful subjects like history, genealogy, and poetry were mixed in among books on summoning, magic, and fruit bats with seemingly no regard for order. It was frustrating. She had all this knowledge at her fingertips but yet it was near impossible to read it, much less understand it and put it into practice.

But she persevered. She had to. For herself.

But she was distracted from her studies were interrupted when, ironically, an unusual silence fell over the Barracks. Her subconscious picked up on this, drawing her out of the nearly trance-like state she fell in when reading the book. Amara suddenly became aware that Ragnar had been speaking and she had no idea for how long. Her head snapped up as she heard her name. "...Amara, Silver Claw...".

She found herself frowning as their Captain fished giving his orders. Storms! I missed most of what he said. She knew there was a mission coming up, and that she had a fair chance of being chose. That was why she didn't have any summons out, to conserve her strength. Normally she had one out at all time, as a form of practice. Oh well. I'll keep quiet and pay attention. I should be able to pick up on what I missed. She inserted the mental-magical equivalent of a bookmark, then shutting the magical tome and safely stowing it into a pocket. Said pocket was in the breast of a too-large greatcoat which she wore to ward off the weather and the cold. It was also useful as there, The Book would be safe from thieves. A guild they may be, but The Cloud Chasers were still pirates and some of them were of the unsavory sort. She pulled the coat tight, shivering despite herself. It was almost perpetually cold in the clouds, made worse by the storm that was currently blowing and the broken disruptor. However, the peals of thunder and winds sounded more muffled now. Did those incompetent engineers finally get that Storming machine to work again? Hopefully. Then the temperature would finally become more bearable.

Gathering herself up, she stood and glanced around. Her oversized greatcoat hung to the floor. Various members of the guild were milling about, a hundred voices becoming an incoherent buzz. Roshar had mentioned Silver Claw after her name, so he was the man she was, reluctantly, looking for. Claw had a reputation as fearsome as his appearance. Amara didn't know any details, but the other guildmembers treated him with awe and reverence, born of fear. He intimidated everyone and no one wanted to cross Claw. Amara had avoided him too, but she avoided everyone so she knew nearly nothing about him. Nor, however, was she intimated. She spotted him quickly, for his appearance and his height made him stand out.

He was also looking straight at her. She suppressed a shiver, instead putting on a blank, bored look with just a touch of haughty confidence.

With her expression in place, she sidled around the edge of the room, then cutting through the crowd of pirates to stand an arm's length from Claw. She found it irritating that, even at that distance she had to tilt her head way up to look him in the eye. She gave him a small smile she didn't feel and said "Evening." She said quietly with a nod. She reminded herself that she refused to be intimidated, even if he probably was as large as two of her combined. Then she shoved her hands in her pockets and stood there quietly, not inclined to initiate more conversation then necessary.

She still had yet to find out what the hell was going on.

@Leslie Hall @Lmpkio

Phoenix Wing (A Fairy Tail RP-Always Open, Open)

<Snipped quote by Crimson Raven>

Why else would the good fairy be so upset?

@Zarkun

Oh.

Why must so many childhood stories be violent and or disturbing in retrospect?!

Phoenix Wing (A Fairy Tail RP-Always Open, Open)

Ferrin Astra

_{@LightningMaiden@MarshiestMallow}

Ferrin tilted his head, studying the dragonslayer more closely as Sasha spoke. Her sad, brief tale didn't surprise him, but he did empathize. Everyone has a Story to tell. He though somberly. He was considering what to say next when Sasha gave the call to prepare to head for the island. Ferrin looked up to see that the island was indeed very close.

And what an oddly shaped island it was. At first he didn't quite understand what he was seeing. It looked like two islands stacked on top of each other. But Ferrin's perspective changed as he realized what he was looking at. "Stars, it's a tree." He breathed quietly in awe. "The Tenrou Tree. I've never seen it's like in person before... It was a tree so massive, it's uppermost branches formed a solid layer that somehow rock and dirt had accumulated on, becoming it's own island in the sky, held up by the massive, twisted, knarled, majestic truck of the tree. Here was something that remained from the past. Something that connected past, present, and future, simply by existing. This same tree was the one that watched over Guildmaster Mavis, the same on that generations of wizards from Fairy Tail must have laid eye on through many centuries.

And the island was the place where it all began.

He turned to Amaya. "May we continue this conversation later? It seems that Sasha is in a hurry to disembark, which I'm sure you, as a motion-sick-prone-slayer would appreciate." He flashed her a small grin and stood to the side, gallantly gesturing with his claw-like metal hand for her to go before him. "Ladies first." He said, acting the part of the chivalrous gentleman.