Ogo

Trials of Themis

Alright uh...post either coming later tonight or early tomorrow. Plans changed. Gotta leave...well...now. T^T

B!tchfest: a healthy release for our non-roleplay annoyances.

Well, I suppose this is pretty mild in the grand scheme of things buuuuut...

The only music shop within a reasonable distance of my home/workplace just closed up last week. Owner decided that he didn't want to fuss with things anymore and well...that's that. Sold everything off, packed up, and left. Headed down south to chase old tail and sail. Which, I mean, good on him. It's what he's been talking about doing for years. But hell if it ain't a shame, really. I've been going there faithfully for a decade now. I mean, it's where my love for music was born, and I could talk for hours about the place.

I could talk about the people that I met there, but I won't.
I could talk about the stories I heard there, but I won't.
I could talk about the music I played there, but I won't.

I won't talk about these things because my G string just popped.
I won't talk about these things because I just realized that I neglected to pick up extra strings before the shop closed.
I won't talk about these things because now I have to either make an unexpected three-hour road-trip tomorrow to the only other shop that I know of in the state, or order them online and wait two-to-three business weeks before I can scratch this disgusting urge to play Katy Perry songs.

Learn from my mistake, people: Always carry spare guitar strings. Otherwise, you'll just end up feeling like a plastic bag.

Trials of Themis

Lucca the Redeemer

Well...Lucca felt uncomfortable.

Between the two women arguing, the creepy apple thief doll moving on its own, the beast’s punishment, the other beast’s sudden criticism of the monochrome haired girl’s behavior…

Lucca shook her head. This was...not exactly what she had imagined when Roland pitched the expedition to her. She glanced over her shoulder at a number of Royal Guardsmen marching in step. Disciplined soldiers...well...they made up the majority here. That, at least, seemed normal. But these others - these contractors...were they truly suited for such a task?

…

She had strong doubts about the Master, the fox-beast, and the slave. Too arrogant, too impulsive, and too...reliant. Roland had gone into length about his ideal warrior time and time again. Calm-minded. Patient. Aggressive. Could any of them be a reliable asset in battle…? Though, to be fair, they could likely ask the same about her. And could she? She liked to think of herself as rather composed...but she was untested. She hadn’t seen real combat. And to be honest, she wasn’t even the best in her combat lessons. Had she improved since the start? Certainly. But how could she apply those lessons into actual combat? She desperately needed experience.

But enough with that. Roland wouldn’t have accepted the mission if he didn’t think the crew competent. Lucca would do well to learn from the others. Such was her task, as assigned by the Oathkeeper himself. She would not disappoint.

Alright then...if those three were uhm...off the table for now, how’s about...

Ah. Yes. Now, the other two seemed a bit more promising. The newcomer, an older looking woman that had been quite a ways off ahead of the group, had come to retrieve her familiar before he got himself injured. Smart woman. She at least had some the foresight to know when things could go bad. That could prove useful in a life/death situation. She also seemed a bit...scattered, from the little Lucca had seen about her. The other older looking woman had something of an aura about her...Odd. Lucca couldn’t quite place it. It intrigued her though.

Yet not more than what the girl represented. That confidence...she had to develop her own. If she wanted to be useful, she had to develop confidence...but that was easier said than done.

…

Wait...perhaps...perhaps Roland knew of this?

Perhaps Roland knew this...what did she say her name was? Katherine Lindall? If he did know her...then perhaps it was his goal for Lucca to study the woman and...perhaps...learn a thing or two?

…

Hmm… no. Her senior was a brilliant man, sure, but uh...truth be told, this whole deal sort of stunk of trademarked Roland improvisation.

…

Ahh. She was overthinking things again. All she had to do was go have a little conversation. Whatever happened from there, happened. Start with hello…

Lucca gave the order to her mount, who slowed her trot. Lucca brought herself in-line with the confident woman and matched her pace. She took a very brief moment to compose herself, breathing deeply, before looking over at the other girl.

“Pardon! Would you happen to have a moment to speak?” she called out, her voice shaking from her trembling nerves. A beat passed before Lucca’s eyes opened a bit wider and her cheeks filled with color once more. “Oh...terribly sorry. Where are our manners? Introductions are in order, no? This one is known as...uhm...Lucca. A pleasure.”

The saint turned her attention forward immediately after speaking, checking the road...well...in truth, she was feeling accomplished. Stiff it may have been, but Lucca had at least attempted to chat with...well...anybody outside of the church. The witnesses would be so proud of her. Still...it felt...weird. Wrong even. She was half-expecting to be attacked for addressing a Master without their permission.

…

Well...technically that COULD still happen, she supposed. Anything could happen so long as it was the will of The Lady Serafina.

Trials of Themis

@RabidAnubis
Yep yep. Working on one now. Would have had something up hours ago but uh...
Somebody was going to have a bloody stroke if he had rewrite his post again...
:^|

Trials of Themis

Yep yep! I'll have her jump in probably in my next post. Just going to have her eavesdrop for now.

Trials of Themis

I'd say that yeah, she'd be recognizable on sight. Or if not sight, at least her name would be familiar. Her conscription happened only a few months back, so it's still pretty relevant.

And Saint Roland would pretty much be a common name for any of the devout, or even remotely religious.

Trials of Themis

Kinda blagh, but it is finished~

Praise the Ravens~

edit:
Also uh...Double Heresy, eh?
...

I mean, if a link were to just so happen to pop into my PM, well, I'd be obligated to watch it. >:3

Trials of Themis

Lucca the Redeemer
_{featuring:
Roland the Oathkeeper}

A symphony of caws rang out from above as an unkindness of ravens flew overhead, soaring onwards into the horizon. Lucca brought a gauntleted hand to her brow, shielding her eyes from the harsh sun. To soar the skies with the grace of the raven, to fly true to wherever the wind happened to blow...such was true freedom, one which the young saint would sadly never experience. Not in this life, at least.

“Good luck, those ravens. A sign that The Lady Serafina Herself blesses our quest.” came a booming voice from behind. The girl startled, which in turn caused her steed to rear. She tightened her thighs around the beast and held on for dear life as it took to it’s back legs. She was ready to bail, should it come to it, but the horse soon returned to its natural balance. It was a good beast, well-trained, experienced, and practically a gift from the heavens to a newer rider such as Lucca. But as calm as it was, even it couldn’t help but be spooked by Lucca’s nervousness.

A deep laugh bellowed out as the source, an older looking man atop an older looking mount came trotting up beside her. “Hehe...spooked her, didja? Just relax.” he called to her, taking the chance to exaggerate deep breathing. “We’re still hours out from the forest. So enjoy all of this while you can…” he started, staring longingly out into the distance before turning to look at the girl. “It may be the last of the sun we see for quite some time.”

A chill ran down Lucca’s spine and she visibly shuddered, stirring up yet another laugh from the old saint.

The two rode in silence for some time after he calmed down. They trailed behind the wagons some distance. Lucca hadn’t asked why. She had been forming a question though.

“Permission to speak, ser? the nervous girl called out.

Roland gave her a curious glance. “Permission to- bwhahahah!” bellowed the older man, causing Lucca to raise an inquisitive eyebrow. “Speak freely, Lady Lucca.

The girl nodded.

“What did you mean earlier? About the ravens? How are they good luck?”

To that, Roland grinned. “Ahh...sounds as if somebody needs to spend more time reading from the Teachings. he croaked, causing the girl’s cheeks to catch fire. He wasn’t wrong. As of late, she seemed to find more and more to interfere with her lessons, and quite honestly, she wasn’t all that torn up over the matter. Still, she was curious.

“Hmm...I could tell you...but...I won’t. Instead, you will tell me. By the the last flame of tonight’s camp, you will share with me the tale of the ravens. If you can do this, you’ll get to skip tomorrow’s lessons. If not...then it’s scripture from dawn ‘til dusk.” he playfully offered. Lucca turned and studied him closely...before cracking the faintest shadow of what might have been a smile.

“This is fair. This one accepts the wager.” Lucca answered. To this, Roland frowned...but he held his tongue. The older saint glanced around once more before urging his mount to speed up.

“Come. I’ve a mind to speak with this Randall Durant. It’s been much too long. And...well...it wouldn’t hurt you to learn of your fellows. Once we go beyond the trees, they very well may be all that stand between you and certain doom. Never forget that.” he ordered. After a moment, he added, “Oh! And...do be mindful of the Beasts. Filled with anger and hatred, those ones are. They curse The Lady’s name for their place in the world. Don’t let it bother you. Treat them with the kindness and respect that The Lady speaks of.” before speeding off. Lucca uttered an affirmative before begging her steed to do the same. It obliged.

As Roland approached the respected blacksmith, Lucca lagged behind slightly. Something had caught her attention.

"I-i would never do something so i-indecent! I-if anything you s-stripping would blind everyone from how hideous you are!"

The sudden outburst had caught Lucca completely off-guard. She flinched again, yet luckily her steed held her nerve better than the saint. Lucca tried not to look but...curiosity had gotten the best of her. Odd...even a year ago, the girl would rather claw her own eyes out than look at the Master during an outbreak. To look at the Master during an outbreak would mean Punishment, of course. Perhaps freedom really WAS changing her…

…

Lucca shifted her eyes from straight ahead to her left. The woman who had shouted was...eccentric-looking, to say the least. Though the one she had been yelling at was just as oddly dressed. If she had to wager, she’d place the two of them as Magi of Themis. Magic...it was an odd thing, truly. Lucca was one of the unlucky few who felt no calling to the arcane arts. Unless one counted the blessing of Serafina, which Roland and the church adamantly did not. Those were miracles of the Lady…

Lucca shrugged. It didn’t matter. What good would come of dreaming of such a thing? Naught but disappointment, truly.

The girl then shifted her gaze to the third. A Beast. Where they truly as angry as Roland warned? She had been around them her entire life and...well...they seemed no different than her, honestly. This one in particular didn't seem to be...angry. If anything, she seemed...broken.

Huh...

Lucca’s eyes fixated on the cat-girl’s neck. At the leather collar. Unconsciously, Lucca rose a hand to her own collar, rubbing her fingers against the white symbols cut into it. A slave then...even as far as they had gone, the Masters still held their chains tightly. No matter where one would go, the phantoms of the past would be ever close behind. Why, Lucca could practically feel her own Master...creeping up from behind, eager to hand down His Righteous Punishment. It was absurd, really. He had been smote by the holy wrath of The Lady but…

Lucca shuddered once more. She knew the truth, yet still she had many sleepless nights, just waiting for the Master to crash into her lodgings, laughing, no, screaming that everything had been a simple joke, and for being such a stupid slave, she would be punished.

…

Oh. She had been staring at the cat-girl. Lucca’s face heated up as she returned her gaze forward. She felt rather uncomfortable...she glanced over towards Roland, hoping that perhaps he would come to save her, but alas, the roaring laughter coming from the two dashed any hopes she had of that.

Oh well.

Face front, eyes down, and move. That was her task for now.

Trials of Themis

@RabidAnubis
They're a-comin'~

@Rune_Alchemist
Calm yo tiddies.

Trials of Themis

...whoa...I uh...I'm not sure what happened there, but I feel refreshed.
...unfortunately, I also have to go to work now so uh...feel free to post again without me. I'll get caught up on everything this afternoon.