Making a mark(open)

[Tora Draco Gin]

Tora had once again gotten lost, although she knew where she was she had not planned to be here. She sighed slightly watching as Ling traveled from wall to wall, at one point he squatted to relieve himself against one of the many flowers that began to talk to him as he did so. The green of the place was slightly comforting though the talking flowers caused her a bit of confusion. She had no real clue as to what to do.

For a companion Ling was pretty simple but better then nothing, she dislike being alone. She missed her brother and sister dearly hoping to find them soon so that they may return home together. She stretched slightly letting her odd ears flap slightly. Ling made his way back over to her, acting slightly like a dog as it waged its tail and looked up at her cutely. His eyes shined slightly as he looked up at her almost puppy dog like.

She smiled down at Ling. "Good boy, behave now dont need you running off....again," she said quietly and calmly down to him. Ling looked up at her happily and started to prance around her. She walked through the area, this was one of the worlds she had yet to visit, but she knew she needed to look everywhere if she was to find them. Her steps where light her face in an neutral form. The mark on her forehead burning slightly against the blues of her outfit and hair.

[Jade Curtiss]

In this particular world, Jade found, it was quite easy to get lost. The world seemed to twist and turn without reason, and the wackiness seemed to have no bounds. Seriously, you shrunk yourself to get in. He thought at the time, it was ingenious. It prevented attacks, after all. Now on the other hand...he wasn't sure what to think. Mieu, his companion, had thought it a fun ride. Not too surprising, after all the cheagle was still young, after all, and he had to admit, the little guy was useful.

Before, he would say that he didn't much mind being alone. He would say that he had all the company he needed in himself. To a certain extent, this held true today. However, unlike back then, he has actually experienced what could be considered 'true friendship'. He didn't know if he could ever forgive himself for his failures, but the guilt seemed less....I don't know, prominent perhaps, when his teammates were around.

He felt a shuffling in his coat. Ah, so Mieu had awoken. Mieu had made it a habit to sleep in his cape, after all, Jade was a capable fighter, capable enough to protect the little guy. Mieu yawned, and people who didn't know of the Sorcerer's Ring around Mieu's waist would be surprised at how..human-like the little guy sounded. What came next though, would absolutely blow said people's minds.

"Um.. Jade...where are we?" Mieu's voice was high pitched and could easily be called 'cute.' Jade chuckled slightly. He had mellowed out since his adventure five years ago, though he still loved teasing people, he no longer did it all the time.

"Well, where were we five hours ago?" He still did it sometimes, like now. His voice was amused, to say the least. The cheagle took his teasing in stride. Perhaps it was years spent around Jade, but regardless, he was now used to it.

)(I'm still improving with Jade. Ah well, I'm trying.)(

[Tora Draco Gin]

Tora's ears had picked up a few voices, her ears rising and falling to catch more sounds. A small chipper voice, a type of voice she had never heard before. Then she caught another one, more masculine she guessed, definitely male though. Odd to meet people in this place, it seemed rather empty hard to enter she assumed. She had gathered next to no info in the last two years, she merely assumed they would hidden.

Ling had become active, he ran off in the direction Jade was. Tora chased after the little white tiger. He ran her around in circles, he eventually made his way towards Jade. Ling stopped about ten feet from Jade, Tora tripped and rolled over Ling, barely missing hitting him with her foot. She fell on her ass, she looked up at Jade her usual composure evident. Ling quickly ran over to check on her.

[Jade Curtiss]

This day kept getting stranger and stranger, Jade mused. Right when he was beginning to get bored, something happened to change things up a bit. In this case, that 'something' was Ling and Tora.

Mieu, to the amazement of Jade, squeaked and hid for a bit. He shook his head amazedly, the guy had seen Heartless, Monsters larger than Ling, and an evil military leader...and a tiger cub frightened him. How that happened, he had no idea.

When the strange girl had come barreling through after the cub however, his expression had changed. For a moment, he briefly considered that she might be there after him--he was in the military after all, and that could turn naive people into paranoid people in a hurry. Mieu on the other hand, seemed curious. Not too surprising.

When she had tripped on the hand, he became amused, and his smile reflected it. Perhaps it was the strangeness of the situation.

Mieu flew up to the top of Jade's head, and peered curiously at the two, no longer afraid, the symbol of Alyx shining on his forehead--much like Jade's own Uriel symbol shined--and he spoke in his childish voice.

"Hi there!"

[Tora Draco Gin]

Tora had watched slightly as the little creature peered over Jades head. She was still sitting but soon stood, she dusted off her arms slightly and rubed her ears carefully, making sure no dirt had gotten in them. She looked at the male that seemed to be amused at what she had done. She checked her ears carefully with her hand before looking down at the now cowering Ling.

She looked down at him and tackled him, tickling the poor cub untill he could not move. She then turned to the guy, exhausted Ling in her arms. "Hello," she said calmly and blandly. She noticed his symbol, Uriel she assumed. Her own Gabriell one glowed orangish against her pale skin. She had rarely met other travelers, though as of late it was more common.

[Jade Curtiss]

Jade watched, amused, as the girl tackled her little cub and tickled it. Mieu laughed delightedly, with childish enthusiasm. He wasn't being mean in laughing at them, it was simple childish curiosity and amusement, and Jade simply couldn't help but smile at his antics. Cheagles, Jade had learned, had a larger lifespan than humans, and even though he was almost a teenager by human standards, he still retained his childish tendencies. It was endearing in a way, and that was one of the reasons that Jade enjoyed the little guys company.

"Hello,"

The reply was a not too unexpected bland response. It didn't bother him, after all, he was a complete stranger. It was not surprising. The fact that she seemed to be an entirely different didn't bother him in the least--after all he had Mieu with him--but what he did take notice of was the symbol glowing brightly on her forehead. The orange glow really drew attention to that spot in particular. It was one very distinguishing feature. He also took note of her ears, what race she was he had never seen. Oh well, it didn't matter, not really.

"So what brings you here Ms.?" Jade was being polite, not wanting to offend someone right off the bat.

[Tora Draco Gin]

She heard the chiming sound of the little things voice, what an amusing being. Her head throbbed slightly from the roll trip she had done but she knew it would pass, she happily had no injuries. Ling popped his head up slightly, glancing at the cheagle with an almost predatory gleam in his eye. Tora quickly bopped him on the head in warning.

She turned at his question, her ears rising and falling slightly. "Im in search of some people, and you," she said calmly the same neutral tone in her voice. She spoke truth, she was in search of her brother and sister, now twelve, she had been searching for two years. Two years on a ship, searching for her siblings, followers of Uriel and Zadkiel.

[Jade Curtiss]

"Im in search of some people, and you,"

Jade chuckled a little at that. By that definition, they had almost identical goals. Jade did have other goals, but the main one was indeed to reunite with his team of old. He didn't know why but he missed them, but he did. He missed the interactions, the socializing that having those people nearby brought him. He only hoped that the worst hadn't happened to them, with their young age.

"My my, what a coincidence. I too am searching for a group of people."

His voice, much deeper than the childish cheagle, held barely contained amusement, yet also honesty. He had not lied after all. He was searching for them, hoping that he would find them alive. Mieu had also been searching for them. He noticed Ling glance at Mieu like a predator, and he could not help but chuckle.

[Tora Draco Gin]

She was put off slightly by what he said, it was truth she could tell but he seemed slightly different then normal people. Ling calmed down slightly so she placed him on the ground, he ran off towards a flower that shortly tried to swallow him. He yipped slightly and ran back to her. She looked down at Ling and said, "Now if you behaved that would not happen and you would not get hurt or lost like you usually do."

She turned to Jade. "A strange coincidence indeed, I dont suppose you have seen two children, similar ears, followers of Uriel and Zadkiel, one male one female, they should be twelve by now," she asked inquiringly. She really wanted to find them soon, she missed the clean air, the beautiful sunsets, the magic that was her home. She refused to return until she found them.

[Jade Curtiss]

"A strange coincidence indeed, I dont suppose you have seen two children, similar ears, followers of Uriel and Zadkiel, one male one female, they should be twelve by now,"

Hm.. So those were the people she was looking for. They were probably from her own strange race, that much he could tell just by the description. Very few people had ears like she had. It did seem curious to him that one was a follower of the Good God of Magic, while the other was a follower of the Evil God of Magic. Were they existing peacefully along with each other, or were they enemies? The sheer paradox that this represented had made him a bit curious. He wasn't going to pry however.

Hmm, he supposed it would have been polite to ask her the same question. Normally he would have, except for the fact that it was so unlikely that he thought it was too far of a long shot at the moment. Besides, he still had to respond to her question.

"I apologize, but I'm not really the best person to ask. I only learned of the existence of other worlds a scant few days ago, when my world was attacked by beings I believe are called...the Heartless?"

He shrugged his shoulders. He did not know much of this strange universe. He had never imagined that traveling through space was even possible, yet here he was, in a planet completely different from his own.

[Tora Draco Gin]

Tora nodded slightly at what he said. His world was attacked, how unfortunate for him. It was a sad thing worlds dieing, they where important to the overall balance she was sure. Her ears lowered slightly. She listened carefully, she could not hear anything but the four in the area right now. Ling stretched on the ground then looked up at Tora a slightly pleading look in his big sky blue eyes.

"It is, Im sorry to hear about your home, I have been traveling two years now. Heartless are odd to say the least, Im happy I have not seen any as of late," she said. She was often careful in her wording as well as her words. She was often careful with people, whether they knew her or not. She got from his words he had not seen them. She heaved a mental sigh. Ling continued to look up at her till she picked him up, then he curled and closed his eyes, falling into a slight sleep.

[Jade Curtiss]

"It is, Im sorry to hear about your home, I have been traveling two years now. Heartless are odd to say the least, Im happy I have not seen any as of late,"

Hm... Jade himself had rarely seen Heartless. The only time he saw an abundance of them was on the attack of his planet. They had surprised him, and he had nearly died. It was only through luck that he had survived. For a time, he thought of it as his fault. Perhaps if he had only fought back, if only he hadn't been surprised....maybe his planet--Auldrant--would still be there. He did have a problem with guilt, but even so, he shook himself out of that thought a few days ago.

He was thankful that, at least, she tried to comfort him. He had a stoic expression on his face, only marred by a bit of a frown. Still, it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, and he shrugged his shoulders.

"It seems that it happens somewhat often. Nothing I can really do about it now."

He seemed so uncaring about it, and in a way, he was. He was trained in the military for years, and he had even achieved one of the highest positions--Colonel. He was trained to deal with losses, and to most, that would seem harsh. Not to one as practical as Jade.

[Tora Draco Gin]

Tora had caught the changes in his expression, taking them into her mind and thinking carefully. She nodded slightly as he spoke about it happening often. From what she had caught and her travels she very much believed that, though she was sure her own home was alright. Ling moved carefully in his sleep, trying to get closer to Tora. She rubbed her hand through his fur carefully comforting him.

"I have heard that often in my travels, worlds consumed by darkness, life consumed by death. A deadly cycle set by time....or so I assume," she said. Her voice remained in it neutral state. She had never been one to show too many emotions, she cared just it did not show too much. She looked up at him, she was a nice five five. She did not mind her height to much though from where she stood she could tell he must be at least six foot. She looked back down at Ling, who was making a slight mewling/purring sound.

[Jade Curtiss]

"I have heard that often in my travels, worlds consumed by darkness, life consumed by death. A deadly cycle set by time....or so I assume,"

So she traveled often... well, he should have known that before. He had no reason to assume anything anymore. Nothing seemed to make sense, and most of the things he knew were proven wrong in these past few days. No, he could not afford to assume anything any longer.

Jade himself stood at a good 6'1", a height that would probably be considered to be very tall by most people. He could not tell her exact height accurately, but he guessed she was somewhere around 5'4" or 5'5", though he had no way to be certain.

"Well, if you want to think about it that way, we are all born to die. From the moment we are born, we are slowly dying. Yet, we do not think of that. We enjoy life as the journey as it is, and tend to either run from death, or accept it. Who knows? Perhaps the planets are the same way. But who can tell? Most certainly not a mortal, we simply cannot live that long."

[Tora Draco Gin]

She listened carefully to what he said, she realized that he must of been atleast a few battles. She too was battle trained, a warrior from birth. Though her home was rather peaceful having little to no battles though she had done a few shows before her travels. She practiced often in her ship, not wanting to lose her strength or power.

"In the end birth leads to death, it is what we do during our lives that allows us to be us. A planet born will one day die, whether it be because of the people on it or outside forces. It could die from age or youth, a planet is very much like person, it is born to die," she said. She voiced her own opinions rarely but this guy seemed to understand things similar to her. This allowed her to find a common ground.

[Jade Curtiss]

"In the end birth leads to death, it is what we do during our lives that allows us to be us. A planet born will one day die, whether it be because of the people on it or outside forces. It could die from age or youth, a planet is very much like person, it is born to die,"

Jade chuckled slightly. They did seem to have at least this much in common. It was quite amusing actually. He could tell that she was a warrior, there was little doubt about that, though how much experience she had in the battlefield, he could not tell. He knew that, judging by the sword on her back, she would have to be somewhat strong at least. Of course, he did not know that to her it was as light as a feather, just like she did not know that he had a weapon. After all, it is not very common that one meets someone who can summon his weapon through magic. He wasn't about to give that little secret away either.

"Indeed, warrior. It is better not to worry of such things as death. There is no escape, so it is better to simply accept it, before we end up going mad." He shrugged. He was definitely unused to being... cordial. "Eventually, all things must end. The planets, the stars, even the universe must eventually end. But usually, where there is an end, there is also a new beginning. Truly, one can wonder if death is the end."

He himself had once thought to try and thwart death. He had created Fomicry, the art of making a replica exactly the same as the other person, in order to allow a person to live on.

It was a disaster, and a disgrace to life in general, he realized now. His first attempt at it had been a doll, and there had been no negative repercussions. He had gotten cocky because of his success, and when his professor, Nebilim, had died, he had tried to create a replica of her.

He had failed miserably and created a monster. It had ended up in him sealing her body in the mountains. He hoped he never had to see her again. That thought truly terrified him.

He shook his head mentally. Mieu, who was sitting wide-eyed for a bit, having never seen Jade this serious, yawned. He was not dumb, not by any means, he simply couldn't keep his attention straight, and it had caused him to be sleepy.

[Tora Draco Gin]

Tora continued to listen, she too someday planned to accept death. Though not untill she found them. She would not allow it, thus she used her strength the best she could. "I agree in many forms, though at times it is hard to accept the end, there are those that would wish to thwart it, many in my home have tried, none have succeeded, though I in truth and happy they have not," she said calmly, her eyes kept their blank like expression.

"Many in my home consider female warriors an asset as well as a gift, we not only take life but someday will bring it back, or so that is what they hoped," she said. It was true, many the warrior males thought to court her for the fact she was a warrior, she would never do so, not until she found them. Then maybe she would return to her home and live peacefully.

[Jade Curtiss]

"I agree in many forms, though at times it is hard to accept the end, there are those that would wish to thwart it, many in my home have tried, none have succeeded, though I in truth and happy they have not,"

Jade sighed at that. He agreed, of course, but it simply brought up bad memories. Memories of a time when he tried to do such a thing and nearly succeeded. The guilt was nearly unbearable, it was only with the conviction that he was atoning that he didn't go insane.

"...They aren't the only ones."

His face was haunted by the past for but a moment, before it went back to his normal face. He was good at suppressing his emotions most of the time. It was, in fact, rare for him to show emotions, yet when he remembered his past, he had to ruthlessly crush his emotions before they consumed him...

"Many in my home consider female warriors an asset as well as a gift, we not only take life but someday will bring it back, or so that is what they hoped,"

Hm... such an interesting culture that was, though it was definitely warranted. Many cultures considered women to be just as important--if not more so--than the man. Jade usually assumed that it was for that very reason. But that was not all, in some ways, the woman was stronger than the man. Usually they were far more flexible, for example. Back at Auldrant, some of the strongest people he ever met were women. Anise, Tear, Natalia, Legretta, Nebilim... Truth be told he admired them.

"Ah, I see. Back home, people treated women about the same as men. Not always, but rarely did anyone look down on women. "

He shook his head, as if to say that those who did were considered idiots.

[Tora Draco Gin]

Tora nodded slightly at his reply her eyes taking on a colder demean. She watched his expression, she could only assume that he, like many others had tried to thwart that which was inevitable. She waited patiently to hear what else he would say. He seemed to have an interesting view in which she had rarely seen. Many would of been afraid to speak to her, her kind rarely left the home world and or mingled with others. They where often attacked, or so the old stories said.

"Although I am held high for who and what I am, females of my home are often caged birds. Few have the strength or courage to face anything but their petty books and sewings," she said, a slightly bitter tune to her voice. Most females indeed if it was not for her strength and other gifts she too would of most likely been one of them. Her sister would most likely fall into it although she had always had a darker personality although she wielder more of the light.

A strange thing indeed even for her people. Fala who wielded light, chose the evil god and had a devious personality, while Hari who wielded dark was kind and honorable and chose the good god. Not that it mattered much to Tora she just wanted to find them. Yet she had found no clues.

[Jade Curtiss]

"Although I am held high for who and what I am, females of my home are often caged birds. Few have the strength or courage to face anything but their petty books and sewings,"

Hm, that made sense. To be honest, he didn't know why he was even the slightest bit surprised. He, after all, had not seen their race and had simply made a judgement based on things he didn't understand, something he shouldn't have done, and something he mentally kicked himself for. Regardless, it was done. He noticed that her voice held a tone of..bitterness. As if she had desired that they had gotten up and gotten active.

"Hm.. Sometimes they are needed just as much as a warrior. If it were not for the ones who sew and read, there would be no clothing, and a lot of knowledge would likely be lost. I'm not an expert on it, but it seems that that is inherent in every civilization. There are those who manage, and those who fight. Both sides are necessary."

Jade himself was not one who many considered to be a follower of Uriel. He, after all, was quite ruthless in his fighting, he left no enemy alive, unless he was unable to kill them, or an ally stopped him. He had always been of the opinion that if you didn't kill them when you had the chance, they would come back and haunt you. Not exactly a kind sentiment.

He had probably come closer than most to thwarting death, what with his Fomicry and all, but he had learned long ago that death is the one thing that cannot come undone. If he had learned that lesson earlier, then perhaps he wouldn't have created such a monster.