Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]

Welcome all warriors and travelers and mages and sages to a battle that descends through all ages. Create a character to fight in an never ending war of crazy battles where anything goes. From starships to staves, the imagination is the limit in The Great War of Honor.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!

Be sure to join the gang and enjoy the chaos.


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Four Friends in Bralai; The Beginning of Riku's Story
Topic Started: Jul 3 2013, 08:35 PM (235 Views)
Riku_Wokenblade
Member Avatar

Hello friends =)

I know we're all busy with life, which means we can't post regularly. But that doesn't mean we can just let this RP go dead, can we?
Which is why I bring you the origin story of my main character, Riku, so you can have something new to read. Hopefully, this'll inspire you to keep up the good work in whatever endeavors you are undertaking ^^

As a change from my usual posting, I'll include an ambient song for each post, to convey the feelings better.

Basically, what you're about to read are key moments in Riku's early life, starting from when his 13-year-old self chooses his fighting style and meets the Blazeglow sisters, up until he exiles himself from his home planet of Bralai, at the age of 16. I won't detail every single moment in these three years, just the most important ones.

Feedback would be greatly appreciated =3

Now, let us begin....




The boy wakes up

Most tales of young heroes and their exploits commence with them waking up to the start of a new day. The symbolism is quite obvious: the beginning of their adventures is comparable to dawn, the climax of their story happens at noon, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, and then the day closes with nightfall, just as their journey comes to an end.
However, the question must be posed: Is this boy a hero, in the common sense of the word? He starts off without a legend to back him up. Does he manage to create one for himself? That is for you, the reader, to conclude for yourself once you're done with his story. One thing is for certain, though.
He begins like the rest do. By waking up.

Or, at least, trying to.

-----

???: Come on, wake up, son!

???: Nnnhhh.... no....

The huge stream on the horizon had just appeared, signaling the beginning of this new day, as its gentle grace shined upon the surface of the planet. The colorful spectacle on the vast fields of grass was always something amazing to behold, but the kid just rolled over in his bed, turning his back on it, not wanting to go out into the world. As if on cue, the chicken-like creature in the yard started to sing, calling for him to get up, just as his mother was doing right now.

Mother: Riku, do you remember what day it is? It's pretty important!

Riku: Five more minutes....

Mother: You said the same thing five minutes ago! Come on....

Getting a little exasperated, the woman pulled back the sheets. Noticing how he was now out in the open, the son moaned and curled up into a ball. There was no point in fighting back anymore.

Riku: Fine, fine, I'm going....

-----

The important day

At the age of 13, the young ones from all over Planet Bralai had to make a choice. As part of their schooling program, they had to choose an extracurricular, specialized exercising class, which involved them learning a specific fighting style. The people of Bralai were not a warmongering civilization, quite the contrary, they were very peaceful. But given the things that had happened to their world in the past, they believed it was best that everyone knew how to defend themselves, in case of an emergency. While this was the real reason for the program, they masqueraded it with other explanations, such as it being good physical development for the young ones.

His style

As such, Riku found himself walking to school to sign up for a fighting style class on this important day. However, even though this had been the topic of conversations with his mother for quite some time now, he had never given the subject much thought. The options were very varied, but he hadn't been able to decide on any one in particular, since he was the type of person that liked to lay low. He disliked fighting immensely, and had always tried to avoid it whenever he could.... which happened a lot during the first few years of school, when bullies came after him.
Those were hard times for the young, silent boy. Looking weaker than the rest, he was the target for many bad pranks that the bigger kids pulled on him for laughs. Of course, his mother was there to defend him, but she wasn't at school with him. Even though he never found the courage to do so, Riku had always wished he could get back at the bad guys somehow.

However, that had all changed when he met the person he could call his best friend.

???: Hey, Riku! Over here!

The light-brown-haired boy used to walk with his head low, but he lifted his gaze especially to look at that very friend, who was waving from the school's entrance, calling out to him with a huge, enthusiastic smile on his face. Riku smiled and waved back at him.

Riku: Hey there, Mamoru.

Mamoru's Theme (young)

Whenever he needed him, it had been Mamoru, initially just another classmate of Riku, that had stood up for him, defending him from the bullies. After a while, they had stopped picking on him regularly, but if they ever tried it again, the stronger, larger boy was quick to jump in again for him. His self-confidence was a huge source of admiration from Riku, and in turn, Riku's calm demeanor greatly aided in cooling Mamoru's hot head down in situations where it was necessary. This complementation founded the basis for their friendship.

The boys firmly shook hands when they met, and then got in line together at the registration desks, where all the other students were ready to choose their new classes. Mamoru had gotten into the Swordfighting queue, while Riku had chosen the Gunning class line that was right beside it, which made the blue-haired kid's eyebrow raise.

Mamoru: Gunning? The boring one that everyone picks?

True enough, the largest line was this one.

Riku: Um, well, yeah. - he replied in a low voice. - There wasn't any class that I really wanted, so I'm playing it safe with this one.

Mamoru: Dude, you gotta pick a better one! What about Swordfighting? It makes you do real exercise, it's got discipline, it's got style.... it's got it all!

Riku: Yeah, but....

Mamoru: Ah, don't worry about it. - he interrupted his friend. - Go with Gunning if it makes you feel comfortable.

Riku: S-sure, thanks.

Despite his invasive attitude, Mamoru was comprehensive. That was another part of his personality that Riku liked.
Just then, an unnecessarily loud girly voice rang out from just behind the future swordfighter.

???: Mamoooruuu!!!

Fir's Theme (young)

Both boys jumped and turned around to see what the deal was. They were pretty annoyed by the suddenness of the squeal, but they both loosened up when they saw another one of their classmates there.

Mamoru: Oh, hey there, Fir.

Fir: How's it going, guys? I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited for today!

Mamoru: Heh, so am I!

Riku: Yeah....

Noticing how Riku didn't seem all that hyped, the grey-haired girl turned her attention to Mamoru and began to chat with him, to which the bigger boy replied instantly. Both of them were now embroiled in their own little conversation about swords, how awesome they were and how cool it was going to be learning how to use them.
Riku felt a little left out. He liked his friend, but there was this one thing about him that he didn't feel OK with. Mamoru always got the girls, and they were the only thing that distracted him from pretty much anything else that was going on around him. However, even though he disagreed with that attitude, Riku still wished he could have that sort of confidence.

The Life Stream

He needed to get his mind off of the two bickering people beside him, otherwise he would just feel worse.
Looking out of a nearby window, he gazed at the Life Stream that crossed the sky from east to west, which had risen up a bit since he woke up. That was always something to think about.

Bralai had no sun. Instead of that, they had something better. The planet, along with several other neighbor planets, thrived under the warmth of the Life Stream, the pillar of worlds that supported the entire multiverse. It was said that it was composed of all the souls in existence. When a being was born, a soul would come from the Stream and inhabit it. When the being perished, its soul would return to the source, forever repeating the cycle of life that was the fundamental basis of the world's structure. In this region of space, where the Stream manifested itself physically as a slow-moving surge of mystical energies, a planetary system had emerged, and the radiation coming from this huge celestial phenomenon had made the existence of special lifeforms and wonderful landscapes possible. Everyone on this Stream System had been taught to be "grateful for its grace", and to "embrace its gifts with love", words that had been repeated for centuries throughout all its worlds. In Bralai's case, the Life Stream had gifted them with a lush, clean, green environment, and its inhabitants with a very useful mutation: Super agility and reflexes that allowed them to move very fast and avoid most dangers.

This was what Riku knew about it. And every time he looked to the sky and saw this enormous stream, he was marveled, even though it had always been there and formed a part of everyone's daily life. There was just something so.... overwhelming about it.
"Grateful the world is for your grace,
and so, with love, your gifts we embrace.
Fatescape fireworks on display,
we honor the Stream since the first day."


-Awakening's Incantation
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Riku_Wokenblade
Member Avatar

The day was over, and having gone through a long series of introductory lessons on his new gunning class and hanging out with Mamoru after it all, the sun was setting, and it was time for tired young lad to walk home.

Returning

The town where he lived, Skypoint, was a very tranquil place most of the time. It stood right on the edge of a forest, protected by the trees from the setting Life Stream's rays of twilight. However, you just needed to take a few steps outside of town to marvel at the spectacle that was the setting of the pillar of world on the horizon, its mystical energies irradiating the entire orange sky with a myriad of beautiful colors. Riku always took the long route on the way back home just to take in this sight. Every time he did, he felt like the negativity of the day was cleansed from his body instantly. And since that was a pretty big deal for him, he knew he truly had to be grateful for the Stream's gifts.



Homecoming

Riku: I'm home, Mom!

Riku knew his mom was home, even though she didn't answer right away. The reason was that there was a big glass of blue fruit juice waiting for him on a table when he opened the door. His favorite. Smiling, the boy took it and started to gulp it down slowly, savoring its soft sweetness, right as his mother came in to greet him with an excited hug and a kiss.

Mother: Hey there, kiddo! How was your day?

Riku: Um, OK, I guess.

Mother: Hey, leave your backpack in your room and come have your juice with me in the kitchen! I wanna know all the details about your first day in fighting class!

Riku: Alright Mom, I'll be right there. - the kid replied, as he left his juice on the table and hurried upstairs to finally drop off his backpack.



(A few moments later)

Mother: Oh, really? You didn't like it? - she asked, sounding just a tad disappointed.

Riku:N-no, I mean.... - he didn't want to sound ungrateful with his own mother. - I think I just have to get used to it, right? It's not that bad.... Besides, Mamoru and I leave at around the same time, even though he's in a different class, so we get to hang around and relax after it's all over. It's alright, Mom, I'm OK with the class I chose.

The woman smiled and sighed reassuringly at her son, putting a hand on his, which in turn was on the nearly-empty glass of blue juice.

Mother: If you say so, Riku. But you let me know if you're having too much f a hard time, you hear me? I'm here for you if anything happens.

Riku:Y-yes, Mom. Thanks. - he tried smiling back as convincingly as he could, followed by his last gulp of juice.

Chuckling, his mother took the glass in her own hands and went to the sink to wash it.
While her back was turned on him, Riku took a moment to be truthful with himself. He didn't enjoy these new classes, it just wasn't his thing. But everyone else was in them, and his mom was so happy to see him choosing a path of his own, even if he wasn't really convinced of that path. So maybe this was the right thing to do, staying in them and pretending like nothing was wrong.

Mother: Say, Riku.... Do you remember my old friend, Windy? - her words interrupted the young one's train of thought.

Riku: Uhhh....

Mother: You know, Windy Blazeglow! We've been friends since we were your age, but she's been traveling the Stream System with her husband and kids, which is why you've never met them. I've told you about her, Riku! Don't tell me you forgot?

Riku: Ohhh, her! - he answered, some of those stories coming back vaguely. - Yeah, what about her?

Mother: Well, she's finally back in Bralai! She just returned today, and she's settled down with her family in Azaplains Town, not too far from here. - the woman clearly sounded excited about all this. - Done with all her traveling, it seems!

Riku: I see....

Mother: And we're going to pay them a visit in two days' time, once most of their moving is complete!

Riku: Oh.... Really?

He had sort of guessed where this was going, and he knew what she was going to say now....

Mother: Yeah! Also, you'll get to meet her family! Her daughters are around your age, so you'll get along just fine with them. Don't you worry your little head about a thing!

Uh....

Yeah, now he was starting to remember the things she had told him about the girls. The elder one, serious and collected. The younger one, sickly and timid. Despite whatever his mother had said, they didn't seem like the type that would be nice to meet. Riku was a bit nervous now. What was he going to say to them when they saw each other? He didn't know how to make a good first impression, especially with girls.

Mother: What's the matter, Riku? Anxious?

She had noticed.... Oh, mothers.

Riku: N-no....

She chuckled again, no mean intentions implied.

Mother: Hahahah.... It's gonna be alright, Riku! Just relax, alright? We're gonna have a good time.

Riku: Sure, I guess....



Journeying

A couple days later, on a day off from school, they were on their wagon, ready to go to the next town, Azaplains, just as Mariah had said. It wouldn't be a long trip, they would be there in an hour or so.
The animals that pulled the cart were strong beasts. Pullers, they were called. Native to Bralai, they were essentially a hybrid being with the body of a cow and legs of a muscular ostrich. Bralaians used these tame animals all the time as a main component of their livestock, and since their anatomy allowed it, they were also mainly used to pull heavy objects, such as the wagons the humans used to move from town to town, or other machinery of that level.

Riku was still nervous. He still didn't know how he would say hi to these people.
Edited by Riku_Wokenblade, Jul 30 2013, 03:49 AM.
"Grateful the world is for your grace,
and so, with love, your gifts we embrace.
Fatescape fireworks on display,
we honor the Stream since the first day."


-Awakening's Incantation
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Riku_Wokenblade
Member Avatar

Gonna have to choose the songs later for this one post....

Azaplains was a smaller town than Skypoint, but aside from its size, it was structured almost the same. There were other differences about it, though, differences that caught Riku's eye the moment the village came into a clear view. All the houses's roofs were steep and reached the ground, making them look like isoceles triangles from the front. Also, several watch towers surrounded the town, made of what seemed like wood at first glance.

Mother: We're here!

Riku and his mother did not have to go far to get to the house they were going for, it was one of the first. They parked their wagon right beside the owners', and left their Pullers to graze, tied to thick logs that were stuck in the ground. Then, they headed over to the door. As they did, something caught the boy's eye from the circular window on the second floor, but when he took a closer look, it was gone. He could have sworn he saw the face of a little girl peek from it.... He felt a tiny bit more nervous now.
His mother knocked on the door, beaming. A few seconds later, a woman opened up, smiling even wider. Her hair was short, wavy, and of an intense scarlet color, and the woman herself was rather.... large. Maybe a little too fat for her own good.
She threw her arms up with a squeal of joy, a sound and motion that Riku's mother imitated, and they hugged. Her voice was booming.

???: Mariah!!

Mother: Windy!!

After another few seconds of laughing and hugging, they broke apart, their arms still grasping the others' arms in this long-awaited reunion.

Windy: It's so good to see you!

Mother: I know! It's been such a long time!

Then, the woman at the door noticed Riku, who blushed and gulped silently to himself.

Windy: *gasp* Is this Riku? He's so big now! Come here, kiddo!

But instead of waiting for him to come, she took the initiative and went over to him, hugging him as well. The young boy felt like air had stopped existing entirely while he was in her arms.

Windy: And handsome, too! Aww, you probably don't remember me, but did you know I know you since you were a baby?

Riku: Gh.... Nice to... m-meet.... you.... t-too....

For starters, he never knew what to say when he was told this, but right now, the lack of air couldn't even make him think of anything else to say anyways.
Windy let go of him and then went back the doorway, taking her friend's wrist as she went.

Windy: Come on inside, you two!

Mother: Let's go, Riku!

Riku: C-coming....

He got up from the floor as quickly and as best he could, air just now returning to his lungs, and followed the two women inside.
There, in the cozy little living room, there were two more people waiting for them. The first one, a man who, in comparison to his wife, looked smaller, and who had gray hair yet still didn't look old enough to have that hair color. The second one, a girl that looked a few years older than Riku, with red hair as wavy and as intense-colored as her mother's, only longer, reaching to her waist. The girl was definitely more attractive than Windy in all aspects, at least to Riku. She had both a strong, deep, mature look in her green eyes and a fresh air of youth surrounding her at the same time, and physically, she looked very healthy for her age. Maybe a little.... overdeveloped, in more than one way.
Both of them went to greet their guests as well, and while the adults exchanged words of glee, the young redhead went over to the boy and gave him a handshake. He felt like her green eyes were examining him, and she was not smiling at all. That just made him feel even smaller, but he made his best attempt to appear calm to her.

???: Leila. You must be Riku, yes?

Riku: Y-yeah. N-nice to meet-

Leila: Drop it. - she interrupted him, in a lower voice. - The act. Just be honest, it'll be better for you.

Riku gulped more audibly this time. She was being a little intimidating now, and he was at a loss for words. Blushing madly, he looked away, just in time for her mother to cut in from her own conversation. She hadn't noticed what exactly had gone on in their exchange.

Windy: Oh, Leila! Where's your sister? She was supposed to be here to say hi as well.

Leila: She's upstairs in her room, Mom. She said she wasn't feeling well.

Windy: Ah, that's right.... Still, she has to welcome our friends, at least! Go get her, will you?

Leila: Yes, Mom.

Leila turned and went up some nearby stairs, which gave Riku some time to recover from that experience. She was really beautiful, but sort of frightening. It was the way she looked at him, that stern gaze that seemed to go right through him. How much had she found out about him just by looking at him?

Windy: You'll have to forgive her, Mariah. The little one hasn't really had the chance to throw roots and develop a strong enough inmune system since we've been carrying her all over the Stream System, and now she gets sick most of the time, the poor thing.... That's why she felt like she couldn't come down. But now that we're staying in Bralai, hopefully she'll get some time to adapt.... Oh, here they come!

Leila had returned, and behind her was a smaller girl. This one was wrapped in a large blanket, so all they could see of her was her face. She had short hair like her mother, only it was a lot curlier and more the color of her father. Her green eyes were the same color as Leila's, only they were curved differently.... as if she was sad. Her face was also rounder, and her skin was paler. Aside from those differences, she looked a lot like her sister, only younger. Maybe even younger than Riku. Also, she actually looked like she had a cold or something similar, so she appeared to be even smaller, as if she was trying to hide herself in that blanket.

Windy: There you are, Cath! Look, the Komorus have arrived, say hi!

Cath: H-hi....

Her voice was that of a muffled squeak. Riku could notice her timidness instantly, and felt like.... he could relate.
That was when their eyes met. If Cath had been red in the face before because of her illness, now she looked like a silver-haired tomato, even more so than Riku. She immediately turned around went back up the stairs.

Leila: Go get some rest, you hear, Sis? You need to recover. - she said as the girl disappeared from view.

Mother: Aww, Cath is so cute. I hadn't met her before, since she wasn't born here on Bralai.

Windy: That's right, but you did know Leila!

Mother: That's correct.
- She said, smiling at her. - Nice to see you, Leila. You've grown quite a lot.

The redhead returned the polite smile, and her answer surprised Riku. He never knew what to reply to that, but the girl seemed like she had that problem covered for herself. She seemed so confident, like nothing worried her at all.

Leila: Pleasure to meet you again, Mariah.

Windy: Wonderful! Everyone, let's go continue this delightful chat over dinner! Just relax and make yourselves at home, so you can return home well-rested tomorrow!

Riku: Wait.... what?

Tomorrow? What did she mean by that? Riku turned to his mother, who was smiling apologetically at him.

Mother: Oh, sorry son, I forgot to mention.... They also invited us to stay for the night.

Riku: What? - he blushed again, embarrased. - B-but....

Mother: Well, take a look outside....

Riku quickly looked through the window behind him, and was surprised to notice the Stream was setting on the horizon. He hadn't even realized this during all the commotion.

Mother: It's not safe to travel at night, so we'll be staying here and going home tomorrow. It's OK, you don't have any classes tomorrow.

Riku: B-but.... - he stammered. - My.... my stuff....

Mother: Hee hee, that I hadn't forgotten. - she giggled. - I packed your pajamas and some clothes for you before we came, they're in a bag in the wagon.

Windy: And don't even worry about where you're sleeping, lad! There's a guest room ready for you two, so you don't have to be apart!

Riku: O-oh....

He wasn't expecting this, but it looked like he was just going to have to roll with it. He really wished he had known beforehand, maybe he would have felt more prepared.

Mother: It's alright, Riku. - she said with a reassuring smile. - They're friends.



Dinner passed by without too many highlights. Cath had not come down to eat, since she still felt very sick, so her parents had given her a bowl of food to eat in her room. The adults talked with each other, occasionally asking Riku and Leila questions about themselves so they wouldn't be left out. Leila gave full answers, but Riku didn't talk much. He was still a bit shy around these new people, especially Leila, who kept staring at him. Therefore, he didn't pay much attention to the conversation at all, and missed most of it.

Night fell, and after some more socializing in the living room, in front of the fireplace, Riku went to sleep in the guests' bedroom. He had had enough excitement for one day, and he just felt like sleeping. To tell the truth, he felt a little uncomfortable having to sleep in the house of some people he barely knew, even if they knew him. Heck, it was rather awkward for him to have even come here in the first place, so the sooner this was over, and the sooner he could get home, to his own bed, the better.
He could feel Leila's eyes on him as he got up, excused himself, and left the living room.



Riku's peaceful sleep was interrupted by a soft creaking noise in the room. His eyes opened right away, although he couldn't see anything in the darkness of this pitch-black room. He dared not move, hoping that whatever was in the room with him and his mother would go away, if there was anything at all. He wouldn't feel right if he woke her up for no reason at all, so he just closed his eyes and tried to go back to sleep. Maybe if he cuddled closer to her, he would feel safer....
But just as he tried to move towards her, he felt a hand grip his wrist. His first instinct was to make a sound and jump, but a soft and surprisingly soothing "Ssshhh...." over his head made him freeze on the spot. He didn't know what to do.
And then, a whisper in his ear made him shiver.

Leila: It's alright.... Follow me, I wanna show you something.

What the hell was she doing here? The boy was legitimately scared now.
Still shaking, Riku tried to answer as quietly as he could.

Riku: I-I can't.... I'll wake my Mom up....

Leila: You won't, trust me.... Just follow me.

Riku felt her grip on his wrist vanish. But he did not feel more relieved. Maybe this was just a dream?
....no, it wasn't. A new instinct, one he didn't welcome or like, told him this was real, and that he had to follow her. He was still scared, though. This was all so weird....

Rolling over as slowly and quietly as he could, so he wouldn't wake up his mother, he got to the edge of the bed and put his feet on the floor. Riku constantly looked back to see if she was still sleeping, and every time he did, she was. He couldn't really see her in the dark, but he could still hear her breathing. She was asleep.
Riku then got up and tiptoed towards the door, but another whisper made him stop in his tracks.

Leila: Over here....

He turned around. Her voice was coming from where the window was. The curtain was shut, but through a small space in between it and the wall, he could see part of the silhouette of a female body, crouched on.... wait, on the windowsill? That window was closed just a second ago! How on earth had she done that? Riku could not help but be amazed.
And then alarmed. It was starting to get a little chilly in the room, and if he took too long, his mother might wake up. Moving as fast and as silently as he could, he reached the window. As he did, Leila jumped out, landed silently on the grass outside and vanished from view. Riku climbed on the window, following her and trying to imitate her noiseless movements so he wouldn't wake Mariah up.

Bralaian Night

He looked outside just before jumping off the windowsill. The night landscape was very pretty. They had a good view of the grassy plains from this house, and the sky was filled with a colorful spectacle of lights. The Life Stream was rarely visible at night, but when it wasn't, it still shone a light on the dark side of the planet similar to the light that a full moon reflects from the sun. Only, on Bralai, dancing streaks of cold colors illuminated the land, like an aurora. It was just an overwhelming sight as the sunset.
Leila didn't seem to be anywhere. But following his instincts, Riku jumped off like she had, landing silently, although not as silent as her. As he hit the ground, he felt the window close behind him. Turning around immediately, he nearly yelped in more surprise as he saw Leila standing with her back turned to him, shutting the window.

Leila: That was elegantly executed, Riku....

She turned around to face him and, with a now accelerating heartbeat, Riku could see what she was wearing. A full-body tight suit with red, yellow and cyan stripes, that really showed her shocking figure and went well with her long, blazing red hair. On her wrists, she wore strange white devices with consoles on top of them and a box underneath each of them.

Leila: This way.

She started to walk away, towards the fields outside of town. Still stunned by the sight of this gorgeous woman, Riku could only follow in her stride.



They stopped near one of the watchtowers. The redhead simply contemplated the scenery, leaning on the tower wall, her usually serious eyes now showing some longing, like she was in deep thought. The young boy, now feeling a little chilly, stood beside her, doing the same thing, not knowing what to say or what else to do. This was all so odd to him.
Eventually, he tried breaking the ice.

Riku: So, uh.... What are we, well....

Leila: This planet. It's different than the others.

Riku: Huh?

The girl paused for a second to collect her thoughts, then went on.

Leila: I was born here, but a few years after that, we went on these journeys through the Stream System, jumping from planet to planet all the time, visiting new places constantly.

Riku: ....

He didn't know what to say, so he just shut up and respectfully let her talk.

Leila: I've been on a great deal of the Stream System planets. Jaastiis, Wassara, XY, Heler, Geocrack, and the lesser worlds.... All of them have something special, unique of their own. Yet they all have one thing in common. The Life Stream covers them all, and graces them with its blessings. However, Bralai here.... There is something very notorious about it. Do you.... feel it, Riku?

Riku: Uh.... I don't.... know what you mean....

Leila: This is the single most beautiful Stream planet of all, but somehow.... it feels unreal. Like it's all just a mask. What is it covering, though? What is the truth behind this world?

Riku did not say a word. He didn't really understand where she was getting this from, although it was fair to say he had never left this planet, so he couldn't compare it to the other ones out there for himself.
Suddenly, he realized Leila had turned to face him again. He could see those solemn green eyes staring into his spirit again, and he shivered. Every time she did that, he felt uneasy. But this time.... It felt a little warm inside, as well.

Leila: Now, you weren't paying attention to the conversation at dinner, but from what our parents spoke about, I learned a few things about you. Such as you signing up for gunning class.

What did this have to do with what she was talking about just now? Riku was a little taken aback.

Leila: I could tell, just by looking at you.... You're troubled with that decision. But not because you chose a path you didn't want to choose. It's because you don't know what path you want to take. Am I right?

Riku: W-well....

That was true, but....

Leila: Knew it. - she replied right away, seeing right through him once more. - And you're masking it for everyone, but you can't fool me. In that sense....

She looked at the nighttime landscape again.

Leila: You're like Bralai.

Riku really didn't know what to say or do now. He didn't feel that speck of warmth or even uncomfortable anymore, he felt cornered by this all-knowing beauty. Sure, she had made sense of everything she had said, but that made her seem even scarier. Or wiser. The kid really didn't know by this stage anymore.

Leila: To discover the secret of this planet, I must know it well. I must learn its details, how it works, and how exactly the Life Stream blesses it, setting it aside from the rest. Just like how you must know your strengths and weaknesses to know what path in life you want to take.

She turned back at him. Still, Riku didn't know what she was trying to get at with all this.

Leila: But we're one step closer to finding out. You are a very silent type, Riku. You did pretty well back there, moving undetected by a sleeping person that's very close to you. I should recognize someone good at stealth. After all.... I am a stealth warrior.

She pointed at the devices on her wrists and then at her suit, indicating they belonged to that kind of fighter.

Leila: I brought you here because this might be a more suited place for a private conversation between two warriors of stealth. I know that's not what you are right now, but by showing you this landscape that has something to hide, I want to offer you the invitation. Become a stealth warrior, like me. You have the traits necessary for them, you just have to develop them to their fullest potential. We've talked about some, but there's more. As a Bralaian, you have the added value of the agility mutation we all have. You are good at hiding your secrets from the majority. We were made for this job. You could make a mighty fine stealth warrior.

Riku just blinked, his mouth starting to gape open in awe. This all made sense, but it was too much for his little brain to handle all at once. Since he had never given the subject much thought, suddenly receiving all this information was very hard to process.

Riku: I-I....

Leila shook her head with her eyes closed, making the boy fall quiet again.

Leila: You don't have to answer right away, this takes a little thought, as you might imagine. Also, you're starting to freeze over. You're still in your pajamas.

Riku realized this when she said it, and put his arms around himself. No wonder he was getting so cold.

Leila: Look, you should probably return to bed and get some sleep. We can talk some more tomorrow, and I can show you a bit about being a stealth warrior.

She then crouched on the floor again, oddly enough.....

Leila: It was nice talking to you, Riku.

And then, she disappeared.
Riku could not know if he had imagined it, if the night colors had tricked his eyes or if the cold couldn't let him see well, but he could have sworn that, before she vanished.... Leila had given him a small smile.
Edited by Riku_Wokenblade, Feb 21 2014, 09:28 PM.
"Grateful the world is for your grace,
and so, with love, your gifts we embrace.
Fatescape fireworks on display,
we honor the Stream since the first day."


-Awakening's Incantation
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Individual flashbacks · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Find more zetaboards themes at InkDropStyles.com