[Flashback] - Seven Years Since She Disappeared

 Featuring: Ellis, Joshua

Four months before her supposed coronation, Ellis and Joshua discuss the absence of her older sister Luna over tea. While Joshua wonders whether she may return one day, Ellis laments the Freyzenese people's inability to move on from her loss, feeling that they would chose Luna over her no matter what. Joshua encourages her, saying she will be a great Queen, which prompts Ellis to hint at her grand plans for advancing the glory of Freyzenwald. Their discussion is interrupted by the announcement of Luna's return.

8:55 PM] Amasuro: 

August 15th, 2635 “If my sister was here...do you believe she would have been coronated instead?” “That is a rather sudden question, princess. Does your sister still weigh on your mind?” Ellis shook her head, walking over to the balconies edge, as she ran a hand across the top of its bannister. Her long, white hair shimmering and blowing in the soft daylight breeze. “Yes. Each and every passing moment.” Ellis responds. Joshua wiped his brow, placing the broomstick he had been using along the balconies back wall before walking over to a small pitcher of lemonade on a table. “I see. I suppose its been a bit over seven years since she disappeared, now.” Joshua spoke, pouring the lemonade into two glasses. Taking both, he began walking over to Ellis, before handing her one of the glasses. Ellis gave a smile at her retainer, before taking a sip of the drink, “it is very nice and sweet. Did you make this, Joshua?” “With some help from Kazama, yes.” “Then remind me to thank you both sometime.” Ellis turned back around to look out the balcony. The cool glass gripped firmly in her two hands.

[8:55 PM] Amasuro: 

“Seven years. I suppose she will not be coming back then.” Came Ellis’ standard blank voice. Even when talking about her sister, that Joshua assumed she missed dearly, Ellis still refused to show any significant emotion. “That is quite negative. She may yet still live, but perhaps she is unable to return?” Joshua suggested, walking over to her side, “it was pirates, I believe. She may just merely be overseas.” “Do you prefer her to be here?” “Well, of course!” Joshua answered, thinking it to be obvious, “it was already a tragedy to have her kidnapped like that. It would be a miracle to see her return!” “I...see…” “...Do you prefer her to not ret-” “Cease with the conclusion you are drawing.” Ellis spoke up, interrupting Joshua before he finished, “...that is...of course I would love to see my older sister return. But...we must accept that she likely is not.” “If you insist.” Joshua tried his best not to stutter a response in surprise, “I am sorry for my words.” “Do not be. I understand your sentiment, but...it is time to look ahead to the future.” Ellis stopped, turning her head over to glare towards Joshua. Her normally soft eyes seemed hardened, “I return to my original question. If my sister were here, do you believe she would have been coronated instead?”

[8:56 PM] Amasuro: 

“...I don’t believe so. I think you have done wonders to our country, and the people would recognize it.” “Yes, of course. As the last remaining royal member of the Rurijisa line, I must do my part to maintain the standard of excellence my father had left behind. For...years I had studied and practiced...to be the best ruler I could possibly be.” “Then you will do a fantastic job.” Ellis’ stare turned blank, before her head turned back towards the distance, “...of course I will. And yet...it is not enough.” “Is it not?” “...It is never enough. Every day I have to be reminded about my sister. How her absence still rings deeply in our hearts. A void that will never be filled.” Joshua placed his empty glass back on the table, suddenly feeling a colder chill from the wind. “Understandable. She was still royalty.” “Understandable...is it? To claw after the image of a long gone princess, while I still stand before them, and you believe it to be understandable? Why...why can they just not let her die?” Joshua remained silent for a moment, unable to think of a response. “I...don’t know.” Was the words he finally managed.

[8:56 PM] Amasuro: 

“I will tell you why. It is because they all still prefer her to me. They would rather see my sister here instead of me! Why, I bet if I were the one to have died out in the sea, nobody would have batted an eye!” Joshua’s heart began to race slightly, as he continued to keep his composure, “that’s ridiculous! Princess Ellis, don’t listen to such opinions. They are unfounded!” “Are they? Are they?! Ever since I was a child, I was always compared to her. Even though I had studied, trained, and practiced far harder than she ever did, I was...I was never…” Joshua walked swiftly up towards Ellis, grabbing the glass from her hands. Holding the glass in one hand, he placed a hand on top of her shoulder. “Princess, you will be an amazing Queen.” Joshua spoke in an attempt to comfort his liege. Though, she didn’t seem to look very sad. Rather, there was an odd fire in her eyes instead. An incredibly odd twinkle in her eye, as it burned furiously. “...Heh...Hehe...of course I will be,” came an almost overconfident sounding voice, as Ellis walked away from Joshua’s hand, “you see, Joshua. I have many, many plans that have been in the works for a good while now.” “...Plans, princess? I don’t know what you are talking about.”

[8:56 PM] Amasuro: 

“Well, yes. Simply a few deals I have made with some individuals. You will see, Joshua. I plan to turn our nation into the greatest country in all of Amia. No longer will we hide in Gallarans shadow.” “That sounds...very ambitious. Do I get to know how?” “Now that...is a secret. But, of course, there is but only four more months to wait, Joshua. And you will see. You and everyone else will see, how Queen Ellis Rurijisa freed herself from the shackles of her sister’s soul, and became the best ruler Freyzenwald has ever seen.” The door to the patio was suddenly opened, causing a short yelp out of Ellis. Though, she quickly composed herself, brushing off her dress, before addressing the servant that just entered. “Oh, did you need something?” “Well, uhh, you see…” The servant began, rubbing a hand behind his head, “it is the oddest thing. There appears to be a woman down by the piers. And she...she claims to be princess Lunarea.”

[8:56 PM] Amasuro: 

==End==

March 12, 2017

Who's Paleclaw

Featuring: Bedivere, Haruo
While Bedivere trains with his Thunder Spear, the Bluefang noble Haruo Kuzunoha approaches him and compliments his efforts. Noticing the stranger's own swords ("Just in case"), Bedivere brings up the recent attacks, his weapon, and the men introduce themselves. Bedivere learns that Haruo is from Khlin, and not much more than that despite his efforts. They talk about their younger sisters, and Bedivere lets slip that he's with the Royal Guard - finally catching Haruo's interest. He asks which of Bedivere's comrades killed the Khlinese minister Paleclaw, but Bedivere doesn't know anything, which prompts a quick "Farewell" from Haruo, and some more training for Bedi.

June 6, 2017

[12:55 PM] jddaepicboss: Alright...let's try this again. Up, point, focus, aaaaaand... In a grassy area in the suburbs of Concordia, lit well by daylight, a harsh crackling noise follows a thick thread of yellow permeating the air in front of the cavalier. The farthest left of three targets laid before Bedivere is scorched, leaving a black mark and a hint of smoke. Focusing intently, without any breath taken or released, he moves his arm right, and sends another jolt at the middle target. It lands, just about. Two in a row on target, I'm definitely making progress!

June 11, 2017

[10:14 AM] Psychic Loser: A stranger with pale-blue hair and wooden jewelry stepped forward and gave Bedivere a nod. "Not bad."

[10:19 AM] jddaepicboss: While the cavalier has built a tolerance to surprise interruptions over the years, the unfamiliar voice still manages to distract him enough to send the third and final jjolt wildly off target. Sighing, he turns to meet the stranger's eyes, his own displaying slight curiosity. "ahem Well, thank you! Not every day that random people come along to give you compliments."

[10:31 AM] Psychic Loser: The stranger, once again, nodded. "That is true, but magic is one of my expertise." Upon further inspection, one could see that the stranger carried a pair of swords.

[10:38 AM] jddaepicboss: "Well, I suppose one could say the same about me...even if I am a bit rusty. I presume that swordplay would be your other...area of 'expertise,' then? Or are those two just to...bring the outfit together?" He chuckles cheerily, wearing his trademark grin.

[10:43 AM] Psychic Loser: "I had to give up swordplay ages ago, but I still carry them around. Just in case..."

[10:47 AM] jddaepicboss: "You know, usually I'd say 'doesn't that seem unnecessary considering you're in a city based around peace and neutrality, and all that," but...well, considering how recently it was attacked, I'm not exactly certain that point stands." He laughs again, now putting the thunder spear down at his feet.

[12:18 PM] Psychic Loser: "That is true. What about your spear there?"

[12:25 PM] jddaepicboss: He looks briefly confused. "What about i--oh, right. It's--as you saw--a spear capable of lashing bouts of electricity at enemies, in the right hands. Dubbed as a thunder spear. I don't quite understand the name, considering thunder is just sound, but...I guess it sounds cooler?"

[12:50 PM] Psychic Loser: "Interesting."

[1:31 PM] jddaepicboss: "...oh, the name's Bedivere, in case you're wondering. But...just call me Bedi!" He smirks, noticing that phrase has almost become a catchphrase of his.

[1:57 PM] Psychic Loser: "My name's Haruo," the mage said taking a bow.(edited)

[3:19 PM] jddaepicboss: "Is that Hoshidan?" Bedivere asks the question rather mindlessly, simply making small talk.

[4:38 PM] Psychic Loser: "Somewhat."

[6:06 PM] jddaepicboss: Not a man of many words, is he? Bedivere furrows his brow at this one word. Is he...half Hoshidan? Does his family descend from Hoshidans? He decides to simply ask all his questions in one fell swoop with a query for clarification. "Somewhat?"(edited)

[6:55 PM] Psychic Loser: "Well, I am from Khlin, but Hoshidan names do tend to circulate now and again."

June 12, 2017

[9:30 AM] jddaepicboss: "Oh, of course. I'm not from Amia or Nolore, you see, so you'll forgive me if my knowledge of cultures here is a tad flawed. I do my best to learn, but it's not exactly something you memorise overnight! So, what're you doing out here, Haruo? Just on a stroll, or...?"

[10:17 AM] Psychic Loser: "Me and my sister needed to leave from Khlin. It's not in the best of positions at the moment."

[10:49 AM] jddaepicboss: Well, I meant...right now, but...you know what Bed, let's just go with it. Bedivere nods grimly. Having been part of the group that stormed the Shishinden, he's seen that himself, at least to some extent. "Mm hmm. I was in Intetsu not too long ago, and it's certainly been through a lot, by the looks of things...and that damned woman's interference there likely hasn't helped the situation." The last few words are mumbled, speaking less to Haruo than himself.

[11:40 AM] Psychic Loser: Haruo nodded. "It really hasn't."

[12:18 PM] jddaepicboss: "Ah, so you know who I'm referring to, then? I wasn't certain how widespread knowledge of her...actions would be by now, so I didn't know if you would..."

[6:46 PM] Psychic Loser: "There are those of us who are somewhat familiar with her crimes."

[8:07 PM] jddaepicboss: "Well, that's good! At least the Concordian populace have a culprit to blame, rather than being stuck in confusion..."

[9:37 PM] Psychic Loser: Haruo nodded.

June 13, 2017

[1:12 PM] jddaepicboss: Bedivere looks at the grass below him for a few seconds, before looking back up and shaking his head, hair billowing along with it. "Ack, I've thought about that princess several dozen too many times lately, enough about her. So, swordplay and magic...any other 'areas of expertise?'"

June 14, 2017

[7:36 AM] Psychic Loser: "Why'd you ask?"

[9:10 AM] jddaepicboss: Bit touchy. "Well, talking about Ellis isn't exactly a delightful conversation topic, so I just moved to the first alternative I thought of. What, would you rather we talk about the weather...?" An ever so slightly sassy smirk shows on the cavalier's face.

[5:34 PM] Psychic Loser: "Oh, he says with a relieved sigh. "Well, I take care of my sister."

June 15, 2017

[10:34 AM] jddaepicboss: "Oh, that's nice. I have a sister of my own, but...well, I haven't done the best job with being a big brother to her, frankly. But she puts up with me, for...some reason, ahaha."

[1:38 PM] Psychic Loser: Haruo laughed awkwardly. "Misato can be a bit of a handful at times."

[2:15 PM] jddaepicboss: Bedivere presumes by his phrasing that she's likely younger than Haruo, but decides to check regardless. "Hehe, how old is she?"

[2:18 PM] Psychic Loser: "She's thirteen."

[2:21 PM] jddaepicboss: "Oh boy, I don't envy you dealing with that, ahah."

[7:37 PM] Psychic Loser: "Like I said, she can be much, but she's my sister."

June 16, 2017

[2:27 PM] jddaepicboss: "Fair enough. So...well, to be frank, I kind of need to get back to training. I'm a member of a Royal Guard and all that, I need to be in top condition!" He chuckles yet again at the ridiculousness of that title. Not that he minds it, of course, but still.

[8:41 PM] Psychic Loser: Hauo seemed interested in this topic. "Oh, you're part of The Royal Guard?"

June 17, 2017

[7:07 AM] jddaepicboss: "Serving under Queen Lunarea of Freyzenwald, yes."

[10:25 AM] Psychic Loser: "Would you happen to know who it was who killed Paleclaw?"

[11:56 AM] jddaepicboss: The cavalier looks bemused. "Paleclaw...? Uhmm...hell, it could have been me for all I know. Who's Paleclaw?"

[1:23 PM] Psychic Loser: Haruo shook his head. "I see. Well, he was one of Khlin's former leaders."

[1:25 PM] jddaepicboss: "Ah. Well...chances are someone in our army may have dealt with him, but you'd have to ask someone with a better knowledge of Khlin. D'you need anything else, or...?"

[1:26 PM] Psychic Loser: "No. That will do. Farewell." Haruo bowed and walked off.

[1:29 PM] jddaepicboss: "Byye...(oh, he's...already...alrighty than.) Yaaaawn." Shrugging to himself, the cavalier picks his lance back up, and aims at the leftmost target once again.