Port Windurst Blues

[Veovis]

(This is the second part to another post, but stands well on its own. Anyone who wants to jump in or add or do your own thing, feel free. Hope its good reading.)

The sun was slowly setting over the port of Windurst. Its pink, orange, and red hues softly shimmered upon the rippling waves that came in from the sea;, offsetting the deep blue of the water. It was quiet, serene, sleepy, as it nearly always was in Windurst. A slight wind blew in from the south, upsetting the Taru's hair as he stared endlessly into the water, fishing rod held hap-hazardly in his small hands. The past few days had weighed heavily upon Veovis' mind. Much had happened and changed in his life. He had many preperations to make before his journey to the Northlands in search of the Shadowlord. The Star Sibyl had sent a letter to him, speaking that he should take this time to relax and try to move on from what had occured; his services were not presently necessary in her domain. It was time for him to rest, she had said. Could she not know the pain that burned in his brain? Or did she not realize the depths of depression the loss of his parents had cast him into? It was no simple task, forgetting the past. Let alone something that happened mere days ago.

His small shoulders heaved in a sigh. Even the serenity of Windurst did little to ease his suffering. Megmhey, his long-time childhood friend had suggested he speak with the fishermen in the port, and learn about fishing. He had said it helped him relax, and Veovis was never one to knock the knowledge of others. Taking the advice, he used what little gil he had squirreled away and purchased himself a fishing rod and a small box of bait. He had spent the better portion of the afternoon perched upon that lonely dock, endlessly casting his line into the shimmering blue waves, only to drag it back and recast. Needless to say, it had done little to take his mind off of the events.

It seemed like only yesterday, he was sitting at home, listening to his father speak of the war. About how Windurst, though outnumbered, had fought valiantly against her foes. It had filled him with much pride in his country. He remembered back then, his father taught him the basics of spell casting. It was because of him, and his mothers encouragement, that he had enrolled at the school of magic and emerged with a talent matched by few of his upper-classmen. The teachers had said it was not that Veo could cast stronger spells, or cast better spells, or even cast spells quicker or more accurate; it was that they could clearly see the conviction in his work. He had delved in the magics of dark, but his true calling was the magic of Light. He was born to heal, his teachers had said. His knack and talent with curative and enhancing magic was obvious from the start. He was a protector, of the highest degree. When he had graduated, his mother had baked him his favorite: Rolanberry pie! His world was wonderful. Then they sent him away to serve Windurst, to better her. It was during this time that the -incident- had happened.

His mind stopped there. He couldnt even begin to think about what it had been like. To be burned alive. There was evidence that his father had tried to enact his magics once more as he had done in his younger years, but it seemed his notes were missing. In his later years, the gift appeared to have left him. His memory had gone, too. He remembered the battles of the great war, certainly. That and meeting his wife and her bearing his son were the deepest rooted memories in the Taru's brain. But things like spells fade over time. A machine, not used, rusts with age. As does the mind. They faced their doom with courage, he knew. Their passing would be imminent with time, their deaths he accepted. What killed him within, however, that was despite all the talk of him being a protector and a healer, where had he been then they needed him most? Where was he when they needed his protection? Galavanting around Jeuno, thats where. Flashing his airship pass to any who would stop and see.

The tarus head shook slightly as he dismissed that notion. There would have been nothing he could have done even were he there. He saw their bodies when they had been laid to rest in the Sarutabaruta. Even the Star Sibyl's magics could've done nothing for them. In the least, the funeral had been wonderful. Windurst had repelled the Yagudo well.

He drew the line back in once more, then set the pole aside for a moment, thinking on what Lecan had spoken to him of. To defeat the Shadowlord, he had to gain its confidence. But could he really gain the beasts confidence? The 'Great Shadow' that had been the hand behind the attack on Windurst and the death of his parents? He feared that he would attack it on sight. He would gladly give his life to see the death of the Shadowlord, but was that even enough? he sighed again and recast the line. The resulting 'plop' of the sinker in the water brought him no joy. The sun had nearly sunk into the bay by now, the final trails of light streaming forth from the west, reaching skyward with all their might. The first pinpoints of stars had already begun to shine in that dusk sky. Soon enough, the moon would rise, and another day in Windurst would come to a close.

"I need to become more powerfularu..." he commented quietly to himself. "If I am to servey-wervey the Sibyl properlyaru, I must earn some might. Perhaps with Lecans aidy-waidy, we can accomplish this..." he shook his head. "I simply hopey-wopey the Shadowlord kills me before I get to him," his tiny fist clentched at that notion. "I'd smashy-washy his skullaru in, make him suffer-wuffer...." his resolve, however, faded. "Oh who am I kidding-widding. Im just one Tarutaru. I cantaru make a difference...But still...he's stolen everything that was deararu to me..."

A sigh took the Taru for the third time that evening. "The Shadowlord walks free, and all I can do is sit here and fish...what a disgrace.."

 

[Kikona]

;o

( ( Veo~! My post may look a little familiar. ;p We're already doing Breaking to the Limit, but why not cover the time before all that which made Veo and Kiko good friends? ^_^ We can uh... forget whatever we've said in the current RP and do what we want, lol. Never had the chance to fully play out this part of Kikona anyway! ) )

Kikona had an ear to ear grin on her face, finally slowing in her burst of quick speed sending her halfway through Port Windurst toward the airship agency building. Stopping briefly to catch her breath, she reflected on all that had just happened.

Standing along the dock of the opposite side to where she stood, she encountered the man named Hayato. It was a sorry attempt to steal from him, since he caught her and ended up swiping her own pouch of gil. Since when did a random wanderer wearing a leaf shaped feather know how to commit such thievery? It was a mind blowing experience though. From knowing her name to the information he provided, there was no possible way for him to conjure the lies of what he said. His eyes were enraged, everything about him became tense.

Walking toward the travel agency building, Kikona slipped the glove off her right hand to observe a darkening around her wrist. Hayato had handled that wrist frequently throughout their confrontation, sometimes refusing to release the tight grip for awhile. At first, he even brought a knife to her neck! Very rough to say the least. Hayato spoke of wild things, alien to her mind. Really now, Kikona of Selbina, one who has kidnapped and attempted and threatend murder? Played all these supposed 'mind games' on Hayato himself? Absurd. Any day she would fess up to stealing here and there for the good will of earning extra gil for Melyon, but aside from that she is a fairly compassionate and thoughtful girl. Then again, how was she to judge herself from that... previous Kikona, the forgotten one? Two kisses on Hayato's cheek later had left him with an at least forced smile and small laughter, telling her not to worry over it all after he finally accepted her truthful words: Kikona did not remember what she use to be or her ways then. Hayato even said he saw a light engulf her as she returned to the living world. Thinking back to those first thoughts, he had been the one who held her in his arms. Hayato was the key to the past Melyon warned her to not unlock.

By now, Kikona had stopped walking to observe the dimming sky and rise of the moon. To stay in Windurst for the night may be the best choice. Melyon knew she was safe anyway, and probably suspected her staying in the beautiful nation for the night. Instead of pursuing the airship, which was docking at that very moment, Kikona turned around and started back the way she came. Hayato could not have gone far.

Glove slipped on, hands shoved down into her front pockets, Kikona traced back slowly through the lit, short tunnel way. Hayato had truthfully leaked too much, enough to stir that curiousity that never failed to leave. He mentioned several names unheard of until then. Mali, Kitsomi, Brin. Something about a .. destiny, or redemption? Both? The past, the past! What had she been like? An infamous thief serving .. the forces of evil? Maybe a rogue of good intentions that led a life like no other! Someone destined for greatness. If greatness were the case, then why did she stand here contemplating herself?

Shaking out of her self absorbing thoughts, Kikona walked right pass the area she and Hayato stood at together to see he was nowhere in sight. A Tarutaru, however, sat alone at a dock with a fishing rod in those tiny hands. "Yea, yea," she muttered, "'course one of 'em Tarutaru had ta see where Hayato left off," and coming to this resolve that amazing speed ignited once more. Seconds later, rushing across a short bridge and down to the docks, Kikona halted right behind this Taru. Quick intake of breath and she kneeled down, tapping him on the left shoulder, "S'cuse me there, sir, but do tell have ya seen a Hume wearin' a little feathered green hat 'bout this area? Needin' ta find him." Then she exhaled, brushing back some of the dark brown hair from her face while waiting eagerly for the reply.

 

[Kikona]

;o

Double. ,_,

 

[Veovis]

<Eh hehehehe. Should we just C+P until we get to something new??>

Oblivious to the world around him, being lost in his own thoughts, Veovis had not heard the tell-tale sound of booted feet clapping against the wooden planks behind him in that rush of speed that carried the girl forth. At her touch and quick words, his muscles tensed and he lept upward, terrified suddenly. Catching himself before he fell into the bay that reeled beneath him, his wide-eyed gaze whirled and found the kneeling woman.

"Oi!" the small form squeaked. "You scared me!" his proclomation came loud enough, but it would be a few more moments before he finally caught enough of his breath to answer her question.

"A hume..?" asked the taru. His floppy ears wagged as he shook his head. "N-no, I'm sorry. I did notaru see anyone walky-walky by here...I will be honestaru, I was lost in my own thoughty-woughties. But I will trouble you not with such talky-walky."

He frowned somewhat, looking past the girl toward the sky. "Gaah...It is nightaru already..And I'm not even in the slightest tiredaru.." An idea then sparked in his head, which then translated to a glint in his eye.

"I know this area well. Maybe I can help you find this hume? If you do notaru mind my asking-wasking, what is his name? And perhapsaru..your name?"

The Tarutaru was ever eager to help, especially if such aid took his mind off of the chill woes that he had been recently concerning himself with. A deep bow had his ears flopping once more, tiny forearm sweeping across his rounded belly as he dipped before rising once more.

"I am called Veovis, of the Wind. Healer and Protector, humble servant of her Grace, the Star Sibyl. You say the hume was near here? He cannot be too far...We should check the airship docks first.."

 

[Kikona]

~

( ( I agree. In fact, I'm skipping all of the stuff that included the others. It won't make sense to just post ours without theirs and I seriously doubt anyone will join this. If they do... well... cool. < <; I'm combining my last two posts to that thread, then my next one will be... -Gasp.- NEW. By the way, we are -so- going to have fun with this. In case you didn't.. know.. that already. Right. ) )

Kikona dropped her dagger at the sound of her name. Wide eyed, she shifted her gaze onto the Cardian in disbelief. It knew her name as well? Temptation to scream at the realization of even a Cardian knowing her name gleamed in her dark eyes, but was cut off the moment it returned to his patrol and the Hume was up in her face. The words he spoke she deserved, and Kikona knew it. Not once had he smarted off at her in the tavern, even paying for her and Veovis's drink. Closing her gapped mouth and regaining her composure from the Cardian, she endured the Hume's up close approach of anger and apology. When he turned his back and started to walk away, Kikona kneeled down to retrieve her dagger. As an apology was near to rolling right off her tongue, the armored man stopped to make one last comment.

Kikona grew bitter, and fast. "Tsk tsk, don' speak such tauntin' 'n turn ya back to a thief, ya dolt," she muttered with a fixed stare on him walking farther away. Now was not the time to waste on petty disputes with strangers. Knowing this, and hesistant to do so, she stood and persisted the path leading to the chocobo stables. Before the sun ever dawned Kikona would be fast asleep in Mhaura, waiting on the arrival of her new Tarutaru companion.

The chocobo shook its head and ruffled its feathers in the try at waking Kikona. Almost sliding off from the saddle, she finally woke with a startle. Gripping onto the chocobo's rein to keep from falling, Kikona let out an exasperated laugh at herself then leaned forward, "Thanks for not jus' dumpin' me, ya make a fine chocobo." She blamed herself for not remaining awake. Digging into the pouch attached to the belt on her right hip, she tugged out a patch of greens. Carefully relieving the chocobo of her weight, left foot touching the ground first then the right, Kikona stepped in front of the golden creature and fed the greens. Stroking the side of the chocobo's head, then with a hearty pat, she entered Mhaura. In a bid goodbye, the chocobo warked after her. A smile broke the tense look of her features. How she loved those birds now ever since the numerous travels between crags and Jeuno. An older man awaited at the entrance for Kikona to pass before nodding and heading over to the chocobo to tend to it.

A night in Mhaura would cure the problems of the day. To stay in Windurst meant more confrontations. At least in the peace of this port town, there should not be anyone to so much as disturb her. Entering the Sailors' Stay, a fee for one night's room was paid and she proceeded up the stairs. It was late and possibly everyone was asleep, but it seemed as if she were the only one in the building besides the building attendants downstairs. Upon shutting the door, Kikona's body then met the bed without discarding even her shoes. "Sooo tired.." Yawning loudly, she rolled over onto her back, staring up at the ceiling sleepily. All that anger and frustration really took the energy out of her. Hopefully none of them would track her whereabouts. What about the first Elvaan? He disappeared without a trace. Not footsteps or anything heard afterwards. Hayato seemed somewhat... not dangerous. Kikona touched her forefinger along her neck where Hayato's knife had previously been, threatening to draw blood. Then the other Elvaan was just harsh. He also made her question further surfacing problems.

There was someone named Ellion in her life that she turned her backs to all these others to join him. Was it from that she broke the Elvaan's heart? What was so terrible about it though? Or were what else was mentioned, the kidnapping and life threatening situations upon those girls... Were they linked to her being with Ellion?

"Was it all so... awful they won't even tell me after they done said enough ta keep my conscience haunted now?"

Kikona wished she could simply have a good night's rest and wake up tomorrow without remembering any of them. She was not a killer, much less someone to kidnap. According to everyone except Veovis, she was capable of it though. What of that Cardian too? How did the thing know her name? Only once before had Kikona seen them in the last trip to Windurst. That was it. So many questions with no one to answer...

Footsteps disrupted the silence, stopping at her door. Kikona rose up on the bed and warily stared. Whoever it was wore heavy armor, for they were heard clearly when stepping away from the door as the armor loudly clanked and the footsteps placed heavily onto the floor and into the next room. Now she was not alone. At least that's comforting. She removed her boots while sitting up, placing them at the side of the bed. Laying down again, Kikona rolled onto her side and after a distressed sigh, went to sleep.

"See that you're putting all the pieces back together."

"Wh.. Who are you?"

"A figment of your imagination for now," a soft sigh, "I left you from the start for your own protection. Just when things looked up as you forgot it all... they've brought it back."

"What d'ya mean? Protect me? And if ya think that forgettin' your own life's worth of experiences is a way to prote--"

"Shh. You've had a rough day. Try not to resurface such feelings in a place so serene.."

There was Kikona standing with a look of an innocent girl lost where she did not belong. Feet ahead stood a man with short dark hair and a sinister smirk that stood out, no matter how calmly he spoke. He wore a blue aketon with the symbol of Bastok on its arm and white slacks. The two were standing in what only resembled a black void to Kikona. If this is the stranger's idea of serene, something must surely be wrong with his perceptions.

"Hold on! Left me? Does this mean.." she cocked her head to the side to further observe him with deepening curiousity, "that I use to know ya too? Like.. the rest of 'em, those three I met today." He laughed. "What's so funny?!" she cried out.

The man walked over to her and slithered an arm around her waist, pulling Kikona against him. There was no will to protest and she merely looked up into the eyes that stared fiercely in return. "I've missed you, I'll admit.. but if you were to regain your memory," he paused, his features graven, "life would become very difficult. You're better off never knowing me or yourself."

Kikona shoved him away, narrowing her eyes, "Don' talk to me like that! If I'm better not knowin' any of ya then stay out of my life! Don' tell me.. ya miss me 'n then unhappy I'm actually discoverin' myself. Why're things so against me, stranger? I want ta know why 'n fix 'em. That's the better approach than .. never knowin' and people wantin' me dead for nothin' I've done. Ya can't begin to understand what I'm goin' through-- obviously ya know your past and more about me than I myself know."

He had faltered backwards a few steps until catching himself and hiding the surprise that she actually pushed. Smoothing his aketon, the male Hume shook his head, "And you have no idea what it must feel like for them to see someone as yourself again after so long. Someone who claims they have no memory of their times before, yet parades as an adventurer bent on good will with thievery still. You were probably viewed as up to your old tricks, were you not?"

Besides the second Elvaan, the other two had viewed her at first as playing a foolish game. The dark haired Elvaan had yet to believe that Kikona truly remembered not of her actions towards him or anyone else. "Yea, that's.. right. Hayato was th' first to make tha claim."

"Mm, you're amazing in that you continue to live even now. Rest assured knowing this if it will put you at ease with your conscience, that had you not begged for Hayato's well being that evening here in Mhaura, he definately would not have the means of ever drawing a weapon against you." There it was again, that smirk... "It's their own fault for overlooking your kind heart, your sensitivity... not helping you when you needed it most. When they speak out against you, it was they who betrayed your trust and friendship. Never allow them to put you down into submission by playing favoritism of others in their life over you."

Comprehension was not easy, but a hesistant nod brought her to ask, "I see... but whatta 'bout you? If they weren't helpin' me out, were you?"

"I could not. We were worlds a part by this time. I heard of your hardships and what you did from afar. For us to be in contact only worsened your reputation and endangered you further." The ill expression left him for something more compassionate to reveal these heartspoken words.

"Who was.. with me then?"

The delayed response influenced a decisive and very well understood realization.

"You had liquor and a moogle to keep you from too much trouble in the vicinity of Bastok, I believe."

It was a choked laughter to break their silence as Kikona placed a hand to her hip and looked down, crestfallen, "Why ever did I come back then? Hayato said I died. 'member openin' my eyes and being held in his arms. Sounds like.. I.. was better off dead.."

He locked his eyes on Kikona with a fixed look of lust- of another kind. Back in front of her, he grabbed her roughly and brought Kikona against him once more and forced her to look up, "Dead? You want death over life, Kikona Krystalis?" Visibly shaken by his action and cruel tone, she was unsure of how to react. He shoved her backwards, almost sending her off her feet. Everything moved hastily. Her eyes shot up to catch only the next quick movement of the Hume's hand removing a dagger from beneath the aketon and watched his free hand reach forward to grab her by the neck. The dagger was thrusted into her left side and jerked out. Had fingers not tightened their grip around her neck, Kikona would have bellowed. The pain was indescribable. All she knew was she wanted to scream and beg him to stop. He did not allow this as she realized slowly in the knowledge of blood flowing freely from the open wound his dagger weilding hand had released the weapon to aid in preventing her air. She had fallen, laying on her back and him on his knees in his pursuit to give her death. Did he talk? If so his words were unheard.

"If you want death, then you will have it!"

She was losing sight of him now... wasn't this suppose to be a dream?

"HEY! HEY! HEEEY!" A hand struck Kikona awake. Jolting up from the bed and into the arms of this striker, he was caught off guard and staggered. She sweated, breathed heavily, and was ghostly pale in the face. Tears stained her cheeks. The light of the room eased focus into Kikona's blurred vision when she saw that it was the small rented room in the Sailors' Stay. Her grasp of the one who woke her was not released yet. No mind was paid to him as she swallowed deeply and trembled in her wake, eyeing the surroundings. "Woah, woah now." A hand patted Kikona on the back as he tried to lay her on the bed again. She sat, but refused to release him. By the look of her face, she was in shock. "You okay, miss?" Forcibly, he removed Kikona's arms from around him and grabbed gently onto her shoulders, looking eye to eye with her. "For the love of Altana, you look pale as a ghost! What happened? You were screaming and tossing in your bed for help. Had to break the door just to get in here to you."

Kikona shook her head, "D.. Don't.. leave me.. alone.."

--- the second/final old post

Slowly awakened by distant sounds of sailors mixed with thunder, Kikona almost forgot about the night terror and the darkly armored man in her room. "Ow..." she rubbed the side of her face after feeling a slight pain. It reminded her then what had taken place as she sat up. The room was not the one originally rented either. Even beside her bed were both gaiters neatly set side by side. Kikona slipped them on and rose from the bed. On the small wooden table was her hat, which could not be forgotten.

Leaving the room, two sailors were just breaking off the ruined door from the night before to replace it with a newer one set against the wall. Still working with a hazy memory, Kikona asked sleepily, "What happened 'ere?"

"Some lass in distress over night. Fearsome lookin' fellow about kicked the door in two tryin' to get inside to her," one of the sailors replied, stopping to look at her.

"Is he still 'round?"

"He left while ago after givin' us some gil to fix the door for the inn owner." The sailor picked off a hefty brown bag from the floor and opened it briefly to reveal the gil as proof. A wide grin spread from his lips.

"Right... thank ya kindly, sir." Kikona tipped the brim of her hat at him and left downstairs. Thunder boomed, causing a small rumble throughout the inn. Veovis and she were to take the boat to Selbina together. If it rained, they could not stay on deck without being soaked. Her groan was met by the chef of the town, Rycharade.

"Good to see you in town, Kiko. Heard you came in during the night! Thought I'd pay a visit."

The two had lunch together outside while the dark grey clouds settled above the small port town. They discussed their whereabouts as of late. Kikona knew Rycharade from serving as a pizza delivery girl for him between Mhaura and Selbina. She refrained from mentioning yesterday's problems or her dream. Truthfully, after falling asleep the second time Kikona slept soundly and felt much better.

It started to rain, a thick drizzle pelting on to canvas tops and building roofs. After finishing their dish in a hurry and cleaning the simple plates from the ground, Rycharade bid Kikona farewell. Thanking the chef for the meal, she then headed down near the warehouse to sit atthe ground's edge and dangle her feet in the water. Not often did it rain in this region, but it rained heavily when it did. Before Veovis would ever reach Mhaura she was likely to be drenched head to toe.

How much longer until he arrived anyway? Kikona removed her soaked hat and sat it on the ground, looking up at the sky as the rain's form changed from large drops to light sheets. There were still hours ahead to wait patiently for.