Niitari
Seal Clapping Analyst
What am I when I am meaningless? What are you when you mean everything?
Posts: 763
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Post by Niitari on Apr 15, 2015 2:47:51 GMT
Adrian and Kieran Ten (?) years later....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 2:16:19 GMT
A young man watched the small cottage from the tree line. He stared, blue eyes darting from one window to the next, but he caught no hint of movement or glimmer of light from within. Still he stood in the downpour, barely sheltered by the branches above, his clothes already soaked. Holding onto a tree, he frowned, glancing over his shoulder. "Adrian!" The man gasped, when he caught a flash of greying ginger hair before arms wrapped around him, pinning one arm to his side while the other was clutching onto the tree. "Mr. McCarthy," he patted the werehorse's shoulder briefly before returning to clutch onto the tree once more. "I didn't know you were here...." "Of course not," the Irish man finally let him go, and held onto Adrian's shoulders, looking him over. "You rarely ever stay at one of my homes if you know I'm there. I have to say lad, it seems like you're avoiding me sometimes. And it's Patrick," the werehorse's eyes narrowed as he continued to look Adrian up and down. "We've known each other for a long time, no need for the formality of last names, and where are your prosthetics? Why aren't you wearing them? Where's your motorcycle? Did you walk all the way here or did you fly? When was the last time you've eaten a good meal?" Adrian removed the doctor's hands slowly and hopped a step back, "Patrick, I didn't come here to be asked all these-" "I know, I know, I'm sorry," the taller man stood back as well, glancing to the cottage. "It has just been a while since the last time I've seen you, but all that can wait. Let's go inside before we both catch a cold." Adrian ignored the werehorse's offered hand, and took a hold of his staff, and hopped on ahead of the doctor. Patrick reached the cottage before him and opened the door, stepping inside to switch on lights. By the time Adrian arrived inside the cottage the kettle was boiling and there was a pile of folded clothes on the table. "I think those will fit you. Would you like something hot to drink?" "Coffee, please. Black," Adrian panted, closing the door and leaning against the wall. Once he caught his breath he hopped forwards and headed into the other room. Returning with dry clothes and a towel around his shoulder, he went and sat down at the table. He nodded his thanks when a mug was brought. He swiped his hair out of his eyes, before he wrapped his fingers around the mug. Seeing the werehorse staring at his remaining fingers he let go of the mug and moved to hide his hands under the table. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" "It's fine, Patrick," Adrian smiled slightly. He bit at his mouth piercings, staring down at the coffee. He glanced up, seeing Patrick sit down across from him. "How have you been? You look well....besides being on the thin side." Adrian shrugged a shoulder. "I've been taking the medication this time.....Though I was making a bit of a profit by selling it." "I am glad you really are taking it," Patrick smiled, taking a sip of his tea. "And the prosthetics?..." Adrian frowned, shrugging again. "I left them in Elector. I know, what you're going to say but I don't like wearing them all the time. It's fine to wear them when I have to be out there around other people....but when I'm by myself I don't have to worry about fitting in or being stared at." The doctor nodded slowly,"I understand," he paused before continuing,"I don't suppose you have been back to Cinaed?" Adrian shook his head, taking a hold of his mug again. He grew tense, feeling the werehorse's gaze on him. "I said I'd never go back, that they wouldn't see me again. What do you want from me, Patrick?" "I want you to be honest with yourself, to how you feel now, not how you did then. I know that is what you said, but those were said by a teenager years ago. A teen that was full of anger, and pain. You're not the same person, Adrian." "I can't go back, Patrick," Adrian whispered, staring down at the black liquid in his mug. "Why not?" The young man shook his head, and bit at the piercings in his mouth. "You're afraid. That much I can tell. Why are you afraid to go home? You're afraid you won't be excepted back? That Kieran won't want you back? He's your brother, of course he would-" "You don't know that. You can't tell me what will and will not happen," Adrian snapped, glaring at the werehorse. Patrick's brows rose, his mouth hanging open slightly. Adrian slumped back in his chair before he pushed himself up to stand. "Sorry," he mumbled, going towards the other room. "You won't know what will or will not happen until you try, Adrian." The young man paused at the door before he hopped inside and slowly closed the door behind him.
Patrick fell asleep on the couch, letting Adrian have the bedroom to himself. Waking up the next morning, he went about making a kettle and sat at the table blinking groggily. After making his cup of tea he went and knocked on the bedroom door. "Adrian? Would you like to eat breakfast?" Not getting an answer, the werehorse frowned. He stood there for a few long moments with his hand on the knob before he finally opened the door....and saw an empty room. Rushing in he glanced down, doing a double take when he saw a letter on the desk. Leaning over the note, his frown slowly broke into a smile,"Good luck, Adrian."
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Niitari
Seal Clapping Analyst
What am I when I am meaningless? What are you when you mean everything?
Posts: 763
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Post by Niitari on Apr 16, 2015 3:18:51 GMT
In Cinaed...
The air was laden with smoke and choked with the cries of screaming. Fires burned somewhere. Gunfire echoed. It all reached deaf ears. Inside the Draeyva Palace, the gates were shut. Guards were posted. The military was back to back. Shutters drawn. Shades pulled. Little fires in tiny lamps kept the dark rooms from turning to pitch. But still, the oppression was enough to snuff out any hope of seeing light. A lone figure sat on the floor, head bowed over a plethora of maps and documents splayed on the floor. A knock at the door. The figure raised his head. "Enter." A shadow at the door. The door slid open, but in the dim light, the shadow was still a shadow. "He's awake." The figure sighed softly and stood up, brushing wrinkles out of his clothes. With purposeful strides, he crossed the floor and was joined by the shadow at the door as they made their way through the palace.
A servant opened the bedroom door. Inside, a young man was sitting upright on a futon, drinking water greedily from a lacquer bowl. He set the bowl down carefully on the floor and looked at the two men in the eye. "Don't stare," the servant chided. "That's disrespectful." The man held up his hand and looked at the younger, seated one. "It's alright. He's not disrespecting anyone. In a fashion, neither of us have a need to bow to each other." The young man's eyes narrowed, and he said in a low voice. "Why have you called me here?" The older man took a seat at the end of the futon. His shadow remained standing by the door. "We need to know where Adrian Draeyva is." The younger one looked away. "You do know where he is?" "Does it matter?" "It does." "You can't force him to come here. You should know that most of all." The man grimaced. "These are desperate times for Cinaed. The people have been in utter chaos since the war. All the other cities have cut us off. Pretending we no longer exist. The Draeyva line is being hunted into extinction. If anyone can stop it, it is the rightful King." "We've been without a king too long. I'm afraid there's no hope for Cinaed anymore." The man was quiet for a time. "I suppose it's too late for you to take over again." The young man laughed. "The last time Kieran Draeyva tried to sit on the throne, there was more baying for blood than there is now, believe it or not. So no, thank you. The city stinks of death well enough already."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 3:47:19 GMT
A sleek black motorcycle drove into Cinaed, slowly coming to a stop. The rider lifted up the visor, eyes narrowing. He had expected smoke, but even this was worse than anything he could remember. What was going on? This was no volcanic eruption. Gunfire? It was his own fault he didn't know what was happening here. He was the one that refused to listen or read anything that had to do with the City of Flames.....the name seemed all the more fitting now. He thought he could arrive and stay in Cinaed for a day or so until he figured out what exactly he wanted to do, but that option didn't seem to be available anymore. Shutting the visor, he revved the engine and took off down the street. The city was a maze. Numerous dead ends blocked his way. Screams and gunfire could still be heard through the helmet. Frustration and anxiety grew until he could only hear his breathing and his heart pounding. What if Kieran wasn’t here? What if that back stabbing General was still in charge? No! He forced the doubt away, shaking his head. Patrick wouldn’t have let him come here if that had been true. Driving up the Palace, he remained on his motorcycle as he pulled up next to a gate. Lifting up his visor, and seeing a number of guards, he called out, “Is Kieran Draeyva here?” He remained tense, hands retuning to the handlebars.
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Niitari
Seal Clapping Analyst
What am I when I am meaningless? What are you when you mean everything?
Posts: 763
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Post by Niitari on Apr 16, 2015 16:40:55 GMT
The guards exchanged a few words with each other, then one addressed Adrian. "What business do you have with him?"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 16:51:09 GMT
"Family business," Adrian replied shortly, eyeing the guards that were in his view. "I want to speak with him," he added after a few moments. None of these guards looked familiar. Until he knew exactly what was going on there wasn't much he was willing to say to complete strangers. Even if they were guards.
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Niitari
Seal Clapping Analyst
What am I when I am meaningless? What are you when you mean everything?
Posts: 763
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Post by Niitari on Apr 16, 2015 16:54:20 GMT
One of the guards seemed to come alert at the mention of family business. "Are you... are you a Draeyva?" he asked, hand going to the gun at his side. The other guards seemed to tense up at that name.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 17:14:56 GMT
The question was simple enough, however the guard's actions spoke louder than his words. Adrian's anxiety soared, fear and panic followed close behind. Closed gates, drawn shades, numbers upon numbers of guards and military personnel. Was this all for protection? Was this a prison? Heart pounded, throat tightening, he met the guard's gaze, but the words bobbed and remained stuck in his throat. A prison. A dungeon. Air, fresh air, I need air! Slamming the visor shut, he pulled away from the gate and Palace as fast as he could.
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Niitari
Seal Clapping Analyst
What am I when I am meaningless? What are you when you mean everything?
Posts: 763
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Post by Niitari on Apr 16, 2015 17:56:00 GMT
The guard flinched and stepped back when the motorcycle revved. His hand left his gun and he held it out towards the stranger in a halting gesture. "Wait! Sir! It's not safe out there!" he called out. The other guards also looked nervous, but there wasn't much they could quite do against a motorcycle.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 19:02:18 GMT
In the Outskirts...
The once clean motorcycle was filthy from venturing into and out of Cinaed, and the rider didn't fare much better. Coming to a halt on the side of the road, Adrian fumbled and struggled to take the helmet off. Finally pulling it off and tossing it away he sat there gasping. Still there was smoke in the air but it was nothing compared to what the city had. Stepping off of the motorcycle, it fell onto it's side. Adrian stumbled, trying and failing to get the feeling back into his leg. He remained where he was, side of his face down in the muddy road as his thoughts raced. His childhood home was a prison once again. Was Kieran locked inside? Did he leave his brother behind? Pushing himself up, Adrian slowly crawled over onto the motorcycle's other side before he sat down near it. Rolling up his pants he winced as he pulled off the prosthetic and rubbed at the sore stub. What could he do? What could any one person do against a city's army? Run. Adrain's jaw clenched, and his eyes grew watery. Run. Flee. Escape. Those were the only things he was good at. It was all he ever did. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, looking back towards the city. "..You're not the same person, Adrian." The werehorse was right. Adrian put the prosthetic back on, retrieved his helmet and sat back down on the motorcycle. The first time he's returned to Cinaed in years, and he wasn't going to give up now......He couldn't. He'd spend even more years swallowing in guilt and regret if he did. The motorcycle's engine roared to life once more. The young man's heart already begun to pound in his ears as he drove back to the City of Flames.
Back in Cinaed....
The motorcycle sputtered and came to a halt in Cinaed, still quite a distance away from the Draeyva Palace. Adrian hopped off, taking off the helmet, putting on his backpack and taking his staff. At first Adrian kept up a good enough pace, taking a few breaks. All too soon he was panting, pushing to take the next time. Every step with his amputated leg came with a wince, but still he pushed on, though he used every scream and gun shot as an excuse to hide and rest. The sun was setting by the time he reached the Palace, heading for the same gate he had driven to earlier. Reaching the gate, he came to a halt. Swaying on his feet, he collapsed onto his knees before he fell onto his side. There was no room left for fear and panic with the amount of exhaustion he felt.
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Niitari
Seal Clapping Analyst
What am I when I am meaningless? What are you when you mean everything?
Posts: 763
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Post by Niitari on Apr 16, 2015 19:15:00 GMT
It took the guards a while to notice Adrian lying there, only because he was so still. People were notified. They brought him inside the palace and closed up the gates again. But even though there was some benevolence in them, there was fear too. So they put him in a back room and set guards over it in case this person intended harm on the people within the safety of the palace walls. A servant was the only one really allowed in or out to check on him.
A knock sounded on Kieran's door. He glanced up from the scroll he was reading from, his one good eye narrowed. "Yes?" The door slid open and a man bowed. "Lord Draeyva, the guards brought in a vagabond that was asking about you." Keiran raised an eyebrow. "A vagabond..?" He frowned. "Anything else?" "He was taken to one of the old bedrooms for now. He seems to have collapsed from exhaustion. Possible dehydration as well." Kieran nodded. "Good. Once he's recovered some, send him here to me." Kieran looked back down at his scroll. The matter was closed. "Yes sir," the man said, shutting the door. Kieran sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He really had a lot to do today. Better things to do than talk to random people. But they said this person asked for him specifically. Maybe it was important after all. Either way, he would just have to wait and see.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 19:29:11 GMT
Adrian remained asleep for some time. Only when dreamless sleep broke out into a nightmare did he finally wake up. "No!" He yelled, sitting up, clutching at the sheets. Sweat dripped down his face, plastering his hair over his forehead and into his eyes. Swiping the hair away, he still panted heavily as he glanced about the room. A bedroom? He frowned, remaining on the bed until his heart stopped racing. Why would they put me in a bedroom? Eyeing a jug of water on the nightstand he moved out of the bed slowly. Pouring himself a cup, he drained it and poured himself another.The rest of the water went into the empty bowl, and grabbing the small towel he soaked it before washing his face.
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Niitari
Seal Clapping Analyst
What am I when I am meaningless? What are you when you mean everything?
Posts: 763
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Post by Niitari on Apr 16, 2015 19:33:29 GMT
The door to his room slid open and a servant boy entered. Seeing Adrian awake, he paused, and then remembered something of manners. "Oh. Good morning. Are you feeling better today?" he asked.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 19:41:16 GMT
Adrian jumped, and then frowned, looking at the servant boy. "Yes, I am feeling better.....Thank you." His frown deepened and his eyes narrowed, looking over the servant and outside the room. Perhaps this really wasn't a prison? "What has happen to Cinaed?" He asked the servant boy when he looked back at him. What was the cause of all of this unrest? None of this made sense. If Kieran really was here, why hadn't put a stop to the violence?
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Niitari
Seal Clapping Analyst
What am I when I am meaningless? What are you when you mean everything?
Posts: 763
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Post by Niitari on Apr 16, 2015 20:16:40 GMT
The servant boy did not seem to really get the question all that well. Either that or he just did not know. He was only about twelve or so anyway. "Um, well, there's been some attacks lately," he said. "And it seems more people are joining the other side now."
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