[RP]Obake Blade

[Rogue Nine]

"Gwah?" Carwyn said as he stretched and brushed straw off his skin and out of his hair. Then he looked down at his borrowed pajamas. They were even more garish in the morning light. "Oh, these," he said, wrinkling his nose. "M'clothes were wet last night and I didn't want to get cold, so I kinda took these from the bag over there to use for the night." He looked at her sheepishly. "Hope you don't mind. Bob said it was okay." He glanced over at the pony, who snorted amusedly.

 

****

 

Tellis pulled the hood of her cloak back as she entered the Smoking Dragon again. It was relatively quiet, being early morning. The only sounds were of Renn and his helpers bustling around in the kitchen and some hushed conversation coming from one of the back booths. She narrowed her eyes as she recognized Kyo sitting in the booth. He seemed to be speaking to the eccentric old man from the night before.

 

She slipped quietly between chairs and tables as she made her way to the conversing pair. "Excuse me," she whispered as she slid easily into the seat across from Kyo in the booth. "Good morning," she greeted them.

[JasraLantill]

Aya laughed out loud. "Yeah, he would," she agreed about Bob. "Horses are colourblind, don't you know." She patted Bob's neck, dusted off her hands, then felt Carwyn's clothing that was hanging over the stall door. "Looks like your clothes are dry now," she said to him. She stepped out of the stall and faced away from him. "Hurry up and change and we'll go eat breakfast. I think we're going to have a long day today."

 

As she waited for Carwyn to change, she thought about the night before. Despite the fact that she had kissed Carwyn, twice, the night before, and he had kissed her once on the cheek before he had retired to sleep, she was actually feeling rather bashful now in front of the ranger. She blamed the alcohol for what had happened and, although she was curious to know how Carwyn felt, she wasn't going to ask him straight out.

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn wriggled out of the obnoxiously-colored pants and put his own comfortable leather leggings back on. Folding the borrowed pants neatly, he put them back in the bag he'd taken them from. He shrugged his tunic back on and picked up his coat (which was still a bit damp), bows and rucksack and slung them all over his shoulder.

 

Running a hand through his hair to rid himself of any stray bits of straw, he waved jauntily at Bob and moved towards the stall door. "Aya, I'm rea---" was all he got out, however, before Bob suddenly stood up and used his broad snout to push Carwyn in the back, causing him to stumble forward.

 

Aya turned around to see Carwyn trip towards her. She let out a surprised "Oh!" as the ranger tumbled into her. Carwyn's reflexes kicked in and he managed to save them both from falling down into a heap on the floor. Setting his feet, he caught Aya by the hand and broke her fall gently, pulling her towards him. She toppled into his chest, his arms around her. After fighting off the momentary dizziness, she looked up and into his wide green eyes staring down at her.

 

"Hey there," Carwyn said softly. "You okay?"

[Jason Skywalker]

Akira got out of the waterfall and shook his hair. He got his cloak and cleaned himself up. Akira dressed himself and made his way back to the inn.

 

"Gonna be a long day now..."

[Master_Archon]

"Mothers these days..." Katsuro mumbled to Xan. Xan smiled, shaking his head, "people these days...." he remarked teasingly, taking the armor piece, one of his pauldrons.

 

He knelt down low so the boy could aid him in strapping it on. He whispered to him, "imagine, one day you might wear armor too, this'll be good practice," he said with a smile and a wink.

 

When the pauldron was on, he got the other one, strapping it on as well, with the help of Katsuro. Then came his armor boots, and then his helmet, which he held under his arm.

 

He stared down at the boy with a serious look, "at attention squire!" He stared Katsuro over, "you did a fine job grunt, dismissed!"

 

He gave Katsuro a proper military salute, then turned away from the boy on his heel, facing Takara, his serious demeaner mlting away, a small smile coming onto his face once more. He picked most of his stuff up, excluding his warhammer and great sword.

 

He pulled out his lute, smiling at Takara, he spoke properly, "would the lady care for some music?"

******

Old Yuri smiled at the 'healer' from the night before, getting up, he approached, sitting down in a seat at the table as well.

 

"G'morn, m'lady, and how are ya? Seeing as ol' bright an shiny won't say much," he said with a grin, glancing over at Kyo.

 

He thought to himself for a moment, "don't worry, I'll leave if I see your getting uncomfortable...doesn't seem like anyone wants my company for long anyway." He said, though he was very kind in saying it, not sad or depressed.

[Grace]

Xan knelt down low so Katsuro could aid him in strapping it on. He whispered to him, "Imagine, one day you might wear armor too, this'll be good practice," he said with a smile and a wink.

 

Katsuro chuckled and shook his head. "I battle the mind, not the body. I'll wear something lighter."

 

When the pauldron was on, Xan got the other one, strapping it on as well, with the help of Katsuro. Then came his armor boots, and then his helmet, which he held under his arm.

 

He stared down at the boy with a serious look, "at attention squire!" Katsuro snapped to attention, as ordered. Xan stared Katsuro over, "you did a fine job grunt, dismissed!"

 

He gave Katsuro a proper military salute and Katsuro returned it. Then, Xan, turned to Takara and his serious demeaner melted away, a small smile coming onto his face once more.

 

"Would the lady care for some music?"

 

Takara smiled back. "My, my! I knew there was more to you than your rough appearance indicates, but even I didn't expect music."

 

Katsuro rolled his eyes and mumbled under his breath, "Adults these days..."

 

And with that, he skipped out of the room.

 

 

- - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

Katsuro's steps led him down to the common room. Waving cheerfully to Yuri, Tellis, and Kyo, he got himself another cup of tea. Then, he crossed the room and took a seat with them. Knowing that none but Yuri would expect much adult conversation from him, he kept his mouth shut, sipping his tea.

[3yks]

Kai had fallen into his bed just a few hours ago, it had been past midnight before they had finished up with the dragon, but even still just a bit after dawn he woke, yawning and scratching at his eye patch, he was tired. Drained, he sighed, it had taken too much out of him last night. It always did he supposed, it was why he so rarely took off his patch. He had no idea how his power's worked, he had always had them, since he'd woken up without any memories.

 

Kai pushed to his feet and looked around the little room, his pack was there, he had that at least. He moved to it, not everything had been in the pack, his sleeping blankets and such were gone now, but he had clothes, and so he pulled some on. He hadn't bothered putting any on after pulling the sopping wet one's off last night. He pulled on a dark blue tank top, black leather pants, and a black monk's robe over top of it all. He then looked around, no room to do his morning routine, he frowned at that.

 

He came down the stairs languishly, his catlike mannerisms coming out in his slow movements this morning, he saw Kyo, and Tellis with that crazy old man, and headed for them. He set his bag down, bowed and smiled. "Kai must do his morning exercises." He said, and turned moving away from them, and heading over the fire, there was enouhg room infront of it for his routine.

 

He knelt before the fire and placed his palms togethor closing his eyes and taking a few slow breath's, then he began, he moved slowly at first, the motions of a martial artist, kata's, his body was quite amazing to watch, he moved with a grace that was almost supernatural, and after what they had seen last night, just probably was a bit supernatural. His movement's became a bit faster over time, until for the last few motions of the routine his flesh nearly blurred with speed. Then he was kneeling again, his palms pressed togethor, and his eyes closed tightly. After a few moments of this he stood and turned it had been several minutes since he'd started, and the few patrons were looking at him. He smiled at them, and headed for Kyo's table.

[JasraLantill]

After fighting off the momentary dizziness, she looked up and into his wide green eyes staring down at her.

 

"Hey there," Carwyn said softly. "You okay?"

 

Aya nodded. "Yup," she chirped.

 

For a moment, she didn't move. Truth be told, she really didn't know what to do. Being this close to Carwyn was both comforting and scary all at the same time. And with Bob staring at her over Carwyn's shoulder, she felt there was some sort of expectation that she should do or say something... but no words came to her and she didn't want to push him away.

 

Instead, she just gazed into those deep green eyes--until Bob snorted and rolled his equine eyes.

 

She cleared her throat. "O-kaay... we should probably go and eat breakfast now, Carwyn. Kyo's waiting for us."

[Rexraptor2000]

Toa paused at the site of where the bone dragon had 'died', which was now nothing more than a crater now with a few large bones in it, and asked the remains "Not so tough now are you?" As if in response one of the giant bones suddenly fell near him, barely missing him by a few inches. Toa jumped back and decided not to make the bones mad.

 

He headed for the inn, and on entering it, he saw Kyo, Tellis, Katsuro, and an old man sitting at a booth. He slid into the booth in a seat next to Tellis and said to them all "Good morning. I don't suppose you guys have ordered breakfast yet, have you? I don't want to go starved like I did yesterday."

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn caught himself staring into Aya's deep brown eyes when Bob snorted behind him and brought him back to reality. He then realized just how close she was, feeling the warmth of her hands on his chest, the slight quivering of her body against his arms and her soft breath on his face as she spoke.

 

"O-kaay... we should probably go and eat breakfast now, Carwyn. Kyo's waiting for us."

 

"Err, right," he said, releasing his hold on her reluctantly.

[Jason Skywalker]

Entering the inn, everyone seemed to be there right now.

 

"So, is everyone else as starved as i am?" He asked with his typpical cheerful attitude.

[ForceFightWMe12]

"I'm not a very talkative person, old man." Kyo said, examining the strange man. "It also doesn't help that I wake up to find you staring at me, apparently having sat there and have been watching me for the better part of the morning, then have you randomly come over and begin talking to me, smiling as if you know me. I'm a suspicious person to begin with, but you certainly seem to try far too hard to ally people's fears. I also don't think I've ever met someone who can use oxymorons quite as...skillfully as yourself."

 

His small rant finished with, the annoyance began to fade from Kyo's glinting eyes as he looked up to the door. Toa and Akira had just stepped in through the door, both smiling and apparently searching for food. He smiled welcomingly to the two, though the expression was small.

 

"Good morning." the swordsman said, slinging his sword back over his shoulders and tightening the belt that held the sheath in place. "Pull up some chairs. Renn is in the back, preparing for the morning. He should probably be out momentarily. You too, Kai. Come join us."

[JasraLantill]

Aya grinned shyly at Carwyn as she felt his embrace gradually relax, then bit her lower lip. "C'mon," she said to him. As she moved past him she glared at Bob, warning him with her eyes to keep his 'nose' to himself in future. Bob merely pricked up his ears and looked back at her with big, brown innocent looking pony eyes.

 

With Carwyn in tow, she headed back to the inn, pausing at the back door as she witnessed the blur by the fireplace that was Kai finishing up his morning exercises. She gave a sideways glance at Carwyn, then quickly shook her head, not quite believing what she had just witnessed.

 

She sidled over to the table where she had left her pack, and sat down with Carwyn at the table nearest to Kyo's. Renn was just laying out a basket of toast and was just starting to take breakfast orders.

 

"Good morning," she said cheerily to everyone, although she didn't make eye contact with Kyo. "Looks like it'll be nice day for travelling. Lots of sunshine."

[Jason Skywalker]

"Indeed. Let's just hope it doesn't turn bad soon," Akira told Aya, "Ah, Renn, before you ask, the same as yesterday," He said, loud enough for Renn to hear.

[Rogue Nine]

"G'mornin'" Carwyn said as he took a seat at the table, laying his belongings on the floor next to his chair. He looked around at everyone. "Looks like we all got up bright and early," he said, rubbing some extra sleepdust out of his eyes. "Hopefully Renn's got some pretty strong coffee for those of us who aren't morning people, myself especially."

[ForceFightWMe12]

"It should be nice enough for our purposes." Kyo said, studying the two new entrants with a practiced eye, though he feigned uninterest. "It rained pretty hard last night...hopefully the heavens have rained themselves out for a while."

 

He looked to Carwyn, grinning faintly. "You'll need it, if we're to get going at a decent time."

 

The swordsman noticed how Aya didn't make eye contact with him, and also how both the ranger's and the merchant's movements were stiffer than usual. They seemed to be rather self concious...uncomfortable, almost. His lips twitched to a barely noticable degree - he had a pretty good guess as to what might have happened out in the stables. He shook his head. Perhaps it hadn't been the alcohol last night that caused Aya to act so boldly...

[JasraLantill]

"So, Katsuro...," Aya started as Renn began serving the coffee, juice, and water to the group. "Are you and your mom coming with us? Kyo could certainly use another archer, especially if we run into any more... dragons and the like."

 

She looked over at Kyo then. "I've got room on Bob to carry some supplies for you. That is, if you still want a 'disbeliever' coming along."

[ForceFightWMe12]

So it would seem that Aya was still a bit bitter about their conversation last night. No matter. Kyo smiled easily at her, nodding gently.

 

"That would be greatly appreciated." he said, "Thank you. It should make our journey that much easier."

[Rogue Nine]

Tellis glanced over at Kyo. "How's your shoulder this morning?"

 

He shrugged with his good shoulder, seeming rather interested in the toast as he reached for a piece. "It's much better, thank you."

 

"Good, I'm glad," Tellis replied with a smile. Leaning outward, she called "Aya", catching the merchant's attention. "I was wondering if I could trouble you for some space on your pack pony for my medicinal kit. It shouldn't really take up much space."

[JasraLantill]

"Yeah, sure," Aya replied to Tellis. She frowned slightly as her eyes flicked back and forth between Kyo and the healer. "There's plenty of room for a medicinal kit. Bob's carried heavier stuff than that."

 

She took a bite of her toast. "So, when are we leaving? I mean, I'm packed and ready to go, and it'll only take me a few minutes to load up the supplies for the monks on Bob." She looked at Kyo. "That isn't a problem, is it? Going to visit the Northern Monks? I mean, it's like a tradition in my family to trade supplies for artefacty things." Her eyes narrowed. "Like my coin," she added.

[ForceFightWMe12]

He nodded, any trace of a smile that had previously been on his lips now fading as Aya continued to show off her apparent hard feelings towards him.

 

"Not a problem at all. I figure we'll be heading that way anyway. Perhaps they'll have some more information on the Obake blade for us." his own eyes narrowed faintly as well. "And speaking of your coin, I believe I still have it, don't I?"

 

As he spoke, Kyo had begun to unwind the strap of leather from his wrist, pulling out the puzzle and slipping her coin off the end. He slipped a second of the strap through the hole, then tied it shut. He slid it across the table to the edge, where it hung within her reach.

 

"There. Thank you for allowing me to use it."

[Rogue Nine]

"Oh goodie, we get to go up north," Carwyn said cheerily, his hands wrapped around a mug of coffee that one of Renn's helpers had poured for him. He took a sip, then cast a look at Tellis, who sat serenely in the booth. "Hey Tel, are you coming with us?" he called out.

 

Tellis turned to face him. "Yes, I do believe I am," she replied.

 

Carwyn nodded. "But what about Dr. Waverly and Chr---" he stopped short and frowned as he realized whose name he was saying.

 

She seemed to catch his hesistation. "I have already informed Dr. Waverly of my intent to travel with your group and he has allowed me to do so." She blinked and her eyes briefly flickered to the old man before continuing to speak. "And I'm sure that we will encounter Chris again."

 

"How comforting," Carwyn mumbled, returning his gaze to his coffee.

[JasraLantill]

"You're welcome," Aya said, and she started to reach for the coin. But then she paused. She stared at the coin just inches away from her fingers, and then she looked at Kyo. "Wait, you're just 'giving' it back to me? Just like that?" Her brow wrinkled with confusion. "No catch?"

[Master_Archon]

Old Yuri remained quiet as a mouse as the table and booth began to fill up. He would have left, if it hadn't been for the fact he was jammed near the middle, unable to get out, even if he wanted to.

 

He pulled thin, silken pieces of paper from his old tattered robes, folding them meticulously, each fold slow and purposeful, though he barely even looked at the paper he was folding. When he finished folding his first piece of paper, there stood a origami animal, the first one a swan.

 

He pulled out another piece, watching the events at the table unfold. The events weren't as, captivating as last night, but they were still quite interesting. Being at the table made it all the better, yet he didn't look like he was paying attention to the goings on of the table, he did this not to attract the scolding stares of the group.

 

He finished his next figure, a turtle, then he pulled out another piece, starting with it.

 

He was looking at the table when the healer's eyes glanced in his direction, he smirked mischieviously at this for a brief flash. He had nothing to fear from the Doctor, he knew no one that knew who he really was would reveal too much about him, they all respected him, and they feared him with the fear that comes with respect.

 

He leaned over to Katsuro, speaking quietly to him, "you enjoying this as much as me?" He asked, giving the boy a wink, his eye glinting with a very light green spark.

[Grace]

"I am," Katsuro answered, grinning in return. Then, in a hushed voice so only a few near him could actually hear, he began commentating. "Note how the merchant automatically assumes there's some sort of hidden agenda on the part of the mysterious warrior. Typical of a merchant, a businesswoman, but perhaps a little premature. We will see..."