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<blockquote data-quote="Chasmodai" data-source="post: 1100724" data-attributes="member: 12445"><p><strong>The Calm Before the Storm</strong></p><p></p><p>Dinner time. I was in my sister's room exchanging some small conversation as we prepared. Guido stood at the door, watching silently, face impassioned. I respected Guido for his discipline and his loyalty, but he rarely talked, making it hard for me to get to know him better. As such, our exchanges of words were simply that - exchanges of short, terse words that held no depth behind them whatsoever.</p><p> </p><p>He depressed me sometimes.</p><p></p><p>I sensed that Arabella was somewhat eager for the night to ensue. She fidgeted, which was quite unlike her, and there was a small smile on her face, an expression that had been missing from her fair features ever since the visions grew in intensity. I glanced at Guido. Catching my meaning, the Barrens native mouthed one name to me.</p><p></p><p>'Leonardo'.</p><p></p><p>I raised my eyebrow questioningly. Guido didn't reply. Damn stoicism.</p><p></p><p>Leonardo Truffont. What did I know about him? A minor noble within Furyondy, adopted son of the late Leandro Truffont, founder of the Truffont School of Fencing. Apparently the two of them got into an argument that escalated into a duel to the death. The reasons were kept shrouded in mystery, and no doubt several interested parties already know of these reasons and are only waiting to put it to good use.</p><p></p><p>"So Arabella," I said to her, my tone telling her all she needed to know. Her lips pursed in a prim line, and she gave me the long-suffering look little sisters have when they have over-protective older brothers. Four of them, in fact. In response, I threw her my best rakish, shameless grin. "What's this I hear about you and Leonardo?"</p><p></p><p>"There is nothing to talk about. I just think that he's a fine gentleman, that's all," she signed back to me. "We met at a ball, and we danced together. Its as simple as that,"</p><p></p><p>My smile grew wider, and I included a knowing look as I said my next words. "You like him, don't you?"</p><p></p><p>She turned away and decided to brush her hair instead. I looked over at Guido, persisting. "She likes him, doesn't she?" I asked him, grinning. It was nice to tease Arabella once in a while, to let her know that I love her.</p><p></p><p>Guido shrugged. "She likes everyone," he said blandly, stopping my game before I could even build up momentum.</p><p></p><p>I deflated, my bubble popped. The entire world was against me.</p><p>++++++</p><p></p><p>We met them, this strange group of men who had taken it upon themselves to cleanse the world of a great evil. Duo, their charismatic leader, a man who had beliefs and conviction enough to move mountains - though currently, one certain mountain was in his vision. He was fast, smart and well-read, a friendly sort of person with an air of leadership about him.</p><p></p><p>I thought he was a fool condemned to die.</p><p></p><p>Leonardo Truffont, the Lion. One glance at his handsome features and his powerful physique would send most women swooning. I was quite glad Arabella didn't swoon. This was a man who had a dark past, and was stupidly stoic enough to blame it all on himself. He was here because he had a duty and would die to see it done.</p><p></p><p>Another fool.</p><p></p><p>Aranjit, the wild man from the Barrens. He wore glasses, furs and leathers. A man of nature who was ambiguously gay. A contradiction. He was here because he was Leonardo's 'moral compass'. This one might survive, if he wises up.</p><p></p><p>M'aric, a... lizard. A big red lizard that walks and talks in a very earnest tone of voice. Here because... we never really got around to that, I was much too fixated on his tail.</p><p></p><p>We - actually Ingram - expressed his desire to join them on their quest, and he gave me an expectant look that made my mind explode for a second. Bloody paladins. I shook my head and smiled amiably.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, I won't be going. This crawling through mountains really isn't my thing," I explained. "I will, however, be sending a man down to accompany you. He's an... acquaintance, and I've worked with him in the past. Very good for this sort of thing. Oh, and my butler Halvin will go along to watch you progress and help you out a bit,"</p><p></p><p>"You won't be going?" Ingram asked, in a mildly shocked - and disappointed - tone. I shook my head again. "But you must go! Your mother requested you to, and I don't believe you are going to disobey her!"</p><p></p><p>"But I can't go! I'm terribly unsuited for this sort of adventure and I would probably just end up getting in someone's way," I protested, rather convincingly.</p><p></p><p>"Nonsense! You were trained by the best knights in Veluna! You can handle yourself better than that!" Ingram continued on.</p><p></p><p>"Let the kid stay at home. We don't want more people dead than is completely necessary," Leonardo's rough voice broke between us. He turned to me and winked conspiratorially. "Smart of you not to go. Stay at home, don't get killed, eh?"</p><p></p><p>I couldn't help but smile. Of course, Ingram was having none of it.</p><p></p><p>"How old are you Zander?" he thundered, bearing his entire force of will on my person. It was all I could not to give him a good one in the kisser.</p><p></p><p>"Um... twenty-two," I said, affecting a shaky voice.</p><p></p><p>"When I was your age, I was already fighting in wars!" Ingram shouted. The bartender looked at us sharply. "You're old enough to be a man, and by Heironeous' shining light I will make you one!"</p><p></p><p>"That's enough now, Sir Morius. If Zander doesn't want to go, there is no point forcing him," Duo, of all people, spoke up for me.</p><p></p><p>Well, umm, thanks.</p><p></p><p>The issue was resolved. I was not going, but I would be sending my aide, Halvin, and one of my many business acquaintances along with them to help them out. Mother <em>did</em> want me to do something about it, and doing something indirectly was better than not doing something at all.</p><p></p><p>We discussed our plans of action, speculating and theorizing on the locations of each Elemental Temple. We also compiled a shopping list of things we needed to buy and just before midnight, I made another announcement. "Perhaps we would like to move gentlemen. I did not rent any rooms in this establishment for the night and the owner might look upon us unfavorably for staying till such late hours,"</p><p></p><p>"Oh. Perhaps we should move out then," Duo said. "We still haven't found a place to stay, have we? I don't really feel like going back to the Ziran's manor,"</p><p></p><p><em>OOC - Donovan Ziran was one of our party members, a shaper. He was the son of Andrei Ziran, a successful merchant, and also the party's sponsor. The player had to stop playing the game due to outside responsibilities.</em></p><p></p><p>"Not to worry. I have a small house near the outskirts of Verbobonc that would be sufficient. If you would like, I can allow you to stay there indefinitely and use it as 'headquarters'," I replied. I saw a few people smirking or frowning at the vapid look in my eyes as I said 'headquarters'.</p><p></p><p>"That sounds good. Thank you for all your help," Leonardo said.</p><p></p><p>"No thanks needed. It?s the least I could do for such brave men," I said. "Now, if we would like to move?"</p><p>++++++</p><p></p><p>Night fell. The party discussed strategy and tactics a bit more, during which I zoned out. Professing exhaustion, I retired to my room and lay on my bed. I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Chasmodai, post: 1100724, member: 12445"] [b]The Calm Before the Storm[/b] Dinner time. I was in my sister's room exchanging some small conversation as we prepared. Guido stood at the door, watching silently, face impassioned. I respected Guido for his discipline and his loyalty, but he rarely talked, making it hard for me to get to know him better. As such, our exchanges of words were simply that - exchanges of short, terse words that held no depth behind them whatsoever. He depressed me sometimes. I sensed that Arabella was somewhat eager for the night to ensue. She fidgeted, which was quite unlike her, and there was a small smile on her face, an expression that had been missing from her fair features ever since the visions grew in intensity. I glanced at Guido. Catching my meaning, the Barrens native mouthed one name to me. 'Leonardo'. I raised my eyebrow questioningly. Guido didn't reply. Damn stoicism. Leonardo Truffont. What did I know about him? A minor noble within Furyondy, adopted son of the late Leandro Truffont, founder of the Truffont School of Fencing. Apparently the two of them got into an argument that escalated into a duel to the death. The reasons were kept shrouded in mystery, and no doubt several interested parties already know of these reasons and are only waiting to put it to good use. "So Arabella," I said to her, my tone telling her all she needed to know. Her lips pursed in a prim line, and she gave me the long-suffering look little sisters have when they have over-protective older brothers. Four of them, in fact. In response, I threw her my best rakish, shameless grin. "What's this I hear about you and Leonardo?" "There is nothing to talk about. I just think that he's a fine gentleman, that's all," she signed back to me. "We met at a ball, and we danced together. Its as simple as that," My smile grew wider, and I included a knowing look as I said my next words. "You like him, don't you?" She turned away and decided to brush her hair instead. I looked over at Guido, persisting. "She likes him, doesn't she?" I asked him, grinning. It was nice to tease Arabella once in a while, to let her know that I love her. Guido shrugged. "She likes everyone," he said blandly, stopping my game before I could even build up momentum. I deflated, my bubble popped. The entire world was against me. ++++++ We met them, this strange group of men who had taken it upon themselves to cleanse the world of a great evil. Duo, their charismatic leader, a man who had beliefs and conviction enough to move mountains - though currently, one certain mountain was in his vision. He was fast, smart and well-read, a friendly sort of person with an air of leadership about him. I thought he was a fool condemned to die. Leonardo Truffont, the Lion. One glance at his handsome features and his powerful physique would send most women swooning. I was quite glad Arabella didn't swoon. This was a man who had a dark past, and was stupidly stoic enough to blame it all on himself. He was here because he had a duty and would die to see it done. Another fool. Aranjit, the wild man from the Barrens. He wore glasses, furs and leathers. A man of nature who was ambiguously gay. A contradiction. He was here because he was Leonardo's 'moral compass'. This one might survive, if he wises up. M'aric, a... lizard. A big red lizard that walks and talks in a very earnest tone of voice. Here because... we never really got around to that, I was much too fixated on his tail. We - actually Ingram - expressed his desire to join them on their quest, and he gave me an expectant look that made my mind explode for a second. Bloody paladins. I shook my head and smiled amiably. "Oh, I won't be going. This crawling through mountains really isn't my thing," I explained. "I will, however, be sending a man down to accompany you. He's an... acquaintance, and I've worked with him in the past. Very good for this sort of thing. Oh, and my butler Halvin will go along to watch you progress and help you out a bit," "You won't be going?" Ingram asked, in a mildly shocked - and disappointed - tone. I shook my head again. "But you must go! Your mother requested you to, and I don't believe you are going to disobey her!" "But I can't go! I'm terribly unsuited for this sort of adventure and I would probably just end up getting in someone's way," I protested, rather convincingly. "Nonsense! You were trained by the best knights in Veluna! You can handle yourself better than that!" Ingram continued on. "Let the kid stay at home. We don't want more people dead than is completely necessary," Leonardo's rough voice broke between us. He turned to me and winked conspiratorially. "Smart of you not to go. Stay at home, don't get killed, eh?" I couldn't help but smile. Of course, Ingram was having none of it. "How old are you Zander?" he thundered, bearing his entire force of will on my person. It was all I could not to give him a good one in the kisser. "Um... twenty-two," I said, affecting a shaky voice. "When I was your age, I was already fighting in wars!" Ingram shouted. The bartender looked at us sharply. "You're old enough to be a man, and by Heironeous' shining light I will make you one!" "That's enough now, Sir Morius. If Zander doesn't want to go, there is no point forcing him," Duo, of all people, spoke up for me. Well, umm, thanks. The issue was resolved. I was not going, but I would be sending my aide, Halvin, and one of my many business acquaintances along with them to help them out. Mother [I]did[/I] want me to do something about it, and doing something indirectly was better than not doing something at all. We discussed our plans of action, speculating and theorizing on the locations of each Elemental Temple. We also compiled a shopping list of things we needed to buy and just before midnight, I made another announcement. "Perhaps we would like to move gentlemen. I did not rent any rooms in this establishment for the night and the owner might look upon us unfavorably for staying till such late hours," "Oh. Perhaps we should move out then," Duo said. "We still haven't found a place to stay, have we? I don't really feel like going back to the Ziran's manor," [I]OOC - Donovan Ziran was one of our party members, a shaper. He was the son of Andrei Ziran, a successful merchant, and also the party's sponsor. The player had to stop playing the game due to outside responsibilities.[/I] "Not to worry. I have a small house near the outskirts of Verbobonc that would be sufficient. If you would like, I can allow you to stay there indefinitely and use it as 'headquarters'," I replied. I saw a few people smirking or frowning at the vapid look in my eyes as I said 'headquarters'. "That sounds good. Thank you for all your help," Leonardo said. "No thanks needed. It?s the least I could do for such brave men," I said. "Now, if we would like to move?" ++++++ Night fell. The party discussed strategy and tactics a bit more, during which I zoned out. Professing exhaustion, I retired to my room and lay on my bed. I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep. [/QUOTE]
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