Shards of Memory-Prologue: Fractured Union

[Rystil Arden]

Yuriko:
[SBLOCK]
*Rin is quiet again for a moment, and then she speaks for the first time, asking in a frightened voice:*

"Am I...are we...going to die? I feel a terrible darkness..."
[/SBLOCK]

 

[Rystil Arden]

Kirkesh:
[SBLOCK]
"Of course, ma'am. We would never gossip about our guests. I will go to the room and check with the Lady Vanessa or her man Sanchez to ensure that everything is all right, and then you will hear no more on the matter."
[/SBLOCK]

 

[Rystil Arden]

Gaius:
[SBLOCK]
*The carriage swings past the interior gate to the upper-class portion of Praetoria and instead heads to the western exterior gate of the city, exiting swiftly past the guards, who tip their hats to the carriage as it passes. It continues along the well-paved road into the countryside.*

*Meanwhile, the Pleb sits silently, staring into the distance in the direction that they are travelling.*
[/SBLOCK]

 

[Rystil Arden]

Zaeryn:
[SBLOCK]
*Valyssa takes Zaeryn's hand gingerly, rising to her feet and following Zaeryn to his abode, a small workshop with a few bedrooms where members of Zaeryn's family sometimes stay when they are in-between working at the Academy or travelling through Altania for research purposes.*
[/SBLOCK]

 

[Rystil Arden]

Diedrik:
[SBLOCK]
"Ah yes, the restlessness of youth," Amity smiles at Diedrik wistfully, "I knew someone just like you once, not long ago...take care that you always watch not only what is there around you but also the path ahead so that you can avoid his fate..."

"Everyone should do what makes him happy...I hope that your journey brings you just what you are searching for, Diedrik."
[/SBLOCK]

 

[unleashed]

Zaeryn T'Erilan, Male Altanian Arcanist

Rystil

[SBLOCK]*Upon reaching the workshop Zaeryn lights a lamp and quietly finds them an empty room. Once they enter the room he secures the door to show it’s occupied, and then places the lamp on a table near the bed before removes his clothing and getting in. Once in bed he says a little sheepishly:*

“Sorry for the meagre accommodations, but my family doesn’t spend much time outside the academy so they don’t maintain an elaborate residence.”[/SBLOCK]

 

[Keia]

Yotsu Yuriko, Martial Artist

Rystil:[SBLOCK]

"Am I...are we...going to die? I feel a terrible darkness..."

*Yuriko looked at the child for a few moments after she spoke, contemplating what she had said.* 'Was she perhaps sensing something . . . something I wasn't,' Yuriko thought. 'It is obvious that we are in great danger . . . both from within and without. I should just . . . <-> . . . try to figure out her feeling.'

"I don't know, little one. I will try to not let anything happen to you," Yuriko replied honestly. "This darkness . . . do you sense it within yourself or from outside . . . where do you sense it?"[/SBLOCK]

 

[Bront]

RA:
[SBLOCK]

"Of course, ma'am. We would never gossip about our guests. I will go to the room and check with the Lady Vanessa or her man Sanchez to ensure that everything is all right, and then you will hear no more on the matter."

"Of course you do. Here, let me go with and make sure everyone's... well, appropriately attired."

She walks back to the Vanessa's room. She steps in first, asking the man to wait outside for a second "Vanessa, this man here's trying to make sure everything's ok. He said he'd be discrete with the, um... rough play your guards like" she says to Vanessa as she winks, while motioning so the man can't see that she should do something about her attire.
[/SBLOCK]

 

[Rystil Arden]

Zaeryn:
[SBLOCK]
*As Zaeryn heads quickly towards the bedroom, there is a bright flash of light and a bang from the next room in the workshop and then a strange cloud of coloured smoke wafts out from under the door--must be another late-night attempt to perfect that Elixir of Arcane Prowess recipe.*

*Valyssa notices this as well, but as she climbs into bed and snuggles up to Zaeryn, she protests:*

"Oh, no, don't say that--it's perfect! As long as you're here with me, any place seems almost like a palace!"
[/SBLOCK]

 

[Rystil Arden]

Yuriko:
[SBLOCK]
*Rin pauses for a moment and looks into Yuriko's eyes, perhaps also looking past or wondering whether to respond. Then finally, she does.*

"Both. It is all around. I feel it inside, and in mommy, and in you too..."
[/SBLOCK]