Impossible Chances

Entering Market Square he could hear people talking about the airship that was hovering there, "At least other people could see it." he thought, before stopping to get a better look. He says to himself as others look up at the airship "at least now I know I'm not going crazy."

"I can't believe that you can win this airship!" a young lady says to his side. Tenchi stops for a moment, with a quizzical look, before getting the person's attention, "Excuse me, miss, what do you mean win this airship?" Looking shocked as though someone asked her what color the sky was she responds, "Haven't you heard? If you find the keys for this ship, it's yours, to keep forever! Talk about a dream ride!" Holding up one of the keys he found he responds with a question, "Do the keys look like this?" the young ladies eyes get wide, "Yes! You found one!" she exclaims, "I have been out looking for them, but I heard there are many of them, but only one key works." She explains "The one I found didn't work, I am SO upset about that." She stomps her foot and crosses her arms, clearly upset.

Figuring he didn't have a chance, he might as well try. Tenchi dismounts and walks up to the hatch of the airship holding the key in his hand. He puts the first key in the door and tries turning it, the lock doesn't budge. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out another key sliding it into the hatch, the lock again does not budge. Muttering to himself as he pulls a third key from his pocket, "What would I want with a pink airship anyway" he slides the key into the lock, "It's not like it won't be noticed from a mile away anyway." As the key turns with a soft click.

Standing there for a moment, stunned, he removes the key and pushes the hatch open. Cheering and crying alike can be heard all around as he climbs into the ship. A banner on the opposite side of the hatch read as follows.

Welcome winner!  Congratulations on winning the best little airship money can buy.  What's more?  You get to drive this shiny new baby around town like a pretty little princess in her brand new porche.

Trickery?

Tenchi had spent a great deal of time thinking, too much probably, he really needed to get his problem taken care of. He decided that before he went through with the process, he would take some time to wander the places he had been before, while he could.

With the assistance of Niliwine at the Keepers castle he befriended one of dragons that he cares for. Tenchi traveled  to the various places of the realm: his favorite shops in Torregiano and to see how much progress they had made, New Thalos to catch up with his old teacher, and finally to Thalos to visit the library for its section on magical research to see if anyone had come across this affliction before.

Unsurprisingly no one had, Tenchi sighed and left the library. He wandered Old Thalos, making his way through the general populous, he noticed a splash of color on the ground. Odd, that no one seemed to take notice of colorful object that stood out like a sore thumb, "How could they not notice?" He asked himself, it was bright pink. Pausing to dismount he picks up the pink object, a key, he mounts the dragon companion, puzzled by this key that no one else could see.

Continuing down the path he notices another pink key, "Is someone playing a trick on me?" he thought. He again collects the second key, no one paying heed to what he is picking up. Puzzled Tenchi leaves Thalos, letting the dragon walk as he examines the keys. Finding himself feeling a bit cold, he stops the dragon and looks around, he finds himself in a dark forest, another pink key on the ground and another one a little farther down the path.

Feeling as if someone truly had been playing tricks on him, he decides to head back to the castle. He pats the dragon on the side and urges the dragon on, back up the path and back to the main road, making his way back to Westbridge. "Someone really must be playing a trick on me.", he thought, as he entered through the gates he could see there was a very pink airship off in the distance.

Searching for Success only to Fail

Tenchi had visited many different apothecaries, and all of them had seen his legs, yet none of them could figure out what was happening to his legs. They all concurred that it indeed seemed to be a poison, eating his legs away slowly, and if it were not for his natural racial regenerative abilities, it would have spread much quicker. Instead, his abilities only slowed it down,  it was still spreading.

One apothecary mentioned, as a joke, that because Tenchi was an esper he could afford to lose his legs as they would eventually regenerate. Tenchi  started to seriously consider this, his ability to walk becoming increasingly more difficult, relying more and more on the cane he now carried. Soon he may not be able to walk at all, at least it was a chance even if it was risky, after all what did he have left to lose?

Tenchi began to think who he could ask to perform such a task, he had to be very careful in choosing if he did take this path. There were benefits to this choice, after his legs were removed he could give them to be researched, to find out how this poison was made, or even what this poisons purpose was.

He began putting a plan together in his mind.

Discussions and Wanderings

It had been some time since he had first heard of the Keepers of Balance and now he had met four of them: Sanria, Vorcet, Orn and Kineada. He knew Kineada from long ago, remembered Vorcet from when he was a Crimson Guardian, and there was an inkling that he might have heard or met Sanria at one point, but if he had it was brief, Orn he had not met before though it seemed he was distracted by his young ones.

He talked with each one, answered their questions and asked some of his own, in the end he was welcomed as a Keeper of Balance. After the meeting he wandered the castle, taking it in. He perused the library, starting to read each book that the thought might hold some information of use. After several days of reading, feeling frustrated, he decided to see what was on the outside of the walls of the castle, maybe go visit the town that he had been told of.

Exiting the castle doors he met with a tall emaciated person with a large bear at their side. Upon closer look it was a skeleton, a heucuva, he had known of  a few of them long ago. After a brief inspection on both parties the heucuva  introduced itself, with a bit of enthusiasm, as Kaz. He had been staying in the town and had not seen anyone actually exit the castle before, about how he  had been staying in the town for some time helping the innkeeper. Wanting  to see the town, Tenchi asked if he would like to show him the town, and talk some more.

Each taking a seat at the couch in the inn they talked, for awhile, about the Keepers and about Kaz's past. While Kaz was talking he took notice of Tenchi's  hands moving to his legs, his robes were darkening red and  beginning to stick to his legs. Tenchi tried to sidestep the question saying that it was nothing to  be concerned about, Kaz wasn't dissuaded and insisted on wanting to know.  Tenchi revealed that it was an injury he sustained some time ago, Kaz had  wondered how he was even alive with such an injury to one leg, let alone both. Continuing to explain Tenchi said it refused to heal even with his natural regeneration ability, which was the reason he was still living, it only slowed down the decay. Kaz mentioned that it might possibly be a poison, something  Tenchi had not thought of or even considered.

Kineada had showed up at some point, apologizing if he was interrupting and wanted to speak with Kaz for a little bit, but that was not on Tenchi's mind, he  was busy thinking of what new research he would have to do as to see what poison might have caused such damage. After some time Kineada excused himself, Tenchi had been responding and answering questions, but that had  not been at the forefront of his mind. Kaz had said to go seek an apothecary,  and that was just what Tenchi had intended on doing.

Redirected Attention

Sanria settled  herself in Sandrine's Tea Shop in the castle amongst the cushions and looked over at a man who appeared average and non-descript. Tenchi was his name, and it was a name that had crossed her desk several times, though she had not had the mental capacity  to even begin to deal with the application.  Now, however, she was desperate to give herself a little distance with which to think.  She needed to raise her head above the woes of her family circumstances and really do some work. 

They spoke for a time, teacups in hand, about his discovery of the island and the Keepers.  His voice was gentle as he spoke, as though humble and a little unsure.  He also  seemed to start  when a member of the Keepers would arrive, each new face catching him unawares, as though he had been somewhere for a long while where no people had been. 

Vorcet  came, then  Kineada, then  Orn (accompanied by two crying babies which gave  Sanria pause  to collect her  grandchildren that she had not  seen in many days).  The questions  were from all angles, the interview, which it had become, was a success.  The few hours spent in conversation with Tenchi helped to refresh  Sanria in ways nothing else had.  In a unanimous agreement, they welcomed Tenchi into the Keepers of Balance.

Though she wondered about his past, Sanria could tell that he was a good soul. Moreover since Kineada knew him from a previous time.  She excused herself, swapping  infants to give a pacified  Regina to Orn in exchange for a squalling Reggie, and went to her office.  She calmed the baby boy with a warm  smile and gentle squeezes, then  held him in her arm as she looked through the other  accumulated papers on her desk.  Others wished to join, others needed to be reached.

Sanria gave a deep sigh as Orn walked in and pushed the work to the back of her mind.  She could sense Tenchi roaming the  castle and she smiled. The  family on the  island had grown and  for the better, she felt.  "We  have more who wish to join us, Orn," she said, nodding to the papers. "Oh, really?" he replied, looking quite flustered, Regina having started crying anew.  He patted the  baby's back with a new parent exasperation. "Soon," Sanria chuckled, taking  both babies into her arms to give Orn a moment's peace.  "We'll get to them soon."

Current Character Description - Tenchi

Robes that look well worn, almost tattered, garb a man standing at an average height. His eyes hold a modest gaze, and his face is stoic. His hair is ragged, perhaps at one time well kept and better looking than it is now. On his arm a bit of color stands out, a blue and green armband, the only piece that is worn that looks even remotely new.

Ghost from the past

The Past week had gone by in a blur.  Psycho reflected on the current global events, a vision of the future and a ghost from the past.  All three of these events directly correlated to the hard  times that had occurred in the past few years.  Psycho decided to  go the bar in Polaris.  The icewine there and the cold lake were a calming place.  The effect of the area could be seen upon the  black and red energy coming off from him. 

As Psycho drank he fingered the tiny silver key.  The key had been used only a few times.  Fewer than Psycho would have wanted to say it had been used. Just after the heavy rain storms had poured the streets of Westbridge contained A friend from the long distant past. Psycho observed Tenchi in Westbridge.  His unique black hair which  was normally short with a tail was now scruffy.  His feet hands and face had deep smudges of soot and mud. In Psycho's eye Tenchi had definitely fallen into some hard times. Psycho greeted Tenchi warmly.

'Hello my old friend how are you?'
'I have just been visiting my old house.'
'Have you been staying at your old home?'
'Yes, I have just been thinking of the Past'

Psycho knew that there was more to the story. Risking angering his friend he probed deeper, wanting to help Tenchi.

'May I ask What is at your old home?'
'Nothing remains but a corner of the home, the rest was consumed by fire.'
'My friend you can not stay there it is not good for you.'
'I insist that you stay an available guest room.'

Tenchi smiled and accepted Psycho's offer. Psycho had run quick to zozo, he quickly checked the guest room, grabbed the sliver key and return to Westbridge.  When he arrived Tenchi was no where to be seen.

Rememberance

After spending several hours searching the remains of the burnt home, finding nothing, he turns to the wood remnants and begins to build a better shelter. Now hungry he begins searching the surrounding area for edible plants. Finding nothing of substance just a few meager berries eating them, hoping they arent poisonous, and drinks some water from the pump before sitting in his ramshackle made lean to.

Luckily the berries were not poisonous and many days passed, barely eating anything except the berries which were few and far between, they had another side effect however. During the nights he had very vivid dreams, more colorful than he had ever remembered having, of a place very similar to where he finds himself. During the day he mindlessly props rocks and wood within the remains of the home, not knowing why, only that he must.

Rain starts again and he hurries to his shelter, climbing under the makeshift lean to, he sits facing the partially covered opening. Staring out into the rain, he feels he is no longer in control of his body, he collapses into a trance the world fading away into darkness. Images flash through his mind and he finds himself in a waking dream.

Getting up from his bed he looks around, finding himself indoors, he hurries to the exit of the room. A hallway and stairs leading down, he now runs trying to get out of the place that he finds himself, he jumps the last few stairs and rushes out the open door. He takes no more than three steps before freezing in place, the water pump catches his eye, he turns toward it. This is the water pump that has kept him alive for the past few days, he wonders how this can be the same one, he turns to face where he came from. The home that had been burnt is now standing fully built and unharmed. Watching helplessly the home starts to melt away, first the walls, then various furnishings disappear. Pictures start to fade away, he runs trying to catch a glimpse, his mind absorbing all that he can see.

Grasping at the air, he wakes, holding onto a bit of tattered clothing that he hung up as a flap to the lean to. Minutes had passed by the look of the ground, still having the occasional dry patch, he closes his eyes recalling the last image he saw before waking. A painting hung on the wall, a family, he recalls thinking harder. Not being able to remember all of the faces of the family, but one, he remembers seeing himself.

Snapping open his eyes, he lowers his head thinking, "This was my home, I had a family here." he looks up and stares at the rain as it falls.

Findings

What seems like hours later though only minutes, through the mud and rain, he reaches the top of the sloped hill. What next catches his gaze is the burnt husk of a home, the surrounding vegetation encroaching upon it. Crawling with what speed he can muster he reaches the remains of a house, pausing momentarily as another wave of deja vu passes over him, he continues into the burnt remains seeking any bit of shelter he can find.

Searching briefly he finds some boards and begins propping them, with some effort, next to a less crumbled wall. Crawling under his makeshift shelter, escaping the rain for a brief respite, he curls up into a ball trying to stay warm. Listening to the rhythmic sound of rain fall he falls into a fitful sleep.

Waking to the sound of a hooting owl and no sound of rain, he inches out of his shelter shivering. Bracing against the wall as best he can he tries to stand again, the pain is still there, holding onto the wall grimacing he shifts his weight slightly and decides that he bear the pain and walk a little. Keeping one hand on the support of the wall he limps around the burnt house, searching as he goes, stopping when he notices a water hand pump. Thinking to himself, "Well at least I can finally wash my wounds." he lets go of the wall and limps to the pump.

After several failed attempts, determination pays off, he is able to get some water to flow from the pump. He sits next to the pump and starts to undo a bandage to his legs, inspecting the blood soaked bandage he sighs, beginning to wash his legs. With each pump of water on his wounds brings fresh agony, biting into rolled cloth, he finishes and washes the strips of cloth while letting his legs dry.

After rebandaging his legs he stands holding himself up at the water pump looking at the burnt building, closing his eyes, thinking why this place seems familiar.

Deja Vu

There is another crack and spark of bright light, causing the man to start and jerk upright, well as much as he can, before wincing in pain. He feels wetness on his face, and then he hears it, rain. Calming slightly he pulls his leg off the roots and swivels to rest his back on the tree and begins to examine the bandages. Thinking to himself, "No time to rebandage my legs, Ive got to find shelter." as the downfall of rain increases.

Looking around intently searching for some form of shelter he doesnt see any, however he starts to feel deja vu, again thinking to himself "Have I been here before? Why does this place look familiar?" Trying to pull himself to his feet, only to fall back down again groaning in pain, he looks skyward into the fall of rain. Looking back at his surroundings wondering why of all places he could have appeared this feels familiar.

Noticing a small animal trail he begins to crawl towards it, rain spattering his face as he drags himself towards it. Gasping for breath as he reaches the path he pauses for a minute, looking toward the sky again, "This place is familiar to me, I must have been here before." he turns toward the east facing a gentle sloped hill.

Pulling himself along, all the while grimacing at the pain, he heads toward the top of the slope as if he were called there.

The Return

The wind is calmly blowing on this seemingly normal day, the wildlife in the holy grove happily play and frolic. A deer lifts its head and looks around as if it was startled by something. The rest of the deer in the immediate vicinity follow suit and shortly after bolt in every direction.

Suddenly there is a crackling and the spark of bright light, a man appears seemingly out of nowhere and lands on their feet, only to immediately collapse onto the ground. Gasping for breath momentarily disoriented, pain suddenly hits, acutely focusing his senses on the location of the injuries causing a scream to well within and release.

With pained words he shouts, "Help!" Looking around seeing only forest he grasps at his legs, blood soaking his hands and trowsers, he groans, "oh goddess it hurts." Thoughts rush through his head, forcing himself to concentrate, he rips off his cloak and starts tearing at the ragged strips making them longer. Bandaging his legs up the best he can, stemming the flow of blood, he mutters to himself, "I hope this can stop it for awhile, Ive no idea where I am."

He crawls to the nearest tree and lifts his legs up on some roots wincing as another flood of pain hits him causing him to pass out.

The Destruction of the key

Mirage lay in her bed after talking to Ryel, The key was taking its toll on her. The sickness in her body was worsening, her bones ached, her head pounded, her stomach uneasy, and each cough brought up blood. All of the things that she had endured recently, including this in particular had made her change her views on things. Many of the people she had thought would never be there for her have been, and those she thought that would, weren't. The reevaluation was harrowing but had given her a more clear understanding of what she needed to do. She didn't want to die, she had to continue to be here, for her children, for her love Sylus, and for her friends that were dear and near to her heart. As she thought of these things, all of these things, how her life had affected so many, she sta rted to feel drained, so she drifted off into a deep sleep. When Ryel arrived to wake her, the time had come yet, she was too weak to move, her bones were afire, her body was without strength, her coughs spilling blood on everything near, her skin, clammy and cool, soaked in sweat. Ryel seeing this leaned down and placed Mirage's arm over his shoulders and across his neck, and then picked her up. It was time to go, he had come back as promised, she would not die, but time was running out. He wrapped a blanket around her, and recited a spell of transportation. They appeared in the forest not far from the cabin. Maya was sitting on a stump and looked as they appeared. "What took you so long?" Mirage barely looked up. Ryel sat Mirage down on the stump next to Maya. Mirage turned to Maya "I was .. Asleep.. I am sorry." Mirage's sunken in eyes told Maya volumes of what she was going through. She leaned to her close against her. This would soon be over. Not only had the key's magic almost killed Mirage but it also was killing Maya. Tenchi who had been standing quietly looked at Ryel and nodded. Ryel took the key out of the air seemingly and held it tight in his hand, he was not letting go of it. Tenchi. Taking care not to go to quickly. The first to go was Mirage, she held out her hand, and touched the key, and with a violent scream the power was purged from her. She dropped to the ground heaving. Maya looked at Mirage, as she touched the key the same happened. Although her screams were a little more stifled. The last was Tenchi. He placed his hand on the key and released what he had inside of him. He let out a loud groan, and clenched his fist tight. The key again hummed now with a brilliance of blue light. Ryel, walked over to stand behind the eastern wind, then disappeared, to destroy the key.

(ooc) This is being posted to clarify the ending of this section of RP. Thank you for participating to all those involved.

seline's journal pg 16

23rd of Hammer Interesting, Whomever this personage is that wishes my help with the Shield problem is definately one of either great power or resources. Today I was sent a Ring. Activating it will grant one wish, which might enable me to solve the problem of the Key, which is still out there and troubles me greatly. If it is not used there, it might be needed on this Shield quest, so I will not use it unless it is Absolutely necessary. Queen Simbul and I went to speak with the Ancient Dragon Ryel today. We learned much about the key. It seems the power from it has left the key and now resides in 3 people. Maya a Vampire, Tenchi an esper and that Sunite priestess. What aspects of the key they each have is unknown, however it can be triggered by merely a thought. This scares me. The number of times I have waken with the memories of battles I have been involved in and casting spells to defend myself against these NightMares. If it is triggered as a result of that kind of feeling... He has the inactive key, but would not release it to us so we could try to recover the essenses back into it.. Spoke to him about the shield problem.. Either he doesn't know anything or is so jumbled in his mind...riddles upon riddles I don't have his lifetime to figure this out! Simbul finally left to take care of some pressing matters and we started TRYING to discuss where this battle might have been. After he stuck his empty hand out saying that was wear he thought it might be, which is the common sign for one who desires payment for information, I became rather upset with him and started to leave. He stopped me and after we exchanged a few heated words, apparently he was insulted by my misunderstanding, explained that what he meant was the nothingness he was showing. I will have to Speak with Simbul to try to understand this. 

A Dragon Lament (cont)

Ryel's voice quieted, along with the others as a small statue rose out of a large goblet on the altar and moved to one of the shelves. Eleni quietly wiped her face as she watched. Ryel kissed Eleni's forehead as the ghosts began their lament again. Eleni whispered, the words barely audible, "I'm sorry... I'm so very sorry..." Ryel whispered in Eleni's ear, "Shhhh... he knows you loved him." Eleni shook her head softly and rested against Ryel, closing her eyes as she listened to the song, lost in thought and memory. Ryel rocked back and forth, Cyel's body crumbling as he watched. Eleni wiped her face with her hands and wrapped her arms around her legs, curling into a ball on Ryel's lap, her soft voice whispering with the ghosts. Ryel lifted his voice with the ghosts again as he closed his eyes. The two sat there for a week, no food, no drink as the lament was lifted in their son's name. Ryel smiled to himself, knowing that Cyel would get to meet the woman who had given him life. Their souls meeting again in the cross over, he had many years yet before he got to see his many sons, daughters, friends, and family again. He was still needed here, his desire to follow them across stopped by a promise once made to the greatest friend he had ever known. But he wondered... would they be there waiting.. would they welcome him when it was his time.. The lack of sleep kept him thinking, the past, his son, watching him grow.. hearing his first word.. the word echoed in his mind. He saw the clearing then, and his best friend. As Cyel climbed on Tenchi and hugged him he spoke, his voice small and with the sweet sound of innocence, "Tentree." The memory walked away as the lament entered his mind again. He watched his boy grow again and he looked down at the little halfing in his lap. Ryel thought, trying to figure it out, he should be dead by now. The curse that went with seeing the ghosts should have shattered his heart by now, sending him to be a ghost until it healed and he could return to his body. He should have felt that pain by now. It should have happened.. and during the week he waited, waited for it to come, but it escaped him. He realized with his brother's ghost crossing over that the shattered hearts would come no more.. and so now he had to deal with his son's death in a way that he had not had much recent experience in. He must live through it. Ryel tightened his arms around Eleni. He lifted a silent prayer to Kossuth, in the final moments of the lament. The ghosts stopped singing, the voices trailing off as the end of the lament echoed in the shrine, around the realm, and in the ears of all those that had ever held the three of them in their hearts. Another child was gone.

A vow

My feet dragged as I wandered into the Square, holding my head up despite the weight I felt on my shoulders. Nothing was getting better; in fact, sometimes I thought it was getting worse. I couldn't shake the feeling that we had come back too soon, and couldn't escape the fact that I was finally seeing my home through mature eyes - it wasn't as perfect, as happy as I'd remembered. At least we would be going soon. Not long now, and we would be on our way back to Tenchi's home. A while away would give me the chance to get rid of the stigma everyone placed on me. Moving to the bench, I felt a frown begin to tug down the edges of my mouth, and I spun around to dramatically plop onto my usual seat. I slid my back off my shoulders and set it down beside me, sighing. Lifting my head, I noticed the message board and the message posted on it. Standing, I moved over curiously, picking up my bag and letting it drag behind me. "Knights of the Rose," I murmured, a stray memory returning to me at the name. Slowly reading the message, a strange stirring building in me. Maybe, this is what I was looking for. A place to belong, something to fight for - if only I wasn't leaving soon. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I nodded at the board and turned away. I would join them. It may not be soon, but I would, and until then I would train myself. It wasn't the direction I had ever envisioned myself with, but it was a goal, and that was more than I'd felt I'd had for some time.

Inconsistency

"Well that is certainly strange..." /What is?/ Tundra looked over at Icehawk as he spoke. Icehawk scratched his chin and turned in the chair toward Tundra. The two were sitting in the cockpit of the FreonIIC. Icehawk had just completed a telepathic conversation using his crystal with yet another Apostle of Sune. "Tundra, do you remember that gnome I made that crystal for?" /Rhea? Sure, you nearly knocked yourself out in the process. If not for-/ "I can't find her anywhere." Icehawk cut off Tundra's bragging. /What do you mean?/ Tundra blinked as he looked at Icehawk. "Ive made inquiries everywhere. Even the members of her order dont know where she is and no ones seen her recently. I meant to see how the crystal was working out for her, so I started asking around casually, but no ones seen her." Icehawk puzzled for awhile. It was true. He had asked Tenchi, Hravngud, and Gazrielle, but in fact every Sunite he spoke to was at a loss to know where she was. Hed been asking around for a couple days. Why would she go somewhere without telling even her fellows? Strange happenings indeed. He stood, stretching his legs, then left the cockpit, walking further aft in the ship. /Where we going?/ Tundra asked, nonchalantly following. "Well as I do with all my inventions, I imbue a magical essence, a signature if you will, that marks it as mine. The crystal I gave her is no different. Maybe I can scrye the crystal's location." Icehawk entered the field lab, walking to a silver bowl filled with a strange liquid. Carefully bringing it off the shelf, he set it lightly to counter-top. /Well it's worth a shot... Are you worried?/ "The situation smacks of something dark. I am not particularly worried, just curious." He took his spellbook from bag he had dropped in the room earlier. Opening it to the spell he needed, he gestured over the bowl. He chanted the spidery words of magic, letting the Weave carry his spell. Completing the chant, he stared into the bowl, concentrating on the specific crystal, willing to know its location. Tundra hopped up, his front paws on the countertop, and looked into the bowl as well. "Well let's see..."