Subj: [ffml] [HD] Land Ho! Date: 01-01-13 23:47:03 EST From: dshumate@bbtel.com (Arcanis) Reply-to: ffml@egroups.com To: ffml@egroups.com CC: HillionDynasty@egroups.com * Forgive me if this post seems a bit discombobulated, but the only things currently keeping me awake are my old enemy, insomnia, writing, and The Fifth Element(which is one of the best sci-fi movies ever, despite what some may say :-)). Anyway, I would have gone a little farther into this, but we're all still waiting to see what happens with Lia and DLE's group =) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Arcanis, for some odd reason, still felt better, not seasick as before, after the battle and storm onboard the S.S. Leviathan. As nice as that was, it still pissed him off. He didn't like not knowing why things did or didn't happen. Leaning against the rail of the ship, Arcanis stared across the vast, endless expanse of water with an unfocused look in his eye, that of deep thought. Everyone in the party, excluding him, was upset over Lia missing. Arcanis' fears of the avariel's fate had be relieved as he felt her aura streak across the sky two days earlier, accompanied by the auras of a wyvern and some type of what seemed to be a crossbred moogle, heading towards Nikeah. Arcanis noted that the emotions of the three seemed normal, and although Lia was nervous, she seemed to be safe. He could only guess what she was doing with the two strangers, though. Arcanis would have flown out to bring Lia back to the ship, if he were not stained with a feeling of deep shame. Lia, his admiring apprentice, had seen him fall during the battle. She had watched him fail, and to leave his friends and companions defenseless against the fury of the storm and tentacle monster. He didn't want her to think him a god, but Arcanis had the sinking certainly that, though he was not, Lia could only see him as a mere, lowly mortal now. Arcanis was brought out of his depressive reverie by a shout from atop the crow's nest. "LAND HO!" the man stationed atop the platform shouted. Arcanis peered in the direction the man was pointing, and picked out the small image of a city in the distance. Nikeah. * * * Members of the crew threw lines to the docks to secure the S.S. Leviathan as the clipper pulled into the harbor of Nikeah. As the crew lowered a boarding ramp and the captains seemed quite eager for them to leave. Probably because he'd been rather freaked out when Arcanis healed two sailors who were on the brink of death after encounters with the giant tentacle monster. And the storm that blossomed out of nowhere. He seemed especially glad to see BahamutX lift-off the ship. Arcanis reminded himself that Kefka was almost certaintaly in the city, and, training himself not to let his thoughts wander as they often did, shielded his aura tightly as he searched for any signs of danger around the docks. Various colorful people wandered about the market that lead into the docks. Hawkers cried their wares out to uncaring passerbys, shouting about how everything they had was authentic and quite valuable, though Arcanis detected with an unconscious spell that most of the gems one shopkeeper sold were polished glass. Sailors and dockmen wandered around without shirts. Over there was a group of merchants, over there a few prostitutes, a black-garbed man headed for himself, Pyxie flustering a street magician with teasing conversation. Arcanis blinked in surprise and looked back to the black-garbed man, who was only a few feet from him. Noting that he had been spotted, the man growled and drew a slender dagger, rushing at Arcanis. Arcanis irritably wrapped the thief in straps of air, making the would-be assassin look as if he were balancing completely still on one foot, holding a knife half a foot from Arcanis' ribs. Arcanis idly plucked the knife from the man's hand. Arcanis touched the thief's forehead, and the man disappeared, rematerializing, Arcanis estimated, about a mile away from the city, in the middle of the ocean. Scanning the knife for any enchantments that would make it valuable, and finding none, Arcanis let the weapon clatter to the ground and went to rejoin the group. "So, how do you guys want to work out searching for Kefka?" Pyxie was asking as Arcanis reached the circle. "Arc?" Pyxie indicated, turning to him. Arcanis made a noncommittal gesture. "I can find Kefka by detecting his aura. Obviously he won't be hiding it, since, um, my sources found he was here, but he will know where to find me if I unmask my own aura to find his, or anyone else's." Arcanis said, giving Pyxie, Bix, BahamutX, and Pokey time to digest that. "So, I can't do that. Not yet, at least. We have to find Lia first, anyway." "You mean she IS here!?" Pyxie exclaimed happily. Arcanis nodded. "We should split up and look through all the sections of the town, I'm sure it'd be hard for her to miss one of us," Arcanis suppressed a grin as he surveyed his companions. "We can meet back here in an hour, I suppose, at that inn," he gestured towards one of the better-looking establishments in the square. Everyone nodded, and the group split up to look for Lia. -Arcanis Subj: [ffml] [HD] Mirror, Mirror Date: 01-01-17 18:54:51 EST From: jaypyx@yahoo.com (pyxie ) Reply-to: ffml@egroups.com To: ffml@egroups.com "Hi ho! Hi ho! It's off to drink we go! Wahahaha!!" It had been a very hectic journey and Bix was ready to reward himself. Sure, they were suppose to spread out and look for that she- bird, Lia. But it won't hurt anyone to grab a couple of drinks on the way. [Where dost thou think you're going, hmmmm?] BahamutX prodded Bix's mind with questions and tried to get him back on track of their mission. "Loosen up you old fart," Bix shot back, turning around to raise his fist at the dragon. "Don't you dare tell me I don't deserve a few drinks!" A puff of putrid air wafted down to Bix as BahamutX sighed in exasperation. [I'll just stay here in the outskirts of town then. Just be sure to keep thy self away from mischief. And return by sundown!] Bix was still busy trying not to gag as he stumbled his way through the streets of Nikeah. One of these days, he thought, I'll invent the biggest toothbrush in the world and scrub those rotting teeth of his! As he wedged himself deeper into the crowd, Bix felt his spirits raise. It's been a while since he'd grabbed a beer. He had been busy scouting out for a new harem member last time they went out. What a bummer. Bix suddenly felt something tugging at him. Not in the physical sense, but more of the spiritual. Following his instincts he rounded the corner of a building and ran right smack into Hortian. "Bother!!!!" "Yo Bro!!!" Both men embraced in their manly way, shoving and punching playfully at each other. "Where have you been Bix!? Sorry I didn't come visit ya, old man. I had to do some baby sittin' hehe" "Me, Old? Ha! Then that makes you ancient! You're the puny one that got sick." Junior eyed the two brothers critically as they teased each other. They were both of stocky build, with muscular bodies and a slight beer-belly. Shaggy brown hair, matching goatee, and same harem garb on. And the same crude, overbearing personality! The only difference he could tell was Hortian had a scar on the side of his face while Bix remained flawless. Wait a sec...scratch that. Bix had his name tattooed on his left shoulder. "Oh yea," Hortian turned to Junior. "Junior, meet my bro Bix. Bro...Junior." "Hey, nice t'meetcha!" Bix took the strange moogle's hand and gripped in a handshake. "Ummm...it's nice to meet you to. You look just like your brother." Hortian and Bix grinned widely and puffed up their chests. They were proud of being twins, and eagerly showed it when they can. "Welp, I think I'll head on over with Bix to the bar." Hortian smacked Junior on the back, causing him to stagger at the weight. "Why don't you keep an eye out on Gage for me, eh?" Before he could protest, the two men were off into the crowd, louadly singing a dirty ditty. With am impatient sigh, Junior realized Gage had been pretty quiet all this time. "Well kid, looks like it's just me and..." Junior halted in his speech, finding that only the empty air kept him company. Gage had disappeared...again! Subj: [ffml] [HD] Gyro Bandits Date: 01-01-23 15:51:23 EST From: jaypyx@yahoo.com (pyxie ) Reply-to: ffml@egroups.com To: ffml@egroups.com I'm really sorry this is so long. Just wanted to put everything in. This is a prelude to something big happening soon. A relvelation so to speak. Anywhoooo here's the stats: Pyxie w/ Pokey Rydia w/ Arcanis Bix w/ Hortian Gage w/ Junior BahamutX all by his lonesome *grin* Lia w/ the moogle and lizard **************** Damn it. Damn it damn it DAMN IT ALL! Pyxie fumed silently as she kept a watchful eye on the men surrounding them. Pokey stood next to her, as still as a statue and holding onto his cane with one hand and his sword in the other. "Just when things were getting steamy too," Pyxie grumbled to herself. Her team had split up earlier in search for Lia. After hours of endless looking, she had decided that waiting was now over. Just when she had gotten the chance to drag Pokey alone in a quiet alley, these stinkin' ruffians had to ruin the mood! "Stay alert, m'lady," Pokey quietly whispered. "These are those Gyro Bandits I was telling you about last year. Where one goes, the rest soon follows." "What do you want?!?!" she asked, turning to the bandit that didn't look half as stupid as the others. "Just hand us over the wench an' we'll THINK about lettin' ya go alive," he yelled back, talking to Pokey rather than Pyx. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, gentlemen," Pokey replied mockingly. "But this here wench happens to be mine. I'm sure there are plenty other prettier doxies for you men to play with back in town." Pokey ignored the sharp jab he felt on his ribs. He knew Pyx was probably offended, but he had to stand firm with these guys. "Well boys! Looks like we got us here a fight!" A loud huzzah erupted from the men, who whooped and shook their clubs in eagerness. Gripping his own weapons in readiness, Pokey quietly told Pyxie to run when he gives her the signal. "What?? And leave you here with all the fun?" Pyxie arched an incredulous eyebrow "I don't think so." Pokey growled in frustration. Why won't the woman ever do as she's told?!?! His attention soon turned towards the men rushing at him. Before long, Pokey had his hands full trying to keep his head from getting pounded. As three men made their way towards her, Pyxie quickly scanned the area and evaluated her situation. A heavily forested area lay just up ahead. Behind them, a couple of onlookers had started gathering. She rushed over to where a group of smelly merchants were ogling her. "Dear sirs," she pleaded oh so sweetly. "Would you be so kind as to help me and my friend. These brutes just won't leave us alone." The men were putty in her palms before long. Seeing her watery eyes and heaving bosoms, the men felt something deep inside them swell. A sense of protectiveness so strong that seven men made a protective circle around her. The three Gyro Bandits came to a halt, eyeing the men with their knives and metal poles warily. As they slowly retreated, the merchants saw their chance and attacked. The sound of steel hitting steel echoed in the air, blood splattering like ketchup upon the ground. Pokey stood unscathed amidst a pile of dead bodies while the merchants valiantly fought on. In horror, Pyxie watched as thirty more bandits appeared to aid their brothers. They soon had the merchants torn and bloody on their knees, their aim was for a slow and painful death.. "W-wait! STOP IT!!" A sob escaped her as she rushed forwards to help her men. Anger welled inside her. At the Gyro Bandits for their brutality and at herself...for not realizing sooner that working merchants were no match for professionally trained fighters. "Spirit of the desert wind, please heed my plea. Bring forth thy weapon of protectiveness to rid me of mine enemy!" Humming repeatedly to herself, Pyxie touched her inner wrists together. A blinding light erupted, momentarily blinding the villains approaching her. As she parted her wrists and spread her arms wide, in her right hand a sharp-edged Scimitar appeared. It was as tall as she but as light as a flower, it's hilt encrusted with enchanted emeralds. Pyxie tried to calm the anger welling up inside her. She never enjoyed taking the life of somebody, but now for once she was looking forward to it. "Oh Goddess of Life, please forgive me for what I am about to do." With a hard glint in her eyes, Pyxie sprinted towards the area where the merchants were being tortured. "Mistress! Hold on!" Pokey had heard his mistress and knew it meant she was out to kill. He quickly dispatched the man on his back, but ten others appeared to block him. "You damn bastards! Get out of my way!" Pyxie ignored Pokey, for she knew he was capable of taking care of himself. Unlike the merchant men that were trying to defend her. With a cold glint in her eyes, she sprinted forward towards the bandits. When two men came rushing at her side, she swung her sword in a circular arc and easily decapitated them. Before their bodies even touched the ground, Pyxie was by the merchants fighting along with them. With her flexibility and quickness she was able to dodge the blows thrown at her. She turned to the weak men besides her and ordered, "All of you, leave! You've done your best and I thank you for it!" At first their eyes held a questioning look but soon cleared. At the sight of their fallen comrades and their own torn fleshes, the merchants made a quick retreat. "Hey Captain! Lookie here! The girly finally sent her puppies away. Hahahaha!" "I ask you again, scum, what do you want!" Pyxie stood facing the gang of bandits laughing at her. "We want a lot from you, wench," one of the guys licked his lips in appreciation, the fading sunlight glinting against his orange goggles. The others just snickered as Pyxie scowled back at them. "See that forest back there? We got us some men ready and aiming poison arrows at your friend." Pyxie looked at the man for any signs of falsehood. But somehow she sensed that he wasn't fibbing. Pokey may be strong, but even he wasn't immune to poison. "If I come with you, you promise to let Pokey go." She looked hard into the eyes of the leader. It wasn't a questions but more of a command. The captain reluctantly nodded his head. When Pyxie vanished her scimitar, two men came forward and grabbed her arms. Before she could say anything to Pokey, they bundled her up and escaped into the forest. Pokey saw the flash of purple silk disappear from his view. He let out a ferocious roar and sliced the bodies surrounding him in half. Before he could take more than a couple of steps forward, he heard a whistle in the air and felt something pierce his arm. Looking down he saw a tiny feathered arrow. He stumbled forward and tried to get to the forest, but his muscles weren't co-operating. His last thought before blackness surrounded him was that he had failed...failed in his duty to protect what he loved most....