It was another newly typical day in Attichson. Beuregard was cleaning glasses behind his very empty bar in his sparsely occupied tavern. A group of locals were sitting in the corner together, listening to a young man who'd recently come into town excitedly lecturing them.

"Asareal, I sure hope yeh're not tryin to push yer hookey orginizations again", he muttered.

The young man looked up and said, "It's for their own good sir! And yours too! Do you wish to go belly up in this ghost town?"

"What happens to me business is mine to mind youngin. Now stop yer flappin' lips before the soldiers get wind of this. Mind you, half Steinnisman or not, they'll have yeh by yer gills"

Asareal quietly excused himself from the group and stepped outside. "I'll be back in there though", he murmured to himself. "That fellow on the left seemed interested. Gotta start somewhere!". With a cheerful shrug, he started off down the dusty road.

Laughter broke through the fields where two girls were harvesting food. A soldier standing near them frowned at them, but deciding they seemed harmless enough, turned away, keeping watch over some boys who often would forget to work.

The two girls calmed down and continued working, although accompanied by whispers and giggling. One girl stopped for a moment to tie a bandana over her wavy brown hair. It was very hot out, but that was hardly unusual there. The second girl smiled at her friend.

"Well Sara, I actually managed to get the nerve to say hi to him today, and he even said hi back!" she said, as she tossed her long blond braid over her shoulder.

Sara looked up at her and rolled her eyes good naturedly.

"Let me guess Marie, you then stared at him longingly, and as soon as he looked at you, you ran away before he could say anything else!" Sara said, teasingly.

Marie blushed and looked down.

"Yes. But I tried! I can't help the fact that he's gorgeous, and that I'm not smooth."

They both started laughing, much to the Steinnis soldier's annoyance. Taking note, the girls quickly finished the day's work. Secretly, it pained Sara to work for them, not because she disliked farming, that wasn't the problem. The soldiers taking everything of value was. They only left enough for them to survive, and nothing more.

Sara brushed herself off, and walked off with a sigh. She definately needed to go out, but first she'd stop by her teacher's place and take out some agression the good ol' way. Beating up on something.

Kano was feeling lost again, for the fifth time. He was having a bad day, and nothing seemed to go well. He walked down a large street full of people. Some were in a rush, maybe to go to work, others were enjoying a nice walk.

Kano just kept looking in every direction, trying to take mental notes of the various shops and hotels. When he was glancing at a sign, he felt someone bumpinginto him. It was a middle aged, angry man.

"Wha-? Are you blind?!"

Kano just ignored him and kept on walking, and the man noticed the letters on his back. Frowning, he cleaned his forehead with a tissue and got back to his rushed pace.

By the end of the day, and after bumping into more than 10 more people, Kano was exausted. St. Lyrie wasn't half as cool everyone had told him, and he felt disappointed. The town center was really pretty, but the random streets he ended up weren't as inviting as that.

He kept on walking randomly, until he reached a gate. There were two soldiers pacing back and forth in front of it, two were standing still in each side, and other two were in the control towers. As he got closer, one of the soldiers stopped marching and stretched his arm at him, ordering him to stop.

"Your documents, please."

Kano took some papers out of his pack and handed them to the soldier. He frowned as he read it and handed them back.

"Are you sure you want to go to Reinlend, kid? That place's in a bit of a havoc, right now. It might be dangerous..."

Kano sighed. He didn't like St. Lyrie, and a bit of havoc might be more fun than just bumping into angry people. The soldier just nodded.

"Ok, then. Be careful out there and enjoy your trip."

Kano nodded back and walked out of the huge town. When he saw the landscape, his dark eyes widened. There was only wide fields of cereals, with one small house here and there. He liked this kind of surroundings best and, with half a smile, he walked along the road to the next town, Attichson.

"Jonah sweetie, can you be sure to stop by the shop for your father later? He needs you to pick up a package he left there."

A smile broke over his face, and he smiled to her.

"Of course mother, I'll drop by after work. I really need to be heading out, my shift is starting soon. Say goodbye to Damon for me!"

He loved working in the pub, it was a great place where people could relax together. In his free time though, he would help work in his father's weapon shop. They were a fairly wealthy family, but it was only by hard work, and also the fact everyone was so poor that any wealth was so much.

Jonah walked out of the house with long, even strides, grinning. Who knew what interesting things could happen, and who he would meet.

~~~

Sara panted, feeling good about her workout. Sure, she had to sneak past soldiers that wouldn't be so keen on her being in what was known as Steinnis territory now, but she wouldn't let that stop her from spending time with her teacher.

Stretching as she cooled down, she observed her teacher working with another student, obviously a beginner. The boy was around her age she guessed, but seemed to be quite lazy, and smirked to herself. She remembered how she began her lessons, and how stern teacher was. He did not tolerate his students slacking off, and could be quite scary when he lectured, and often accompanied it with a brutal takedown. However when the lesson was over, he was gentle as a kitten.

"I'm going to go shower now teacher, thank you for letting me come over." Sara said as she bowed to him.

He slightly bowed his head towards her, giving a slight smile, but quickly reverting to his strict face he used on his new student.

Laughing to herself, she went to his shower area and quickly disrobed. She sighed as the cool water hit her body. This was one of the benefits of having a Steinnis teacher.

Allowing herself a moment to savor the feeling, she then hurried to wash up. Quickly she dried herself and went to another room to change into her clothes she had brought. Basically it nearly was the same as her other clothing, but the pants were closer fitting.

Silently she left, and snuck past the guards stationed nearby. It was time to have some fun at the pub.

"Happy Birthday, Eli! You old nurse, you!"

A chorus of laughter followed, as Elias grimaced. However, his expression quickly turned to a polite smile as a small, ornately wrapped box in metallic hues was handed to him. It was his twenty-seventh birthday. He should be happy, he told himself. So he nodded his head once, acknowledging the gift as gracefully as possible without having to lavish praise on it.

Elias never had liked social occasions, let alone ones where he was the center of attention. However, this was unavoidable at best, as this was also the day he had first started working at the hospital, some six years ago. One of the other healers, who's name he couldn't quite recall at the exact moment had told him that they would've had it the year before, for his "fifth year anniversary", so to speak, but he had "unfortunately" (he thought it had been more fortunate then anything) been out of town, visiting his parents and his little sister.

Leslie had visited him every year, save the previous year, on his birthday to help him celebrate and the only reason he had gone back the previous year was on her behalf. Frowning, his eyebrows knitting themselves together in concern, his mind darted towards worst-case scenarios, however, as his coworkers smiled and laughed around him, he could only oblige to the spirit of the occasion, smiling as much as he could.

Where could she be anyway?

Nina was wandering St. Lyrie for the fifth time today, she had seen everything this city had to offer. Every single corner, every single alley (some she had wished she had never saw at all), and every single shop. She didn't know when she started to feel this way, but she began to get of it, sick of this place, all of its buildings. Sure, Nina was proud to come from such a large city, she was able to take care of herself, and could knock most people who annoyed her out.

But today for some reason she felt it was time for a change, she had begun to get sick of how different she was from most people in St. Lyrie. Most couldn't see the cheerfulness in anything, and Nina even got cheery while observing the sky above them. She had wanted to leave so many times in her life, but always had one thing tying her down, him. Her stupid stupid stupid ninny ninny ninny butt-head of a brother, or so she called him, it was because of him that she hadn't left. He even worries about me when I go to get a gallon of milk! ...okay, maybe that's understood in a city like this, but still!

Interrupting her thoughts was a man who bumped into her, with the nerve of telling HER to 'watch it'. Oooh.... Nina fumed inside, she had gotten used to this, but she hated anything interrupting her thoughts, she was the type that demanded alone time, and in a city like this she could hardly get any. If I wasn't so nice...I would so kick that guy to the moon!!

That's it....I'm leaving today! Nina thought, her brother could make it on his own, and so could she, she wasn't a little kid anymore! With a smile as wide as a fat lady's hips Nina rushed to the exit of St. Lyrie, suddenly a soldier stopped her.

"Your documents."

Fudge! Nina, you stupid stupid stupid butt-head! Think things out next time! Nina looked at the guard sheepishly for a moment. I'm NOT going all the way back home just so my brother can lecture me! Nina then looked past the guard for a moment, Well, there is a gate here...and the stupid control towers...

"I said, your documents, ma'am."

Okay, time to do what I do best; act on impulse! Nina acrobatically then jumped the fence immediately, which just barely missed her poofy skirt-like part of her outfit to her relief. All she could do now was run as fast as possible to Attichson, that was all she could do, even if she bumped into someone as she hated doing in St. Lyrie, if it meant not getting caught, she'd be glad. A sense of freedom filled her heart, she finally felt independant as she had wished so many times before.

Kano was tired of walking. The fields around him seemed endless, and so did the road. He could see a large town far, far away... but it was too far for his tired body. He sighed and kept moving on, getting closer to the cereals beside him. He stretched his arm to the side, touching the plants as he passed.

Kano jumped in surprise when he felt something on his arm. A small Kaji, a creature with similar ears like bunnies, a small body and grey stripes on its white fur had just bounced its way to the young man. Now it was sitting on his arm, with its little paws grabbing his sleeve. Its big pinkish eyes were blinking at him, its ears were twitching and its big curled tail was waving with satisfaction.

The kaji climbed its way to Kano's shoulder, and started to lick his ear and play with his hair. He giggled a bit. Kajies were not a creature humans usually liked, because of its noise. It chirped very loudly until it could sing, like dolphins do. Now, this kaji might be doing that loud, awful sound, but since he couldn't hear, it was fine by him.

When Kano was back on the road, he saw a girl running towards him, still far way. She was probably running away from St. Lyrie.

'No wonder...' he thought.

He started walking again, realizing he was still tired.

Jonah walked into the pub, a large grin across his face. Finally, he could relax. Maybe being a bartender was work, but it was much more fun than anything else he did. He loved being there, it was the place that the people could relax together, the older people usually came by day to gossip about whatever they could, while the younger ones came at night to have fun after working hard all day.

Beuregard looked up at the sound of Jonah entering..

"Jonah, it's yer shift already? Yeh best be gettin' me some buisiness, that's why I keep yeh aroun'!"

"I know old timer! You want me to try to bring in the young ladies, which will bring in the young men. Go on and leave, you're scaring them all away!"

The two shared a laugh. They both loved the pub, and fought to bring in as many customers as possible. Sure money was tight, but they knew that everyone needed a place like this.

In a sense, Jonah looked up to Beuregard as a father. His own father didn't have the same passion for life and people that Jonah and Beuregard shared.

After he left, Jonah began cleaning up, preparing for the night shift.

~~~

Sneaking through the shadows, Sara made her way back to town. She kept as quiet as possible, hoping not to alert any guards. Noticing she'd reached Attchison, she sighed in relief, and stepped out from the shadows.

"What are you doing around here?" A stern voice asked, and she felt a strong calloused hand grab her arm.

Sara realized that she had two ways to go about this. She could flip him to the ground and try to knock him out, or play it cool and try to talk her way out of it.

A winning smile came over her face as she turned towards the guard.

"So it's true what they said. They do have the strongest, most attractive guards stationed here." Sara said in a low voice.

The guard's grip loosened, as he looked at her doubtfully. Sara took note and brightened her smile even more.

"I know I shouldn't bother you, but I couldn't resist checking you out for myself..."

The guard released her, and seemed unsure of what to do about the flirty Reinlender. Gruffly he muttered that she should go back to town. Sara gave a small pout.

"Ok, I'm sorry to bother you."

That being said, Sara quickly walked off, turning to give the guard one last smile.

Time to head to the pub, that was a close call.

Without being able to keep going, he got out of the road and sat down near the fields. The kaji was in the other shoulder, smelling Kano's cheek. He pet the small creature, thinking of his cat and his two dogs he left at home. He spent most of his time with them than with people. He hated the need to stare at people to see what they were saying.

His mother was a good one. She never loved him less than her other children, but didn't gave him much love, either. She was more worried with keeping the house clean, to cook and take care of the garden. His father was a shepperd. He gave them more love and education than their busy mother could. But he loved both just the same.

His siblings were his best friends, specially his older sister. Being more mature and sensitive, she could understand him better than anyone else. But his little brother acted as if he was just as normal as anyone else, as if he didn't even knew he was deaf. That sure made him feel better.

Maybe it was because he was tired and hungry, but he was missing his family more than he could ever thought he would. He closed his eyes and laid down, enjoying the break.

Cutting through fields and over fences, Sara made her way towards the main road. Having spent her entire life there, she knew every shortcut there was, even if not all were practical.

Sara silently thanked her teacher for forcing her to train so hard. It took a lot to make her tired, she was used to long days of physical labor, followed by an intense workout with Teacher, then sneaking back with enough energy to spend time chatting up people at the pub. Perhaps it was a bit much, but Sara was used to it. She disliked being at home where she often felt so lonely she could hardly stand it.

Noting the road ahead of her, she grinned and sprinted towards it.

Finally, I'm almost there!

Stepping onto the road, she turned towards the pub. She walked forward, and noticed what looked like someone sleeping by the road a short way ahead. Frowning in confusion, she continued towards the figure.

Stopping once she was closer, she saw that it indeed was someone, a guy she'd never seen before.

"Hey, are you alright?" Sara shouted, but he didn't move.

She walked over to him, and got on her knees. A Kaji was beside him, looking quite pleased at having someone there who didn't chase it off.

Looking closer, Sara took in his features, and couldn't help but blush at realizing how attractive he was. Mentally scolding herself at checking him out rather than helping him out, she gently nudged him.

His eyes opened, revealing the darkest eyes Sara had ever seen. She smiled at him.

"Wake up handsome, the fields aren't exactly the safest place to sleep! Are you alright?"

kano was almost falling asleep when he felt someone nudging him. He opened his eyes and saw a girl, a rather pretty one, talking to him.

"Wake up handsome, the fields aren't exactly the safest place to sleep! Are you alright?"

He blushed and took a while to answer. He nodded and muttered a 'Yeah' as he sat up. The kali started chirping loudly as Kano held it when getting up. He patted it and it chirped even louder. It climbed to his shoulder and stopped chirping to bite his earings.

When he looked at the girl she was uncovering her ears. He gave her a half smile.

"I'm Kano. You?"

Sara looked at him with a raised eyebrow as she lowered her hands from her ears. It was like he didn't even care about the Kaji's song. He gave her a half smile.

"I'm Kano. You?"

Not much for small talk is he?

"I'm Sara, nice to meet you! You aren't from around here, are you? I'd remember you if I'd seen you around." she said, giving him a coy look.

"Can I help you find someplace? I was just going to go to the pub, but if you need help, I don't mind..."

"You've got to be kidding me," Leslie stared at the guard, jaw slacked by the shock of his statement.

"No, I'm sorry m'am, but I am not. You are not allowed through," he frowned at her, his face resolute. He wasn't going to be convinced easily.

"But...my papers!"

"They're unacceptable."

"Why?"

"They're unacceptable."

"But..."

"You are not allowed into this city, now leave or else we will be forced to take action," he retorted, smirking.

Twisting her face into an almost demonic mask, full of fury, she stomped away, clutching her papers with white knuckles. I can't believe that JERK! There has to be another way in.

Nina didn't know when she slowed down exactly in her pace, but she first observed it when she noticed the guards weren't chasing her at all, which was pretty unlike how they seemed. Geez, I would've thought they'd kill me by now. Nina squinted, she could see two people not too far in the distance now, I can't be too far from Attichson, right? She thought, getting her hopes up with a smile planted on her face, pushing herself even further Nina then dashed through the path, getting closer and closer to the two people.

She then considered that her half-way point, just cross those people and you're half-way there was one of the many things she had thought to cheer herself up, even though she knew in reality that Attichson could be very very far way. Just as she was about to pass the two, something caught her eye, making her immediately come to a halt. What's that animal? It's...so...cute!! She then realized she looked like a total freak, stopping as if she wanted to listen on their conversation or something.


OOC: Sorry if it's a bit rushed, my mom's being a.... well, I have a movie to see! <_<

"I know old timer! You want me to try to bring in the young ladies, which will bring in the young men. Go on and leave, you're scaring them all away!"

Beuregard((OOC: I suspect I'm spelling his name differently every time :unsure:)) smiled, in his own way of course which usually looked more like a grimace, and cuffed the young man on the head. He shuffled his way back into the kitchen, and got started on the food for dinner. He preferred it back here anyways, he'd never been much of a people person.

A tall cruel looking guard stepped into the pub. He glanced around at the small number of people, and then called back through the door for his companions. They all walked over to a corner table, sat down, and began speaking very loudly.

"Did you see that little slave girl over by sector C? Phewie! I'm not sure why we haven't taken HER back yet!", the speaker whistled. "I'd like to take HER captive anyday!" The group laughed racously and elbowed each other all around. The conversation continued this way

Wandering around the borders for a few minutes, Leslie began to measure out how she could get in. Nothing would stop her from seeing her Brother. Especially on his birthday, of all days!

Searching for something which she could plot with, Leslie found a sharp, pointed rock with rough, jagged edges. Storing her papers away in her travel bag, she grasped the stone and began drawing thin lines into the ground. Maps, trajectories and figures soon emerged from the rough dirt and grit of the roadside, however, Leslie soon became frustrated and throwing the rock down, she kicked the dirt, erasing all her work in one fell swoop.

There must be a way though.

***

Elias had wandered out of the hospital feeling vaguely lonely and very much concerned. Where could she be? He knew she was a perfectly capable of taking care of herself, but it still wasn't right. Leslie had always been punctual, even more so than him. So when she didn't arrive on time, let alone at all it was very much something he should be thinking about.

His position as a white mage gave him pretty good range to move and travel around, but it would still look suspicious if he tried to wander out of St. Lyrie, even if he was still within the visual range of the guards. However, as time passed by, Elias, grasping his papers, strolled casually to the control towers. The guards nodded to him and let him through without even requesting to see his papers, his uniform acting as an almost literal carte blanche for traveling.

Now if only to find her.

Jonah quietly listened to the guards talk as he worked, trying to appear as though he wasn't angry. Inside he wanted to kill those men. It was enough that they would treat them like shit during the day, but when they took over their only places to relax, it was too much. Hearing them refer to his friends as slaves, speaking of them all as though they weren't people, it made him hate Steinnis even more everytime.

Trying to pretend they didn't exist, he casually chatted up some of his usual patrons. Perhaps they could still have fun like normal. He started relaxing as he chatted with some guys he'd known for years.

"Another round, Barboy!" One guard shouted, and laughter erupted from them.

Sucking it up, Jonah quickly poured their drinks, wishing he could poison them.

One day, we'll take back our kingdom, and I'll get my chance to kill you...

One of the guards began laughing as Jonah came near. "Boy? Why, he's prettier than most of the wenches in this hole!" He slapped Jonah on the behind and pulled him roughly down into his lap. "What do you think pretty wench? Make my night?"

Complete and utter disgust filled Jonah. He pushed away, a venomous look on his face as they laughed.

Don't do it, don't do it...

As hard as he was trying to stay calm, his hatred was overwhelming.

"Keep it in your pants. I've got work to do." Was all he said, moving away.

If they tried his nerves anymore, he felt he'd snap.

The soldier grabbed Jonah's upper arm roughly. "what'd you say to me boy?" he growled. "Talkin' back isn't allowed. I suggest-" he twisted the boy's arm sharply "-you apologize. I'm thinking on your knees"

Fear ran through Jonah as realized he was in some serious trouble. No matter what he did at this point, he was going to lose. So what would it be? Lose by getting his ass handed to him, or lose by humiliation?

A burst of strength ran through Jonah as he threw the the soldier's arm off of him. In a quick beat he was on him, punching at him, the fury so deep in him bursting out.

I wont choose humiliation, I can't let them think they rule me or my kingdom!

As Jonah hit wildly, he felt a massive blow to his head, followed by the other guards dragging him off their comrade.

Looking up, Jonah silently prayed that they wouldn't kill him, but refused to back down. He felt as though he had to be strong to show that even if his kingdom was at their mercy, they didn't have to go down without a fight. Perhaps it was pointless, but he was sick of this.

Bracing himself, Jonah prepared for the beatdown of his life.

A slim hand reached out, stopping the large soldier's hand an inch from the boy's face. Asreal's gentle voice murmured "Stop, he's suffered enough. You've shown him your power, now let him be."
Enraged, the soldier turned to this young man who dared to intervene. "There's gonna be blood spilled tonight, no matter whose it is!"
"Then, let it be mine. I dare say I've more than enough to sate your lusts", Asreal replied, helping Jonah to stand. "But let us at least take it out side, we wouldn't want to spoil everyone's meals more than we have already"
Beuregard rushed foward and caugh Jonah by the arm as Asreal released him, and watched in silent awe as the group of men walked outside, Asreal calm and serene, with the soldiers flanking him, breathing hard in rage.

Breathing hard, Jonah wobbled slightly, dizzy from what beating he had suffered.

"Please, let me go after him to help... I don't want that guy to get hurt for helping me." Jonah gasped. "I'll get back to work right after..."

Suddunly his knees started to give out, and as he felt his head, he realized he was bleeding, quite badly in fact.

The room seemed to spin around Jonah as he felt a friend take his other side and started taking him to the back area. He felt completely disoriented.

"Don't let that guy get hurt..." he said to them as they sat him down.

"Calm down son, calm down. He's done this fer you, don' make yerself worse and hurt him further", Beuregard murmured, wiping Jonah's forehead with surprising gentleness for such a normally rough man.
"Git someone out there and help Asreal after they finish with 'im", he ordered a kitchen maid, who swiftly rushed outside.

Sara noticed the girl come to a complete stop by them and pleasantly smiled at her.

"Hi, you new around here too? I'm willing to play tour guide if you need!"

Suddenly a commotion broke out through the quiet town's air, and Sara frowned as she looked ahead and saw it was coming from the pub. Worry crossed her face. She turned back to them anxiously.

"Did you guys hear that? I'm sorry, but I have to stop by the pub, something's wrong, and my friend works there... I have to see what's going on, I promise I'll help you out after if you need it!"

With that, Sara took off running, hoping that things only sounded bad.

Leslie had given up a short while ago and sat in the sand, the world growing darker by the minute as she pondered what exactly she could do in her situation. She could try to get back home, but at night?! No, no way, it'd be too dangerous, especially with all the patrols around. During the daytime, travel was normally pretty safe as others were also walking around, thus the soldiers could not accost her except for identification and her papers. However, at night, when most the world was asleep...well, she didn't want to think of it.

She wondered what everyone she knew was doing at the moment. She wondered how her mother and father were, back home. She wondered whatever happened to her best friend and whether she even realized that Leslie wasn't there yet (as she always stayed with her best friend when in St. Lyrie). Shaking her head though and smiling, Leslie acknowledged however, that most likely Sakkie had completely forgotten as she wiled away the hours in her constant pursuit of pleasure. And she wondered what her brother was doing and how he was spending his birthday, hoping sincerely that he wasn't wasting the time searching for her.

Well, you're going to have to do something.

Taking out her now rather worn papers, their corners dog-eared from wear, she tidied them quickly and walked forward, turning towards the main road.

Maybe the guards will let me in now?

However, before she could even reach the control towers, she saw a welcome sight. Running towards him with open arms, she grabbed him in a hug.

"ELIAS!"

((OOC: Not gonna describe a beatdown of my precious Assie :sad:))

The soldier kicked Asreal's silent, unconcious form one last time. "That's just for good measure friend", he laughed cruelly, "let's see you pop back up from that one!"
"Y'know, I reckon this town's gonna need another reform. First that kid stands up ta ya, and now this loser figures he can interrupt", one commented. "Yeah....I'll bring that up with the general during the meeting tomorrow. Obviously we're being too gentle on these folks", one agreed. They all walked off after this, laughing and planning.

Asreal's sharp ears caught every word ANOTHER reform?, he thought in despair, the last nearly destroyed this town...I've...I've gotta do something... Struggling to move his arms, he felt himself slipping further into the darkness.

Sara ran quickly, and skidded to a stop in front of a badly beaten boy. Her heart pounded and she looked over to see some soldiers walking away.

Kneeling beside the boy, she attempted a cure spell. It wasn't incredibly powerful, but the boys bleeding stopped somewhat.

I suppose you did one good thing by teaching me some magic before you left, dad...

"It's ok, you'll be ok... those soldiers did this, huh? Whatever the reasoning, I'm sure you didn't deserve this." Sara said gently.

Looking up at the guards again, she found herself wanting to attack them. She hit her hands to the ground in frustration.

I'm of more use to help this guy out than seeking revenge... I will later though...

Placing her hands on the boy she cast another cure spell.

A young, timid looking kitchen maid scurried out through the open door, holding a towel. She stopped, and then smiled. "Sara! Thank goodness you're here! We need to get this poor man inside. It's the most incredible thing! He took a beating for Jonah! I'm amazed he's still alive honestly..."

The two slipped back into town with little notice, both silent after their brief embrace, her showing her papers and him waltzing back into the city, no need for identification.

As they walked down upon the paved streets however, this silence, normally a concept strange and foreign to the two, pervaded, Leslie staring down at her feet as if they carried the secrets to life and Elias just looking ahead, somewhere in the far distance, each wondering who would bend first, who would break the awkward quiet.

It was Elias.

"So...how come you were outside? Why didn't you enter the city...?"

She frowned and responded, but kept her eyes downcast, "Well...the guards were being jerks and wouldn't let me in. They wouldn't even tell me why."

"You're kidding me."

"Nope, not at all."

"..."

More silence came between the two, each consumed in their own thoughts.

It didn't take long for them to reach her best friend's household, where she was warmly greeted. The goodbyes were quick and painless, not like they wouldn't see each other the next day, Elias told himself, right?

He walked back to his make-shift home quickly and silently. There was much work to do and little time left in the day. He didn't begrudge his sister in the lost time spent searching, after all, if something bad had happened to her, he wouldn't have been able to forgive himself, however, still, it was annoying somewhat. He would have to make up for the lost time the only way he knew.

Looks like it's going to be a long night for me.

"JD? What happened? Is he hurt too?" Sara's face looked crushed. "Ok, first things first, let's carry him in."

Carefully the two carried him as gently as possible. The few people that were still inside gawked fearfully.

Taking him to the back, the men watching over Jonah took Asrael. All had grave looks on their faces.

Sara walked over to Jonah and winced as she saw him. She quickly changed her expression to a smile, and got close to him.

"Hey there, care to buy a drink for a pretty girl?" she said, a hint of her usual mischief on her face.

Looking up, Jonah gave a weak smile.

"Sure, bring her in."

The two relaxed, it was their game they played everytime she came in. Sometimes it'd vary slightly, but it was their thing.

Sara gasped and turned.

"I found two people, a guy and a girl, and they seemed to be lost. Will someone keep an eye out for them? I promised to help them."

A sense of guilt ran over her at leaving them. Perhaps she was justified, seeing how there had been really serious problems, but she didn't like abandoning them.

OOC: Geez, whatever happened to waiting for Rikku? :lmao:

IC:

Nina blinked, that girl didn't even let her get a word in! Is it possible to be super friendly then yet rude? She then looked back over at the animal which was sitting on the man's shoulder pleasantly. Nah, she said it was an emergency, I shouldn't be acting like that. She breathed. Okay, now try not to sound too weird.

Nina then brushed her hair back with a soft nervous giggle, "Um, heh, I know you probably don't get this everyday, but... can I touch....him?" Nina said while pointing at the kaji, she actually had no idea what it was, but Nina had a love for animals. No matter what they did or how they acted (except of course, you know, MAN-EATING animals) she always loved them, because in her life in St. Lyrie she hardly ever came by a large array of them. Part of Nina then wondered into the future, I hope that girl's okay, she sure left in a hurry. Maybe I'll follow her? Hm, after I get to see this cute little thing, maybe.

Sara put her hands on Jonah, and concentrated on casting a cure spell on him as well. The cut began to heal itself, and Sara took her hands off.

"That should help until we can get someone better to help. Now what happened here?" Sara asked, trying not to let her fatigue show that was beginning to come over her from the rapid spell casting.

Jonah's face grew serious, and anger started to show.

"I started fighting one of them, and things got out of hand. That guy stopped them from possibly killing me, and took them outside. I owe him my life."

Jonah looked down, not wanting to discuss why the fight had started. It definately hurt his pride, and did not feel like rehashing through it.

Sara looked at him closely, and slowly nodded. She knew he wasn't the type to start a fight, no matter how much he hated Steinnis people, and realized that there was more to it.

"I see. This guy's a hero then. Who is he anyway?"

"Well, I thought he was jest some rabble rouser", Beuregard commented, coming up behind her. "He's come here from St. Lyrie, tryin' ter stir up a rebellion or somethin'. I jest never figured he was actually a good guy". He glanced down at Asreal's silent form, and smirked to himself. "Per'ps there's somethin' to what he says, after seein' the way they treated you", he murmured, laying a hand on Jonah's head.

"A rebellion against Steinnis..." Sara said quietly.

The idea seemed to hang in the air as everyone considered it, causing conflicting emotions.

"This guy's from St. Lyrie? Why would he want to help us though? I'm all for it, and I trust him, but I don't understand. Why would the enemy help?" Jonah then grimaced and laid back.

Angelo looked at the clock, Nina should be back by now, her usual walks only last about a thirty minutes. I really shouldn't get so worried, but I can't help it. Angelo thought as he then got up and headed towards the door of his and Nina's small abode. A thought then crossed his mind, What if she's left? just in case Angelo then picked up his documents and headed towards the side of the city which lead to Achttison.

She left her documents here, she couldn't be as dumb as to mess with the guards... Angelo then felt him arguing with himself,

There's a gate.

She could've jumped it.

They would've chased her down.

But she's pretty fast.

You're faster.

True.

Angelo then looked at the guard in front of him, he knew the drill, the guard would extend his hand and say 'your documents, please' in an annoying fashion. Angelo decided that he wouldn't waste any time, even though he was walking quite slow, mostly because he was still arguing with himself in the back of his head.

"I know, documents, here." He said roughly, not letting the guard get a word in, before the guard said another word, Angelo noticed the gates in front of him begin to move, "I know, I may pass." Angelo slowly and cooly walked pasted the gates,

Attchison might be far.

Nina might not even be here.

Why don't I just ask the guard if he's seen Nina?

And what? Ask him if he's seen your hyperactive sister kick their asses and then get questioned like crazy?

Angelo shrugged of his thoughts as he continued to walk at his own pace, slowly but surely, he'd get to Nina eventually, if she was even out here.

"I dunno, I s'pose the guy's got his reasons" Beuregard responded. "After seein' him tonight, I wonder if mebbie he's jest a good guy....". He sat down, and quietly contemplated.
"I...I heard the soldiers mention...another reform", the maid commented nervously.
"Another!?", cried another of the girls. "During the last one they took half of the sector captive! W-we can't survive another...."
After this out cry all the girls started tittering nervously, clutching one another's hands, no doubt in their mind that by the next morning they'd all be dead, or captive, or...or...something unpleasant.

"Then it's settled in my mind. I choose to fight back." Jonah said, no particular tone in his voice, just purely stating his desire.

Sara held her friend Marie, and swallowed hard. She wasn't afraid for herself, but for her friends. Slowly Sara let go.

"I need to go find those two I left, if the soldiers are serious, I don't want them to be out there vulnerable."

Her statement was met with a few protests.

"Don't worry, I'm tougher than any of them!" She tried to lighten the mood, and quickly turned to leave.

"Sara, be careful. You don't know who those people may be." Marie said fearfully, a tear coming down her face.

Sara gave her a quick hug.

"Don't worry, it's not even all that far!"

She quickly walked out, and looked around. No soldiers were there at the moment, but she kept her eyes and ears open as she slowly made her way back towards Kano and the girl who she hadn't properly met yet.

Amid the titterings Beuregard stood up forcefully. "Aw, quit yer whinin' girls! They'll have ta wait til tomorrow to put in a request, and it'll take another few days for the request to even git through! It'll be a week before we see any action, IF they go on through with it. Nope, I ain't worried. Not in the least"

Kano watched as Sara ran towards the city. He just stood there, watching her go. Now, in front of him was another girl, who was looking with shiny eyes at the kaji on his shoulder. The creature was bouncing now, noticing the girl's eyes on it.

Suddenly the creature began its chirping noise, making the girl cover her ears. Kano poked its head and it stopped.

"So, should we get going?" he asked, as he started to walk once again.