The three that were standing before him actually had a boy with them. Not that Kohaku wasn't in this form used to be called a woman. He just let it slide really. Alia had taken in the scene around her. She was more interested though in the man that seemed to be taking some time to hear them. Ayame who was standing closely to Alia just watched the man once he started to talk eyeing him a bit. Probably because of the way he was saying things in front of ladies. No filter or anything like that.

Alia just rolled her eyes taking it all with the grain of salt. "I am Alia yes. and the pigmen would not have been any trouble to me or those with me. We have taken care of them before. Though it has been awhile." She had not had her knights with her but those that traveled with her knew what they were doing. She wasn't somehow even surprised by his words of eating the pigmen. It was if she felt like saying it disgusting but then again it was good to use what you killed.

She made no other comments until she needed too when he was done talking. "I am sure that it would be a good idea for you to have some food that is better than what you ate earlier." She turned and began to walk. Kohaku moving back to make sure this man didn't do something more untward to the women. Ayame just sorta rolled her eyes. She knew the way men talked sometimes and the way Vartok was interesting she would give him that. Alia on the other hand let most of what he said slide and it did not offend her in any way shape of form. Some men had to learn the hard way and she was sure that eventually. He would learn how to properly speak to them.

She was a Lady that command without having to yell and without having to do much. "I am glad you sent the girls that were kidnapped on their way before they saw this. Not all women can take the blood and the gore." She said as they began to walk. It didn't take them long to get back to the Tori gates. It was evident she was Lady of the land. Sure someone had been taking her place while she had been away but everyone knew who she was.

A few of the little kids had run up to her. "Lady Alia welcome home." one said softly and all shyly leaving Alia all smiles as she picked up one of the little ones holding their little dolly into her arms. "This place looks wonderful we still have work to do though down't we." she said with a smile on her face and then looked at the others that came to greet her. It took her a moment more to get her hellos in. "I will see you all soon okay. I have some very hungry people with me. And we need to talk to Duke Seto."

They all nodded. Though she was sure the commotion happening outside would alert seto of Oliva to her appearance. She walked through and then into Ivalice her home town. She smiled at the statue and as she moved inside of up towards the place she needed to be. She found her way to his room. "Seto" She said with a knock at the door. She knew how much he hated paperwork.

@Seto Kurama and @Vartock

 

Vartock remained silent from there, letting the girls walk ahead of them as they reached dawngrave. Vartock however parted his way from them when they reached the inside of the gates. He then immediately went to go check on the slaves that made it home safely, with concern he made his way to where they were and sat down with them. he then started to comfort them with heartwarming words, telling them everything was going to be okay from here on out. He promised them with some hope that he would do everything within his personal power to not let it happen again.

After congregating with the ladies that returned from the pigmen camp, the lady slid him back the map he gave her. He said he was proud of her for her bravery in leading the 7 girls back and that he would stop at nothing to kill the rest of them off. As soon as vartock was done talking he left the tent where they were resting up, he figured once Alia talked to Seto, the feast would begin. In the meantime however, he figured he would look at the map deciding which area to cover next. He was studying every curve of the map, I think I will go south next since I covered the north better to get rid of a possible breeding ground. Vartock thinking to himself, then folded the map and wrapped the map up and tucked it into his gee pants.

Vartock then decided it was time to hit the road completely forgetting about the food that was offered by alia. Vartock tends to throw duty before luxury, a bad habit in some people's eyes but to him threats needed eliminated before celebration. Vartock stood up and started walking towards the gates his mind now focused back on his mission. If anybody wanted to catch him before he left this would be their last chance.

 

Alia was waiting for Seto but Ayame was lingering watching the man they had met go off to a tent with some women in it. She stood close by watching. At least he did have some shred of decency in comforting them. She may have not given him a fair assessment in the carnage that he had created of the Pigmen. She watched as he walked noticing him as he was about to leave. She quickly ran to Alia whispering something in her ear before she headed off to catch up with Vartock.

"I commend you warrior on your attention to your duties. but it would not due you to go without food. Or without company to perhaps bring one back faster for such things. The Lady Alia would be more than willing to join you as would myself and our smaller friend as well." She only called him friend because the small fearin with them had proven himself in battle enough that Ayame had seen. She spoke much like a night or some samurai of days past. She held herself like someone who had seen far more battle in the real world then in this one but was none the less for it.

"Please wait for us. The Lady Alia would just like to speak with the Ebony Duke for a few moments."

 

Oliva drove her thoughts of Seto out from her mind that reminded her she was a woman, right now she just wanted to focus on her duty, protecting Dawngrave from any external threats. It wasn't the most glorious deployment to her but she knew it was an important one that needed to be done and she refused to let the people of this town be harmed due to laziness or incompetence. She walked out from the newly constructed Honden Hall and look around to see the townspeople still out and about doing their daily routines despite the sun going down now. She shrugged it off, walking off from the Honden Hall, she walked over to a nearby post where she had tied up her armored mare and untied her. For a moment Oliva simply started at her Mare before gently petting her Mare's forehead with her right hand. Eventually after sharing some time with her Mare, Oliva walked to the side and pulled herself up on her Mare's saddle before giving her a soft tab to the sides of her Mare's stomach to walk.

Oliva noticed her Knights as she and her Mare walked slowly down the road, she gave them a nod and a hand gesture to follow her which they very well did moments later. Within minutes of following her with their lances and kite shields, they were either following her or broke up into small four man squads to patrol Dawngrave's perimeter quickly and effectivly. For the most part, it was a dull experience for the most part, only coming across the townspeople. Eventually after some time had passed, while Oliva was near the main drag of Dawngrave, in the distance she could notice three women and a man. The Man was obviously Vartock but the women were a mystery to her orginally however she deemed them as no threats, Initially Oliva thought they were travelers but in fact she became baffled when a few children approached the purple haired woman called her "Lady Alia" . Oliva nearly froze in her current stance, she couldn't believe Lady Alia was here now, she wanted to meet Lady Alia herself but first she had to tell the Duke of her arrival, she opened her UI and sent him a message.

Mail

"I have found a rather.....sudden and unexpected surprise I believe your Grace and I think you will enjoy it. I believe Vartock has returned but this time with three women whom are unknowns but seemed to be no threat. The kicker though that one woman, a women of avarage height with long purple hair with a sheathed Katana was approached by some children and called "Lady Alia". Hmph this seems to be your lucky day your Grace."
To: The Ebony Duke of Ivalice
From: Ivalice's Grail Knight

His left eyebrow raised as he watched Ivalice's Grail Knight take her leave from his sight, serious as usual. He sighed as she disappeared from his sight, he was glad she took her duty to him serious but he did wish she could be a little more laid back but he figured he had no room to talk mostly. It was probably a good idea he didn't say anything to her If he had thought of it moments pior otherwise he knew he would have to deal with her cold and calculated exterior....Now that was a woman he truly respected and feared to an extent, she wasn't a dark user like himself but she was still a formidable warrior whom he considered an equal, quite a rare statement by the Ebony Duke whom had almost no equals in combat. He still couldn't believe he was only the second strongest player on Terrasphere, the first place belonged to Alphabet Chocolate, a pre teen who was native and had much to learn about the real world but despite that, he would freely admit she the potenial to come something far greater than what she was currently.

Clearing his mind of his previous thoughts, he raised his arms in an effort to stretch to get the blood flowing again since he had been laying in a rather awkward position for several hours, not to mention his back hurted like hell. Placing his lef hand on his back, he could feel the aches in his back as he sat up straight. With all this pain, he was going to have to walk it off or at the very least go somewhere at least. He figured he would leave the Honden Hall for a time to may get some fresh air or at least go somewhere else to do his paperwork. Picking himself up slowly, Seto reluctantly with a grin on his face grabbed all the paperwork on the desk and stacked them into a organized pile before picking the pile and going on his very way. It was initally for the Duke to walk with his legs as well halfway asleep so to say but the more he moved, the condition of his legs returned to normal or how they were as usual. With how stiff his body was, he really wondered how the hell he slept in such a way and why the hell didn't Oliva wake him up? He supposed it didn't matter now since he was awake after all and the less he focused on something so trival, the better he mused. Although it was slightly difficult to walk due to his feet as well, by the time Seto foundhimself out of the Hoden Hall, the blood had already rushed back to his feet which was a nice feeling albeit having that weird feeling immediately after your limbs recovered from such stiffness.

Seto tiled his head over both his shoulders, revealing many of the townspeople out doing their daily work or taking some relaxation, he almost forgot Dawngrave was still under construction after the Felderan raid. Seto turned his attention to the sun and by the color of the sky and the position of the sun, it was dusk already much to his surprise. He didn't see Oliva's horse either so he figured Oliva had already begun her duty immediately when she left his company. Now was a good time to figure out where he wanted to go but where? He guess he would start walking and let his feet would take him somewhere? It happened rather quickly but only a few minutes of walking down the main road of Dawngrave and waving to the townspeople whom he passed, Seto found himself in a private tea room in a tea shop. This was probably the last place he would have thought to have found himself at but he wasn't going to complain since it was quiet and the atmoshpere was far nicer than the main hall. A faint smile came across his face when a young woman brought him a tray of hot wooden cups with green tea inside. At first he didn't like tea much but after some time after becoming a Duke , it grew on him and even now he particulary enjoyed it more so than beer......not to mention it didn't have the same drawbacks as his cherry wisky. After that mess with Keade, he made himself promise he would never get drunk with a stranger ever again. Seto sat his paperwork on the tea table on the far right before grabbing a small book from the top of the pile that housed Dawngrave's development and plans. He sat the book in the center of the table and began going through the pages again to memorise everything in the book but eventually that green tea called out for him and the temptation was far too great this time.

Needing a small break from the reading or at least the excuse he told himself, Seto carefully picked up one of the wooden tea cups, using his righ hand to hold the bottom while his left hand held the middle as he drank from it slowly, making sure not to burn his tongue. Seto sighed as his eyes rolled from the constant beeping his UI was making, it seemed he had recieved a message but right now, he didn't care much for reading it so Seto seemingly returned his attention to his tea until he heard a knock on the door with an all so familar voice from behind him. Seto froze in place opon hearing that voice, his mind became a jangled mess, unable to grasp the situation at hand. "What?........Is that....is that really her? I thought she was.......Is....is this real?....What is happening?"

His head became filled with such thoughts, it took longer than usual when he was cought off guard to pull himself together, He shook his head violently for a moment before he regained his composure and relaxed his muscles with a heavy exhale of air that came out from his mouth. After another brief moment, Seto spook up in serious tone but a familiar one his visiter would recognize.

Seto

"Is that you my Lioness? It seems you have found me at last, sorry about that, I needed a change of scenery. How about you take a seat with me and enjoy a nice cup of green tea with me while I continue Dawngrave's development.

Seto than hesitated to speak for a few seconds before responding again.

"There is.....something else we need to discuss about, your going to want to hear this since this involves Dawngrave and all her people."

 

Alia was smiling as she talked to those that came up to her. She had taken note of Vartock looking in on the girls he had saved. She smiled at this it looked like he was far better with them then he had been earlier and she sorta had to chuckle to herself about that. Alia found Seto in the tea house and for this she was glad getting off her feet sounded like a wonderful idea but it took him a moment. Took him more than a moment to realize that she was standing there. She knew full well he had not seen her in awhile. And since that had been the case she was sure that even her presence here would feel like something so very well she wasn't exactly sure what feeling it was going to be like.

She was more than happy to see him. Since their meeting in the real world and all the real world things that come with it on top of other issues that had arose that kept her away or kept her elsewhere in Terrasphere but most not here. She was sure that someone had taken her place here for some time being after all it would only be proper but she was more than glad to be back and she would like to personally thank Olivia but she had not gotten the chance. She would surly meet the knight that had been her later.

Wtih Seto's words she sat down but first she hugged him letting him know she was real not a figment of his imagination. But the last of her words had her worrying.

"Is there trouble? My Ebony Duke." She knew this part of him and she sat down to take green tea giving a smile to the one that brought her some tea. "I have met your new apprentice Vartock. He seems interesting." She smiled at that though. He was a good man just a little off and that was okay she would see what he would become. "i have also brought with me two whom i think can help us should we need help. Another loyal retainer for you and one with a few questionable motives but he proved himself capable back at that boss battle."

She knew that other things could wait but if there was trouble she very much so needed to know what that was so that she could take care of it.

 

Theme



Vartock was just about out the gates when Seemingly gorgeous white long haired lady came walking up to him wearing knight armor. Vartock heard her voice and realized it must of been one of the 3 he just met and led inside. He turned around to face her, after listening to what she had to say his face remained blank and emotionless as usual when he stares at anybody.
*vartock replies* It's nothing personal my lady, but the life of a true warrior waits for no feast if the feast is not prepared upon return, the duty as is must always comes first, furthermore resume. I learned that a long time ago, when I was 8 years old to be exact, a martial artist knows his way of survival, though I appreciate your concern for me, but my concern is far greater than this village, those poor ladies did not deserve what they got, I must take my leave, after seeing what I saw in that camp I cannot allow it to go on, until it is all finished, Those pigmen must die with every fiber of my being, giving all my strength to do so, they must learn their place as any evil being should when using women as sex slaves for their interspecies breeding ground....*vartock's face remained blank, emotionless, and dark as he talked*

Vartock Cracked a smile at the lady and then continued....with a sort of abrasive and sarcastic tone, knowing already how she would most likely react to it.

If you're that worried about me? maybe you should accompany me on this dangerous trip, I might get a Cut or a scrape without your help. *Vartock chuckled to himself as he let out a dark smile ear to ear staring into her eyes*

It was then before She could respond he turned around and walked the other way, he said goodbye as he left. Vartock is a cold calculated warrior, he does the math, he sees the end results before they happen. It is hard stopping a man once he has his mind set on something, not a single thing was going to stop him from ripping those pigmen apart. Vartock felt he needed to finish this before he could rest. His eyes flickered with dark fierce fire, his indomitable will being the only thing that kept his heart beating. Vartock continued as he walked out of the gates and started back on the road.

Vartock pulled out the map, and started to study it, hmm south sounds good to me, maybe I will punch a hole through their esophagus while I am at it. Vartock continued thinking to himself as he folded the map back up and placed it back into his pants. he returned his gaze to the road walking off in the distance wasting little time to try and head south.

 

Ayame sighed, a martial artist also knew when to wait for reinforcements. She took a deep breath. Alia would of course need her but she quickly opened up her UI and sent a message to Alia and caught up with Vartock. She could commend him for his attention to duty and willingness but even great warriors understood more than that. Granted some were only in it for the kill count she supposed. She looked over at Vartock and opened her mouth to ask a question of her own. This was going to be interesting to say the least. The man lacked a certain finesse about him.

"Tell me Vartock, what martial arts did you know at the tender age of eight. And tell me how much death have you seen that gives you right to say the things you do in the way you do. Has no one taught you other duty of a martial artist and a warrior?" There was a tone to her voice that was not chastising but it was varily evident that in the real world she knew more about martial arts and that in this world regardless of power she knew what she had to do to keep herself in active condition and that she could command a battlefield to do her bidding should she want it to do her bidding.

Magic was something different but she used the magic in this came that allowed her to do what many of the Shinobi long ago might have done smoke and mirrors a game you learned well before you could even properly hold something too big for your hand. It was evident that even her knight garb was not something that a typical knight would wear. But more of something she could free flow in like the valkaryie of another place.

 

Vartock walking steadily, then to his surprised Ayame followed him, He turned and smiled at her genuinely. *vartock replied* and here I thought you were a stick in the mud, doesn't take much to move you for a battle does it sweetheart?
Vartock meant no offense of course but he is a blunt person after all, he was never raised under prim proper manners. He viewed manner as a weakness his enemies would never share, nor ever give him the day or chance before cutting him down. He turned his attention to the road listening to everything Ayame was saying to him before turning his attention to her.

Well there is not much to say, it's just my attitude, I have an easier time accepting and guarding against the worst. I am very intuitive of people and their personalities, I can look at someone and study their body language and facial expressions, from which point I can feel their negative and positive energy off them, that allows me to understand the type of person they are and the type of person I am going to be to them, I believe in equal treatment, I do unto others what I want done onto me, I can't sit back and eat a meal knowing that women are being used as sex slaves, I am sorry if it bursts your bubble, but if that were you in those cages knowing how important you are to your grace, I would level the whole area like a nuclear bomb and I would burn a billion times over to absolve your pain, I have a harsh exterior yes but a misunderstood exterior at most.
If having a moral code makes me weak than I am the weakest man on the face of the earth and I will die believing it but I feel strong believing I can help where I can and if it helps them it helps me forget about my own struggles.

I have honor,dignity, and hustle to get work done. I do not sit around on my ass and get promoted for nothing, if I am to prove myself to seto and to your grace alia I must prove I am a man of my word and I have an indomitable will that cannot be broken, Honesty, loyalty, honor, commitment, as rude as I can come off I understand these morals, I did not or was not raised with the luxury of manners.

I was raised in a harsh abrasive world, I came into this one taking everything with a grain of salt, people who get to live never learned how to survive understand nothing about how important life is and how it must be cherished, You don't strike me as a fool Ayame, you strike me as a beautiful, strong capable, warrior who I do not and have not yet had any reason to underestimate as my equal. I learned brazilian jiu jitsu, ninjutsu, mai tai, judo, and street fighting, yes there is a difference, street smarts can take you far if you're smart. If you're wondering what makes me so cold, it is choice, I choose to be abrasive because i know not how to talk like a church boy, I choose to behave as if the world is on my shoulders because that is how I was raised to prove myself to people.
*vartock stared straight ahead while talking*

It's not that I try to offend people or try to hurt them, it's a matter of strength, the weak die and the strong survive, If people can't move past petty words then I have no time for them. I live with a nightmare every night I hear children and women screaming, I see myself sitting in a boat not far off the waters in lake michigan, before an explosion goes off leveling everything then I wake up back inside the same dream repeating it. I am 25 years old you would think I would have more memories than just that but I don't, at least not the ones I dream about, I have memories of my teacher's words but nothing more.

Vartock then Focused himself on the road he felt he had said enough and didn't need to say anything more, he was heading down a dangerous road into the south but he couldn't stomach a meal till all the slaves were freed.

 

No it did not take much to ready her to battle though she knew her Lady would follow. However, politicing aside Ayame was a woman of many talents and tricks. Not as many insode this game just yet but outside. She listened and could she scoff she might. Being raised without manners was being raised at a grave diservice to ones self. But she supposed that it meant different things to different people. When you were raised in a society that put tradition and well alot of things at the forefront it made sense youh would clash with others. She knew where this michigan place was. She wasnt horrible in school.

She listened and when he was done talking she opened her mouth to speak. "you did not burst my bubble. But a good warrior also knows the precise time to strike but something tells me you may have calculated for a few things already. Most people do not take kindly to the overbrashness you use. Different cultures different standards." that was all she was going to stay in that matter for a momwnt. "there are worse things then being kept as a sex slave there are worse things then death. Keep that in mind. Just because you were raised with no manners doesnt not mean the rest of us are stupid. You may have seen that which you love blown to bits but at least they went quick. Take the time if you can read people so well to learn that everyone has their own demons. And aleast yours was an explosion. Try thinking of what others might have had to endure. Do not be so naive as to think that brashness is the only way to go when you are face with such adversity."

She said nothing more holding her self in a regal scoundral sort of way. She was a shinobi reading her like a book was not something Vartock would be able to do easily but the topic struck a cord within her that much was evident but exactly the cord no one couild be to sire. As thbey moved south she made a mental note of things caluclating what the area may look like in complete darkness after all the sun was setting. Thankfully Alia had supplied her with a bit of rations if need be. She was sure that if Kohaku got borrd he would follow as well.

 

Vartock remained silent listening to Ayame talk, a lot which had made sense to his memories, she made some good points he may have overlooked. He looked at her as she talked and smiled while listening to her.
I am not perfect we are all imperfect one way or another, And it's called abrasiveness learn how to spell please if you're really gonna get on my case about thinking you're dumb even though I made no insult to you before, *vartock smiled as he continued speaking before his expression turned blank* you're right we all have demons, I am not saying mine are worse than anybody else's, take the sex slaves for example, your right what's worse than being used as a breeding traught for men? Men that take the features of food that you eat on your very plate, and features of the man you lay with in your bedroom while raising a lovely family together, if that is not the worst part you're being sexually violated by them in order to breed for them and at most you have to live through it, think I don't analyze my details think again, the first day i met seto I challenged him to a spar, I am not afraid of him anymore than I am afraid of you but that is because I fear nothing not the future not the past not my present, fear is a distraction for the weak, and the weak always perish.
Vartock kept a calm quiet emotionless voice while speaking to her as they continued...

People like you would rather just sit and plan or wait for orders while people like me will get my hands in the mud just to exploit the weaknesses in the enemy's camps, judging by the last camp I destroyed it gave me a great analysis of the next one which is why I decided to do this at night, much more smarter and sneakier, why free the sex slaves on day duty when you can slit the pigments throats in their sleep without them ever being awake to acknowledge their surroundings.
(btw vartock is using a figure of speech using the term slit their throats) Vartock looks over at ayame as he continues....

why do you think I am out here? you really believe I could not sense the pain and anguish your grace was going through when I told her there were sex slaves in the pigmen camp, I was thinking about her, how that made her feel and the settlement, the future of dawngrave needs a face of a hero that is not afraid to die in the face of danger. If everybody continues to fear the unknown future of life and death they will never learn to live, me I live my life serving others in order to prove myself to their lives in hopes I can make them better or feel better than before. My demons are my power and using that I have strategized this all on my way back and before I left during this whole time you have been listening to my mouth babbling on I have been multitasking a strategy in my head.
Vartock stopped for a moment as he noticed Ayame was falling a little behind....

Try to keep up, and You're right about one thing however I guess I overlooked quick deaths are easier than slow painful tortures that lay those who have to watch as their loved ones are destroyed in front of them. but look at it from this point of view, One quick death is easy but when you watch thousands and millions after that get blown away from a single nuke, you think to yourself, yea at least they had it quick? no I was there it was not quick it was painful, most didn't die on direct collision died slowly over hours perhaps days if they were lucky from radiation poisoning, the only reason I survived was because the lady that was with me while I was 5 at the time of the bomb setting off, yea I was only 5, she had herbs and medicines to keep me alive until medical help found me, she didn't make I had to watch her slowly die in my arms as a child before reaching the nearest available fema camp, ironic if you ask me. It's like a survived just to see it replay in my head over and over again.
Vartock stopped at the edge of the path that would lead them into the death camp of the pigmen, he turned and pulled out the map and handed it to Ayame,

You say a warrior looks for analyzing situations, here is your chance, I on the other hand already know the end results to this mission, in this case that happens to be my speciality, I have a gift to see things before they happen by doing simple math, you also have the same issue it's why you're single, you have more duty than romance and you were never taught how to love on a level that involves emotional attachment, but hey I am not judging you I think it's unique and Admirable, minus the codes of honor you have learned throughout your years to serve those above you, you are gonna make a really good mother someday, but hey most people like yourself are too proud to admit when someone can expose you for the person you really are, because 9 times out of 10 I know the person I am talking to better than they know themselves. humans are also hypocrites to their own nature and that is why I have also learned to listen to others advices and what they think is the correct approach, so since you believe I am just a cocky know it all please I will allow you to lead me in this next mission, if we die it's on you, if we live I am forever in your debt.
Vartock remained dark and blank as he spoke his focus was directly ahead of them at the village of the pigmen, Vartock began stretching as he awaited for Ayame to decide what to do next, he remained focused and vigilant.

 

It was true, he wasn't dreaming, his mind wasn't playing tricks on him, the voice that came from that woman behind him wasn't a figment of his imagination although it was hard to swallow. All this time had passed, despite what had transpired in the real world with Nellie, for some reason, Seto had started to wonder If Alia would ever return to him since they battled against Azog from long ago but it seemed that was no longer the case. Alia.....his Lioness returned to him finally with her so called magic again, forcing him to freeze up in place as she wrapped her arms around him. He was so shaken up by Alia apperance, unable to accept what was happening, initially he simply took her hug as a lifeless corpse, caused by the shock itself. Damm why did this always happen when he was around Alia? He didn't understand, he never acted this way around anyone else, Why the hell was he blushing? "DAMMIT WHY AM I ALWAYS LIKE THIS WHEN ALIA AROUND? YOUR A GODAMM DUKE NOW! START ACTING LIKE ONE!" He kept telling himself in his mind but he knew it was no use with Alia hugging him, he already knew Alia was different than the rest of everyone else in Terrasphere. It took a few moments but finally Seto came around, realizing
she was really here behind him hugging him. He could feel the warmth coming from her and in some way, the love there friendship had formed over the many things they had done together but did it mean something more? Seto didn't care right now, all that mattered was that Allia was with him and that was good enough for him. This time his body and mind worked seperatly with his hands instinctively moving to meet Alia's hands as her arms still clinged to him in a huge. He held onto Alia's hands with his own gently and closed his eyes.

Seto

"Thanks.....I......uhhh....needed that.....I sometimes forget I am not alone in this world.......something so simple as a hug...can go a long way."

After a few moments, he released her hands from the clutches of his own hands and pulled away her arms before taking a seat at the tea table from him. When Alia took a seat, Seto was awestrucked by her beauty, he did not remember Alia being this beautiful from before, not to say she was unattractive of course because she wan't but this new look was something else entirely and he couldn't help but gaze upon her purple eyes. It took some shaking of his head and her worried words to bring him back to reality. Alot had transpired since the last time they had see each other, it was time to inform her about the truth although he knew she would take it far harder than him but first he would listen to her first out of respect. He wasn't shocked to see that Alia showed some sort of dislike for Vartock, he couldn't blame her since he knew Vartock better than anyone else but that wasn't the most surpringly piece of information she shared with Seto. When she told him she had brought two other potential retainers, he wondered when and where he gathered these two but they must be useful If she brought them with her.

Seto

Seto looked at the window on the right side of the room before looking back at Alia with a mischievous grin on his face.
"Oh you did now did you? I am quite surprised by that since I sent him out to go training.....Vartock blunt........too blunt but he means well and reminds me greatly of myself so."

seto let out a short laugh before finishing his sentence.

"Don't even think about replacing me with him, your stuck with little ol me Alia."

Seto soon enough returned to normal after getting his daily kick out of the way.

"That is...good to hear Alia, finding honorable players whom would fit as acceptable retainers is quite difficult to find. In your absence, I have only found a handiful of players whom would do......unforuntely recent events have changed that. Now I only have Vartock whom you have met and Lumi..errggh I mean Emmeline. You already met Vartock so I'm sure you already know what he is basically, Emmeline on the other hand is my personal maid......Don't worry, she's not some lewd maid or anything like that, the complete oppposite honestly, besides you know me, I have.....no interest in those types of things...Ryosuke on the other hand is a bit different though I suppose heh?

Anyway Emmeline is a combat maid who specialized in assassination, recon and is capable of using water and ice magic. She isn't here right now, I usually leave her in Dormont when I travel to give her a break since I push her hard, she is one similar to you, having a gentle heart with the passion to help those in need. Of course her line of work is the opposite but she doesn't argue with me over it."

Seto changed the subject as he glared into her purple eyes once more.

Your telling me this one potenial retainer had survived the battle with Azog? That is quite the achievement since not many survived that battle....Do you remember? Even I almost died there.....I thought I was anyway until another purple haired woman rescued me at the last moment. I remember that day like it was yesterday......I thought I the last memory I would have was by being with you Alia as you battled that beast with the others. Well it seems even this world is filled with surprises I didn't expect.

Seto after that had let out a sigh before speaking once more in a slight worried tone.

"I suppose it's time to tell what you need to hear......What I am going to tell you next, I need you to remain calm at all times alright?

It is common knowledge that as long as I stay in Dormont while Ivalice is being built up that I would have eyes and ears everyone in the captial. You know how paranoid I am Alia and you know it's a noble's job to know what is going on at all times, I take my job as a noble far more seriously than anyone else, even King Astor the First.

Well....hmm one of my trust sources, a trusted informer that does intelligent work in Dormont for me has discovered a Coup d'etat against us....against Ivalice already.......you won't even believe who's starting it.

Seto's eye's become more serious with a faint growl escaping his mouth

 

She was not perfect either. "Brash is also abrasive. The two can be used interchangably from where i come. Abrasive leads to brash people. And brash people lead to abrasive people. I use Brash because you would have to be more hurtful and more blunt for me to consider you completely abrasive." She did not care for his speech right now. Only mostly because it annoyed her. She was not insulting him. Has she wanted to insult him she would have said many things differently. Insulting him would not be something she would do either. There was no need to insult him. He knew what he was and that was fine. He actually reminding her of a time she did not want to remember where people were worse. There was always worse then what you were going through right now. She rolled her eyes a few moments later at his words. She did not say that he didn't. she said it looked like he had already analyzied it. She was going to throttle him she really was. He was reminding her of someone. She didn't want to think on who though. She was saying there was something worrse then being used as a sex slave to breed for someone but then again it was bad enough in the first place.

So he had challenged Seto to a spar. "Fear is word. But fear is not for just for the weak. A healthy amount of fear let's you know you alive. Keeps you human to those around you. And the weak do not always perish. It depends on what makes one weak. Fear can immoblize for a time but if you face such fears or suck weakness it makes you stronger." She looked at him with a look that most people would be afraid of but he was not a man that feared apparently. Her posture was such that she was now standing straighter and now standing as if she had just been gravely insulted by his words. "Do not make the mistake of thinking you know who i am. Do not make the mistake that i would rather sit by and wait for orders. Do not think that i will not get my hands dirty. I do not know how many you have killed in this game. but the kills in this game are nothing to me. They only add to a kill count that has been made outside in the real world. Where death means a little more to each of us outside this place. This place were if we die we have the chance to revive again. In the real world death is permanent and boy I have killed more people then you and I can gaurentee that. The only reason I'm alive is because I had to do so." She looked at him sternly her voice didn't hold venom but there was venom there.

The anger was masked but only just at the moment. "Dying is easy son, Living is harder." She shook her head and kept walking. She did not want to keep up with him she was walking just behind him for a reason. She did not see him as her equal. He had already killed the creatures. She would yeild to his knowledge in killing them. After all he had already killed more in this world than she had. But that meant nothing to her. Right now it was more the sooner she got back the sooner she could be rid of the asshole that he was. or the sooner there was battle the sooner she could let out the agression building inside of her. She was usually so put together and though her body did not betray the annoyance her mind felt. Nor did her movements. It was more that her word would betray a certain amount of annoyance. Then he was speaking about nukes and she started to laugh. She couldn't help but laugh at what he was saying. She really couldn't help it. Sure he had seen death. So had the japanese people in world war two.

"Do not speak to me of nuclear warfare boy. You still have alot to learn for a twenty-five year old. Do you not remember the US history from world war two. The japanese people know better than anyone what nuclear warfare can cause. Both in quick death and in the years that followed from radiation posioning. Like I said before. Dying is easy living is harder." She listened to the rest of what he said not taking the map from him. She didn't need to deal with this. But she was going too. "Do not speak to me of love." That was all she said and looked at him for a long moment. "Yes you are cocky, but i have no desire to lead this expedition. I only came along to help and to fight something then do nothing. I admire the fact that you want to get your hands dirty. But you have fought these things before. And frankly you have the experience there. I never said you didn't. I saw the carnage remember. I only wanted to remind you that warriors duties are not always to just do. There are times when warriors no matter who they are. No matter if they have the foresight to see the end of a battle. Plans are something that can help you. I've probably done more than you in the real world by going in blind. The woman you spoke of the one who took care of you and died in your arms when you were five. I am sorry you had to have that happen. But we have all lost people. We have both seen people die. and been able to do nothing. but do not claim to know me. I care not for love and being a mother one day. I don't want to be. I don't want to bring a child into a world were people do nothing but fight one another or think that its perfectly fine to kidnap people and torture them and then pin them one on one against eachother and tell them that you must kill should you want to live or that you would die. Or that even if you killed the one infront of you you would die. there is no point in opening yourself up for such a thing. Where love and that goes. I serve those above me because well I can. But i can also do my own thing should I feel like doing my own thing. My upbringing has been tradition for centuries in my family. And as far as this game goes it allows to to apply some skills and learn new things so that i have more of a rounded aspect to myself. So let's cut the chatter shall we and let's get to the killing." After this she fell silent. She had actually already memorized the map when he attempted to hand it to her. She had memorized a map that she had seen of the area earlier.

She was after all a shinobi and even shinobi had to do some things on the fly even when they had everything planned out in the first place. She moved fowared without really caring and if he kept up he kept up. She was already on high alert. She may be a beginner in this game but she was already well seasoned in battle. She was completely calm now too.

 

Alia was half aware of the effect she had on Seto but not to the extent that he felt that effect. She just knew that her influence gave him another layer many other's didn't see. She had no idea what he was saying in his head or that she had made him freeze up or anything like that. They said behind every great man there was a great woman but she never wanted to be behind him she wanted to be able to walk pace to pace with him. Sure in the game he had skill far higher than her own. He was one of the two strongest players in this games. And she was proud of him. But she knew that she could keep up with him even if she was playing catch up. She knew she could walk beside him and didn't have to walk behind him. So together they made a formitable pair. She smiled when his hand gently took her own. She was glad that she could remind him that he was not alone.

Finally they released eachother and she sat down. She started to giggle at his words and his joke. She was not going to replace him with Vartock. She wanted him and only him but to come out and say that was something that would take more courage and would take her some time to come out and say it because she was business first and play after. She cared more for the people and the world that they were created within this one. She cared for the people of dawngrave and Ivalice she was not a Lioness for no reason either. She faught to give others a chance. She would make an excellent ruler if she ever wanted to be one. But she was not one for the limelight. Similiar to herself in the real world but here in Terrasphere there were already many that saw the gentle side of her and the warrior in her. So they knew she could command.

She smiled at what she said about his real life self. She listened to what he had to say. Her eyes giving him one of those looks that said who do i have to knock sense into. She did not like people being dishonorable. She took a moment to think on things. "Vartock is rough around the edges but I'm sure that sooner or later even he can be polished some." There was a beep on her messages. She opened it quickly and noted it. "And it seems he has taken Ayame with him to go Pigmen hunting. This will be interesting. Ayame has started the game a few times. But she got busy and just recently reentered the game. She's a capable fighter and she's honorable. I've learned that in the real world she comes from Japan same as you." She smiled at bit. "Though she is rough around the edges as well she's got a set of ideals that match our own. She only wants to help and to protect the people that need protecting. She is already loyal to me." She had to have her own guard too now didn't she. At least as far as politics went. And she trusted Ayame.

She paushed for a moment taking in everything he said about Emmeline. Remembering her talents and pretty sure she understood what Emmeline's skill sets were for. It made her smile that he had thought of such things and that Emmeline was much like Kohaku in a way. She listened to his words about Azog. She nodded, "The world is always a surprise my dear." She said with a smile on her face. "Kohaku was, well he was pissed at the beast. He is a pyromancer and not being able to use that skill angered him greatly. But his other skilled proved to be handy enough to make sure that he didn't die in that battle. Getting out of there even worried me. I thought, that i would never see you again either. it was intense."

She gave a nod to his next words and listened to him being to speak. Taking a sip of tea to keep herself calm as he continued to speak. She gave him a nod as to what he said about his paranoia and was actually surprised that Astor did not take it more seriously but she supposed being king was not an easy task. And Astor was a fighter as well. She noted the faint growl escaping his lips. She knew he was pissed beyond reasons and she took a breath keeping herself calm and taking into consideration everything he had just told him. "Ivalice is yet to be completely completed and yet someone has it out for us already. Why is this? and who is it? I will not stand for them hurting the people we swore to protect if it comes to that. If thing can diplomatically be done to stop the coup d'etat i suggest we use it." She was calm even in her words but there was a look in her eyes. One that said when he told her she would have her own eyes and ears take care of the problem swiftly. If he so ordered it.

 

Vartock listened to her words, and they sounded like a beautiful melody, she called him boy and couldnt quite figure it out. Vartock listened to her anger and fed off of it like a sick dog in need of healing. He didnt really care for her trying to have a dick swinging contest with him but he did enjoy it because she spoke her mind and allowed her anger to fill her up. A great motivator for battle but i think she like most misunderstand his dark harshness and emotionless state. Her history lesson about dropping the atomic bomb was probably really hard for her country in comparison to a nuclear war his country was taken over by the russians and Chinese. Vartock laughed but not in a sarcastic or scoffing way he laughed because it was hard enough to get along with people let alone get along with someone who understood the scars of war and what kind of annihilation it brought.

If you really believe everything you just told me, then your not so different from me. You sit there like most humans offended by mere words and sounds and for what? To feel like your human? Haha, feeling emotions are for the weak. That includes fear, i subject to another set of hobbies that allow me to feel alive or human so to speak, its not about that thrill or feeling, its about simple concept, your life hasnt ended so do something constructive about it, get up off your ass and live your life, your wrong in my opinion, living is easier than death, at least alive you can count on yourself to protect your loved ones. If you die your no longer here to make sure they live to see another day, that is true fear and living through it knowing there gone puts me at peace knowing they no longer have to suffer the burdens that ive chosen myself to bear because i know i can take it. The pressure, the pain, the hurt, and the fear its all filtered out of my life because im still alive, and what does not kill me makes me stronger. Call it what you will but thats not misplaced thinking thats, its called hope and faith that everything is gonna be okay.

Humans however are hypocrites to their own nature they lie and they kill in the service of liars and killers. They use each other play off each others emotions like life is some game they can play. We all pretend to be seperate, have our own code, something to make up for the horrors that feed on our dreams the very life your enemies do not share nor care their lifestyles are meaningless violence and anarchy. You think you understand life and humans? Dive into their behaviors closely and you will see nobody is different, no matter where your from we are all one and the same living in seperated kingdoms divided so we dont rise up against our real enemies, the demons in ourselves. If everyone had to self police their own behavior without a reason too then theyd act like a bunch of primitive apes but give the ape something bigger than themselves to believe in they pick up a rifle and follow orders.
Vartock grinned when he finished, openinh peoples minds to reality is not an easy thing to do when they are so clung onto what they already know. Vartock wanted to see the fire in her eyes and he got it.
Your weak my lady but your strong at the same time, your human, thats your excuse i have no excuse for the way i am i sm what i am and im honest about it what you see is what you get there is no lies no secrecy no bullshit just straight up asshole and man mixed in one solid dickhead but at least im honest with myself i would love to have a family regardless of what life is because to not to would be an insult to those who died believing in service to us. Family, friends all die but new life and new memories can be born and can be made meaningful if you let it. You still have a lot to learn and so do i but thats what makes life worth living without fear.
Vartock quickly turned to the camp, the pigmen all sleeping in their graves vartock thought. At least they did half the work for me now theres only one thing to do. He whispered to ayame to take the map, and free any slaves by his count there were only 3 slaves in this camp. Vartock however started to get in his fighting posture his knees bent forward his back straight his arms bent in front of him his biceps flexed his fists balled his third eye opened as dark purples energy releasing his white aura that glowed around the edges of his skin. He then started emmiting black purple mist from his body causing the sleeping pigmen on the ground to start rotting to death of the poison. That was caused by vartocks malefimancy, the pigmen were immobolized as vartock remained concentrated in his effort to kill the sleeping pigmen before they had a chance to wake up. Vartock remained still as he was at the same time charging his power into his body combat to await any that might jump up and try to attack him.
Nonetheless vartock expectations were right the second the pigmen got a whif of the rotting smell of their own flesh they all woke up and tried to move but struggled as all 4 pigmen jump up and tried striking vartock down. Vartock lifted his left leg up high while standing on his right swinging in a left kick striking the left arm of the pigmen trying to swing its axe at him. Vartock redirected its attack into the face of the other pigmen dropping it dead. As vartock moved in and punched the pigmen in front of him as hard as he could while illuminating a dark purple light from his third eye blinding everything in the area temporarily as vartock finished his killing blow striking the pigmen hard enough in the center of its chest causing vibration through its whole body enough to stop its heart beat. Vartock however had no time to dodge the other two as they blindly were able to strike his back and left arm with their axes. Vartock then let out a dark creepy smile as he laughed at the pain being caused to him as if he was enjoying the fact that they caused physical pain to his body. Vartock would then take his right leg and kick the shin closely causing vartocks force of his kick mixed with his body weight to break the pigmens leg in half. He then grabbed both pigmens axes and laughing while doing this he pulled the axe from his back with his right arm and forcefully shoved it in its face killing it dead. However the othrr one was able to pull its axe out of his left arm for another swing as it swung into his leg. Vartock smiling ear to ear being reminded he is still human capable of feeling pain but feeling overjoyed. He then dropped to his left knee staring up into the eyes and soul of that pigmen getting ready to cause the killing blow to vartocks head. He glared in its eyes with his dark smile as if vartock was unafraid of being chopped to death with no help. Vartock then pulled his right arm back before drawing it out extending it upward as he uppercutted the last pigmen. Its jaw shot upward as dark mist emmited from his right fist on contact causing the front of the pigmens jaw to rott completely off. The pigmen dropped down on the ground on its back in pain as vartock walked towards it giving it no time to react as the blood of his wounds poured out. Vartock then grunted a little bit in pain as his face went from a smile to a grim wide eyed expression crying out a little in pain. He was showing that he was still human but his smile quickly returned as he turnef and grabbed ahold of a boulder 200 times the size of vartock and dead lifting it up out of the ground up over his head before dropping it down on the pigmen crushing it into the ground.
Vartock then dropped to his knees looking over at ayame as she watched the whole time not budging an inch her expression the same as it was before.
As i said ayame the weak die and the strong survive now we can return home with the strong survivors of this death camp and give them the proper life they deserve see i have compassion my metaphors are not completely heartless as it sounds and as youve seen im human just like anybody else but a human who enjoys life no matter what form it takes its not perfect but its what keeps me breathing.....ash to ash dust to dust my memories remain.
Vartock sat there on the ground bleeding but not caring trying to show her that no matter what life brings you there is always hope no matter if death faces you there is always strength.

 

Judging by her giggling and her smile, It seemed Alia was the still the same just as he remembered which was a relief off his shoulders. Of course why he even thought that way, he didn't even know why since it wasn't that long ago he saw Nellie whom he usually saw in a weekly basis. Her eyes met his, she didn't have to say a word for him understand that look. If one understood Alia like he did than they would know they both held the same ideals about those who perform dishonorable feats. Seto would freely admit he had done things that were dishonorable in this world but only because they were necessary and he had little choice in the matter. It wasn't much but his mind and body still clunged on to the small amount of humanity he had left and he did still consider himself to be an honourable person, even giving Aalam the chance to take his position through honorable means but Alia? She was in a whole different league of her own being the pinnacle of a european Knight and a Onna-bugeisha fused into one, it was clear no matter how honourable the other was, the two still held the same belief they hated those wtih no honour, it was rather obvious after all to those around them.

His Lioness than brough up Vartock whom believed had the potential to come something far greater than he was which he also agreed wih. The man was blunt, too blunt for a retainer but he had the heart and ideals of one who serve well. It would take time as Alia mentioned to see If he could be refined into something far greater than what he was. There was an interupption in his thought by a beep coming from her UI before telling him of the woman named Ayame she had brought with him. It wasn't a shock of course she brought a newbie but as long as she held potential for great things with a personality to match than it mattered little to him. With how things were turning out now, they would need all the retainers they could get since he did just lose one of his most veteran retainers recently. The mention of Ayame is from Japan like himself did bring up his curosity, he wondered what family she was from. If Alia was right however and both were in dire need of refinement than perhaps sticking the both together would do some good or prove a disaster? It seemed the two were easily able to read each other's mind or at the very least have the same idea's since Alia brought she had sent Ayame with Vartock. It was no surprise Alia would take her as a personal retainer since they both held the same ideals, He was curious If Ayame had the strength to stay within the house but that would have to wait for now.

Seto initially froze in place with his face turning slightly red as a tomato when his Lioness when she called him "my dear". Why did he always freeze up like this? This was never an issue in the real world so why did this always happen to him in Terrasphere? Alia was a normal woman right? He knew she was, Alia was Nellie and Nellie was Alia so what the hell was the issue? It was damm obvious he liked her, no that wasn't the damm truth, he loved her and it was without a doubt she felt the same way about him so why? His brain was starting to be consumed by a migraine when he gently slapped his right cheeck, causing him to focus back on what Alia was talking about Kohaku. He didn't know the man Alia mentioned but he did remember it well If he was mistaken. Alia reconfirmed his suspicion when she mentioned him being in that fearsome battle with Azog and not being able to use his full powers in that climatic battle. The sheer mention of herself thinking he could have died and never seeing him again brought up the flashback's of that day. It was firmly implanted in his head that he remembered firing off a massive arcanamancy wave during the early battle than using the last of his energy to kill off a creature to weaken Azog long enough for the others to finish him off. He remembered last making his way to Alia before nearly passing out from exhaustion, he did remember a purple hair woman saving him but it was obviously wasn't Alia. That certainly wasn't a fun a battle than afterwards Alia disappeared until now.

Taking a sip from his green tea, Seto sighed slightly as he looked out the window as Alia made it clear she wasn't happy about the news he had told her and wanted to do something about it since she cared for this land even more so than he did and that was saying something. Alia clearly didn't understand how bad this was If she was offering diplomacy to fix this situation but he already knew there was little chance of that since they were playing with an oath breaker here despite the fact she broke her oath for another over a pitiful reason such as love. Alia had remained calm so far and she was rather good at keeping a level head but he wasn't sure If her anger wouldn't get pass her.

Seto

Seto remained angry under his breath as he gritted his teeth. Normally Seto was a calm person himself just like Alia but this....this was personal and it crossed so many lines.

"Nooo.....That isn't possible my Lioness......I highly doubt Diplomancy will do anything but make things worse. This is why I hate most players I meet in this dam world, it's filled to the brink of immature imbecials and fools.

All this transpired in a damm week because of that damm invasion by Felderan....sigh...Two of my retainers, Vivian Cruz, A fiend Knight similar to me in masteries, and Aalam Abungu, a veteran retainer of House Kurama and as it's Ranger have decided to join forces in an attempt to overthrow us and place Aalam as the so called rightful Duke of Ivalice. By themselves and even together, they pose no real threat but that doesn't mean we can under esitmate them. This is a difficult matter since I know Aalam very well or at least I did....He was an honorable man but a simple one at that......I'm sure Vivian being a power hungry witch she is somehow currupted him with her lewd words to get him to betray me. I suppose I should go into details both of these two than tell you what they plan.

We shall start with that woman..As I started before, she is known as Vivian Cruz, a Fiend Knight but more akin to my orginal Master If I could even call her that....Hmph. Vivian is a new player, one of those power hungry types thats willing to do anything to get her way wether that means that killing the innocent to having sexual innercourse. I had found her about a week before the Felderan Invasion, she was weak of course being a new player and all but she much potenial so I thought she be a good sword against House Kurama's enemies. She took the House Oath without hesitation and after I introduced her to duties of a retainer and a noble, I permitted her to do what she wanted since she wasn't needed.......You know me and paperwork........I wouldn't see her again until the day before the invasion where I had intructed all my retainers to work under one unit during Dormont's defense under Duchess Lucia's command since she's intelligent enough. I was not present during the invasion since the King personally asked me to join his task force in elminating the Felderan King which we did. I suspect during this time working with Lucia, Vivian fell under the Harem Duchess spell. It only became more aparrent when the two slept with each other. A few days after the invasion, she broke her oath to House Kurama due to this so called secret relationship she held with the Duchess while I'm sure you know could alone cause a civil war due to her current actions. She could have simply asked to be released from my service but that wasn't enough. She could have worked as a link between me, the Duke and The Duchess but no, she choose the chilish path instead.

She also has this notion I want her as a sexual slave for some reason, by those line of thinking alone, you already know she didn't know me very well nor did she listen. Out of the two times I've interacted with her, I simply made the mention If she was ever forced to do perform sexual innercourse with a person than I recommended myself so at least it wasn't a stranger and we could produce children with a high potential in the dark arts, nothing more, nothing less. Of course IF she knew me like you did than she would know I have no interest in such things, my duty comes first before anything else. Besides right after that, I even told her I saw no point in virtual sexual innercourse since I could get the real thing in the real world. We both share exciting lives in the real world, I'm not so desperate like the immature children are in this world. I suppose that's all the information you need to know on her, the only thing I failed to mention she was only an adapt in dark arts which pales comparision to my own skill in such arts. Her skill with a sword is palethic and she can't defend with a blade."