<Blaise`> |start... a small town on the river...|
* Umia` skips about, occassionally turning to look at her companion and urge her to move faster.
* Blaise` walks slowly through the town, keeping his golden eyes straight ahead and refusing to even glance at the many people staring at him
<Umia`> Come on Alanna. We're gonna miss everything if we don't hurry!
* Alanna` huffs along, muttering curses about the day she decided to let Umia tag along with her.
<Alanna`> Umia, slow down. It'll still be there when we get there.
* Blaise` runs one hand through his shoulder length hair that appears to be the exact same colour as his eyes
* Alanna` pushes the bangs of her raspberry red hair up and mops her brow with a well worn handkerchief
* Umia` skips about backwards, looking at Alanna and sighing in exasperation
* Blaise` walks past the two of them, almost bumping into them, and obviously not caring
<Blaise`> ....
<Umia`> Will you hurry up!? The festival is starting and we're gonna miss out on all of the good food!
* Umia` follows Blaise with her eyes while still moving backwards, tripping and falling into a water trough with a loud splash
* Alanna` snickers.
* Blaise` stops and looks back to see what the splash was, then shakes his head and continues on
<Alanna`> Well Umia, you WERE always in touch with the element of water, but that's rediculous
* Umia` huffs and starts to squeeze the water from her long, light blue hair
<Umia`> Are you gonna stand there looking at me all day, or are you gonna help me up?!
* Umia` stares after Blaise
* Alanna` follows Umia's gaze and just stares
* Blaise` dissappears into a small doorway, having to duck to get in
* Alanna` begins to follow the mysterious man
<Umia`> A-LANNA!!!!
* Umia` shouts after her companion before starting after her
* Alanna` reaches the doorway and steps in, blinking as she enters
<Alanna`> what in the world??
* Umia` shoulders past Alanna and just stares
<Umia`> Oh my stars.....
* Blaise` kneels before a large alter deeply in prayer. His great wings that appear to be nothing but fire are folded neatly behind his back
<Alanna`> (Wings..... he has wings.... gorgeous wings at that. What is he?)
* Alanna` begins to step backwards, trips, and falls onto her butt, her hand scythes clanging audibly on the ground
* Blaise` stops his muttering prayers sharply and looks over his shoulder at them. A dark cloud shadows his eyes
<Blaise`> ....
* Umia` sighs in exasperation and helps Alanna to her feet.
<Umia`> I can't take you anywhere, can I? I mean, you always klutz out or something and embarrass me.
<Blaise`> Quiet.
* Blaise` goes back to mumbling his prayers
* Umia` turns and looks at Blaise
* Umia` humbly bows
<Umia`> So sorry to disturb you sir. My dear, dear, DEAR friend here didn't mean to disturb you
* Alanna` forms a small globe of dark energy over two of her finger tips
<Alanna`> WHAT did you say Umia?
* Blaise` ignores her and continues muttering while pulling a little wine skin out of a large leathery bag close by
* Alanna` has a devilish look cross her face
* Umia` catchs the loook and starts to protest.
* Blaise` opens it and splashes what could only be blood across the alter untill the skin is empty
<Umia`> You're not going to do THAT in here, are you??
* Alanna` starts to incant a spell, but notices what Blaise is doing and stops in mid word
<Alanna`> (I know that ceremony.... well, I've heard of it, but never seen it.)
* Blaise` reaches back into the bag, chanting softly now and pulls out a little case. The case has a clear cover and inside is a dried rose
<Umia`> Alanna. Pern to Alanna. Come in Alanna
* Umia` waves her hand before Alanna's unblinking eyes.
* Blaise` places the rose gently atop the bloody altar and watches as the blood seeps into the petals, making it appear new again. The stem and leaves grow deep green again and the petals spread slowly out and become redder than the blood as if the flower had just been picked moments ago
* Alanna` grabs Umia's hand and holds it still
* Blaise` stands up slowly and lifts the rose gently carefully from the altar. He carries it to a small table and drops it there
<Alanna`> DON'T disturb him.... that ceremony is very taxing on the person performing it, just as casting a spell is taxing on the caster.
* Blaise` sits at the table and stares down at it for some time
<Blaise`> ....damn.
* Alanna` looks up and cocks her head
<Alanna`> something wrong? That was the ceremony for rejuvination, wasn't it?
* Blaise` closes his eyes and the rose bursts into flames that seem secluded only to the flower
* Umia` looks from ALanna to Blaise and back
* Umia` gasps when she sees flames
* Blaise` opens his eyes again and watches the rose burn and finally smolder into ashes
<Umia`> Aqua Create
* Umia` causes a small column of water to form around the burning rose, extingusing the flames
* Blaise` blinks and glances back at Umia, fire flashing in his eyes even brighter than his great wings
<Blaise`> ...you idiot!!
* Umia` steps back
<Umia`> sorry, but I saw fire and figured....
* Blaise` pulls his hand back as if to slap her, but then stops
<Blaise`> ....
* Blaise` takes a deep breath
* Alanna` grabs Umia's hand and runs, dragging her out of the place
* Blaise` watches them go, darkness clouding his features
<Alanna`> you IDIOT!!!! Airhead is an understatement!!!! I can't believe you did that!
* Alanna` drags Umia for about half a mile before stopping to rest, sweat pouring from her forehead as she huffs for breath
* Umia` plops down on the ground and begins to wail, tears flowing like rivers from her eyes
* Blaise` stands a few feet away, out of Alanna's site but definately in Umia's, as if he had been waiting there
<Blaise`> ...
<Umia`> I'm sorry Alanna!!! I didn't know what was happening and I saw flames and *sniff* I wanted to be helpful
* Alanna` clenches her fist and grumbles
<Alanna`> you had better be damn happy I don't hit you with a Dragon Slave for what you did! He was performing a ritual burning of the rose. I guess it didn't turn out the way he wanted it to, so he had to destroy it.
* Umia` stops wailing and still sniffles. She looks up and sees Blaise and starts to back up until her back is against a tree
<Umia`> Um.... Alanna.... he's heeeeeeere
* Blaise` watches calmly with an unreadable expression
* Alanna` sighs
<Alanna`> who's here? Who is here Umia?
* Umia` is frozen in fear and is barely able to point to where Blaise is standing
<Umia`> him... the man from the alter
<Blaise`> I am not 'man', girl.
* Blaise` approaches them slowly
* Alanna` follows Umia's shaking finger and looks at Blaise before stepping between the girl and the approaching humanoid
<Alanna`> If you're gonna hurt her you gotta go through me.
* Umia` drops to her knees and starts wailing again
<Blaise`> Stop that.
<Blaise`> It's horrid.
<Umia`> I *sniff* I'm sorry *sniff*
* Umia` continues to wail, the decible levels reaching earsplit levels
* Alanna` sighs and shakes her head while rubbing her temples
* Blaise` pushes Alanna gently but easily aside and drops into a crouch by Umia
* Alanna` blinks
* Alanna` goes into spell casting stance
<Alanna`> darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows....
* Blaise` ignores her and takes Umia's chin in one hand
<Blaise`> ...
* Blaise` turns her face from side to side
* Umia` looks up, shreiks, and nearly leaps into orbit
<Blaise`> ...the resemblance is incredible... but you couldn't possibly be the right person.
<Umia`> Do.... don't touch me.... or else Alanna will blast you with a Dragon Slave
* Umia` blinks and sniffles, a large string of snot hanging from her nose
* Blaise` grimaces and pulls a handkerchief from a pouch, then hands it to her
* Alanna` blinks and stops casting
* Blaise` stands up and affords Alanna an unimpressed glance
* Umia` blushes and accepts before blowing her nose, which sounds like honking geese
<Umia`> gee.... thank you..... whatever your name is.
<Blaise`> Blaise.
* Alanna` blinks and shrugs
<Blaise`> Blaise of the Pheonix Claw.
<Umia`> Phoenix..... Claw?
* Blaise` nods slightly
* Alanna` kneels down next to Umia
<Alanna`> I can't believe you made such a mess of things Umia.
* Umia` sniffles, tears welling up in her eyes again
<Umia`> I'm sorry Alanna. I didn't mean to.... it just sort of happened
* Blaise` watches them for a moment
* Alanna` turns to Blaise
<Blaise`> ...though I am a forgiving person, you have to realize that spell took all of 3 months preperation.
<Alanna`> you said you were of the Phoenix Claw. What do the Phoenix Claw want with Umia? She's not all that special, unless you count her magical spear.
* Blaise` shrugs
* Umia` looks up at Blaise and begins to wail again
<Blaise`> I didn't say we wanted anything with her.
<Umia`> I'm sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyy!!!!!
<Blaise`> She just looks like someone we *do* want something to do with.
<Blaise`> Stop that >_<
* Umia` continues to wail
<Umia`> I can't help it..... I'm reallly sorry!!!
<Blaise`> You're forgiven, now shut up.
<Alanna`> what is this person you're looking for like?
* Umia` sniffles before wailing again
<Blaise`> I'm not looking for him...
<Blaise`> I'm trying to resurrect him.
* Alanna` turns to Alanna and more or less loses her temper
<Alanna`> PUT A CORK IN IT UMIA!!!!!!
* Umia` stops wailing and sniffles, tears still welling up in her eyes
* Alanna` regains her composure and turns back to Blaise
<Blaise`> ...there's no need to look for him, since we already know he's in hell.
<Blaise`> We just need him back *here*.
<Alanna`> did you say Resurrection??
* Blaise` nods
<Alanna`> isn't that kind of, well, I don't know, FORBIDDEN?
<Alanna`> And I thought Phoenixes always rose from the ashes to be reborn anew.
<Blaise`> ...the Pheonix Claw are at a different level than you... humans.
<Blaise`> Punishments are more easily dodged.
* Umia` looks from Blaise to Alanna
<Blaise`> Besides, it's for a.... relatively good cause.
<Alanna`> Oh really now. How so?
* Blaise` shrugs
<Blaise`> ...we have our ways.
* Umia` draws her sword from the jewel in her gauntlet and holds it at Blaise
<Umia`> You who dare to meddle with the forbidden, taste the wrath of this justice loving person!
* Alanna` grumbles something before smashing Umia over the head
* Blaise` looks at the blade for a few moments
* Blaise` shrugs somewhat
<Blaise`> We have our reasons.
<Alanna`> put a CORK in it Umia
* Blaise` pulls out a dagger
<Blaise`> ...and since you ruined the spell, you can help me try a new one.
* Umia` sees stars and falls over, a large lump forming on her head
* Blaise` holds out a new wine skin
<Blaise`> I'll need three drops of blood from each of you.
<Alanna`> if you even THINK of hurting her I will be forced to do something nasty
* Alanna` begins incanting the spell she started earlier
<Blaise`> ...if you *want* to be responsible for the end of the world and be forced to face the wrath of 100 Pheonix Claw, that's your business.
<Alanna`> darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows. Buried in the flow of time...
* Alanna` forms a small globe of darkness above her head
<Alanna`> Right now I don't care. I was sworn not to let any harm come to Umia, and none shall befall her.
* Blaise` shrugs and starts to walk back down the road, obviously not caring much about the spell
* Umia` sits up and looks from ALanna to Blaise again. Having heard her friend say that she'd be protected she jumps to her feet and hugs Alanna, nearly cutting off her air supply
* Alanna` coughs and starts to turn blue
<Alanna`> *cough* Umia.... the spell is gonna *cough* go beserk...
* Alanna` gets blown into the stratosphere thanks to Umia's stupidity
<Alanna`> UMIA!!! YOU ARE SUCH A TROUBLEMAKER!!!
<Umia`> Sorry Alanna, I'm really sorry
* Umia` starts to wail again while she and ALanna fly off into the sunset
<Blaise`> |The room with the altar from before...|
* Blaise` sits at the table massaging his temples as a fire burns, floating above the altar
<Blaise`> << wee... the fire can be Cid ^^ >>
<Cidrick`> Well, what happened?
* Cidrick` blinks
* Blaise` glances at the fire
<Blaise`> ...well, some idiot girl named Umia doused the flames.
* Cidrick` sighs
<Cidrick`> is she.... the one?
* Blaise` snorts
<Blaise`> Of course not...
<Blaise`> She looks a lot like you...
* Cidrick` shrugs and sighs again
<Cidrick`> that's frightening. Same blue hairand everything
* Blaise` nods
<Blaise`> ...but incessantly stupid and she wouldn't stop crying.
<Cidrick`> I saw her before she put the fire out.... she's innocent
* Cidrick` grumbles
<Blaise`> She and her friend thought I was going to kill her.
<Cidrick`> she's not stupid, just young.
<Cidrick`> well, her friend is protecting her
<Cidrick`> just like you pledged to protect me so long ago
<Blaise`> Why so defensive all of a sudden, dearheart...?
* Cidrick` blushes as best a flame image can
<Cidrick`> well, I believe in both of them. Umia has sweetness and innocence, and that friend of hers reminds me of you at their age
* Blaise` nods somewhat
<Cidrick`> remember when you pledged to protect me.... I believe that Alanna girl did the same for Umia
<Blaise`> I do...
<Blaise`> ...if it wasn't for Umia's 'innocence' as you put it, she'd remind me of you.
* Cidrick` grumbles
<Cidrick`> I was innocent. I was sweet. ANd you were as bossy as Alanna was
<Cidrick`> of course I never cried the way Umia does
<Blaise`> You seem to be blaming me for your loss of innocence...
* Cidrick` grumbles more
<Blaise`> What is it now, dearheart?
<Cidrick`> I didn't say you were responsible. I"m just saying you shouldn't forget that I was much like that girl is
<Blaise`> Let me joke a little... I've been working hard for you.
<Cidrick`> I know, and I appreciate it
<Cidrick`> but please, don't joke about those two. They're a perfect pair
<Blaise`> As you wish.
<Cidrick`> They're like.... us, when we were younger.
* Cidrick` flickers
<Blaise`> << eee... Blaise should look kinda like Lantis from Rayearth >>
* Blaise` blinks at him
<Blaise`> << The manga version, anyway... I can see Cidrick as looking more like Eagle in the manga version o_o >>
<Cidrick`> I think my time on this plane is growing short
<Blaise`> Rest then, dearheart.
* Cidrick` blinks and flickers
<Cidrick`> well, any more news from this side of the plane of existence?
<Blaise`> ...not much... we're gathing more blood for the next attempt.
<Blaise`> If the rose withers next time, then you'll come back.
<Cidrick`> did you try to get blood from the two girls?
* Blaise` nods
* Cidrick` sighs
<Cidrick`> if you can, try to get a little more from that Umia girl than from Alanna
<Blaise`> I will.
<Cidrick`> just don't hurt them. If they are going to give blood, it has to be voluntary. Travel with them, become friends with them.
<Cidrick`> I want to meet Umia
<Blaise`> ...you will...
<Cidrick`> |To Be Continued....|