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Post by Rydia on Nov 8, 2009 0:24:54 GMT -5
Rydia stood back, head bowed, as the Queen of Hearts went about ordering her card soldiers. Her listless eyes were on the ground, her thoughts just kept replaying her orders over and over in her head.
Maleficent had told her of a magical beast in Wonderland called the Jabberwocky. Since Rydia had a special bond with magical beasts it would be easy for her to coax the creature into the darkness. Though the armies of the Heartless were still only in their gathering stage it was important to Maleficent that she had some powerful pieces on the board when the game began. So Rydia was her link to the strong beasts of each world. This was the first time Rydia would be trying to bring one in, but she wasn't nervous.
In fact she didn't feel anything. She wished she could have had some Heartless along with her. They were odd company, but they made her feel numb and made the hurt go away when they were near. However, Maleficent had said it was too early for anyone to see Heartless on the move, so she had to go alone. Instead Maleficent had convinced the Queen of Hearts that the Jabberwocky needed to be expelled from Wonderland and to let Rydia handle its capture and transport.
And so Rydia merely tagged along in the shadow of the Queen of Hearts as the card soldiers searched through the forests in hope of finding the creature. When she found it, she knew she would find pain in its heart. Monsters were always unwelcome and hated. She would show the Jabberwocky that it was possible to turn off the pain, if it would just let its heart be embraced by the cold darkness. And then they could be friends, and she would return with the Jabberwocky to the shadows where they could both forget all the bad things that ever happened.
Ignoring the vibrant and colorful forest, Rydia walked on in silence.
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Post by Serah Farron on Nov 8, 2009 7:20:12 GMT -5
“How did I get here?” Serah couldn’t really remember it was as if someone tampered with her memory or something. She closed her eyes recalling her steps. “I was running away from the guards back home when I used my crystal…” Opening her eyes she could see that this was a completely different world from Cocoon and Pulse. Were there really other worlds out there? She shook and lowered her head in disbelieve.
She only wanted to get away from her enemy. Serah always used her Eidolon for that purpose but never did it take her to a new world. “Well on the bright side I lost those soldiers…” She muttered those words tying to remain optimistic. Panicking and worrying would get her nowhere. Serah has learned that lesson ever since she became a l’Cie. Taking a few steps she scanned the forest trying to figure out which path would lead her out of there.
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Post by Rydia on Nov 9, 2009 13:14:47 GMT -5
There was a commotion among the card soldiers and a few returned to report to the Queen of Hearts. She fanned herself with her heart-shaped fan and looked over her shoulder at Rydia. It wasn't that the Queen had any particular regard for the little girl, but she loved to hear herself talk and it was less that worthless talking to the mindless cards who served her, so she chose to talk to Rydia.
"The guards have found a person who does not belong here skulking around the woods. They haven't approached her yet, awaiting my word. Off with her head, I say," the Queen proclaimed, as if she was talking about the weather.
At first Rydia made no comment, but then she remembered Maleficent's extended instructions.
'No one is to know that we have begun to move. Unless you are directly attacked do not draw attention to yourself or the world you are on. If word of dimensional travelers being attacked reaches the ears of the Keyblade bearers it will surely bring them down on us prematurely. Keep the Queen in check. Your only objective is the Jabberwocky.'
Rydia drew a breath and spoke as she had been taught by Maleficent... the speech of a manipulator.
"Good Queen, it could be that this person has come to help with the Jabberwocky. Please let me go speak with them first, and if they are a trespasser I will bring them in for justice," she said, her mouth full of long words she only half-understood. The darkness taught her what to say, and put the lies there.
"Hmm... yes it is a bother having to do everything myself. Go see to it, and then get back here on the double or I'll have your head as well. The Jabberwocky must be seen to, and that in half no time," the Queen replied, waving a hand dismissively. Rydia bobbed a curtsy and vanished into the woods with the card soldiers pointing the way.
~ * ~
When Rydia arrived at the clearing where Serah had appeared she knew immediately the girl was not of Wonderland or any of the nearby worlds. Just one look at her was enough.
Rydia took a few moments to prepare. It was hard for her to just strike up a conversation, but she knew she needed to get this done as fast as possible. Her heart ached dully as she tried to squeeze some normal, human emotion out of it to carry on a normal conversation.
"Um... hello," she began, stepping out of the shadows of the forest (though still blending a little with the grass and trees due to her green clothes) "Do you know where you are? This is Wonderland. The Queen here doesn't like visitors, so it could be dangerous for you to stay. You should..." here Rydia winced as an emotion surfaced, stinging at her tainted heart "You should go home to those who care about you. If you stay here it could be dangerous. The Queen is upset because of a great monster in her realm, and today we're going to capture it. Anyone who isn't going to help she throws in prison with threats of beheading. You really should go... Back to the place where your heart belongs."
Saying this much was almost exhausting for the girl, and she stood nervously waiting for a reply. She hoped the older girl would get the hint and just leave. Rydia obviously wasn't going to threaten her herself, but she didn't know how far she could control the Queen of Hearts to not send in her soldiers.
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Post by Serah Farron on Nov 9, 2009 21:45:14 GMT -5
“Huh” Serah turned to look at the younger girl as she walked closer. Though she was young Serah could tell that the girl was more experienced in fighting… much more that her anyways. “Hi wait Wonderland…” Serah stared at the girl in disbelief. What the girl was telling her couldn’t be true could it? It was one thing to know she was taken to another world but to somewhere so far away from Cocoon and to know that there were other worlds out there other than her own. This was too much to take in.
“How many worlds are there… I never thought there were others.” She sighed looking down when the young girl mentioned Serah’s home. “I don’t have that somewhere where to belong anymore.” It was true even though she had a home world ever since she turned to a l’Cie the people and everyone she knew turned against her. The only ones on her side were her sister Lightning and Snow.
“The Queen but I don’t want to cause any trouble and… well the thing is I don’t know how to leave. I don’t want to use the same way I came here I might end up in a different world much worse than this so is there another way?” She asked the girl hoping that there was an easier escape. If only she didn’t fall asleep while ridding her Eidolon.
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Post by Rydia on Nov 9, 2009 23:48:02 GMT -5
Rydia listened to Serah's plight with increased chagrin. So much for warning the wanderer away. She tried to think of a good way to get out of the situation but none presented itself. As long as the girl was there she would be in danger from the hasty temper of the Queen... unless she went along with Rydia's earlier lie to the Queen. That was an option, but it would mean Rydia would need to travel together with the girl. Ever since she had gone to the darkness interacting with other people on a normal level was near to impossible for the girl. But, Maleficent's plan trumped all other thoughts, so she knew she would have to grit her teeth and bear it for now.
"You... don't know how to leave? And you don't have a home to go back to? That's a problem... There are lots of worlds, more than anyone can count. But running from world to world blindly could be a bad thing, you're right," Rydia said, talking without really saying anything new as she tried to form words that tasted sour in her mouth. "The Queen won't like you being here but... if you come and help with capturing the Jabberwocky she might ignore that you're an intruder."
Rydia avoided Serah's gaze and looked at the ground as she said it. However, after a moment's pause she suddenly looked up with a fierce look in her eyes "But! But... we're not going to hurt the Jabberwocky... We're not hunting it for that. The Queen just wants it out of her realm so I'm here to... find a new home for it. That's all."
She didn't want the girl thinking this was a plan to kill the poor monster. Even her cold heart still felt strong feelings of loyalty and protection toward all monsters, and she couldn't bear the thought of hurting one.
"So, will you come along with the hunt? After it's over I still won't be able to help you find your way, but at least you'll have time to figure out where to go from here without the Queen threatening you for a while."
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Post by Serah Farron on Nov 11, 2009 14:28:51 GMT -5
"I don't know..." Serah didn't really have a choice. This seemed like the best plan for now. Unless she wanted to take the risk and see which world she would end up in. "I guess I don't have a choice... alright I will try to help you catch the... what was its name again?" Having lived in Pulse for a few days she knew a few about the monsters there. She assumed this one was smiler to them and didn't think she would face difficulty.
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Post by Rydia on Nov 13, 2009 0:47:37 GMT -5
"Jabberwocky," Rydia supplied, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice. So now she had to go along with this ordinary girl. Hopefully the girl didn't try to talk to her too much. Her heart was already feeling strange, and she absently touched one hand to her chest and winced a little.
"Well then, let's go..." Rydia said after a moment of silence, turning her back. "I'll have to present you to the Queen of Hearts. Just tell her you're here to help with the hunt and she'll let it slide."
And so she started off, only half noting whether or not Serah followed behind her. Rydia neither asked the girl's name nor supplied her own.
~ * ~
The Queen of Hearts looked over Rydia and the newcomer while fanning herself with her heart-shaped fan. She wrinkled her nose at the newcomer, but her tone was civil enough... if very haughty.
"So then you've come to help us with the hunt? Well what are you waiting for then? You two go take point, my soldiers have seen neither hide nor hair of the beast and I tire of this. You two get up there and find us a trail or I'll have both your heads," the Queen said, gesturing dismissively with her fan.
"As you command, your Majesty," Rydia said, giving a neat curtsy. She kept her head bowed as she waited for Serah to follow suit.
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Post by Serah Farron on Nov 17, 2009 9:22:55 GMT -5
"Right sorry I have a problem with remembering names" Serah explained. It was true she couldn’t remember names not unless it was something very important or for someone close to her. She was however good when it came to history and was always fascinated by that and its mystery.
Serah saw this as a chance to explore this new world. She wanted to know more about this strange world and how many were out there? Serah was no longer in Cocoon so she wouldn’t be considered as an enemy just because she was a l’Cie right? As long as she was here Serah was planning to make the best of it. At least until she figured out how to leave this world or contact her sister Lightning.
"Alright" She said following the girl outside the forest and that was when she came across a woman with a funny appearance. This was the queen she tried her best not to burst out laughing. Serah didn’t want to get into any trouble straight away. No she held that laughter in as she glancing at the girl every few seconds and followed her lead as she bowed as well.
"Um… can I just ask what is this creature we are hunting?" Out of curiosity Serah just wanted to know before trying to hunt it. Also her sister told her never to engage in a fight without knowing who your opponent’s weaknesses.
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Post by Rydia on Nov 17, 2009 17:22:26 GMT -5
Rydia didn't allow time for the Queen to be offended by Serah's sudden question, but instead bobbed another hasty curtsy and grabbed Serah's sleeve, tugging her away.
"I'll explain on the way, we should move quickly. The long you stay in sight of the Queen the more she'll decide she doesn't like you. It's the rule, here," Rydia explained, wishing she didn't have to.
~ * ~
She guided Serah away from the royal procession and toward the Lotus Woods, talking now and then as she went. Since monsters happened to be her favorite subject she didn't feel quite so bad conversing about them. It was better than talking about home or the other worlds or anything to that effect.
"The Jabberwocky is a kind of dragon, but it doesn't have elemental breath. Instead it mainly just uses its jaws and long claws. It's fairly speedy so I guess it might be a wind elemental. It makes its home in dense forests, so we should be able to find it in the Lotus Woods. The card soldiers would have found it already if they weren't so lazy. As soon as they're out of the Queen's sights they wander off and do their own thing... They're a little stupid, kind of like the Heartless only not as cute," Rydia said. However, in getting in the line of conversation she accidentally said a little too much, letting the word Heartless slip. As soon as she realized what she had said she clapped a hand to her mouth and looked at Serah to see if there was a reaction. A light blush went to her cheeks, and she hoped the girl wouldn't even know what a Heartless was.
"A-anyway... as long as we listen carefully we should hear it long before we see it," Rydia added hastily, hoping to return to the original topic and smooth over her slip.
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Post by Serah Farron on Nov 18, 2009 20:45:18 GMT -5
Serah nodded following the girl. The last think she wanted was to get on the queens bad side. There were so many rules for that world and she wasn't so sure if is could follow them all.
"um..." She listened to the girl as she explained everything to her. As she explained the Jabberwocky sounded more as a creature from her own world Pulse. There were monsters like that everywhere but the one thing that didn't make sense was the word 'Heartless.' "Heartless.... whats that?" She asked stopping as she entered the forest again.
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Post by Rydia on Nov 21, 2009 2:09:53 GMT -5
Rydia winced as Serah asked exactly the question she wished she hadn't. Now she was sure Serah had heard her mention the Heartless, and she couldn't just let that slide. Maleficent had instructed her to let no hint of the resurgence of the Heartless slip out. Well, the mission was still the mission... they would catch the Jabberwocky and then...
Rydia glanced sideways at Serah quickly. She wasn't sure how strong the other girl was, but regardless Rydia was going to have to capture her when she took the Jabberwocky into the darkness. Whether she tried to or not Serah would know that something called the Heartless was moving again, so even if she ran off and told other people of the assault (if she managed to escape) it couldn't get any worse than it already had. Rydia felt her fist tighten and her jaw clench. She would do what she had to... she would follow orders.
"The Heartless... It's better if you erase that word from your mind. They're not something travelers should worry about," Rydia said cryptically. She was about to continue when a high-pitched whistling sound stung at their ears. The trees shook, and Rydia clamped her hands to her ears and got into the shadow of a large tree.
"It's the Jabberwocky! Get ready!" she yelled, over the sound. After a second the whistling died down and turned into a kind of bubbling roar as the huge, slender dragon-like Jabberwocky appeared. Its teeth and claws were huge and fearsome, and its lithe body slithered around trees with amazing swiftness. It had wings, but too puny to ever carry it off the ground. Not that it needed them... even landbound it could outrun the fastest creature, and now it was bearing straight for the two girls!
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Post by Lenne on Nov 21, 2009 16:47:22 GMT -5
Lenne came out, and she looked at the Jabberwocky. "Hey can I help I want to help you two of course." Lenne said. Lenne looked at Jabberwocky. She stand ready for the fight she wanted to make sure that she helps the girls in everyway she can. She looked at Jabberwocky she summoned one of her Aeons, and she stood ready. "Don't do anything until I tell you Crystal." Lenne said looking at Shiva. She knows that she can't battle it since her weapon is unknown at this point. She just wanted to make sure that she wanted to do what she wanted to do.
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Post by Serah Farron on Nov 22, 2009 10:19:14 GMT -5
"Um....." Serah could tell that the girl was hiding something from her. She didn't want to answer her question, but if that was the case then why mention the Heartless in the first place. Was that something important she didn't want Serah to know? Serah was even more determined to find out what Heartless was now and if this girl wasn't going to help her then she would just ask around till she found someone who would.
What Serah didn't know however was that she was in danger. She never questioned the intentions of the one next to her. That was one of her weaknesses she was too trusting. Even when Serah knew the girl was hiding something from her she never thought that she meant her any harm.
"Thats it......?" Serah asked jumping back as the creature appeared out of nowhere. It wasn't like the monsters she faced before from Pulse and she had no idea how to fight it now. A voice from the distance caught her attention and Serah turned to the one that approached them "Yeah I think we need all the help we can get"
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Post by Lenne on Nov 22, 2009 11:02:08 GMT -5
"This is Crystal she's an Aeon she fights along my side as a partner." Lenne said. Lenne looked at Serah, and then to the Jabberwocky. Lenne didn't know anyone that she doesn't know. "So, who might you be?" Lenne asked. Lenne looked around, and she saw the Jabberwocky going to attack. "Crystal don't hurt it, but use Heavenly Blast." Lenne said. Crystal did as Lenne told her to do. Lenne has a strong bond with Crystal since she works more with Crystal and Thor.
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Post by Rydia on Nov 22, 2009 21:44:22 GMT -5
Rydia, the mission has changed...
Maleficent's command came straight to Rydia's mind through the link of darkness wrapped around Rydia's innocent heart. She winced as the commanding voice echoed through her skull.
You mentioned the Heartless you foolish girl! Now there can be no turning back. Take the heart of the Jabberwocky and turn it to your use. The Queen is sending her card soldiers to support you, do not summon the Heartless. With the Jabberwocky and the aid of the Queen you will take these two girls. They must not escape!
Rydia let out a long sigh of pain and nodded her head slowly. She could not help but obey Maleficent's orders.
The Jabberwocky was merely stunned by Crystal's attack, so Rydia seized the opportunity. Running forward she summoned the darkness with which she was tainted and reached out and touched the great dragon-like beast with her hand. She felt its strong heart, full of pain from being hunted and called a monster. She let the darkness take the pain away and seep into the agonized heart. The Jabberwocky stopped struggling quickly, it wanted the oblivion. Pale light began to shine from its eyes like those of a Heartless, and darkness covered its skin where once there was color.
Rydia turned, with the Jabberwocky at her back, obeying her command. She could see that card soldiers from the Queen were beginning to come into the clearing and surround them all.
Pushing down feelings of regret, Rydia pointed her finger at the two girls, Lenne and Serah.
"Those two... take them," she said simply, and the Jabberwock and card soldiers rushed in with a roar and a shout.
((I thought it was about time to start some fights n.n; Sorry))
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