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+--- Thread: Taken (Semi-closed) (On Hiatus) (/showthread.php?tid=7326)
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - S'imba - 06-12-2014
"I can only hope" S'imba replies before once again glancing back toward Thanalan as if expecting someone to be persuing him. Â Now that he thought about it he realized it had been to easy. Â He now became a little more restless and shifted in his seat tapping his finger on his leg.
Trying to take his mind off of it he returns his attention back to the female momentarily before going silent trying to stave off his growing paranoia.
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - Siha - 06-12-2014
The blonde fell silent as the man spoke, her violet eyes watching him with concern appearing in them despite her earlier reservations not to get involved with any of the passengers. Thick, dark, lashes shaded her eyes as they narrowed with said concern and she almost spoke up to reassure him before a Lalafell she hadn't noticed before spoke instead. She turned her attention to him briefly but when the conversation turned dark she found her chin dropping to her chest so that the hat once again obscured her features. Ul'dah did indeed pull people back but it wasn't the city itself, more so the connections one seemed to make there, she knew that only too well as she'd made her own friends and family among it's people.
She lightly frowned and reached over when the Lalafell was done speaking, her delicate fingers resting on S'imba's shoulder with a grip firmer than one would expect from the lithe Keeper female. "We all have different chances S'imba, if you try your best and keep hope then your success will be greater. Don't let despair consume you, it is not a good path to walk" she said gently and squeezed his shoulder again before sliding her hand away, though she remained with her gaze on him a few seconds longer hoping the warmth and reassurance would ease some of his tension. Her eyes traveled to the Lalafell next, looking him over, "And despite what he says, he doesn't look all that worse for wear, at least we are still living yes?" she remarks and laid her staff to the side so she could scoot further on the edge of the cart.
She had to repeat that in her mind for herself once, at least they were still alive, and that was something.
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - S'imba - 06-12-2014
S'imba felt the firm grip and jumped a little in surprised to feel the warm reassuring grip on his shoulder. Â It gave him a feeling of safety that things would work out. He returned the smile to her and giving a sigh. "Thanks." He says softly he still had a feeling of tightness in his chest from the anxiety but that would pass once they made it further away. Â "I guess things just haven't gone in my favor very often and it tends to make it hard to have hope." He says remembering recent events wishing things could have gone different. Â
"Your both familiar with this place." He said. "Is there anything I need to know about it?"
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - K'nahli - 06-12-2014
Andre offered the girl an appreciative smile as she seemed to read into his discomfort with the topic and moved away from the subject. Humble. That was surely how Clover viewed him; though that was but a convenient answer to his personal feelings on such matters. His blue eyes wandered down toward the floor for a moment in consideration before he then allowed himself to lean back into his seat. The cool, morning breeze glanced over his face as he did so, teasing his eyes to a close and bestowing a returning sense of comfort within the male.
"It was... truly" he replied.
Interaction among the caravan's participants seemed to quickly grow as a young and curious miqo'te struggled to retain his own excitement for making it as far as Gridania. Unveiling his sapphire irises, Andre diverted his gaze outside of the caravan once more as he, in part, feigned an interest in the world that lay outside. He couldn't help but listen in on the conversation that was occurring among the other passengers - for certain aspects felt a little too familiar for his own sense of comfort. His smile slowly faded now, bringing about a more neutral expression as he looked on past Clover, turning his head conveniently enough as he dared listen in, curiously, as though the innocent chatter had any real relevance to him.
"Woah....woah!!" a male voice called suddenly yet soothingly from near the front of the caravan as the carriage drew to an eventual stop. Snapping out of his idle state, Andre turned his attention toward the front of the caravan, the source of the voice however, remaining out of sight for the moment. Without needing to study their surroundings too carefully, he could already tell that they were still a distance off from Gridania - so why stop here? Some faint mutterings could be heard from ahead as the driver quietly cursed his own luck before plopping down from his seat and landing in the leaf-littered path with a soft crunch. Leaning back further in his seat so that he may get a better view, Andre peered out toward the male as he strode begrudgingly toward them with his face turned down toward the ground as though attempting to hide his disgruntled expression.
"Is everything alright?" Andre asked with uncertainty, his gaze briefly swapping to the man and then to the front of the caravan once more in an attempt to discern the issue.
"E-yeah... sorry folks, but it seems that a bit of debris has scattered down across the path" the man explained while scratching the back of his head irritatedly. Andre followed the man's gesture as he nodded toward the hill that lay adjacent to the path, suggesting that the debris had sourced from there.
"If ye don' mind then I'd appreciate if ye'd give me a hand clearing it."
Andre blinked as he gave himself a moment for the driver's words to sink in, his mind still partially distracted by all of the talks of Ul'dah. Blinking again, the young male stood up from his seat and turned forward, stealing a quick glance about the caravan and smiling lightly at his fellow passengers in encouragement before turning back to the driver and offering him a firm nod in reply.
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - Melodia - 06-13-2014
As the caravan came to a stop and he heard the voice mention debris and ask for help, Ruru leaned forward, looking toward Andre and asking, "Need a hand? I'd be happy to help."
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - Clover - 06-13-2014
Traveling around Eorzea had always been a game of chance. Sometimes, the trip would go smoothly and without mishaps. It didn't seem to be the case today, though there was still hope for this small delay to be the only incident. Whatever would happen, it was a small adventure already, a new trip to remember.
"I'll help too," the female hyur said, standing up to jump her way out of the caravan without asking for Andre's approval. She wasn't very strong physically, but perhaps there might be anything she could do. Anything was better than simply waiting for others to do all the work.
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - S'imba - 06-13-2014
As everyone eagerly jumped off to help S'imba hesitated being stopped in the middle of a busy road didn't seem like a a good a idea to him. Â He'd been gone long enough that someone must have noticed by now and if that was the case someone would surely be on his trail by now. Â He'd come to far to be drug back to Ul'dah. The thought of that made his heart sink.
As he climbed off the wagon he looked back down the road. Â How long would it take for someone to catch him? Â He looked toward the debris and the eager volunteers helping to clear it. Â He started towards them his imagination running wild what would happen to him if they caught him. Â Eventually the image of him being drug back with a chain around his collar this thought would prove to be too much for the young miqo'te he would not be degraded like that.
Waiting until no one was looking he slipped into the trees. Â He'd wait here until the road was clear then if anyone came he'd slip away if not well he'd jump back on the caravan.
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - Siha - 06-13-2014
Siha rocked gently with the cart, a sudden breeze tossing the bangs from her forehead despite the hat holding them, she took a minute to breath deep the damp scents of the forest and earth around them letting S'imba ask his eager questions while she did so. A smile lit her face that was gentle and understanding, he was so much like her when she had first left Limsa to come out into the world, so curious and alive with wonder. The very similarity softened her and she let out a light laugh, opening her mouth to answer that she had no idea what was and wasn't acceptable in the green city state when they jerked to a halt and stopped her before the words could pass her lips.
Her violet eyes moved to the front of the cart with some concern as she heard the frustrated words and sighs from the man up front, she even went so far as to remove her hat and toss it into the cart so that one blonde fur covered ear could flick in his direction and hear anything that he cursed. It made her just as nervous as it did S'imba at first but when it was revealed to be nothing more than debris blocking their way her frown eased into a light smile and she eagerly hopped from the cart to follow the others to help. "I'll help as well, the more hands the faster we can get moving" she nodded and moved along behind the others, glad she had worn gloves today though her fingers were still exposed at least her palms would avoid any splinters.
She only barely noticed S'imba slip into the trees, his expression almost bordering panic and her steps faltered for a moment, but when he didn't move farther she decided against going after him. The boy was probably nervous and the faster they moved the debris the faster he'd cheer up and they could move along. Her boots crunched some wood underneath it's heel and she sniffed again, Gridania smelled so different, of wood, wet earth, and here and there traces of the animals that wandered it. She wiggled her nose briefly at a strong scent before ducking her head and reaching towards the debris pile, to gather what she could in her arms and toss it to the side of the road.
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - K'nahli - 06-13-2014
OOC Note:
Andre's eyes returned to the curious lalafel briefly as he turned and offered him a slight and appreciative nod. As his gaze lingered on him for a moment, the man's eyepatch, as well as the scar that dragged out beneath his right eye, stole Andre's attention briefly. On some level, the lalafel's wounds intrigued the young hyur - as improper as they felt when considering the man's outwardly, polite nature -, bringing him to wonder what kind of past and present affiliation he had with their shared home city.
"If it is no trouble then it would be greatly appreciated" he replied warmly without allowing too much of a delay.
His glance hopped over to both Clover and the miqo'te, conjurer-in-training respectively as they, too, quickly responded and expressed their desire to help with the benign situation. As with the others, he offered them a nod in understanding, smiling friendlily in the process.
"Many thanks, you lot" the driver hummed in with a slightly happier tone as he made his way back to the chocobos to tend to them for a moment and settle the excited birds down.
Andre took a few steps forward as he made his way out of the caravan, stepping down on to the ground carefully when he reached the end of the carriage. His tired muscles, still somewhat sapped of energy, gave little recognition to the consideration he offered them and complained loudly regardless. The hyur grunted with discomfort as he stepped a little further away from the caravan to take a few moments to pause and roll his shoulders and stretch his limbs. He wasn't particularly used to these long carriage rides and sleeping for so long in an uncomfortable position took a toll on his body, negligible as it truly was. Having been preoccupied with alleviating his mild aches, the male miqo'te, S'imba if he head overheard correctly, managed to escape the hyur's attention as he was chased into the woodland by his own paranoia; the faint sounds of snapping twigs and rustling of leaves merely being dismissed by the hyur as harmless animals shuffling, unseen through the brush.
Still rolling his shoulders, the hyur's head gently tipped sideward as he glanced over toward his female acquaintance whom stood but a couple of yalms away.
"Shall we go?" Andre posed the question to her humbly though with a subtle eagerness to hurry on with the task.
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - Clover - 06-15-2014
When Andre turned his head to Clover, he met with eyes that had been silently observing him, perhaps for a while, as he’d stretched his shoulders. The girl answered his question with a simple nod. Now that he was ready too, she went ahead of him and hurried to the front side of the carriage, where the debris was. Acting as a barrier in the middle of the path, there was a bunch of rocks and branches. None of them seemed too large, but together they posed a real obstacle for the poor chocobos.
Clover started by grabbing one of the long branches. It was heavy for someone like her, but she still managed to lift it. She walked with it to the side of the road, clumsily enough to almost hit anyone with it by accident.
As she dropped it to the ground, a familiar voice that only she could hear made her stop every movement.
“Clover…! Clover…!â€
Abruptly, she raised her head in the direction of the sound. He was standing between some trees down the hill, staring at her with his huge, unblinking eyes. No one else seemed to be able to see or hear that little black cat, likely because he didn’t even exist. And yet, his presence was always alarming in Clover’s mind; real or not, she’d always pursue him. She had to.
“Clover, follow me, quickly!â€
With no explanations whatsoever, the girl started running downhill toward the trees, her eyes glued to something invisible.
“Wait…†she’d whisper, barely a breath, when the cat ran as well. He took her away from the carriage, away from everyone she was supposed to help.
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - K'nahli - 06-15-2014
OOC Note:
![[Image: mountain-path-2_00445413.jpg]](http://wallpoper.com/images/00/44/54/13/mountain-path-2_00445413.jpg)
Andre followed closely behind Clover as she led the way to the pile of debris that obstructed the caravan's path. Upon arriving before the blockade, the hyur analyzed it with a subtle eagerness, a perhaps noticeable but lightened expression of puzzlement forming over his features. Something about it appeared... unusual. The way the branches had been stacked did not lend very much to believe that it had been a natural occurrence; it was messily placed of course, but not so much that it would have been unreasonable to wonder if it had indeed been man-made. The male's eyes followed along the the length of the pile to the left of the road, to where it greeted the base of the grassy slope from which it has presumably fallen or been blown down. Oddly still, there were no obvious signs of movement.
The thick layer of grass that carpeted the slope wasn't significantly tall, no more than a few ilms in height, though regardless... it still should have been fairly easy to detect any disturbances that would have been expected to come about from such large branches and rocks tumbling downhill.
The hyur glided his eyes along the slope while humming a bemused tone as the scene left him somewhat bewildered. His azure eyes quickly looked back and forth around his surroundings as though seeking an answer from elsewhere, though it didn't take long before the lack of which caused him to lose interest and return to squat before the mound of branches. He reached his arm in a small arc before him to form a claw which then gripped the other's wrist to gently slide the length of the woolen sleeve covering his forearm further up until it reached his elbow; moving then to repeat the process on his opposing arm. With his shirt at least partly safe from being sullied by the muddier branches, he moved closer and reached both of his exposed arms far in to the dampened pile of branches, collecting the largest bundle that he was capable of carrying before withdrawing and returning back to his feet. Casually, he then turned, naturally expecting to see Clover - whom had been beside him but moments ago - walking back toward him in search of another branch or two; instead, however, he saw Clover not walking, but running... fleeing it had almost appeared in fact, her direction taking her off of the main road and downhill amidst the trees.
Andre's brow quickly furrowed as the unexpected sight both puzzled and worried him greatly. While it wasn't unlike the girl to go running off after something that caught her interest, it didn't seem quite like something that Clover would do in this particular scenario, particularly when she had been so eager to assist with the task at hand. To say the least, it wasn't something that he had quite expected, let alone one that he could rationally justify to himself.
"...Clover?" his voice chased after her weakly, too quiet for it to so much as be overheard by anyone nearby.
His eyes quickly retreated back over his shoulders, looking about himself and examining anyone who may have been nearby before speaking again.
"I'm sorry, I'll be back in a moment!" he called out to the others so as to not cause them any alarm, if possible, before he pushed himself into a jog and hastily cast away all of the branches that he had been carrying as he reached the end of the road. The immediate section of the lower slope that dropped away from the path's right flank was significantly steeper than the rest of the land and made it difficult to traverse downward, especially with a quickened pace. Numerous hollows, carved naturally from the structure of the land and the weather it had suffered, were littered beneath the long and tangled blades of grass that concealed the uneven topsoil that lay between the narrow trees; all of whose existence seemed to serve no other purpose than to conspire with the exposed tree roots in order to hinder Andre's movement in an attempt to cause him to stumble headfirst into the soft ground.
Luckily, however, he managed to avoid a scenario similar to the one at the river months previous... this time, at least.
"Clover! Slow down a moment..!" he called to the oblivious girl with a voice just low enough for the others not to hear as his distance from her slowly but surely closed down.
-----
"Now! We should charge now!" a guttural voice anxiously croaked free from out of a concealed beast's leathery gullet.
"For what reason need we tarry? Let us away!" another throaty voice echoed the former's wishes before stealing a step forward with eager suggestion. The thin layer of fallen leaves failed to protect much of the fragile soil that was repeatedly torn and tossed by the sharp talons which decorated his restless feet. He was halted however, as a thin, yet muscular arm was cast out before his path by another in total defiance.
"You will wait for my order" the deeper voice directed clearly, delivered with a harsh tone that was not made to be argued against.
Hidden within the darkness, not far above from where the caravan had come to a stop, the Ixals shuffled restlessly - their weapons gripped firmly under their gnarled fingers as they awaited the words that would grant them freedom from the thick patch of woodland that concealed them from the view of the unsuspecting travelers below. Their numbers were significant, accumulating to more than what the men and women below could ever hope to fend off even were they all apt fighters, as was the beastmens' intention. Intimidation tactics - used to ensure a quick and clean process.
The leader, evident by his superior armour and greater stature loitered just behind the border of where the penetrating, morning light clashed against the woodland's resilient pool of shadow. His thick, coriaceous skin was a dark and morbid shade of grey that blended fairly against the flaky tree bark in whose shade he patiently resided. The caravan's driver was the victim of the creature's persisting watch, his beady, green eyes flickering analytically with every subtle movement the hyur man made - waiting for him to tie down the chocobos and to turn away from the hill from where the beasts would soon charge.
It didn't take long before a deep breath, that resembled the hiss of serpent, escaped the creature's grotesque beak, having now been finally greeted with the sight he had been waiting for. The man whom his gaze has vigilantly stalked had, at last, secured the chocobos to a nearby tree and had moved on to assist with the removal of the debris; a diversion of their own making. There was no quick escape for any of them now; nor would the spooked birds cause confusion should they wish to charge off alone.
The leader growled lowly with decision as his misty, deep-set eyes met with those of his impatient second.
"Show death to any who would challenge Garuda's might"
The beast's eyes lit up with delight upon hearing his commander's words, his gaze not taking long to return eagerly forward.
It was time now.
For the shortest moment, an odd and deathly silence fell upon the forest. Each one of the Ixal that stood quietly in formation became perfectly still with anticipation as they awaited the final order from their leader. They watched with both excitement and intent as the towering, horned monstrosity before them turned to look on down the slope once more and introduced the distinctive sound of metal grating off of metal to resonate loudly throughout the air - their leader's weapon now drawn and hanging low by his side in readiment.
"Seize them."
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - Melodia - 06-16-2014
Looking at the debris, he knew it might be some time before they could get moving but he was ready to get a move on. He wasn't exactly looking forward to being stuck in the woods after dark. He remembered his time in the archer's guild and knew that the woods could be hazardous at night.
He moved to the rubble silently, just ready to get to work. He was ready to relax once they arrived. And he wanted to get in touch with Alulu via the pearl he'd brought with him. He missed her back in Limsa already, like a schoolboy in love.
He smiled and got to work.
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - Knight Kat - 06-17-2014
Elsewhere in the forest...
The Twelveswood was in its calm before the storm. The forest was already known for its huge tree canopies that cast large shadows on the forest floor, but the overcast sky made the morning even darker. However, this was not a problem for the small figure who followed the trail left by a group of Ixal. She knelt on the leaf-littered forest floor, and examined the tracks left by their bird-like feet. Her lithe fingers, exposed by her black fingerless gloves, lightly touched the indention of the foot-print to measure its depth, and the hardness of the soil itself. She closed her dark blue eyes, and sniffed the air several times.
“They are not far!†She said to herself as she furrowed her brows, and slowly rose to her feet.
Kiht Jakkya was in her hunting gear. Deepwood green and black leathers with a velveteen bandana, an assortment of knives and two harpoon spears strapped to her back. She had a rather serious expression as she looked ahead to survey the continuing Ixal trail.
The Ixal had no idea that Kiht was following them. That, or they did not care. The lone Moon-Keeper scout had started on her nightly hunt, but she picked up the trail of the Ixal, and her personal vendetta against their kind made her decide to pursue them. This was not the first time she had done something like that. Her anger often fueled her to follow them, to watch them and to learn about them. There was little in the world she hated more than the Ixal.
Normally, Kiht would be heading home at that time of day. She preferred to be nocturnal, but she would not give up her hunt that easily. She was happy that the sky was overcast, and felt that the coming storm only gave her an advantage. The more shadow, the better. The rain did not concern her. She knew how to fight in a downpour if she had to. However, she had not planned on fighting. There were far too many Ixal for her to fight. She would trail the menacing Beastmen, and report their activity to any authority with the means to stop them. Any day Kiht could turn Wood Wailers against Ixal, and watch them fight each other was a good day.
If only it were so easy this time.....
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - S'imba - 06-17-2014
S'imba sat in silence as he watched the others work he climbing into a nearby tree to get a better view of the surrounding area. Â He couldn't help but feel a slight tinge of guilt while the others were working to get the wagons back on the the road.
When he saw the girl simply just run off he nearly gave chase curious to where she was going. Â When the Hyur instead went after her he yawned and went back to watching the others work. Â It still felt eerie as he sat in his tree, he couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched. He continued to scan the surrounding area looking for any sign of danger. Â Suddenly he shivered as it seemed all noise in the forest had stopped then his ears perked up to a sound that he knew all to well, one of the very sounds he had been running from. Â The sound of blood hungry steel leaving it's sheathe. Â It was faint but his Miqo'te ears picked them up all the same and it was still unmistakable. Â He looks up in horror as the hoard of Ixali fell on the group.
RE: Taken (Semi-closed) - Clover - 06-18-2014
Andre's voice barely registered at that moment. The girl kept running with her back turned to him, eyes fixed on the black cat she was following. So focused on that single task she was that neither did she notice the small, treacherous rock that made her trip over. It only took her two seconds, perhaps, to prevent her own falling, and that had been enough to lose sight of the cat. She stopped running then.
As the hyur quickly scanned her surroundings and caught her breath, her friend finally reached her.
"Andre..." Clover said when she saw him, and albeit she was the last person who should look confused at that moment, she actually did. The next words had the same disappointment that were found in her eyes as they travelled to the side. "I'm sorry, I thought I'd seen something important..."
She'd left the carriage, left everyone else with a task she should be performing herself. All because of nothing.
"I'm sorry," she repeated after sorting her thoughts, looking at him. Neither her voice nor her eyes were pitiful, or sad, or full of guilt. That was simply a serious and honest sound.