Riven

Blessed Yule and Happy (belated) Solstice!

*dutifully performs the summon music dance* Damn it Square, I need my fix. :frustrated: I'm jonsing here.

*enters thread* *looks around* >.> <.< *stakes down the Autobot flag* Go on about your business, people.

*holds up hand* I'd be interested! Have my arcanist and my dragoon in training.

Sent you a PM about it, and I should hopefully be online tonight!

The Fortemps training-yard had been turned over to the squires of the House that particular sun, with several different stations set up for different training routines. As she hurried to the Weaponmaster’s offices, Riven noticed Reinhardt was locked in combat with one of the veteran knights, his face set in grim concentration as he blocked and parried blows. He had better not be too sore if Vahn comes back today. A smile twitched at Riven’s lips. In the few moons that he had been with the dragoon, Reinhardt’s progress had shot ahead by leaps and bounds. He was already recognized as one of the more skilled squires under the House’s care, and was one of the few permitted to accompany the Temple Knights on their patrols of the city every so often. Riven had been helping out in her own way, tutoring Reinhardt at nights to fill in the gaps in his education. Thankfully the teen possessed a relatively keen mind, despite the fact that he could be rather dense at times. Gods, I hope he didnot say something stupid to one of his trainers! The message had arrived by moogle thatmorning, the Weaponmaster had wanted to see her regarding Reinhardt. Reaching the office, Riven knocked, hearing amuffled voice from within call out ‘enter’. As she pushed open the door, the Fortemps Weaponmaster looked up from his desk. “Mistress Astralyas!” Riven bobbed in a curtsey. “Ser Marcelain.” She said. The elezen smiled, rising from his seat. “Let me take your coat.” He offered. His face was lined with scars-the worst being directly over his right eye, which was a milky white. More scars littered his hands,which were callused and rough. Riven wriggled out of the fabric, watching as Marcelain hung it on a nearby hook. “Thank you. I was surprised to receive your message.” She said. “Reinhardt is not in trouble, is he?” “No, no he is not.” Marcelain shook his head quickly. “Rather, he is doing quite well.” A troubled expression came over his features as he glanced at the window. “I was hoping to speak with Vahn on this matter, but then this morning…” He trailed off, and Riven tilted her head. “This morning?” She repeated. The Fortemps Weaponmaster pressed his lips together, and then reached over for Riven’s cloak. “I need you to follow me.” He said. Several minutes later, the two were down in the training yard. Marcelain had selected a space close to where Reinhardt was training with the knight, and Riven noticed that the Weaponmaster had positioned himself behind a large stack of boxes that were nearby. Before she could say anything,the elezen put a finger to his lips. “Watch Reinhardt fight.” He instructed. “And whatever I say-react as if I’m talking about his training.” A chill ran though Riven’s body that had nothing to do with the current weather, and she immediately turned her head towards Reinhardt. “I must say, Ser Marcelain, this is quite odd.” Her voice was low, and the elezen couldn’t help but smile briefly. Quick to catch on, this one. “Far right of the yard.” He instructed. “Black hair, tan robes, standing with the healers. Do you see him?” Riven’s eyes flicked over,spotting the other elezen. “His name is Dollet Chaunollet, and he works for the Holy See.” Shifting position, Riven moved her gaze backto Reinhardt. “He’s been watching Reinhardt for the past fortnight.” The news made Riven freeze-but a hiss from Marcelain made her exhale and shift position again, as if to warm her muscles. Inwardly, her mind was spinning-flicking though the events of the past two moons. The map? Could…no. No. It cannot be anything with that. Truth be told, if anything had happened regarding the Mapmaker, she and Vahn had probably missed it, wrapped up in their own problems. But then what would warrant Reinhardt suddenly being put under surveillance? Watching as Reinhardt was sent sprawling to the ground, Riven drew in a steadying breath. “A fortnight?” She asked. “Aye. I know the boy history. Not the first time I have had a spy from the See looking at a trainee here, that I can deal with.” Marcelain answered. “At first I thought it might have been a holdover from that bit of chaos with Vahn’s…relatives. But then I found out who is the Inquisitorial master of this particular servant.” He trailed off, looking grim. Riven bowed her head, looking at Marcelain from the corners of her eyes. “Who?” “Ser Ivaurault Bisaine. High ranking, his family is one of House Durendaire’s oldest vassals, and a man you do not ever wish to cross.” Marcelain’s one eye fixed on Riven. “I know you have an express interest in Reinhardt’s well-being, even more so because the two of you are possibly kin. Has something happened that I was not made privy to?” “No.” Riven fought the urge to shake her head. “Nothing has happened that I am aware of, and I can say the same for Vahn. Nor have I looked into anything, because…well, you know what has gone on!” Marcelain exhaled. “Something must have happened. The attention of a man like Bisaine is not attracted to trivial matters.” He said. “And with the city how it is right now, even a small incident involving Reinhardt could be fatal for him.” “I will speak with Vahn when he returns. He said he wanted Reinhardt to train with the Lancer’s Guild in Gridania before everything started.” Riven turned around, pulling the hood of her cloak over her hair. Marcelain nodded. “Good thinking. If he can be kept out of the city until this mess with the Church settles, the better.” He said. Riven didn’t say anything but started to walk away, heart pounding. How in the seven hells did Reinhardt attract the attention of a high-ranking Inquisitor? Why? And just the luck, he’s under House Durendaire to boot! Riven knew that Fortemps and Durendaire had some type of rivalry. Gods be good, what happened?!

/leaves a hug for anyone who needs it

(Sorry for the hiatus, holiday and work! Hoping to get a bit back on track now! ) ----------------------------------- Riven pulled her cloak even tighter around her, nerves fluttering in her stomach. This was the time of year that night fell early, and already the city bells were chiming the hour. Normally by this time she wassafely in the housing area for the bulk of Ishgard’s military, including the dragoons-but she’d run behind while ordering feed for Swiftsure and Lainey at the chocobo stables. The thought had crossed her mind that she should have gone to the Forgotten Knight and ordered one of their large meals there to bring home, but instead Riven had thought she’d had enough time to go shopping at the Croizer… Idiot. Idiot, idiot,idiot! Her boots clicked against the stone as she took one of the great staircases down from the Pillars, noting the few clergy that were hurrying upwards, towards safety. Ever since the fires, it had become unsafe for outsiders and clergy to be out at night in both Foundation and the Brume. Riven had done her best to curtail her nighttime wanderings-if the sixth bell saw her safely in Vahn’s house, preparing dinner and settling down to a night of reading or drawing. If she was at the Free Company's headquarters that she and Vahn both were a part of and wanted to return to Ishgard, she waited until the morning. As she stepped down into Foundation proper, Riven noted that the exodus was a bit more in force down here. People were either hurrying towards the gate, the aethercite, the chocobo stables, the steps leading up to the Pillars, or even to the Forgotten Knight’s plaza. What is it that they say? Walk as if you are thinking of committing a murder. But Riven wasn’t too sure if she was broadcasting that with her body language-how did one walk as if they were going to kill someone? Shouting jolted the small brunette from her thoughts, and she turned her head. A priest was trying to get away from three raggedy-looking men, and a small crowd was starting to form around them. Almost automatically Riven’s footsteps slowed;maybe there was a way she could help… “Do not!” Before Riven could say anything, an arm hooked around her waist, propelling her forward. Reinhardt’s young face was grim, his right hand gripping his lance as if expecting to be attacked at any moment. “Reinhardt!” Riven exclaimed. “What are you doing here?” “Off duty and praising Halone I came here to see if you had passed by. You are normally home by this time!” Reinhardt guided Riven towards another set of steps just past the aethercite. “I ran behind at the chocobo stables.” Behind them the yelling grew louder, and Riven bit her lip. “I thought I had enough wriggle room to get dinner-things tonight.” “Then you should have called for me!” Reinhardt shot a glare towards a shifty-looking elezen who was eyeing Riven. Thankfully the gates of the housing district were just ahead-and even luckier, they were still open to allow stragglers in. The moment they were on the other side,Reinhardt sighed in relief and dropped his arm. Riven paused, sagging as tension fled her body. “Gods! It cannot continue to be this troublesome every night!” She exclaimed. “I’m grateful I am not on lower patrol duty.” Reinhardt muttered. He shot a glance at the now-closing gates. “Come on, Miss Riven. You should be inside, not outside.”

What are the themes that they play?

...How much for the Magitek armor? >_>

And this summons up the entire episode in a nutshell.

I GOT AN ALT ON BALMUNG! JUMP ON THIS FRIENDS, QUICKLY!

*has settled in corner with working on her second book, papers everywhere*

Anyone else get the boot too?

Could use a hug. Have had much to process mentally lately.

Can confirm, but I must also make a distinction that sometimes gets misconstrued: A Conjurer of the Stillglade Fane will only heal what the elementals give them permission to heal, but that does not mean that the elementals deny these Conjurers the ability to heal these people. A Conjurer may choose to defy the will of the elementals and heal anyone they so choose, but at great cost to themselves. That actually helps me out quite a bit. I wasn't too far off base with my healer's backstory and why he left the Fane to begin with, yay! He attempted to heal against the will of the Elementals for a person and well...bad things. Though it wasn't an Ixal or anyone who was a enemy of Gridania, it was a member of his own family.

If they have one, do you have a story for it? Is it a beloved pet? Do you have any funny pictures of your bird? This is Lainey, Riven's chocobo. Gridanian bred, fast runner. This is Lainey on the bar. Go home birb, you're drunk.

I jumped on the Elezen train and fantasia'ed my lizard man into an Elezen one. Plus I will be attempting to learn how to White Mage (because apparently I like pain --; ). I have a general backstory for him, but what I'd like to do is have him be an ex-Stillglade Fane healer. I'm still learning the lore there, but the impression I was given and got from the game is that the Hearers/(healers?) must follow the will of the Elementals, to the point where they have to not heal/help a particular person if the Elementals say 'no'. Can somebody clarify this for me so I make sure I have my ducks in a row?

The unholy union of Square Enix and Apple continues, 3rd mini-volume of the Heavensward OST is up. :frustrated: Tracks are: 1. Solid 2. Black and White 3. Woe that is Madness 4. Contention 5. Unbreakable Solid is the Ishgard daytime theme-but fair warning, if you want it you have to buy the volume to get it.

No story today, just a quick update for anyone who's been following along or might have an interest! ------------ As of last week-the Holy See now has in it's possession one of the infamous 'master maps' the Mapmaker has been credited with. Anyone with high enough ranking can possibly access and see it. The map itself is that of the Pillars, with many hidden passageways and tunnels marked out clearly upon it. It is also singed and burned-as if somebody perhaps tried to destroy it.

Oh hell no to Riven on that outfit. o_o

No problem. Happy to pass on the word, wasn't too sure if anyone had noticed or not.

I spent most of the day going 'wwwggaagghh' up at the ceiling and wanting the game to be back on. I also debated briefly reactivating my WoW sub, but I think that was the fever talking. I didn't do it.

*bang head, whine* damn it. I've been out sick all day, and having game would have helped in the feeling better process.

Like the subject says. This might mean we get back online early tonight? *hopeful*