melodiesoflife | Intro Log || Just in Time for the Last Holiday Season

Entry tags:

Intro Log || Just in Time for the Last Holiday Season

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light" (only new characters can start threads).
Where: Aqures Ixen.
When: November 01st - November 30th. New characters may wake up any time.

Summary: The new Heroes of Light awaken from Crystal Stasis and might find themselves in quite the predicament. Are they in Aqures Ixen, the Desert, a Forest or a completely empty plain? The choice is yours! You can have your character wake up anywhere, so long as the location is neither crystallized nor sealed away (such as the Temple of the Heroes of Light).

Please refer to the Information Post for more information regarding the state of Crystallis. Fear not however as soon a Moogle and maybe your friends shall come to you. Indeed, Heroes of Light in Aqures Ixen have access to a map that show them whenever a new Hero of Light appears.The Moogles are using it to quickly find any newcomers, but nothing prevents other Heroes of Light from using it to go to the rescue! The exception to this are characters who were formerly in the game: they will wake up from Crystal Stasis in the Hospital of Aqures Ixen.

Furthermore, feel free to plot out with players already in-game if you want for them to come and search your character, find them and plot their escape from a particularly dangerous place and the likes!

Warning: N/A.

Where you were or what you were doing— It does not really matter. Not any more. Within an instant, the world around you collapses. Reality twists and shatters... Or maybe you are the one who is collapsing and shattering away from reality as you knew it. No matter what the answer is, it will only take a few seconds for you to find yourself sinking into a void, your world vanishing into the distance. There is nothing but darkness as far as the eye can see. Even you feel different: all the powers you might once have had, are now gone. It is silent, cold and it feels as though life itself is slipping out of you.

At this moment, when it looks as though nothing but a never-ending void awaits you, a red Crystal forms before you. In this void, its warmth compels you to grab it. But soon it faded, and everything else along with it, nothing but darkness remaining....

The Search for the Heroes
— Anytime —
To you, it's like only a second passed ever since you grabbed this crystal. But months or even years may have passed in the real world. And as you emerge, you find yourself in the world of Crystallis, a place where magic and technology coexist, filled with friendly people... And not so friendly ones. Have you awakened in Aqures Ixen, Esdham or a similar city...? Then it's perfect, you are surrounded by friendly people who will be - very confused - but helpful to an extent.

Have you woken up in the wilderness? Hopefully there aren't too many monsters around! As it is, other Heroes of Light might have woken up close to your position, it might be a good idea to work together with them.

Thankfully enough, before long a fluffy ball of fur flies toward (and most crashes into) you! This creature is a Moogle, sent from Mognet Central to assist you and take you to Aqures Ixen. It will explain you everything about the situation, the other Heroes of Light already present in Crystallis and all that is happening! This Moogle will be your guide back to Aqures Ixen-- If you decide to follow them anyway...

The Voyage Home
— Anytime —
The journey to Aqures Ixen might be an eventful one (or uneventful one if you awoke in the city already). It is a possibility for you to explore the world by taking your time, or to be lazy and board an Airship in the closest city. Don't lose your way or you risk venturing close to the Calamity-- You wouldn't want to be devoured and ripped apart my mega-powered Calamity Monsters, would you?

And thanks to the map and the efficiency of Mognet, odds are you'll encounter other Heroes of Light on your way: those who arrived in this world within the past two years. You may have imagined heroic and charismatic figures when your Moogle told you that there were other Heroes of Light in this city. You may have imagined persons with fearsome powers when they told you about how they managed to push back the Empire and defeat the fearsome Palitutu! And more importantly, you may have imagined them as people who would have all the answers to your, doubtlessly, numerous questions.

If so, you may be up for a tragic disappointment. Still, for the most part they know more than you on the situation and may be more than happy to fill you in, especially if your Moogle didn't tell you much.

The City of Aqures Ixen
— Anytime —
Finally, you might reach Aqures Ixen... And it turns out to be a very busy city. You might visit it, or the laboratory from where you can ~~spy~~ track where Heroes of Light are. Indeed, Palitutu's Laboratory (and its underground section) is a place where employed characters can research various topics. Most importantly, characters can see a file with their name...

Should your character decide to go there and peek at their file, there are two possibilities. Either the file is corrupted and they cannot access it: too bad for them, but at least their life will remain a mystery. Or should you decide the file isn't corrupted, they will find a summary of their lives up to their canon point, as if written by a third-person omniscient narrator. On the column left to the text, to the top there is a portrait of them, and beneath it there is a 3D model of them. Said portrait and model can be switched to any year of their life. At the bottom there is a percentage, indicating 0%. On the right column, there are various links, most of which are grayed out. The clickable links lead to their Homeworld History and their future post-canon point history (corrupted file for unfinished canons). At least, they can lock this file away if they don't want anyone to see it.

Or maybe you could visit your new house in the 11th or 14th District, and get to know your new neighbors and housemate(s). Hopefully your neighbors are people you will get along with.

It's Never Too Early
— Anytime —
No matter where you wake up in this world, from the arid climate of Esdham to the balmy jungles of Mysidia, you might notice a hint of ~**Christmas Whimsy**~ in the air. Pine-scented garlands are wound about streetlamps, delicate glass ornaments and twinkling lights have begun to adorn tree branches. The air is rich with the smell of baked pumpkin and cinnamon, and the occasional cool hint of peppermint. The bakeries are filled with seasonal treats like kupo nut pies, cranberry tarts, eggnog cakes. Though it's only the month of November, anyone complaining about the good cheer and pretty decorations will be stared at with a mixture of shock and pity, for clearly these people do not understand the true magic of the season.

Wherever you go, there's a distinct and rhythmic clanging of a small brass bell. Following the sound of the bell inevitably leads to a small adorable Moogle decked out in a fur-trimmed red suit standing next to a donations pot, with another clad in green passing out fliers inviting people to visit the Santa Village. They're requesting gil to craft toys for the refugees living there as well as the children across the world, and to expand and improve the Village as well.

Upon seeing any indication that you might be a Hero of Light, both Moogles make a happy sound and immediately press a flyer into your hand, insisting that you must visit, and not so subtly hinting that those who take up the Santa Claus job would be warmly welcomed by everyone. 'Tis the season, eh? Eh?

The Hospital
— Anytime —
Characters who have already been in Crystallis before do not wake up anywhere like everyone else. Instead, they will wake up in the Hospital of Aqures Ixen, in a room where there are over a hundred other Heroes of Light like them-- Maybe even some familiar faces... Except they're all in Crystal Stasis.

A couple Moogles and a few nurses will be waiting by the room, and they will welcome all characters waking up. Upon exiting the room, they will also meet a lot of guards, and they all have orders to shoot anyone that comes out of this room without a Moogle. Hopefully you won't try running out without waiting for your Moogle. As for why the guards are so on edge, it might be a good idea to ask the other Heroes of Light about what happened last year.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It wasn't done so gracefully as he would like but Yuri wasn't really there for the thematic appearances. He was more concerned about her getting caught in the toxins. For Yuri, things like this were typical and he was used to taking hits for other people.

He didn't really have time to think before he acted when it came to saving someone. He's fine though, momentarily dizzy and nauseated by the smell until Natalia was able to cast Esuna on him and he could feel his body return to its normal state. When he was able to move correctly, he quickly jumps back to her and stands to her side with his sword raised.

"Thanks to you, I'll be fine. That was careless of me-- so my bad."

It was a half-assed attempt at apologizing to her in his own way.

He replied with a shrug, "Alright, let's end this-- try to get it with as many arrows as you can to keep it from looking at me. I'm going to end it with one powerful strike."

She hadn't expected him to say something so sincerely humble. They'd certainly got off on the wrong foot, but when united against a common enemy, she was surprised to find that they worked very well together. Certainly they didn't operate in perfect harmony, but for their first fight, neither knowing anything about the other, they were doing well for themselves.

"You couldn't have predicted it would do that if you hadn't fought it before," she reassured him with a quick smile, readying another arrow. "Let's finish this."

Natalia gave him one quick nod before breaking away, holding her bow horizontally as she unleashed her arrow to bury it deep in the soft tissue of the monster right beneath one of its limbs. It was a good shot, and it served its purpose in attracting the crystal ochu's attention. But that attention came a little too soon. Natalia hadn't had a chance to get as much distance between her and the monster, and it barreled after her faster than she could run.

Desperately she backpedaled, firing her arrows at its gaping maw in an attempt to slow it down. But if anything, it enraged the beast further, and it lurched toward her savagely. She had no choice but to turn and run.

She only made it five steps. A thick limb lashed around Natalia's waist and legs, snatching her up off the ground with a startled gasp. Struggle as she might, she was no match for the creature's strength, and it was squeezing her tighter and tighter. Her ribs creaked, and the thorns dug into her legs as she kicked and twisted.

But as vulnerable as she was, she recognized the value of the opportunity. It would never be more focused on Natalia than it was now, leaving Yuri with the perfect chance to strike it down as long as she didn't call attention to him.

She reached back to grab another arrow, but rather than fit it to her bow, she grasped it firmly and stabbed at the tentacle with all her might, dashing the steel tip against the fleshy vine over and over. The monster was just too close for a fired arrow to be of any use, and she might hurt it enough to force it to drop her.

Instead its other tendril snaked around her, binding her arms to her side as it squeezed, hard. A strangled gasp of pain escaped Natalia's throat as it dragged her closer to its mouth, and the rows of jagged teeth...

"Right, we can talk about this later."

He nodded before preparing himself for her assault and paying attention to the monster as she ran for it. Unfortunately, monsters with multiple limbs created a lot of disadvantage and perhaps they may have miscalculated the distances. He couldn't carelessly leap into the scene to save her right then and there but he knew that he had to do something to save her.

The only choice really was to dismember the beast so that it would drop her. If he got too close, he might end up prisoner as well and it would do neither of the two of them any favors.

"H-Hey!"

Yuri shouted when she got dragged off. He ran after her though trying to gauge what was going on and seeing what he could do to save her. However, even when she was being dragged off he could tell that she was creating room for opening as it tried to strangle the life out of her. He had to do this quickly and that's what he did. He wouldn't let her die-- at least not on his watch.

He wasn't going to lose anymore people and something like this was nothing. He had fought worst than a creature with several tendrils.

He moved back a step with his foot and then dashed forward with a lot of speed, and when he got in front of the monster, he unleashed Brutal Fang severing the beast with over 20 flashing hits, getting all the tendrils and the even the ones that held Natalia captive.

Edited 2016-11-27 23:10 (UTC)

It was getting harder to breathe. Spots edged into the corners of Natalia's vision, which was starting to blur. She couldn't seem to get enough air into her lungs. Gritting her teeth, she raised her bow, the weapon shaking in her grasp as the tip of her arrow swayed drunkenly. The strength to pull back the string was leaving her as she slumped forward in the monster's grasp, as limp and as useless as a pretty doll.

The crystal ochu was so focused on making a meal out of the princess that it didn't realize the true threat that Yuri posed. Green ichor burst from its back as Yuri's blade struck true, again and again, slashing it with a brutal fury it had never known.

With a low and pained groan, the monster teetered, and its grip on Natalia slacked enough that she slipped from its uncoiling tendril. The monster collapsed in a blobby heap, mouth yawned open wide with teeth sticking every which way, before it faded from sight. In the snow it left behind a pile of 3,500 gil, and surprisingly enough, a small sparking yellow crystal.

Yuri didn't get a chance to sheathe his blade once he was done since the monster was now a blob of diced up meat. It vanished too quickly and he was left in a frenzy as he jumped after the fallen princess, catching her before she hit the ground beneath her. Yuri had his sword arm around her her back and his free hand supporting the rest of her weight.

"Easy there, Princess."

He replied briefly, giving a sigh of relief when he caught her. All of this had become quite unpredictable in his opinion. He did notice the amount of money and the yellow crystal that was left behind, but that would be something he'd have to save after her figured out if Natalia was okay.

"Hey, can you hear me," he shook her a bit in his arms.

Natalia sucked in a sharp, rasping breath, immediately struck by a coughing fit. She curled a little closer toward Yuri's shoulder, a curled fist rising to her mouth instinctively as her delicate frame shook with each desperate cough. She hadn't been squeezed long enough to take on any unusual color to her complexion, but she did seem to be rapidly regaining her strength now that she could suck in some oxygen.

"I-I'm all right," she reassured him, her hand lightly pressed against his chest. Whether it was to brace herself or try to put some distance between them, it was hard to say. She didn't seem as if she were repulsed, but then again, it was hard to express much of anything when she was busy hacking and gasping for air. Natalia quieted for a moment with a few shaky, shallow breaths. She was all right. A little scratched up and bruised, but it was nothing to fret about.

Yuri kept her upright so she didn't choke too much on her own coughs. He kept a firm grip on her until she settled down some. As awkward as all of this should be for him, it's not. He's way more focused on trying to make sure she's okay versus the whole thing being embarrassing.

There's nothing embarrassing about trying to save someone and he's going to roll with that.

"Alright, Princess, I think it's time we take a break from the monster hunt. You need medical attention, healing and probably rest."

Without really giving her much of a choice, he used his weight to support her momentarily so he can sheath his sword. Once the weapon is in the sheath, he's hauls her up a bit more as he starts walking. She's not in any shape to keep fighting and he isn't either. However, Yuri is someone who is used to these kinds of battles daily and all the time. He can manage to stay afloat much longer even if he's a bit exhausted.

Not to say that Natalia didn't hold her own but he knew that she probably hadn't spent that much time in battles. At least not as much as he did.

"We can worry about clean up later."

"I don't...this surely isn't necessary!" Natalia barely managed to stammer as he easily began to carry her in his arms. My, but he was rather strong!

But she had to admit that she was a little tired, and that was shameful. A battle like this wouldn't normally drain her so heavily, but she'd only just begun using this world's Jobs. It left her with a far more limited reserve of stamina and magic, and likely would continue to do so unless she got more training and experience.

Regardless, she didn't put up much of a fight. There was no quicker way to bond with someone than to fight for their lives side by side as a team. Seeing the way he treated her now made her ashamed for snipping at him about such trivial things like his handwriting.

Natalia was quiet for a moment. When she spoke, her voice was softer, and humbled, and there was definitely a rosy blush staining her fair complexion. "You fought very well. It was wrong of me to treat you so harshly in our letters." His attitude had frustrated her, but that was no excuse. He'd still come to save these people, and that made him someone she could respect. "Please, if you would. Call me Natalia. After all of that just now, there's truly no need for such formality."

"Not here for discussion."

He stops her almost immediately as she protests at his comment. He's not letting up and with this given situation, Yuri is much stronger and Natalia is really tired. He can deduct that she can't put up much of a fight to begin with so he's going to not start an argument. It's something that everyone has to get used to. Yuri had the deal with the same problems when he first came to this world too.

Not having his skills and being limited on what he could do. Now, it was much easier to glide through things. He had to admit the amount of training and work that was put into his jobs in the past year and a half was worth it. He's grateful that she doesn't put up a huge fight. It makes it easier for him to carry her to safety. They were back in the town in due time and it's not like he'll really blame Natalia for assuming things about him.

Yuri doesn't really care about what people think of him. He will always be himself. Whether it garners good attention or not, doesn't matter to him.

"Don't worry about it. You're not the first person to treat me like that," he shrugged, "It's how I am and it's how I'll always be."

He chuckled, "Nah, you're stuck with it Princess."

Her name isn't Natalia anymore It's "Princess." Welcome to having nicknames.

"It truly happens so often...?" Now she felt even more ashamed. And here he was, being so persistently kind.

...Well. Mostly kind. He did seem to enjoy teasing people, much like a certain colonel of Malkuth she happened to know.

"I'm sorry." He could let it roll off of his shoulders if he liked, and maybe he even meant what he said about it being no trouble. But she still didn't like the idea that she'd hurt the feelings of a good man. "At least allow me to pay for your lodging as long as you're here. The rooms can be rather expensive."

"More than you know but don't let it get to you. I'm not exactly good at first impressions."

He shrugged as she asked that. He didn't need her to feel anything towards him. Given his own personality, Yuri is aware and has already accepted that things will remain the way they are when people meet him. He teases and riles others at his own expense.

Yuri is kind. It's something that he's always had. Somehow, it never changed growing up. Teasing is a little fun for him but he knows when he goes too far and often will apologize if he does cross a certain line.

"I don't the apologies, Princess. You should save it for someone who matters."

For someone who matters more than him anyway, "I'll have to pass. I haven't been sitting around and twiddling my thumb while everyone worked. I got plenty of money to pass the days by. You should save it for yourself."

Eventually they're at the inn.

"You needn't put it quite like that," she chided him, her expression more than a little concerned. It reminded her far too much of Luke, saying that he didn't matter, and she couldn't imagine there wasn't a person in the world who didn't care for him. Or was he only teasing her?

Regardless, they were at the inn now, and she heaved a little sigh of relief. Now that they were safe, she assumed he could place her on the ground, and her legs stirred to accommodate him in putting her down.

"Thank you. Do you have any lingering injuries?"

"I'm no the type that needs thank yous. I'm doing it because I want to."

He stated after her chiding. He didn't mean for his words to come out that way but they did. Yuri wasn't exactly Luke so she didn't have to worry about that. He knew he matters and he'd probably get beaten to death if he said he didn't matter to any of his friends. However, something like saving people and protecting them was what he did. There really was no need to be grateful to him.

"Other than the cut from getting too close, nothing that can't heal on its own."

What? She thought he was done? Yeah right. Yuri pushed the inn doors opened and casually strutted his way to the front desk.

Because he wanted to? He was a curious one indeed. Usually there was much more to it than that. Perhaps something had happened to him in his youth that drove him to selflessly protect the lives of others. She was dying to ask him more about it, but it was rather difficult to carry on a serious conversation when he was still cradling her in his arms.

"You needn't be so concerned," she reassured him quickly as he persisted, striding boldly into the inn. More than a few heads were turning to observe the two of them with open curiosity.

He was carrying her like that...?

They were both such attractive young humes, so did that mean...?

Surely it couldn't mean anything else...!

The Hypello approached the front desk to meet Yuri, giving him an inquisitive look. "I shee! Ze honeymoon shweet?"

"The what?!" Natalia gasped. "We are not together!" Why would they even assume such a thing?

There were a lot of events leading him to be the way he is now. Yuri won't openly talk about it with Natalia since they barely know each other but she's right about that. He doesn't hide that there is something in his life that changed him to be himself. Yuri keeps to himself as he continues to haul the two of them through the inn and raises a brow at the inn receptionist as he assumes that they are some sort of married couple-- or rather a newly wed couple. What a silly thought. Can't a guy carry a girl without having silly assumptions about him?

"Part of the package, Princess. You're just going to have to deal with it. I know you barely have an strength left."

He replies quietly to her before coughing and giving the inn keepr a rather raised brow.

"If it's the biggest room you got, then I'll take it, and you guys sure make a huge commotion over nothing."

He brushes off the comment as if it doesn't matter to him. He just gives Natalia a look for her outburst.

"Doesn't matter what people think right? It's none of their business. Gossip isn't something you should do casually, right gramps?"

He raises his tone a bit as his gaze flickers to the hypello again.

Natalia gaped at Yuri. He accepted it, just like that? But the sheer expense of such a thing...!

"It isn't a matter of whether people should or should not gossip, it's a matter of not giving them a reason to do so!" It was kind of him to offer to splurge like that, but she simply couldn't accept such extravagance.

"No, I must insist on a simpler room," she said sternly. "Unless you wish to keep it for yourself, then by all means, do as you like. I've already taken the liberty of renting a room, and I'm quite comfortable there."

Although Luke was usually the one that handled the group's expenses, Natalia wasn't so sheltered or ignorant not to know how to stay at an inn.

He didn't really care what others had to say about him so he obviously had no reason to fight them. People were just awful in their own way when they assume thing. He didn't want to have to be the guy that explained everything to them. It was a waste of time and he couldn't even guarantee that they would even believe him. It's best to let them assume whatever the hell they wanted to.

"You want to explain it to them then, Princess? I can guarantee that you won't get anything out of it. They'll never believe you given the situation. It's best to leave them to their own delusions than fight them and prove them wrong."

He shrugged as she slides past the doors and down the hallway with the keys. He's obviously ignoring her protest.

"You can get your refund for that. In the meant time, we need to get you comfortable and relaxed. A patient doesn't have any right to argue."

He chuckled making it impossible for her to really argue with him but he knew she probably will try but it wasn't going to make him change his mind. Eventually, he found the room and unlocked it. Sorry Natalia.

"Someone needs to teach you about proper diplomacy," Natalia grumbled, too tired to argue or even scowl. This could have easily been prevented, but the gossip boulder had already been rolled down the mountain.

The suite was obviously luxurious, if a little dusty. The bed had been made at the very least, so the linens were likely clean enough to sleep in. There was only one bed, but it was quite large, and could probably sleep four if people didn't mind getting cuddly. There was a large soaking tub with a mirror nestled in the center of the room, quite separte from the bathroom with its twin-headed gold-plated shower. The furnishings were exquisitely crafted, and even featured a piano beside the enormous windows that spanned from floor to ceiling. The flowers in the vase were dead and dried, one of the few reminders that this place had been abandoned for several weeks before the city was tentatively reclaimed.

Natalia fell quiet as she glanced about the room, simultaneously impressed at the opulence and embarrassed by it. She had yet to determine the proper rates of currency, but this must have cost Yuri quite a good deal.

"Where do you plan to sleep?" she asked, carefully loosening her arms from where they were looped around his neck. Surely now he would put her down.

I'm not into politics or diplomacy. I handle things the way I want to my way. Most folks want to follow the law or do things by the book, but you're looking at the wrong guy for that."

He replied to her without batting an eye. Honestly, what was she expecting? He didn't look like any typical noble and he certainly didn't act like one. He was the type to do things the way he wanted knowing the consequences. It might not be the best way to get to know Yuri but he wanted to remind her that he was not like the others. He didn't care how he was perceived to much but laying down the foundation was important.

The dust and stuff was omitted by Yuri as he carried her over the bed and slowly dropped her on it without hurting her. Of course, he stretched his arms a little bit since he had carried her all the way from the battle field to the inn. He needed some sort of stretching.

"The floor, the couch, or the chair. There's a spot by the window too."

He pointed casually, "Don't worry I'm not the type to pounce sleeping princesses."

He gave her a brief smile.

"Now you should rest and wash up."

He had a point. Natalia had grown so accustomed to traveling with a group that dealt with politics and negotiations between warring kingdoms, she'd forgotten that other traveling warriors weren't necessarily mired in those kind of societal machinations. It was a peculiar thought. She couldn't even fathom the idea that a single word she said, or even the briefest act, wasn't done without the thought that it would impact someone else's impression of her.

"Oh, I see... I'm a little envious. It must be nice, to live so freely." It was a statement of respect, humbly admitted.

Slowly she eased her arms from around his neck as he placed her down at long last, though she didn't lie back just yet.

His statement about pouncing gave her a wide-eyed start, just as crimson touched her face. "No, that wasn't what I was suggesting!" They might have bickered, but it was hard to imagine an ally on the battlefield ever behaving in such a disgraceful manner. Natalia was hardly afraid of him. "I merely wanted to ensure that you were comfortable. I won't have you sleeping on the floor as if you were some sort of dog." The very idea!

She looked at the couch, knuckling her chin in thought. "Are you certain the couch is acceptable? If you wished, you could simply wake me in a few hours and take the bed for yourself."

What mattered to Yuri was getting the job done in a timely manner that did not involve innocent people or other unrelated parties. He felt that it was the worst kind of thing someone can do to others was to instill their judgement on those individuals unfairly. In any case, he wasn't going to argue with Natalia over his views. He left the argument at that.

She could protest all she wanted but it wasn't going to do her any good trying to resist what he's trying to do in the first place. Yuri just didn't care about what people had to say to him. Image wasn't everything. While he did have his pride, he didn't let it control him as a person.

"You should try it sometime. We're in a world completely different from our own. Doesn't matter what kind of person you were in your world. What matters is what you want to do here. There's no one to tell you what to do. You've already more or less made that statement haven't you? Why let it others judgement cloud your resolve?"

He mused looking back at her as he plopped himself in the couch comfortably, letting his hands fall behind his neck and his shoe less feet on the couch.

Yuri laughed at her response. Well, maybe he went too far since it was joke, "Don't worry I'm used to sleeping on the ground and in stacks of hay. this probably the best I've got right now."

Again he dismissed the argument.

"No one said anything about being a dog. I used to sleep with Repede all the time like this on the floor. He's a dog too you know? You shouldn't insult him. He's got his pride."

Yes, he was teasing her even more for that. Yuri confirmed it once more so she would stop, "Yeah, don't sweat it. Just rest."

"It's a little more complicated than that, I'm afraid." Her tone was light, as if she might allow herself to chuckle, but the look on her face was oddly melancholy if only for a few moments. Even if this wasn't her world, she was still a representative of her kingdom, and she was sworn to protect the people. Perhaps it wasn't the role she was born for, but it was what she inherited the moment she was adopted as a...stand-in.

But that was neither here nor there. He clearly meant well with his advice, and she could see now that he truly was a kind person with goals very similar to her own. It was nice to share that much in common, if nothing else.

Her attention returned to Yuri at the mention of a dog. "You have a pet?" Goodness, she wasn't exactly clear on the sort of protocol to follow when speaking about a respected comrade's animal companion. "I apologize, I meant no offense."

Teasing schmeasing, she took the joke perhaps a little too seriously. As for resting, she thought about it for a moment, then inclined her head. "You're right. The sooner I recover my magic, the sooner I'm able to resume my responsibilities. Good night, Yuri." Even if it was just for a few hours, it was only polite to bid him well.

"...And thank you again. The people of this town are fortunate to have your aid."

"Don't worry, I'm not going to pry if you don't want to tell me," he replied to her assuming that her melancholy was due to not wanting to explain things. He was off the mark however since he hardly knew the girl. If he knew her better he'd tell her that she was no one's stand-in and there would be no one to replace her period. Honestly, he couldn't replace anyone he knew with someone else. They were all different and special in their own way.

"I wouldn't call him a pet, more like friend. I left him with my roommate. He tends to take care of him when I can't."

Yuri replied as she asked about Repede. He assumed the dog would find interest in such a spunky princess, much like Rita. However, that was another story for another day, "You're fine. I was joking anyway."

He shrugged again. Yes, she was very much playing around and trying to lighten the mood for the both of them. There was no need to be serious about everything right. He laughed, "I'm glad you understand. Like I said, I didn't do anything amazing. It's what benefits those in need. Good night, Princess."

He retorted. Yuri reached over to turn off the light for the both of them once Natalia got settled. She could bathe later if she chose to or whatever she wanted but right now it was shut eye and Yuri wasn't taking no for an answer.

Natalia smiled softly. "I'm relieved to hear it. Thank you, Yuri." He really wasn't so bad at all, was he? She lifted the covers and slid her legs underneath, tipping back to lay her head on the soft pillow. A wave of weariness stole over her almost immediately. She'd known she was tired, but she didn't realize just how much until she finally allowed herself to lie down. It was no wonder he'd been so insistent.

"Good night," she bid to the warrior, seeking out the dim outline of his form upon the couch before she let her lashes close. "I am very glad you chose to come here and fight."

It didn't take long for her to fall asleep after that. In just a few short minutes her breathing had become deep and even where she lay curled up on her side, one hand buried under the pillow to find that one cool spot while she clutched the covers securely beneath her chin.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Intro Log || Just in Time for the Last Holiday Season

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