ABF:BtOS - Bringer of Nothingness

[bunnygirl]

Bringer of Nothingness

The darkness makes your eyes shut for sleep. Yet, the sleep does not come. Your mind is oddly fully awake, so you find yourself opening your eyes. In front of you, darkness remains. It’s exactly where you last saw it. It has not changed. It has not moved. Finally, your eyes draw shut… But now, all there is to see here is more darkness, as if it transported itself inside your head. And, for some reason, there is something about all this that strongly disturbs you. There is this infinite darkness, this bottomless emptiness, inescapable nothingness that troubles your mind and haunts your very soul. Silently, it puts you in this deep hole of loneliness and on top of you it buries you into it with fear. All of this is so painfully unbearable and you realize you just cannot stay this way and then you want to wake up!

In front of you, you are confronted with your own round, pale face staring back bearing at you a pair of ghastly caverns of emptiness. Where else had laid eyes, there are instead black holes of death set perfectly beside each other in its skull. Slowly, its mouth curves into a sardonic grin. It opens its mouth, and it's jaw stretches to macabre proportions. And then it devours you; it consumes you—

And then you wake up.

Take this moment to consider where your character is in the world at the time he or she wakes up. Your character could still be at home, or entirely somewhere else. I am allowing you to decide the location, what kind of conditions your character will begin at, and what he or she could be doing. If you have any questions, PM me or poke me in the OOC thread. And now, it’s time to let loose into Gaia!

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar finally awakens from the terrible nightmare, or was it reality, it's getting hard to tell these days. Sylar wondered where he was for a moment. The last thing he remembered was being at the Oasis in the Northern Dark Lands.

All around him were things that he had never experienced before. The smell of piss. Sounds of crunching leaves and horses hooves. Damp wood beneath him. His eyes adjusted to the dim light in a few minutes. Four wooden walls. An arched ceiling. He wasn't alone. There were three others with him, also sleeping, in much worse condition. He was moving.

Sylar took a moment to assess himself. He still had his leather and circlet on. His arms were bound by chains. His legs were free. That was lucky. There was a dull ache in his right arm. There was a cut, crusted with blood. It didn't feel infected. That was good.

Suddenly, whatever Sylar was in came to a halt. He hears a gruff voice outside say "We're here. Unload the cargo." The door of what Sylar guessed was a wagon opened, the light was blinding, and the air smelled of smoke and charred corpses...

[bunnygirl]

As the wagon doors peel open from their metal hinges, the sunlight pours in. It’s especially hot and intense as it hits the wood inside this dampen, dark, death-smelling wagon. It will take a moment for any pair of eyes to adjust from the deep contrasting environments. Soon, Sylar will know he is wanted out of the back of the wagon when the chains to his shackles stir to life across the floorboards like crawling silver snakes before he is dragged out towards the sunlight…

Aside from the golden lines and spots indicating of vital signs granted by the special sight, instantly, Sylar will be invaded by all the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations of his new environment. The people here will make Sylar feel like the minority here with his light-colored skin and light-colored hair in comparison to their darker characteristics. The women wear colorful fabric, display jewelry in strange designs on their body, and wear exotic scents. The men come in a variety of styles, some with their heads clothed in wraps and some who simply smell funny. Oh, and the streets repeat with more of the same people, roaming an enormous area of the city made of sand and stone composed of silk fabric bazaars to stalls selling bizarre creatures shrieking from inside the confines of their metal cages. The sky isn’t exactly blue and crystal clear, but simmering white by the blazing sun. In the distance, the cityscape rises towards wealthy-looking style of architecture, accompanied by what looks like the rounded tops of some kind of unfamiliar, sparkling palace.

Sylar will receive a shove against his shoulder, muttered angrily at in a language he won’t understand, and led by the chains around the corner of a towering, immense building that contains what sounds like of a large amount of people condensed together. On his right, Sylar will pass what is assumed to be the source of the smoke and charring of flesh out in the open, of dead bodies being cremated on the site of this operation… On his left, there are others just like him, with their hands shackled, women and men of various ages, conditions, and ethnicity. Those heading this organization, swinging around their curved swords, are being splitting individuals into different groups based on their genders.

[Platinum Piece]

Overwhelmed by his surroundings Sylar takes a moment to absorb what has happened to him. The first thought is that these men were slavers. He had heard tales of these men, and those who resisted them never had their tales heard. The best way to survive this was for them to need him alive.

Quickly, Sylar decides that he must do something to set himself aside from the rest of these people. When he reaches the point where he is to be separated into the groups, Sylar creates a vortex of nothing inside of him and expels it into the air around him.


Mechanics wise Sylar is activating Emptiness Extrusion. This should have the effect of lowering the temperature of the air around him by an amount that I hope the men will recognize.

[bunnygirl]

There is a warping of cold air in the area that takes place. Considering the kind of weather (or the lack thereof) the locals here experience, the chill is eerie to everyone here. Aside from the some of the individuals here glancing over their shoulders or the shake of a shoulder or an arm here and there, their unscrupulous operations still goes into effect.

In the meanwhile, just as Sylar has seen enough, he will be escorted to a large, hardy-looking male with a grim frown on his lips and indecipherable, possibly aesthetic-purposed, tattoo long the side of his face. The mysterious man's frown turns upside for just a second as he drops a cloth bag over Sylar's head, closing his eyes and ears off to the rest of the world. Immediately, Sylar will be led by his shackled arms somewhere else, where he will feel keys pushed into the holes of his metal restraints. They will drop off his wrists as fast as the doors behind him shut and lock with the shriek of metal and the thunderous slam.

When Sylar reaches up and removes the cloth bag over his head, he will find himself in a dark room with other males, those whom to be from all walks of life, who look as confused as he likely is as to why they have found themselves in this strange part of the world.

There is the low rumbling sound of hundreds of people outside, making the stone walls murmur quietly and unusually as if some kind of activity is taking place nearby...

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar says aloud, "Does anyone know what is about to happen?" Hoping that one of the other prisoners shares a tongue with his own.

[bunnygirl]

All Sylar manages to get out of anyone here is incomprehensible words and a man's bewildered screaming.

Then, there is the sound of chains rotating on wheels, and a heavy door draws open. When Sylar and those he is trapped with step out into the light, they will all find themselves entering a gigantic pit with steep walls made of sand and stone, and then greeted by the uproar of people and faces hanging over from ledges and balconies alike.

On one particular extended balcony, there is a round faced, heavy set man dressed in the finest silk threads, a large feathered turban wrapped around his head, and earrings dangling from his ears. With an amused smile on his face, he claps his hands together merrily like some kind of child, and on all his fingers is a ridiculously large jewel on each and every one of them. Then, beside this important-looking individual, is a tall man in an intricate robe who looks very unenthusiastic about being here in general.

Sylar will see dead bodies, several of them in halves, strewn all about the room and dark red stains splattered against the stone walls.

[Platinum Piece]

Unsettled by the sight before him, Sylar braces himself for what is to come. His body tenses and he shifts his weight to the balls of his feet. He feels his muscles bulge and is lighter on his feet. He is ready to face whatever sort of trial lays ahead.


Sylar activates his psychic powers. All three of them. 2 passive and 1 active action

I dont think I need to roll since his base psychic presence activates them to the degree I want.

[bunnygirl]

In the middle of the arena, in broad daylight, there is a discharge of magic and the crowd instantaneously breathes in and gasp. Amid the screen of flying sand appears a bizarre beast without definite shape or form, just a magical and organic mass that continuously transforms with no way to tell what is its head or it's tail. It does not fly or suspend itself in air, however, it produces what ever appendages to support it upright, of many oddly shaped legs and hands gripping and standing on the ground. It's entire appearance is violent vortex of odds and ends, ever-changing colors and textures, of hundreds of characteristics of horrors sucked into one space and all fighting to rise to the top. It is a being that is everything and nothing, a spinning wheel of possibilities. It just might be an embodiment of unstable chaos.

Yep! No problem! I'll handle initiative right now... You got 125 and it got 124. Wow. XD You got first with one point ahead!

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar decides now is as good a time as any. He charges at the monstrosity (assuming its close enough) and launches a kick at his foe.


Charging Attack(No Penalty for moving and attacking, additional +10 to attack roll, -10 block for the turn):
[roll0]

Damages for your calcs:
Base 50[Energy][Cold]

[bunnygirl]

A fat, leather-skinned, webbed, bat-like wing extends from around the creature's body. Sylar's foot goes in, stretches the webbed appendage, and bounces the him off harmlessly like he's stepped off a gymnast's trampoline.

I rolled for you. Is that ok? :D

Sylar attack: 158
Monster defense: 155
Damage: 0


All of a sudden, the ground does not come for Sylar. He will find himself curiously afloat, perhaps two of three feet off the ground, among raised pebbles and debris in the creature's proximity. There is something about being near to the creature causes reality around it to be affected...

The dice say that Sylar will be afloat for a total of the next three turns, but your MR breaks you free on the second turn. So unless there is something you have in mind during that first turn of floating in mid-air uselessly, the monster is gonna take it's active turn while you stay afloat on yours.

All Sylar likely can do is watch from afar. The unnatural beast turns to the nearest victim in the room, grabs the person with a clawed appendage, and raises the poor soul in the air, and tosses him against the stone wall like he was nothing. Squish!

Ok! This is that turn where you break free on your MR check! You can take your active turn now.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar realizes that this enemy is not one to be defeated my normal means. He releases a shout, more of an audible growl really, from deep inside of himself. This has to end, and soon. Sylar looks for the nearest strand of life coming from the creature and puts all of himself into the fist he uses to try and sever the link from the creature.


I'm sacrificing two points of fatigue to give myself +30 to the attack. Also I take a -10 for aiming at a life string but get +40 to the critical check if I hit.

Overall:
Fatigue 6/8
+20 attack
+40 Critical Check

I don't mind if you keep rolling for me. XD seems to be working out somewhat so far.

[bunnygirl]

Looking at the creature, Sylar will not see the shining threads of life coursing through this beast's body. It's anatomy is far too warped in chaos to make any heads or tails where things end or begin. Although, the entirety of the creature glows similarly... With all of Sylar's might, his puts his best fist forward.

XD I'm sorry to report that your roll was terrible.

Sylar Attack: 134
Monster Defense: 152
Damage: 0

The violent vortex of horror strikes back.

Monster Attack 1: 131
Monster Attack 2: 87
Sylar Defense 1: 154
Sylar Defense 2: 125

Sylar manages to ward off a green, lizard-like, clawed fist that rolls around, followed by a purple-ish, deformed, leg and foot that grows and sprouts out from the side of the beast.

[Platinum Piece]

After parrying the beasts blows, Sylar attacks again with much the same ferocity as before, using his knee to try and deliver the touch of death to the perversion of life set before him.


Sacrificing more Fatigue to give +30 bonus to attack again.

Fatigue 4/8

Hope this one works out XD. And yeah that last roll had to have blew really hard lol

[bunnygirl]

Sylar's knee surpasses the creature's defense and penetrates a soft spot in the body of all that organic mass.

Sylar Attack: 163
Monster Defense: 89
Damage: 17
Crit: 17+6+40=63/2=31

Monster PhR: 92

Dropping onto it's side from the impact, the creature, however, manages to keep itself together.

You did it! :D Your turn again!

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar now tries to crush his right elbow into the beast.


Just attacking regular this time.

[bunnygirl]

Sylar Attack: 156
Monster Defense: 89
Damage: 23
Crit: 91

Monster PhR: 83

Squish goes its fleshy parts! The creature, who has proven to have a very sturdy structure, starts to swell up and produce purple bruises...

Sylar MR: 158

The air warps around Sylar, but his presence oddly resists the effects quite easily.

In the meanwhile, Sylar can see the creature's life colors fade, like a flame that is just about to be snuffed out...

Good job! :D You gonna end it's life? I just thought I'd give you a chance to decide before the rest of the events unravel. ;D

[Platinum Piece]

"Perversion of life, Slaughterer of Masses, I, reaper of the People, beseech thee. Return to the nothingness from whence you came." Sylar launches a final kick at the beast.

[bunnygirl]

Although signs of it owning a mouth of any kind isn't made clear, it manages to create an otherworldly screech from within its warped insides, and the swollen areas of its tender parts burst, catching the man in a slop of black goo before dropping into the ground and squirming uselessly in its last few minutes of existence. Even as the black goo exists outside of the creature's body, the black substance continues to change colors and textures on Sylar's appearance.

Now, the strangest things will start to go into motion. The crowd above are uncertain whether to mumur or cheer. Those Sylar arrived with, all whom were sure to have met there own deaths inside this pit with him, stand back and stare as if he's become the next fearsome thing in the entire room. Then, at the highest balcony, the wealthy-dressed man and his robed compatriot look on with what looks like curiosity. The two lean towards each other. Suddenly, the wealthy man will point at Sylar with his hand with all those jeweled rings on his fingers, the sounds of chains grating on wheels ensue and the heavy doors draw open, and armed men arrive. They approach Sylar cautiously.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar tries to shake some of the goo off of him as he goes to meet the guards halfway, his muscles tense, ready for anything.

[bunnygirl]

Sylar will receive the exact kind of treatment he found himself arriving here as. Shackles, chain, lock and key, and last but not least, a cloth bag dropping right over his head. It's amazing how Sylar seems so patient in a new and hostile environment!

It's only been a little over an hour since Sylar is forced to be transported on the back of another wagon. He can listen to the sound of animals rattling inside cages, smell exotic foods cooking nearby, people talking in a foreign language, and feel the sun beating on his back. At last, he will be walked, and then then given a push at the middle of his back. Then, the cloth bag is taken off his head. He will find himself standing on white marble floor, silk drapery depicting characters with fairy tale animals, and an extravagant, grandiose, sparking throne room with velvet pillows strewn all about.

The most beautiful thing here, however, is a young woman wrapped in pretty fabrics, her skin smooth and dark and her hair as black and lustrous as night. She is accompanied by at least a dozen hand-maids. She is discussing something with the man Sylar will recognize as the wealthy man from the pit fight. She looks furious, and he looks like he is pleading to her.

Right beside Sylar, is the robed man, who will turn to him and touch his long, bony finger upon his shoulder. Miraculously, almost magically, the foreign sounds of their language melts away into the real and only language Sylar may only understand.

"I DON'T WANT HIM, FATHER."

"But, daughter, my desert flower! Look at him! He's as fit and sharp as a flute! I have seen with my own eyes what he can do! He will make a great servant for you!"

"I don't want a new servant!" Her dark eyes glance over to Sylar menacingly.

The man she calls her father rushes over and with those jewel-adorned hands, gives Sylar a hardy pat-pat over his stomach, like he is assessing a meaty cattle's toughness. "How could you not want him, my dear? He can fight for you, protect my most treasured item in the whole land! He's even handsome, even with his white skin!"

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar gives the man a serious glare, as if warning him not to do that to him, and clears his throat rather loudly. Smiling at the girl, not even looking at the well over fed swine before him Sylar speaks. "If I may, my lord," not waiting for a response, "Maybe your beloved needs only to see with her own eyes what I can offer her magnificence." Hoping that whatever the robed man did to him worked both ways.

[bunnygirl]

The man's daughter turns a cold shoulder to all those in the room. It appears as though she had nothing else to say right now.

Her father, who brushes off Sylar's daggers for eyes as something harmless, seems to be the only one in the room who is interested to see what else his new warrior servant could be suggesting. "OH, OH!" He claps his claps together with enthusiasm, a child-like look in his eyes. "You have other skills to offer?"

From the robed man, there is simply a loud, weary sigh.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar gives a short sigh at the girls coldness.

"I can lift 300 pounds above my head with one arm without breaking a sweat, and 1000 with both with little strain." Sylar responds, "but my strength is something you have already witnessed, my lord. Nay, I feel I must share with you my most secret of talents..."

[bunnygirl]

"What?! What is it?!"

Ooh, the suspense! The crowd here seems to be giving off mixed-feelings, at the most.

[Platinum Piece]

"Never before have I told anyone of this power I possess. My lord, my lady, and their household are the first to hold this knowledge in their minds. How should I put it.... Ah yes, have you ever seen the back of a tapestry or carpet still on the loom? You can see where every string connects to every other string that makes up the masterpiece? Just as you would see the fabric, is how I see people. I see the strings of life that hold man, beast, and plant together. For example, it is possible for me to tell if a woman is with child with a single glance." As an afterthought Sylar wonders if it is a good idea for him to have told his most precious secret to this man, but for some reason he felt it was the right thing to do in his gut.

[bunnygirl]

With an eyebrow raised intrigued, the robed man finally speaks, "Tell me, can you see magic, too?"

"Oh, wonderful, wonderful! Life strings of plants, yes, yes!" The man waves his jeweled hands in the air, "Now, do you have a name? If you don't, you shall certainly be named!" He straightens, but his belly remains the furthest thing about him put forward. There is an awkward pause, but it looks like the robed man is supposed to do something about it...

Unenthusiastic, but much obligated to, he says with an extended hand, "Presenting our revered lord of all Kushistan, the Great Sultan Omar Ben Sharif." Then, placing a hand to his own chest, "And I am Nouh ab Zaiah, the Great Sultan's humble advisor. And..." Glancing to the young woman (still a little irritated-looking) several feet away, "...Is Kushistan's greatest treasure, Princess Aini Ben Sharif."

[Platinum Piece]

Taking a slightly artistic twist on his name, "I am known as Sy'Lar, by name, and Reaper by my former station, your grace. If you would be so kind, your greatness, as to have these removed," Sylar jingles his shackles, "I swear I will cause no harm to you or your most precious of gems," with a tone of reverence and awe in his voice as he refers to the princess. He gives Nouh a look trying to express that he will discuss the topic more with him later.


Firstly, when I read Nouh's voice in my head, I imagined James Earl Jones, and it was awesome.

Secondly, I was hoping that the term Reaper wouldn't exactly translate well into this language, and would come out as "Upholder of the Law" or something similar.

Also, I wasn't using color for my speech before because I was on my cell phone, but dark grey seems to suit the character quite well. Not to mention I find the coding for the color to be quite hilarious.

[bunnygirl]

"Sy'Lar... Sy'Lar..." The Great Sultan mutters, practicing the reaper's name on his tongue. Turning around, "Daughter! Come, come! Allow our new servant a chance to bask in your beauty and introduce yourself properly to him."

Among her dozen hand-maids, she looks on from several feet away with disgust. Looking at the goo-stained man, all she says is, "The servant smells atrocious."

Her father frowns.

In the meanwhile, the robed advisor pushes a key into the holes of Sylar's restraints, but before turning the key, he has a word of warning to offer first. "You may have bedazzled the sultan, but show your true nature and there will be consequences to serve." Then, the shackles fall from Sylar's wrists.

The Great Sultan will call his palace gaurds to escort the reaper to a washing chamber and, if he wanted what could be provided, a change of clothes suited for a palace servant. Afterwards, Sylar is free to roam the palace as no more than a guest on a short leash.

LOL! DARTH VADER?

Ok, no prob! I like my mobile phone, too!

WTF colorcode. XD

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar attempts to search for Nouh. He gets a distinct feeling that there is more to this man than meets the eye. He knows Nouh escorts the sultan, but feels that the robed one is just as much a prisoner as himself. Sylar feels that he may have offended the robed man after his last comment, and seeks to make recompense.


Can the servants clothes be all black, or if not a dark red? That is how I always imagined Sylar.

And I was thinking more Mufasa than Darth Vader :)

[bunnygirl]

Without having any knowledge of the palace interior, Sylar will simply become lost in the labyrinth of sparkling hallways and beautiful rooms.

So, if Sylar really wanted to find the sultan's advisor, it will require him to stop a guard or a maid and ask exactly where Nouh ab Zaiah is located.

In a room in one of the palace towers filled with bizarre knick-knacks and old, yellowy paper scrolls, Sylar finds who is he looking for.

"Yes?"

Lol, okay, they can be black.

[Platinum Piece]

It is Sy'Lar. I got the feeling that there was more that you wished to discuss. I did not mean to offend you Nouh ab Zaiah. I was just trying to make the best of a poor situation.

[bunnygirl]

"You have misunderstood, Sy'lar. There was no offense taken." The tall man folds his hands behind his back, standing there like some kind of wise man in his room of knowledge. "The sultan I serve can be very... stubborn in his ways, has you may have noticed. The sultan forgets that I am his advisor and not his palace jester..." Casually, with a straight face, Nouh changes the subject. "Is there something else you wish of me, Sy'Lar?"

[Platinum Piece]

Yes, well, I did have a question for you. I was wondering if you could tell me more about this true nature of mine that you warned me about?

[bunnygirl]

The robed man frowns slightly. "The true nature I speak of is man's nature for violence." If it didn't make sense the way he said it the first time, Nouh shall try to elaborate. "What I refer to is philosophical. It was not meant to be taken as a criticism of your character, Sy'Lar. Your killing of one of my magic demons in the pit. That was all." He doesn't forget to add, "You were able to impress the Great Sultan and bring him amusement. Not an easy feat for the average man."

[Platinum Piece]

"Ah, I'm beginning to understand." Without hesitation, Sylar presses on. "You say that the demon was of your creation. Does it not unsettle your magic causes the death of so many?

[bunnygirl]

He considers his answer carefully. "To be fair, there is no law in these lands that forbid those able to use however they wish their own property. As far as I am aware, the Great Sultan owns your life. A slaver sold you, as that same slaver sold all those you arrived with."

In case it isn't clear, Sylar inhabits a part of the world where slavery still exists. Culture shock, I know. :D

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar takes a moment to let it all sink in. This time less confidently, regaining his composure as he speaks "The Sultan said that I am to be the servant of the princess. If I have not taken too much of your time already, might you share with me what that might entail?

It sure is a culture shock for Sylar. I'm just trying to play him getting used to his situation, one he never would have seen himself in, in a million years.

[bunnygirl]

"Hmm..." He replies thoughtfully, "I am afraid the only one that can answer that is the Princess herself."

[Platinum Piece]

"Ah, well thank you for the conversation. I'm afraid that I've wasted too much time as it is. I'll be off to see what it is I've gotten myself into. If you ever want to have another, I'm sure you can find me." With that, Sylar bows to Nouh and sets out to find where the princess has gone, trying to remember his way around the palace as he searches. Hoping that there were second chances for good impressions.

[bunnygirl]

After the reaper made his bow, but before he turned around to make his exit, it occurs to Nouh that Sylar could probably use a helping hand. With one aged hand of his, the robed man stops Sylar at the shoulder and beckons him with his other hand towards a window in the room.

Through the window, Sylar spies with his unique eyes, a beautiful woman taking a dip in the indoor palace crystalline water pools among a courtyard covered in leafy trees and a nice, green lawn. As per usual, armed gaurds patrol the perimeters and maids stand-by.

When Sylar arrives to this location at last several minutes later, he will find Princess Aini standing at the edge of the pool in nothing but her swimsuit and her maids drying the water from her scantily-clad body with clean, white towels.

[Platinum Piece]

Aini was without a doubt the most beautiful woman Sylar had ever seen. That is to say, Sylar had not seen many women, but of those he had she took the prize. It was not just her physical beauty that caught his eye, but her inner beauty, one that he knew others could not see, that made these thoughts occur to him. She seemed to have so much life in her that it was bursting from her seams, and yet, he saw that parts of her wanted to grow more, but that something he couldn't quite grasp was stoping her from fulfilling her destiny.

Shaking away these idle thoughts, Sylar approaches the future queen and calls out, "It is I, Sy'Lar your most recent servant, your grace. May I approach further?" Stopping several yards away.

[bunnygirl]

The young woman extends her arms and a pair of maids dress their princess in the finest white silk robe. It shimmers softly in underneath the hot sun in the sky. Then, she turns around to take a look at whom may be addressing her right now. Her dark brown eyes are judging of Sylar. "Do what ever it is you need to do," she says. "Papa can buy what ever he wants with the royal jewels and gold, but that doesn't mean I have to like everything he thinks can be bought."

[Platinum Piece]

"The best I can guess is that I am here to protect you. And while your father may have bought my body, Princess Aini, but both it and my mind are here to please you." Pauses slightly and smiles. "I am yours my lady, regardless of if you wanted me or not." Sylar then slowly kneels, looks up, and locks eyes with Aini, with an intense, yet soft stare.

[bunnygirl]

Although she is accustomed to be given the fancy words and people running at her beck and call, the princess has a very cautious stare on her face. "You cannot fool me!" There is something about the way the Sylar talks of and kneels before her that infuriates her. "I am not interested in your body or your mind." Then, she declares very clearly, "You do not know what I want! So, don't try to insult me with your pretending!" Aini is a princess who lived in the lap of luxury, but apparently there is something about this princess which could not be pleased. Kushistan's royal princess is not any normal princess, after all. She had an entirely different agenda altogether, none that not even the Great Sultan or the wise advisor could ever know of.

She crosses her arms and appears to be in a foul mood, but the princess isn't about to admit that it wasn't entirely Sylar's fault. On top of that, she could choose to turn around and leave, but something was giving her a reason to stay, despite how upsetting it was making her. She's a complicated one, indeed.

[Platinum Piece]

"Very well princess, I shall not pretend to know what you want, but in return I ask the same courtesy of you. Before I came to this strange land, I was an outcast of my people. Despised by all of but a few. To now be despised by the one person whose inner power is the likes I've never seen before is a cruel twist of fate. Though now I am a mere servant, I have been given more respect by you than my people have Ever shown me. Before, my purpose was to punish those who the old fools who governed my land were too soft to hurt. But now? Now I am here. In front of you. You who's inner fire could change the world, but is being constricted. I see the strands of your life princess, and I believe with all of my being, that you are important to the world, not because you are Aini Ben Sharif, heir of Kushistan, but because you are Aini, the one who shall mold this age. I pledge to you upon my true name and the blood that sustains me, that when I say I am yours, I will never betray you.


btw: I'm loving this story.

[bunnygirl]

The princess opens her beautiful mouth, but before she could spit any more of her fire at the man who beseeches her, she finds her lips closing, falling shut, and condemned to silence. Aini decides that the man didn't deserve to be standing at the burning end of her words, especially after telling her all that he had. ...For now, it seems.

A little calmer, a little quieter, she says, "There may be a task I have need for you, after all. When I call for you, you must come." Then, she watches him with her dark eyes full of warning, "If you don't, then you will provoked a fury not even the Djinn hath none equal." And with that said, the princess pushes forward and brushes past the reaper, her silk robe fluttering out behind her as the maids hurry soon after her.

Sylar is left once again alone in the whole wide palace.

XD I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU'RE HAVING FUN. :D

Anyway, so, Sylar has some more free time until Princess Aini calls for him. :D So, go and do what you have to, or you can time-skip to Aini's event. :D

[Platinum Piece]

It has been a while since Sylar ate, so he goes in search of something to eat, eagerly awaiting the princess's summons.


And, time skip, with food :)

[bunnygirl]

Some kind of clay-based bowl filled with steaming broth and soup with exotic ingredients is the kind of dinner Sylar finds having to put into his belly. The cooks tell him it contains primarily of goat meat, and other things. More than the poorer citizens of Karjah, capital of Kushistan, ever had for sure.

After dinner, but before the sun sets over the golden desert and the sparkling palace, Sylar will receive the summons that is said to come. A knocking at his chamber door. A maid, one of the princess' own, steps through the slim opening through the door. It will be assumed that the maid's appearance is the wordless announcement that Sylar only needs. Without even entering Sylar's chambers, she turns and disappears into the corridors, but not without allowing the reaper a chance to glimpse and trail her.

Sylar arrives to another part of the palace that houses the other palace servants. Then, through here, the very back section of the entire palace. The 'back door', for the lack of a better description. Once here, a different maid appears, and in her arms she offers Sylar his equipment and other belongings.

"Take them if you require it." The princess approaches, but instead of the silken dresses and distracting jewelries on her body, she has exchanged them for something less conspicuous. All the gold and glittering accessories are gone. There is only plain linen with dull colors, a large, brown leather belt around her slim waist, and a cloth that wraps around her head, disguises her face, and drapes around her shoulders. "Papa has made claims to your strength. I hope my Papa was not wrong." She turns away, receives a weapon from one of the other maids, and handed the leather tethers to a pair of horses. Holding onto one of her own, she extends the tether of the other to Sylar. "Do you ride?"

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar takes his leather and puts it on with haste. He almost takes his circlet, then looks at the princess and says to the maid, "Please keep this for me." Sylar then takes the tether from Aini and speaks, "Passably, my lady," jumping onto the horses back. "May I ask were we are headed?"

[bunnygirl]

The maid will hold onto Sylar's headpiece. Has the reaper decided he is some kind of ex-reaper, from today on?

To answer Sylar's question, "Our destination is Port Tahar. Just a little northwest from the palace. Towards the Inner Sea." Gracefully, the princess steps up onto her horse, too.

WHOOPS. For some reason, I read that as the princess receiving Sylar's circlet. XD Edited my post accordingly.

[Platinum Piece]

"Lets be off then." Sylar states. Excited to have some more adventure, he was starting to feel cramped in the palace, massive place that it was.


Nah, he's not an ex-reaper quite yet. He just saw the need for stealth and figured wearing a gemstone on his forehead could draw attention XD

[bunnygirl]

So, there does the princess as the reaper ride into the desert in the secrecy of night. Without the blazing sun beating down on their backs and giving them away in broad daylight, the desert at night is possibly safer for traveling. The trip does not spend all night to arrive to Port Tahar. As the coast begins to appear in the distance and the Inner Sea glistening darkly underneath the starlit skies over Kushistan, the teeming life and yellowy lights of a city appears. In the port docks, sway gently boats of all different origins and sizes and models on the shallow waters.

The princess slows her horse and approaches a wooden post. The gathering of other horses tethered to the post indicate this is that one should do the same before entering Port Tahar. She steps off the seat on her horse, opens a sack that hangs on the side of the beast, and produces a long piece of linen cloth to Sylar. "Wear this over our head, so as you do not stick out like a goat among a herd of sheep." And with that, the princess enters the town with Sylar in tow.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar follows the princess with the oddly wrapped cloth on his head. He is both excited to be here and wary of the people. He did not know what would happen if he and the princess were spotted, but he felt it wouldn't be good.

[bunnygirl]

Port Tahar is a town, like many others, are buildings made of sand and stone, low-roofs made of reed. But, the people, are another story. The port brings some recent and unsavory individuals since the Great Sultan declared Kushistan independent from the rest of the world...

"Can you believe that since the separation from the Holy Empire, Kushistan is left with vulnerabilities that are being exploited? Thieves, assassins, and pirates thrive like rats who have made a new nest. And the rich only get richer and the poor only get poorer." The princess sighs, "It is like inviting a disease into Kushistan. But I cannot simply get up and leave, because—" She will glance over her shoulder at him. And, for the first time for the whole day Sylar has known Princess Aini, in those beautiful, dark eyes, the man will see not the fires of fury she normally holds in there, but a the flickering flames of compassion. "—Kushistan is my home, too."

She walks on alongside Sylar cautiously through the stony and sandy pathways of Port Tahar, until they come upon a building which she darts into an shadowy alleyway and around barrels and boxes. Around the corner, she will crouch and point to some kind of activity that is taking place on the docks. Armed men dropping off their latest shipment from overseas. A group of women with absolutely no relation to each other, chained and shackled at the wrists all together.

"We must find a way to take those girls away from these pirates before they are paid by the slavers."

I SEE WHAT YOU DID. WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT ICON ON YOUR POST? XD

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar pauses for a moment and thinks. Yes that might just work. He then asks the princess, "If I can distract the pirates, can you get the girls to safety?"

[bunnygirl]

There is a nod of the head. Then, she will go get into position elsewhere as Sylar goes to do his thing.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar had seen enough drunk men to know that people they were easy prey. He hoped these fellows were the sort to take advantage of a drunkard.

Sylar stumbles out from behind the barrels and yells out, making his foreign accent really pronounced, "Ay, you sorry bash'tards. *hiccup* Dish you shee which way mi friends want. I ishn't really from *hiccup* 'round *hiccup* here. Dam fools ran off *hiccup* wi'out their 'urses. Gold piece if you'ens 'll *hiccup* 'elp me." Swaying from side to side slightly as he approaches them.

This is probably my last post for the night.

[bunnygirl]

The pirates all shoot suspicious looks at Sylar and his drunken antics, but aren't entirely persuaded to leave their positions and interfere. After all, they weren't about to step away from cargo that was gonna be worth a lot of money. Or, at the very least, worth losing a good hand or foot should one of the precious cargo decided to make off into town right under their noses.

"Go away and beg somewhere else, beggar," one of the pirates say.

LMFAO. I find it kind of hilarious that Sylar thinks he can do such a feat considering his skill set. XD

[Platinum Piece]

Well, time for Plan B, Sylar thought. At least they weren't taking him seriously.

The air temperature around Sylar drops as he rushes at one of the pirates and launches a solid punch at him.


Activating emptiness extrusion and attacking, hopefully by surprise.

The original plan was to just get one of them close and sucker punch them XD

[bunnygirl]

Initiaitive
Sylar 163
Pirates 138

Sylar Attack: 113
Pirate Defense: 10
Damage: 41
Crit: 99

Pirate PhR: 112

The pirate doesn't see it coming. He literally does a complete 180 degree spin. His friends, however, will see this and immediately engage Sylar.

Pirate Attack : 98
Pirate Attack: 145
Pirate Attack: 153

Sylar Defense:
128
121
63

Damage:
0
0
28-10=18

Sylar will find that being out-numbered can be difficult. He manages to ward off the first pirate, but he doesn't quite make it for the following second and third attacks made against him. The sword takes a snip off across his the scarf around his neck, but Sylar will feel the thin slice of metal across the flesh of his arm. The nothingness that resides within him, however, mitigates the flesh wound.

In the meanwhile, Sylar will notice the princess appearing from the shadows and making her way quickly to the group of chained-up women.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar doesn't even flinch from the shallow wounds that the pirates land on him. He launches a left hook at the pirate in the middle and taunts, "You men hit like children."

[bunnygirl]

The pirate makes a celebratory snickering at knocking away the reaper's left hook.

Sylar Attack: 138
Pirate Defense: 155

Obviously, these pirates don't take the reaper's taunting very well. One after another, there will be two different blades extended at him with incomprehensible shouting.

Sylar Defense:
148
71

Pirates Attack:
88
98

Damage: 0
0

As Sylar leads on a noisy 1-on-3 skirmish across the docks, Princess Aini has undone the chains and shackles on the group of women and is now making off with them all, one by one, into town.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar launches his right knee at the body of the man farthest to the right, putting a little extra oomph into the attack.


Has my fatigue recovered to full? As long as it won't make it below 4 i'll spend a 2 points to increase the attack by 30.

[bunnygirl]

The reaper's knee connects into the pirate's torso. He doubles over instantly.

Sylar Attack: 140
Pirate Defense: 91
Damage: 14
Crit: 130

Pirate PhR: 51
Then, there will be the sound of the air inside his chest being expelled from his mouth and the bones that make up his entire ribcage snapping in several places. Sylar can see the color of life dispersing inside the pirate's chest.

The other two pirates freeze in their places as they watch their friend collapse into the floorboards. At this moment, one of them will notice that their precious shipment has gone missing. The pirate turns, cries out, and several faces appear from over the tops of the ship. There is at least a dozen more. Unless Sylar thinks he can continue taking on an increasing amount of pirates, there will be Princess Aini glancing over her shoulder, as she helps the women up on their own horses that she's borrowing for this convenience, and wondering if she should save a horse for him, too.

All the men arm themselves and drop down from their ship.

Yep! Don't worry! You were able to recover some of your fatigue! Not all of it, but some! :D

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar considers his situation and decides not to press his luck with the horde of armed men. He looks over at the princess and runs toward the horses with all of the speed his legs can afford him.

[bunnygirl]

The princess sets the last of the women onto the back of a horse and sends the horse and woman away by striking her hand across the horse's rump. She glances back toward the docks to give one last look and is greeted to the sight of dozen men with their blades in the air tailing the reaper. Leaping onto her horse and dragging along a second one beside her, she gallops to Sylar's side and extends her hand and tether of the other horse to him in mid-escape.

Sleight of Hand Check: 114
Riding Check: 59
The tether arrives into Sylar's hand, but he finds that jumping onto the back of a horse in mid-run can be difficult at first.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar tries to slow the horse and then, concentrates and tries to jump onto it again with all if his strength.


Spending 2 fatigue to improve the riding check. If this doesn't work I'm done for XD

[bunnygirl]

Sylar gets his lucky break and with a burst of adrenaline, he swings his weight off his feet and right on top of his trusty steed!

Congratulations! It paid off! :D
Riding Check: 112
"Follow me! We must led the women to a safe place!" The princess tells Sylar and rides alongside the man as they both race out of Port Tahar and into the desert.

With the desert wind in their faces, Sylar and the Princess managed to make their escape, this doesn't stop their enemies from attempting pursuit. They arrive on their own horses not too long. A dozen armed men atop of horses, kicking up yellow sand behind them as push their horses to the limit. They chase for about an hour and a half, but they just aren't fast enough, as when the pirates notice where Sylar and the Princess are heading to with their cargo halfway through the desert, they all hit the breaks on their horses and turn back.

Princess Aini explains to Sylar, "There are laws from the other world in the city of Haruma, unlike some parts of Kushistan..." Another hour and a half, a different city in the desert arises. She rides ahead to led the women through gates which armed guards hold open for them.

While the group of women are led away by the city's authorities, others gather up the borrowed horses. Within in the walls of Haruma, under it's young sultan named Adel Razzag, those who had been slaves in other regions are free people here. The princess breathes a sigh of relief.

[Platinum Piece]

"Great job back there, my lady. " Sylar says as he dismounts his horse and approaches the princess. "What is the next phase Aini? Sylar asks, locking his weary eyes with hers as he says her name.

Sylar was ready to ride all the way back to Karjah tonight if he had to, but he desperately hoped that they could stay the night. He was both mentally and physically drained from what had to be the roughest day of his life. He didn't think that he would ever look at a horse the same way again.

[bunnygirl]

The princess stands there and begins to deliberate, but when she spots the dreary and heavy look in the man's eyes and the beads of sweat formed not from the desert heat but from a very trying day, it occurs to the woman that she must change her mind. "The next phase will involve a little bit of food, some drink, and perhaps a chance to be clean and become rested." The princess' hands are most feminine and smooth to Sylar's skin as she reaches out and touches his arm where lies a cut. "Come with me." She will give the tethers of both her and his horses to someone else and lead Sylar further into the city called Haruma.

In a home that is comfortable and accommodating with amenities, but far more modest than the palace in the capital, Princess Aini and Sylar will be allowed through a secure gate on the premises by a pair of guards and a maid that opens the front door.

"The sultan Adel Razzag is my friend is a good man and believes in the change that laws of the other world can do for Kushistan. He will not mind that we borrow one of his homes in the city like this one."

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar was grateful to the sultan for his kindness, an thought he must be taking a huge risk in order to shelter them here, but the sight of the princess brings his thoughts back to her. "This is a very nice home, but I am concerned for you Aini." Sylar looks her up and down, then takes her right hand and locks her fingers with his own. "Tonight has taken its toll on both of us. You have the weight of a nation on your shoulders, so I will not pretend to understand your trials. Just know that no matter the burden," He takes his left hand and and caresses her cheek gently, pausing slightly as he looks deep into her eyes. "I will always be by your side to bear it with you." Sylar releases her right hand, and gently pulls her closer to him. He lowers his lips towards Aini's, stopping ninety percent of the way there, holding his breath that she felt the same.

[bunnygirl]

The princess finds herself wrapped up in a pair of arms and her face held directly into his eyes. Her eyes widen, just a little startled. It all seemed very convincing—the beginnings of some kind of fairy tale romance, for the lack of better description—for only the first thirty or so seconds of the princess standing there with him like now. This is because this type of princess Sylar has had the privilege to be with actually wears a kind of suit of armor that cannot be seen or felt in the normal sense of the likes of many men...

"U-Unhand me! You... You sand snake!" But because Sylar had it going for him that he did not earn the princess' hatred, the princess considers against striking the overly-friendly reaper down with her royal hand. Instead, she furiously wriggles around and pushes at him. "W-Why do you behave like this?!"

If you still want to hold her, you're gonna have to make a special roll. I believe it's an Opposed Characteristic Check of some kind. We'll have to see. XD

[Platinum Piece]

"I would be lying if I told you that my actions weren't because I find you attractive, because you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." Sylar loosens his grip on the princess and takes a step backwards. "But it would also be a lie if I said that your beauty was the only reason" Sylar says, tongue-tied and frustrated with himself. He takes a deep breath to get his wits about him. He begins his confession looking the princess in the face. "What I am trying to say, is that I felt myself pulled to you by some force I can't explain. I've felt it since I first saw you. I guess I was a fool to think that a princess could feel the same way about me. I am truly sorry if I've been too bold and offended you Aini." His face looks disappointed, not at the princess, but at himself as he finishes his last sentence, not able to look her in the eye any longer.

[bunnygirl]

It's a little hard to tell on a woman with an exotic, more tanned complexion, but with this hot-headed princess, her deeply reddening cheeks either indicate fury or something else entirely. "I... I am not offended! A-And do not presume to know what my feelings are about you!" It occurs to Princess Aini that she can't seem to understand where she is going with that last statement.... How aaawkward! Change the subject! Quick! So the reaper doesn't have to hang his head there and sulk like some kind of hurt animal in front of her.

Uneasily, "Sy... Sy'Lar? Is that who you are called?" This is probably the first time the princess has addressed the man as more than some nameless being. "T-The least I can do for you is take care of your wound!" When she means 'wound', she means Sylar's cut on his arm. The princess grasps Sylar's hand tightly without warning and leads him into the home where she will sit him in the main room that consists of a low table made of ivory and glass on a lovely red rug and soft pillows decorated about. She sits with Sylar. A maid in the home appears with a dish of water, medicine, and strips of white cloth for the princess.

The princess extends her hand, "Your arm. At once." Her beautiful dark eyes watch Sylar carefully.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar hands his arm to the princess, as he contemplates what she said. "It really isn't that bad you know, I've had worse."

[bunnygirl]

She stops and glares cautiously with a medicated piece of cloth between her hands. "Would you prefer to do it yourself?" And she mumbles to herself about how her kindness is being insulted right now.

Sylar's day ends with some well-earned rest.

Congratulations! You ready for EXP? You win 19 EXP for posting and/or role-playing! Plus 10 EXP for fighting and surviving stuffs! I will drop you an additional 5 EXP because you're so damn amusing with the princess! :D All that is a grand total of 34 EXP! Ta-da! :D

[Platinum Piece]

After his arm is taken care of Sylar decides that some sleep is needed, and bids the princess goodnight. As he slumbers, his dreams replay the previous day in his head. Well most of his day. He guesses that when you spend you waking hours thinking about someone, that your sleeping hours are filled with that person as well. He centers himself in his mind, and tries to look at the day from a neutral perspective. He couldn't believe that he shared so much of himself with the princess. His final conclusion is that he was either crazy or in love, and he didn't know which one was worse.

Sylar feels the dawn approaching as on him as he awakes, still a little groggy from the previous days exploits.

[bunnygirl]

Elsewhere from the room Sylar slumbered in, there will be the distant sound of voices inside the home. One, Sylar can recognize as the Princess, the other being of someone else he has not met yet. It's another man, in fact.

In the main room of the establishment, Princess Aini is standing with a male who appears to be more or less around her own age. He is dressed modestly, but decently, with a silk blue sash around his waist. He is armed with a weapon at his hip and a smile on his face. When Aini spots Sylar, she and the man end their small-talk right away. She introduces the both of them while they all were still standing inside the room together.

"Sy'Lar, this is Adel Razzag." She motions with her hand, "Adel, this is Sy'Lar. He is the one who aided last night's attempt in Port Tahar."

The young man named Adel Razzag loosens his arms from where they had been crossed over his chest and offers his nod of approval. "The princess has told me much about you! It pleases me greatly that you have made a difference for Kushistan."

[Platinum Piece]

Well met my lord. I thank you for allowing us to use your home last night. He then turns to Aini. "How are you this morning princess?"

[bunnygirl]

"I am perfectly fine. ...Thank you for asking." She doesn't forget to return the favor with, "And you, Sy'Lar?"

The sultan of Haruma mentions, "Every one of the women you have freed from their dire fates are in the process of returning to their homes in their respective countries. The Princess has told me that you found yourself in similar circumstances, Sy'Lar? Shackled and forced to fight for your life? There's no way to justify your plight."

The princess steps towards the reaper, pulling him privately to the side, "What the sultan of Haruma is suggesting, Sy'Lar, is that while you are standing in his city, you are no longer bound to my papa or to me. Haruma's laws protect you from the likes of my papa and others." The princess puts on a serious expression as she faces the meaning of what she is about to say next. "You are able to leave Kushistan and go wherever you wish. Do you understand what that means for you, Sy'Lar?" Her deep, brown eyes search Sylar's face. The princess knows that Sylar has expressed special interest—on several different occasions in fact—at remaining by her side always, but she could not settle well with it without offering him a better situation than the one he is in now. It's kind of her funny and secret way of showing him that she cared about him...

[Platinum Piece]

"Yes, I understand, but there is more for me here than there ever was in my home. I wish to stay with you Aini." Pausing as if about to stop, then adding as an afterthought, " I mean, in order to help more people like those women. No one should have their fate decided for them."

[bunnygirl]

There is an expression that combines relief and satisfaction, and maybe something else indescribable entirely, that appears on the woman's face. "Let it be done, then."

[bunnygirl]

After a lovely afternoon filled with horseback riding lessons and viewing the world through rose-colored glasses, Sylar and Princess Aini will find themselves back at one of Sultan Adel Razzag's homes to find that unexpected company has dropped on by...

In the main room, there stands a worn-out Adel Razzag with a frustrated Great Sultan and his robed adviser. All three of them turn their heads towards the entrance the moment Sylar and Aini step inside. With both of their hands entwined together. Caught red-handed. Almost literally.

Now, all the Great Sultan's fears and conjectures were coming true. With his face turning red with fury and his brows knitting tightly together on his forehead, the Great Sultan with all his five fingers jeweled with every kind of gem thrusts his pointer finger in the direction of Sylar and everything after this seems to take into a slow-motion of actions and events. Confusion. Misunderstanding. Accusation. Then, suddenly, Sylar will feel himself struck with a magical force that rips him from the Princess, everything he has come to know about this place, and straight out of the mysterious desert lands of Kushistan...


Malik, Pascal, and Jakri in the company of Janus >> (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?343261-ABF-BtOS-Malik-Pascal-and-Jakri-in-the-company-of-Janus&p=17364514#post17364514)