Succession: Heir to the Empire

Rein

Rein gulped a little as she took Kegan's hand, standing back up. "Well, it's not exactly that...I've just never seen a guy's..."

Rein trailed off, looking away with a bright blush.

Tsuba, Maul

"I think he has this under control." Tsuba said, pointing at Maul again. On closer inspection, it seemed the Kaleesh was repeatedly stabbing the beast in the head with a sword. The serpent tried to shake him off desperately, but Maul's grip was too tight. Finally, the creature gave off a final roar before collasping onto the ground. Maul jumped off it before it reached the ground, gently landing beside Tsuba and Carlisle.

Kegan

"Really? You were concentrating on that mess long enough to make out his genitals?" Kegan asked in a teasing tone as he released Rein.
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Carlisle

"Oh...." Carlisle replied weakly as Maul killed the Serpent. "Well, yes, that was certainly brilliant." Carlisle complimented the Kaleesh as he looked down at the corpse of the Serpent.

Maul, Tsuba

"That will teach it to never eat my breakfast again," Maul mused with a grim smile. He turned to Tsuba and Carlisle, noticing them for the first time.

"Impressive, Maul." Tsuba commented, observing the dead creature. Maul gave a curt nod.

"Thank you, But that is not all that Baruti has in store."

Rein

"Um...well..." Rein continued to look away. Dang it, why did this keep happening?!

Another loud noise came from the two love-birds in the clearing. Rein blushed further and looked at anything but Kegan.

Carlisle

"Yeah, there's a dragon nesting area about twelve kilometers to the west of here. I almost didn't make it out of there alive...." Carlisle commented as he agreed with Maul. "I'm sure this will just get harder as we get closer to the mountain.
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Kegan

"Yes well....lets be off then." Kegan said nervously as he tried to ignore Cesar and Susanna.

Tsuba, Maul

"I myself have fought ten orcs, two centaurs, and this serpent. Baruti certainly didn't keep the number of creatures in this forest low." Maul said.

"Say, why don't you come with us? As they say, there are strength in numbers. We could esily deal with any threat between the three of us." Tsuba suggested. Maul thought for a moment before nodding.

"That sounds acceptable."

Rein

"R-Right." Rein said, finally looking at Kegan.

Carlisle

"Great...great..." Carlisle whispered with a false enthusiasm as he tried to hide any dissatisfaction he would have with this grouping. While Tsuba was correct that with all of their skills they would probably survive anything Baruti sent towards them, Carlisle was still wary of the whole idea. After all, Tsuba and Maul were the second and third most dangerous Heirs in the competition(, with Caesar being the most dangerous one, of course). And the idea of traveling with them and no one else...secretly made Carlisle worry that his abuse was about to grow tenfold.
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Kegan

Kegan gave Rein a weak consoling smile. "Hey, I am sorry for teasing you. I didn't mean it like that, and, in retrospect I realize it was a bit insensitive."

Rein

"N-no, it's fine. It's not your fault. If anything, the gods are responsible for this, since they seem to love doing this kind of torture to us." Rein joked with a weak smile of her own. She followed Kegan out of the area, and soon they were out of range from the noise Caesar and Susanna made, thankfully.

"Well, what's next on the list of embarrassing things to happen to us?" Rein said, trying to lighten the situation between them.

Tsuba, Maul

"So, since I assume neither of you two need to stop for anything else, let us..." Tsuba stopped short when another serpent popped out of the water, giving an angry roar.

"The mate of the other beast, I presume." Maul commented.

Carlisle

"It's bigger then the other one was...." Carlisle noted as he looked up at the Serpent, terrified for his life.
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Kegan

"Well we haven't seen each others...you know, yet. We haven't been intoxicated in anyway around each other, we haven't been caught in an odd situation where it looks like the other is cheating when they really are not.... And those are the most standard theater plot lines when they're trying to embarrass couples in the story. So I guess we can be thankful that the Gods aren't very creative." Kegan pointed out to Rein.

Rein

"True." Rein agreed, thankful that none of that had yet to happen. At least they had been spared from that. Ok then, it could have been worse! After all, the other Heirs could be having a much more worse and possibly embarrassing time then she and Kegan were having. It couldn't be as bad as it could. After all, at least she and Kegan had gone to bed with clothes. That certainly would have been awkward...

And it was, at that moment, that (for apparent reason at all) Rein's clothes fell off.

Tsuba, Maul

"That's what....you know what, I'm not going there. Well, good luck Carlisle! Yell if you need anything." Tsuba said cheerily, walking off.

"Your death will not be in vain." Maul added, joining the other female Heir.

((Yes, I am a terrible and cruel person. And I love it.))

Kegan

"Umm...." Was the only noise Kegan made as he stared at Rein's "features", though the Half-Elf did realize what he was doing soon after and quickly looked away. "I do think it's official now, we are cursed."
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Carlisle

"Wait, what?!" Carlisle shrieked as he turned around, only to see that Maul and Tsuba were already gone. "What kind of team is this if we don't even work together?" The Doctor wondered as he turned around to loom back at the Serpent, only to see that the monster was lunging at him at a great speed. Carlisle quickly rolled out of the way, missing the Monster by just a few feet.

As the Doctor jumped back up, he looked up at the Monster, a steely glint in his eyes now. Without saying another word, Carlisle did what, to most people, would seem like the most idiotic thing one could possibly do. He turned around and ran towards the river, jumping into it and disappearing under the water.

Tsuba, Maul

"Well, he's certainly a goner." Tsuba commented after seeing Carlisle's idiotic tactic.

"His main element is water, I do believe. It could be part of a cunning strategy. Still, I feel we should help him." Maul said, staring from behind the tree they were hidden at. Tsuba shook her head.

"No no, we can't. If we ever get separated, Carlisle needs to learn to fight on his own. This is a great opportunity for him. Besides, we'll save him if need be." Tsuba replied. Maul cast a weary glance at her.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Maybe."

Rein

"Oh come on!" Rein thundered before regaining her senses. Her mind quickly caught up with the situation at hand, and every fiber of her being told her to shriek and hide behind the nearest tree. Instead, though, Rein did something else. Something completely foolish and idiotic, but she couldn't help herself. Everything that had happen to them was finally catching up to her.

So Rein fainted and fell to the ground. Still naked.

Kegan

"Oh Gods no." Kegan muttered as he heard Rein fall to the ground. "That's it, I'm setting up temporary camp." Kegan decided as he took off his gloves quickly and walked over to the nearest tree.
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Carlisle

Carlisle quickly leveled himself in the water as he began to look around, his eyes glowing a neon blue as he watched the Serpent swim around him. As the Serpent began to tighten it's grip around the small section of water that Carlisle was standing in, The Doctor quickly outstretched his hands as he did a very even and mechanical looking pose, opening his mouth and allowing water to pour in as he began to chant under the water, bubbles quickly rising to the surface now.

With Carlisle's veins now throbbing in his arms, he began to slowly move in very fluid like motions, almost as if he was in a trance. As the Serpent finally lunged at him again through the water, it was stopped by an invisible force just a few yards away from the Doctor, flying into the air mere seconds afterward as the water from the river rushed up with Carlisle and the Beast. As Carlisle stared down at the now stuck and terrified Serpent, the water that he had been enveloped in drained away from his mouth, leaving him room to speak. "Lubricus." Was all he uttered, and immediately afterward the Serpent's body split vertically as it fell down, it's blood getting into the water in vast amounts.

Of course Carlisle feel with the deceased beast into the now horribly bloody river, unfortunately. Luckily he was fine, if slightly traumatized and horribly stained as well. And it was with teary dull blue eyes, blood-stained clothes, and a sore throat that caused him to cough, that Carlisle had as he walked out of the river.

Tsuba, Maul

"Wow." Was all Tsuba could say upon seeing that display. She and Maul walked back from their hidding place.

"Impressive," Maul aggred.

Rein

After a few minutes, Rein regained consciousness. After realizing she was still without any clothes, Rein shrieked and hid behind the nearest tree.

Carlisle

"I thought the entire point of us being together is so we could work like a team." Carlisle complained as he walked up to Tsuba and Maul, soaked in a combination of blood and water. "I mean, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but what's the point of working together if we aren't actually working together?" Carlisle asked as he began to act nervous again, acting as though he hadn't just killed a giant water serpent.
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Kegan

"Rein?" Kegan asked as he heard Rein shrieking once again. "Umm hey, Rein, I've got something to show you!" Kegan shouted as he walked back into the clearing where he had left rein with her clothes, only to see that just her clothes were there now. "Great, my girlfriend is running around the forest....naked."
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Susanna

"Well... that was....wonderful." Susanna said between heavy breathes as she laid on the ground next to Caesar, not knowing that Rein and Kegan were only a kilometer away.

Tsuba, Maul

"Well, I wanted to see how you'd do in a fight if we were ever separated. It seems I underestimated you..." Tsuba replied, her opinion of Carlisle going up. She waved a hand and Carlisle's clothes became dry once more.

"I must admit, I never thought you'd be that good of a fighter. I look forward to fighting you myself, should the chance ever arise." Maul said.

Rein

"Hey, um, Kegan?" Rein's muffled voice came from behind a tree.

Caesar

"Indeed," Caesar agreed, heavily panting too.

Kegan

"Umm, yeah Rein?" Kegan replied, not looking towards the tree where Rein's voice was coming from. After all, Kegan had the experience and knowledge now to realize that nothing good would come of it.
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Carlisle

"Umm...wha- ...Thanks?" Carlisle asked, now in shock now that Maul and Tsuba were being almost...nice. "I umm....well we should continue, don't want to fall behind and let the others pass us....right?" Carlisle asked as he tried to change the subject.
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Clara

"Wow." Was all Clara said as she watched Carlisle best the Serpent that BAruti had sent after the Heirs. "Did you know he was capable of that Baruti, because I certainly would have never guessed it."
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Susanna

"So umm...what do we do now?" Susanna asked as she rolled onto her side and looked at Caesar, her hair falling over her eyes.

Caesar

"Well, we could--"

"I'M BACK!" Kaleb shouted with a loud and energetic voice, stepping into the clearing.

Rein

"Could you, um...hand me my clothes?" Rein asked behind the tree.

Tsuba, Maul

"Correct. Let us go, then." Maul suggested. The two of them set off again, though make sure to slow there steps so Carlisle could catch up.

Carlisle

Carlisle quickly tried to follow Tsuba and Maul, though he was a little tired after fighting the Serpent, so he didn't notice that they were slowing up for his sake. "So umm, how long do you think it will take to get to the grand observatory?"
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Kegan

"Oh yes, of course, Rein." Kegan replied as he grabbed her clothes, walking backwards towards Rein with his hands outstretched so she would be able to grab her clothing.
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Susanna

"Oh no." Susanna said as she quickly rolled over onto her chest so that Kaleb wouldn't see what she didn't want him to.

Rein

Rein quickly snatched her clothes from Kegan. After a few minutes she got herself dressed and walked out from behind the tree.

"Um, thanks."

Caesar, Kaleb

Caesar gave an aggrivated growl as he saw Kaleb came back.

""Kaleb, please give us some privacy."

Kaleb nodded and retreated back into the woods. Sighing, Caesar turned back to Susanna.

"We may as well get dressed."

Tsuba, Maul

"Two to three days, at best." Maul answered. Tsuba took in that answer and considered something for a few moments. She frowned a second later.

"Well, if we're going to travel together, we need to make something clear about our sleeping arrangements."

Carlisle

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Carlisle asked, showing his naivete as he looked at Tsuba with a confused expression.
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Kegan

"Yes well, I have decided that after everything that has happened today, we should turn in early. I have constructed a nice place where we can stay for the night, I hope you don't mind."
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Susanna

"Yes, yes you are right." Susanna murmured in agreement before she got up and grabbed her dress.


"Caesar, can you help me with the buttons, I can't reach." Susanna requested a few minutes laters.

Tsuba, Maul

"I'm a woman. You two are men. What do you think I mean?" Tsuba snapped at Carlisle. By the gods, how naive was this boy?

Rein

"Uh, sure. That sounds fine." Rein said. She looked over at Kegan for a moment, but blushed and looked away. Well, at least the worst was over now. After all, what else could happen now that hadn't? It seemed that nothing else could be done to them now.

Caesar

"Of course," Caesar said after tugging his pants on. He walked over to Susana and helped her with her problem. He also gave Susanna a light pinch on her bottom.

((Hm, now how else can we torture Rein and Kegan? Muwhahahaha....))

Susanna

"Oh...well thank you." Susanna said, slightly startled by Caesar's gesture, but not minding it very much. "So Which way should we go?"
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Carlisle

"Oh..." Carlisle replied as he suddenly got what she was talking about. "But it's not like we would do anything to you....Maul and I are entirely professional beings." Carlisle answered with a weak smile on his face. "But I umm... I still understand, you are quite right." Carlisle added hastily as he noticed Tsuba's glare of disapproval.
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Kegan

"Yes, well, we can only hope. Though it's not all bad, looks like a storm is on it's way. That should force some of the other Heirs to slow down." Kegan noted as he looked up at the sky. "No matter though, we will be dry. And warm as well, if all goes right."

(I think now we can start to act out all of those plans, since they are setting up camp now.)

Caesar

"Well, it's starting to get dark from where I can see. A storm's coming. We may as well start setting up camp." Caesar said.

Rein

"Ok." Rein said. "Well, at least it can't be any worse."

Tsuba, Maul

"Good. You two can work out whatever sleeping arrangements you need, but I'm going to have my own tent, far away from your's. Is that clear?" Tsuba asked.

"Hm, we should probably go ahead and start setting up camp. A storm's coming." Tsuba said, looking up at the sky. "We won't get very far with that in the way."

((Hm, sounds good to me.))

Kegan

Kegan nodded in agreement. "Right. Anyways follow me, I think you're going to like what I've done." Kegan informed Rein with an eager smile, similar to the one a young child would have as he displayed a creation of his. After Kegan had taken Rein about twenty yards from the clearing, he walked towards what seemed to be a thick cluster of trees and put his hand on it. After uttering a few words, a door opened out of the side of the tree.

"Well here you are, Milady." Kegan said with a coy smile as he motioned his hand.

Inside the bunch of trees was what seemed to be a shaded clearing about six yards wide. In the center of the room was a small fire burning, with what looked like an invisible shield surrounding it that funneled the smoke into the air so it didn't spread about. There were vines strategically placed around the large area, making it seem like there were three rooms instead of one.

"So, you like it?"
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Carlisle

"Yes, Mam." Carlisle answered as he looked up towards the sky. "Hmm, that wasn't there a few hours ago...." The Doctor noted as he looked up at a rather large and dark cloud, originating from the mountain where the Observatory apparently was....
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Susanna

"Well how should we do it? I'm not exactly skilled at camping.... I saw a cave a few hundred yards downhill from here. ....But I suppose any water from the storm is just going to seep into there." She noted with concern before looking at Caesar expectantly.

Caesar

Caesar snapped his fingers, and a large and spacious tent appeared over and surrounded Susanna and Caesar. It covered the entire clearing area. Two large beds appeared on opposite sides of the tent.

"How's that?" Caesar asked with a smug smile. Ah, he loved showing off!

Tsuba, Maul

"I shall go fetch fire-wood." Maul volunteered. Tsuba nodded and waved off the other Heir. She turned to Carlisle. "I admit, I've never been camping before. Do you have an idea of how to set up a shelter?"

Rein

"It's great!" Rein exclaimed, looking around. It wasn't that bad, and certainly could have been worse. And it was good tha Kegan had made three rooms with the vines.

"What's the third room for?"