Succession: Rebellion

Ana swayed at the extra weight and her dagger tumbled to the floor, but the damage had already been done. She could feel her clothing growing wet with what could only be blood. She placed her trembling hand's on Cyril's shoulders, but couldn't muster the energy to push him away. She felt sick inside, a feeling that she hadn't experienced in a long, long time.

"You..." A loud hiccup cut off the rest of her sentence and she could not find the strength to try again.

"Ah. You are quick to understand, a lot quicker than C.C.," Alquonde mused before sighing at Carlisle's expression, "The Royal Bloodline wasn't one of my better ideas. The Gaborian Empire was meant to bring peace to the world, not conquer. It was my own personal failure to see the evil within Ye-Yong that led to this.

"Evil is not something I understand, at least, not fully," the god continued thoughtfully, "It comes from being created outside this mortal world. Ye-Jong seemed good-hearted up and until he actually received power."

Carlisle

Carlisle shrugged in reply. He understood the what the God was feeling. Carlisle regretted quite a few naive decisions he had made in the past. They were why he was here now. "Well it was a good idea in theory. If all had gone right, an Emperor would be like a Parent to his subjects..." Carlisle commented.

"But that isn't what happened," the old deity finished as he looked around the room. It was a bit cramped and lacked decoration, he noted. He turned to Carlisle and continued, "That is why a good Emperor must reign."

Carlisle

Carlisle winced as he heard the God's last words. "Yes well.... I certainly hope you find that person soon." Carlisle replied, quickly deflecting any questions or offerings away from himself.

"You are one of the possibilities," the god reminded him with a frown, wondering why mortals had to be so difficult, "You have to fight the Empire and, if it comes down to it, take the Throne."

Carlisle

Carlisle clasped his hands together as he tried to think of the most polite and safest way to reject a God's order. "Sir... If you had seen my performance in the competition two years ago you would know that I am a horrible person to put into...any, position of leadership." Carlisle informed the God, his voice cracking at the end as he began to get emotional.

"And...well if you look at how I've spent the past two years of my life since then? I've killed too many people to be considered a good person. It is obvious that my instincts are to protect myself, not to do the right thing..."

Nix and Gaita
"A Noble boy then!" Nix laughed, relieved in thinking that Nebi was just a kid in the wrong place at the wrong time. Gaita, however, didn't buy it. She was about to voice this when Nix interrupted her. "Well then my Lord, what do you propose we do?" Nix asked, neglecting to mention their fee. 'What he doesn't know, wont hurt him until we collect' Nix thought, his mouth almost watering at the number of ways he could benefit from helping the boy. Several images of gold, tomes, and women came the his mind, the gods truly where smiling on him today.

"And that is what makes you a good candidate!" Alquonde told him firmly as he stared at the man intently, "You wouldn't make the same mistakes as the previous Emperors. You'd try to do your best to help people!"

He paused for a moment before sighing, "I'm not telling you to be Emperor. I'm telling you to be at hand incase there's no other suitable candidate."

*

Noble. Yes, he could live with that, Nebi decided as he looked at the two, smiling a bit at the obvious greed in their eyes. What armatures. If they wanted to make real money, they'd have to be better at deception.

He shrugged, "Personally, I'm going to join the Rebellion. You're free to accompany me. If not, it's all the same to me."

He smiled a little. It was obvious he wasn't going to pay them a single copper piece.

Carlisle

"So is that all? Just stay alive and don't leave the Empire?" Carlisle asked rhetorically, still feeling very overwhelmed. "Fine...I promise I'll do my best to make sure that neither of those things happen, Sir." Carlisle replied, his jaw set and his eyes watery as he looked at Alquonde.

"I'm not simply asking you for that. I'm asking you to join the Rebellion," the old deity told him with a sad expression in his eyes, "They could really use your help right now. Nevertheless, it is your life. I do not command you to do anything. I only give you my counsel."

Carlisle

A cold air hit the room as Carlisle stood in silence. The Doctor sighed quietly as he tried to compose himself. "...I can't." He admitted finally to break the silence. "I mean, I know that Tsuba being put out of power is the best thing that could happen for the Empire at this point. But... I don't know why, I just can't." Carlisle admitted as he slumped down.

"If I can't even stand in the same room, then how can I fight her?" Carlisle asked as he looked back up at the God.

"Ah. Lack of confidence. Common among mortals," Alquonde commented to himself, looking at Carlisle sadly. He shook his head, "You felt betrayed by Tsuba when it was revealed that she was just using you. Perhaps that is what is causing your hesitation."

The old deity sighed and turned to leave, "Nonetheless, you'll eventually face her again, I'm afraid. Just a feeling and my feelings are rarely wrong. Good luck, Heir Carlisle."

With that said, he was gone.

(I think we can do the skip now.)
Carlisle

Carlisle wasn't surprised that Alquonde could teleport away without uttering a spell or summoning a spirit. But he was disappointed that the God had left, even if he knew it was probably for the best. "....Why does it have to be me? Can't they just hit her with a lightning bolt and end this?" Carlisle wondered aloud. Of course he knew from his studies that Gods were not allowed to interfere like that. They could observe, and at times, communicate.

Still. That didn't make it any less annoying.

(Yes. Let's.)

Nebi yawned a bit as he woke up in one of the leftover armchairs in the old Hobbit burrow. He yawned and looked around, seeing that his two companions were still asleep. With a flick of a wrist, he lit the fireplace and began to heat up the stew from last night.

"Breakfast's on. After this, I plan on tracking down the Rebellion. Like I said, you're welcome to come with me," he announced cheerfully.

Rein, Atiya

Rein slowly awoke in her and Kegan's bed, resisting the urge to yawn in fear of waking Atiya up. As she rubbed her eyes, Rein's sight took in the sleeping form of Atiya sprawled on top of her and Kegan, one short arm laid across her upper chest and a small foot barely just reaching Kegan's chin. Rein smiled at the young child and giggled a little.

Atiya had, originally, her own crib to sleep in, but she had complained about a nightmare in the middle of the night. They had both given in to Atiya's request to sleep with them for the night. Still, she certainly didn't mind.

Rein reached out with one hand and lightly tickled Atiya's left foot. The girl squirmed in her sleep and lightly kicked at Kegan's chin.

C.C.

"Rise and shine, Katie." C.C. said as she gently shook the young girl awake.

Kegan

Kegan jumped up suddenly after Atiya had woken him up, without even stopping to see what was going on the Half-Elf reached his hand under the bed and grabbed a dagger before looking around the room. Kegan's breath slowed down as he realized that nothing had gone on...well besides the fact that he had just woken everyone up.

"Gods..." Kegan said apologetically as he rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Rein....I'm sorry."
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Katie

Katie yawned loudly before opening her eyes. "Hey C.C." Katie replied, confused to see the Mage this early in the morning. "....Did I forget something last night?" She asked before glancing around to make sure that none of the other Servants were awake.
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Brighe

The wind blew lightly, the simple breeze carrying a light mist off of the ocean with it. It was going to rain today. Brighe could tell. She had stayed up all night, keeping guard over the others while they slept.

But now the Elf was relaxing as she laid out on the beach, taking in her surroundings.
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Senka

Senka quickly packed her bag, not wanting to stay in this castle longer then she had to. The Empress had given her a mission, and she intended to carry it out no matter what. It was such a shame that she had to burden her down with the others though.....
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Carlisle

It had been two years since Carlisle had seen the suns rise from the horizon. A cold breeze blew across the roof, causing Carlisle to shudder as his body became chilled. It would only be two more months until winter, the Doctor reckoned based on the way the second, smaller sun rose.

After Carlisle was finished with seeing the two stars rise, he slowly stood up and looked around. He knew that he would be alone up here, and that no one else in the city would be able to see him, considering how high up he was.

Alquonde still had not returned. Neither had he seen Christmas or Mab since speaking to the God. It was probably better that way, Carlisle reckoned as he walked towards the edge of the roof. After almost a minutes of struggle, the Doctor finally managed to grip onto one of the Pillars holding the roof up before he used it to climb down. Carlisle walked into the temple through the back entrance he had found. It was time to go. There wouldn't be much time left to travel after Winter sets, and it was coming early this year, from what Carlisle could tell.

Rein, Atiya

"It's fine, I was already awake. It was kinda my fault, anyways." Rein assured, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. Atiya gave a little pout and tried to go back to sleep, trying to bury herself further in the covers. Rein laughed a little at her actions.

"Well, someone isn't a morning person."

Syrien

"You did not have to stay up all night." Syrien said as he walked to Brighe's side. "I would have been happy to done it for you."

C.C.

"No, but it seems there has been a change of plans." C.C. began.

Nell woke with a yawn and got dressed. He brushed his tail, ignoring the laughter he got from the other boys in the room. Nell has learned before that if he didn't take care of his tail it would be a pain. After brushing it, he exited the room, setting off for work.
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Chris kneeled in front of the altar, her eyes closed, even if it was unnecessary to do so. Mab kneeled beside her. They both were praying to Apollo as they did every morning and giving offerings that he may guide them through the day and for Chris, that she would be able to help those who came to her seeking wisdom of the future.

Mab loved his time, no longer upset at having to be up early since she came here. Her parents said it was silly to be a priestess, but it made Mab feel connected to something greater than herself. That was something she wouldn't trade for anything.
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Sunny woke up and smiled to herself. Despite what happened yesterday she was still glad that she had her own room now. She actually took time dressing herself, making sure her binding was on tight. Before she did so, she looked at herself in the mirror. For so long she had seen a boy staring back at her, so it was almost like seeing a familiar stranger.

"Hello there. You're very pretty," she told her reflection with a soft giggle. Then she finished getting dress, ready for the day's work.

Ana woke up much the same she did every time she had had a bit too much--with a pounding head and the question of what she had done the night before. She groaned softly and placed a hand on her head, rubbing it.

Slowly, she sat up, but was surprised to feel an extra weight on her legs. Her orange eyes flew to this surprise and her blood ran cold at what she saw.

The stranger.

He wasn't moving, but then she saw the gash in his throat, what could have been caused only by one of her daggers. In a rush, the night came back to her and her face paled.

How...? How could she have been so stupid, so blind to what he had really wanted? The Huntsmen loved to drink, and so it had been pounded into the head of every female to be wary when among strangers, for exactly this reason.

Her fingers curled into fists and she shoved Cyril away from her before pulling her knees up close to her body and wrapping her hands around them. Tears stung her eyes.

Nothing had happened, but it so easily could have, and it was because of that she had started to cry. He had betrayed her trust, and she had been so stupid.

After a few minutes she calmed down some, even to gather her throwing knife back up and clean it, as well as start through the man's things.

After all, he was dead and he didn't need his coins anymore.

Katie

"Really. ...What is it?" Katie asked, feeling very confused as she pulled the sheets off of herself.
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Brighe

"It's fine. I needed the time to think, anyways." Brighe replied as she continued to stare out at the ocean. "Besides, I'm sure you enjoyed the sleep."
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Carlisle

Carlisle waited at the other end of the room as Mab and Chris prayed. The smell of incense wafted around the room. The Doctor made sure to be as respectful as possible to the Priestesses. But still....he was eager to get going now.
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Kegan

Kegan sighed in relief as he saw Atiya burrow her way back into the covers.

Once they were done, Chris stood. She slowly made her way to where Carlislie was, Mab on her tail. She smiled at him.

"I want to wish you good luck on your journey," she told him, then she indicated Mab to come next to her. She did as so. "And that you take good care of my apprentice as well."

Mab looked at Chris in shock. Was she saying that she was going with Carlislie? But why?

"I don't understand Lady Chris."

Carlisle

Carlisle's brow furrowed up as he heard Chris' words. "....I don't think you understand what I'm going to be doing, Priestess." He stated, trying to stay as calm and polite as possible.

"I'm not joining the Rebellion, if that's what you think. I'm going into hiding. It will be dangerous...and I will be moving almost constantly. You wouldn't want Mab to through that as well. Especially when she has no reason to."

"You have trust issues Carlislie and I don't need to be psychic to tell that. But have faith in me. To you the future is cloudy, but it is clear to me."

"But he's right Lady Chris," Mab pleaded. It wasn't she didn't like the Doctor, though she didn't know him well enough to form a solid opinion, but she had never left the town before. "I have no reason."

"You will. And I assure you Carlislie that Mab can handle herself if necessary. She will not drag you down."

Ana's hand met a scroll of paper as she searched the man and, on instinct, she pulled it out. Glancing at it, she could see that it was several sheets, all battered and worn from being carried about. A small ribbon bound them shut.

Her fingers moved to pull the knot free, but then she paused and glanced about her. So easily could somebody come bursting in here, and discover her and the dead body. She had to get out of here, and now.

Ana shoved the papers into the back of her belt and then climbed to her feet, pulling the hood of her cloak over her head. She stared for a moment at the body of Cyril, and then shook her head and left the place much more quietly then she had entered.

The fresh air of the outdoors felt good, and it helped to ease her headache a little. If last night hadn't been so bad, she might have thought this as a good day.

Ana moved through the capitol quickly, but with nary a soul to have seen her go by. It didn't take her long to collect her staff and bow and arrows and, once she had them, she settled down in the branches of a tree, which had been allowed to keep growing in the confines of the city. Only then did she produce the papers she had stolen and pull the ribbon from them.

One quick glance was all it took for her to realize that the documents she was holding were very precious indeed; these were the papers that told of where one could find the various rebel bases throughout the kingdom.

Life was about to get very complicated, and Ana wasn't sure that she liked that.