Part 26: Mini-Update: Stories Seven Through Nine
Question: Does anyone have any objections to me playing through the "not getting Arieta" version of the mission where you can end up getting her with my horribly broken uber character file? The two versions of the mission only differ by the scenes surrounding them, the one where I did get Arieta took over 30 minutes to go through on my normal file (the one I've been using for this LP).
Think about it, and in the meantime, have some more stories!
Mini-Update: Stories Seven Through Nine
Xenos - Dark Flames posted:
Searing pain ran across my back as I pulled the clothing over my head. I looked at the shirt and realized that the wetness I felt as I removed it was blood.
"What did they do to me?"
Cursing as I wiped the blood that had dripped to the floor, my mind raced over the events of the day. I quickly dressed the wounds and changed clothes.
I slipped back into the crowd, intending to slip back into Rosaria unannounced. Unfortunately, I ended up meeting him.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"Ah, Xenos!"
He and his little sister Louise seemed to be following me.
"We're after the person who tried to kill the princess," the sprite called Tippi blurted out.
"I haven't seen anyone suspicious, but if I do, is there a reward for capture," I asked as innocently as I could, guiding the conversation by sidestepping the main topic while avoiding giving any real information.
My only hope for survival was to pretend to be just like any other person...looking after my own interests, seeking to make money. I had been trained to behave normally to the bitter end.
"There might be a reward..."
"Great! He's as good as mine, then."
When I left the two of them, the wound that brat had pressed into my back throbbed. The tournament had divided us, light and dark. He had only one by filling me with poison. As he stood on the stage, showered in light for his deed, I was left in the shadows with the bitterness of my defeat. An assassin, a shadow...I didn't exist.
"I will defeat him one day, and then I'll be in the limelight!"
But none of that bitterness was visible to anyone. I kept it inside, burning within me, its dark flames nourishing my strength to survive.
Misha - Someday posted:
"What are you saying I did?"
I was being chased. The city was strangely empty, so there was no one to help me. I ducked into a narrow back alley, but two pursuers continued to give chase. As I turned the corner, gasping for breath...BAM!
I collided with a person standing there. The light behind him obscured his face, but he extended a strong hand to help me to my feet. As I grabbed his hand, my pursuers rounded the corner as well. I involuntarily stiffened.
"Leave at once," the kind stranger commanded.
"Ha! This jerk thinks he's gonna interfere in our...business," the two sneered as they drew swords.
In a flash of an eye, they were disarmed.
"Damn you," they screamed in defeat before running away."
"Hrmph...well, you don't seem to be injured."
As he turned to leave, I grabbed his hand.
"Um...what's your...name?"
"What's the matter, Misha? Have you forgotten my face already?"
Looking around, I realized I was in the library, grasping my friend Leda's hand tightly.
"But...that man..."
"Huh? Misha, you were dreaming! You must have fallen asleep again."
"Oh, no..."
Dejected, I stood up, filling my arms with books and documents once more.
"Wait a minute, Misha...you can't possible see where you're going if you carry that much! Make two trips..."
"Pah! I'm fine, I can carry them all!"
I didn't have time to make two trips. Too much time had been lost when I dozed off.
THUMP!
BAM!
And then, just like in the dream, I collided with someone...
Eliotte - At Dawn posted:
I awoke before dawn and stepped outside the still-gloomy tent. I quietly threaded my way through the supply stacks, so as to not be seen by the guards. Truthfully, I shouldn't have been doing this, but I wanted some time to myself.
"How many people are there who have been conscious of the significance of their birth" I thought as I wandered aimlessly.
"Majesty, were you to wander any further, it would be problematic."
As the words penetrated my consciousness, I realized I was walking into the forest. I turned, catching site of a man in purple looking at me with a bemused smile.
"Kenshin..."
"You didn't sleep, Majesty?"
"I slept perfectly well, actually."
"That's good to hear, but these secret escapes are not safe. It's fortunate for you that I came along when I did..."
Reaves lie was gentle, as usual. Surely he had been watching over me during the night.
"Can I ask you one thing? Have you ever considered the significance of your own birth?"
"I owe allegiance to my nation, to my friends...and to Your Majesty."
He answered this, without hesitation, using confident words. Yes...he was full of confidence.
"Are you troubled, Majesty?"
"It's alright. I'm here to stop this war...to build a better world."
As I heard the words, I gained confidence.
"Then let's return to the camp, Kenshin. I'll be relying on you today."
"Yes, Majesty."
The expectations of others are the defining things in my life. The answer has been there all along. And, for now, it will have to be enough.
As we walked back toward camp, it felt as if my steps had grown somehow lighter...