Shadows In The Rain

Subject: Shadows In The Rain Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:08 am

The scenery was nice. Graz loved the thick, dark bamboo forest, and this day it was raining, so for once he was happy. Well, as happy as he might be. But after several more unsuccessful hours of searching for a light-hearted person, he gave a frown and just found a thicket of bamboo away from the camps around the area, starting to play Broken Harmony. He was determined to find out everything this guitar could do. Willing transportation would be nice. It was.... to say the least, strange to wake up on one morning or another to find you were on a completely different planet. But atleast he was able to stay here for the past week or so. He lost count.
All the while, lost in thought, his playing picked up tempo, giving off a low, almost chilling melody. He snapped from his daze after a while when a shadow went crawling by on the ground in front of him. He stopped playing, and merely watched as it squirmed around, and finally rose and sat staring with glowing yellow eyes at Graz, twitching now and then. It seemed like it was expecting something from him. He adjusted his wide hat slightly from the rain, gave a frown at the pest, and very quickly removed the sword, slashing the shadow in half, and returning the blade to the body of the guitar, all while still sitting.
"Hahaha.... worthless little things. Give me something worth killing." He growled to himself, and resumed plucking away a slow, eerie tune, the rain falling silently.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:54 am

As his song continued on, several more shadows popped up near him, sliding on the ground. Graz was too into his own world to notice, or care, and only after several minutes passed and a small party of the Ancient Chinese soldiers got near did he slow and quiet his playing, though not stopping entirely.
"What are you doing here? You are too close to this military encampment. We demand you leave immediately." One of them said in a stern tone, drawing his blade from his hilt while the other two followed suit.
Grazivus's music carried on ever so lightly, "And what do you think you will do if I decide to stay? People like you, people who live for peace, justice, and all things light- you disgust me." And on the final word, he stopped playing his guitar, loosening the blade just enough so they wouldn't notice. Just as he was about to lunge at the apparent party leader, all the shadows around him rose up and focused on the small group of soldiers.
The obviousness of their inexperience as fighters was easily seen when the 'leader' dropped his sword and ran, leaving the other two to quickly decide the same thing. Of course, this left Graz confused at first, but a quick look proved why they bolted.
"What is up with these stupid things? Do they like my music...?" He asked himself, looking down at the dark guitar which gave off a small wave of darkness every so often. I guess it'd make sense. This instrument appears to be darkness. And i'm sure the mind of one of these things isn't like something... alive? Maybe it doesn't confuse them......
After a short bit, the shadows slowly left, completely ignoring Grazivus and obviously uninterested in the lack of music. He was left to give a smirk to himself as the rain still softly pattered on his hat, and he clicked the blade back into the guitar's body. This time, he refrained from playing, and thunder began to roll in the backround, like a beastly growl.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:20 am

(Graz, I hope you don't mind me popping up here. I'll try not to interfere with whatever backstory you're trying to develop here, I just figured I needed somewhere to go after I left the Organization. And it looks like you need someone to talk to ^_^)

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:27 am

As another hour passed, with a rumble of thunder here and there, the rain picked up to a light storm, the sky flashing with lightning here and there. What's more, night time was starting to close in, so it was getting very dark.
Graz felt right at home.
In fact, he felt compelled to find someone to fight- possibly the source of those soldiers and their "encampment." So he got up slow and deliberate, the guitar sliding on it's strap to rest on his back upside down, the neck tilted to the left. The ground was starting to get rather damp, though this proved no problem for his heavy boots as he padded out of the bamboo forest, finding a road to follow. It was at this point that he was glad to be on this particular planet, whatever it was- his attire seemed to fit rather well, even if it was a tad unique.
Another half an hour passed as he went through the half flooded dirt path. Apparently everyone was bunking down for the night around here. But Graz didn't care. Something was driving him to find someone. It could've been the guitar- he knew it sort of spoke to him before. But as far as he cared, he just wanted to kill some fool.
That's when he noticed the glow of many embers, like that of a medium campfire put out, just down the path. He broke into a light jog, keeping quiet so as to ambush whoever was waiting. As he got closer, he heard frantic talking, sort of hushed. He slowed as he started to make out words.
"... crawled out of the ground. They were dark as night with these creepy yellow eyes. Of course we didn't stay for a second, not with all the recent reports of attacks on soldiers."
"You're soldiers, and when you encountered the person who has committed assaults against fellow officers, you turn tail and run? You all will be posted on night patrol around the camp, and should you feel the need to cower, atleast call out so the real soldiers may fight. Dismissed." From what Graz could see, the party's captain was shriveling up under the scolding. Was he just another rank up? Well, it didn't matter, since the same three would be isolated from the camp. He quietly walked away from the camp, getting a good distance out. Graz would just wait a bit. It was still evening.

(Yeah, it's fine. I was just sort of filling time and all.)

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:45 am

For a Land of Dragons, there doesn't seem to be a lot of them.
Sure, there were plenty of images of dragons. Paintings, carvings, scrolls, you name it, it had a dragon on it. But there weren't any real dragons.

I didn't really have any leads as to the source of the increased heartless population on this world. So I did all the things that were expected of someone in a dark cloak. I sat in the back of taverns, stalked loners in the night, hung out in dark alleyways, you know, those kinds of things.

Eventually I heard rumors of an army being assembled, which could be a good place to start I figured. As I neared their camp, I came across a man sitting in a clearing softly playing a stringed instrument. He seemed to be waiting for something. A much louder noise came from a group of bushes, as three men in military attire came bursting loudly through.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:59 am

He gave a wicked grin. Right on time.
"Y-y-you again! I-I told you to l-leave. I'll c-call up the rest of my camp!" The leader spoke in a quavering voice, the last exclamation almost sounding like a question. The other two behind him seemed to have more courage. Why is this idiot in charge, anyway? Graz thought angrily.
"And I asked what you planned to do if I stayed." He said, low, as he got up slowly, still playing a light tune. He wanted to make sure to get one of them, atleast. So he unhinged his blade, and dashed right through the stuttering leader, only an open mouth and confusion written on his face as he clutched his stomach and slowly fell to the ground. The other two were absolutely bewildered, and then the few shadows that had surrounded him popped up.
Then Graz started to play the strings on his sword, and one of the other soldiers started to shake his head, then clutched it and moaned as his weak mind was overtaken by the notes directed at him, falling to his knees. The shadows started to close in on the last soldier, and the sky lit up bright with fresh lightning, followed closely by a rumble of thunder.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:10 am

Grazivus wrote:: He gave a wicked grin. Right on time.
"Y-y-you again! I-I told you to l-leave. I'll c-call up the rest of my camp!" The leader spoke in a quavering voice, the last exclamation almost sounding like a question. The other two behind him seemed to have more courage. Why is this idiot in charge, anyway? Graz thought angrily.
"And I asked what you planned to do if I stayed." He said, low, as he got up slowly, still playing a light tune. He wanted to make sure to get one of them, atleast. So he unhinged his blade, and dashed right through the stuttering leader, only an open mouth and confusion written on his face as he clutched his stomach and slowly fell to the ground. The other two were absolutely bewildered, and then the few shadows that had surrounded him popped up.
Then Graz started to play the strings on his sword, and one of the other soldiers started to shake his head, then clutched it and moaned as his weak mind was overtaken by the notes directed at him, falling to his knees. The shadows started to close in on the last soldier, and the sky lit up bright with fresh lightning, followed closely by a rumble of thunder.

(the harbinger of death awakens? o.o)

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:16 am

The lightning lit up the sky. One second darkness, the next blinding light. One second there were three guards standing, the next there were two. One second a man clutched his head, the next my finger was at his throat. One second I was there, the next there were three bodies on the ground covered in blood and Heartless.

This one seems to have a connection to these Heartless

A dark, cloaked figure stood in the now pouring rain, directly in front of Grazivus. The Shadows seemingly ignoring them both.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:35 am

((

Well, maybe it's a tad dramatic, but I think it suits for a good beginning...))

As he gave a low chuckle at the brutality of the deaths, he noticed something quite... off. The figure that now stood there certainly was not from this world. His attire said enough. In fact, Grazivus had a funny feeling about the person standing in front of him, though Broken Harmony reacted little, if at all. He adjusted his hat that had tilted slightly from the attack, and was slowly being pounded down by the rain. Graz lowered his weapon slightly, though he felt a want to kill the cloaked figure and be done with him at the back of his mind. No..... no, not yet.
"Who are you... and why are you here? Because you shouldn't be here." He didn't care if this person shouldn't be here any more than himself- for surely he wasn't wanted here. It was strange that he didn't notice this person approach. More so of how he appeared, and what this man did.
Some shadows disappeared when the hearts left the soldiers bodies. The rest looked to Graz in hopes of music, but quickly lost interest and melted into the ground, squirming around here and there.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:29 am

I looked for a moment at the man standing in front of me. From the look of his clothes, it seemed as though he was from around here, but the way those guards reacted to him showed something entirely different. Although he might have just been causing trouble, or he could have something against the war. I noticed him eying me, and then his weapon.
"Hmmm, looks like you caught me." I smirked, "I go by Leixand these days."
I started to turn away.
"Is there somewhere around here we can get out of the rain? I doubt your guitar plays well when wet."

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:09 am

These days? he thought to himself. Well, whatever, a name's a name.
He had to give a light laugh for the comment on his guitar. No doubt he wouldn't know it's true nature. Might as well go with it to avoid further trouble. Leixand obviously wasn't an ordinary person, and the entire lack of response from Broken Harmony actually intrigued Grazivus.
"Sure, there's a small town down this road with a.... tavern. Or, inn, or something of the sort." Already the confusion of what to call a simple building made him seem like he wasn't sure of the area, much less the world. Hopefully it would just be overlooked. He paused for a second, thinking whether to give his name or not.
"And my name is Grazivus." With that he set off down the road on a brisk pace, mostly to avoid further soldier encounters- he was sure those three had given an accurate description of him to their commanding officer, and in a few hours, when their shift was supposed to be up, things would become unsettling. Soft thunder rolled in the backround.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:33 am

The military camp was only a few miles out from the nearest city. This was probably due to the fact that most of the recruits had been farmers. It didn't take long for us to reach the Tavern at the pace we were going.
"Well this looks as good a place as any." I said. I followed Grazivus in, out of the rain. Then I took a seat at one of the tables towards the back, and removed my hood. "Lets get some food before we continue our discussion."
I could have sworn I saw more heartless when he played that guitar of his; and the way that guard reacted...Whatever his reasons, I imagined he won't let on so easily.
We ate in silence.
***********
"Hmmm, looks like I don't have anything to pay with. Do you have anything, or maybe you could play a song for everyone, maybe they'll give us a tip."

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 6:23 am

As he was finishing his cup of coffee, hearing he had no money and the available options- it would've been interesting to see if he could get tips from playing, but he didn't know if he should risk it. There were a good few people in attendance, some which would be prey for those shadows. Luckily, he had some munny left over from the last people he attacked- which was atleast five days back. Otherwise, he would've had few choices.
He gave a grin, and pulled out the munny from his robes. "Heh, I don't know if performing would be suited for now. Might not suit the tastes of some of the people here." He tried to keep just a tad hushed, in case someone overheard and actually wanted some music. At that he glanced around, particularly at the more drunken members- soldiers off duty for a bit, no doubt. He didn't know if it was a good excuse, but he had enough munny, so it was fine to him. His mind was just a tad erratic from the rather strong cup of coffee, though.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 6:52 am

Eh, didn't hurt to try I guess.
"Aww, that's too bad, maybe some other time."
I looked around the tavern, no one seemed to be paying any special attention to us. Just to be safe I leaned in closer.
"It's been fun playing with you, but I'll just cut to the chase. It's true that I'm not from here, not from this world even."
I waited to see his reaction before I continued.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:27 am

The fact he wasn't either probably lightened surprise, but the bluntness of Leixand was enough to tell him he very likely had a deeper motive than light talk or directions around. He actually couldn't help but grin, "Well, your attire is quite outlandish. And I wouldn't doubt your words; after all, I only ended up here several weeks ago." Then suddenly his face brightened with interest, "And you can travel whenever you want, can't you? Well, either way, you must be telling me this for some reason, so please, speak your mind." He said, leaning back in his chair with a wave of his hand.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:39 am

"How did you get here then? I'm not sure how you could have accomplished that without your knowing. We should go somewhere a little more private though."
I stood up, put on my hood, and motioned for Graz to follow. We had been inside for about an hour, so it was getting late. After exiting, into the empty street, I opened a Dark Corridor.
"I should warn you, there's quite a bit of darkness involved in this, I hope that's not an issue."
I stepped through.
"I won't be affected, not having a Heart and all"
I hoped that would pique his curiosity enough to drive him forward.
(I'm headed to the clearing outside of Castle Oblivion. I most likely won't be on for the rest of the night)

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:48 am

Another portal of reversed color appeared right next to the one already in place. It glowed and lit up the area around it, except for the area around the dark portal, as it seemed to absorb light.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:52 am

No heart? Then why is he still.... alive? He stared at the large portal of darkness, rather curious about it. This is his mode of transportation? Hmm.....
"Darkness is not a stranger to me." is all the more response he gave as he walked towards this doorway as the rain finally subsided, the full moon illuminating the small village. Then it got brighter, which wholly threw Graz off as it startled his eyes. He had his sword ready to be drawn before the sunspots faded, simply a muscle movement away from slicing.

(Mind you, I can't see the Castle Oblivion board.)

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:53 am

(those who are not of neutral alignment can't see the castle "Castle Oblivion")

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:54 am

(yeah, I'm against this whole hidden board thing. Hopefully Davey will have it reveled to you by tomorrow)

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:58 am

(I have my reasons for hiding boards I'll open it up to villains but I wanted blocked to stear the storyline I don't need the "Good guys" running into the bad guys or neutral people constantly because it would just get annoying and there would be no advancement in storyline so I will open it up to villains simply due to the fact that you invited Grazivus along)

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:00 am

I appeared in the middle of a street. I assumed Kazi would be following. Grey had poofed away in mid transport.

I came out in mid conversation:

"-old you that you'll be fine so come on!"

I looked around, and I noticed three things. Firstly, there was a rather large person standing about 5 feet away from me. Secondly, There was a corridor of darkness about 3 feet away from me. Third, I had gotten right where I wanted to be. Perfect.

"ummm... hello. Sorry to have popped in like this, I didn't think there would be anyone out here. My name's Darrien. I don't have time to chit-chat, I'm waiting for a friend. He should be coming through any minute."

I turned towards my portal.

"Come on! I'm waiting here!"

I turned around, and asked:

"Who made the portal of darkness over there?"

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:03 am

(CO is now open to villains! you're welcome...)

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:10 am

He relaxed, seeing this person didn't mean harm. However, the fact he traveled through light interested him.... but worried him. Or, atleast, make Graz not want to stick around long. But since we were both busy, i'd stay easy.
"Somebody on the other side of it. His name is...." he hesitated slightly, "Leixand." He clicked his blade back into the guitar, shook his head from the shock of light in the night time, and went to go to the dark corridor. He hesitated long enough for a reply, in case there was one to be spoken.

Subject: Re: Shadows In The Rain Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:32 am

"Oh, okay, kinda figured. thanks. Tell the guy Expesh said hi."

I stepped forward. I couldn't help thinking about what Leixand was doin with this man.

Oh well, I thought. I waited for Kazi to follow through the portal. I dimmed the light a little. It was sorta bright.

"If we ever meet again, I'd like to have a longer chat. Follow Leixand, and remember to hold your breath. First time's a bit of a doozey."