Mouth of the Beijionese Desert and Entrance into the Amaine

(From here)

Rebecca had managed to make it to a line of green after hours of crossing a sea of sand, with no other interactions save a few Scorpios encounters, which she dealt with easily enough with her 'partners' swaying beside another swaying pair. Her tank was damp with sweat, and it crept into her tight denim as well. "Fuuuuck its hot..." She gasped, glad to see a change in scenery as she entered the woodland. She pulled a folding knife from her pocket and sliced into one of the low hanging vines, a source of water, and let the liquid lull over her face and into her mouth greedily. She thought of those freaks from hours before, and wondered what their deal was? This planet was filled with freaks like them, she was one of a few normal human types that only had good looks and impressive gunplay, and it was questionable on the looks side of things.

"Huah..." She gasped, water dribbling down her chin and neck, between her cleavage as she ran her head under the faucet like vine. The cool water was nice on her baking skin, and now she had the pleasure of taking in her sights. The Amaine woodland was a notorious stretch of forest that took up nearly half of Gailden or so she could remember. She never did explore its jade depths, but it was a notorious forest that many ventured through daily... but those who strayed off the paths rarely made it out. Even the 'safe' zones weren't entirely safe.

She pushed on, regardless.

(to here)

[From here]

After a few hours ride, the Gunslinger and his Elf Military Officer Escort arrived at a growing scene of green that stretched upon the horizon for miles; the hills of sand and the slopes of dunes vanished and became firmer, rockier then darker brown and fertile. There was also a looming beam of light emanating high above the sea of trees ahead of them, but the tower which emitted it was not yet in sight...

Ana dismounted from her horse as they crossed through the brushline, leading her horse by the reins. The sun was closely hugging the horizon in the direction towards Ithteca... "Its getting dark, we should find a good spot and pitch a camp for now." She suggested to Leland, leading her horse down a trail into the woods. The scent of the trees and the sweetly rich soil was overpowering, and it reminded Ana of home to a degree. Save Minktail is more a jungle... She thought, adjusting her legs to the feeling of walking upon solid ground again, all the while keeping an eye out for a good clearing.

Anastasia Faizland wrote:[From here]

After a few hours ride, the Gunslinger and his Elf Military Officer Escort arrived at a growing scene of green that stretched upon the horizon for miles; the hills of sand and the slopes of dunes vanished and became firmer, rockier then darker brown and fertile. There was also a looming beam of light emanating high above the sea of trees ahead of them, but the tower which emitted it was not yet in sight...

Ana dismounted from her horse as they crossed through the brushline, leading her horse by the reins. The sun was closely hugging the horizon in the direction towards Ithteca... "Its getting dark, we should find a good spot and pitch a camp for now." She suggested to Leland, leading her horse down a trail into the woods. The scent of the trees and the sweetly rich soil was overpowering, and it reminded Ana of home to a degree. Save Minktail is more a jungle... She thought, adjusting her legs to the feeling of walking upon solid ground again, all the while keeping an eye out for a good clearing.

Leland remained on his horse as he watched the green of the woods come into view... as well as that putrid red light... like a beacon, he knew what that was... and where it would lead them. He bowed his head, brows furrowed, his long parted red hair swaying against his shaven cheeks, and his eyes were gleaming blue as daggers in the night. "Amaine... best be careful Ana..." He says in a low, serious tone. The woods have always been a dark and mysterious place, much of his own training in Gunslinging took place in these woodlands... but, they seemed...

"Major... the Amaine's been altered. Its darker than it usually is. Its become more tainted..." He warns, finally pulling himself from the stirrups and leading the horse like Ana was. He pulled his .45-70 Repeater out of the holster on his horse as he walked beside it, a little behind Anastasia's. "Aye... venturing into the Amaine at nightfall is ill advised. We should keep close till we have a fire." he says, looking for a clearing as well.

She could feel it too. The sense of darkness seemed to loom around them as they ventured into the woods. She nodded upon his praise for caution, her weapons ready to be drawn if necessary. Soon though, a clearing could be seen through the rays of setting sun, and she let out a sigh of relief. "Over there." She pointed, directing them to the clearing herself soon after. She hitched her horse, removed the supplies and saddle from its body and began to set up camp. She could hear a stream far enough away to not worry about flooding if the skies decided to tear open and rain hell upon them. Military gear allowed her a measure of comfort as she took out supplies from her rucksack. "The supplies I have should keep us from going hungry." She states as she stacks rations and other consumables up on a large flat rock. She then turned her attention to making a fire pit, and started work on that. "Go fetch some wood, and water from that nearby stream." She tasked Leland.

Leland spotted the clearing when Ana spoke up, and silently followed her whilst leading his horse. Hitching up as well, he removed the items from his beast and began to pitch in the camp effort. "Been a long time since I roughed it out here." he says absently, before she tossed him a canteen and gave him a mission. "Aye, Major." He nodded, reaching up to tip his stetson when he remembered he gave it to Ed. He closed his eyes and chuckles, walking out of sight of the camp and into the brush. He found some decent sized logs, dry and dead from the heat of the desert not too far away, and began to collect them, hefting them with grace as he brought them back to the camp and by the campfire Ana was starting. "Lookin' good there." He says, returning to the woods for a few more.

He followed the sound of the stream, and upon finding it, found it lead into a large pond. Looking at it, he realized he never got the chance to bathe in Alucphia, given their speedy expedition. He collected some water and returned to the camp. "There's a stream leading to a pond. Didn't see any signs of Keropin in it, so we're lucky." He says, before hunkering down and began preparing the fire. The sky was still casting an orange glow, but night would soon fall. "I'll get a meal ready for us, you can have a break if you like Major." Leland says, pulling a stewing pot from his own kit and sets it aside while he worked with the fire taking out his knife and striking at flint in the kindling between the logs inside the pit.

Leland McKelly wrote:Leland spotted the clearing when Ana spoke up, and silently followed her whilst leading his horse. Hitching up as well, he removed the items from his beast and began to pitch in the camp effort. "Been a long time since I roughed it out here." he says absently, before she tossed him a canteen and gave him a mission. "Aye, Major." He nodded, reaching up to tip his stetson when he remembered he gave it to Ed. He closed his eyes and chuckles, walking out of sight of the camp and into the brush. He found some decent sized logs, dry and dead from the heat of the desert not too far away, and began to collect them, hefting them with grace as he brought them back to the camp and by the campfire Ana was starting. "Lookin' good there." He says, returning to the woods for a few more.

He followed the sound of the stream, and upon finding it, found it lead into a large pond. Looking at it, he realized he never got the chance to bathe in Alucphia, given their speedy expedition. He collected some water and returned to the camp. "There's a stream leading to a pond. Didn't see any signs of Keropin in it, so we're lucky." He says, before hunkering down and began preparing the fire. The sky was still casting an orange glow, but night would soon fall. "I'll get a meal ready for us, you can have a break if you like Major." Leland says, pulling a stewing pot from his own kit and sets it aside while he worked with the fire taking out his knife and striking at flint in the kindling between the logs inside the pit.

She shrugged. "I'm used to the woods. Elf, after all." She chuckled under her breath. Though it had been a while for her too, being in the woods. Upon Leland returning with the canteen and offer to make a meal, she accepted the offer. "Okay, you keep at it then. I'll patrol the area in the meantime." She says, hunkered beside him, she reaches out and playfully swatted his long red locks and stood. She stretched her arms wide, and walked the outside edge of the clearing. The sound of the stream nearby, and the chirping of birds made her feel like she was back home again. It felt less foreboding than it had earlier, and more warm, and welcome. Perhaps of the good company I have. She thought. She began to explore the woods behind the camp, weapons ready in case, but decided to check out the stream and pond Leland had mentioned. "Hey," she called back. "Call out for me when the food is ready!" She then ventured deeper into the woods.

Leland chuckled. "Oh, right. How could I forget?" He rolled his eyes, but raised a brow when he felt her hand brush through his hair. He blinked, listening to her walk around the camp as the fire crackled to life. He sets up the stewing stand and pot over the fire, and began to fill it with the collected water when Ana called out to him. "Okay!" He returned, and was now left alone to his thoughts. He dragged some dry, not so rotten or bug ridden logs over to the fire for a place for both man and elf could sit. His hand bringing the long, low ponytail from behind, and inspecting it. He could braid it it was so long... and the thought of Ana playing with it made him feel flustered. "Hmm... I wonder if the Major could help me with this..." He says to himself, before resuming with the meal plan. He began to boil down some salted meat he had purchased from the Lamia market- those rats they ate normally were actually delicious when their meat is prepared right. The salted nature of them also meant they didn't spoil as quickly, and they wouldn't need to add much salt to the mix. He thought of Jack, when he took him out into the woods like this when he was younger. He thought several times, of what he would say to the twins. Of their sister and mother... of their village friends perishing. Ikai was missing too, on top of it all.

He closed his eyes. It would be a hard story, but he would have to tell its tale fully to both when the time came. He wasn't prepared for it, but he would have to be when this mission was done, if he came out alive afterwards that is. Izuna wanted him to move on, and live... but he found it hard to do, considering what he had done in his rage since. It was his weight to bare, and he had to press on with that weight trailing behind him. He still had plenty of killing left ahead of him as well.

He resumed cooking, and after a while, the meat became tender and started floating in the boiling mixture, adding noodles, herbs, and a few canned vegetable items minus the salty brine, the stew was becoming somewhat appetizing.

"Major! Food's ready." He called out.

Leland waited for a few minutes, watching the stew bubble and boil, a gravy from the meat thickening as he waited for the sound of movement or a reply from the officer. There was none. He glanced back to the tree line, and called out for her again, but again nothing. He had sudden flashes of deja vu... of calling out for Izuna on the day when the village was attacked by that giant among other demons rampaging through. He thought of it for a moment... and realized that the demons had seemed anxious. As if they were forced, to harvest, as if preparing... but this did nothing but make his heart sink as he relived the moments leading to him discovering the tattered Shrine Maiden outfit... the blood, and saliva.

He slid the pot away from the rising flame of the campfire before standing up; his hand on his new double barrel weapon as he turned and headed into the woods. He looked around, noting the Major's boot prints and followed them. He could hear the stream bubbling in the background, the chirping of birds and general wildlife as his senses enhanced, his attention on the tracks, following them closely, hoping they too, didn't lead to a pile of discarded clothes. C'mon Anastasia... He thought, before clearing his throat. "Major? Major?" He called out, eyes trained on the tracks, when the rays of the sun fell upon the silvery polish of mythril. His heart sank for a moment, as he realized the crest, and the shape, and realized it was part of the plate set Ana was wearing. He spotted blue cloth, and discarded items, and black leather and... he realized they were her clothes. Folded neatly beside the pond...

Leland McKelly wrote:Leland waited for a few minutes, watching the stew bubble and boil, a gravy from the meat thickening as he waited for the sound of movement or a reply from the officer. There was none. He glanced back to the tree line, and called out for her again, but again nothing. He had sudden flashes of deja vu... of calling out for Izuna on the day when the village was attacked by that giant among other demons rampaging through. He thought of it for a moment... and realized that the demons had seemed anxious. As if they were forced, to harvest, as if preparing... but this did nothing but make his heart sink as he relived the moments leading to him discovering the tattered Shrine Maiden outfit... the blood, and saliva.

He slid the pot away from the rising flame of the campfire before standing up; his hand on his new double barrel weapon as he turned and headed into the woods. He looked around, noting the Major's boot prints and followed them. He could hear the stream bubbling in the background, the chirping of birds and general wildlife as his senses enhanced, his attention on the tracks, following them closely, hoping they too, didn't lead to a pile of discarded clothes. C'mon Anastasia... He thought, before clearing his throat. "Major? Major?" He called out, eyes trained on the tracks, when the rays of the sun fell upon the silvery polish of mythril. His heart sank for a moment, as he realized the crest, and the shape, and realized it was part of the plate set Ana was wearing. He spotted blue cloth, and discarded items, and black leather and... he realized they were her clothes. Folded neatly beside the pond...

On top of the neatly folded set of clothes, was a light blue lace bra and a white pair of panties rolled up over the lazily thrown aside bra. Near the bed of the pond that the clothes were piled near, was Ana's blade stabbed into the mud and her long barrel broom handle pistol, safety off, set on a rock and within reach of the shore. Leland heard movement in the water, and would have looked up out of instinct as Anastasia's naked form slowly rose from the center of the pond:



The blue eyed Elf blinked, wet blond bangs draped over her left eye, her toned, fair skin shiny and wet with droplets of water cascading down her sylphlike beauty. Her ample bare bosom hung and swayed till her right arm reached up to curl around the freely swaying breasts. Her wide, child bearing hips and thick thighs dipped into the water, concealing the rest of her 6' height. The water level was conveniently across her shaven crotch. The setting sun gleaming off the pond's surface helped give Anastasia some level of modesty in front of the gunslinger. Her damp blond hair clung to her back, and for a moment she simply stared at her human companion.

She remained silent, as if waiting for him to respond before raising her brows, as if annoyed. "So... are you coming in as well or do you wish to keep staring?" She asked in a cool, unabashed tone, blinking her long lashes slowly.




"...After all. Neither of us got the chance to bathe in Alucphia. May as well now.." She added after another long pause, turning her head, so he cold only see her exposed blue eye. Her golden blond hair over the left side of her face hid much of her face, as did the damp, hanging bangs framing the right side of her head... but through that curtain, Leland could see that Anastasia's deep blue eyes were gleaming and looking at him with trepidation.

Anastasia Faizland wrote:On top of the neatly folded set of clothes, was a light blue lace bra and a white pair of panties rolled up over the lazily thrown aside bra. Near the bed of the pond that the clothes were piled near, was Ana's blade stabbed into the mud and her long barrel broom handle pistol, safety off, set on a rock and within reach of the shore. Leland heard movement in the water, and would have looked up out of instinct as Anastasia's naked form slowly rose from the center of the pond:



The blue eyed Elf blinked, wet blond bangs draped over her left eye, her toned, fair skin shiny and wet with droplets of water cascading down her sylphlike beauty. Her ample bare bosom hung and swayed till her right arm reached up to curl around the freely swaying breasts. Her wide, child bearing hips and thick thighs dipped into the water, concealing the rest of her 6' height. The water level was conveniently across her shaven crotch. The setting sun gleaming off the pond's surface helped give Anastasia some level of modesty in front of the gunslinger. Her damp blond hair clung to her back, and for a moment she simply stared at her human companion.

She remained silent, as if waiting for him to respond before raising her brows, as if annoyed. "So... are you coming in as well or do you wish to keep staring?" She asked in a cool, unabashed tone, blinking her long lashes slowly.




"...After all. Neither of us got the chance to bathe in Alucphia. May as well now.." She added after another long pause, turning her head, so he cold only see her exposed blue eye. Her golden blond hair over the left side of her face hid much of her face, as did the damp, hanging bangs framing the right side of her head... but through that curtain, Leland could see that Anastasia's deep blue eyes were gleaming and looking at him with trepidation.  

Leland's face looked alarmed and he faced away after a moment of catching Anastasia's nymph like beauty cast in the afternoon rays with his enlarged blue eyes. "Sorry... I didn't mean to-" he began when he heard her invite him in. He continues to face away and frowned. "I... don't think that would be appropriate..." He says, one hand on his hip, the other scratching at the back of his neck. "Also the dinner is fun-done. Ready..." He coughed. Her blue eyes through her curtain of gold hair locked in his mind, and he could still feel that curious blue gaze boring into the back of his head.

Anastasia closed her eyes and smiled, shaking her head left and right. "Its only inappropriate if you choose to make it so, Leland." She says, opening her eyes again. "You were married, you've seen a woman naked before. Nothing wrong in sharing a dip with me. I share a bath with my fellow officers all the time." She says, playfully splashing the water towards him. "Besides, you're the one who really needs a bath between the both of us. I'll even help scrub your back if you need it~" She playfully teased, giggling. Her tone was less serious and rigid as it usually was, still a hint of coolness but there was a truly warming vibe from her voice. Upon hearing that food was ready, she shrugged. "Food can wait for now, I'm not finished bathing." She says falling back into the water, back stroking before diving in the depths of the cool water for a few moments. Her blond hair popping up from the surface, her big blue eyes staring at him from the water line; the water suppressing her playful smile hidden beneath the surface.

Anastasia Faizland wrote:Anastasia closed her eyes and smiled, shaking her head left and right. "Its only inappropriate if you choose to make it so, Leland." She says, opening her eyes again. "You were married, you've seen a woman naked before. Nothing wrong in sharing a dip with me. I share a bath with my fellow officers all the time." She says, playfully splashing the water towards him. "Besides, you're the one who really needs a bath between the both of us. I'll even help scrub your back if you need it~" She playfully teased, giggling. Her tone was less serious and rigid as it usually was, still a hint of coolness but there was a truly warming vibe from her voice. Upon hearing that food was ready, she shrugged. "Food can wait for now, I'm not finished bathing." She says falling back into the water, back stroking before diving in the depths of the cool water for a few moments. Her blond hair popping up from the surface, her big blue eyes staring at him from the water line; the water suppressing her playful smile hidden beneath the surface.

Leland rolled his eyes at that, and half turned to see the woman playfully staring at him from the surface like a frog. It actually... made him chuckle. An honest chuckle that made him smile. "Yeah I've seen a naked woman before, its just... I'm not sure I'm ready to..." he looks away, flustered.

Leland McKelly wrote:

Anastasia Faizland wrote:Anastasia closed her eyes and smiled, shaking her head left and right. "Its only inappropriate if you choose to make it so, Leland." She says, opening her eyes again. "You were married, you've seen a woman naked before. Nothing wrong in sharing a dip with me. I share a bath with my fellow officers all the time." She says, playfully splashing the water towards him. "Besides, you're the one who really needs a bath between the both of us. I'll even help scrub your back if you need it~" She playfully teased, giggling. Her tone was less serious and rigid as it usually was, still a hint of coolness but there was a truly warming vibe from her voice. Upon hearing that food was ready, she shrugged. "Food can wait for now, I'm not finished bathing." She says falling back into the water, back stroking before diving in the depths of the cool water for a few moments. Her blond hair popping up from the surface, her big blue eyes staring at him from the water line; the water suppressing her playful smile hidden beneath the surface.

Leland rolled his eyes at that, and half turned to see the woman playfully staring at him from the surface like a frog. It actually... made him chuckle. An honest chuckle that made him smile. "Yeah I've seen a naked woman before, its just... I'm not sure I'm ready to..." he looks away, flustered.

Anastasia rose her head from the pool, covering her breasts again as she stood up a little. She had a sly grin on her face. "Not ready to... show your gun barrel? Look if you're shy to showing off your snub barrel to me-" She stood up, removed her arm, and smiled as she presented her full naked body for him to see. "Then look at me, I'm proud to show off my ballistics~" She smiled, though her face was red with blush.



She hadn't really done this before, but she wanted to make Leland feel at least comfortable. She considered this a good opportunity to bond, since they would be going into the thick of the evil permeating Asrond together. "I trust your eyes, Leland. No need to be shy with your battle buddy!" Anastasia persuaded.

Anastasia Faizland wrote:

Anastasia rose her head from the pool, covering her breasts again as she stood up a little. She had a sly grin on her face. "Not ready to... show your gun barrel? Look if you're shy to showing off your snub barrel to me-" She stood up, removed her arm, and smiled as she presented her full naked body for him to see. "Then look at me, I'm proud to show off my ballistics~" She smiled, though her face was red with blush.



She hadn't really done this before, but she wanted to make Leland feel at least comfortable. She considered this a good opportunity to bond, since they would be going into the thick of the evil permeating Asrond together. "I trust your eyes, Leland. No need to be shy with your battle buddy!" Anastasia persuaded.

Leland raised a brow to that, and had out of instinct turned his head when asked to look when his eyes took in Anastasia's body fully. She seemed rather proud to show her... ballistics down to her receiver...

Trust... my eyes?! He thought, his red face continuing to take in her celestial form, the lulling mist upon the pool's surface and the golden glow of the setting sun helped paint the scene out very well. Anastasia was an incredibly beautiful Elf at one with her natural environment, while he was an onlooker, half expecting to be turned into a stag or a woman himself for gazing upon such a celestial creature's... naked form. How can you make any of this appropriate?! She's been a great ally and companion, though stubborn and cruel as ice at times- but how does one stay calm, bathing with someone who looks as great as she does in her armor out of it? I mean, I'm just wrinkled jerky with bits pieces falling out, how can I compete with.... her? It wouldn't be fair to her! And what the hell am I thinking?! His mind fought, when he felt a feeling of constriction between his legs. He blinked, glad he was still half turned away from her, before he snapped his head away and coughed uncomfortably. "I-I need to perform some gun maintenance..." He fumbled with his words, his long bangs covering the sides of his eyes, his long ponytail flowing as he hatefully returned to the encampment!

Anastasia watched the Gunman's gaze, his face becoming redder than Fenira, and his large blue eyes looking at her with a complex mix of fear, admiration, perhaps a twinge of lust? She didn't mind, in fact, was pretty entertained by his reaction as he stormed off in the direction of camp with a nervous tone on his voice! She tossed her head back a little and laughed. "Okay while your changing out the long barrel for the shorter one, I'll remain here and finish bathing, I'll join you later~" She called out to him, giggling playfully as she returned to swimming in the pond.

Once the air became quiet again, Anastasia waded and looked up to the sky. The clouds were pink and orange and she felt peaceful. Still, she would have rather shared this time chatting with Leland while they bathed, she supposed it was not yet time to advance their cooperative relationship.

Leland took an abrupt seat by the fire of their camp, the throbbing sensation persisting to put it lightly, as he sat there in awkward silence, thinking about what he had just witnessed. He clapped his cheeks and grumbled. "Frey'd above, you're not a horny teenager Leland... Gods, what is wrong with you?" He asked himself, before grabbing a bowl of the hodgepodge stew he had prepared. He was loyal to his wife, had been since they married. Even with the Beijionese customs towards nobility and the open relationship practice somewhat common in the Beijionese territories, he hadn't lain with another woman after their marriage. There had been many offers, but Izuna only had lain with Ikai, a somewhat reverse of what happens in Beijio. He wondered why he would think such things now. Was it some sort of bestial heat consuming him after two months killing demons in life or death battles? Was it that he was simply lonely? Was it both? He didn't know, and didn't understand why he continued to ask these questions silently to his fragmented mind.

He was perhaps worried too, that by getting too involved, he may soften up. Anastasia was joining him on this suicide run in deep demonic territory, where either of them could die from anything. If he got too close... and something were to happen...

"I'd lose it..." he mumbles, frowning, taking a big spoonful of the stuff in his bowl into his mouth and began to eat without Ana.

Leland McKelly wrote:Leland took an abrupt seat by the fire of their camp, the throbbing sensation persisting to put it lightly, as he sat there in awkward silence, thinking about what he had just witnessed. He clapped his cheeks and grumbled. "Frey'd above, you're not a horny teenager Leland... Gods, what is wrong with you?" He asked himself, before grabbing a bowl of the hodgepodge stew he had prepared. He was loyal to his wife, had been since they married. Even with the Beijionese customs towards nobility and the open relationship practice somewhat common in the Beijionese territories, he hadn't lain with another woman after their marriage. There had been many offers, but Izuna only had lain with Ikai, a somewhat reverse of what happens in Beijio. He wondered why he would think such things now. Was it some sort of bestial heat consuming him after two months killing demons in life or death battles? Was it that he was simply lonely? Was it both? He didn't know, and didn't understand why he continued to ask these questions silently to his fragmented mind.

He was perhaps worried too, that by getting too involved, he may soften up. Anastasia was joining him on this suicide run in deep demonic territory, where either of them could die from anything. If he got too close... and something were to happen...

"I'd lose it..." he mumbles, frowning, taking a big spoonful of the stuff in his bowl into his mouth and began to eat without Ana.

"You arn't that weak willed, Leland" spoke Ed's voice, distorted and slightly different from before. Then, like a hologram, a transculent, slightly glowing blue variant of Ed appeared before Leland, that sat down across the campfire from him.

"You berrate yourself too much over circumstances beyond your control. What happened to your wife and family is truly terrible, but you not being there was not your fault Leland. Nor are all your family gone. Your son Jack, and daughter Yume yet still live. I can sense their psychic signatures." Ed's face was a serious line as the apparition leaned forward. "You cannot afford to fall into despair yet. This world still needs you. Even if the Hell Empress is lying about that monster, you need to stay alive for the sake of your children. Don't abandon them for vengeance like your counterpart did in my world..."

Anastasia finished up, getting dressed and slipping her blade and gun back into their holsters, walking back to the campsite a touch cleaner in appearance. She was still smirking as she approached Leland, and took a glance  at a shimmering apparition of what she thought was Edgar. "Smells good." She takes a bowl, and then a seat on the other side of Leland. "Pond's free if you want a dip, I'll promise not to peek if you're still shy, Leland." She teased. She looks over to the shimmering image of Ed and raised a brow, smile remaining. "I didn't expect you to be so quick, where's your team?" She asked the apparition.

Edgar Holden wrote:

Leland McKelly wrote:Leland took an abrupt seat by the fire of their camp, the throbbing sensation persisting to put it lightly, as he sat there in awkward silence, thinking about what he had just witnessed. He clapped his cheeks and grumbled. "Frey'd above, you're not a horny teenager Leland... Gods, what is wrong with you?" He asked himself, before grabbing a bowl of the hodgepodge stew he had prepared. He was loyal to his wife, had been since they married. Even with the Beijionese customs towards nobility and the open relationship practice somewhat common in the Beijionese territories, he hadn't lain with another woman after their marriage. There had been many offers, but Izuna only had lain with Ikai, a somewhat reverse of what happens in Beijio. He wondered why he would think such things now. Was it some sort of bestial heat consuming him after two months killing demons in life or death battles? Was it that he was simply lonely? Was it both? He didn't know, and didn't understand why he continued to ask these questions silently to his fragmented mind.

He was perhaps worried too, that by getting too involved, he may soften up. Anastasia was joining him on this suicide run in deep demonic territory, where either of them could die from anything. If he got too close... and something were to happen...

"I'd lose it..." he mumbles, frowning, taking a big spoonful of the stuff in his bowl into his mouth and began to eat without Ana.

"You arn't that weak willed, Leland" spoke Ed's voice, distorted and slightly different from before. Then, like a hologram, a transculent, slightly glowing blue variant of Ed appeared before Leland, that sat down across the campfire from him.

"You berrate yourself too much over circumstances beyond your control. What happened to your wife and family is truly terrible, but you not being there was not your fault Leland. Nor are all your family gone. Your son Jack, and daughter Yume yet still live. I can sense their psychic signatures." Ed's face was a serious line as the apparition leaned forward. "You cannot afford to fall into despair yet. This world still needs you. Even if the Hell Empress is lying about that monster, you need to stay alive for the sake of your children. Don't abandon them for vengeance like your counterpart did in my world..."

Leland wasn't too surprised by Edgar's appearance, he actually reminded him of the man who was his adoptive father... a wizard who set him on the path of the Gunslinger so many years ago. He did the same thing, poofing from no where, and appearing in mirrors. He vanished after he was taken in by the Association... so Ed's presence was refreshing, and nostalgic. "I'm not planning to die, but I can't lie to myself, this mission is suicidal and the chance of death is high, even for someone as skilled as me." He says, in an honest tone. He sighed. He knew about Jack being alive, he was in Beijio. Sakura was somewhere with the ADN, but he didn't hear from her for a long while... "Still nothing on Sakura, huh?" He asked, sighing. He felt a sense of relief wash over him upon hearing Yume survived. "Please tell me I didn't abandon Yume in Siamatsu...?" He asked, frowning. He thought he had checked that village thoroughly...

Anastasia Faizland wrote:Anastasia finished up, getting dressed and slipping her blade and gun back into their holsters, walking back to the campsite a touch cleaner in appearance. She was still smirking as she approached Leland, and took a glance  at a shimmering apparition of what she thought was Edgar. "Smells good." She takes a bowl, and then a seat on the other side of Leland. "Pond's free if you want a dip, I'll promise not to peek if you're still shy, Leland." She teased. She looks over to the shimmering image of Ed and raised a brow, smile remaining. "I didn't expect you to be so quick, where's your team?" She asked the apparition.

Leland shrugged, closing his eyes tight in mild annoyance as Ana teases him. "Its a ephemeral copy of Edgar, a sort of long distance image, Major." He explained, before he sits his empty bowl down, and sets her up with one, handing it to the Elf. "I'll be back.." he says, walking off for now. "Ed... tell me about my children when you get here in person..." he says, heading into the woods and towards the pond.

Leland McKelly wrote:Leland wasn't too surprised by Edgar's appearance, he actually reminded him of the man who was his adoptive father... a wizard who set him on the path of the Gunslinger so many years ago. He did the same thing, poofing from no where, and appearing in mirrors. He vanished after he was taken in by the Association... so Ed's presence was refreshing, and nostalgic. "I'm not planning to die, but I can't lie to myself, this mission is suicidal and the chance of death is high, even for someone as skilled as me." He says, in an honest tone. He sighed. He knew about Jack being alive, he was in Beijio. Sakura was somewhere with the ADN, but he didn't hear from her for a long while... "Still nothing on Sakura, huh?" He asked, sighing. He felt a sense of relief wash over him upon hearing Yume survived. "Please tell me I didn't abandon Yume in Siamatsu...?" He asked, frowning. He thought he had checked that village thoroughly...

"If Sakura is alive, her psi signature eludes me at the moment, but as for Yume... She escaped into the sea during the attack on your home, and has washed up in the most dangerous place in that entire region - Shi No Shima" Ed explained before Ana reappeared.

Anastasia Faizland wrote:Anastasia finished up, getting dressed and slipping her blade and gun back into their holsters, walking back to the campsite a touch cleaner in appearance. She was still smirking as she approached Leland, and took a glance  at a shimmering apparition of what she thought was Edgar. "Smells good." She takes a bowl, and then a seat on the other side of Leland. "Pond's free if you want a dip, I'll promise not to peek if you're still shy, Leland." She teased. She looks over to the shimmering image of Ed and raised a brow, smile remaining. "I didn't expect you to be so quick, where's your team?" She asked the apparition.

Ed smiled a little at Ana, her personality seemed more... chipper. "Unfortunately, I and my team will not be due to arrive for the next 48 hours at most. Nessvyn is completing my new armor for me in that time, and I have two promises to keep. I have to go to Cretu. Oh, your colleague, Captain Gesskar Death-Fist has not been seen in Kilwood in the past month according to Nessvyn who lives there. So my next step is to pass your message onto him through the Royal guard at the Palace. Is that okay?"

Leland McKelly wrote:Leland shrugged, closing his eyes tight in mild annoyance as Ana teases him. "Its a ephemeral copy of Edgar, a sort of long distance image, Major." He explained, before he sits his empty bowl down, and sets her up with one, handing it to the Elf. "I'll be back.." he says, walking off for now. "Ed... tell me about my children when you get here in person..." he says, heading into the woods and towards the pond.

Ed sighed and waived Leland off. "I'll keep you appraised of the situation" he said, before turning back to Ana.

Edgar Holden wrote:

Leland McKelly wrote:Leland wasn't too surprised by Edgar's appearance, he actually reminded him of the man who was his adoptive father... a wizard who set him on the path of the Gunslinger so many years ago. He did the same thing, poofing from no where, and appearing in mirrors. He vanished after he was taken in by the Association... so Ed's presence was refreshing, and nostalgic. "I'm not planning to die, but I can't lie to myself, this mission is suicidal and the chance of death is high, even for someone as skilled as me." He says, in an honest tone. He sighed. He knew about Jack being alive, he was in Beijio. Sakura was somewhere with the ADN, but he didn't hear from her for a long while... "Still nothing on Sakura, huh?" He asked, sighing. He felt a sense of relief wash over him upon hearing Yume survived. "Please tell me I didn't abandon Yume in Siamatsu...?" He asked, frowning. He thought he had checked that village thoroughly...

"If Sakura is alive, her psi signature eludes me at the moment, but as for Yume... She escaped into the sea during the attack on your home, and has washed up in the most dangerous place in that entire region - Shi No Shima" Ed explained before Ana reappeared.

Anastasia Faizland wrote:Anastasia finished up, getting dressed and slipping her blade and gun back into their holsters, walking back to the campsite a touch cleaner in appearance. She was still smirking as she approached Leland, and took a glance  at a shimmering apparition of what she thought was Edgar. "Smells good." She takes a bowl, and then a seat on the other side of Leland. "Pond's free if you want a dip, I'll promise not to peek if you're still shy, Leland." She teased. She looks over to the shimmering image of Ed and raised a brow, smile remaining. "I didn't expect you to be so quick, where's your team?" She asked the apparition.

Ed smiled a little at Ana, her personality seemed more... chipper. "Unfortunately, I and my team will not be due to arrive for the next 48 hours at most. Nessvyn is completing my new armor for me in that time, and I have two promises to keep. I have to go to Cretu. Oh, your colleague, Captain Gesskar Death-Fist has not been seen in Kilwood in the past month according to Nessvyn who lives there. So my next step is to pass your message onto him through the Royal guard at the Palace. Is that okay?"

Leland McKelly wrote:Leland shrugged, closing his eyes tight in mild annoyance as Ana teases him. "Its a ephemeral copy of Edgar, a sort of long distance image, Major." He explained, before he sits his empty bowl down, and sets her up with one, handing it to the Elf. "I'll be back.." he says, walking off for now. "Ed... tell me about my children when you get here in person..." he says, heading into the woods and towards the pond.

Ed sighed and waived Leland off. "I'll keep you appraised of the situation" he said, before turning back to Ana.

Anastasia took the bowl from Leland with a smile, before she watched him walk off. The mention of Shi no Shima was disheartening though... "Shi no Shima, thats not a place for any child... how did she get into the ocean? Siamatsu is pretty far inland if I recall..." She says with a frown, before answering Ed. "Yes... make sure he gets it. Its... a rather important document, in case something bad were to happen. Even if nothing happens... make sure it is delivered to the Captain, Edgar."

Anastasia Faizland wrote:Anastasia took the bowl from Leland with a smile, before she watched him walk off. The mention of Shi no Shima was disheartening though... "Shi no Shima, thats not a place for any child... how did she get into the ocean? Siamatsu is pretty far inland if I recall..." She says with a frown, before answering Ed. "Yes... make sure he gets it. Its... a rather important document, in case something bad were to happen. Even if nothing happens... make sure it is delivered to the Captain, Edgar."

"I would surmise she was chased there..." Ed elaborated, not really knowing, his powers were vast, and growing, but he could not see the future or past. Not yet.

"I made a promise, and I intend to fulfill that promise to the best of my abilities before coming to Amaine. I'm not perfect, but I do strive to keep my word."

Edgar Holden wrote:

Anastasia Faizland wrote:Anastasia took the bowl from Leland with a smile, before she watched him walk off. The mention of Shi no Shima was disheartening though... "Shi no Shima, thats not a place for any child... how did she get into the ocean? Siamatsu is pretty far inland if I recall..." She says with a frown, before answering Ed. "Yes... make sure he gets it. Its... a rather important document, in case something bad were to happen. Even if nothing happens... make sure it is delivered to the Captain, Edgar."

"I would surmise she was chased there..." Ed elaborated, not really knowing, his powers were vast, and growing, but he could not see the future or past. Not yet.

"I made a promise, and I intend to fulfill that promise to the best of my abilities before coming to Amaine. I'm not perfect, but I do strive to keep my word."

Leland paused, and slowly turned with a look of despair. "Shi no Shima?!" No one escaped Shi no Shima... it was a cursed island. He turned around fully and approached. "Is she safe? She needs to get off that island, but... no normal means can easily get one off Shi no Shima!" He explained, pale and nervous.

Leland McKelly wrote:Leland paused, and slowly turned with a look of despair. "Shi no Shima?!" No one escaped Shi no Shima... it was a cursed island. He turned around fully and approached. "Is she safe? She needs to get off that island, but... no normal means can easily get one off Shi no Shima!" He explained, pale and nervous.

Edgar turned to face Leland. "Yes.... I've been to that island before, just yesterday, when I went to rescue that refugee from my homeworld. That island is where she ended up getting transported to when she left my world, of all the luck. When I found her, she was trapped in an ancient abandoned factory ruin by a bunch of reptilian humanoids. I had to melt the factory down to slag to force their retreat." Ed's face took a frown. "Your daughter is still alive, but she is not strong enough to face the horrors of that island. I can teleport to her location since I've been to the island before, but... One, that is a significant detour from our plans, and two, your daughter does not know me. She may not come with me willingly if I go to rescue her alone."