ooc: Alright, edited my posts.


ic:

Shinva and Theresa looked at each other then at S'kragki pondering slightly. Shin piped up after a few seconds of panting "Im gonna help. I got an idea to...." he grinned giving a nod, drawing his sword off his back. Theresa looked alittle shocked twitching slightly "Well Ill go where Shinva goes. So Ill tag along as well."

Shinva looked back watching for the ugly minotaur, his eyes watching the dead shrubbery, ears twitching as he listens carefully for the minotaurs thumping, it was angry. Very angry and could smell the little blood coming from Shinvas arm.

On planet Earth most of the oxygen comes from the algae and plankton in the sea. Could be the same on Nirn.

And I guess that was OOC because I don't have a character so it couldn't have been IC.

Edit: I really should read threads to the end before posting things. Sorry for intruding like that, it slipped my mind that readers don't usually make comments in RPs. *goes back to lurking*

You people are still alive, correct?

I'm still here, anyone know what happened to IN?

OOC: I haven't seen IN for a while either...

OOC: Settling disputes finally; Not all plants have died out, volcanic, durable, and high-heat tolerating plants have survived. Some of the greener provinces (Elsweyr, Valenwood, the Akaviri place) have yet to be touched by Dagoth Ur's corruption, and as an extension the continents across the seas that are assumed to exist most likely have not been touched either, and so oxygen is still produced.

IC: Fin nodded his head to Kharro, and remained quiet. Trying to be productive, he took off his pack and reached deeply into it. The sounds of clinking metals and rustling papers came from it, and at one point Fin muttered a strange expletive in Hist. Finally, he drew a crusty, torn piece of parchment from the sack, which he replaced on his back. He unfolded it, which was rewarded by a crinkling sound of old, dried paper. Obviously from finer days, the map showed Cyrodiil in splendid shades of green and blue. Of course, it was also completely out of date with the current landscaping, courtesy of Dagoth Ur. It was quite obviously an expensive map, and the maker probably would have cried to see it in it's current shape, if he wasn't already dead. The Argonian traced his fnger across the map, from where he had marked the shelter with a large 'X' labeled 'Shelter', as well as the having marked the cave, trying to map out their current position. Fin, his face twisted into an expression of pure frustration, growled at the uselessness of what he was doing.

He looked over to Matthew, who seemed to have experience in the army. Fin concluded that his training would have given him map reading skills as well. Fin waved Matthew down. "Hey, Matthew, do you think you might be able to find our current position from this bloody piece of paper? I want to know how far Cheydinhal is from us."

OOC: A final bump, because, everyone,dig this

ILLUSIONARY NOTHING IS BACK!! WOOOO!

ooc: That she is, that she is..

As much as I miss this thing, know it might be a little hard to get going again, even with help from us. But I'm willing to try if you all are!

OOC: Alright guys, I'm back in. It'll be the death of me, I'm sure... but it is such an awesome group.
Controlling Matthew for the time being.
IC:

Matthew looked at the map, then up at Fin. "We're about here," he said, pointing to a spot on the map. "If we travel on through the night, we should be there by morning."

Of course, that was if there wasn't another ashstorm, or their little group wasn't accosted by yet more corprus...

-------------

Winna nodded at Matthew's words, although she was a little uncertain herself. Things really had changed much since the good old days, and travel had all but ceased since the world had been altered. Still, ever the pessimist, she said aloud what others might keep to themselves. "We can only travel all night so long as there are no blight storms, and besides, many of us are weak and tired."

She shrugged, and added, "But it might be worth the try, anyway, to get some shelter from this accursed land." She looked at Fin, curiously for a moment. The argonians were known for their resilience, and though Fin had fought as hard as any of them, she wondered if that resilience extended to good wind. If so, he and the other stronger members of the group might well have to support the weaker.

--------------

Ren caught up with Kharro, despite her dark mood, and tugged lightly on his elbow to get his attention. "Kharro?" she enquired quietly. "I know I've been less than kind to you since you joined us, but... I have a question to ask you. A question I didn't expect I'd ever have to ask." She gave a quiet, nervous laugh.

This is dangerous territory... she reminded herself silently. Even letting on that you know something could be fatal if Ur's minions get wind...

But since Kharro had saved her, the two had spoken a little and... well, Ren needed to know. She needed to know whether she really could share her mission with others.

He tried to play you for a fool once before... she thought. Tried to make himself into something he isn't. Who's to say that wasn't because he's up to no good?

But would I have done anything different? she countered herself. In these circumstances, can I honestly say that I wouldn't have tried to get into the group too?

"Kharro," she began, purple eyes solemn. "I just want to know; can I trust you?"

A question that a wise one would never ask a liar, and yet Ren felt it needed to be asked to be believed. Was Kharro really a part of their dysfunctional group? Was he really someone they could take with them all the way?

OOC: Oh my! Somebody pinch me, in case I'm dreaming... ouch! OK, it's real. Welcome back, Illusionary. I know it sounds corny but I never doubted you would come back.

IC: She matched his footsteps and pondered on something. She began to speak but abruptly broke off, unsure of how to approach the subject. It was a delicate matter, he could tell by her bewildered expression, her nervous laughter. Finally, she collected her wits and courage.

"Kharro, I just want to know: can I trust you?"

What kind of a question is that suppose to be?
'Can I trust you?' Trust is a word indicating a mutual agreement, a coexistence. An alliance. But most alliances were born from fear of the other person, not love. You make an alliance if you are afraid the other person might turn out to be stronger than you.

Are you asking me if I will never harm you? That depends. I've been an assassin a long time. If someone should pay me to make away with you, I probably would have. It's not about the money, it's about the principals of my profession. Perhaps I would turn out merciful and put you down in a clean, painless way, but then my job is not to torment my targets. The torment they apply themselves when they believe they can run away and save themselves. False hope is what brings suffering. Are you looking for hope, little helpless vicious Ren? That is something I cannot give you, for hope is something I live without.

But would I answer her question with a 'no'? Am I untrustworthy? Am I unreliable? Useless? I have focused all my life to one purpose: being efficient. In other words, reliable. Worthy of trust to do what is required of me. When the beasts attacked, I acted to save others and they had saved me for if I were alone, the beasts would overwhelm me with their numbers and devour me.

Should I say 'no'? If I say 'no', that would mean I intend to do her and the others harm. But I do not intend to do that. Or do I?

"I honestly do not know," Kharro said and wondered how much time did he use to cook up this meagre answer. "You are asking me about the future, for trust is something we do not share in the present." With his hand he indicated others around them, meaning: the absence of trust is flourishing is this group. "Can anyone predict the future? I cannot and will not fantasize about being able to do it."

He was not done yet. He needed to say something that would give his words a point.

"If you want to trust me, you must do what everyone else has always done: decide for yourself and endure the consequences of your choice."

Ren watched Kharro's face. She suspected that behind that terrifying face there lay thoughts that would unnerve her, but when he spoke, he spoke with honesty.

Decide for yourself and endure the consequences of your choice... Ren repeated mentally. Those words, on the surface, were bland, neutral, but in the core of their meaning were condemning.

He was letting her know that he could not be trusted, for their could only be consequences if he broke trust. But isn't it also true that to make such an admission is an act of trust? An act of honesty that deserves credit?

But his honesty was to betray is unreliablity. So perhaps he could be trusted, but not relied upon?

Or perhaps he is simply not committing to any kind of bond between us or any of the others. But there is a bond. she thought stubbornly. Beneath all these fights, arguments and tension, we are a group. That is why we fight together, why we have somehow survived. Yes, we need each other, but there is more to it than that. We are a team, or will be one day.

But Kharro did not want to be a part of that. Or perhaps he just didn't believe he could be.

Regardless, for some reason, his words hurt Ren as much as she accepted them. At last, she nodded slowly and replied, "The world dictates that I accept the consequences of my decisions, and that I can accept. But an admission of trust, one way or another, is what I asked for, and you haven't given it."

Her eyes became fierce, but not angry. It was a challenge in her eyes, not a fight, as she said, "Because trust is in the present, Kharro, whether large or small. Do you believe I wish you harm, or do you trust me not to? Do you believe any of us in this shattered group really want to see any more death in the world than there already is?"

Her words became bitter as she said, "I am going to make a desicion, Kharro, and you are going to have to live with the consequences of that decision. But in a world without trust, there are only consequences, not benefits."

She shrugged and said, lowering her eyes, "Not that it matters. Anyone can see that you are as cold as the tips of your arrows. You don't care about any of us. We're just instrumental to your own survival."

She left then, moving to go stand beside Fin.

ooc: For the sake of hurrying things along, I've been given permission to assume we smote the Minotaur. Let's assume Ra'Shinavi gutted it.

And damn is it good to be back here. ^_^

ic: S'Kragki reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a metal flask, popped the lid off and took a swig of the blood that it contained. He made sure to wipe any excess off his mouth before the two younger Khajiit with him saw. He didn't need them being afraid, but he also needed to make sure he didn't burn to ashes in the sun. The day I find another way, I'll give up this vile practice entirely. He thought, looking at the flask with a sort of hatred. He'd grown used to and, dare he say it, found enjoyment in the taste of blood, but every time he drank it he was reminded of what it meant that he had to consume it.

Since the Minotaur, the walk had been uneventful. He was beginning to get mildly bored when he felt a little twinge of pain on his leg. Stopping, he lifted his pantleg up and, he couldn't help but laugh aloud at the irony, saw a tick attached, drinking his blood. "Now all we need is a mosquito and a leech and we've got a full set." He said to himself, pinching the tick off and flicking the little insect off into the dead shrubs. Turning to the twin Khajiit as he put his pantleg down over his boot again, he tilted his head to the side a notch. "Didn't you guys say you were heading somewhere? Or did I just imagine it.."

OOC: I goota say I am truly suprised you came back Illusionary! Man I was bored these past few weeks, thanks for putting some awesomness in my day! Greetings aside, I can take over where you left off with Matthew.

IC: Matthew was sure that they would reach their destination by morning if they continued at their current pace. Of course he was uneasy at the thought of traveling out here at night, but there was no way they would stop now, it would be too dangerous. "Looks like we're going to pull an all-nighter I guess." he muttered as he gave a small sigh. He had not had a good sleep in a while, even in the cave he was too worried to sleep. Hopefully once they got to Cheydinhal that would change, but for some reason he doubted it. He was wondering what he could do to pass the time when he spotted Ren speaking to Kharro again.

Matthew personally didn't like the fact that the khajit ran off without telling them, even if he did save Matthew and Ren's lives during the battle. "Even if he is the quiet type, he is going to have to trust us sooner or later." he thought as he watched the two talking to each other, "He can't just do whatever he wants anymore as long as he is in this group." Ren and Kharro were the two most mysterious members of their group, and he was unsure as to why either of them were here. Ren is just a young girl and Kharro is a loner. Their reasons for joining may not be known, but as long as they helped Matthew couldn't complain. After Ren walked beside Fin, he decided to just let it go and enjoy the journey as much as possible before some other peril befalls them.

Fin took a quill out of his pack and scratched a big, red 'x' on the spot Matthew pointed at. He smiled at the thought that this leg of their already arduous journey would soon be over. He heard a discussion between Kharro and Ren going on just behind him, and was not surprised to see Ren jog up beside him when the words stopped.

She seems to come up to either me or the Dunmer whenever she speaks to the Nord or the new khajiit. I knew she trusted the Dunmer...they came into this journey together and have shown no arguments towards each others' company. He looked towards her and blinked. Does that mean I'm trusted in this little group of ours?

He tentatively started to speak. "Is there something wrong, little one? You seem...tense. Did the khajiit speak harshly or unjustly to you?" Fin snarled at the thought.

If that mangy skooma drinker insulted her...I'll tear his furry throat apart with my bare hands! His eyes betrayed his fury at the thought for but a moment before his features softened once more.

Ren smiled wearily at Fin. "No... no he didn't. He was honest with me," she shrugged. "I guess honesty can be painful sometimes."

"No arguments there," Winna murmured from nearby, but Ren ignored her. I don't think I want to talk about this... Ren thought. Things are just so complicated. It can wait until Cheydinhal, surely? She sighed, and changed the subject. "Fin... do you ever wonder what your life might have been like if... well, without Ur? Like if the world was green, and there was no corprus and no dreamers?"

Fin's mind calmed just a bit. He believed her to be a good judge of character, and if she said the khajiit was honest, then he would take her word for it. The question coming afterwords caught him off guard.

Life without Ur...its almost hard to think of now. Its been so long since this bloody war scorched Tamriel. He put his finger under his snout and looked up towards the bleak, red sky. I guess I would have continued on the path my parents set upon me...joined the Legion and the Fighters Guild and killed rats and goblins till my scales started to dull... He looked back to Ren.

"I doubt it would have been much different for me than it is now. I would have wandered Tamriel, alone. Joined the Legion as a Forrester and the Fighters Guild for some spare Septims." Fin grinned. "The only difference is that now, instead of killing rats, goblins, and the occasional Ogre, I'm putting horrendously bloated, sick people out of their misery. A bleak prospect, that." Fin frowned at the thought of having to kill those who were once just residents of Tamriel like himself.

Ra'Shinavi nodded "Yeah, To Cheydinhal. Or at least whats left of it. We got a small home there thats still standing. We were out here seeing what supplies we could scavenge which, sadly this hasnt been much." he said and looked at The other much older khajiit. Theresa looked at S'Kragki and tilted her head as a strange scent came to her nose. Shaking her head abit she kept walkin along Something aint right... she thought.

Upon receiving an answer, S'Kragki nodded and snapped the lid back onto his flask, replacing it in the leather holster he'd built for it decades ago. He was beginning to run low again, and he cringed. He'd recently found a body being eaten by wolves and managed to get a flaskful of blood from the lifeless man after chasing the beasts off, but after this was gone, he'd have to go back to relying on animal blood as he had done for most of his undead life. Ja'Perssia had been sweet enough to allow him to feed on her occasionally, though he did so only when he absolutely could not find any outlaws to prey upon.

Ja'Perssia.. How many years has it really even been since you died? Your last wish was for me to be happy, but.. He sighed and shook his head at his thoughts, In the countless years you've been gone, I've never been happy for more than a day straight. I promised you I'd do great things, change the world with my immortality, but.. I've done nothing.

Briefly, he glanced over his shoulder at Theresa and Ra'Shinavi, a small smile touching his face. ..but I can change that. If I can protect people like these children, maybe I can make notable a difference.

"So, Cheydinal still stands? I haven't been there since just before the blight. I figured as close as it was to the source of the disease, it'd have been done in years ago." He said aloud after only a minute's pause to indicate his thoughts. He smiled wryly as he looked back over his shoulder again. "You kids know anyone there who could make use of an old vampire?"

Ren frowned at Fin's words. "You'd only have been a killer? A hired hand?" She shook her head. "I just can't believe that, Fin. You're one of the good guys- you'd be doing something more with your life, I'm sure of it."

She envisioned the world as it might have been, where people like Corrin wouldn't be so bitter, where good Legionnaires like Matthew wouldn't be sent out singly to protect civilians from the entire world, where Shandi and Arathor's naivety would be cute, not life-threatening.

"I'd travel the world, spreading tales of legendary Saint Islyths-Eij," she said, barely stumbling over the name, though it was clearly not meant for human tongues. She grinned at Fin, "Who slayed daedra to rescue poor damsels in towers and was known throughout the land as the Argonian Protector." Sh paused, making her expression comically thoughtful. "'Course, I'd have to embellish a little, make you a little more impressive. You'd be ten foot two with muscles as thick as I am."

But that's not how things are, Ren... she told herself, and the fun light in her eyes dimmed. "Not that it matters now, I guess..." she said more quietly. She looked away from Fin and gazed out into the distance. "But maybe the world can be green again one day..." she murmured to herself.


OOC: Does anyone know if Scow is turning up? I know we've only just got this show back on the road, but it doesn't seem right without Dar'Shandi starting a fight every other post...

OOC: It seems to me he is always around. Let's wait to the weekend.

Fin twisted the corners of his mouth into a crocodile-esque smile. The very idea of what the lighthearted breton had just said almost made him burst out laughing.

Saint Islyths-Eij...rescuing damsels and battling Daedra...what a laugh. She is quite imaginative, though. Fin sighed. It is good that lightheartedness can still show through in these bleak times. It means that there is still hope, he clenched his fists. And that means that there is still something to fight for. Fin kept walking, pondering the mysteries of their current situation and their lot in life. He kept his mind firmly in the now, believing that thinking towards the future would make the cause look hopeless.

As he walked, he absent-mindedly swirled patterns into the dust with his tail, humming an old tune from black marsh.

Shinavi felt his body go alittle cold as he heard S'kragki call himself a vampire. He hadnt met any before and this was a slight shocker, though not so great one seeing as if he put two and two together (and not get four ) it did work out somewhere along the line. "Well, not really. No offense but most people there might kill you if they found out.." Theresa now out of pure curiosity walked up to the vampire cat and gently ran her paw down his cheek "I had a feeling you were... special. I can sense it in you." she smiled alittle "Well, if anyone around whats left of cheydinhal doesnt have any need Im sure we can." she gave a grin, much to her brothers slight dislike.

Slowly in the back of his mind some things were making sense while others kept working in contradicting each other.

S'Kragki chuckled gruffly at being informed that most people would kill him if they knew. He knew that fact very well, but wondered as he leaned up against a tree husk for a moment if people in these times would just be thankful for the help. As he stood there, Theresa walked up to him and ran a dainty hand over his cheek. He shuddered a little involuntarily.

"I had a feeling you were.. special. I can sense it in you." The young Khajiiti maiden told him, smiling. "Well, if anyone around what's left of Cheydinal doesn't have any, I'm sure we can."

At the end of that, she grinned a little, a grin he'd seen a decent amount of women over the years. In his head, he sighed. I am much too old for you, missy.

Of course, despite missing his late wife, S'Kragki was still inevitably a man. He'd given into that a few times over the years, usually while mildly intoxicated, but Theresa was far too young for that. That and she could possibly be related.. He added with a twinge of hope to the thought. To the twins, though, he smiled in a friendly manner.

"Well, I'm glad to help however I can." He told them kindly. Mentally, he laughed. And let's just hope that doesn't get used against me..

"You are a dreamer Matthew, and you shall always be so! You look to the clouds and draw silly paintings while you let the real world leave you behind! Why can't you act more like your brother Isaac and bring honor to our family instead of living in your dream world?! You are just like your foolish mother!"

Matthew remembered that day and his father's words so clearly that he still dreamed about it sometimes, even though it was when he was a young seventeen year old. When he was younger Matthew always wanted to become an artist and paint beautiful pictures that would take people's breath away, but his father made sure that never happened. That horrible night his father took Matthew's prized portrait of his mother and burned it, effectively destroying the last link the young boy had to his dead mother and forbidding him to ever paint again. His father always pushed him to become a legionnaire, just like his brother Isaac wanted to be, and eventually he suceeded. Matthew and Isaac both became legionnaires, he became a strict lover of the legion, and now he was wandering the land with a band of relative strangers on a suicide mission.

His father was right about him though; he was a dreamer and more like his mother. He got his mother's dark hair and beautiful eyes while Isaac got their father's brown hair and stern eyes. Also like his mother, Matthew loved art, music, and nature to a great extent. Isaac, like their father, loved everything about war and the military. Even now Matthew wondered as to why his parents ever got married, his mother; a care-free lover of beauty, and his father; the stern, bleak military man. Everyone he asked said that it was a marriage based on money and reputation: his father marrying the daughter of a noble to lift his military career. As Matthew became older he began to believe this because mother's death brought no tears to his father's face and didn't soften his heart. In fact, it was because of their mother's death that their father began to come down hard on Matthew, always making him feel guilty for not being like him and Isaac.

"Now it seems that it was father who saved my life and not you mother." Matthew thought with a small sad chuckle, "If I did become an artist I would most likely be dead right now."

"What beautiful scenery." he muttered sarcasticly as he looked at the bland land that surrounded him, "If only I had a canvas and some paint."

For now he would just have to continue with this party of random adventurers and see if he could actually find a reason to thank his father for ruining his hopes and dreams. Matthew looked up at the clouds just as he did all those years ago and let his mind wander so he could avoid the harsh realities of his new life.


OOC: Just felt like giving a little bit of insight to the mind of Matthew. Now if only Scow could arrive and have Dar'Shandi ruin the tranquility!

OOC: ROFL! Hahahaha Theresa wasnt thinking that Besides, she aint to young for that kinda thing XD!

ic: Theresa looked at him, cocking an eyebrow abit as he was silent for abit, wondering what just was going through his mind at that point. She never ment it in any flirtacious way, if she wanted that she would have been much more subtle. "Well lets keep moving" Shinva piped up, killing the silence as he started to stride off towards cheydinhal. They had a long way to go still, even theresa knew that. "Well I guess he is right. We do need to keep on going" with that said she turned and followed her brother.