Of Glitz and Greece (Open)

[kokoram714]

Paul closed his Journal, and loaded it back into his pack. He had just written down his first entry in the fresh parchment. "The first of many" He told himself, grinning.

The youth had begun his journey to Olympus, the city, two days ago, and was almost there. Recalling his conversation with his father several days ago, "I had a vision Paul. I can't decipher it completely, but I from my understanding, I belive it is your calling to go to Olympus. You are to depart at the sunrise of tommorow."

Paul himself was not a dream reader, so he had agreed immediately to set off on the journey. Along with him he had brought Corona, his lyre; his whitlling knife, two potions and two ethers; his sketchpad, about 300 munny worth of currency, and his recently aquired journal.

It was a partially cloudy afternoon, with little activity on the roads. But that was how Paul liked things. Peaceful and quiet, allowing him to think clearly.

As he neared the city, he could hear the hustle and bustle of the settlement. The occaisional speeder on the charriot, the woman posing for a sculpture ("I never fully understood why they nixed the arms" Paul had pondered), all sorts of stuff.

As Paul entered the city, he was swarmed by merchants asking questions like, "Do your teeth shine like they used too? Try our new Aphrodite Cream! Whitens them up like the sun!" or "Quite the looker aren't cha? You know what would make you look even better? This brand-new Kronos brand sundial!"

Paul skirted through the crowd of salesmen and women, irked of course, and made his way toward the inn, to go relieve the weariness of the trip, and to go get accustomed to being back in the city.

[lunardevian]

Lea looked down on the city from the top of a building and watched the townsfolk go on with their usual boring lives. "Boy this place is so boring." The Red-Hot Flare clutched his stomach as it growled out of hunger, It's been a while since he last ate some nice tasting hearts, Man I'm hungry, guess I should get something to eat while I'm here. I I think I'm in the mood for some roasted heart." With a smile on his face he walked into a black portal behind him to get to the ground level of the city.

When he got to the ground he saw a few Soldier Heartless beginning to pop out of the shadows and chase after people. Guess I'm not the only one who's hungry today. He decided to let the small fry have some fun for a while before he had his fill. He sat against a wall and watched as the fun ensued, and just for the heck of it he tossed one of his frisbees into the chaos just to see if it would add some kind of effect.

[kokoram714]

Paul yawned, and flopped down onto his bed. He had been exausted by all the walking, and a nap could do him well.

He was about to catch some Z's when he heard a ruckus down below in the streets. "Probably another scuffle. I want to guess that someone stole something, but was caught."

Not too worried, Paul layed down again with a smile, already enjoying laying down and resting his feet. A scream eminated from the street, and Paul bolted upright.

He snatched up Corona and carried his legs as fast as they could. But now, Paul was filled with a new energy, adreneleine coursing through his veins, as he raced toward the street below.


As he neared the street below his inn, Paul saw the chaos unfolding: A few heartless clad in armor were chasing after civillians!

"Heartless? Here, in the city?" Paul watched, grinning slightly at the challenge ahead of him.

After considering his plans, Paul chased after the heartless, and then, after stopping in an open area, made himself audible, "HEY! Heartess! OVER HERE!".

It was the desired effect: The Heartless ignored their prey and immediately advanced on the Maestro.

As soon as he could see the yellow of their eyes ("Is that one carrying... discus?!), he fired three arrows into the oncoming threat.

One hit one of the Soldier Heartless's Achile's Heel, the vulnerable head. Another arrow lodged itself in one of the foes chest armor (still damaging the heartless), and one arrow missed the third target.

Paul loved the thrill of this battle, side-stepping an incoming attack, and had a Chesire Grin while he fought. But he couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched...

Unfortunaletly, the Heartless took the advantage of Paul being distracted, and one was able to knock him backwards with a swift kick.

"Oof!" He cried out in pain. Paul shook it off then stood up, smiling, " Looks like you caught me off gaurd. That won't happen again, I assure you."

With that, Paul fired another volley of arrows.

[lunardevian]

Lea watched as people were running here and there trying to save themselves, "Well, I'm starting to starve to death, better grab some hearts before their all gone."

As he was standing up and getting ready to grab some lunch he noticed someone who was fighting back. A blonde boy who was about the same age as Lea who was using a bow to fight of the little knights. So...somebody thinks their tough. We'll just see about that.

As the boy fired more arrows at the Heartless Lea threw his frisbees at the arrows knocking them out of the air. "Hey buddy! Your must be real brave to go charging in like that. Think your some kind of hero?"

[kokoram714]

Noticing his projectiles were being knocked down by incoming disci, (he doesn't know they're frisbees) Paul hopped away a distance from the Heartless. Paul had about 35 Arrows left, but he was not pleased someone was interfering with his shots.

"Hey buddy! Your must be real brave to go charging in like that. Think your some kind of hero?" Paul heard this statement, not completely sure who said it (Since Lea is keeping his distance correct?).

Paul responded to the voice, exclaiming, "I don't think I'm what you consider a hero, JUST yet," With that, one of the Heartless Soldiers, stood in front of Paul ready to strike.

To Close! With a cunning smile, Paul swiftly snatched his fletching knife out of his pack, was slightly nicked by the claws of the warrior heartless, but then gouged the fiend through the chest, causing it to disentegrate.

Sheathing his blade, Paul unleashed two more arrows on the remaining heartless, only leaving behind the ammunition that was it's bane.

Paul picked up the arrows, their heads still pulsing with light energy. He contiuned his conversation with the unknown person, "However, I am a warrior of the sun. And being the sun is all about light and life, I'm pretty sure those death machines of darkness are exactly what I am to be destroying"

Pleased with his work, Paul still grinned while he went around gathering up all his misfired arrows...

I can't quite tell what this guy's intentions are. I best be prepared... All right a potion was left behind! Paul wondered this in his head whilst he snatched up the potion on the ground.

But Paul was aware of all that was going on around him. He was not letting down his guard a second time.

[lunardevian]

Lea smirked at the kid's response, apparently he couldn't see him through the crowds of people running around. Regardless, this guy might be fun to play with, which made Lea's smirk grow into a grin.

"Well in that case..." With a snap of his fingers the Flare summoned a trio of fire pillars to surround the boy, "Since your a warrior of the sun, I guess you won't have a problem fighting with fire."

The city was quickly becoming barren as the townsfolk fled in sight of the pillars of deadly flames. Lea snapped his fingers again and made the pillars dissipate and summon one of his dark red lion Heartless to join the fray. With the city cleared out he was certain the boy would notice him as he called out to him. "Just so ya know, the name's Lea. Got it memorized?"

[kokoram714]

Paul licked his lips, only a slight grin on his face now.. Perhaps I was a bit to cocky. But still. I know I can still get this

Now that he could finally see the antaganizer, "Lea" as the boy had given his name, had blazing red hair, and looked like he smiled alot too. But nowhere near the same reason.

Paul gazed at the heartless. It's hungry eyes glared at him, as it let out an awe inspiring roar.

Crap! Think, think! Or your going to get toasted!... WAIT I GOT IT! Paul set to work immediately.

He unlatched his munny pouch and scattered the contents all around, hoping to confuse the heartless.

Paul made a dash for a nearby fountain, and took a canteen of water he had on him and filled it up to the brim.

In a silent prayer to Apollo, Artemis, and Posiden, Dear gods, Please let this work!

Paul strapped his canteen around an arrow, and knotched an arrow into place.

Barely avoiding an incoming flame from the feline heartless, Paul repositioned himself and aimed at the lion like thing's open maw.

Pulling back the string, Paul was ready to fire and dry and douse this thing out.

Pivoting around on his foot, Paul fired the watery yet holy inspired projectile at the gloating redhead.

" Nice to meet you Lea. I'm Paul, short for Apollotin" Paul remarked at his target, not sure if his invention would have the desired affect.

(I know it may seem impossible for the canteen to stay on, but keep in mind, these are strong arrows, and Paul's a pretty good shot!)

[lunardevian]

Lea watched as the kid emptied his pouch, Okay... He thought with a confused look on his face. Was he looking for something in that bag? Whatever he was planning Lea shrugged it off and watched with a grin as his lion friend tried to take a bite out of him.

"Careful, even if your a warrior you still shouldn't charge into a fight like that." The Flare couldn't help but chuckle to himself at his own comment, considering that he acts like that as well.

He summoned his frisbees back to him and returned his attention to the boy only to see the Heartless he summoned be obliterated by an arrow. "What the?" Lea was stunned by how fast his minion was taken down he nearly didn't see the arrow with a canteen attached. "Whoa-guh!" The arrow hit him square in the right shoulder and was splashed with water from the canteen. The only odd thing was that the arrow seemed to burn him as it was lodged in him.

"Nice to meet you Lea. I'm Paul, short for Apollotin." Lea pulled out the arrow and noticed the light at the tip, he growled and lit the thing on fire in his hand. "Well then Paul, hope your ready for some real action then!" He tossed his frisbees at Paul and as they flew to the target they were engulfed in flames in midair. Try that on for size.

[kokoram714]

Well, at least I kind have got him...pissed off Paul pondered while watching Lea remove the arrow from his shoulder.

Paul didn't quite remember killing the lion heartless, but was glad he now had just one target. It appears that Lea is'nt too fond of my extra gift of light in my arrows.... I wonder Paul continued his thought as Lea threw a flaming discus at Paul.

It wasn't adding up: How was a user of fire suffering from light damage... Unless...

Curious... I think there's more to Lea than I- Paul's thought was interrupted when he attemted to dodge the frisbee but was hit straight on.

" AAAAAAAAAAARGH!" Paul was thrown back by Lea's flaming projectile, and he was singed from the attack. Paul, now panting hard, kept himself moving, to avoid being an easy target.

When he had found cover, Paul drank his new-found potion, and felt the sweet relief drizzle down his throat. He was still burned, and had a few scratches, but he felt extremely better.

As more fire attacks came, Paul continued to avoid most of them, only occaisionally having to put out anything that ignited.

Finally, Paul stopped moving and stroked the suns on his bow. Back in Lyre form, Paul held the Lyre close to play and called out, smiling entirely meaning what he was saying,"I will admit! Your a pretty darn good fighter! I see you've mastered the use of fire! However, I see that you have a disliking of light to quite a degree!"

Boy, this is severely going to injure him. Hope I don't kill him. Be a pity. Seems like a nice guy.

Paul wondered this while he began playing a frantic melody, but with such purpose, making the down beat note pierceing every measure (Click Link to hear: )

Once Paul finished the 10th measure, he could feel the major amount of magic leave him, but felt pleased as he felt a stupendous sensation surround himself.

A small pentacle of a sun surrounded himself. It glowed for a brief second, and then light as brilliant as the sun exploded everywhere around the area, except within the pentacle.

Tch! It's even blinding in here! Poor Lea! It'll be awhile till he sees right again! Paul pitied the red head while the all powerful sunlight continued to shine for awhile longer.

[lunardevian]

"See what I mean. You were just a bit cocky and now your burned." Lea summoned his frisbrees to his side, "If you want to call a forfeit I won't mind." He watched Paul get back up and run for shelter.

"Oh no you don't." Lea chased after Paul but didn't see where he ducked for cover. "Huh? Hey where'd you go?" He looked left and right trying to find the boy that he was having fun with.

"I will admit! Your a pretty darn good fighter! I see you've mastered the use of fire! However, I see that you have a disliking of light to quite a degree!"

"Come on out and I'll show you just how much more of a fighter I can-" Music began to fill the air, a tone that the Red-Hot Flare wasn't familiar with, "What the?

A sudden burst of light engulfed not only the entire area but Lea as well. "Auuuggghhh!" The blinding light burned his skin and took away his eye sight as he landed on his back. He was completely stunned and couldn't even move a muscle as he hoped the light would go away.

[kokoram714]

Paul finally finished playing the spirited song, and the light subsided. There, he saw the cringing red-head... writhing from the piercing light.

Paul looked at Lea.... He had heard the scream of agony from earlier, and felt somewhat bad... I think he just wanted to kind of play around with me a bit... But in the same breath, I think he might have been wanting to kill me... hm Paul wondered, still smiling from his accomplishment of his spell..

Paul strode closer to Lea, but kept his distance, not wanting to get lulled into a trap.

What he saw wasn't pretty: Lea looked burnt from the sun, and his eyes were squinted shut due to the sun-light doing damage to his eyes.

Paul's face straightened out; He had finally noticed the Heartless insignia upon Lea's keffiyeh, confirming his suspicions. So he's a heartless? How's that work out...

Paul called out to Lea, "[All right Lea! I will say, I'm sorry for doing that to you, but I did need to shed light on the fact that the flaming disci (frisbees) need to stop!"

Paul grinned, and continued his speech, "Now Lea, I actually think your a great... Heartless. Yes, I saw the insignia (though it doesn't mean much to me). But please, cant we just settle this quietly? I don't want to become a volunteer fire figher"

Paul resumed his proposition, "Oh yes, and that blindness isn't permanent. You should recover in about three days. But If you do agree to play it nice, I'll leave something of a remedy for you."

Paul was not at all gloating, more so just trying to settle things down. Of course, he was still on guard, explaining his Lyre reverting back to bow form.... Ready to "Silence" his new found aquaintance.

[lunardevian]

Lea heard Paul's voice despite that fact that he couldn't see. "Alright I hear you! We'll call it a draw kay? And I guess you found out about my little secret." Lea stood up and tried to look around his surroundings for the source of Paul's voice.

"So you want to talk? Fine with me. So, what do you want?" In all honesty, Lea couldn't do much since he was blinded by Paul's atttack, "By the way, was blinding me really all that necessary?" Seriously, blindness? Did someone really have to blind someone just so they could take to that person. Sure Lea was attacking him but still.

[kokoram714]

(Do pardon my sudden not there-ness. My internet was down last night and I haven't had time to respond)

Does he think I'm... Going to kill him?!?! Paul wondered this while watching Lea's body language.

Paul meekly chuckled for a tiny bit, and then finally responded to Lea's multiple questions, "All right Lea. I'm glad we've come to an agreement!"

The blonde slowly strolled over to his (unintentional) afflicted victim, and continued, "To answer your second statement, I don't know how much of a secret it is if you go flahing that insignia on your neck-ware. I mean seriously. THIRDLY, what I want is to help you out just a tiny bit."

By this time Paul was standing pretty much next to Lea (hand on dagger in case of betrayal). The youth extracted a vial out of a concealed opening on his pack, and smiled as he looked at the remedy.

Again, Paul went on with his explanation, " And by help, I mean that you stop causing a ruckus so I don't have to blind you again: I'm kidding about that. But seriously, I have to ask you to quietly romp around, if not at all, because I don't want to have to wake up from my nap again. My, that's quite the sunburn..."

Paul set down a few of his belongings and took a swig of one of his ethers. Feelling the magic restored within himself, Paul picked up his instrument and began playing a sweet, relaxing song on his Lyre (Not going specific on this one).

He whispered twice, "Cure" and both battler's wounds began healing themselves. Paul felt relief as his burns edged away, and nothing but a slight scar to show where he was burned.

Lea, on the other hand, had his arrow wound from earlier close up, and most of his skin that was burnt from the sun was regaining some of it's natural pigment.

"All right, now that you're looking better for wares, allow me to continue my rambling. Anyway, I'll be honest; I had no idea how that was going to affect you. You see, I've never tried that on a living... or, in your case, autonomous being. So I am deeply sorry about that.

Paul knelt down and offered to help Lea stand up right. Next, he placed the vial in Lea's hand.

" You can trust me when I say this stuff works. I had to stare at the sun all day when I was younger, and I swear I couldn't see anything for hours. All right, your just going to at least attempt to pour that on your eyes, and within two minutes you should regain sight. It does somewhat sting, just to give fair warning."

Paul backed up slightly and waited for Lea to apply. Suddenly, he was struck with inspiration. He pulled out his sketch book, and just did a tiny sketch of Lea. There! Now I KNOW I'll never forget about him. Paul grinned at the thought of putting the red-head in his sketchbook.

"All right Lea! I'm going back up to my room right now! If I hear anything else about a fire, or screams... well, let's just hope we don't get that far!" Paul called back to the frisbee-wielding youth behind him, as he meandered back to the inn where he was staying.

And yet, Paul was still on his guard, and began thinking, I'll never know why I spared him... He IS a Heartless....Maybe just because I like his personality.

(We want to wrap this puppy up soon?)

[lunardevian]

(sorry for the wait Koko, haven't been well lately)

The red head kept rubbing his eyes, cause the whole not being able to see thing was annoying. "All right Lea. I'm glad we've come to an agreement!" Lea turned his attention to the footsteps he could hear that were coming close to him, "To answer your second statement, I don't know how much of a secret it is if you go flahing that insignia on your neck-ware. I mean seriously. THIRDLY, what I want is to help you out just a tiny bit. And by help, I mean that you stop causing a ruckus so I don't have to blind you again: I'm kidding about that. But seriously, I have to ask you to quietly romp around, if not at all, because I don't want to have to wake up from my nap again. My, that's quite the sunburn..."

Okay, okay, I get the point. And of course it's a bad sunburn, you gave it to me." Lea said with a smirk as he felt his injuries heal all of a sudden and being help up and have something placed in his hand he guessed it was the remedy for the blindness.

" You can trust me when I say this stuff works. I had to stare at the sun all day when I was younger, and I swear I couldn't see anything for hours. All right, your just going to at least attempt to pour that on your eyes, and within two minutes you should regain sight. It does somewhat sting, just to give fair warning."

Lea slowly applied it to his eyes and sure enough, it did sting. "Ouch, you weren't kidding." He heard something that sounded like a pencil being used to write something on paper, but he didn't care for it. "All right Lea! I'm going back up to my room right now! If I hear anything else about a fire, or screams... well, let's just hope we don't get that far!"

Lea turned to Paul's direction, his eyesight slowly coming back. "Don't worry, I was just about to leave myself." When he heard the olympian's footsteps trail away from him the Heartless opened up a dark portal behind him and began walking through. Hm...not a bad guy, maybe I should pay him a visit again. The portal closed behind Lea, leaving any trace of him from the world.

(yeah I guess that wraps this thing up, less you want to do a final post Koko)

[kokoran714]

(Sorry to YOU Lunar. You'll see why I have a new profile in the arrivals)

Paul smiled to himself as he heard Lea's farewell. My my. Been here for half an hour and I've already made a "Friend"

Paul meandered back up into his hotel room, gathering a couple of stares from the observers of the feud between he and Lea. But of course he didn't care.

As the musician finally made it back to his room, he felt his fatigue overtake him. But he couldn't just leave this encounter undocumented. Paul furiously wrote in his journal about his meeting with Lea.

After Paul had finished, he flopped onto the bed, and he drifted off to dreamland....
(FINE )