Back....Somehow.....(open)

[sumdood]

Creel popped back into existence on Traverse Town days after the mishap with the armored heartless. The stone his father had given him during the destruction of their world had teleported him to another, strange world. He'd somehow managed to survive that world and, finally a few moments ago, had gotten the stone to bring him back to Traverse Town.

He was in the middle of the First District now, people milling all about and looking nervously at the flaming sword in his right hand. He'd been using it to defend against creatures on that strange world when he'd gotten the stone to work again. He quickly deactivated Eiroch's magic and placed the white blade away in its sheath, then looked around.

Traverse Town looked the same. Everything. The shops, the cafe, all of it was exactly how it was when he'd teleported himself out. That was good. He needed a little familiarity after that whole ordeal he'd just been through.

[rayfrost]

Festis was getting annoyed. Very Annoyed. He'd been walking throughout this hellhole of a town in search for a job and all he'd found were small time gigs protecting random shops from a potential "heartless" invasion, when he hadn't even needed to do much more than swipe a few times at the heartless to destroy them. It was pathetic!

Festis had stopped to sit at a bench in the First District as he considered his options. Grrr... these pathetic pansies are annoying! Regardless, I don't have much choice in the matter, as I don't know enough about any other worlds to travel. Who should I convince to hire me...? As Festis was considering his options, his eyes caught onto a man holding a flaming blade.

The blade itself was of interest to Festis, as it seemed to be of great quality in creation. It was upon such that Festis stood up, walking over to talk to the man. Well, this is probably better than nothing.

Festis smiled slightly, more predatory than welcoming, waving his hand to grab the man's attention before speaking. He did not want to cause alarm in a potential source of money. "Hello there! I can't help but notice that you come from another world as well... are you in need of another blade? I'll work for anybody... for the right price."

Festis eyed the individual, sizing them up as he spoke. Festis felt that, even if this man did not have a good offer of money, that he would at least end up in combat, which would give Festis more pleasure than sitting around and guarding these pathetic little mongrels from pathetic little creatures for pocket change.

[sumdood]

CReel looked over as a man with a red sword and spear walked up to him, offering his blade to him. Creel had to keep from laughing, to be honest. He had just gotten back from a very hostile world. He didn't plan on getting in any fights soon. He was going to take the rest of the day to relax.

"Sorry," he said, rubbing an aching shoulder with an equally sore hand,"I'm....not quite in the mindset to fight anything right now. I just got out of a horrible situation on a dangerous world, and I'm planning on relaxing just a little."

At that moment, there was a scream heard from the direction of the gateway to the third district, and he looked over to see a big body push its way through just as someone was almost through closing it. CReel turned back to the man he'd been talking to and shook his head.

"I guess relaxing's out of the question," he said, drawing Eiroch and activating its magic,"Let's go! You get around it and take it from the back. I"ll distract it from the front."

With that, Creel extended Eiroch's blade, sending it hurtling at the Large Body.

[mizujakkaru]

The rooftops had more or less become Ruka's safe-haven. She perched on the gutter overhanging the First District and scanned the faces. The Ice Witch she had met --and lost-- had a very distinct look about her and ever since the Witch and Ruka had passed into the First District in flight of the Heartless Creel had fought off, the girl had been watching for her. If only she hadn't dropped her bow then and lost sight of the taller woman shortly there after, she might have not lost two potential companions withing half an hour.

Creel too had never shown up after wards, though she had waited for the man. She sighed and rested her chin on her knees. She should be doing something. Waiting around would get her nothing, and she knew it. Torq would have scolded her for spending so much of her time brooding and depending on others. But... he would have also laughed and said she could always depend on him to be there for her. Sweet lies like that pained people the most.

But then, from the Third District gates came a high scream. With determination she had not felt since the day she had shown her wing in Beo-Midgard just what a great marksman she was, she got to her feet and made her way across the rooftops. Surefooted as a doe she skid down the north facing slope of the roof and notched a bolt in her crossbow at expert speed. The bolt clicked into place and she rested the lath of the weapon into her hands with practice.

Aim. It was hard to miss a Large Body.

Fire. Magic. Flames entwined the bold, the tip of the metal glowing red hot. Spark of power, dwelling deep in the soul!

Loose!

The bolt flew true, striking the Heartless right as the blade of a great sword cleaved the creature in two. Fire exploded from the strike area of the shaft of the bolt in a blossom of flames that licked out across the creature.

Ruka blinked at the sword and turned her gaze to eye the weapon's owner. Her mouth fell agape. It... couldn't be.

[rayfrost]

Festis sighed inwardly, though he kept his expression the same as he listened to the man's words. Bah! This man can fight, but he chooses to cower and hide like the other mongrels. How pathetic. Festis nodded slightly in acknowledgment before turning away, only to whip around and see one of the so-called heartless - source of the sudden screams.

Festis didn't make any sign that he was listening to the man as he began to run around the large, slow creature, only to have to jump back as the heartless exploded in flames. Festis had seen the shaft of the crossbow, but had not known an explosion would result from it.

He quickly turned, glaring coldly at the individual on the roof. He didn't trust people that suddenly came into fights Festis was angered by the fact he hadn't had a chance to fight. He was also frustrated that he had failed once again to find somebody that would hire him. As it is, he felt that he would go insane with the hopelessness of his goal. Festis tightened his grip on his sword, the only outward sign of his frustration. He had a feeling that he'd find no work with this person, but some instinct in him said to wait and see instead of leaving immediately, so he did, casually walking over near the man he had just met, flicking his head slightly toward the person on the rooftop.

[sumdood]

Creel watched as Eiroch's blade cut into the Large Body some. However, a split second later, a crossbow bolt infused with magic slammed into the large heartless, and it exploded, turning the creature to black mist. Creel, his face contorted in confusion, looking in the directoin the bolt had come from, and immediately spotted a familliar face up on the rooftops.

"Ruka!" he said, dismissing Eiroch's magic and sheathing the white blade,"That was some good shooting!"

(ooc: meh....apologies for shortness, but....Idunno. I just don't know much else for Creel to do. ._. my muse has been suffering somewhat since basic training. )

[mizujakkaru]

Ruka shifted uneasily under the gaze of the red-faced man with Creel. He reminded her of her wing leader back home. That woman had been a real dragon with a real fiery temper. But Creel's words helped break her unease as a faint tinge of a blush rose to her cheeks.

She maneuvered her crossbow back into the sling like holding on her back and carefully made her way off the roof to the ground, using the gutter as a hand hold. She would not be falling on Creel a second time around, that was for sure. When he feet met the ground after a short drop, she turned and faced the two men once again.

"S-sorry, a-about the bolt. I... I mean... " Ruka fingered the hem of her shirt absently. She had obviously upset the other man, but he looked about as hard to please as a boulder. Maybe an apology would loosen that icy demeanor. Or two. "...Sor-r-ry..."

"H-hi, Creel... " the girl managed weakly in addition to her words to the unknown and, not meeting either of the men's eyes, she shuffled over to where the Large Body had been to retrieve the bolt. A weapon was best not wasted. She frowned as she examined the bolt in her fingers. The shaft had cracked. Wonderful. That was going to need mending and she already had a number of bolts in disrepair.

Still frowning, she turned back to face the two soldiers once more, bangs shading her eyes. She scolded herself mentally. She had been on the watch out for Creel, and now, having found him, was still as shy as ever.

[rayfrost]

Festis watched as the woman came down from her perch, smiling warmthlessly at her as he hears her apologize. "Nothing you can do about it now - the bolt's been fired, the heartless destroyed." Festis spoke in a way that at once showed his displeasure while also making it seem like he had forgiven her. No need to cause difficulties for myself - I need those that hire me to trust me, even if they shouldn't.

As he watched the girl named Ruka, it became quite obvious to him that she was shy, considering her consistent stutter and demeanor. Festis stretched his back slightly, turning an eye toward Creel, arching an eyebrow questioningly. "I assume that the heartless appearing in the first district when you arrive is just a coincidence?" The tone Festis used conveyed the fact he thought otherwise, as well as giving a subtle reminder of his previous offer to Creel.

[sumdood]

Creel looked over at Ruka as she spoke to him, shy as ever. She really was socially awkward, wasn't she?

"It's good to see you're in one piece Ruka," Creel said as the other man came up. He turned to him as he asked about the heartless and Creel just shrugged,"I have no clue. It could have followed me here, I suppose, but I doubt it. there would have been no way to know where I was going when I left. I didn't even know myself."

[mizujakkaru]

Ruka nodded mutely to the other man. She could sense the stony demeanor and tone in the warrior... but the subtle change in tone also keyed towards forgiveness. So maybe, just maybe, things weren't so bad.

Still gripping the split bolt, she shifted closer to her fellow humans, since she had stepped away to gather the item in the first place. She turned her eyes up to them slightly and nodded to Creel's statement.

"I-it is good to b-be in one piece... a-and to see t-the same of you."

[rayfrost]

Festis lightly rested the blunt end of his sword upon his shoulder, considering his options here. So... the girl is shy and the man a coward. I hate these kinds of people, but the man seems to be a magnet for battle, which should be perfect in finding a being that will hire me. Whether or not they'll be able to defend themselves, it is obvious that neither of them wish to enter combat... this may be my best chance.

Festis turned to look at them both for his offer. Festis attempted to keep his voice calm and rational while still open and friendly at the same time. "As I've already told you, Creel, I'm a mercenary. It's quite obvious to me just by what little I've seen and heard so far that neither of you wish to fight even though you are capable. Because of this, I offer my blade. Usually, I'd require money, but the chump change the cowards around here pay me is an insult at best, so I feel it's better to just not be paid. I see this as a win-win situation. I get my share of battle, and neither of you need to fight. Do you find this deal... appropriate? From what I've seen, Creel, you are an attraction to battle and trouble. You'll likely need all the help you can get."

[sumdood]

Creel just looked at Festis with a raised eyebrow. This guy was really itching for a fight, wasn't he? What was with him? Creel could sympathize with enjoying a fight. He was one of those that got enjoyment out of the fight itself, though not necessarily the outcome, most especially if someone was killed during the fight. But, even so, he didn't go around looking for trouble.

He just let out a small sigh and scratched his head, his fingers running over the large bruise that his hair had hidden. He winced as it happened. He'd forgotten that was there, damn heartless. They'd hit him hard when he'd shown up on that strange world. He'd had to run for his life for damn near a week straight, hardly having a moment's peace. Through the whole seven days, he'd probably gotten no more than 16 hours' worth of sleep, and that was stretching it.

His entire body ached, and he just wanted to take a little time to recuperate from the experience and get some sleep. He had his own home here to stay at, that he'd been graciously given by the people in return for his services of protection from the Heartless. He was going to go there, slip into the bed within, and drift off into something he felt would resemble a coma.

"Look, Festis, I'm sorry....but I don't see how I can use your services. I don't know how long you've been here in Traverse Town, but the First District doesn't get that many Heartless. Attacks like that Large Body a few minutes ago are rare. It was probably following someone else. I have a house here, and I fully intend to rest there. If you want to stay out here in hopes that another Heartless just happens to come in here, that's your prerogative.

"But, in case you're not already aware, you're playing with a very dangerous enemy. One small slip up.....they steal your heart and you become one of them. And I'm sure you wouldn't enjoy that. My recommendation is to not go looking for trouble. It'll probably find you soon enough anyway. It always does around here."

[kiss]

(I'm back... o;;o)

Victoria had been following Festis for quite some time. It was something she did with random people, and she had nothing interesting to do; no worthy bounties to take, no people to stun and bring to Arren... life at Traverse Town was becoming really boring. It had been a while since the last time she had gone to Olympus as she searched for Mark Henry. Of course, he wasn't there, but she had found a couple of interesting people. She had checked if there were any bounties on their heads, but no luck. The woman had just guessed that they weren't as strong as they seemed.

Victoria had had a hard time hiding in the Accessory Shop roof. Of course, being in her water forme worked, but she could swear a few people looked up and wondered if it was raining for a second. Suddenly, however, things got interesting: a Large Body from the Third District has entered the area. That, of course, surprised Victoria, but what REALLY got her attention was one of the citizens' sword. It was white, and it was surrounded by flames after a moment. The raven haired man sure knew how to handle that blade.

But he didn't finish the Large Body; no, a flaming arrow had come out of nowhere to impact the Heartless and defeat it. Victoria sighed, trying to find the source of the attack. Fire manipulation was now appearantly an illness, one spreading quickly. Suddenly, the hero jumped from a rooftop. Or should she say heroine. The bounty hunter was bored; getting acquaintanced with the trio could remove certain... dificulties if one of them turned out to be wanted. She had to re-check the bounty list later. Going back to her human forme, the woman jumped off the rooftop and approached the trio, just to hear the following words.

"As I've already told you, Creel, I'm a mercenary. It's quite obvious to me just by what little I've seen and heard so far that neither of you wish to fight even though you are capable. Because of this, I offer my blade. Usually, I'd require money, but the chump change the cowards around here pay me is an insult at best, so I feel it's better to just not be paid. I see this as a win-win situation. I get my share of battle, and neither of you need to fight. Do you find this deal... appropriate? From what I've seen, Creel, you are an attraction to battle and trouble. You'll likely need all the help you can get."

"Now now, let's not get problem-holic. It's not good for your health... or reputation as a mercenary. How about you go home, have a nice cup of tea with a chill pill and calm down. Sounds like a good plan to me." Victoria smirked, her enjoyment easily detected. She was sassy; a fast talking, no nonsense woman. Good personality for a bounty hunter if you ask me. The woman looked at the other two humans, the ones who had fought the Large Body. "Forgive my lack of manners. I'm Victoria, the best bounty hunter in this part of the galaxy. And that's not be bragging, that's a fact." She looked at Creel before continuing. "Your skills with the blade are really impressive, as if it was a third arm of yours. And you girl," She gazed at Ruka for a moment before smiling. "You're good with that crossbow of yours. You would make a good hunter."

Yeah, it was good to be back for business.

[mizujakkaru]

Ruka blinked at the mercenary and the newcomer, a bounty hunter. Back home, she would have been told to avoid these sorts of people. Sell-swords were looked down on in Drasil, where everyone was either in the army or they helped the nation in similar form. Bounty hunters... were not a common profession either, though she didn't think they had been looked down upon.

But, this was not Drasil. And the Heartless were everywhere. So there was no reason to be haughty.

After all, at least these three people appeared to have ample amounts of courage. Enough to step forward instead of backwards, in any case.

She blushed and nodded her thanks to the woman at the compliment. Many had told her she was a good shot. The only problem she encountered was when the enemies were too close. She could lose herself in a fighter's trance if she was fighting from a distance, though.

"Th-thank you..."

[sumdood]

Creel looked at the new woman walking up. What was this? Why were so many people coming up to him? He just wanted rest! Was that so much to ask?

He gave a weary sigh and rubbed his face with his hands. He was already feeling lightheaded from the fatigue and lack of sleep. This was starting to wear on his nerves. However, he just gave a small smile and nodded at the new girl who walked up as she commented on his skills with his weapons.

"It's nothing. I've been fighting with swords with enchantments like this my whole life," he said, giving a shrug,"You learn how to use them well, when you do that."