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Post by DanteMGalileo on Feb 13, 2019 18:29:05 GMT -5
"This is the only place nearby that I can think of. You sure you don't want to find somewhere else?"
"No... No, this is fine. Flint was a winter dragon. He'd rather have his remains be claimed by the cold."
Having stopped just long enough to get some winter clothes and a ride up north, Will and Val had arrived at a forest at the foot of the mountains. According to Loba, angels were typically not fond of cold climates and tended to avoid them. All the better for them. Will turned to Val, nodding, before taking a few more steps into the forest, still holding Flint's body. "Tell me when." One step, two steps, three steps...
"That's fine. You can set him down now." Will stopped, and slowly, carefully kneeling down, set down Flint's body. Val walked up to her brother's corpse. Oh, if only she had gotten any ice powers! She would have loved to freeze the tears that were threatening to pour! But no. Now was not the time to lament her deficiencies. Now it was time to give Flint his last rites. With shaking hands and knees, she knelled down before him. Carefully, she removed his necklace, bracelets, and gold chain. These would be incorporated later. But for now...
"Is that all?"
"Yes. Flint's most treasured possessions were his gold and gemstones." Slowly, the two stood up, and beckoned for those joining them to come closer.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Feb 13, 2019 18:45:12 GMT -5
Paul kept his head held low throughout practically the entire trip. Even with the minimalist covering of a single, lightweight downy coat, the cold did not bother him. The only thing that seemed to be on his mind was the clear and present amount of guilt he felt for these events. He never spoke unless spoken to. He had so much he wanted to say, but he did not feel that now was the right time to say it. If Val wanted Paul to spill his guts, he would wait for her to ask for it.
He did cast the occasional glance at his brother. Scott had likewise remained tactfully silent as they prepared this makeshift funeral, offering up only the odd bit of practical advice as needed. Now, dressed in as many layers as the robust officer needed for the trek, Scott observed the proceedings while standing at attention, gazing down at the shapeshifter's still form with nothing but a firm expression of respect.
If this is what Flint would have wanted, who were Paul and Scott to question it?
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Post by ColArana on Feb 13, 2019 22:13:50 GMT -5
Ranuen had been eerily quiet since they'd begun their trek up to the North Mountain. Appropriately, perhaps, seeing how this was a funeral procession. He watched Will and Val moving ahead, without uttering a sound. He'd used Paul as a taxi service for the first part of the journey. He'd wanted to conserve his strength for this. He felt... that was the respectful thing to do. And now was walking alongside the group through the snow. It briefly reminded him of when he'd met Paul. The nostalgia stung at him a little, as he glanced over at the dragon man. This is where they'd met after all. Maybe even what had caused him to get pulled into this whole messy affair in the first place. ...Didn't matter. Internally, Ranuen was beating himself up inside, for failing to prevent this.
But this wasn't the time for bitching and moaning. It wasn't time for a pity party or anything like that. There would be time for regrets, remorse and cursing himself later. This was a time for respect and consolation. Despite not wearing any winter clothing, in nothing but a muscle shirt and light pants, Ranuen stood in the cold, legs half buried in the snow, stoically observing the funeral of Flint. As Val beckoned them closer, Ranuen approached and drew his blade, lightly placing it tip down in the snow before him. Hearing Val's statement about Flint's desire for the cold, he did not use any of his fire, but stood now. Still as a statue, like a knight of old, standing sentinel for the dead, eyes cast at Flint's body. He had wondered, as they'd climbed the mountain, if Flint might not have wanted a little last warmth and heat to take with him to the other side, but unless Val asked, he would refrain from doing anything. This was her family afterall, and she called the shots.
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Feb 13, 2019 22:31:20 GMT -5
"... Are you sure you're ready? I-If you need time-"
"No... No, I have to do this. If I can't mourn him, I'll never move on." Val knelled down again in the snow, taking each of Flint's hands in her own. She closed her eyes, and spoke again.
"From nature you were born,
And to nature you shall return.
Son of the snow.
Although we yearn,
We know that you must rest,
As you are blessed.
Your spirit shall live on,
In those who live on.
Here lies Flint.
A great son."
Val's hands were shaking. She looked down, trying to hide her tears. Will knelled down with her, placing a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her. Sniffle.
"If there is anything anyone else would like to say, say it now, or keep it to yourself."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Feb 13, 2019 22:55:30 GMT -5
Scott took a deep breath and, retaining his straight posture, bowed his head to the deceased. He fully acknowledged that he was not a sentimental man by nature, and he knew that anything he could possibly contribute might have been interpreted as insincere or too pragmatic. After all, he barely knew Flint. What could he say that would hold any resonance? At the very least, Scott clasped his hands and offered a silent prayer for Flint and his family, and though his words were hushed, no one could look him in the face and deny that his gesture was completely genuine.
Paul, on the other hand... he took a few steps forward, standing next to Will and Val, staring forlornly at Flint's peaceful expression. It took him a while to choke up the words he wanted to say, but after taking a deep, steamy breath, he pulled himself together and offered his eulogy, remarkably keeping his voice clear and level the whole way through...
"I know we didn't know each other that well. I know that... I may not have made the best first impression. But you saw a kindred spirit in me nonetheless. You came to my aid, and I feel only gratitude for that kind of passion. Maybe in another life, we could've gotten to know each other a little better. But... in this case... I feel like I need to claim some responsibility for the damage done. This was my fight. This shouldn't have happened to you. And I want to do... everything in my power to right this."
A tear slipped down his cheek, but still his voice did not crack. His knuckles popped as he gripped his fist. Static sparked around his arm, a phenomenon he barely seemed to notice. "I swear... I will not let this be in vain. I will not let that monster get away with the devastation he's caused. When I go back out there and repay him in spades... I'll think of you, Flint."
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Post by ColArana on Feb 13, 2019 23:27:06 GMT -5
Ranuen observed the ceremony that Val put on for her brother. He (along with everyone else) could clearly see and hear how close she was to breaking down, but he tried to ignore it. Well... I hope... you're in a better place at least, Flint. He thought, reflecting on his very limited time he'd spent with him. That distance let him keep a cool head here, but seeing how broken Val was over this still reached out and touched Ranuen. When she offered if anyone wanted to say anything, Ranuen took some time to compose himself, and discern his next words, patiently waiting his turn. After Paul spoke, Ranuen also advanced, leaving his sword marking his previous spot in the snow.
"I.... didn't get a chance to really get to know you before, Flint. ...Now... I won't get that chance. The very short time we've known each other though, I think I would have liked to. I can see from everyone around you, that you were someone who was worth knowing. I won't forget you. None of us will. And we'll avenge you. We'll find a way. So Flint... rest easy. And be at peace. I think you've earned it." He said solemnly before stepping back into his previous place. He wanted to say more. To promise that nobody else would have to meet the same fate. That he'd watch out for the people here, including Val. But they'd have been hollow words, and Ranuen did not feel right making such a promise that he knew he was uncertain in his ability to keep. Ranuen hated that. He hated that he could not give that assurance to the dead. That... his strength wasn't enough to protect people.
That... has to change. He thought. I have to find a way...
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Feb 14, 2019 11:37:10 GMT -5
"... Flint." Will looked up at the body lying on the ground, peaceful in death, unbothered by the unforgiving cold. The wind bit at his face, but he didn't care at the moment. Val needed someone to cling to now. "I'm sorry I never got to know you beyond Val's brother and occasional stealer of chickens." Maybe... maybe wherever he was now, Flint was enjoying all the chickens he wanted. "I swear this. We will bring your killer to justice. I promise I'll protect Val in your absence." He rubbed Val's shoulder. She needed someone now. Might as well be him.
"Flint..." Val stammered, pulling her headband low on her face, hair falling into her eyes. "I'll make that damned wyrm pay. I'll find Dad... or maybe you already found him? I-If you did... please... give me a sign." The wind blew some snow into her face, dusting along her hair. Standing up with her hair still dusted with snow, Val prompted Will to follow. "... That's all."
"No burial?"
"Not yet. The pelt tradition is to leave the body out for scavengers... Bury only the bones..."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Feb 14, 2019 15:36:56 GMT -5
Paul stared at Val, the tightness in his chest twisting. The dominant emotion in his psyche right then was guilt. He could only imagine what she was feeling. Outliving someone that close to you –a brother, no less– was a terrible burden, especially when both the victim and the mourner were that young. When they both still had so much that they could've accomplished. Val and Flint didn't deserve this. No one did. Paul wanted so badly to offer his condolences to Val, but everything he could think of was trite and cliche, and he couldn't bring himself to offer something so weak. All he could muster was a soft, somber "I'm... I'm sorry..."
He looked down at Flint one last time, taking a deep breath, exhaling his final words warmly and solemnly. "Vinxa, isthasy."
Then he turned around and walked away, if only to give Val the space and the time that she needed. Will was more qualified to provide a shoulder for her. Paul was just the idiot Flint died trying to help.
Scott looked up in time to see his little brother depart, watching as he put a few yards between himself and Flint's body and sat down beneath a tree. There was something about Paul's parting words; it was a language Scott had never heard before and wasn't even sure when Paul had learned it, and yet he swore he could understand perfectly what was being conveyed.
He looked back at Will, Val and Flint. From nature you were born, and to nature you shall return. Scott hadn't said anything about it out of respect, but for a while, he couldn't quite wrap his head around these pelt burial rites, not because they were nonsensical, but because they were so detached from what he as a human was accustomed to. Now he could see the poignancy of it all. He could see that sense of nurturing that had led Flint to try to save Paul, and now would be used to give life to the world around him. It was brutal, but then again, so were the circumstances. It just felt right for a dragon.
The scene was honestly starting to get to him. He had nothing more to give. Eventually, Scott decided that the best thing he could do was let Val mourn her brother. He had his own to worry about.
Scott leaned against the tree, staring down at Paul. Paul sat with his arms on his knees, head down, saying nothing.
"Paul..." Scott mulled over his words for a moment, running a hand through his hair. "This isn't your fault. You didn't ask for that fight. He was just trying to protect you. You would've done the same for any of us."
"I know..." Paul wheezed softly. "I just... don't know what to do about it."
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Post by ColArana on Feb 14, 2019 23:21:00 GMT -5
Ranuen's head was bowed as Val explained the final rites of the funeral. Leave the body out for scavengers. It seemed... disrespectful to Ranuen. But then, this was not his funeral. It was not his brother that had died. If this was what Val believed Flint wanted, who was he to object. He slowly drew back, to join with Paul and Scott, once more giving Val and Will space. He couldn't look Val in the eye. Like Paul, he felt responsible for this. He was certain a lot of people felt responsible for it.
Ranuen walked over to Will and Scott, the snow crunching underfoot as he approached them. He overheard the last of their conversation as they went on. "...Is there a way to awaken your powers further, Paul?" He asked. "If you're a reincarnation of this other dragon, or... whatever that son-of-a-bitch was talking about." He stated. "If we're going to kill him for this. We need to get stronger. Because we can't do it as we are, no matter how much we want to." His fist was still clenched in an iron grip, and Ranuen seemed unaware of it now. "We're going to need to find a way...."
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Feb 15, 2019 13:30:15 GMT -5
"Well... What are you going to do next?" Will and Val had stopped to sit down on a large rock outside the forest. Val's head was down, trying desperately not to cry. Will placed a hand in her's. "If you need to cry, don't be afraid. I won't think any less of you."
"Y-You don't understand." Val sniffled, blaming it on the cold and not her repressed feelings. "You've always been open with your feelings. I'm not used to f-feeling this way. I couldn't afford to be this way." Oh gods, she hated this feeling. She wished she was like the snow now- cold and unfeeling. "For most of my life, ever since we lost Dad, I've had to be strong and pretend I don't feel anything. I... I'm scared. What if... What if Dad's actually dead? Then it would all be for naught." A gust of freezing wind blew past the pair, sprinkling their clothes and hair with diamond dust.
... In response to the gust, Will clenched his free hand into a fist, before allowing it to open again. An ember of fire burned on his palm for a moment, before flickering away into nothing. Val blinked; he'd never exhibited even minor magical abilities to her before. "You..."
In response, Will gave a sad smile. "... You're not alone when it comes to paternal issues. If you want to know mine, ask later. But please... if you need to get it out, you can do so now. I'm not going to judge you."
Sniffle. A suppressed whine. And then, Val leaned into Will, tears flowing down her face, almost crystallized. Will placed a hand on Val's back, rubbing comforting circles. Around the pair, gusts of icy wind blew around them, muffling the gross sobbing.
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Feb 16, 2019 12:13:16 GMT -5
Paul sadly glanced back at Will and Val, picking up on the latter's cries despite his best efforts to drown them out. He hated eavesdropping, but given his sensitive hearing, he couldn't always help it. He knew Val needed to get this out, and more power to her in that regard; there was no shame in grief. It was just that the depressing atmosphere only emphasized how useless Paul felt, questioning how he could help this poor woman.
He looked up at Ranuen, soaking in his friend's questions and his want to improve his power. Hammer, meet nail.
A hand rested on his sternum. "If there is more to tap into, I definitely haven't figured out how. Every time I've ever tapped into my dragon soul, it's been by pure instinct at best and accident at worst. The one time I actively tried to breathe lightning, nothing happened."
"Hey, you did only discover you had lightning powers yesterday, right?" Scott offered with a light shrug. "Instinct or not, rarely does someone master anything that complicated in two days."
"Well, one way or another, I'm gonna have to if I'm gonna stand a chance against Vutezoth again, not to mention the angels." Paul held his hand out and cast it a hard frown. "I can't just stand by and be the support friend while everyone else is busting their butts out there. I need to learn how to control this. I... I won't let anyone else die because of me."
"Paul..." Scott slowly shook his head. Did Paul not hear him say that this wasn't his fault? "I'm not gonna let you wallow in self-pity. If you want a power boost so badly, I say you might as well have at it."
After a moment of awkward silence, Paul did a double-take and stared up at his brother. He wasn't sure what he had expected from Scott, but it definitely wasn't a green light. "Really?"
"Like you said, we have some pretty intense opposition. We may as well try our best to match it." A ghost of a smirk crossed Scott's face. "You're bound to have a well of untapped potential, I'm sure."
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Post by ColArana on Feb 17, 2019 13:14:40 GMT -5
Ranuen determinedly did not turn around when he heard Val's crying, knowing that, based on what he'd seen... she wouldn't want anyone to see her like this. Burying his focus in the situation at hand. "There must be someone on this island that knows something. Even if they don't know you specifically, there has to be someone that can either awaken your other self, or teach you to release your former power." He stated. "...As for me... I have to find a way as well." Ranuen was averting his eyes from meeting the others. "For almost twenty years I've lived and breathed fighting. To make myself the strongest I can be. ...And all that amounted to was slightly irritating that things' eyes. Two decades of back-breaking training and my entire contribution could have been thwarted by a pair of sunglasses." He growled out.
"So... I'm going to need to find a way to grow stronger as well Paul. You're not the only one. We can't let there be another Flint."
At Scott's comment, Ranuen nodded in agreement. "...We're alive here because of you, Paul. You did something to him that messed up that acid breath of his and prevented him from using it properly. If he'd been able to freely use that... there'd be a lot more bodies to bury today." He added.
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Post by DanteMGalileo on Feb 17, 2019 15:09:07 GMT -5
"..."
"..."
The cold winds intensified around the pair. Val's crying had slowed down, but trails still ran from her eyes. Will looked up, briefly hearing things about power augmentation. He figured he's catch up once Val had gotten all this out of her system. For now, she needed a friend.
They were certain that by now, an animal had found Flint's body. No use looking back; they would rather remember him healthy and mostly-intact, not half-eaten by bears and whatnot. "... Hey, Val..." There was a muffled sob into his chest. "... What's next after this?"
"I don't know..." Val was glad to be muffled against Will's chest, nobody could hear how congested she was. "I want... I want to kill that dragon... But... I also... wanna find my dad..."
"I... I'm not sure if we can help you with your dad, sorry..." Another sniffle into his chest. "But... but I think we wanna make that dragon pay, too..." He brushed his hand along her hair for a moment before quickly retracting it, unsure if he should be crossing such boundaries. "Well... that damn thing had it out for one of us... I'm sure we'll find it again, one way or another..."
"T-T-Then it's settled... I'm coming with you..."
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Post by ParamountKeymaster on Feb 19, 2019 14:51:41 GMT -5
"Y-Yeah... Yeah." Paul wiped some stray tears out of his eyes before nodding to Scott and Ranuen. "There's gotta be someone out there who knows a thing or two about lightning, if nothing else. If I can at least get a handle on that, I could do some serious damage to Vutezoth. And... And Leanne! She has fire magic! Maybe she could give you some pointers, Ranuen. At this point, I'll take whatever advice we can get over complete cluelessness."
"Certainly inclined to agree with you there." Scott rubbed his shoulder and flexed his arm. He was still a little sore from getting smacked around by that infernal dragon. "As for me... honestly, I'm not sure what to do in this situation. I don't think magic's for me, but I also doubt a pistol's gonna do as much damage on these guys."
"What about Val?" Paul offered. "She has that magic cane staff. Maybe she could point you in the right direction."
"Hm. I wouldn't be opposed to that."
Paul stood up and looked back at Will and Val again, a sad sort of resolve in his face as he studied the young woman in particular. "Seems like Val's gonna be sticking with us for a while. I'm glad she is. With Seeker missing, she'll need someone to lean on." His eyes slowly fell to the ground. "I think I owe it to her to take that brute down a peg."
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Post by ColArana on Feb 19, 2019 21:49:48 GMT -5
Ranuen pondered Paul's words for a moment. "Leanne seems to use her magic differently than I do though. She seems to use it as her primary way of fighting, I use it to supplement my fighting ability. But it couldn't hurt to ask. Where did she get off to anyways?" He pondered briefly. Then focused back to Paul. "Do we have access to any particularly powerful magic users, or knowledgeable people? Wait... It might sound cliche, but, should we head to the club? Lots of people pass through there, maybe one of the owners there heard something." He suggested.
At Scott's point as well, Ranuen's brow furrowed, deep in thought. "...It's not... really my style. But. I'd be amazed if there wasn't somewhere on this island that packed some really heavy firepower. You're right your pistol's probably not much. But who knows. Maybe there's somewhere around here that packs a BFG9000 or something." He suggested.
As far as Val was concerned though, Ranuen nodded. "That's... that's fair enough." He sighed. "Well. I hope Will can help keep her spirits up at least. As much as can be managed anyway..."
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