Saga: Amongst the Green Army

[Kaworu - Horatio]

Shannon put his hands behind his head and laughed at the child's constant reference to being a deamon so he walked over near the child, "Look kid, you don't know who we are but we've all had our run in with things that scare even you and your supposed deamon self. But if you want a real deamon then just look right at me because that's what I am so in less you wanna my deamon side I suggest you settle down with all this being tough crap, because seriously none of us are scared of it since we've been fighting terrors since you were a twinkle in your ancestors eye" expressed Shannon in a slightly louder and more annoyed voice then usual.

It was rare that he ever got annoyed with anything and more so was less liking the fact he was a deamon but sometimes you just gotta weed out the weak ones, because at least being a deamon gives a little respect and usually means you're quite a strong person not to be messed with. After turning his back on the child and returning to where he previously stood Shannon laughed a little again and then composed himself giving the parasitic child a stare.

[Aion]

Set him on fire? Aion responded with a blank stare and startled murmur. "Wait! I swear...that wasn't my intention. Honest!" The Nenian admitted nervously. The general only wanted to connect with the child through a show of power, he didn't expect to be accused of attempting to harm him. Why was he acting this way; so aggressive and confrontational?

Aion's eyes widened as Kaworu explained the child's condition. "Ah...that explains it." He nodded in response to the angel. So this "demon" was a normal child after all? Everything started coming together. He must have been given a hard time due to his appearance; and it was easy enough to tell that he was on his own. The Nenian could relate, his life was spent growing up in a village where he was one of a kind; his behavior being somewhat the same as the child before him. It was his only true way of getting the attention he craved, which ironically, only made the differences between himself and his peers much more apparent.

The general regained his composure in time to shoot Shannon a quick, but stern, glare. Almost as if he was demanding that his companion "step back and stay silent". He understood the frustration Shannon felt, the child's behavior was inexcusable, but this was a situation that the more mature members of the group should handle; otherwise it could become worse. "I apologize for our disrespect, demon." The Nenian responded as he set his gaze back on the child. While he wanted to force the boy back into reality, perhaps playing along with his illusion was for the best. "As my friend stated, we're lacking food at the moment. However, if you can lead us to Steffson through a safe and quick route, perhaps we can work out a deal...."

[Ryan - Loki]

"Memorizing what I say is fine, but don't be afraid to challenge my teaching every now and then. I'm still new at this."

Aion had offered Seth a friendly smile and the young prince could not stop himself, not that he wanted to, from accepting it with one of his own. It was only now that Seth realised how much younger Aion appeared in contrast to his previous teacher. Though wise of the world and the ways of war it had been easy to forget that Aion was still young. Much Seth would have to learn from Aion, but Seth finally understood that there was much that they would learn together; in truth, this was Seth’s first real lesson.

"Ow. Hey, not very nice..."

Despite having a gash across the back of his palm the general remained extremely quiet. It would have been hard to tell Aion had even been injured if he hadn’t had directly spoke about it, though even his voice seemed too still and calm.

"Now watch closely..."

Due to standing behind the general Seth couldn’t properly see what they were meant to be “watching closely”, not even when he tilted himself to the side for a better view. Somewhat frustrated, and disappointed when he realised the display was over, Seth returned himself to his upright position behind the general. Suddenly his attention was drawn away from the small group now behind him, as he had turned his back to face Aion’s back. His attention was quickly fading from the current disturbance.

"Go away birds! This is my food!”

The voice was faint, so faint Seth instantly considered that it may have simply been the wind, but there was no wind blowing between the trees. It had been a voice, no more than an echo bouncing off of the trees all around them. Without knowing where he was going Seth began to move away from the group, listening carefully to the echo he could hear and trying to trace where it was coming from. Ryan had once taught him how to extend his senses, how to heighten them, but he couldn’t concentrate enough to do so; it would have frustrated him if he was so concerned about the voice.

He had moved quite some bit away from the group now; they were out of sight though he could still hear them. The voice had grown louder. It was all around him. Spinning in a circle Seth quickly realised that he had no idea where it was coming from! Not until he saw a young girl running from a flock of birds. It was quite the bizarre sight. Unsure of what to do Seth simply darted forward towards her as she ran past. He flung his arms in the air and flapped them about and he screamed like a crazed bird.

“KAR! KA-KAR!” he screamed and repeated it. The birds took one look at the humanoid running towards them, made some “KAR” noises of their own and broke off from their attack on the young woman. Slowly Seth brought himself to a stop and ceased the flapping of his arms, a broad smile replacing the noises that had been erupting from his mouth just seconds ago. If only the general of my teacher could see me now. I am a REAL hero! it was a somewhat delusional thought, though also true – in a sense.

Now able to focus on the young lady more properly Seth could instantly tell she was somewhat older than he was, though not by an extremely large amount. “Hey…” he said, somewhat nervously. “Are you ok?”

[Kaworu - Horatio]

The twins Cyrene & Marien had followed the Prince when they saw him start to wonder off and only did so to make sure he didn't get lost or hurt, but they stuck to the trees and out of sight encase the Prince got annoyed with being followed but once they saw who he found they just hung back till he was finished. While in turn looking back to the group from their higher up position giving them a good view of what else was going on, and laughed as they saw Shannon go off at the little parasite boy because they've never seen him get angry or annoyed with anything least of all children.

Back at the main core of the group Kaworu walked up behind Shannon and smacked him in the back of the head "Sorry about him, it's not often he gets pissed off so he usually goes off well and he's usually better with children but I think all the craziness of late has gotten too him" explained Kaworu as Shannon crossed his arms and looked back towards where the twins went off.

Kaworu got down on one knee as Aion was talking to the kid at his own eye level and Kaworu knew as someone who looked after kids to know they don't like being talked down too, so in eye level with the boy Kaworu gave one of his winning smiles "Sorry about my friend, he's just a bit aggravated due to a lot of travel anyway if you can help us we can help you. Be that with food or other information but strings come attached to this and that includes no more scratching any of us, but anyway if you can help us I'm sure we can get you some food or whatever else you may need along the way" kindly but not disrespectfully expressed Kaworu.

[[The child]]

If Shannon want the Rellian to quiet down, he was heading in the wrong direction. Each word was taken as an insult; adding fuel to the all ready roaring fire. The child couldn't stand Shannon, that he said was a real demon and that he's going to beat him up. All challenges were seen as a threat, especially when it's followed by laughing and staring. "You're the liar! I'm a demon! You're a normal person who is a liar! I should kill you for disrespecting me!"

He crotches down, as if he was going to charge at Shannon. that was because he actually was, until, "I apologize for our disrespect, demon." Aion had luckily stopped the assault. It was a good thing that he didn't try to set reality in which it actually was; it clearly failed when Shannon did. The Rellian slowly got out of his position, getting the feeling that Aion was the leader and that the others weren't going to do anything without his say so. Again, trusting them was another issue.

"Stafon?" He didn't clearly hear the name to place, but figured it was the people living in a group, which he happened to be chased out of earlier. Of course, he showed how much he loved the place, "Why do you want to go to that stupid place! You think you're going to hide in there so can give me nothing! It's not safe for me!" Returning a glare back at Shannon, "If he's a demon, he wouldn't be safe either."

Kaworu also helped calmed the child down, though he was agitated by one reference. "I'm not a child..." To him, children were smaller versions of people in which they are helpless. He wasn't a normal person or helpless. The person's smile was unusual, never has he seen that facial gesture when it wasn't laughing. He made the same promise of Aion, "You didn't hear me? I want to know how I'm going to bring you there, without you just hiding there without giving me anything!"

The child was no longer in kill mode. He was going to cautiously go with what they say; until he realized three were missing from the group. Getting defensive again, "Where are they! If they are coming behind me, I'll kill you all!" They distracted me! He looks behind them, But they'll attack me if I don't watch them either! His head keeps rapidly look back and forth. He's not going to let them catch him off guard.

[Kaworu - Horatio]

"Settle down mate, there was a girl screaming in the distance before you appeared so some of the younger members went to have a look at what it is, and I'm sorry for the comment of you being a child and as for Shannon he is a deamon but he just keeps a human look. And we're not going to hide from you for one we're all honourable people and second we don't run in less we're scared or unsure, and being that I've run into people of your kind I'm not unsure or scared and I doubt that the others are either

And no disrespect meant young man but you shouldn't assume you can take people on before you know what and who they are but like we said, you help us get to Stefson and we'll help you with food along the way and when we get there so there's no reason to get nasty" explained Kaworu as he felt like he getting nowhere with this kid but he knew if there was trouble he knew how to subdue the little parasite deamon but hoped it'd never come to that because he's never raised his arm or power towards a child and hopes not to in the future.

[Aion]

Aion was glad to hear that the child had at least some idea of their destination. However, his joy was stolen from him a mere second later when the boy came to the realization that the others had disappeared. "As my friend said, the others won't harm you." The Nenian assured the boy.

Next came the additional demand from the "demon": How could the group prove they'd keep their word? He may have been only a child, but he was intelligent enough to ask for some insurance beforehand; this presented a problem. The group had nothing of value in their possession to offer him until they reach Steffson. There was absolutely no way to sweep away this issue of trust by conventional means.

There was no point in lying, this child probably wasn't one to fall for cheap trade tricks; if there was a single thing that stood out about him, other than his appearance, it was his distrust of people, a good trait to have, the Nenian thought. Even if Aion had offered up his jacket, the boy would just ask if he could prove it's worth.

The only option left was to pray that the boy would be at least a little sympathetic to the truth. "We're searching for someone and have reason to believe he's living in Steffson." Aion answered, pausing for a short time to think over his next few words. "We can't prove we won't leave you as soon as we reach our destination. However, we can promise you that we won't. You have my word, that as long as you travel by our side, you'll be under our protection." The general spoke yet again, hoping that the compassion and honesty behind his words would somehow break through the child's mistrustful nature.

There wasn't much else they could say, either the child would place his trust in the Nenian and the Angel, or he wouldn't; the group couldn't waste any more time.

[[The child]]

The two had managed to calm him down. They were only sucesful due to their track record of not attacking him. He doesn't believe Kaworu that Shannon is a demon; but felt he and Aion weren't going to attack him. He was obviously cautious; if anyone does something wrong, it'll set an alarm in the Rellian's head that they were lying so they can kill him.

"They better be only doing that... And you better give me food for this," was his responce to the angel. His tone was hinted with slight annoyance, as he doesn't want to find out that the next time he runs into them is when they attack him from behind. Next he listened to what Aion said. The child hated that the General wasn't giving anything tangable for the trust. That and he had a question, "You wounldn't protect me if there's a group of people! You would just leave me as they won't attack you! I bet they would kill you only if you bring me with you into the town."

The Rellian then came up of a way for insurnce that he won't be attacked and will get food. "Give my the biggest weapon you have. I will take you close to the place. If you give me food, then I give it back. Do that and I'll take you." Though he wasn't a weapon user, he thought if he had the biggest weapon that they can't attack him from a distance. The nasty thing about spears is they were able to pierce the bone, as well as it allows the attacker not to get within being-clawed range.

[Kaworu - Horatio]

Kaworu sighed mostly because the biggest weapon they had besides their own power was actually in Kaworu's arsenal and also about the kid's comment about leaving him to the mercy of a crowd, "Look mate, we've already said we're honourable people meaning we'll stick by our word and what makes you think the angry crowd you speak of isn't after us, but what I mean by that is that we protect those with us and I'm not sure you'll want the biggest weapon we have as I happen own it

So I warn you to be careful with it, not in the fact it's breakable more in the fact it may retaliate to any hostilities you have towards it and also sucks energy out of the air and the holder, so fair warning there and also that I'm about to summon the weapon so don't freak out about that either because you asked for our biggest weapon and we kinda lost our dragon a ways back" explained Kaworu as he put his hands to his side and took out a couple of sticks.

Knowing the kid may freak anyway Kaworu produced the sticks that turned into kamas at the flick of a wrist then while still having them in view of the little deamon, Kaworu stuck the weapons together and twisted them which caused them to be turned into the double scythe he used back in the battle that brought them here to this time. So once the double scythe finished forming Kaworu kept it out at arms length, in such a way as it wouldn't be used and then got back down to the little deamon's level and offered the weapon to him "Here you go then, this is us trusting you because this weapon was given to me by a good friend of mine so I'd like it back once this is all done, though you may have a hard time carrying this around due to it's size and it'll attract attention so to bring it down to it's smaller parts as you saw it was in before just touch this button in the middle" expressed Kaworu hoping this would smooth things over with the boy.

[Aion]

(ooc:sorry for guys experiencing writer's block at the moment.)

The general listened to the boy's words intently. While he couldn't offer him much other than a simple request for his trust, maybe there was another to prove himself a little more. The Nenian placed a finger right below one of his crimson eyes. Hopefully, the child would understand his next few actions.

"You see these?" He asked the boy calmly, referring to his oddly shaped pupils. These labyrinth shaped swirls were the crests of Leviathan; proof that Aion was one of her vassals. "My life is dedicated to protecting one demon already, protecting another is of no issue; especially when that "demon" has done no wrong." With that Aion stood up, taking a second to look down upon the child, a smirk on his face.

His own appearence, while nothing compared to the boy's, had earned him the same riddcule. He was called a "demon" by his peers. A sinner by his elders. All for an act he had no decision in; all for an act that would allow him to live a normal life, if he'd been accepted by his people early on. If it hadn't been for Luneia, perhaps he would have eventually accepted that persona, becoming like the child before him. Maybe the boy would understand that he wasn't alone in his condition and open up a little more.

Silently, he watched as Kaworu offered the child his weapon. A hefty sigh escaped from the Nenian's mouth. It was quite a challenge, but it looked as if the two had at least managed to earn a smidgen of the child's trust. "I suppose our next action would be to locate the others...?"

The general was almost about to walk in the direction of their companions and the mysterious woman when he realized something: they hadn't even bothered to ask the boy's name. "You know, I'm not comfortable calling you "it". Got a name?"

[Echo]

Echo hadn't even realized that she hadn't been alone in the woods. She really hadn't even been focusing on what was in front of her as she kept glimpsing over her shoulder for the birds. It was however hard to ignore the loud sound coming from ahead of her. Turning her head she saw a boy who looked younger than she was and the sound was coming from him. She skidded to a halt as to not run into him and looked at him puzzled as to what he was doing out here in the woods. With a second glance she noticed that he was not alone an accompanied by two others as well. This was strange indeed. Was there something going on that she didn't know about? This only seemed to make her curiosity grow.

"Yes..I'm okay. I can't say the same for my bread", she said giving a frown. "Oh well good thing I was prepared!", she smiled pleased with herself that she'd packed more than one loaf so at least for tonight she wouldn't go hungry. "Who are you?", she asked tilting her head to the side curiously. "Why are you out here?", she added. He would probably find it rude of her to inquire but she wanted to know. As far as she knew there weren't any villages this deep into the woods. And they didn't look like they were gathering wood or hunting.

[Ryan - Loki]

(OOC: YAY, Crista posted!)

Seth hadn’t yet seen the twins following him, though he had senses something that was out of place within the forest behind him, but his focus had been directed towards the lady in front of him so he had paid it no mind. Finally the young woman composed herself and replied to the young prince.

"Yes…I'm okay. I can't say the same for my bread" she looked upset, though that quickly changed. "Oh well good thing I was prepared!"

“I am glad.” the prince said with a nod and a smile. However, before he could ask the young lady anything else she had beaten him to it.

“Who are you?" she asked inquisitively, her head curiously tilted to one side. "Why are you out here?"

“Who? Me?” Seth felt stupid almost immediately after he had asked, knowing full well she had been speaking to him. He had just been taken unaware, that was all. “I’m Prin-” he interrupted himself, remembering the warning that both Ryan and Aion had given him. Being a prince in this world was no longer safe, especially considering he was a prince of old. your kingdom is gone. You are not a prince anymore… Seth reminded himself. The thought saddened him, but he had already paused for too long, and any longer would seem nothing less than rude.

“Errrmmm…well…my name, my name is Seth.” he finally managed. “And I’m part of a small group of people, over there.” he turned and pointed in the direction he had come from, but all that was visible were trees. “We’re heading towards a place called Steffson…though I’m afraid we’re so new to this place…” he looked at the forest all around him. this world is so big… though in truth he knew it was no larger than Dragonia had been in his time, after all this planet still WAS Dragonia, with a different name.

“What is your name?”

[[The child]]

[Sorry about the wait, I've been working a week in a row and get rather worn out]

The angel could repeat that fact as many times as he wants, the Rellian isn't going to base trust only in a 'normal' person's word. However by the sound of that same person, suggested that they were actually going through with their end of the bargin. I bet they are planning something. Usually something bad happens by now. People had tried to trick him before, but they didn't have the patience like this group. He wasn't obviously shaking, but he was nervous.

He was surprised that Kaworu was able to switch sticks into something else, at the flick of the wrist. He naturally backed away, not wanting to be magically attacked. For all the time he was waiting to dodge the first blow, the angel finished putting together the weapon and presented it. "You're actually giving it to me..." Before allowing an answer back, he snatches it and backs further away.

The child listens to the explanation, warning, That better be the only thing it does. Though skeptic, he went along and listened. Another wierd thing happens. Easily read as puzzled, he looks between the collapsed weapon and the two in front of him. He felt part of him wanted to trust them, but his paranoia kept him in check, Don't let your guard down! They are just waiting for you to not be threatened, then they will kill ya!

The Nenian pointed at his eyes, proceeding in telling the kid that he was all ready protecting a demon and wouldn't mind protecting another. The child thought Aion wasn't a demon, for being able to walk among others and not being attacked by them. Again, he wasn't going to trust him directly with the words anyone were saying. He understood what he was saying, again what moron wouldn't want to protect himself. Then Aion proceeds in asking, "You know, I'm not comfortable calling you "it". Got a name?"

"...demons don't have names..." 'Demon', and several curse words, were the closest things to names the boy ever had. The Zelios weren't kind to explain that demons usually did have names other than their species' name. Never needing one until this point, he didn't bother in coming up with one.

[Aion]

The general titled his head, giving the boy another blank stare before finally opening his mouth to speak. "Oh...really? Then I suppose we'll have to think of one, huh?" He was surprised, for a number of reasons; had this child not heard of Lucifer or any of the other stronger demons among Hell's legion? For that matter, what had happened in Hell during Aion's thousand year slumber? From what he was told, Noria had enjoyed years of peace; and though the remaining Lords of Hell had been prisoners of this spell, Lucifer wouldn't let the people of Noria relax too much. Unless his hands were tied. "I'm going to check the others...I'll trust you to finish this up." The Nenian gave a quick nod to the angel, walking in the direction Seth had snuck off in.

"Well, well.....what do we have here?" The Nenian whispered to himself with a chuckle. The general abruptly halted in his place as he caught a glance of Seth, who seemed to be chatting up a woman. Now what he should have done was place himself between the prince and this stranger, just in case she decided to attack, but perhaps it was time to let the prince have a little fun; besides, the woman didn't look too dangerous.

[Ryan - Loki]

(OOC: Sorry about the delay on this people. I had been waiting for Crista to post, but maybe real life has taken a hold of her! I'll jump ahead for now, but Crista, feel free to jump back in whenever you get the chance!)

Seth had waited for the young lady to reply but she didn’t, which automatically made him think that perhaps he had spoken to her wrong. Had he spoken too correctly as Ryan had instructed him not to? He didn’t think he had, not overly at any rate, and he hadn’t thought that he had said anything wrong or insulting to he either. His mind was rushing over all the possible problems and reasons why she hadn’t replied to him. Maybe she’s scared of me. he thought, though he couldn’t see why she would be.

Finally Seth decided to simply apologise for anything he had done wrong; it seemed the safest option all around. “I‘m sorry if I have scared you, insulted you, done anything wrong for that matter.” he said in a somewhat timid tone, though now it was clearly obvious that he was somewhat uncomfortable with the situation. It wasn’t her, but rather him; he wasn’t confident, especially when talking to women, and even more so especially when those said women were pretty.

Taking a deep breath Seth attempt to control himself, looking around to find something to take the topic in a new direction. It was then that he spotted the general. “General!” Seth exclaimed, slightly louder than he had meant to. Seth hurried forward a few steps before stopping again, he didn’t want the mysterious lady to think that he was leaving her behind. “Was that situation with the,” Seth paused. “ demon resolved without trouble? What shall we do now? Look, I saved this young lady from a flock of beastly and deadly birds!” he had got carried away with himself, and had even talked the whole saving situation up far more than the truth of it.