NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This is a continuation of The Red Cow (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=88470&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0)

The ONLY Players are myself, Drognan and Grimdale.

IC:

Kurt didn't know where to start, the dream had been strange but at least it was still clear in his mind. "I wouldn't know where to start," he admitted. "I started out walking down a hallway in a school I had never been to. Somehow I believe the school might exist, but it's not one in this kingdom."

Gabriel sat down in of the lounge's chairs. "Can you be more detailed? Colors, size, any people, that sort of thing."

"Mostly gray, green lockers, white ceiling," Kurt said trying to remember the hallway. "There were people there about my age, students I expect. They looked just like ordinary humans of all races, no obvious elves or any other humanoids. Problem is that all schools in Draconis Nightcrawlis are mixed, there are no human only schools."

Gabriel rubbed his chin in thought. He glance up at the ceiling. "Arthur, you recording all this?"
"I'm getting it." Came the reply.
"Sit down Kurt, how about yourself, are you looking from inside or outside your body, and is it your body you're looking out from?"

"I'm looking from inside a body," Kurt replied, sitting down. "I'm sure it's not my own, but I looked sort how I looked when I looked human. I would never wear ugly clothes like that though. It was like me yet it wasn't me."

The young prince looked really confused.

"Hmmmm. The clothes, were they merely ugly, or were they out fashioned, out of date? Can you describe your clothes, and the clothes everyone else was wearing. And is there anything that has a date of some sort on it?"

"Ugly colours and the clothes," Kurt began to say, but paused for a moment. "The clothes, well they have names on that I've never heard of. I guess they are out of fashion."

IC: Can you remember the names on any of those clothes?

OOC: Please give me OOC whatever decade we're talking about because I no next to nothing about clothes, though my character would recognise them.

OOC: Generally from this decade.

Kurt thought for a moment. "I can remember some," he said, "Oakridge, Giorgio and Atticus."

He scratched the back of his head as he tried remembering his dream.

"Arthur, can you place those name brands?"
"Sometime in the late 20th or early 21st centuries."
Gabriel looked slightly surprised. "Arthur, are you sure about those numbers?"
"Yes Gabriel, I triple checked them."
"Now isn't that interesting. Kurt, based on that I think it would be safe to say that these aren't your memories. Now the question is whose are they?"

Kurt shrugged, "I wouldn't know," he replied, "Thats going back a long time."

Gabriel steepled his hands in front of him as he thought.
"Gabriel, you could always..." Arthur began.
Gabriel cut Arthur off. "No, absolutely not, and you know full well why."
"It was just a suggestion."
"There is something we could try, but it's up to you Kurt if we do it."

"And what would that be?" he asked. He hoped whatever it might be wasn't dangerous.

Gabriel frowned. "It's a drug called Memory Lane. It's was developed for psychriactic work, but it should suit our purposes. What it does is extend the length of repeat dreams and sharpen a person's ability to recall details when they wake up. It's only side effects are that the person wakes up feeling like they're on the begining of a three week hangover, quite unpleasent to say the least. Hopefully if we use it you'll be able to recall some significant detail you missed, a date written on something, a name, a face, the name of the school maybe, something that Arthur can use to find out when and where this memory came from."

Kurt sighed and ran both hands through his hair. "It'll keep bugging me if I don't do it, but I also don't like the sound of the side effects," he admitted.

OOC YAY! We've made it to the archive :)

OOC: Alright!

IC: "It's your choice Kurt, I'm not going to force anything upon you. But you should know that dreams and memories like this are your mind's way of trying to tell you something. Though it's often I've seen someone suffer from someone else's memories." Here Gabriel hesitated for a minute before going on. "There is one other option, there probibly wouldn't be any side effects for you, effects, but the danger would be significant, for both of us. And the side effects I'd suffer would be rather severe. In fact it close to downright torture. I don't advise it, but if you wish we can take that option."

"I don't want to do anything too dangerous," Kurt replied shaking his head. "I'm not sure about the side effects of the other one either. Does it matter if its done after a few days or so?"

"Not for the first one, for the second option the sooner after the dream the better, otherwise it takes a lot more work to find it."

"I defiantly don't want the second option," the young prince told him, his tail began flicking around. "The first option I'll need to think about."

OOC: Umm did someone delete a post in this thread? Its started the 'No posts exist for this topic' thing already

"Well take your time Kurt, this is definately not a decision to be rushed. Let's head to class, it would do for us to be just standing around when your sister comes in for her German."

OOC: And with this double post I'm off for the night.

"OK," Kurt replied, nodding his head. He was glad that he didn't have to make a decision too soon.

OOC Hey sorry guys ill be posting later tonight, cya all later

OOC uhhh.. where were we before so i can post.. lol

OOC: Umm, not sure. Better reread the end of the last thread :)

Gabriel went through the day's classes as usual, but he couldn't put out of his mind the knowledge that someone somewhere had done something to Kurt's memory, wither intentionally or otherwise. And when he found out who was responsible Gabriel intended to get some answers.

All through the days classes, Kurt kept thinking about the dreams he had that night. It was distracting, but he just couldn't get it out of his mind.

"OK Kurt, it's time for us to head to the gym, grab your stuff and meet me there."
After Kurt left Gabriel headed for the gym. "Arthur, give me a few walls to punch would you? Someone deserves a beating for what's happened to Kurt, and since they're not around the walls will have to do."

A series of walls popped into existance across the gym floor, the one directly in front of Gabriel was wood, with the walls getting increasingly stronger as they went on.
The wooden wall splintered apart under Gabriel's punch, behind it was a thicker wooden wall, that too shattered under Gabriel's blows. When he got to the first of the stone walls Gabriel hit it so hard that it simply turned to dust. Finally getting to the metal walls he litterally tore them apart with a combination of punches and kicks. The last wall was solid neutronium, a couple feet thick. His first several blows failed to even dent the wall. Already frustrated Gabriel started hitting it again and again and again. Harder and ahrder with every blow. "Why can't for, just once, I be allowed, to do something, without complications." The back side of the wall began to bulge out under Gabriel's relentless attack, farther and farther out it was pushed until with a final yell Gabriel finally slammed right through it. Shoving both hands into the hole he grabbed it and ripped the wall in two, flinging the pieces aside to crash into the forcefields that reinforced the walls. Breathing heavily and drenched in sweat he looked back at the devestation he'd left littered across the gym floor.
"Damn, I needed to get that out of my system."

Kurt eventually made it to the Gym, ready and dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. He also saw the debris all over the floor.

"Angry?" he commented.

"Just working out a little frustration." Gabriel said as the mess disappeared as rapidly as the walls had appeared.
"Come on, let's get stretching and running, I'm hoping to add some unarmed techniques into your training today."

Kurt nodded. One thing he already knew about Gabriel was that he would rather keep his reasons to himself.

"Sounds fun," he said before he started to do some stretched he had been taught previously.

Gabriel joined Kurt in his stretches, he'd kept to his word that he wouldn't have Kurt do anyhting he wasn't willing to do himself.

"So what are the unarmed techniques you plan on for today?" he asked curously.

multipost

"Nothing major, just adding a few moves you can combine with your sword. You have to remember Kurt, when you're fighting for you're life, there's no such thing as a fair fight. If you can trip, punch, or otherwise put your opponent at a disadvantage, do it."

OOC: Gone until Tues.

"Like wrapping my tail around their legs and pulling them over," the young prince grinned.

Gabriel grinned back. "Exactly, you catch on fast."

Kurt grinned even more, that was his favourite trick.

"Let's get this run over with and we can get on with practice."

"OK," Kurt nodded. Truthfully, he never liked running.

Gabriel smiled inwardly at Kurt's reluctence to run. Despite that they'd managed to get up to half a mile every day, with the runs steadily increasing. Gabriel started out at a slow jog, pacing Kurt.

Kurt began to run faster. The sooner it was over the better.

OOC: Drognan, you out there?

IC: Gabriel came to the end of the run and wiped some sweat from his brow, he was still a little run down from the wall bit earlier. Gabriel exchanged his sword for the practice one. "OK Kurt, we're doing things a little differently today. Instead of fighting each other we'll be fighting holograms since there's a good chance of someone getting hurt if we go at it like this." Gabriel didn't bother to mention that if anyone got hurt, it would almost certainly have been Kurt.

Kurt nodded. Seeing as to what Gabriel had done before he'd arrived, he knew who would get hurt, him.

"What will the holograms look like?" he asked.

"Arthur's running them, so your guess is as good as mine. I did ask him to tone it down from the usual though, I don't think your ready just yet to deal with some of the thing I've run into." As Gabriel finished speaking a pair of men dressed in chain armor appeared. Gabriel set himself across from one. The hologram went to make a cut at Gabriel's neck, Gabriel easily blocked the cut with his own sword, and then put his foot behind the hologram's outstretched leg and pulled back, sending the now unballanced hologram falling to the ground. Gabriel stepped back and the hologram got to it's feet before pausing.
"That's the most basic technique. Try it with yours."

Kurt did exactly the same. He blocked the holograms attack with his sword and placed his leg behind the hologram to trip him up. The young prince made a quick swipe with his leg and sent the hologram to the ground.

"Good, now try this." The hologram moved at Gabriel as if to run him through. Gabriel sidesteped the sword, grabbed the arm and twisted around. His elbow came up hard under the hologram's chin just seconds before it went flying thorugh the air under the imputous of it's own momentum and Gabriel's arm.

"Right," Kurt muttered under his breath.

The hologram made its move toward the young prince in the same way. Using his agile body, he too sidestepped the sword, grabbing the holograms arm on the way and twisting it around. Imitating Gabriels move, his elbow came up upon the holograms chin and he too sent it flying.

Gabriel ran through several more techniques with Kurt before calling a halt to the day's training. "Very good Kurt, you catch on fast, tomorrow you'll get a chance to put everything you learned into practice."

Kurt smiled. "OK," he said.

"Well that's it for today Kurt, you can continue practicing if you want, but I'm calling it a day. I have some work to see to."

"I have other things to do," Kurt replied.

"Well I'll see you tomorrow Kurt."

OOC: Damn the server!

OOC: Its being a bit of a bastard again isn't it :evil:

IC:

"See ya," Kurt said leaving the room. He quickly made his way back to his bedroom to get some computer time in before dinner.

Gabriel picked up his sword from the wall and resheathed it as Kurt left.
"You really care about him don't you? I mean beyond what is required for the job." Arthur's said.
"How couldn't I? He's a kid who needs all the help he can get, we both know how hard it is to have anything resembling a normal childhood when you're royalty. Though he doesn't show it as much as many. And let's not forget what I've, we've put on the line here. He's like one of my own sons. And even if it's not a link by blood, I intend to see he has every chance any of my sons had, and should the decision be made, perhaps even more."
"You're serious aren't you? But why Kurt? You've helped hundreds at one time or another in almost exactly his situation."
"Arthur you're forgetting something, despite everything that's happened to me, despite all the changes, both mental and physical, at my core I'm still human. And humans have never needed a reason for certain things. And this is one of those things." Gabriel said before he disappeared through the doorway.

Kurt lightly tapped his finger against the desk as he went back to his latest computer project. He wasn't fully concentrated on what he was doing as he had other things on his mind. The young prince wondered about Gabriels reasons for training him and becoming his bodyguard/tutor.

"Whatever happens, whether I've found a successor or not, I'll see that Kurt gets every chance he deserves, and Gods help anyone who gets in the way of my seeing to that." Gabriel thought.

Kurt growled, "Talie go away," he said.

A figure crossed the room behind him. "How did you know I was here?" his sister asked. "Your music is too loud as usual."

Kurt shook his head. Damn Talia's oversensitive ears, she could hear anything. "I can always sense when your in my room," he told her. "Now get out."

There was no reply, Kurt knew that she had gone. Maybe she hadn't been there at all and it had just been his imagination. After all he'd had a long day and interrupted sleep. Dinner wasn't for another hour, so he decided to get a quick nap in before.

OOC: Drognan, I dug up the last post of the Branu Kaz thread.

IC: The two mentally reached out and grabbed hold of the other insdie Kaz. "If you wish to take him you shall deal with us as well. Kaz work with us, we can only do so much without your help." Rallying themselves they pushed at the other, trying to shove hiim back to wence he had come.

Gabriel opened the door to his bedroom. Inside it was sparsly furnish, little more than a bed and closet. But then there really wasn't any need for Gabriel to have anything more elaborate since it was an odd week when he slept more than a couple hours total. Gabriel mentally set a timer to wake him up in two hours before he drifted off to sleep. To face the dreams once again.
The horizon disappearing for a second in a blinding flash of white light, people who's skin literally dripped off their bodies, an empty desolate plain where only the wind made any noise. The scene shifted, this time the sky was filled with smoke and the sounds of battle. One arm waved others forward while the other held a rifle, bodies suddenly falling, looks of surprise and pain on their faces, a sudden flash of a gun pointblank. Again it shifted, a black world, broken only by the dots of starlight and a slowly revolving planet, a flash of lasers and the glare of exploding missiles filled his view working inward towards the planet, a sudden glare of light on the surface, qucikly matched by others, a continent ripping free and spinning of into space as the planet tore itself apart. Then again, a sky filled with winged monstrosities while more covered the ground, a sudden cracking open of the earth, warriors in white armor, pitifully few in number marching toward the horrors.
Suddenly Gabriel snapped upright, wide awake and covered in sweat. He rubbed his head. His voice was ragged. "They never go away, still they haunt me. I did my best, but it just wasn't enough, no matter how hard I try there are just times when even I can't do enough. So why don't they just go away?" Getting up and going over to the closet Gabriel changed into fresh clothes. Looking outwardly better than he had a moment ago he headed for the gardens and peace, though the night was still young.

:evil:

After dinner, Kurt was still remembering the cold, snow covered forest he had been standing in, in his dream. There was no one else in it, just him and this forest. He guessed it wasn't related to the school dreams so he just shrugged it off.

Gabriel let the cool night air wash over him, carrying to him all the scents of the garden. With a great sigh Gabriel allowed most of the tension to leave him. With a glance at the moon overhead he headed deeper into the garden.

OOC Guess we've lost him again

IC:

Kurt wondered aimlessly through the hallways of the palace. When it was cold out, he would usually walk around like this. Though today he hadn't bothered to go out and check. The dreams were troubling him as he had no idea what they meant. He hoped they wouldn't end up causing him to lose alot of sleep.

Gabriel wandered into the deepest depths of the garden, around him plants shifted and moved, but made no move towards him. Overhead and Owl hooted softly as it flew by in search of prey. Gabriel hooted back and stretched out his arm. After a moment the owl landed on his arm. It's large eyes regarded him curiously, as if wonder what this strange creature was that had invaded his domain. A small piece of meat appeared in Gabriel's other hand and he offered it to the owl. After a moment's hesitation it snatched the meat from Gabriel's hand and flew off. Gabriel chuckled quietly at it's departure and headed deeper into the garden.

Kurt didn't see Talia for the rest of the night, something for which he was thankful. That just meant he had other things to worry about, like that school in his dream. Where on earth could it be, it certainly wasn't in Draconis Nightcrawlis.

He could feel himself getting a headache. His head began to throb and rubbed his temples. This didn't feel right, he thought before teleporting back to his room. An early night would proberly be best for him.

OOC: Happy New Year!

IC: Gabriel stopped by an ancient oak tree and layed his hand against it, savoring the feel of it's rough bark against his hand. Pushing his awareness outwards through the tree he felt more than saw every branch and root. A sense of agelessness and nonchange filled him before he pulled away. "If only you could talk, the things you've probibly seen. Not that I don't have a few stories of my own. Gabriel thought has he left the tree behind.

OOC First double post of 2004 :?

OOC First post of 2004 :D

IC:

The next morning Kurt woke early. This time he couldn't remember any dreams. Did that mean that they were only a one off? Kurt certainly hoped so. As his usual morning excersise went, he made his way to the kitchen and rumaged around for food.

Gabriel was startled by the sudden glare of the sun rise. He'd managed to completely lose track of time, something that was almost unheard of. "Better get back before Kurt shows up. It wouldn't do to have the teacher showing up late to class."

Once he'd had his fill, Kurt made his way to Gabriels area. He walked in through the door and looked to see if he was around.

Gabriel walked in only seconds behind Kurt. "Sorry about that, I lost track of time. You sleep alright last night?"

"Yeah, I did," the young prince nodded. "I don't even remember any dreams I had last night."

"An improvement I guess. To class I guess then."

"Right," Kurt sighed and went to follow Gabriel.

The first class of the day was history. The room had taken on the image of a hill overlooking a battlefield on which two forces had massed, the sun glinting off their armor. "This is the battle of the Genfear plains. Overall it had little effect on the world aside from the fact that the resounding defeat that the Moirian kingdom suffered at the hands of the Killington kingdom effectivily ended the war and eventually led to a peace in the region that has lasted until this day. The reason I've chosen this particular battle as opposed to one that has more revelance to the world as a whole is that I was there at the time and can therefore explain in greater detail how the battle took place and it's overall effects. These can be applied to similar battles, so there is a good deal of relevance."

Kurt nodded, he knew personal experiance was always best when talking about things such as a battle.

"For reasons that I'll not get into here, I ended up in charge of the Killington army. For the last three years, ever since the Moirian kingdom had invaded, the two countries had been locked in war. Heavily outnumbered from the start, the Killington army had fought valiently. However valor alone can't win wars and this was to be the remaints of the Killington army's last stand. The Moirian army that faced them outnumbered them at more than ten to one odds. To make matters worse, by this point the Killington army had lost nearly all it's calvary while the Moirian army had several calvary divisions availible to it at this point in addition to it's regular foot soldiers. Now Kurt, faced with a situation like this, and the need to stand and fight, what do you think the outcome should have been?"

Kurt scratched his chin with a finger. "I suppose with the Killington soldiers being that outnumbered, it would be a fight to the death," he said. "However you've mentioned that they defeated the Moirian army, so I coan only guess that in the end they were better organised."

"Something like that, in actuallity it was several factors that allowed a victory by the Killington army. Fortinately, when I was given command I had some time to work with, not much, but enough. The thing about calvary is that it is most effective when it can put it's full mobility to use, and when it faces ranks of foot soldiers that can be broken through. Knowing this I did a couple of things, first I arranged for half the soldiers in the army to carry a pike in addition to their normal weapon, and the other thing I did was choose a position that forced their calvary to come to us. Under the circumstances I was able to array four rows of pikemen." As Gabriel spoke the forces described appeared on the battlefield below them. "I have always said that no calvary charge can pierce a pike wall, assuming that the men manning that wall do not falter, no easy task when you see several thousand calvary coming at you. I have seen this proven time and again. However there was no way I could assemble more men, at least not any with enough training to make a difference. Even with the calvary nullified to a large part, the odds were still nothing to bet the house on. So I arranged for the other half of my army to carry bows in addition to their sword, combined with the usual complement of archers, this gave me some hope of thining out the Moirian armies ranks before they reached us. However all this would have only made their victory more costly, it wouldn't have prevented it. And in fact as you'll see, until a certain point, the battle was being lost. At that point a certain mutal friend of ours put me deeply in his debt. He attacked the head of the entire Moirian army, along with his staff and all his bodyguards from behind where they hadn't expected anything, and indeed, why should they have? One person should not have been able to do it. Suffice to say, the confusion among his army that followed allowed me to execute the last stage of a desperate plan. I'd arranged for the last two companies of Killington calvary to hide in the woods on either side of the battle. A just the right moment, when the confusion was at it's height, they hit the enemy from both sides. The battle turned into a rout that ended with the Moirian army shattered beyond it's ability to reform. Are there any questions you'd like to ask before we watch?"

"Not really," Kurt replied.

IC: The Moirian army began to march onto the scene, row after row of soldiers and clavary formed up across from the seemingly insignificant Killington force. Suddenly the ranks of footsoldiers parted and ten divisions of calvary started forward, first at a trot, and then at a full charge. A figure in full chainmail could be seen just behind the lines of pikemen, extorting them to hold steady. As the calvary finally reached the pike wall chaos insued, horse after horse impaled itself on the pikes, driven onward by the ones behind it into the rows of pikes, others swerved aside.
Reforming the calvary charged the pike wall again, and then again, until finally it's broken remaints fell ack behind the lines of footsoldiers. The Morian forces moved out towards where the Killington forces were making their stand. From the hill where Gabriel and Kurt were situated it looked as if the entire battlefield was moving. When the Morian forces were halfway to the Killington lines the pikemen dropped their pikes and drew their swords and a rain of arrows began to descend on the Moirian forces which were so ightly packed that the arrows could hardly miss, but against such a massive force it seemed little more than pinpircks. Behind the Moirian army a cluster of what were clearly officers stood on horseback by the forest. The two lines met and immediately erupted in violence as army met army in desperate battle, initally the two sides seemed evenly matched, the Morian army unable to bring it's full weight to bear against the Killington force because of the restricted terrain, but gradually they began to prevail as Killington soldiers fell and none came forward to replace them, while for every Moir soldier that fell, two more moved forward to take his place. The only area where the Killington forces appeared to be holding was where the figure in chainmail had cleared a circle around him, the bodies of many Moirian soldiers showing why the rest were reluctant to approach. Suddenly the general of the Moirian army fell from his horse, as his officers and bodyguards turned in confusion a claoked figure lept into their mist, a small darting figure flying around it's head. Wheeling like a dervish with staff in hand, the officers started falling.
"If you'd checked the bodies after the battle, you would have seen that at least half of them died from a knife lodged in their throat." Gabriel said quietly.
When the last of the horses disappeared minus their previous burdens, the figure melted back into the forest. For several moments it seemed to make no difference, but gradually at first, then more rapidly confusion began to spread through the Moirian army as soldiers noticed that their officeres had seemingly deserted them. Just as the confusion reached it's height from both sides calvary wearing the colors of Killington poured from the forests, quickly turning the confusion into a rout. As the Moirian army began to retreat, the survivors of the Killington defenders moved to pursue. With that the scene faded and the classroom returned around Gabriel and Kurt.
"Kurt, can you give me at least three lessons each this battle teaches defenders and attackers?"

OOC: There's several here, see what you come up with.

OOC :shock: I think I'll need more coffee :D

IC:

"Obviously the Killington army used the terrain to their advantage," Kurt pointed out first. He scratched the back of his head as he thought of another two. "The Moirian army also let its guard down when the general fell from his horse, that allowed that cloaked figure to pick them of. I suspect that might have been you."

Kurt paused as he thought of more. He kept replying what he had seen in his mind. "The Moirian army was too confident in how their numbers out did that of the Killington army," he began to say, "and when you become over confident, you start making mistakes and letting down your guard. As soon as they saw that their officers had gone, they started panicing which ultimatley led to disorgenisation and then defeat."

OOC: Not too shabby.

"All excellent points. But you made a mistake, my position in that battle was the person wearing the chainmail. Other points are that if possible, an attacker should never let the defender choose the terrain, mobile forces are nearly useless against a dug in defense, they need to be held back until breech is made an then used to harry the opponents rear. Also, soldiers need to be taugh initiative so that if their leaders should fall, what happend to the Moirian army doesn't occur. Also, timing is everything, as the Killington calvary charge shows."

"Oh right, didn't recognise you," Kurt groaned, "Shows what you can do when you can expose weaknesses in a larger army."

"Exactly, all the skill in the world does no good if it's not properly applied, not to mention that luck often plays a factor. However, you'll get to see close up exactly how a battle like this plays out a little later."

"I will?" Kurt asked.

"You will, go grab your sword, we're both about to see just how well you've learned to use it. Meet me in the gym."

Kurt did as he was told and grabbed his sword. He then joined Gabriel in the gym, wondering what he would be going through today.

Gabriel was standing next to the holographic training area, he was busy putting on a suit of chainmail. He gestured towards another suit. "Better put that on Kurt, we're going in proper dress." The grey wolf on a black background with a lightning bolt across it was on a back and breast cloak on each of the suits.

Kurt smiled to himself as he put on the suit of chainmail. He had seen chainmail on loads of occaisions, like some of the suits of armour at the castle in Balmora, but he had never worn any. It felt pretty heavy, but since it was metal he wasn't surprised.

"Now Kurt, I'm going to let you know this right now, the safties in here are on, so you can't be badly hurt, however, you get hit, you will feel it. That's the second reason for this armor, it will cushion the blows." Gabriel said as he pulled the chain hood up. With the hood up Gabriel stood fully clad from head to toe in chainmail armor.

Kurt gulped, 'Hurt, great,' he thought to himself. 'I'm gonna be sore tomorrow.'

Gabriel grinned. "Consider it ample incentive to avoid getting hit. Be grateful you're not participating in one of my normal runs, I usually remove the safties entirerly. And besides, I'll be right next to you the whole time."

Kurt nodded, it always unnerved him when people read his mind and knew what he was thinking.

Gabriel opened the door to the training chamber. "You ready for this Kurt?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Kurt remarked.

As the two walked into the holographic training room, the door disappeared behind them. The battlefield sprang to life around them, they stood just behind the rear line of pikemen. Everything was frozen in place. The figure in chainmail they had seen in the classroom was visible, and it could be seen that it was a younger version of Gabriel, when his hair had only just started greying. "Kurt, once this starts, stick close to me."

"I will," Kurt gulped.

He stood readying himself for what lay ahead.

The world around them suddenly went into motion. The charge of the Moirian calvary had already started. From their perspective it looked like a solidmass of towering bodies coming straight at them. Around the two the soldiers shot nervous looks at each other, it seemed that they might break at any moment. The younger version of Gabriel move up and down the line, yelling reassurance.
"Hold steady men, think of your homes, your families, think of the fact that if you break they'll run you down like dogs if nothing else! As long as you hold, they can't get to you!"
As he yelled the line steadied and the first of the horses crashed into the line of pikes. The screams of dying horses and men filled their ears as the calvary slammed into the pike line again and again. Suddenly, all at once the noise faded except for the screams of the wounded. The older Gabriel glanced over at Kurt.

Kurt looked back at him, he knew what it meant. Time for them to join in properly.

The Moirian foot soldiers began their advance and the pikemen dropped thier pikes and drew their swords. As the Moirian troops reached the halfway point flight after flight of arrows flew overhead from behind. Individual soldiers fell, in places most of a rank would go down, but then the arrows ceased going out, the archers's quivers empty. They drew their swords. Both Gabriel's drew their swords and then the enemy was upon them. Both threw themselves into the frey with an utter disregard for the odds. The look on the face of the older one matched the younger one's perfectly.

"Here goes nothing," Kurt said, drawing his sword.

He noted the way that both Gabriels went into the fight, he wouldn't go into it the same way as he wasn't as confident.

The older Gabriel had shifted back thorugh the years until as far as he was concerned, the fight was now and real. A sword into gut of one opponent, a slash across a face, a cut to a neck, on and on it went, Both Gabriel's cleaving a path through the fight until none of the Moirian soldiers dared approach them.

Things became a blur to Kurt as he thought. He had lost track of the amount of times he'd had to push away the sword of a Moirian soldier. Still he was having no where near the level of success that Gabriel was having, which of course was expected.

The two Gabriel's by chance ended up back to back, surrounded by Moirian soldiers. Every now and then one would come forward and would quickly be disembowled by one of the two.
"You're not a bad swordsman." The younger Gabriel said.
"You handle a blade well yourself, though I suspect in time you'll be even better." The older Gabriel rejoined.
The younger one gave him an odd look at that, but further talk was suspended by a concentrated rush that seperated the two once again, the older Gabriel fighting to get back to Kurt.

OOC: Having a toast with the family and then going to bed, goodnight. How do you like the SL so far, and where's Drognan?

Kurt lept over one soldier to avoid his sword, slicing the mans neck along the way. It was so far his most satisfying 'kill'. He quickly looked to see where Gabriel was before taking on the next soldier that came at him.

Gabriel bashed one soldier with a shield he had picked up while plunging his sword into another's chest up to it's hilt. A hard kick to another's chest put him out of commision with his internal organs turned to pulp from the force of the blow. Catching sight of Kurt, Gabriel waved to him with his sowrd hand just before he had to engage another soldier carrying a massive axe. Ducking under the axeman's first swing Gabriel's cut in reply slice across his stomach, leaving intestine spilling out.

Kurt tried to wave back but a soldier came at him and he had to defend himself. He slashed at the mans chest and used a foot to floor him. Then it was on to his next target.

Gabriel had managed to almost reach Kurt when he saw a soldier preparing to plung his sword into Kurt's back. Not having time to reach Kurt, Gabriel took his shield, and threw it like an oversized frizbie. The heavy steel slammed into the soldier's head, crushing it like an over ripe grape. By now the Killington army had started to fall back under the overwhelming numbers of the Moirian army.

Kurt gave Gabriel the thumbs up for watching his back. He then ducked to avoid the sword of another soldier. Bringing his sword up into the soldiers gut, he wondered how much longer this would be, he already felt a little worn out.

By the time Gabriel reached Kurt's side, the retreat had nearly become a rout when a sudden shout went up from the Moirian army. A look of relief crossed Gabriel's face. "Thank you Braun." He said, for a second far back in the past when it ahd all taken place rather than in the here and now where it was all a simulation.
The shouting quickly spread as one after another the Moirian soldiers realised their general and officers were dead. The sargents had only just begun to try and bring some order back to the army when the Killington calvary swept down on the Moirian army. Like the twin hands of God clapping togeather they rode down the Moirian soldiers. In seconds it was the Moirian army that was in retreat and the Killington army that was pursuing.
"Come on Kurt, let's finish them!" Gabriel said as he surged forward.

"Braun?" he asked as they surged forward.

Gabriel managed to spare Kurt a glance as they ran forward. "Of course, who else do we both know who carries a staff and uses throwing knives. Not to mention has a small flying companion."

Kurt shrugged, "I just didn't expect him to have been at this battle," he replied.

"By all rights he shouldn't have been here, but we'd run into each other a few times when I made my first visit to this dimension. At the time, I didn't know what had happend, I didn't even know who was responsible for killing the General and his staff. It wasn't until I had a chance to inspect the bodies that I realised who must have done it."

"Fortunate he was there really," Kurt said.

Gabriel sliced through another opponent. "I was very lucky, I owed him a big debt as a result of that, and in part that explains my returning here when called for help. But only in part, I value my friends, I don't have many, and even without the debt, I probibaly would have come."

"Ah right," Kurt replied, pulling his sword out of an opponents stomach. "Do any of these holograms take any notice of what we talk about?"

"Arthur choses what they hear and what they don't, he runs all the holographic stuff around here."

"Wouldn't be good for them I guess, scrambles the A.I. I'd guess," Kurt joked as he fought off another attack.

"Something like that, speaking of which, I think we can safely conclude this simulation, it's merely pursuit from here on. Arthur, kill the simulation." As Gabriel said that the world around them disappeared and the training room reappeared.

Kurt sighed with relief, part of him was glad that it was over but a part of him had hoped they would carry on. "I'm knackered," he remarked, putting his sword back in its sheath.

"Well we'll call it an early day. Besides, your sister is falling behind in her German and could do with a make up class." Gabriel said as he left the training room and went back into the gym.

Kurt grinned and laughed in his mind as he left the gym. His sister falling behind in her German wasn't actually surprising as he had always thought of her as being a little slow. Now he had to decide what to do for the rest of the night, though the first thing he had in mind was to watch the telly and his own telly in his bedroom was prefereable, so it was there that he headed.

Gabriel took a quick shower before dressing in clothes more approprate for a classroom teacher. That done he settled himself in the lounge to await the arrival of Kurt's sister.

Talia wasn't happy. he wasn't happy that she had to do an extra German lesson with some wierdo freak that her brother picked up. Still she did manage to turn up on time at least.

OOC: Must go to bed

Gabriel's smiled conveyed his amusedment of Talia's annoyence at having to make up class. "If you didn't spend so much time harrassing your brother in class and paid more attention you wouldn't be here right now."

"I don't harass him," She pouted, folding her arms.

"I'm not going to argue with you Talia, I was merely pointing out how things look from my perspective, a rahter limited one I admit since I hardly evre see you two togeather outsde of the classroom."

"Simple, it's because he hates me," she replied.

OOC: 1000th post :)

OOC: Congradulations.

IC: "Why do you say he hates you?"

OOC: Congradulations.

IC: "Why do you say he hates you?"

"Because he's a wanker."

OOC: Call me ignorent, but I'm not even sure what that means.

OOC: double post

OOC: Brit slang for a detestible person

OOC: I'll make a note of that.

IC: For the first time in a long time Gabriel didn't know quite how to respond. "Why do you say that?" He asked, curiousity finally overcoming prudence.

Talia rolled her eyes. "I thought this was an extra German lesson, not a discussion about why my brother is a wanker," she remarked.

"Touche, though I think it odd that you'd rather do German than discuss your brother, but if that's the way you want it?" Gabriel said with a shrug.

Talia said nothing, instead she had a somewhat disgusted look on her face.

Gabriel smiled. "You shouldn't do that or your face will stick that way. Now to start todays lessons."

"Fine," Talia replied.

Arhtur's voice was quiet in Gabriel's ear as he taught. "You could just give them both one of those chemical knowledge pills and skip the German sessions you know."
"I know, but it's better they learn this way." Gabriel subvocalised back without missing a word of his teaching.

Talia grew bored as the the lesson went on. She doubted that she would ever be using German outside the family anyway so she thought it was all just a waste of time.

"Right, obviously the normal methods aren't going to work, and frankly your brother could be doing better as well, I want you both in here by eight tomorrow, and both of you come prepared to do some walking. I suggest you speak to your brother about what to bring, he's had somewhat more experiance with my kind of field trips, and if you don't have what he suggests you need, speak to Arthur and he'll see that you get it."

Talia groaned. "No one speaks this language here except our father," she remarked. "I don't see how that dictates that we have to learn it."

A hint of impatience crept into Gabriel's voice. "You have complained how it is useless, the mere fact that knowing a language few others do is a major advantage in itself, but since that alone isn't enough to keep you interested, I'm resorting to alternative measures. Yours is not to wonder why in this case, your is to get ready for tomorrow."

The princess scowled, "I don't have to take this," she growled.

Gabriel sighed inwardly. "When her father said that she was going to be difficult to teach, he ment it."
"I am doing my best to see that at least tomorrow will be interesting, and if you are not willing to come, then I'm afraid your brother will most likely be more than happy for the chance to leave these walls behind for a day, especially since as I'm sure he'd say, you won't be there to pester him. I can teach, I can try my best to open the minds of those younger than myself, but I cannot force someone to learn unless they are willing. If you have a better suggestion as to how to teach someone an entire language, please feel free to enlighten me."

"Not teaching it would be perfectly fine with me," Talia replied. "And I do wish that my father would stop telling everyone I'm difficult to teach."

"Unfortinately thats not an option, your father assigned me to teach you German, and I intend to see you learn it, now I suggest you go and get ready for tomorrow, we'll have an early start tomorrow." Gabriel said in a tone that made it clear the conversation was at an end.

Talia scowled and left the room. She headed straight back to her bedroom.

Gabriel collapsed in a chair in the lounge. "I must be getting older than I thought for such a simple arguement to have worn me out so. And with a child of all people." A grin broke his face. "She has spirit that one though, she'll not bend for anyone."
"So what exactly are you doing with them tomorrow?"
"Why we're taking them to Germany, what else?"
"Uh, Gabriel, I'm sure you realise this, but this planet doesn't have a Germany."
"I know, I was thinking Earth, say 1956."
"Are you crazy?! Taking those two through not just one, but two dimensional jumps into the middle of the what will most likely be a Cold War?"
"Yes I'm crazy, we agreed on that a long time ago. And yes, that's where we're going, there are enough foreigners in the country at that time that their mediocre German skills won't raise any questions, and with myself posing as an American Intellegence officer and the documents you'll provide us we should be able to travel fairly freely. And since it's another dimension, we can take all the time we need there and still be back in time for dinner."
"I don't like it, but all right."
"Now that's settled, I'm going to be walking the gardens until tomorrow morning, if I'm needed, send them there."

Kurt was lying on a bench near the pond looking up at the sky. He felt like something had happened, but he wasn't sure what. Maybe it was just his mind playing tricks on him again.

Gabriel saw Kurt lying by the pond and walked over. "Your sister is one of the most stubborn people I have ever ment, and for me to say that is saying something. I just wanted to let you know that both you and her are joining me and Arthur for something of a trip tomorrow, I'd suggest you brush up on your German. By the way, have you seen your mother around by any chance?"

Kurt wasn't sure if she should be excited by a trip or not, his last trip had been pretty interesting.

"Thats Talia for you," he told him, not even getting up from the bench. To the question about his mother, he shook his head. "No, I don't think she is even here at the moment."

"Well see that she's ready for a trip tomorrow please, and bring the amulet Braun gave you." Gabriel said before disappearing into the foliage.

"OK I will," Kurt sighed.

He closed his eyes, why did they have to be going on a trip on a day when the circus was looking so promising for a change.

Weaving his way through the garden Gabriel returned to the old oak he had found once before. Sitting down and leaning against it, he only just remembered to set a mental alarm to wake up before drifting off into a deep meditation.

Kurt watched as a bat flew overhead. Bats had simpler lives then he did.

"Why can't I have been a bat?" he wondered.

Gabriel sank deeper and deeper into his own mind, only a thin string of consciousness left him attached to reality, able to react in a second should the need arise. His life didn't allow him the leasure of losing himself completely in inner thoughts. Old memories brushed by him as he went ever deeper, each touching his consciousness for only a brief moment before passing onwards.

OOC Damn you NS server :evil:

After a while Kurt decided it would proberly be best to go back inside as it was now getting a bit chilly. He could feel the cold even through his fur. Without as much as a thought, he teleported back to his bedroom.

Cold, heat, such things no longer mattered, but finally something jerked Gabriel out of his meditative state.

Gabriel snapped awake, his hand instinctivly going for his pistol before he stopped. Gabriel laughed at himself, it was merely the owl he had seen before, back looking for another free meal. A piece of meat later and the owl disappeared into the night. Stretching, Gabriel got up and decided that since he was wide awake anyway he'd make the rounds of the walls.

Kurt avoided his sister for the rest of the night. He didn't want to go near her during one of her foul moods. The next morning he slept in as late as he could.

Gabriel walked the wall, speaking with the guards on duty, an in general seeing that all was well. When at last he returned he set about preparing for tomorrow's trip. When Arthur asked what he would do if Talia didn't show up all he got in response was a very telling look.

It was getting light in his room when Kurt woke up. He rolled over to see that the clock showed it was nearly 7am, he promptly decided to go back to sleep.

"I'll lay you odds that Kurt oversleeps and is late for class." Arthur said to Gabriel.
Gabriel responded without even looking up from the book he'd been reading. "You're on, I say he's here on time."

OOC OMG ITS BEEN FOREVER!!!

GEEZ! yikes.. sorry guys, ive been on, but ive forgotten about this completley, but even if i did remember i didn't have enough time for a post..

god.. sorry.. ok. i should be good now.. i hope.. O_O ok.. where were we???? im so lost now.. geez.. a quik update, and ill post tomorrow...

OOC Good to see you back Drognan, umm I can't remember where you were either, something about Kaz and Braun I think it was. The first threads in the Archives now, must read through it again myself to remember whats happened :)

IC:

The bedside clock passed 8am and Kurt still slept. Talia meanwhile was up and about, but she was watching the telly.

IC: Gabriel looked up from his book and grimmaced. "OK Arthur, you win. Now grab them. We've got a long day ahead of us."
Somehow Arthur managed to project an air of "I told you so" without saying anything. With a pop of suddenly displaced air the two siblings appeared in the air a good two feet over one of the couches. Gabriel manage to restrain himself from laughing as the two of them hit the fortunately well cushioned piece of furniture, Kurt still being asleep in the half second before he hit the couch particulary added to the humor of the situation.
Gabriel rose from the chair he'd been reading in. "Only three minutes late, not too bad."

OOC: Talia looks a lot like Kurt right?

OOC: Pretty much, except she has jet black hair

IC:

Kurt awoke with a start as he hit the couch. His first instinct was to yell, before looking around and seeing Gabriel in front of him. Talia however didn't look pleased.

Gabriel's eyebrows came togeather. "Don't look at me like that, it's Arthur who brought you here, be grateful that with his sense of humor that he popped you in above a couch and not a stone floor."

OOC Double post
When I edit you damn post you don't stay exactly the same :evil:

Kurt growled, he stood up from the couch and was only wearing a t-shirt and a pair of boxers. His tail was moving about behind him angrily.

"Can I get changed before we go anywhere," he demanded.

Gabriel smiled sweetly. "Clothes for the both of you are behind the third door to the left down the hall, seperate dressing rooms of course. Both of you please return here after that please. My patience is extensive, however Arthur's has been stretched somewhat and he's likely to be less than polite if he needs to encourage the two of you again."

Talia stormed off to get changed, while Kurt shook his head.

"You've pissed her off too early," he said before walking off to change.

"I seriously doubt that anytime wouldn't be too early." Gabriel muttered after the two siblings had left the room.
"My, aren't we off to a wonderful start this morning." Arthur said sarcastically.

OOC: *Kills server* Oops :D

Kurt was first to return. He was scratching his back with his tail.

"So what are we doing for the next 3 hours or so?" he asked them.

OOC TIME FOR A LONG POST!!!


IC


Kaz had fallen to his hands and knees, he was trying as best as he could.. but even so, the real kaz had to push braun out of his mind, the added pressure from two others was too much to hande. He was screeching from the inside now, he was hurting both through mind and body.

He was losing..

Kaz fling his wings around several times, denting parts if the ship it hit. Then he stopped, he was froen, stiff as a statue. A low energy began to glow amongst him, and he slowly stood. His voice was not the same as it had always been... now completley different.. it was the voice of his once good self, and the sound of the evil crack of his bad self as well.
"Braun" It looked to braun. "Get out of here.. now.."
He suddenly looked up, and saw a flame in the sky... "good.."

Vor'en had been flying above, and just spotted the boat. He smirked and flew down to it, landing on it, and was in shock at the sight of Kaz. "Bro.. brother..? What.. happened..?"

Kaz merley shook his head and said, "Take braun and leave now! I know only one way to rid of this problem, now go!"

Vor'en could only do as he was told, in fear, and in belief of his brother. "Lets go braun.. im sorry you cant help anymore.." He grabbed Braun's arm and did a fast teleport back to the harbor they were once at, because flying would not make them leave in time, and he knew its location of the harbor.
Vor'en could only sigh, in sadness and in hope. "He will make it.."


Back on the boat, Kaz had seemed to become weak from the power he was letting go, it was almost on a raw flush, and the water began to split from the spot he stood on the boat, and the boat it's self began to crack.
"Prepair.. for if I cant live.. neither of us will.."
An evil screech went out, and a beam of light, full of energy, slammed down onto Kaz. All went blank..


Vor'en's jaw dropped as he saw it, and in the distance from that beam of light, the water seemed to be rising into the horizon. "Oh.. by the gods what has happened.. It wasn't suppoesd to be like this.."





Back in Drognan, Mitch and the three other servants working for kaz to find him, along with Aurora, were sitting in the main hall of one of the smiple smaller manors, which was in turned a secret high protective jail, in which mitch was in a cell off the main hall.
Aurora suddeny jumped up.. "Kaz.."
The others all looked at her in confusion, and said nothing, still wondering, till they all felt lost, lost in heart...



OOC i could spoil more.. but lets see what happens..

OOC: Two posts in one.

IC1: Gabriel pulled a pair of packets out of thin air and handed one to Kurt. "Each of you is going to read and memorise the information in these. It's not much, but it's importent you learn it my heart. It's your cover identities for where we're going." Gabriel pulled the amulet Braun had given Kurt out of the air. "Oh, here, you'll need this as well."

IC2: Braun looked at Vor'en. "Dammit, if he'd only listened to my advice. Or maybe if I'd stuck around longer." The pain in Braun's voice was evident. Braun suddenly slammed the end of the staff into the dock. With a crash the end of the dock broke off and crashed into the sea. Braun squared his shoulders. "Vor'en, if there is anything I can do to help please tell me. But it will have to wait, I still have a promise to fulfill. Please stay out of my way, I've lost one friend already today. I have no wish to lose another, particulary at my own hands. And you might wish to tell your friends to stay out of my way. My darker side may be under control once again, but some of his power remains, and I intend to use it to remove any obsticals from my way."

"OK," Kurt replied, looking at the packet.

"Now where's that sister of your's? We're going to be gone for a week dimension time, and I'd like to get started."

"She's a princess, they always take ages to get changed," Kurt yawned, still tired from being woken up so sudden earlier. "You could tell her that Tom Cruise is out here waiting for her, she'll hurry up if she had the chance to meet him. Mind you, you'd have to suffer her anger afterwards."

"No thank you, she's got enough of a temper as it is."

Kurt grinned, "Would you rather wait three hours then?" he asked.

Vor'en fell to his knees, feeling the lost piece to him... "No.. no.. no no no.. This isn't happening.. it cant be.." He just stared off into the rising horizion of water.. "Kaz.. your still there.. i know it.. but.. i cant feel you.. why.."

A few moments had gone by, and flame tears were slowly coming from his eyes, "Braun.." He said, catching one of the flame-tears in his palm. "Before you go.. we need to stop that unless this entire port is going.." He pointed into the water horizion that continued to rise higher. "I will need some of your help to stop that.. because i wont stop it alone.." Still, tears were coming from his eyes, and every word, held the loss of his only brother, and life long friend.




Mitch lay back.. he didn't understand why they were all so down now, and why Aurora had yelled out Kaz's name.. He suddenly felt in his pocket, to find a hole. "What the hell? Where is the disk? this is.. not good.."

Aurora had left the room, sobbing, not knowing what to do.
The other three just sat there, lost..

Gabriel smiled at a sudden thought. It wasn't a particularly nice smile either. "No, I think I'll simply let Arthur take care of the problem if she isn't out in five minutes."

Double Post

Kurt laughed when he saw the look on Gabriels face.

"I can only imagine what he'd do," he remarked and then paused for a while. "I think she'll be out before five minutes is up now."

"I'm glad to hear it. I'm afraid that Arthur has been getting rather irritated with the amount of respect she gives me. Or the lack of respect I should say."

Kurt shrugged, "She never gives anyone any respect," he replied. "She's too idependant for a princess, according to Captain Devine."

"well she's going to meet her match in Arthur, he gives people exactly as much respect as he thinks they deserve, and it doesn't matter who they are, myself included on a few rare occasions."

"Oh there will be fireworks then," Kurt grinned as his sister finally turned up.

She sneered at her brother but said nothing.

Gabriel simply handed her the other packet. "Both of you study these and memorise the information in them, our lives could depend upon you're being able to remmeber it at the drop of a hat." A small device popped out of the air and Gabriel handed it to Talia. "This is a holographic imager, it will provide you with your disguse."

Talia took both from Gabriel, her only responce was to roll her eyes.

Gabriel's voice took on a much stricter tone. "I was serious whe I said our lives and the lives of others may depend on your memorizing that information. And I frankly don't want to have to explain to your parents that both of you are full of bullet holes because you were too stubborn to bother even trying to memorized the information." Gabriel put a hand on her shoulder and bent down so he was looking her straight in the eye. "Understand me, I have lost too many people over the years, people who were near and dear to me. I will not lose anymore because of one teenage girl who is so stuck up that she can't even see past her nose." His voice carried pain, anger and sorrow all at once. But there could not be the slightest doubt that what he said came straight from the heart. Then his tone changed again, as hard and emotionless as stone. "And should it be necessary I will see to it that you are not responsible for that happening. Whatever I have to do." And both realised at that moment that Gabriel ment exactly what he said.

"I don't see why I have to go on this stupid trip anyway," she replied.

"Because Gabriel said so. And he has your parents backing, that's why." Arthur said.

"Fine then, I am going to talk to my parents about this then," she said.

"Can't we just leave her behind," Kurt suggested with hope as his sister made her way toward the door, "I'd rather not end up dead because of her."

"The door will not open for you, nor will teleporting allow you to leave here. My instructions are to teach you, and by deity I will if I have to fight through hell and back once again to do so." Gabriel's face had become a blank unreadible mask.

Talia turned around and glared at him, "You are so out of here when you let me out," she shouted at him.

"That was a mistake" Arthur said to Kurt in a hushed voice. Arthur sounded as if he had had a body at that moment he would have been hiding behind the nearest availible object.

"Enough!" And Gabriel's voice was not that of a kindly old man, but an angry war god. Gabriel seemed to grow in size and a faint glow could only just be seen around him. His eyes were two glowing coals. "I have had enough of your impudence young lady, my patience is great, but you have very nearly reached the end of it. I am far more than I appear, if I so wished it neither you, nor anyone else would ever remember I'd even existed. Or for that matter that you existed if you sufficently annoy me. I have gone out of my way to make the experiance of learning as enjoyible as possible and you have done your best to thwart my efforts at every turn. Understand that this is your last chance, you are interfering in affairs greater than you can contemplate and whose consequences extend far beyond your own puny world."

Talia said nothing, she just scowled at him.

Kurt shuddered. "Can he really do that?" he asked Arthur.



OOC: I'd better go to bed, its almost 4am here :shock:

OOC: Goodnight. And on a side note, I'd suggest Talia get a sudden injection of either common sense or self preservation before Gabriel does something I regret.

IC: "Yes, and at the moment he doesn't look particularly reluctant to do so. Let me guess, you never got around to telling Talia anything about us did you? Well if you can talk any common sense into you're sister, now would be the time to do it, before Gabriel does something he later regrets. His temper is hair thin at the moment, one more crack from Talia could very well cause him to lose it. And if that happens we're all in trouble. He hasn't shown it to you Kurt, but many things have been putting him under a great deal of stress recently, and I'm afraid that your sister has managed to blow the cap off that particular well."

Around them the walls wavered, the pocket dimension begining to resonate with the sheer power Gabriel was putting out.

"Don't worry, she's past the yelling stage," Kurt told him, "She'll be moody and quiet for a couple of hours now. Her moods go in phases, I can tell you when the next mood change is"

He was right, Talia stayed quiet and walked off to another part of the room.

The light around Gabriel died down and the room regained it's solidity. Once again an old man stood in the center of the room. The only indication of his previous anger a slight trembling of his fists. Turning he left the room.

After he had left Arthur spoke. "Talia, you came very, very close to him carrying out that threat. In his current mood I would have not put it past him to have erased any trace of your existance throughout this entire timeline had he lost his temper. Though he would have deeply regreted it later. Kurt, you may think that Talia has a temper, but compared to Gabriel it is but a spark in a raging forest fire. Worlds have died when his patience was exausted." Arthur's tone took on the merest hint of awe and fear. "And once, once an entire universe died by his hand. That was the day he found those responsible for what happened to his world. I was there, and it was a truely terrible thing to behold. I suggest that you both see to it that you memorise that information by the time he comes back."

Elsewhere Gabriel had walked far down the seemingly endless hallways until he stood in front of one door that looked the same as the rest. Opening it he stepped through into what lay beyond.

Kurt nodded and sat down on the couch to memorize the information. Talia meanwhile stood in the corner sulking, but she still tried memorizing the info she had been given.

IC: The room was empty except for a small table. On the table was a very old and worn photograph. Gabriel picked it up with a gentleness that would have surprised anyone who had seen him fight. The photo had faded nearly to the point of invisibility. But the image of the mother, father and two children could still be made out.
Tears ran down Gabriel's face as he looked at the picture. "I've tried so hard to live up to the ideals and morals that you taught me, though deity knows I've not always managed to do so. All that remains is to see that there is someone to carry on when I leave. Please lend me the strength to complete this task."

OOC: How do you think things are going so far?

OOC: Very interesting so far :)

IC:

Kurt began mumbling to himself as he tried memorising the info. Now and then he'd look over at his sister who had her back to them, other times he would look to see if Gabriel was back yet.

When Gabriel exited the room the mask was back in place, his emotions tight behind rebuilt walls. Gabriel headed back to the lounge, stopping only long enough to change into clothes appropriate for his upcoming role. The insignia of a Captain in Intellegence, American army circa 1950's glistend from his shoulders and hat as he walked into the room.

Kurt looked up as Gabriel walked into the room. He was wearing clothes that were unfamiliar to the young prince.

Gabriel smiled pleasently at both of them. "Unlike you two, I won't be using wither magic or technology to disguse myself. So I'm forced to resort to older measures. Kurt's amulet and Talia's holographic emiter will give you both similar clothes."

"Right," Kurt nodded, "So what is it that we are going to be doing?"

"Why we're going to Germany in 1956. Mind you, it's not quite the Germany you know since me and Arthur have already been there and caused some subtle changes in the timestream. It's one of those dimensions I like to check on every now and then until they reach the point they aren't going to vaporise themselves. I will be posing as an Captain in the Intellegence branch of the American occupying army. The two of you will be accompanying me as young Lieutenants."

"It would be interesting to see a long dead country," Kurt replied.

"The information in those packets are your history in this world. People may ask eitehr of you queations, and you'll need to know the answers."

Kurt nodded, "We'll need it," he agreed. "There is proberly alot of difference between that Germany and the one I learnt about in history."

"There is, now both of you finish up and activate your disguses, we're leaving."

Talia was already under her disguise and looked very much like their mother. Kurt held onto his amulet and he too changed into his disguise.

"Right, let's roll," he said.

One moment they were standing in the lounge, the next they were standing beside a stonewall. In front of them was a road and on it sat a jeep. Gabriel moved to get behind the wheel. "Just another couple quick things, we're all posing as Americans, so your inability to speak German completely fluently should raise any eyebrows. The clothes you're wearing are also bullet proof should the worse occur. We'll be spending the next several days tracking down an old rumor, but not to worry you'll both be back home in time for dinner thanks to the wonders of dimensional travel. Now hop in, our first stop is an American army base not far from here."

Kurt and Talia looked at each other before getting into the jeep.

Gabriel put the jeep into gear and it moved off. "Here are your military papers showing you to be one Lieutenant Kurt Hatterson, and one Lieutenant Talia Gunther, both from intellegence. According to the papers you are nineteen and eighteen respecively. Fortunately this dimension is one of the one's where women are seen as equals, otherwise Talia's presence would be harder to explain. Here's money for both of you, and the standard English-German dictonary given to every service person. And whatever you do, don't forget to salute anyone higher ranking than you, and anyone below you that salutes you. You are both military now, but you have to act it."

Kurt looked over to Gabriel, "Just so we know, what people would be higher in rank then us?" he asked.

"Just about anyone with brass on their shoulders that doesn't look like yours. Anyone with chevrons or strips on their shoulders are below you two in rank."

OOC still no reply? i got a last post yesterday for ya grim... page 11

"Ah right," Kurt replied.

OOC: Drognan, here was my response. Second paragraph.

IC1: Gabriel pulled a pair of packets out of thin air and handed one to Kurt. "Each of you is going to read and memorise the information in these. It's not much, but it's importent you learn it my heart. It's your cover identities for where we're going." Gabriel pulled the amulet Braun had given Kurt out of the air. "Oh, here, you'll need this as well."

IC2: Braun looked at Vor'en. "Dammit, if he'd only listened to my advice. Or maybe if I'd stuck around longer." The pain in Braun's voice was evident. Braun suddenly slammed the end of the staff into the dock. With a crash the end of the dock broke off and crashed into the sea. Braun squared his shoulders. "Vor'en, if there is anything I can do to help please tell me. But it will have to wait, I still have a promise to fulfill. Please stay out of my way, I've lost one friend already today. I have no wish to lose another, particulary at my own hands. And you might wish to tell your friends to stay out of my way. My darker side may be under control once again, but some of his power remains, and I intend to use it to remove any obsticals from my way."

"Talia, you get all that?"

"Yeah I did," Talia replied.

OOC my bad, page 10, but this was after u posted that....


Vor'en fell to his knees, feeling the lost piece to him... "No.. no.. no no no.. This isn't happening.. it cant be.." He just stared off into the rising horizion of water.. "Kaz.. your still there.. i know it.. but.. i cant feel you.. why.."

A few moments had gone by, and flame tears were slowly coming from his eyes, "Braun.." He said, catching one of the flame-tears in his palm. "Before you go.. we need to stop that unless this entire port is going.." He pointed into the water horizion that continued to rise higher. "I will need some of your help to stop that.. because i wont stop it alone.." Still, tears were coming from his eyes, and every word, held the loss of his only brother, and life long friend.




Mitch lay back.. he didn't understand why they were all so down now, and why Aurora had yelled out Kaz's name.. He suddenly felt in his pocket, to find a hole. "What the hell? Where is the disk? this is.. not good.."

Aurora had left the room, sobbing, not knowing what to do.
The other three just sat there, lost..

OOC: Sorry, I must have missed it somehow.

IC: Braun put a comforting hand on Vor'en's shoulder. "I'll handle this, save your strength."
There was pain in the song that Braun sang, a pain of old friends lost, of old wounds. The wind wailed and moaned in sympathy, all within range to hear could not help but cry. And the sea itself began to cry at what the world had lost that night. The ground trembled as it sobbed. The wave grew gradually smaller as one small wave after another rolled off of it as the sea cried tears. The remainder of the wave was only a few feet high when it broke against the shoreline. But still Braun played on, until at last, the final note faded away.

"It shall be Kaz's song for now and forever. When I sing, thos around me shall know of what happened here today. Now I must go, until I fulfill my promise, I cannot rest. I shall find you when it is completed and help you in your hour of need."

Vor'en could only still cry in disbelief, he just couldn't believe everything... All he had done was give a nod to braun, and turned to leave. All he could do was mutter out, "Thank you.. and thank you for trying.. I know you didn't want it this way either..." He walked off, still standing strong, but now unsure.


OOC cant post more right now so will post later........

Gabriel brought the jeep to a halt just outside of a guardshack that had a bar across the road. A Sargeant stepped out, a rifle over his shoulder. "Can I see you papers sirs?" He asked as he saluted. Gabriel returned his salute and handed over his own papers.

OOC Damn server :evil:

Kurt did as Gabriel had done and saluted before handing over he papers. Talia was a little reluctant, but knowing the trouble she'd cause if she didn't also followed suit, saluting and handing over her papers.

The guard gave each set of papers a quick glance before handing them back. He raised the bar and Gabriel drove through. When they'd gone a sufficent distance from the guard house Gabriel spoke. "Good work, both of you. You were quite convincing."

Kurt shrugged, "Maybe he was just dumb," he pointed out with a grin.

"Bored is more likely. Besides, it's a time of peace, we're driving around in what looks like an army issue jeep, we're all dressed appropriately, and our papers were in order. Why should he have suspected anything?"

"In otherwards he's letting his guard down," The young prince commented.

OOC: You set me up for that one didn't you?

IC: Gabriel groaned. "Yes, you could definately say that."

OOC: :D

IC:

Kurt nodded. "I'm just glad he isn't a guard at the palace," he then told Gabriel.

"I think you'll both find the guards at the main gate more to task, this is merely an outpost. We're also over threehundred miles from the nearest possible enemy threat."

"I think we just proved that an enemy threat could just drive in," Kurt pointed out.