pawnstorm | OPEN: but a fire within

Entry tags:

OPEN: but a fire within

Who: Lux Crownguard, and you!
When: Mid Delphine (July); before dungeon shenanigans
Where: Caissa
What: Monthly catch-all, I'll be adding to this as the month goes on! If you don't find a prompt that interests you, or have an idea for something fun, message me on

sheepyton so we can plot!
Ratings: PG for the most part, but will change this if need be.
Warnings: Accidental charming may happen, depending on the direction of the thread. Please let me know if this is something that you are okay with when tagging!

♕ o1. A CHARMING DISPOSITION (OPEN)

[ All she wanted was a nice afternoon in the city. A little window shopping, maybe treat herself to a bit of ice cream. Since her promotion a few days ago, she had been working hard, shuttling between the training grounds and the library like a woman possessed. And she was, really. How could she not be? She had power now, and she needed to learn how to use it.

Unfortunately, she learned a few other things first, before mastering her magic. ]

[ There was something about a Queen that was hard to ignore. And for some reason, people really liked to give you things. Like flowers, chocolates, random curios (seriously what is this thing, someone please tell her) and most of allattention. All she did was smile at a few people! Why was everyone suddenly so nice?!

It was getting to be a bit much, her arms were full, and yet, people she met kept piling it on. ~~How was she going to fit all of this in her room?~~ There was a girl behind that horde of things, rest assured, but she wasn't going to be able to carry much more without toppling over at this rate. Please help. ]

♕ o2. WITH HER NOSE STUCK IN A BOOK (OPEN)

[ She was no Bishop, but that didn't mean that Lux wasn't a voracious reader. As a newly promoted Queen, she had a lot to learn about how her new(ish) powers functioned. This meant that she would be hitting the books, hard, and the young Hero could be found in a number of places, buried in a book.

The library, a corner bistro, the cafeteria, the courtyard; in order to master her magic, she had a lot to learn. And not just from magic books—a good magician could draw inspiration from anything that they saw or read.

Which... might explain the odd-titled book she currently held, intently reading. They say that when inspiration hits, one should follow it, but this... was a little odd. ]

[[OOC: Feel free to either come up with a book she's reading, or I can random it for you.]]

♕ o3. MORE OF A CANDY CRUSH GIRL (OPEN)

[ Lux rather liked griffons. While she had never seen one in person, she had come across them in books (maybe some of the books she was reading earlier?), and often the authors romanticized them to be beautiful and majestic creatures. Graceful in the air, their plumage gold as the sun, they were like art in motion. She wished that she could witness such a stunning creature in the flesh.

And today would be her lucky day. ]

[ Today, Lux would learn all about griffons, for better or for worse.

How dirty— ]

[ Bad-mannered— ]

[ And how utterly unmajestic they could be.

They were told to just make sure that the griffons didn't make a mess of anything. Just steer them away from unsuspecting passersby (please watch your heads, that isn't rain you're feeling...), and do so peacefully. And at first she tried. She really, truly did.

But after lobbing a large number of handmade charms at the pretty pests, they still wouldn't go away! They seemed to like the color of her hair (somewhat similar to their own feathers). Or maybe they just liked trolling her, it wasn't actually that hard. Nevertheless! Surrounded by a clutch of beastly beauties, she seemed to be in a bit of a pickle. ]

♕ CLOSED TO ALLEN.

[ Her breath came out in short, measured bursts, her body moving with a rhythm she had nearly forgotten in this place, in her previous state. Since her arrival here, she felt weak. Vulnerable. Like she had lost a part of herself.

She was a Pawn, then. Ordinary. Disposable. The powerful, and at times somewhat wild and uncontrolled, warm and real and powerful magic that coursed within her—a feeling she had known since her childhood—was gone. Severed. And what was left instead was the power of a Pawn. The limiting, dull light of a Pawn.

As if losing her home were not pain enough.

But when she awoke a few days before, she felt something different. Heavy and weightless, tense yet freeing, a light that threatened to swallow her whole if she did not learn to respect it, to master it. It was a startling sensation, not altogether unfamiliar, but different—so very, very different. She had learned to control her own light, reign it in and make it hers. Like the heart of a child, playful and curious, she nurtured it, taught it to sing, to dance, to fight. It served her well.

But this feeling was different.

It burned deep within, fueled by some seemingly unending force that she could not name. Passion. Intensity. And something else... what was it?

She had become lax with her morning training since arriving in Caissa. She understood her body, understood its new limits, and was disgusted by her limitations. But now... She had purpose, she had a drive, she had power. Power that guided her. Power that protected her. Power... that terrified her.

The sun had yet to rise, but light danced over the training grounds, sweat dripping from her face. Her breathing slow, methodical, and her staff twirling in her hands, the crystals on either side shining brightly, she flung each bolt with every fiber of her very being, constantly moving in a dance, a pas de deux with the light. Her light. The light that threatened to burn her alive. The light that she would have to break, like a wild horse, lest it break her instead. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He sighs for a moment (ah his stung pride....) and shrugs a little. If he has to then...

He spins the card on the tip of his finger for a moment. ]

Perhaps... [ And catching it again, he sweeps his arm out to the side and...

—grips it.

( Conduit. )

Light shoots out, familiar perhaps as that selfsame soft ethereal white one could almost see in their mind's eye from coming into contact Allen's mana, given that it's exactly that. Holy mana searing the air and making it hum and come alive with the energy of it, taking the form of—

( Irony. )

...a great manablade, as long as Allen is tall and nearly as broad as him. White tinging gold and lighting up the courtyard around them.

( Brighter than it has been before, as before it sucked up most of a pawn's reserves just to exist. )

And the light refracts then, forming the illusion of a more tangible sword that shimmers across it. White and gold, like this, and illuminated from within.

( Honestly it's almost more like a plank than a sword... )

And...somewhat ~~cheekily~~ merrily, he spins it around as light as a baton (once, twice) before resting it across his shoulders.

Beaming at Lux. Positively innocently. ]

...it is a little unconventional.

Perhaps n—

[ She was going to scold him a bit (he was teasing her with it now!), but as light erupts from his hand, her expression immediately changes.

Oh. She was going to eat her words, wasn't she?

Watching his weapon take form in front of her, she blinks in the light, her eyes having adjusted to the dark. Seeing it materialize, Lux stood there, notable surprise on her face.

A giant sword. Like her brother's...

No, it was different, very different. Nearly flat, it looked more like a bludgeoning object rather than a blade. How something so compact could house something so massive.

...

Oh, he was teasing her now, wasn't he? That smile, the spin of the blade. She made a bit of a face, pouting. ]

...You could have told me it was a sword, instead of letting me make a fool of myself.

Edited 2016-07-15 09:21 (UTC)

[ To which Allen will respond back without missing a beat! ]

You didn't really give me much of a chance to...

[ Oh, but he does rub a little sheepishly at the back of his neck with his free hand though. Haaah—quite the glare, Lux... ]

I was concerned you were going to get killed! Seriously, Allen!

[ ~~She had already gone through that once with a teammate, please... don't make her relive that.~~

She sighed heavily, putting her glare away for now, to be taken out again at a later date. ]

Please don't make me worry like that, I'm not sure my heart could take it.

[ Oh...

His expression softens at that—apologetic—and he takes the sword from his shoulders. It still makes the air hum with mana, not unlikely electricity, but more faintly now with the illusion in place, almost like it dampens it. But he lets the tip of it dig into the ground and lets it rest there, his arm looped loosely around the guard. ]

Mm, sorry. [ And he smiles a little more gently then.

It's kind of her, after all. The concern. It's just a little surprising. ]

It's okay. A sword like this—it's not entirely unlike what I was used to back home.

It's gotten a little bit easier as I am now. I'll be alright.

Edited 2016-07-15 09:41 (UTC)

[ Why wouldn't she be worried for his safety and wellbeing? As far as she was concerned, it was only natural to be.

...That was why he was able to carry her so effortlessly, being able to wield a blade like that took a great amount of strength. She was surprised, given his size, that he was able to do so with such ease. It was a little frightening in a way, to think of what he might have gone through to possess that strength. ]

Not unlike your hand?

[ The question slipped out before she had the ability to catch it. But it was out there now, and hopefully he would not think it too forward, or rude.

But maybe she should change the subject slightly. ]

As you are now? What do you mean?

[ Well actually, the funny thing is... because it's a blade of his own mana and not metal.. it actually weighs virtually nothing (unless his mana begins to exhaust) which is why he's able to swing it around like he can.

He's kind of a cheater like that.

But she didn't speculate aloud and he is actually far stronger than anyone his build should be, so. None the wiser then. ]

It was my hand. [ Even if she didn't mean for him to answer it he does catch the question and will, saying it a little softly and with perhaps a small sort of mysterious smile.

But he'll answer her other question, because it makes him stand up a little straighter. A little excited almost, perhaps. ]

Ah... the day of the masquerade—I received my badge. I'm a Rook now.

[ Is it something to be excited about? Not as far as ranks and titles, no. But in the sense he can do more now? Yes. ]

It's gotten a little easier since then.

[ Her eyes widening a bit with childlike wonderment, she looked at his left arm again, a bit more thoroughly. Oh, she wanted to ask, she so wanted to ask, but damn her manners, she couldn't bring herself to. ]

You...

[ He should have done something for himself that day! It was something to be excited about, being a Pawn is a frustrating experience! It was for her, and... well, she hadn't actually asked any other Pawns, but she assumed it was the same for them as well! ]

You should have gone out and celebrated, then! Something like that is important!

Celebrated?

[ He seems a bit flummoxed by the idea, or how excited she seems about it. It's true it had been an incredible relief, not the acknowledgement that he was getting stronger, but that he was? But for that to be a thing of celebration... ]

...

[ Smiling a little softly then, he cocks his head to the side. Thoughtful.

He thinks, perhaps, that he did.

But he won't say so outright, even if perhaps he'd like to say he was grateful... and just shakes his head, smiling in a quiet (fond) sort of way. ]

Maybe next time.

Edited 2016-07-15 10:11 (UTC)

[ Would there be a next time? Was that even possible? Yes, they could be promoted from Pawndom, but was there something else?

Or he was picking on her again. Given his behavior this morning, that seemed more likely. Allen...

Well, she wasn't going to play that game (not right now, at least), instead smiling a bit proudly herself. ]

Although I suppose you aren't the only one to be promoted.

[ Teasing her? No. Feeling like perhaps to say such a thing directly was too much?

Yes.

~~...also he wasn't picking on her!!!~~

He blinks at that though and pulls up a bit. ] Lux?

[ Ah! She was promoted too then? Was that why she was out here training so hard? ]

Edited 2016-07-15 10:21 (UTC)

[ Her smile grew as she nodded. It was a different sense of pride for her, one that came from her background. She had proven herself, and had been rewarded for it in kind. She wasn't a weak Pawn anymore; she could be strong.

She would be strong. ]

I'm a Queen now. I received my badge a few days ago.

Ehh? [ It's said a bit in wonderment, his head tilting to the side. Queens, after all, Allen hasn't fought with and has only seen a few of them train from a distance. But they always seem elegant and refined, brutally effective with little effort.

..Or at least they sound to be such. He doesn't really have firsthand experience. But he speaks quite warmly and sincerely, leaning against his blade. ]

Congratulations. It seems like it suits you.

Did you go out and celebrate?

Thank you, I think so t—

[ ...Really? Really?

Well, she did kind of walk into it, but... ]

[ She tried to! She genuinely tried! But people kept showering her with gifts and affections on the streets. It was the most awkward thing ever. She wasn't quite sure why! ]

...Please don't ask me that question.

[ ???

Was is it something he said??? ]

[ ~~Girls are strange..~~

Straightening a little, Allen smiles lightly though. ]

It might not be much, but...

[ He takes a grip on his sword again, lifts it again onto his shoulder. ]

Would you like to now?

[ You have no idea how many weird items she has to find homes for, Allen. Too many! They just pushed them on her, from all angles, and she didn't feel right saying no. If anyone tells you that one man's trash is another man's treasure, they are lying and you should walk away very, very fast.

Blinking a bit, her posture loosening and easing, she gave him a curious look. ]

Right now?

[ No one was awake at this hour. ]

Mm. [ He starts to step back though, if her posture has become eased and loose his starts to become... a little carefree almost? Except it's more than it's lightfooted and careful, just with such an ease it's deceptive.

Bringing the blade back he smiles— ]

If we've both new things to learn...

[ —and takes a ready stance. ]

...then I can't think of a better way. [ Although he can. About a dozen of Sion's picnic baskets would be a very nice start to celebrating.

Afterwards. ♥ After plying themselves to see what they can both do. ]

[ At first, she wasn't sure what he was going for. A celebration, this early in the morning? Where would they go? There was still a bit of time before sunrise. Maybe he was just being a bit whimsical again, she thought. Like the first time they met, or at the ball.

But as soon as his stance changed, a light flickered in her eyes, subtle but strong. That was what he meant.

A smile began to spread over her face, she twirled her staff a bit, her posture changing, graceful and light like a dancer.

It had been a while since she had a partner. ]

I couldn't agree more.

[ It's the first time he's trained against someone who uses magic and Allen has to pause, considering that. He can't go all out melee combat against her, that wouldn't be fair, even if it's what he's always been used to for training.

She has bolts right? And queens are primarily spellcasters from afar? So maybe like someone with a gun or a bow..

That could work. ]

If you can take me down before I get to you, you win. [ It's his usual open and friendly demeanor, but it's a little quieter as he begins to focus. ]

"If"?

[ She laughed, different from the lighthearted laughter from before. It wasn't malicious, but amused. Confident.

Looking him over, she judged the reach of his manablade, pieces moving in place in her mind, positioning them in various angles, spaces. She knew this courtyard like the back of her hand, memorizing every hiding place, every vantage point. She was certain that she had the advantage; any swordsman that tried to better her in the past had fallen short. ]

You may want to consider harder win conditions, but if that's what you want—

Edited 2016-07-15 20:10 (UTC)

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