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pactfulfilled2017-09-27 04:43 pmEntry tags:
[Open Starters]
[ MOMS GOTTA MOM ]
[Asbel sighs, foot tap-a-tapping the cobblestones as he adjusts his tie with stiff, robotic movements. "Just meet with them," she said. "They seem very nice," she said. Ugh. Mom could be such a nag. Asbel honestly has no interest in an arranged date, which is exactly what this is. He doesn't know this person, and they don't really know him either. And the last thing he wants is to spend the evening caged in a stuffy dining room discussing all of his assets and what an eligible bachelor he is (or isn't). He's pretty sure they're going to get bored too. Maybe they don't want to be a part of this either.]
[Asbel sighs again, unable to stop himself. But someone's coming towards him now, and his escape options have all but vanished. He puts on the most pleasant smile he can muster, and extends his hand, trying hard to resist the urge to rub the back of his neck with the other one. It's an anxious habit.]
Um, Mother told me you were coming. I'm Asbel Lhant, but you probably knew that already...
It's very nice to meet you. I, uh, I hope you brought your appetite with you.
[He doesn't have to turn around to know his mom's facepalming behind him.]
[ AUTUMN DELIGHTS ]
[It's autumn, and the constant breeze scatters leaves across the courtyard. Asbel is busy helping sweep them all up - so no one trips - but it's definitely no easy fight to win. Still, there's a fairly impressive multi-colored mound growing beside one of the fountains, and if he hadn't spent all morning at it, he'd be tempted to just throw himself onto the pile.]
[Not far away, one of the stalls is fragrant with the homey smells of apple and pumpkins pies as well as other breads and fruit preserves, and just a little ways beyond that, the soldiers are helping farmers work a cart full of corn out of a rut in the road.]
[It's just a normal day in town! Or is it...? Because something unusual is croached on a corner of the roof, leering down at them.]
What the...? [He pauses in his raking, eyes narrowed.] Hey, do you see that too?
[ THE COORDINATED CARTA CARD CAPER ]
And you last saw it where? [Asbel nods as one of the townspeople describes the final moments he spent with his precious, highly sought after Magic Carta card. It pictures the Goddess Martel, he explains. And it was just yesterday when he was playing with the Turtlez, put the cards away in their box, and returned home only to discover that she was missing. He stares up at them, and then bursts into tears. Asbel casts a glance behind him, then clears his throat.]
Are you sure the Turtlez didn't sort it in with his cards by mistake? It could have been an accident.
[The man shakes his head, accusing the Turtlez of outright deceit, and then begins crying again. Asbel closes his eyes, then turns to his companion with a shrug.]
Well, I guess we have no choice but to track this Turtlez down. Any idea where we should look first? He can't have gone too far.
[ EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS ]
[So... maybe they had a point. Maybe he did need more hobbies. Swordsmanship was all well and good, but being a lord meant he had to learn other skills too so that he could do even more to help his people. And so it is that Asbel is plunked in a chair, hands folded on the table in front of him, looking determined.]
So, what will you be teaching me today? I'll give it my best.
[He just hopes it doesn't involve studying. That'd sure be a drag!]
[ E.T. PHONE HOME ]
[Asbel stares down at the device in his hand. Pascal had insisted that he couldn't break it - it's "dummy proof" apparently, with two buttons - one to send messages and one to call them back. Except she hadn't really explained how to select who to send a bird too. Asbel turns a little knob on the side and presses one of the buttons. A small digital bird vanishes into the air, and a few moments later the device crackles.]
Good try, Pascal. But either I'm too much of an idiot to use your "dummy proof" machine, or you may want to make a few more tweaks to it.
[Assuming it's actually Pascal on the other side? Who knows where the bird really flew off to!]
[Asbel sighs, foot tap-a-tapping the cobblestones as he adjusts his tie with stiff, robotic movements. "Just meet with them," she said. "They seem very nice," she said. Ugh. Mom could be such a nag. Asbel honestly has no interest in an arranged date, which is exactly what this is. He doesn't know this person, and they don't really know him either. And the last thing he wants is to spend the evening caged in a stuffy dining room discussing all of his assets and what an eligible bachelor he is (or isn't). He's pretty sure they're going to get bored too. Maybe they don't want to be a part of this either.]
[Asbel sighs again, unable to stop himself. But someone's coming towards him now, and his escape options have all but vanished. He puts on the most pleasant smile he can muster, and extends his hand, trying hard to resist the urge to rub the back of his neck with the other one. It's an anxious habit.]
Um, Mother told me you were coming. I'm Asbel Lhant, but you probably knew that already...
It's very nice to meet you. I, uh, I hope you brought your appetite with you.
[He doesn't have to turn around to know his mom's facepalming behind him.]
[ AUTUMN DELIGHTS ]
[It's autumn, and the constant breeze scatters leaves across the courtyard. Asbel is busy helping sweep them all up - so no one trips - but it's definitely no easy fight to win. Still, there's a fairly impressive multi-colored mound growing beside one of the fountains, and if he hadn't spent all morning at it, he'd be tempted to just throw himself onto the pile.]
[Not far away, one of the stalls is fragrant with the homey smells of apple and pumpkins pies as well as other breads and fruit preserves, and just a little ways beyond that, the soldiers are helping farmers work a cart full of corn out of a rut in the road.]
[It's just a normal day in town! Or is it...? Because something unusual is croached on a corner of the roof, leering down at them.]
What the...? [He pauses in his raking, eyes narrowed.] Hey, do you see that too?
[ THE COORDINATED CARTA CARD CAPER ]
And you last saw it where? [Asbel nods as one of the townspeople describes the final moments he spent with his precious, highly sought after Magic Carta card. It pictures the Goddess Martel, he explains. And it was just yesterday when he was playing with the Turtlez, put the cards away in their box, and returned home only to discover that she was missing. He stares up at them, and then bursts into tears. Asbel casts a glance behind him, then clears his throat.]
Are you sure the Turtlez didn't sort it in with his cards by mistake? It could have been an accident.
[The man shakes his head, accusing the Turtlez of outright deceit, and then begins crying again. Asbel closes his eyes, then turns to his companion with a shrug.]
Well, I guess we have no choice but to track this Turtlez down. Any idea where we should look first? He can't have gone too far.
[ EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS ]
[So... maybe they had a point. Maybe he did need more hobbies. Swordsmanship was all well and good, but being a lord meant he had to learn other skills too so that he could do even more to help his people. And so it is that Asbel is plunked in a chair, hands folded on the table in front of him, looking determined.]
So, what will you be teaching me today? I'll give it my best.
[He just hopes it doesn't involve studying. That'd sure be a drag!]
[ E.T. PHONE HOME ]
[Asbel stares down at the device in his hand. Pascal had insisted that he couldn't break it - it's "dummy proof" apparently, with two buttons - one to send messages and one to call them back. Except she hadn't really explained how to select who to send a bird too. Asbel turns a little knob on the side and presses one of the buttons. A small digital bird vanishes into the air, and a few moments later the device crackles.]
Good try, Pascal. But either I'm too much of an idiot to use your "dummy proof" machine, or you may want to make a few more tweaks to it.
[Assuming it's actually Pascal on the other side? Who knows where the bird really flew off to!]
pactfulfilled2017-01-13 12:07 pm[Closed] I already built a snowman, maybe school is kind of great...
[It's rare for Asbel to be excited about history. The aging professor never does much to kindle his interest in past events or old-fashioned, outdated customs, but history class means one good thing, at least: Richard.]
[Last week saw the worst snowstorm in a decade and, sure, it started out fun. He and the little kids next door took turns sledding down the large hill behind the apartment complex on a trash can lid and worked together to build a pretty impressive snowman complete with scarf and carrot nose. But the evenings had grown boring (and cold), cooped up alone eating leftovers and hoping the snow would melt faster so he could see his friends at school. Even playing “Noble Blades: The Final Chapter” got dull after awhile.]
[So it's with more enthusiasm than usual that Asbel greets Richard this morning, plopping down in a seat next to him with a beaming smile before he’s even pulled his coat off.]
Hey, Richard! Long time no see.
[It's practically a joke considering the long string of texts Asbel sent him over the weekend about going stir crazy and worrying the landlord would kick him out for conducting fencing practice in the lounge.]
You, uh, free this afternoon?
[Yeah, he knows Richard is probably piled high with student council work, but it never hurts to ask.]
[Last week saw the worst snowstorm in a decade and, sure, it started out fun. He and the little kids next door took turns sledding down the large hill behind the apartment complex on a trash can lid and worked together to build a pretty impressive snowman complete with scarf and carrot nose. But the evenings had grown boring (and cold), cooped up alone eating leftovers and hoping the snow would melt faster so he could see his friends at school. Even playing “Noble Blades: The Final Chapter” got dull after awhile.]
[So it's with more enthusiasm than usual that Asbel greets Richard this morning, plopping down in a seat next to him with a beaming smile before he’s even pulled his coat off.]
Hey, Richard! Long time no see.
[It's practically a joke considering the long string of texts Asbel sent him over the weekend about going stir crazy and worrying the landlord would kick him out for conducting fencing practice in the lounge.]
You, uh, free this afternoon?
[Yeah, he knows Richard is probably piled high with student council work, but it never hurts to ask.]
pactfulfilled2015-03-29 11:46 pm[Closed] Let everyone raise the sparkling stars.
[Asbel finally emerges from the study after a long day of paperwork, stretching his arms and trying unsuccessfully to suppress a yawn. He's glad he finally got it all taken care of, but with the promise of even more tomorrow... Well. It's best not to think of that now.]
[His stomach feels decidedly less full than when he started out, and he'd honestly like nothing more than to take a nice relaxing dip in the tub and collapse into bed for the night, but he's still got some duties to tend to. Fortunately, he's saved the best ones for last.]
[Taking care of Sophie could never really feel like an obligation, and he's never regretted his decision to formally adopt her for a second. He's just sorry that he's been cooped up all afternoon and unable to spend more time with her. Surely he'll run out of documents to sign eventually?]
[Asbel wanders further into the main hallway, looking about to see if there's any trace of her.] Sophie? Sophie! Time for bed.
[Oh brother, what a model parent. If he was still young, he'd have stubbornly told his parents off for making up such an unreasonable bedtime.]
[His stomach feels decidedly less full than when he started out, and he'd honestly like nothing more than to take a nice relaxing dip in the tub and collapse into bed for the night, but he's still got some duties to tend to. Fortunately, he's saved the best ones for last.]
[Taking care of Sophie could never really feel like an obligation, and he's never regretted his decision to formally adopt her for a second. He's just sorry that he's been cooped up all afternoon and unable to spend more time with her. Surely he'll run out of documents to sign eventually?]
[Asbel wanders further into the main hallway, looking about to see if there's any trace of her.] Sophie? Sophie! Time for bed.
[
pactfulfilled2015-03-27 11:58 pm[Closed] Alone, awake and thinking of...the weekend we were in love.
[It's been a festive night to say the least. The loud congratulations still ring in his mind, the hearty laughter and the cheers as drinks were passed around, the bits and pieces of "manly advice", the well-wishes and the somewhat perverted jokes. A bachelor party, his bachelor party... all winding down to the big event - the wedding - not two afternoons away now.]
[The quiet halls of the Lhant manor seem almost suffocating by comparison as he half-coaxes, half-drags his little brother into his old bed. How he'd gotten this wasted, Asbel can only guess - Hubert's never made his distaste for drunken merriment a secret, after all.]
[Thankfully, he's not alone, though. He's really not sure if he'd want to be tonight, Hubert non-withstanding. Asbel tries his best to smooth the sheets out a little, his mismatched gaze finally rising to meet that of his best friend.]
I don't know how it happened, but I'm pretty confident he's out...
[The quiet halls of the Lhant manor seem almost suffocating by comparison as he half-coaxes, half-drags his little brother into his old bed. How he'd gotten this wasted, Asbel can only guess - Hubert's never made his distaste for drunken merriment a secret, after all.]
[Thankfully, he's not alone, though. He's really not sure if he'd want to be tonight, Hubert non-withstanding. Asbel tries his best to smooth the sheets out a little, his mismatched gaze finally rising to meet that of his best friend.]
I don't know how it happened, but I'm pretty confident he's out...
[Closed] So You Wanna Be A Magical Girl?
[Another day, another island. Asbel tries to forget about how dull and predictable things have gotten lately and snatches at any chance for some real adventure. Sure, he's learned to be more careful, but that doesn't mean he's going to sit around on the Friend Ship like some wuss waiting for the adults to figure out exactly how safe this place is and what they should or shouldn't do. How's a person supposed to really get a feel for anything if they don't try it out on their own anyway?]
[The setting is park-like. Large trees spring up in zigzag lines on either side of a stone pathway and gardens full of flowers grow inside and outside of square fences. Looks like someone fired the gardener months ago and never found a new one. Even the path is broken in places where flowers, roots, and mosses have taken hold between the cracks. It's a little wild, a little too (weirdly) quiet. But, also kind of mysterious!]
[Spotting something familiar, Asbel dashes ahead a little ways, swinging his wooden sword at the lower branches of a tree until two or three round fruits fall to the ground with a satisfying thud, thud, thud. He squats down to pick them up and turns around with a big grin on his face.]
Check it out, Hubert! Apples!
[The setting is park-like. Large trees spring up in zigzag lines on either side of a stone pathway and gardens full of flowers grow inside and outside of square fences. Looks like someone fired the gardener months ago and never found a new one. Even the path is broken in places where flowers, roots, and mosses have taken hold between the cracks. It's a little wild, a little too (weirdly) quiet. But, also kind of mysterious!]
[Spotting something familiar, Asbel dashes ahead a little ways, swinging his wooden sword at the lower branches of a tree until two or three round fruits fall to the ground with a satisfying thud, thud, thud. He squats down to pick them up and turns around with a big grin on his face.]
Check it out, Hubert! Apples!
windegarde2014-07-27 05:29 pm[Closed] Bad Life Choices.
[It's luck more than any skill of theirs that has allowed them to capture Richard and bring him back to the Amarcian Enclave. The mountain town is secure, and the warp pad has been temporarily dismantled to prevent escape. It all seems a little...overboard to Asbel, but he can't exactly say this out loud. After all, no one can be sure what will become of Fendel's valkines cryas and the world's eleth flow.]
[Most of Pascal and Hubert's explanations have flown right over Asbel's head, but he knows they've spent much of the evening consulting with the Overseer and Poisson about what to do next. Even when he tries to follow along, Asbel has a difficult time concentrating. He keeps telling himself he should be more concerned about the larger picture, but he just can't stop worrying about his friend or wondering what motives exist behind Richard's actions. None of this seems like him at all...]
[Malik has specifically warned him to be careful around Richard, and Asbel can understand why - the look on Richard's face as he'd been draining the valkines barely seemed human. But he also believes, if given a chance, that he can get through to him somehow. If he can just get Richard to talk to him about what's wrong, then they can fix all this. Then everything will go back to the way it was. They can look for a way to restore the eleth he's taken... they can explain everything to Duke Dalen and the court... Hubert will quit talking about how he'll kill Richard if Asbel doesn't have the nerve... Sophie will have no more reason to question their friendship... they can save him and renew their pact. He truly believes this is possible.]
[--Which is why he's here. Looks like he's the one snooping around this time. Asbel checks behind him and then opens the door just a crack.]
Hey, Richard? Are you awake?
[Most of Pascal and Hubert's explanations have flown right over Asbel's head, but he knows they've spent much of the evening consulting with the Overseer and Poisson about what to do next. Even when he tries to follow along, Asbel has a difficult time concentrating. He keeps telling himself he should be more concerned about the larger picture, but he just can't stop worrying about his friend or wondering what motives exist behind Richard's actions. None of this seems like him at all...]
[Malik has specifically warned him to be careful around Richard, and Asbel can understand why - the look on Richard's face as he'd been draining the valkines barely seemed human. But he also believes, if given a chance, that he can get through to him somehow. If he can just get Richard to talk to him about what's wrong, then they can fix all this. Then everything will go back to the way it was. They can look for a way to restore the eleth he's taken... they can explain everything to Duke Dalen and the court... Hubert will quit talking about how he'll kill Richard if Asbel doesn't have the nerve... Sophie will have no more reason to question their friendship... they can save him and renew their pact. He truly believes this is possible.]
[--Which is why he's here. Looks like he's the one snooping around this time. Asbel checks behind him and then opens the door just a crack.]
Hey, Richard? Are you awake?
windegarde2014-02-21 12:50 pm[Semi-Open] Knight Cadet Arc: Extended Edition
Asbel couldn't help but feel a little jittery, even as he did his best to keep a soldierly pace. How far would it set him back if he screwed up this assignment? What if the captain decided he'd made a mistake - that Asbel wasn't as prepared for knighthood as he'd believed previously? And just how was he being evaluated exactly?
Asbel straightened his posture, suddenly fearful that he could be tested on any number of things. Maybe the captain would deduct points if he spoke out of turn, or maybe he was expected to show he was fully involved by asking lots of questions. The captain might even throw something totally unexpected his way! He sure hoped he'd be ready for it...
Of course, he'd yet to be briefed. They'd been walking for a good half hour or so, and he still wasn't sure how best to prepare himself. Should he ask?
"Captain Malik?" Asbel turned to address his instructor. "I'd like to request details about this field mission, sir. If that's allowed."
((**I say "semi-open" because anyone is welcome to start time-skip prompts here, or you can just throw someone at me and I'll reply with a different prompt.**))
Asbel straightened his posture, suddenly fearful that he could be tested on any number of things. Maybe the captain would deduct points if he spoke out of turn, or maybe he was expected to show he was fully involved by asking lots of questions. The captain might even throw something totally unexpected his way! He sure hoped he'd be ready for it...
Of course, he'd yet to be briefed. They'd been walking for a good half hour or so, and he still wasn't sure how best to prepare himself. Should he ask?
"Captain Malik?" Asbel turned to address his instructor. "I'd like to request details about this field mission, sir. If that's allowed."
((**I say "semi-open" because anyone is welcome to start time-skip prompts here, or you can just throw someone at me and I'll reply with a different prompt.**))
[Closed] The Secret Garden...?
[It's early in the morning, gray and damp, with fog settled in among the rooftops and streets of Lhant. Asbel stands on the front porch, his hair disarrayed, and stifles a yawn.]
[Without a doubt, this is one of those mornings that invites sleep, but the study's a mess, and he's put off cleaning it for a while now. Turning to go back inside and get started on the inevitable, Asbel's stopped by a soft peeping noise coming from the direction of the gardens.]
[With a glance back at the doorway, Asbel steps off onto the pathway and peers around the gloom looking for the source.]
That's...kind of weird. I'm sure I heard something.
[Without a doubt, this is one of those mornings that invites sleep, but the study's a mess, and he's put off cleaning it for a while now. Turning to go back inside and get started on the inevitable, Asbel's stopped by a soft peeping noise coming from the direction of the gardens.]
[With a glance back at the doorway, Asbel steps off onto the pathway and peers around the gloom looking for the source.]
That's...kind of weird. I'm sure I heard something.