The Council (Councilors Only)

OoC: Yeah. This OOC can change to something more useful, if moved away. Have fun. (Note that this is the same as what I posted in the comm thread, so if you read that, don't bother.) Oh yes. And I suggest not controlling other characters much in this thread... change things up a bit. Character found here. If you don't know which it is, you need help.

IC:

The council decided recently that we should hold more organized sessions. Fat chance of that, but here I still stand in the freshly cleaned up council chambers. It's nice to that now and then there can be no one around... Being the only one on the council whose natural appearance is that of a child (sometimes the Kokiri thing gets a touch annoying), it seems some find it okay to take my things, or move my seat, what have you. I don't know who does it, but then, I don't really care, either. It just gives me an excuse to play with everyone else's things.

I spend a moment looking around the council chamber, to spot anything I don't like. The room is large, not absurdly so -- but it certainly can't be described as conservative. At the moment it's nearly all dark, though. The main doors, where I'm standing, are are large oaken affairs that I can't touch the top of while just standing, not that that is particularly surprising, all considered. I'd say they're about 8 feet high, and 6 feet across.

On the other side of the room I can see the semicircle of seats for all the councilors, intended for meeting with people who request to stand before us. We often wind up being there other times too, as those seats are more comfortable than the more ''practical" places around. I note with a mixture of annoyance and mischief that my seat (we each have our own) got moved again. I decide to look around before doing anything about it, though.

Currently, the room is dark with only the entry, the semicircle, and the carpeted path to it. The rest of the room is total darkness. The ceiling isn't even visible. There are windows by the semi-circle overlooking the world beyond, but the light from those doesn't penetrate far. Knowing precisely where the controls for the lights are, I pull a rock out of a pocket, and toss it into the darkness. There is a click, then the sound of a rock skittering across the floor, as the room lights up, revealing all.

To the left is a large table that can serve many purposes... at the moment, there's some simple chairs around it. Beyond is a door that leads to a side room. To the right is a sitting area with tables, chairs, and a few random things to do. There too, a door to a side room resides. Overall, nothing particularly fun to mess with presently.

So I toss another rock at the little control panel, shutting off the extra lights again (There's a small scattering of rocks over there already... I'm sure it annoys someone, but whatever), then wander over to the semi-circle. First order of business is to move my seat back to where it belongs... so using a little device I got from a friend, I pick up (while still standing in the middle, and not touching it at all) my chair, and plop it in the central location (call me egotistical, why don'tcha?), as the one beneath moves out of the way. I then rearrange the others at random, put away my little tool, and drop down onto my lovely seat, to wait to see who comes in.

Over 10 seconds pass before I get bored and end up doodling on some papers, though still sitting where I had been.

Not to say that it wasn’t majestic, in a sense, but the dark atmosphere felt fittingly depressive; as if mockingly, no light was visible in the massive chamber, save for a faint illumination proffered by the sun from stained-glass windows. Even so, this could not chase away the dreary shadows which seemed so appropriate.

After all, they resembled closely the shadows which haunted the anxious mind of Blitz, of the Keir heritage. Despite the fact that his ancient predecessors once possessed great military and political might, the thought of being in power had always intimidated him. He was a swordsman, a soldier; not a senator. How had he ended up on the Council, anyhow? It seemed ridiculous; lest the fates had destined so, it seemed impossible. And now, the Council wished to conduct matters on a far more public level, which just meant that any follies the Keir played would be seen by all. But perhaps the proceedings would be restricted after individuals departed. No, that was far too much to expect; things would undoubtedly leak.

I should have seen it coming. First the Dome, and now this! In all of his experiences with power, it put him in very uncomfortable situations. This was yet another brilliant example, one for which Blitz was not in any way grateful.

Letting out a languished sigh, hands still clutching the sides of his belt, the swordsman dropped his head in exasperation. Even from the silver archway, which served as an omnipresent entry point from all worlds beyond, he could sense the melancholy undertones, but upon entering the Council’s hall his depression grew severely in magnitude. Plush carpet stretched from the arch to the half-ring of elaborately lethargic chairs, which were joined together by a semi-circular counter of oak, but the remainder of the floor was composed of dull, cream-colored tile. To the left end of the Council’s chambers was a large, rounded table. Judging by the seats positioned around its circumference, a meeting must have been held not too long ago; either that or someone had neglected to relocate the chairs to their proper place in the multidimensional closet, which lay beyond a door just past the table. Blitz had never been into the closet before, but he’d heard the continuum was quite a sight to behold. Perhaps he would pay it a visit—anything to keep his mind off of the Council.

“You shouldn’t be so down about it, you know.”

The voice came so suddenly that the fire innate almost jumped. Restraining a growl, he instead scowled up at where the voice appeared to come from. Still, he knew that this particular voice had no face. “What is your problem?” he challenged, eyes narrowing and arms tensing.

There was something comparable to a sigh of exasperation and a sense that someone had just rolled their eyes at him. “Oh, don’t act so surprised. It’s not as if I’ve never spoken directly to you before.”

Blitz scowled more challengingly, wishing that his creator would keep a greater distance from his life. The constant reminder that his entire existence was a lie failed to improve his mood. “Yes, but never in-character! It’s just not right.”

“Pffft! Since when have you been the sort for etiquette? Or preserving the continuum, for that matter?”

His voice was kept low, for he wished not to anger the one who had conjured his existence so long ago; yet the swordsman could not restrain his frustration leaking onto his tongue. “Look, if you’re going to interrupt my life, then leave a note first or something. I don’t like the ringing in my ears.”

Suddenly, the sense of being insulted filled Blitz’ mind. But instead of lashing out, the voice seemed almost hurt. “Alright, jeez… See if I help you out again.”

Blitz sighed. His creator could be somewhat childish at times, but in an almost charming manner. Not wanting ill thoughts between the two of them, he apologized: “I’m sorry. You startled me, that’s all.”

There was a brief pause, and Blitz wondered if his master had already departed. Then, “Apology accepted. I’ll give you advance warning from now on before I intervene, is that good enough?”

Feeling the master’s tension relax, Blitz almost grinned in relief. “That’s all I ask. …Hm?” Something redirected his attention to the oaken counter before the Council’s half-ring of chairs. Seeing who sat at the head of the counter, he cocked his head slightly. Huh. Looks like someone’s already here…

My nose wriggled uncomfortably as I awoke slowly. And I had so enjoyed being asleep. Pleasant dreams were what sleep had brought me. The first in weeks, if I am not mistaken. They weren’t of the happiest thing in the world; the things my heart desired, but I was well off in them. However, all dreams end, except those that we make real; even great power cannot grant us all that we desire.

Something soared past my ear, and even though it was a great distance off, it stung immensely. I opened my eyes, not really wanting to be fully brought back to reality, but I would have to wake up sooner or later. Blinding light. I shielded my eyes from the overpowering blast. You would imagine that space is rather dark, considering that it mostly empty, but when you are surrounded by thousands of stars, all of which have devastatingly powerful glows, you long for the darkness that you had imagined.

I had forgot where I had chosen to sleep the night before. Now, one would imagine, that being completely deprived of oxygen would make sleep less enjoyable, and it does, when you need the air to fill your lungs. I however, do not need air. I do not need food, or water. I can survive on nothing but myself, and my own energy, if I so choose. Sleeping in space does not always appeal to me, but it is very deserted, which means that no one will disturb you. The constant passing of meteors, however, does get annoying. Or perhaps they were comets, or asteroids, or some other space rock that exists in this dimension. I’d been away from home so long that I could no longer remember, and beside, I was omnipotent, not omniscient.

When I had first arrived in that dimension, with new found power, I had wanted to do something constructive. More specifically, I had wanted to create a ruling council, per say. Imagine my surprise when I learned that there was no need. There was already a governing council in power. Although, that did leave me at one disadvantage. If I wanted to join a council, and not create one, then there was no guarantee I would get in. I was accepted, of course, so there was no real problem, but not being the boss can be a nuisance when you have lots of power, and are just itching to use it. However, I am not greedy, and would not gain such a thing in such a way.

At that point, I had not met the council. I had seen the council’s chamber, once, just as I had been accepted, but did not stay. I was not to be put into my seat until that day anyway, so why bother? It would be easier to meet everyone when I had to, anyway. I must admit that I was not exactly eccentric about the idea of having to work with such a large group, either. Meeting new people would be good for me, though. I was almost ready to go, I supposed. I could not go looking like I had just awoken, however.

As I stared into the blackness of space, doing my best to avoid the bright light of all the stars, I snapped my fingers, and the reflective sheet popped up in front of me. Conjuring things was weird. One second I needed something, and then the next I had it. But it almost felt as if I gave a piece of myself away each time I conjured an item, and then only regained it when I uncreated the object.

I can’t say I was disappointed with what I say in the mirror. Divine powers have a way of keeping your face nice and tidy as you sleep. My brown hair was a little messy, but that’s how I liked it. My blue eyes seemed darker than normal, but I was sure I was just imagining it, as I always do. My teeth were white, and more perfectly alined than normal. And I looked as if I had not aged a day since I had arrived in that dimension. A young man with his life ahead of him, is what I looked like. I usually tried to look replenished in the morning, but I guess sleeping in space had messed with my handiwork.

“Well” I said aloud, knowing it was time. “I guess I’d better be off.” I hesitated for a second, not knowing who I would meet when I reappeared. The order flew through my mind, and I braced myself for that terrible feeling. It felt like I was being torn apart, shot out of a catapult, and then suddenly being put back together again. It made my stomach turn. I suppose I could have changed the feeling, but I don’t like doing things like that. It’s one thing to be divine, but it’s another entirely to change the effects of divinity.

In another flash, the feeling was over. My stomach was still spinning a little bit, but I didn’t feel extremely bad, and the large, semi-circular, oak doors standing in front of me were quite impressive. I hadn’t seen them the first time, as I had entered the archway portal. This time around, I knew exactly where I was going, so I did not need a portal.

It was time. I raised a hand towards the wooden door, and it slowly creaked open. I took a few steps forward, not knowing who I might have found inside. I couldn’t help but wonder if they would look at me oddly because of my... my gift. Would it really matter?

OoC - Ok, Mikurakare's profile is in the communication thread, somewhere, and it will soon be in the character approval section. And I took a page out of Scott's book, and wrote my post in first person. It was terribly hard, however, to keep track of past and present tense.

Ranul normally teleported to where he wanted to go in the Dome, but he didn't particularly want to go to the council's new room.

A waste of time, he thought as he strolled nonchalantly, robes dragging only slightly on the nondescript ground, down a random corridor. The Dome would assure he got to his destination, of that he was certain. I'm not even supposed to be here. How did I even get picked for this?

He knew he would become a teacher beyond a shadow of a doubt, but he figured that his brother would be the one picked to hold seat in the council. After all, Ranul cared little for this place, he just liked the ability to have every book ever made or to be made. This kept him busy, so he had few complaints. It was the difficulty with leaving that really bothered him.

But to be a council member? This was something that never occurred to him as a possibility, so he naturally took full advantage of any possibility to take control of this prison. That idea was shot down when he found out exactly what being a council member meant.

"Making decisions that better the community," he snorted with disgust, turning a corner. He nearly walked into a passing student that couldn't have been more than ten. "They take even the youngest of students," he muttered.

Turning another corner, Ranul made it to his destination; the newly constructed council room. Somehow, the decision to make the council's meetings more of a public forum came up while Ranul was out. Long story short, he took up an indifferent stance and the room was made.

He pushed open the door and saw he wasn't the first person in the room. In fact, he was the fourth. Two of the occupants he recognized from previous experiences, but the third was new to him.

He simply nodded at the other three council members and teleported across the room to his chair in the semi-circle.

I had barely acknowledged the entry of the others as they slowly trickled in, but now, with only four here, I'm getting bored...

"What takes everyone so long?" I ask unhappily. Not waiting for an answer, I drop my pencil back into its place, and look at the singularly unhappy-looking Ranul. "You look more like a sourpuss than usual." I suddenly get a fun idea in my head, and shift slightly in my seat.

As Ranul looks like he's about to respond, I jump, land on the back of his chair, and drop onto his shoulders. "Give me a ride!" I say happily.

Larena strolled down the immense hall, her brow laden with slight irritation at the sheer scale of the place. The circumstances under which she had arrived to this place were still as perplexing as they were but a few days ago. She had just departed from a somewhat shabby inn at a town she had hardly heard of, and though it had offered her a place to rest, it was of insufficient quality in her eyes. Whilst journeying through a nearby forest, she was confronted with a strange, invisible presence. Inexplicably, it knew everything about herself, and offered her a position in a Council of sorts. Her first response was to laugh at the absurdity of it joke and disregard the inplacable being. However, after listening to more of what it had to say, the offer piqued her interest, and she decided to comply and follow the being.

After a few days journeying, she came across an oaken door embedded within a face of solid rock. The presence that had led her thus far had all but abandoned her. She took a moment to weigh her options, but upon closer inspection, she noticed that her name was inscribed upon the illogical entrance, in her native tongue. Arching an eyebrow, she moved towards it, slowly turned the doorknob, and entered. She found herself in a large atrium with a vaulted ceiling, and a small distance to her right stretched a reception counter of sorts. The elf began walking towards the counter where a small, hooded creature was doodling on a yellowed parchment. Larena coughed quite audibly several times, but seeing no reaction, she slammed her hand onto a bell placed on the counter in self-righteous indignation. The receptionist raised a pair of beady eyes upon the woman, looking away from its stick-figures.

"Larena Fanaren?" it inquired, in a somewhat apathetic voice.

"The same," she replied, her irritation mounting.

"Follow to the left, take the 56th right, then the 21st left, and enter the first large wooden doors you find," acknowledged the creature in a clearly bored voice, before returning its gaze to its artistic endeavours.

"Well, thank you for your attention," she spat out to her indifferent audience, before turnng away and following the directions.

***

And now she stood before the great oaken doors of the Council chambers. Why she had ever agreed to this, she hardly remembered at the moment. However, there would be no second thoughts, she was too proud to allow herself to back away at this point. The elf slowly opened the colossal door and stepped inside the large, and might she add well-furnitured, Council room. Giving a look around at the members already present, she offered an enticing smile.


OOC: Come on fellas, don't let this idea die out. It deserves to be implemented. But you needn't bother with overly long posts, a maximum 500 will do. Let's keep the post length short but activity high.

I immediately reconsidered the idea. Being part of a council that would bring order was what I wanted, was it not? However, I wanted to do it maturely; with others who would act as if the whole things was serious. Fate hated me. I was looking at some sort of warrior; an elf; what seemed to be a smaller elf; and a hooded, mysterious figure. I supposed that to them, I looked odd, as well, but I couldn’t have ended up with anyone human? I supposed the hooded figure could have been human. I wasn’t, however, in the mood to look under his mask to see his face. The warrior, also, could have been a human, but there was something odd about him that made me unsure.

I sighed, and rose from the wall I was seated against. I supposed I would have to do something. I was there and not turning back, but what to do? Perhaps I could introduce myself to the other members present. I turned away from that idea. I was going to have to get to know them eventually, but I thought it best to wait until someone decided to introduce themself to me. Besides, they seemed to be having some sort of game take place. The tiny, green haired elf was attacking the masked figure playfully. Perhaps they had all met before. Perhaps I was the only there would did not know all the others.

Trying to keep my mind away from negative thoughts, I sat back down against the wall and stuck a hand away from my body. With a brief mental command, a ball of a glowing, orange, gelatin-like substance formed above my hand. It’s brightness lit up a portion of the room with a faint, orange light as the ball pulsated and wiggled. I was just about to cause the ball to implode when I saw another figure walk over to me. It was the red haired warrior who I had earlier observed. He was looking at the ball that was floating in my hand. Apparently, he had been watching me.

“You like fire?” I was slightly taken aback. I looked down at my hand and the ball suddenly grew a bit, and then shrunk into nothing. This man looked at my hand, which was still raised, with intrigue. I shook my head, just then grasping the question he had asked me.

“Uh, no, actually, that wasn’t fire. It was a ball of concentrated solar energy. I suppose it’s pretty much the same thing, only hotter. Why do you ask?” I asked him. In reality, I did like fire, but it was so dull. When you have the ability to create substances thousands of times more potent than fire, you tend to lose interest in it. But yes, I did love the idea behind fire and it’s properties.

This man shook his head and said, “No reason, just curious.” I shrugged as the man walked away. It hadn’t been as hard to talk to these people as I had imagined. I went back to watching a newly formed ball of solar energy, waiting for another opportunity to talk with another member of the council.

OoC- 533 words. Stiffy, stuffy Aex goes thirty-three words over the limit. So sue me, already.

OoC: I decided that I'm going to try experimenting with first-person. Behold the fruits of my labor!

IC:

Yawning, I roused myself out of restful sleep, the sunlight that filtered through the trees playing on my face. It had been a strange sort of urging that had led me to forsake my lover’s side temporarily. And then, what had I done? I’d fallen asleep, of all things, beneath the shelter of a shady baby pine. Shaking my head, I stood to my feet and brushed the pine needles from my clothes and hair, also reassuring myself that the Argentsigna was still securely around my neck. Nothing else living seemed to be around, which served to depress me a bit. Even as I made my way through the forest, allowing whatever this feeling was that drove me onward, I couldn’t help but wonder if the noticeable absence of life had something to do with my presence.

I ran my tongue absent-mindedly over my fangs before realizing that I’d reached a rather largish-looking building that reminded me vaguely of one of the impressive cathedrals I’d seen in my 600 years of wandering the earth. Curious, I walked up to the huge double doors and pulled on one of the massive iron door rings. Stepping cautiously through, the first thing I noticed were the signs. They had arrows painted in midnight blue on them, and the words “Mariana Heruka: Follow the Arrows” were clearly painted on as well. I raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. Well, this had certainly been the last thing I’d expected to find, after all. Complying with the signs, I decided to do as I was instructed.

When the arrows ended, I found myself standing outside a door that had another sign taped to the outside almost haphazardly. On it, scribbled in an almost indecipherable script, were the words “Council Chambers.” Utterly confused, I figured there was nothing for it but to enter and see what was required of me. Council? What sort of Council was this? And why was it that I apparently had been chosen to sit on it? I had no experience; this sort of thing was more suited to Maximilian than it was to me, but clearly, the signs wanted me to go inside. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and slipped quietly inside.

There were already figures present within the room, none of whom I recognized in the least. After giving the room a quick glance, I decided to go out on a limb. “Um, excuse me, but…what is this Council? And what am I doing on it?”

OoC: 420 words. I win. >> Oh, yeah, and if you need some help figuring out who I'm using...it's Mariana. << And if you need to look at her profile, it's the first one on the list in my link in my siggy. Have fun.

OOC: Yes, WoTS, with Angel Tokumaru here… Blitz SHOULD be… you know. But, in the words of LEA-dono, “Bah, this thing defies timelines anyway.” SO! Angel Tokumaru it is!!!

BiC: The calm, serene ocean sunset seared deep into the waters outside of the Heavenflame’s room, gulls cooing softly from high above. Within the room of maple was a whole ocean out across the ledge, spanning infinitely through the cosmos of the Dome forever more. Sitting on the edge of the balcony, hanging onto a column for support, the white eyes of the Heavenflame Samurai peered out unto the ocean depths.

Since his return from Olympus, the Angel had thought of permanently taking abode in the sacred Dome, leaving behind all things besides Shan and his Children. A wonderful transition it would be for him, to start life anew as an Angel-on-Earth within the Dome, teaching students for the rest of eternity. A tough job to take, however, it would not be too difficult for the most powerful of the Fire-Users. However, before his mind could trail any longer, a tinge in Tokumaru’s mind, the part interconnected with the Dome, arose his attention. Backflipping off the rail, landing softly back in his room, the Samurai walked out casually, heading for where the tug would so lead.

“There is something the Dome wishes to show me…” the Angel said, resting his hand on the hilt of the sheathed Hinotama. “What it is, I do not know… but… I sense great and wise powers coming from this mental tug, some familiar, and some not. What is it you have in store for me, Dome?”

The Dome’s aura shifted in response, although not uttering any plausible answer to Tokumaru’s question. The Angelic Samurai did not expect one, though, and kept moving along in the direction of the mental tug. His kimono floated peacefully behind him, small strands of it along his back floating in the walking-wind, cut out as to give the samurai a place for his wings.

Eventually, after long, tedious walking, Tokumaru halted the clicking and clanging of his sandals, turning to face a massive set of double oak doors.

“Here we are…” he said to no one, outstretching a pale hand to the handle. “So this is where you have led me, almighty Dome. …I see that you have entrusted me enough to be present amongst these certain individuals.”

The door then opened, allowing Tokumaru to step inside. What met his eyes was an intricately decorated room, one without a visible ceiling. Windows echoed out into the distance, spanning far, although with little light to an extent. In the chairs he saw familiar faces—especially the Wielder of the Sword—and those not so memorable.

The samurai bowed before his fellow Council Members, and took a seat in one of the comfortable chairs.

OOC: 443 words. Pl0xz.

OoC: Behold …! Adrien.

BiC: He was a rather pale man, but that was only one of his strange qualities. To say the least, he was rather amused by others’ reactions to his unique persona. However, he was now amused by other things: The wonderful mysteries of the splendid place he now found himself residing in. The Dome was something he had ran across and never even known to exist before hand. Which just went to show, that no matter how much more knowledge he required, there was always something he did not know. That was fine by him. He lived for such wonders and unknown concepts. His goal was never to gain all the knowledge possible. Just that was impossible. No matter how long he would live … well, to live is another oddity to use with Adrien. He always prefered the word “exist.” No matter how long he would exist, he would never be able to know everything. That, strangely enough, was what he loved the most about knowledge. Even now, he was in a place that continued to amaze him.

The Dome had earlier taken him from his home world, Sekin, to teach. Teaching was also something else Adrien loved to do, so of course he accepted the offer. Not only that, but the Dome offered him access to large amounts of information. Huge libraries that held so many books, that when Adrien first saw them he temporarily forgot how to speak. Now, another offer floated to him. He was requested to join the Council. Well, he was always happy to experience new things. Besides, there were bound to be others in the Council. Others that knew things he did not, which he would be very glad to hear these new parcles of knowledge from lips instead of stale black ink on dusty paper.

So, Adrien now strode down a white marble hall of the Dome. He trusted the wise void would know exactly where to take him. His arms were folded behind his back, palms cradling his opposing elbows. The pale man walked gracefully down the hall, his face bearing no smile nor frown; yet, it held more than a deadpan expression. There was such content in his eyes that there was no need for a smile. Every breath seemed fresh and clean. Every step had a spring in it. Some would say he was dead, but Adrien felt so very much alive. The ebony-haired man chuckled to himself at the irony of it, allowing a gentle smile to slide swiftly into his lips.

The vampire came to a short stop. Large oak doors stood infront of him, as if they had materalized within a second. This had to be the place. Adrien unfolded his arms and used one hand to push a single one of the doors open. He stepped through the doorway and into the Council room. Adrien allowed a charmingly friendly smile to appear on his sincere complexion as he stopped to gaze around at many new faces.

“Good day,” he said to them all, with a graceful bow. The insipid being stepped forward, venturing farther into the room. The others looked up to study the new arrival.

OoC: YAY! Adrien ^_^ Well, this is the first time I’ve used him. I hope you guys like him. His profile is in me sig.

I scratch my head unknowingly, as I ponder why I was called to this duty. Why have they chosen me? I don’t see myself as having any protruding or profound and important characteristics. I am just a love-sick former-pirate, too spunky and energetic for anyone’s own good. Though, it may be that everything needs variety. And for a council that governs the entire Dome, it is important to have everything going perfectly. I think I almost understand, now. I suppose.

The ear-splitting boom of the ship’s horn bellows, arousing me from my thoughts. We are almost to the harbor, where I have been instructed to the council room. I don’t know what’s to discuss, and I speculate at what the reasons for a council meeting could be as I run my dirt-encrusted fingers though my fiery red hair. Many, like my dear Elrick, say it seems to ignite me and give me so much life. I don’t know if I should believe them, though. Do they imply that if I were to shave my head I would lose all this built-up energy contained inside me?

It soon comes to me that we are almost landside, pulling into the harbor. It seems that no other ships reside here, making me wonder if these waters are safe. I believe I should be alright, though, for I am a pirate and have swum many miles. I need not worry.

I feel the jerk of the boat as it grazes the edge of the dock. A crew man jumps over the side and comes rolling to a stop on the other side of the dock, rushing to tie the frayed and withered rope attached to this boat to a pole on the dock. He knots it quickly and expertly. I wonder how long he has been a seaman.

The seaman lowers the ramp leading to the dock—I must be able to depart. Strolling off, a dust-covered sign directs me to a place called the Dome. It claims it is not far, but it does not say how long it will take. I shrug it off, and begin my walk.

It takes a little over a half of an hour. The building is large, circular with no polygonal shapes in sight. It is a magnificent structure, and it intrigues me. A large archway adorns the windswept stone lane, and for some reason prompts me to shuffle my feet along the path. As I make my way into the building, I discover that I need to find the room on my own, as there are no markers of any sort. Oh, joy.

I come upon large oaken doors, radiating with the sense that this is where I should be. Hesitating to open the door, my hand grasps the cold brass handle, tugging softly. The scent of pine wafts out of the room—it smells delightful. I step in and my eyes set upon the diverse variety of council members that have arrived.

OoC: 497 words.

With a yawn, I kicked up my bare feet, and rose. Even though I was in Ryiel, same setting for a long time now, I felt as though everything looked somehow…less alive.

“Mariana!” I ran, and as I did, the hazy comfort of my sunglasses grew over my eyes. Before I even realized how worried I was, a strange structure blocked my path. Was this another of Arimas’s creations? It didn’t look much like something he’d make. He had, after all, chosen me to do the creation of the world Mari and I now inhabited.

No. This wasn’t the work of Arimas. It had a strange feel coming from it, and neither was I hesitant about putting two and two together. Something was new, and something was missing. Mariana had to be inside. After cracking my knuckles several times and summoning my blade, I charged in through the open doorway.

Keeping my cool, as usual, I prepared for some sort of monster to jump out. One that I could quickly dispatch.

“WHERE IS SHE?! SHOW YOURSELF, YOU FREAKS! I’LL CARVE HALF OF YOU INTO PIECES, AND FEED YOU TO THE REST!”

A small sign greeted me from the wall opposite the hall entryway.

“Maximilian Tobias Archard Cronqvist Juven Heruka, This way.”

An arrow below these words pointed to the right, and I cautiously followed. What fien