True Justice

"I don't blame you for things like getting sick. However, I would blame you if you shipped me back to Griande and I ended up homeless without a job. I think I'm a lot safer this way. You saw it yourself; Riley doesn't need me, and work is slow elsewhere. Maybe there will be more job opportunities at the Capitol."

Shay shook her head immediately. "Um, no. Shaydria O'Teale doesn't need a hero, and she never will." She rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Terence, you should know this by now." She turned away, resting her arms on the rail of the ship. "I wonder when we'll reach the shore."

True Justice

Terence looked out at the distant shore. It was just a thin black line on the horizon. He cleared his throat and then said, "Probably about as long as it takes you to admit that you need a hero..."

He leaned against the railing and shot a pointed look in her direction.

True Justice

((Hey look, I'm alive!))

The ship was a-bustle with activity as they came within sight of the port. Sailors pulled ropes and tied them, loosened others, lashed barrels in place, and the like. Adrian had moved to the forecastle and now watched as the ship pulled close to the dock. "We would be near the smallest town in all of Tierria," He muttered as the ship dropped anchor and slowed to a stop.

It was a good quarter hour before the ramp to get down onto the dock was let down, and Adrian showed his agitation the whole while by pacing back and forth. Finally, they got off the ship, Adrian leading the way all the while. "I'm going to the livery stables." He told the others, a determined look on his face.

-------

"Who happens to be in your cabin, Captain?" Jean said, shouting above the din of the storm. "I'll escort you there."

True Justice

"I don't need a hero, Terence." She rolled her eyes, indicating that the subject was closed.

Shay stood in silence until they reached the port. Her heart quickened at the sight of land. It had been far too long since she'd seen the sight of waves lapping against the shore.

Shay's eyes followed Adrian as he paced back and forth, waiting for the ramp to come down. She hoped he'd do something--anything--to quell his anxiety. Sweat stood out on her forehead and she folded her arms, bouncing up and down lightly in an attempt to ward off the stress that he was projecting.

Finally, the tension in the air broke as they headed off the ship. Shay jumped at the chance to go to the livery stables, and the opportunity to pick a fast--and hopefully tame--horse. "I'll come with you, then." She started walking off in the general direction of the smell of horse manure, glancing over her shoulder to see if Terence was coming or not. It wasn't like he had a choice.

Legends of Erandor

Ellion Roe left his room silently, pushing the door shut with a click hoping to slip past the eyes of his parents. He didn't have any desire to face the saddened expression of his Mother, nor the unreadable one that his sire always gave when yet another misfortune dawned because of his eldest child.

He had cleaned himself of the dirt and the blood, but the scratches still remained. He heard the lilted voice of his Mother drift in from their cooking room where she was no doubt slaving away, doing some extra baking for the festival. She usually did, always with the promise 'I'll get it there first thing tomorrow!', but it was generally Ainsley who delivered the things.

He sighed, feeling sick of heart and lonely as he made his way toward the door. Unhappiness could be seen on the lines on his young face and frustration clamped his jaw. There was no explanation for his nature, he couldn't even name the elusive feelings that often kept him acting so distance...so cold. His hand formed around the knob to their door and he was about to exit when words spoken by his Mother, halted him.

"Ellion, wait." She said gently, drying her hands on a soiled towel. She saw him stiffen from behind and sighed. "Are you alright?"

He half turned, the side of his face that was lined with a few crimson slits faced her. "No more alright than normal, I suppose."

"Ellion, dear, don't be this way. Me and your Father only want to help you. We just want to understand." she came toward him, like she had so many times before, trying to get him to confide in her.

He shut his eyes and refused to look toward her as she touched his arm. There was a moment of silence, in which Ellion felt his insides twisting as something within him want to turn to her and just spill out all the inexplicable emotions he struggled with, but his tongue was tied by hidden restraints. He just stood, as receptive as a brick wall.

His Mother was pained, but turned away heading toward her kitchen. "I have something I'd like you to take to Ainsley at the festival."

He had contemplated avoiding Ainsley, since he sensed her displeasure when he arrived. I'm an omen of trouble.....but isn't it true!?, he heard the clack of his Mother's shoes and she planted a basket of sweet rolls in his hands.

"Take these to your sister. If she doesn't eat them all before hand, she might spread them among our friends at the festival."

He nodded vaguely and opened the door, walking out onto the front path that led to the town.

"Try to be careful, son!"

Try... Ellion thought, as he hurried forward. As long as I don't run into that nephew of the barkeep...

True Justice

Terence stepped off the ship and inwardly sighed with relief. His stomach could finally be calm. The past couple of days on the ship had wreaked havoc with his stomach and eating pattern. It would be a few hours before he could eat without thinking of the swaying feel of the ship.

He thanked a couple of the sailors and then caught up to Adrian and Shay. "Adrian, before we leave town, we should probably get some supplies..."

Legends of Erandor

"Thanks, Elaina, but I think I'll stay here. Ellion might come back, and if he does..." Ainsley shrugged. "Okay, so he probably won't come, but if he does, I want to be here." She sipped more of the water, managing a small smile. "Besides, this is probably just some heatstroke or something. It'll pass."

True Justice

Adrian strode purposefully down the road, stopping only once to ask directions to the livery stable. "After we arrange to get horses, we can pick up supplies." He looked as though he were considering something, though he kept moving. "I have limited wages. How are you two doing on money? This may be a problem."

True Justice

Terence reached into his satchel and pulled out a small sack that was filled with coins. "This is all I've got." He removed a few coins, pocketed them and handed the bag to Adrian. "We'll have to use it wisely. I'm going to buy some food for us."

Terence looked at Shay. "Between the both of you, I'm sure you can find me a horse."

True Justice

Shay shifted awkwardly on her feet. "I have money." She pulled a pouch of coins out of her belt, surrendering it reluctantly into Adrian's hands. "This is some of it. I'll keep the rest in case we have need of it down the road."

She turned to Terence, a mischievous grin coming over her face. "Of course. We can find you a horse. How do you feel about mustangs?"

Then she turned to Adrian. "Which way to the stables?"

True Justice

Terence chuckled. "Mustangs?" He winks at her and says, "Well, I can handle you, can't I?"

He crosses his arms and adds, "Anything is fine. Just as long as it's not a little pony..."

This Is Eden

((OOC: For information about This Is Eden, please see the post here.))

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

A lone hand found its way out from under the mess of blankets and slapped the night stand. The infuriating beeping continued, and the hand began slapping randomly, succeeding only in knocking the lamp, a glass of water, a watch and the alarm off the nightstand.

The beeping continued.

"Blarghefur," Romano muttered, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. After a few seconds, the alarm was silenced, and Romano was gathering his things for a new day. As usual, he ate twelve pancakes, eight eggs, three croissants and a pound of bacon for breakfast, before grabbing his attache case and heading for the door. As he stepped onto the quad, Romano breathed in the cool morning air of Centreville and straightened his tie.

Another day, another dollar for the university and another priceless bit of his lifetime spent in a lab. Hopefully today would be a faint-free day.

This is Eden

Grace skipped through the clouds, gathering the bon-bons that were skattered about her feet. Here was a strawberry one, there a lemon one and- gasp, was it true??- she picked up a big, juice, cherry one, her favorite flavor EVER. Just as she brougth it up to her lips, a massive pain shattered her thoughts. Ow. Was that- her head that hurt?

Grace blinked, finding herself wrapped up in her old Disney Princess comforter, half her pillows on the floor, and a pesky two-year-old determindly plowing his favorite toy car into her skull.

"Ow. Ow. Ow..."

Her thougts finally cleared enough for her to yank the car from his grasp, and firmly plant said criminal on the floor nearby.

"I'm not giving you this car back untik you PROMISE not to hit me with it." she informed her little brother Silas.

"Ok." Silas instantly agreed, one chubby, slightly-grimy hand over the heart-pocket of his Cars pajamas. Grace smiled and passed it down, watching the toddler retreat to another room, to make more mischeif, she supposed.

"Ow." She rubbed the sore spot on her head. "Not exactly my idea of a wakeup call." Licking her lips, she sighed; she should have known she was dreaming. Darn. She didn't even get to EAT it. Dreaming was a perfectly awesome way to indulge without the calories. If it worked, anyway. She rued the fact that she had not the chance to try.

Grunting, she got up out of bed, tossed the forlorn pillows back onto it, and headed into the kitchen. It was deserted, except for Silas and his cars, which he was viciously running back and forth over the nice wood table.

"Si-la-as." she groaned, drawing out his name. "Play that on the floor, love, or you'll ruin mama's table."

"Ok." Off he trotted, leaving Grace to wish he was as careful as he was obedient. Whoever wanted to hit someone on the head, anyway? A curious toddler who wanted his big sister up, that's who.

"He better just not do it again, 'specially when I'm in the middle of a good dream." she murmured, pouring milk over her cereal.

This Is Eden

No one in their right mind would get up at 6am.

That was the first thought Julietta had when she woke up. It was quickly followed by a wry grin as she threw the covers off. Of course, I'm going to med school. I don't think I am in my right mind anyway.

She groggily got dressed and threw her copper-colored hair into a ponytail, since she was far too tired to try to tame her curls today. She grabbed a granola bar for breakfast, collected her schoolbooks into a backpack, and then headed out the door.

It was only when she got behind the wheel of her Jeep that she became fully awake. And it was then that she realized she'd gotten through the entire morning relatively disaster-free.

"It's a miracle," she muttered to herself as she backed out of the driveway, her rear bumper placing a glancing strike on the mailbox.

True Justice

Terence chuckled. "Mustangs?" He winks at her and says, "Well, I can handle you, can't I?"

He crosses his arms and adds, "Anything is fine. Just as long as it's not a little pony..."

"A little pony? That's an idea." Her eyes twinkled. "Just wait. I'll find you a good steed."

She turned then to Adrian, waiting for him to lead the way to the stables.

This Is Eden

Romano inhaled the smell of coffee wafting up from his cup and smiled as he set off for class. He hadn't gone far before Kiev waved him down.

"Hey, mornin!" Romano called, stopping to wait for Kiev to catch up. Another bright (sometimes literally) and not-so-human med student, Kiev was one of Romano's better friends and colleagues. The two often worked together on projects, and had many of the same classes. They were soon comparing notes on a recent lecture, absentmindedly winding their way across the quad and into the DeWhett building. They stopped at the base of the stairs to continue their conversation and sip their a-little-too-hot coffee.