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| Celestial Palace; Not far from Kana Hanate | |
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| Topic Started: May 28 2007, 10:59 PM (365 Views) | |
| Yliatas_Timend | May 28 2007, 10:59 PM Post #1 |
He is soooo gay.
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Located perhaps a mile or so away from the busy Kana Hanate would be the Celestial Palace. A large structure of seemingly four levels, it is surrounded by gleaming golden gates and a lovely grove on three sides. Leading to the giant white and gold palace would be a single snake-like white stone path and at the end of the path would be the large gates of the palace which always were guarded by two heavily silver-armored Celestials with faces hidden behind cage-like helmets. The Palace is known for its unbelievable splendor which could never be copied and for its various mysterious levels both above the main level and underground. A labyrinths of sorts, it is a city of its own full of servants and honorable Celestials and as well as calming outdoors areas that visitors often fancy to see. Although quite the outrageous structure, the Celestial Palace is known also for being littered with secrets of the ancients and untouchable rooms by even some of the Zhengs. This is where the Zhengs and the Holylands officials reside. |
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Avy by Arei "This is like, totally B-I-T-C-H-ing!" -Gen Mecca (2004) “Do I remind you very much of your husband? We're very close you know, much closer than an uncle and nephew ought to be...” -Tigris I (Dec 2004) Main Charrie (Currently): Garn Tasn Zheng Appearance: 1, 2 | |
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| Yliatas_Timend | May 31 2007, 09:19 PM Post #2 |
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He is soooo gay.
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Twenty years could do a number to a country. Especially twenty years in isolation. Perhaps Garn was too benevolent to allow some of the shipwrecked fools to enter and dwell in the Holy Lands. But what had been done was done and he would have to deal with a more liberal nation in behavior. Of course, he had no real gripes about the more accepting personalities of the newer Celestials. No. He liked it for he could dress the way he wanted without having too many people whisper behind his back. What bothered him was the fact that the newly rebuilt Deletore Uneki seemed to be the rumor mill and in the past five years, Garn seemed to be the center of many rumors. Most of those rumors were regarding his sexuality for he had very few female servants around. Little did they know that their Yu Hasho had done it to prevent himself from having too much fun sexually while ruling. However, at times, the Celestial did wonder if some of the rumors had some truth to them. He certainly thought many people were beautiful. Even men. But did he ever do anything that was...homosexual? He often thought about it, but seeing as his memory was a disaster ever since an incident before he disposed of his brother, he tended to give up before he got anywhere. All he knew was that he wasn't about to have sex with another male. It would hurt like fuck. It was when the officers he sent to silence the loudmouth in Uneki Cera returned dazed that these thoughts about homosexuality returned. He glared at them as they once more reported that they could not arrest the arrogant whore. They blamed it on the sister and remarked that she was quite the formidable dame. Garn frowned at this. He ought not to send high-level men to go the the best hotel there to arrest two children. What would that say about his administration? That he had nothing better to do? It might also be embarrassing to the administration if for some weird reason they were to fail at capturing the two. Of course, if Garn were there, it would be a piece of cake. However, Garn was not too crazy about the idea of him going there himself. He had yet to step into Uneki Cera for anything other than pleasure. And even those times were rare. Garn was about to dismiss the two incompetents when he noticed they were looking at him intently. The Celestial arched a dark eyebrow. "What is the matter?" The two did not respond. Sitting up a bit better, he gave them a rather frighteningly superior and threatening glare. Still no response other than the swallowing of saliva from them. For a moment, Garn stared and then he realized why. Perhaps they were having the same thoughts about sexuality as he was. Smiling, the former dark lord decided to have a bit of fun to torment the two. He stood up and the officers took a step back as the Yu Hasho sauntered over to them in his sleeveless black robes. Long onyx tresses tumbled down exotically down his shoulders and his lips were full rather than thin. There was also a hint of eye make-up. As he neared, his stare became almost suggestive and the officers backed up once more. But, before they realized it, their lord was a mere inch away from them, looking at one after the other with an almost amused smile. Garn could almost feel their embarrassment for not being able to move. He leaned forward and the two officers quickly fell back onto their bottoms, shocked. The Yu Hasho pouted a bit. Falling before he had even touched them? That was no fun! Crimson flooded onto the cheeks of the two Celestial officers and they quickly excused themselves before running off. As soon as they did, Garn felt strong arms snake around his shoulders. His wrist felt the cool surface of a metallic belt and from the scent, he knew it was Weimar. The Yu Hasho sighed and leaned back wearily onto the strong body behind him. "These Celestial officers are no fun to tease, Engels." The man behind him shifted his weight before taking the former dark lord into his arms completely, lifting the Celestial off the ground. Garn was surprised as he instinctively wrapped his arms around the man's neck. Fathomless black eyes glittered with confusion as they met with excited blue eyes. A chill ran through the Yu Hasho's spine at the blond's expression. It almost looked bloodthirsty. "Um..." Garn began uneasily, feeling his stomach doing somersaults. He was never held in such a fashion when he was perfectly healthy. It felt a bit weird. Almost homosexual... Shifting in the arms of Weimar, the former dark lord didn't quite know what to do. Weimar smiled in his dark blue robes and placed his lips right by his lord's ear. "You're not much better, I'm afraid." And with that, the demon put the Yu Hasho down and vanished. Garn blinked once. Twice. Awkward. |
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Avy by Arei "This is like, totally B-I-T-C-H-ing!" -Gen Mecca (2004) “Do I remind you very much of your husband? We're very close you know, much closer than an uncle and nephew ought to be...” -Tigris I (Dec 2004) Main Charrie (Currently): Garn Tasn Zheng Appearance: 1, 2 | |
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| Yliatas_Timend | Jul 3 2007, 03:34 PM Post #3 |
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He is soooo gay.
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Playing the loner was getting to Garn. It was boring. Very boring. He needed some activity. He needed to play conquerer! He needed the outside world to fear! But despite his urges, Waldron and Weimar always told him to stay put. But why? He'd questioned them many a time, but they would merely say that he could not do that when he could not recover the two fugitives. Who knows what those two might do? As far as everyone knew, they were clearly still alive--or at least Raghnall was. With a frustrated sigh , the Yu Hasho fell onto his stiff bed and groaned, closing his dark eyes. Where were they? How had they escaped him without their minds? Fingers snaked through his dark tresses. And then there was the fact that even after so many years that he could not remember a single thing about his past. All he knew he had learned from word of mouth, given to him by Waldron and Weimar. For some reason, Garn couldn't help but think he was being tricked. They were lying to him. But why? To protect him from the raw truths? He felt like he was a puppet. The very thought threatened to spark his anger. Garn Tasn Zheng was not to be made a fool of! Eyebrows knitting together, he sat up suddenly and opened his eyes. He needed a walk. Grabbing his traveling cloak, he quickly left the palace through the windows without the notice of his subordinates. |
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Avy by Arei "This is like, totally B-I-T-C-H-ing!" -Gen Mecca (2004) “Do I remind you very much of your husband? We're very close you know, much closer than an uncle and nephew ought to be...” -Tigris I (Dec 2004) Main Charrie (Currently): Garn Tasn Zheng Appearance: 1, 2 | |
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| Yliatas_Timend | Aug 9 2007, 04:42 PM Post #4 |
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He is soooo gay.
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Ships of the sea. Ships of the air. Both threatened the peaceful borders of the Holy Lands. Of course, the wards were strengthened and none got through. It was a suicide mission. And yet, Garn was feeling benevolent. He made sure that some of those ships and airships merely vanished and reappeared on the wrong side of the map. He would not allow a single one to get in. No, he was not going to be that kind. He'd let enough humans in. His eyes were opened to the destruction of piece and morals in his nation. It was their fault Deletore Uneki turned out the way it did. It was their fault that something as disgusting as homosexuality was allowed. What were they becoming? The former Undead nation? A wave of nausea claimed him as he sat on his throne at the thought of Mortikan. Gripping the arms of his throne, he closed his eyes, willing the sickness of his stomach away. Once it was gone, he opened his eyes once more. Onyx black blazed with indignation. No. That was enough. He would have a crusade. Those in Deletore Uneki needed to be checked and fast. The first to go would be that Raven kid and his sister. He was not fooled. It was his sister who was the blur of red he saw during his visit to the Golden Beach. Both of them will be sentenced to the death they deserved. No one ever got away with insult Garn Zheng or bringing so much disgrace to the nation. |
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Avy by Arei "This is like, totally B-I-T-C-H-ing!" -Gen Mecca (2004) “Do I remind you very much of your husband? We're very close you know, much closer than an uncle and nephew ought to be...” -Tigris I (Dec 2004) Main Charrie (Currently): Garn Tasn Zheng Appearance: 1, 2 | |
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| Yliatas_Timend | Sep 2 2007, 09:26 PM Post #5 |
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He is soooo gay.
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It took days. It took weeks. It almost took a whole freakin' month before Garn finally got tired of the constant nagging of Waldron regarding the whole cloaking the nation business. Sade had lost countless ships and people were starting to notice and get restless. The army certainly was not happy. And then his crusade against Deletore Uneki failed miserably. People didn't think highly of him after his attempts to capture Raven and Maple. It seemed like the nation was ready to revolt. But what was Garn to do? Fall on his knees and give in? Why would he ever do that? He might have some chunks of his personality gone and even some of his memory, but his pride was still very much intact. It was during that morning when Waldron decided to bring up the cloaking again at the breakfast table that Garn finally exploded. Food and utensils went flying. The table split cleanly in half while Garn's chair crashed onto the marble floor. An ominous aura emerged around his Celestial form as his normally flawless countenance twisted into one of hideous rage. Servants quickly scuttled to the walls of the room as Waldron calmly stood up, chains slithering around him, as if protecting the pink-haired Qin Nabe. Fathomless black eyes narrowed. No word was exchanged as the two stood, facing each other with their backs straight, chin up in defiance. It was almost a comical scene. A scene where one would expect sparks to be flying from the eye of Waldron at the dark eyes of Garn's. Perhaps a bit of thunder and rain and maybe a flash of lightning. But none of that happened. Instead, they just stood there, one waiting for the other to finally move a muscle and concede. This continued for what seemed like hours before Garn finally blinked and sighed, slipping onto the floor, head tilted toward the ruined table. Dark tresses hid his annoyance at himself while his fists clenched and unclenched. He was never good at arguing with Waldron. He didn't look up until he heard movement and then a hand on his shoulder. When he did look up, he saw that Weimar was already there along with a few other attendants. Everyone looked at him expectantly. So they expected me to give in. Damn them. Sighing, he sat up, placing a hand over his eyes. He felt weak. He felt tired. He felt completely destroyed. Garn Tasn Zheng: Yu Hasho of the Holy Lands. Defeated by a pink-haired candy-lover. Pathetic. Despite not being able to see, he was acutely aware of the fact that all eyes were on him. He ought to say something soon. He could feel Waldron's grip on his shoulder tightening. And he did say something after a minute or so. Removing his hand from his eyes, he looked up and murmured his consent: "Fine. Drop the cloak, remove the soldiers from the Golden Beach, and let all those stupid mortals in." A roar of satisfaction shook the dining room. -- Two hours later, the cloak was removed and incoming ships cried out in alarm and delight. The Holy Lands was open to the world once more. |
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Avy by Arei "This is like, totally B-I-T-C-H-ing!" -Gen Mecca (2004) “Do I remind you very much of your husband? We're very close you know, much closer than an uncle and nephew ought to be...” -Tigris I (Dec 2004) Main Charrie (Currently): Garn Tasn Zheng Appearance: 1, 2 | |
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| Yliatas_Timend | May 29 2008, 12:11 AM Post #6 |
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He is soooo gay.
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Garn was gone and according to the line of succession, Waldron would be the substitute Yu Hasho. Well...not really. He would be the co-Yu Hasho, unfortunately. Weimar von Engels was also a Qin Nabe which irked the petite Celestial more than he would like to admit. But no matter, things were going as planned and the pink-haired male planned to make the best of it. The first line of business Waldron took care of was the supply of sugar in the Palace. He'd doubled it. The second was to make sure that the public didn't see Weimar as much as possible, hoodwinking the masses that he was the ultimate authority in Hithiren until the true Yu Hasho returned. But then again, was Garn Tasn Zheng really the true Yu Hasho? People often debated this, but in Waldron's mind, history had decided and he was supposed to become Yu Hasho anyway. Now whether or not Garn had any real power was a whole other question in his mind. No one but Weimar was aware of the big influence Waldron had over the pretty Celestial and sometimes Weimar suspected treachery was afoot, but could never convince his master of it. Pity for them, but excellent for Waldron. And now Waldron was acting Yu Hasho. Weimar was worried and so were some of the staff in the palace. But for entirely different reasons, of course. After all, to the public eye, Waldron was only a candy-addict that was more silly than serious. Some of the officials feared this as they assumed Waldron would turn Hithiren into Candyland or something absurd like that. Weimar thought differently, but never would voice his opinions without the protection of the Zheng family. And so Weimar was effectively censored while Waldron enjoyed drafting new laws and the like with Mestra and others. |
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Avy by Arei "This is like, totally B-I-T-C-H-ing!" -Gen Mecca (2004) “Do I remind you very much of your husband? We're very close you know, much closer than an uncle and nephew ought to be...” -Tigris I (Dec 2004) Main Charrie (Currently): Garn Tasn Zheng Appearance: 1, 2 | |
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| Yliatas_Timend | Apr 19 2009, 11:34 PM Post #7 |
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He is soooo gay.
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The palace was a grim place that day. There was no joy despite the brilliant day out and the glittering premises that made up the Celestial Palace. The source for this lack of energy and joy all had to do with a certain pink-haired individual who had remained in his room all day in a black mood, pacing the length of his room with agitation. Of course, he wouldn't tell anyone why he was agitated, which merely made the staff even more worried. After all, he was one half of the ruling body presently in the palace. If anyone knew why Waldron Zenon was so annoyed, it would be the gods themselves as they had made the pact with him to begin with. Hopefully the pact wouldn't break because of medlesome humans. Humans...AH! That's right! Maple had written to him recently about her brother! "Hmph, seems I'll have to do something about it..." Sighing in disgust, he went over to his drawer and pulled out a spool of shimmering silver thread and tied one end to his finger. This would be a tedious process, but he would do it if only to prolong the ruse. Glancing out, he noticed that night had fell and a small smile appeared on his lips. Yes, perfect. |
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Avy by Arei "This is like, totally B-I-T-C-H-ing!" -Gen Mecca (2004) “Do I remind you very much of your husband? We're very close you know, much closer than an uncle and nephew ought to be...” -Tigris I (Dec 2004) Main Charrie (Currently): Garn Tasn Zheng Appearance: 1, 2 | |
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| Drake | Apr 20 2009, 12:39 AM Post #8 |
“Après moi, le déluge.”
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Gliding seamlessly across the tiled floors of the Celestial Palace. Her beauty was seemingly unnatural, her poise, grace, and charm, heavenly. Yet at the late night hours, her presence in the abode of the Yu Hasho was not only queer, but surprisingly out of place. She did not seem like a woman lost, or someone who had wandered too far. Floating through the halls and the rooms, she seemed to know where she was going. Like a ghost, she spooked whatever random courtier of servant might choose to get in her way. She said nothing, her eyes glazed over with a innocence and naïveté that befuddled those who happened to see her in the palace on that late evening. She had told her ‘Grandmamma’ that she would proceed to Esto Gaza from Vulcan, but it seemed a waste not to visit the great land of Hithiren, to soak up it’s culture. She had already learned from Kuja’s mistakes. His first mistake was fatal, and cost him deeply. He had offended Hithiren. Whilst the Celestials had carved out their own empire during the chaos, they had been forced to withdraw near the end of the ordeal. He had made a major flaw in attempting to conquer the vast empire of the Celestials; by doing so, Kuja had turned Hithiren from a neutral benefactor in the chaos, into an enemy. There was no need for any more enemies than possible, and the girl could only shake her head furiously. Politics, it was a miasma, and Kuja had gotten too involved. All the traditional ideals of warfare had been present in the first stage, and that is what had costed Kuja. If Hithiren had been left to her devices, Kuja would’ve had breathing room…he would’ve achieved his goal. If the Celestials had been given their empire, nothing would’ve mattered. Because in the end, all would have returned to zero. She was determined not to repeat Kuja’s mistakes. Many changes had occurred in the years, revolutionizing the world of Zelpha. There are more technology, more wealth, and more power, than ever present. No longer was Hithiren the sole empire. In the west sat Sade, a glorious testament and possible rival. She needed to woo both, confuse both, and lead both to their destruction. Bees were more keen to follow honey, than vinegar, after all. She would begin in Hithiren, as it was already in a certain chaos with the Yu Hasho’s absence. It would be more easy to divide and conquer than ever before. She stopped in front of a room, where the so-called ‘fiore’ made his residence. Not bothering to knock, slashed at the door with her hands, pure magical energy breaking it, and allowing her entrance to speak with the most important man in the whole palace… |
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His Majesty, Drake, By the Grace of God, King of Serdio, the Sudland, Prince-Consort of Meria, Rei Henka of Odon, Grand Prince of Ivendell, Imperator of Eden, Protector of the Shiitan, President of the Lands of Sade | |
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| Yliatas_Timend | Apr 20 2009, 12:52 AM Post #9 |
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He is soooo gay.
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Threads floated and twisted themselves into intricate patterns, soon covering the entirety of Waldron's bed as he stood, entranced with his own work with the silver threads. Several empty spools were strewn about his feet. However, despite his concentration, he heard someone enter. Of course, he didn't look away from his work until the last knot was tied. A strand of the silver thread remained upon his little finger as he looked over his shoulder wearily at his visitor. He didn't ask for introductions, he could tell already who she was. "Hm...you could've knocked, you know. What do you want?" There was no childish squeak in his voice and no glimmer of youthful energy in his wide eyes. There was only weariness. His usual facade as an innocent, child-like Celestial was dropped completely, but not because he didn't have the energy, but simply because he didn't feel like it. Besides, it made a nice contrast with the innocent-looking girl before him. There was no way she could be innocent to break into the Celestial Palace so late at night. |
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Avy by Arei "This is like, totally B-I-T-C-H-ing!" -Gen Mecca (2004) “Do I remind you very much of your husband? We're very close you know, much closer than an uncle and nephew ought to be...” -Tigris I (Dec 2004) Main Charrie (Currently): Garn Tasn Zheng Appearance: 1, 2 | |
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| Drake | Apr 20 2009, 01:00 AM Post #10 |
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“Après moi, le déluge.”
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“It’s rude to talk to a lady like that, Sir Zenon!” Gliding closer to the Celestial, the girl examined the room with a curt look. For such an important person, especially according to all those sources, it certainly didn’t seem so; the same went for his appearance. Pink hair? The girl couldn’t help but giggle slightly. Perhaps some things were better hidden under a calm and loving appearance, such as the one she possessed. Yet she had no desire to dwaddle long in the palace, it reeked of a powerful magic and she did not want to stay long to be at the end of some terrible trap or something. She would do her business quickly and leave. “I have been told that you have certain connections to the Goddess of Fate. The Celestials worship her, yet her duties affect all of humanity that inhabits Zelpha. It is from her wheel that fate is spun. She decides the greatest victories, the worst defeats, the coming of light, and of darkness. She has certainly foreseen the events that have happened. And knows what it is to come. I need her cooperation. For no matter what I do, it is nothing if the fates have already been woven against me. Light always triumphs. I need that fixed. I also need some things…acquired from past strands. I am hoping you will aid me, Sir Zenon?” And she giggled again. “Well, it’s not like you really have a choice.” |
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His Majesty, Drake, By the Grace of God, King of Serdio, the Sudland, Prince-Consort of Meria, Rei Henka of Odon, Grand Prince of Ivendell, Imperator of Eden, Protector of the Shiitan, President of the Lands of Sade | |
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| Yliatas_Timend | Apr 20 2009, 01:14 AM Post #11 |
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He is soooo gay.
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Waldron raised his eyebrows at the audacity of the girl to assume so much. He didn't look too deeply into her, he didn't have to. For such a sweet little thing, she was quite calculating. In a way, they were cut from the same batter, it seemed. Yet, despite this, instead of the feeling of kinship, Waldron only felt annoyed. Where had she heard such a rumor? No one knew of such a connection aside from those that were alive when Faten was disguised as a mortal. "And why don't I have a choice? You speak with such authority. You have no power over me unless Fate ordained it." And if she did, Waldron would have a very long talk with her later. He didn't see any reason why he should have to help anyone that wasn't a part of the plans he'd already set into motion. |
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Avy by Arei "This is like, totally B-I-T-C-H-ing!" -Gen Mecca (2004) “Do I remind you very much of your husband? We're very close you know, much closer than an uncle and nephew ought to be...” -Tigris I (Dec 2004) Main Charrie (Currently): Garn Tasn Zheng Appearance: 1, 2 | |
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| Drake | Apr 21 2009, 10:57 PM Post #12 |
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“Après moi, le déluge.”
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“The power I have over you, dear Zenon, is more than you can even begin to imagine.” Holding out the palms of her hand in a childlike fashion, she grinned with a smile as a silver strand manifested it’s self, wiggling slightly, almost lifelessly, in her hands. It had no shape or form., but those of a higher realm certainly understood it; it was a strand of fate, taken from Faten’s wheel, holding within it some event or destiny that had yet to come, or had already passed. Possessing such a strand of fate gave a person tremendous power, more than any magic or ability, for it surpassed all realms and literally gave person control over space and time, a mighty power, one that could certainly be abused. “It has already been written in the stars that you shall aid me. I do not require your help long, you are but a tiny grain of sand, in the hourglass that is my great plan. Yes, Zenon, Fate has ordained that I have power over you. And you will do well to obey me! Rest assured I do not plan to enslave you… that is not my style. Too brutish. I merely have some questions. And I want some answers.” Smiling, sweetly, Ophelia held the strand of fate, playing with it, as if it were a toy. “Do this for me, Zenon, and you can have this strand. It is insignificant to me; I’ll allow you control over your own destiny if you answer me, with no deceit and no lies. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? What do you say? Some knowledge, for this strand of fate? It’s still warm…freshly woven, I do believe.” |
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His Majesty, Drake, By the Grace of God, King of Serdio, the Sudland, Prince-Consort of Meria, Rei Henka of Odon, Grand Prince of Ivendell, Imperator of Eden, Protector of the Shiitan, President of the Lands of Sade | |
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| Yliatas_Timend | Apr 21 2009, 11:02 PM Post #13 |
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He is soooo gay.
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Waldron eyed the strand of fate with a frown. That wasn't his entire destiny, only a sliver. Yet, it was disconcerting to see that Faten had done that to him. Perhaps he ought to apologise to her about the whole Zheng fiasco he made. Well, that was for later. Looking from the strand slowly to the possessor, he showed no real concern. She was right: he had to do so now that it was woven, but he wasn't about to be a sore loser. "Well, if Faten was so mean as to actually spin that, I'll play along. What do you want to know? I'm a busy man, as you can see." Wally gestured vaguely to the contraption he'd spun before her entrance with his free hand. Really, this was all very unnecessary, yet, it was the same reason why Waldron Zenon loved Faten so much. The two of them had a very sadistic sense of humor. |
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Avy by Arei "This is like, totally B-I-T-C-H-ing!" -Gen Mecca (2004) “Do I remind you very much of your husband? We're very close you know, much closer than an uncle and nephew ought to be...” -Tigris I (Dec 2004) Main Charrie (Currently): Garn Tasn Zheng Appearance: 1, 2 | |
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| Drake | Apr 28 2009, 01:01 AM Post #14 |
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“Après moi, le déluge.”
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“Tell me about the gifts bestowed upon the people of Zelpha by the creator. I don’t wish to know simply about magic… that is too simple. A gift of the Creator, unto the Celestials, with the promise they would enlighten other races in due time. And here we are… this present time. Where all races are capable of harnessing the gift of the magi.” At this, Ophelia flicked her hand, creating a jet of light that bounced off the wall of the room. “That is unimportant to me, and of no use. It is a weapon that all accomplished warriors would come to learn and understand… no. I want to know about the other gift. Bestowed upon the sniveling humans who made their home at the Kiera peninsula in what was once Kenjiko. The humans who possessed horns. The Summoners! I want to know about their gifts, and their powers! The Celestials are an ancient race, slumbering within must be the knowledge of all times… now, Zenon, tell me. For although they are long extinct, I can hear their pitiful cries, however faint; their powers glimmering beneath the surface. Besoiled blood, there are certainly none of pure pedigree of that ancient race. But their powers… I know they remain! So tell me, whatever you may know. And do not play coy, Fiore. Let us be frank for just this once.” |
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His Majesty, Drake, By the Grace of God, King of Serdio, the Sudland, Prince-Consort of Meria, Rei Henka of Odon, Grand Prince of Ivendell, Imperator of Eden, Protector of the Shiitan, President of the Lands of Sade | |
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| Drake | Aug 11 2009, 01:20 AM Post #15 |
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“Après moi, le déluge.”
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The Celestials were the strangest of all Zelpha’s races, the Holylands the strangest of all of Zelpha’s nations. This vast sprawling land, the largest continent on the entire planet, was home to a singular nation. From the capital of Zheng Katayami, to be more exact, the Celestial Palace, the iron force of one individual, the Yu Hasho, decided how the provincial governors and magistrates would respond to any crisis that came their way—no act, no matter how small, was decided upon without some kind of approval from the Celestial court. Indeed, it was from this hedonistic pleasure dome, the envy of the world, that the fate of the Holylands was spun. Although the voice of the Yu Hasho was considered divine and any choice he might want to take as final, there were a variety of other cogs within the Celestial Palace that could confuse and daze the decision-making; like any despotic, or indeed, monarchial government, the Yu Hashos were still mortal and not above the baser influences of any reign—ranging from ambitious courtiers and provincial families, powerful favorites and scheming mistresses, to the eunuchs of the seraglio and the ambitious mandarins seeking to claw their way up the pecking order, all which could cause grave harm to those Yu Hashos who sought to alter or reform portions of the government of the empire. Established centuries before, those entrenched in the system saw little reason to alter it, and those rulers bearing reformist attitudes seldom lasted, often being replaced in a variety of ways. Isolation was the greatest game the Celestial race enjoyed to play; when threatened with change, it was easier for the people, and indeed their nation, to close their ports and roads to foreigners, relying only on themselves and nothing more. The Holylands had isolated themselves on several occasions; upon the rise of Kenjiko, and during portions when it’s power waxed and waned; upon the rise of Mortikan and the sinking of Kenjiko, and following the end of the tumultuous wars that had ended with the defeat of Kuja and Sorthania, remaining in isolation throughout the Revolutionary Wars. Although its borders were reopened upon the restoration of the Rlugias in Serdio, it seemed only to be a brief reopening. There was no chaos or disorder in the Celestial realms. Indeed, the reign of the present Yu Hasho was filled with prosperity for all the people of the nation, and things at court were tame. A dominant personality, he had sidelined those great courtiers and greedy families who wished to better themselves; he had no favorite and no mistress, and with no harem, there were no Eunuchs to be found, and the mandarins cowed by threats of execution, or worse, demotion. It was this great influence that the Yu Hasho held that he was able to do as he pleased. Such control over his people, however, could not be maintained forever. He was foremost a conservative, detesting the innovation in the western hemisphere (or was it perhaps fear?) he had closed his borders once to keep such crazed ideas from polluting the minds of his subjects, only being forced to recant following the pleas of the Sadien monarchs. Yet with the growing power of Sade, following the extension of Bali into the Confederacy, the Yu Hasho had reason to worry, and even more reason to shut his domains away from the polluting influences of the Vertfort. The Holylands would be closed once again. It had isolated it’s self from affairs in the past, and would simply do it again until things seemed more favorable. |
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His Majesty, Drake, By the Grace of God, King of Serdio, the Sudland, Prince-Consort of Meria, Rei Henka of Odon, Grand Prince of Ivendell, Imperator of Eden, Protector of the Shiitan, President of the Lands of Sade | |
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12:40 AM Dec 5
