☩ prince marth of altea. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
for_altea) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
bravenewworld2014-02-22 05:08 pm
for_altea) wrote in bravenewworld2014-02-22 05:08 pm
Entry tags:
[action;]
[Perhaps a few hours away from Union, there's a stream which leads to a small spring. And there's trees. And there's distant mountains and grass and woodland and--
And the smell of cooking.
- and a campsite. Yes, firewood's burning, signalling the sun beginning to hang low in the sky. Yes, there's certainly signs of recent life.
A rather young looking teenager, quite short, and quite thin, sits just shy of the fire upon a folded, long strip of fabric. There's a bowl in his hand, but it appears he's feeding an eevee and a purrloin. He appears to be speaking to them as well.
That is, until the eevee hears your footsteps. She struggles from the youth's lap and bounds over, the whites of her (small) teeth not all that much of a threatening sight. ]
...Argent?! Please hold!
[Soon enough, the youth moves to her side, a gloved hand on the hilt of some longsword at his side. But looking to his face should inform any visitor that he shows little chance of actually attacking. His eyes are curious, tone gentle.]
Argent, please calm down. Forgive us, friend - for we are not used to visitors. We wish you no harm, unless you wish it upon us.
[The eevee continues to snarl. The purrloin soon saunters to her side as well, looking at this visitor almost hungrily.]
And the smell of cooking.
- and a campsite. Yes, firewood's burning, signalling the sun beginning to hang low in the sky. Yes, there's certainly signs of recent life.
A rather young looking teenager, quite short, and quite thin, sits just shy of the fire upon a folded, long strip of fabric. There's a bowl in his hand, but it appears he's feeding an eevee and a purrloin. He appears to be speaking to them as well.
That is, until the eevee hears your footsteps. She struggles from the youth's lap and bounds over, the whites of her (small) teeth not all that much of a threatening sight. ]
...Argent?! Please hold!
[Soon enough, the youth moves to her side, a gloved hand on the hilt of some longsword at his side. But looking to his face should inform any visitor that he shows little chance of actually attacking. His eyes are curious, tone gentle.]
Argent, please calm down. Forgive us, friend - for we are not used to visitors. We wish you no harm, unless you wish it upon us.
[The eevee continues to snarl. The purrloin soon saunters to her side as well, looking at this visitor almost hungrily.]
no subject
Are you kidding? I've never gotten to tell this story before, it's no fun to tell a story everyone knows!
*Imogen pulls out a small bottle of water and takes a sip, before offering it to Marth.*
Five hundred years ago, before the city and its walls, there was the old times. Humans spreading over the world like fire over dry forest. The world was theirs and it made the Elder Pokemon angry at the foolishness. And with it they reclaimed the world and the cities, for the wilds of their kind. But one human, we call them the Savior, stood up to them and pleaded the case for humanity.
The savior managed to strike a bargain, those with the Savior were given the city while the rest of the world was reclaimed. Those in the city built walls and towers, managing to carve a life in the small area we were given, making the most of all we had. But since the spread of people brought the old Pokemon out, we didn't dare spread past our walls.
There were small expeditions here or there out into the wilds, when we had to. And those who journeyed out to be sure things were not getting dangerous for us. That the wild ones did not plan to take our home, at least that's what everyone else feared.
Anyway, that was a long time ago, now we explore a bit more openly because of some recent... things. I usually go out because I'm very charming, and the Pokemon in the area are usually inclined to talk to me. It makes it easier to avoid the mistakes from before the city.
But enough about Union, where are you coming from? And your clothes are very different from within the city walls. I would love to get a closer work at the stiching, although the fabrics I probably know.
no subject
The story in itself was largely similar - though the news of staying bound to an area of land was certainly new. Ah, so that explained it... He couldn't help but allow himself a small smile at the mention of her calling herself charming.]
If I might, I am inclined to agree. ...Ah, you have an interest in clothing, lady Imogen?
[He looked a little thoughtful, but soon complied - moving closer so that his attire could be inspected. The stitching indeed was different. As was the cut, the hems, the style. Though it was plain to see it was garb intended for travelling, his tunic and breeches could have been classed as finery, well-made and of expensive material. His boots were well-cobbled, and his sword scabbard, circlet, and broach seemed to be made of finely wrought gold - antique looking. Perhaps even older than the savior.
He kept his head lowered, feeling slightly awkward as he was examined, yet he didn't offer any complaint.]
no subject
*Lady was in fact the correct title for her, she was a noble born in the city-state of Union. She didn't act it, or dress it, or try to use it except when she felt it was a need of her's. And now she explored the edges of the world looking for all manner of trouble and lost nobles.*
Hmm... I've seen some stitching like this before. Interesting.
*She didn't have a problem inspecting Marth's clothes with him in them. She put an arm between her face and the fire to help cut the light. Letting her Enlightened blood take over, gold eyes roaming over very familiar stitchwork. Not exact... but as close as neighbors. She stood on tiptoes to inspect his circlet, then moved to the other pieces of metal work. She's never salvaged anything quite this nice, and the closest thing was far less refined and very broken.*
You're more than just some traveling sword. Not with materials and gilding like this. Okay, spill, you have to have a story of your own and I want to know it.
It is fair, after all.
no subject
[But that laugh dies in his throat as it appears she really does know her stuff. To him, they're just clothes. It's not like he's (ever, really..) had to shop for himself. But after a pause, Marth attempts to answer the question, as best as he is able. His manner remains polite, of course it does, but there's a small amount of reluctance in his voice. The memories are still painful, every step of that journey would never be forgotten simply because of how many fallen to bear him at Union.]
...Very well. There is a kingdom to the west of Union. It is a long, arduous journey from here. On foot, it should take a little over the span of two months. [With a convoy, longer. It took him around four to actually get here.] This kingdom was called Altea - though I do not know what it is called now, or if it still stands. I was the prince of that kingdom, though now I am little more than an exile following the death of [His father.] ...the lord sovereign king. Union is neutral in this matter, and while it cannot intervene, it offered myself and other refugees a place where we could be safe.
[That's about all of it. He looks a little distant, thinking of when he first donned these clothes. Yes. His sister sent for him. They were ready for him. Travelling clothes.. for him to flee. He'd expected to see her in them as well, but she'd stayed. He'd practically been dragged away from her side.
Argent seems to notice his sorrow, and moves to rub herself at his leg. Sable simply seems to be attempting to stare out Tailspin.]
no subject
*Imogen's eyes are still gold as she looks him in the eye, turning back to their dark colors as the firelight continues to work on her sensitive eyes. Listening intently as he talks about what happened to his home. If he wasn't nobleborn she would hug him, but a prince that sort of action from a stranger would be more perplexing than kind. Instead she just gently puts her hand over his, smiling in sympathy for his plight.*
I didn't know. And Union has its own concerns, more than the least being it's staying within its walls when it can. The council would never send the manpower that far afield. Even if you were only a month's travel away. I would help, but my skills are with pokemon and caves, not people and kingdoms.
So, are you still on your way to Union, or on your way elsewhere? Or do you just miss the road that's been your home for the past two months?
no subject
even though this is hardly anything resembling proper.He raises his head to look at her in turn, and notices her eyes change colour. Ah, so she's Enlightened too.]You are very kind, but I ask not that you burden yourself with thoughts of this. It is my fault that Altea fell - I was too weak to do anything to protect it, or it's people. But that is the reason why I started travelling. I could not live out the rest of my life in Union while others gave theirs to buy mine. I intend to gather allies, and return to liberate Altea's people. [...and his sister.]
...Yet... While travelling, the troubles of the settlements far from here cannot be ignored. [It's the same story as with Altea. Humankind gets a curbstomping from the gods. So what does it do? Licks its wounds, and starts squabbles with itself.] I have been trying to help them, mainly by routing attackers.
no subject
*Imogen had noticed it just after her powers manifested the more her powers grew, the later she stayed up. Fortunately as a Delver who worked alone most times, she could keep her own hours if the city wasn't in danger. And when it was she hardly slept anyway. She finally lets go of his hand when she feels he understands the message of the contact.*
It's a burden I accept, because if I didn't I wouldn't be the kind of lady I wish to be. If I can hear about things like that and not wish to help, in whatever ways I can. Besides, the best way to gather allies is to make friends, and you make friends through kind acts. Even little gestures.
*She considers his words.* How many other settlements are there? Are they all in such trouble? I might not be able to help in a fight. *Which is a lie, Imogen is more than capable.* BUT, I can suggest another way to help them. The local wild ones can it to be... agreeable to help, if you make the right agreements.
no subject
Yes, I'm quite inclined to agree. Perchance this might sound odd- and if it does, I am sorry to have offended you. But it would honour me to call you a friend. [Not an ally. Not for liberating Altea, anyway. She seems far too busy!] Would you find that agreeable, lady Imogen?
[As for the settlements...]
I cannot say for sure. There are a number around Altea. We always strived to make certain security and peace for our inhabitants. Five hundred years past, many humans fled to that region, hoping to escape the wrath of the uprising pokemon. Descendants of those humans exist there even now. Here... as you have verified, they appear less in number. Far less. But here... there are Enlightened. In Altea, the only Enlightened bloodline is that of the Altean royal family.
[...Or was.]
Here, not all settlements are in trouble. I have observed that the difficulty they have in adapting the land to farming and other purpose is steep, and life is... difficult. As such, settlements attack each other, and thieving and pilfering from one's neighbours appears to not be an issue of morality, more akin to survival for some, greed for others.
[The suggestion!]
Might I ask your suggestion, my lady?
no subject
I-I find that very agreeable, Prince Marth. But you didn't need to ask quite so formally. I might be a lady but I find a lot of the proper stuff seriously dull, and it's a lot easier to just get to the point sometimes.
*Imogen listens to the problems and tries to figure out the best way to answer it. Sadly without a Kindred or a Verdant Child, the ability to make peace with the local wild ones. They're too far from the city for a warp band... but, it might still work.*
Pokemon want and need things just like we do. The Pokemon on the outskirts of these settlements, if treated properly and fairly, would be willing to help if it didn't infringe on their lives too much, and it helped them. For the rougher terrains they can help in the fields, for the towns with bandit issues they can help protect. So long as they find it agreeable.
Sadly, if they don't have Enlightened, or warp bands, this might be a bit harder. Psychic types can help translate, but a lot of Pokemon don't trust them. Pokemon want friends just like we do, after all.
no subject
...I understand. I will try.
[And then he listens to the information, feeling the bloodflow to his head resume to normality.]
That is my feeling exactly-- I mean yes. Yet until such bonds can be forged Um, until then--
[Gods, speaking as others did was difficult.]
...It is all we can do to form militias formed for the purpose of protecting settlements. Yet that poses problems in itself...
no subject
*Imogen stop playing with him.*
It does, but it's better than nothing. *An idea!* Someone like me could go settlement to settlement! I'm very good at talking to Pokemon, and can broker very good deals. Making it better for people, plus it lets me explore. And find all sorts of new hats.
That'd be fun... if I could leave the city for that long. Maybe I can suggest it to some of the others like me? One of them could try it...
no subject
...T-thank you. I think..
[And he tried to regain what he was thinking of. Ah, yes. Hopefully the light of the fire wouldn't display the fact he'd reddened slightly.]
... It is a pity you cannot assist with this task, for finding someone gifted and with your charm spoken of earlier will be a difficult thing. Though if you can find someone willing, It is all I can do to bear them safely to their destinations.
no subject
*Fortunately the firelight was making it hard for Imogen to see, so he was safe so long as he keeps his voice under control.*
I'm bound to the city. I want to help, but I can't leave for an extended trip. I can ask around, and see if anyone would be up for it. There have to be a few Rangers willing to do this.