Field Guide from a Knight

LOG: Rescuing Robin Hood

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:47:08 GMT

Felix has arrived here after much searching. He is alone, dressed in a leather jerkin to match his black pants and boots. It is comfortable attire that is meant to be more so functional. He rides along on his horse, Typhon, a great and beautiful horse gifted him by a friend. He rides a road heading right for the forest.

As he rides, he'll pass farmland where people are working dilligently in the fields. A young boy comes running up alongside a fence. "M'lord! You mustn't go in there. You aren't from around here. The people there will rob you blind!"

"I imagine that they will try," Felix answers the boy, offering him a smile. "And I will be ready when they do. Trouble not, young lad. Things will be fine. You should get back to work before your papa gets angry."

The boy seems eager to protest this but glances over to where his papa is walking towards them. He visibly gulps and ducks off to do as he's been told. The father doesn't press the issue and keeps quite a ways away from Felix. Nobles seem to be anathema here.

Felix rides Thyphon along, right into Sherwood forest. He wears a sword on his left hip and on his right is a dagger sheath. Needless to say he's plenty well armed as he makes his way deeper into the woods. He doesn't even seem to be watching the land around him, but he is from the corners of his eyes.

Around a bend in the road is a decrepit looking old man. He's hobbling along, his cloak pulled close and his hood up over his face. A large staff carries him along more so than his own feet do. He is heading right towards Felix.

Seeing the man, and being quite curious, Felix rides up towards him and comes to a stop a few feet from him. "My good man you don't look all that well. May I be of service to you?"

As soon as Felix stops and speaks, the man straightens and throws back his hood, revealing himself to be quite tall. More men spring from the forest with bows drawn, all aimed right at Felix. "You may be of service!" says the big man. "You may give us all your money!"

Felix just smiles at the man, seemingly quite unphased by this turn of events. "And why, pray tell, would I give up my coin to a bunch of common thieves? Or better yet, what will happen when I refuse?"

The big man seems a bit startled by this question. "Well, you'll be forced, naturally!" The other men laugh a bit at this. "No one refuses Robin's Merry Men and gets away with it!"

Felix laughs a bit at this. "I see. Well it would seem that I have found who I am looking for," he says as he leans forward a bit on his horse. "I am not from around here, you see. I'm not even from this country you live in. But, I've come seeking your leader, Robin Hood. May I speak with him?"

The big man seems startled again. "Really now? We've got ourselves a live foreigner!" The men cheer at this and advance in. "I am called Little John. Robin is not here. He's been taken prisoner by Prince John and the Sherrif."

Felix nods a bit at this and in a flash has his dagger out and in his hand. "Now, if I wanted to, I could put this right between your eyes, Little John, but I've no wish to harm you or any of your men. I've come here to request your help, really. You say Robin has been taken prisoner. Perhaps I can help free him."

"Any why should we trust you?" Little John asks as he leans on his staff. "We don't know you, after all."

Felix replies by pulling out a small big and tossing it to the big man. Inside is quite a bit of gold, real gold that hasn't been formed to any shape. "That may help."

John catches the bag and holds it up a moment before he opens it and looks inside. "Well my companions... I think we have a new ally!" John smiles at this and the others start putting away their bows. "But how can you help us when you aren't from around here?"

"Point me in the direction of where Robin is being held. I will make an official visit to this place. Tonight, when the sun sinks below the horizon, cause a disturbance big enough to draw the guards. Robin will be back in Sherwood a little after that," Felix assures the group. "And don't worry about me running away. Robin is my purpose for being here."

"Very well," John says as he walks over. The man stands nearly as tall as the horse that Felix rides upon and might just be taller. "Follow the path. When it meets another, turn to the right. It will take you to Nottingham. You're sure we can trust you?"

Felix pulls out another small bag and hands it to John. This one is full of precious gems. "You can. Now, I'll be going. Remember what I said." The dagger disappears into its sheath and Felix spurs Typhon with a low whistle. The horse starts walking and Felix doesn't look back.

John stares in amazement at the gems in the bag and shows them to Will Scarlet who was also amongst the group gathered. The two speak in low, hushed tones while Felix disappears.

Felix rides along until he meets the cross roads. There, he takes the path that he was told to and continues on riding. It takes a little bit, but eventually he arrives in Nottingham and approaches the castle.

The guards there move up and hold up their hands to signal that he stop. "Halt," they command of him. "State your business here."

Felix slows Typhon to a halt and rubs his neck soothingly. "I am Prince Felix of Belgium," Felix lies. "I've come to seek an audience with your Sherrif and Prince John if I may."

The two look at each other for a moment and then look back at him. "You don't look much like a Prince. How are we to know that's what you are? Especially when you're alone?"

Felix lifts his hand and shows the two a ring which looks quite official. It bears a seal. These two won't know what the seal means. "Will that suffice to satisfy your curiosity?"

The guards look at the ring, nod, and move to open the main gate. A page can be seen running off.

Felix rides Typhon into the castle proper and up towards the main entrance. Once there, he hops down off of the big horse and pats his neck gently. A stable hand appears. "I would like him kept in the finest stall available within the stables, please." The man nods and moves to lead the horse off. Felix heads up to the castle's entry.

Having been alerted by the page, the guards at the door open it for him and Felix steps inside. The Great Hall is rather dark and dreary looking compared to what he may be used to. Laughing can be heard from the room on the left a little ways down the hall.

Felix starts walking down the hall and notices that he's picked up a bit of an honor guard along the way. Two guards have flanked him from behind. He approaches the door.

The two guards move to flank the doorway and turn to become sentries. The door is opened by the former sentries and one of them announces Felix to the room. The Prince at the table stands and opens his arms. "Welcome to England, Prince Felix. Won't you join us for a feast in your honor?"

Felix steps inside, offers the Prince a smile and bows. Even he can see the falseness of the mans actions. "I would be honored, your highness." He walks towards a seat that has become vacated near the Prince and takes a seat.

Prince John sits once again and goes back to feasting. It is the evening meal. There is a large roast pig, turkey, and all the other trimmings. After a moment, John turns to Felix. "So tell me, good prince, what brings you here to Nottingham?"

"Oh, I thought I might like to pay a little visit to such a famous place," Felix says as he reaches over and pulls off a leg of turkey which he sets on his plate. "Even in Belgium we've heard of the exploits of that scoundrel Robin Hood."

John perks up a bit at this. "Oh really? You've... heard of me then?" He looks certainly pleased with himself at this revelation. "He is a troublemaker, that vagabond. Did you know we have him locked in the dungeons here?"

"I did not," Felix answers the man. "I should like to see him so that I can describe the miscreant to my friends and family. Would that be acceptable?" He takes up the turkey leg and takes a large bite out of it. He's apparantly reasonably hungry.

"Of course!" John answers with a hearty, evil laugh. He settles back into his chair at this. "Finish your meal and I'll take you there to see him. We're keeping him in irons. He's to be hung in the morning."

Felix chews on his bite of meat and swallows. "My timing is fortuitous then. I may be the only one from Belgium to ever see him." He smiles what he hopes is an evil smile and goes back to eating.

When the meal is over the sun is nearly down. John leads Felix to the dungeons and right down to where Robin is locked within a cell. "Wake up, Locksley! You've a visitor."

Robin stirs in the cell and looks up towards Felix and John. "Oh, what's this then? You've certainly found a fellow more handsome than yourself, Prince John. I'm sure the people will like him better."

Felix scoffs a bit at this. He has to keep putting up a front.

Just then someone comes running down the stairs. "My Prince! The castle is under attack!" John looks startled at this and turns to Felix. "Please remain safely within the castle while we deal with this." He then turns and heads off, leaving Felix and Robin alone with just the guards.

"You're not from around here, are you?" Robin asks of Felix. "A new person to toy with?"

Felix waits until John is gone and draws out his dagger. He launches it right at one of the guards, catching him right between the eyes. The other stands, startled, but Felix smacks the mans head into the wall before retrieving his dagger. "Robin of Locksley, otherwise known as Robin Hood. I've been looking for you," he says as he moves back over to Robin's cell.

Robin watches in astonishment as the man he thought to be a friend of his enemy takes out the two guards. "Well that was unexpected," he says, looking back to Felix. "Just who are you?"

"I'm Prince Felix of Amber. But for starters, I'm here to rescue you," Felix says as he looks over the cell door. He examines it for a moment before plying his dagger to the pins and sliding them free. "It's a wonder they hold anyone with these doors." He pulls the door off, literally lifting up the iron and wood, and sets it aside. "Your men are causing a distraction for us."

"You're stronger than Little John!" Robin exclaims as he watches Felix. "And you aren't even as big as him! Amazing!" He walks from the cell and clasps Felix on the shoulder. "You will join us in Sherwood, my friend."

"Let's get out of here, first," Felix answers, slightly amused. He allows the man to take the lead.

Robin does take the lead and away they go, through the castle until they come across a couple of guards. Robin walks up and taps one on the shoulder. "Excuse me gentlemen, I was wondering if you could tell me where the stables were." The guard turns and then points down a hall. "You go that w.. Hey wait a minute!" And then he's punched in the face and falls to the floor unconscious. One down, one to go.

Felix takes care of the other. A swift punch to the base of the neck and he crumples easily enough.

Robin nods approvingly and then they set off down the hallway. Eventually they exit into the stables. Robin picks out the Prince's horse. "This should make him sufficiently angry," he says as he mounts up.

Felix finds Typhon and saddles him quickly before mounting him. "You and the Prince don't get along at all. I imagine it's the same with the Sherriff. Shall we ride out in style?"

"Of course!" Robin exclaims, and then he's off, riding right out of the stables. With Felix in tow, they ride right out through the front gate which is open thanks to the efforts of the Merry Men.

Felix follows after the man and the others all fall back once Robin and Felix are out.

Back to Sherwood they go, deep within its confines. They don't stop until they reach a small village. There, Robin leaps down and turns to look at Felix. "So tell me, my good Prince of Amber. What can I do to repay you for your actions?"

Felix follows and dismounts Typhon only when Robin does. He stands near the horse and pets him gently. "I'm in need of your assistance, actually. I was hoping you and your men would come back to Amber with me and assist in dealing with some troubles. My great uncle needs your assistance specifically."

Robin looks quite interested, but frowns at the end. "That is a tall order, my friend. If we were to leave, the Sherriff and Prince John would run amuck. And who would take care of the villagers?"

"That thought did cross my mind," Felix answers with a nod. "I've recruited a few men to act as you all and I suggest you leave a few men to assist them. They should arrive at the edge of the forest in two days."

"You're thorough," Robin says, lifting a hand to scratch his chin. "Will we be paid?"

"Handsomely," Felix answers with a nod.

"Very well then," Robin answers and steps forward to offer his hand. "We have an accord."

Felix smiles and reaches out to shake his hand. "We leave on the morrow."

LOG: Strange Things In Sukho

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:25:31 GMT

Having been trumped by a friend, Felix enjoyed a short conversation with the other before he was pleasantly surprised by seeing Imre-Ulani. "Well hi, Im. Want to come and visit Manai?"

"I've never been to Manai," Imre says, smiling. "I can't be gone too long or they'll start missing me at the hospital, but, yes?"

Felix smiles and nods at this. "I can bring you back easily enough. Let me bring you through." He offers her his hand.

Imre-Ulani extends her hand, smile gaining in strength even as she reaches across the distances.

And then she's pulled through, once more within the realm of Sukho. Felix releases the trump contact once she is through. And there she is greated with beautiful scenery as Felix has been hiding on Manai, a small but fantastic island. And right nearby is a pool with a waterfall. "Welcome to Manai."

Imre-Ulani's booted feet meet sand and she closes her eyes inhaling deeply of the salt air, "Oh." She says softly, biting her lower lip as if to keep back from a showing of further emotion.

Felix grins a bit and reaches out to touch her chin. "Don't hold back," he encourages as he walks past her and over to the pool. There, he stoops down and grabs a bit of the crystal clear liquid and splashes his face with it.

Imre-Ulani opens her eyes, startled as he touches her. But she grins at him. "Thank you," she says gratefully. Then she's promptly sitting down and taking off those boots, relish evident in her expression.

Felix stands once again, his face now somewhat cleaned. At the least he'll keep from making himself look filthy. Turning back to her, he smiles as he watches her move to remove her boots. "I was about to go for a walk when I was trumped. Would you like to see the island?"

Imre-Ulani nods, "Yes! Absolutely, yes. Do you know how far Tseela is from here?" Boots are off and she's standing up to take off that jacket too. Apparently she's decided he can take it, given his own accomodations to the heat and area. She wears a silk camisole beneath.

Felix blinks when she removes her jacket and goes down to a camisole, but he doesn't let his gaze linger too much. "Tseela is.." he looks around a moment, "a ways off in that direction." He points for direction. "It's a decent way from here." He nods and walks past her, motioning for her to follow as he moves along a path.

Imre-Ulani looks where he points and brightens. She scans the horizon for a long moment and then turns to follow him as directed. Those skirts flutter around her as she moves.

"This is where I grew up," Felix says as they walk the path. He offers an ocassional glance over to her, smiling at her happiness. "Manai is a smaller island, but big enough for us and big enough to attract trouble. But, here I'm known as Kereteki and those from here are members of the Tane Tribe."

"So this is Tama's home?" Imre looks over to him, head tilting curiously.

Felix shakes his head. "No. She's from O'ele. That's where her mother is from." He brushes past a bush, holding it aside for her.

Imre-Ulani grins at him and moves past the bush, murmuring a 'thank you'. She continues to look around, drinking in everything about the island.

Felix smiles at this and moves back to her side once she's past the bush. His fingers are pricked from the spines of the bush, but he ignores it. In the distance ahead there's the sound of movement, but it's faint.

"The village?" Imre assumes.

Felix pauses and shakes his head. "No. The village is on the other side of the island," he says as his fingers move to his sword. "Let's check it out." He moves forward a bit more slowly, listening. As they get closer there's the sound of growling, but it comes from a young cat.

Imre-Ulani stays behind Felix, but shows no overt signs of fear. Not yet, anyway. Her brow furrows and she looks around, searching for anything eles that could have been moving.

Felix continues to step forward until they near the source of the movements. He glances briefly to Imre and then parts some bushes to peer through. On the other side of the bushes are a pair of tiger cubs, no older than a week or two. "Well hello, little ones." He's a bit wary, though, as he looks around further. "Where's your mother..."

Imre-Ulani crouches down, "She must still be around, don't you think?"

Felix keeps looking around a moment before he looks to Imre. "Stay here for a moment, alright?" He steps past her and moves into the brush, disappearing from view for a few moments.

"Alright," Imre murmurs. She looks to the cubs and croons softly, but does not touch.

The cubs respond by moving closer to Imre, but not to attack. They appear to be shaken and fearful. Something must have happened.

Imre-Ulani looks concerned now. She looks around for Felix and breifly debates calling after him. Silence wins.

Felix returns moments later with his swords drawn. He's crouched down as he moves. "I found something," he whispers as he gets near to her. "There's a body. It's a Macai. They're from a nearby island. But it's distorted and disfigured. I think it's been infected. I've set it on fire somewhere that it won't burn the forest down."

"They are frightened," Imre says, looking up at Felix, "If their mother is dead or can't return, they'll follow suit very quickly, my lord." She pauses, "Infected? With what?"

Felix looks at the cubs for a moment. "Black Water," he says. "I've been looking into it every time I've come back. Seems to be getting closer to here. I think that, for now, we should let them be and see if we can locate the mother and the other Macai."

Imre-Ulani hesitates and looks to the cubs for a long moment. She then looks around for some sort of shelter to hide them. "I am wearing a really big skirt, my lord. It could carry things very easily with a knot and a shift. Are you sure we can't take them with?"

Felix looks from the cubs to Imre for a moment and then nods. "That might be better. And there's no need to refer to me as a lord. You can call me Felix or Kereteki. I'll answer to both," he says before he looks back to the cubs. "They seem drawn to you. Better that you handle them than me."

Imre-Ulani exhales, gratefully, "It only takes one predator hearing a mewl and, can you cut the fabric right here and in the same place along back, Kereteki?" She holds up the first layer of her skirt for him. A lucky thing there are so many of them. She continues to talk, "And I know that there will be no place for them in Amber and that when we leave they'll likely be left to die anyway if we can't find their mother but... I ..."

Felix moves his blade and smoothly cuts where she asks him to. He's quite proficient with most weapons. He offers her a reassuring smile. "They'll be fine even when we leave, Im. We'll take them to the village. They can be raised there." He stands then and eyes the trail. "There were three more Macai besides the dead one. That one had been mauled."

Imre-Ulani ties a knot and quickly creates a sling. The holster for the Sukhoti yelesi at the small of her back is revealed. The two sticks, much like nunchucks but not attached, look to be rather low quality. But they apparently serve. She quickly scoops them up, gently and with reassurance in her touch. She moves to step by Felix. "Only one of the Macai was tainted though?

"I didn't see the others," Felix answers as Imre starts to move with the two cubs. "But the mother was with them." He moves along then, both blades out and ready. His eyes are on the prowl and he's listening, too. "They seemed to be headed for the beach."

Imre-Ulani blushes as she abruptly understands. "Sorry," she stays behind him so as to not obscure the trail. She nods.

Felix smiles and taps her shoulder with a finger as he moves past her. "You're alright," he assures before he leads the way along the trail. It's not a hugely long trail, and there's signs of disturbance along it every so often. A few smatterings of blood, some tufts of fur which cause the cubs to mewl. They know their mother.

Imre-Ulani flashes Felix a slight smile as he walks by, rolling her eyes in mild self-depreciating humor. She nods again. Imre continues to try and sooth the cubs to silence.

Felix leads her along to where the path widens and then leads her into the brush some as they up to the edge where the jungle meets the beach. He stops them where they can still be out of sigh. Near the shoreline the three Macai, all of whom seem to be disfigured and infected, are struggling with the corpse of the tigeress. There's a large blood spot not far from them and they're moving the corpse towards a canoe. "Damn," he says with a sigh.

Imre-Ulani's brow furrows and her expression darkens. The ocean breeze swishes past them both, ruffling hair and clothing alike.

"I want you to stay here with the cubs. Keep them safe and stay alert," Felix says as his fingers tighten on the swords. "You'll never lose sight of me."

Imre-Ulani nods, eyes wide. "Okay."

Felix nods and offers a smile before he slips from the bushes in a crouch, heading for the three that aren't looking. Unfortunately for them, there were more than three Macai. There were a grand total of five still alive. Two were watching in the trees and one has his sights set on Imre, but doesn't move yet. The other leaps down to follow after Felix, not yet warning his compatriots.

Imre-Ulani straightens up, alarmed as she sees the other jumping down after Felix. She speaks, sending her voice to Felix's ears, "Kereteki! There's another coming up behind you."

Felix turns when Imre's voice hits his ears and finds himself facing the follower. This one, when Felix turns, calls to the other three who start running towards them, dropping the tiger body to the sand. Running towards the follower, Felix parries a strike and proceeds to ram one sword through the followers stomach and the others goes through his chest from the other side as he spins around him.

The one that had been in the trees above Imre suddenly leaps down to land in front of her. He reaches out, intent on capturing her, or, if not, his knife may find her.

Imre-Ulani inhales sharply as the warrior lands. She reaches back and comes up with Sukhoti sticks. "...don't!" She warns or perhaps pleas. She certainly doesn't look like she wants to be fighting, that's for sure. Her eyes are wide, but she falls into a primary stance.

Felix pulls his blades free and turns to the other three. They come at him and there's a shout from the woods. Another one, a big stocky fellow splits off to head for Imre. Felix moves to intercept, but is blocked by the other two. He growls menacingly and the Macai advance towards him. "Imre you have one coming to you!"

The one facing Imre doesn't seem to have any inclination of stopping. He may want her for something more than prey. He advances.

"Please?" Imre repeats. However, he's still stepping in. She inhales, chin raising. And then? Then she's surging forward. The lengths of wood twist, turn. Hitting from left, right, below and then? Slamming for head.

Whirl of blades meeting clubs. Felix and the two that are in front of him are duking it out. "Elites," he mutters under his breath as he narrowly avoids getting his skull bashed in. Blows are traded, but this may be a long fight.

Meanwhile, Imre beats the snot out of the lower level guy she'd been facing. He didn't stand a chance despite Imre's reluctance to fight. Her sticks club him in the head. At the same time, the big guy comes barreling at her from out of nowhere, intent on running her over.

Imre-Ulani bites her lip and turns to look after Felix, concerned. This means that she doesn't see the big guy coming until its too late. She twists, trying to bring her weapons to bear...

"Damnit.. damnit!" Felix curses as he finds himself facing difficulties. But, when in a hard to win situation, there's one last avenue: cheating. As the two advance, he kicks sand into their eyes and then runs forward, blades slicing and dicing while he avoids flailing clubs.

With one guy beaten, Imre turns to face the other when he nears, but she's too late as the giant of a distorted man runs her over, smashing her backwards towards a tree. He's a solid club, the size of a thick tree limb, which he brings to bear, aiming it for Imre's head as he prepares to swing.

Imre-Ulani yelps as she's smashed into the tree, stunned as her skull meets bark. Her hand falls to her skirt and the mewling of the frightened cubs. She stares at the distorted man and tries to duck down as quickly as she can, club growing ever larger in her gaze.

There's the sound of running feet squishing through sand and then snapping branches. Just as the big guy starts to swing forward, a flash of silver, and a blade suddenly appears through the mans neck. Seconds later, another blade severs the club hand, scattering the weapon away. Felix lands beside the opponent and there are two more corpses on the beach. To ensure the big mans death, he pulls a blade around and stabs it through his heart. Pulling the blades free, the dead body falls to the ground, though it won't stay dead forever unless it's dealt with. Felix sets his blades down and moves to kneel in front of Imre. He reaches a hand out to touch her cheek. "You alright, Im?"

Imre-Ulani has slumped to the ground, face and form painted with the spray of the big man's blood. She stares up at Felix, shivering. "I...yes...I...am fine."

Felix moves his hands to Imre's arms and rubs them gently. "You sure? You're shivering," he says, frowning slightly.

"Are they dead? Did I.. that one that I hit?" Imre asks, and the mewling of the kittens makes her look to her pooled skirts.

Felix rubs her arms a bit more and then looks over towards the smaller one. He shifts away and reaches over to touch the warrior's neck, feeling for a pulse. "He's dead," he says before he looks back to Imre. "You did what you had to. The Macai are vicious as it is. More so when they're infected, no doubt."

"I didn't mean..." Imre says and her eyes well up. She cuts herself off though, and swallows hard. She nods. "Okay."

Felix moves back over to her and reaches out to clasp her shoulders. "Listen, Im. Sometimes it is necessary. And really he can't have been enjoying his life under the Road's control. You only did what you needed to. Don't feel bad about it."

Imre-Ulani nods rapidly, once, twice, three times. "They... need to be burned?"

Felix nods and moves his hands to grab his swords. "I'll do it. Just relax for a few minutes," he says as he stands. Sheathing his swords, he grabs the two bodies and starts dragging them out to the other three.

Imre-Ulani watches for a few minutes and then moves to stand, "I can help." She says and then repeats, stronger. "I can help, Kereteki."

Felix looks back to her and nods. "Alright. Grab that one and bring him over," he says, nodding to the first one that he killed. He drags the other two over to the two elites and then pulls out a couple of stones while walking over to grab a little brush for kindling.

Imre-Ulani takes off the skirt. It's alright, she's got bloomers beneath. This way the kits have something familiar to nest in and, perhaps, it will be easier to drag the dead. She moves to the one Felix has indicated and she moves to start dragging as directed.

Felix settles the kindling and the side opposite from Imre. Kneeling down beside it, he starts hitting the stones together until he can get a spark to catch. When it does, he crouches down to blow on it a little and help it spread to the bodies. When that's done, he settles back from the burn pile and looks over to Imre in her bloomers and camisole. He watches her with the last body, trying to see if she's really alright.

"They weren't always tainted," Imre says quietly, watching the men burn.

Felix shakes his head. "No," he says before he motions back to the cubs. "Bring them over here and sit with me for a bit."

Imre-Ulani obeys. She walks over to take up the cups again, this time simply gathering skirts in her arms to bring them.

Felix waits until she settles down beside him. "You sure you're alright? You seemed as if you were upset when I said the one was dead," he says as he turns to regard her.

"I know that there is no cure for the taint," Imre says quietly and she watches the horizon line, "And I know that sometimes bad things need to die so that good things can live. That doesn't mean that killing is... something that shouldn't...." She falls silent and inhales. She looks over to him and manages a smile. "I'm sorry. Thank you for saving my life."

Felix listens to what she has to say. "Killing is never something to be done lightly. If you can do it without feeling remorse for the ones you've killed then you're nothing but a murderer." He smiles and reaches over to touch her chin once more. "And you're welcome. I can't let you be killed. Frankly I'm a bit angry with myself that I let you get hurt at all."

Imre-Ulani's hand rises to the back of her head as if she'd forgotten the thwap she took. "Oh. It isn't bad. Really."

Felix shakes his head at this. "Doesn't matter. I slacked off too much and should have kept you safe."

"I am safe," Imre assures him. She smiles again and looks down to the kitten gnawing on her skirt. "Do you think... that all of the Macai have been..?"

Felix follows her gaze down to the kittens. "It's possible. Warrants investigating at the least," he says as he moves a hand out to gently touch a couple fingers over one of the kittens heads. If they should decide to nip at him he won't pull away. "There's a lot to do here in Sukho. That's another reason I came back."

Musings

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:01:14 GMT

If I make a gun while I'm in shadow, and I hand it to you and tell you to put it to my head and pull the trigger, will you do so? You've already done the same to my heart, why not finish me off? Give me a day or two and it'll be ready...

Optimism to Nothingism

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:36:11 GMT

I love how I'm always optimistic that something good will happen and then get those optimistic thoughts crushed with something bad. Thank you, world.

I'm going to Brussels....

Losses Don't Set You Free

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:46:33 GMT

It's a funny thing that's happened to me since I became a Prince. I should have expected it. Being one with a title will destroy you if you aren't prepared for it. I perservere because I must, not necessarily because I want to. A Prince must keep to his duties.

Aside from having my child stolen away from me by the foreign king of his mother (he's a healthy, strong, dark-haired boy and I love him dearly), I thought things were going well. Yes, Lilith and I had argued to the point where I was removed from being a Karm. I knew it would happen some day. It wasn't hard to see that it should have happened sooner. Either way, Lilith was very kind to me the entire time and I simply blew up at her. I let my emotions rule me.

So I went away for a few weeks and traveled through Shadow. I visited many different places that I had never before heard of. I also went back a few times to Kitezh to visit my son. It is a hard thing living with your son off in some Shadow when he should be with you. I can do nothing of it that won't start a war, though. I must resign myself to the fact that however hard it is, I must accept it.

Just when I thought things were going good and Lilith was going to release Heulwen from her contract, things took a turn for the worse. Heulwen suddenly decided to push me away. She said she can't be with me because she's miserable and she associates my love, my affection, and my attentions to that misery. It is the second time I have received a letter that broke up a relationship. Both of the women I have loved did the same thing to me. I'm now afraid of what will happen when I try again.

But I must try again because if I don't I won't be able to live. I can't stand to be alone anymore. It feels all so wrong and has ever since I met Heulwen when I came to Amber. People think the only thing I'm looking for is sex, but that isn't true. I don't really give a damn about sex anymore. I want the relationship and I want it to grow into something more. It is the thing I want the most.

Still, I can't rush into it because that would defeat the purpose. And yet I find myself in a frustratable situation with someone else who's very dear to me and wants the same thing that I do. We start with nothing and may grow to nothing. I like her; I've liked her since I met her. But who knows. She's just out of a relationship. While I'd like nothing better than to grow to love her I don't know that that will happen and I'm not sure if she'll grow to love me because in my honest opinion I'm not worth loving.

Time will tell as it always does. Maybe things will change. I need to talk to Flora about getting a room in the palace. Need to congratulate her and Deacon. I'd still like to see what I can organize for an expedition to Sukho to further explore the Black Water. Maybe I will to give me something to do.

News Is Good

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:35:16 GMT

Ahh yes, news is definitely good. Well, not definitely, but in this case it certainly is.

I've been made a Prince. Yep, that's right. I am now Prince Felix. Don't worry. I'm not going to be expecting people to bow to me or any of that nonsense. Doesn't change who I am.

OOC: Connection Issues

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:38:22 GMT

Right now I'm very upset as I find myself unable to connect to the game and I don't know why it is that I can't. Is anyone else having issues or is it just me? I can't connect through any outside sources either.

So Incredibly Busy

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:17:09 GMT

So much has been happening that I feel that my head must be spinning. In fact, I'm pretty well sure that such is exactly what it currently happening. Which could be why I seem to be all over the place at times these days.

Laila and I are no longer together as we were before. She still carries my child and she's now living in on of House Karm's guest rooms. I keep in touch with her, making sure she's alright, making sure there's nothing bad going on. Making sure I don't need to go out and kill someone because they've been messing with her. I'd damn well do it, too. I don't care who it is.

So, yeah, I've kind of just been dealing with the fact that she broke up with me, which has been.. hard, but not horribly so. I'm fortunate enough to have such good friends as Haley and Sol to talk to. Dirk always seems keen on keeping me cheered up as well. Needless to say I haven't been too down on myself and I'm actually acting like I'm back to normal. As in I'm acting like I was before I ever came to Karm and before I met Haley. Note: Not saying meeting Haley was a bad thing. She was actually one of the best things to ever happen to me.

Anyways, I've taken part in a few different things lately. The first one was going with Kincaid and some others to visit an island and see about getting supplies for the Lower City. We encountered sharkmen and a squid and fought against them, driving them off, but Arianne died in my arms. Granted she eventually came back from being dead as she's a weir and can only die in specific situations. I kind of like her a bit. She's rather interesting, beautiful, and she can kick some major ass when she wants to. I've been giving her things because I like her.

Not long after that adventure a bunch of us Karm's and a few others took a trip to an island near Minos. We encountered Tama and Frederick there, as well as a gate. There were scarabs at the gate and we had to kill them as we had done in the lower city. Lilith managed to seal the gate. And I eventually found out that Tama is my daughter. Yes, it seems that the same situation I had with my father is now happening between me and Tama. Guess it goes to further prove that I really am a descendant of Prince Gerard.

Subsequently I also met a woman named Kirie who I danced with on Peril's ship. She intrigues me. She's so very shy and it's way too easy to make her blush. She can also be incredibly warrior like as I saw when we were on the island and she was protecting Lilith. I can't help but like her as well. Guess I really am back to being my normal self. Liking two women at once.

So what do I do now?

It's Been A While

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:54:13 GMT

I guess I've just been really busy of late and haven't gotten around to writing anything in my journal. Perhaps it was all of the getting to know people in Amber that took up my time, but then again, maybe it wasn't. I still don't know as many people as I would like to have known. And I have yet to even meet my grandfather which annoys me more and more as I very much want to meet him. But here we go with a list of things I've done.

1. I arrived in Amber and enlisted myself in the Knight of Oisen as per my reason for coming to Amber in the first place. Currently I believe I hold the rank of Lieutenant, but don't quote me on that. I met Kincaid who has been training me, and the first thing he did was give me a bunch of books to read. That was fun.

2. I met Haley. That's about enough in itself, but not only did I meet her, she and I got quite close. She was with my father at the time so I had to be careful, though. She and I went to Sukho because she wanted to see where I was from. We got attacked there, but we both survived and ended up having fun on the Island afterwards. Then, naturally, we had to come back which really kind of sucked.

3. I made many new friends after that, mostly because Haley introduced me to a lot of her friends which was actually really good because her friends are cool. I need to visit with them more.

4. I met Laila. I was sitting in the mead hall one day when she walks in. She was stunningly beautiful in what she was wearing, but I was just a bit infatuated with Haley at the time. Laila moved to walk past me and as she did she reached up and ran her fingers along the scar on my face and said "Scar on face, scar on heart." I don't think I'll ever forget those first words or that first touch of her fingers. It was the calmest, most real thing I have ever felt because I did not expect it. And that was my first time meeting her.

5. Later on I ran into her again when she was sitting with Martin and Haley in some little place that I forget the name of. This was after Haley and I had talked many times about the fact that I needed to get over my infatuation with Haley which I ended up doing. So I sat down with the group and we all talked and the like until Martin left, then Haley left, and I was alone with Laila. She interested me so I was asking her a good many questions. And she kept giving me a drink which I found out she'd put a drug in which was really quite calming. It also made me a bit loopy and things happened.

6. Laila and I started seeing each other and she's been staying with me at the Karm House ever since then. We've had a good few adventures, like her taking me on a trip to see Kitezh. It was COLD in Kitezh. I about turned into a popsicle. If it weren't for Sol keeping me warm, Laila keeping me warm, and Krieger letting me borrow furs I would be in a block of ice right now with nowhere to go. I thank them all for that.

7. Amber was attacked. The Road put up the offensive and attacked the city. I participated in the main siege and defended the southern wall of the east gate along with Sol. We managed to defeat the enemy with some heavy losses, but we did defeat them. Laila took up a position with a group of healers as assigned by Kincaid and she was kept quite busy at the same time as I was.

8. Surprise! I'm going to be a father! Laila has gotten pregnant and we've just now figured this out. She's not really had any of the usual signs so it took quite a while. My father was happy about it. Seems my sister, his prediction, will have a playmate in Laila and I's child. That should be good for both of them. Now, I think, it's time to go farther.

But that's all that's been happening. For me it's quite a lot as I spent most of my life on my Island and everything became routine. Here nothing is routine. New things happen all the time and I quite like it.

Upon Arrival

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:57:34 GMT

When I arrived here in Amber I was expecting only two things. 1) That I would eventually meet my father and 2) that I would receive training from the Knight known as Kincaid. These things I was counting on. That and probably finding myself in a place that either didn't like me, or a place that was just too full of itself.

I can attest to the fact that they live really comfortably here. Well, if you can call it comfort. Comfort for me involves being in the jungle, but they don't have that here. Except in the Solarium at the Karm House. I've taken to staying there now.

And I have met my father. Thankfully so because he seems like an incredibly good man. He and I are a lot alike and I want to get to know him more. In fact, I want him to teach me the things that he knows, these mystical things people have told me about. It's also a good way for us to get closer given that we only just met.

Then there's Haley. But you, journal, don't even get to know what I think of her. Never know who's hands this might slip into.