Journey of a half-Mystic(one on one)

Twelve years ago, at the age of fifteen, a young woman got run over by a carriage on the way from her aunt's house to the house of a boy she was babysitting. She was on an errand for her aunt, to visit a famous scientist. The boy was his son, and apparently, her aunt had something for the young lad as a present. Twelve years ago, she should have died. Twelve years ago, she would have died. Twelve years ago, she DID die. Except she didn't die. When she woke up, with only vague memories of being run over by monstrous black horses with flaming manes and sparking hooves, she was met with a most peculiar circumstance. Only time would show her just how strange things had become for her.

The first person she spoke to after she awoke called himself Irudon. Irudon was a Mystic. A race of almost vampiric creatures, possessed of great magical and spiritual power. They could drain the energy from victims, even absorb monsters and integrate their abilities with their own. They also had an innate gift for magic that allowed them to manipulate the fears and minds of others. Nowhere was this more apparent than in the strangely disturbing realm she found herself in, known as Fascination.

"You are awake. Humans wake quickly." The greenhaired man's voice spoke in an almost deadpan.

"Who are you?" Her clear voice, already tinged with growing panic, asked.

"My job is not to answer your questions. I am to report when you are awake."

"Report to who? My aunt?"

"To the Lord. You are in the eternal realm of Fascination. This land is ruled by Orlouge."

"Wait, who's Orlou....Gone." When Irudon vanished, leaving behind a mysterious riddle in the form of the name of the lord of the realm, the young woman was at a loss. She tried to remember what had happened, but none of it made sense to her.

She left her bed, and her room, and explored the castle she found herself wandering. Many things made little sense to her. The prevalence of roses. The fact that the castle itself seemed to have been grown like a tree, even though it seemed hard as stone. The doors that opened before her without her actually touching the doorknob, as if her will opened them. The strange man who stabbed her from behind in the rose garden in the upper courtyard. The lack of even a wound, and the purple blood covering the remains of her shirt.

When she finally found a large, open gate, she entered it. She was frightened, alone, and angry. And in the next room, she found the answers waiting for her, though not ones she sought.

On the throne sat what appeared to be a man, though the long, flowing hair that wavered in a wind that no one could feel seemed out of place. So too did the sense of amusement the man put out, and the almost feminine voice that issued from the lips. Around him were three women on similar, smaller thrones, a tall, effeminate man with long blond hair to one side, and two men, with two different shades of green hair, to the other, including Irudon. "Ah, so you're awake. What is your name?"

OOC: looking for someone to play the role of the young woman. I myself will be playing a male character that hasn't yet been introduced. This one I'm hoping will keep me amused for a while, so please...posts that can actually inspire my own. the female character's role isn't very specific. I'm trying not to force people into a very specific character, since that tends to kill my RPs. the basis for the character is SaGa Frontier's Asellus, though. Her now ETERNALLY green hair, courtesy of a dye job just prior to the accident, is her only really distinguishing feature I want kept, other than the green eyes that almost match her hair.

The small figure roamed the grounds,her gaze taking in all around her. She was confused,where was she? How long had she been here? She did not get any answers from the vanishing man,she sighed as she entered the large ornate throne room. The people before her were an array of looks. She focused on the man sitting in the center of the three woman,he seemed to be quite amused by something.

She let her green gaze roam over the others a she moved closer to the party. Her small footsteps barely making a sound as she walked. Her small body,lithe and trim was erect and proud. She had no idea what she was going to do or say to those in front of her. She heard the mans spoken question and raised her eyes to meet his own lighter ones.

"Who am I? Mayhap I should be asking who you are. People around here seem to know more about myself than I do."She said firmly not breaking her gaze from his. She watched those around him shift and look from her to him.She stepped closer to the thrones,her quick glance over and stern look made one woman beside him duck her head and what sounded like a hiss go under her breath.

"But seeing how things are different here,more stranger than from where I can remember coming from. I am called Asellus."She said watching them all the itch the began in her palm begged her to scratch it. She moved her hands together and felt the surge under her skin. She heard several gasp around her.

The man before her smiled, his amusement growing. "Asellus. A lovely name. And spirited too. I like that. And since you ask my name, I'll tell you." Before he could continue, the others present began introducing him.

Each person present spoke in turn, giving him a title. Finally, the princesses beside him finished off the introduction for him. "He is the Mystic Lord Orlouge." They all regarded her reaction. It was immediately apparent that she had no clue why she was in the presence of a Mystic. As she began protesting the fact that she was there, and that she had no business with a Mystic, Orlouge interrupted her. "You saw your blood in the courtyard, didn't you? You were pierced through the heart by Ciato's sword, but where's your wound. Even before that, you were dead, run over by my carriage. You are no longer human now. Nor are you Mystic. You are something different. A Half-Mystic. My blood gave you back your life. Blue Mystic blood plus red human blood. Your blood is purple now."

With that, the man tilted his head in thought. When he finally continued, though the young woman barely listened, he had determined her fate, at least, according to him. "Irudon, you will instruct her in the ways of the Mystic."

Ciato's voice spoke up at that. "My Lord, perhaps Irudon is not right for this job. Maybe...." The greenhaired man beside Irudon interrupted, scolding him. "Silence, Ciato. Irudon is agile and skilled with a blade. He will do well enough as her teacher."

Orlouge smiled at that, and nodded. "Yes, though she does not seem to have the manners or bearing of a Mystic. I shall awaken Empress Rose. These two will do for her instruction. Irudon, get her some clothing more...befitting...a Mystic." With that, all except Irudon vanished.

Asellus shook her head and looked aorund her,they had vanished,leaving her with only one man. They had given her a headache,each trying to talk first. "Wait..My kind? Not suited? Hello..I can make descisions on my own. I dont need you doing it for me.'She said to the space around her stepping backwards.

She was getting skittish and needed some air,turning she strode from the room. She didnt care the man called her name and tried to make her stop. She continued walking out through the doors. She stopped when two rather huge things stepped into her path. They towered over 7 foot tall,massive in build and their eyes black as coal. They folded their arms over their chests and looked down at her.

"Get out of my way.'She said low and firm,the itch returning to her hands. She focused on them,feeling the air stir around them. Her body hummed and crackled.

Though he'd disappeared, Rastaban had actually only gone far enough that he was out of sight. He watched the young woman, impressed with her power. The display was cut short, however, when Irudon stepped up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Relax. The order was placed long ago. We are going to Root. We placed the order for your dress long ago."

With that, he guided her past the two lumbering beasts that guarded the throne room, and out of the castle. He guided her to the tailor's shop, and when the tailor started on about an honor and some stupid crap Irudon couldn't have cared less about, he spoke. "Go get her dress." "Yes sir." "Put it on her." "Uh...Right this way." The young woman was guided upstairs, where the dress, which looked more like a very feminine tuxedo, was put on her, and the tailoring was finished up on it.

When Asellus was brought back down, Irudon nodded. "Now you look like a Mystic. Let's go." He guided her back to the castle, and up into a training room, where he gave her a knife. Soon, monsters came out of nowhere, summoned for her training through the magic of that specific room.

Asellus didnt have time to comment or get used to her new dress,when he had pulled her to another room and monsters came at her. She *Ummphed* when one caught her by the chin in a vicious swipe and sent her sprawling. She raised herself to one knew and wiped the trickle of blood from her chin. She held the knife and eyed them as they advanced on her. She tried to recall if she knew how to fight. She spun on impulse and caught the monster behind her with an up thrust of her knife. She felt it sag away from her.

She pushed herself to her feet and turned in a slow circle. She watched the other 3 and felt herself shaking slightly.She dodged as the first one charged giving it a solid hit across the neck as it flew by hr. The second jumped and managed to get her around the neck,while the 3rd grabbed her from behind. She grunted and struggled her temperr ising with each move.

Her body began that strange tingle and her eyes flared. She dropped her head,closing her eyes trying to focus and channel herself. She felt the energy coming from the tips of her toes and pouring out through her hand as she cried out from the force. The monsters flew awy from her and she sagged to one knee.

Her breathing ragged and she felt as if she was burning up from the inside. She never could understand why she could channel when she was angry and not any other time. She raised her head in time to see the big burly fist coming at her face . She closed her eyes and waited for the connection,she was out of energy.

Irudon watched the fight silently. She was learning quickly, he noted. He might actually enjoy this, he realized. However, his thoughts quickly changed as he saw just how quickly she was advancing as a Mystic. And the fact that her power drained her was of concern. As the monsters closed in to finish her off, he held up a hand. A sword appeared in it, and he moved faster than even Rastaban's eyes could have followed. The monsters stopped for a moment, then seemed to fade, and pull into him. As they disappeared entirely, the sword did as well, fading from his hand. He turned to look at her slowly, and then spoke in a calm, quiet voice.

"That's enough for today. You may explore the castle and the town below if you wish. If you would like, you may purchase some of the spells sold in the shop. They are Mystic spells, and may help you in your training. I would also suggest you visit the north eastern tower. Empress Rose's room is there. She will be your tutor. I will teach you how to fight like a Mystic, and she will teach you how to behave like one."

Asellus looked up at him as she stood. Her body ached. "How to act....?"She began to sputter then stopped.She shook her head and listened to the rest of his words. "I really could use a long hot bath. May I ask where such rooms are?'She said as she blushed for her voice sounding like a timid schoolgirls.

She stopped and turned around. Looking at him. " Why was I kept asleep for so long and why did nt you just let me die. I was no concern to you then why now."She asked him rubbing her hands together.

Irudon shrugged at her question. He turned away from her, and walked towards the door of the room. "You will find a bath in your room. As for why you were kept asleep so long...you weren't. You were dead before we brought you here. It was Orlouge's blood that brought you back to life. That in and of itself causes problems. There has never been one like you. A Mystic becomes a Mystic by being drained of their blood, unless they are born as one. But you were not drained of your blood. Instead, you received the blood of the Charm Lord, Lord of all Mystics."

He opened the door for her, and turned back to look at her. "That blood is what saved your life. You should be grateful we're taking such good care of you, even though you're a half-Mystic."

She looked up at him and felt like she had just been looked down on. "Is it so bad having a half Mystic around? If it is a problem I can leave."She said feeling slightly saddened by this handsome mans words. Her eyes watched his for reactions but could not see any.

She licked her bottom lip and then away from him. 'Thank you for what you have done. I will seek out Princess Rose? after I bath."She said quietly suddenly feeling very alone. She wrapped her arms around her body.

Irudon nodded, and bowed. Then he left, but with one final statement. "The Lord expects all Mystics in his realm, regardless of their bloodline, to follow their duties. Leaving is not advised, young one."

With that, he left her to her thoughts, not realizing those thoughts would turn to escape fairly quickly.

Asellus bathed and then left the bathing room,dressed in her new outfit and her hair spiked up.She opened her door to be met with a heavily armed guard. She frowned at the security they were taking with her. She told him she wanted to be taken to Princess Rose. A quick nod from im and he turned without a word and began to walk off.

Asellus followed him quietly admiring the scens around hr,sometimes a woman or a man would look at her strangely and send shivers down her back. Finally they stopped before a castle and the guard spoke to yet another. She stepped back as the new guard vanished into the castle. Several minutes later she was ushered into a sitting room.

The guard went to speak with Empress Rose, one of Orlouge's Archprincesses. She was known as the kindest of all of Fascination's denizens, and her curly dark hair and fondness for white roses was often looked upon as the only bright spot in the realm.

Soon, the elegant, regal woman descended the staircase. Her dress was...strange. She wore a white dress, short in the front, like a skirt, showing off her long, slender legs, and long in the back, dragging on the floor behind her. She wore a bonnet that looked to be crafted of the very white roses she loved so much, just as her dress seemed to be. When she stepped into Asellus' view and curtsied, she regarded the young half-Mystic silently.

Asellus felt compelled to bow before the Princess. She dipped her head and bowed into a low curtsy.She raised her eyes to meet hers. "My lady,I am honored.'She said softly and quietly. She felt relaxed around this woman before her,almsot calm.She watched as the guards stepped back away from her and let Asellus pass to stand directly before her.

"I am not sure,but I was told to seek you out for training. I guess I need to be taught how to respect others.'She said with a bit of irritation in her voice. Her body aching and sore crying out for a nap. In the short time she had been awake she had been roughed up,mentally bashed and now she had to act nice.

Rose's almost bell-like giggle came out at her words. Then she nodded and spoke. "Please, just call me Rose. So you are the newest intended Empress. The honor is mine, Milady." Then she turned, and motioned for the younger woman to follow. Her dress seemed to swish along the floor as she walked, and from behind it almost looked like a wedding gown.

When she spoke again, explaining what she could, she still had the smile. "You are hear to learn to be a Mystic. Irudon was your trainer in combat, I take it? He is a very skilled swordsman, though nowhere near as skilled as Rastaban or Ciato. Of course, Ciato prefers to rely on his magical prowess, and Rastaban...well, Rastaban's different. He only fights when he finds it amusing to do so. He also has rather odd views on our Realm as well."

She continued in long explanations, showing Asellus much about how to carry herself, and teaching her about some of the various people around. They were interrupted as she was about to speak of Empress Rei, known as the Eternal, by Irudon's voice.

"You're not supposed to talk of her, Empress Rose."

Asellus looked around for the source of his voice and found none. She frowned and looked back at Rose. "Why are you not to speak of her?'She asked still looking around the room.

She closed her eyes and tried to focus on his voice,she felt a slam in her mind as she tried to find him. Her eyes popped open and she shook her head. "I guess I was not supposed to do that either."She said under her breath.

Irudon stepped out of the shadows, a little impressed that she'd managed to sense him. But her inability to penetrate his illusions was far less impressive to him. Rose merely cleared her throat. "She was the first of Orlouge's Empresses. She died long ago."

Irudon interjected, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Oddly enough, we were looking for her when you were run over by the carriage."

Asellus looked back and forth between the two. She could feel his disappointment over her for some reason she didnt know. She moved away from them and looked out a window. "Ths is making leaving here look better and better. I can ask questions but not about certain things. 'She shrugged and turned back to look at them. Makes sense."She said sarcastically. She then felt herself blushing under Rose's grin.

Rose couldn't help but grin about Asellus' comment, even though it clearly struck Irudon's ire. He tended to be by the book. To him, there were set guidelines to live by. Rose thought most of them were silly, but she was kind, and never voiced such opinions. However, when Irudon finally took a seat, she frowned.

"Is something wrong, Irudon? Or did you just get bored of your rules?" Irudon stared at her, having found that to be an unusual statement coming from her. He finally just shrugged his shoulders. "Time means nothing in Fascination, but even so, Mystics need sleep too."

Asellus watched them from acros the room,her own mind running rampant. She turned and looked back out across this new land,giving them so privacy. She watched people moving back and forth below her. they seemed so hurried,as if time for some things was running out. She then frowned. "Why do the people below act as if their next second will be their last?"She asked them quietly still looking out the window.

Rose turned to look at Asellus, regarding her with interest. Her observation was accurate, and it was something Rose had noticed long ago. But the next voice was that of Rastaban, and sounded...well, almost maniacal, but then, that was Rastaban's personality.

"Most clocks need to be reset every so often. It may be about that time for Fascination's clock." A rather strange giggle came out of his mouth at his own joke. "Mayhap it will be you, Lady Asellus." Irudon turned to Rastaban, and stared at him in shock. It was quite possibly the strangest thing he'd ever heard the other greenhaired man say. "You honestly believe she has that kind of power? You sure don't know how to judge Mystics."

"Maybe, maybe not. Many are already afraid of her growing power. Only time will tell. But maybe her power will be kept in check like everything else in this realm." Rastaban let out a sigh at that, then vanished.

Asellus shook her head as he vanished as quickly as he had come. The energy shock she felt from him took her breath. "Who was that?'She said blinking quickly. She looked to Irudon and Rose. She moved back closer to Rose and stood beside her,her head beginning to ache.

She took a deep breath and looked right at Irudon.'What if I dont want to be a Mystic. What will happen.'She asked her eyes meeting his and challenging him with her question. Her eyes glowed and her hair shimmered.

Irudon spoke quietly. "Rastaban. He's finally snapped." He seemed in a bit of shock himself. He'd never felt Rastaban anywhere near that emotional, and that was saying quite a lot for Rastaban. When he didn't continue immediately, Rose spoke for him.

"That was Rastaban. He is...a little unusual amongst the Mystics. He believes that everything runs like a clock. I don't know how else to explain it. I suppose one could say he's...eternally happy?" She shrugged her shoulders, then looked at Irudon, who just seemed exhausted. Then she spoke again. "Methinks that maybe it is time for bed. Lady Asellus, if you would be so kind as to return to your room in the north tower? Irudon may need some time to think after that."

Asellus turned and nodded,bowing in front of them bother. Her curtsy a perfect flow and graceful bend. She gave Rose a smile and turned to bow to Irudon. She slowly turned and left the room,the guard picking up step beside her as she left the room. they left the castle and walked slowly across the courtyard. Her mind wondering back over the last few hours.

She was rudely brought back to some reality when the guard shoved her hard. She went to her knees and turned to let him have a piece of her mind. She opened her eyes wide as creatures surrounded them. The cries of the citizens running for shelter stirred her. She rose to her feet surveying around her.

The creatures locked onto her and they advanced,two remained n the guard. She stepped backwards and tried to remember something she was told about swords. She focused and felt herself being covered from head to toe in armour,then a sword formed in her hand. She took a quick survey of her change and nodded. Not thinking she moved into the fray.

The guard had shoved Asellus to the ground to keep her safe. Monsters had gotten loose. The guard noticed that they seemed to home in on Asellus, which was a little odd. As Ciato stepped out of a building, and spotted what was going on, the tall blond's eyes narrowed. Ciato muttered something about Zozma, not realizing Asellus was close enough to hear. He stepped into the battle, and soon, the monsters were dispatched. When they were alone, the guard having gone off to check elsewhere, Ciato regarded Asellus almost maliciously. Then he spoke quietly. "If you wish you leave, there is a bar in the town. There should be someone there who can help you...for a price." With that, the tall blond vanished.