The Prospect of Salvation

[Guest]

Far off in a small forest, in a place where there was no path or roads, there lies of all things, a small run-down old shack. Outside the moldy, rotten shack was a tree, underneath which was a simple black stone. The stone was why Villetta had come back to Rouen. "This place...ahhh, the memories here, both the good and..." Her voice trailed off as the memories began to flow through her mind. Ville walked up to the old dried up tree, and kneeled down by the stone, bowing her head. "Father, you were taken from me, by the Esparians and their evil, but at least they haven't taken your resting place."

The stone was very plain, it was made of pitch black marble, and was engraved in gold. The engraving read;
Rauko Guinevere,
a valiant warrior,
a brilliant scientist,
and most of all,
a father.

Ville stayed where she was, and listened to the sounds of the breeze, whistling through the trees, she looked at the old shack, thinking about the old times. She noticed that the door was freshly painted, and the windows were protected with iron bars. She approached the door, Ville knew it would be locked, that was how she left it, but the hidden latch that was behind a small panel on the outside wall was still untouched, even from all the years of rust. Ville was able to open the door and peer inside, she was shocked at what she found. The interior had been refurnished and restored to the way it was when she was a child. She wondered who would bother doing such a thing.

[Aurelius Schwartz]

"Everyone comes back to their place of origin at one time or another," a coo raised in time to her thoughts. Behind her he was standing at an angle, a slight smile touching his lips just enough to make him appear human. Callously in the sing-song breeze, raven hair was taken away like whips of blackbird feathers. Mismatched eyes in the two hues of macaws beheld her carefully as if assessing a patient. "I'm sorry if it displeases you." He looked away then, back at the scenery looming in the background. A fallen city--broken civilization--the final air of so many passing. He had nothing to complain about, shrouded in the satisfaction of what would come next, having had no hand in creating this perfect canvas. Fadingly, he turned once again to see this woman known to him as Villetta Nelliel Guinevere, an epilogue to the Rouenian people. It was even such that Aurelius himself hadn't had the pleasure of learning the language. She held seeds, bleeding the direction RIOTE leaned. Holding out his arms like a figure questioning the distance, his eyes narrowed inquisitively at her. "It may be too soon." A faint laugh followed. "But my perception of this time is lacking otherwise. Forgive me if that is the case."

The door creaked further open in the sea wind, revealing an ornate interior Aurel only first laid eyes on himself. "They did a nice job." He came up behind her, gripping the door frame with a hand and looking deeper within. "Small things. Overlooked meaning. To one person, it's the world. To me, it's just a step towards something else entirely." He paused, moving away to let her go inside if she desired. "I cannot look at just one thing. I have to keep going; RIOTE has to keep going. Without this...we will learn of true ruin." He found himself with a devilish grin, flashing fangs. "You have to look past the exterior--past the magazine covers correctively clipped to shape society into the perfect image, destroyed in each gesture of the mirror. We are the makers of that mirror, not to reflect, but to enhance perception." He touched his chin and walked diagonally across the sandy surface of ground. "I want you to start with Rouen."

[Guest]

"Everyone comes back to their place of origin at one time or another," Her eyes shifted as the voice reached her ears. Was he behind the renovations? Or was it someone else? She sighed. It wasn't a terrible thing, just highly unexpected. "I'm sorry if it displeases you." Villetta looked at him this time. Her hair shifting just across her face, as her eyes met his for a moment. "It's not that it displeases me. I was just expecting things to just be the way they were left." She then looked back at her old home. She remembered running through these fields. Picking flowers for her mother, and finding plants for her father. She got poison oak from the forest a mile from here during her misadventures. She looked down the path, to see a rope severely frayed, but hanging in there. She smiled. She had broken her arm on that swing, and her father fixed it in a rather brutish manner. "It may be too soon." Great...now he was interrupting her flashbacks. "But my perception of this time is lacking otherwise. Forgive me if that is the case."

She watched the door swing open and began to smile. "They did a nice job." Villetta sighed. "I'd wish you pick a language and stick with it. It's bad enough you speak that perversion of the Rouenian Language." He continued on with his rant of change. His delusion of changing the world for the better. Warped perception. No matter what, no matter who, no matter what the circumstance nor the reason everything is based on perception. Justice to one, may injustice to another. Right. Wrong. Good. Evil. These things were based solely on a single perception. "I want you to start with Rouen."

Villetta began the ascent of laughter. A smile. Simple and plain, yet beautifully drawn upon her face. As if carved by a master sculpter to portray the innocence of mankind. Next, the Titter. This is the small one second laugh. The giggle. The chuckle. The underlying laugh to say the statement was funny, but does not merit a full fit of laughter. However, in this context it was merely the prelude to the next step. The solid laugh. Her voice was light and melodious, but at the same time dark and scathing. She clapped her hands twice, and then she ran her hand down her face as she turned her gaze to the sky. "I will rebuild this land. Not under some order, but of my own conviction. I follow you only because we see the same means to an end." She turned and walked to the edge of the field. She held her arms out wide as if to embrace the landscape. "THIS IS MY HOMELAND! TORN FROM MY HANDS AND FLUNG INTO THE DEPTHS OF HELL! THE ESPARIANS THOUGHT THEY FINISHED US WITH THERE SINCE OF JUSTICE!" She took a few steps backwards and fell back upon the growing flowers. "But they did not know that we are a people of survival. We do not fade...we adapt. Grow." She smiled up at the sky, and then pushed herself up, casting a look of glee at Aurel. "I do not plan to let you use Rouen for anything that will jeopardize it's future. I will rebuild this land and make it a Utopia. A place of salvation. A place where all are equal. All are heard. All are taken care of. None are neglected. A place that breeds peace, nurtures, and eventually spreads it." She dropped her gaze and then stood up. She faced Aurelius with her eyes hardened and mind set. "If you wish something else...I will fight you here and now. For this land I will kill and die." She stood prepared to fight should the need arise. It seemed even the land froze as the moment unfolded. Waiting for decision of path it would take.

[Guest]

[Aki gave permission to join]

Beams of heat hammered onto her body. Her face and her shoulders caught it. The waves were only heavier through the layer of thick and wooly coat over top. Fresh grass so vivid swayed beneath her feet and the locks of her brown hair would float over towards the wind's destination. It was a new day, and a new destination.

"Wowww it's so hot here." The small brunette girl mumbled through the heavy panting breaths. Sweltering, it was in her coat. She could barely feel her own skin between water and fabric.

"That's because you're wearing that wretched hat and smelly old coat. We're not at the North Pole, anymore, child! I told you this when we left!"

Tatyana puffed out her cheeks, looking at the stuffed dragon that clung to her back. "Well how was I supposed to know? This is my first time leaving home!" A heavy breath fell from her lips and after a moment she had to stop and lean forward. It was sweltering to her. Drachma was constance of snow and people bundled like Eskimos, but here, it was nothing of the sort. Her brow had a layer of sweat she didn't even know existed.

"TAKE OFF THE DAMN HAT AND COAT, YOU LOOK LIKE A BLIMP!"

"Then what am I going to do with it, huh?" Tatyana shouted at him. Her lip curled in a displeased frown. Green eyes stared like daggers at the plush while he stared back, just as annoyed and irritated.

"You carry it of course!"

"-But my hands are full-"

"Idiot. Use your backpack."

Tatyana gave a soft heave of a breath before straightening herself. "But there wouldn't be enough room." It seemed his yelling worked though, because Tatyana soon yanked her furry hat off of her head and sat down in the grass. Her hands shoved the piece of fabric into her unzipped bag and then she attempted peeling off the bulk of her coat.

A little red and gold dragon jumped down from her shoulder and stared up at her. His claws made of felt slapped at his nose and had he eyes capable of rolling, it would have happened. "I told you not to pack heavy." How irritating, the girl never seemed to listen. "SEE! Now we're falling behind." His voice growled a bit muffled and the beast turned around, starting to waddle through the grass, losing balance when the wind blew.

"XIAN'E Slow down! Don't go through the grass! You might rip your fabric! I just washed you yesterday... YOU"RE GONNA GET DIRTY!" Her arms flailed, while she hurriedly tried to shove the fabric into her backpack. After that, she ran up to the toy which had stopped with the same look he always gave. A permanent glare was sitting; peering into her soul with an angry glaze. Had he had his real body still, it could petrify someone for a second, but alas he only looked the normal pseudo-intimidating.

"Well hurry yourself up! I'm not slowing and you're old enough to pronounce my name RIGHT, child." His voice came as a throaty growl, while he continued to walk, until the brown-haired girl caught up and swept him into her arms.

"You're FILTHY again, you'll have to get washed AGAIN." The disdain on Tatyana's face showed her displeasure. Xian returned it with his own dislike and general irritation. There was a staring contest that the little girl failed, because plushies don't blink. After a sniff, she led herself to catch up with the 'adults' as it were. A man named Mr. Schwarz had brought her around for some reason. She wasn't exactly sure why, but she didn't ask. It was always fun to tag-a-long. When she caught up, finally, the two were speaking words in a language she didn't understand. Tatyana simply stood there, staring at them silently. "Sorry I fell a little behind, Mr. Schwarz." Her voice was a whimper of apology. The jade green of her eyes moved upon the female woman. Tatyana didn't know her or who she was, but her eyes were glued upon her. She seemed older and looked rather mad about something.

The red and gold dragon plush laid limply on her arms, pretending to be stuffed as usual. His tail swayed lightly with the slightest nudge of wind. It was then she realized, she felt so naked. Without her coat on it allowed the fresh air to settle on her bare flesh. In a way it was relaxing and yet in other ways it was extremely uncomfortable. Nevertheless, she would stand there idly, watching the two adults have their conversation as Xian kept his interested ear open.

[Aurelius Schwartz]

"I'd wish you pick a language and stick with it. It's bad enough you speak that perversion of the Rouenian Language."

"My apologies; I was unaware that you could speak Amestrian. If you would do such honor, I am willing to learn how to dismiss this accent." He shed a brief smile, looking down at his gloved hands and back up at her with interspersed blue and red. Innocent--he felt his own innocence wafting off him like a fabricated lie turning itself around to be true. Laughable. His smile fell into a straight line of thought, transcending into another realm entirely. You see, there were ups and downs to time travel. First of all, he had suffered minor culture shock, and right now it was making itself entirely clear. He was at a loss, unsure exactly on how to react and still obtain the ultimate conclusion. That was another reason why he chose to come himself, adapting on spot to whatever Villetta may dish out in RIOTE's direction. Whatever it was, he had to take it unto himself and use it to his advantage as her's as well. If RIOTE was anything, he deemed it was a give and take scenario, where people both benefited and suffered. That was balance--that was what the world had to become. Peaceful resolve would last only so long; war would only ravage so long. The dualist yin-yang method was trying and hardly would last as long as its lifetime seemed to stretch. Clearly, something stretched was something whose strength waned. Alchemy was the same: identical quantity, but the larger the object the weaker the power. That was why they had to increase quantity, pull until it snapped-- break it and reconstruct the very fabric on which the world rested. Let the grey take over.

She laughed, fully, heartily, underestimating the entire make of his words. He took it silently, tilting his head malleably to the side in inquiry. Laughter never settled well with Aurelius. "I will rebuild this land. Not under some order, but of my own conviction. I follow you only because we see the same means to an end." However, the result was the same. It didn't matter if she believed in the same ideals, in the end, it would turn out the same regardless; it was inevitable. Rouen was empty to refill it (regardless of what means were used) would accomplish just what he wanted. He followed her away to the edge of the field, standing just beside her shadow, and looking out into the landscape as he would at any other. Just what was appealing about it, he'd never quite grasp. Perhaps, when he was younger he would have found worth in the freedom it held, but no longer did he sully himself with such naive thoughts.

She continued her declarative speech, Aurel observing in interest. She fell upon the flowers like it were her bed. He joined her by lowering himself onto his haunches, touching a flower gently as if he would break it by looking at it. "But they did not know that we are a people of survival. We do not fade...we adapt. Grow." He nodded, allowing his hand to brush from flower to flower like he were playing the xylophone. Grow. Exactly. That was what Rouen needed--that was what this world needed. It needed to grow back from destruction, to bloom again upon the blood of failure, resilient, masterful, never-ending. Amid the vibrant lines of green grass, she looked up at him, reminding him distantly of Nyx with eyes of utter elation. "I do not plan to let you use Rouen for anything that will jeopardize it's future. I will rebuild this land and make it a Utopia. A place of salvation. A place where all are equal. All are heard. All are taken care of. None are neglected. A place that breeds peace, nurtures, and eventually spreads it."

He didn't rise right away, holding his ground briefly in relative thought. When he was ready, he looked up at her, eyes holding something immeasurable. "Exactly my intention. Be not swift in your countenance, Villetta, please. I'm not here to usurp what is rightfully determined; I am simply in your presence to tell you that you are not alone in your endeavor." He paused, rising carefully to his feet and brushing dead grass that stuck to his pant legs. "Utopia is fictional; let us replace the noun with Rouen, shall we?"

"Sorry I fell a little behind, Mr. Schwarz."

"Aurel," he corrected immediately. If not Aurelius, Aurel befitted her more. First names worked better, he found. "Join us." He ushered her nearer, pulling her up under his arm with a carefree expression. "Tatyana, this is Villetta." He turned to the Rouenian with a rueful smirk. "I brought her here today to make your acquaintance, as she will be helping with the preparations."

[Guest]

"Utopia is fictional; let us replace the noun with Rouen, shall we?" Villetta rose to her feet once more. Utopia was not fiction, but a state of mind. Similar to freedom. Illusions to control and use people in order to establish order among a populace. There was one key difference, Freedom bred a form of Anarchy that gives the illusion that they can do whatever they want; Utopia breeds a form of peace that exudes from the smallest of things all the way to the highest of things. Equality is what she sought. Her social structure was already set in stone, the people who would flock to her lands would always come back. Rouen will be the Safe Haven of the World. But the world was jealous, she would need a milita capable of dealing with such harshness...they very well couldn't be Rouenian. Perhaps using another country as military power, but this would require a large swing in monetary value to gain power over another country...the esparians might not be a bad idea, or even those from that Gelemortian country.

Lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice the new addition to the conversation. She looked upon the young girl, and then glanced to Aurel...if she was here...he was serious. But what...no. She knew better than that. Of all the times she posed as a child, when she herself was a demon in child's form. She extended her hand to the young girl, it would be inappropriate to kiss her cheeks in this instance. "A pleasure to meet you Tatyana"

[Guest]

"-Aurel. Join us. Tatyana, this is Villetta. I brought her here today to make your acquaintance, as she will be helping with the preparations." Tatyana's jade eyes rose up to the woman she'd now seen a second time. There was an arm around her shoulder and her body was tugged against her leader's. A vague pink shade would form, from shock mainly, not expecting the reaction given. It wasn't often that Tatyana got hugs anymore, especially not since her father had died about six months ago. So the simple gesture overjoyed her and she couldn't help but slip a soft laugh.

Her lips uplifted and she would smile gently, a soft and kind one. "Hello." The brown of her hair framed her so well as her head tilted a bit. It was interesting to meet someone knew and pretty like this lady. A brush of her fingers pushed her bangs out of her face and she looked around, almost absentmindedly. Xian was shifted in her arms, carelessly. She didn't care how old she was, she'd carry him for however long he was in her beloved toy. Maybe even longer. He was practically family now, with the way he functioned as the second, darker half of her. To her, it was an odd concept, but it was accepted with ease. After all, there had been stranger things in the world. In fact, Aurel, himself seemed to be an anomaly she had yet to even understand. Maybe one day, she might. For now though, she was content in blissful ignorance, not wishing to touch a puddle that might be more of a lake than it appeared. Drowning wasn't in her mental wish list.

The woman extended her hand and words came from her lips. "A pleasure to meet you Tatyana" Her own smaller fingers were left out for grasping. A hand in hand, then her body shifted. Tatyana did a curtsy to the best of her ability with her hands too preoccupied to lift her skirt. Brown acted as curtains down to the sides of her face, shading her from the world a moment, until she was straight vertical once again. "The pleasure is mine, Miss Viletta. Please, let me know anything I can do to help!" Her eyes closed and Tatyana felt the warmth of eagerness roll into her veins. It was new, exciting and unexplored territory and that put Tatyana all the way in for helping with the renovations.

All the meantime, Xian had to force himself into a silent stupor. His body as still as possible while he eavesdropped. The nosy Xingese man had nothing better to do. It was at such times he was forgotten though not completely. Tatyana held onto him, his head pressed to her stomach while she chatted of plans.

[Aurelius Schwartz]

"We will also be offering Rouen our protection; all of Drachma will be at your beck and call under...reasonable circumstances. You understand this, yes?" He took a step back, admiring the view for a moment. No, not the plain island scenery he was already numb to, but the soft expression that had just briefly entered Tatyana's eyes. She needed this just as much as Villetta wanted to revive Rouen. This entire affair was a give-and-take scenario, offering both parties many benefits to better the world. Together, they were surely stronger. Since coming to this time, Aurel was beginning to feel his solitude slipping like dry sand through the cracks in his fist. There was more to this than what met the eye, surely. However, he was not using either of them without a viable profit in their hands as well. It was a different road, and one clearly less traveled by the typical terrorist. He'd hardly call himself such, yet he couldn't help the title that the rest of the world bestowed upon him. They could think what they wanted...so long as the final page of the master plan came to fruition. Yes. The objective.

Perhaps they could have a conversation pertaining to deeper details of the issues faced. Starting from new was always a challenge. Surely, with RIOTE backing them, progress would move quickly. Rouen would be the prime example of their goals: a free world, where balance was so frequent scales no longer needed to exist. The total depletion of dualism as its best, laughing in the limelight while the rest of the world fell to ruin. It would be an oasis--the tier ever-so sought after. Achieving it was just beneath their fingernails, bathed in blood and the pursuit of a perfect peace. Let it come, but let it not come too quickly; the eyes of the greedy and the war-ravaged hands clutching guns for reprieve were not ready to look upon such utopia.

"Come, let us discuss more."

[EXIT THREAD]

[Csilla Angelis]

[BUMP]

[Sponsored content]