Topic: Unfinished Business.

Brian Ravenlock

Date: 2006-02-11 08:56 EST
"Raven? Raaaaaven? Get up, or you'll be late!" The darkness faded away as he opened his eyes slowly. Rubbing his eyes wearily a moment, he yawned a bit and smacked his lips. "I swear you take forever. Some Ranger you are." He knew the voice.. But it was impossible to that particular voice. After all they left each other long ago in Vana'diel, so it was just not possible. Yet, there it was. As real as his own heart beat. He spoke softly as his vision came clearer. "Wazzat? Late? Five more minutes... I wuzzup late last night." With that, his eyes closed once more. The familiar voice replied "I know you were up late! I kept you up nearly till two in the morn." That was followed by a snicker and a laugh. The voice spoke again saying "Okay, maybe it was the Tonberries we hunted all night that kept us up. But for all you could have know it could have been me." He replied just as quick as she had finished. "I'd rather have the Tonberries." His eyes opened and he saw her.. Standing as the always did, arms crossed and a bit of a slant in her stance. Her green eyes looking at him with a hint of defiance and that ever superior look on her face. Blonde bangs settled along her face, and her short hair parted in the middle. Her tail swaying back and forth behind her as she moved forward and bent towards him, her small feline ears tilted back and her green eyes looking like emeralds as she laughed and tapped his forehead with her finger. "Now it is time to wake up Sir Ravenlock. You have a meeting with the cabinet concerning your citizenship and your title. It's been three years and it is long overdue. You can.. You can go home.. Back to your home." The way she said the last part tore at him. It's been three years since he left Rhy'din and arrived in Vana'diel, at least it was three years in Vana'diel time. He truly didn't know just how much time had passed in Rhy'din. But in any event it was a lifetime. Here he was Ravenlock, Ranger of the Nation of Bastok. Mythril Musketeer and Knight of the First Order. Fighting in more battles that he could imagine in a long time, friends and foes. Moving his way through the ranks and completing tasks and missions no one wanted. Being treated as an outsider by those in standing for so long, and now here they were prepare to kiss his rear in the politest of senses. All of that he did to escape.. Escape that which was Rhy'din. Escape that which he caused. His eyes looked to Gorg as he smiled faintly . "Yeah, Gorg.. I can go home. But not before we take care of business." As he stood and headed to the wash basin. "Gimme a few minutes to get dressed and we'll have some breakfast at the Elvaan Bistro you like so much. Then we can kill some time doing something you like so much." "You mean?" She replied as she giggled loudly and he nodded in reply. "Yeah Gorg, we'll shoppe."


"This isn't.. This can't.. A dream, this has to be a dream."


He looked in the mirror as he adjusted his Aketon. It was navy blue in color with gold trim. Long sleeves decorated with gold cord along and shoulders and various medals along his chest. This was what a citizen wanted to be and strived for. A decorated knight of the Nation. Gorg came from behind and reach over his shoulders and adjusted the clasp on his solid collar. "You are still a mess Sir Ravenlock. What will I ever do with you?" He replied "Anything except get me sent to the infirmary again." "YOU!! You.. I didn't know the coral was it's butt! It was pretty and I.. I wanted it." He nodded and looked to her a moment as he adjusted his sword. "Yeah, until it laid me put cold while I took the hate from you. That's okay I lost count how many times I have been through that." Gorg, smiled and adjusted her own Aketon she wore. Hers was Hunter Green in color and was from the Nation of Windhurst. She was not from Bastok but she was treated as a Knight. She assisted Raven's group in their final campaign against the Beastmen and the Zilart. She has been with him since his first month and they were the best of friends. Today he would join her in both status and fame.

"This isn't.. Why am I back?"


(more to come)

Brian Ravenlock

Date: 2006-02-12 08:35 EST
That thought came back into his head. "This isn't here.. Where am I? I left.. But.." Then everything went dark.


It was now early in the afternoon. He and Gorg were in the Market Center near the Great Fountain, just walking around and seeing the sights. His arms folded behind his back as he nodded to people as they passed. He really did look the part of the stalwart knight as they made the rounds. His Aketon and clothing crisp and pressed, his boots shined and his beret tipped to just the right angle. His pace comfortable, his steps casual. If only they really knew. If only they truly knew how he felt, or better yet what he really was deep down inside. "They really like us." Said Gorg, as she bit into a pastry bought from one of the local vendors they passed. "I wonder what they will send you to do now that you have been Knighted. I bet it's some butt kissing mission to San'doria. Hah! You'd really like that, eh? Those stuffy Elvaans and their superior attitudes." Mind you this was said as she was stuffing her face with yet another pastry and she didn't stop. Gorg was every bit the Mithra away from home. Mithras were feline humanoids, everything gave her the appearance of a basic human, save her eyes, ears and tail. She hailed from the jungle city of Kazham in the Lower Elshimo region, which was a long way from the City of Bastok where she now resided. She was strongly built and barely was 5' 3" in height and she walked just like she felt, a predator. They were a lot alike in that sense, they were always on the hunt. Be it a mission or every day activities, they were always stalking. It was just in their nature. Something however, crept in his mind once more it was another voice saying "This isn't you. It never was." Then he felt a cold chill, as the sky darkened, and a rumble was heard in the distance. Turning around to Gorg for confirmation his mouth opened in shock. His eyes met hers, but her eyes were no longer those he was ever familiar with. Utterin a low growl, Gorg stepped forward and he felt a sharp sting in his gut. It was followed by warmth, and it was spreading. He looked down and saw he had literally been run through by a short sword. His eyes met Gorg's once more as tears ran down his face. He still couldn't speak. But she did.. She spoke with a fierce tone. "You left me! You left me to wander and rot! Bastard! I waited for you! I was for you! You lied.. You never came back and now I am gone too.. You started this and this is on YOUR head!" She shoved the blade deeper as she spoke. "Edea, Narin, Jes.. Syl, Zid and Vil. You left us all.. Worse than them you left me here! Liar!" She screamed that last word so loud it rang in his ears. Then he heard another voice.

"I said this wasn't over Ranger and I did not lie.. You and the others were fools to think my plans would be stopped with just one encounter. You were foolish to come here and you were even more the fool for leaving. She is mine now. Soon all of you pathetic adventurers will be. I know you, better than you know youself.. This is what you have waiting for you. Death at her hands, or better yet mine. I will revive fully and when I do. We will finish this. Till then. Fear me when you sleep! Now wake!"

With that he came awake in a jolt, his hands quickly grabbed his gut as he tried to stop the blood. But there was none. Dripping in sweat, he slipped out of bed and staggered around a moment. He felt a sickness welling deep within him, and made a beeline for the bathroom. Lowering his head to the toilet, he vomited and fell to his knee. He stayed that way for nearly 20 or so minutes. He had emptied his gut many times over, but he couldn't move. Hands shaking, he finally rose and made his way to the sink. Washing his face a few times, he paused and looked into the mirror. His sight began to clear up, as he recalled where he was. He was at Briallyn's home, in the Boarding House she owned. He closed his eyes and put it all together. "That was too real.. Way too real." he said as he wiped his face once more. Feeling something around his neck, he looked closer to the mirror and saw a very familiar gold charm in the shape of a iron cross attached to a loose fitting choker around his neck. "What in the hell?!" Ripping it from his neck as he spoke. He eyed the charm a moment longer and set it down. "I left that... In jueno.. Before I came back." Hearing a soft voice from the room, he walked back in and found her sleeping calmly. Gathering his gear, he then wrote a note and left it on the sink. Quickly he geared up, grabbed his sword and left the room quietly.

Walking down the road towards the Inn, he pondered whether to talk to Jewell or not. He didn't want to really burden anyone and Katharine had been gone a while as well. He left it alone and decided when it hit the fan he would talk. For the moment he played by ear and deal with it as it came. Still, he couldn't help but look over his shoulder occasionally.
"I guess it was too early to retire after all."