Pink Poogle Toy Forum

(Please do speed it along. Oh Lillie, could I ask you a favor? It's about the boards.)

[It would depend what the favour was. If you like, you can PM me; I check my PMs first everytime I log on.]

Dawn had not yet broken when the torches by the iron-wrought gates blew themselves out. It was still dark although there was just enough dim light to make out figures and outlines of objects.

Cid rubbed his groggy eyes. Lukas yawned. They had spent as much time as they could exploring and making the most of the guest room. It had been a while before they had gone to sleep and Lukas was regretting it slightly. Cid was more at peace with not having slept enough: he had found some useful old potions and ornaments that would be worth a good price in some other town. He patted his pouches to make sure they were still there. Glancing over at the girls, he could not tell if they were as tired as the boys were, or more rested.

The square was deserted except for two guards standing by the gates, who stared at the children in awe. Cid had an uneasy feeling that these guards knew that they, the four young ones, were the Guardians. He didn't think he would like being a Guardian if he was to be looked at all the time.

The dragon, Alzi and the healer were not there as the Headmaster had said they would be. The Headmaster wasn't there either.

Footsteps were heard as someone came treading heavily along. It was Alzi, well-rested and stuffed full with the best meals she had had in months. Perhaps a little too full ...

She carried her halberd across her back, lifting it now and then to stretch her body. When reaching the small group, she looked at them.

"Well," she huffed, "I guess we're going to have to get to know each other." Her eyes glinted in the dim morning air as she looked piercingly at each of them. Rolling her eyes (they're still children, not Guardians!), she turned away and searched for signs of Phalan.

Elily stiffled yet another yawn. She had slept early, but got up earlier than anticipated. Getting up at 5 in the morning was not her cup of tea. She thought it was 6! Anyhow, everything was in order, and she was sure she remembered to bring everything. A while ago she had stopped by at the school kitchen and kindly requested for a few packed meals. The cook quickly hustled to work and had the food ready in no time. Elily figured that the food would last her for two days.

((Sorry for not posting, I started school on the 9th and had homework the first day on.
I can only post on the weekends, so I apoligise for that.
Thanks fot keeping Alzi in the plot there..and um...I'll wait for us to move?))

[It's alright Swiss, I guessed you were busy with school. ]

The outline of a figure heading towards the small group by the gates was spotted first by Cid, who nudged Lukas in turn. He guessed it to be the Headmaster, and he was right.

The Headmaster was dressed simply and almost gloomily. In his hands he carried a tray upon which stood what looked like four balls of darkly coloured glass. What looked like a fog floated around inside the balls. These were what was left of the Elemental Orbs. He came to a stand-still as he eyed each of the Guardians.

With one hand balancing the tray rather precariously, he pressed a dark green, almost black orb into Lukas's hands.

Beside him stood Cid, who was given a deep blue one.

Moving onto the two girls who stood slightly apart, he presented a milky-white orb to Elily.

The final, dusty crimson one was given to Rachelle.

"Take care of them" were the only brief words the Headmaster had to spare about the Orbs. There was no need to say anymore.

Cid fingered the precious blue ball in his hands. The Orbs were much smaller than he had expected. After all, he had never been up close to them. They were too precious to allow careless sightseers to gaze upon them at any old time. Now though, it was in his possession. Carefully, he slid this into a large pouch he carried, and that pouch in turn was placed into a magickal one. Only those who knew what they were looking for could draw the object out of the magicked pouch, and this was what he was counting on.

"Where is Phalan and Healer Shane?" the Headmaster inquired, a little impatient. "Dawn will break soon and they are not yet here." He glared at Alzi, as though daring her to keep her silence.

Alzi shifted uncomfortably, eyes narrowing. "Well, I wouldn't know. Phalan's a dragon and I've never met the healer."

Elily stared at the sphere of glass in her hands. It looked so dull, with no life left in it at all. It was so unlike last year, when she last saw the orb in last year's festival. The orb she saw last year was beautiful. She couldn't find words to describe it. But now it was hard to believe she was staring at the very same orb she had been admiring all her life.

Isabella woke up just after dawn, stifling a yawn. She was usually up and moving around early each morning, but today seemed to be different. When she came to her senses, she quickly grabbed for her portable clock- and just as she had expected, she was late. She quickly sat up, dressed quickly, grabbed her luggage and hurried down to the destinated meeting place of the guardians and their assistants. As she reached the square, the children were just recieving their orbs. Isabella waited for a moment while they finished, and then stepped forward.

"So sorry I'm late, everyone", Isabella said calmly, turning to the Headmaster, "I have brought all of my materials and as much food as I could carry for the journey."

She then turned to the children and spoke, "Hello, my name is Healer Isabella. But we don't really have time for introductions now, do we?"

Elily tore her gaze away from the orb she was holding, to the healer standing near the group. So this was the healer who was supposed to accompany them. Well then, this person must be exceptionally talented, if she was to come along. She found herself staring at the lady with awe and respect, yet couldn't help feeling a bit resentful. It meant the school didn't have confident in her abilities.

[I think DB is having problems accessing PPT, so I hope he doesn't mind that I used Phalan a bit. My own internet was down a couple of days and I went mad on the typing while I was waiting, so it's a long post. Sorry!]

Cid looked at the newcomer, a young girl who was dressed in a healer’s robes. She didn’t look much older than himself; in fact, she looked about the same as Lukas! Lukas looked a little old for his age. Was this the Healer Isabella Shane the Head had talked about?

“This is our teacher?” he gasped out accusingly to the Headmaster.

The Head raised one eyebrow. “Yes, she will be your teacher on your journey. Please treat Healer Shane with respect.”

“How old are you?” Cid demanded. “I’m not going to call anyone my age by such a respectful title – as though she were my elder!” And Cid wasn’t going to, if he could possibly help it.

“Cid, you will be polite and address her as your teacher,” the Headmaster said firmly. “She will aid the four of you to attain a master level of your element. Healer Shane is a very talented healer despite her young age. Her age in relation to yours is not a matter: she is still your teacher and you can learn much from her.”

Cid snorted. “Me? Learn much from a mere girl? No, I don’t think so, Headmaster sir. I can probably nick all her belongings in her sleep without a problem. I know more about thieving than she will ever know, and I swear that by the Light! I bet that I knew more about thieving as a street kid than this girl does now. She couldn’t steal anything even if she wanted to – and I bet she doesn’t want to! And I’m never going to address her by her the way you want me to. I’ll address her how I deem to be respectful!”

Lukas was stunned by this outburst from the usually easy-going Cid. It was so unlike him to be upset over something this small. He was also surprised that Cid had mentioned his life as a street kid. Before the School had found him when he was seven, Cid had lived the hard life when he was young. He wasn’t exactly ashamed of it, but it wasn’t something he talked about. Normal people looked at him odd if they knew. Cid didn’t like uncomfortable silences, so he didn’t let many people know. Lukas knew because Lukas didn’t care about this kind of thing.

The Headmaster was visibly angry with the boy. This was really quite beyond reason! He would have liked to say more when Phalan came up. “It is time to go,” Phalan said. He didn’t mention if he had heard the argument or not.

That was true. The Headmaster turned to the gathered group, addressing the guides first.

“Honoured Phalan, please protect them and look after them as best as you can. Take care of yourself as well. I am counting on you. The World is in your care now. Keep an eye especially on the two boys, please. They need some soldierly training.

“Honoured Alazira, if you are successful, you will always find a welcome home in the School. I thank you and am also counting on you. Keep the children in line. I also ask if you could teach Rachelle a few things that you know. She is a fire elemental, like you.

“Healer Shane, I wish you luck in your training of the children, especially of Elily. Teach her all you can, she is of your element too.

“We will send you all messages of what we have found out regularly by pigeon post so please send a message back whenever you can.

“Children, learn hard from Healer Shane, especially you, Elily. She is an excellent healer and you will discover many things with her. Rachelle, Alazira was once a student of our School as well. You may be interested to hear what she learned in her time. Boys, don’t make trouble for Phalan. Hang onto the Orbs for all you are worth – there will be plenty of people who want to get them when word goes out the Guardians have been sent forth.”

Some cooks appeared. “Here are some hampers of food. There is also a flask of water in each,” the head cook told the group, giving six baskets of food to them. A seventh was not needed; after all, Phalan was a dragon and a hamper would not have lasted him long anyway.

“Travel hard, all of you,” the Headmaster said, once he was sure they had all got a hamper. “The first thing you need to do is go to the King’s palace before you leave Ashling. He will give you travel passes that will inform the World you are free to pass anywhere and everywhere. Good luck. We are all placing our hopes on you. Carry your burdens well.”

Six horses were led up by stable hands. They were fine, sleek creatures – three stallions and three mares, young and full of life but well-trained.

Elily reluctantly took her hamper of food, wondering if it would be a good idea to mention that she already had some food. However, before she could decide on anything, the Headmaster was already bringing out the horses. Shrugging lightly to herself, she kept her hamper of food, then chose a horse of her own. It was a palomino, with chestnut mane.

Isabella's lips thinned at Cid's remarks. Oh, there were many things she wished she could say to him, but she settled with sending him a disapproving glare. She listened to the Headmaster's comments, and watched as the food and horses came in. Taking her own basket, she watched as Elily, the healing student chose a horse. Isabella gave her a meek smile and mounted the mare to the left of Elily's. It was a nice-looking horse, its gray hide speckled with white.

(I'm terribly sorry for lack of postage. I just started school last week, so I've been trying to adjust to a more normal schedule and get back on track, as well as do all of my homework. *cringe*)

Rachelle gazed at the orb she had been handed. How lifeless it looked, how dank. She frowned. They seemed so vulnerable now, with their dusty surfaces and their weak, foggy inards.

Rachelle looked up at the headmaster, her mouth slightly ajar, partly from shock, partly from the fact that she wanted to say something, but didn't know what. She frowned, searching for words, but when she only found frustration and worry, she merely sighed and shut her mouth.

The headmaster spoke again, and Rachelle gazed at him, her eyes glazed over and her head out of tune. A gaurdian... Of this...?

Cid's exasperated voice brought Rachelle out of her daze. "This is our teacher?" He gasped. Rachelle blinked. She had hardly even noticed the woman there. Rachelle studied her intently for a moment. Cid was right, she didn't look like much. She just looked like... A normal teacher. Rachelle wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but after seeing Phalan, the dragon... She had been expecting a bit more than this.

Cid's next words, however, startled Rachelle. "Me? Learn much from a mere girl?" He exclaimed, with such a horribly insulted tone that it made Rachelle's jaw drop. She narrowed her eyes.

"A mere girl, huh?" she broke in, glaring at Cid. "Oh, I hope you didn't mean that. What, you think the woman's stupid because she looks no older than you? There's such a thing as being intelligent for your age, you know. Oh, wait, no, you wouldn't know that, because you've probably never experienced the gift of intelligence in your life. It's no wonder you think you can be a gaurdian of an orb just because you've had to clean toilets. Fool." Rachelle said. She could feel her face slowly turning bright crimson with anger. Her heart was beating very fast, she realized, and her eyes had narrowed into an even more furious glare.

She breathed hard, trying to calm herself down. She hadn't meant for all of that to come out so quickly and so harshly. Or had she? She was tired, tired and frustrated. Her frustration was going to have to go somewhere if she was going to get through this in one piece. He shouldn't have said that... He should have... Have known it might set me off or something... she thought, silently continuing to seethe. How he should have known, she wasn't sure. All she knew was that he should have.

[I understand, Apricus. Good luck with school, it's awful. ]

"I'm a thief, if you didn't know," Cid snapped back. Despite his anger, he reached out gently for the reins of Moonlight, a white stallion, and swung himself into the saddle. "She - she's a healer. I've already learned all the basics there are to learn about other education and I was supposed to begin going far more in depth into thieving alone."

He glared fiercely at Rachelle as the group set off. "If you didn't realise, my dear girl, I lived on the streets since I was three for four years. You don't learn nothing if you want to survive. This girl, however clever she may be at her healing and basic education, can't know what it's like to be a street rat at the age of three so she can never be able to teach me."

He went on, "She's probably lived a pampered life, safe from the real world. I bet she's never had to live on the streets at three, watch people she cared about get murdered in front of her eyes or have to rummage in filth for a scrap of food. I bet she's too clever to ever have been caught and thrown into jail, or too honourable to have even been stealing for food in the first place because she was starving to death. It's people like you who don't understand. It's people like her who never suffer and manage to look at thieves askant because it's not a good profession no matter what you do."

Cid's anger began to subside a little. Taking a deep breath, he said in a more controlled voice, "Intelligence in healing or teaching doesn't mean a thing to a thief. She will probably only know methods, not understand practice. I don't want to learn thieving from a girl like her; I want to be in school learning from the real masters. I didn't want to be a Guardian just because I know how to clean a toilet, you idiot. I don't want to be a Guardian at all, no matter what."

He broke off his speech there, out of breath. He didn't want to talk to Rachelle anymore, so he pushed his horse into a steady trot and rode ahead of the group. The hooves of the horses could be heard clip-clopping along the cobblestone streets. High above, Phalan flew slowly. The palace was not far from the School. There it was, ahead of them now.

[Edit: I've changed the name of "Fighter" to "Warrior" if that's okay with you, Apricus? "Fighter" just doesn't quite seem to fit.]

(So sorry all, school started and I'm having problems acessing the site. I'll be able to get on twice a week at best. Once again sorry!)

Phalan glided over the town, watching the little caravan make its way towards the palace. So this was the start of their grand adventure, their quest to save the world, what had he gotten himself into? A pain shot through his ribcage again, and though he clutched his side, his flight never faltered. He coughed slightly a small cloud of smoke, he had hoped that the elements would not have begun to take their toll on him so soon.

"I must see Mala," he said to himself, "I think it can wait, but it will make the going easier."

((Rp is sounding really good!! Sorry for you all that school starts. .. Wait, I have re-inscribed myself in two schools! What was I thinking?! Starts screaming and running around in horror. ))

Lukas looked around with an almost near-horror expression on his face.

"Now, now, Cid."

He took the reins of a black horse with white feet. The animal looked fearsome, but seemed quite gentle, next to lazy and didn't budge when he swung his legs around it.

"Was this really all about this teacher?"

Cid looked quite angry. Quite a lot.

He nudged his horse along, strolling next to young thief.

"Uh uh, negative aura. Very negative. You wanna talk about it?"