The Invasion of Arias: The Volunteers
 

General Tahoe stood with several soldiers outside the chief military base in Lunaaq. Like all the military bases, this one had been a building of public use before it became a barracks, and this particular one was a gigantic hollowed-out tree that stood ear the west of the town. There were several others like it in the city, some hollowed out, some not, all of them preserved with the Nature magic the city was famous for. This was Tahoe's home town. He breathed in deeply, his slightly wrinkled face seming to lose years with the effort. His long, thin brown hair blew slightly in the wind, revealing his pointed ears and a piercing near the top of his left ear that an odd-shaped leaf was strung through. He turned to one of the soldiers. "Those famed ones, they're coming, aren't they?" The soldier nodded, taking out a scroll from underneath his arm and reading it.

"Yes sir, the messengers all reported back and said that they had delivered their letters, and that the individuals all had a way to get here." The soldier lifted his eyes up from the paper. "I don't think they were lying sir, I know several of these men personally, and they would-"

"I did not say they were lying, lieutennant, nor was I thinking it. Some of the heroes just may not want to show. Some may be afraid, some may lazy, and I expect some just don't give a damn. I will wait here all day if it takes that, but I expect them to show." He said, eyes showing determination. "But actually, lieutennant, there is something you could do..."

The soldier saluted. "Sir?"

"I would like it very much if I could have some tea while I waited."

The lieutennant's tone of voice betrayed his inward feeling of disbelief towards the general as he mumbled, going off into the base to get some water boiling.



At about the other end of the city, a grey skinned dragonkin walked through the streets. He carried on him a gigantic sword, the blade covered by a spiky black chain that was affixed to the back of his clothing in between his wings. Several of the city's occupants stared at him, and he replied with a solid breath, with an undertone of a growl. The people staring at him began to do so more earnestly, and he felt a distinct feeling of regret at his simple expression of his frustration with the attention. He looked around, his head remaining pointed straight ahead and his eyes darting around. He spotted an elf in uniform who was handing out flyers. He began walking towards him, the chain colliding with the metal lightly to produce a faint series of clinks. He cleared his throat, getting the elf's attention. The supposed soldier turned, immediately visibly losing some confidence as he saw who he was being addressed by. Karvan spoke, his voice barely managing to scrape out the sylables, not to mention sounding low and immensly rough. "Where is this?" He held out a small note, a notice from the army in this city. The elf looked at the paper for a while, reading it. He then looked up at Karvan, pointing down the road with an uncertain expression on his face.

"Head down that way. It's at the other end of the city. The base is a giant tree, you won't be able to miss it."

Karvan nodded, inclining his shoulders a bit to indicate he was thanking him, then removed the sword, chain and all, from his back. The soldier backed away, his hand on the hilt of his sword, and Karvan lept up into the air, holding the sword in both arms, and flapped his wings heavily several times, leaving the ground and heading in the direction that the elf had pointed. The ensuing gust nearly knocked the soldier over, and his eyes followed the dragonkin with curiosity.

"So, these are the kind of soldier's we're recruiting nowadays..."

Tarum had been following the dragonkin interested in what he was doing. 'I guess he's here for the same thing I am' Tarum thought as he held up the note. Glancing at the location of the note Tarum had a funny idea. Transforming into his Hyena state Tarum rushed forward, snapped at the heels of the soldier and started running towards the giant tree through the rapidly parting croud. Upon nearing the tree Tarum lightly used his Hyena's laughter magic to cow the soldiers. Tarum jumped in front of the general and transformed back into an elf. Tarum stood up and said "Well i'm here what do you want me to do"

Hale was sitting on a fence post near the entrance of Lunaaq chewing a toothpick, bored out of his mind. In his lap were some carefully folded up black clothes, and set up against the fence post was a rapier shining in the days bright sunlight. Except for the unconscious chewing of his toothpick he was completely motionless. Taking in all of what was in front of him, watching the people milling around, kids playing and people shopping. They all looked as though they didn't have a care in the world, and two cities were gone. Not a survivor to speak of, life was so fragile and in the end no one cared. Hale began to wonder whether or not they were unaware of what had happened or if they just didn't care. Letting his mind wander was the only thing he could do to pass the time. He knew his brother had a tendency to show up late, but when he agreed to hold his things while Quill flew he didn't think he would take this long. Just as he was getting angry over his brothers abscence an eagle landed next to him.

"Well if it isn't about time you showed up." Hale's anger was clearly audible in his voice. The eagle merely flipped its head to the left and made a quick call. "Next time you have to wait for me," Hale threw the clothes at the eagle and watched as they fell to the dirt path below, "There are your clothes and in one of the pockets you'll find the scroll with the directions to the Chief Military Base, god knows I had enough time to memorize it. And here is your stupid sword." Hale turned to where he had set the sword down only to find it missing. He quickly stood up searching the area with his eyes as the eagle let out an angry call. "I'll find it, I'll find it." He took in everything within view searching person to person with only his eyes. It was easy to pick out the culprit, he was the only one who was running in the crowds, he had already managed to get a hundred yards away. The big city isn't even safe for were-beasts. Hale thought as he spit out his toothpick and began shifting into his hybrid state.

He started running quickly as he was finishing his shift, the crowd of people quickly seperated out of his way, after all its an old saying "Never move in the way of a were-beast unless you too wish to be cursed." Hale loved the superstition surrounding his existance, he took this oppurtunity to display the power of being half eagle. He crouched suddenly in midstep and made an incredible leap. His wings outstretched from under his cloak for all to see. His feet gracefully landed on top of one of the nearby tree houses and he began jumping home to home in the chase of the criminal.

The thug was running, running for his life and his freshly acquired merchandise. He darted down an alleyway made up of a few huts lined with saplings. He hid behind the hut and sat down panting, he looked at the rapier and a smile graced his lips. Right as he started to laugh at his success a shadowy figure slammed down in front of him. The thug suddenly screamed in surprise, but his scream quickly shifted from surprise to one of fear as the figure raised his head. Hale's eyes pierced through the man all the more as they peered out at him from his now eagle face. Hale let out a loud scream to show the thug he meant business. The thug merely cringed and held the rapier out. Hale reached out and grabbed the rapier with his taloned hands, the thug appeared to be broken he was huddled up in a ball and was screaming something about not wanting to be eaten. If eagles could smile Hale would have.

It had been a few minutes since Hale had left him but Aquila had made little headway in dressing, he hadn't even shifted into his human form. He was looking at the passing crowd as Hale landed next to him. Hale's beak and feathers transformed back to his normal handsome good looks. "Here's your sword," Hale said as he set the sword down next to the Aquila. "And now if you'll excuse me Quill I'm off to go see a man about some exciting adventure, because to put it simply this day to day stuff isn't exhilirating anymore." Hale started towards the Chief Military Base waving a goodbye to his brother.

(ooc: Sorry bout the length. Once I start writing I just cant stop myself.)

"Remember Pende, I want half of everything you get from this journey, you understand?", Mortis the Kind hissed at me.
"Yes, sir. I'm so grateful you let me go alll by myself!" I said.
"Of course you're going without me, as if I would actully risk my life on this quest. Now, what you bring back has better be good. Don't forget, I could just convert your corspe into spell componets insteasd of investing my servent in this dangerous mission, but it's a sacrafice I'm willing to make. Now here is your staff, your sycthe, and the vessel for your soul. Don't screw up." And with that he made his way back to his home.
Puting on my hood, I walked into the large, tree-infested town. When I got to the person dressed in a general uniform, I took note of the individuels in front of him.
{Hmm, a dragonkin and a dark elf. Well it it nice to see a familer dark elf joining me. Maybe he knows Mortis? Don't know about that dragonkin, it looks kinda violent, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to befriend it. Think of the power...hmmm, I shouldn't think too much like the old master. I'm my own person now.}
"Hello General, I'm sorry Mortis the Kind would be able to make it for this mission. He, uh, has a cold. But, he has sent an able servent in substitution. Pende Jochy is at your service." I handed the general Mortis' Card and a letter discribing how I will be a substitute, signed in Mortis' initals.

Tantalum Bismuth oriented on the dim rumble above her and pushed upward, feeling the earth around her give way as easily as water.

The only warning from below the General’s feet was the sign of two muddy-looking bubbles that sluggishly grew in size and then popped lazily.
Two hands emerged, human and pale. Then came the head, with a crown of pale white streaked with deepest brown. Those eyes, large and inquisitive, opened to see the surprised General Tahoe about a few feet away, who had just overturned his seat when he felt the earth beneath him stir.
Tantalum blinked owlishly, and gave half a sly smile.
“Apologies, sir,” her voice was velvety and haunting, much like the werebeast half she was, “I overshot my surfacing point.”
Then the rest of her slid out of the earth, and she was standing in front of him, gripping a dirty note in her hand.

Aquila watches as Hale chases after the man who took his sword."Figures my brother would let something get stolen" Aquila thinks to himself, "oh well he'll get it soon enough. Probably saw a female sparrow fly by." Aquila lets out a crawing sort of laugh at the joke. He looks at the people going by glancing nervously toward where his brother had run off. "People should really fear less the dangers they know and worry more about the ones they can't see. The world is quaking and they get skittish because of a Were-Eagle," Aquila thought solemnly. He looks at his clothes on the ground and flaps down to grab his pants and flap back up and hang them on the fence, Then follows it up with his shirt. "And I went through so much trouble to fold them." He thought. Right about then his brother came back. As his brother leaves, Aquila looks at his equipment. He gives an irritated craw, grabs hold of his pants and flaps off behind a nearby tree. He emerges a moment later, human and with his pants on, looking around to see if anyone had been watching him. Muttering to himself in Yujiran, "I hate it when people watch me change." He walked over and put on his shirt before anyone on the street could see his feathers, and then strapped his sword to his hip. He began to walk after his brother pulling out the piece of paper he had been given. "A big tree, how cliché" Aquila looks down at his hands and laughs a little. "Then again, it is apt" He thinks to himself. As he walks down the street he begins listening to the chatter of the city.

"...Did you hear about the camps?"

"...there was this one girl..."

"...I never thought I'd see the day..."

Aquila sighed inwardly, "It seems no one cares about anything outside there city. Why do so many people view the world as so small." Aquila thinks back to when he was younger. His days consisted of Learning magic and fighting from his father, Tending to his chores, and lazing around with his brother. "Guess I wasn't much different." He thinks sadly, Looking to his right he saw a store selling mirrors and caught his reflection. "That was before this though" He thought staring into his own disturbing eyes. A beautiful young woman in the shop looked over at him, smiling. Only to quickly look away after meeting his gaze. "Thats right, run away from you what you cannot possibly understand." Aquila moved on toward the outpost. At a cross road he spotted his brother three blocks off to the north. Aquila walked over to where Hale was standing examining clothes.

"So your saying if I hem it up instead of out it will fit better AND conceal?" Hale asked

"Oh yes there are all sorts of ways to make quick remove clothing." the seamstress says

Aquila Clears his throat and looks at Hale in annoyance. "We have business to attend to." He says in Yujiran.

"Aww but I was shopping." Hale responds also speaking in Yujiran.

"I'm the older brother and I say business." Aquila counters.

"But shopping IS business, and I waited for you!" Hale says in defense.

"Yes but that was important, this is frivolous and a waste of our money. Your clothes fit fine." Aquila Said, Firm in his position.

Hale looks down in frustration, "Thank you for your time." He says to the Seamstress. She just looks at them confused as they walk away.

As they approach the Tree they were instructed to meet at, they saw The Large Dragon kin, A Dark Elf and a human With all the signs of being were beasts, and a man that appears to be a very mobile zombie.

"They look like fun." Hale says.

"Indeed" Aquila confirms.

As they approach the group Aquila looks to the dragon kin and bows politely saying in Yujiran, "Greetings noble child of Long.". Looking at the general he says "Were here in response to the message you sent to our father. He says he cannot be bothered with your Trivialities, and sends us in his place. We are Aquila and Hale Right. You may call us the brothers Right."



OOC: Long is the Chinese word for Dragon. I thought it would be a nice touch.

Aiera was in her home. She was looking for any last minute things that she might need. When she couldn't find anything other than her weapons and some emergency supplies that she kept in a pouch on her side, she picked up a bun for breakfast and went to her dresser.

On it there was a picture of a man, in his arms was a small child barely 4 years old.
"Well, I'm off dad. I'll come home soon, 'kay?" She picked up the picture and kissed it, then left the room.

On the streets of Lunaaq, Aiera was at home. She had grown up here and knew the quickest paths to get to anywhere in the city. But she wasn't in any hurry, she walked at a normal pace and enjoyed her bun. When she was finished she turned into her full animal form. Some people were shocked to be looking at an elven girl and suddenly finding a cat, some of them even started whispering amoung themselves.

Aiera ignored them. She sped along between their feet and down an ally. She took a second short cut and came upon the group. What a variety, there are many more werebeasts than I thought there would be. There were three of them actually, and also two dark elves, and a dragonkin. She changed back to her elven form, and walked over to the group. "Well, I guess this was the place." She looked at the general, "You know why I'm here, so there is no need to explain myself. My name is Aiera, you may call me that or Ai or whatever you want, it doesn't matter."

A dark haired white human walks up too the tree. He is wearning hard leather armor and using a double bladed sword and a ball & chain.

Charles went up too the General.

Hello General I would like too offer my services too you and your army.

The General looked at charles with a puzzled face... "where do i know you from?"

I am Lumptin, Charles lumptin. I create weapons and armor with unique attributes.
"Ahh yes, i know you now. You will be a great use for our defense. Ill have someone set up a blacksmith shop for you right away.

Charles: Thank you sir, but there is no need. I have a shop in each town already. I could use some workers if you know what i mean.

"Yes yes, i will send some boys too your shop. Please ask if there is anything you need."

Yes sir, thank you.

Hale had grown bored waiting for the general to get his tea, because it seemed that they would have to wait until it arrived before the meeting began. And suddenly it all changed, it was as if his very world shifted along with the girl who just showed up. She's so beautiful. Her hair, the way it flows, the way she gracefully shifts from one shape to the the next. She's... an angel, a heavenly body sent forth to show humanity that beauty itself can exist, in that which is scorned within this world and it can be the most glorious of all creations. The way her clothes seem to caress her shape... Hale's mind continued to frantically pump out awe inspired commentary about the sheer beauty of her form as he quickly made his way next to her.

If he had been paying attention to anything but Aiera he might have heard Aquila mumbling in Yurijan. "Not again Hale."

Hale was ignoring everything except for her as he strode over and began to flash his golden eyes. His hand combed through his pure white hair as he began to speak. "Hello, Ai was it, its quite rare to see a were-cat and yet I don't see distinquishing characteristics to show your werebeast heritage. How much clothing has to come off before there's fur?"

Galio had recieved a message to come to the giant hollowed out tree. There was no particular message as to why, just said to, so off he went. He had been outside of the city training, mostly taking on bandits and such, so he was a bit tired when he finally reached the tree. He really didn't pay attention to anyone, just saw a nice place to sit down and took it.