Gunblade Retreaval

Sitting back on the couch, Sedgar sighed. "Alyss, tell me your entire history.. only then can we both be sure." He looked back at her, eyes alert. "And I promise everything will make sense."

My past...

*she hestiated for a second then look at him with such seriousness, a force to be reckoned with if he didn't listen. The machine she hurled him into yesterday would have another new dent...*

I don't like my past, but I trust you, and perhaps this will be the last time I will say it to anyone...

Perhaps...if I don't count him...

*taking a breath, she leaned into the couch, closing her eyes, Alyss began her story*

My parents were the first to migrate from kingdom Meskia to another place. I don't know if I have had cousins or uncles or aunts because Mama and Papa wouldn't care anyway. The only family they figured they had was themselves. They had wanted to move to the Village Altea because they were explorers, people who just wanted to find new places and wonderful things, consistant scientists who looked for truth and only truth. Truth seekers.. Altea was no exception to a wonderful place; It was made of ancient families ruling over the village with artifacts that were sacred to only their elders. When I came to Altea, I was several months old by then. My parents lived in Altea for only 3 years.

*she shifted, opening her eyes mildly and crossing her legs. She didn't say anything for a second, allowing him to digest her words, then she continued*

They lived in Altea for only 3 years because they pushed too far. The elders punished them for their insolence and disrespect within 3 years because they demanded too much. By the end, I could only moarn for their arm, leg, head; torn limb from limb. I had to work when I was 6 for room and board.

*After the statement, her eyes lit up, and she smiled nostaglically*

When I was around 6, I was getting groceries for the tavern that I worked in. They were short on mushrooms, so I went to go get some at the store not too far away. Walking back, I seen this little boy around my age. I liked him because he had fascinating grey hair like an old man.

*she laughed briefly, echoing hauntingly in the lobby*

He looked lost, so I took him back to the tavern and we played in my room upstairs. He said his name was Haseo and he had lost his guards. I didn't know what he meant, but at that time I had an idea so I told him about my imaginary friends. After that, the guards came sent from the elders and snatched him. I...didn't see him again for a long time.

*Alyss' face turned up toward him, a smile soft. Her voice was whispery now, a bare ghost in the room*

......Hey, Sedgar..? Have you...ever had that feeling when you see someone after so many years? They could be dead, you know? But the small time you've been with them you felt like...no, you knew your lives were intertwined?

*her eyes strayed back to her hands, her fingers twisting around each other, whether uncertain or shy. Her voice became normal once more*

That's how I felt when I met Haseo again. He made his guards stop and he invited me to his lab north of Altea. I didn't know what he meant by lab, but he took me anyway. He took me to a place with rows of endless books and where he created thousands of machines with his energy to power them, amazing things that blew my mind. He invited me to come everyday and I did so; I quit my job and I snuck past the people who hated me, who wanted to murder me in secret for associating with their prince. A commoner, an unwelcome commoner to be friends with royalty such as Haseo was unheard of. We shared our dreams and ambitions together; Haseo was...so brilliant, gifted for sure to do anything he could do.

*her hands stoked her headphones endearingly, and her eyes grew sad, so contrary to her excitement.

He was brilliant, but his head was being sought after...the Talbain family, his uncle and his aunt had a child older than Haseo, yet he was defective. He could...not use the bloodline's abilities and he was considered such a useless child to the elders...he was supposed to be the head, the leader of the Talbain family when it came to it. But....he failed. And so they given the role to Haseo. And he seemed perfect for it, to be a fair and just leader.

*she quieted, hushed in her words for another moment. Machines in the background beeped in warning, but silence followed..suddenly her voice became harsh and pained*

5 months ago, there was an uprising by the people of Altea. It was lead by Haseo's uncle...they snuck into his room at late night with a murderous intent. And they...they killed him. Killed him...killed him in cold blood, just for some stupid heir to a throne that means nothing!

Absolutely... nothing!

*computers in the adjacent room whined, the contraptions sounding in pain by her rage and her anger. Sparks in the other room flew and the sound of breaking glass*

When the news of the conspirators went to the other families, they found me. And they told me they didn't have to worry anymore about Haseo protecting me. They could hurt me now, kill me now that he wasn't protecting me. So I ran from the village Altea, sometimes coming back, a cover on my face. Sometimes they found me...and I would have to run once again. They changed the name of the village within a month, the Village of Ellion. Eventually I heard of a village that was hidden...Nightmare, they called it. It sounded...frightening. But it was better than my desperate lifestyle in Altea...if it meant starting anew, then.......

*she trailed on, and finished her tale, quietly sitting there upright. The room was filled with an empty space, a hollow of eternal time*

(( To those who are reading this, there will be a full history of Alyss, not in her point of view of the happenings in Altea. The REAL happenings in Altea, fully explained in 3rd person in the character description area. It'll just be a matter of time I'll post it in there. ))

Sedgar looked on as she spoke, waiting for her to finish. Finally, he sat up and began to tell his own story. The other side...

"My mother and father were both born of the same parents. Yes, they were brother and sister. The reason for this was that by the time my father had reached the age of marriage and eventual childbearing, there was no other... suitable wife other than his own sister; my mother. Hence, I was born defective; without a trace of chakra in my body. A useless infant incapable of anything worthy.."

Now he paused, clenching his fist, trying to see if Alyss had mad a connection just yet.

"Alyss.. I was born Sedgar Talbain. The "rightful" heir to the throne of Altea, the firstborn child of its King and Queen. By the time I was 10, I had accepted my fate, to live in the shadows of my family, and to respect my cousin Haseo as the rightful heir to Altea's throne. Yet, my father would have none of it; the crazy old man had a wild temper.. Afterall, it was an unbroken tradition that the Talbain throne be given to the frstborn son of its rulers. The elders of course thought otherwise, and then we have the setting for an uprising.

"My father woke me one night to explain exactly what he was going to do in order to place me back on the throne, oblivious to the fact that I simply wanted nothing more to do with politics at the time. A month later, the uprising was started, and I had since fled Altea. I've no clue what happened after Haseo was killed, nor why the village was renamed. However.. this is my past."

He rose, facing her with stern but loving eyes. "I'd always had respect for Haseo's little friend in the streets.. despite the jeering and uproar that occured in the palace from it. I'm glad we were finally able to meet. Now I know you have a name other than 'that pauper'"

He smiled back at her now, awaiting her reaction..

*for a very long time Alyss said nothing, looking up at the ceiling blankly...thoughts ran through her mind like rapid fire*

Here he is..the person that lived with Haseo himself...he seems too calm.. I hated hearing his story too, back then, yet he says it so....calmly.

*she began to chuckle a little, then laugh, letting it cease, leaving a smile*

What a coincedence...to find you here. What were the chances..?

"Fate acts in very peculiar ways.." That was really all he could say to explain this. To think that the very person who knew his cousin the best was now standing in front of him was.. unimaginable. Of course he was saddened by Haseo's death, but he couldn't possibly immagine Alyss's grief.

"Is there anything I can do for you, Alyss..?"

Bring him back.

...No. I'm fine.

*she curled her legs under herself and sighed. Taking her headphones off, she ran her fingers over them, tracing the curves carefully...she shook her head and stood*

I shouldn't be depressed. There was nothing I could have done anyway..

*managing to give him a smile*
______________________________

*she muttered one thing*

Slap Nuts.

*grinning, she twirled a bit*

Vince is Scout and Scout...wants you to slap his nuts. And clean it up with Sham...WOW.

(( I'm sorry, for whoever is reading this. xD It's just been too serious nowadays. ))