Das Totenlied: Kagami no Tsukimono [It Begins]

[Riseatrance]

DAS TOTENLIED

THE NAMELESS TOWN
City Hall

A rather gaunt, but old and wizened man, sat on an old chair behind a rather large, oak desk. On the desk were a bunch of papers, though they were mostly reports of the deaths of those who attempted to take on the Dead Tower. He was fiddling with a quill pen, and jotted down some notes on a large map that also lay sprawled open on the desk. The room he was in was extremely large, you could fit a large party or so in it if you so desired. However, this was place was not one for parties. Serious happenings occurred here, and there was a large gathering that took place today, for a very important purpose. The man wore a monocle, and along with it an unusually, seemingly out-of-place classy suit. It was like... he was here for something more. Nobody else in the room knew, though.

"Good morn, my fellow travellers and adventurers," the man spoke with a gentle, but powerful voice. You could tell he was in charge here. "I'm the mayor of this town, Grantise. No doubt you know the reason for your summons here..." It seemed that everyone in the room, too, was aware of their being here. They too had purpose for their stay in this town.

"You're to take on the Dead Tower just a little ways north here. It's not far." he explained. "The trip will be dangerous. The business in this town is flourishing thanks to travelers like you buying from us and then taking the time to venture into the Dead Tower... too bad none of them have come back, eh?" At the words none of them have come back, Ceres felt a chill down her back as she looked around the room and saw the other people she was supposed to be travelling with. Gosh... she thought. They're so young! Do they have no concern for their safety? Oh dear... I feel like I have a big responsibility to handle, even if I barely know any of them... and with that, Ceres sighed to herself and started taking out a small piece of paper and a pencil, before jotting down some notes on it.

"Well, either way, there's a healthy cache of coins in the corner there, go help yourselves to it, because I feel you folks are going to be the first people to go in there, and come out there alive." the man said. Ceres shook her head and continued looking around, wondering if that was really the truth. Perhaps I should take the time to get to know everyone... The man ignored Ceres' unusually serious face and continued laying down the bomb of exposition. "We're trying to solve the mystery of the Dead Tower ourselves, you see? Recently, more and more monsters have been living inside. We're safe, because they never seem to want to leave the tower. But why? And what does that mirror in it have to do with everything? We want you to help us solve this conundrum... Get it? Seem simple enough?"

Ceres was the first one to speak up.

"Yes, sir."

"Good, you see, everyone? That woman there knows what she's getting into." the man said.

Woman, huh... Heh.

"I think now would be a good opportunity for you to get to know each other, though," the man continued. "I think it would be a terrible experience for internal rivalries to spawn so soon, no? Please, take the time to relax for a while. You never know if this is the last time you'll spend in such comfortable quarters, no?" Ceres shook her head and surveyed the area one last time.

Ceres then tried to take the first step. "So... Um... Hi."

In case it wasn't obvious, everyone is in the City Hall. Go ahead and chitchat for a bit.

[Kinokokao]

Prince Loren surveyed the room of gathered explorers rather than listen to the old man's blathering speech. Blah, blah, danger, blah blah, death. All in all sounding rather exciting, which would be a welcomed change of pace after the last few dreary weeks spent reaching this forsaken spit of farmland. He could still smell the acrid filth of cow manure -- nice as those farmers had been to offer him a ride in their wagon, he should have just walked.

He wore his finest traveling clothes, which was to also say his most ostentatious, resplendent with fine gold thread embroidered into imported silk. He had purchased them with some little difficulty at the last town of any remote importance only after a long courier process to transfer funds from the court of Minskyava -- Prince Loren was always one to live with style, and what could be more exquisite than an exile requesting funds for nothing so frivolous as a new frock? The deep green of the ribbons festooning the coat matched the silken ribbon tying back his hair, and the color made an admirable but ultimately unsuccessful attempt at altering the hue of his clear, gray eyes.

Loren also sported a fine new baldric tooled from the supplest of leathers, and although the scabbard bore every inch of sophisticated decor possible while still letting the sword slid free, the bit of hilt visible was atrociously plain, and worst still was the fine edge of the rapier within. For his frivolity elsewhere, Loren remained loyal to a blade which, so far, had seen him steadily through more a handful of life-or-death situations.

At last the man stopped speaking and the crowd began to awkwardly mingle. Clearly none of these adventurers knew the first thing about parties. Loren broke into a cocky grin and approached a red-headed woman in a long skirt just as she greeted him with a rather hesitant greeting.

"Hello," he purred, making an elaborate gesture of a bow before the stranger.

"Are you quite ready to face the unknown and fearsome danger that awaits us?" He queried, with the same tone one would use teasing a child about a large spider.

[ShiningDrake]

Among the adventurers that stood there, one person stood out perhaps most of all- In part due to a quality that would make one less likely to notice her. Her appearance looked almost like that of a child, for few others had such proportions. On top of that, she looked both thin and pale to unhealthy extremes. Surely it was not possible that such a person was an experienced adventurer...?

And indeed, she was not. While older than she looked, she was still quite young, and had no fighting experience. The only skills she had that would be helpful were healing arts... That is, the only mundane skills, for a certain value of the word mundane. However, none of the others in this room knew such. It was likely that they held disbelief in their hearts, that this slight girl, who looked as if the faintest of breezes would sweep her off of her feet, could be of any help at all.

When she had been sent to this city, she had not known the problems it was currently facing. True, she had heard of the tower, but she had not been aware of the troubles that were emanating from it at this time. She had expected to be healing the sick, or injured, though she hadn't known why help would have been required from elsewhere, what might have happened. Once she had arrived however, she had discovered what needed to be done.

She had been escorted by two somewhat more combat capable priests to the outskirts of town, as she would not have been able to travel here on her own. But they had left, and she'd wandered. Few had known how to react, seeing this unfamiliar young girl arrive in town.

Eventually however, she found out about what was happening with the tower... And then she had known, why the man who had taken care of her for the past five years had spoken the words he did. Why she would be special to return. Because before now, none had... Why did he have so much faith in her though?

She did not know. All she knew, was that she had been summoned to be part of this group, that would be entering the tower. Had her... Dare she think it? She supposed she thought of him as such, though her true one had surely died so long ago... Had her... Had her father sent word that she would be arriving?

She hesitated even in her thoughts. It seemed so odd to think of him as that, though what else would she call one she respected so? He had urged her to call him that before, and she hadn't been able to bring herself to do so. So strange, how she would have such a realization, when now, she was not sure she would ever see him again...

But it was not the time to be thinking about the past, and places that would not be seen again for a long time, even as long as eternity. She realized now that she had been lost in her thoughts for a time since the mayor had finished speaking. The others were talking with each other...

Mina didn't know what to say to anyone. She was already near the corner of the room, but now she seemed almost to shrink somewhat. It isn't as if I'm worthy of attention... I should just stay out of the way...

[Riseatrance]

Ceres tilted her head as a rather princely figure approached her, and soon he bowed in greeting and uttered with such dripping confidence such words... Ceres wasn't so sure how to react to this young man... She could tell that he was the kind of person who was in these kinds of adventures for the social aspect... And Ceres knew that these sorts of journeys were no walk in the park, and certainly no picnic. She looked sternly back at the man who went to her. "Young sir, I don't think it's such a wise idea to be so headfirst about this..." she said softly. "You may have regal roots, but this is serious... In any case, I'm Ceres. Ceres Volzunga. If you require my aid in anything, I'll be around." she said, before turning away and noticing an unusually young girl near the corner of the room. Ceres felt a strange pang of pain in her heart, and couldn't help but feel bad for the girl. What's a child like her doing here? That's crazy, nobody would send their kid on a trip like this! she thought and soon approached the small child, who was definitely out of place.

Ceres kept with her a metal rod that seemed to be perpetually warm to the touch. She propped it against the wall and kneeled down to the child's level, before tilting her head. "Dear Lord... What brings you here? You're not like other kids your age... Something's special about you, I can sense it, you know..." she said. "Ah, right... How rude of me... Asking such questions... I'm Ceres..."

[Chaore]

Ezaren had at one point, been the master of looking serious and determined. At this point however... he managed to look perfectly bored as the old man explained the incredibly important pieces of information about the endeavor he was going on.

Ezaren had as always come in his Sunday best- which was his generally scratched armor. It was in good shape, unarguably, and the scratches were slight, but one had to wonder the age of such an armor. It didn't help his presentation in that he was leaning on one of his own katana sheathes to keep himself upright- if ever so lightly, Ezaren didn't feel like chancing the obvious mishap with a dangerous implement.

He felt almost like giving a yawn as the man finished with his bold claim that they'd be the first back from the tower. Really, it was a fine enough speech- but it was clearly the same one he’d given to many another promising adventuring party that the tower had eaten. Though the offer of a large sum of coins did make him question if there was truly something he saw in this team of sorts.

At the cue from the mayor, Ezaren turned to survey the group, giving a nod to the woman who greeted him. His face noticeably darkened in a way he mentally chastised himself for, as he only seemed to find flaws with the people around him. The realization that no one really knew anyone hit worst, this was a total group of strangers that he was dealt with, and was trusting his life to. The fact most of them seemed teenaged was worrying.

And despite these legitimate complaints, Ezaren couldn’t help but crack a smile and head closer to what would be the gathering area. This was going to be an absolute blast. “’lo, Names Ezaren. And all of you?”

[FomeRubr555]

A thousand miles traveled meant a thousand reasons to be feeling culture shock. It would be difficult to say any of those present were not out of their element, but Yukiko was feeling especially so. To be suddenly shipped out of her country after living there all her life was overwhelming on it's own. Furthermore, a far eastern swordswoman like herself was rare enough of a sight, but one with such western-looking features was even rarer. The amount of stares she had been garnering ever since entering town was almost unbearable. Combine this all with her naturally shy demeanor, and the poor girl was experiencing a perfect storm of feeling isolated.

And why shouldn't she? She was far away from home, though everything she carried was from it. The light-and-dark blue kimono stood out predominantly amongst the more western-themed garb around her. The black, undecorated sheath of her katana not only symbolized her culture, but demanded respect - even fear - amongst seasoned warriors that might recognize the weapon. Even her face was graced by a subtle trace of the features her homeland's people. But her bob-cut, golden locks undermined all this cultural heritage, at least in her mind, as it had back home...

But Yukiko had other things on her mind. Not that the speech of an elder figure was one of these things. She had gotten far too many speeches about inheritance and the importance of her task back home, and had learned to mostly tune lectures out. No, her mind was drifting back and forth between admiring the scenery around her and feeling self-conscious about her place here. At last he had finished, but the various people who would be her fellow adventurers had broken off to socialize. As if she weren't nervous enough, now she had to worry about what to say to people. Or rather, what would they say? The more she thought about it, the more she worried. She leaned back against the far wall and closed her eyes.

I mustn't falter here...I must remember why I am here. To conquer the tower. I have to think about this tactically. I'm not shogun, not yet. But I have to sharpen more than my blade on this venture. The first thing I should do is gauge our leadership. If it is weak, we will have problems from the start. If that is the case, I might want to consider taking over...

Though the few lessons she had about dealing with such a group gave her peace of mind, as well as a course of action, her inexperience left her wondering who would be considered the leader. Observing the others, two stood out. One an ornately-dressed, tall, golden-haired man. A prince or some other royal figure, to be sure. The other, while in western armor, seemed like he might actually be from her region. Or, close enough to it that she might not feel so out of place. Of the two, the latter seemed easier to talk to, so she decided to try her luck with him.

In response to his request for an introduction, Yukiko stepped forward. "...Iaiwara no Yukiko...b-but I'm more comfortable being called Yukiko...o-or Yuki for short...pleased to meet you, Ezaren...umm...if y-you don't mind me asking, those swords of yours...y-you are a shogun, right...?"

[Drathi]

Grey stood by himself in the Cit Hall. Being inside of an actual building was a first for the boy,and being around so many outisders--well, in this case he is the outsider-- made him a little uneasy. He had listened to all the warnings about the tower, but he figured that the perils he would soon face would be similar to traversing his mountainous homeland, where the biting cold and high altitudes make travel a great ordeal. He kept his hood pulled over his head and kept his back to the wall.

((Ugh, short post compared to you guys, bu I have to go soon. >_< ))

[zamisk]

Ezek grimaced and slouched against the wall near the door, in case the need arose for a hasty escape. The noise level in the room was bearable, espeacially now that the old man had stopped shouting. Remembering the coins the mayor mentioned, he decided to make his way to the far side of the room. I'll need the money for some proper gear, he told himself.

He made his way along the outside of the room, keeping one hand on the wall, making sure to go the long way around as not to run into the mayor. Stupid old man would probably make a scene. When he reached the table, he reached down to feel for the coins as subtly as possible. He didn't want anyone mistaking his blindness for weakness, thus losing a valuable partner. As much as he hated team work, he realized he would need at least one or two allies to have his back if the dungeon was as bad as he was told.

He found a small chest atop the table, sitting open. He reached inside, taking only a few of the coins. He swiftly pocketed them, and turned to leave. No use in sticking around, he figured. As he walked towards where he remembered the door to be, he stumbled on on a small crack in the floor, causing him to bump into someone.

"Sorry," he hastily replied. He could feel them staring at him, and he scowled. "What?" he said, more harshly than he intended.

[ShiningDrake]

Mina was surprised when she saw that someone was actually approaching her. Surely she wasn't worthy of that attention...? It was the woman who had first spoken up after the mayor's speech... Why was she interested in Mina?

And then as the woman spoke, Mina realized- The woman thought that Mina was a young child. "Um... It's alright... But... um...... I'm actually fifteen years old... I'm a priestess of Aduros, sent by the high priest to help this town... Oh, and my name is Mina..." Her speech was somewhat hesitant, cautious, because she was so timid.

"You say... Something seems special about me?" She looked up now, having been looking down rather than making eye contact until now. "I... I do actually have one ability..." She closed her eyes, focusing, and suddenly, a staff appeared in her hand. The handle was silver, with a single thread of gold winding around down it. At the top, there was a small golden carving of a phoenix. Anyone knowledgeable would recognize it as the symbol of Aduros, the god of life.

"I can sort of... Open gaps, that I can put things in... And take them out... That might be why I was sent...?" After she finished, she returned the staff to the gap she'd brought it from. "A-anyway, you don't need to bother yourself with me..." she said, looking away again. If I'm supposed to be so special, why... Why couldn't I...?

[Drathi]

[Sampson]

After the long speech by the mayor, Elleman had promptly sat down on the floor, leaning his back against the wall. His cloak was heavy, and he was tired from rushing the last few miles to this town. Perhaps I shouldn't have taken the long way around....

But he quickly banished this notion from his head. While taking the beaten dirt road that was once an ancient trade route, in addition to seeing all sorts of animals that had long since accustomed to humans, he had met a mysterious old woman that apparently lived in the forest surrounding the road.

He gripped his violin case tightly as he remembered her words.

"Oh, what's this? Is this...no, it can't be...what's a young musician doing traveling this old road?"

He smiled nervously and explained, "No, no...I'm a actually a biologist--a scientist that studies life, you see...I just play the violin for a hobby."

After this, she laughed. Unfortunately, it did nothing to ease Elleman's discomfort. "Going to the city, the one with no name?" She laughed again when she noticed the look of apprehension in his eyes. "Don't ask why I know these things...I just do. That's the job of secluding old ladies like me."

She stroked the violin (he had taken it out after she asked him to), which was quite creepy, really. "Hm...a scientist is nothing but dead weight to warriors. A waste of food. A waste of time. You need to do something to help them..." She mumbled something under breath as she said this. To Elleman, who had some knowledge of ancient languages, it sounded like the Old Tongue, a language that he thought had been purged from modern society.

He was forced out of his own thoughts when she handed the violin back to him. Apparently, she had taken it as he was thinking. "Here you go...play it when you get the chance. Some things may have changed..." She laughed again, and Elleman made it a point to get out of there as quickly as possible.

Later, during night, Elleman, after first looking around to make sure nobody was around him. He took out his violin and began to play a traditional dance, a rather light piece. He nearly dropped the instrument when he began to feel the effects of the enchantment.

He felt as if his limbs were about to move on their own, in the movements of the dance he had been taught when he was still young. He quickly stopped playing. After a moment to catch his breath, he began to play a slow song generally reserved for funerals.

After a few seconds, he began to feel tears forming in his eyes, and he almost dropped the violin again, although this time he almost did so out of apathy. After a few moments of silence, he regained his composure.

He had discovered another interesting things, too: every time he touched the instrument, he felt a slight surge of energy, and it seemed more resistant to damage...in a way. As it was about to be struck by something, the air around it seemed to compress, and he could quickly snatch the violin away before it was destroyed. Still, he wasn't worried about the violin breaking. He felt a sense of protection (or was it parenthood?) toward the instrument, like all musicians do. He seemed to have developed a sixth sense for keeping it from future harm, or perhaps it was just dumb luck.

He stared lazily at the people awkwardly mingling in front of him. He didn't see any point in actively socializing now; he knew better than to create trouble (his parents were very strict when it came to manners). And he wasn't one for social interaction, anyway. No, he was here for the research.

He didn't need money, either. He had brought plenty of paper and pens with him, enough to last him for a very long while. He had his violin and his trusty cloak that was lined with pockets on the inside that contained various textbooks and emergency herbs.

And he was much too tired. He lost some of his better judgement when he was tired.

As he entered the realm of his own thoughts once more as he leaned against that wall, a wistful smile spread across his face. He couldn't help but do so; the hordes of monsters he was bound to see could elicit no better reaction.

[FomeRubr555]

(Ah, it's alright, you got your point across. )


Being addressed so suddenly, Yukiko practically jumped. She turned her attention to the man who called himself Grey. More surprising was his knowledge of her clothes. Though not exactly accurate, the fact that he had such knowledge and her purpose spoke to his experience in traveling.

"Ah, p-pleased to meet you. Yes, I am from a country far to the north-east, across the mountains... B-but you're mistaken, I'm n-not a priestess. My clothes are like this b-because I come from a rich family... I'm actually a swordsman...er, s-swordswoman..." To help distract herself (and hopefully her new acquaintance) from her embarassment at the little slip-up, she pulled her sword halfway from the sheath to prove her profession. The katana seemed to gleam with a yellow sparkle. Perhaps it was gilded? She did say she was rich... "I-I've been s-studying swordsmanship my whole life, s-so I promise I won't be j-just a burden in our task..."

[NessySchu]

Jetta stood on the outskirts of the crowd, near the door. She really hated awkward situations like these, where everyone was forced to mingle and get to know one another. At home, she knew everyone, so it wasn't nearly as bad as this. Here, however, she knew no one, but Jetta knew she would have to get to know people, to try and make some allies for the dangerous journey ahead. While the mayor had been talking, she had noticed that several other people looked as awkward and shy as she felt, or even more so, since Jetta was skilled in the art of appearing bored and aloof rather than nervous.

One in particular who stood out to her was a tall, pale boy on the other side of the door. There was something different about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Only once the mayor stopped talking and the boy started to feel his way along the wall toward the coins did Jetta realize that he couldn't see. Her maternal instincts immediately kicked in, as they did whenever she saw a sick or wounded creature. While she wasn't very skilled at actually healing humans or animals, she always did the best she could to nurse them back to health if possible.

This boy seemed slightly younger than Jetta, so he would be easier to talk to than someone her own age. He looked like he had the potential to be a useful ally, as well. Besides, Jetta rationalized, she could use some of the coins herself. Everyone else seemed to be equipped already with at least some form of armor and weaponry, but she had come ill-prepared.

Taking a deep breath, Jetta started towards the coins. In the time it had taken her to work up the courage to do so, the boy had started back for the door. Jetta, not seeing this in advance, bumped into him. She stumbled backwards, but managed not to fall, and the boy managed to keep his feet under him as well.

At the boy's quick apology, Jetta startled, murmuring, "Oh no, it was my fault, I apologize."

She couldn't keep from staring a little; up close, it was obvious that the boy had elfish features, and Jetta was fascinated by the ornate covering that hid his blind eyes from view.

At the boy's rather harsh question, she realized how impolite she was being. Just because he's blind, doesn't mean you can stare at him, she scolded herself.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to stare. I've just never met an elf before," she explained, quietly yet earnestly. "My name is Jetta. What's yours?"

[Drathi]

"A warrior, then?" Grey replied, taking his sword out a little to show its blade to her as well. "Interesting. It seems not everything from your side passed over to mine." His voice was peculiar for one his age. While most boys his age would be more energetic about meeting a girl, Grey had some form of apathy, when he looked at her. He was focused on his pilgrimage and nothing else. His sword was a different make. It was not a katana, as evident by its double-edged blade. "Did you cross the mountains to come here?" He pulled his hood down, revealing his silver hair and eyes. "When you answer, try to not stutter as much. A warrior has to keep a cool head, even under stress."

Members of the Opus clan were known for their skill in combat, and those who mainly traversed the part of the montains known as Noltia were even more known for their calm nature. They were especially known for their passive aggression towards unwanted people, such as criminals trying to hide in the mountains.

[zamisk]

"...Ezek. Ezek Vayu," he replied carefully. So it was a girl who he had bumped into. What had she said her name was? Jet? Jetta? Yeah, he thought, she said Jetta. Figuring he needed to at least attempt to make some allies, he looked back up at where he heard her voice coming from, and told her he was a half-elf. He then explained furthur how he was a Zodiac, a mage who used the powers of the elements to cast spells. He was careful Not to reveal exactly how much he could do, but to keep it non-specific. He vaugley wondered what she could do, and he realized it was only fair she told him, as he had told her a little of what he was capable of. He shoved his hands in his pockets, rattling the coins around.

"Enough about me," he said after a minute. "What about you? They don't sponsor just anyone to explore tower."