| Maru: The Wolf of Arpaccia | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 14 2010, 04:24:00 PM (207 Views) | |
| Bx | Aug 14 2010, 04:24:00 PM Post #1 |
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Notorious
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Characters Maru Silva (Age: 20) - The Wolf of Arpaccia. The only son of Olrai and Myrna Silva, a pair of respected merchants in Arpaccia, Maru can be described as an average young man of average means. Two years out of school, he has been working at his parents' shop learning the business as he is to take it over once they retire. Despite being relatively content with his life, one aspect remains unresolved: his attachment to an unattainable love. Vitals Height: 5'11 Weight: 172 lbs. Birthday: September 1, 489 Birthplace: Arpaccia, Bravelle Constance Amor (Age: 21) - The Elusive Princess. The daughter of the land's current monarch, Sven "Maverick" Amor, Constance is the current and only Princess of Bravelle. Esteemed and well-thought of for both her humility and appearance, Constance is a popular, though somewhat detached, figure to the public. An interesting fact: She was not born a princess. Vitals Height: 5'6 Weight: 106 lbs. Birthday: October 5, 488 Birthplace: Volne, Bravelle Aramis Amor (Age 25) - The Flaming Viper. The wayward son of Sven "Maverick" Amor, and Constance's older brother, Aramis sees the world through the eyes of those from centuries' past. He has departed from the castle, and left Arpaccia, in search of a truth that has laid dormant for generations. His path, however, has taken an unanticipated violent turn. Vitals Height: 5'9 Weight: 188 lbs. Birthday: March 28, 484 Birthplace: Volne, Bravelle Edited by Bx, Dec 7 2010, 10:34:05 PM.
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| Bx | Aug 15 2010, 12:47:48 AM Post #2 |
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Notorious
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Act I: Chasing Illusions Chapter I: The Bounty (Nearly seven years ago the prosperous and influential kingdom of Bravelle descended into a conflict that would change not only the nation, but the course of the world for generations to come. History has retroactively titled that conflict "Maverick's Rebellion" after the man who launched himself to its forefront. That man was Sven Aymore, or as the Bravellian rebels called him, "Maverick." A man of great stature, both in size and influence, Maverick endeared himself to the public during the rebellion with daring, but rewarding, assaults on the royal army. If the rebel sentiment could have ever taken human form, its image would have been Maverick. Using his skills as an orator along with his military successes, Maverick inspired and united thousands who would have otherwise had no voice. He was their voice then, and serves as their king now, the "People's King.") (The finer details of Maverick's actions during the rebellion have become that of legend. While the success of the rebellion would seem to have marked great change, it is its aftermath that will affect millions for years to come.) (At the Great Arpaccian Palace, which rested in Arpaccia's easternmost section, an uproar was ensuing. The inner turmoil within the castle's walls contrasted the outer picturesque beauty of its frame as the Nuba Mountains towered in the background. The view could only be described as a three-dimensional painting. The scenic appearance, however, only hid the capital's looming problem, one quite dear to Maverick's heart.) (In Maverick's chambers, six men stood before the esteemed ruler, all sported expressions of an unfortunate nature. A mix of sadness, anger, and confusion. Two of the men had just informed Maverick that his only son, the wayward Prince Aramis, had reportedly destroyed much of the land's northernmost territory, Enders Point. Maverick's response was merely a melancholic stare directed at the ground.) (After his son had departed the palace, Maverick had sent out a search party to track him and bring him back. They had been instructed to do so with as little force necessary and under no circumstances were they to kill him, but the situation had obviously taken a much more grim turn. Seven men had been sent to find Aramis, and only two returned, the two men who had informed him of the incident at Enders Point. The other four who stood in the chambers were three men and a woman, all of whom became Maverick's most trusted friends during the rebellion. They stood only half-certain of their king's intentions, but held their speech as Maverick raised his head to speak...) Maverick: What am I to do...? (He let out a deep sigh, then closed his eyes.) Maverick: That boy... Why Aramis? Why would you put me in a situation where my duties as both a father and a monarch conflict...? Word will get out soon about what happened at Enders Point and then I will be forced to make a decision... No. No, I must act now... (Maverick eyes reopened and he scanned the faces of the six men in front of him, particularly his four war buddies.) Maverick: ...By now you've probably guessed, but I've summoned you four, my most trusted and battle-tested friends, to bring my son, as much as it pains me to say..., to justice. His actions at Enders Point are nothing short of treason. Aramis... (His voice cracked as he uttered his son's name.) Maverick: A-Aramis, you thickheaded fool... Do you even realize that you've thrown down the gauntlet, and left me with no other choice...? (Maverick turned his head and focused his gaze on a window, though he could not see much of the outside view.) Maverick: ...That's not all, though. You two- (He pointed at the two men from the original search party. They immediately straightened their backs at the sight.) Maverick: You will accompany them. I understand that you are not as skilled or experienced but you have experience tracking my son's movements. That will be vital to his capture. "Yes, your majesty!" (They both shouted once he had finished. Maverick returned his gaze onto the six men and continued...) Maverick: ...But you six will not be the only search team. To ensure both his capture, and survival, I'm placing a bounty on his head for his live capture. I've set it at five hundred thousand gold marks and a tax-free residence on castle grounds for anyone who captures and brings my son to me alive. (Hearing Maverick's planned bounty, Roland, an old friend of his, voiced his opinion.) Roland: Why would you do that? Do you not have faith in us? (Maverick shook his head negatively.) Maverick: I have as much as faith in you all now as I did during the rebellion, but this is my son, and I must protect him... Not only from enemies he will undoubtedly make along this treasonous path, but also from himself... The bounty is a hefty one, I admit, but my son's life remains priceless to me. A high bounty gives potential hunters the incentive to keep him alive... Roland: But Maverick, there's no- Maverick: I realize that, Roland. But I will do my best to ensure that no one attempts to take his life... That is, honestly, all I can do. Roland: ...I understand. I apologize for questioning it. (Maverick smiled, though weakly, at the comment.) Maverick: No need to apologize. I'm glad you ask, it shows that you care. (Roland returned the smile, then reverted back to his more solemn expression.) Maverick: Does anyone else have any other questions or concerns? Please, I don't want anyone leaving here uncertain about what I'm asking... (Maverick scanned each of their faces again, they hadn't changed much from before and they were still silent.) Maverick: Okay. I repeat, you six are the official search team in the hunt for my son, Aramis. Your objective is to track Aramis' movements, locate him, and bring him to the palace so that he may be tried. And I stress that although you are to use necessary force to capture my son, you are not, and I repeat, not under any circumstances to kill him. If you simply can't handle him and are on the brink of death, run and fight another day... But please, just don't kill Aramis. Is that understood? (Everyone in the room nodded. Maverick rose from his throne and performed a hand gesture that was unfamiliar to the two men from the first search party but quite assuring to the rest. It was the sign that during the rebellion they had used before every battle, and every victory, in fact. When he had finished, Maverick smiled at his team, confident, though not entirely so, that they would return Aramis to him unharmed.) (As the men tasked with locating Aramis exited the royal chambers, Maverick fell back into his modestly-sized throne. He slouched as he placed his hands over his face, shielding the uncertainty etched into his face. All he could think of was his son, and whether he had made the right decision as a father, not a king. He sulked for several more minutes until he heard the door swing open and a set of approaching footsteps. He uncovered his face and saw hid daughter, Constance, walking toward him. From the wrinkles across her face, Maverick could already tell that she had been listening, and knew of her brother's fate. Maverick watched without a word as she stood before him, shaking her head slowly as if to say, "How could you...?") Maverick: ...I had no other choice, Constance. (Constance glared at him, still silent.) Maverick: What other choice has Aramis left me, Constance? You're angry, I understand that, and share your sentiment but- Constance: You were a father before you were a king. (Maverick looked away.) Maverick: ...That doesn't make it right for Aramis to force me to choose. Constance: Aramis has been gone for six months, Dad. You left us for three years... I guess we should have given up on you too then, huh? (Constance whipped herself around, and started for the door. Maverick's lower lip hung as the sting of her words settled in. When Constance twisted the doorknob, Maverick voiced one last plea.) Maverick: ...It may not seem like it right now, Constance, but I am trying to help your brother. I'm doing all I can to keep him out of harm's way. (Constance, her hand still latched onto the knob, didn't turn and look at her father as he finished his desperate outpouring, but she had listened, enough to deliver a poignant reply. Lifting her free hand into the air and motioning it across the chamber's interior, she spoke...) Constance: It didn't have to be this way, Dad. We never needed any of "this." (Her hand was pointing at the castle walls.) Constance: ...I remember when we did just fine without it. (Without allowing Maverick to counter, Constance dropped her arm to her side and walked out, leaving Maverick to only ponder her words.) Edited by Bx, Aug 15 2010, 11:31:03 PM.
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| Bx | Aug 15 2010, 10:30:43 PM Post #3 |
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Notorious
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(Arpaccia, the grand capital of Bravelle, it had often been referred to as the city whose majestic outer beauty shielded its blue-collar heart. Magnificent skyscraper-like buildings towered above all except the Grand Palace and the mountains to the east. The heartbeat of the city could be heard from the footsteps of the thousands that littered the streets throughout the day. Despite being the de facto center of the rebellion seven years ago, Arpaccia still glossed as gracefully as it had prior to the conflict. And few would question the leadership that was in place, Maverick personified Arpaccia. He was of a man of the city's streets, he understood the trials and tribulations of the working class in a way that no prior monarch had. The war hero turned democratically-elected king, that alone gave the people hope that they too could become whatever they wished through hard work and perseverance.) (A city at the base of a mountain, Arpaccia's climate was a cool one. Regardless of season, the temperature rarely rose above seventy-five degrees, and those who had migrated from a warmer climate often found the constant chill difficult to adjust to. Unsurprisingly, the worst of all seasons was winter. In Arpaccia, twenty degrees was seen as a warm day during the winter and harsh snowstorms were common. Blizzards, however, rarely stopped Arpaccia's pulse as citizens found innovative ways to both travel and perform their daily activities in spite of the weather. That was Arpaccia: tough, determined, and always prepared to take life's worst.) (A city that was home to thousands, most maps divided Arpaccia into seven large districts, all with their own unique qualities and even cultures. Each aptly named for their placement on the map, Norte, the northernmost was divided into two sections as the larger half was an unofficial shopping district, and the area where most went for their supplies. Its neighbor was home to many of Arpaccia's more impoverished citizens, that is not to say that they were truly poor but they lived on meager means compared to others in the city.) (The western district, "Ouest", was populated by many of Arpaccia's retirees. Ironically, the name "Ouest" was the spelling of the currently used "west" in the past. Sut was the district of the south. Anyone who traveled to Arpaccia recognized it instantly as it was the only area in the city, aside from the Palace, that was gated. Sut, in some ways, was like its own city, separate from the rest of the citizens and a home for the wealthiest of merchants and shops. As anyone who witnessed the lavish picturesque mansions knew instantly, Sut was the district of the rich. Much of Arpaccia's blue-collar DNA was lost on Sut as the wealthy kept themselves isolated from the folk of lesser income. The "Haves" lived and prospered in Sut without much effort while the "Have Nots" worked to stay afloat.) (The last district, Centra, was as its name implies, the heart of the city. The largest and most densely populated of any in the capital, Centra was the heart of Arpaccia in both a literal and figurative sense. The large apartment-like buildings which housed hundreds at a time were the residence of those who kept the city operating vibrantly. The only district from which all others could be reached, Centra's citizens were constantly reminded of what they could become depending on their path. Retirees to the west, the poor to the north, the wealthy elite to the south, and royalty to the east. Motivations and hopes were often fueled from these images and the middle-class who worked around the clock in Centra relished their opportunities.) (As the industrial district, Centra's air was often smog-filled from the factories that pumped out fumes from sunup to sundown. If Centra itself was the heart of Arpaccia, then the factories, with their ceaselessly flow of work, were the veins, steadily pumping blood into the city's economy. The often clogged, and thick night air, however, was not a deterrent for one of the district's residents to brave the November cold and take in the scenery from the comfort of his building's roof. That citizen was Maru Silva. A clean-cut and fresh-faced twenty-year-old veteran of Centra's streets, Maru, with only a wool sweater, was perched atop his seven-story apartment building, gazing out at the castle as he always had once the shop closed. He was the only son of a pair of Arpaccia's most respected merchants, Olrai and Myrna Silva, and as such, he was being primed to overtake the family business after their retirement.) (Despite the respect the Silvas had attained over the years, their business was currently suffering hard times. Profits were sinking and citizens were choosing to shop at the cheaper shops of Norte. Maru knew of the hard times, but was willing to run the shop in any case. Aside from his parents' financial troubles, Maru's life was, for the most part, stable. Though there was a glaring void in his life, and its source was why he stared at the palace, from his rooftop, almost every night.) (As he held his eyes locked onto the splendor that was the Arpaccian Palace at night, he heard the door to the roof open. Before he could turn to see who it was, a voice, female spoke...) "Don't you ever get lonely out here? ...And why are you only wearing that thin sweater in this weather?" (If there was any doubt that the voice belonged to his mother's, the last comment eliminated it. Maru shook his head with a smile while turning toward her.) Maru: What do you want, Mom? Myrna: Well aside from bothering you, I wanted to show you this. (Myrna handed Maru the piece of paper she had been holding. Maru glanced over it, then inspected it more closely as his eyes widened at the contents of the paper. It was a posting of the bounty that Maverick had placed on Aramis' head. "What the hell could have happened over there...?", he asked himself, looking at the castle before he returned to the paper. He read over it again, then once more to make sure that what he was reading was correct. It was. Maverick had placed a 500,000 gold mark bounty on his son's head and was offering a tax-free residence on the palace grounds. Albeit, the bounty was for his live capture but the fact remained the same, there was a rift in the castle's hierarchy.) Myrna: I was just as shocked to read it as well. ...He seemed like a nice enough boy, a little different, I'll admit but not in a bad way. You and him were friends, right? Maru: More like acquaintances but yes, I knew him through Constance. And no, he never seemed like the type to be a traitor, or do anything crazy for that matter. Myrna: I didn't think so... But it just goes to show you that money isn't everything. That boy grew up right here in this neighborhood, lucked into the palace and now look at what's happened... Maru: Mom, don't do that. Myrna: What? Maru: Say that "money isn't everything." Myrna: Well it's not. Maru: I know, but you're trying to justify our own financial situation when you say that. Money isn't everything but everyone still needs it. Myrna: I wasn't... (She sighed as she realized Maru knew anything further would be a lie.) Myrna: ...Okay, you're right. (Maru lipped, "I know", to himself silently.) Myrna: I do feel for both Sven and Constance, though, think of how they must be feeling right now... ("Yeah...", he told himself, his expression marked by its dourness. His mother noticed this and asked...) Myrna: You're thinking about Constance, aren't you? I remember you two were close. (Maru let out a winded sigh at the question.) Maru: "Were" is the key word. (Myrna refrained from replying. She knew her son well enough to know that a sore spot had been touched. Maru raised himself from the ledge and started for door. As he passed his mother, he pointed to the bounty poster and said...) Maru: Mind if I keep this? Myrna: Not at all. Maru: Thanks. Goodnight, Mom. Myrna: Goodnight, Maru. (Maru headed through the door and downstairs to their apartment. Myrna remained on the roof for a few more minutes after he'd gone, she stood watching the palace wondering about Maru's feelings.) Edited by Bx, Aug 16 2010, 10:13:30 PM.
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| Bx | Aug 17 2010, 12:26:32 AM Post #4 |
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Notorious
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Chapter II: Constance & Maru Fourteen Years Ago... (The halls of Centra District Elementary could be compared to a miniature replica of the district's city streets. Crowds between the ages of four and eleven rushed through the wide halls on their way to class, some walking with a jovial stride as they chatted with friends, others dreading their first class of the new school year. The scene was reminiscent of the thousands of adults who marched along every morning to work with either a noticeable fervor or a hopeless internal groan for the day ahead. But like the streets, the school also had its share of unknown newcomers who walked through its unfamiliar halls with a hesitance that suggested the presence of hostiles. One particular girl fit this description more accurately than others as she clutched her father's hand while they walked toward her new classroom.) (When they finally arrived at the door, after what seemed like hours to the young lass, she tugged at her father's hand and urged him not to force her in.) Girl: ...Daddy, I don't wanna go! Please... Can we just go home? I-I don't have to go to school yet... I mean, I can uh... Dad: Constance. Listen, I understand that you're a little nervous but you have to go to school... Everyone does. Constance: Not me. (Constance pulled away from her father's hand and crossed her arms.) Dad: Constance... Stop acting like that. You're gonna embarrass yourself in front of your entire class before anyone gets a chance to know you. (The seven-year-old scoffed at the remark.) Constance: Don't care. Not like I wanna know any of them either... (Her father, Sven, rolled his eyes in frustration, then decided his next course, reverse psychology.) Sven: Fine, then. I won't make you go inside but you're not coming with me, either. Constance: Huh...? (Constance no longer projected defiance, but uncertainty.) Sven: That's right, you're gonna be out here all alone because I have to get to work at the factory and there's no kids allowed. Have fun. (Sven turned, a wry smile wrapped across his lips, and took one step forward before Constance latched onto his wrist and pleaded...) Constance: No, Dad! ...Y-You can't leave me out here all alone. (Sven delivered his reply still with his back toward her.) Sven: I'm sorry, Constance, but I have to go. Like I said, there's no kids allowed in the factory and since you don't wanna go to class I really have no other choice but to leave you here... Now I've gotta go before I'm late. (Sven didn't take another step as he knew he had won. He was waiting for the inevitable. And it came.) Constance: ...Okay, Dad. I'll go to class. (Sven chuckled as he looked at her and with a nod, said...) Sven: Good girl. Constance: Just one thing Dad... Sven: Hmm? Constance: ...Can you walk in there with me? (Sven's smile widened.) Sven: Sure. (Sven extended his hand to her and she took it and together the two walked inside of her new classroom, Ms. Rosalind's first grade class.) (Constance gawked around at the twenty pairs of eyes that were now targeting her. The anxiety from earlier had returned as her new classmates inspected her appearance, from the flow of her chestnut brown hair that complimented her catlike yellowish-green eyes complete with petite features that matched her diminutive frame. Her clothing was rather plain, not dirty or even dingy, but it lacked the flare of the clothes that Arpaccian natives wore. It was obvious to them all that she was a small town girl, an outsider. But everyone in Arpaccia had been an outsider at some point.) (When Sven had finished speaking with Ms. Rosalind, he patted Constance's shoulder and gave her a thumbs up as he exited the class. Constance next felt her teacher's hand gently stroke her back while she was being introduced.) Ms. Rosalind: Class, I'd like to introduce you all to our newest student, Constance. Her family just moved to Arpaccia from Volne, which is a town far out west. (Despite now knowing her name, the class' deadpan stare didn't change. Constance still felt like an animal at the zoo: helpless, afraid, and without any support. "I should have just walked the halls...", she told herself, sighing at the thought of what the rest of the year would be like. All she could think of were her friends from Volne and how difficult it would be to make new ones in the city. So many people yet so little warmth.) Ms. Rosalind: Well, Constance, is there anything you'd like to say about yourself? Constance: ...Not really. (Ms. Rosalind smiled. She felt sympathetic for the young girl as she had also experienced being the "new kid" in Arpaccia when she was younger. Hoping to ease the transition for her a bit and get her more comfortable with the class, she asked Constance a personal question.) Ms. Rosalind: So, Constance, what's Volne like? I've never been. (Constance looked at Ms. Rosalind and took notice of the brimming smile. She then released a muffled breath before she began describing her hometown.) Constance: Well... It's not as cold there as it is here... And its a lot smaller too. Ms. Rosalind: Anything else? Constance: Uh... Not that I can think of. That okay? (She asked, holding her lip between her teeth.) Ms. Rosalind: Of course. Volne sounds like a wonderful place and I'd love to travel there someday. (Constance smiled politely at her comment, and then cautiously asked...) Constance: Um... Can I sit down? Ms. Rosalind: Oh, why sure you can. Just take that seat next to Maru over there. (Ms. Rosalind directed Constance to a seat in the back row of the class next to a skinny brown-haired boy who distinguished himself from the others with the only genuine smile in the room. (With the exception of Ms. Rosalind, of course) Constance noticed it as she approached her seat and felt much of her anxiety fade with the help of his simple yet kind gesture. "Guess everyone here isn't so mean...", she told herself, sliding into her desk.) (After the rocky start, Constance's first day at her new school quickly became quite mundane. She settled into class and felt less awkward, though she maintained her quiet demeanor, once the actual teaching had begun. Time was moving along quite well, until the lunch bell rang. All of the kids jumped out of their seats, dashed through the halls and made their way into the cafeteria, all except Constance. Most of the other kids were already seated in the lunch room, eating, when she walked in. Dreading the thought of sitting by herself, she drifted to the back of the lunch line and looked ahead to see what she would be eating. She was still hungry after all, even if she was certain she'd be eating alone. As she gazed over the shoulder of the person in front of her, the boy she sat beside in class, he turned toward her.) Maru: Hey, um... If you want, you can sit with me at lunch. (Maru smiled shyly, waiting for her reply. Constance's eyes had rounded from disbelief, twice now the boy had welcomed her with open arms. She accepted his offer with a rapid nod, thanking him for his kindness.) Constance: Okay, thanks. Just uh, lead the way. (Once they had received their lunch, Maru led Constance to the table where he sat, and they did, taking seats across from each other. Maru introduced Constance to his friends then asked her about herself.) Maru: So what's your old town like? Constance: ...It's nice and waaay smaller than this place. And... (And she went on, describing to Maru all of the details about her hometown that she left out when Ms. Rosalind had asked her. Her openness about her life and his interest in it became the first link in what would develop into a strong bond of friendship.) Present Day... (Maru returned from thoughts of his past, lifting his eyes from the bounty poster and his body from his bed. He quickly dropped to the floor, palms pressed against the wood, and began a rigorous series of push-ups. Up and down, up and down he went, driving his chest into the floor panels while his mind drifted to a simpler time once more...) Edited by Bx, Aug 17 2010, 01:38:33 PM.
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| Bx | Aug 18 2010, 08:10:04 PM Post #5 |
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Notorious
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Ten Years Ago… “Get up!” “Maru, c’mon, get up!” (Maru’s eyelids lifted open as he groggily regained consciousness. His pupils rolled back into his head, revealing only the whites for a brief moment. Seeing this, a young girl’s voice cried out.) “Maru! Maru, stop that!” (Almost as if his pupils understood the command, they returned and the girl let out a relieved sigh. After a series of convulsions, Maru fully became aware of his surroundings with the first realized image being Constance’s eyes. Her long hair had covered much of her face as she gazed down at him, but her eyes remained as brilliantly-colored as ever. They shown through her hair much in the same fashion of a light beacon in a storm. A beautiful sight for any weatherworn sailor, or in this case, a ten-year-old boy.) Constance: Finally! You okay? (Maru nodded, well at least as much as one could with their head against the ground, but it was a positive affirmation nonetheless. Constance helped him sit up and he took a look around to see where they were at. He was entirely conscious but without any memory of how he ended up on the ground to begin with. Looking around, and seeing the field jumpstarted his memory of the events. They were in the park not far from his house. He had been playing kickball with Constance, and everything had been going well until she launched one at his face. It was an unintentional hit but still a hit, and one good hit deserved another. He punched her forearm, lightly of course, and said…) Maru: That’s for that hit! (Constance burst into laughter and replied…) Constance: Okay, okay, I deserved that, but mine was still the better hit. …But I’m just glad you’re alright. Sorry about that… Maru: Ah, forget about it, Constance. I’m fine. But uh… (He rubbed his palm against his forehead, feeling the wide reddened knot, and continued…) Maru: …I think we should quit the kickball for the day, though. Constance: Yeah, it’s getting a little late anyway. Can I come to your house, though? My parents and my brother both aren’t there yet… It’ll only be for a little while. (Maru nodded eagerly.) Maru: Yeah, that’ll be fine. My parents won’t mind. Constance: Great. So, what are we gonna do once we get there? (Maru shrugged.) Constance: Eh, I guess we’ll figure something out on the way… (When they arrived at the building, Maru headed not to its entrance but to his parents’ shop, which was across the street. Inside, Maru’s father, Olrai was dealing with a customer while Myrna had just appeared from the back. Noticing the children, she greeted them.) Myrna: Hey guys. How was the park? Maru: Uh, okay… (Myrna quickly spotted the welt protruding from her son’s forehead and shrieked…) Myrna: Maru, what happened to your forehead!? Maru: Nothing, Mom. Constance and I were playing kickball and one just beaned me right in the head. That’s all. I’m fine. (Constance took a step back and lowered her head from both embarrassment and fear. Already a timid girl around all but her inner circle, she feared a scolding from Myrna, but Maru’s calm honesty had placated the situation and no such thing occurred. Myrna merely shrugged off Maru’s injury and focused on a set of packages in front of her. Before she got too busy, Maru called out…) Maru: Mom, can Constance stay at our house for a little while until her parents get home? (Myrna picked her stare up from the packages and directed it onto Constance for a moment, then Maru.) Myrna: Of course she can. Just don’t make too much of a mess, okay? Maru: We won’t, Mom. C’mon on Constance. (Maru motioned for her to follow him. She did, but not before taking another quick glance at Myrna, who watched her with a curious smile, and sent her off with a light wave. Despite Constance‘s anxiety, Myrna never viewed her with suspicion, in fact, she thought rather highly of her, seeing her as just a cute but shy little girl who her son may or may not have had a crush on. Either way, Constance was unlike many of the city‘s more "fresh" girls, which gave her an endearingly innocent quality. For Myrna, it was quite refreshing.) (When they arrived at Maru's house, Constance suggested Maru give her a tour. It was her first time there, and it was only polite, after all. Maru agreed and showed her around the three bedroom apartment, Constance took note of its simplistic yet comforting quality. There was a warmness in its design, which made Constance feel welcomed and eroded much of the apprehension she felt.) (The tour ended with Maru's room, a small cozy bedroom that, like the rest of the house, was decorated sparsely, but not in a barren fashion. It was simple. Constance appreciated that more than anything else. She watched as Maru went through his drawer, digging through various items until he pulled out a few sheets of drawing paper, and two pencils. Constance smiled, having realized what Maru had planned when he handed her a pencil and some paper.) Maru: I figured we could pass the time by drawing. I know you're really good at it and, you know, I just thought it'd be kind of fun. Constance: Sounds like a great idea. Maru: Think you can show me some things to help me get better? I mean, that stuff you do in Art is awesome... (Never quite comfortable with flattery, but always glad to hear it, Constance blushed and accepted his offer, telling him...) Constance: Yeah, I'll help you, but remember, drawing is usually a natural thing. You kinda have to see things a certain way... I don't really know how to explain it but... Maru: I know what you mean, but I don't think a few tips would hurt... Constance: Alright. (The two of them rested their supplies on the floor and began drawing. They did this for what seemed like hours with time drifting with each stroke of their pencils against the paper. Constance spent much of her time teaching Maru basic art techniques like accurate linear perspective as well some others. Despite the time she spent helping Maru, she had managed to complete a drawing of her own, one that she displayed to Maru after its completion.) Constance: Check it out, Maru. Maru: Hmm? (Maru, not yet finished with his own drawing, looked up and immediately his deep brown pupils lit with amazement.) Maru: Wow... It's, that's incredible. (Constance was holding a two-dimensional replica of the Great Arpaccian Palace under the glow of the midnight full moon. No detail was left untouched, she had even managed to illustrate the light of the stars illuminating parts of the castle.) Constance: I'm glad you like it... Maru: Who wouldn't? Constance, you've gotta enter that in some kind of competition or something. You'd win for sure! (Again, Constance wasn't one for flattery but she giggled at the praise, then started shaking her head, "No".) Constance: ...I didn't draw this for money. It's something I've wanted to put on paper for a while now, ever since my brother took me up to the roof one night and showed me how beautiful the view was. The image just stayed with me, I guess... Maru: You can say that again. But wait a minute, why didn't you draw this for art class? It would have been an "A" for sure. (Constance blushed, but gained the courage to reveal something to Maru that she hadn't to anyone before.) Constance: Well... I'm pretty shy, Maru. I don't really like getting any more attention for my drawings than I already do... If I had drawn this in art class, the teacher would have probably entered it in a contest like you said and then I'd have to get in front of a ton of people and... that's just not me. (After her admission, Constance's eyes widened then dropped to the floor. She was uncertain what Maru would think of her with the revelation. And just as he had when they first met, both unofficially and officially, he smiled, nodded and gave her a reassuring response.) Maru: I understand now, and there's nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong at all. Constance: Thanks, Maru. (Constance took another look at her drawing before extending it to Maru.) Constance: I want you to have it. (Maru didn't accept it initially. He seemed quite taken aback by the offer, saying...) Maru: But, Constance that's an amazing drawing... It's your drawing. I can't just take it from you. Constance: You're not. I'm giving it to you. It's my drawing, I can do what I want with it, and what I want is for you to have it. (She pushed the drawing forward again, and this time, Maru accepted it.) Maru: Thanks, Constance. It means a lot. Constance: It's just a drawing, Maru. No need to get all serious. (She giggled, at least until the front door swung open, then stopped almost on command. Maru's parents had entered...) Present Day... (A sweaty mess, Maru was cooling down after an intense late-night workout routine. He was sitting on the floor, with his back pressed against the floorboard of his bed, while his eyes were focused on a ten-year-old drawing posted on his wall, Constance's artistic replica of the palace.) Edited by Bx, Aug 19 2010, 11:05:59 PM.
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| Bx | Aug 20 2010, 06:04:30 PM Post #6 |
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Notorious
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Chapter III: Things Have to Change (Maru awakened the next morning to the sound of two men arguing on the sidewalk of his building. The fact that Maru's window had been closed was a testament to their loudness, and from what Maru could gauge, they were fussing over a delivery of some sort. "It's pointless...", he told himself after a failed attempt to try to fall back to sleep, and sat up. Maru turned on his lamp, then looked at the clock hanging on his wall and saw that it was only 5:06 a.m., far too early for him to start the day. Though the men had since stopped arguing, there was no getting back to sleep and he sat on his bed wearing an expression riddled with somber thoughtfulness.) ("We have to get out of this dump...", he expressed, then reached for the bounty poster that was lying on his nightstand. He read over it again, and said...) Maru: 500,000 marks... And- (He shifted his gaze onto Constance's drawing. The pencil lines in the sketch had begun to fade, and while the drawing could still be seen, many of the intricate details that popped out upon first view were no longer visible at a glance. Ten years had also withered the paper into a dingy yellowish color. Within a few years, the drawing would become like Constance herself, just another memory.) Maru: ...Maybe this is my opportunity. (He placed the poster on his bed and headed for the bathroom to wash up. It was time to sort things out with himself and begin shaping a path for his future, however irrational or even dangerous.) "But that's easier said than done..." (His voice echoed as he shut the door behind him.) (Around breakfast time that morning, Maru entered the kitchen where his parents were sitting, eating their typical bacon and eggs meal. In his hand, Maru was holding the bounty poster but his parents hadn't noticed, greeting him with the usual "Good Morning." He responded likewise, then declined his mother's offer of food, and placed the poster on the table between their plates. His father, Olrai, immediately shot a stare in his direction while Myrna's eyebrows raised. It wasn't like Maru to interrupt them at breakfast or any meal for that matter.) Olrai: What's, uh... on your mind, Maru? ("Not like we were eating or anything...", Olrai mumbled under his breath afterward. Myrna sighed, fearing an argument would erupt as they, father and son, often clashed over the littlest of things. Olrai was a man who held staunchly to tradition while Maru possessed more of a free-spirit.) Maru: I've decided to go out for the bounty. (Both of his parents' expressions stretched with surprise, but it was Olrai who first blurted out...) Olrai: Maru, dammit what's with this crazy talk early in the morning? Maru: Dad, I'm serious. (Olrai opened his mouth to respond, but Myrna stopped him with a spread open palm. She was trying to calm the situation before it got out of hand.) Myrna: Maru, what are you saying? You're not actually gonna try and hunt the prince down are you...? Maru: That's exactly what I'm saying. Myrna: Come on, Maru... What are you- Olrai: You're a damned fool! A damned fool, you know that! (Olrai bashed his fist against the table, raised from his chair, and stormed out of the kitchen, and out of the apartment. Myrna lowered her head and shook negatively, but looked up at Maru as she felt his hand atop her shoulder.) Maru: I understand why you guys are upset, Mom. Myrna: Then Maru, why, I mean why would you even think of something like this? I mean have you not thought about the danger? Did you not read what that boy did at Enders Point? He leveled the place. I have all the confidence in the world in you, Maru, but... you've gotta be reasonable at least with yourself, if no one else. (Maru smiled, well somewhat. It wasn't a happy smile, that was certain. He pressed his hand a little further into his mother's shoulder, then replied...) Maru: ...I didn't expect you guys to understand. (He chimed. His tone as calm as if they had been engaged in mundane conversation.) Myrna: Well, I don't, Maru. You're a twenty-year-old man and I can't stop you from doing what you want but... If it's for the money, please, please Maru we're managing... You're not a burden on us. Yes, things are a little harder now than they were but it's not like we're going to get evicted or that we'll have to close the shop. Things will get better Maru, just be patient... Maru: Mom, this isn't so much about money as it is about me. I've given it a lot of thought and this is what I really want to do, even if my only reward will be the experience. Now I won't lie and say the money didn't influence my decision in some way but it's not the only factor. (Myrna sniffled once he finished explaining. Tears had rushed down her eyes.) Myrna: ...You say you've given it so much thought, but honestly, have you thought about how your father and I would feel if anything happened to you out there...? Do you even care? Maru: I have and I do, but I've also made up my mind. ...Things have to change, Mom. I work in the store too, I see how the number of customers we've gotten has dropped, and how the cost of keeping the shop stocked with quality goods is getting too much for us. People are choosing the discount places in Norte. I'm not saying that we're gonna lose the shop tomorrow or even in a year, but eventually Mom, eventually we are gonna lose it all. Grandpa didn't bust his ass building that place just so his daughter could lose it so easily... (Maru was right, about everything. The shop was losing business on a daily business. Only regulars and passerbys were buying from them. The stores in Norte had the same goods at discounted prices but the quality was cheaper as well. But buyers didn't care. Saving money was their only deciding factor. Myrna knew this, and she couldn't argue against it, but it didn't hurt her any less.) Myrna: ...So that's it? That's your decision...? You're just gonna, gonna leave? (Myrna sniffled as she spoke.) Maru: Yes. (Myrna wiped the drying tear marks from her cheeks.) Myrna: When? Maru: In a few days, I suppose. I still have to make preparations, get supplies and...you know, say my "goodbyes." (He smiled at her. The same smile that he often illustrated for Constance, it was as genuine as it was reassuring. He stretched his arms out and embraced his mother with a hug, a hug that captured all of the qualities of his smile in physical form. They stayed like this for a while as Myrna held on tightly to Maru, telling him...) Myrna: I love you. Maru: I love you too, Mom. Myrna: ...Why not just stay then? Maru: Because this may be my only chance. (Maru pulled away from his mother, her expression had become considerably dour as another set of tears made a trail down her cheeks with the thought that her son was not going to reconsider his decision. Uncomfortable watching his mother's pain, Maru started toward the door, but Myrna stopped him, calling out his name.) Myrna: Maru. (He turned to her.) Mynra: What- (She paused. Maru saw her eyes shut, then reopen about a minute later when it seemed she had garnered the confidence to continue.) Myrna: You said that the money wasn't your only reason for taking up the bounty. I, well, I'd just like to know what were the others? ("Why are you doing this to me, Mom?", Maru asked himself as he gazed into his mother's eyes. He could see that their already dark color was growing bleaker with every passing moment. All he wanted was to leave the room, to get away from her so that the onrush of guilt that he felt would vanish. But she had asked the question, a most reasonable question for a mother, though one no less difficult for a son to answer. Maru debated within himself whether to tell her the truth, to reveal to her that much of his reasoning was based on an attachment. An attachment to an unattainable love.) Maru: Why does it matter, Mom? Myrna: Because if anything were to happen to you while you were out there, I would at least like to know why my son made his choice. A mother deserves that type of closure. Maru: A mother deserves a lot more, Mom. But, to be honest with you, I'm not so sure I even fully understand my other reasons... I'd rather not confuse you any more than you are now. (Maru looked to the ceiling as the last of his words were uttered. Myrna held silent and stared longingly at the kitchen counter. Maru couldn't gauge her thoughts, nor did he want to, though he did break the silence.) Maru: I know it's selfish. All of it. I try to wrap it up in "selflessness", but- (He stopped himself. Myrna still wore her blank stare.) Maru: I guess what I'm trying to say is, "I'm sorry, Mom." (The words, along with some of the guilt, finally came out. Without waiting for a reply, Maru turned on his heel and left both the kitchen and the apartment.) (Maru was aware that both of his parents were equally concerned for his well-being, and had even accurately predicted that his mother would thrust at his conscience with maternal affection. Her difficulties with his choice made following through with his decision that much harder. But for all the tenderness his mother provided, Maru knew that his father would give him none of the kind. In fact, Maru anticipated that meeting his father would actually spur him to leave home even sooner than he'd planned. And when he stepped inside the shop, seeing the man's seething glare as he penned the week's inventory, he realized that his anticipation would become reality.) (Olrai refused to acknowledge him. He went about his business as if no one were there. It would further heighten the awkwardness of the coming conversation. Nevertheless, Maru spoke...) Maru: Dad. (Olrai didn't reply, choosing to continue work on the inventory. Maru hesitated to continue, he looked around the room, focusing on the stack of papers in front of his father. The tension layered as the seconds of silence piled up between them. Olrai then gestured what he thought of his son's presence when he lifted himself away from his papers, turned around, without looking at Maru, and headed to the back room. "Fine.", Maru lipped silently as he shrugged and turned in the direction opposite his father's, and walked out of the store. The last time he would do so before his journey's commencement.) Edited by Bx, Oct 1 2010, 05:51:47 PM.
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| Bx | Oct 10 2010, 07:53:55 PM Post #7 |
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Notorious
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(The next day Maru awoke in a sweat. It was unusual considering the temperature had dropped to -18 degrees Fahrenheit once night had settled, and in the daytime hours, the temperature never rose above twenty degrees. The pool in which Maru had awoken was not the result of heat, but rather his own unrest with his decision. The lack of a blessing from his father certainly didn't alleviate any of the guilt he had internalized. "The classic rock and hard place.", Maru thought to himself as his feet pressed against the icy tile, its chill immediately jolting upward through his veins. A feeling so fitting for the situation, his thoughts and his inhibitions.) Maru: Cold feet. (He remarked with a smile, then motioned his eyes toward Constance's drawing from years' earlier. Its fading image reminded him of his unresolved feelings for her and the overarching thought that his last chance at closure was before him.) Maru: Even if it's all in vain, I have to know... It's been too long. (He confided aloud, then rose to his feet and searched within his closet for his travel bag. After spreading the medium-sized bag open, he exited the room en route for the bathroom to wash for the day.) (Hours later, Maru's closet, once filled with clothing, had been emptied. Its contents could be found in the now stuffed travel bag. The first step had been taken, and it appeared that Maru had recommitted himself to the idea of hunting Aramis.) (That morning, Maru once again entered the kitchen while his parents were sharing an early morning breakfast discussion. Upon walking in, he deduced that they had been talking about his decision as the room went silent with his entrance.) Edited by Bx, Jun 21 2011, 12:21:22 AM.
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