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Post by DarkSavior77 on Jul 14, 2017 23:17:07 GMT -5
When Ironwood, or Baldr had told her and the three other members of the Arms that they would need to leave and spread across the world to see what had happened to it in its attempt to heal from all the wars had been called, she had expressed concerns with the others. The outside world had been torn to ruins, leaving the town of Trier and a few outlying villas the only bit of serenity they could see. Baldr himself wasn't getting any younger, and to her, leaving the old guard there on his own to defend Trier seemed an unbelievable task.
But most importantly?
Alyx had never left Trier after she had been rescued by him and the Arms. Baldr had raised her from a feral little thing into a hard working girl. He taught her reading and writing, language and arithmetic. Science as best he knew it, and when she came of age, trained her to be as strong and hard as any of the other members. She couldn't imagine leaving her mentor behind. She considered the man her father almost.
She had protested in private to him, arguing her stay. But all he had in reply was her destination.
"Americas."
"But I don't want to go to America," Alyx had snapped, swinging her head to glare at the wall stubbornly, "I want to stay with you."
"Even Skjorr has agreed to go, and he's as stubborn as a badger. We need to supply order to the outside world where we can and help others gain a foothold if we are to continue to take care of Trier. The tides of chaos are washing on the shores of this town, eroding our strength. We are only five fighters. We cannot hold it forever," Baldr spoke. The old wolf was once a nice dark tawny color streaked with black in his tail with thick dark hair in his human form. But now white flecked his muzzle, and in his human form now, standing in front of Alyx, his beard was flecked with white and grey, and white strands streaked through his hair.
"But to leave you here alone? That's not fair. It isn't fair! This is my home, I should be able to stay and fight for it too. Skjorr came from Denmark, hell, Bolek is from Poland! This has- this is all I've ever had," Alyx protested with a shake of her head. For all her height, Baldr was taller, reaching up near eight feet nearly. It ensured no matter how tall Alyx ever got, she'd still feel like a child around him. He lifted a large heavy hand and put it on top of her head; the scars and callouses of his hand didn't scratch at her scalp through her hair.
"The sooner you go and make connections outside of Trier, the sooner you can come home. Do this for me."
The ship sat in the cold bay under a grey sky with waves mirroring its ire. She stood on the pier, her travel pack slung over her shoulder as she watched a few men carry a crate of her gear onto the ship. The ramp was a line she didn't want to cross. She should be walking along it. Not stalling. But as she looked over the water vessel and behind her with wide worried eyes, it seemed impossible. She turned back, fleeing the ramp to run back to Baldr and straight into him. For one of the Arms of Trier, she didn't feel courageous or ready at all. She felt like she was being exiled.
"I'm scared." Shit, when had she started crying? Tears rolled down her cheeks as she sniffed, trying to keep her nose clear so she could breathe as Baldr pulled her away from him with hands on her shoulders. Beside him, the last of the Arms to leave, Kuno the Yew, seemed a bit at a loss to handle his sister in arms as the blonde just sort of stood there.
"Don't make me go," Alyx sniffed.
"You have nothing to worry about. You aren't some scared little girl fighting for food anymore. I've taught you everything I could to stand on your own. You can do this. You go to America, and find allies, and help them. And if anyone ever gets in your way, or doubts your ability, you tell them who you are." Baldr reminded. Alyx stared at him, bottom lip fixed worriedly between her teeth as she blinked back tears.
"You are Alyxia, The Elm of the Deutschland, the servant of Trier's children; Companion, Shield Bearer and Will of the Arms." he spoke. Alyx nodded mutely to him. Baldr lifted his hands from her shoulders, allowing her to shuffle her feet enough to turn sideways and glance at the ship again. She looked back to Baldr.
"Go," he whispered, urging with a hand. Alyx twisted back to the ship, sniffing back the rest of what was in her nose as she ran a hand over her face to clear any tears still on her cheeks. Her steps forward grew in speed til she hit the ramp at a full sprint. It swayed with each footfall, the water dark and churning on both sides, waiting to claim her if she fell til she reached the deck. She turned back, heading to the rail slowly as a few deck hands went over and lifted away the ramp. The deck hands began tossing free the ties to the pier. Baldr and Kuno stood on the higher part of the pier, watching. The blonde wolf let out a yell to her, barely audible as he raised an arm and waved at her. Baldr stood motionless. Alyx inhaled, cupping her hands around her mouth to shout.
"Don't you die until I get back!" she ordered.
The stars themselves seemed alien to her well before the ship made landfall. And then of course once she had her gear crate taken off the ship it only got as far as they wanted to carry it. Alyx wasn't sure what to do then. She was in foreign land, with gear she wasn't sure how to get around, and with no leads. She huffed and shuffled the crate to turn and get a grip on it before managing to lift it up onto a shoulder. She took a deep breath.
"I am Alyxia, the Elm of Deutschland.." she began to herself as she started forwards.
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Post by Mister Karma on Jul 19, 2017 3:36:17 GMT -5
Another late night and she had just now left the Crying Wolf, having wrapped up yet another business meeting with the crew over drinks and wings. The undead-like....things...roaming the streets worried Eva, the possibilities flooding her mind like molten panic. She constantly thought of Oki, the children, and their dog Hachuko throughout the conference, the what-ifs plaguing her to the point of absolute silence. Occasionally, she would provide feedback in the form of short quips. If asked to show what she could do against the Infected, as the zombie-likes would come to be called, all she did was snap her fingers and form a small cloud of ice-cold mist. They understood she was worried for her family, and the worry was well-founded. However, that worry needed to be channeled into searching for a solution for all of the State rather than just for herself. After all, Eva was now a Clerk among the Archives' ranks. She needed to act as such. Clerks could not back down in the face of danger, nor could they put personal matters before the mission. That was exactly why Eva was not offered as many missions as Clerks before and after her. Her training sessions with Silver to try channeling her negative energies into something useful for the organization were long and tiring, and she often wondered why she was even among the ranks to begin with.
She was Aislinn, yet she was Cruxis. Both lineages were hard-working wolves who, when met with a problem, confronted it and destroyed it with utmost prejudice. She was a pacifist, yet she was a fighter. Eva picked up her sword only when she needed to, and only used her ice abilities to defend herself and her family.
Yet as these thoughts wandered her mind like forfeited pedestrians in a forsaken metropolis, Eva Zanbu kept her shoulders hunched over, her broadsword strapped loosely at her hip. Her gold eyes darted this way and that down alleyways and across main streets, ever on the lookout for that one purplish-black fleshed being to finally hobble at her with arms extended, wanting a hug or her flesh. Her reddish brown tail was raised on alert, waving in paranoia. What a way to attract the wrong kind of attention to herself. She knew this, and after thirty years of peacefully strolling through the late night streets of New Haven, she felt as though she regressed to the timid beta she was back in her university years.
What was the cause of these Infected? That was a mystery Archives' was still figuring out, and with more and more artifacts being brought to their attention, each with unique functions, it seemed the mystery grew into a full-fledged scavenger hunt. Clues were scattered across various trinkets, and each clue was the same: an insignia that pushed the affected being beyond its mortal coil. She feared for Oki and their children's infection, and she knew she needed to put on a braver face. Eva was a mother, and while her options were clear, her confidence in her own abilities was muddled.
Some time passed as Eva strolled along, and she found herself at the docks. The air felt inviting, and her muscles relaxed, eyes now focused and staring straight ahead. Even her tail lowered and hung calmly at her knees. The sea was especially calming to observe tonight, and she pulled her cell phone out to text Oki that she would be desummoning a little later than normally scheduled, complete with a picture of the starry horizon meeting the calm black waters. The wolf climbed up onto an unattended crate to sit leaning back lax with one leg out and the other raised loosely, her hands behind her to give her support. Despite the light pollution from the metropolis' radiant halo behind her, the stars she could see were beautiful. She felt like nothing could touch her out here. There were hardly any sightings of Infected in the docks, as discussed in the meetings at the Crying Wolf. Were there sightings, it would usually be early morning or late twilight and the being would be dead and rotting. Eva had nothing to worry about.
Her eyes caught the sight of a massive vessel across from her perch drifting nonchalantly over the gentle waves, and as it stopped, the night crew tending to the few outbound and inbound ships gathered, helping the passengers off the great boat. She wasn't particularly interested until one such figure grabbed her attention simply with the task of hoisting a large and heavy-looking crate onto their--her--shoulder and carrying it as though it were nothing. Eva knew of several demons from Hell and Archives' who could pull off such a feat, her own brother and Lord Itachi included, but to see a being who smelled surface-bound do the same thing like it was just a piece of fluff to her was... Baffling, to say the least. Unless the being was a demon herself, there was just no way.
Until Eva caught sight on the sauntering person her own tail. Demon it was. That explained it, but why would a demon use a simple method of transportation such as a boat? She could have easily saved time with flying, or using a summoning circle, or--
Then the silent chanting, as if to remind herself something. "I am Alyxia, the Elm of Deutschland.." A German immigrant, but what did Elm even mean?
The thought of an immigrant setting foot into the State, especially with the insurgence of and combat against Infected, paled Eva. She shook the feeling off in a matter of seconds, shifting to climb off the crate and greet the stranger.
"Good evening," she said with a small wave and smile. "Welcome to the Anarchic State. Do you--no, would you like help--?" Oh god, there was the awkwardness setting in. Something about the woman intimidated Eva, and even offering to help carry the crate on her shoulder seemed like it would get her tossed into the water. All she could offer was something else. "Would you mind a guide? It's...kinda treacherous out on the streets," Eva settled on finally asking, brow furrowed worriedly as she turned her head back towards the direction of the warehouses. What if she scared off the newcomer? Or, well, what else was the worst that could happen?
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Post by DarkSavior77 on Jul 19, 2017 14:22:28 GMT -5
"Good evening." Alyx paused, lips moving silently as the mantra was dropped to stare at the person talking to her. Evening? It was past midnight. "Morgen." Alyx corrected as well as greeted. "Welcome to the Anarchic State. Do you--no, would you like help--?" Alyx looked over the reddish brown wolf demon. Then to her crate. No, no that would be bad. She looked like she'd be crushed. Alyx shook her head a few times, humming 'uh uh' as well while seemingly tightening her grip on the crate. "Would you mind a guide? It's...kinda treacherous out on the streets," the wolf suggested. Guide? That'd be helpful. "Ja! Guide would be nice. I'm looking.. um.." Alyx paused for a moment, trying to think of the word in english. The wolf's voice was thick with accent, and as she tried to recall the word, drawing out a different first syllable each time, she started moving her hand with her bag in circles to coax it on. "Kommandant, commander. Or leader. Person in charge? Konig? Nein.. Präsident? President? Presi-.. Just person in charge. Whomever is person in charge of country." She said, giving up trying to remember if she did have the correct word or not.
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Post by Mister Karma on Jul 20, 2017 2:51:29 GMT -5
"Morgen," the woman replied. Eva tilted her head, checking her smartphone quickly for the time. Past midnight already? The family back home must have been worried sick. Her tail drooped at her apparent lack of observation this time around, as her focus shifted from the vessel to the woman in the past....five minutes. Guess when it was AM after the time, it meant morning no matter if the sky was dark and dotted with stars or just turning light.
"Ja! Guide would be nice. I'm looking.. um.." The woman paused for a moment, Eva guessed to look for a word in English. She furrowed her brow, listening closely, maybe to help the wolf demon with her search. "Kommandant, commander. Or leader. Person in charge? Konig? Nein.. Präsident? President? Presi-.. Just person in charge. Whomever is person in charge of country," the woman conceded finally, appearing defeated at her own language barrier. Eva smiled slightly, having once been in the woman's shoes herself. Having learned Gaelic, German and Daemon at a young age, English did not make its way into her broad selection of languages until she left Ireland to tour the Eurasian region. As for the country's leader.....
"Since the wars 60 years ago, this country hadn't had a President," Eva explained solemnly. "Rather, each region was broken up into their own smaller nations with a Governor to oversee politics similar to how the entire nation was run. Currently, the State's Governor is a man named Nathan Marshall. But, you're not here for a history lesson, I'm sure. "The name's Eva Zanbu," she introduced cheerfully, extending her hand for a shake. "And you are...?"
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Post by DarkSavior77 on Jul 22, 2017 0:29:05 GMT -5
"Since the wars 60 years ago, this country hadn't had a President," Eva explained solemnly. "Rather, each region was broken up into their own smaller nations with a Governor to oversee politics similar to how the entire nation was run. Currently, the State's Governor is a man named Nathan Marshall. But, you're not here for a history lesson, I'm sure." "Re-regions?" Alyx asked in a stutter, "But, the Americas," Alyx suddenly stopped as an epiphany hit her like a freight train. Her mind went back to her discussion with Baldr in Trier before she left.
"Americas." Americas. America. Americas. Plural. Son of a bitch.
For a few seconds Alyx didn't realize she was screaming "no" at the top of her lungs. She stopped, out of breath and panting. He knew. Baldr knew that she would have to go through multiple regions looking for help so she couldn't cut corners and rush back home with a half hearted answer that no one was around to help. Not that she would. But now work was going to be ten times harder.
"The name's Eva Zanbu," she introduced cheerfully, extending her hand for a shake. "And you are...?" Alyx looked back to the other wolf. Oh, her screaming and small break down didn't scare her off? She inhaled, clearing her rough dry throat from the torture she had just put it through with that yelling. "Alyx." That was all. Nothing more came forwards. No second name, no sir name. Just Alyx.
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Post by Mister Karma on Jul 27, 2017 0:07:32 GMT -5
Eva arched an eyebrow, leaning her body away during the woman's meltdown. Well...that wasn't a reaction she had been anticipating. Most new arrivals to the Americas knew what they were getting themselves into. What was her name? Alyx she said, right? Did Alyx not have the time to research what happened to the Americas since the wars? Was she sent here by her superiors on short notice? Eva figured the wolf demon was military of some kind, judging by her armor. Probably an older, more traditional military faction out in Europe, but why did she come here?
More questions than answers, me... She let her hand drop casually to her side, her attempt at a handshake yet again shot down. Well, wasn't that a common occurrence. Back to business... Eva took a second look at her phone, making sure the time was as late...or, well, early...as the woman claimed it was. Yup. Pushing 2. City Hall was closed for the day, and there was not much else she could do to provide the woman with the services she immediately needed. The only other option was offer quarters.
"So, Alyx," Eva began as she turned on her heel, "it's a bit late here. I'm sure you've had a long voyage and are exhausted." She stopped for a moment, turning her head to face Alyx, smiling. "Would you mind staying with my family until the morning? We'll be able to get a hold of more officials while it's daylight," she added.
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Post by DarkSavior77 on Jul 28, 2017 14:51:48 GMT -5
She kept looking at her watch, and it took some actual attention for Alyx to tell it was a watch she was looking at. Of course, idiot, what else would be there? "So, Alyx," Eva began as she turned on her heel, "it's a bit late here. I'm sure you've had a long voyage and are exhausted." "Actually," Alyx began, pausing to figure out her english translation for what she had to say as she held up her free hand to pause Eva, "I mostly slept on the boat." "Would you mind staying with my family until the morning? We'll be able to get a hold of more officials while it's daylight," she added. She was quiet for a moment. Well, she didn't know of any inns and with the US split up she doubted she had any place she could go and get her currency exchanged at. And if anything, Alyx was a strong girl. She could protect herself. "Ja, I mean, no, I wouldn't mind. Is just until morning, ja?" Alex asked defensively, trying to keep sight of Eva around the corner of the carried crate as she seemed eager to move.
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Post by Mister Karma on Aug 1, 2017 0:58:17 GMT -5
Eva began leading the way, her hand on her sword and body at the ready as she anticipated any of the Infecteds to find them here. "Yeah, only until the morning," she replied, retracing her steps through the dimly-lit side streets that brought her to the docks hours before. "It's not exactly a great idea to stay out here in the city. I'll explain why once we get to my home." She passed by a small group of familiar agents from her organization, also wolf beings, and one simply gestured with his hand that all was safe here--there was no need for her to constantly be ready for battle. Eva let out a silent breath of relief, easing her body and her mind. Now all she needed to do was lead Alyx to her summoning circle.
"I got a means to get us there faster," she started as she sauntered up to the front door of a triple-decker apartment house. It was rented out by Archives' to tenants who used the building for business, and Eva was no exception. Anyone who was specifically assigned to New Haven was given sets of keys to certain structures scattered throughout the city. In Eva's case, it was apartment house keys. About fifteen different ones, to be exact, and that was considered minimal. She pulled out a set of keys specific to the building before her and unlocked the front door, bearing a right and leading down to the basement. "Problem is, you need a strong stomach. It's nothing like flying or...well...sailing... "You ever hear of desummoning?" Eva finished.
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Post by DarkSavior77 on Aug 2, 2017 17:34:46 GMT -5
"Yeah, only until the morning," she replied. Sounded good. As Eva began to head back, Alyx kept on her heels by watching her out of the corner of her eye. Most times her head was in motion, swiveling about to look at the city around them as they passed through it. "It's not exactly a great idea to stay out here in the city. I'll explain why once we get to my home." "That's okay," Alyx guessed. She had no say in what Eva would tell her anyways. "I got a means to get us there faster," she added on as she lead Alyx to a tall building. She wasn't that out of touch to understand that it was a multi family home of some sort. But she was confused to be lead to a basement. "Problem is, you need a strong stomach. It's nothing like flying or... well... sailing... "You ever hear of desummoning?" Eva finished. That was a new word. Alyx blinked a few times. "Desummoning?" she repeated in a confused tone.
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Post by Mister Karma on Aug 13, 2017 18:54:34 GMT -5
Eva simply shrugged, expecting Alyx's confused answer. Not everyone heard of it outside of Hell and Archives', after all. "It's a form of instantaneous transportation, sort of like teleporting but without the risk of your atoms floating into space if you miss the mark," she explained. "Think that show Star Trek."
The basement was dusty and reminiscent of the 1960's, with a faded wooden floor and flaking asbestos walls. Well, it at least looked like asbestos. Archives' needed to keep a somewhat realistic and historic appearance with much of the new triple deckers they built across the city. A lone light hung from the shoddy ceiling, and Eva tugged the string, illuminating the room. In the middle of the floor was a glowing white circle, much like a transmutation circle. Markings surrounded the design, Latin in appearance but it was in the Archives' own language. The characters, to the novice eye, read something pertaining to ice and north.
Looked like someone else headed that way, as the circle looked like it had just been used...
Her home was up in the Snowplains, quite a ways from New Haven. Eva faced Alyx, body poised still towards the circle. "Comfortable stepping in with me so you got someone to hold on to?" she asked.
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