The Adventure Begins

[theravenisdead]

Satisfied with the exchange between him and Allan, Nolan returned his concentration back to Afura. He opened the driver door and climbed into the car, shutting the door behind him. Afura watched intensely, clearly curious.

Taking his keys from his pocket, Nolan inserted them into the ignition and turned it. A low rumble was audible from the engine, then nothing. "Ahh... just a second.." said Nolan embarassingly. He turned it again, same as before.

"Do you need any help?" Afura inquired. "Nah...  It does this sometimes." Nolan replied, a hint of frustration in his voice. After two more attempts, the car finally started, the engine emitting a constant humming sound.

As the engine started, Afura tensed up quite a bit, but succeeded in calming herself down. After all, Nolan didnt look that nervous, so there shouldnt be anything to worry about. At least, thats what she hoped.

"Okay... Where to?" he asked. "The palace is not far. Just head down this road, the guards will clear a path for you." she replied. Afura then motioned to the guard closest to her to begin clearing the way of onlookers.

The guards snapped into action, clearing the way of the people who had decended on the neighbourhood to see the bizarre white thingamajig and its odd owner.
Soon the path was clear, and Afura smiled to the guards to show her appreciation.

"All is ready" she said to Nolan "You may now move freely."
"Alright" replied Nolan. Grabbing the gearshift, he shifted into first gear, and then gently pressed on the gas pedal, the car lurching foreward slowly.
Afura tried to resist the impulse to hold onto something tightly as the Tempo moved foreward.

And slowly but surely, the car and its two occupants headed towards the Royal Palace.

----------------------------

After only a few minutes, they had closed in on the Palace walls, where Nolan slowed to a stop and gawked at the sheer size of the structure before him.
'I dont even wanna KNOW how long this place took to build" he thought. He eyed the shops and homes around him, and then he caught something that looked familiar. At least familiar for an Earther.

Above the entrance to one of the shops was a sign written in what appeared to be Japanese Kanji. Nolan didnt know what it meant, but at the very least it looked familiar.

"Afura, who owns that shop?" he asked her curiously.
"Mmm?" Afura turned her head to where he was looking. "Oh! That is the Shinonome Diner. Its a well known and highly respected eatery. Actually, its founder was from Earth as well. Her daughter is the current manager and head chef."

"Interesting" Nolan replied. After thinking for a few moments, he moved the car foreward, and as they approached the gates, the Palace guards were motioned to open them by Afura, to which they bowed in respect and then slowly opened the gates.

The car proceeded to enter the Palace grounds, and Afura directed Nolan where to park, motioning to a small hanger off to the side of the main grounds. Pulling into it, he put the vehicle intp park and let out a sigh of relief.

After turning off the ingition Nolan reached for the doorhandle and opened his door, stepping out. He made his way around to Afura and opened the door for her as well.  To this she smiled as she stepped out.

Grabbing his bottle of Powerade from under Afura's seat, he shut the door and turned back to Afura. "So... Now what?" asked Nolan as he stared at the large structure before him.

"We must head inside." she said. "Come, I will bring you before the royal family, and you may get a chance to see the fellow travelers from Earth."

(end post)

[Fujisawa4654]

They zoomed passed me before I even got the chance to aim. I couldn't fire back because they went into the shadows of where I came. The last guard standing looks at me with a bad look. "Thanks alot." he said sarcasticaly. "And where is your escort?" Well he pretty much had me, I disobeyed the law there....

He lunged at me, but I quickly countered by bashing his head to the side with the stock of my rifle, knocking him unconsious. "Finally, payback."

I immediately ran to the exit, out of the corridor, and out of the front room. From there, I did not know what to do, except go back home... Not exactly my home but someone left it for me.

I walked back home in a bit of a speedwalk, a little nervous from what had happened. The home wasn't very far away, which meant I was there around 1 minute. I unlocked the door and went inside. I didn't know what to do at that time.. Except maybe get something to eat.

I went to the pantry, got a little something, cooked it, and then sat down to eat it. During this time though... I couldn't help bu thtink about that just happened earlier.

The girl on the floor, and the desperation of the one trying to get her to someplace... Now I regret doing such a thing. I was acting before I knew everything about it. I soon finished up my meal and then decided to go to the nearest medical ward, wherever that could be. I still don't know most of the parts here...

I stepped outside and locked the door and once again, started wondering around.

[executor82]

As Kane dashed trough the main portal he almost ran over an elder lady which he recognized as Afura Man.

"Oh, excuse me Miss Afura, but I'm in a hurry! Long time no see! If you meet grandma, say hallo to her from me!!", while he spoke the last sentence, he was allready running again, still having Lan on his hands.

The only thing Afura could do was looking at him surprised and following him with her eyes until he disappeared in the mass of people who were walking the street again. "I know him from somewere. Wasn't that.....KANE?? Haven't seen him quite a while now..." She looked at the man at her side. "Wasn't he carrying a girl?"

Kane ran through the streets, well knowing the way he had to go. Since he was small he had walked the way to the healer several times. He couldn't count the times he has taken this way before, but it felt good going this route again. The healer has been a nice old fella, friendly and kind and always having a bunch of jokes. Now his daughter runs the clinic. She was a beauty and as kind and funny as her father. Kane looked at the girl in his arms. She fell asleep and it seened that nothing could wake her up now.

Poor thing! I should hurry to get her some aid, food and a warm clean bed!

A few minutes later he reached the place. It was a small house painted in a dirty yellow color with a red door. Above the door there was a sign, saying 'Dr. Yumi Jabanijan'. He kicked the door open and entered the clinic.

"Hey Yumi! Would you have a look at that girl here?"

The woman in that room was reading some papers as Kane entered. As the door crashed open, she stared at the entrence. "What the.....! Kane! What are you doing here. What a wonderful surprise! But you shouldn't rush in here like that! You almost scared me to death!"

Kane walked to one of the beds and layed Lan on it gently.

"And what do we have here?", Yumi asked as she walked around the table and leaned over the bed. Then she looked at Kane. "Your girlfriend?

Kane looked into her eyes. "Could you take care of her wounds? She is in a bad shape!"

"Just let the healer judge about it, ok?": Yumi said with a warm smile. Then she had an eye at Lan. "Father is in his room. I guess he would be pleased to see you again. Go, see him. I'll handle this!"

Kane noded, and went to the door at the back of the room. He knocked and opened it.

[Fujisawa4654]

A long wander around started to get my legs shaking. Guards were on patrol more than often, possibly because of the breakouts... Or me. Taking this thought into mind I made sure I hid someplace everytime a guard came somewhat close. Finally, a small clinic, that could be a possible place.

That clinic was rather big, I didn't really feel like searching all that time. Plus I didn't think it would be worth it to barge in and say I was sorry. So I just waited by the front door.

[executor82]

As Kane entered the room it was dark. The only light came from a big candle plased in the middle of a huge table where tons of paper were laying around. An old man was sitting behind the table and was writing something on another piece of paper. He even didn't look up when the door opened. Kane looked at the man and waited for any reaction, but the man was still writing.

"Dr. Jabanijan?", he said to get the attention of the man.

"Just a moment.", Jabanijan replyed and finished his writing. then he layed down his pencil and looked at Kane. "Oh! It's you! Umm...Kane, wasn't it?" He stood up and walked over to his visitor. He eyed him from the head to the toe and than he suddenly huged him for welcome. "Kane! It has been a while! You have grown up! I'm glad to see you strong and healthy!"

"I'm glad to see you, too doctor Jabanijan! It really has been a while! How are you?", Kane asked.

"Uh....not too good! I'm old and weak and I'm trying to keep myself alive somehow. But tell me how was your journey? Exciting? I'm sure it was! Tell me everything!", Jabanijan walked back to his chair and sat down. "C'mon have a drink with me!"

"Umm maybe later. There is still something I have to do and...."

"Not having a drink with me....hmmm I see. Well, seems that you don't like me anymore huh?", the old man pulled out a pipe and lighted it up.

"Well it isn't that! I still like you doctor, you have been my doctor since I was small, but there are a fwe things I have to do until I can have a drink with you...", Kane answered and noded into the direction of the door behind him.

"I see, but maybe later? Umm by the way could you do me a favour?", the doctor began to smoke his pipe.

"Gladly. What is it?"

"I ran out of my tobacco, if you could get me some I would be very thankful. I'm not very good on foot anymore. Could you do that for me?" The old Man leaned back and pointed at his feet with his pipe.

"Sure, I'll be right back!", Kane walked to the table and the doctor gave him some money for the tobacco. Then he left the room.

As he left the room Yumi just finished bandaging Lan. "How is she doing?", Kane asked her.

"She'll be fine. Nothing serious. She'll be in top condition in a few days, but she has to keep it down a little. No straining action, good food and much sleep!"

"That's good to hear! Is she awake?", Kane walked to the bed and leaned over Lan. She was still sleeping.

"It seems that the marks on her back came from a whip! What happaned to her anyway?", Yumi asked with a concerend voice.

"That's a story I'll tell you some time later, Yumi.", Kane touched Lans cheek gantly with his hand to wake her up. "Hey, Lan. Hey, wake up."

"Wooo! Kane! How sweet!", Yumi loughed.

"STOP THAT YUMI! That's none of your business! By the way grandma told me to be nice to girls, so I am! There is nothing about it!", Kane yelled! He turned his head away from Yumi so she couldn't see that he was blushing.

Curse you Yumi! You know that I don't have any experience with women! Stop teasing me, damn it!

[larewen_evenstar]

Lan opened her eyes quickly, "What? Where? Who? What? Oh, it's you." Lan relaxed a little, "Where am I Kane? And who the hell is this?" lan sat up suddenly, making all the blood go straight to her head. She clutched at it until the pain went away.

"Kane," She asked quietly, "Why are you helping me? For all you know I could kill you, I am your enemy after all." Lan smiled a kind smile, which showed, that, even if she had to, she wouldn't kill him.

She began thinking of the princess. she couldn't get her out of her mind recently. For years she hadn't even thought about her, or even mentioned her, but now...now something was making her think about her. It pained Lan to think of what she had nearly done, and it pained her to think about the princess in general. Why was she haunted by this. What was this thing trying to tell her?

[theravenisdead]

The short encounter with 'Kane' had caught Nolan off guard, as well as Afura who had to pause for a second to recognize him.

"Wasnt he carrying a girl"? asked Afura.
"Ah.. Yeah. One with blueish hair." Nolan replied. "You know that guy?"

"He is the brother of the current Priestess of Fire."

Nolan raised an eyebrow "Exactly how many priestesses are there?" he asked curiously.

Unwilling to waste any more time, she decided to switch the topic. "It will all be explained soon. For now, we should head inside."

"Okay.." Glancing back at his car, Nolan began to wonder about its security. "Is my car safe here?" he asked.

"Oh yes. Nothing to worry about" she replied flippantly as she lead him through a passageway and into the halls of the palace. Nolan wasn't sure what to expect, but at the very least he could see that he wasn't in harm's way. At least so far.

(end post)
(anyone jump in!)

[executor82]

Kane smiled, "Well, it's because I couldn't tolerate the treatment. A girl like you shouldn't be treaten like that. You deserve to get a chance of betterment and a normal life. Even if you are my enemy. As you said before, it's not your fault." He sat down on the bed and looked her straight in the face. "And I knew you wouldn't harm me as I looked into your eyes. I just knew it. Don't ask me why."

"Ehm...", Yumi interrupted the conversation.

"Oh Yes! Lan, this is Yumi, the healeress and a good friend of mine.", Kane scratched the back of his head and blushed again.

Suddenly Yumi grabbed his arm and nuzzled him. "Yes we almost became a couple *giggle*! He is sooo cute!"

"Please Yumi! Could you stop that!? Don't tease me! I was young back then and I didn't know what I was thinking when...erm...forget it ok?"

"Awww, c'mon!", Yumi eyed Lan. "Well I think you should rest now. Are you hungry? I'll cook something if you are.", she smiled kindly. She stood up and walked over to the small kitchen.

"Oh, thank god!", Kane sighned. "Umm...well, if you don't mind. I have something to do and I'll leave you here for a moment. Wait for me, I'll be back soon. And don't worry, you're save here and Yumi is a really nice person, you'll see!", Kane stood up and walked to the door. As he opened it he turned around again. "And don't take her stories too serious! Most of them are untrue. There wasn't anything between us!" Then he left the clinic.

In fact I wish there was. She is still really something! Damn it! Why have I been so stupid back then?? Awww...hell!

Kane headed to the marketplace sunken in thoughts, not realizing the man who came towards him.

(It's your turn to step in Fuji   )

[larewen_evenstar]

"So..." Lan looked around, she could move again. That was an upside. "How did you two meet?"

"Well, it all started one romantic..." Lan cut her off,

"Don't answer that, I'll get Kane to answer it. You mentioned something about food. You know, I'm really starving. Could I have something please?"

"What? Uh, sure!" Yumi walked off, with a sort of spring in her step, towards the kitchen.

"You know," Lan stood up, her cloak waving around in the air as she did, "Kane is a pretty nice guy. He's helped even though he knows what the consequences may be." Lan walked towards the kitchen, "I respect him, I really do. It's hard not to respect someone who is as kind as that."

"I've known him nearly all my life," Yumi said, pouring something into a cup, "He's always helped people. I think the only one he hasn't helped is his sister." She smiled, then giggled. "He's also really cute."

"If you say so." Lan sat down on one of the chairs. "Why is it everyone is content with falling in love these days? It's not like everyone will. I never have. I don't think I ever will. I mean," Lan smiled to herself, "Who would go out with a criminal like me?"

"Hey, I'm a healer, not a love-counsiler! Why'd you tell me this stuff?"

"I don't know. I just feel like I need to say something, and then proove myself wrong some day." She laughed, "I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding someone." She stood up again, "I'd say Kane could get pretty attached to you!" She winked at Yumi.

"You really think so?" She said hopefully,

"That's for you to find out." Lan picked up a cup.

[panicpaladin]

Allan was on part of the Palace Structures near the Entrance, he had climbed up this since childhood... Allan was waiting there and just noticed that Lana and Kane had left the Palace, he didn't want to meet them again, he had already given a Goodbye. Then he waited a while, a minute or so, then he noticed Nolan was already here.

"Nolan!" shouted Allan, as he jumped off from where he was

"I was waiting for you, I don't have much else to do so I figure I'd stick you for a while,"

Allan also noticed the Priestess was still with Nolan.

"Oh... Hello again to you too, Afura." he added on

[Fujisawa4654]

"Hey, remember me?" I said, with a slight smirk. "Hey listen, I just want to appologise for... That whole prison incident. I just wasn't exactly thinking right uhh... Well listen they're gonna come after me as soon as this one guard regains concious, I'm sure of it, but I'm not sure about what your current state is... And the girl of course."

After that one long speech, I could tell that he was just waiting somewhat impatiently for me to finish talking. So I stopped and waited for a response.

[theravenisdead]

No sooner had Nolan and Afura begun their walk through the decadent hallways of the palace that they had run into a familiar face. "Allan?" Nolan blurted.

"Nolan!" He replied. "I was waiting for you, I dont have much else to do so i figure I'd stick around you for a while."

"That was fast" responded Nolan, to which he nodded.

Allan then turned to Afura "Hello again to you too, Afura"
She smiled "Welcome back, Sir Fairlight. It has been a long while, hasnt it?" To this, he simply nodded.

"Im sorry bout earlier mate, If i had offended you in anyway." said Nolan in an anxious tone as he took Allan's hand and shook it. "So, I guess I'll leave the directions to you two" Said Nolan, turning to face Afura again.

"Yes. Of course you are welcome to join us, Allan." said Afura, turning to face both him and Nolan.

Nolan popped the top of his bottle of Powerade and took a swig of it, before reseailing it. "Ahh... much better."

"By the way Nolan, what exactly is that you are drinking?" replied Afura curiously.

"Oh, nothing, Its just a sports drink. I had bought it earlier, well, back on Earth of course.." replied Nolan tentatively.

And with that, the Three began down a hallway, which lead them into a large open area, a grand ballroom of some kind figured Nolan as he admired the decor around them...

(ends post here. Jump in!)

[executor82]

"Well...never mind! You haven't seen the whole story so you decided automaticly as you saw that two suspicious people were facing some guards. But this time the guards were wrong! You haven't seen how they treated that poor girl! It was absolutely cruel and inhuman. So I decided to get her out of there and brought her here. But now it seems that I'am in big trouble, too. I never ment to injure that guards or even kill them. But as that happened it was already too late. I just can hope that they're not dead!", Kane replyed.

Then he pointed at the door behind him with his thumb. "If you have to hide too, I'd suggest you to get in there. There is another person you should apologize to. I have something to do now and will be back soon. By the way, my name is Kane.", he lifted his hand for shaking hands. A sure sign that he accepted the mans apologie....

[Fujisawa4654]

"Great, I'm Miles, I... Well I'm new here. Someone said something about me being an Earther, I'm guessing that means I came from Earth because I'm very sure this isn't earth. I can already tell that you need to go someplace, but I need to know what's here." I looked back at the medical clinic and I thought about who ever it was that I was supposed to appologise.

"If you can, meet me back in the medical clinic, I definitely need to get used to this place." I turned around and started to walk through the door, leaving Kane behind as he went away. Now to find the right room.

It wasn't hard to find the right room, there was one door that had broken hinges. I walked up to that door and on the placard next to the door, said "Dr. Jabanijan". I took a quick peek inside, there were 2 women, 1 was apparently the doctor, by the way she dressed, the other one.... The other one was the injured prisoner.

"Uhh, excuse me, Dr.Jabanijan?" I said, walking through the door. "Yes?" She replied back. She had shown her face to me and it was one of the most beautiful faces iv'e ever seen. I couldn't help but stare at her. "I just need to see this lady for a second." The girl started to turn her face, but once she caught eye of my face, she had a half-worried look.

[executor82]

Kane headed towards the markedplace. When he reached the place he saw that it was full of guards who were obviousely looking for someone. He hid in the shadows and watched the guards. They were looking for him and Lan. He couldn't read lips but the gestures of the guards seem to describe him carrying Lan on his hands. And then he saw someone else.....Calya!

Damn! Why is she here!? And she looks pretty grim! Well it looks like she had to pay the damages., he grined. But the fact that I helped a criminal to escape and two guards have been injured has to drive her mad! I better get out of here!

He sneaked away. Suddenly a little boy crossed his way and looked at him with big blue eyes. Kane stared at him and stoped moving. He put his finger on the lips to signalize the boy to keep quiet, but suddenly the boy started to  scream. "HERE! HERE I FOUND HIM! MOM! DAD! THAT'S THE MAN THE GUARDS ARE LOOKING FOR!!"

Kane started running! It was too late to do anything about the boy, but he could try to get away from there. He ran into an alley, jumped towards a wall and bounced to the other. This way he climbed up between the two walls until he reached the rooftop! The guards wouldn't be able to follow him this way but there was still one person who....

Suddenly a blow of fire hit his back and he was smashed down on the roof!

Ouch! Speak of the devil!, he thought as he slowly got up again.

"Are you completely nuts!? What's the great idea, breaking out, helping a criminal to escape and almost killing two guards! What the hell are you thinking??", Calya looked at him with a wild expression on her face. "And now I even have to pay the damages you have done!! You will pay for this!!"

"Calya! Let me explain...", but Calya cut of his words!

"No explainations! Get ready for payback!", Calya fired a bolt of fire at him.

Kane dodged the bolt by jumping up! "Ok! If you don't want to listen, I have to teach you a lesson first!!" The bolt exploded right below him.

Calya jumped up too and followed him!

Soo, Kane you want to have midair combat, huh? Well I know that's one of your best points, but this time you won't get me that easy, she smiled as she prepared
her following attack......