Saleh

Great Dragon...it's...quite crowded. I had thought that the New Feather cycle would have been over by now.

[When Saleh wears himself out from trying to help people, he retreats into the forest to get some space. Feel free to run into him there as well.]

[Those who find Saleh carrying on his normal routine, either in the forest, by the fountain in the plaza, or training in the Battle Dome, will find that he bears a heavy heart. He had heard from Isaac that Julia has been sent back to her world. Saleh had been quite fond of her, and hoped to form a greater friendship with her. Now that she's gone, he'll miss her dearly.]

[Just as disturbing are Isaac's near-constant brutal threats. During his contemplation, Saleh will steel himself for the eventuality that he would be forced to fight Isaac again, and be ready to give his all to defend himself. Even if it leads to the Forgemaster's death, which would only bring him unbearable regret. But he must be prepared regardless.]

[He's sure there were other friends that Julia had made, so they have the right to know as well. So he'll make the announcement on the journals.]

For everyone who knew her...Julia LaForeze has returned to her world.

[Saleh picks up his journal, taking a deep breath for a rather...difficult announcement.]

Drusilla has returned from death. However...she can no longer feed by way of biting. Regardless...she still must feed to survive.

I suspect that many of you will be opposed to this...but I think...

[He pauses to reconsider his wording one more time. He doesn't want people to think he intends to force anyone to do anything.]

I want to.....I want to help keep her fed.

Hmm...it's been a while since I've had my clothes mended.

[He's been meaning to do so anyway, but the recent battle has cemented it now that there's a nice little rip on the front of his cape and shirt. Overall, the fabric has become worn, and the colors were getting dull. So he'll head on to the clothing shop to find something to wear in the meantime. There are certainly a lot of interesting clothes from different worlds here, so Saleh will spend quite a bit of time pulling out different garments and feeling the different fabrics. He pulls out some denim jeans...they look pretty tight. A tuxedo? Interesting, but it doesn't seem very comfortable either. So he continues to rummage through the different clothes.]

[It's February, and that love experiment should be coming up soon. Saleh would like to avoid it, but he's forgetting a rather important detail.]

That love holiday...what day was it again?

[Action/Locked to Isaac]

[As much as he'd like to avoid his journal, he doesn't cut himself off completely, in case an emergency arises. So he carries it with him as he goes into the forest for his daily communication with nature. So he sits in front of a tree, silently meditating and letting the world of nature fill his senses.]


[OOC: [As such, this post may contain triggers or otherwise disturbing/NSFW material.]

It has been a couple of weeks since the New Feather cycle began. I trust all of the new arrivals have gotten settled in by now? I am still keeping a regular watch in the forest to aid those who are lost.

For now, I shall take a night or two to camp by the lake. I'll have my journal with me in case anyone needs to contact me. Also, anyone is welcome to join me if they wish.

[True to his word, Saleh is setting up his tent and bonfire by the lake. He'll sit beside the bonfire, facing the lake, just taking in all the nature around him. Beautiful...]

[After what feels like an eternity, Saleh finally awakens. His body feels like a deadweight, as he finds it incredibly difficult to move. Looking around, he manages to make out the entrance to the tunnels nearby. Does this mean it's over?]

[Slowly, he reaches into his robes and pulls out his journal, letting it fall open beside him. He takes a moment to gather what little strength he has to call out to the network.]

I...I need help...at the tunnels... Rydia...anyone... please...

[Hopefully that should do it. With that done, Saleh lets himself fall limp on the ground. As he waits, he attempts to take in the sights and sounds of the forest around him. His eyes are difficult to keep open, though, so he closes them softly, just taking in the sounds.]

"Little Red Riding Hood"...I hadn't heard of it before, and yet it seems so significant. [Or maybe just famous.]

It was as though I was forced to act out a role of sorts.

[Someone seems somewhat awkward with public announcements today.]

Good day, everyone. I'm sure you've all heard Lady Rydia's recent announcement. I am one of the scouts that she mentioned; I patrol the forest regularly, especially during a New Feather cycle. If you have need of guidance to the village, please contact me or anyone from the Welcome Center.

[There's a long pause before he moves to the next subject on his mind.]

Marriage...it is a strong and serious commitment, from what I understand. How does one build a relationship to that level? How long does it take? It has to be much different from a simple duty.

[Wait, what is he doing?]

Ah...I'm not even certain why I'm asking. Pay me no mind...

[But feel free to answer the question anyway...]

[Between the constant strife of assisting New Feathers, assisting abductees upon their return, and enduring the village-wide experiments, Saleh is just plain worn out.]

I'm tired...so tired. Great Dragon, forgive me if I have need of a break. Just some time away to clear my mind and refresh my soul. How exactly does one do that?

[Backdated to the afternoon.]

Most of the new arrivals should be settled in by now. I still wish to journey into the mountains again, but I would expect another experiment to happen again soon. So the beginning of the next month would be a more suitable time. Perhaps I could use a vacation...

If there are any new arrivals still in the forest who need assistance, contact me, and I can lead you to the village.

[And Saleh will patrol the forest, occasionally shooting a longing glance in the direction of the mountains...]

[Seeing and hearing everyone reacting to their transformation has Saleh in a slight panic himself.]

What in the world…?

What is happening in the village?

[OOC: He's unaffected, so this is my "freak him out with your transformations" post.]

[Saleh's been hearing this holiday mentioned a lot lately, so he might as well learn more about it. He'll take any chance to expand his knowledge.]

…Valentine's Day? It seems like a holiday that many worlds share. I am curious…what exactly does it entail? What is the origin?

[Saleh has gotten himself a gift from the gold statue in the plaza, and is quite puzzled.]

…This is certainly a history book from Magvel…but how did it come to this world?

There is very little mention of the Great Dragon. It fascinates me how tales of the past can become so distorted in the sands of time.

[This draft certainly did not go well as far as Saleh was concerned. He had a plan to stick with a group and fight together. They've made their mistakes, they became separated, and it had cost them dearly. Kain and Rydia had lost their lives, and the group lost two companions. Saleh has his own guilt to bear, the guilt of a broken promise.]

Cecil…I'm sorry. I've failed in my promise to look after your son…

Kain and Rydia...this should not have happened.

[He would follow with, "Forgive me," but how can he even ask forgiveness from a father who could have lost his kid because he was so careless as to let said kid run off like a rambunctious puppy?]

[Saleh has had his drinking binge, and now he's paying for it. Those who look into their journal would see him in their little camera window, sitting on the edge of his bed with his head buried into his hands. A pitiful groan can be heard.]

Ugh…I feel hideous…

[It's much worse when one has never drunken before. What would Gerik think if he saw this?]

It would seem that newcomers are arriving once again. Is everyone settling in well? Does anyone need assistance?

Rydia is still missing, is she not? Is anyone watching over the Welcome Center in her absence?

[Someone sounds rather tired today. Quiet yet heavy breathing can be heard in between his sentences.]

I certainly am relieved to see the monsters gone…the village is slowly repairing itself, and food supplies being restored. However, I cannot help the feeling that something is still amiss…

[ooc: And another unaffected! Have fun confusing him.]

[Saleh has something he would like to say to the draftees.]

To everyone who will be leaving to face the Third Party, I pray for your safety and for your success.

[OOC: Yes, short entry is short, while I work on a longer, deeper, (hopefully) more meaningful entry for Jay.]

[The journal is open, the recording starts silently…but soon heavy footsteps can be heard and getting louder and louder. And then a loud sound of doors being forced open is heard.]

Wh…What are you—

Stay back!

[A heart-pounding clap of thunder muffles the sounds of the struggle. The sound of thunder fades away, giving way to silence once again.]

[ooc: I seem to be failing with both of my characters' threads this month, and with so many people away for the weekend, perhaps I need a break. lucetijay will be sticking around due to the upcoming draft, and I may tag around with him if his voice returns. I hope my RP drive will be back when I get home from my vacation. *Is a little homesick…*

[Now that the Tease assault was beginning to die down, Saleh finally makes it home to rest himself.]

Raining trees. Carnivorous butterflies. I hear tell that these things are unusual, even for this world. The short timespan between such events is also uncommon.

Is everyone well?

[While he's at it, he should check up on his only fellow Magvel citizen, especially in light of all this, and because they haven't spoken since he'd first arrived.]

Prince Ephraim. How are you holding up?

[It sure is cold up in the mountains on this rainy day. Saleh considers himself fortunate to have located his normal sage robes shortly upon awakening in this world. He ducks into the nearest cave to get out of the rain and catch his breath.]

Gerik? Ewan? Elder? Where is everyone? Or rather, what happened to me?

[A short pause.]

This is not Caer Pelyn. Great Dragon…