Breath of Ruin

You cannot slay what may never die. Affiliated with Citta Alveare

[fellgranddragon]

vanmindoraan [open]

[twintailhealer]

     ”I-I see!” She said in a somewhat loud voice, it was her attempt to sound happy and not nervous in the slightest. There was something about him that felt familiar, that coat of his. It looked a lot like Robin’s, but the Robin she knew was a woman.

    Maybe she was just thinking too much about it. There had to be others who would wear the same clothing as her! And marks… and… other things. Shaking her head, Lissa nodded her head and started to walk towards where the distracts would be.

     Or at least the entrance.

     It was quiet now though and she felt a little odd about that. There had to be something that she would do to liven up the mood. Maybe that why she could figure out why she felt so tensed.

     ”So… what’s your name? I’m Lissa,” she said and span around, hands behind her back as she started to walk backwards. The Princess would often check over her shoulder for anyone she might walk into.

[fellgranddragon]

The hooded man wondered if his familiar guide would be curious enough to ask his identity. Surely, no one would offer assistance to a complete stranger without asking their name. It didn't take long for Lissa to break the silence as they walked. The responses passed through the Fell Dragon's head, a list of falsehoods before his eyes.

Grima. The Fell Dragon. The hierophant of Plegia. Robin. However he answered, Lissa would know. It would be obvious from the moment he responded. A sigh escaped the vessel's mouth, glare hidden by his familiar hood. If he could only reach forward, choke the breath from Chrom's kin... his presence would be felt.

All in good time.

"...My name is..."

"Hold a moment. Your name is familiar to me."

Surely, a response like that was innocent enough.

[trythinkingcreatively-blog]

Flowing CrEaTiViTy [Ca Intro/Open]

[trythinkingcreatively-blog]

"Oh so I was right!? You’re a great scourge! A bringer of blight! Oh that sounds creative!~" Notepad winked. At least this cloaked figure seemed interested in what she had to offer. She had never had to showcase her talents before. The only ones to see her at her "full potential" where three unfortunate souls she decided to give a lesson on creativity to and Tony. "I guess your plan sounds…fun? I suppose it could be interesting in the long run!~”

Notepad turned back to the wall and admired the inky line she created with her palm. “Well I can’t quite impress you, if I don’t know what you like! I have a sense we are somewhat alike!” Notepad whipped around, her smile wider than before. Ink had began to ooze from the corner of her mouth. “I get that you like death and fear and what not! Oh I bet you have wonderful stories of battles you have fought!” She turns back around to her wall and smears her hands along it now in random directions. “I do nothing to impress. Not even down to the way I dress.”

Note whips around again more ink oozing, now also appearing out of the corners of her eyes. “I do things because I want~ And I do so while nonchalant. It’s a shame that people don’t understand my creative ways! Some even refuse to! But it does not put me in a daze~ I just go about giving them an idea or two~ Sometimes….forcefully.”

[fellgranddragon]

"Hmm... Yes. A scourge, indeed. It's been a while since I've heard that one."

There was no getting around the fact that this strange, feminine humanoid was... interesting. Her erratic behavior and penchant for violence was all too apparent, almost as much as the darkness leaking from her body. In contrast, he stayed silent and composed, merely observing the way she moved and acted. The Fell Dragon was already placing her in different situations, seeing the potential of her power inside his head.

Another break in her rhyming scheme. Another indication of what really rolled around in that head of hers. Her frightful appearance made for an almost amusing sight. Artistic or not, she exuded an aura of bloodlust. A need to terrorize. A means to send a message.

Now, why did that sound familiar?

"If you ask me, I'd say we have much more in common than either of us imagined. It was just a matter of thinking..."

"...creatively."

This couldn't possibly end well for the city, could it.

[fellgranddragon]

vanmindoraan [open]

[kokoroe-deactivated20140730]

The way he trailed behind her like some shy child was almost amusing, until he proceeded to wave away her question as if it were pointless. Really now, small talk may not have been her forte but it was what was expected of her here nonetheless. She didn’t know about this character, but Fumi herself was rather looking forward to the recollection of her abilities. It was almost irritating to be brushed off so nonchalantly.

"If it wasn’t important, I wouldn’t have asked. If I’m spending my time showing you around… You know what, never mind." As her features formed a frown she cut herself off, only to change course afterward.

"I should be used to this city’s inanity by now." Continuing forward at a brisk pace, she did continue to muse on the subject. Though the stranger’s way of carrying himself seemed to speak far differently of himself than his words; while hidden, he still seemed to manage portrayal of a certainty of self. That being what sparked her curiosity in the first place.

She didn’t like to believe her curiosity was misguided.

[fellgranddragon]

The determined hierophant must have appeared an annoyance. To refuse an introduction in such a manner, however, revealed much about himself. Much more than he would care to display. It was too late to take it back now, though. Grima could only maintain the holy hierophant guise for so long.

For a moment, the Fell Dragon considered abandoning this guide. There were plenty of others in this city who would take him to his destination without asking him any questions. Yet, it seemed to him that the girl in front of him had been in this city for a long while. In the long run, she might even prove useful.

"...By now?"

"What exactly do you mean by that?"

[fellgranddragon]

vanmindoraan [open]

[carosvojuvac]

The eerie silence would have unnerved most people. But Virgilia was not one who was affected easily by such things. Even so, what an ominous aura this man possessed. She’d alluded to it before already, but it was clearly something malevolent in nature, yet there seemed to be no real ill intent on the part of the male. Such a mysterious fellow he was and Virgilia couldn’t help but want to uncover whatever secrets it was he kept hidden. Beneath that hood and within his mind. It was hard to resist a good mystery, after all.

Upon hearing his name being uttered to her the witch replied with a contemplative hum. Surely not the kind of name she had been expecting. It seemed so plain for someone so interesting. Of course, there was always the possibility that he may have been lying. All secretive individuals do, if there was a need for them to hold back information. She didn’t say any of this, however.

"Robin, is it? A fairly ordinary name. Very well, Robin. I cannot say tyhat I am familiar with Plegiia, but it seems you hold quite the important position there. I had not taken you for a holy man upon seeing you first I must admit."

A hierophant. She hadn’t met many of those. It made her wonder just what sort of religion the man conformed to. Certainly not Christianity, given he bore no such crosses or symbols relating to Christ. There was also the possibility that he may have come from a world where they practiced entirely different forms of religion.

[fellgranddragon]

"...Many do not have that impression."

As the hierophant of the Grimleal, one might argue that he was no holy man at all. Indeed, could he be considered holy, when he preached the word of an apocalyptic dragon? When he urged his listeners to sacrifice themselves to satiate his own growing hunger? The Fell Dragon lowered his head, a dark smile hidden from view. 

They continued on in silence, Grima's arms stilled at his sides. Thoughts came and went with his footsteps. Fleeting ideas of grandeur, of reducing the city to rubble around him. Concepts that were out of his grasp, that were outside of the realm of possibility. As he was now, his destiny was far from being realized.

Annoyance settled into Grima the farther he walked. He hoped his guide would know the quickest way to get to the district, but he didn't expect it to be so far away from where he had stood before. A harshness mixed into his tone as he spoke up.

"How much further is this place?"

"I have little patience for this journey."

[fellgranddragon]

vanmindoraan [open]

[dollofmarble]

Well, the stranger was no talkative individual, that much was clear as they moved in silence through the streets of the City. The child did not know if this was due to an introverted personality or just the anxiety of being brought to an unfamiliar place. Normally, she did not mind the silence, but this one felt tense, as if there was something in the atmosphere that she couldn’t quite read. 

So she pointed out little details on the way, like some of the more recognizable buildings. It was an awkward mix of good intentions and an attempt to lighten the mood. Whether it worked or not remained to be seen.

As the name was uttered, she nodded slightly in response. “<Mister> Robin.” Simple enough to commit to mind, although seeing the male’s face would’ve been preferable. Still, even if she had seen others wearing a similar attire, she figured the brief encounter would suffice. “Though it’s late, allow me to welcome you to the CITY. Dlanor is my NAME.” Normally, an offer to assist him later, shall he need it, would follow, maybe it was best to leave a couple comments for later.

[fellgranddragon]

Small notes of the city's different places filled the gaps in between the sparse conversation. The hierophant's mouth never seemed to open. Subtle nods and the occasional sigh, but no words. This was no time for talking. The Fell Dragon aimed only to find his place. He was dragon in human form, barred from spreading his wings. Only Earthly things would concern him now.

His guide's name raised no concern. It was not of Ylisse, nor Plegia, nor anywhere else he had been before. There were secrets behind the name, but those would come in time.

"...Dlanor. Very well."

"How much further?"

[powerinblood]

Was this what it was like with the other Lords of Shadow in his time? Second guessing each other’s actions, wondering what their true intentions were, who’s hand would find their ways toward another’s throat. An uneasy truce is what kept them at bay in his homeland. He doubted with such company here, he would find that solace. Nor did he seek it. 

"Death means nothing in this land. Only a temporary reprieve from the world of the living and pain upon reawakening. Whatever you or your master wish to accomplish here, take into thought that our ‘caretakers’ were powerful enough to call upon you here and restrain you with ease."

[fellgranddragon]

Such a tenuous truce linked the two dark souls. Neither knew what the other was capable of. No knowledge of strengths, weaknesses, exploits. Rash action would result in failure. It was better to stand away from the crowd, to watch under the cover of Robin's hood, to play the part of an unholy messenger.

"...I am well aware of that. They have staved off ruination with their power. A great time will pass before they reap the fruits of their actions."

"When that time is finished, the Fell Dragon will be content with destroying this city, over and over again."

[lethalist]

A seriousness overtook the usual calm engulfing the bandit, lowering his visage to peer in disdain at the familiar foe before him. Not often did he take matters personally, but considering the source—reflecting upon all of the various journeys that he and the Shepherds had gone through, collectively, to fight against Grima—he could not help but to feel incited by the deity’s presence. Grabbing onto the hilt of his blade, a subtle grunt escaped his lips.

“If you didn’t have ties to Robin …”

“I wouldn’t hesitate to chop you down myself right now, free of charge. Looking at you is sending my sweet tooth on a frenzy.”

[fellgranddragon]

"Really? The end justifies the means. Does it really matter if your friend accepted his fate?"

Hostility thickened the air between the two. Standing before Gaius was the figure of his former friend, the body who had accepted his place in the world, the tactician who had accepted Grima. He pulled his hood back to reveal that familiar face. The face of Robin.

"Well, if there's ever a good time to strike, now would be it. Would you even try to hit me? Or would you let me go and spare the thought of killing your precious Robin?"

"That's what's wrong with you all. You and your pitiful sentiments. You put them over what must be done. It's the reason why I killed you the first time around."

[tactivism]

future past | [ @grima; ]

[tactivism]

    There was evil in his eyes. In his face, in his body language - everything. This man was pure evil and Morgan didn’t know what to do. Her legs felt heavy and she couldn’t run. She couldn’t move herself back or forward. Like concrete that had dried up, her legs were stuck.

    She couldn’t move. She was too afraid to move. She couldn’t even reach into her pocket for her stone. Nothing but fear washed over her. Her hands shook and she could feel her face pale.

    “I… I don’t want to tell you anything.”

    Morgan tried to regain control of her confidence. But she was a lousy liar. She was afraid of the man before him.

    “Y… You’re not… Father… I have nothing to tell…” Her words were lost.

[fellgranddragon]

It had been a while since Grima could feel this way. His existence, his very presence, struck fear into someone's heart. In the near future, Morgan would not be the only one to feel so afraid. A smirk made its way onto her father's face as he walked towards her. Control was his once more, and he wouldn't dare let it go so soon.

"Don't you recognize me, Morgan? It's me. Robin. Your father."

"...Do you know how tiring this ruse has become? I could kill to be half the god I was before..."

He stood in front of her, glaring down at her cowering frame. This was where he belonged, towering over the weak and mightless. The Fell Dragon knew it. She, along with the other Shepherds, were in this city. Maybe now would be a good time to send them a little message...

[fellgranddragon]

A little heads-up!

Finals week has started for me, so I'll be getting to as many replies as I can during the weekend!

[fellgranddragon]

((If you're fine with this, it's part of a dare.)) Sneaking up behind him, Senida tried to follow him without him knowing. Whether it worked or not, as he turned down the street, she would throw plastic spiders at him, not realizing that he looked like someone she had spoken to only once. Of course, she didn't know him, nor did she recognize him at the time as Grima. Oh...what a surprise she would be in for.

To walk the streets of the city on Sundays was a strange experience. The world seemed to thrive on this controlled chaos. Not that Grima would be a part of it. No, he was much too powerless to take advantage. It was best that he stay out of the way. No reason to be out and about and fall to death once more, right?

Ah, but someone would have to explain why plastic spiders were being thrown at him. Surely, the person at fault had something to say.

"…"

"Stop that. At once."

[vibrantflame-deactivated2014080]

Seeing him not give much of a reaction caused her to frown. That was what she had been going for. After all, she had been pretty bored as of late, and Sunday was the perfect day to rid herself of it with dares from the grey blobs. Taking a better look at her target, Senida felt no ill aura like she had with the demon who took her life. So for the moment, she felt nothing, although a shiver did go down her spine. However, even as she blamed it on the swift changes in temperature, the wizard would be a little on the cautious side. If only to avoid any payback the hooded male had in mind.

"You’re no fun…But I can’t refuse if you ask me to stop. I was only asked to do so once, after all. I’m sorry if I offended you, it was for a dare."

[fellgranddragon]

The plastic spiders were only a trivial distraction. Not enough to raise much ire from the Fell Dragon. His encounter with Lucina forced him to adapt to the city in many ways. Keeping him from announcing his almighty presence in an attempt to strike fear was one of them. Without any true abilities or weapons, he was merely the spirit of destruction in a mortal body.

"...Good."

"Now, get out of my sight."

[fellgranddragon]

((If you're fine with this, it's part of a dare.)) Sneaking up behind him, Senida tried to follow him without him knowing. Whether it worked or not, as he turned down the street, she would throw plastic spiders at him, not realizing that he looked like someone she had spoken to only once. Of course, she didn't know him, nor did she recognize him at the time as Grima. Oh...what a surprise she would be in for.

To walk the streets of the city on Sundays was a strange experience. The world seemed to thrive on this controlled chaos. Not that Grima would be a part of it. No, he was much too powerless to take advantage. It was best that he stay out of the way. No reason to be out and about and fall to death once more, right?

Ah, but someone would have to explain why plastic spiders were being thrown at him. Surely, the person at fault had something to say.

"..."

"Stop that. At once."

[trythinkingcreatively-blog]

Flowing CrEaTiViTy [Ca Intro/Open]

[trythinkingcreatively-blog]

She held her pencil held out in front of her, sharp point facing the stranger. If they weren’t going to be willingly creative, well she would just have to make them. Notepad adopted a menacing smile as she approached the the poor fool. Telling the manic notepad that they didn’t have time for creativity was an absolutely TERRIBLE idea. Her eyes became brighter again after the stranger decided to accept the creative flow. Whether they came to their senses or didn’t yet want to die was unknown. But the important thing is they changed their mind just in time.

"You accept?! I didn’t think you would be so adept (because you don’t look it)! I can show you all there is about being creative!" Notepad whirled around, a few sparkles falling off her dress in the process, scattering around her. "I assure you it’s quite impressive!" She tapped her pencil on her nose and black goo seemed to start to dribble from the corner of her mouth and eyes. This guy looked like he meant business so it was best to impress. Notepad runs to a wall and slams her hand against it, letting it slide down slowly while still staring back at the cloaked man.

She giggled softy, “you don’t seem like the normal CrEaTiVe type! I bet all you do is destroy and gripe!” She turned quickly to face the wall entirely, hair whipping about her. She began to draw with her hands. “Tell me friend, what is it you like? What kind of fear do you like to strike? For you look like a dastardly one! Especially upon seeing that cloak; you must like to hide from the sun! No?”

[fellgranddragon]

The stranger had started to approach with a short weapon, her face contorting with malicious intent. A mere refusal of her artistry had been enough to set her off the deep end. As fate would have it, the Fell Dragon's mouth had opened before serious harm could be attempted. Reverting to her energetic side, the woman continued to drone on in rhyme. In the countless millennia of his existence, Grima had yet to meet someone who only spoke as such. What a strange time period this was.

Beneath the hood, the Fell Dragon's eyes widened. This woman... No. This demon had a way of holding attention. Her erratic movements, the way her face was marred with mysterious, black ink... A psychosis that Grima could easily accept into his fold. He watched as she dragged her hands against a wall, a low hum of interest escaping from him.

And then, a slight laugh. This was bound to be good.

"Ah, you would be right. My sole purpose is destruction on a grand scale. The world will tremble and fall before me... in time, of course. I have done it once before. It will not be hard to do it again."

"Enough about me. I thought you might want to take this time to impress me further. It's quite rare I do these sorts of things. Spend this time wisely."

[divinevoices-deactivated2014031]

Grima trips over a rock. The FELL dragon.

[fellgranddragon]

I'm going to light you on fire.

My own personal TIKI torch.

[fellgranddragon]

vanmindoraan [open]

[kokoroe-deactivated20140730]

"Yeah, sure. Whatever."

She may have invited the responsibility upon herself, but that was only for the sake of observing the individual himself; it was perfectly within her rights to be unimpressed with the chore she’d taken on. Though her interest in said individual did happen to peak the slightest bit at his curt behaviour. In the presence of idiots, they would drawl on and on to her before she dumped the responsibility on some other poor passerby, hand-waving away their worries. This man, however…

Only a moment had passed for her to have these thoughts, and before long she was glancing each way to realign herself directionally. Taking of with quick, short steps in the direction that the stranger had asked to be lead, voice offhandedly asking him a question as she did so.

"And you are..?"

[fellgranddragon]

The hooded figure didn't seem to have a reaction to his new guide's almost apathetic response. Any indication of emotion was hidden in the shadow of his hood, in the silence of his movement. He trailed behind her slightly, allowing a reasonable distance to grow between them. Not enough to lose her completely, but to avoid conversation or questioning.

What a good job that gambit was.

Who was he? Good question. So many answers to choose from. Grima, the Fell Dragon. The Breath of Ruin. The Hierophant of Plegia. The list went on and on. What would he choose this time?

"...Not important."

"Continue forward. Time is wasting."

...Oh. That's a new one.

[tactivism]

future past | [ @grima; ]

[tactivism]

    He was stopping. That was a good sign, right?

    Her face brightened up quickly and she began to run towards him. It was hard to tell that it was indeed the fell dragon at first - their appearances were relatively the same and their voices were also the same, though the tone of the voice was often different.

    “Father! I’ve been looking all over for you! I have really great news to tell… You…”

    The closer she got, though, the obvious it became that something was wrong. There was an air around him, something that her father never gave her. This air was evil. Pure evil.

    Nothing like her father, or her mother. Especially her mother.

    “… Y-You…” She swallowed. This couldn’t be him. No, she didn’t want it to be him.

    “Y-You… F-Father… Fell…”

    Her words came out as broken sentences and she started to feel dizzy. She wanted to disappear, to have the ground swallow her whole. She didn’t want to be here.

[fellgranddragon]

And, as planned, the tactician's daughter approached. He could sense the spring in her step, the happiness and joy of finding a family member in such a vast city. How that hope would soon be crushed with a simple realization. It drained from the words that came out of her mouth, lost to the evil that surrounded Grima's vessel. When at last she began to understand, the Fell Dragon turned to face her. 

"And I thought you were happy to see me."

"What is it then, Morgan? What news do you have to tell me?"

The mocking tone in his voice was all too apparent. The figure before her was not her father. In body, perhaps. In mind and spirit? Perhaps not. Perhaps, in some dark corner of the tactician's corrupted mind, Morgan's father still existed. For now, in this universe, the Fell Dragon was in control.

Just the way it should be.

[fellgranddragon]

vanmindoraan [open]

[dollofmarble]

The initial lack of words, although perhaps to be expected in the situation, was no less disconcerting. For a moment Dlanor could only think that perhaps her offer had been too straight-forward, that maybe the person she wished to assist was taken back by her disposition. But really, she could argue it was in her nature to be this way; she was an angel, after all.

So while the male seemed to stare, so did she. Part of her still wished to be able to make out more of the male’s features, if only to try and guess what they were feeling. She did not pry, however, and simply straightened slightly at the bow she was offered.

"Though I’ve little doubt you could’ve reached your destination, it would give me peace of mind to do SO. Even more so if you’re new to this city, <Sir>." And truly it would, if only because she had been the one approached for help. And with a small motion, she requested the other to follow her as she started walking, though she made a point of not moving more than a couple steps ahead.

The lilac haired child wasn’t really one for small talk, but they had ways to go before even reaching Sector 02. “If I may ask, what’s your name, <sir>?”

[fellgranddragon]

Discretion was merely a part of the Fell Dragon's nature. Discretion and deception. To misdirect others was in his grand scheme. As if they were pawns in his larger strategy. Each act, carefully considered with the stolen mind of a tactician. The grand aim, after all, was the end of the world.

That would come in time, when he could rise from the ground and spread the wings of ruin once more. Until then, there were more mortal concerns to tend to.

Wordlessly, the hooded figure followed behind his guide. To others around them, the sight might have seemed strange. Two individuals, strangely clothed, moving through the city streets. What a stir that could cause.

He waited a moment before answering her question. The Fell Dragon had only been in the city a short time. No use in revealing himself so soon.

"..."

"...Robin. My name is Robin."

What a wonderful lie.

[fellgranddragon]

vanmindoraan [open]

[carosvojuvac]

The observer and the observed. This was the relation she share with most others upon meeting them. But it seems as though in this instance, both parties were observing the other. Curiosity on both ends, questioning the existence of one another. Well, bird of a feather flock together, as the popular saying went. But she could ponder thoughts of the man’s true nature at a later time.

With a nod at his approval the witch continued past him along the path she intended to travel before, expecting him to follow closely behind her. There were most likely a rare few who would allow themselves to show their back to him. Even if she didn’t know anything about him, his aura had a sort of feeling that made him seem untrustworthy. Which only added to the excitement of it all. So many experiences piling up one after the other. Surely she would never grow bored in a place like this with so many colorful characters.

"Perhaps the gentleman would share his name with me? It would be much easier to refer to you as such, after all."

[fellgranddragon]

The hooded man silently followed after his new guide, apathetic eyes staring forward. No display of emotion on either side of the spectrum. His reliance was based only in necessity. The woman before him was only a means to an end.

A rather petty end, but an end nonetheless.

He kept quiet for a few moments after her request. Surely, the Fell Dragon could give any name, and she would be none the wiser. He might give his true name and gauge her reaction. Deception appeared to be a matter of chance. Not that the risk was enough of a concern.

"…I am Robin, Hierophant of Plegia. Will that suffice?"

The name truly belonged to the Tactician of Ylisse. Now, the tactician belonged to Grima.