A Test of Character.

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A Test of Character.; CLOSED
Topic Started: Dec 27 2008, 04:56 PM (114 Views)
Tanathos	Dec 27 2008, 04:56 PM Post #1
Advanced Member Posts: 664 Group: Admin Member #3 Joined: February 17, 2007	Quote: Set over a year ago, right after Remembrance Festival Continued from here: http://s6.zetaboards.com/Shambala/topic/8519047/1/#new Winter was now here and the beautiful, gleaming plates of silvery armor burnt like ice against Richard's skin. God he hated this time of the year. He had been fortunate enough to have hidden well during the festival, else he'd probably be freezing six feet under right now, so he didn't complain as much as he usually did. The usually warm and colorful courtyard had turned pale and monotone, its myriad of flowers gone for a good three months at the very least. The place seemed bleak, just like the rest of Shambala and especially Alanis, which had suffered the most under the recent attacks. He wouldn't be seeing Alanis for a while now, not after today, as he was taking the new recruits for the legionnaires in their first tour of duty around the islands. He had come to the castle today to pick one of them up, Lady Cleira Avanguard, or "Clair" as he usually called her. Just as he started thinking of her, as if summoned by his thoughts, the small, yet anything-but-frail woman appeared from the tall doorway. Richard smirked. He had lost count of just how many times he'd tried to win her favors with his charms, only to be rejected over and over again. Still, Richard was always a good sport and a tireless hardhead when it came to chasing girls... and this girl specially made his blood burn with desire. "Good morning Clair, dear... So you had your first private meeting with the great king of Shambala, you must be so proud!" He didn't care to hide the hint of sarcasm in his words.



Kryssin	Dec 27 2008, 11:35 PM Post #2
The First Lady Knight Posts: 159 Group: Global Mod Member #68 Joined: December 9, 2008	As the Lady Knight walked into the courtyard, she silently glowered at the image of Richard Lancaster coming into view. Closing her eyes briefly, she talked to herself in her mind. Okay Cleira, keep your bearings. He's still your superior... But just as she heard his obnoxious voice, her thoughts broke into wishing the spineless chauvinist was not the one to be the guide for her first, as well as important mission. Not even the comfort of snow, a raining sign of her favorite season, could prevent her from rolling her eyes at Richard and restraining her voice from addressing him like the annoyed teenage girl she once was when she first met him. "It's Lady Cleira now, Richard...sir," she retorted, "And yes why I am very proud indeed. If you weren't proud at all serving the king, why I might just accuse you for treason," she said with equal sarcasm and bowed courteously before him, still keeping true to her respectful formalities. "So...will I really have to be stuck with you the whole time I go through all the islands? Or will you just drop me off and go galavanting somewhere until I finish my job?" Cleira sighed, avoiding looking at him by looking up into the snowy skies.



Tanathos	Jan 8 2009, 12:06 AM Post #3
Advanced Member Posts: 664 Group: Admin Member #3 Joined: February 17, 2007	"I'm disappointed at your attitude, Cleira...sir" Richard retorted with a serious face this time. "If you can't show the least respect for your leader how can you even be a Leggionaire at all?" The white knight started moving steadily towards her until they were face to face. "Here I was trying to be welcoming to you, trying to break the ice before a long journey and all I get in return is bitterness, sarcasm and disdain. Your behavior is childish and unnecessary, especially in such hard times for all Shambala..." He took a long look at her without saying a word, then added- "I think you have been spoiled for too long. You've never seen battle, never been out of Gaea even! How can you dare go out into the world and expect to be a good soldier if you can't even behave like a grown woman, much less a knight, much less a Legionnaire?" He looked away and shook his head. "I think I might have to go talk to the king and tell him you're not ready after all. When he asked my opinion I asked him to give you a chance because I believed in you... I think I was wrong."



Kryssin	Jan 8 2009, 01:30 AM Post #4
The First Lady Knight Posts: 159 Group: Global Mod Member #68 Joined: December 9, 2008	She tensed when Richard mentioned of a termination. Cleira was in a state of panic, befuddled by her actions as well as his domineering reply. Knowing his state of power quite well, she couldn't take any chances to lose her hard earned position. Slapping herself in the head, she reluctantly kneeled to her senior with head bowed low. She already lost count how many times he was able to make quiet her tongue just by using his rank. But he was right, she was acting childish, and positioned herself way too high after being knighted. "Forgive me my lord...I am ready. I have sworn it, and many times before I even entered these grounds." Interesting was he when he didn't answer back in his usual playful banter, yet she preferred the opposite. It taught her to remain honorable and humble, yet she knew what kind of man he was inside. Cleira rather though never mentions his faults in front of him, knowing well his ego and pride would never let him come down to her level. It just didn't seem possible. "I await your further instruction and guidance," she begged further in quiet and defeated monotone.



Tanathos	Jan 11 2009, 05:46 PM Post #5
Advanced Member Posts: 664 Group: Admin Member #3 Joined: February 17, 2007	And there she was, right at his feet again. And yet, it felt as if it was he himself who should be kneeling. He wouldn't admit it to himself, but there was something about this woman Richard admired, something which commanded respect, something he knew he could never aspire to achieve. It only made him angry, but there was nothing he could do about it, or the fact that as much as he could get her body to kneel before him, her heart never would. "Stand up." Richard turned his back to her, unable to look her in the eye. He was not in love, that was something Richard didn't think he was capable of, but he liked the girl. She was everything he was not and more, and deep inside he feared that one day she might take his position. But that was something he would ever allow. Not her, not anybody. "I don't need your outward displays. Whatever has happened between you and I in the past was nothing but child's play. You're not a girl anymore, nor am I the boy who always teased you. We are Royal Knights, protectors of the Crown and the Kingdom of Shambala, and we must behave as such." Pretty standard public-relations speech, but Clair was so naive that he knew she'd be touched and inspired. Sometimes he wondered how she'd ever manage to survive out there with that child-like innocence of hers. Richard turned around to face her, his face now relaxed and friendly. "But that doesn't mean we can't get along and be friends too."



Kryssin	Jan 11 2009, 07:06 PM Post #6
The First Lady Knight Posts: 159 Group: Global Mod Member #68 Joined: December 9, 2008	The young lady stood up by his command with a silenced tongue. Cleira took the lecture hard, like when her mentor and father figure Rorian used to make her feel under his discipline. Though she managed to pick up some of his more stubborn qualities, yet she remained pure and untainted, still quite like the aspiring child she was. At the mention of friendship, she could only nod, causing the light crown of snow on her head to shake off, joining the mound of flakes below their feet. She guessed there was nothing wrong with that. After all, Richard was the closest person she knew since Rorian's passing. Her face softened as it expressed bittersweet emotions, giving up her hard attitudes towards the headstrong knight just for a moment as she looked up towards the majesty of the haze that covered the castle spires that made it seem to blend into the sky. How long has it been since she entered these grounds? How much was she pushed by not only Richard, but the rest of the other nobles that strived for membership? How much did she have to prove herself time and time again, even after much ridicule and opposition from the bulk of society? Still, Cleira couldn't use that as an excuse for retaliating with embitterment. That would be just too immature. After a moment of reminiscing, she finally spoke aloud again. "If ever I had to give up my position, my pride and joy, if ever for the life of another, I'd even do it for you Lord Richard." She sighed, emitting a cloud of warm air that immediately vanished as she tried to smile back.



Tanathos	Jan 23 2009, 03:45 PM Post #7
Advanced Member Posts: 664 Group: Admin Member #3 Joined: February 17, 2007	Poor little Clair, gullible as ever. All Richard ever had to do was push the right buttons and she would act, speak... even think the way he wanted her to. Still, as manageable as she was, it was still impossible for him to break through her defenses. Or it had been so far. Now she was stuck with him for a very long time. They would roam the islands together and she would come to respect him as her leader and love him as a man... or at the very least as a lover. But all in due time. For now, he had to play the 'man of honor' card and gain her respect. Something he had been way too young and childish to accomplish when they'd first met years ago. But things had changed. "And would do the exact same for you, Cleira. I want you to know that life out there is much harsher; you need to be tougher than everyone to be able to gain their respect. The dangers are innumerable and we as Legionnaires need to watch each others backs and care... depend on each other at all times." Richard's face turned grave as he looked up to the infinite skyes with a solemn air, then turned his face to look at her again, his golden locks blowing in the cold wind dramatically. "I got your back, Cleira... and if I have to give my life for you on the field I won't hesitate."



Kryssin	Jan 23 2009, 05:54 PM Post #8
The First Lady Knight Posts: 159 Group: Global Mod Member #68 Joined: December 9, 2008	"As is it is written within the code of the Legionnaires, he (or she) who is sworn fealty to the lord is also as such to his (or her) comrade..." Cleira nodded. Protecting each other actually wasn't out of sympathetic feelings, but rather duty, and that is how she felt at the moment. Though she herself did not know of Richard's true intentions behind his words of valor, she accepted them graciously without objection so to test his manhood if the moment ever presented itself. Their conversations seem to felt like a game of chess, pulling and pushing with strategic words and expressions, seeing who would break their barriers or who would reel the other into their own, trapping them in a line of control. It was true, fate did not allow her to see battle outside these walls that is until now. Cleira had been considered very much inexperienced, and many were doubtful she could handle herself in such a situation. However that did not let her down. If there was anything she was good at, it was her defenses, physically, mentally, and emotionally. After years of pressure and disapproval of her desires, Cleira's will hardened as well as her body. There was no doubt she would have to boldly face imminent danger at any time or any moment, and was more than willing to bear whatever pain or suffering came to the people. The hidden scar on her back was testament to that reality. It was like an initiation to a world she barely stepped foot in, received by the king's very own soldiers. If even simple civilians would strike at the innocent, she could only imagine what sworn enemies of the kingdom would do to her if she didn't let her guard down. Still at times, Cleira's naivety would bring about the downfall of her initial defenses. "Well, are we about to embark on our march soon? Or must we stand idly just to watch the snow fall?" Anxious to see the other realms of Shambala, she shifted her feet in the snow. She was a patient woman, but this moment was too important for her to stand and do nothing but reminisce over old times.



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