Post by The Radiant Dawn on Aug 15, 2014 1:05:55 GMT -5
Nightmares were almost preferable. Leona could at the least be comfortable in the knowledge that it was nothing but fantasy. It was what she had thought them to be, at first. To be forced to burn and slash through hordes of giant, merciless insects was something often confined to the realm of dreams alone. When she could still remember the details hours after she woke up and recognized figures from historical texts and scenes carved in marble that she had never seen before, she came to the realization that they were not nightmares. They were memories. The man who had experienced them two thousand years ago told her himself. What insanity it would seem to anyone. She suspected that she might well be going mad for a while, in fact. It was, of course, not true, but it was difficult to grasp at first.
She did not enjoy spending nights at the Institute much, she often slept little and wished that someone could have stood watch for her. Overcoming the barriers of xenophobia that had been so deeply drilled into her was difficult. There were only two in the Institute who shared Rakkor blood with her, and one of them wanted to kill her. She slept in her armor, something best not to make a habit of, considering how sore and ripely smelling it left her in the morning among other things, but she could not help but appreciate the feeling of security that steel plates gave her.
Her morning routine had been taken care of quickly, she had borrowed someone from the halls who might have been a summoner or just another employee of the Institute to assist her with removing her armor before bathing and with putting it on afterwards, ignoring how the man deliberately aimed to not be present when she disrobed and how nervous he seemed to be about it. Was he not aware that he too was naked under his clothing? Leona had nothing to occupy her that day, and so she was free to spend time with her thoughts, which was precisely what she intended to do.
There were a plethora of quiet spots surrounding the Institute, and she chose the forests, being a slightly unfamiliar but surprisingly comforting place to be. It was quiet, save for the clattering of Leona's armor every time she took a step, but the sound merely blended into the background for her. It was a place where she could be alone with her thoughts, and reflect upon the battle in which she had fought, even though it was two thousand years before her time. She let her thoughts wander, recalling the details with a degree of calm and the mind of a military tactician that could only be expected of a Rakkor. She had not considered that she might be trespassing, but her sword was always by her side and her guard was seldom lowered, even when in deep thought.
Post by The Animal Spirit on Aug 15, 2014 1:56:54 GMT -5
It was a distant sound. It was odd, there was no real description for it at this distance, but as Leona would walk deeper into the forest she would be able to say for sure what the sound was: Splashing. A lake was nearby, and whatever was splashing in its waters it was something large, and from its cadence, incredibly fast. What it was, one would have to investigate to find out.
The proof that the state is a creation of nature and prior to the individual is that the individual, when isolated, is not self-sufficing; and therefore he is like a part in relation to the whole. But he who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Aug 15, 2014 2:03:22 GMT -5
It was clear she was not alone. Lakes did not splash of their own accord, something large was causing the sound and it was not far off. Whatever it was, it would certainly be alerted to her approach if she were to get closer. Stealth was impossible with the clattering of her armor. Nevertheless, she elected to close in on the source of the noise. It would be best to discover it before it discovered her, and if circumstances were to be unfavorable, her sword was still clipped on at her side.
Post by The Animal Spirit on Aug 15, 2014 2:09:02 GMT -5
Leona would find a black gi and matching hakama folded up neatly on the lake's shore. Next to it was a pair of geta, with what appeared to be a white cloth bundled on top of it, accompanied by a thick bear pelt. If she looked outwards at the lake, she would see Udyr swimming a lap around the lake, his thick body propelling him out of the water as though he were a dolphin. He brought himself to the shore and stood up in the shallow waters. With a violent shake of his body Udyr shook out the majority of water off of him. His shoulders rolled forward which was followed by a prompt ignition. Fire circled him and lit up the night as he dried the rest of his body off.
It was then that the beastman noticed Leona. He gave her a nod, a grunt and moved towards his clothing.
The proof that the state is a creation of nature and prior to the individual is that the individual, when isolated, is not self-sufficing; and therefore he is like a part in relation to the whole. But he who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Aug 15, 2014 2:20:07 GMT -5
The clothes were an obvious enough indication that there was a person nearby. It was no bear, but whoever it was could almost be mistaken for one. Looking past the neatly folded clothes, Leona glanced upon the man that owned them. A familiar face, a champion, although Leona deliberately kept her knowledge of her fellows minimal. He swam as if he were a fish, born in water, naturally attuned to its element. Leaving the water, the man became an entirely different beast, a land dweller, the violent shaking of his body parallel with the behavior of almost any four legged creature with hair.
He had, surprisingly, not seemed to notice her until after she had seen him, the sound of his own rapid swimming likely overpowering the clattering of her armor. She nodded to him in turn, and stood idly as he went to get dressed. Her sword should not prove needed here.
Post by The Animal Spirit on Aug 15, 2014 2:23:25 GMT -5
Udyr grabbed the cloth that laid on his geta and unfolded it first, showing it to have a long cloth rope and the single sheet. With a few quick motions, he formed it into undergarments on his body. He gave the Solari Avatar a quick glance as he grunted, "Is there something you need?"
The proof that the state is a creation of nature and prior to the individual is that the individual, when isolated, is not self-sufficing; and therefore he is like a part in relation to the whole. But he who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Aug 15, 2014 2:29:21 GMT -5
"No, I came here searching for the source of the noise." She replied. She was expecting to be alone, but she truly knew little of the area. Udyr might not be the sole inhabitant of the forest, but so far, it seemed to only be the two of them there, aside from the animals for whom the forest was home.
Post by The Animal Spirit on Aug 15, 2014 19:59:21 GMT -5
Udyr gave Leona another nod as he grabbed his hakama, showing the prayer beads he had laid on top of his gi. He wrapped it around his waist followed by a thick cord. His fiery aura still pertained, and if Leona had not seen him set himself on fire numerous times before on a whim, she would have been surprised by the fact his clothing did not burn.
Udyr cocked an eyebrow and stared Leona in her eyes, tightening his stance ever so slightly. "Your curiosity has been sated and yet you are here. Are you not meant to still be set? Go back to rest," he said in a low growl. "You are meant to rise in scant minutes."
Whether the beast man intended a joke, an insult or anything of the sort was a near impossibility to decipher from his bluntness.
The proof that the state is a creation of nature and prior to the individual is that the individual, when isolated, is not self-sufficing; and therefore he is like a part in relation to the whole. But he who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Aug 15, 2014 21:31:29 GMT -5
"The sun already rises. I have had my rest." Leona met the man's eyes, perhaps not the wisest course of action, to meet eyes with one who was the embodiment of many spirits of wild animals, but a Rakkor did not leave the gaze of who he or she spoke to, for it may be taken as a sign of weakness. His stiffening of posture and blunt speech may have been a sign that she was not welcome, but Leona was not familiar with Udyr, and she could not wholly decipher the man's unique body language. She remained standing where she had been before, eyes still locked with Udyr, but aware that she may have to defend herself within less than a second's notice.
Post by The Animal Spirit on Aug 15, 2014 21:48:24 GMT -5
Udyr's nostrils flared. He pulled his body back and sprung at Leona, his left hand in front of his face while his right was poised to in a clawed position aimed at her throat. Instead of committing to the attack he pulled himself back, sending a wave of sand at Leona nearly at point blank range. Udyr continued to stare at Leona, his eyes golden and hawk-like as he did so when a spark of realization crossed his face. The flames that danced about his body flickered ever brighter, but rather than assaulting the Solari avatar, the beast man pulled back.
He rolled the prayer beads off his gi and fitted the clothing onto him before he put on his modest jewelry. Udyr shoved his feet into his geta before he grabbed his pelt and placed it on his head.
"Then your purpose is done here," he grunted, not looking Leona in the eye as he moved to walk away.
The proof that the state is a creation of nature and prior to the individual is that the individual, when isolated, is not self-sufficing; and therefore he is like a part in relation to the whole. But he who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Aug 15, 2014 21:59:17 GMT -5
Leona instantly snapped into a battle stance and positioned her left arm to block and counterattack Udyr's oncoming strike to give her time to draw her sword. With a rasp of steel, it shot out from the scabbard, ready to perform the bloody duty for which it was called upon. The strike never came. Udyr stopped before his fist launched forward and resumed his routine of clothing himself. Leona was confused. Why pose to start combat but pull back before the first blow? "You did not strike." She said, her gaze still locked on Udyr and in her guard position.
Post by The Animal Spirit on Aug 15, 2014 22:12:26 GMT -5
"No, we did not," Udyr replied as he cricked his neck. He raised his right and left hands, cracking his knuckles as he did so before he pointed at Leona. "Neither of you desired combat. It would be improper to assault you when an armistice is requested," the beast man gruffly stated. "However, do not issue a challenge unless you mean it. You almost made us commit an error."
The proof that the state is a creation of nature and prior to the individual is that the individual, when isolated, is not self-sufficing; and therefore he is like a part in relation to the whole. But he who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Aug 15, 2014 22:24:24 GMT -5
Neither of us? A challenge? Leona was further confused by what he said after what he had done. A challenge to her was a direct and verbal, and she had issued no call for him to defend himself. She was unaware what it was that she had done to challenge him. What was more puzzling was how he referred to her using the plural rather than singular. The man's odd behavior lead to her thinking that he might be delusional, but a man who swam like a dolphin in water but behaved like a bear on land was no ordinary being.
The explanation for his choice of pronoun came to her quickly. She knew how to control the sun without training. She experienced the memories of a man dead for over a thousand years. His very spirit had spoken to her. Anatolios. "You see something that nobody yet has. Explain what it is." Leona did not know how he could see it, whatever he saw. She needed an answer.
Post by The Animal Spirit on Aug 15, 2014 23:44:07 GMT -5
Udyr drew back, his nose wrinkled and stared at Leona. He tilted his head and snorted, "You do not know? How does the sun not know its own nature? That is stupid."
The beast man did not give Leona a chance to react to his initial statement and continued, "There is you," and motioned above her head, "And there is he. Just like we are I and I are we."
Udyr inhaled and stomped his right foot onto the ground. The wind howled, the sand underneath his geta turned to glass from the white flames that crackled from his body. With a sharp exhale he tugged at his belt, which resulted in fiery wings of orange, blue and white to spread out and span from his back. Leona could swear that his eyes would match the ethereal bird-like head that now crowned his head. "We are many but we are one. You are Leona but you have been crowned by the sun and by another. His might now emboldens your own, your will guides his fist, his knowledge sharpens your own. We see because we know how to see."
The flames died away and the phoenix dissipated. Udyr snorted and asked, "Is that sufficient?"
The proof that the state is a creation of nature and prior to the individual is that the individual, when isolated, is not self-sufficing; and therefore he is like a part in relation to the whole. But he who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Aug 16, 2014 0:52:03 GMT -5
The man put on an incredible display, almost assuming the form of a phoenix. His eyes burned like fire and spectral wings of flame sprouted from his back. In an instant, he returned to his previous form. It seemed a grand display for the point he was making, but it drove the point home. He confirmed her suspicions. His nature likely gave him sight to see those who also possessed more than just their own soul in their body. "Yes. It is appreciated." Leona imagined he likely did not care to hear her appreciation, but he did her a service and Leona was still learning the man.
Welcome to Maelstrom, Original Characters, Summoners and Champions alike. We are a divergent setting roleplay forum for the ever-popular MOBA by Riot, League of Legends. This means we are based in Riot canon, but your characters' actions can have a real, lasting impact on the world. Together, the Maelstrom community endeavors to bring the League of Legends setting and characters to life through collaborative storytelling and meaningful development. We welcome you along for the ride.
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