Skip to main content

Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Bound by Fate

Ross Laforette (played by Ruu)

Sixteen hours. Sixteen hours of continuous work for nothing. The research of the variations of the Ether ended in nothing but a lame failure. Why? He had followed the procedures, he had checked the materia and he had even been awake for a whole night to take note of every single reaction the experiment caused! He didn't know what was wrong. Maybe if he stabilized the feeder, or...maybe if he let the valves cool down a bit...Yes, that was probably the source of the problem. That was, until a knock on the heavy steel plated door could be heard. "...Come in." Was all the young man said, too busy to even turn around.

The Southern Codex, the newest pride of the ACB, stood up as soon as that door was pushed open, dressed in a simple black sleeveles t-shirt, and mechanical loose blue suit that was meant to cover most of his body, but the sleeves of the arms were wrapped around his waist, holding it there ad making it look like a regular pair of overalls, while a pair of black boots covered his feet. To the eyes of anyone, the guy would look like a novice mechanic....but he wasn't. That bright pair of orange eyes beamed at the distance, covered slightly by those streaks of onyx colored hair, while droplets of pearly sweat ran down his forehad, to his jawline, and finally the floor. "...Yes?" Hurried the young man after watching the ACB worker just standing there, not saying anything.

"Oh...Uhm...I was ordered to deliver a message, Sir. It's from Lady Delacroix." Informed the slightly older man, this one being obviously taller, wearing the usual uniform of the soldiers of the ACB, with consisted in a black sleeveless t-shirt, with a white militar suit, and a handful of blue decorations. The look in those orange eyes told the soldier that he better hurried to say what he was supposed to say, wich he did. "S-Sir! Lady Delacroix demmands that you should take a rest, Sir!" Quickly spoke him, even taking a formal stance. Seriously? That woman had the...impudence to order such thing? Resigned, the young man simply sighed, and dismissed the soldier with a simple gesture of his right hand. "...Tell her that I'm going out to grab a snack, but as soon as I'm done, I'll be back." Muttered he,frowning slightly as he dropped the pair of heat ressistant glooves that covered his hands, and place them over the tool desk, just to turn off the engine of the Ether capsule, and walk out of the room.

The change in the temperature could be felt almost instantly. That small lab could be best described as a sauna, and the outside was fairly cool. Wipping his forehead and begining to walk once again, his feet leaded the man towards the exit, needing to cover his eyes with the back of his left palm as the light of the sun blinded him. Had he been underground too long? It seemed so. It didn't took too much for him to get lost in the cheerful crowd of Tanosia, the people around him quickly brining a smile to his lips, since it was always a reminder of what he was working for. Even so, he just couldn't get lost in his thoughts, for the distinctive sound of music from across the place caught his attention. Following it, he stumbled upon the main plaza, where a crowd had gathered around the fountain. Excusing himself and trying to look what was happening, he stumbled upon a small group of bards, displaying a function for the people to enjoy. It was indeed a mouthful of fresh air, and...even something else. He was, simply put, dazzled as soon as his eyes laid upon an eye-catching dancer, with pink, bright hair, dancing and twirling around the place. It was graceful...smooth...Even glorious, and it was almost as if the young man was bewitched by the steps taken by that girl.
Aurora danced around to the music of her fellow bards, the skirt of her dress fluttering around like the wings of the butterfly that was on the front of her dress. She danced without reservation, without worry or care, free and easy like the breeze that blew lightly past them. As the tempo increased and the end of the song neared, her dancing grew more fervent, her arms swirling around to match the grace and beauty of her legs. Each movement was fluid and smooth, like water. And in fact, little droplets of water suddenly started following her hand, creating a beautiful effect to her dancing. She twirled and spun, the droplets following each movement of her hands and creating gorgeous patterns.

The music reached its climax and suddenly stopped! And with it, stopped the dancer, throwing her hands up in the air to have little water droplets rain down for only a moment upon her. She was out of breath, but smiling happily. Everyone was clapping, and they each took a few bows. Aurora noticed the young man looking at her and she smiled warmly at him.
Ross Laforette (played by Ruu) Topic Starter

One of the many things that the young man couldn't do, was dance. Even so, he didn't felt envious. It was hard for him to imagine himself dancing with such grace. He would fall face-first at the start of his routine, more than once. Even so, his eyes quickly caught a small detail from the girl. While the crowd clapped and wowed at the show of the water being used for the dance, he knew what was behind it. She was a caster...but....she was not with the ACB. A lot of thoughts began to run inside his mind, yet he was fully focused on the bards. Should he tell his fellow companions about this girl, or...should he leave her alone? She seemed to be happy, and the rough world of the brotherhood could do her just too much harm.

Laughing and clapping fervishly once it was over, the man began to walk closer as soon as the girl smiled to him, not helping himself but to establish a conversation. "smooth, beautiful moves you have, miss!" Said he while still clapping, just to stop until he was before her. "I'm Ross, it's so very nice to meet you. Is your name as gracious and beautiful as your skills?" The young man exaggerated, clearly doing so as he chuckled and eve made a courteous bow, while a hand was offered in a greeting manner.
Aurora looked at the man that approached her, and her fellow bards nudged her towards him. "C'mon, Aura, have some fun! Adam's not around so let loose a little." they murmured to her, winking. Aurora would smile and step down, giving a graceful curtsy to the man. "I am glad you enjoyed the performance! It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. My name is Aurora Alataire, and I hope it is to your liking."

She giggled softly and would step aside from the crowd, a hand gesturing to draw him with her. "Would you perhaps like to catch a drink with me, Mr. Ross? I am in desperate need of one after such an exerting task."
Ross Laforette (played by Ruu) Topic Starter

The young man simply couldn't tell what was more distracting. Her voice, or her movements? The poor guy simply smiled back and nodded as soon as he heard the words 'need' and 'drink'. "Oh...W-why yes, sure! My treat, Miss Alataire. It's the least I could do to show my appreciation." Replied he with a kind smile, begining to walk with her as soon as he was 'asked' to do so my that hand.

As he began to walk by her side, his mind screamed for questions to be replied. "...So!" He finally spoke. "I could easily tell that you guys are not from here. I've always lived in this town, so my guess is you guys are traveling bards, perhaps?" He inquired, wanting to know a little more about this...girl. He didn't know if it was good to tell her who he was. It was already obvious that she didn't knew, unless it was a play. If it was....Damn, she was pretty good at it.
Aurora smiled happily and walked along with him. "Thank you, Mr. Ross. That is quite kind of you." She chuckled softly at his question and gave a light, graceful nod. "Indeed, you are correct! My friends and I travel together as a group. We make money by putting on performances like the one you just witnessed. We are always trying to make our performances better, so I am glad you enjoyed it."

She had no idea what company she was keeping. It was certainly obvious. "It is no surprise that you don't recognize us, Mr. Ross, if you have lived in this area for so long. You must know everyone by now." She giggled lightly, and once they reached their destination she would go inside with him and find a seat, settling herself in it with as much grace as she used to dance on stage.
Ross Laforette (played by Ruu) Topic Starter

The man shook his head a couple of times, smiling all the way, seeming like the flatter was funny to him. "Oh, please. I'm just doing what is right." Simply said he, entering the place, wich actually was the restaurant of the Town's Inn. "I see. So, you must have seen a lot of places with your friends. I've never had the chance to travel around the continent, but before my time comes, I will." Ross explained, slightly turning around to find one of the waiters, and once their eyes met, he simply lifted two fingers, asking for a couple of his favorite drinks.

At this, it was clear that what she had said was one hundred percent right. "Oh, you think so?" He teased with a chuckle, two glasses filled with cold, sugary tea reaching the table a couple of minutes later. "It is good, but it can be bat at times as well. I do not enjoy the overapreciation some civilians pay to their officers." The man said, hinting a little bit as to what he did for a living. Well, maybe she didn't know who he was...but she HAD to know about the ACB in the least.
(I'm in chat if you have time x3)

Aurora would smile and nod as he spoke of seeing many places. "I have! It is wonderful, a wonderful thing to see so many unique, diverse places." She would let him order for her, settled comfortably in her seat. "I'm quite certain." she said with a warm smile. She would take the glass and sip at it lightly. "Mmmm...this is delicious! It is perfect." Aurora listened to him, quirking an eye slightly at his words. "Overappreciation? You do not enjoy it?" She chuckled. "That is something I never expected a man to hear." Her head tilted slightly to one side in an attractive way, a curious look on her face. "But what do you do, that you would speak of officers?"

Oh, she knew about the ACB, but she did not know that he was one of them. The dancer was not knowledgeable about the more governmental of things.
Ross Laforette (played by Ruu) Topic Starter

(Oh hai Celes :3)

Oh, the irony. She was right, he had to admit. Something every man desired was to be looked upon by everyone...except him. He hated to be 'worshipped'. He wanted to be just a normal citizen, thing that was taken from him when he was just six years old.

"I' glad you like it." Said he with a faint smile, clearly biting on his lower lip, a signal that he was nervous. "Well, I may be the only one who thinks that way, although, anyone in my place would say the same." He admitted with a little shrug of his shoulders, leaning his back against the chair. "I was trying to throw some hints at you, but, given the case that you have no clue, I'll say it straight. I'm the Southern Codex, Miss Alataire. I am the pride and joy of the Confederated brotherhood, you could say." He explained, thinking that it was best to say it there than never. "And, as I hope you have noticed, Power hasn't filled my head. I'm just a man, trying to earn a living." He laughed then, chugging half of his glass in anxiety.
Aurora took another sip of her drink, but as he spoke she spit it right back out into the glass to avoid choking. She coughed slightly and took a cloth to wipe at her mouth daintily. "I apologize, that was rude of me. Your statement simply caught me by surprise." She cleared her throat a little bit. Of all the people available for her to meet, this one had to be in the ACB. "I'm sure you are quite pleased with that title." she said calmly, giving him a slight smile. "One does not have to be boastful to be proud of oneself." She would carefully sip from her drink this time, trying to remain as natural as possible.

"What brings you out around the main square, Mr. Ross?"
Ross Laforette (played by Ruu) Topic Starter

Even if he tried to say it smoothly, she would have still been surprised, and he hated that reaction, but....he couldn't help but snort against his right hand, trying to cover his smile as it was just too funny. "No, no. I am the one who has to apologize. I should not have said such thing while you were drinking. My bad, I am so sorry!" He said between short laughs, slowly stopping as she kept speaking.

"Hah. Proud of something I didn't want? I doubt it. I was taken from my family when I was six, and saw them once again when I was eighteen. I lost too many years without my parents, and that is a regret I will always carry with me." The man spoke, sighing and finnishing his glass, leaving it on the table with a small thump, just to look into her eyes once again, and show a toothy grin. "Please, Miss Alataire, don't call me Mr. It makes me feel old." He complained, laughing a little, but it slowly began to fade. "Now...I need to tell you something. Although your performance was simply beautiful, I would be more discreet about it." He said, this time speaking a little low as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table to make the conversation a little more...personal.

"You're not a registered Caster." He said, bluntly, and not smiling. "It could get you in a LOT of trouble, you know? For starters...you could get taken away from your group, and forced to follow an annoying list of procedures. Even so, no Caster saw you today, so...I don't think there is any kind of risk for you." Ross said, rising his voice once again, and smiling, a little wink letting the girl know that he wouldn't seel her out to the ones he had to work for.
Aurora chuckled softly and smiled, blushing a little. "It was both our faults, hm?" When he spoke of being taken from his parents, that smile slipped from her face. "I am sorry. That is a shame indeed." When he mentioned calling him Mr, she chuckled, "If I cannot call you Mr, then you cannot call me Miss, hm? Deal?" As he turned the conversation to more serious matters, she listened calmly.

When he finished, she smiled softly. "I'm not sure I know what you're talking about, M-- Ross. I'm not a Caster at all. Being in a group like I am in, for such a long time, you learn a few tricks. Your concern is appreciated, but unnecessary. I am not a Caster." She was lying through her teeth, but with such a gentle smile. This was survival, though. Something she had done before and again. It was not the first time she had been confronted. An entire story had been woven to protect her secret. A story that each member of her group adhered to as well. "I've always wondered what it is like, being a Caster. Perhaps you could tell me?"
Ross Laforette (played by Ruu) Topic Starter

Ross simply smiled, and nodded a single time. "Deal, Aurora." Said, he, yet this time his words were serious, as if not believing her. Even so, if she had the motives to hide that she was a Caster, thing that was obvious, he would not stick his nose in them. "Hey, it's okay, you don't need to say it too many times. I believe you. I am sorry for saying such thing without enough proof." Replied him in return, smiling once she wasked what it would feel like to be a Caster.

closing his right hand in a fist and simply lifting his index finger, as in a gesture for her to be attentive, the Southern Codex moved his other hand as if he wanted to grab the empty glass of tea, but the hand stopped a couple of inches away. Act followed, he began to move said palm away, and with it, the many droplets of water that were running down the outside of the crystal! Those beads of water began to spin around his fingers, slowly fusing with the rest, until a bigger drop was formed, and it slowly turned into an ice cube, the heavy object falling on his palm, and amazingly enough, not melting! "This is what it feels like to be a caster." He said with a soft smile, placing the cube on the table, thing that almost instantly melted, and pooled down. "Even so, Casters have their limits. We cannot bend the materia permanently, just as I showed you. Water is water, and it won't stay as ice because I want to, but I can slow the process...Just like you did, turning those small droplets into a short rain, but oh, don't mind me, probably it was just a mirage." The officer inquired, seeming like he wanted to push those buttons a little more, although he was not interested anymore in making her confess.
Aurora listened to him, watching intently with what he did. When he mentioned what she did, she chuckled softly. "Not a mirage, Ross, but simply a trick of the eye, hm?" She would finish her drink. "This is really delicious, Ross. What is it?" Before any comments could be made, however, someone came into the building and walked right over, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Aurora." The man was tall, mid-twenties and burly. Aurora looked down at the table for a few moments, then gazed up at the man. "Yes, Adam?" she asked calmly. Ross would be able to notice, however, how her expression changed. A slight smile was still on her face, but it was nothing like the ones she had given before.

"What are you doing?" His eyes shot accusingly to Ross, though he was still talking to Aurora. "I'm talking. Would you like to join us?" His hand moved from her shoulder and took hers, lifting her up to her feet. "No. We're going back to the others, now." he said firmly. Aurora glanced at Ross, then looked away. "Alright." she said quietly. And without even a goodbye, she was pulled out of the inn.
Ross Laforette (played by Ruu) Topic Starter

Ross was just about to explain, until he saw that person coming inside the Inn, firmly placing a hand on the shoulder of the girl, the Caster quickly noticing the change in her mood. One of the many things he didn't tolerate, was seeing people being pulled and pushed around, even if it was for their own good. There was no need for that roughness, and it should be a crime to mistreat such a sweet girl like Aurora.

Standing up as soon as she was pulled away and forced outside the Inn, Ross jogged to try and reach them, just to suddenly place a palm, firmly, over one of the shoulders of the so called Adam, with enough grip to make him stop. "Hey, sir?" He began with a calm tone. "As the lady said, we were just chatting. Was it necessary to be rough?" He inquired, his voice becoming firmer by the second as he didn't even blink.
Aurora stared at Ross for a moment, then touched Adam's arm as he glared at Ross. "Adam, let's leave the fine officer to his duties.." she said, trying to hint to Adam that this wasn't just a typical man. Adam let go of her hand, only to put his arm around her and pull her against him. "I wasn't being rough." he said with a scowl. "Aurora is mine. She doesn't need to be chatting with someone like you. Now leave us alone." His hold on Aurora was quite possessive.

Aurora gave a slight smile, hoping perhaps that Ross would be dissuaded and not pick a fight. A fight between these two would be bad. Very bad. Adam would pull his shoulder away from Ross, and start walking again.
Ross Laforette (played by Ruu) Topic Starter

Someone like him? SOMEONE like him? If it weren't for Aurora, Ross would be having a serious 'conversation' with that rude individual at the moment, but he simply kept his mouth shut, and placed both of his hands over his hips, a frown slowly growing in his face as it was clear that the young man didn't like the tone Adam was using, slowly begining to walk towards them, and stop almost immediately. He would stay calm, for Aurora.

Even so, he felt a little bad as they walked away. He didn't wanted to make an scene, for the sake of Aurora. By what Adam said, Aurora was his, but...was it true? He didn't know, and truth be told, it pained him a bit. He should have seen that coming. Such a pretty girl must have had someone special already. "I'm an IDIOT." Murmured Ross against his teeth as he began to stomp his way towards the Temple, muttering inaudible words all the way through the crowd.
The next morning, Ross would be drawn out of the Temple by someone reporting quite the ruckus. A fight. Apparently, the bards that were in town were causing trouble. When Ross arrived at the scene he was led to, he would find a group of civilian men and the group of bards fighting. Aurora was being shielded by one of her friends, but her cheek was black and blue. Adam, however, seemed to be fighting both civilian men AND the bards. He was holding his own in the fight quite easily.

When Aurora saw Ross, she managed to slip past the people and run to him. "Ross! Please, you have to help us! Someone's going to die if this fight keeps going!" Tears were in her eyes. She had wanted so badly to stop the fight on her own, but there were way too many witnesses. She would be labeled a Caster in front of everyone. "Please. Please help them." she begged.
Ross Laforette (played by Ruu) Topic Starter

Ross barely had a nice night of rest, and now what? a fight in the plaza? The man lazily yawned and got up to his feet, slowly slipping his feet inside the militar boots, until...the thought of Aurora and the bards hit him like a bag full of bricks. The plaza! She was there! Quickly, Ross snatched his vest from the feet of the bed, and ran out of the rest room while slipping himself inside of it, evading the other officers as Ross made it seem like he was running for his life. It didn't took him too much to reach the place...and as soon as he saw that bruise over Aurora's cheek...Well, that was more than enough.

"...Go inside the Inn, and tell the barman you know me. DON'T come out until I personally go there looking for you. Understood?" He said, placing both palms over her shoulders as he softly moved her in the direction of the Inn. "I promise no one will die today!" He shouted, begining to run towards the moshpit.

"Stop!" He shouted. "...Stop!!" He shouted once again, and still, no one paid attention to him. "...I said....STOP!!!" The young man screamed to the top of his lungs, stretching his arms high, and begin to motion them as if he were pulling on an invisible rope, the water of the fountain oddly begining to react, until a massive rope of water wrapped around the entire fighting crew, pulling and pushing them all together, with enough grip to stop every single person from moving. To make sure that no one would try to hurt the nearest person they had, another ring of water tightened around both wrists of the crowd, ensuring NO ONE could move. Once the right precautions were taken, the Southern Codex jumped up to stand on the top of the fountain, trying to see where Adam was, and the rest of the bards. Thankfully, the group was not too big, and they were easy to spot, now gesturing with his hands to pull them up by their wrists, and out of the bound gang. "You guys stay here. Soldier! Call Lady Delacroix immediately, and request reinforcements, NOW!" He shouted to the nearest ACB soldier, just to make a dismiss gesture with his palms, wich left the wrists of the bards free. "Start explaining. What the heck happened there?" Ross then asked, the cold tone of his voice showing that he wasn't on their side.
Aurora was obviously hesitant to leave her friends. But as he promised her, she would go inside the Inn, telling the barman just what he'd asked.

The fighting stopped, only when everyone was apprehended by the water. When Ross spoke, each of the bards looked at each other nervously. Except for Adam, who just stared coldly at Ross. None of the bards seemed to have the courage to speak up, though. So Adam did. "A fight. What's it look like happened?" The one bard, who had nudged Aurora towards Ross last night, spoke up. "Adam hit her." Adam turned to glare at the bard, but he swallowed nervously and kept going. "Aura was talking to some of the guys over there. He went to pull her away, but she refused. She just wanted to talk to people, y'know? Well he got mad. He started hitting her, then hitting the other guys. We went to stop him, but the other guys thought we were on his side, so they started hitting us too."

Adam glared. "Shut up, Crow! They were trying to get with my girl! She's so damn stupid about it all, she wouldn't listen unless I put my foot down." Crow struggled against his bond. "She's not stupid, Adam! You're the stupid one!"

"STOP!" The shout this time came from Aurora. She had heard some of the yelling, and came out because she was worried. "Stop...fighting.." Crow looked away sadly. Adam just frowned. "Don't tell me what to do, Aurora." She took in a deep breath and let it out. "..I'm sorry, Adam. I'll stop talking to other people. Just don't hurt anyone anymore, okay?..."

The bards struggled against their bonds again. "Aura, stop that. It's crazy talk!" She shook her head a little. As long as it kept her friends safe, it wasn't crazy to her.

You are on: Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Bound by Fate

Moderators: Mina, Keke, Cass, Auberon, Claine, Ilmarinen, Ben, Darth_Angelus