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Post by Johnathan on Feb 13, 2014 23:18:35 GMT -5
The world around them blurred into a jumbled pallet of blended colors, light, and shadow. This was the pinnacle of movement; speed that could be achieved only by the greatest of masters. Miles were crossed in a second with a foot barely touching the ground, as inhuman perception carefully caught and avoided any possible obstacles. Most would not even notice the duo of masters as they raced across the serene country side. Fields blended instantly into forests, before opening into rivers, lakes, and mountains and returning to fields again.
Half way across a lush green steppe, Benjamin twisted in mid air, breaking his momentum and sliding to a stop. Turning with a toothy smile he called out. "Having trouble keeping up yet? I can slow down if you want me to."
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Post by Rikka on Feb 13, 2014 23:32:24 GMT -5
Mekura raced just barely a step behind Ben since he was leading. It wasn't hard to avoid the objects that crossed her path since she had let a bit of her sensitivity barriers fall. It allowed her to find all objects well within enough time to avoid them. Sliding gracefully to a stop behind him she crossed her arms as Ben tried to challenge her. She was still angry with him. "No I'm not. Now keep leading." There was a bite to her tone as she spoke up.
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Post by Johnathan on Feb 13, 2014 23:40:36 GMT -5
"Aw, now there's no need to be a sour mouse." Walking around behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders and started to massage them while gently nudging her to start slowly walking forwards. "We're almost at the first of our destinations. It's best to slow down and relax so that we don't startle anyone when we get there." Pausing his massage so that they could leap effortlessly over a wide stream, he caught up beside her and casually slung his arm around her waist. Pointing ahead of them, he guided her attention to a small village surrounded by farmland.
"If we're not careful we could disturb their farms or trip and smash through someone's house!" Turning, he began to mutter to himself, though clearly loud enough for her to hear. "Though, if we landed in a bed together that could be good too."
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Post by Rikka on Feb 14, 2014 0:00:34 GMT -5
Mekura glared at him before swatting at his hands as he tried to massage her shoulders. Walking forwards she jumped over the stream, her dress made the move look graceful, in an effort to get away from Ben's hands, which she would not admit had actually felt nice. But god dammit she was mad and very much determined to stay that way with him at the moment. As he casually looped his arm around her waist she removed it and took two steps to the side as they walked through the countryside.
Her senses spun with the smell of fresh dirt, growing plants, the sound of children playing in the fields and the warmth of the sun. It was peaceful and it was quickly draining her anger towards Ben away. "I am not going to bed with you."
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Post by Johnathan on Feb 14, 2014 1:10:16 GMT -5
Smiling, Ben waved his hand at her playfully as he closed the distance between them again. "Now now, playful banter aside, we don't need it to be a random bed out here in a village. There are plenty of good beds in the city to spend the night in." Turning to mutter again, Ben took out his flask. "Or day in some cases."
Throwing back a few mouthfuls of sake, Ben snaked one arm up to the back of Mekura's neck and began to gently massage out the tension again. "Ah there's nothing like the countryside to make your appreciate the taste of sake." As they moved towards the village, the soil slowly transitioned into farmland and Ben steered them towards the road. When they reached it, he linked his arm with Mekura's.
"Let's pretend to be a married couple! We'll blend in much better that way. No need to raise unnecessary suspicion and fright, eh?" With a smile, Ben wagged his eyebrows up and down at her, goading her on.
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Post by Rikka on Feb 14, 2014 12:33:16 GMT -5
Mekura shook her head at him. This time she didn't respond to the bed comment. When he touched the back of her neck her whole body froze with tension. Walking forward again she glared at Ben. "Please take your hand off of me." Feeling the earth starting to get softer she followed Ben to the road and felt his hand move from her neck only to link through her arm.
"I don't think you would do very well married. Your too much of a womanizer. Plus you have a widely known reputation unfortunately so your cover will probably be blown in 5 minutes maybe less." The words slipped out with hardly any anger. She had slightly given up on being mad at him if it wasn't obvious already when she didn't take her arm away. It wasn't working with the nice relaxing countryside. Though her mind was now worrying on what he could possibly want to show her. Considering they were headed toward the wall it probably meant that it wasn't anything small.
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Post by Johnathan on Mar 4, 2014 3:52:51 GMT -5
Chuckling to himself, Ben smiled and nodded cordially to a passing farmer, leading several field drones behind him. "Well I can't deny that, but you never know. Even I may feel like settling down at some point." He leaned down and started to rub his cheek on her shoulder. "Especially if I've got a cutie like Mekura, of course I'd want to keep her all to myself!"
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Post by Rikka on Mar 5, 2014 12:33:17 GMT -5
Mekura gave the farmer they passed a small wave and smile as they continued on their way. Looking toward him as he rubbed his cheek against her shoulder, Mekura went back to looking toward the direction they were headed. "You want to settle down? In any case, if you settle down, you definitely don't want someone like me. Its bound to cause problems later." With her free hand she reached over and pulled a leaf out of his hair that had landed there only a moment ago.
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Post by Johnathan on May 31, 2014 21:16:18 GMT -5
"Problems, shmoblems." Ben said lackadaisically. "Life gets boring without a problem or two. Problems are the spice of life and keep us from going dull." As they passed into the small town, Ben discreetly glanced around, scanning the surrounding buildings with a good deal more attention that would be normally necessary. Glancing to Mekura, he gave her a reassuring smile before resuming his careful study. They continued on in silence for a short time before coming to a stop in front of family diner.
"Well, here's our first stop." Ben declared cheerfully, breaking the strangely solemn silence. "We've been travelling for a little while so I thought it might be a good idea to grab some lunch before we continue on our way. I can personally vouch for this place; they make some excellent sandwiches."
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Post by Rikka on Jun 1, 2014 0:18:42 GMT -5
Mekura rolled her eyes at Ben. Lately they seemed to be coming around to bite her. Just a few weeks ago she had gotten herself and Alex/bridgit and Briar all kidnapped. Along with a few other students. She still couldn't set foot in her bathtub to bathe. Rubbing her temples gently she felt Ben become more vigilant.
As they came to a stop in front of a diner Mekura blinked. "Why are we at a Diner?" He had acted very serious back on the academy grounds and now they were going to eat? Giving up she dropped her shoes on the ground and slipped her feet into them. Pulling her hair back into a swift braid before motioning for Ben to lead the way.
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Post by Johnathan on Jun 1, 2014 0:46:37 GMT -5
"Why else?" he asked aloud in a matter-of-fact fashion. Lowering his voice to a whisper, he leaned in close so that his mouth was right next to Mekura's ear, completely ignoring the pointlessness of the gesture when matched with her enhanced senses. "To eat, drink, and listen to gossip." Pulling away with a goofy grin, he marched ahead and into the diner.
"Good afternoon!" he announced loudly, drawing the attention of the entire diner in spite of his early proclamation of keeping a low profile. "My lovely companion and I have been traveling for some time and were lucky enough to find your lovely diner. I promise you that we are not suspicious individuals in the least, and are merely looking to rest and refuel." The only waitress in the small establishment walked over to them with an amused if not knowing expression.
"Yes, yes dear, we can all see your lovely companion who is clearly out of your league." That comment drew a round of laughter from the patrons littering the tables of the modest interior. Ben grinned as he continued the flow of the conversation.
"Yes, out of my league she may be, but it's still me whom she's accompanying. Alas, most women often fail to notice the charm hidden beneath this rough exterior, but I've finally found someone who appreciates the finer points of my character!"
"I'm sure it's difficult not to appreciate the strong smell of alcohol you seem to radiate. It must be the work of the gods that she puts up with you at all." The two grinned at each other as they seemed to reach a companionable accord. "Can I get you two a table?"
"Yes please, one with plenty of candles and atmosphere." Ben declared with a dramatic flourish. The waitress grinned and shook her head at his nonsense.
"Yall can take the one by the window, that's about as much atmosphere as your like to get around here. I'll be back in a minute to take your orders."
Ben inclined his head. "Thank you kindly." He said before winking to Mekura and taking a seat at the indicated table.
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Post by Rikka on Jun 1, 2014 1:13:41 GMT -5
Mekura thought about bopping him over the head and thought better off it. one he would avoid it. Or two he wouldn't avoid it and get payback on her later. Probably by making her teach one of his classes. Mekura almost walked back out as he drew all the attention to himself upon walking into the diner and announcing his arrival and hers. Staying slightly behind him she turned slightly red at his quick exchange with the waitresses. He obviously came here often.
"Thank you." Mekura kept her manners even though she felt like kicking the man or rather the childish man before her and followed him over the the booth. Sitting across from him she blinked and remembered she had not brought a camera with her. "What do you recommend by way of food?"
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Post by Johnathan on Jun 1, 2014 1:46:51 GMT -5
"Hmmmm," Ben intoned contemplatively as he rubbed his bristly chin. "Often times in villages like these the simple things are the best. So, I recommend your choice of meat and local potatoes and vegetables."
"Right you are." The waitress agreed as she approached the table. "I take it you'll have the usual then?" She asked glancing to Ben before turning to Mekura. "That alright with you too doll?" The waitress waited for Mekura's confirmation or change in order before making a note, smiling, and heading off for the counter.
Ben leaned back in the booth getting comfortable before taking two of the overturned clean glasses on the table and flipping them right side up. Taking out his enchanted flask he filled one cup with one of Mekura's preferred wines and filled his own with an earthy smelling beer.
"It's nice to get out of the city every now and again." He said with a pleasant smile as he took a sip from his glass and glanced around the bar. "Maybe it's the atmosphere but it seems like the food out here always tastes better." His expression became somewhat solemn as he focused in on one of the other booths. Gesturing sharply enough for Mekura to sense the disturbance in the air and feel where he was pointing, he settled into silence so that they could eavesdrop on the indicated patrons.
"I tell ya, it's somethin strange." A bald man with a tanned head declared earnestly. "Been seein flashes more and more often lastely; big pulses in the sky, as if somethin hit the barrier and sparked it somethin good." A man with short hair and a long beard sat with his arms crossed defiantly and shook his head.
"That's normal though, been that way for as long as anyone can remember. Something outside the wall hits the barrier and gets torn to shreds by the magic. Is nothing to worry about, just the way things are." The third person at the table had wildly sprawling hair as though he were caught in a bad windstorm and a nasally voice.
"It ain't normal! If'n it were normal, there'd be one pulse and then nothing. This is like somethin bad's hittin it, then comin back for 'nother shot. Plus, I ain't seen none of them supply deliveries fer the guards on the wall in more 'n a month!" The bearded man snorted incredulously.
"So what? They probably just have a stockpile and realized they didn't need no more or else what they had would go bad. Happened three years ago too." The bald man cut back in again.
"Maybe, but there's more too it then just that. Ain't been nothin goin to or from the wall is nearly twice as long as that. No guard rotations, no inspections, no study groups, no nothin. Somethin's goin on, and the big wigs up in the city are tryin to keep it hushed up."
"Bah, this is just another on of your conspiracies." The bearded man declared hotly. "It'll be the same as the time you said the fields were spittin out monsters, or the shadows were movin on their own. There aren't no problems, never were, so you gotta go and make one up."
The conversation devolved into back and forth bickering from there and Ben turned away, glancing up at Mekura. "Gramps has been gone a long time." He said somberly. "Far longer than he usually takes."
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Post by Rikka on Jun 1, 2014 2:05:13 GMT -5
Mekura listened and looked at the Waitress as she showed up. "Yes Please. Could you also add a glass of water. Thank you." Sitting back in her half of the booth she looked back at Ben as her eyebrows drew together. He was pouring her more wine and he had just gotten her drunk earlier. "If you get me drunk again I will take you out this time. I swear." Taking her cup that was filled with raspberry honey wine she sipped it as she felt the air glide past her skin toward a particular booth.
Using her senses she felt behind her until she found the two men bickering back and forth. Crossing her Left leg over her right she settled into listen as she sipped her drink. "Your right. The food does taste better out here. It might be because of the wonderful scenery you pass to get to this little diner." Listening to the men she blinked her face betraying nothing as she took another sip from her cup.
Her eyes flicked to the window then back to Ben as he spoke. "He has been gone a while hasn't he? Usually he checks up on us by now." It was slightly concerning that the headmaster hadn't been back yet.
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Post by Johnathan on Jun 2, 2014 22:56:04 GMT -5
They sat for a few moments in contemplative silence before Ben's face softened into a grin. "Well, speculation aside I think when we set off again you should lead this time." Downing the rest of the beer in a single large gulp, his face began to flush slightly as his grin widened into a goofy snicker. "That way, even as the scenery changes I will have one amazing view that doesn't!"
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