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Post by The Rising Dragon on May 26, 2010 1:13:33 GMT -5
Inside the Lythidonea Palace, life was busy as it always was. Servants scurried up and down the halls of the capitol building as they went about their daily tasks and the errands set by the major domo. Guards patrolled the halls to make sure everything was secure and no incidents were taking place, In the kitchens, numerous cooks were making hundreds of meals as they prepared for supper that night, as they had many, many mouths to feed. Not a day went by when the home of the Aube royal family was silent.
Certain areas, however, were quieter than the rest of the palace. Security stations were generally quiet as the guards went about their duties, the conference rooms and offices were insulated to prevent external sounds from distracting those trying to work within, and to say that noise was frowned upon in the palace library would be an understatement.
In one of these quieter conference rooms, a meeting was underway. Or would have been. However...
"Just who are we waiting on?" one middle-aged man with light brown hair asked of the person sitting next to him.
"The Sharidan girl, if I'm not mistaken," the woman responded quietly.
"Which one? The Royal Advisor?"
"Not a chance," the woman said with a snort. "She wouldn't be late for anything. No, its her adopted sister that's late."
"Really?" the man said beneath the quiet rumble of the other people in the conference room talking amongst themselves. "She was called in for this op?"
"I guess the brass think she's capable enough for it. They don't call her Gopher Girl for nothing."
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on May 26, 2010 14:28:17 GMT -5
And almost as if on cue, a loud voice could be heard on the outside of a nearby door. "Ugh! Just get out of my way!" With a loud crash, a bit of the floor near the door rose up due to a shock wave. And with little time in between, an armor-clad woman entered the room. "Whew, finally. Sorry I'm late. A guy was being rude, so I had to teach him a lesson, no biggie."
Closing the door behind her, the girl, Krystal, looked at the two who'd been waiting on her. An overconfident smile grew on her face, as though she had little care. "So, what's up? I swear, they need to make a map with 'YOU ARE HERE'." It was a wonder certain people weren't used to this sort of thing by now. Then again, her sister wasn't around this time...
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Post by The Rising Dragon on May 26, 2010 16:30:47 GMT -5
Before the two that Krystal had sauntered up to could reply to the younger girl, another voice at the back of the room spoke up over the quiet din. "You're late, Sharidan," the man said, causing the room to quiet in an instant.
The speaker, a grizzled looking man in his fifties and decked out in a uniform, was at the back of the room, in front of a viewing screen that had been deactivated for the time being. "Get seated so we can start this briefing," he said in his no-nonsense way of addressing people. "We've got a lot to cover, so you best pay attention."
He motioned for an aide to pass out the stack of documents in his hands, and the person quickly went to each assembled agent in the room. Each document was labeled with the receiver's name, and had different instructions on them. "As of three days ago, we received word that a Valtheranian agent who had been sent on a reconnaissance mission to Minervum was failed to report in," the military officer began as the aide went about his duties. "The commanding officer in charge of the mission, General Donovan Winter, received a partial message, but interference prevented him from discerning the entire message.
"The Valtheran government has requested our aide in investigating what happened to the two agents that were sent to Allondell," he continued, turning on the screen behind him. Immediately, the room darkened to show the images of a young man and a young woman. Their names, Jozin Nim and Laramie Wish, were displayed beneath the images, and each one listed them as members of Valtheran's vaunted Task Force Shadow Wolf. "Each of you will be sent to a particular region on the continent to search for clues as to what happened to the missing agents. Should any of you find something important, you will report your findings over the transceivers you will be assigned, and wait for further orders."
The screen shut off, but the officer continued speaking. "You will be shipped out in the next 36 hours. You will be taken aboard the A.T.S.S. Cynthia and shipped off to Allondell. While on board, you will be given the necessary gear needed to survive out on your own," he informed them. "Due to security reasons, you will have to go about your missions on your own, and your instructions are confidential even among one another. They are for your eyes only, to ensure that if one of you is captured, you will not be able to compromise the locations of the other agents. Do your absolute best not to arouse suspicion from the local Stamarian forces. We don't need this to develop into a major international incident, as a war with Stamaria is likely something we cannot survive for long."
By now, everyone had received their instructions. Krystal's, in particular, detailed a search in the Rakutan forest's mining regions, a place that would be an excellent hiding place if one was forced to evade Stamarian knights or Taron magi. A designated travel plan was included with the packet.
"Allondell is not a continent we are too informed on," the officer said. "If we do go to war with the Stamarian Empire, we'll have to worry more about attacks from Stamaria and Tsuminar, rather than Minervum. Therefore, I want each of you to set aside time to speak to Advisor Sharidan about the locale you'll be headed to. She has been informed of the mission and her wisdom will be invaluable to you all. Make sure each of you speaks to her in the next 36 hours--that means you too, Sharidan."
A chuckle ran through the assembled agents. The officer looked over them briefly, then nodded once. "Dismissed!"
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on May 26, 2010 17:42:59 GMT -5
"Yeah yeah. Sheesh." Krystal mumbled under her breath before exiting the room. As she walked through the halls, the girl simply scanned through the papers she'd been given before putting them away. Eh, always more time to read that mumbo jumbo later. So, all that was left was to find her sister, which usually wasn't too hard. Or Krys could cause a disturbance and make Kayt come to her, either way.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on May 26, 2010 17:55:19 GMT -5
"I'm surprised," the middle-aged man from before said as he walked alongside Krystal and the other woman. "Two members from Shadow Wolf going missing?"
"It does sound suspicious," the woman said as she browsed her packet for her instructions. "Then again, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Going on spy missions in the middle of Stamarian controlled territory is suicide in the long run."
"Maybe. So, what about you, Krys? Gonna capitalize on your sister's presence before everyone else can?"
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on May 26, 2010 18:05:22 GMT -5
Ah, Fujin and Raijin. Don't ask which one is which. You'll never get a straight answer. Ever. Anywho, Krystal connected her fists at the question, and then, as though she hadn't even heard it at all, "Today's the day guys. This time I'm finally gonna sneak up on her!" And like that, she ran off, leaving the other two to simply stare and sigh.
Once near the office, Krys lightly walked toward the door. Her heart racing, her eyes focused; This was the time to finally catch her sister off guard. The warrior reeled back her fist. Lunging forward, the thought of victory raced through her head! This was it! Her time! Now was when there'd finally be-
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Post by The Rising Dragon on May 26, 2010 23:24:11 GMT -5
"You can come in, Krystal," a feminine voice said through the door, slightly muffled by its thick construction. Alas, the bitter taste of defeat.
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on May 27, 2010 14:12:06 GMT -5
There was a moment of silence, followed by a loud crash.
The Sharidan woman entered the door, a small look of bitterness on her face. "Hey yeah. Did you know your waiting chair's broke? Just figured I'd letcha know." Across the room was Kayt. A dear sister and somehwat of a big rival. "So, you know why I'm here right?" the girl asked, flashing the documents she'd been given earlier.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on May 27, 2010 14:42:04 GMT -5
Kayt merely sighed when she heard the sound of wood snapping behind her door. Luckily she was used to this behavior and made sure she always had an extra one in storage. One day, though, she'd teach the girl some manners.
She was sitting behind her desk, clad in her usual black uniform--her cloak and hat were hung up on a coat rack near the door. The room showed evidence as to what kind of person Kayt Sharidan was--the desk was neat and tidy, with few loose papers on it. A single picture of the entire family--their parents, Krystal when she was 10, and herself when she was 18. The shelves in the room had an assortment of books--both ones needed for her position and others she read during her free time while she was still on the clock. Few pictures were hung on the walls, but little more adorned the room.
Kayt herself was putting the last touches on a paper, and she nodded once while gesturing to the seat near her desk. "You came for advice on the mission asked of us by Valtheran," she said in her brisk manner. "And had a secondary objective of attempting to sneak up on me before I could detect you."
Finishing the paper, she set it down in her out tray and set the pen down on the desk. She clasped her hands together as she took in her sister. "So, which area in Allondell are you being sent off to?"
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on May 27, 2010 19:00:33 GMT -5
"The Rakutan forest's mining place, or something like that." Krystal slapped the papers on the desk before taking her seat. Her eyes seemed to dart around the room, as though she were looking for something. Well whatever it was, she seemed to have given up on it easily enough. "Dunno why they stuck me on this sneakin' job. I'd rather bust some heads. Yeesh."
The girl's' mind seemed to drift soon afterward, her tapping her fingers on the desk in swift motions. Wasn't even sure if her sister was explaining anything or just going over the notes; Made no difference. And then, without a care of her surroundings, the woman simply blurted out "So what happened to that guy of yours? What was his name? Chuck? Larry?"
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Post by The Rising Dragon on May 30, 2010 18:38:49 GMT -5
Luckily, Kayt had yet to start explaining anything to her sister yet, having instead decided to go over the notes so she could assess the situation--and see why her sister was picked for this mission.
When the girl suddenly blurted out, Kayt had to look up at her statement. She sighed, shaking her head a bit. "For the last time, Krystal, I'm not seeing anyone. I'm far too busy to be courting right now." The girl was always harassing her one way or another about her lack of a love life.
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on May 30, 2010 20:00:20 GMT -5
"Ooohh, I get it." Krys simply replied, giving a suggestive wink. But then, as though she were somewhat reading her sister's' mind, she asked "So why do ya think I was chosen for this anyways? Makes no sense to me." Of course this was given in a somewhat rushing tone. Was she eager or just impatient? Only Kayt could tell you.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on May 30, 2010 23:53:36 GMT -5
"The Rakutan forest is considered the largest forest in Allondell," Kayt said, putting the papers down on her desk in front of her sister. "Home of a good deal of Minervum's mining operations before and after it united with Stamaria to form the Holy Empire of Stamaria."
She gestured, casting the basic magic spell to bring up holographic screens, each displaying information on the forest. "It tends to have a bandit problem because its so big, and its been home to some werewolves as well. If agents Nim and Wish are in the area, the best agent for the job would be someone with good survival skills... someone who's physically tough. You've got most of the agents beat in the toughness department, Krystal. You're the best with a shield."
She thought for a moment, then nodded. "Chances are you're going there to investigate a possible kidnapping, sister," she said. "I'm guessing that the brass think that if you somehow do luck out and find those two agents, your... penchant for madness will come in handy."
She didn't sound too enthusiastic about it, either. Kayt was remembering countless times where she'd had to chase down her sister or save her from some home-made disaster. Yes, no one could cause small-scale chaos quite like Krystal Sharidan.
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Post by Evil McBadGuy on May 31, 2010 0:11:40 GMT -5
Once that was done, the armored female couldn't help but start giggling a little bit. After rubbing her hands together some, she took the papers back and stuffed them away. "Man, now you got me all excited." Slamming on the desk(to be dramatic and make a point or simply because she liked hitting things is anyone's' guess), she just had to ask.
"Any suggestions or do I just gun it and run it?" Not that the suggestion would matter too much, and both of them knew it. If anything, whatever Kayt said would get stored in the back-up ideas. Krys would just run it her way no matter what anyone told her. How she hasn't lost her job yet is anyone's' guess.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on May 31, 2010 1:17:28 GMT -5
Kayt sighed. She hated it when Krystal asked for advice that she'd only use when she's screwed up on whatever cockamamie plan she'd enacted on her own. "Well, considering the lack of knowledge, there isn't much I can tell you on what you what plan you should follow," she started off. "I do, however, implore you to purchase some lycanthrope cures at the town that's closest to the Rakutan."
She spared a glance at the one screen that showed Jozim Nim's profile and gathered information. "And see if Nim's brought anyone else with him other than Laramie," she said as an afterthought. "He seems to have a tendency of taking people in."
She turned her gaze back to her adopted sister, and frowned. "And for once, Krystal, take a weapon with you. A knife or a short sword or something. I know you're still troubled about what happened to your first home and I know you hate fighting with a weapon because of that, but our parents and myself would feel much better if you had something you can use as a last resort."
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