Roleplay-ing

There is a time to fight and a time for peace. But when the time is just past peace, and the earth is silent. The world has no chaos, no pain, no tears from those that do not understand why all of the distruction is happening. What will you do? When life no longer seems to have a purpous. To protect, to defend, to claim. Is life really living when there is only emptyness?

The kingdom of Alk'Traz is at peace. The enemy have been defeated. The darkness has been cast from this earth and no longer hunts those who reside in it. The people cheer and celebrate in happy unity. And the warriors, the knights, return to their homes to live amongst those they set out to protect. There are few though, amonst the villeges, the knights, the royaltys, who fear the cold chill that runs down their backs. As they think, only for a moment that perhaps.. its not over. It's always calm before all hell breaks loose.

Will you be ready? Do you believe the darkness can return?

(to clerify the title.. my characters are warriors. without a purpose to fight and defend Alk'Traz they are lost.. broken..)

Alvina is the Kings youngest child. Being the second one born of two she was always looked down on. Now that her father and brother both beilive the dark days are good as gone, Alvina isn't to sure that they've disapeard all that much. She keeps telling her father to keep an eye out but he claims that he is but he jjust says that to wave her off. Alvina knows its importaint for the lower towns to be fed and cured but sometimes she thinks the darkness will attack again and no one will see it coming this time.

Very little remains of the men and women that fought the dark war that has come to pass. The ones that died in honor are the lucky ones. The following introduction, is not an introduction to the knights that are, but who the knights once were before the distruction of Alk'Traz.

Name: Tro'zen

Age: 21

History: Tro'zan was recruited at the age of 19. The war had lasted longer than anyone had thought it possibly could. Before the knights came to take him away, Tro'zan thought for sure everything would be destroyed before he would be called upon. Every young man and woman in his village was taken in the middle of the night. Before the war, he lived a smile happy life. An only child of John and Victoria; he happily worked on the farm and studied in his free time.

Personality: At one time, before the darkness,Tro'zen was out-going, obnoxious. He lived life, and enjoyed the beauty it had to offer. Now, after two years of war and destruction, he has become quiet and distant. He is careful and observant of his surroundings. His dark eyes dulled of any true happiness but instead replaced with hate and anger for what has become of his life. Thedarkness stealing his once rich happy life.

Name: Vira

Age: 18

History: Vira was 16 years old when the war began and it wasn't long after that she wanted in on the fight. She knew both Tro'zen and Havix growing up. She was never one to follow the girls around and play dollies. Instead she was always found playing in the dirt with the other boys. Her mother died from a rare disease when Vira was only a year old. Raised by her father, she quickly learned how to fight. As soon as she reached the appropriateage she joined the fight.

Personality: After all the struggles in life Vira has been forced to deal with, she has learned to look at the brightside of things. She is strong and confident in who she is, and loves to play jokes and have a good time in the worst of situations. Some may call her insane for having seen a smile on her face as she helped wipe out the enemy.

Secret: She holds a secret only Havix and Tro'zen know. Vira can manipulate the dark magic. She knew if anyone learned this she would be killed out of fear. Because of her powers though, she has been able to help save her home and thousands of others from the darkness.

Name: Havix

Age: 19

History: Two years ago Havix was surrounded by his loved ones. His father, mother, and five siblings. He was the youngest out of his five other brothers, and the last one to be taken from home. He remembers riding away and looking back to see his mother falling to the ground in tears as his father wrapped his arms around her. No one thought they would ever see Havix alive again. After all, out of all his siblings Havix was the smallest and least battle prepared. Much had changed though, once he came face to face with the enemy, that changed Havix completely.

Personality: Havix is out spoken and stubborn. He is one to take action before thinking things through. Some say that Havix and Tro'zen swapped personalities out on the field. Unlike before, he doesn't let others walk over him nor does he enjoy the company of a big crowd.

Name: Lady Alys

Age: 19

History:

Lady Alys is one of Alk'Traz's royal families, the last in her family line. Everyone else was said to have died during the war. Having returned to the kingdom when the war settled after leaving for her own safety, she's started mingling with all the other high families. People who have never seen this girl, but don't seem to mind welcoming. But, is Lady Alys who she really says? Not at all. Alys is from a far, distant kingdom that had been warring with Alk'Traz for quite awhile. When the war was over, this kingdom didn't even lift an eyebrow when the girl claimed to be part of a family who had been low all these years. The openly accepted her. Now all she had to do was get what she came here for.

Personality:

Alys has a look and air that draws attention. Despite her dark hair (which is unlike most royals- they like to have light coloured hair) and pale complex, she's on the topic of the night. Luckily for her, the way she treats people lets her get away with this all. Everyone truly believes she is a royal, because her beauty and her party manners. Now, of course, if someone figured out she was quite the opposite, the real firey soul of hers would come out. A dark mind, hurt and wounded and ready to tear anything apart. She's determined no one will stand in her way.

_____________________________________________________

The sun shined high above the Kingdomof Alk'Traz; the breeze was soft and warm. Tro'zen closed his eyesand listened to the soft music of the birds amongst the trees.Leaning against the tree trunk he struggled to relax. It had beenmonths since the end of the war and longer since Tro'zen had beenable to get any decent sleep. The high screech of a distant hawkcaused his body to tense up. Reaching down, he searched for one ofthe smooth stones next to him. Then he focused on his attention onthe feel of it. How cool it was to the touch. How smooth one side wasand how rough and jagged the other turned out to be. He stayedcompletely focused on the stone, and managed to lower his heart rateback to normal.

_____________________________________________________

Vira smiled back at the young girl that held up a flower towards her. Reaching down she took it, “thank you.” The young child giggled with excitement and quickly chased after her mother. Standing back up, she turned towards the shop woman she had been talking to. “I apologize for that. I was just wondering how much that broach was.”

“There's no reason to apologize, dear child.” The woman spoke softly, as she stood behind the counter. Her long soft white hair unswayed by the wind, her sharp piercing blue eyes still sparked with life. “For you, it costs nothing.”

“Oh no, please. I could not do that,”Vira immediately insisted.

“Please, I insist.”

Vira shook her head, but the woman placed the broach in her hand. Closing her fist and pushing it away from her. At length, Vira bowed her head in thanks and turned away. She looked through a few dresses being sold right next to her. She noticed the older woman being distracted by a few children who were asking for sweets. In that moment, Vira took advantage of it, placing two gold coins on the counter. Quickly making her way out of the shopping square.

_____________________________________________________

Havix had taken a long run through the forest at the rear of the castle. He wore his village vesture, as it was the lightest things he owned. Still, it would be drenched in sweat afterward. Rounding the corner as he made his way towards the water pump in the center of town, Havix ran right into Vira. They both toppled backwards landing on their butts. Simultaneously looking up at each other, they began laughing at the sudden occurrence. “Well good afternoon to you Vira.”

“As to you Sir Havix,” Vira giggled as she stood up and brushed herself off.

“I do hope you can forgive me. I was not watching where I was going.”

“I noticed,” Vira shook her head with a broad smile on her lips.

He gave her arm a playful nudge as he slid around her. “I was headed for a drink, would you like to join me?”

Vira shook her head, “thank you though. I have other matters to take care of.”

Havix stopped short, looking down at the ground and back up at Vira. “Is he doing any better?”

“No, I wish I could say other wise.”

Havix nodded his head and he watched as Vira very woefully, turned and walked towards the castle. After along moments silence, he turned back around and started jogging back towards the water pump.

Alys would have been grinning like a maniac if it wouldn't have drawn suspicion. Granted, the whole walking alone in the streets being a royal wasn't exactly normal, but it wasn't forbidden either. Her hair was pulled back into a braid, a few white flowers laced into the curves thanks to some of the children in the street. At least they were innocent. The adults, though, she could feel nothing but hatred for. Her smile faltered a bit, but stayed to be formal. Her dress swayed against the cobblestone; a light one for the warm weather. Her eyes turned to look around herself. A few warriors- she could tell by just the sight of them. She wished could just try them now- dual them, beat them-- anything. But she kept her cool. She came here for something, and she had to get it. Huffing, she turned her attention back to the stores, trailing her fingers on some of the dresses.

As Alvina finished her breakfast there was a light knock on the door, "Come in." her voice eccoed through the room as a servant came in and asked her with a quiet voice, "A-are you done ma'am?" Alvina gave the servant a small smile and nod, "Yes, thank you." the servant girl gave her a smile back and quickly picked up the  things on too a wooden tray then walked off. Alvina got up to finally change out of her white night gown (yes a pricess can get lazy too) and changed into a lovely lilac dress. Then walking over to the mirror in her makeup dresser and sat down. She then got two strands at the front of her hair at each side of her head and twisted them to meet at the back of her head, then tiying them together with another strand of hair. Placing some of her nautral curls to the front she stood up and then started walking to the throne room.

_____________________________________________________

Tro'zen could hear the steady breathing and soft foot steps that belonged to Vira before she ever announced her presence. It was one of the many skills he had picked up intraining, and something he had a natural gift for. He remembered once, long before his adolescents, when he and some of the other children would play hide and seek. Tro'zen could hear their soft whispers, the grass bending under the pressure of their tiny feet. It was because of this ability that he could time just when to change hiding spots without getting caught. Now he only sit, awaiting for Vira's voice to fill the silence between them. He already knew what was coming, the time was 9:25 a.m. the same time she always showed up to try and talk some life back into him. He was empty though, a soulless corps awaiting death to guide him to his after life. Sometimes he wondered, though, do I have a place in hell? Or am I so far gone to even be worthy of that much? The questions haunted his sleep and even more so in his wake.

_____________________________________________________

“It's a wonderful day to be out enjoying the warmth,” Vira gave a small smile as she sat down opposite of him. She looked over his warn face, his eyes still closed, and wondered what he was thinking over in his head. When he didn't respond like she had hoped she continued. “Havix wanted me to send you his warmest greetings. I ran into him on my way to you.” Still no response was given to show that Tro'zen even heard her. “I thought we could go shopping for some new clothes for the royal ball tonight. Everyone is so excited to see yo..” she stopped talking.

Tro'zen was sitting up straight and his eyes were sharp, studying Vira with an intense anger. “They are having another celebration? Was one not enough?” The words came out harsh and painful, but Vira knew it wasn't directed towards her.

“Tro'zen. You can't harbur all this hate. The men and women who died. They died in honor. They chose to give up their lives so their children, and their children's children could have a chance at peace.”

Tro'zen shot up to his feet, fists curled, and a deathly look upon his face. “It is never over Vira. When will you get that through your thick skull?” Vira blinked as she watched Tro'zen turn around and stomp off. She fell back into the grass looking up at the sky and watched as the big fluffy white clouds floated by. Letting out a long breath, she closed her eyes and began to pray.

_____________________________________________________

Reaching out Havix cupped his hands together and caught some of the water falling from the pump into a large puddle below. He drank three mouths full before splashing the water into his face and over his exposed skin. The sun has been beating down on Alk'Traz and tainting Havix's skin. He stood still for a moment, catching his breath and letting his heart rate slow back down. A few children came over and, being young and wanting to do what the older ones did, they asked to have some water too. Havix took hold of the handle on the pump and started pumping out more water. Smiling and laughing a little to himself as they all started running through the water and cooling off from the heat. Watching them take off he shook his head, little droplets of rain flying into the air off his head. Running his fingers through his hair he sleeked it back and started back towards the castle.

Alys' head turned back at the distinct sound of a laugh, mixed in with the giggles of children Her eyes narrowed at the man near the children, a distinct need to rip them away from him surging up her spine. No, stay calm, she reminded herself; you have to be calm. How could someone so evil be near children? How dare he laugh with them. Again, she was considered evil to them, it was all their perspective. Running her hands over her dress, she made a sharp turn into an alley to get far away from the children and the man. Going to a slightly less used path, emptier. She headed back towards the castle.

The guards stood infront of the large wooden doors as Alvina apporached. "Good morring Princess." one said as they both bowed and their armour clinked. "Why good morning." she smiled back and saw thorugh their helmets the scars. Her smile slowly faded as they opened the large doors for her walking in the throne room to see her father looking out the large window down into the lower towns. "Good morning father." she stood in her place. At first silence and then the King spoke, "Good morning." 

Looking down Alvina soon replied, "Getting the preparations done for the celebration today?" the King nodded, eyes never leaving the window. It was silent. The King spoke, "Alvina, I know we haven't spent enough time together. I'd love to go on a ride with you but we can't do that anymore. It's to dangerous for you out there. We must stay inside the castle, untill things cool off. Now, go down stairs to the tailor. I'm sure he's made you a new dress." 

Alvina stood there like the words her father spoke were like a bullet to the head. "That's it?" was all her mind managed to come up with, this finally made the King look at her while she spoke, "Oh just because we can't go out on a ride means we can't see eachother anymore? Oh no, and your act of forgiveness is a new dress for another celebration of a war we don't even know is finished?" 

"Leave." the King looked away from her and his gase fixed on the lowe towns again. Alvina turned around, her heels stoped clicking as she almost reached the door, without turning around she said, "Mother wouldn't be proud of you." opening the large door herself he responded, "You didn't even know her."

_______________________________________________________________________

Tro'zen walked towards the castle, but stopped short for no other reason than he was tired of being cooped up in the castle. All he ever thought about was the war when he was within those walls. He could still see the men, sad, as they knew it would be their last time with one another. Tightly, Tro'zen closed his eyes and pushed back the hellish screams seeping from his memories. Turning his back to the castle, he looked out over the valley and towards the village. He couldn't return to his thinking place because Vira was bound to still be there, and he had yet to forgive her for her loose tongue. So instead, he took the dirt path that led through the trees and out to the ocean.

_______________________________________________________________________

Vira watched from up in the trees, keeping out of sight, asTro'zen disappeared into the horizon of trees. Her head fell as it became more and more apparent that she was loosing him. Tears began to fall as the old Tro'zen played across her vision. A boy so uplifting, so full of life, and helping others see that life. Her stomach twisted as she thought of why he might possibly want to go tothe ocean. Her feet thudded against the soft dirt as she dropped down from the tree branches and bound towards the forest after him. No way is he going to day under my watch. She told herself, as she picked up speed.

_______________________________________________________________________

The sun was starting lower in the clear evening sky, as Havix walked along the path towards the castle. He slowed to a stop, head slightly tilted, as he watched Tro'zen followed by Vira slip into the forest behind the castle. Part of him had an urge to follow but he knew he should stay back, or else he might make the situation worse. Stretching his limbs, he rubbed the back of his neck and started for the castle once more. Time was slipping away and he still had to prepare for the ball. Although he never was one for crowded rooms, it was required that all knights be present.

Alvina walked through the hall of the castle with the last words her father spoke still floating in her mind. The words stabbed her and she kept replaying them in her mind. Her feet slowly started to pick up speed and before she knew it she was running. Bumping into people nearly tripping. She just kept running and ignoring everyone that stopped the ask whats wrong. She finally stopped as she reached the one of the roofs of the castle. Tears finally begain to weild up in her eyes, she attemped to blink them away but it was too late. They slowly begain to spill out of her emerald eyes. Rubbing away the tears she walked over to the edge of the castle and looked around then finally looked down.

___________________________________________________________

The soft waves of white foam and crystal clear waters washed over the sun bleached sand. Salty air filled Tro’zen’s nostrils as he stood just on the edge of the water. The obnoxious call of the sea gulls ringing high in the air as they circled the ocean in search of food. Why don’t they see it? The worst is yet to come. Tro’zen began pacing back and forth, running his fingers through his hair in a stressed gesture. He inhaled slowly, deeply trying to regain his composure. Vera’s voice entered the back of his mind whispering soft encouragements. Giving his head a shake, he aggressively shoved the voice to the back of his mind. He didn’t want hope, he didn’t need sunshine and rainbows, and he didn’t want to be blinded by what he knew to be true. Tro’zen knew what he had to do, but he didn’t know how to go about it to keep anyone from finding out. Who knew who could be trusted at this point.

__________________________________________________________

Vira was careful not to make a sound as she watched Tro’zen. At first she thought maybe he would start walking into the ocean and end it all, but then he turned at an angle that gave her a great view of his face. His expression was not one of hopelessness, it was more like determination. An expression Vira had seen quite a few times through the war. Her stomach knotted up as the fear of what might be going through his head. It’s over Tro’zen. Don’t you see? We’re free. She turned, walking back from where she came.

__________________________________________________________

Havix looked over his wardrobe, only a few items of clothing collected over the years. He let out a long sigh as he remembered Vira’s invitation to get a few new outfits. Thinking over everything, he recalled rejecting the invitation tenderly as he had already planned to visit his family grave. It was his first time since returning from the war, and he had much to go over before being able to find closure. Now he realized he should have squeezed some time in. With everything that’s happened, he should have realized he would need some more celebration clothes. He considered going into town to see if there was anything available in such short notice.

Alys returned into her room, glancing uninterested at the dress laid out on her bed for her. How'd she rather rip everything apart in this damned castle, but she had to be careful. She didn't come here to destroy, after all. Her fingers idly skimmed over the wooden jewlery box, a small sigh escaping her lips. Her fingers felt the indent where her families crest was carved; she had to go through great depths to hide this from the help. Eventually, she had a rose water bath drawn for her. Sinking into the water, she stopped just about her nose, letting the heat sink to her bones.

Letting out a small sighed and moved away from the edge of the castle. Taking in a deep breath and one last look at the sky she walked back inside and took a few laps up and down the stairs and around the castle floors. Finally walking into her room she found a Red dress laied out on her now made bed. Letting out a sigh, a maid walked in the room and bowed down then set down some flowers on Alvina's night side table. "Lovely isn't it?" the maid said and looked at the dress then back at Alvina. 

Letting out a smile Alvina nodded and said, "Why yes of course. The tailor in town is amazing." The maid nodded and said, "Well I'll leave you to get ready. Call out if you need me." giving Alvina another bow before she left. Hearing the door close Alvina sighed as she picked up the dress and walked over behind a curtain. Undressing herself to put the red dress on which seemed to fit her perfectly.

Walking over to her wooden makeup table she picked up a silver brush and let the braids loose and begain to brush her curly hair.

___________________________________________________________

Tro’zen looked over his reflection in the mirror. He stood tall with his sleek black suite and shinning dancing shoes. Specks of royal purple threaded through his vest and tie. His hair trimmed and combed back. It had been a while since he cleaned up this nicely. It hurt to see the old partof him before the war looking back at him. A reminder of the past wasn’t something he needed to consume his focus right now. Pulling his pant legs up, sliding his daggers into their sheaths on either leg. Slipping a few other weapons into hidden holsters on his person.

___________________________________________________________

Vira ushered her maiden out of the room and turned to look over her bed. A long blue dress flowed over the edge of her bed and nearly touched the floor. White lace fringed along the collar and at the ends of the sleeves. A lacy ribbon belt wrapped around the middle section of the dress and tied into a bow at the back. She ran her fingers over the soft fabric before she began undressing and changing into the beautiful gown.

___________________________________________________________

After spending an hour on going through his things, Havix was able to find a suitable outfit. Changing as quickly as possible, because of what little time he had left after searching for something appropriate to wear. He put on his armored pants but removed the chainmail from the outside and a black silk shirt. His face shaved completely and hair parted from the side. He looked over his appearance and felt as satisfied as he passably could be at this point.

Now that she smelt faintly of roses, she climbed out of the bath and patted herself dry; eyes shut, she could almost pretend this was home. That was a dangerous thought. Shaking her head, she slipped into the elegant white dress, bordered and embroidered by fine gold thread with intricate designs. It was beautiful, almost too faint to see and caught the light in the right angle. To see the full beauty of it, they'd have to get up close. This was paired with a black corset, to "match her hair," which was a feature itself; her maiden had to come in and help her lace it up. They idle chatted, which must have shocked the maiden how Alys was so easy to speak. "Are you not going to enjoy the party?" Alys questioned.

The maiden gave her a shocked look. "Heavens no! I have to work, I have no time for that." Alys scrunched up her nose at the answer. 

"That is unpleasant." Alys commented, before promising to sneak the girl some sweets back. Who could resist those? After she was laced up, she ordered to be left alone, where she did her hair. A simple bun that had her curls fall down. Then the final touch: weapons. She slid the knives into the holsters on her thighs, the only real place she could hide them. There, she was all done. 

Pusing all her hair lose curls to the back she braided two strands of hair back to meet at the middle and finish a braid at the end. When Finally finishing her hair, Alvina looked down on her dresser to accessorize. Opening a wooden box with a key she kept hidden under the dresser she applied a siver neckace that held a ruby red pendant. Finally she picked up her head peice and placed it on her head. The silver was ment to look like a tree and the leaves had small droplets of dimaonds, just the right amout to make it sparkle. The head peice wrapped around her head as a white pearl met at her forehead. Just as shes about to get up there was a knock on her door. "Come in." Alvina said out as a Knight walked in with a black wooden box in his hand. The Knight have her a small bow and said, "Miss. Alvina, the King told me to bring this too you as a gift. He instructed you to wear this." 

Standing up, Alvina walked over to the Knight with her heels clicking on the ground. Grabbing the box she smiled and replied, "Why yes, thank you." The knight nodded and walked out the door. Walking back to the makeup table she opened the box to see another head peice with gold and silver vines twisting with eachother as golden flowers with dimond centures were on the side and right inbetween them sat a fire red ruby. Taking her current headpeice off she placed this one and locked her jewlery box, but this time she hid the key in the dresser in one of her black horse riding boots.

Tro'zen started through the great ivory walls of the castle. Occassionally running his hands along the stone, enjoying the cool touch on his hot skin. Closing his eyes he imagined what it might be like being home now. The endless possabilities of what that day might hold brought a smile to his lips. Looking up, he bowed his head slightly towards the gaurds before stepping through the doors and out into the open gardens. About three dozen people already cluttered around the swan fountain, chitting about on the latest gossip. Tro'zen looked around slowly for any sign of Vira or Havix but neither were to be seen.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eyes slowly cascaded down her length, admiring the reflection in the mirror. Vera couldn't seem to leave her hands off the soft blue material of her dress. Reaching up, she played with the little ringlets around her face. "It's perfect." Never before had she warn such rich garmets, she had to request assistance to apply the make-up she had purchased for just this occassion. In the back of her mind she wondered if Tro'zen or Havis would even recognize her. The thought in itself was enough to give her butterflies.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Tro'zen," Havix greeted his friend warmly. He was not taken back by the odd look he recieved. He knew it would be out of character for him as of late. "You look wonderful tonight brother."

"Havix?" Tro'zen's noes wrinkled as he looked his friend over slowly. "Are y..ou ok?"

"Of course." Havix voice softened, "I know I haven't been very easy to deal with. After a long time, I have decided you both have been right. I have nothing to worry about." Havix reached out and grabbed up a mug of beer taking a big swig.

"I.. guess that's good.."