Myrtenaster

[Noctis Corvo]

    Kain actually found the castle grounds to be rather peaceful. The way that so many plants and flowers were arranged, it reminded him almost of the arboretum back home. Everything almost always seemed full of life, even in these days that just got longer. The walk was doing him some good leaving him in his thoughts. On the plus side, Noctis hadn't bothered him for a while. He didn't really know what was up with that honestly, they both shared a body, so he didn't quite think that Noctis could be quiet. It had always seemed like he had no way to just think to himself for a while, and they were both just victim to constantly hearing each other's every thought. It was definitely nice to have a break, but he had to admit he would be lying if at this point, it didn't leave him feeling a little lonely. He was sure eventually he would question why he ever had that thought, but for now, it was definitely different being all alone. It almost sent a wave of nostalgia over Kain.

        That being said, that was why he had come to this garden in the first place. It had been a while since he had practiced some of his old hobbies. Martial arts had gotten plenty of a workout with the constant adventuring, but his other more "recreational" habits hadn't gotten a proper stretching in a while. He had honestly figured that he would come out here and practice dancing a bit, maybe work on his writing. It was a beautiful day, and he honestly had no plans, so he had decided to just come out, relax, and play the day by ear. It was definitely around the time of walking through the bushes, flowers and beautiful colors that the sound of clashing metal began to faintly be heard over the peaceful sounds of nature. It wasn't a hectic combat, but rather the sounds of organised sparring.

    Rounding a corner, he came to the rather interesting sight of a moderately large group of people thrusting at each other with thin swords and mesh masks. In the midst of them all, the instructor was one of the more interesting. Having decided to start off from a distance and observe, Kain had pulled up the interface and analysed the people before him. Aside from the instructor, every other person appeared to be a person of the land, with the blonde in charge instead being an adventurer. What he found most interesting about her was the way she carried herself. She was on the shorter side, but she carried herself high, seemingly demanding respect from those around her. It was definitely incredible, and the landers were definitely giving her their due. 

    He watched from a distance for a while as the lessons went on, staying far enough away not to be a bother, but still within view and partial earshot of the scene. It was definitely marvelous how she handled those around her. Not once did she seem to look down upon those around her, nor at any point did she insult or even come across as slightly negative. everything she said was either positive or neutral, but held a certain amount of respect within it. After a while, and Kain didn't fully know why, but he began to decide he would like her to be his partner while he practiced. Originally his plans were to just do it solo, much like how one who practices fighting shadow boxes when a suitable partner cannot be found. But for some reason, and for the life of him he could not figure out why, but he didn't just want her to be his dancing partner; he almost needed it.

    After a while, the fencing lessons came to a close. The Landers began dispersing, some giving their teacher thanks, others simply walking off with friends. Kain saw this as, well, as good a chance as any. Getting up, he straightened up and dusted off his pinstripe suit, and made his way over to the female teacher. As he approached, he noticed she was shorter than he was by about half a foot. It didn't bug him, if anything, somewhere in the back of his mind (whether or not he would admit it to himself) he found her rather cute. Approaching the seemingly stern and regal woman, He removed his hat and gave a small bow as he introduced himself.

"Good evening madam. I was wondering if you would do me the honors of helping me practice my ballroom dancing. It has been a little while since I have practiced and, while I do have the urge to practice at the moment, I seem to be down one partner. I was wondering if you would be so kind as to grace me with your presence?"

Word Count: [810]

Tags: Mikoto


Notes: Now you dont have to be bored any moar :D

[Mikoto]

Teaching Lander merchants how to fence was for lack of a better phrasing a ball ache. Some grasped the concept well others were about as dumb as fence posts. And while she didn't mind their obviously lack of grasping the noble art of the thin bladed sword, lets face it this was a capitalist venture where the longer it took them to get competent at the use of the rapier meant more money for her, sometimes she wished they'd grasp it quicker so the lessons didn't comprise of mostly instruction. But either way it was payment by the lesson and the money was collected at the start of each gathering so as to expedite it and so no one thought about stiffing her. Business success was all the mattered here. And while during lessons she may have played a semi-caring instructor in reality she couldn't care less if these men and women didn't survive their first live application against bandits. There would always be someone else seeking to learn the way of the rapier or longsword.

Normally she'd be in plate armor but had for this lesson and all others up to this point shed her armor, save for her gloves and when needed her helmet, and simply walked about in her rough leather riding breaches and her gambeson. Her boots were her standard wear thought they lacked the additional metal covering that she wore into combat. Though recently she'd been considering switching to what was known as three quarter or munition armor. It was lighter and more mobile though a well made set could provide excellent protection and still allow for full mobility which for someone who relied on being able to move their arms and body well enough to avoid or swat aside an incoming attack and them ram their own blade into the target or slash them open with equal ease was paramount.

Removing her gloves she sighs as the last of the Landers thank her for her time and tutelage. A smile and humble nod and few kind words and advice sending them away all smiles and sure to be back two days from now with more money in hand and eagerness in their hearts. Hopefully none of the better students would get it in their heads that they had a chance at meeting her on equal footing. They didn't. Wasn't possible. Two months of instruction versus twelve-ish years of instruction and competition? Not even on a bad day did they have a chance. Then there was the sound of approaching footsteps. Heavy sounding like someone who was used to but still mastering their mobility in this realm they now lived. Nothing like the landers whom existed her for eternity in one shape or another. Carefully her left hand curled about the sheath of her long sword. Then words...

Turning to face the speaker she noted his bow. Some formal etiquette training somewhere between now and his birth a plus compared to the large amount of common people she ran into on a daily basis. Good start with the 'Good evening, Madam'. Followed by a polite request followed further by an equally polite explanation and another humble yet not asking too much request for her assistance with his practice of dancing. No introduction. Good start just missing a name which wasn't too much of a problem as it hung above everyone's head like a goddamn billboard. It was more an act of decorum now more than anything. She'd be equally polite as it had been quite sometime since she too had practiced the skill of dancing. So she'd indulge him.

Lifting her right hand as her left released her blade scabbard she extends the hand to be kissed before speaking. "And good evening to you as well, Sir. I would be more than willing to assist you in your practice of your dancing Mr.?" she trailed off hinting that he should introduce himself properly and not just rely upon the name floating above him as a suitable intro. Perhaps this would be another means of earning money? Teaching people to dance or at the very least proper etiquette which seemed to be missing in heaps in this world. It was as if the gentry had never existed her in the first place.

WC: 716

[Noctis Corvo]

"Corvo. Noctis Corvo." The woman's regalia was definitely amusing, but by no means off-putting, at least not yet. Kain chuckled slightly internally, but obliged her the proper etiquette on the outside, lightly taking her hand and giving it a careful kiss. He carefully straightened back out to his full height, placing his hat back upon his purple and black hair. A small smile crept its way upon his face between the stitching.

His movements were light and calculated. He was by no means a novice to the area of dancing, and his formal etiquette was almost too perfect. Interestingly enough, those who knew him wouldn't even assume he had this kind of a side, in the game or out. In his mind, sometimes all it took was the right partner. "The castle's chamber orchestra usually practices about now..." Almost as if on cue, the beautiful sounds of an orchestral symphony began to float in over the air, slowly building in power through the acoustics of the surrounding area.

The music was comforting, but he was by no means lethargic in his movements. taking a few seconds to feel out the beat, tempo and style of the music, he straightened his posture and began leading through a slow method of East Coast Swing. It might not be the most ideal of ballroom dancing types, but it was what he felt most comfortable doing, at least as an opening stretch to once again get used to the movement of his feet in a way that wasn't combat.

He was definitely more graceful than his gothic and fragile appearance would let on, even being in a different body, it was as if it fell naturally to him. He had a few mistakes at the start, but recovered almost impressively well. From an outside view, one might even think he was a host or some other high class individual. His elegance was definitely an internal force, as he was sure even this woman hadn't expected it from such a dark and possibly malevolent figure that he had been known to initially cut.

Tags: Mikoto

Notes: If i need to expand on anything or change anything let me know :)

[Mikoto]

Momentarily shocked by the unknown dance step she quickly adapted to the strange steps and movements. This was not ballroom dancing this was something else. Something less refined and more modern. Her experience of ballroom dancing was in waltzes and other forms of traditional dance. Thankfully it wasn't too fast and she could simply mimic her partners steps. Taking a moment to assess him now that she could see his face the name "Noctis" meant "Night" in Latin. That left the word "Corvo" which meant "Crow" she could assume judging by the set up of the name. That and it sounded like something that would fit well with the usual overly dark tendencies of most gamers. Names like "Soul Drink" and "demonicsword" were usually amongst the first eaten up by players in all online games.

Dark color palette. Pale skin. Some kind of stitching. Definitely playing for the dark mysteriously stranger look. Not a bad way of going about it. If you moved past the fakely pale skin and stitches he was modestly handsome. He moved well and was a gentlemen by not attempting to grab at her bottom or hold her too close. Far better than the common curs she had experience with in this game. Was there no nobility left here? His eloquence was perhaps forced. Had it not been he'd have extend his hand first and offered his name before her hand had ever left her side. She'd not given her name yet as it was permissible for a lady to withhold her name if she so chose to. For now she'd focus more of her attention on keeping pace with the slow yet unfamiliar dance moves.

[Noctis Corvo]

    It took him a moment to notice, but nonetheless Kain eventually caught on his partner's unfamiliarity with his choice of dance. Personally he thought he led well enough, but then again, he was out of practice, and trying to lead someone in a dance they didn't know was generally considered in poor taste. She did however catch on quickly and keep in step well for the most part, but it wouldn't be fair for him to request she continue if she wasn't comfortable with it. He slowly came to a stop in the dance before addressing his partner. "I apologize if you were unfamiliar with the dance I chose. I didn't mean to impose, and rather, it is one of the only few I know by heart. If there is another style that you would wish to perform, I would be happy to switch styles. I may need a bit of instruction, but I assure you, I am a very quick learner, and a more studious pupil." He gave a small bow with his head as he finished his sentence. He wasn't always the most well-mannered back home, but he felt he should put on his best behavior. The woman was beautiful in a rather strange way, and something about her actions held a strange manner of high class that was unknown to him. He himself after all, was only raised middle class and then found himself running into hard times. But if there was one thing he remembered from growing up in his household, it was definitely respect and chivalry. He may not have shown it around most he knew, and certainly wasn't always up for keeping it on all the time, but that meant in no way he had no familiarity with how to turn on such charms. An old bet strangely came into the back of his mind, when a friend of his had once bet him that he couldn't be classy even if he tried. The resulting performance on his part would have put even a member of a high class Host Club to shame, making the girl blush in a matter of seconds. But that was then and this was now.

     He held his hand out, and kept the small bow, waiting for a response on the part of his partner, ready to follow her instruction.

Tags: Mikoto

[Mikoto]

She smiled slightly at his apologies. It was nothing the dance they'd just performed in the grand scheme of complexity had been relatively simple. Always such a fuss whenever someone did something new with her that she was unfamiliar with. Some made it seem like she was incapable of quickly grasping whatever it was they were doing and making adjustments. No quarrel there as she did struggle to come to terms with the fact that this quote unquote game was their new reality for the time being.


Perhaps that was something that she'd never grasp much less accept. More thought on that later when she had time to herself to sit and quietly mull over their collective situation and the brevity of it all. "Can you waltz?" her voice was soft, measured, purposeful. No more words than needed and a tone that questioned but did not demean. 


The waltz was a simple dance but could get very complicated. If he couldn't she'd stick with the basic box step and move further into more complex steps as they went forward. The dance itself had existed in one style or form since the fifteen hundreds. Though it went without saying that the version that was danced back then was vastly different than what was most commonly taught now. Needless to say the dance was a bit of a folk dance but not nearly as folksy as the around the fire harvest dance that some practiced at the spring solstice, planting time, and harvest time. She'd never participated as such things were bellow her families stature though she knew what they were about. History couldn't be hidden for long from the prying eyes of an inquisitive girl with the money to seek the answers wherever they may lay. 


Taking his hand she waits for his response before leading him or being lead back into the dance.

Noctis Corvo | 313 | Do as you will, sir.

There's a storm in her heart and the fire burns her soul

[Noctis Corvo]

The waltz. Kain hadn't really done a full one before. He knew the basics of it, and had practiced on his own before while watching some movies, but other than that he had never fully and properly learned the dance before. He returned the soft smile to his companion before responding in kind. "I can definitely learn." Taking her hand, he let her lead him through the movements. The box-step was fairly easy, and he grabbed it almost immediately, his earlier exploits into the dance helping his quick progress. His partner moved gracefully, with all her movements being calculated and well-practiced. She almost seemed like a princess out of a fairy tale, something completely foreign of a concept to Kain. She carried herself with an air of importance, of something that he could tell came from high-class, much higher than his. Strangely enough though, she didn't come off as a snob or a rich prick. She seemed kind enough, teaching the landers to fight earlier and then agreeing to be a  total stranger's dancing partner. Indeed, she was not only of high class, but of pure heart as well. He definitely found it peculiar in a refreshing way.

The part that struck him as odd however, was that a person of such a high class would be stuck inside this world. Personally he never imagined a person of high-class would waste their time with video games like most of the middle class, but he supposed anything was possible. it just seemed odd and so out of  place. He supposed he could try and start a conversation while they danced, try and get to know his partner. As they flowed about the room, he began to address his partner. "I don't believe I ever got your name miss," He began.

Tags: Mikoto

[Mikoto]

Leading him through a spin and a double spring step to the left followed into a spin out for her then back in before resuming the box step with a slow rotation in their steps. 


"My name?" she questioned as she'd been too busy marking the timing and making sure she wasn't moving too fast for him. Had he been a more practiced and trained dancer perhaps she'd have been paying more attention to his words. "My name is C...Mikoto," she said catching herself before she gave her first name. Even now she was careful about how she introduced herself to people. While she was certain that it wouldn't hurt considering the demographic that normally played these games you never knew. 


She was of blue blood old money hoity toity stock. She was rich or she would be when her parents passed away and more still when or if she allowed them to marry her out to some son of another blue blood old stock cunt. She never spoke like this in front of others. No, she was gentry. They didn't speak this way to anyone even their own kind. It was assumed everyone swore but they were gentlemanly enough to keep it quiet. Some were better than others. She could think of several women her mothers age who could speak rather crassly. Regardless, despite her lineage and upbringing here she was trapped in a game made by commoners for commoners. And if she was how many other old money trust fund babies could be in here as well? Too dangerous to play that game so it was better to stick to pseudonyms. 

Noctis Corvo | 274 | Sorry it took so long.

I'd rather die than live chained in this cell

[Noctis Corvo]

Kain smiled as he sat spiraling about with his partner. It was an interesting name honestly, and not one he would have associated with her character. She seemed to be based off of the ideas of a European Knight. Chivalry, gallantry, high status type noble. It was odd then that she had chosen a more...Eastern name. By the look of her, he'd say she was of a high-class British family, with her knowledge of ballroom etiquite and whatnot. It almost immediately ruled out anyone from America. She carried herself far too well to be of the states, and definitely too well, one could say, to have been playing an online game at all. While people were either nice or crass, he could hardly see either being the type of person before him. It could be the loss of the anonymity that comes with talking through a computer screen, but even then, she seemed to be lacking in any kind of manner that would be considered harsh or disgraceful, both of which would at least be a tad bit visible in her mannerisms having been separated from their source.

"That's a beautiful name." 

He had decided to compliment her. He wasn't sure really where to carry the conversation honestly. If she was, in fact, of higher status then there would most likely be little they would have to talk about. That and most players didn't take too well to talking about the world as it was. He decided it would be best to leave it alone and continue dancing for now.

[Mikoto]

"Thank you," was the polite answer that floated from her lips as she lead him into far more complex steps. It was hard for someone to take compliment for a name they;d picked for themselves. It was strange to her at least. And while she was pleased to find someone who enjoyed her taste in names at the same time it wasn't truly her. She was Carol not Mikoto. No one outside of this game called her by this pseudonym.  None of them really knew it existed and the few that did didn't care.

What a pair they made. He the pale and dark color wearing man and she the fair skinned gleaming maiden of possibly holy alignment.  She was of no alignment if that was even possible in this game. She was self serving so far. Charging Landers for fencing lessons, charging anyone who asked her to to haul their goods from one place to another, charging for wood crafting. Anything to make a dollar she did. She worked for gold and nothing more donation of time or skill was not something she did. 

She wanted freedom and she'd have it someday. For now she needed to upgrade the badly battered gear she had at her disposal. And once her gear was situated and in fine repair then she could focus on outfitting her beast of burden in his own gear and set about searching actively for a means of escape. A traveling sword for hire.

Noctis Corvo | 247 | Merry Christmas

People of Asa land, it's only just begun

[Noctis Corvo]

They both glided along the ground to the music, its soft chords articulating their purposeful steps across the ballroom floor. He smiled. His partner didn't talk much, but he didn't mind really. She seemed almost lost in thought as they made their way about, seeming to be focused on his face as though contemplating his own strange appearance. Again, not that he mattered. He got strange looks all the time from players and people of the land alike, and after a while, he had just managed to get used to them. Her stare however, was unlike the others. She didn't judge him or seem to attribute all the worlds negativity and darkness to his frame. Rather, she seemed to just be almost admiring his appearance, noticing the slight humorous nature in his over-the-top darkness and the strange juxtaposition that the two of them held in their dance of light and dark. He lifted his hand for her to spin, the two twirling about like a proverbial Yin and Yang.

He enjoyed the dance, even after a while learning to anticipate and predict her movements. Like he had said before, he was a quick learner, and quickly retook the lead. Not in a possessive manner, no, but rather in a comforting exchange. He took lead, but as she would move he would go along with whatever improvisations she made. He would not restrict her movements, but rather guide her along the path she wanted to go. If she wanted a toss he would oblige, a spin he would present his hand for her to continue. Indeed, his manners were with the upmost dignity and polite manners. Hewould do nothing she wouldn't want, and didn't force a single move upon her. He could feel their motions syncing up, their heartbeats meeting the rhythm of the song.

As the song came to a close, he let her out with a small spin, a lift of her hand, and a deep bow. "I thank you for your time Ms. Mikoto. Perhaps we could meet up again someday."

Tags: Mikoto