homeward bound (mod/open)

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/justiceposttable.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 purple none,b,Table][scrolly:h(205),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:76px;margin-left:266px;color:#999ac6;)] It had been a few days since she had left the boarding school. Justice had never been anywhere but the school from the time she was five. So getting out into the world was kinda scary but at the same time exciting, Though she could not wait to get to the forest castle where her Brother now worked. The letters he sent she felt like she already knew Feils, Rosa and the staff that worked there. Justice smiled as she thought about them and what they may look like. Though her day dreaming was short lived when Serena started to show signs of getting tired. She had been flying on Serena for a while now, Justice then patted Serena and smiled. "Serena, go ahead and land I can walk for a while." Justice said softly. " Toga" the Togekiss said with a nod. Serena then started to descend, after a few minutes she found a small clearing and landed in the middle if it. Justice then climbed off of Serena and then she hugged her dear pokemon. " Great job Serena, time for you to take a rest now." Justice said and returned her pokemon back into her ball. Justice then put the pokeball away and took out two more and called out two other pokemon. Her Skitty Zarah and her pikachu Poe. " Pika?" Poe said as he looked around and saw that they where no longer at the school. They where in a new place. He then went to guard mode. " Pika!" He said with his ears back as he looked out for any sign of danger. Zarah blinked a few times before looking up at Justice with a smile. "Skitty!" She said happily. Justice let out a soft giggle and picked up Zarah who snuggled into her arms. " Ok, come on Poe. We need to make as much ground as we can before dark." Justice said as she started to walk. Poe did not move right away, he was listening for sounds of other pokemon. Though after a minute he ran after Justice and started to walk by her side. Though the weather was starting to change, it was getting colder and even starting to snow. Though Justice did not know how to read the weather so she had no idea that a flash blizzard was heading her way. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

Seles was tired, among other things. The cold had slowed her search considerably, but her pure determination refused to allow her to give up on her search for Ieri and the Queen she so desperately wanted to see. It had been over a year, but it felt like a century. She'd gone up Era and down it again and again. Now she was headed back down once more going through many of the places she had already been, hoping to find some sign of either of the two.

Walking by her side was a rather interesting sky blue haired man whose hair was sparking a bit more than it should have. He wore a set of simple clothes and a few scant pieces of armor covering certain areas atop his clothes. Far from a human at all, this was Sir Duke, Seles's Ditto, whom, after a good few years of practicing, had managed to form himself into what appeared rather human. The only parts of his disguise that continued to give him problems was the 'hair' on this particular form's head, but even that could possibly have been passed off as just a rather interesting type of hair.

"Lady Seles... might you wish to take a break, my dear?" Duke asked looking worriedly towards his trainer as they both continued to walk through the jungle terrain. Seles looked sideways at her Ditto and shook her head which only earned a sigh from the Ditto.

"I'm alright, Duke," Seles assured despite even the tone of her voice argued against this assertion. "But if you're tired, we can take a break..." she finished before stepping over a fallen log. Duke blinked before smiling and shaking his head a little. His dear mistress was so stubborn sometimes.

"Well, I am a bit tired... might we stop when we find a suitable place?" he asked looking back at Seles again. After a moment of hesitation, Seles nodded her head. Nodding back a bit, Duke looked forwards again only to blink as he saw something in the distance. Now what was-- a human? He wasn't actually sure just yet, but that was what it looked like to Duke. "I believe we might have company, m'lady," Duke stated before making a motion through the brush.

Seles tensed, and for a brief moment, a flicker of hope came to her features. However, this was kicked down instantly. She wouldn't raise her hopes least it be simply a random person... or a thief, sigh.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/justiceposttable.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 purple none,b,Table][scrolly:h(205),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:76px;margin-left:266px;color:#999ac6;)] The wind was starting to pick up a little and Justice held Zarah closer to her. She noted that the snow was coming down little harder now. Though this did not alarm her just yet. Justice smiled as she watched the snow come down it was like her own little privet winter wonder land with no one else around. Or she thought anyway. Zarah was now pawing at the snow as Justice walked as if trying to catch a snowflake. Poe mean while was listening for any sounds of danger. Then his ears picked up something. Sounds of foot steps and voices. Poe's ears shot up and he took a defensive stance. " Pikachu!!" The little mouse pokemon cried out. Looking in the area he had heard the sounds and sparks started to come out of his red cheeks. Justice jumped and turned. Her heart starting to race a little now. Is something there Poe? Justice asked and the pikachu nodded. Justice looked around but could not see anything. " H...Hello? A...Anyone there?" Justice called out and tried not to sound scared but was failing. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

The snow was no longer Seles's focus. Instead, she was staring where Duke had pointed out trying to dicern who the person was: probably not a direct friend but hopefully not an enemy she needed to fight with. The sound of the voice confirmed that it wasn't who she was looking for, yet it also revealed that whoever it was seemed timid. Well, at least it wasn't a thief. Standing upright, as if this could increase her somewhat short height, she cupped one hand and called back. "Who goes there?" was her strong question that returned the previous one.

Duke stood completely still now as his dark black eyes that he had never really seed in changing focused on the forms in the distance. "M'lady, I believe it's a young woman along with her pokemon," he stated all but confirming Seles's thoughts already by the tone of the voice.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/justiceposttable.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 purple none,b,Table][scrolly:h(205),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:76px;margin-left:266px;color:#999ac6;)] Justice blinked when her question was more or less thrown back at her. The young girl then sighed, she was the first to ask who this person was. Though by the sound of the voice this person was female. Justice sucked in air and breathed out before answering. I am Justice Castillo, May I ask who you are?" Justice called out. Part of her wished Miguel was here... What of this woman was a rebel? Justice had her pokemon but the only weapon she had was her kendo sword.. Justice then blinked and shook her head to shake away those thoughts. It would not be wise to get her self all worked up.. She had to stay calm even though she was a little scared. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

The name actually confused Seles for a moment. Such an estranged name yet it had some obscure familiarity, and she couldn't exactly think of why even. Maybe she had been someone she had met on passing or...a noble perhaps. Seles had seen names on paper before, and the more she thought about it, the more the female knight was sure that sounded right. That brought more of a surprise, really. What was a noble doing this far out in the jungle?

She'd ask that in a bit, maybe. "Seles Arturia!" she called back standing taller still as she began to walk through the forested area towards Justice now. Meanwhile, Duke hesitated a moment but followed after his mistress shortly after.

"And don't forget Sir Farthinewton van Bisoman," Duke called out using his more prestigious name as he did so. Seles looked back towards her Ditto who just smirked and waved a hand in return before turning again and starting forwards once more.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/justiceposttable.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 purple none,b,Table][scrolly:h(205),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:76px;margin-left:266px;color:#999ac6;)] Justice blinked when the woman said her name was Seles Arturia. Never really being outside the walls of the boarding school she had a very small group of people she had been exposed to. So the name was very new to her. When Duke spoke up Justice jumped a little. So there where two of them? Seles Arturia and someone called Sir Farthinewton van Bisoman? It sounded like a noble name.. Could these two be nobles? Well this was turning out to be a somewhat odd day. Justice never expected to run into anyone out here, much less other nobles. She then heard them coming over to her, once again Justice sucked in air and breathed out. When Seles along with her companion came into view Justice gave a curtsey to them both and smiled warmly. " Hello Seles and Sir Farthinewton van Bisoman. It is nice to meet you. I was not expacting to see anyone out here." Justice said truthfully. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

As Justice came into view and curtsied, Seles blinked and bowed her head slightly. Duke smiled gently and bowed rather deeply. "Greetings, m'lady," he stated before his trainer had a chance to speak, which only earned a bit of a sideways glance from Seles. Standing upwards again, Duke smiled lightly flashing white, human teeth in an easy smile.

Seles, meanwhile, looked towards Justice. "Nor were we," she answered back eyeing over Justice carefully as well as viewing her pokemon. "What are you doing out in such brush, may I ask?" she stated raising her eyebrow lightly in question.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/justiceposttable.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 purple none,b,Table][scrolly:h(205),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:76px;margin-left:266px;color:#999ac6;)] Justice nodded when Duke bowed and greeted her, Though those teeth where strangely white.. Though it would be rude to stare or even ask about them. So she then looked over at Seles, just to notice Seles looking her over and her pokemon. Though Justice thought nothing of it. Poe on the other hand looked at the new comers as if not really trusting them. And something about the male human seemed off.. " Pikachu pika.." The male seems strange..." the mouse pokemon said. Zarah looked at Poe then back at Duke. She blinked indeed Poe was right though she could not figure out why. Duke looked human.. But did not really smell human. When Seles asked why she was out here, Justice gave a weak smile and rubbed the back of her neck." Ummm I er.... I just got done with school a few days ago and I left to try to find the castle my brother is now working at. I did not want to bother him so I left on my own. As for how I got here I was flying on Serena. My Togekiss, she was getting tired so I told her to land here. So I was going to walk for a little while" said Justice. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

Being a pokemon all the same, the Ditto knew exactly what the Pikachu had said, and after a few moments, he laughed a little before leaning forwards as though addressing Justice's pokemon. "Now now, it's not nice to talk about others even if you think they can't understand what you are saying, dears," he hummed slightly before standing up fully again and putting his hands in his 'pockets' before looking towards his trainer again.

Seles, meanwhile, found herself blinking at Justice's honest wording. It was rare to find one that seemed willing to give any full or honest answers, and because of this, she found herself almost a little stunned, among other things. However, after a few seconds, she nodded her head slowly. A castle? They were in the East, and Seles knew that there was only one in this entire directional area. Raising her eyebrow, she looked at Justice questionably. "Works?" she asked.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/justiceposttable.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 purple none,b,Table][scrolly:h(205),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:76px;margin-left:266px;color:#999ac6;)] Justice waited for Seles to respond, as She did she watched as Sir Farthinewton spoke to Poe like he understood what the little muse pokemon had said. This shocked Justice but she said nothing. Though she could not help but giggle a little at Poe's reaction. Poe's eyes grew wide but he did not back down. the little mouse then frowned a little and took a step or two closer to Duke. Just who was this guy? He looks human but does not smell like one and he can understand what he was saying.. Something was really off this person. " Pikachu pika pika pikachu." " I was just saying the truth... Just what are you? You don't smell human." Poe said as he moved infront of Justice as if ready to defend her at anytime. When Seles asked the word "works" Justice merely nodded. " Yes, my brother is a knight. He works for the duke in the forest castle. Though I have never been there my self.. I grew up in my boarding school, there fore I never really been outside of the school's walls. until a few days ago, but my brother must be very busy.. So that's why I set out on my own. Justice said truthfully. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

The shocked look was enough to bring a smirk to Duke's face, and he laughed for a brief moment before standing upright again. "I am Farthinewton van Bisoman, but my darling Seles calls me Duke more often than not, heh," he answered back as if this was what Poe had asked despite the fact that he knew very well he'd asked what instead of who. "But.... if you really must know..." he sighed slowly holding up one hand before discriminating it into a blue blob. "I am a Ditto, you see?" he asked lightly.

Though he probably wouldn't have revealed his form on normal circumstances, Duke believed it would disarm the Pikachu a bit and make him less likely to attack. There was no reason to fight when one could simply sweep away suspicion and foster a bit more friendship. "Sorry for the deception, but I am far more comfortable in this form than I am in my regular Ditto form. Also it makes traveling easier, you see?" he laughed lightly and winked at Poe.

Seles was taken a bit aback by Justice's words. She had thought the young woman was a noble, but..a knight? This girl was of a knight family? Seles had been sure she knew all of the knight families in Era, but ... the name Justice still didn't ring any bells as such. Was this young woman lying or was there some sort of other circumstance Seles wasn't aware of? She wasn't sure.

"I see..." she answered back standing up a bit taller than before. "The Duke.... instead of more of a former royal knight... or maybe he was..." Seles murmured quietly to herself before shaking her head slightly and looking towards Justice again. "What did you say your family name was, again?" she asked.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/justiceposttable.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 purple none,b,Table][scrolly:h(205),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:76px;margin-left:266px;color:#999ac6;)] Poe blinked as spoke and rolled his eyes when he said his name again. That had not what he had asked... Though after a moment Duke said what he was. A Ditto, Poe jumped when duke turned into his hand into a blue blob. After a moment Poe calmed down and the little mouse pokemon the relaxed and walked over to one side of Justice and sat down, " Pikachu pika." " Ah ok, So your a ditto? I had a hard time telling. Sorry about that." Poe said with a sheepish smile. Zarah let out some soft giggles, she was just as shocked as Poe was but she found this rather amusing. Justice blinked in shock when Duke told her pokemon his true form and even showed it.. Wow! A Ditto??? He looked so human she never would have guessed! Though as Seles spoke again and asked for her what her family name was again, the young girl blinked."Castillo." was Justice's short answer. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

Duke blinked at Poe's reaction but just hummed a little in response. Zarah and Justice's reactions were amusing as well. "It's fine," he smiled lightly before returning his hand to full fingers and the correct skin color again. "Suspicion only means you were worried about someone in the process." he answered back making a directional point at Justice.

Seles took in the last name again, almost oblivious to Duke's words at the moment as she tried to think over a knight family with that last name. However, for all she was and for all she could remember, Seles couldn't figure out the connection. After a few moments, she slowly shook her head and looked back at Justice. "Did you come from a knight family?" she asked after a moment knowing it was probably too blunt, but this was getting to her a bit.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/justiceposttable.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 purple none,b,Table][scrolly:h(205),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:76px;margin-left:266px;color:#999ac6;)] Poe rubbed the back of his head as Duke spoke. Yeah he was worried for Justice's safety. He nodded and looked lovingly up at his trainer. So happy that she had bought him from the store. It was the best day in his life when she chose him. He would be forever in her dept and would do anything he could to protect her. Zarah giggled softly once more and looked at Duke " Skitty skit." " Hello, I'm Zarah. Its nice to meet you." The Skitty said with a smile. Poe then realized he had not said his name yet. " I'm poe" the little mouse said. Justice blinked when Seles asked if she came from a knight family. Hmmm now she had to think about that one... Was her Father a knight?? Justice stood there for a few minutes as she thought about it. ........ Nope Miguel never said their Father was ever a knight. He was just a noble till he lost his tittle. Justice then looked up at Seles again and shook her head. " No, my family are not a family of knights. I don;t know much about my Father but I do know he was a normal noble till he gave up his tittle. My Brother Miguel always had a dream of becoming a knight so he chased down that dream. Though I first I believe he was a pokedoctor. Justice said truefully. And now she kinda hoped Seles would stop asking qustions.. Any more deeper... Ehhh Justice did not what to think about it... But if Seles asked she would answer. Even at that painful cost. For as Justice saw it she really had nothing to hide from Seles. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

Duke just grinned a little at Poe, and as Zarah and the Pikachu introduced themselves, Duke nodded to each. "Nice to meet you both," he answered back lightly bowing slightly. "I must warn you I'm terrible with names, but I'll do my best to remember yours." He laughed lightly and shook his head ever so slightly.

Seles, meanwhile, Seles was left even more confused than before as Justice spoke, and thus, she simply stod sweat dropping in her confusion. A noble, ok she got that, and he lost his power or rather title... she could get that....but... However, the last notion made a bit more sense. Ah, so he'd wanted to be a knight and maybe worked in the knights for a short time or something. Alright... "I see," she answered back nodding her head somewhat but keeping a somber expression. "I'm a knight as well," she admitted looking at Justice for any sign of reaction.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/justiceposttable.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 purple none,b,Table][scrolly:h(205),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:76px;margin-left:266px;color:#999ac6;)] Poe and Zarah nodded at Duke's words. If he forgot their names they would just remind him. No biggie, " I think I will just call you duke, your other name will be to hard to remember." Said Poe. Zarah nodded in agreement with Poe, yeah she would also call the Ditto Duke. " Its fine, if you forget our names we can just remind you~" Zarah with with a smile. Justice looked at Seles as she seemed to be thinking things over. She now hoped that Seles did not think she was lying... The only way she could prove her self was to take Seles with her to the castle. But after a moment it seemed Seles believed her. Though what Seles said next shocked Justice a little. So Seles is a Knight?? Wow!! That's to cool! A female knight! Justice smiled at Seles " Wow, really? I have never seen a girl Knight before. I think that's great." Justice said with a smile. Just then a strong gust of wind picked up and the snow started to get heavier. Justice let out a " Eeek!" Sound and freed one arm to catch hold of her purple cloak. the blizzard was now starting to pick And as the wind blew it uncovered Justice's Kendo sword the had been covered by her cloak. " Oh my goodness!! The weather seems to be turning!" Justice cried out in a worried tone. [/scrolly]

[Jay]

Duke smiled and nodded his head with ease before slowly looking over towards Justice. Blinking, he looked upwards and frowned quietly to himself. "It does seem that this tropical area seems to be experiencing some sort of weather disturbance unlike what it normally does," he sighed shaking his head. He could feel the cold but wasn't sure what to make of it.

Meanwhile, Seles found herself half smiling at Justice and slowly nodded her head. However, when the snow started to pick up, she found the cold armor rubbing up against her clothes and threatening to mess with her insulation of sorts. "Duke, give me a forecast," Seles called. The Ditto seemed to blink before snapping to the realization he was being called upon.

"The air currents are gravely upset... we might wish to seek shelter though I doubt this will last long," he answered back looking back at the pokemon first and then the two humans in question.

[Baroness Charmissey]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv181/SojiRem/justiceposttable.png);][atrb=width, 497][atrb=height, 297][atrb=style,border:0 purple none,b,Table][scrolly:h(205),w(205),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:76px;margin-left:266px;color:#999ac6;)] Poe shuddered in the sudden gust of snow and wind. Even with his fur it was cold. Poe then looked up at Justice with a worried look. She needed to get out of the cold and he looked up at Duke and nodded in agreement. " Yes, lets find a place to get out of the cold." Poe said. Justice was now shivering in the cold. When Duke said that it this would not last long, but it would be best to get out of it. Justice nodded. " Y..Y..Yes, I...I would like t..t...t get out of this weather if possple. Justice said through chattering teeth, [/scrolly]

[Jay]

Seles, though probably still warmer than Justice considering her wind resistance of sorts, wouldn't admit how cold she was becoming, but her eyes did start to look around the area rather quickly trying to find some quick hide-hole or something. Just then, something caught her eye. Was that-... a house? Looking sideways at Justice before making a directional point through the dense folliage, Seles then began to start walking towards it. "This way, I think I see something," she mumbled before starting towards what was distinctly something more than just brush now..... though far from any modern house or even anything Victorian in nature. There was something feral about the appearance that fit oddly well with the surroundings.

All too aware that they could possibly run into danger, Duke suddenly moved rather quickly and was gaining a few feet in front of his trainer least anything pop up then and there. His eyes darted from side to side trying to scope out the possible threats. However, for now at least, he saw none.