With an exterior voice ringing through his head, Alpha finally turns his attention back towards the large group having gathered around the botanist. 'Who th - ah, it's . . . Orpheous, is it not? Didn't know you were a telepath . . .' he thinks in reply, not a little startled by the sudden intrusion into his mental corridors. By instinct he immediately begins focusing his thoughts only on what is currently important, subconsciously erecting countless barricades in his mind so that even someone like Richarn Noval, the Golden Hylian and a master telepath, would have difficulty getting through to his brain.

"Of course it was called for," he blatantly replies to the scribe's voiced concerns. "He touched me without my permission. Normally the only people who are foolish enough to do something like that are trying to kill me; my reflexes, therefore, took over and brought him to the point where he is now." He smirks malevolently. "He's just lucky that I was able to stop myself before I burned him apart from the inside - not a pleasant experience, from what I've seen."

Aiden felt better by Saber's side, but was still on edge. Well, she was until the Alpha incident. Like a terrified rabbit she went stiff, frozen as she watched the scene unfold. Her heart was racing and terror showed in her gaze, never had she seen such power and from a Sheikah. It was like her worst nightmare come to life. Alpha commanded the crowd's attention and even had the power to call off guards without so much as a thought. Her body shook and she had no control to stop it. A strangled noise escaped her throat, soft and helpless, something probably only the few around her, or someone with good hearing would even notice.

It was only then that she realized she had been holding her breath. Blinking a stray tear slid down her cheeks, causing them to turn bright red with shame. In an instant she attempted [Shadowmeld] to vanish from sight, even before Saber asked her about her water supply.

Ooc: Way to scare Aiden >.>

Luna stifled a laugh as "the little boy who cried stalker" got what was coming to him. Why he decided to start screaming, she didn't have a clue, but watching him get his butt kicked was very entertaining.
"Nice going sir," she complimented. "If you're coming along we ought to be safe from anything, especially nusinces," she motioned to Worru, and once again laughed. "Anyway, that was a good show you put on. Nice work." Luna couldn't help but admire Alpha's quick actions, they left her in awe. Watching him in a battle would be a great experience.

Luna also couldn't help but notice the bard who seemed jumpy after Worru got attacked. She doesn't seem to belong here, she thought. I hope she cun pull her weight in a real battle.

It had taken a moment, as well as a few sickening noises of bones knitting back together, but the boy hybrid sat up from his place on the stone streets, rubbing his head in pain. "Guy...You've got to wash your feet once in a while, honestly...", Worru made his opinion known, standing up and straightening his back up as he did. "But really, do that again some time soon.", he replied with a smile. "That was awesome."

Orpheous replied to Alpha's mind wave plainly, making his telepathic voice sound dronish. Yes, you're right. And yes, I am a telepath. "Well, looks can be deceiving," he commented about being burned apart from the inside. "However, now that you mention it, he deserves it." Then, he realized that two new people showed up and he hadn't even acknowledged them.

OOC: Sorry, Luna, I seriously forgot about your introductory post.

IC: Turning to Luna, he offered a hand to shake. "Hello, my name is Orpheous, and I make a living as the leader of a peace keeping organization, and I myself am a word-mancing scribe. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Luna (and, no, Orpheous isn't being flirty, just his typical charismatic talent he uses on everybody, ask around)." Then, addressing the fairy, "Yours as well, Kuromi." He turned back to Luna, realizing she was noticing the bard, probably thinking about her plausibility of being weak in battle.

Then, after using the logic that made him famous, he leaned in and whispered, "I used to think the same. After realizing her skill when fighting Gohma (if that's happened yet), I thought different. You'll see she is better in combat that she appears."

Then, turning back to Worru, who had just recovered, he simply shook his head. "Well, you did deserve it. I still can't believe you found it to be awesome. Have I ever told you how odd I found you. Well, hey, I guess we're all odd to an extent. I suggest you give Alpha some space now, immediately."

"When it comes to her ability to battle, I'll have to take you word for it," Luna whispered back to Orpheus.
"Anyway," she said out loud, "Nice to meet you. So you say you're the leader of-"
"A peacekeeping organization," Kumori piped in, just to make his presence known.
"Right. A very noble occupation. You must get lots of work in these troubled times," she said. Better be careful around this guy. I'd hate to get into trouble, she thought.
"What's word-mancing? Isn't that what you did when you made the water appear for the Zora?" Kumori piped in, yet again. "I'd never seen anything like that before. It must come in handy in tough situations."

OOC: Great, now I'm taking ZV's place as making this a conversational topic. Let's try not to let that happen.

IC: "I wouldn't consider us that noble. We have been known to bust some of the king's most trusted advisers. We don't mind anarchy, should the king become a tyrant. But I don't see us worrying about that in the near future. Actually, we are really just a bunch of nationalists. That is why we get so much bloody business. As for my talent, he does come in handy, Kuromi. And it is very unique. As soon as my apprentice finishes his training, I'll happily be willing to take on another pupil," he addressed to Luna and Kuromi. "Anyways, my corporation is called the People's Front of Hyrule, and I'm more of a co-founder. Come by our bases scattered around Hyrule should you ever want to join, or if you find that you have a problem. We even have one here in Castle Town. Stop by some time."

"Correction to statement:" Kasei called over, "They have a base here in North Castle, but only take a trip over there if you are an obnoxious neat-freak, eh?" The Man/dog/shiekah/angel/thing said. "I went inside, and my eyes nearly killed themselves. Too tidy. Orph, you should make it look like a normal office, get's more people to enter. An obnoxiously clean place is gonna give people nightmares." He finished, walking over. The man still ignored Alpha and Worru, knowing full well that the situation was in good, shiekahn hands.

"So, Orph, bringing one of your freinds along on this one?" The Rebel Flame asked.

OOC: Three Hours . . . three hours . . . three hours . . .

OoC: Guess who!

IC:
It's been...a year now, right? Yes, most certainly a year, if not longer - time seemed to lose its essence while he was away. Minutes became hours, which became days, months, until a full year had passed. He was now sixteen, a change he didn't even notice coming - he felt no different, and seeing he didn't even have anyone to celebrate it with, it didn't seem of any importance. Yes, sure - he was taller, standing at 5'10'' now, and with all that traveling on his own also helped develop some muscle into the formerly strength-deprived youth, but besides those minor changes, he was still the same. At least, he felt the same. Of course he had matured a bit through his travels, as traversing inhospitable lands by his own isn't exactly a walk in the park, specially if he had no-one helping him do it. Even if he did get some help from the local townspeople (shameful as it was, he did faint quite a few times), he was alone most of the time, and fighting monsters when your only weapon is magic can be quite exhausting. While still a big dreamer, these events did make him somewhat individualist, even if he cared for others above himself - if they were worthy of it, that is - he reminded himself with a mischievous grin - while he didn't matter working in groups, he was less trustworthy of people after being deceived more than once and having all his currency stolen and whatnot. Still, even with all those changes, he was still the same.

. . .

Who was he kidding? He was nowhere near being the same person.

Only as he approached the main plaza, the famed Castle Courtyard where every adventurer in the land of Hyrule started his or her own journey, did he notice exactly what time of the year it was. With the building-sized cake, people playing games on the street, and people of every race, age and alignment joining hands in celebration, it could only mean one thing: the teenager sure chose the perfect time to come back. He glanced around expectantly, anxiously awaiting to set his eyes upon a familiar face, not being granted that pleasantry. Where was Alpha? Where was Rose? Where was Dogura? Blank, Pyre, Alex? Where was everyone? It did seem rather odd that he didn't come to face with any known visage - and while he noticed adventurers young and old, naive and experienced... most were completely unknown to him. Sure, there were some people he remembered talking to once or twice before in his life, some he had definitely seen walking down the streets or crossed paths... but the largest percentile of people he knew seemed to have been replaced by new faces. Everyone seemed to have gathered around two hotspots. One was, obviously, the Celebration's main attraction, that building-sized delicacy fit for those with a sweet-tooth like himself. He still remembered the taste of that party cake from last year, how, upon eating it, he felt a Tingle-ing sensation throughout his body. While it would be good to taste that pastry, another thing called his attention further.

Near one of the exits of the Courtyard, a small group was definitely standing out. Be it because they were all armed, because of the two, large men of rock-like stature - obviously of the proud Goron race - looking forward to something, the petite Human with round-like features and a gleam in his eyes that, to any casual passerby he could be considered a fool - apparently traveling alone had given the teenager a much harsh attitude - or maybe because in that group he had seen some familiar faces, namely Alpha - doing quite a show, apparently - Kasei, that mercenary... what was his name again? Stiletto?... and some other faces that weren't completely foreign to him. Resisting an urge to go out and shout 'I'm back' with all his lungs, he approached the group, hood still up as not to betray his identity. How could he be sure that they still remembered him? And even if they did, would they forgive him for disappearing so suddenly and for so long?

"I'll join you." - he simply uttered as soon as he approached the small party, possibly shocking those inattentive with a voice one would not expect - he no longer possessed that childishly-high pitch he pertained when he was younger, to be replaced with a lower, deeper version which, while he still thought of it as strange, he had learned to accept. What he was gonna join he had no idea, but he could faintly understand the predicament he was getting into - whenever these guys showed up, something dangerously interesting always came up. He could already feel the adrenaline - a new adventure starting as soon as he had returned. A grin parted from his lips. Apparently, Tayro Wind wasn't as different as he thought he was.


OoC: Not RPing for nearly a year does take its toll on people. *head/desk*

Herbie's glasses literally popped off his head, revealing incredibly beady eyes behind the magnifying eyepieces. "Oh dear! Are you alright, Kiddy?" His voice actually rose in pitch at his concern. After feasting upon the sickening sight of Worru healing, he brought up his notepad once more, writing this new, over-the-top Sheikahn to his list. Then another voice seemed to come out of nowhere, also joining the party. Squinting, the botanist realized he had forgotten to put his glasses back on, and couldn't see this new face. Bending over, and giving the Gorons a sight that made them audibly groan in unison, he snapped the sight-aiding instrument and plopped it back on his bulbous nose, blinking at the new kid. "Reminds me of my youth...Ahem! Anyways, yes, on the list you go." After jotting all the new members down, he turned to Sabertache. "No, we have no cart of any sort. Hem. Quite sorry for the inconvenience...anyways, we had better get going then! Hem, yes! Everyone follow me to Parapa! We'll be setting up camp come nightfall, of course!" With that, he tucked his notepad under his arm, and marched off towards the gate, the gorons following him with the planks resting on their shoulders.

OOC: Feel free to post here as much as you want, the new topic will be up soon, and I will post an announcement about it when it's there.

OOC: Worru, FYI, Alpha does wear shoes. Not sure how you would know if he needs to wash his feet . . . which he probably wouldn't. He's a tidy kind of guy. Keeps himself washed, keeps his stuff in order, keeps his assassinations clean . . . you get the idea.

IC:
"Again?" Alpha stares back at the boy on the ground in disbelief. 'He's even more idiotic than I thought . . . hm, it's possible that him touching me wasn't the dumbest thing he's ever done.' With an exasperated sigh, he merely replies, "Fine. But next time, expect to die, alright?" And yes, he is still completely serious.

The Sheikah turns back to the rest of the group, mind wondering what the heck he's getting himself into. Again his earlier complaints of how these so-called 'adventurers' have no idea what they're doing surface in his mental framework . . . and Worru's calm acceptance of a near-death experience certainly doesn't help such ideas go away. He doesn't even bother to notice Aiden vanishing in fright, and if he had, he wouldn't have cared. He's more concerned about whether or not he should disappear - again, he hadn't wanted to be known to this little group of theirs. It almost seems beneath him to get caught up in such menial struggles; he has no reputation he's trying to uphold, and going after . . . whatever it is they're after; he never really was told . . . regardless, going after it will likely not help him out in the long run. The whole reason he had decided to 'stalk' them, as the kid so stupidly put it, was to be an unseen guardian.

He's just about to tell the people off - why on earth are they assuming he was planning on joining them? He doesn't even know what they're going to be doing! Why should they assume such a ludicrous idea? His scar begins to spark as energy flows through him, preparing to open a portal to the Void as his facial blemish starts glowing a distinctive violet -

"I'll join you."

'I know that voice . . .'

At the very least, he recognizes something within the tones. There is something . . . familiar . . . in the way it had been spoken. He tries to match it with a face, but fails due to the fact that it isn't the same as the one he is trying to pair it with . . . but the inflections in those three little words are undoubtedly something he's heard before. Alpha spins around, facing the newcomer as the light of his cursed mark fades away into a dull darkness beneath his hood. 'Yes . . . I had a hood . . . but he did not . . .'

A grin begins to form on his lips, the first he's felt since spotting the little celebratory area - he's figured it out. He's already fairly certain of who this newcomer is . . . but just to be safe . . . he stretches out, using his ability at sensing auras to read the boy's -

"Tayro!" he cries out in delight, essentially acting in a manner completely opposite from the one he had exhibited only seconds beforehand. The smile bursts forward onto his lips like a rainbow after the rain, his annoyance at the worthless occasion being cast aside as he gazes upon the older version of his good friend. One of the few people that the Sheikah had actually taken a liking to has at last returned to Hyrule, and Alpha can't help but feel a surge of energy at the thought. "It's been quite a while, my friend! How have you been? Where have you been?!"

He only listens slightly to the announcement that it's time to leave, and moves to walk alongside the young mage. It will take some time to reach Parapa; excellent. Plenty of time to get caught up.

OOC: Welcome back Tayro! I'd like to firstly let you know that Taint the Zora is not my main character. But his stats have been worked out in my profile for RG. Good to see you again! And if you're wondering about Dogura, PM me. Grave news.

IC: Taint snapped to attention as the voice cut through the air. Not because he recognized it, as much as how the silent cloaked one had reacted. The large silent man that had been standing among them had been under close watch by Taint the entire time. Rather than it be a glorious reason like sensing an aura of darkness within him, it was simply because he feared the man. He was big, and had a slightly frightening and menacing demeanor.

"Fine. But next time, expect to die, alright?"

Taint swallowed, and wanted to burrow deep into the ground. The sentence wasn't even directed at him, and still he was chilled to the bone. He'd heard the words many times before. But it was the lack of emotion, and how casually it slipped off the Sheikah's lips that got to the Zora. Is it really an every day occurrence to him to take a life? He thought. He now focused on the newcomer. The man that had somehow stirred up emotion within the sinister being whom Taint had previously thought to have no emotion was standing near the edge of the ring of warriors who'd gathered in the immediate area.

A shiver went down the Zora's spine. He must be strong. I'll have to be extra careful not to touch a nerve under this "Tayro" or so he's been called. Making a mental note of it, the nomad scooted away from the two monsters talking amongst themselves.

. . .
But what would two monsters talk about?

He thought this, as he hesitantly pushed his way back to the two. He pressed the side of his hand to his forehead to shield his eyes from the sun- mainly to make it seem as if he wasn't paying attention to the two. As he stood there, he listened intently to their conversation. Or so he would have, had they not started moving. He suddenly realized that it was time to move out. On to the desert. He thought diligently. This is a good chance to meet new people, and maybe even make a good friend here! He thought this, as he followed Alpha and Tayro, still trying to pick up bits of their conversation.

Leth stood towards the back of the group, not being particularly sociable. In other words, he was being his typical self. Smoking his pipe and leaning on the wall, he waited patiently for things to get started, and watched with some amusement the adventurers finding ways to entertain themselves whilst waiting to go somewhere. Then Herbie called that it was time to go, and he stood up, following the group out of the town. He had put his pipe away and had his bow in hand when they left the safety of the city, always on the lookout for danger. He scanned the surrounding grasslands for any sign of danger, his gaze moving past the woods and towards the mountains, then reversed gaze and scanned in the other direction. He continued this until He was satisfied there was nothing to worry about. In about ten minutes he searched again, and continued this pattern until they reached the desert...