Holy High - IC III - Open!

[Danceria]

Going out quietly was something Melkor always excelled at.

Thanks to Tulkas snoring like a sawmill, he even had enough time to get a bottle of water, some towels and open and close the door before striking down the hallway.

Now Melkor was in his element, he wasn't the Immortal God of the Void, he wasn't anyone. He was just a runner, and for some odd reason, that excited him. Soothed him.

None of the other Valar understood, they never could. Dear daddy had them all tied around his finger, and they couldn't imagine life without him. Melkor did, because he dared to. He was cast out during the Great Music of the Ainulindalë because a single voice refused to be lumped in with the rest in the chorus. Yet some of the Ainur joined him in his "discord", because he spoke of wandering in the Void and yearning for the power to create, and was determined to do so. Eru stood to meet him, attempted to look stern, but was afraid. The "discord" was simply the Ainur thinking for themselves, and true Music began with individual thoughts working together instead of one thought overcoming everything else. It was the story of creation, it was the story of mortals. He created chaos merely to test the mettle of the Valar's precious creations.

But none of that mattered now.

What mattered now were his thoughts, here he could collect himself, temper himself, be himself.

This was how he could prepare to face this new world, his sanctuary. The trails or the track, he could run. Not run from something, or to something, just move.

It was a primal desire that was an outlet to everything else. And this new sanctuary would be excellent, for it was not the endless Abyss, but rather beautiful creation made by people much like him.

Before beginning on the silent track, he laughed and smiled stating "Eä!" which is Quenya for "Let it begin", mimicking the words his father said upon the creation of the world. Begin he did with stretching and later running. One foot in front of the other, he would find his path.

[Charlia]

Charlotte understood how Hamiri felt as soon as she was hugged again. She could feel some of Hamiri's tears dropping on her head, but that was okay. She knew how it felt to be so overwhelmed by happiness that you just had to hug the nearest person and cry.

It was a wonderful feeling, not having to be alone anymore.

Looking up after Hamiri asked how she looked, Charlotte hummed thoughtfully and then said, "You look fine. I mean, I'm no beauty expert, but you look good to me. Oh!" Her eyes widened. "Speaking of Haruka, isn't she engaged to Xavier? And... and I think Amaterasu got engaged to Ryujin recently... because of Niji and all, you know? Maybe they should come along too! You could plan three weddings instead of just one!" She beamed happily at Hamiri, feeling positive that would get the other girl excited.

"You're right! And Inari's getting married too! You know what? We're going to get as much done today as we can. First, wedding dresses for each woman. Then bridesmaid dresses, then shoes...Oh, I hope Oto has enough money...but yeah, let's go find them!" With that, she hurried to go find Amaterasu's room. When she got there, she made sure her eyes felt dry, and then she knocked on the door. "Ama-san? This is Hamiri. Are you up?" she asked, quietly.

Amaterasu opened the door.

"Technically, I don't need to sleep," she responded with a slightly smug smirk. "So... yes, I am up."

Meanwhile, Charlotte was completely and utterly surprised at finding out that Inari was getting married as well. She hadn't been aware of that.

[Great Qin]

The junk was getting closer. It was a Taiping vessel, no doubt about it--their banners were hoisted aloft with pride. He now faces a decision from his vantage point in the water as the ship moved closer: should he let it pass, or should he destroy it? The Qing hadn't made him a servant of theirs, and they were failing anyway. But the Taiping was almost foreign to China itself...
Ao decided to hail the vessel and see what its intention was. As he rose out of the water, the forward cannon shifted until Ao was looking down its barrel into darkness. There was an explosion, and then a swirling sensation coupled with a surge of light...

BANG!

"ARRGH!" Ao yelled. He cupped his forehead with his left hand, and cautiously opened his eyes. Why are the chairs on the ceiling? He realized that he was hanging halfway off of his bed, his head having hit the floor when he had slid off. He pulled himself upright, and was almost blinded by the light streaming in through his window. He squinted, and used his other hand to shield his eyes until they adjusted. He sighed. I should probably get up now.

The little room he had found for himself was quite large, with a closet to boot. It was the only one that hadn't made him become panicky. Ao didn't like being confined in small spaces. As he opened said closet, he kicked aside his clothes from yesterday. They had only been worn to get him through the labyrinth that was 21st Century life. Now, however, he was free to dress as he liked to. He pulled out a navy blue silk Changshan from its hangar, one he had bought in Guangdong many a year ago. He put it on and slipped on his shoes, then grabbed a pair of round, wire-rimmed sunglasses, and a brown fedora (both tokens of his role in the founding of the Republic), and opened the door to the hallway beyond.

He wandered for a few minutes, alone and curious, until he found Ryujin standing in front of somebody's door. Instead of the greeting he had given before, he simply waved and smiled. "Good morning, my friend!" said he.

[Luminesa]

"You're right! And Inari's getting married too! You know what? We're going to get as much done today as we can. First, wedding dresses for each woman. Then bridesmaid dresses, then shoes...Oh, I hope Oto has enough money...but yeah, let's go find them!" With that, she hurried to go find Amaterasu's room. When she got there, she made sure her eyes felt dry, and then she knocked on the door. "Ama-san? This is Hamiri. Are you up?" she asked, quietly.

Amaterasu opened the door.

"Technically, I don't need to sleep," she responded with a slightly smug smirk. "So... yes, I am up."

Meanwhile, Charlotte was completely and utterly surprised at finding out that Inari was getting married as well. She hadn't been aware of that.

"Oh. Well, since Charlotte is getting married, and you're getting married, and Haruka and Inari are also all getting married, I was thinking that...maybe we could...well...gather everyone up to go shopping? You know, for wedding dresses? And for bridesmaid dresses? It'd be fun to go out on the town and shop for a while, anyway...away from here," she answered, smiling calmly. She had calmed herself, since she didn't want to seem like a crying mess in front of everyone.

[Ranoria]

The junk was getting closer. It was a Taiping vessel, no doubt about it--their banners were hoisted aloft with pride. He now faces a decision from his vantage point in the water as the ship moved closer: should he let it pass, or should he destroy it? The Qing hadn't made him a servant of theirs, and they were failing anyway. But the Taiping was almost foreign to China itself...
Ao decided to hail the vessel and see what its intention was. As he rose out of the water, the forward cannon shifted until Ao was looking down its barrel into darkness. There was an explosion, and then a swirling sensation coupled with a surge of light...

BANG!

"ARRGH!" Ao yelled. He cupped his forehead with his left hand, and cautiously opened his eyes. Why are the chairs on the ceiling? He realized that he was hanging halfway off of his bed, his head having hit the floor when he had slid off. He pulled himself upright, and was almost blinded by the light streaming in through his window. He squinted, and used his other hand to shield his eyes until they adjusted. He sighed. I should probably get up now.

The little room he had found for himself was quite large, with a closet to boot. It was the only one that hadn't made him become panicky. Ao didn't like being confined in small spaces. As he opened said closet, he kicked aside his clothes from yesterday. They had only been worn to get him through the labyrinth that was 21st Century life. Now, however, he was free to dress as he liked to. He pulled out a navy blue silk Changshan from its hangar, one he had bought in Guangdong many a year ago. He put it on and slipped on his shoes, then grabbed a pair of round, wire-rimmed sunglasses, and a brown fedora (both tokens of his role in the founding of the Republic), and opened the door to the hallway beyond.

He wandered for a few minutes, alone and curious, until he found Ryujin standing in front of somebody's door. Instead of the greeting he had given before, he simply waved and smiled. "Good morning, my friend!" said he.

Ryujin looked over at the other dragon, nodding with a smile, "Good morning." And then, as Hamiri obviously wasn't going to wake up Patriah, snarled, knowing that everyone else had woken up by now, and glanced over at Bo, who appeared out of thin air, handing him a manju jewel. "Wake up the mage, would you?" Within an instant, Bo appeared in the room and dropped the gem onto Patriah, cold water surging from the stone and, soon enough, leaking out the bottom of the door while Ryujin popped open a can of fish food and ate it in pinches with a smirk.

Going out quietly was something Melkor always excelled at.

Thanks to Tulkas snoring like a sawmill, he even had enough time to get a bottle of water, some towels and open and close the door before striking down the hallway.

Now Melkor was in his element, he wasn't the Immortal God of the Void, he wasn't anyone. He was just a runner, and for some odd reason, that excited him. Soothed him.

None of the other Valar understood, they never could. Dear daddy had them all tied around his finger, and they couldn't imagine life without him. Melkor did, because he dared to. He was cast out during the Great Music of the Ainulindalë because a single voice refused to be lumped in with the rest in the chorus. Yet some of the Ainur joined him in his "discord", because he spoke of wandering in the Void and yearning for the power to create, and was determined to do so. Eru stood to meet him, attempted to look stern, but was afraid. The "discord" was simply the Ainur thinking for themselves, and true Music began with individual thoughts working together instead of one thought overcoming everything else. It was the story of creation, it was the story of mortals. He created chaos merely to test the mettle of the Valar's precious creations.

But none of that mattered now.

What mattered now were his thoughts, here he could collect himself, temper himself, be himself.

This was how he could prepare to face this new world, his sanctuary. The trails or the track, he could run. Not run from something, or to something, just move.

It was a primal desire that was an outlet to everything else. And this new sanctuary would be excellent, for it was not the endless Abyss, but rather beautiful creation made by people much like him.

Before beginning on the silent track, he laughed and smiled stating "Eä!" which is Quenya for "Let it begin", mimicking the words his father said upon the creation of the world. Begin he did with stretching and later running. One foot in front of the other, he would find his path.

Mourir's shining red eyes followed the other god, unsure of his intentions and doubting that they were good, a leaf blowing in the breeze brushing against his hand before it crumbled to dust. He didn't say anything, not really having much to say on the matter, and not a big fan of talking, but he watched carefully. He'd overheard the other two regarding Melkor's history, and had no intention of leaving him unguarded.

[Great Qin]

The junk was getting closer. It was a Taiping vessel, no doubt about it--their banners were hoisted aloft with pride. He now faces a decision from his vantage point in the water as the ship moved closer: should he let it pass, or should he destroy it? The Qing hadn't made him a servant of theirs, and they were failing anyway. But the Taiping was almost foreign to China itself...
Ao decided to hail the vessel and see what its intention was. As he rose out of the water, the forward cannon shifted until Ao was looking down its barrel into darkness. There was an explosion, and then a swirling sensation coupled with a surge of light...

BANG!

"ARRGH!" Ao yelled. He cupped his forehead with his left hand, and cautiously opened his eyes. Why are the chairs on the ceiling? He realized that he was hanging halfway off of his bed, his head having hit the floor when he had slid off. He pulled himself upright, and was almost blinded by the light streaming in through his window. He squinted, and used his other hand to shield his eyes until they adjusted. He sighed. I should probably get up now.

The little room he had found for himself was quite large, with a closet to boot. It was the only one that hadn't made him become panicky. Ao didn't like being confined in small spaces. As he opened said closet, he kicked aside his clothes from yesterday. They had only been worn to get him through the labyrinth that was 21st Century life. Now, however, he was free to dress as he liked to. He pulled out a navy blue silk Changshan from its hangar, one he had bought in Guangdong many a year ago. He put it on and slipped on his shoes, then grabbed a pair of round, wire-rimmed sunglasses, and a brown fedora (both tokens of his role in the founding of the Republic), and opened the door to the hallway beyond.

He wandered for a few minutes, alone and curious, until he found Ryujin standing in front of somebody's door. Instead of the greeting he had given before, he simply waved and smiled. "Good morning, my friend!" said he.

Ryujin looked over at the other dragon, nodding with a smile, "Good morning." And then, as Hamiri obviously wasn't going to wake up Patriah, snarled, knowing that everyone else had woken up by now, and glanced over at Bo, who appeared out of thin air, handing him a manju jewel. "Wake up the mage, would you?" Within an instant, Bo appeared in the room and dropped the gem onto Patriah, cold water surging from the stone and, soon enough, leaking out the bottom of the door while Ryujin popped open a can of fish food and ate it in pinches with a smirk.

Ao, with a look of half bemusement and half amusement, looked on at this occurance. What a rude awakening for the guy inside that room! "Well, I'm going to be searching for something to eat. See you around!" He then went down the hallway and down a couple flights of stairs until he reached the cafeteria. He bought a small amount of food (whatever "cereal" was), and chose an empty table, surveying the rest of the people there silently. He wanted to assess the people there before introducing himself--he thought it might give him a better insight into them. And he just liked watching people. Yes, this was a school for gods, but these gods were in human form. It was simply fascinating.

[Charlia]

Amaterasu opened the door.

"Technically, I don't need to sleep," she responded with a slightly smug smirk. "So... yes, I am up."

Meanwhile, Charlotte was completely and utterly surprised at finding out that Inari was getting married as well. She hadn't been aware of that.

"Oh. Well, since Charlotte is getting married, and you're getting married, and Haruka and Inari are also all getting married, I was thinking that...maybe we could...well...gather everyone up to go shopping? You know, for wedding dresses? And for bridesmaid dresses? It'd be fun to go out on the town and shop for a while, anyway...away from here," she answered, smiling calmly. She had calmed herself, since she didn't want to seem like a crying mess in front of everyone.

"I see," Amaterasu said with a nod. "That sounds enjoyable. I should warn you, however, that traditional Shinto weddings are very different from what you're probably used to. Kimonos, for one thing. And no bridesmaids."

[Luminesa]

"Oh. Well, since Charlotte is getting married, and you're getting married, and Haruka and Inari are also all getting married, I was thinking that...maybe we could...well...gather everyone up to go shopping? You know, for wedding dresses? And for bridesmaid dresses? It'd be fun to go out on the town and shop for a while, anyway...away from here," she answered, smiling calmly. She had calmed herself, since she didn't want to seem like a crying mess in front of everyone.

"I see," Amaterasu said with a nod. "That sounds enjoyable. I should warn you, however, that traditional Shinto weddings are very different from what you're probably used to. Kimonos, for one thing. And no bridesmaids."

"Oh. Right. Well, you could handle that part, or at least help me to help you with that part. But we still need to get you bridesmaid dresses...Hmmmm..." She thought about what she wanted to do, now that she realized how many wedding they were going to have at the school. That meant that they would have to buy bridesmaid dresses for each wedding. "...You know what? Let's see how many dresses the others are going to be willing to shop for today, and we'll just do that...since we have a lot of shopping to do...heh..." She then looked at Charlotte. "Hey, Charlotte, can you go get Haruka, Inari, and Oto?" she asked.

[Charlia]

"I see," Amaterasu said with a nod. "That sounds enjoyable. I should warn you, however, that traditional Shinto weddings are very different from what you're probably used to. Kimonos, for one thing. And no bridesmaids."

"Oh. Right. Well, you could handle that part, or at least help me to help you with that part. But we still need to get you bridesmaid dresses...Hmmmm..." She thought about what she wanted to do, now that she realized how many wedding they were going to have at the school. That meant that they would have to buy bridesmaid dresses for each wedding. "...You know what? Let's see how many dresses the others are going to be willing to shop for today, and we'll just do that...since we have a lot of shopping to do...heh..." She then looked at Charlotte. "Hey, Charlotte, can you go get Haruka, Inari, and Oto?" she asked.

"...Did you not hear me?" Amaterasu asked wryly. "There are no bridesmaids at traditional Shinto weddings."

Charlotte just nodded and ran off to find Haruka. When she did find the ghostly mother, she coughed slightly to get the woman's attention.

"Hm?" Haruka wasn't expecting Charlotte to show up, so she was a little bit surprised. "Oh. Hello, Charlotte. Was there something you needed?"

"Y-yeah," Charlotte said nervously. "So... Hamiri and I were going to go shopping for wedding stuff... and I was wondering if you wanted to come along, since you've got to get things ready for your wedding too, right?"

Haruka blinked. "You're getting married? Good for you," she said with a smile. "I'd love to come."

"G-good!" Charlotte stammered. "We... we've got to find Otohime and Inari, too, so you can come along or you can wait with Hamiri..." She dashed off to find Otohime, Haruka following along behind her in slight confusion.

[Luminesa]

"Oh. Right. Well, you could handle that part, or at least help me to help you with that part. But we still need to get you bridesmaid dresses...Hmmmm..." She thought about what she wanted to do, now that she realized how many wedding they were going to have at the school. That meant that they would have to buy bridesmaid dresses for each wedding. "...You know what? Let's see how many dresses the others are going to be willing to shop for today, and we'll just do that...since we have a lot of shopping to do...heh..." She then looked at Charlotte. "Hey, Charlotte, can you go get Haruka, Inari, and Oto?" she asked.

"...Did you not hear me?" Amaterasu asked wryly. "There are no bridesmaids at traditional Shinto weddings."

Charlotte just nodded and ran off to find Haruka. When she did find the ghostly mother, she coughed slightly to get the woman's attention.

"Hm?" Haruka wasn't expecting Charlotte to show up, so she was a little bit surprised. "Oh. Hello, Charlotte. Was there something you needed?"

"Y-yeah," Charlotte said nervously. "So... Hamiri and I were going to go shopping for wedding stuff... and I was wondering if you wanted to come along, since you've got to get things ready for your wedding too, right?"

Haruka blinked. "You're getting married? Good for you," she said with a smile. "I'd love to come."

"G-good!" Charlotte stammered. "We... we've got to find Otohime and Inari, too, so you can come along or you can wait with Hamiri..." She dashed off to find Otohime, Haruka following along behind her in slight confusion.

"Oh, I know. I mean for, like, Haruka, Inari, and Charlotte's weddings. Not yours. Sorry," she answered, a little embarrassed. She then waited for Charlotte to bring the other girls back, so they could all get started. She then looked around and asked, "So where's Ryujin? I heard him down the hall, but I didn't see him."

[Danceria]

Going out quietly was something Melkor always excelled at.

Thanks to Tulkas snoring like a sawmill, he even had enough time to get a bottle of water, some towels and open and close the door before striking down the hallway.

Now Melkor was in his element, he wasn't the Immortal God of the Void, he wasn't anyone. He was just a runner, and for some odd reason, that excited him. Soothed him.

None of the other Valar understood, they never could. Dear daddy had them all tied around his finger, and they couldn't imagine life without him. Melkor did, because he dared to. He was cast out during the Great Music of the Ainulindalë because a single voice refused to be lumped in with the rest in the chorus. Yet some of the Ainur joined him in his "discord", because he spoke of wandering in the Void and yearning for the power to create, and was determined to do so. Eru stood to meet him, attempted to look stern, but was afraid. The "discord" was simply the Ainur thinking for themselves, and true Music began with individual thoughts working together instead of one thought overcoming everything else. It was the story of creation, it was the story of mortals. He created chaos merely to test the mettle of the Valar's precious creations.

But none of that mattered now.

What mattered now were his thoughts, here he could collect himself, temper himself, be himself.

This was how he could prepare to face this new world, his sanctuary. The trails or the track, he could run. Not run from something, or to something, just move.

It was a primal desire that was an outlet to everything else. And this new sanctuary would be excellent, for it was not the endless Abyss, but rather beautiful creation made by people much like him.

Before beginning on the silent track, he laughed and smiled stating "Eä!" which is Quenya for "Let it begin", mimicking the words his father said upon the creation of the world. Begin he did with stretching and later running. One foot in front of the other, he would find his path.

Mourir's shining red eyes followed the other god, unsure of his intentions and doubting that they were good, a leaf blowing in the breeze brushing against his hand before it crumbled to dust. He didn't say anything, not really having much to say on the matter, and not a big fan of talking, but he watched carefully. He'd overheard the other two regarding Melkor's history, and had no intention of leaving him unguarded.

Melkor noticed the unusual chill in the air and slowed himself to jog in place, a few feet away from the red-eyed god of death.

Well, well, well... the "Dark Lord" thought Someone who's remotely like me...

Mustering up a charming smile and stopping to stretch, he greeted the newcomer "What brings you out hear this early...?"

[Ranoria]

Mourir's shining red eyes followed the other god, unsure of his intentions and doubting that they were good, a leaf blowing in the breeze brushing against his hand before it crumbled to dust. He didn't say anything, not really having much to say on the matter, and not a big fan of talking, but he watched carefully. He'd overheard the other two regarding Melkor's history, and had no intention of leaving him unguarded.

Melkor noticed the unusual chill in the air and slowed himself to jog in place, a few feet away from the red-eyed god of death.

Well, well, well... the "Dark Lord" thought Someone who's remotely like me...

Mustering up a charming smile and stopping to stretch, he greeted the newcomer "What brings you out hear this early...?"

Mourir watched silently for a moment, his gaze unsettling as he simply observed, and then he nodded towards Melkor, giving a short, simple answer with absolutely no elaboration whatsoever, not believing it necessary to prolong his response. "You." While the answer could have been taken in many different ways, his grim, nearly emotionless tone narrowed down many of such possibilities. He obviously wasn't out here for a stroll, that was certain. He offered no explanation for his words, or, more correctly, word, simply continuing to stare down Melkor.

[Danceria]

Melkor noticed the unusual chill in the air and slowed himself to jog in place, a few feet away from the red-eyed god of death.

Well, well, well... the "Dark Lord" thought Someone who's remotely like me...

Mustering up a charming smile and stopping to stretch, he greeted the newcomer "What brings you out hear this early...?"

Mourir watched silently for a moment, his gaze unsettling as he simply observed, and then he nodded towards Melkor, giving a short, simple answer with absolutely no elaboration whatsoever, not believing it necessary to prolong his response. "You." While the answer could have been taken in many different ways, his grim, nearly emotionless tone narrowed down many of such possibilities. He obviously wasn't out here for a stroll, that was certain. He offered no explanation for his words, or, more correctly, word, simply continuing to stare down Melkor.

Melkor sighed and did some leg stretches "You're a "Death God"...so that means one of three things." he stated his deductions "One, I'm about to die. Which is very difficult for a divine being to do. Two, Death Gods are not treated very nicely at this school for understandable reasons and you wish to have a pal. I hope that this is the case." Melkor took a swig of his water and sighed "Or thirdly, everyone feels that I deserve a watchdog because I did one thing one time I'll naturally do more..." he gazed demurely at the quiet deity "That seems to be the most likely reason. Forgive my assumptions."

[Ranoria]

Mourir watched silently for a moment, his gaze unsettling as he simply observed, and then he nodded towards Melkor, giving a short, simple answer with absolutely no elaboration whatsoever, not believing it necessary to prolong his response. "You." While the answer could have been taken in many different ways, his grim, nearly emotionless tone narrowed down many of such possibilities. He obviously wasn't out here for a stroll, that was certain. He offered no explanation for his words, or, more correctly, word, simply continuing to stare down Melkor.

Melkor sighed and did some leg stretches "You're a "Death God"...so that means one of three things." he stated his deductions "One, I'm about to die. Which is very difficult for a divine being to do. Two, Death Gods are not treated very nicely at this school for understandable reasons and you wish to have a pal. I hope that this is the case." Melkor took a swig of his water and sighed "Or thirdly, everyone feels that I deserve a watchdog because I did one thing one time I'll naturally do more..." he gazed demurely at the quiet deity "That seems to be the most likely reason. Forgive my assumptions."

For this, the dark god actually deigned to respond, raising a single finger, "Deities are not so hard to kill as you may have been led to believe," he had his own not so fond memories that had proven that fact, and a second digit joined the first, "No and no," and for the third option, demonstrating by raising yet another one of his fingers, he nodded, "Correct." His cloak rustled a bit in a slight breeze, a bit of sand being kicked up and onto him, quickly dissolving into ashes.

[Charlia]

"...Did you not hear me?" Amaterasu asked wryly. "There are no bridesmaids at traditional Shinto weddings."

Charlotte just nodded and ran off to find Haruka. When she did find the ghostly mother, she coughed slightly to get the woman's attention.

"Hm?" Haruka wasn't expecting Charlotte to show up, so she was a little bit surprised. "Oh. Hello, Charlotte. Was there something you needed?"

"Y-yeah," Charlotte said nervously. "So... Hamiri and I were going to go shopping for wedding stuff... and I was wondering if you wanted to come along, since you've got to get things ready for your wedding too, right?"

Haruka blinked. "You're getting married? Good for you," she said with a smile. "I'd love to come."

"G-good!" Charlotte stammered. "We... we've got to find Otohime and Inari, too, so you can come along or you can wait with Hamiri..." She dashed off to find Otohime, Haruka following along behind her in slight confusion.

"Oh, I know. I mean for, like, Haruka, Inari, and Charlotte's weddings. Not yours. Sorry," she answered, a little embarrassed. She then waited for Charlotte to bring the other girls back, so they could all get started. She then looked around and asked, "So where's Ryujin? I heard him down the hall, but I didn't see him."

"I see," Amaterasu mused again. "As for where Ryujin is, I believe he just asked your assistance in awakening Patriah."

---

Finally finding Otohime's room, Charlotte knocked quietly on the door, hoping the dragon princess was already awake.

[Ranoria]

"Oh, I know. I mean for, like, Haruka, Inari, and Charlotte's weddings. Not yours. Sorry," she answered, a little embarrassed. She then waited for Charlotte to bring the other girls back, so they could all get started. She then looked around and asked, "So where's Ryujin? I heard him down the hall, but I didn't see him."

"I see," Amaterasu mused again. "As for where Ryujin is, I believe he just asked your assistance in awakening Patriah."

---

Finally finding Otohime's room, Charlotte knocked quietly on the door, hoping the dragon princess was already awake.

Otohime, who happened to be coming outside right as Charlotte knocked, 'eeped' and jumped when the other girl knocked, startled by her sudden appearance, but quickly composed herself, somewhat, with a nervous laugh. "Oh! Charlotte, it's just you. You scared me!"

Wow, I must be really jumpy if Charlotte scared me. She's about as sweet as they come.

[Danceria]

Melkor sighed and did some leg stretches "You're a "Death God"...so that means one of three things." he stated his deductions "One, I'm about to die. Which is very difficult for a divine being to do. Two, Death Gods are not treated very nicely at this school for understandable reasons and you wish to have a pal. I hope that this is the case." Melkor took a swig of his water and sighed "Or thirdly, everyone feels that I deserve a watchdog because I did one thing one time I'll naturally do more..." he gazed demurely at the quiet deity "That seems to be the most likely reason. Forgive my assumptions."

For this, the dark god actually deigned to respond, raising a single finger, "Deities are not so hard to kill as you may have been led to believe," he had his own not so fond memories that had proven that fact, and a second digit joined the first, "No and no," and for the third option, demonstrating by raising yet another one of his fingers, he nodded, "Correct." His cloak rustled a bit in a slight breeze, a bit of sand being kicked up and onto him, quickly dissolving into ashes.

Melkor paused for a moment, expecting for Mourir to speak further...but did not. "Well, you're certainly the conversationalist..." he stated sarcastically, before extending his arm to gesture down the track "Care to take a jog with me? Since you're my guardian, you should keep me in arm's reach, right?"

[Charlia]

"I see," Amaterasu mused again. "As for where Ryujin is, I believe he just asked your assistance in awakening Patriah."

---

Finally finding Otohime's room, Charlotte knocked quietly on the door, hoping the dragon princess was already awake.

Otohime, who happened to be coming outside right as Charlotte knocked, 'eeped' and jumped when the other girl knocked, startled by her sudden appearance, but quickly composed herself, somewhat, with a nervous laugh. "Oh! Charlotte, it's just you. You scared me!"

Wow, I must be really jumpy if Charlotte scared me. She's about as sweet as they come.

"Oh! Sorry," Charlotte said, flushing red in embarrassment. "I didn't mean to. Um, Hamiri wanted you for a shopping trip... for wedding stuff," she continued, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. "So... would you be interested in coming along?"

[Luminesa]

The junk was getting closer. It was a Taiping vessel, no doubt about it--their banners were hoisted aloft with pride. He now faces a decision from his vantage point in the water as the ship moved closer: should he let it pass, or should he destroy it? The Qing hadn't made him a servant of theirs, and they were failing anyway. But the Taiping was almost foreign to China itself...
Ao decided to hail the vessel and see what its intention was. As he rose out of the water, the forward cannon shifted until Ao was looking down its barrel into darkness. There was an explosion, and then a swirling sensation coupled with a surge of light...

BANG!

"ARRGH!" Ao yelled. He cupped his forehead with his left hand, and cautiously opened his eyes. Why are the chairs on the ceiling? He realized that he was hanging halfway off of his bed, his head having hit the floor when he had slid off. He pulled himself upright, and was almost blinded by the light streaming in through his window. He squinted, and used his other hand to shield his eyes until they adjusted. He sighed. I should probably get up now.

The little room he had found for himself was quite large, with a closet to boot. It was the only one that hadn't made him become panicky. Ao didn't like being confined in small spaces. As he opened said closet, he kicked aside his clothes from yesterday. They had only been worn to get him through the labyrinth that was 21st Century life. Now, however, he was free to dress as he liked to. He pulled out a navy blue silk Changshan from its hangar, one he had bought in Guangdong many a year ago. He put it on and slipped on his shoes, then grabbed a pair of round, wire-rimmed sunglasses, and a brown fedora (both tokens of his role in the founding of the Republic), and opened the door to the hallway beyond.

He wandered for a few minutes, alone and curious, until he found Ryujin standing in front of somebody's door. Instead of the greeting he had given before, he simply waved and smiled. "Good morning, my friend!" said he.

Ryujin looked over at the other dragon, nodding with a smile, "Good morning." And then, as Hamiri obviously wasn't going to wake up Patriah, snarled, knowing that everyone else had woken up by now, and glanced over at Bo, who appeared out of thin air, handing him a manju jewel. "Wake up the mage, would you?" Within an instant, Bo appeared in the room and dropped the gem onto Patriah, cold water surging from the stone and, soon enough, leaking out the bottom of the door while Ryujin popped open a can of fish food and ate it in pinches with a smirk.

Going out quietly was something Melkor always excelled at.

Thanks to Tulkas snoring like a sawmill, he even had enough time to get a bottle of water, some towels and open and close the door before striking down the hallway.

Now Melkor was in his element, he wasn't the Immortal God of the Void, he wasn't anyone. He was just a runner, and for some odd reason, that excited him. Soothed him.

None of the other Valar understood, they never could. Dear daddy had them all tied around his finger, and they couldn't imagine life without him. Melkor did, because he dared to. He was cast out during the Great Music of the Ainulindalë because a single voice refused to be lumped in with the rest in the chorus. Yet some of the Ainur joined him in his "discord", because he spoke of wandering in the Void and yearning for the power to create, and was determined to do so. Eru stood to meet him, attempted to look stern, but was afraid. The "discord" was simply the Ainur thinking for themselves, and true Music began with individual thoughts working together instead of one thought overcoming everything else. It was the story of creation, it was the story of mortals. He created chaos merely to test the mettle of the Valar's precious creations.

But none of that mattered now.

What mattered now were his thoughts, here he could collect himself, temper himself, be himself.

This was how he could prepare to face this new world, his sanctuary. The trails or the track, he could run. Not run from something, or to something, just move.

It was a primal desire that was an outlet to everything else. And this new sanctuary would be excellent, for it was not the endless Abyss, but rather beautiful creation made by people much like him.

Before beginning on the silent track, he laughed and smiled stating "Eä!" which is Quenya for "Let it begin", mimicking the words his father said upon the creation of the world. Begin he did with stretching and later running. One foot in front of the other, he would find his path.

Mourir's shining red eyes followed the other god, unsure of his intentions and doubting that they were good, a leaf blowing in the breeze brushing against his hand before it crumbled to dust. He didn't say anything, not really having much to say on the matter, and not a big fan of talking, but he watched carefully. He'd overheard the other two regarding Melkor's history, and had no intention of leaving him unguarded.

Patriah-and someone else-screamed horrifically from inside, as Bo dumped an enormous amount of cold water over them. Joaquin, for some reason, came outside first, drenched and wearing only a t-shirt and shorts. He then grabbed Ryujin by the collar, almost lifting him off the ground. "THINK YOU'RE FUNNY?! YOU THINK YOU'RE FUNNY?! YEAH?! HOW ABOUT I PULL ALL OF YOUR TEETH OUT WITH A PAIR OF PLIERS?! I BET YOU'LL THINK YOU'RE FUNNY THEN!!!" he screamed.

"Fish-Face...ugh, what the flip..." Patriah got out of his bed, grumbling rather than screaming. Unlike Joaquin, he was not surprised by his best friend waking him up this way. He was more surprised that he had sent Bo to do it, instead of doing it himself. Turning to the turtle, he smirked ironically and patted the turtle on the head. "Morning, Bo," he muttered.

[Danceria]

Ryujin looked over at the other dragon, nodding with a smile, "Good morning." And then, as Hamiri obviously wasn't going to wake up Patriah, snarled, knowing that everyone else had woken up by now, and glanced over at Bo, who appeared out of thin air, handing him a manju jewel. "Wake up the mage, would you?" Within an instant, Bo appeared in the room and dropped the gem onto Patriah, cold water surging from the stone and, soon enough, leaking out the bottom of the door while Ryujin popped open a can of fish food and ate it in pinches with a smirk.


Mourir's shining red eyes followed the other god, unsure of his intentions and doubting that they were good, a leaf blowing in the breeze brushing against his hand before it crumbled to dust. He didn't say anything, not really having much to say on the matter, and not a big fan of talking, but he watched carefully. He'd overheard the other two regarding Melkor's history, and had no intention of leaving him unguarded.

Patriah-and someone else-screamed horrifically from inside, as Bo dumped an enormous amount of cold water over them. Joaquin, for some reason, came outside first, drenched and wearing only a t-shirt and shorts. He then grabbed Ryujin by the collar, almost lifting him off the ground. "THINK YOU'RE FUNNY?! YOU THINK YOU'RE FUNNY?! YEAH?! HOW ABOUT I PULL ALL OF YOUR TEETH OUT WITH A PAIR OF PLIERS?! I BET YOU'LL THINK YOU'RE FUNNY THEN!!!" he screamed.

"Fish-Face...ugh, what the flip..." Patriah got out of his bed, grumbling rather than screaming. Unlike Joaquin, he was not surprised by his best friend waking him up this way. He was more surprised that he had sent Bo to do it, instead of doing it himself. Turning to the turtle, he smirked ironically and patted the turtle on the head. "Morning, Bo," he muttered.

Before the situation could become any worse, the arrival of two more deities bursting through the door. Well one of them.

One was a large blonde man built like a tank, who was guilty of punching down the door, the other, much smaller and with dark hair and blue eyes, asked quickly "What's going on?!"

The blonde growled something about "Melkor doin' this..." before surveying the scene. "Let's all calm ourselves down a bit..."

[Ranoria]

Otohime, who happened to be coming outside right as Charlotte knocked, 'eeped' and jumped when the other girl knocked, startled by her sudden appearance, but quickly composed herself, somewhat, with a nervous laugh. "Oh! Charlotte, it's just you. You scared me!"

Wow, I must be really jumpy if Charlotte scared me. She's about as sweet as they come.

"Oh! Sorry," Charlotte said, flushing red in embarrassment. "I didn't mean to. Um, Hamiri wanted you for a shopping trip... for wedding stuff," she continued, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. "So... would you be interested in coming along?"

"O-oh!" That was quite the news upon just having woken up, but it sounded like a good time, and it needed to happen, so better it happened with everyone else than by herself, right? "Sure! That sounds fun, let's go!" Just as she was about to step out, her face took on a look of mock suspicion. "Are you just bringing me along to pay for everything?" She did have a practically unlimited stash of gold, after all.

[Ranoria]

Ryujin looked over at the other dragon, nodding with a smile, "Good morning." And then, as Hamiri obviously wasn't going to wake up Patriah, snarled, knowing that everyone else had woken up by now, and glanced over at Bo, who appeared out of thin air, handing him a manju jewel. "Wake up the mage, would you?" Within an instant, Bo appeared in the room and dropped the gem onto Patriah, cold water surging from the stone and, soon enough, leaking out the bottom of the door while Ryujin popped open a can of fish food and ate it in pinches with a smirk.


Mourir's shining red eyes followed the other god, unsure of his intentions and doubting that they were good, a leaf blowing in the breeze brushing against his hand before it crumbled to dust. He didn't say anything, not really having much to say on the matter, and not a big fan of talking, but he watched carefully. He'd overheard the other two regarding Melkor's history, and had no intention of leaving him unguarded.

Patriah-and someone else-screamed horrifically from inside, as Bo dumped an enormous amount of cold water over them. Joaquin, for some reason, came outside first, drenched and wearing only a t-shirt and shorts. He then grabbed Ryujin by the collar, almost lifting him off the ground. "THINK YOU'RE FUNNY?! YOU THINK YOU'RE FUNNY?! YEAH?! HOW ABOUT I PULL ALL OF YOUR TEETH OUT WITH A PAIR OF PLIERS?! I BET YOU'LL THINK YOU'RE FUNNY THEN!!!" he screamed.

"Fish-Face...ugh, what the flip..." Patriah got out of his bed, grumbling rather than screaming. Unlike Joaquin, he was not surprised by his best friend waking him up this way. He was more surprised that he had sent Bo to do it, instead of doing it himself. Turning to the turtle, he smirked ironically and patted the turtle on the head. "Morning, Bo," he muttered.

Ryujin glanced back at Tulkas, calmly shifting into his baby dragon form and draping himself on Jaoquin's shoulders, simply tapping his shoulder and lifting all the water off of him, doing the same for Patriah and the dorm itself, before making the fluid disappear. "We're good. Don't worry. And Jaoquin," He looked up from the angel's shoulder, "I would suggest not pulling out my teeth if you value your hand. I doubt that it would survive prolonged contact with my blood." His tail flicked in amusement as Bo disappeared and he glanced back at Patriah. "I didn't want to barge in, the door was locked, and you weren't waking up. Blame Hamiri, she didn't come to say get you. Not that I gave you much of a chance, either." His voice sounded as if he were a little more amused than he should have been at the developments.

[Charlia]

"Oh! Sorry," Charlotte said, flushing red in embarrassment. "I didn't mean to. Um, Hamiri wanted you for a shopping trip... for wedding stuff," she continued, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. "So... would you be interested in coming along?"

"O-oh!" That was quite the news upon just having woken up, but it sounded like a good time, and it needed to happen, so better it happened with everyone else than by herself, right? "Sure! That sounds fun, let's go!" Just as she was about to step out, her face took on a look of mock suspicion. "Are you just bringing me along to pay for everything?" She did have a practically unlimited stash of gold, after all.

Charlotte shrugged slightly. "Hamiri said that she needed to ask you for money, yes. I'm not going to lie about it. But you should come anyway, it'll be fun! I just have to find Inari... wherever she is."

[Luminesa]

Patriah-and someone else-screamed horrifically from inside, as Bo dumped an enormous amount of cold water over them. Joaquin, for some reason, came outside first, drenched and wearing only a t-shirt and shorts. He then grabbed Ryujin by the collar, almost lifting him off the ground. "THINK YOU'RE FUNNY?! YOU THINK YOU'RE FUNNY?! YEAH?! HOW ABOUT I PULL ALL OF YOUR TEETH OUT WITH A PAIR OF PLIERS?! I BET YOU'LL THINK YOU'RE FUNNY THEN!!!" he screamed.

"Fish-Face...ugh, what the flip..." Patriah got out of his bed, grumbling rather than screaming. Unlike Joaquin, he was not surprised by his best friend waking him up this way. He was more surprised that he had sent Bo to do it, instead of doing it himself. Turning to the turtle, he smirked ironically and patted the turtle on the head. "Morning, Bo," he muttered.

Ryujin glanced back at Tulkas, calmly shifting into his baby dragon form and draping himself on Jaoquin's shoulders, simply tapping his shoulder and lifting all the water off of him, doing the same for Patriah and the dorm itself, before making the fluid disappear. "We're good. Don't worry. And Jaoquin," He looked up from the angel's shoulder, "I would suggest not pulling out my teeth if you value your hand. I doubt that it would survive prolonged contact with my blood." His tail flicked in amusement as Bo disappeared and he glanced back at Patriah. "I didn't want to barge in, the door was locked, and you weren't waking up. Blame Hamiri, she didn't come to say get you. Not that I gave you much of a chance, either." His voice sounded as if he were a little more amused than he should have been at the developments.

"And if you do it again I'll spike you like Rob Gronkowski spiking a football," Joaquin grumbled, as he glared at the baby dragon now draped across his shoulders. He wanted to drop-kick him through a window for doing what he did, and yet he felt it would be wrong to do that to a baby dragon, when it could hurt him. Thus, he held back and let him sit on his shoulders. "What do you want?"

[Ranoria]

Ryujin glanced back at Tulkas, calmly shifting into his baby dragon form and draping himself on Jaoquin's shoulders, simply tapping his shoulder and lifting all the water off of him, doing the same for Patriah and the dorm itself, before making the fluid disappear. "We're good. Don't worry. And Jaoquin," He looked up from the angel's shoulder, "I would suggest not pulling out my teeth if you value your hand. I doubt that it would survive prolonged contact with my blood." His tail flicked in amusement as Bo disappeared and he glanced back at Patriah. "I didn't want to barge in, the door was locked, and you weren't waking up. Blame Hamiri, she didn't come to say get you. Not that I gave you much of a chance, either." His voice sounded as if he were a little more amused than he should have been at the developments.

"And if you do it again I'll spike you like Rob Gronkowski spiking a football," Joaquin grumbled, as he glared at the baby dragon now draped across his shoulders. He wanted to drop-kick him through a window for doing what he did, and yet he felt it would be wrong to do that to a baby dragon, when it could hurt him. Thus, he held back and let him sit on his shoulders. "What do you want?"

"Tell me, what do you think of drinking a literally godly amount of liquor while gambling in Vegas? Does that sound like an enjoyable time to you?" His eyes flicked over to Bo, who nodded, appearing before Hyperion with a flipper extended, hoping for the sun titan to grab it while Ryujin continued, "Because I have enough gold that we could gamble for all eternity."