Viginette #43: Humility

"Here we are, Lady Avri...this is the temple in Telrain."

"Wow...the hall of my clan could fit in here and there would still be room left over!"

"Really?"

"Now that I think about it, just the meeting hall would fit in this room--the Sapphire Clan, despite having a small clan hall, is actually quite respected."

"Then what brings you here to human and elven lands?"

"The chief of my clan bade me seek out a Seer to train under."

"Would you like to enter my service, then?"

"You would accept me as your apprentice? I am in your debt, Lady Elf."

"The pleasure is all mine--and what name are you called?"

"I am Losi Jiatan, of the Sapphire Clan."

"I am Galileth Moonblade of Coraira--but you may call me Galia for short."

"I am honored to be under your command, Lady Galia."

Viginette #42: Understanding

"So dragons weren't always revered?" Bradlin gasped.

"Unfortunately no..." Glorian sighed as she gently wrapped Bradlin in her tail to shield him from the wind whistling through a crack in the wall. "Before the dragoons' orders were formed, humans saw dragons as creatures to be feared, and many were slain by knights, adventurers, and commoners alike. It took the formation of the first dragoon order for humans to understand that dragons could be friendly to others."

"Has your kind ever forgiven the humans for the wrongs they did years before?" Bradlin was curious now.

"For the most part, many dragons have--and a lot of them choose to serve a dragoon as I have." Glorian replied. "However, some hold a grudge against the humans, and it is these dragons that are now slain in the error of their ways."

Viginette #41: Confusion

So you didn't know about the picnic?"

"No, Miresa--not a thing."

"Are you sure?"

"Now that I think about it, I do remember you sending an invitation some days ago, but was not sure if the event was this week or the next."

"I sent the picnic invites last week, and I wanted to host it this week."

"Funny, Miresa, I could've sworn the invite said next week..."

"Has your power to read my handwriting been locked, Bradlin?"

"I didn't say your writing was bad!"

"Oh boy, I have a bad feeling about this..."

"Everyone, please! It appears we have had some miscommunication on the day Miresa wanted to host a picnic, so let us try and sort this out in a peaceful manner."

"Fair enough."

"Now, when exactly did you send the invitations, Miresa?"

"Last week, and I specifically stated on them it was to happen this week...so where is Bradlin getting the idea that it is next week?"

"Oh, now I remember! I was mixing up the day of our picnic with a training session all dragoons are required to participate in."

"So you didn't read my writing wrong after all."

Viginette #40: Awe

This is it..." Bradlin smiled as he opened the stall door with a creak. "The stall of Eldor's dragon." He took a moment just to admire the deep red scales that pulsed with strength and power. "She's beautiful...."

The dragon perked up at Bradlin's comment. "I'm glad you think so, little one."

Bradlin was confused. "Uh...thanks, I guess?" he stammered, at the same time awed that a dragon had actually spoken to him. "What's this 'little one' thing about?"

"You're a lot smaller than most humans that come here to care for me, and it is odd my master would ask for an apprentice to come here, but as the humans say, 'beggars can't be choosers'" the dragon explained.

"So what do you and Eldor do together?" Bradlin was curious now.

"We fly around the world, keeping watch over the various cities and towns." the dragon explained. "If a city is in danger, those that bid the city harm are burnt with a dragon's flame."

"So you wouldn't hurt me?" Bradlin shook at the thought of being scorched, frozen, or shocked by a dragon's breath.

"Not at all--you are a friend, and I would never harm those that came in peace."

Bradlin smiled as he began laying down some fresh straw and bundling up the old bedding. "Well, as long as the dragonmaster bids me to care for you, I would at least like to know your name..."

"And I likewise." the dragon agreed.

"My name is Bradlin..." Bralin stammered. "Bradlin Paramine."

"A pleasure to meet you, Bradlin." the dragon purred. "I am Glorian."

"Glorian..." Bradlin mused. "That's such a mouthful for me to say...so may I call you Glory for short?"

"Why Glory?"

"Well...you're a beautiful dragon, enough to strike fear in even the heart of the demon lord!" Bradlin explained.

The dragon chuckled a little. "Since you put it so nicely, I rather like that pet name--and you may call me as such, if you wish."

Viginette #39: Resentment

"Why do you cry so, human girl?"

"I've been punished for something I didn't do."

"And who was it that did this to you?"

"Her name is Halliwen, and she always does things like this to me."

"Is that so? I have a way to cure the resentment you feel..."

"Really?"

"Yes--do something and blame it on her."

"But that would be lying!"

"Oh, but it would give your rival a taste of what she does to you, plus it would be revenge for you."

"But once it was discovered that I had really done the deed, I would be in a lot more trouble than this."

"Don't you even want a little payback?"

"I don't really like what Halliwen does to me, but I would never stoop to her level."

"Tch...you humans and your standards...."

Viginette #38: Appriciation

What's the matter?" Arune asked as she flitted into the chamber, where Miresa was sitting on the bed, sobbing softly. It was rare to see her Other crying, and judging from the tears streaming down her face, this was serious.

"I caused another accident..." Miresa explained in between sobs. "How was i supposed to know that the name of the book I was asked to retrieve for the High Mage also shared the name of a spell?" All I did was name the book to be sure I had the right title, then just is I retrieved my whistle and started a tune, a wave came crashing into the room, flooding the library."

"Were any books salvageable?" Arune asked.

"Yes--an apprentice with Holy magia came and healed the damage and the books, but Halliwen tattled on me, and here I am, confined here without supper." Miresa continued before wiping away another tear. Sometimes I wonder if I am meant to even be here with all the accidents I cause."

"Nonsense, Miresa--you do more good things here than people credit you for." Arune assured Miresa. "You help younger apprentices with their studies, you train hard with your blade each day, you create wonderful music, and most importantly, you know how to comfort someone when they are feeling down."

Miresa dried her eyes. "Now that I think about it, maybe I have good for something here after all..."

"Furthermore, leaving here would be giving up on your dream of becoming a blademage. So don't give up." Arune replied as she offered some small purple berries with a white marking on them to Miresa. "Here...I brought you something to eat."

"Wild starberries! Thank you!" Miresa smiled as she took one of the berries and popped it in her mouth, savoring the sweet and tangy juice inside

Viginette #37: Regret

It's been a long time since my dad disappeared
I know not where he was going that day
But how was I to know I would never see him again
So he could share in the accomplishments I've earned since then.

I wish he could see me receive my Dragon Star
In another year or two
And I really miss his smile
And assurances things would be okay
When times were hard

Although I could have done nothing to prevent his disappearance
And what is past is past
I still keep the dragon wing pendant he gave to me
In rememberance of him

Epic New Year's special!

Here's the first hour of The Video Game: Caution: Long video ahead

Looking Ahead

I hope 2011 will bring more development for Shokiyu, and maybe the beginning of the story--only time will tell

Viginette #36: Grace

"But why would you, Glorian, allow me, a lowly apprentice, to enter your stall when I am not technically allowed to be in here?" Bradlin asked as he stared up at the majestic red dragon looming over him. He knew very well that a dragon could attack anyone it deemed an intruder, apprentices included, and he could see the large bulky muscles under its glinting deep red scales. Worse still were the sharp claws capable of tearing a man to shreds--despite the fact that the dragon was calm, it could very well decide to kill him and eat him in a matter of seconds.

"You have shown much kindness to me, little one." came the dragon's reply. "So why would I kill someone that has earned my trust?"

"You really trust me, Glorian?" Bradlin was surprised.

"Yes--I suppose humans call this feeling 'grace'." Glorian assured the human alongside her. "After all, you are one of the many apprentices responsible for my well being."

Viginette #35: Mercy

"Did you find the source of the crying?" Miresa asked as she dashed through the woods. For most of the day, an odd crying had been heard coming from the woods, and Miresa had volunteered for the elder to find out just who--or what--the crying belonged to.

She heard a "YIPE!" and a small growl as Arune darted away from the errant paw of a wolf cub. "It was only a baby wolf."

"No wonder it was crying--someone trapped it." Miresa smiled as she freed the tiny canine's paw from a jaw trap.

Viginette #34: Frustration

It started innocently enough
I came to claim the golden coin
That a friend of mine had given to me
When the explorer's club I did join

It was worth 100,000 pieces
Although spending it sounded appealing
I opted to save it, just in case
I needed something like an emergency healing

"Well, where was it last?" Arune said
When I told her it was gone
"I left it here on the table" I said
"It was still there at dawn,"

"And no one broke in and stole it from me
(or at least no one I know)
So now my question to you is
Just where did it go?"

"Have you looked in your room?" Arune pressed further.
"Yes, and it was not there.
And I'm not about to say
Someone took it on a dare."

"I am not saying it was taken." Arune said
"No one else even handled your gift
So accusing someone straight away
Would probably cause a rift."

"But I have no reason to accuse," I said
"since the only hands it touched were mine.
And I have better things to do
Than sit here and whine."

So we looked under every nook and cranny
Behind every piece of furniture, and even cast a spell
To show us hidden places
Or cracks into which it fell.

Just when it seemed all hope was lost
Arune saw a gleam
From an empty container on the table
That used to be holding cream

"See here your coin?" she smiled to me
My treasure found at last
"Now I remember, I put it in there
Like I have done in the past."

Viginette #33: Sympathy

When I come home at the day's end
And things have not gone my way
I can at least count on some comforts from a friend

So I tell Arune about my day
And all the trials that happened
And she listens to my tearful telling

Of mishaps and tribulations
And maybe a heckle from Halliwen or two
She does not judge, and does not scold

Just assures me all will be well
Then she conjures a feast of my favorite foods
To make me feel better

Viginette #32: Rivalry

So here I am in my chamber again
Punished for something I didn't mean to do
But since it will calm me down a little
I will explain what happened to you

You see, there's a fellow apprentice named Halliwen
Whose hair is obsidian black
She sees herself as a rival to me
And as such, gives me a lot of flack

And tells me she's the best at everything
(Which couldn't be farther from being true)
But I digress, here's what she did today
To make me feel so blue

She challenged me to make the high mage's stones
Dance a merry little jig
But in the process, I named the wrong spell
Turning one stone into a fig

I did my best to hide my deed
Before the high mage arrived
Halliwen claimed that I had cast the spell on my own choice
But her story was quite contrived

Although I had returned the fig to its true form
The High Mage believed Halliwen's lie
And confined me here without any food
Seemingly till the day I die

Merry Christmas!

All the beings on Shokiyu wish you Merry Christmas

Christmas Break

I will not be posting today or tomorrow for Christmas. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Viginette #31: Loyalty

This is where Miresa and Arune meet:

"Fine time to be chased by a bat..." Arune grumbled as she frantically tried to wriggle free from the vines that had snagged her wings. She had been trapped there for thirty minutes now, while being pursued by a bat that has mistook her for a mosquito. While trying to elude her pursuer, she thought to pass through a small hole created by some branches, not knowing some vines were there.

Just when she was about to worry about whether or not her fellow Wingblades would have to send a search party to find her and free her, she felt herself being picked up, making her yelp in surprise.

"Oh, did I scare you, miss fairy? I'm sorry." came a reassuring female voice. "I'm not going to hurt you, okay?"

Arune looked before her to see a young girl studying where her wings were snagged. "I must thank you for your kindness, miss." she smiled, ever aware of the small pocketknife that loomed inches from her wings.

"Okay, I'm going to have to cut the vines to get you out." the girl assured Arune. Arune shuddered, but then heard a SNAP! as one vine that had held her went falling to the ground, followed by another SNAP! seconds later, sending her falling into her rescuer's hands.

"Arune?" Arune heard the flit of more fairy wings approaching as her unit approached, with Farfalla leading the way. "I see you found an Other..."

"Yes, this girl rescued me when I got caught up in these vines here..." Arune explained as she gestured to the vines. "With your permission, I'd like to remain with her and protect her in return for her kindness to me.

Farfalla thought for a moment. "If that is what you wish, Arune, permission granted. You two are now Others, sworn to protect each other to the end of time."

Arune turned to look at the girl. "Well, if you are my Other, then I at least want to know your name."

"My name is Miresa." the girl replied as she tucked Arune into her hands. "A pleasure to meet you."

Viginette #30: Cloudgazing

"Miresa?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you think that cloud looks like?"

"A butterfly."

"Really? Hmm...that one looks like a dragon."

"Almost every cloud you see looks like a dragon!"

"Not that one."

"Oh?"

"That one looks like a fairy. Could it possibly be Arune?"

"Maybe...that one looks like a ring!"

"And that one a shining stone!'

"That one looks like a girl wielding magia."

"What kind?"

"Wind, of course."

Viginette #29: My Favorite Things

"What a nice day to go on a walk!" Arune smiled as she felt the spring breeze ripple her hair.

"I know." Miresa agreed as she felt the grass crunch beneath her feet. "Since I don't have any chores to do today, I thought I'd come out here and play a few tunes." With that, she settled down at the peak of the hill, retrieved a newly made silver flute from her bag, and began a spritely melody.

"Insteresting song..." A familiar male voice startled Miresa from her song.

"It's only Bradlin." Arune assured her Other, pointing out Bradlin making his way up the hill.

"I came to ask if you want to look for magia crystals in the river." Bradlin asked as he sat down beside his friend.

"Or, remember Lady Galia will be telling tales on the town square today..." Arune interjected.

"What a dillema...." Miresa mused. "I like mining magia crystals, but Lady Galia tells the best stories."

Viginette #28: Mail

Another pre overhaul viginette:

"You got a letter today, Miresa." Arune started as she flitted into the room clutching an envelope postmarked with the dragoons' crest. "From Bradlin."

"He got my first letter yesterday..." Miresa smiled as she took the envelope. "Good."

"But why would you two write letters to each other when you see each other each day?" Arune wondered.

"It is true that we see each other every day--but neither of us has a clue what goes on in the other lodge." Miresa explained. "So I send him letters detailing what it's like as a blademage, and he tells me what it's like as a dragoon."

"Well, what has he told you today?" Arune was interested now.

"It says..." and Miresa began reading the open letter. "Dear Miresa: Thanks for telling me what a typical day is like as a blademage, so now I'll tell you what a dragoon's day is like. We wake up early in the morning and assemble outside to raise our banner. Once taht is done, we eat breakfast and are assigned our chores for the day--cleaning the dining hall, tending to the dragons, and things like that..."