Dragomir RPG Soulriders Original Arc

[Asrana]

THe cold flames didn't leave her eyes; instead, the fire flared, seeming to chill the airdirectly around Asrana.

"I'm not finished. Kei, by now you've proven you cannot function as succesful member of this group. You would be an endangerment to all during the trip to Stathon. So I am dismissing you as my bodyguard."

[Kwokinator]

Kei flinched at the hostility Asrana directed at him, and even more so at what she said.

"You wanna dismiss me?  But I haven't done anything!" Kei defended. "I won't be an endangerment!  I'll be good!  I promise!"

[Asrana]

"Kei, I don't 'wanna', I DID. Your antics have proven that you WILL be a dangerous risk going to Stathon. I won't take any more risks than I need to. You. Are. Dismissed."

She maintained a cold and level tone he entire time, exuding authority as her black glove hands clenched into fists.

[CyMage]

Calen watched the confrontation with a neutral face.  Hopefuly it wouldn't get out of hand.  If it did he might have to step in.

[Kwokinator]

Kei abruptly broke off the pseudo-confrontation and ran away from Asrana, towards where Folkan and Seraya were working to open the inter-planar gate to Dracol.

"Folkan... Seraya" he said in a low voice, despair and desperation evident. "Don't dismiss me as Asrana's bodyguard.... don't make me leave..."

"P-please..." he choked out, his voice beginning to sound distorted as he dropped his head low. "I-I'll do anything you want..."

[Ginnezumusha]

Nabiki sighed gently.  She didn't think Kei was that annoying, but then again... maybe this was the best for him... at least it would prevent needless splatter later.

[Asrana]

Folkan and Seraya didn't even look up, Seraya continuing to walk in a seeming random as Folkan spoke in a neutral tone.

"It's her command. Asrana controls her bodyguards as a unit and has the authority t dismiss them before the actual mission has started. In the field she has to follow Dragomir martial rules, but right now she has free reign. I won't become involved."

[Kwokinator]

Kei fell to his knees, the strength in his body having seemingly left him simply because of what Folkan said.

"Then tell me what I can do..." he said softly, his arms trembling as he tried to keep himself at least kneeing vertically on both knees as despair continued to set in, plunging him into the abyss.

"Please..." he pleaded as dual tracks of tears slid down his cheeks unnoticed. "I-I don't... don't want to leave..."

[Merc]

Kaye massaged his brow at Kei's display. 'Jeez, he's being pathetic. I guess he does need someone to play devil's advocate, he's not that bad.'

"Asrana..." he started speaking, looking at Asrana. "Don't you think you're being harsh? Okay, he's proven to be an annoyance and loud, but a danger? While not something I'd exactly want to remember right now, he does possess superior reflexes and a good danger sense, as shown from this morning. His recovery rate and how loyal and stubborn he seems to be in sticking around also mean that he wouldn't be taken out very easily. Anyway, that's just my opinion of the guy."

He paused at that point. "I know it's not my place to contradict you, as you are our boss, but since our job -is- to protect you, I felt I should point out his apparent reedeming qualities. You just have to decide if his bad qualities still outbalance his good ones."

He pointed his staff towards Kei and looked at him. "And you, get up, you're not helping your case very well like that. "

[DP]

OOC: Hmm, I've been gone for a LONG LONG time and have no clue what's going on, besides the impending dismissal of Kei.  So, I'm gonna just drop Jon back in and sink or swim.

IC:

"I'm perfectly willing to put him out of his misery.  It would probably even be painless," Jon volunteered, grasping at the opportunity presented.  A world without Kei was a better place to live.

[Asrana]

OOC: WAI! DP is back!

Anyway, you seem fine, if you're unsure about something just grab me in IRC or AIM and ask, DP.

IC:
Asrana shook her head at Kaye and Jon, "Kaye, those are qualities that would make him good in the field or an open fight. Not the Ceran Forest or the stealthier activities involved in getting through it. He'd be a giveaway in the forest or mountains. So I'm eliminating him." Midnight seemed to nod, sniffing at Jon before smiling draconically, his silver highlited black scales glimmering in the sun as he went back to looming over Asrana protectively.

Asrana's lips twitched in a smile at Jon, "No...I'd prefer not to kill. And if it comes to that...I'll handle it myself."

***
Folkan shook his head at Kei, "I don't have any advice. It's Asrana's choice to downgrade the level of defense in favor of stealth. And I don't exactly blame her."

[Merc]

Kaye nodded in understanding of Asrana's explanation.

It was a sound decision she was making, as far as he could see. Of all of them, Kei was the only one who seemed to not be capable of stealth. He might actually be capable of it, but he hadn't -shown- it. To Asrana that would be the important thing.

He shrugged at the pleading fighter and said, "Well, I did a round of devil's advocate, and she convinced me of her own case. You'll have to defend your case by yourself now."

[DP]

"If he is to be dismissed, wouldn't it be wise to deal with Kei in a way that he may not later come back to haunt us?  I'm sure I've heard a saying about jilted idiots somewhere.  The point being, willingly or not, he could end up as a tool of our enemies." Jon wondered how convincing he sounded.

"Perhaps he would make an acceptable thrall?  Kei seems quite simple-minded and should cope well with being my puppet."

[Kwokinator]

"Fine!" Kei said as he bolted up to his feet, his voice on the edge of hysteria. "If you  want me to leave so much I'll leave!"

Spinning on his heels, he turned away and begain to walk back to the group.  Eyes closed, he  began to meditate and calmed himself as he walked.

"I really thought I loved you, Asrana," he said as he walked past the group and continued on  without pausing. "I guess I really do.  Guess it's all for nought now, huh?"

"I guess I was stupid enough to actually fall in love with you when I knew damn well that  your way of life is so radically different from mine and that you'll probably never accept  me," he laughed bitterly. "Look at me now, tossed away like an unneeded extra pile of  trash."

Suddenly, he bent his knees and half-crouched on the ground as he unclenched his fist and  lashed out with a powerful punch, caving the ground in slightly and sending cracks extending  out from the point of impact.  As he got up, his knuckles were dripping with blood.

"Guess I won't see you anymore," he continued as he got up, his voice betraying no emotion.  "Have a nice life, Crown Princess."
   
---------------------

Kei flipped over his assailant's lunging punch and kicked him in the back of the head,  sending him skidding across the floor.

"Back to the old lifestyle for me, I guess," he said as he picked the man up and lifted him  off the ground by his neck. "I wonder how much the authorities would pay me if I turn you  in?  You ARE one of the most wanted criminals in the city, you know."

The man repeatedly tried to kick Kei's arm loose, but said arm wouldn't even budge, and his  act didn't even earn a flinch from Kei.

"I suggest you not do that," Kei warned as he tightened his grip.

"Don't turn me in!" the man pleaded, knowing that he was outmatched. "I'll give you anything  you want!  I'll give you all the loot I've ever had!"

Kei's eyes sparked with interest. "Keep talking."

"Women!  Any woman you want is yours!"

Kei's eyes suddenly grew hard at the reply.  As if telling him that it was the wrong plead,  he slammed the man into the wall, denting it and embedding the man into the wall.

Not satisfied with the man moaning in pain halfway inside the wall, he scooped the man up  and over his head by the neck and slammed him down to the ground.

---------------------

He tossed the bag of gold pieces he received from the local authorities for the bounty up  and down in his hands as he wandered into a bar.

He was immediately greeted by a large man seated at a table in the center of the room,  waving him over.

Yep.  I'm definitely back and free from bodyguard duty for Dragomirs and back to my real  lifestyle.  Life is good.

"Then why do I feel so empty...?" he said softly to himself as he put on a fake grin and joined the man in drinking pleasureless drinks and laughing humourless laughs.

[Danax]

Mike turned as he heard Kei's outburst, and watched him walk away from everyone. He turned a hard look on Asrana for a moment before going about finishing his packing.