#flowerofaulptea

I have replies drafted to openers from merciful-mylene and faildadkratos, as well as a response to a reply to an opener to flowerofaulptea. I have had them there for a couple months, otherwise known as my hiatus time. If you guys want to keep that going/start something new, lemme know, because otherwise I'm just going to delete them. I'm sorry if you expected something within a decent timeline, or if anyone feels like I've been stringing them along or something.

To anyone outside that list who feels that I owe them a reply, same thing applies, except it might take a bit for me to find the post if you want to keep something going.

the-tiny-son-of-a-hero  immortalossan flowerofaulptea dragothevampire the-king-of-the-wind princeofthevolcano warmingembrace

Ah, a day that is clear, letting him do nothing. Not even Farah is nagging him to do any chores. Perfect! Now he could just kick back and relax.

Reid sighed contently as he found a comfortable spot underneath a tree. Putting his arms behind his back, he was ready to just doze off and not be bothered.

...Which didn't happen, because just as he was already trying to sleep, someone just had to get his attention by staring at his face.

flowerofaulptea

cheery-foolish-boy

brave-vesperias-yuri

monsterofluin

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ladygrune

halfelfscholar

Presea brandished her ax, wiping off the blood that stained it as she looked at the dead bodies of the monsters that had attempted to ambush her. She may look young, therefore an easy kill, but she was a skilled ax woman, and was far too old for what her appearance may seem. Not to mention, the Cruxis Crystal attached to her aided her in combat, making her a formidable foe, even when she is alone.

"W-Wow! There sure are a lot of people about today!" Emil seemed taken aback by the multitude of characters. "It's great to m-meet you all!"

He was blind, they told him. For how long, he didn't know. All he knew is that he could no longer walk without feeling his way, and in his stubbornness he'd often smashed his face against a wall or chair, leaving his face a colorful motley of bruises and scrapes. 

Those bright, optimistic eyes were as earnest ever, but they were blank, faded in color -- unseeing. If there were anything in the world that Asbel feared it was the sudden crippling feeling of being unable to do any good for anyone. 

He couldn't go outside without stumbling, and even Sophie's gentle hand  wasn't enough. Because he could no longer see the smiling faces of the people who looked to him. As he was -- he had no right to. If he couldn't protect them in this pitiful, weakened state, how could he help them?

What was worse -- he couldn't even do the paperwork he often comically fretted over, couldn't feel his way to a pen -- could do nothing. 

His Mother rarely left his side. The cold touch of a rag against his bruised cheek was a sign enough, and he could hear her, he always knew -- when his mother was crying. His hand reached for her cheek, fumbling down as he tried to find her hand, and held it. He felt tears fall and drip onto his hands, and he could only fumblingly reach for her face, as if to wipe the tears. I'm sorry, Mom. 

Asbel tried to smile as brightly for everyone as he could. He was already becoming a burden, he couldn't wallow in it -- even if he was not just crippled physically, but emotionally.

How can I protect anyone? It's so dark now. How can I raise my sword? I'm helpless --

Protecting others..sheltering them -- helping others -- it was like Asbel's life blood. He couldn't fathom a day where he wouldn't be able to help someone in need. But he was helpless now. Just like seven years ago.

Those words he'd said in the rain that day -- Sophie's hand on his head. He put a hand over his eyes, unable to stop his teeth from clenching in his despair. There was fear, but not so much for him as it was for the people around him. These people relied on him and he could only sit in silent, dull-eyed grief -- desperation in the fact that he felt like half a man .Half a person without his sight, his sword which had never failed since he'd begun his first journey with the others. And now -- and now---

Am I scared? 

His hand traveled -- trembled slightly to his bandaged cheek, faded eyes blinking once or twice, desperately trying to think of what he could do.

Lambda was silent. He always took that as a sign he was thinking or brooding. He hadn't spoken since he'd become blind, and he felt the wave of guilt rush over him. Now I can't show Lambda anything through my eyes because..because they don't work anymore. 

This can't be happening. Am I really going to fail everyone again? Without even a fight? Just something like this -- I can't change, can't fix? I can't accept this..I can't -- ...

For Asbel, who lived a life solely for the sake of his friends, loved ones, family -- his country and town, this was like a nail in the coffin. He had always been upright, strong, unwavering -- undaunted..

Now he was just a boy sitting outside in the open air, feeling the wind on his face, the scent of flowers wafting in his senses and eyes blankly, sightlessly set on the surroundings around him.

In his mind if he tried he could picture them. His people wandering around, smiling -- laughing, because he would always be able to protect them.

Before he realized it, his hands were shaking in his lap, and he had to clench them into taut, limp fists at his side to get them to stop. 

..What do I do now?

It was all he could think, as he closed his eyes. Either way, his world was dark now. He couldn't give up like this. He couldn't. 

If only he could get up, find his way to the door -- grab his sword and find a way -- some new way to see...if only -- if only.

Whatever he did, this had caused a crushing blow to his spirit.

He'd find a way to rise again, there was no other option, but for now, if he stood up -- he'd only add another set of bandages to his face. 

So instead he sat outside, sightless eyes taking in the world around him knowing that there was no longer any light.