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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 21:05:09 GMT
<div align="center"><div style="width:500px;background-color:#000000;padding:10px;border-top:11px solid #000000;"><div style="float:left;width:205px;height:350px;font-size:10.5px;font-family:arial;"><div align="center"><img src="http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg572/am_euphoria/gif3_zpsmhoyaj3y.gif" style="max-width:100%;">Tag: <span atuser="kiawah" user_id="375" class="wysiwyg-tagged-user user-link user-375"><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a href="/user/375" class="user-link js-user-link user-375 group-256" itemprop="url" title="@kiawah"><span itemprop="name">Kiawah</span></a></span></span> <br></div></div><div style="letter-spacing:-5px;text-align:center;color:#473b30;font-size:48px;"><font face="georgia">blood and battle<br></font></div><br><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:9px;letter-spacing:4px;margin-top:-25px;color:#cccccc;text-align:center;">ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN<br></div><div style="padding:10px;text-align:justify;width:250px;height:400px;overflow:auto;font-family:times new roman;font-size:12px;color:#ffffff;"><font face="times"><font color="35414c"><font face="vivaldi"><font size="3"><font color="473b30">T</font></font></font>here was something in Vero's heart that didn't feel right. A nagging feeling. A bad feeling. An instinct that he could not ignore. His brother was from Yujleda territory and . . . everyone had been gone too long. It was why as soon as Vero heard word that someone returned, he rushed out to greet him. The man had been among the group of Scouts and warriors; he had been among his brother. And yet, he was the only one who returned. The man was completely out of breath, scratches and a few cuts on him, but nothing that looked too serious. Obviously not since he made it all the way back. <font color="473b30">"What happened?"</font> Vero demanded, unable to wait for him to fully catch his breath. He <b>needed</b> to know. The man could barley talk . . . but got out the necessary words. <br><br><font color="ffffff">"Reapers . . . ambush . . . taken . . . mountain . . . "</font> Vero's eyes slightly widened, trying to process this information. <font color="473b30">"The others? <i>Aro?</i>"</font> He asked, his tone almost desperate though a part of him knew the answer before he asked. The survivor looked at Vero, slowly shaking his head, clear regret in the answer he had to give; the truth. Vero could have sworn his heart stopped beating but for a moment. He slowly inched back, a slight tremble in his body. No. This could not be. This wasn't happening. His mind unable to process this. <font color="473b30">"Take him to the healer,"</font> Vero said numbly, only able to speak due to the initial denial of this revelation. With that, he turned to the one person he needed to see right now. And not because he was his Emperor. <br><br>Vero wasn't aware of his surroundings; as if in some sort of trance, that he hadn't even fully realized when he reached the throne room, shoving the doors open and stepping inside. There were a few others in there, for Kia as Emperor was seldom alone. <font color="473b30">"Get out,"</font> he breathed, unable to use the same authority in his voice that he usually held. His voice not loud, not strong . . . his bodied still numbed but was barley holding it together. His eyes locked onto Kia, hoping that he could see the need to speak to him privately and reinforce Vero's demand that everyone leave them alone. It wasn't an entire rarity considering Vero's position as General . . . but eh wasn't coming to him as a General right now. So he needed everyone to get out, and let him be a man, not a General. <br></font></font></div></div></div>
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 23:01:39 GMT
Kia knew something was wrong as soon as the doors to the throne room flung open. The way Vero's voice sounded, the expression on his face... something was very, very wrong, and Kia felt his pace quicken as he looked at the other people in the room. Normally they understood to listen to Vero's demands without question, but the words had come out so strangely that some of them seemed unsure whether to listen now. "And shut the doors behind you," he barked at them as he moved toward Vero, not repeating Vero's order, but making it very clear it was to be followed no matter what state Vero was in.
Everyone but he and Vero cleared the room quickly, and the doors shut just as Kia reached Vero, lifting both hands to grip Vero's upper arms because he seemed almost unstable. "What's happened?" he demanded, as gently as he could manage, very aware what happened could be cause to rally their army at any moment, his gaze up at Vero holding deep concern.
Tag: @vero
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2017 23:57:41 GMT
 Tag: @kiawah blood and battle
ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN
Vero would have felt relief when everyone was out . . . if he could feel anything at all right now other than his body numbed to recent discovery. Kia approached him and Vero was grateful for the Emperor's hands on his shoulders, trying not to overly rely on them to keep him standing. Though, it was difficult. For he felt it was the only thing keeping him braced on his feet. He looked into Kia's eyes, needing his presence. Needing him near to help calm him, and perhaps . . . even help find a way through this seemingly impossible situation. Vero wasn't entirely certain how he formed words, but he did. Enough to answer Kia's inquiry.
"A group of scouts were ambushed by Reapers." The words hadn't even sunk in as he spoke them. Merely reiterating what was told to him, without having adequate time to truly accept them. "Warriors among them." And everyone knew what happened when Reapers got their hands on their people. Vero looked at Kia, the numbness starting to fade, replaced with fear, panic . . . utter sadness.
"Aro . . . " Enough said. The one name would surely explain all. And yet, Vero could not accept defeat. "We need to bring him back." They needed to go to the mountain. "I need to bring him back.," he breathed. But even as he spoke the words, he knew. That once the Reapers, or Mountain Men took their people . . . once they were taken to the Mountain, they were never seen again. There was no getting them out. Despite the efforts of all the clans, it was impossible to save their people. And that devastation, threatened to undo Vero.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 5:35:49 GMT
Reapers. The very word made Kia's blood run cold. There had never been any victories against the Mountain Men, and their Reapers were like men possessed. Completely feral and almost impossible to fight. Hearing that his warriors had been among those abushed only made Kia's stomach sink. His men. But Vero would not look this desperate over just any men. When Vero spoke his brothers name, Kia sucked in a breath, his mouth falling open as he watched Vero. His eyes went slightly glassy as he looked into Vero's panicked, fear-stricken eyes. Kia had grown up with Aro, training together. He was a good man. And the pain in Vero's gaze was like nothing he'd ever seen from the other man, not even before their lives changed.
His hands went to each side of Vero's face, his own gaze searching Vero's as he spoke of going to rescue him. He had to know that it wasn't possible. No Grounder had ever gone behind their walls and come back out alive, or completely insane. He didn't bother to hide from his expression how much it hurt him to see Vero like this. And he could not say the words that they could not rescue Aro. Not now. So after a moment, Kia simply stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Vero, pulling him down, his hand against the back of Vero's head. "I'm sorry," he murmured. That Aro was gone. That they could not find him. That his closest friend hurt so badly, and he could not fix it.
Tag: @vero
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 21:40:27 GMT
Tag: @kiawah blood and battle
ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN
He was sorry. No. He couldn't be sorry. Sorry meant defeat. Sorry meant that there was nothing that could be done. Offered condolences. Vero's arms stayed still at his sides, unable to accept the apology . . . because he was unable to accept that this was the fate of his brother. He couldn't even embrace the only person who held any power to comfort him in this moment. The gaze in Kia's eyes only fueling the intensity of his words. He was sorry. "No," Vero breathed, drawing his head back, looking desperately at Kia as he slightly shook his head.
"Please . . . " He needed to find Aro. He needed to bring his brother home. Vero shifted, lowering his body as he was now on his knees in front of Kia. "Please," he repeated, uncaring of how desperate his tone and expression was. He reached out to take Kia's hands in his own, holding them, as if he was holding on to hope. "I'm begging you, Kia." Using his nickname that Vero only voiced in private moments with the Emperor.
Whether he was on his knees because he was literally begging him, or because his body felt the weight of the loss . . . he didn't know. Perhaps a bit of both. "We need to find him." He needed an army; a plan to strike down Mount Weather. Though deep in his mind, he knew the impossibility of it . . . yet his heart hadn't accepted that. It hadn't accepted that by taking an army, meant that each life would be lost . . . for no one stood a chance against the Mountain Men.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2017 7:05:43 GMT
'No.' It wasn't a word Kia was used to Vero saying to him, but Kia was not offended by it. He knew that the word came from denial and from so much pain, pain he only wished he could heal, but not this time. This pain would take far longer than a night to heal. Kia opened his mouth to speak, but words would not come, and then before he knew it, Vero was begging him. Literally on his knees, clasping both Kia's hands in his, using his nickname. Vero was in far worse pain than Kia was, but it hurt so much to see Vero like this, and Kia's tears spilled down his cheeks. He couldn't give Vero what he wanted. The only time Yujleda never demanded blood for blood was when it came to the Mountain.
He gently pulled one of his hands from Vero's, moving it to Vero's cheek. Slowly, he shook his head--both because he wished he did not have to say they could not go after Aro, but also as a mournful 'no' on his part. "It's a suicide mission," he said softly, stroking his thumb against Vero's cheek, perhaps more firmly than normal just to make him understand what Kia knew he must already.
Tag: @vero
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2017 13:15:08 GMT
The tears in Kia's eyes only made Vero's heart ache more. Knowing, that it would not give Vero the response he needed right now. His pain stricken state stilling all other thought. He could think only of going to the Mountain and bringing his brother home. While Kia's hand on his cheek often provided comfort, Vero felt numbed to any sensation. Though the more Kia's hand lingered, the more warmth he felt from it start to seep through. Vero titled his head into Kia's touch, his lips just barley brushing against the palm of Kia's hand where he touched him. He still could not accepted Kia's words. "I can't abandon him," Vero breathed, desperate for Kiawah to change his mind. Even if, as Vero could not currently accept . . . he knew his words were true. It was a suicide mission. "How can I?" He asked, only partly rhetorically.
How could he abandon his brother? How could he just sit here and do nothing, when Aro could be in so much pain. Tortured. Imprisoned. He . . . couldn't be dead. He moved his head back to look at Kia. "Is he not friend to you?" Vero would hate himself later for attempting to guilt Kia. But right now, he could not stop the words. "Does it mean nothing that he is my brother? That I am the one asking? That I am joken begging?" Questions only somewhat rhetorical yet again. The shock was starting to subside, denial starting to wane. Anger perhaps the next stage . . . wishing he could cease his joken tongue. For he never used personal feelings between each other to sway Kia's decisions. And hated himself for attempting to do so now.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2017 22:38:17 GMT
Kia just watched as Vero turned his head to kiss his palm. Everything Vero was doing and saying had a level of desperation that Kia had never seen on Vero's face before, and it broke Kia's heart to see it. But when Vero spoke of not abandoning his brother, asking Kia how he could, Kia could only shake his head slowly again, feeling utterly helpless in this moment. Vero couldn't do anything. Kia could not either.
Kia felt the burn of guilt as Vero went on, asking if Aro was his friend, asking if it meant nothing to Kia that he was Vero's brother and that Vero was begging him. Kia felt tears sting his eyes again, and Vero practically swam in his vision. "He was." A friend to Kia. "And it does." It did matter that he was Vero's brother, and that Vero was begging him. It hurt so much to deny Vero right now. He didn't want to. If there was any hope for saving Aro, Kia would take it, but they would never defeat the Mountain. They would all die trying, or be turned into the monsters they called Reapers.
"I wish there was a way to go find him without sentencing our warriors to death." Or worse. "You have to know if there were a way, I would take it, but..." His words were almost pleading with Vero to come back to sense, unshed tears again rolling down his cheeks. His hand gripped Vero's where it was still clasped between his hands, his thumb still rubbing over his cheek. "I cannot send you or any of our people to die."
Tag: @vero
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 0:22:22 GMT
Tag: @kiawah blood and battle
ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN
He was. Was. Vero did not miss the meaning of the words. Speaking of Aro in past tense. As if he was already gone . . . completley, from this world. Vero jerked his head to the side, his hand pulling from where it was joined with Kia's. "Was?" He repeated, another wave of anger as he rose to his feet. "Seems you don't need a body to joken have him dead." Words lashed out, spoken in the heat of anger. And Vero couldn't stop himself.
It was as if he wasn't in his own body; watching, unable to stop his words and actions. Not matter how desperate he was to do so. "Would you take it?" He asked him in disbelief. Deep down, of course he knew that Kia would take it . . . but once again, rationality fled from his mind. Vero took a couple of steps back, shaking his head a little before continuing. "Because I don't see you willing to do a joken thing." There was nothing that could be done, but that was not a point Vero was in the right mindset to concede to quite yet.
"Had it been your father, or mother, or if you knew a brother . . . maybe you would think differently." Another accusastion of bias actions. When Vero knew that Kia was not such a man. His love for those in Yujleda unwavering. "And by not doing anything . . . you don't even give Aro a joken chance." He didn't know what he wanted Kia to say; what he needed him to say. To give him an army, yes but would such irrational thought last forever? Vero turned his head to the side, trying to control his emotions . . . for his heart ached only more seeing Kia cry in his own pain, and speak words that Vero kept rejected.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 2:02:56 GMT
Was. That was not the word Kia should have used, not with Vero. Not yet. He knew it as soon as Vero pulled his face out of reach and his hands from Kia's, but Vero confirmed it when he rose to question it, accusing Kia of not even needing a body to call Aro dead. But... they never did when it came to people taken by the Mountain. It was a death sentence, and whether Aro was dead yet or would be eventually--either in body or mind--they all knew what it meant to be taken.
Kia brushed wetness from his cheeks as Vero continued, stepping back from him, accusing that Kia would not take action even if he could, and Kia tried to hide the hurt form his gaze. Vero did not need his hurt on top of his own once he came to his senses. He continued by implying that if it were someone more personal to him, he would be more willing to move on the Mountain, but... that wasn't true. And Vero had to know that. The nature of his relationship with Aro had changed since he'd become Emperor, as it had with everyone. But he still cared for the man. And even those who he did not have a personal connection with, he felt for them when they lost family to the Mountain. The Mountain loomed over them all like a fucking albatross, but they could do nothing. Kia hated it. He hated them. But they could do nothing.
"You know me, Vero," he said, his tone and expression slightly pleading, hoping he was hiding the injury from his gaze. "You know me better than that." He had to know the things he said were false. He had to know Kia had meant his words. Kia wanted to step forward again and touch him, like he so often did, but for the first time in his memory, he didn't think it would be welcomed.
Tag: @vero
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 2:15:08 GMT
Tag: @kiawah blood and battle
ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN
He knew him better than that. Vero did. And he knew that the words he said to him now were not true. They were not how Vero truly felt, yet as he previously realized . . . he could not stop the hurtful words from coming out. Kia didn't deserve this; to be an outlet for Vero's hurt and anger. Vero if anything was angry at himself. For not being able to protect his brother. "I thought I did," he said in a low voice. And . . . he could no longer bare it. With those words he turned and left. Before he said more to wound the man that he so deeply cared for. It was best to be apart from his company right now . . . to spare him Vero's own mood, filled with pain and devestation.
He went to be somewhere alone, letting the tears finally fall, mourning for his brother. He spoke with a few close friends who sought him out to offer condolences. Vero was not of a mind though. He didn't want to hear apology or words of comfort. There was no comfort that could be given. And it took some time before he knew what had to be done. He would not have an army to accompany him. And he would not ask any other to risk their lives. But he could not stay here, knowing that his brother could live. So he made the decision, to go after Aro. To find him. To bring him home. No matter the cost. The decision remained silent however; not breathing a word to anyone. He would leave in the late night, undetected. Vero did not wish to hear anyone attempt to stop him. His mind was set.
But before he left, there was one person he wished to see. Someone he needed to see. His mind no longer of such an irrational state to target his words at another. But with that, came the horrific memory of what he had said to Kia. He never wanted to hurt him and he feared the words he had said may have done just that. So before he left, he needed to make it right. Just as he had begged him to do what he could not for his brother, Vero would now beg for the man's forgiveness.
Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door of his personal chamber. The hour was late, so he knew he would be retired for the night. When it opened, Vero felt his mouth dry at Kia's sight, but he had to apologize. He may not deserve forgiveness but alas, he had to try. "May I have a word?" He asked quietly, eyes pleading to grant him this undeserved audience. "And I promise, they are not ones meant to hurt," he added on, so that Kia would know that he was not here to keep lashing out at him as he had before.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 3:01:12 GMT
"I thought I did." Vero didn't mean that. Kia knew it. But the words still stung, and his chest still ached when Vero turned and walked away from him. He took some time to compose himself, and then attempted to continue business as usual for the remainer of the day, but wound up cancelling every meeting that was not critical and retired to his chambers earlier than usual to soak in a bath. Every day as Emperor, he made difficult decisions. He knew he had to put his clan above all else. But Kia cared about Vero above all others on a personal level, and it pained him not to be able to give him what he wanted. To not even be able to offer comfort.
With a heavy heart, Kia dressed for bed, his hair damp and lose around his face. Almost no one ever saw him like this, looking so unguarded, but people usually did not knock on his door after he'd retired for the evening unless it was important. So when the knock came, Kia went to answer, and then stared up at Vero, his expression somewhere between sadness and sympathy. "You may always have words, no matter their content," Kia said, stepping aside and letting Vero into the room before closing the door behind him.
Tag: @vero
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 11:39:06 GMT
Vero looked at Kia for a moment as he took in his state. When he saw him in moments like this, it only reinforced his feelings for Kia . . . as a man, not an Emperor. But that was not what Vero had come for. He stepped inside, taking a deep breath. "I wanted to apologize. . . " Vero paused, turning to look at Kiawah. And doing all that he could to withhold the tears. Despite what Kia said, Vero had no right to speak words of whatever content he pleased.
He had taken advantage of his friendship with Kia. And would continue to hate himself for it. "Im sorry," he said, words thick with sincerity and an expression to match. Eyes still pained, but no longer holding anger. He was too emotionally drained for that. "I never should have said what I did. I . . . didnt mean any of it." And he desperately hoped Kia knew that. He had already lost his brother. He could bare the thought of losing Kia . . . emotionally anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 18:36:14 GMT
Vero wanted to apologize. Kia wasn't exactly surprised by this, though he didn't really think it was necessary. He turned to look up at Vero as he drew in a breath and said the words. Kia could see the barely contained emotion on his face, and instinctively wanted to reach out and touch him. But the last time he tried to hold Vero, Vero didn't hold him back. And he'd eventually pulled out of Kia's touch in anger. So Kia just watched him as he spoke, the same sadness in his gaze as before.
"I know you didn't mean it," he said after a moment. That didn't mean it didn't hurt, but Kia would get over it, and however unnecessary this apology was, it helped. He stepped closer, but didn't reach out. "You don't really need to apologize," he added. "I understand how painful this is, and... if there is anything I can do, please tell me." Anything but send his people to thier deaths.Tag: @vero
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 2:14:09 GMT
Tag: @kiawah blood and battle
ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN
Vero felt some relief when Kia said that he knew he didn't mean it. Though the guilt still weighed heavily on him. He couldn't bare leaving Kia, without this much needed apology from him. Without him knowing that he cared about him . . . even if he couldn't be completely honest in just how deep his feelings for the Emperor went. "Yes, I do," Vero stated upon hearing Kia tell him that he didn't need to apologize. "This isn't your fault. And, I should not have said what I did." Kia offered to do whatever he could . . . but Vero knew that what he had asked for, would not be met.
Which was why he had no intention of telling Kia how he was going to take matters into his own hands. He took a few steps closer to Kia as he spoke, until he was standing in front of him. Unable to resist the urge -- the thought of leaving Kia not far from his mind -- Vero reached out his hand going to the back of Kia's head, lowering his own a little so the strain to look at him would not be too great. "Would that you be able to do anything." But he knew he couldn't. There was enough rationality returned to his mind to know why Kia could not send any of his warriors . . . but not complete rationality considering Vero's plan.
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