Red the Ambivalent

I legit just need someone to kick me in the butt so that I can check in here. My weekends are reserved for my boyfriend, since I only see him then. The weekdays though I am working on, right now I typically play Xbox with my best friend or I lay in bed and binge watch shows. Recently they've been anime lol. But I know soon as I can get in the habit of sitting at my desk again, I will be able to be around for a lot more. But I do vote @Fierach as well, but that does not mean he has to take it if he is not ready. For right now, unless he takes the point position, I will do my best to hop on here and weigh in on things. If that is necessary I might need some nudges via text message when I'm needed, I'm great at forgetting and I have set discord on my phone to silent.

k stop being creepy, mr creeper

I'm alive...!?

Long overdue, but kind of an update? (Since I've been gone forever already) I'm posting VERY slowly. Which is better than before since my last post was like what...October? But I am working with a few of you guys, and I'm going to start posting again. I just need to ease into it again. So, AFV meaning...I'm coming back finally, just going to be slow going for awhile until I can get back into full swing.

So, I'm here. I greatly, greatly apologize that I have not been able to reply. For one...I forgot my password, slung some curse words around, gave up, then just reset it tonight. Also, my power was cut off today so I had to get some help to get that back on. 😅 Anyways. I have been toiling with many ideas over the past couple months regarding Pk and Val, I've gone from wanting to just give it up because I think the whole idea of responsibility scares me (due to failed marriage and personal demons with writing), to struggling with that only because this is my baby. I've worked very hard to make Pk what it is, and I have interest coming from others. Albeit the responsibility thing is the main issue I'm facing, writing by itself is scary only because I'm a dumbass and when things got tuff last year/year before, I used it as an escape. Right now I'm four months into an amazing relationship, and I really don't want to fall down that same rabbit hole and somehow ruin something great. But I am battling those demons, I have posts randomly forming in my head that I should write, plots that need to happen, etc. I do not intend to stop writing forever, and I do completely think I will come back and write regularly soon; But until I can win my fight, Akako, Twitterpated, and Fierach have graciously offered to stand in my stead OOC and IC to ensure Pk is running the way it needs to. I've had Akako create a discord channel for us four so I can stay in the loop, and I am currently working through a good IC reason that Red is currently MIA. I believe I can create a very good plot point for Pk that I can present when I return, regarding her whereabouts. Of course I understand the need to have this discussion, and if the board needs to change hands, I won't fight you on it. I know my absence has left it barren, and Pk deserves more than I have been able to give it. On a brighter note, this is the most I've typed in like...8 months. >___>; 😄 @Akako Akari@Twitterpated@Fierach@supernal Also how is Altissium faring @Kalmuli? And @Enk Razorwood I had another member, @Knighto message me in November about reviving the Rose, I..Am awful and haven't looked at the message until now, but if they're still around, the interest is there to get it going again.

With the success of the A.N.T.S meeting only days in the past, it was only fitting that with the newly founded Allies meet on terms fitting to broadcast their relationship. It was with one particular relationship that the Empress had garnered within Taen that she took special care to maintain. The Princess Teresa, such a bright young woman with so much potential, and the two of them had struck a bond prior to the Allied Nations meeting. Whereas Teresa saw Red much like an Aunt, to her the young woman was much like a niece in the same regard. Without proper family for the majority of her life, it was a new and exciting feeling to care for someone as if they were actually family. Because of that special bond they shared, Red found herself meeting with the young noble about the Blue Region, an area that she herself had been eyeing for some time, just hadn’t gained the resources needed to further investigate the ruler barren lands. When Titus had gave his wishes for her to meet, Red was more than happy to accommodate. Although she hadn’t taken with her some thousand soldiers as an escort, a few dozen well-armed men and the famed black Gryphon of hers made the trek. Still largely swollen with pregnancy, it was urged she not do much walking, so the trip was spent resting on the back of the big black feathered beast. She hoped Nyxau didn’t scare Teresa, or alarm any of the escort she’d likely have along. He was a gentle giant, and they shared a telepathic bond. Unless harm was coming Red’s way, he would lie idly by and allow her to do whatever business she was here to do. The meeting spot was a common turnoff for travelers, a cozy little diner and Inn that stowed away the tired and the hungry. She hadn’t gone inside, but the commotion of a few dozen soldiers and a rather large animal with talons had stirred the residents inside. After a few minutes outside, a stoutly old woman had peeked through the shades, found herself with widened eyes as she spotted the blonde sitting on the Gryphon, wearing clothes fit for a traveling ruler, and was outside with water and a parcel of bread. ‘Ease’. The single word fled through the minds of the soldiers and beast alike, where the tension had mounted at the sudden arrival of the greying woman, they settled and stood at attention. With a smile that could melt hearts, Empress Red patted the side of Nyxau and he lowered to the ground, allowing her to slide from his back with only inches to drop. “Ma lady, is such an hon-or, please rest--” Outstretched was the glass of water and bread wrapped in would looked to be tanned animal hide. “Please, I’m your guest. I will pay.” It was unknown if the Innkeeper recognized who Red was, but with the royal escort and clothes to match, it wasn’t hard to figure out her standing. Bowing repeatedly and scurrying backwards, she graciously accepted the coins Red had pressed into her palms and fled back inside, a curious excitement to her steps then. “It won’t be long now, Princess Teresa and her escort should be arriving shortly.”

Not every soldier in rank was psionic, nor knew much about the abilities. A few of the soldiers recognized what this beast was, but there was no time to ponder except to bark over the psy-tek radio about needing all the cities forces to take this thing down. As soon as the beast began forward, guns opened fire in a hail of bullets; Specifically bullets crafted without the use of gunpowder as within Terrenus the powder was severely weakened. Instead of the explosive each one was made using the same psy-technology that the majority of the city used as a power source. The metal casings run through a machine that fills the ammunition with a powder similar, which reacts the same way as the gunpowder does when the trigger of the gun is pulled. In order for them to work properly, the guns had to be modified to react to the powder within the shells, mass produced with runes etched into the barrels. A trying process to get them to work, but a suitable replacement. The beast had only offered enough time for a short volley of shots before it's mass collided with the first line of soldiers, screaming and bones breaking as they fell to the ground and subsequently crushed beneath it's feet. Orders were barked again, more soldiers began to arrive and opened fire on the Metacreation without hesitation, hoping that these guns would work as intended and disrupt any psionic powers coming from the beast. The soldiers wielding swords and spears charged, hacking and slashing at the beast while trying to dodge the feet and legs, or any swinging arms. From inside the Keep, the Queen was shouting orders and demanding any soldiers with magic or powers need to be at the attack site at once. It wasn't enough to have guns and swords, they needed a solid magical base to trap the beast. The best of the best were soon surrounding it, shields in front in case it decided to charge once more.

Slowly but surely the Grand Hall was filling with Kings and Queens and Lords and Ladies, while glazed crimson eyes watched blankly the beautiful landscape and foliage that was the back acres of the estate. A serene half smile that spoke of the calm her exterior may have given, how still and peaceful the Queen—No, Spoken Empress of the Scarlet Kingdom seemed by herself just enjoying the sights and sounds of nature instead of the growingly crowded common room. Kahlan wasn’t truly watching what was beyond the deck, her thoughts were keeping her rather preoccupied without the distraction of beauty. Not far on the same side of the castle she’d felt the King of Patia and the Black Queen of Orisia, one in which she was never formally introduced, and the other she knew all too well yet seemingly not at all. It wasn’t her intention to pry upon private conversations, so she didn’t even with how plausible it could have been. The newly crowned Regent of Medain Sari had arrived, more so a cover of sorts so James Eredas could base more secretive Order operations out of the remote island off of the Terrenus shore. It had been planned the two arrived together, but as most things go it hadn’t worked out the way she’d wanted. Eventually she would meet up with the Daemon Slayer, but her wandering mind took a keen focus to another individual that the woman hadn’t expected to see so soon, or at all. The twitch of a smile fell into nothingness, an anger began to broil deep within her chest over the sickening presence. Koji, the son of one of her dearest friends and the murderer of her other dear friend. The brother-- The simple shallow smile returned yet didn’t touch her eyes, leaving her a ghostly expression that was a tell for nothing underneath. Blankness, a trained visage that left nothing to be seen of the inner workings of her thoughts nor feelings other than a false happy, one many took to the blonde as pleasant and kind. Using one of her hands, she pushed herself from the soft cushion of the chair in a rather wobbly grace, her other hand falling gently to rest on the rather noticeable swell of her pregnancy. There had been a scare months ago, one directly following the Spring Hanami Festival in Port Caelum, one full of doctors and nurses, pain and agony, and since then the Queen had strayed from the publics prying eyes. It was rumored that Red’s pregnancy had been false, that it was no more than a publicity stunt and the sudden trauma at the festival was a way to end the claims of child. It hadn’t been, and it was likely that none in attendance would have known of the child still, even with only months to go. Rolling her shoulders as she stood, the woman smoothed the creases of maroon fabric and began inside, since it seemed most of the guests had arrived. Kahlan made no move to head towards anyone in particular, instead she walked with a slow gait that held no purpose. Still pleasant with smiles, she let her eyes wander over the faces and listened to snippets of conversation as she passed, hearing introductions and names, so many false pleasantries spoken behind masks such as her own blank one. It was mandatory for rulers and leaders alike to lead with nice things said, to compliment other people within their same ranks to make them feel better about themselves and to feel known, to feel they had purpose. It sickened her. A small press against her hand from her belly gave her pause, the false smile turning genuine for a moment as she stopped and felt the little one inside moving—Still something Kahlan couldn’t get used to. Her thoughts turned to the father, about how he’d missed much of these moments due to the responsibilities they both held. Saddening, yet necessary. Once the little one had settled she started on again, moving through people with the false smile covering the pure joy she felt from the small, tiny life she was going to bring into the world. The small life that would be the heir to the Scarlet Empire.

Although attentive as she ever was, the blonde was having a difficult time hearing the commands the other was shouting over the microradio. Gowned in the simple yet elegant red and white kimono and beautiful as ever, Kahlan was radiating in agonizing pain that masked her beauty in shaking, near convulsing shudders. Sweat quickly dampened the longer blonde locks against her flushing cheeks, it took near every ounce of restraint and control for her not to buckle and drop to her knees next to the Pendragon. “R-ripping o-OUT!” Although the child wasn’t threatening to rip out of her stomach, the pain could have easily rivaled such a thing, her cries giving as much away while she clung to him. The two guards that had been at post at the gate grabbed the tall iron wrought gates and pull them closed with haste, securing them and standing before the lock to keep anyone that may have heard the Queens pain from prying and seeing what was ailing her. The only reprieve from the publics gaze was that they had managed to walk far enough away that the bustle of the festival easily drowned out the woman because of how far they were away. Unsuspecting and even less caring of being scooped up from her feet, her arm looped around his neck and tightened, the other still cradling the swell of baby bump. Before the brilliant light washed over the two, her cradling hand grabbed at his collar, although unable to lift her head to look at him and feeling uneasy about speaking without crying, her voice shakily whispered through the forefront of his thoughts. ‘Do not let this child die, my friend. I cannot lose another. Not again.’ The implications behind her words were endless, but one dared speak louder above them all. Let her die, if it meant the child were to live. Nausea would have been more of an issue for the sudden transport to the emptied-out hospital wing if the pain had subsided more than it had, the uneasy sensation couldn’t compare to the ripping, destructive agony Kahlan was trying to overcome. Her eyes stayed glued shut, her mind trying to focus on the press of his smooth cheek against her dampened forehead. A light touch so familiar to one of their many nights beneath the stars or the sheets. That comfort she clung to, grasped at wholeheartedly. She truly thought she might die, this night. The staff that was standing by wasted no time nor effort to prepare the nearest room for the Queen, a luxurious hospital bed with curtains heavy enough to black out the fading sunlight, an I.V bag wheeled in and settled next to the bed with what could be assumed the sedatives that Xartia had requested. The security detail moved with ease to ensure all entrances to the Wing, hallway, and room were completely secure. With Xartia assumingly setting the pained psion carefully down on the bed, he would be moved aside as the nurses and doctors made quick work of getting her comfortable, hopefully before the pain overwhelmed her and sent her into the darkness of her mind.