Kite's Aerie

Love Versus Duty

2009-04-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

“You won’t get away with this!” Aerrow shot back as he held tight to the bars.

“If you’re referring to your pitiful little friends, they’re walking into a trap as well. None of them will be leaving this ship. You, however, will be coming with me.” The Dark Ace said as he threw the blades to a far corner.

“I won’t come quietly.” Aerrow’s eyes would have pierced the Dark Ace’s armor had they the power.

“I would expect nothing less. I’m fully prepared to knock you out.” He grinned.

“Not if I stop you,” Kite’s voice whispered back from behind the Dark Ace. He spun to see nothing but he was sure she was there.

“KITE… you swore to me,” He clenched his fists.

“Things have changed. I can’t let you do this.” She soon revealed herself in an odd way, as if she had pulled the shield of invisibility to the side. As she turned, she in fact HAD a shield. The buckler shield Corsair had was affix to her left arm and it projected invisibility. In her right hand was the north star sword.

“You can’t expect to beat me. Back down,” he ordered forcefully. “Don’t be a fool. You knew it would come to this.”

“Doesn’t mean I accepted it. Today… I will defeat you.” She was sad but firm. Kite raised the sword and prepared.

“So be it.” The Dark Ace took out his sword and grasped it tightly with two hands.

More 2nd Story Blurbbing

2009-03-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

The freighter creaked loudly as the Storm Hawks stepped onboard. Despite the distress calls it seemed empty and foreboding as it sat perched low on a cliff jutting from the barren rocky terra.

"Stay sharp guys, we don't want to do anything to push this thing over the edge." Aerrow said "Let's just find the crew and get out." The rest of them nodded nervously. It was then that the intercom came to life.

"Hello? Is anybody there?" came a crackling voice from a nearby speaker.

"It's the storm hawks, we're here to rescue you!" Aerrow responded.

"Hurry, there's not much time. The crew is down in the cargo hold. I'm trapped in the bridge, don't bother coming for me. It's too dangerous."

The Dark Ace smiled malevolently as he closed his eyes and waited for the almost certain response from Aerrow. It immediately echoed through the ship. "We're getting everybody out! I'm coming for you." Aerrow's voice was confident still as he was heard turning to his squad "you guys help the crew, I'll go after the captain". The Dark Ace grinned to himself as he silently hung up the comm and slipped into a shadow near the door. The trap was set, there would be no escape this time.

Within couple of moments Aerrow was carefully walking through the nearby doorway calling out for the trapped captain. The Dark Ace easily slipped behind him in the dark and ripped the twin blades from Aerrow back. Before Aerrow could turn he landed a hard kick to Aerrow's lower back, sending the youth stumbling and eventually falling forward as a large mechanic clank struck the floor near him. The Dark Ace then casually flipped up a master switch shedding light to the deserted bridge, showing that it had now been crafted into an elaborate trap with a cage.

"Dark Ace!" Aerrow spat as he got up and clung to the bars".

"Good evening Aerrow." his voice ripe with smug triumph as he looked down at the boy's blades. "You won't be needing these any longer".

2nd Story Blurb

2009-03-25T10:01:00.001-07:00

Kite held the twinkling crystal as her breath stopped. Atmos had stopped moving. The fact that the Dark Ace was gone along with her daggers was a far cry from the thought that now made everything crashing halt.

When the thought finally formed a sentense tears came with it, along with the only possible response: I can’t stay with him. She would have let those tears blind her; let herself crumple into the pillow, but not with her training. The training that now rung out loud clear in her mind.

You can’t stay, you’ll both be found out, he’d be forced to hurt you or get punished severely himself. You have to leave but not before fulfilling your duty as a Sky Knight. You know where he’s gone and you have to stop him. You may love him with all your heart but you know he has to be stopped.

Back to the Beginning

2008-02-24T09:50:00.000-08:00

No matter what you've done... I've always loved your eyes… you have no idea how long I stared…

The first thing she could remember was the searing pain in her temple and the scent of some wam body next to her. The air suddenly smelled of skimmer exhaust and the cocooning whine of engines filled her ears.

She tried to open her eyes and found only her left eye opening. The right was glued shut with a red blur. The irritation drove her to rub at it painfully until her eye lashes separated and allowed her to gaze upon a dark haired boy slouched next to her. He was already awake but seemed to have made no motion to get up. She pushed her blood stained platinum strands away nervously to get a good look at him. He sat still as his scarlet eyes darted around in a vain attempt to gain awareness. It didn’t seem to phase him that half of Kite’s wait was leaning on him until she began to stir.

His eyes then found hers as they both looked at each other with empty confusion. They had been thrown like dolls against the hull of some ship. The clatter of footsteps and urgent arguing echoed down the cold halls as the ship rocked. The two weren’t alone. Kite leaned forward to confirm the sound of other children whimpering nearby. She found a few sitting huddled and clinging to each other for security. Some looked familiar, but the pain in her head kept her from remembering their names.

“What’s happening?” she whispered as she turned to the boy next to her. She almost couldn’t hear her own shaken tone over the sounds of the ship and wondered if the boy heard her as he looked about.
“We’re being taken.” was all he said as he turned back to her. Their eyes locked again and his seemed to soften as he looked over her right eye. “You’re bleeding.” He said bluntly as he reached a hand up and cupped her head.
“Ow,” Kite called out in pain. His hand jumped a moment before coming down softly over the wound.
“You need a bandage.” he said as he turned back to her pale blue eyes.
“My head hurts and I’m scared.” she began crying uncontrollably as her body began to shake. She didn’t know this boy but the fear forced her to cling to his skinny yet solid frame. She looked to him as the only comfort left in the world, even as his eyes kept trailing toward the ship and the distant voices. Despite it, he seemed unable to ignore Kite as she leaned closer.

Her tears turned red as they mixed with the dried blood on her face before falling against his tattered shirt. They fell more easily as she felt his arm wrap around her shoulders. All the unknowns just ate at her and tore her down to the child she was. Before she would have been too shy to lean close to someone strange, but her fear of the world was eclipsing everything about her. Only his arm made her feel better. Only the scent of his body in the cold ship gave her any sense of comfort.
“It’s ok…it’s ok.” he repeated into her ear “Don’t cry.”
“I’m scared… please don’t go.” she cried in a shaken voice through random sniffles.
“Ok… I won’t go.” the boy finally agreed as he pulled her a little closer. Even as the ship seemed to suddenly turn sharply, he held tight to her. The two kids slid across the hall and bumped into the far wall and mixed with the rest of the sobbing mass. The other children bumped around and swayed as their bodies shook. Most were no older than Kite and they called for their mommies and daddies in desperation.

Hearing their voices, Kite wanted to call out for her parents too, but her mind couldn’t seem to find a picture of them. All she could think of was the cold ship and the nice boy she clung to. She didn’t even bother to look around as she heard heavy boots run by urgently. She could feel the boy’s head turn to watch them. His head turned sharply as some voices began shouting. There was a twitch in his body and Kite knew he wanted to get up.
“Don’t go.” Kite pleaded again.
“I think they need help.” he replied.
“I want to come with you then.” She refused to let him go; anything was better than letting go of him.
“OK,… maybe they have bandages.” He said as he strained forward to get up. He took his hand from her head to brace the two against the wall as he stood. Kite found her legs weak and wobbly but the boy’s arm wrapped around her waist and held her close. The two began staggering down the corridor as it dipped and swayed. He softly hushed her crying even as the two slammed into a wall from another violent jerk.

Kite tried to glean strength from him as they walked closer to what looked like the bridge. No one noticed them as they stepped to the archway and looked out the windows that surrounded the large round table in the center. Blaster fire rocketed past the cock pit as a nervous helmsman and two other argued over how to escape as the massive carrier seemed to fly through a maze of jagged spirals that punched through the cloud line.

The Railing

2008-02-17T08:25:00.001-08:00

With things at a standstill Kite wandered to a deserted railing to watch the violent red lightening that crowned the Cyclonian fortress. The crackling thunder echoed in her ears, quieting the mumbling thoughts that kept her still as the wind picked up her hair and tossed it around. She didn’t hear the foot falls behind her.

The Dark Ace didn’t say anything as he came up and leaned against the railing as well. Even slightly hunched he seemed to tower over her. He watched her from a side glance as he waited for her to acknowledge him. Coldly Kite didn’t even look at him. In fact, she had closed her eyes and refused to open them for fear of revealing some deep seated emotion ready to explode at him. She refused to let it go, to let it taint an already stressed situation.

Kite was forced to turn completely away as he reached out and weaved his fingers into her hair.
“Stop it.” she whispered it what could have sounded a hostile tone, but it was fake… she was just desperate.
“It’s not like you to be this cold.” he commented dryly as he refused to withdraw his hand.
“I didn’t think it was like you to feel so much for a master who treats you like some tool. But I was wrong. Go touch her hair if she lets you.” it was hard to hide the shaking in her voice now, but she was going to continue to stand her ground.
“Is that what it is?” he asked coolly.
“You seem content with only reaching out to her. Don’t taunt me with these little moments. They don’t mean the same to you as they do to me.”
“It’s more complicated than you know.”
“I’m starting to grasp that…doesn’t make any difference. I won’t leave you. I would never leave you. But don’t expect me to keep fooling myself. Don’t expect me to let you screw yourself over.” Kite finally turned back to him as she whipped her hair out of his grip. Her eyes opened and their glassy look betrayed all the emotion behind them despite her hard glance. Quickly she turned back to the storm before the flood gates fell.
“And how would I be doing that?” the Dark Ace scoffed
“By keeping me on the side and compromising your relationship with her. So treat me like your Talon. I’ll always be your friend, but don’t expect me to warm to your touch anymore.” that last phrase hurt the most. A tear ran down her cheek and she tried to hide it by turning it into the wind. She just wanted it to cool everything that was ready to explode, but the fire was burning too hard. It was all she could do to keep it inside.

(At a loss to say what he would do in response... maybe someone else can fill this in...)

(how about this...

The Dark Ace then clamped down on her shoulder and turned her towards him as he pulled. The line from the tear was still visible below her shaken eyes as they turned sharp towards him.

“I know better than to force you, but this time… I think that’s what you want.” his smart grin deepened a little as Kite stared hard into his scarlet eyes. Her eyes didn’t wander even as he brought a gloved hand up and held her neck gently lifting her soft but set jaw. “Don’t take away your warmth from me. It’s one of the last comforts I have. A little ray of sunshine.” he paused to watch her eyes soften. “You're a smart girl. You must have some idea of the situation with Master Cyclonis. Despite it, know that you are more than a just a side dish.”

Kite wanted to just give in and lean against his touch but she wasn't about to let it all slip back into the same gear as before.
"You expect me to just go on then... pretending like nothing's there unless you feel like having one of these 'moments'?"
"I don't have the luxury to just let it go." his sharp response cut right through her and forced them back into the same corner. Kite released a breath as her eyes dropped from his.
"I guess that's all fate has for me. Better than seeing you fall." she began to pull away as the sadness gripped her. She pushed at the emotion as if it were an overwhelming attacker, but she was loosing ground. Just pull away... thats enough drama... accept it and move on...
)

Distance

2008-02-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

It didn’t take long for a violent storm to nudge Kite into leaving Haven. After another quick recon over to Terra Rex she was soon walking the halls of Cyclonia.

She didn’t look for the Dark Ace anymore. If he wanted her, he would find her. Instead, she simply prepared for Aerrow’s return. Everyone was expecting it after being gone over a week.

Kite could only expect more trouble. She brooded over it as she honed a new shielding crystal with a specialize torch, both casually lifted from the crystal store room. With any luck, she’d have the crystal ready before she’s forced to deal with the consequences of Aerrow’s little quest.

All this time she hadn’t seen Sieben. Guilt shivered through her, but she didn’t want to know what her friend was planning anymore. Something told her that Cyclonis wasn’t going to take “I don’t know.” as an answer. Kite was already betting that Cyclonis had a stronger interrogation crystal up her sleeve or another means for getting answers.

Kite completely gave up on the Dark Ace’s ability to control anything. He was as much at her whims than any of them. She might have feelings for him and love using him, but she wouldn’t give him anything.

Probably would've been best if he stopped caring about me at all. Then he wouldn’t feel any urge to step in. I miss him being devoid of feelings… devoid of pain. He was so much stronger then.

I should have never revealed myself… would have been better if he never knew. Then I could keep watch over him… keep him safe and he could focus on himself. I could have even helped orchestrate the fall of Cyclonia and shelter him from it.

Why the hell did I want so badly to have his eyes see me?... I should have known there was so much more behind them…

Realization

2008-02-12T16:20:00.001-08:00

Kite briefly and quietly walked by Cyclonis’ chamber as she hunted yet again for the Dark Ace. The soft whisper of voices had her freeze just as she stood before the center crack between the large doors. A dim light spilled out as Kite leaned in and recognized the Dark Ace’s tenor.

Silently she watched as the two seemed to coo to one another in a loving way. The Dark Ace appeared to be pampering her in a desperate attempt to receive any affection in return. Kite watched as the normally cold Cyclonian ruler turned to her loyal knight and lavished him with a rare smile and gentle touch.

Kite turned away suddenly as the realization hit her. Her eyes shut tight, she could just imagine how things truly were between the two dark souls. How her own bright heart had no place. Still silent, Kite walked on quickly not knowing where to turn. She just kept on walking until she found herself in a hanger. Not caring for the Talons already working on their rides, Kite lifted a switchblade from its stand and took off.

All the pull that she felt to stay close to the Dark Ace was melting away as the scene she had just witnessed played over and over in her head. She wasn’t leaving for real, but she just had to get away from it all for the moment. It was this sudden repulse that drove her to the remains of Haven.

Its ashen ground welcomed her with hugging dust as she screeched to a stop. A heavy cloud cover still circled the dead terra and painted a bleak backdrop to the leafless trees and skeletal houses. The once crisp green grass had been reduced to a dusty foreign plain that easily left an imprint of Kite’s boots as she walked away from the switchblade. Despite the destruction and forgotten memories, she seemed to know exactly where she was going as she walked towards a forlorn farm stead.

The door easily fell from its hinges as Kite simply touched it. It threw up more dust that obscured the view inside for a moment. Deeper inside the darkness, charred furniture stood toppled over, accented only by small rays of dim light that trickled in from the damaged roof. Carefully, she walked further in towards a room she vaguely remembered. Thankfully the heavily creaking floor boards continued to support her weight as she entered her old room.

What was once bright and simple had been burned and destroyed. Evidence of licking fire was everywhere across the room and Kite couldn’t help but think that her heart felt the same. Here she was, a toy to him… oh he cared about her, but not in the same way she cared for him. He would never return that love. He had already chosen the recipient of that rare gem. Kite wasn’t about to blame him for it. She didn’t know enough about Cyclonis to understand the situation. All she knew was the pain and hurt she felt now as she carefully sat down on the remnants of her old bed.

Kite swore to never leave him, but what if he left her first? Did this really constitute a break? After all, it could have always been there in the background and she was just too wrapped up in her own feelings to see it. She knew he was loyal to her, but she never bothered to wonder why. She took him for how was without question. Looking back, as much as her heart still felt that unconditional love – her head thought it was stupid.

Who knows what conflict my simple presence has put him through if he truly loved her? All I’ve been doing is just tainting the situation and probably driving him insane. No wonder he’s been so cold and never looking to reach me. I couldn’t let him put himself in danger before, and I won’t be the one to hurt him now.

Kite let her head fall into her hands as the tears suddenly came to her eyes. Her heart was broken but, she didn’t blame him for it. This was all her own doing. She had fallen for him knowing only what little he showed her – never questioning was laid beneath the surface. She had flown blinded into the fog of his soul and she was foolish to think that a mountain wouldn’t appear.