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The Final March
Topic Started: Jun 29 2017, 04:25 PM (7,967 Views)
GoldenSama
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The Crazy One

Rumors spread all across the continent. From the royal halls of Ylisse to the courts of the Elgaia Federation, from the towers of Hoshido to the blackened halls of Nohr. From Galdwin's noble homes to the darkest corners of Aurelia; all the peoples of the continent were whispering the same thing – It Was Coming once more.

The signs were written all across the land. Crops that decayed on the vine in Hoshido. Animals found dead of mysterious wounds in Aurelia. Strange creatures lurking in the forests, vicious beasts attacking whoever traveled across the lands. Strange chants and rituals once held only in the cover of darkness now out in the open.

In the countryside of Ylisse, near the border with the great desert, a large fortress stands. A garrison filled with knights and soldiers – the first defense against the thieves who dwell within the desert and the monsters that call it home. The sun was just about to set as the soldier on the wall spotted the figure slowly shambling out of the desert.

An enormous man, clad in armor of black and gold – a tattered cape fluttering behind him in the breeze, and a massive sword clutched in one of his hands – and burning like flame. The horns on his helmet gleamed in the setting sun, and the moment the soldier laid eyes on the figure he shouted and sounded the alarm.

The garrison mustered. Soldiers grabbed their spears and swords, knights mounted their steeds and held their lances taunt. By the time the figure had reached the gates of the garrison, nearly every able-bodied person had grabbed a weapon and come ready to drive away the threat.

The first knight called for the armored figure to halt – and in one swing of his massive blade, flames emerged like a tongue of flames and seared the knight and his steed clear in half. Screams and shouts followed, and the clang of steel against steel. The battle was short, and the blood that coated the ground belonged to the knights of Ylisse.

The armored figure slashed his sword, and that strand of whip-like flame licked at the walls of the garrison, burning deep into the stone and leaving a deep blackened mark. When finally the figure had stopped his slashing, he vanished into the knight.

All he left behind was blood and flame, and a message carved into the fortress walls.

THE BLACK MARCH COMES...
Edited by GoldenSama, Jun 29 2017, 04:25 PM.
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AGodofIrony
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I can't see what you're imagining
-Galdwin-

The Capitol

The foreign soldiers were met with some suspicion, but they had been expected. Even if they tried anything, they were outnumbered, but a King couldn't simply turn up alone, even if he had claimed the title by combat.

A tall man with black hair and green eyes stepped out of the carriage, wearing green tinted armor. He wore a small crown to denote his title. He looked around, stepping further so someone else could leave the carriage...

“So this is Galdwin's capitol...” King Gallic said to himself.

-The Elgaia Federation-

Mistral

“Elyyyyysia!” a red haired girl frowned, wearing a blue dress and stomping her foot on the ground. “Hurry up, we're going to be late!”

“I'm coming already...” Elysia said to her sister, Kyran, lugging around her pack as she stepped outside.

“Come on, come on!” Kyran said, looking excited. “The cart is headed out soon, and if we don't get on we're gonna have to wait another two weeks to get the next one!”

Kyran had heard about new inventions popping up in the bigger cities, and was determined to find out more about them... and of course, Elysia wanted to make sure her sister stayed safe.

-Hoshido-

Forlorn Road

A dark haired young man sighed, looking a little nervous as they tugged their cloak around them carefully. They should be safe here... as long as no one found out they were from Nohr. He didn't have any love for his former country, one of the reasons he left it.

“At least it's not raining...” Celest sighed, staring up at the sky as they continued walking down the road.
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Crystal Rose
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GRAPPLING HOOK!

Nohr

Rue was accustomed to the countryside. It was what she was used to....This not as much.

Nestled in a secluded patch of the valley, the epitome of peaceful countryside, Rue had grown up with her sister and parents without much trouble. While it seemed a boring life to many of the people who often traveled to visit their home, she preferred the seclusion; enjoying years of climbing trees, splashing in streams and exploring the woods without a care in the world. The only interruption from her peace were the people who would seek out her father's healing powers, traveling great distances for him to heal everything from combat wounds to lifelong ailments.

Sometimes when word got to her father that someone was in dire need of his help but were much to ill to travel Connor would leave their home and travel to them, leaving the two girls with their mother for extended periods of travel before eventually returning home to them. These times were always worrisome (as a child Rue often wondered just how far her father would travel to help people) but now as a teenager she appreciated the lengths he went to in order to help.

Which is why she was now traveling much like her father did so many times. About two years ago she discovered she had the same gift as her father and after much studying, practice and a lot of nervousness between her parents she was given permission to start helping people too. While she was excited, she was also nervous. People didn't seem to trust the sixteen year old nearly as much as her father- with just reason- she wasn't as confident. While she would never say it out loud she in part blamed her mother- while kind and a good mother Sarai Jackson was never known as a particularly confident woman. She was timid and quiet, both children obviously bolder than she ever was. Rue wasn't sure why- but she never really thought it proper to ask.

But she would just have to overcome the confidence issues that surely rubbed off on her. Her coach was close to her destination, a small city hospital a few hours from her own parent's home. The job wasn't too difficult, just a man with a failing liver who did not have the strength to travel to see her father. Connor was busy on another call so she would go in, heal the man, rent a room at an inn for the night (she had to listen to her mother for twenty minutes warning her on how to select a safe place to sleep before she agreed to this) and hire another coach in the morning to bring her back home.

Simple enough. In and out in less than 24 hours.

Suddenly the coach jolted to a stop, the girl peeking her head to view the city. While she had heard that many nations had created much larger cities, it was rather bustling and smelled quite nice- like lots of food stalls and vendors. She quickly gathered her bag and handed the driver a couple of coins like her father instructed her to, thanking him politely for the ride.

Edited by Crystal Rose, Jun 30 2017, 02:09 PM.
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GoldenSama
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The Crazy One

[Galdwin: Capitol City]

Slipping out of the carriage beside Gallic was a woman with dark hair tied in a tight bun, an a radiant red gown that billowed in the wind. She wore a thin circlet crown across her brow, a bright red stone setting in the gold and shimmering in the sunlight.

The expression on her face was one of utter contempt. Rin Nomura, the Queen of Aurelia, had little desire in setting foot in Galdwin – but Gallic had insisted that she come with him on this meeting. She glanced around, watching the soldiers and knights who were here to 'welcome' them.

Her eyes fell on a pair of old men who were standing to the far side, behind the soldiers. They didn't seem to be part of the welcoming delegation but one glance at them told her all she needed to know – they were hardened veterans of war.

Rin would keep an eye on them.

[Hoshido: Forlorn Road]

Not too far from where Celest walked down the lonely road, there was the sudden unmistakable sound of steel upon steel – followed by an inhuman roar.

A moment later and something came flying out of the nearby woods and slammed into the ground in front of Celest's path!

“Ugh...” It was a young man with spiked hair, wearing bright red plated armor like the samurai of Hoshido. He groaned as he sat up, clutching his side – and then spotted Celest.

“Oi! Get outta here buddy, there's a -”

A pair of tall trees were suddenly thrown down, as something enormous and hulking came rushing out of the forest. It vaguely looked like a person, but its skin was green, its body was huge and it was covered in odd straps and a massive mask.

The Faceless roared

[Nohr: Small Tavern]

Not terribly far from where a carriage had just dropped off a young woman from the countryside, an old man in a brown cloak and blue armor was sitting at the bar, sipping on a mug of something quietly as he waited.

He was out of place in Nohr – but that was alright. He was here for an important reason, perhaps the most important reason in his long memory.
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Crystal Rose
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GRAPPLING HOOK!

Nohr

Rue was given specific instructions from her mother before heading off to the city. Straight to the hospital, then the inn and then home....But surely she didn't expect her not to roam at least a bit. The hustle and bustle was rather exciting, and the food smelled absolutely wonderful. After stretching her tired limbs (she wasn't much of a fan of stiff coach rides) she pulled out her pocket watch.

"I got here a bit early" she told herself with a small grin, obviously reasoning for straying away from her mother's instructions. "I at least have time for some lunch before i'm due."

That was all she needed as she spotted someone selling skewered meat from a stall. She could pretty much hear her mom warning her not to eat weird street meat, that it could be rancid or poisoned, but it looked harmless- and smelled lovely. She decided to take the risk.

"One please" she asked politely, handing over more money in return for the snack, which she chomped on while getting caught up in the other men and women with their wares.
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The Vidit of Light
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Galdwin: Capitol City

A tall man walked confidently through the hallways, awaiting his guest. His hair, both on the top of his head and his facial hair, was red, and his eyes were dark in color, earnest in gaze, but confident. Some might say too confident. A shorter woman slowly approached him, and he stopped, smiling warmly at her.

"Eleanor, is something the matter?" he asked.

"No, Richard...I...simply wished to...warn you...ask you to be careful..." the woman said, drawing near to him as he wrapped an arm around her.

"Warn me? I know that Gallic has a...checkered past...but he DID bring Aurelia some semblance of order." Richard replied.

"Yes, but did you have to send our son to meet him alone?" his wife asked, concern in her voice.

"He's a strong lad." Richard said. "But he needs to learn to bear such things without us. Don't worry, my dear...if the delegation from Aurelia harms him...they shall know the lionheart's roar."

Eleanor took equal measures of comfort and trouble in such a statement. "I...of course. But...just be careful."

Richard stroked his wife's hair.

"As always, my dear. But do not fear. Our son is a strong lad-he can handle a delegation's escort duty with ease."

Another man approached the two, dark graying hair sitting atop a visage that showed equal parts firmness, wisdom, and compassion, clad in, among other things, a white robe/surcoat.

"But she speaks truth, sir, does she not?" he asked. "It's true that Gallic imposed order on Aurelia, at least, some brand of it...but that may be simply because he was more vicious than his competition, not more virtuous. She is right to recommend caution, I believe."

Richard chuckled, looking over to the newcomer.

"Elder Percival, you will always be the voice of piety and reason in my ear, won't you?"

Percival smiled.

"As long as it falls to me from God, though I should hope you take more time to listen to Him than to me. But come, if you will, we mustn't keep our guests waiting..."

Richard nodded, and looked to Eleanor, who drew closer to him briefly before letting go and walking off, as the two men proceeded into the audience chamber...

---

A younger boy, his own hair red, stood there before the Aurelian delegation, apparently somewhere around 18, give or take a bit. He had his sword at his side, and his own garments and attire, and the fact he was flanked by guards, one of whom clad in a white robe/surcoat, implied the status he was about to announce.

"Welcome to Galdwin. I am Prince Richard, the Second." he said, a voice that showed confidence but also some degree of being...untested, however well trained. "I shall escort you to my father's audience."

He turned to lead them in, and if they followed would take them to meet his father.

Nohr

Alongside the older man with the blue armor, another, younger, man sat, his own overcloak hiding a white robe/surcoat underneath it. All he was doing was sitting quietly and praying. This was indeed an important mission, certainly one unlike any he had been given before. But he had seen numerous missions succeed, he believed that this one, too, could prevail. He prayed, indeed, that it did.

He also would admit to a degree of intrigue in this mission-not just espionage, though sadly some of that was involved-but rather personal interest.

He was always fascinated by knight-and-princess tales, to some extent anyway.

---
Thorough the streets of Nohr a man with white hair and odd-looking armor underneath a nondescript brown cloak could be seen making his way. He was quiet, and contemplative. The last few years had been outright transformative on him, but the situation he now found himself in, and the necessity of his actions, still broke his heart. He did his best to avoid pushing his way through the crowds-not only out of a desire to avoid attention, but also because he had no desire to be RUDE, as it were...

He continued to weave his way past, eventually accidentally bumping into Rue.

"Ah! Terribly sorry..." he said, attempting to press on...

(Insert witty/moving/inspiring phrase here)

This is my car:

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Crystal Rose
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Nohr

Rue had not paying attention- chomping on her lunch as she scanned a booth displaying gems and jewels of all sorts- when she was bumped into, the girl dropping her half-eaten skewer to the ground.

"Ah! Terribly sorry..."

Rue wanted to be upset, but she couldn't, instead she shook her head. Politeness was engrained into her at this point. "I-It's okay, no worries!"

She looked up at the man, pausing. She felt a bit strange, but didn't know why.
Edited by Crystal Rose, Jun 30 2017, 05:31 PM.
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Nohr
-Small Tavern-

The sound of an empty tankard being slammed on the bar could be heard in the tavern. “Another!” shouted a jolly voice.

The maker of this racket was a short person with red wings on their back. They were clad in dark robes and a pointed hat. As they laughed in their mead-induced stupor, their sharp teeth shone in the pub's dim lighting.

This was a rare occasion for Roarar, Nohr's local solitary witch. Usually if they were seen outside their hut, they were purchasing food. It just so happened that this week they had made enough coin in potion sales and spirit banashings that they were able to have a nice night out.
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AGodofIrony
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-Nohr-

City

A street or so away from Rue and the mysterious white haired man, a young man with brown hair and green eyes and what looked like a healthy tan was looking up at someone much taller then him.

“You think you can beat me in a fight, boy?” the taller man said, looking like he was going to laugh.

The young man looked him over, tapping his chin in thought, then shook his head. “No... I know I can beat you.”

The man laughed, then shrugged. “Well... your money.”

The man threw a hammer of a fist down on the younger man, who dodged to the side, grabbing the arm as it came down and used his momentum to throw him to the ground.

A couple quick kicks kept the larger man from getting up, and he turned towards another man who was much more wiry and looking worried.

“I think that means I won,” Liam said with a smile, collecting a bag of gold, picking up his pack and heading off now, whistling softly.



Sitting next to the younger man, also with a cloak over her, was a young woman with white hair and red eyes. Which was one reason she was wearing the cloak, to help hide her more unusual appearance.

She was here for a few reasons, one being that her mother was originally for this country... and if things went really pear shaped, there were grandparents of her's here...

She glanced over at her companion, hoping that this mission would go well... She was also hoping to impress him...

-Galdwin-

Capitol City

Gallic smiled, nodding to the young man as he approached, nodding towards the prince. He was an odd comparison to Aurelia's Queen, his wife Rin. He was born a slave, she was the crown princess. He was charismatic, she was more... frigid.

“Greetings, Prince Richard II,” Gallic said. He did not carry weapons, both because he was on a mission of peace, and if Galdwin's intelligence network was any good, and it undoubtedly was, they would know that Gallic didn't need a weapon, and had been a slave fighter in Aurelia's now ended coliseums for the first two decades of his life...

Though despite that, he didn't seem to have any scars. At least, nothing visible.

“Shall we, dear?” Gallic asked, offering his arm to Rin as he followed Galdwin's prince.

-Hoshido-

Forlorn Road

Celest froze as a spikey haired young man appeared... followed by a large monster.

Celest moved around, focusing his magic now.

“What is that thing?” Celest asked, electricity sparking as he cast a Lightning Bolt, firing a blast of electrical energy at the beast!
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GoldenSama
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The Crazy One

[Nohr: Tavern]

“Ah, I think our room is ready.” The older man with white hair suddenly stood up and motioned for his two companions to follow him. In the back of the tavern was a private room, a few people stumbling out of it. He quickly led the two into the room and shut the door, and then he retrieved a small crystal from his pocket and held it up.

It was a soft blue in color, and then slowly that color faded away until it had become white. Satisfied, he returned the stone to his belt.

“Good. No obvious magic placed on this room. No one is eavesdropping.”

Cidolfus Orlandu threw back the cloak on his head as he walked over and sat down at the table in the middle of the room, motioning for his companions to join him.

“Now, getting to Nohr wasn't so bad, but now the real mission begins.” Cid sighed. “There's a carriage out back that takes supplies from the tavern to the castle. I've made arrangements that we will be working that carriage tonight. The plan is simple – once we arrive, we'll gain entry to the castle by delivering the goods. The subject should be waiting to meet us in the kitchen if all goes according to plan.”

He frowned. “Then we simply come back to town, and high tail it to the mountain roads. If everything goes well, we'll be out of Nohr in a few hours... but once they discover the subject is missing... it could be problematic.”

[Galdwin: Capitol City]

Rin was as silent as ever, instead letting Gallic be the one who did all of the talking. He was more suited for such things – Gallic had a way with people. She on the other hand had very little patience for people.

But she would smile and make nice, as she took her husbands arm and following this prince.

[Hoshido: Forlorn Road]

CRACK-A-DOON!

The lightning bolt slammed against the monster's helmeted head and it roared out as it fell backwards, sparks spewing from where the electricity slashed at the metal.

“Magic? Nice!” The young man called out. “That thing is a Faceless – one of Nohr's living weapons. They're not too smart but they pack a punch...”

He grimaced. “See if you can draw its attention, I'll try to get behind it and deliver a killing blow!”
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Crystal Rose
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[Nohr: Inn]

It was the middle of the day in Nohr but one young woman was only now groggily pulling herself out of bed. The young woman's long raven hair was all over the place, her clothes strewn around the room from the night before (or was it just earlier this morning?). She also felt a tiny bit hungover, her mouth dry and head pulsing annoyingly.

With a loud yawn she looked over to the empty spot in bed, trying to remember the name of the man she spent the night with but unable to recall. She did remember he was pretty nice, tall, dark hair, older and pretty rich so it was safe to assume he decided to split in order to protect his reputation. With a groan she pulled herself up, wiped the sleep from her eyes and looked at the clock. Her brown eyes widened in alarm.

"How is it so late?!" She exclaimed, practically falling out of bed and scrambling to get dressed. She was suposed to meet up with her brother HOURS ago. He probably thought she was dead, or kidnapped, or skipped town- poor Blake had always been a worrier.

Cursing as she threw on her blouse and pants she noticed a few things left behind in the room that she didn't remember from the night before. They must have been forgotten possessions of the man she couldn't remember the name of. Some coins.....His tie.....A-

"A wedding band?! Oh craaaaap of course i'd woo some married creep" Joyce groaned, falling back on the bed with a soft thump. "I could have sworn he said he was a widower! What a sleezeball!" she added, narrowing her eyes and deciding to keep the ring. She could get some decent money for a piece of gold this size and it would teach the creep not to sleep around with pretty ladies when he's obviously married!

Feeling a little gross (as opposed to BEFORE she found out she had slept with some married guy?) but still in a rush Joyce pocketed ring, gathered her things and rushed out of the room.
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AGodofIrony
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I can't see what you're imagining
-Nohr-

Tavern

Aiden sighed as they stepped into the private room, taking the hood off of her cloak now, looking around the room as she sat down.

“If something does go wrong...” Aiden said, feeling a small stone in her pocket, that her mother had given her, “My grandparents are suppose to be not too far from here, they could hide us...”

Inn

Done in the lobby of the inn, where a couple guys were waiting. One was tall, with blond hair and brown eyes, a frown on his face and worried look as well.

Across from him was a younger man who was much shorter, with red hair and blue eyes, and looked like he could probably eat a few more good meals.

“She's late,” Blake, the red haired young man said.

“I know...” Sage, the blond haired young man responded. “Should I go check on her?”

-Hoshido-

Forlorn Road

“Wait... draw it's attention?” Celest said, looking concerned, but nodded. “Uhhh... right...”

Magic glowed around Celest again, focusing and firing a blast of fire at the creature!

Town

A short woman with long blonde hair and green eyes glanced around as she checked the town, walking forward. She appeared human, but there was an undeniable sense of... fluffiness to her.

“This should be pretty interesting,” Moniker smiled.
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Crystal Rose
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GRAPPLING HOOK!

[Nohr: Inn]

Joyce knew she was as good as dead when she rounded the corner and noticed not only Blake but also her best friend Sage. She felt a bit of color leaving her cheeks as she rushed up to them, trying to force a smile. "Sorry sorry sorry I know i'm absolutely late!" She exclaimed, a bit out of breath as she looked to both young men. Even though she was the oldest of the three and already twenty-one she tended not to act like it sometimes.

Looking to Blake, she pulled out a wrapped bun and forced it into her little brother's hands. "I got it for you yesterday when we got into town, i'm assuming you haven't had breakfast yet"

It was already past lunch.

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The Crazy One

[Nohr]

[Tavern]

“I would hesitate to get your family involved, Aiden.” Cid said to her, shaking his head. He knew how badly things could go if they were caught... and he would hate to be the cause of misery for her family.

“Moreover, although I firmly believe otherwise, we cannot entirely dismiss the idea that this whole thing is a trap.” Cid cautioned. “It's not every day that someone like the subject requests to be taken to Galdwin. It's... unusual, and could be very dangerous.”

[Streets]

Out on the streets of the city, an interesting duo was walking down the road. The first was a girl who looked to be in her late teens, clad in emerald robes and walking happily, whistling a merry tune. Beside her was a man who looked a few years older, with dark hair and a goatee. He wore a bright blue coat. His left eye was brown, but his right eye was a very bright, vivid blue.

“I'm just sayin' Cate, we don't want to go looking for trouble.” The man sighed.

“Oh come ON Graham, don't get all lame on me now.” Caitlin could only groan as she shook her head. “This is an exciting adventure! I thought you were all about adventuring!”

Graham sighed, running his hand through his hair. “This can be a pretty dangerous city is all I'm saying, and after that little incident last night-”

“HEY that wasn't my fault.” Caitlin crossed her arms, turning to the boy and about to say something – when she paused, catching sight of someone in the distance. A familiar-looking girl.

Caitlin's jaw dropped. “Is that... it can't be...”

“Who?” Graham raised an eyebrow.

“I think that's my sister...” Caitlin frowned. “What the heck is she doing here? Augh! She's not cut out for this city, she'll end up dead in a ditch or in some creep's basement!”

[Hosido]

[Forlorn Road]

A blast of fire shot from Celest's hands and slammed into the Faceless – and immediately the fire spread across its decayed skin and started to burn the beast. Soon its entire body was consumed – but it was still roaring and moving.

The spiky-haired man rushed at it, slashing with his sword – but the Faceless was faster and its punch connected with him in the side, knocking him back and... setting him on fire.

“SERIOUSLY!?” Musashi suddenly had the oddest sensation of deja vu.
Edited by GoldenSama, Jul 1 2017, 06:06 PM.
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GRAPPLING HOOK!

[Nohr: Streets]

Rue wasn't sure what it was about this town but she couldn't shake the weird feeling she had, even after moving on. Perhaps it was just the fact that she had never really been on her own until now, her parents were notoriously protective over her and her sister. The city was crowed and could be dangerous if she wasn't careful-

Either way she knew she couldn't go back now, not when she had a job to do. Her parents trusted her and she wouldn't let them down.

Her stomach rumbled, the girl sighing. Her lunch ended on the ground but she needed to get going.



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