Pink Poogle Toy Forum

((apologies for a severely delayed introductory post))

Patrice walked up the hall to her father's council room. For several minutes as she approached the door down the long corridor she could hear her father's voice bellowing through the closed doors. She was slightly alarmed, she couldn't remember him ever being quite this upset. But the newcomers in Garnet and the deteriorating foreign relations had been wearing King Ignesis a bit thin.

"What is the meaning of this? Please explain it to me, Darren, because obviously, I do not possibly have the proper priorities in my current decisions for ruling the Kingdom!" King Ignesis yelled at his closest advisor, the head of the Senate. The sarcasm in her father's voice was biting enough to even make Patrice cringe. This was unlike him.

"I'm terribly, terribly sorry if I do not think that this is the time to be gallavanting about yelling about some letter from the fabled Kingdom of Diamond. There has been a Class 5 dam breach on the Jauipay lava flow, evacuations are underway, and soon several thousand subjects of mine will have no homes, no money, and will be making their way to the capital city demanding to know how the dam their taxes went towards to build and go towards to maintain should fail. We do not even know what the extent of the damage might be yet! We might even have to evacuate settlements on neighboring lava flows! Do you understand that I am very, very busy right now, and for you to delay me with, this, THIS," he fumed, and Patrice heard the rattling of paper as she paused outside the door.

The King continued, "A letter from a Kingdom which our Kingdom supposedly drove from the land, I might add. Yes, this letter brings warning of death and destruction. But even if the Kingdom of Diamond were to exist, which by all known facts it does not, why would any self-respecting member of the Diamond Kingdom wish to warn us, the Kingdom that legend has it, drove the people of Diamond from the land, of impending doom? Why on earth would they care? It's a hoax, Darren, a hoax that I cannot risk another minute of my time on. People could be dying."

Patrice heard Darren mumble something and heard the sound of crumpling paper. Upon hearing footsteps fast approaching the door she moved back in the nick of time and her father strode out followed by a very shocked looking Darren. He too had never seen King Ignesis explode in such a violent fashion. Sure, the King had good intentions, looking after his people first, but surely he had overreacted somewhat.

The Princess of Garnet felt a slight rush of air go by as the two men passed and sighed softly to herself as she realized her father had forgotten their meeting in his furious distraction. The dam's failure was quite alarming however, and she was glad that he was seeing to it and not involving her. It was a messy business.

She pushed the thin slate door into her father's council room open and slid into her father's great black leather armchair a bit dejectedly. She was too old to be upset by the fact that her father was a busy man with much on his mind. Patrice reminded herself that it was usually the Queen who parented the child, and so since she lacked a mother, she could not expect the level of parenting most children received. She was almost twenty and she needed to grow up.

She took a deep breath to clear her mind and pulled herself from the comfort of the chair - she had put off growing up for far too long now. But just as she was leaving the room, her eyes caught the sight of a tiny, crumpled ball of parchement paper on the corner of her father's grand stone desk. Slowly she approached it and flattened it out with great care.

It read as follows:

Sire,

I speak to you from dire need. Our most
experienced Seers have found out very
concerning news.

Induisha is after our most precious possesions.
Our Stones. As you know, he wished Anaedaan
no good and now he wishes us none either. His
only goal is destruction of our lands.

I send this letter as a warning to be watchful,
and as a question for us to meet.

Sincerly,

Crown Princess of Diamond,
Serenity Tehsume .


"Crown Princess of Diamond, Serenity Tehsume..." Patrice muttered to herself, eyes wide. It was so logical to think like her father and dismiss this as a hoax. Many treasure seekers had passed through Garnet searching for the way to the mystical Diamond Kingdom through the last place remnants of it had been seen. None of them had ever returned, which was not a promising sign.

Yet as she held the letter in her hand, the paper seemed to sparkle in a way Patrice had never seen before. She had never beheld a diamond herself, and she could not help but wonder if the little specks of rainbow light bouncing about within the paper could perhaps be diamond dust? She traced the broken diamond seal with her index finger.

Always, Patrice had been a risk taker, but never to the point of lunacy, to the point of following a myth that had no proof to back it up except the fairy tales of old. Certainly, there was no physical proof.

That is, until this.

Carefully, Patrice crumpled the letter back up and replaced it where she had found it.

But try as she might to push the curiousity and interest from her mind, she could not help but wonder if this Kingdom of Diamond could possibly exist.

And far worse, what if the terrible tidings of the letter were true?

(( Claps to Ria for this....er.... flattering compliment; "Rachel, Serenity is a more sensible version of you!"

This post is based on a rather painful ice-skating excursion I had today.))

Serenity

“Two more days…TWO MORE DAYS!!!” cried Serenity. She was standing on a chair, in the throne room. Five ladies around her were adjusting her wedding dress to her small figure.
“Yes. Your wedding shall be splendid, one of the most beautiful the Kingdom has ever had,” said the head seamstress, Nali, mistaking Serenity’s anguish for excitement.
The five seamstresses had been babbling like headless hens for days now, as they fixed all the gowns to be worn at the wedding.
“That Tirithral makes my heart pound!” exclaimed Urtai, a dreamy girl.
“Yes, that boy is a looker,” agreed an older woman, Yuvie.
“You and Master Onakma will make a handsome couple,” Nali assured Serenity who was on the point of vomiting in disgust.
Serenity spotted Usnami walking past the throne room. Serenity who was aching for better company than the five seamstresses ran towards her. Serenity had forgotten about the five ladies working on her dress and as she rushed forwards the women were dragged with her. She stumbled over someone’s arm and went flying across the room. As she pulled herself painfully up she heard screaming behind her. She turned around to see what all the commotion was about and saw the five women pointing to her dress and screaming. Serenity looked down at her dress and saw that the hem had been ripped off. The lovely glittering hem that the ladies had been working on for days.
“Sorry!” Serenity apologised, “I’ll fix it,”
She pulled her wand out and pointed it at the hem. The ladies, who had plenty of experience of Serenity’s spells, shook their heads fiercely and motioned for her to stop.
“It’s okay, I know what I’m doing, it’s just a simple fixing spell,” Serenity assured them.
She prodded the hem and it erupted into thousands of butterflies.
Silence filled the room as everyone realised what she had done.
“Er, sorry,” Serenity smiled sheepishly as two of the ladies fainted, their hard work destroyed. Serenity slipped the dress off her body (she was wearing her usual pink and purple garment underneath) and hurried out of the room.
“ I’ll leave you five to fix the dress, shall I?” she called over her shoulder. As she left the room, she hiccupped and two more butterflies flew out of her mouth.
Usnami, who had seen the whole thing, was standing outside giggling.
“Oh, be quiet,” scolded Serenity.
“ I almost forgot with all of that commotion in there, you have letters,” Usnami informed her.
Serenity laughed, “Letters? I get letters every day! What’s so important about these ones?”
Usnami lowered her voice, as if she didn’t want anyone else to hear, “ These letters are from other Kingdoms,”
Serenity gasped, “How……. how did they find me? Did any land people deliver them?”
Usnami shook her head, “No, our own messengers did. I cannot fathom how. But they must be read urgently,”
“Of course. Bring them to my room,”
“Right away,”
……………………………………
Serenity sat in her room, deep in thought, reading and rereading the letters over and over again.
One was from the Kingdom of Sapphire:

Dear Crown Princess Serenity Tehsume,

I appreciate your letter, and I speak from my heart. I will help protect my kingdom, and all the others as much as I can. I would also like to meet with you, to dicuss this matter in depth- for it is in such great importance.

Please reply in haste, and I thank you very much for the warning.

Sincerely,

Queen Emra Raeli



And the other was from Aquamarine:

Princess of Diamond,

I recieved our message, however my people are unsure of your truthfulness. If you could send a representative to us, you will gain our trust, and both of us shall discuss this issue further. In the mean time, we shall prepare our defenses.

Signed by Chancellor Thisa Polaris of Aquamarine


Both were requesting to meet with her or her people. She hadn’t expected this. How would she be able to leave with the council always watching her like a hawk?
Usnami came up behind her and surveyed the letters with interest, “What are you going to write in reply?”
Serenity hesitated, “I think I shall need a few days to think about it. The last letter took me ages to think of. I don’t have a way with words,”
Usnami scowled at her, “Of course you don’t, I wrote the last letter!”
“Oh yeah! I forgot,”
“Funny about that. You are running out of time, Princess,”
Serenity glanced towards her window where she could see the whole kingdom preparing for her wedding, from the bustling streets where children were making decorations, to the kitchens where cooks had been preparing delicious delicacies for days now, “I know. I shall be married in two days,”
“You better think of a plan soon,”
“I don’t think I ever will,”

Winged Blue Desert Serpent, let us call him Haki ((Now officially a secondary character. ))

Sun rays beat across the horizon. Vision was different for scaled ones, that much Haki knew. He knew because sometimes, he saw through the eyes of others. And he also knew, because of the special thing. Scaled ones had always had a previous life, of which they remembered a few things. Like how the world had looked then and where they had lived then.

That's why Haki liked to visit that garden. He was most certain he had lived there. While he had started visiting, a few years ago, just when he had hatched from his egg, he had felt something threatening was going on there. Haki also knew someone there, had not wished him very well things. But now he was a scaled one, it did not matter much any more.

Yet, it had mattered to him in some way. That he felt he needed to protect some of the two-leggers there. For seasons he had visited. Looking and listening, trying to find out what was so threatening in his previous life and what still was.

Then he had seen the birds. They most certainly were no birds, but they had the shapes of birds, yet not the thoughts. They meant no well. No well at all. So Haki had started following them and twarthing what they were doing.

But now, Haki had discovered another thing that need to be done.

Diamond

Yes, that was it. The two-legger didn't know how to reach it. But Haki, on his seasonal flights, passed by the glorious clouds were the kingdom rested.

Of course, it was very high. Scaled ones never flew very high.

But, Haki had to reach it. That's why, he was flying to the fire lands during a season no scaled one flew behind its territory.

Haki's blue wings shimmered against the sky.

WHOOSH! An wooden branche with a steel tip flew past, piercing Haki's wing by the edge.

The yellow brown snake flapped around, scared and reaching for the cover of bushes or rocks.

Then another danger struck in the form of a feathered predator. Two-leggers called it a falcon. Luckily scaled ones weren't called snakes for nothing.

While the falcons claws digged around Haki's body, Haki struck with his poisoned fangs. The falcon shrieked and withdrew.

Haki fluttered in a few strange hoops, continueing his journey, with some feathers and scales less.

((I apologise for not posting more often, however I've been very busy with school, and my computer was upgraded this week. Unfortunately... something has happened to my Microsoft Word program, it'll hopefully be fixed soon, but until it is I won't be able to finish off my Pearl bio, or write any more posts.

Also, Rachel is going to write a bio for Opal. So the only remaining kingdom (which any one of you is welcome to take) is Peridot.))

Saria's messenger walked through the streets, looking for Meret. When he found her, he walked up to her and bowed down low. "Empress Meret Ailuros ," he said, softly, "I bring a letter from Empress Saria Ishka. She wishes you receive it in confidence, with strict instructions it is for your eyes only." The messenger held out a scroll, still bowing low, waiting for the Empress to take it.

---

Saria, now left alone with Wolf, looked out of the treehouse window broodingly. Mornings in the trees were fresh, purer than down on the earth, but that is where Saria had to go - down to Earth. She had to stop brooding about the other Kingdoms and do something.

She tore her eyes away from the window and stroked Wolf's head absent-mindedly, biting her lip. Where could she go? What could she do? The answers; nowhere, and nothing.

Saria sighed, a solitary tear dripping down her face for the rest of the Kingdoms, a burning hate for Induisha, a warm feeling developing for her people, who trusted her...

She looked out of the window again, down on the treehouses of her people. Wolf whined, feeling his mistress' pain and indesicion. "Someday, Wolf," Saria said softly, "I will stop all this."

---

David Mekka looked away from Meret, brooding on his life, the past. Reflecting on the terrible events that had taken hold of the city.

He was standing behind Meret, his hand at his left side, resting on the hilt of his sword. His eyes were darting around, trying to sense any form of danger, when a messenger came up to Meret. This put David on his guard, more than anyone else.

He relaxed as he heard it was from the Empress of Amethyst, Saria Ishka. She wrote to Meret on a regular basis, and David knew she was friendly.

His hand dropped from the hilt of his sword. David did not enjoy this festival, as Meret went out with commoners, the people of Emerald, any of which might kill her. David needed to protect Meret at all times, and this was one of the hardest times in which he did so.

[I have actual severe writer's block, which is why I have refrained from posting for so long. I apologise if anyone cries from the awful quality of this post. I am tired, and have been for a while, and can't seem to get my creative 'juices' going again. I'll post as often as I can, though it will not be that often until my brain starts working again. It's on a mental shut down. >_<]

It wasn't long before the whole kingdom learned that their beloved Lady was going up to the surface. Many came to her abode to beg her not to go. Others bluntly told her she was a fool and was sacrificing herself for nothing. If she really cared about her people, she would not do something so stupid. Still others insisted she could not go, not yet, because who was to rule in her place? Only a member of the royal family had that right, in most Zirconians' minds, and the Lady Althea was the last descendent - for now.

Althea knew perfectly well what they meant. She should stay, get married and produce some offspring to carry on the royal lineage. This was in the best interests of all concerned but her mind was made up. She would not wait.

'If I wait another year, the island will sink further and I will certainly die,' she pointed out. 'Even if I have children to rule after me, that is not going to put an end to our problems. I must seek aid from other kingdoms in person.' Althea was quite certain that going there in person would be more useful than sending her divers. The other kingdoms were able to walk all over her representatives. They would not find it so easy to get rid of her, she thought firmly.

Finally she got tired of all the pleadings and passed her first law as queen: her old tutor would govern Zircon in her place with the aid of all the rest of the advisors. They would try to rule the kingdom as they believed the Lady would.

'And if I'm not back in a year,' Althea said to her advisors, the slightest tremor to her voice, 'choose the ruler you think is most suitable.' It was then they gave up trying to stop her and started to find ways of helping her survive the journey up to the surface.

A wetsuit was constructed for her, a band of the most healthy, skilled divers was selected and they began training her, not only in extending the length of time she could go without breathing, but also swimming. They explained that the roughest part of the ocean was just when they came out and then nearer the top of the ocean. The bit in between was the calmest of all.

Althea worked harder at her training than anything else. When she was not swimming or holding her breath, she was trying to tie up loose ends of current affairs. She meant to make a trip to the hospital wing soon, as she wanted to say goodbye to the ones she often nursed, as well as look in at the diver boy whose life she had saved. She had reports that he was healing rapidly and was almost completely healthy. Althea wanted to take another look just before she left. Then she would go.

---

The Lady was packing her bag. She had a small, lightweight bag constructed out of the same material as her wetsuit. She could not afford to bring much for fear it would weigh her down, yet she did not like the idea of running out of money before the year was out. At last she packed one silk dress and another of cotton to keep the bag as light as possible. She was wearing a boy's cotton clothes underneath her wetsuit.

Then she carefully packed as much money as she dared into her bag. She had set up a donation drive to get as much money as possible so she could barter in the upper world if necessary. Zircon had no use for money any longer so many were willing enough to give the old useless coins and bars to her. Some were generous enough to part with old valuables -- jewellery, trinkets and the like. Althea was going to bring her father's watch and her mother's circlet, of course.

She had eaten an hour or so before as she needed the energy and as she was not going to bring food. Food would not keep.

And she was ready to go.

Although her people knew that she was planning on leaving, they did not know when as Althea had kept this a secret. In fact, she wondered if she was moving too hastily. She had only received the letter from the Kingdom of Diamond a few days ago. Was she acting rashly? No, she thought firmly. The island was sinking -- she knew not how quickly -- and she had to get up there. Always conscious of the hourglass running out, Althea shouldered her bag, already in her wetsuit.

She would be going tonight and in the morning, the people would know if their Lady had reached the surface safely. Althea could not hold her breath for quite five minutes yet and she had only got back into the strokes of swimming. How lucky that she had learned how to swim before! She was actually very afraid that she might not make it but was determined to go as soon as possible.

'And my parents' souls be with me,' she whispered softly.

[And a secondary character is coming up, but I'll post his bio in a later post.]

Serenity

Serenity took a step. Another step brought her closer to the altar. She looked around her. It seemed as if the whole Kingdom of Diamond had turned up to her wedding. The decorations were beautiful. If Serenity had ever thought that Diamond could not get any whiter, she was wrong. It looked so clean. The brightness of the place hurt her eyes. Ahead of her she could see Tirithral dressed in a set of robes that were (if possible) whiter than his surroundings, his wings fanned out behind him… He looked positively… perfect. Too perfect.
Something was wrong, Serenity had realised, but she could not figure out what.
Serenity found it hard to move in her gigantic dress. The seamstresses had managed to fix the hem that Serenity had destroyed. In fact, it looked more beautiful than before. Serenity despised the dress. She wanted to get married in a simple white dress, barefoot, but the council completely ignored her wishes. Instead, they had made her wear the dress that the ladies had spent days making. It was so tight that Serenity could not breath, but she supposed that it was the fashion. Her top was studded with pearls, to match the delicate necklace around her neck. Serenity could not count how many layers of skirts she was wearing but each was finer than spider’s silk. Her shoes were also studded with pearls and her top was sleeveless with loose gloves. The whole dress was so white that Serenity could’ve sworn that it glowed with it’s own light.
Another step. The impact that her shoe made against the ground sounded like a loud bang in Serenity’s mind.
Another one. Bang.
Serenity looked around at the faces of her people. They were radiant. Her people were all beautiful. It was scary. What had happened to the normal people? The pheasants she saw in the street.
Bang.
As she looked at Tirithral’s smirking face she realised what had happened. Only nobility had been invited to her wedding. Not the whole kingdom as she had specified. The council had assured her that they had given an invitation to everyone in the kingdom. They had lied.
Bang. Another step.
Was this to be her life? Was she to live like this forever? Rule her land, over the watchful eye of the council and her husband, her king? Her king? Tirithral. The name sounded like poison in her mind. She hated him! Why did she have to marry him? Why did she always have to be forced into things like this? Why didn’t she have a life?
Serenity stopped and let out a loud, painful wail.
“I don’t want to live like this! I’d rather die! I have to leave!” she thought desperately.
She dropped her bouquet of flowers and ran from the aisle.

((I will post up Opal's bio later, I just want to write more of Serenity's part and get Echo more into the story. Since Ria cannot write from her computer I offered to write the her posts up for her in Word so she could post them up, and she agreed. I will be able to write her post up for her when she gives me the draft...))

Merle

"How dare you assume that Merle is going to die!"

"How dare!"

"How!"

The voice resounded in the misty distance. Merled walked on, seeing his feet move, but yet feeling no motion.

Figures moved next to him. Voices laughing and speaking.

But the further he progressed in journey in the mist, the less voices he heard. One by one, they died out.

First his father.

Then his eldest brother.

His old teacher.

His aunt.

His second brother.

All at once it was silent, but for his sisters voice and those of Gradea argueing in the background. It did not occure strange to him.. but he did not hear his mother.

How gladly he wanted to halt his paces, but yet he kept stepping.

Forming prints in the neverending sands..

The mists were clearing up, vanishing before a soft glowing light. A shape huddled in a cloak. It did not move.

But Merle was all the certain he did not want to approach. But, yet again, he could not halt his steps. And the shape blocked his path.

Why didn't it move?

He couldn't move on, or he would trip.

But yet, all the sudden, he knew why.

Slowly, the shape started to turn..

Revealing a gnarly boned hand..


"Merle!"

With a gasp Merle jumped in an upright position, sheets muffled and sticking to his sweaty body. He was still breathing quickly, the feeling of all consuming fear waning slowly.

"Good morning," the other said dryly.

Merle quickly looked at aside, Gradea was sitting on a wooden chair next to his bed.

"I was led in, but they said you were awake, since they heard noises."

"Oh," Merle only said. Now the dream had worn off, he felt shaky.

"Bad dream?"

"Yes," the youngster in the big bed, stroke through his hair with one hand.

"You look pale, I think I better let the doctors in first," the elder knight said, pushing himself up. "I wanted to talk to you about the merchant. But I guess I will do it later."

"Gradea, wait!" Gradea was in fact one of the few persons that spoke to him with only 'Merle' and not Sire. They were related in some way and Gradea had known Merle since he was born. Gradeas wife had been his fathers sister.

The other hesitated for a few moments, but then halted.

"About the letter that arrived yesterday. I had it investigated, to see if it was real."

Gradea frowned, "why? What did it contain?"

"Not what.. from where. It was originated from Diamond.."

His uncle remained silent for a few moments and then started to laugh.

But Merle raised his voice again, slightly irritated, "it was real, it had a seal, a real seal."

"Nonsense.. a good fake one, you mean."

"No, I trust the man that investigated it. He is very knowledgable."

Gradea seemed barely convinced, but kept his mouth shut. (Merle wasn't sure he wasn't just keeping his mouth shut to not again burst into laughter. He felt like a fool.)

"Get the Council together and we'll discuss both matters. In two hours I will be there."

"Both matters?"

"The merchant and Diamond."

Gradea opened his mouth, but Merle interrupted him, "I do not want to hear it, just do it."

When his uncle was gone, he fell back in the bed. His throath felt sore. Merle raised his arms, one hand gone, the other seemed more gnarled and deformed. Or was it just himself imagining.

Death..

Merle rolled his one hand into a fist.

The scuffling of footsteps in the room announced the arrival of the doctors that took care of him.

He lowered both hands, relaxing.



Haki

It had seemed seasons, the time he had passed a flight of goose. The birds had looked oddly upon him. But, unlike the falcon, they had left him in peace.

By now, Haki had passed a border, which few birds passed. Straight through the white clouds, land only a small dot, revealed by the white mist around the winged snake.

He had been sure, it were here. A few times, the flights of the scaled ones had passed underneath the transparant town. On sunny days, only their eyes and those of the birds, would see this strange phenomenon. Shining, but invisible to the landdweller.

But today, it had been very cloudy.

His internal direction sense told Haki he was right. His instinct told him to go down, yet, he could not.

He first had to reach that air dwelling city.

The air was cold, very cold, frost starting to form on his wings and scales.

And Haki was still a scaled one. Not accustomed to cold. Cold slowed him down. Yet, he had to continue.

Only a little more.

His wings beating heavily.

Then the first tower came into view. A tiny serpent flew past, unnoticed by the guards. Haki's tongue flicked out.

A lot of two-leggers where on the road. Excitement was in the air. Emotions.. lots of emotions.

He breathed out tiny clouds. His body felt heavy.

With a few last beats, the snakes powers dwindled and Haki fell down..

It was later the same day that Thisa sent the reply to Diamond, and she was taking a walk outside of the city walls, in the sparse forests that managed to live at such high altitudes. She needed some time alone, to ponder her situation. No response from Peridot, a mysterious letter supposedly from Diamond, and an apparant threat to herself and her people. The people of Aquamarine would only brush off those problems, heed them as little more than a nuisance. Thisa knew it was better to do otherwise, especially since they all involved the other kingdoms in ways that could mean the same problems are affecting them too.

She knew the focal point of everything was Diamond, or the people pretending to be Diamond. The lack of messages from Peridot and any threats were related to it somehow. Its dissappearance made the situation all the more intriguing.

She looked up at the sky, and thought. Where could Diamond have gone?

Her peaceful pondering was interrupted when one of the senators, a woman named Juliy Rigel, came running up to her. This caught Thisa's attention, especially since running was not a common thing Aquamarinians do.

"Chancellor," she gasped, "head to your keep. Other senators have already gathered there."

"What for?"

"We've seen unusual activity on a cloud heading our way." She looked up to where Thisa was staring. "Seems you may have spotted it, too."

Thisa looked up, and did notice a rather large cloud floating in from the other kingdoms. "What's so unusual about it?"

"There are people on it."

"On the cloud?"

Juliy nodded, and led Thisa back to the city.

((Ew...I just saw that typo in my letter. Sorry about that.))

Emra dressed slowly, earlier she had dismissed her ladies for the morning. She had wanted to be alone. She decided to wear a simple gown of the lightest green, and fastened a silver bracelet around her wrist. The night of swimming had passed slowly and the morning seemed to move slower. Pink and orange tinged the sky, reflected in the water- but blue had taken most of the sky's space. Emra didn't know whether her letter would ever get to the Crown Princess or be replied to, and she debated with herself about trying to find the hidden kingdom herself. Would it be too hard? Would she be abadoning her kingdom? But, this new darkness and shadow was dissolving upon the kingdoms like mist, this dark plot twisting the sky and perhaps the sea. Emra fought the melancholy that wished to take over her- she had to stay positive and strong.

((I'm very sorry, writer's block- especially since I am currently not with any one else in this RP for the moment....it makes it rather difficult.
I'll find some way to get into this ))

[Secondary character coming up soon! Edited original post as well.]

Secondary Character Info

Name: Devlin "Dev" Keith
Age: 17
Kingdom: Zircon
Position in Kingdom: Youngest diver, recently had an accident returning to Zircon. He ran out of breath as the island had sunk further since the last trip and began drowning. The Lady Althea saved his life.
Appearance: A youth on the brink of manhood, physically well-developed (necessary for a diver) surprisingly tall for his age by Zircon standards (although he would be average height in other kingdoms). Brown hair and deep brown eyes, he prefers to wear brown clothes as the dye is more common than other colours, thus more affordable.
Personality: He's usually easygoing and chats quite comfortably so has positive relationships with the other divers. However, he doesn't like to talk about himself and will shut up like a clam on some topics. Superficial conversations are all very well, but Dev doesn't let anyone know the deeper part of himself. If anyone ever thought about it, they would realise that no one really knows Dev, but no one has thought about this. Dev is surprisingly stubborn about certain things and refuses to change his mind once he has taken a position. A lot of the time he won't give his reasons for why he does something but he certainly has them.
Weapons: Dev is no mean hand at wielding a lightweight sword and he always keeps a dagger close by him.
History: Dev has no family that he knows of and was raised by the community, as are many orphaned children. Not many people know much about Dev's parents, who were also the silent type. They died when he was five and people suppose that he has forgotten what his parents are like. That is true for the most part but he has a few secret memories he guards jealously and never mentions. Surprisingly fit for a Zircon boy, he began training to be a diver when he reached his teens. He has been on a couple of trips to the surface already so has a little experience. When he is not going on a diving trip, he lives in a community centre with other people who have nowhere to go. Having no parents to make proud, he works hard for his kingdom instead, and has a degree of respect for Lady Althea, who has managed to govern Zircon quite well at a tender age. He had never seen her in person, though. When she saved his life, he had not known it was her until much later and was only amazed that she had taken the trouble to heal him. Dev has heard tales of Althea's kindness before, but never witnessing them first-hand, had doubts as to how much she actually did. Now the respect has grown larger and into something more akin to worship.

---

As Althea trudged quietly towards the ocean, her mind was spinning with a hundred thoughts and concerns. She wondered how her people would fare. She wondered if the Kingdom of Diamond really existed. She wondered how she would survive up there. She wondered if she'd ever be able to get back down again. She wondered if she'd survive the journey upwards -- but she suppressed that thought, refusing to believe anything less than a positive outcome. Experience had taught her that results depended on whether her thinking had been positive or negative in the beginning. She was not about to start thinking she would fail. She had not failed before in anything and she would not fail now.

Somewhat comforted by this thought, the girl continued walking through dark alleyways, determined to succeed.

There by the ocean on the flat platform of rock, a group of six divers were waiting for her. Her old tutor was there as well, his face greyer than normal under the dim light, unhappy to see Althea leave and unable to change her mind. He stepped forward to hold her hand and he pressed it anxiously.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked her again. The Lady only smiled and nodded.

"Goodbye, my dear teacher," she replied laughingly. "I'll see you in a year." Her optimistic face betrayed none of the worries she was undergoing. She turned to the group of divers and frowned. "Isn't there only supposed to be five divers?" she asked, a small crease between her brows. Then she saw who the sixth diver was.

"Devlin Keith!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

The seventeen year old boy looked at her, his face such a mixture of emotions that for once, Althea could not tell what he was thinking.

"I'm going up with you all," he said at last.

Althea was too stunned for a while to speak. When she found her voice, she cried out, "Out of the question! You've only just recovered. You must go straight back to the hospital wing, now." Her voice stressed the 'now' very clearly.

"I'm going with you," Dev repeated stubbornly. He had a bag all ready and packed.

"Devlin," Althea said in a gentler voice. "You must not. You will be hurt and I could not bear to see anyone hurt on this journey. Why, you did not make it back last time and -- "

"And you've never even tried it, so I'm going with you," Dev repeated again, his face annoyed now. "And it's Dev, not Devlin. Everyone calls me Dev."

"It's no use arguing with him," whispered one of the older divers. "You might as well talk to the wall. He ferrets everything out and he found you're going tonight -- don't know how he knows, my Lady -- and he won't be persuaded out of it. He's determined to drown himself if he can't go."

Althea looked at the resolute face of the young boy. He seemed the type of person who would do exactly as he had said he would and he certainly seemed determined enough to drown himself.

"I'll tell everyone you're leaving if you try to make me go back," he threatened, seeing her look at him. "And seven is a lucky number. Seven will make sure all of us survive." The girl sighed. She had precious little time to waste and if she survived -- well, he might then.

"But you must not drown on the way up or down," she warned him. "Or I'll never forgive myself for letting you come."

The boy looked about to say something but then changed his mind and shut his mouth.

"We're off then," the head diver announced. Everyone put on their backpacks and Althea tied her hair well out of the way. Goggles were put on and each diver lowered themselves into the water. Dev stood behind Althea, waiting for her to enter.

The Lady swallowed hard as she stared at the dark, unfriendly waters, then she jumped into the cold ocean with a splash and a gasp.

[I'm going away to Scotland until the 14th, and then going away once more to Germany on the 18th, until the 23rd. Can I please put David into ria's care, and let Saria sit around? Thanks.]

((Ria is having a Word (or lack of Word as she stated) problem so while we are figuring it out she will not be able to post as much as she wants to. Anyways here’s my Bio for Opal.))

Character Info-
Name: Ashalind (Ash) Quire
Age: 16
Kingdom: Opal
Position in Kingdom: Princess
Appearance: Ash has thick purple hair that falls just below her ears. Attached to the base of her skull is a hair accessory that is basically an ornamental rope attached to her hair, which finishes at her ankles. It is composed of five different colours of string: dark purple, dark green, dark blue, dark maroon and black. There are ornamental metal symbols and coloured beads attached to the rope, which swings whenever she walks or moves. It can be very hypnotising and annoying. Her eyes are glowing green and she has very pale skin. She wears a tight sleeveless black top, which ends just below her bust. On her arms are thick black gloves trimmed with dark purple that end just below her elbows. She wears very short black shorts, purple tights and black boots trimmed with purple. She wears a dark green belt. Attached to the belt is a long piece of material (about 30cm thick) that dangles to her ankles and it is on her left side. The piece of material is dark green, dark purple and black. The colours on the material mix in together. It ends in a green fringe. (She doesn’t wear this gown till she is out of Opal)
Personality: Ever since the death of her father and her uncle taking over the throne, Ash rarely smiles. Once a playful young girl, Ash’s personality has been dulled. Somewhere inside, her childhood happiness is hiding inside her. She is brave and very smart.
She is accustomed to the darkness she lives in and is not very fond of sunlight, making it hard for her to travel during daytime. She is very fond of darkness and has better eyes than anyone in her kingdom. She likes Hitari (a special glowing flower that provides light to the inhabitants of Opal) and wears it all the time.
Weapons: A pair of wrist blades. They attach to her gloves and are purple, blue and green, matching her outfit. They are circular with a blades coming out of the front of them that are extendable. (Ash gets these later)
History: King Lenatiri Quire (Ash’s father) ruled Opal fairly until his brother Prince Ishatiri grew jealous of him and murdered him. He covered it up and claimed the throne, forcing Queen Alanni (Ash’s mother) to marry him. He rules Opal to his liking, not the people’s best interest. He has crushed many righteous people in Opal including Olinai (the leader of the Resistance that was trying to overthrow Ishatiri and Ash’s friend) Nakura (Ash’s fiancé) and Utara (daughter of Olinai).
He locks Ash up in her room most of the time, and tries to do everything that will prevent her from becoming queen (she will inherit the throne at 18 ) like making her sick and crushing her spirit. He has even contemplated murdering her like he did his brother.
Ash fades day by day, becoming sadder and sadder, her spirit fading.
But there is a rumour that Ash’s father and mother had a firstborn son that they sent into hiding when they knew that Ishatiri was going to take over the kingdom. They say that this boy will return and take his rightful pace as king, and there will be peace and the land shall be fertile and the people of Opal will once again be able to ascend out of the darkness and onto the land where it is said they once came from. Only five people know that this rumour is true; Ishatiri, his two children, Alanni and Ash. Ishatiri lives in fear of this story.
News: Ash plans to escape Opal to go get help at the Kingdom council (where all the leader of the Kingdoms meet up and discuss plans for the future (not all kingdoms attend)) so she can overthrow her uncle. She also wants to find the rightful king, her older brother.

Note: When Ishatiri became king the Kingdom of Opal split into two cities; one called Opal (the original city) and the other called Estel (which means hope for the future). Estel lives on top of Opal, in the light. Estel hopes that one day, the rightful heir to the throne will return, and they can travel back below the earth to rejoin their friends and families.
Kingdom info- Opal
Government Type:Dictatorship
Cultural info: Not many plants grow in Opal, they rely heavily on a special animal that is has been specifically bred to live in the dark. They are called Killa and they are very tasty.
The people of Opal are mostly diggers because of their super strength. They are forever digging new tunnels, trying to expand the region of Opal as Ishatiri’s greed grows.
The people of Opal do not celebrate festivals or anything, they are a very bleak people, but do not mind. They are creatures of habit and not very daring.
Most of the animals have glowing eyes so they can see in the dark.
Architecture/City appearance: Despite the darkness of Opal, it is a lovely city. It almost looks unreal in the glow of the Hitari. The houses are all made of rock.
Main Palace/Castle: The palace is made of black Granite and holds the largest amount of Hikari ever known to Opal. It is large and filled with slaves. Only King Ishatiri, Queen Alanni, Ash and Ishatiri’s most trusted men live in the palace. The slaves and servents live in dusty sheds next to the palace. Outside the palace is a small garden filled with various species of Hakari that Ash loves to tend to.

Kingdom info- Estel
Government Type: Democracy
Cultural info: The people of Estel are the complete opposite of the people of Opal. Although considered part of the Opal Kingdom, they take care never to descend under into the dark caves of the original Opal city until they know that Ishatiri is no longer king. They know if they go down they will be executed but Ishatiri’s men.
The people of Estel enjoy the sun and are an agricultural people.
They are tough and are very flexible and agile. They are somewhat acrobats and are talented at hand-to-hand combat. They are a friendly people and are very daring; they love stories about adventure and battles. They love animals and many people learn to ride a horse at a young age. They also posses good eyes, that can see things miles away (a kind of evolution of the ability that the people of Opal possess).
Architecture/City appearance: The houses are made out of timber with large gardens, full of tasty fruits and vegetables and large, strange-looking colourful flowers.
Main Palace/Castle: The main castle is made of wood and stone and inhabited by the Lord of Estel, a cheerful man named Yaki. There, he holds wedding ceremonies and festival ceremonies. The city of Estel is small, so when there is a wedding or special event the whole town is involved.

Demon info-
Name: Ishatiri Quire
Appearance: A tall cold thin man. He has red hair and red eyes and is clean-shaven (unusual for men of his age). He usually has a cold smirk on his face and his laugh can chill people to the bone. His red hair is long and falls just over his shoulders. He wears long robes, to show that he has power.
Personality: He is selfish and distant. People say that a man like him cannot be possibly human.
He enjoys seeing people uncomfortable and only worries about himself.
Abilities: None.
History: When his older brother took the throne Ishatiri made it his mission to destroy him. When his older brother married the girl that he loved, Alanni, Ishatiri decided to take everything that his brother owned. When his brother’s wife had a son he decided that this heir must die. He gathered many loyal men and poisoned his brother and killed him. He took Alanni hostage and demanded that she give the throne to him. She was with child at the time (Ash) and did not want him to hurt her baby. When he was king he gathered the forces and all the inhabitants of Opal and told them that he was to be their king and that if they did not pledge their loyalty to him (an ancient pledge created by kings of old, if a person from the kingdom breaks it they die) then he would call on his men to destroy their city. They obeyed but a small portion of the kingdom fled before they could make the pledge (the founders of Estel). Ishatiri pursued these traitors until they came above the ground where his men could go no longer. He left them there, assuming they would die, but they managed to find a way to survive, unknown to him.
He then went to kill Lenatiri’s son but found him gone.
He killed many men and even threatened Alanni but she would not tell him the whereabouts of her only son. He knew that he could not kill her; he still wanted her. So he hoped that the son was gone for good, and tried to forget about him
He married Alanni and when she had her child, he locked the little girl in her room. She disgusted him. She had Lenatiri’s bright green eyes and they were always staring at him with that same thoughtful expression that he had always worn when he was alive.
Never had he been bothered with the horrible execution of his brother, the one person who had always cared about him.
Minions: Desperate for power, Ishatiri prayed to Induisha. He gave him two children (twins) that possessed demonic powers, a boy and a girl. The girl’s name is Itara and the boy’s name is Utara.
They both have red eyes and shoulder length, grey, straight hair. They wear identical tight-fitting red and black robes.
They both rely on each other and they believe that their father, Ishatiri, cares from them deeply. They don’t like talking to other people and generally ignore people. They move as if they are invisible to the world and do not care about anything else but getting power for their father.
They can talk to each other with their minds, and set things alight at will. They are deadly with a sword.

Character Info- (Second Character)
Name: Dagger Lenmai (Len- may)
Age: 16
Kingdom: Estel (Opal)
Position in Kingdom: Thief (he prefers treasure hunter)
Appearance: Dagger has shoulder length blonde hair, which is usually tied back with a band with feathers attached to it. He has green eyes that hold laughter and mischief. He has an elegant and graceful build, quite unusual for a boy. He has high cheekbones, which accentuate his sharp features.
He wears dark brown baggy pants, very dark brown boots that start just below his knees. He wears a cloak that is tied to his body with a tan belt. The cloak is sleeveless and goes down to his ankles but the skirt of the cloak is split into seven pieces. He wears thick gloves that are the same colour as his boots.
Personality: He is cheeky and funny. He is daring, adventurous, curious and brave. He is always smiling and he loves to play tricks on people. He is free by nature and love to roam around.
He has an uncanny weakness for women
Weapons: He’s not called Dagger for no reason! He carries over nine daggers hidden on his body in various places, and a long thin sword attached to his belt. He is perfectly built for someone from Estel, as they are very graceful and skilled acrobats (read cultural info).
History: Estel was born into a large family. He is probably the most active person in the village and everybody knows although he tends to steal, he always repays for what he takes or gives it back. He enjoys teaching his younger siblings to fight. He has the heart of every young girl in the city. He enjoys a carefree life but wants to leave Estel in search of a real adventure.
News: Dagger is getting restless in his small city. Dagger’s mother, Kaylinne, wishes for Dagger to marry and settle down, but knows deep in her heart her son can never do that. When he decides that he wants t venture down into Opal, the whole family panics and tries everything to keep him on the surface. But Dagger is too curious…

((By the way Anubis, I hope you have a great time in Scotland and Germany!))

((Guess what everyone? My Microsoft Word program has finally been fixed!!! wOOt!! Now I've typed up my bio and am finally going to post it. Thanks for all being so patient XP))

Character Info-

(1st Character)

Name: Vanniel Lurion (Va-ni-el Lur-ion)
Age: 15
Kingdom: Pearl
Position in Kingdom: Rebel Leader
Appearance: Dark silver hair with streaks of bronze, it is short, reaching just below her ears, but over the right side of her face it comes down sharply and hides this whole side (think Violet from 'the Incredibles' or Zexion from KH:CoM). Her left eye is silver-white with a faint blue swirl, her right eye is a dark amber-gold. She wears a white sleeveless woollen top with a vertical stripe pattern and three diamonds in the centre. This top has a white furred collar and a large furred white hood. She also wears pale blue denim jeans, the insides are furred lined. Two white belts criss-cross over her wait, smaller belts (of the same colour and material) zig-zag down the legs. White snow boots, with good traction, are essential for surviving in Pearl without slipping in the snow. Her outfit is finished off with two long, thin arm-warmers, both light blue, which cover the middle of her arms, as well as tight white gloves.
Personality: As many in Pearl are, Vanniel (called Vann by most) is cold and distant. Being the leader of the rebels she speaks more than most, however she rarely offers words of encouragement and her commands/instructions are usually only one word. Vann also has an unusual side, a toughness and impulsiveness that is often invoked when she is doing an important mission. She is also very loyal to Pearl, unusually so, and she is sometimes questioned by the other rebels because of this.
Weapons: Two daggers, called the Fire and Ice blades. One has distinct blue and white 'icey' markings, the other unusual red and gold 'firey' markings.
History: Vann's history is mostly unknown. She was left at an orphanage when she was young, growing up she learned how to fight because of the difficult times in Pearl, a great civil war was being fought. Eventually the General Lurik Arulion and his forces won, bringing with him a harsh military rule which saw many charity facilities, including the orphanage Vann lived at, being shut down. Vann rallied up many young fighters and orphans who opposed the dictator and created the rebel group titled the 'Niveus Lupus'- or Snow Wolves. Vann was often discriminated against in her past as she is abnormal amongst her people, she likes warm weather, has copper hair and dressed loosely with 'revealing' clothes (for Pearl standards anyway), this is why Vann uses her hair to hide her right eye.
News: The Niveus Lupus ((I'll write it as NL to make it easier)) hasn't made any attacks in the recent months, they are slowly being captured or killed and Vann is worried about what's going to happen to them. Also, a young traveller has recently come to them offering help.

(2nd Character)

Name: Aelas Arulion
Age: 20
Kingdom: Pearl
Position in Kingdom: High Queen/Dictator
Appearance: Long metallic white hair with blue at the tips. Worn in public either in a bun or French braid, in private it is always worn out, her hair reaches the floor. She has pale silvery blue eyes. She wears a long white military style coat with polished silver buttons and buckles. She also wears a long white skirt, relatively plain with only a trailing ruffles, and white high heels.
Personality: Aelas is sarcastic, witty and downright cruel. She talks more than most people but only because of her position. She is not easily influenced by others, except her mother whom she relies on for magic.
Weapons: A longsword which was passed on from her father when he died. A plain silver blade with a white hilt and a pale blue stone set into the middle. She has very limited magical abilities.
History: Her father, Lurik Arulion, died when she was 18. He was killed by the NL in one of their greatest attacks. Aelas always lived a sheltered life, being taught by her parents in the ways of swordfighting, spellcasting and politics. She was forced to follow their beliefs and never once questioned whether it was ‘right’ or not.
News: Aelas recently received the letter from Diamond, she was told not to believe it by her mother and is planning on sending it to the NL in the hopes they’ll leave her and Pearl alone.

(3rd Character)

Name: Isabella Mehana
Age: 14
Kingdom: Ruby
Position in Kingdom: Unknown
Appearance: Large magenta eyes. Short spiky black hair, at the back there are two long ponytails, both tied with metallic pink scrunchies. Her top is hot pink and cuts down rather low at the top, both ends (front and back) taper to a downwards pointing arrow from her waist and the sides are threaded together with thick sky blue ribbon. The straps are two black belts with silver buckles, Isabella is constantly pulling them up, but they always end up sliding off her shoulders. She wears a black short skirt with three dark pink ruffles surrounding it horizontally, each are about 5cm apart. Also, Isabella wears black and pink horizontally striped tights and chunky hot pink boots with sky blue laces. Her accessories are a pair of fingerless black leather gloves and a black choker.
Personality: Isabella is very cute and cheerful, yet she is mysterious and mischievous at the same time. Her past is always hidden deep within her and when someone questions her about it she changes the subject or stops talking altogether. The thoughtful and dark emotions are rarely seen and are usually hidden beneath Isabella’s cheerful exterior. Her unwavering optimism is one of her strengths, as is her helpful and kind nature. However she sometimes becomes a little whiney or poutey which seriously annoys some people.
Weapon: A light metal boomerang which is bright silver in colour. Two black bands are fastened about 5cm from the ends and a diamond-shaped pink gem is set in the centre.
History: Isabella is a traveller. She left the Ruby kingdom when was only 10 years old, travelled with a trader for 2 years and then continued on her own for another 2. She is very interested in the rumours about the Diamond kingdom and wishes to learn about it and all the other kingdoms. Isabella is very creative and has wonderful artistic and musical talents. She often sells her artworks for money and carries around a piccolo in her travelling bag. Isabella doesn’t share much of her past and never talks about the Ruby Kingdom.


Kingdom info-
Government Type: Dictatorship
Cultural info: People hunt for most of their food. Deer, sometimes goats, bears and snow leopards, are hunted, as well as any birds. Fruits and vegetables are sparse, they used to be traded, but now they are rare. Water is found in clear mountain springs and by melting ice. Snow sports, and hunting, are common recreational activities, especially skiing, sledding and snowboarding.
Architecture/City appearance: The houses are all made from stone with the outsides covered with snow, they are made up of dome shaped rooms all connected like caterpillars. Some rooms, like the kitchen, have a hole in the roof for letting smoke out. Wooden chips cover the floor topped by thin furs. The kitchen has a fire in the centre, surrounded by stones, there is at least 20cm around the fire to stop the fires from catching alight. Everyone sleeps on fluffy piles of furs on the floor. The cities are often in protected areas surrounded by large stone walls and houses are very low to the ground. Barely any colours apart from whites, greys, browns and blacks can be seen.
Main Palace/Castle: A large fortress on the highest mountain of Pearl made of large stone blocks of a pure white and containing numerous ice sculptures is the main castle of Pearl. Servants live on the bottom floors and royalty on the upper floors. The main ruler can address the populace from an extremely high balcony in the castle.

Demon info-
Name: Gilval Arulion
Appearance: Long pure white hair and icy silver eyes. Very old with gnarled fingers. She wears long white robes.
Personality: Cold and bitter. Many hate the mother of Aelas and wife of Lurik, and she hates them return.
Abilities: Very powerful sorceress, she has a highly advanced magic being able to summon ice, snow, blizzards, etc in an instant. She carries a long white staff with a blue glass orb in the centre.
History: Gilval was Lurik’s wife and greatest advisor, she helped him with her dark magic and received the position of power she’d always wanted. However Gilval is not a demon sent by Induisha, she is merely an evil sorceress who Induisha felt was evil enough to destroy Pearl without his help.
Minions: Anise, her large hyperactive snow leopard who has a scar covering his left eye.

Patrice sat at the edge of the balcony that jutted out from the palace. It was part of the grand ballroom that had not been used for many, many years, as it was against tradition to host a ball without a reigning Queen. Patrice didn't mind too much, she liked to dance, but the dresses and such were far too hot for typical Garnet weather, and besides, they impeded her favorite dance moves...too much fabric.

Her legs dangled over the edge between the smooth, polished, and stately looking obsidian carved railings that edged the balcony. It was a wetter than usual day (meaning that the air was still warm and dry, but it didn't seem to suck the life out of you as it rushed by). The whole disaster with the lava flow had been taken care of hours ago with minimal casualties (minimal casualties, how she hated that term), and now the palace was quiet again.


And Patrice's thoughts wandered. They wandered back again and again to the Kingdom of Diamond and the strange letter. Finally, she couldn't stand to think of it any longer. She grabbed her heat goggles and descended into the lower halls of the palace to retrieve her lava board. Lava surfing always seemed to clear her mind (many had questioned how she kept doing it after Jaason had died - this was why). She felt at peace out there on the flows.

Patrice dragged the heavy piece of obsidian that was coated with heat resistant plastic and covered in lava proof metallic cloth, and clicked the lava board into the specially designed wheeled carrier. These boards were impossible to carry long distances even for the most buff lava surfers. Better to keep your energy for the surfing anyway.

Pulling a translucent black cloak-like veil on, she trundled down the main street of the downtown, making her way to the shuttlepod to her favorite lava flow course. She wore the veil because she hated all the to-do caused by the Princess being out and about. She wished someone would just have a normal conversation with her. The shuttlepod stop was across town. She didn't dilly-dally, but she didn't rush either, peering into windows here and there.

((um, I'm kind of confused...is anyone's character in Garnet right now? If so, who? And if not, is anyone coming to Garnet? I thought I read some stuff about Garnet in some of the early posts/bios. If any of you are in my kingdom, I'd LOVE to interact with you! ))