-- Welcome to the Jungle [Gabranth]

[Oerba Yun Fang [The Desperado]]

Archadia. A place that contrasted directly to the open sprawing fields and plains of her home. Gran pulse. Fang was confused, and lightheaded. Waking from crystal sleep could be a hassle sometimes especially when you wake up in some giant place where you cant figure out if you're in Cocoon, or some other place. However, this place did not at all remind her of Cocoon, the architecture was far different. The, and the people in the streets were not the coddled Cocoon-archetype she knew all to well. Looking around, she seemed to have woken in the back alley way of the city. Sighing, Fang stood up running her fingers through her raven tresses of hair, trying to right herself. She looked ill, the Pulsian huntress did not look like her usual self; she was rather pale and her usually bright green eyes were slightly duller. Then again you'd probably look like that too if you just uncrystallized after a catastrophic event. She eventually moved to the square where she was met with curious and fearful glances.

" th' 'ell is this? This sure aint Cocoon!" she looked at a resident of the city and began to ask him multiple questions as to her current locale. The citizen, obviously noticing she was not from Archadia natively began to panic. A foreigner? Especially one as weirdly dressed as she would be sure to cause an uproar. And That she did, the panicked citizen caused a mass panic in the square Fang stood in. "Ah, jeez. Jus' like ol' times." she groaned. Obviously referencing her previous adventures with Lightning and company, which were rather fond memories to be honest. Her mind drifted back to what she could remember, which wasn't much at all. She remembered panicking when she heard the crystal pillar crack and crumble and then it was black, nothing came to her mind. And as the uproar around her became more and more of a riot, the confused huntress just continued to wander the city.

Fang unlike her usual self was disoriented and had failed to notice there quite possibly was someone following after her. Not that it didn't cross her mind; it was just that some other things had taken precedence over the fact that she was stuck in a strange city where people panicked whenever she tried to ask a question. They must be a city of coddled cowards as well, which Fang personally didn't appreciate. Finally she turned, to face whatever was giving her the feeling that she had been followed to a less crowded area of the city. Whoever the person was, hopefully was friendly enough to help a foreigner figure out where she was and how she ended up in such a place. After all, it wasn't often that you saw someone like Fang wandering a crowded urban landscape. "Oi, d'ya know where I am?" she asked whoever had been following her.

[Captain Cedric Rackham]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,470,true][bg=EEE6E4][atrb=background,http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs7/i/2005/258/c/4/Paper_texture_v5_by_bashcorpo.jpg] AND I WOULD LET A PIECE OF MYSELF DIE IT'S HARD TO BE THE BETTER MAN - WHEN YOU FORGET TO TRY it's hard to be the better man - when you're still lying Less than a week and he was already tired of hearing the voices of these old men, their constant bickering a sound akin to the squawking of birds. Gabranth found himself disheartened upon his return to Archadia, after the unexpected events that transpired he had been barely aware that the Imperial Senate had been reinstated upon his ‘leave of absence.’ The fledgling Emperor, the young Lord Larsa and his decision to hand the Judges back the political and military power they had originally forsook had caused quite a stir. Not only this, but this so called ‘Calamity’ had ripped apart the world of Ivalice and smashed together strange and foreign areas many had yet to traverse, such as the floating continent in the sky or the strange castle stuck in a curious purple bog. All of these things, these trivial investigations had fallen under the jurisdiction of the Ninth along with the duty of keeping the people of Archadia at ease which seemed to be a far easier task indeed. Presently the Ninth had been dissolved all together, save for the position the Judge Magister seemed to hold, and acquiring able men for the jobs he needed done was easier said than done. His long fingers remained positioned by the temple of his helm, instinctively circling the area as though to ease the shadow of a headache that was coming on. “We cannot afford to stall our decision any further. We must make our decision for the good of the Archadian people.” The decision was as clear as day to the Judge Magister, his voice reverberating through the mouth of his helm as he slowly lifted his head and addressed the squandering group of old men with a level stare. Slowly he rose from his seat at the circular table, his reflection cast along the well polished surface. “As Judge Magister and leader of the Ninth, I will address the people of Archadia on the subject on what has transpired from behind their well kept walls.” A single hand outstretched, gesticulating as he spoke the armor-clad man kept his composure, though if the Senate could only see his face, it would indeed be a different story all together. He assumed they would start bickering again the moment he left the room, perhaps devise a plot to be rid of the Judges all together. It would not surprise him if it mirrored something close to an alliance with an outside kingdom or state at this point, however, Archadia could not risk war of any kind, especially that of the civil variety. The Senate knew this just as well as the Judge who held his ground in the face of these bureaucrats. “On this topic, I propose that Archadies take a defensive stance and isolate itself from the outside world. We have the resources to supply the Empire for at least ten or twenty years, this way we would keep out of the conflict until we rebuilt our military and,” He paused, swallowing roughly and placed his hand upon the table. Even with this subtle movement his armor created a substantial amount of noise, the creaking of his joints and his entire body head above the whispers of the Senate. “bring peace to these war-ravaged nations.” With this final statement the robe-clad bodies of the old men actively stirred, their voices incomprehensible mumblings and phrases spoke with little eloquence. These men were far too old to be taking these duties upon them and Gabranth wondered if Larsa truly meant for the Imperial Senate to take an active part in the reformation of Archadies, of if perhaps, they had forced their ideals into the child’s mind. No, his Emperor was not so weak and he’d find away to rid both Archadia and himself of these nuisances as the late Lord Vayne had done, but far more discreetly. “What you suggest Gabranth is madness! We cannot hope to rebuild our fleets, we must propose peace!” Their choruses rose until their voices became suffocating and the ache that plagued his head persisted ever more. He found himself irritated beyond belief. “We must treat for peace with these new nations, we do not know –“ His fist slammed against the surface of the table, the feeling of the blow creating a shock that fled from his knuckles to his shoulder. The feeling was exhilarating, and Gabranth found a strange satisfaction that the silence that greeted this source of noise. “You would have us dissolve Archadia, and allow these foreigners to run rampant within our walls?” His voice lingered, the tone venomous as he hissed these words from the mouth of his helmet. It was if on cue a momentary distraction to their conflict had provided itself. A messenger slipped into the chamber, nervous hands rubbing together as he approached the armored figure which remained tense, ready to act. “Your Honour?” The voice was all but a whisper, and slowly he turned his head in the direction of the boy who approached. “There is a disturbance in the Main Square, a woman, not from here is causing a commotion.” He rolled his eyes from behind the careful and calculated guise of his helmet. Of course it would fall upon him. Without a word he removed himself from the Senate’s chamber, his cloak fluttering at his ankles as he made his way towards one of the few docks that held the transport vessels, the smaller equivalent to the airships that once made Archadia a strong and domineering Empire. Those fleets he once looked upon in awe had all but vanished. In his mind he blamed himself, though another part of him still held onto the association with his brother who had merely taken his place during his recovery. If Basch had managed himself better, Archadia would not be in so poor a state. It was not a long journey from the palace’s main pavilion to the main square and he saw exactly what the messenger had informed him of. A crowd had formed around a rather peculiar looking woman who appeared to be hardly dressed at all. It was a distraction if anything and the public found themselves in awe of this figure, her appearance most certainly foreign and this was exactly what he had been trying to prevent. A scene. Quickly he made his way through the crowd and approached the figure, though he found it a delicate situation and positioned himself behind the strange woman who slowly turned to face him. Her accent was unrecognizable, though it vaguely reminded him of a place far and long behind him. However, if she did indeed hail from that place, it would have been impossible, and he never remembered anyone dressing so ostentatiously. It was hard to believe she hadn’t noticed him sooner with the racket he was making, his armor jostling with each step, plate scraping against plate as his leather clad hands tightened around the hilt of his signature weapon. Upon further examination it appeared as though she carried something of the same accord, he found this rather bizarre. Only the Judges of the Empire carried such things, though this woman’s was a variation this confirmed his suspicion that she was an outsider and had to be dealt with promptly. “You, woman,” His voice was iced over, as hollow as the sockets of his helm appeared to be as he stood his ground, standing before the woman who inquired as to who he was. “you are to come with me.” He made no gesture of friendship, his posture exuding both confidence and authority, shoulders pulled back even if their height was close to being evenly matched and her own expression was something fierce, even if somewhat dazed. “You are being taken into custody, and will be released once our questions have been answered. Failure to comply to my. . .” He paused, the tone of his voice softening as the sentence trailed off. “request, will result in something less than favorable.” By now the stares that had once been thrown in the direction of the strange woman were now averted and the citizen within the nearby area having scattered like dust in the wind. It was now he got a better look at her, his amber optics focused on her features. Her eyes were a most intense blue, raven colored hair accentuating this feature along with her dark skin. She was well kept for a woman, an athletic build, this leading him to assume she would be more than competent in a brawl if things should turn sour, though he hoped otherwise. Luring in one of these being from abroad, if he could ask her what he needed to know, she would prove useful to both himself and the Archadian Empire, and that would be enough. i hoped that you would do this for me POST MADE BY GABRANTH OF CALAMITY'S CRY

[Oerba Yun Fang [The Desperado]]

"You, woman you are to come with me.”

Fang turned, raising a single brow at him before assuming a stance that just bled. 'you-did-not-just-go-there.' She was unimpressed by his rather formidable attire. Who in their right mind would be afraid of a walking lightning rod? Jeez, if she didn't take care of him the next bad lightning storm would! Her tanned features had contorted to something of amusement next as she studied the man in the suit of armor. After all it was only smart to study this guy. Especially if he posed a threat to her. Jade eyes flickered to the large bladed lance she kept on her back at all times. Kain's lance, a sign of status back in her era and village. Back in Oerba she was respected as one of the most accomplished warriors and hunters within Gran Pulse. She was the girl who killed a behemoth king on her own as a rite of passage. Instead any other lesser person would have attacked a young behemoth cub or an already injured behemoth. No, she instead attacked and successfully killed the dominant male of the area.

This man was about as threatening to her as a sheep. However, he quite possibly was familiar with this place. And considering how the people had looked at him and whispered 'Judge Magister' She guessed he was a man of authority in these lands. It was mildly entertaining to be honest as the people hurried about nervously. Apparently the people here were as spineless as those who were coddled by the fal'cie. There were only a few of the people of Cocoon who in Fang's mind had backbones. Snow, despite his lack of intelligence was one of them. Hope, the poor kid who went through hell also had one. Sazh, he fought for his son and she would never think lesser of that man. And Lastly but not Least. Lightning, the rose haired soldier that haunted her mind for no specific reason. She could remember in her dreams in crystal sleep how she ached to be free to talk to the cold soldier just one more time.

Especially to harass the soldier. Despite the dull ache in her jaw she often suffered at the hands of a flustered and often very annoyed Lightning. In the end, it was well worth it. Perhaps she taught her how to take a joke with grace, instead of beating the hell out of the person who was joking.

"Didn't yer mother ever teach ya manners boy?" She said with a tone that was a mix of mock offense and amusement. Running a hand through her raven hair she noticed something similar about him. His accent, resembled hers, except his voice was made almost mechanical sounding behind the helmet that he possessed. This 'Judge' was an intriguing figure to say the least. "Because y'know. Where I come from, y'dont address a lady like that. But I guess I do owe an introduction. Name's Oerba Yun Fang. Call me Fang though." There. Now he would not be calling her woman for the entirety of this conversation. However, if she was to be taken under his custody, something defensive rose up in her. She didn't like the idea of being a prisoner to a foreign country for waking up from crystal in one of their back alleyways. It was with a sort of cautious curiosity she continued to listen to him speak. Despite being impulsive, Fang was far from stupid. She needed to be careful in this situation. She'd fight the entirety of Cocoon in a heartbeat if she needed to. But she would never fight this nation without knowing about it.

“You are being taken into custody, and will be released once our questions have been answered. Failure to comply to my. . . request, will result in something less than favorable.”

Less than favorable was all she needed to know. He was willing to fight her if needed, for now she would go with him. Until he crossed the line she had drawn in her mind, she'd comply. No need to get her head lobbed off for being a stubborn dumbass at the wrong time. Nodding, her form became something less confrontational looking and more casual. There were many sides of Fang that one would see in just a brief meeting, her body spoke volumes, especially in the category of her mood. It was more her body that gave away the mood of her being rather than her words or voice. Even though those could speak volumes as well. Chuckling she looked again at the crowds and then looked at her attire. Wow, she did stick out like a sore thumb here in this place. Well, it wasn't her fault. She blamed the fal'cie or whomever decided it'd be a good idea to dump her here to wake up instead of somewhere in her home like Gran Pulse.

"Alright Sunshine, I'll come with ya. But d'ya mind doin' a lady a favor and tellin' me just where we are?" This wasn't Cocoon, and was the opposite of Gran Pulse. She was nowhere near her home and so, she looked about again, still slightly dazed from waking up but showing signs of gradually coming around and really taking in the scenery around her. The modern sprawl was so different from what she was used to. Eden was even more different than this, and she didn't know if the technology here was behind Eden's time or ahead. It mattered little but she couldn't help but wonder, especially in a time like this where she was stuck in what could be a dangerous situation. But, for now she decided it'd be best to be laid back. Perhaps this man could become a valuable ally in the end, and possibly help her find her way home, a way back to Gran Pulse.. So, she walked to him. Making absolutely no gesture to suggest she may become aggressive.

"Lead the way if ya will."

[Captain Cedric Rackham]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,470,true][bg=EEE6E4][atrb=background,http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs7/i/2005/258/c/4/Paper_texture_v5_by_bashcorpo.jpg] AND I WOULD LET A PIECE OF MYSELF DIE IT'S HARD TO BE THE BETTER MAN - WHEN YOU FORGET TO TRY it's hard to be the better man - when you're still lying The woman turned to face him, a peculiar expression plaguing her tanned face. Her features were hardly fair, though somewhat delicate despite the obvious masculine qualities. Gabranth noticed her eyes were on him, observant, a quality he found in many a soldier, that cold and calculating gaze a mirror image of his own. However she seemed far more light-hearted, going so far as to jest about his manners, though it caused his jaw to clench from behind his metal visage. His lips pulled back in a snarl at this mention and he found himself taking a step forward, his body language growing more and more aggressive with each passing moment. How dare she mock him, obviously she had no idea who she was talking to, or dared to test the waters. Despite this, she offered information and this cooled his temper, somewhat, taking in what she had spoken and her bizarre accent as well. Her name seemed to be reminiscent of those hailing from Dalmasca. Her appearance was not as fair and she did not seem to be the type with that manner of speech, though her clothing seemed somewhat appropriate even if it lacked the gaudy flair many of those desert dwellers had, and her weapon. . . She seemed to be a mix of a time long since passed in Archadia and the more modern and present Rabanastre, though he was still unsure and found it an inappropriate time to make an uneducated guess. Despite his impoliteness she further made herself appear more amiable by offering her name, and with that, a nice little nickname as well. Fang, an item rather than a title though he found it sufficient and kept his eyes level with that of the female warrior’s. Her eyes were a glacial blue, tinged with flecks of black and thin, heavily masked by eyelashes. If anything she was lovely, if somewhat obstinate. He heard her laugh once he had finished his little speech, but this was only after she had looked around and seemingly noticed those around her were far different, strange perhaps. Gabranth found this intriguing and the anger he once held for her disrespect having vanished momentarily as she most humbly submitted herself to the Archadian law, though he could have done without the ‘Sunshine.’ At this the Judge rolled his eyes and exhaled sharply, her sense of humor, or attempt to lighten the mood of the situation was a poor attempt indeed. Slowly he lifted his hand, a somewhat lethargic motion as his fingers for the most part remained curled in his unoccupied hand, motioning the woman forward as he walked through the crowds that once again parted in his presence. “You are presently within the upper quarter of New Archades, where the nobility and the privileged reside, Lady Yun Fang.” His voice was dull, the biting quality it had before lost as he found himself but a simple tour guide at the moment and tired with the situation. He could not fully ask her anything without her curiosity being sated, and he assumed she had much to ask about her new surroundings, as he had much to ask about where she hailed from and what her business was in Archadia. “This is a popular shopping district for the rich, and often a place where people come to share gossips in exchange for chops.” Gabranth continued his explanation, his pace fairly slow as to allow Fang to absorb the scenery as he had plans for this mysterious woman. However something did cross the Judge Magister’s mind and that was how she came to wind up in such a heavily guarded area of Archades, it seemed like a somewhat impossible feat. “The Archadian Empire, where you are at present, was once part of the world of Ivalice,” He paused before a man who stood before the vessel he had arrived in. The small airship bore the insignia sewn into the back of his cloak, the scarlet color bright against the polished steel of the door that hissed upon its mechanical opening. “what it is a part of now, I am unsure, come.” The man stepped aside and allowed the Judge to pass who beckoned for the woman to follow with the same simple motion he had before. “We go to the Imperial Palace.” With this simple statement he rest his weapon upon one of the long seats within the vessel, red velvet seats carved into the sides of the ship as an ornate carpet was lain on the floor. These were unnecessary luxuries but at the present he found it more than a decent place to rest, reclining alongside his blades. Today was going to be a long day, that much was certain by now. i hoped that you would do this for me POST MADE BY GABRANTH OF CALAMITY'S CRY

[Oerba Yun Fang [The Desperado]]

“You are presently within the upper quarter of New Archades, where the nobility and the privileged reside, Lady Yun Fang. This is a popular shopping district for the rich, and often a place where people come to share gossips in exchange for chops.”

Archades eh? This was more interesting by the minute. However what shocked her, and visibly so was the words he used to address her. Lady Yun Fang? Talk about formal. She thought about the odd manner that the man she had tried to speak with, it was as if she was in one of those fairytale places she was told about as a child. Heh, talk about fairy tale turned nightmare. However, the upperclass people in this place, Archades must be nobility by the way they had dressed and spoke to one another. Jade eyes continued to look at the scenery. It was so different from Eden, and that had been the biggest city she'd ever been in period. Cocoon looked the same, it all looked the same in the end to Fang. Cities were cities, and nothing was different about them. All of them had obscene amounts of people packed into one place, structures that rose from the ground to stretch to almost the sky, to whatever else you could think of. It was redundant and boring to her.

Nothing felt like home like the open plains and wilderness. The wilder the better for this woman, and if she didn't look like a wild person who somehow found themselves in the middle of what would be called 'sophisticated' society then she didn't know what did. However, this didn't matter as much, she couldn't care less about her appearence for the time being, she had more pressing matters to attend to. Looking at the armor clad man she finally nodded even if she was confused, considering that there was somewhat of a guide now around she would be okay. Looking to the surroundings of the city, she could only wonder what lay outside of the city known as Archades. Could it be a desert? Maybe Gran Pulse was right outside! That'd be nice, it'd be perfect even! Even if it was a near impossible chance. However, one word in the sentence suddenly piqued her interest. Chops? Like Behemoth chops? Those were nice for a good lunch or if you cut them small they were great in a stew.

As they walked she finally replied, "Archades eh? Sounds like lots o' those cities in Cocoon. Like Eden for example. Ya people that aren't from Gran Pulse have all kinds of crazy names for cities." She was nervous, but it didn't show in her nonchalant manner of speech, or her confident stride. So, but it was an invisible signal that was given off by her. Even the most courageous of hunters have fears. Fang didn't like the looks she got, even if their opinions didn't matter, her life did. If she fucked up, she knew she was screwed. Fang had to survive here and get back to a place that was important to her, and to everyone she knew. Except for this guy of course, but she really didn't know him now did she? Gran Pulse could be in ruin for all she knew and that would not be a good thing for her at all. No, her home had to be in one piece. After all Gran Pulse was a tough place, it could withstand the random world shifting force that had just attacked.. couldnt it?

“The Archadian Empire, where you are at present, was once part of the world of Ivalice, what it is a part of now, I am unsure, come. We go to the Imperial Palace.”

"Ivalice..." The word sounded foreign on her tongue, it left a sour taste in her mouth almost. This was far from where her home was. This Ivalice place is not at all where she wanted to be. No, she had to get back home. As they boarded the vessel and he sat himself down, she sat down across from him and removed the lance from her back. She took the time then to examine her ancient weapon, something that was extremely sacred to her. The lance was a hand made weapon, no machine made this beautiful thing. She examined the blades for any signs of dullness. Fortunately there were none, and everything seemed to be intact and working. So without a second thought, she collapsed the weapon into its three sectioned form and folded it beside her, blades facing backward in order to prevent them from damaging anything in the vessel. "Ivalice.." she repeated. "Eh, this aint no Gran Pulse then now is it?"

Wait. Did he say Palace?

Imperial palace? Her expression contorted to a ridicoulously comical state of complete and utter confusion. What. The. Hell. Is. A. Palace. Her mind dug furiously through her thoughts to think of something. ANYTHING. that would tell her what a palace was. Unfortunately, In Gran Pulse, and in Cocoon Palaces don't exist.

"Oh.. So Im goin' ta prison then eh?"