Daybreak:Volume 3 Chapter 1 - Revision history

Aorii at 00:35, 11 April 2021

2021-04-11T00:35:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:35, 11 April 2021
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			[ Author's Foreword - If you are reading the rewrite, please stop here as new chapters have not been posted to B-T yet. Please visit the author's blog if you're looking for more up-to-date chapters. All the posted chapters from this point forth are old chapters. ]


	===Chapter 1 - A Disorienting Afternoon===		===Chapter 1 - A Disorienting Afternoon===

Aorii at 13:16, 6 April 2017

2017-04-06T13:16:32Z

Aorii at 19:50, 31 January 2016

2016-01-31T19:50:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:50, 31 January 2016
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	Over eighty percent of Nordkreuz' buildings had been burned, gutted, or outright collapsed by a combination of the aerial bombardment, powerful earthquakes, and the countless fires that spread all over the city in the aftermath. They reduced wooden structures to little more than charred rubble. Meanwhile countless brick walls and stone columns stood damaged and alone, like headstones for the flattened taverns and workshops that once stood.		Over eighty percent of Nordkreuz' buildings had been burned, gutted, or outright collapsed by a combination of the aerial bombardment, powerful earthquakes, and the countless fires that spread all over the city in the aftermath. They reduced wooden structures to little more than charred rubble. Meanwhile countless brick walls and stone columns stood damaged and alone, like headstones for the flattened taverns and workshops that once stood.

	The roads lay twisted and broken. The city blocks reduced to mounds of debris and ~~shattered furniture. Even carts carrying excavated bodies could be seen~~ every few streets.		The roads lay twisted and broken. The city blocks reduced to mounds of wreckage and debris. Teams of volunteers toiled with hammers and pickaxes every few streets, filling one cart with recovered foodstuffs while dumping excavated corpses and mangled bodyparts into another.

	Such was the sight of what had once been the jewel of the continental north.		Such was the sight of what had once been the jewel of the continental north.
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	There was even a bald shopkeeper -- except now without a shop -- who had remembered Sylviane from her childhood 'hostage' year.		There was even a bald shopkeeper -- except now without a shop -- who had remembered Sylviane from her childhood 'hostage' year.

	Many others had kept their distance or even stared with disapproving eyes. But overall Kaede felt that the locals held a positive view of the Princess.		Many others had kept their distance or even stared with disapproving eyes. But overall Kaede felt that the locals held a positive view of the Princess. It certainly helped that word of Her Highness' exploits in the north had began to circulate, and many wished for nothing more than for her to exact retribution by killing more Northmen.

	Nevertheless, what brought a smile to her lips at the start of their trip grew increasingly discomforting after Sylviane had begun carrying her.		Nevertheless, what had brought a smile to her lips at the start of their trip grew increasingly discomforting after Sylviane had begun carrying her.

	Kaede was sure her face burned scarlet every time someone approached the Princess. They always snuck inquisitive glances at the Samaran girl, and Sylviane didn't help matters when she took pleasure in introducing 'the Landgrave's familiar who gave the healers too much blood'.		Kaede was sure her face burned scarlet every time someone approached the Princess. They always snuck inquisitive glances at the Samaran girl, and Sylviane didn't help matters when she took pleasure in introducing 'the Landgrave's Samaran familiar who gave the healers too much blood'.

	Her urge to disappear only increased as they passed the volunteer teams that excavated house after house, filling one cart with recovered foodstuffs while dumping pallid corpses and mangled bodyparts into another.

	By the time they reached the open square at the heart of the city, Kaede had began to wish that she could crawl into a hole and never see anyone again.		By the time they reached the open square at the heart of the city, Kaede had began to wish that she could crawl into a hole and never see anyone again.

Aorii at 01:53, 29 December 2015

2015-12-29T01:53:46Z

Aorii at 06:07, 1 December 2015

2015-12-01T06:07:58Z

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	"Damn Japanese government is pestering over the Kurils again," Konstantin half-snorted out.		"Damn Japanese government is pestering over the Kurils again," Konstantin half-snorted out.

	"~~What~~'s the point? Putin wouldn't pay one ruble over what the govfernment here phinks," Kaede forced out before he resumed chewing.		"Wha's the point? Putin wouldn' pay one ruble over what the govfernment here phinks," Kaede forced out before he resumed chewing.

	"Political posturing for the elections, now that nationalism is on the rise once more," the father spoke as he slowly stirred the hot bowl of Shchi cabbage soup he preferred in the morning. "Enough years have passed that the younger generation is daydreaming their glorious ''Dai Nippon Teikoku'' days again."		"Political posturing for the elections, now that nationalism is on the rise once more," the father spoke as he slowly stirred the hot bowl of Shchi cabbage soup he preferred in the morning. "Enough years have passed that the younger generation is daydreaming their glorious ''Dai Nippon Teikoku'' days again."
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	Konstantin couldn't help but snort again:		Konstantin couldn't help but snort again:

	"True enough. Us, the Brits, the French. Hell, the Americans too! Even if they won't admit it and are still trotting the globe. Putin might be an ambitious tyrant, but he's right about one thing: 'the US ~~don~~'t need allies, only vassals'. To hell if Russia is going to be some satellite of the EU or US, good for only our fuel!"		"True enough. Us, the Brits, the French. Hell, the Americans too! Even if they won't admit it and are still trotting the globe. Putin might be an ambitious tyrant, but he's right about one thing: 'the US doesn't need allies, only vassals'. Just look at how the Americans piss all over the promises they made Gorbachev to end the Cold War! The Motherland needs Putin for as long as NATO continues to exist, because to hell if Russia is going to be some satellite of the EU or US, good for only our fuel!"

	"Kaede, you might want to take off before you father's rant makes you late for school," his mother turned to voice with another gentle smile, amusement dancing within her jet-black eyes.		"Kaede, you might want to take off before you father's rant makes you late for school," his mother turned to voice with another gentle smile, amusement dancing within her jet-black eyes.
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	However, the short stop might have been a good thing, as she saw at least one other healer clearly interested by her presence. He even grabbed a syringe as he approached, before halting as he noticed just how pale her face was.		However, the short stop might have been a good thing, as she saw at least one other healer clearly interested by her presence. He even grabbed a syringe as he approached, before halting as he noticed just how pale her face was.

	As they advanced towards the city center, Kaede began to feel her legs throb with the acidic stricture of exhaustion. It had only been a kilopace or two of walking, but she felt as though she had hiked a mountain. Cold sweat rolled down her forehead as her breathing grew heavy. Even her steps began to wobble as she ~~forced her strained legs~~ to ~~take~~ each ~~extra~~ step.		As they advanced towards the city center, Kaede began to feel her legs throb with the acidic stricture of exhaustion. It had only been a kilopace or two of walking, but she felt as though she had hiked a mountain. Cold sweat rolled down her forehead as her breathing grew heavy. Even her steps began to wobble as she stared down to vet each step.

	"Ahhh!" she yelped as the inevitable misstep occurred. Her eyes opening wide as she fell towards a tangle of splinters and nails by the roadside.		"Ahhh!" she yelped as the inevitable misstep occurred. Her eyes opening wide as she fell towards a tangle of splinters and nails by the roadside.

Aorii at 13:42, 16 June 2015

2015-06-16T13:42:15Z

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	''Carpet bombing should be a war crime.''		''Carpet bombing should be a war crime.''

	The body count stood at over ~~four~~ thousand, and still rising as relief efforts streamed in. The only reason it was that 'low' was because General von Falkenhausen had sent all residents to their cellars in anticipation of the air strike.		The body count stood at over twelve thousand, and still rising as relief efforts streamed in. The only reason it was that 'low' was because General von Falkenhausen had sent all residents to their cellars in anticipation of the air strike.

	Regretful as it was, Kaede immediately realized how distasteful it would be to 'ride' tofu through such a shattered city. It would shame not only her, but Pascal as well.		Regretful as it was, Kaede immediately realized how distasteful it would be to 'ride' tofu through such a shattered city. It would shame not only her, but Pascal as well.

Aorii at 17:25, 14 June 2015

2015-06-14T17:25:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:25, 14 June 2015
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	However, the short stop might have been a good thing, as she saw at least one other healer clearly interested by her presence. He even grabbed a syringe as he approached, before halting as he noticed just how pale her face was.		However, the short stop might have been a good thing, as she saw at least one other healer clearly interested by her presence. He even grabbed a syringe as he approached, before halting as he noticed just how pale her face was.

	As they advanced towards the city center, Kaede began to feel her legs throb with the acidic stricture of exhaustion. It had only been a kilopace or two of walking, but she felt as though she had hiked a mountain. Cold sweat rolled down her forehead as her breathing grew heavy. Even her steps began to wobble as she forced her strained legs to ~~vet~~ each extra step.		As they advanced towards the city center, Kaede began to feel her legs throb with the acidic stricture of exhaustion. It had only been a kilopace or two of walking, but she felt as though she had hiked a mountain. Cold sweat rolled down her forehead as her breathing grew heavy. Even her steps began to wobble as she forced her strained legs to take each extra step.

	"Ahhh!" she yelped as the inevitable misstep occurred. Her eyes opening wide as she fell towards a tangle of splinters and nails by the roadside.		"Ahhh!" she yelped as the inevitable misstep occurred. Her eyes opening wide as she fell towards a tangle of splinters and nails by the roadside.

Aorii: Created page with "===Chapter 1 - A Disorienting Afternoon=== "Morning Ma! Morning Pa!" Stifling a mild yawn with his hand, seventeen-year-old Kaede strode into the modest kitchen-bar-dining r..."

2015-06-14T14:55:47Z

Created page with "===Chapter 1 - A Disorienting Afternoon=== "Morning Ma! Morning Pa!" Stifling a mild yawn with his hand, seventeen-year-old Kaede strode into the modest kitchen-bar-dining r..."

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← Older revision		Revision as of 13:16, 6 April 2017
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	"I heard you can. You just recover overnight... or perhaps that's the flu? Either way, my point is that you should still take care of yourself," Sylviane advised before she turned to glance at the tilted cylindrical shell keep that was Pascal's residence. "And what's Pisa?"		"I heard you can. You just recover overnight... or perhaps that's the flu? Either way, my point is that you should still take care of yourself," Sylviane advised before she turned to glance at the tilted cylindrical shell keep that was Pascal's residence. "And what's Pisa?"

	The overwhelming air raid on Nordkreuz had spared the Landgrave's estate due to its secluded location. But the earthquake that followed must have shaken up its foundation~~, as the~~ four-story stone structure now inclined at almost the same angle as the famous Italian tower.		The overwhelming air raid on Nordkreuz had spared the Landgrave's estate due to its secluded location. But the earthquake that followed must have shaken up its foundation. The four-story stone structure now inclined at almost the same angle as the famous Italian tower.

	Pascal had set up a network of runes to magically reinforce the structure before declaring it safe. But knowing and feeling secure were entirely different when one stood inside with its noticeably slanted floors.		Pascal had set up a network of runes to magically reinforce the structure before declaring it safe. But knowing and feeling secure were entirely different when one stood inside with its noticeably slanted floors.

	Fixing the structure's foundation would require a Geomancer with architectural expertise, and those available were busy at the moment with more pressing concerns in Nordkreuz.		Fixing the structure's foundation would require a Geomancer with architectural expertise, and those available were busy at the moment with more pressing concerns in Nordkreuz. Of course, the ''Runelord'' might have attempted it personally. But as the Lord of Nordkreuz, he was busy with disaster relief himself.

	Of course, the ''Runelord'' might have attempted it personally. But as the Lord of Nordkreuz, he was busy with disaster relief himself.

	"City from my world. The tower is a tourist wonder, but certainly ''not safe'' to live in," Kaede stressed.		"City from my world. The tower is a tourist wonder, but certainly ''not safe'' to live in," Kaede stressed.
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	She wasn't lying either, as the devastated city had been short on the precious 'fluid of life' as well. Kaede had volunteered almost immediately after seeing the carnage -- it would save not only lives but also help the new lord's public opinion as well.		She wasn't lying either, as the devastated city had been short on the precious 'fluid of life' as well. Kaede had volunteered almost immediately after seeing the carnage -- it would save not only lives but also help the new lord's public opinion as well.

	Though in exchange she also guilted Parzifal into lending her Putty for the day. Being anemic wasn't ''too'' bad when it felt like she was drifting on clouds.		Though in exchange, she also guilted Parzifal into lending her Putty for the day. Being anemic wasn't ''too'' bad when it felt like she was drifting on clouds.

	Returning her attention to Sylviane, Kaede found the Princess looking away at the lake. Her wisteria eyes had softened with remorse, while her frown revealed an uneasy conscience. Her Highness then closed her eyes, a deep sigh filled with repressed frustration escaping her peachy-pale lips.		Returning her attention to Sylviane, Kaede found the Princess looking away at the lake. Her wisteria eyes had softened with remorse, while her frown revealed an uneasy conscience. Her Highness then closed her eyes, a deep sigh filled with repressed frustration escaping her peachy-pale lips.
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	"<u>Tell her to meet me in the city center. I will be there within half an hour,</u>" Pascal voiced back, his stress level rising even as he spoke.		"<u>Tell her to meet me in the city center. I will be there within half an hour,</u>" Pascal voiced back, his stress level rising even as he spoke.

	"<u>I ~~will~~ see you then.</u>"		"<u>I'll see you then.</u>"

	As her 'master' drew an end to their conversation, Kaede proceeded to pass the word along.		As her 'master' drew an end to their conversation, Kaede proceeded to pass the word along.
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	The makeshift hospital was still overflowing with residents when they dropped by. Kaede only had the opportunity to say a few thankful words to Parzifal before he rushed off, though not before ~~ordering~~ her to rest more.		The makeshift hospital was still overflowing with residents when they dropped by. Kaede only had the opportunity to say a few thankful words to Parzifal before he rushed off, though not before he ordered her to rest more.

	However, the short stop might have been a good thing, as she saw at least one other healer clearly interested by her presence. He even grabbed a syringe as he approached, before halting as he noticed just how pale her face was.		However, the short stop might have been a good thing, as she saw at least one other healer clearly interested by her presence. He even grabbed a syringe as he approached, before halting as he noticed just how pale her face was.
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	"Careful! You're going to hurt yourself!"		"Careful! You're going to hurt yourself!"

	"Sorry, Your Highness," Kaede panted out, allowing her muscles to relax as she bathed in the soothing warmth from Hauteclaire's proximity.		"Sorry, Your Highness," Kaede panted out, allowing her muscles to relax as she bathed in the soothing warmth from Hauteclaire's proximity.

	"I just... need a break."		"I just... need a break."
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	''You're evil,'' came the silent response.		''You're evil,'' came the silent response.

	Though Kaede couldn't deny that she did enjoy it..~~. at least this time~~.		Though even Kaede couldn't deny that she did enjoy it...


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	The moment seemed to last an eternity in Kaede's smiling gaze, but Reynald only seemed insensitive when he tried to tease and flirt. The redhead did realize that whatever the Princess was here for, he was in the way; thus he soon bid them goodbye.		The moment seemed to last an eternity in Kaede's smiling gaze, but Reynald only seemed insensitive when he tried to tease and flirt. The redhead did realize that whatever the Princess was here for, he was in the way; thus he soon bid them goodbye.

	Except he spun back around after taking just one step.		...Except he spun back around after taking just one step.

	"Oh, before I forget again," he spoke out to Kaede as he pulled out a long scroll case from extradimensional storage. "Here."		"Oh, before I forget again," he spoke out to Kaede as he pulled out a long scroll case from extradimensional storage. "Here."

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:53, 29 December 2015
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	"He's in the middle of the city, still coordinating relief efforts. And I lost a lot of blood the last few days, so give me a break."		"He's in the middle of the city, still coordinating relief efforts. And I lost a lot of blood the last few days, so give me a break."

	Kaede at least managed to keep her tone from becoming snappy, though the Princess still frowned in disapproval before glancing away.		Kaede at least managed to keep her tone from becoming snappy, though the Princess still frowned in disapproval before glancing away.

	She wasn't lying either, as the devastated city had been short on the precious 'fluid of life' as well. Kaede had volunteered almost immediately after seeing the carnage -- it would save not only lives but also help the new lord's public opinion as well.		She wasn't lying either, as the devastated city had been short on the precious 'fluid of life' as well. Kaede had volunteered almost immediately after seeing the carnage -- it would save not only lives but also help the new lord's public opinion as well.
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	Nevertheless, what brought a smile to her lips at the start of their trip grew increasingly discomforting after Sylviane had begun carrying her.		Nevertheless, what brought a smile to her lips at the start of their trip grew increasingly discomforting after Sylviane had begun carrying her.

	Kaede was sure her face burned scarlet every time someone approached the Princess. They always snuck inquisitive glances at ~~her~~, and Sylviane didn't help matters when she took ~~great~~ pleasure in introducing 'the Landgrave's familiar who ~~had exceeded her~~ blood ~~donation~~'.		Kaede was sure her face burned scarlet every time someone approached the Princess. They always snuck inquisitive glances at the Samaran girl, and Sylviane didn't help matters when she took pleasure in introducing 'the Landgrave's familiar who gave the healers too much blood'.

	By the time they reached the open square at the heart of the city, Kaede had ~~begun~~ to ~~wonder if her cheeks would ever cool down~~.		Her urge to disappear only increased as they passed the volunteer teams that excavated house after house, filling one cart with recovered foodstuffs while dumping pallid corpses and mangled bodyparts into another.

			By the time they reached the open square at the heart of the city, Kaede had began to wish that she could crawl into a hole and never see anyone again.

	That was when she saw an unblinking Pascal standing next to a dumbfounded Reynald, both frozen in mid-gesture as their proverbial jaws met the broken ground.		That was when she saw an unblinking Pascal standing next to a dumbfounded Reynald, both frozen in mid-gesture as their proverbial jaws met the broken ground.
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	Even for Kaede, it took a second to overcome her astonishment. It was one thing for the situation to force Pascal into such admissions, like that night on Dormitory Keep after the Mantis Blades' attack. But to see him take such initiative by himself?		Even for Kaede, it took a second to overcome her astonishment. It was one thing for the situation to force Pascal into such admissions, like that night on Dormitory Keep after the Mantis Blades' attack. But to see him take such initiative by himself?

	Reynald's new nickname had been bestowed by His Majesty in person -- or so the rumors went. Acknowledging it was akin to putting the shorter boy on a pedestal, something that Pascal almost never did for anyone else.		Reynald's new nickname had been bestowed by His Majesty in person -- or so the rumors went. Acknowledging it was akin to putting the shorter boy on a pedestal, something that Pascal almost never did for anyone else his age.

	With a huge grin that soon stretched from ear to ear, Reynald grasped the offered palm and gave it a firm shake:		With a huge grin that soon stretched from ear to ear, Reynald grasped the offered palm and gave it a firm shake: