Greetings all,
In the previous message i forgot to mention that this work is a self-insertion
fanfic, so please don't kill me yet.
Jazz
"Oh, it's that time."
mischievously. "Hurry, the evening meal will be served soon."
"Okay, I'll try to hurry." replied Jason, looking over the
garments. He found a loose, billowy creme-colored blouse and a
pair of dark tan/brown shorts. On the floor, he found a broad
leather belt and a pair of calf length, leather boots. Man,
this reminds me of the renaissance garb I bought up at Bristol
this past summer.' he thought. Earth tones must suit me.'
Dressing quickly, Jason looked at his reflection in a
mirror, nodding approvingly. All I am missing now are a set of
forearm bracers and a war hammer hanging from my belt.' he
thought with a chuckle. Not finding any pockets, Jason looked
around for a small pouch or something. Looking back at the
counter, he noticed a belt pouch, which was quickly donned. Soon
his wallet, inhaler, and keys took up residence there in.
Wondering why he still hung onto his keys, Jason shrugged it off,
reaching for the door handle.
Exiting the lavatory, he found Fel waiting. Giving him an
appraising glance, she said "You look good, especially for
someone who doesn't come from around here."
Giving her an appraising glance, Jason said "You also look
lovely as usual. That white frock you are wearing really
compliments your tanned skin and blue hair. Especially
considering that yesterday you were fighting orcs, wearing a
chainmail two piece."
"True." she replied, giggling softly.
Offering his arm, Felicia slipped hers into his and they
proceeded to the dining hall under Felicia`s guidance.
Entering the main doors, Jason took one step inside and
stopped. "Why is everyone standing and looking at us?" he
whispered quickly to Felicia.
"Not us, you. I guess the story spread of what you did
against the orcs yesterday." whispered Felicia back. "Let's
continue walking."
"Okay..." whispered Jason, swallowing a lump that appeared
in his throat. Taking a hesitant step, the couple proceeded
forward. "Where are we suppose to sit?" he asked quietly.
"See those two empty places at the main table?" replied
Felicia quietly.
"Yeah..." Jason replied, as his mind made the connection.
"We can't...those are reserved for special guests...not someone
like me..."
"Jason, yes. Now come on." Felicia responded with a tug
towards the main table where Darschu, Geo, Princess Sheila, Tia,
Gara, and Arshes Nei were seated. Darschu, Geo, and Gara had
bemused expressions on their faces. Sheila wore a look of
formality upon her face.
As the two passed a table, Jason noticed that three armored
soldiers traded back and forth almost heated words. Trying to
put it out of his mind, he concentrated on remaining conscious.
As they closed on the table, Sheila stood and said loudly
"Greetings, Sir Jason and Lady Felicia, it is good to see that
you could join us?"
Blushing brightly, Jason bowed, saying "Thank you for your
kind generosity, m'lady." Felicia also joined Jason in bowing
before the princess. Since she had heard that he wasn't from
here, Sheila had set herself up to deal with any possible
response he might give. He does know some court
etiquette...How?' her mind boggled.
Taking a seat next to Gara, Jason gazed about wide eyed,
taking in all the scenery. He noted that each legion of soldiers
had a specific color scheme and trademark creature. Maroon and
gold were associated with a panther-like cat. Red and white had
a dragon, while the bear legion had adopted blue and silver as
their colors.
Soon, the meal was served. Getting a nudge from Gara, Jason
took a scoop of vegetables that looked like a cross between a
carrot and a cauliflower and passed it down the table. As the
meat platter passed him, Jason grabbed several slices of moist,
thin sliced beef looking hunks. Grabbing a piece of bread as it
passed him, Jason sopped up the juices from the meat.
Taking a drink from goblet before him, Jason found a very
potent wine. Wheezing slightly as the drink hit his throat and
stomach, Felicia leaned over and asked "What's wrong?"
Grasping for a breath, Jason replied softly "Too
strong...need water." To his left, Jason heard Gara chuckle
deeply, but softly.
Motioning a servant over, Felicia managed to get him a
goblet of water, which he drank down immediately. Getting
another gobletful, Jason looked up at Gara to see a large grin on
his face.
The meal proceeded along without too many more interruptions
until just before dessert. Several soldiers at the Falcon, black
and gold, table became boisterous.
Suddenly a soldier stood up after being asked to quiet down
by a few of the servers. "Princess, how is it that a commoner
can eat with you while a hero sits with the regular soldiers?"
the soldier asked, looking from Jason to Sheila.
"What do you mean, sir...?" asked Sheila, rising to her
feet.
"I am Sir Crodyn, of the Falcons. What I mean is this. I
do not believe that he," pointing to Jason, "fought the way I
heard. I, myself, bested eight orcs and two giants. Yet, I sit
with the rest of the soldiers." the soldier replied.
"Your accomplishments are recognized and greatly
appreciated, but..." started Sheila.
"Princess, would you really believe a story about that man
not being from here? I heard that the woman with him now was
either unconscious the entire time or the one actually doing the
magic responsible." Crodyn interrupted.
"Sir Crodyn..." started Sheila once again to be interrupted
again but not by Crodyn but by a voice from the end of the table.
"Sir Crodyn.," said Jason, "I know how you feel. I myself
feel that I don't belong up here..."
"See! He agrees with me." interrupted Crodyn, to all around
him.
Glancing to his left, Jason saw that everyone at the head
table was looking at him. Swallowing the lump in his throat and
taking a deep breath, Jason continued "Sir Crodyn, you did not
let me finish. I agree that I feel that I should not be the one
honored this day but circumstances have proved otherwise."
Approaching the head table, Crodyn stood before Jason.
"Then sir," he sneered, "I challenge you to single combat to see
if you truly are worthy to sit where you do."
"Sir Crodyn, you are..." started Sheila.
"Princess, please." Jason said, looking at Sheila. She
could see a pained look in his eyes.
"Jason, why do you do this?" Jason heard whispered from his
right.
"Fel-chan, this something I must do for myself."
Looking back at Sir Crodyn, "Okay, I accept. When and
where?"
"Here and now."
Gulping quietly, Jason asked "Would it be too much to ask
that we move it outside? I don't want any innocent bystanders
getting hurt."
"Fine. Weapons?"
"Whatever you want to use." replied Jason without a thought
and then remembering he had choice of weapons. As the grin
spread across Sir Crodyn's face, Jason's stomach dropped out of
his body, as his mind kicked itself repeatedly.
"Central courtyard, ten minutes." said Crodyn, exiting the
hall to get his weapons and armor.
"Jason, why? You just healed." ordered Geo, moving behind
him.
Breathing deeply once, Jason turned to the people at the
head table and said "He challenged my honor. Usually, I let it
slide, but not this time."
Turning to Felicia, Jason asked "Fel-chan, could you fetch
those hammers from your father's forge that I used battling those
orcs? I'd rather use something I am somewhat familiar with."
"Armor?"
"Ah...forearm bracers, gloves, shin guards, and chest plate,
please."
Nodding, Felicia scampered to her father's forge, retrieving
what Jason has asked for.
Sighing softly, Jason mumbled, shaking his head, "Time to
deal with what fate has dealt me."
"Jason, do you think you can handle him?" asked Sheila,
concerned.
"No." replied Jason matter-of-factly. "Geo, be ready with
your healing spells. I don't think I will be walking away this
time."
This time??' thought several of those present.
Standing up, Jason walked like a man condemned towards the
main doorway and out of the hall. Suddenly Jason lashed out at
the wall with his fist. Why? Why do I do this to myself?' he
mentally screamed at himself.
Because you like it. That and you didn't want to loose
face before these people.' he replied
I'll loose a lot more than my face now.'
Oh well. You wished to be here.' Jason replied mentally,
heading out into the courtyard. Coming out into the daylight,
Felicia met him at the doorway. Donning the armor, Jason picked
up the hammers like grasping the hand of a good friend, doing
several practice swings. Then reality hit him once again.
Felicia had also adoned her armor.
"Fel-chan, what are you doing in your armor?"
Flexing her enlarged clawed hands, she said "I thought you
could use some help."
"Thank you, but please stay out of this. I...I don't want
you to get hurt on my account." Jason replied.
"Don't worry so much. I can take care of myself, remember."
Fel replied, laying an armor hand of the side of Jason's face
gently.
Putting his hand over hers and closing his eyes, Jason
whispered "I know. I just..."
"Jason, relax. Everything will be fine. If anything goes
wrong, you just use the moves you used before." she said with a
grin.
"That's just it, I don't know how I did those moves." he
responded quietly.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out." she said, giving him a peck
on the cheek. Felicia couldn't help but giggle softly as Jason's
expression became blissful as his head tipped slightly to one
side.
Shaking his head to allow reality back in, Jason practiced
with the hammers a little more. In the middle of a move, Jason
stopped at the sound of a rhythmic pounding in the ground.
Jason's eyes went wide, so did Felicia's, when Sir Crodyn
came around the corner into the courtyard. It wasn't so much Sir
Crodyn, but the armor he had on. Standing at just under 12' in
height, the armor extended from Sir Crodyn, making him stronger
and better armed while protecting him in an armored shell.
"Now we know how he defeated those giants and orcs that he
had." whispered Jason to Felicia. Felicia only nodded
absentmindedly in response.
Looking upwards towards one of the many balconies, Jason saw
that the assembled people were taken aback by the armor. Waving
and smiling weakly to Princess Sheila, who waved back hesitantly,
Jason turned back to the armor, shaking his head.
Laughing maniacly, Sir Crodyn asked "Ready to die?"
Holding up one hand with his index finger extended, Jason
replied "Aaannncht, define die'. I thought this was a personal
challenge to see who was better, not mortal combat."
"Only one will walk away." Crodyn sneered, taking a swing at
Jason's head with the cleaver mounted at the end of the right
arm.
Ducking and rolling away, Jason looked up and said "The
armor's good but you telegraph like Western Union." Sir Crodyn
paused, not understanding reference, which Jason had hoped.
Rushing the armor, Jason swung and connected with the hammer in
his right hand. Not believing that his eyes told him as he
barely scratched the paint job, Jason was lifted off his feet by
a massive uppercut from the left arm extension claws.
Landing hard on his back, he looked up to see the armor
approaching him steadily. Dreading his decision to fight, Jason
regained his feet, backing away, wishing absently for either a
Hardsuit or a power loader. "Trying to run? I thought as much.
You never fought those orcs, did you?" sneered Crodyn.
Jason dodged to the right as the left hand claws struck the
ground where he would have been. Unfortunately, he ran into the
right hand cleaver as it took a slash at him. Blood began to
flow from the gouge in his right bicep as the cleaver ripped out.
Screaming in anguish, Jason backed away, holding his right arm as
his blood flowed through his fingers.
Sinking to his knees, Jason offered up "You are a better
fighter than me, Crodyn. I surrender."
Playing back his right arm, Crodyn replied "There is no
surrender, only your death ends this match."
As Crodyn unloaded, a force hit his armor from behind,
throwing off his death blow. Turning towards his new opponent,
Crodyn saw Felicia taking up a battle stance. "This was a match
to see who was better. You have shown it, now leave." she spat.
Seeing Felicia fighting for him, Jason held out his
blood soaked left hand, saying "Fel, don't..."
Seeing this, an idea formed in Crodyn's head. "Maybe you
just need the proper incentive to fight." he sneered as he swung
at Felicia with his cleaver.
"No, don't..." tried Jason, attempting to stand, his blood
pressure rising significantly.
Felicia rolled away from the cleaver, only to be hit, hard,
with the claws. Picking up her unconscious form, Crodyn turned
back towards Jason, saying "Fight or she dies."
"Okay, I'll fight you." replied Jason, sighing heavily while
attempting to get into a fighting stance.
"Alright, I'll go ahead and kill her anyway to make sure
you fight." sneered Crodyn, drawing back his right arm.
Jason's mind said as the alarms went off. "Sub-conscious,
take the helm. I'm going out for Chinese. Want anything?" as he
roared "NNNOOOOOO!!!!", an energy aura enveloping him completely.
Up on the balcony, Geo watched with great concern, seeing
that Jason was fighting a lost battle. Suddenly he, Darschu, and
Arshes reeled back as magical energy flooded the courtyard,
focused on the young man.
Holding the hammers out by their lacings, Jason began to
spin, gaining speed, beginning to rise from the ground. Flying
towards Crodyn's armor, Jason bashed through the left arm to
release Felicia. Crodyn stumbled backwards from the bashing he
received.
Stopping at her side, Jason gently lifted her and placed her
out of the way. As he turned to go back, Jason felt a hand grab
his. Looking back, his eyes met Felicia's, which held a great
deal of concern. "Fel-chan, rest. I'll be back as soon as I
deal with upstart." Jason said with a grin. Felicia's concern
doubled upon seeing the almost lifeless gaze he had given her,
the spark of sanity almost gone.
Turning to face the advancing Crodyn, Jason yelled "Crodyn,
I give you this one opportunity to cease and leave in one piece."
"Ha, you can't defeat me!" sneered Crodyn, with a little
fear keeping into his voice.
"Fine." said Jason, drawing on all of his anger, images of
Felicia at the hands of the orcs entering his mind. "Cry havoc
and let slip the dogs of war!!!"
Ducking the cleaver swing, Jason reared back both hammers
and struck at the knee joint of the armor. Upon contact, the
energy Jason focused into the hammers released, destroying the
the knee joint. Not knowing anything else to yell at the strike,
Jason bellowed " It's Hammertime!!!"
"You'll pay for that." yelled Crodyn, attempting a claw
strike.
Rolling out of the way, Jason went up into a spinning hand
stand. Extending his legs in different directions, the people
watched in amazement as he lifted off the ground. Flying towards
Crodyn like a crazy top, Jason hit the armor enough times to
knock it off it's already precarious balance. Touching the
ground, Jason summoned up bands of solid stone to entrap the
monstrous armor.
Managing to get free of the armor, Crodyn fell to his knees
before Jason. "Finish me." he stated dejectedly.
Mentally, Jason's conscious mind took over, after letting
the subconscious have a little fun.
"Sir Crodyn, no. Princess Sheila does things for a reason,
especially things we might not agree with. I hope this has
taught you a lesson." replied Jason. Yeah, don't mess with the
serviceman.' he added mentally.
Crodyn stood up and stalked away. Turning back to Felicia,
Jason took two steps and faltered on the third, his conscious
mind taking over fully. Felicia ran to his side to support him.
She heard him mumble "I have got to stop over doing it...what
happened? Did I win?" after he looked at the downed armor that
Sir Crodyn used to pilot.
Geo suddenly appeared before the two, ordering two servants
to get him back upstairs into his bedroom.
High above, Princess Sheila nodded, knowing that Metallicana
now had another defender.
Darschu commented "He must learn control, but I like his
style."
Hearing this, Tia responded "Good, you've been drafted to
help teach him."
Looking at Tia slightly surprised, Gara clamped a hand on
Darschu's shoulder, saying "You aren't the only one whose been
drafted."
Arshes Nei gazed down at the figure practically being
carried up to the guest room. Jason...no, Jazz, I hope you are
ready to face what this world can throw at you.' she thought,
thinking about the images she pulled from his head.
Chapter 4 Daily Routine
"Morning."
-Vaughn-Undocumented Features
Jason awoke at the warm touch of sunlight on his face, that
and it beamed directly into his eyes helped. Stretching and
hearing various popping and cracking sounds, Jason sat up.
Looking out the window, he could see that the sun had just
started to rise.
Suddenly, he griped the sides of his head as memories of the
fight thundered back in. His mind ripe with the images of Sir
Crodyn challenging him, and so easily willing to kill Felicia.
His ire started to burn again.
Jason, calm down. What's past is past.' his conscious mind
screamed.
"I just hope she wasn't hurt too badly." Jason mumbled to
himself.
She wasn't.' a small section resounded.
How?' he asked himself.
Trust Me!!!'
I hate it when I say that...'
You will learn later.'
Okay...'
Suddenly the door to his sleeping chamber opened up.
Looking towards the door, Jason's eyes fell on the cheery
countenance of Fel-chan.
"F...Fel-chan...you're okay..." he tried.
"Yes, but I am a little sore. It takes quite a bit to hurt
me." replied Felicia, grinning.
"I guess so. What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to do as Lord Gara said to Roll you out of bed
and get you down to breakfast'."
"Why?" Jason asked, his brow furrowing.
"I think it might have something to do with Princess Sheila
deciding on what to do with you."
"And what might that be?" Jason inquired, his concern
growing.
"I can't tell. All I know is that I get to help." Felicia
replied, grinning mischievously.
"Oh boy..." Jason said, laying his forehead in his up turned
right palm. Suddenly, the memory of the cleaver strike to his
right arm entered his mind. Looking at his bicep, Jason's mind
boggled as the wound, or lack there of. Except for a slight
scar, the wound had healed completely.
"Well, are you gonna get out of bed or do I have to roll you
out of it?" asked Felicia pertly.
"I'm up, I'm up." replied Jason drawing back the covers.
Stretching once again, he found that a set of clothes had already
been laid out for him. "Felicia, please wait outside." he asked.
"Why? Embarrassed that I might see something I haven't seen
before?" she asked grinning.
Picking up a pillow, Jason sent traveling on the overhand
Serviceman express, causing Felicia to duck out the room. "Why
me?" asked Jason to the ceiling.
Because you asked for it.'
True.' he thought with a laugh.
Putting on the dark brown shorts and short-sleeved tunic,
Jason adjusted the belt pouch, gazing into the mirror, nodding in
agreement with what he saw. Putting on the sandals, he headed
for the door, pulling on the handle.
"Well, it took you long enough." assaulted his ears.
"My, my, my. Aren't we the impatient one." Jason replied
smartly.
"Breakfast is about to start. We gotta hurry."
"Okay, lead the way, oh hungry one." Jason said, following
in her footsteps.
After a short staircase and several passageways, they
arrived in the dining area. Seeing Darschu, Tia, Geo, Gara, and
the rest of the group, Jason whispered "We can't be eating here.
I thought we were headed for the kitchen."
Before Felicia could respond, Sheila said "Jason, good to
see you up this morning."
"Thank you, m'lady, for your generosity. How dost thou fare
this bright and grand morning?" Jason replied with a slight bow.
Straightening up, Jason caught the last part of a smile of
Princess Sheila's lips. Sighing softly, Jason took a seat at the
same table as these people.
Looking at each person as the food served, Jason's mind
boggled at the circumstances. Noticing this, Gara asked,
noticing that Jason hadn't touched his food yet, "What is it?
Not hungry?"
Blushing, Jason said "No...not that...just..."
"Just... what?" asked Darschu, eyeing the young man.
"Okay, how to explain this. This may sound silly, but I
have always wanted to be part of a different world, especially
this one. I had been fascinated that when I first saw the anime
of how vivid the characters. Now that you are all very real to
me, it's blowing my mind." tried Jason.
"Blowing your mind??" asked a confused Tia.
"It's an expression to say that something isn't believable
but very much possible. Like me being able to interact with some
worthy and, in my humble opinion, honorable people." Noticing
the smirk on Darschu's face, Jason continued, with a smirk of his
own, "Like Gara, Tia, Geo, Sheila, and Arshes."
With that, Darschu's smirk faded while everyone else had a
slight laugh. "But we like you anyway, Darschu." finished Jason
with a chuckle of his own.
"Gara, don't touch my plate." said Jazz, without looking.
Gara retracted his fork and decided to stay content with
what was on his plate.
After breakfast, Jason headed out to begin his, what would
routine, training session with Gara and Arshes Nei. Starting
with those two early in the morning with unarmed combat was not
his ideal day starter. Getting to the training area, Jason
closely inspected the turf for softness because in his mind, he
envisioned his frequent flier miles increasing dramatically.
Glancing to his left, Jason noticed Felicia take a seat up
against a tree, watching the would be training session. Oh
great, another person I get to make a fool of myself in front
of.'
Turning to face Gara, a feeling of unease and nervousness
erupted in his inner being. Gara, Jason noticed, had on what
could be classified as a regular training outfit of a rich brown
tied off at the waist with a belt.
"Begin." commanded Arshes, wearing her usually one piece
almost swimsuit with a short skirt. Thankfully, Jason thought,
she isn't wearing the shoulder pads.
Both men went back into defensive postures. Or at least one
achieved while the other only made an attempt at one.
Throwing caution to the wind, Jason yelled "Ki-ahhh!!!"
attempting a straight forward punch. Having the wind forced from
his lungs, Jason looked up, from his prone position on the
ground, to see the smirking face of Gara.
"Let's try that again." said Gara, extending his hand.
Taking the hand firmly, Jason replied hesitantly "Okay..."
Attempting another defensive posture, Gara watched and shook
his head. "If you are going to go on defense, at least have a
proper stance."
To signify his point, Gara launched a defense shattering
punch that sent Jason sprawling. Turning over and getting back
to his feet, Jason tried once again to get into a defensive
posture, though a little different than his last one.
Gara once again shook his head. He's getting better...but
he needs to get stronger, or at least better shape.' Motioning
Arshes over, he whispered a plan into her ear, a slow smiling
coming to her lips.
Looking at his two coaches, Jason felt the unease renew
itself, especially when Arshes began to smile.
Turning to face their trainee, Arshes said, getting into an
attack posture, "Jazz, Gara asked me to take over for a little
bit. Prepare to defend thyself."
"I don't think..." Jason tried, being cut off as Arshes
launched a series of punches and kicks. Fight or flight
mechanism took over, opting for flight as Jazz backed up rapidly.
To rapidly as his foot came across a tree root that sent him
sprawling as he desperately tried to defend off a punch.
Feeling the tightness in his chest increase, Jason reached
for his pouch to get his inhaler. Or at least he tried to reach
for where it would have been. Looking about slightly
frantically, Jason hoped it had only fallen off recently and was
therefore nearby. The panic he felt searching compounded the
tightness in his chest as his breathing came out in gasping
rasps.
"Looking for this?" asked Arshes, standing over Jason,
holding his sout after pouch. Had his asthma not been going
wild, Jason might have enjoyed the view[:)].
"Arshes...please give...that back...now..."rasped Jason,
getting to his feet slowly.
"Why? What's in here?" Arshes asked just keeping out of
Jason's reach if he made a grasp for the pouch.
"Arshes, please give me my pouch." rasped Jason, fighting
the asthma back under control slightly.
Catching the tossed pouch from Arshes, Gara said "Jazz,
before we can do any real training, we have to do some exercises
to get you into better shape. How about a run?" With that, Gara
turned and started jogging away for Jazz at a slow pace.
"GARA!!!!" yelled Jazz, swallowing once and kicking all
available energy to launch himself after the retreating ninja
master.
Seeing the raging locomotive on his tail, Gara easily kicked
into a higher speed. Seeing Gara starting to pull away, Jason
pushed even more energy into his legs.
"SYSTEM FAILURE IMMINENT!!" screamed a voice in Jason's
head. Opting to ignore it, Jason pounded on after the ninja
master, trying to pour on more speed. Five seconds later, the
same voice screamed "SYSTEM FAILURE!!!!" as Jason broke stride,
plowing into the, thankfully, soft turf.
"JAZZ!!!!!" screamed Felicia, bouncing up from her sitting
position by the tree, rushing to his side.
Arshes watched the race with slight amusement, until Jason
plowed into the turf. Running to where he lay, she found his
quivering form laying on the ground with his head in Felicia's
lap. Felicia, for her part, wiped the sweat from his forehead,
trying her best to calm him down. Arshes noticed his hands were
curled up while his fingers almost looked like claws, as waves of
shivering bounced around his body.
Hearing Felicia's scream, Gara stopped, looked back, and
started running towards the small huddle of people. Getting
there, Gara took in Jazz's quivering form.
Looking at Arshes and Gara, Felicia asked with a sob "What
happened to him?"
Before anyone could speak, Jason whispered
"Pouch...now...inhaler..."
"What does he mean?" asked Gara, looking at the pouch.
"Pour out the pouch." commanded Arshes.
Pouring the contents on the ground, Gara asked "Jazz, which
is it?"
"Grey...tube..." rasped Jason, sucking in breath, attempting
to point at his inhaler.
Handing the indicated device to him, Jason pulled the
inserted cylinder out and worked the protection cap off it.
Sliding the cylinder back home into the inhaler, Jason held the
device to his lips and breathed in the medication. Holding his
breath for a few seconds, Jason took another puff of medication
once again holding his breath.
Gara, Arshes, and Felicia noticed an immediate response.
Jason stopped shivering and relaxed, his breathing more normal to
what it should be. While waiting for his breathing to return to
full normalcy, Felicia wiped his forehead several times.
Opening his eyes slowly, Jason commented softly "Please,
don't ever do that again."
"Jazz, what happened?" asked Gara, slightly guilt ridden.
"Okay, I have asthma..." started Jason, going into a small
speel of what asthma is, what causes it, and how to deal with
it.
"Why don't you heal yourself of it?" asked Arshes.
"I wasn't sure if I had the energy and if it would even
work. I wanted to talk with Lord Geo first, but..." replied
Jason, gesturing around.
"Why not try?" asked Gara.
Do or do not, There is no try.' Jason chuckled mentally.
"Okay, now would someone be willing to teach me a healing spell?"
"You don't know any healing spells?" asked Felicia in
disbelief.
Sitting up and facing her, Jason nodded, saying "yeah.
Everything I cast before was done when I wasn't thinking proper,
almost shooting from the hip as it were."
"Okay. Watch and learn." replied Arshes, going into teacher
mode and Jason turned towards her.
Pulling up just enough energy, Jason cast the spell
inhibiting the asthma syndrome. "Boy, am I tapped. How long
will this last?"
"As long as you have magic to fuel it." replied Arshes, as
Gara helped Jason to his feet. Going on a hunch, Arshes did a
magic sense and came up with some surprising results. "Jazz,
with those spells you cast before, where did that energy come
from?"
Blushing slightly, Jason replied "I...I don't know. The way
it sounds, something happened that caused me to get angry and my
mind went out the window. I try to be very controlled. But when
I am angry, more emotions come up and probably fuel the fire. I
take it I am very low on magic right now."
Nodding, Arshes replied "Yes. I am barely getting a magic
sense off you. Like you said, that simple spell must have really
tapped you out."
Taking a few experimental steps, Jason looked at his two gym
coaches asking "Okay, what's next?"
After having a few brief words with Gara, Arshes replied
"That'll be all for today. You need your rest."
Shrugging, Jason said, trying to unsuccessfully hide his
relief, "Okay..."
"But be ready for tomorrow." said Gara with a grin. "You
will be getting a real workout."
"Y-yeah." replied Jason, heading back inside the walls of
Metallicana with Felicia mother-henning him.
When he was out of earshot, Arshes said concernedly "Gara,
I'm worried about him."
"Worried how??"
"With the power he wields, he could easily destroy us. I
don't even think Darschu could last more than five minutes
against him."
"I don't think he would destroy us, at least not
intentionally."
"How can you be so sure?"
"He seems to be a man of honor and his word. Personally, I
wish he just wasn't so naive."
"That is what has me worried. Even though he knows the
danger of this world, he seems to almost disregard it."
"Arshes, for an elf, you worry too much. His heart is good
and always will be."
"I hope so...I hope so..." Arshes replied quietly.
A few hours later found Jason inside the church studying a
scroll with Geo keeping a vigilant eye on him. After a few
moments of trying to figure out the markings on a scroll, Jason
asked "Lord Geo, do you have this in something I can read, like
English?"
"English??"
"Yeah, something I can read. This scroll looks like a
bunch of bird scratchings to me." replied Jason, indicating the
scroll.
"You can't understand it?" asked Geo, not understanding why
the scroll didn't work. The scroll should have adjusted so the
reader could read and understand it. "Sir jazz, close your eyes
for a second and then concentrate on the scroll again."
Doing so, Jason opened his eyes once again and found the
scroll to be easily readable. "Holy..."
"I take it that it is readable now?"
"Yes, m'lord."
"Good, I shall return in a few minutes with a few other
scrolls for you to read through." replied Geo, turning and
walking through one of the many doorways of the church.
After a few minutes, Jason became so in grossed with the
scroll that he didn't see Geo drop off several more scrolls for
him to read through.
An hour later, the meal bell rang but Jason paid it little
heed, only half hearing it. Grabbing another scroll, Jason dove
in head first.
"Hungry yet??" asked a voice to his left.
"GGIIIIAAH!!!!" yelled Jason, flipping over backwards over
the bench he had been sitting on. Looking up to see a giggling
Felicia, he reprimanded, semi-sternly, "Don't EVER do that again,
please."
"Okay..." replied Felicia, trying to unsuccessfully contain
her laughter.
Shaking his head and getting back to his feet, Jason said
"Let's go eat." Grabbing her hand and heading through a doorway,
he took three steps and then stopped.
"What's wrong?" asked Felicia, practically over her giggle
fit.
Fearing the worse, Jason replied quietly "I...I'm not sure
which way to go."
Giggling renewed just as he feared, Felicia said, grabbing
his hand and taking the lead, "Follow me."
Two minutes, three staircases, and several turns later, the
two arrived in the meal chamber, breakfast an all but forgotten
memory. "It's about time."
"Darschu!!!" said Tia, looking at the white haired wizard
sternly.
"Sorry...I got lost..." replied Jason sheepishly.
"Well, take a seat so we can eat." said Gara, grinning.
"Okay..." said Jason, pulling out Felicia's chair for her,
trying to be a gentleman for a change.
During the meal, Darschu asked "So Jazz, ready to cast some
spells?"
"I don't know. I am still pretty tapped from the spell I
cast this morning..."
In unison, Geo, Darschu, Tia, and Sheila said "You already
cast a spell??!!??!!"
"Yeah, at the urgings of my two physical therapists."
replied Jason, indicating Arshes and Gara. "Is there anything
wrong with that?"
"Why did he cast the spell?" asked Geo, directly to Gara and
Arshes.
"Lord Geo, Jazz has an ailment...." tried Felicia, being cut
off by Jason.
"Lord Geo, it was my fault for not telling anyone about it
sooner. To put it simply, I couldn't breathe because of an
ailment I had."
"Had??" asked Tia, confusedly.
"Yes, m'lady. Lady Arshes taught me an inhibition spell
that would inhibit the ailment from slowing me down."
"Good choice, daughter." said Darschu, nodding and smiling.
Looking at his two physical therapists, Jason noticed Gara
looking very uncomfortable and Arshes' usually dark complexion
had gone a little reddish on her cheeks.
Chuckling softly, Jason got back to eating.
As the table was cleared of all dishware, Jazz sat in a
slightly uncomfortable silence with Felicia. Before it could get
worse, Darschu came to stand behind Jazz saying "Ready?"
"As ready as I will ever be."
"Okay, let's go do some magic."
"Lead on, teach. Though..."
"Yes?"
Leaning over to Felicia, Jason whispered in her ear. Her
face brightened slightly and she nodded and headed out the dining
area.
"And what was that all about?"
"Nothing..." replied Jason, grinning mischievously and
slight blush reddening his cheeks.
Heading from the dining area towards the central courtyard,
Darschu asked, grinning evilly, "So, you like her?"
"Yeah..." replied Jason, only half hearing the question.
"You want to have sex with her??" asked Darschu, slyly.
"Yeah..." replied Jason, his voice almost dreamy until
reality hit...hard. Stopping in his tracks, Jason asked, his
face taunt, "What did you say??"
Darschu, having walked on a little further, turned and said
"You want to have sex with her, right?"
"Darschu..." started Jazz, his voice straining, "please
don't..."
"Why not?? I would. She's cute."
"You bastard." whispered Jason to himself, just as a light
went on upstairs. He's in character, doofus. He's being true
to form. Relax.'
Breathing deeply, Jason said, a grin becoming evident,
"Darschu, I think that right now, you have your hands filled with
Tia. Besides, I believe I have a work session with her. She may
ask me a few things, especially how it went..."
"Yeah, so?"
"Do you want me to give her a good report or a bad report??"
asked Jazz, grinning evilly fully.
"..."
"And yes, Darschu, I would like to get to know her better,
but..." finished Jazz at whisper levels.
"But??"
"Since I'm not from these here parts, that is one strike
against me. Secondly, for all I know she could be promised to
another. That's strike two. Strike three is...I don't know how
she feels towards me...and I'm not sure I want to know."
Walking along the corridor once again, Darschu replied
"Jazz, she likes you. What are you afraid of? Why do you think
she has spent most of her free time with you?"
"I don't know...maybe because I saved her life...I don't
know."
Darschu shook his head in exasperation. So powerful, yet
so naive.' "Jazz, make time for her. I don't think you will be
going anywhere for a while."
"Darschu, I...I..." tried Jazz, getting flustered.
"What??"
"I...I...ayi-yi-yi." he finally Alpha Fived.
"Let's start out simply. Would you like to get to know her
better?"
"Yes..."
"You, in some way, care for her?"
"Yes..."
"You want her to bear you children?"
"Yes..." replied Jason, quietly, before realizing the
question. "DARSCHU!!!!!" he yelled, once again, stopping in his
tracks.
"What??" asked Darschu, impishly. Looking back at Jazz, and
suddenly not liking what he saw. Easy to set off. Time to get
outta here.' thought Darschu, noticing Jazz's flaming red
streaked blue aura. Launching from the tunnel mouth, Darschu
came to a stop, hovering above the courtyard, waiting...
waiting... Five minutes past slowly.
The sound of shuffling feet brought Darschu back to reality.
Not wanting to take his attention off the tunnel mouth, Darschu
landed and asked, commandedly, "Yes?"
Smiling evilly, Jazz thought with a chuckle Just as I
hoped. Now for a little fun.' Switching on the vocal range,
"Wat ere yoo wantin' for, m'lord?" Jazz irish brooged.
"Someone..."
"Who?" asked Jazz, noticing Tia enter the courtyard.
Putting a finger to his lips, Jazz motioned to Darschu's back,
making sneaking motions towards him.
"Someone I think I made quite angry."
Clearing his throat softly, Jazz said, in his normal tones,
"So, Darschu, ready..."
"EEEEYYYYYAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!" jumped Darschu, clearing nine
feet in height and eight yards distance. Landing hard, Darschu
turned to see not only Jazz but also Tia succumbing to fits of
extreme laughter.
"Not funny."
"Darschu, you should've seen your face." tried Jazz,
breaking into a new fit of laughter.
After a few minutes, Jason managed to stop laughing.
"Darschu..."
"Yes?" replied Darschu, trying to look indignant.
"Please, from now on, please don't try to make me angry.
It's one side I sometimes have a little trouble controlling.
Okay?"
"Okay."
"Well, shall we begin." Looking to his left, Jazz caught a
glimpse of blue hair. Oh no.'
"Jazz, after you are done here, please come to the church."
said Tia, finally able to get the giggles out of her system.
Bowing slightly, Jason replied "Aye, m'lady." Tia promptly
turned and left, heading for the church.
Watching Tia leave, Darschu turned to his would-be pupil,
saying "The first spell every spellcaster learns is to create of
globe of light."
"Okay." nodded Jazz.
"But we will skip since you are casting larger spells
already."
"But..."
"Focus on that rock by the battlement." continued Darschu,
pointing at a squarish rock, not having heard Jazz. "Imagine it
exploding and follow this exact wording." Darschu launched right
into the Halloween spell. Jazz recognized it after the first
three syllables.
Darschu grinned broadly as the rock he targeted blew apart
with a great deal of pyrotechnics. Looking at Jazz's target, the
smile soon became a frown. Looking back at Jazz, Darschu found
him kneeling on the ground, his hands spread out and his head
bowed. Wheezing, Jazz gasped "Not...enough energy... Can't...do
it."
Walking over to a nearby water skin, Darschu handed it to
Jazz to drank from it readily.
After a few moments, Jazz got back to his feet, saying "I
guess the hallway incident drained more out of me than I
thought."
Doing a quick energy scan, Darschu looked very much confused
at the low energy readings he got from Jazz. "Jazz, where did
that power come from? Before, in the hallway, you had more than
enough energy to level this place? Where is it?"
"I don't know....Unless..."
"Yes?"
"Okay, this will sound strange but try to follow my
thinking, okay?"
"Okay..."
"This entire society seems to be more liberal than where I
come from."
"Liberal?"
"More free...hmm...example, your ogling of anything female.
Here, it is kinda expected from you. If you tried that where I
come from, not only would you get slapped, you would most likely
end up in the dungeon."
"Okay...now how is this affecting you?"
"Where I was before I arrived here was very conservative.
Change wasn't something they took lightly nor did often. They
were very traditional in everything they did. Okay, another
example. You know the outfits that Tia and Arshes usually wear,"
Getting a nod from Darschu, Jazz continued "would be considered
too liberal and possibly only worn during the summer time if at
all. This sort of thing had been an influence on me for the
first 18 and half years of my life."
Still seeing a slightly puzzled look on Darschu's face, Jazz
tried a new approach. "Okay. My upbringing put a vast limit on
my scope of thought. Think of a dungeon cell with only one way
out and sometimes isn't there. My thoughts would have fit in a
block the size of the stone you told me to target. You thought
is like the great hall here in Metallicana. A lot of open space
and many ways of going in and out."
Getting a nod of understanding from Darschu, Jazz ace
ventura-ed "Allll-rriiiighty then."
"What about when you get angry?"
"Okay, this is where it gets tricky. Strong emotions,
especially my anger, fuel my sub-conscious mind, breaking down
those prison walls. Unfortunately, an angry person with a lot of
free thought is frowned upon by upbringing. Because magic and
this realm is new to me, it has me slightly scared out of my
mind."
"Why are you scared? You don't show it."
"Again where I come from, magic doesn't exist. Reason I
don't look frightened is that I adapt easy to new situations and
have always wished to be able to do something. Besides if I
dwelled on something that was new, I would have most likely gone
insane by now. Again, it sort of goes with my usual RPG
character..."
"RPG?" interrupted Darschu.
"Oh boy...RPG...It means a role-playing game. Simply put,
it's a game of let's pretend'. A person would take a role of
another person, either from long ago, or someone who might be,
and tries to portray in a given situation. Darschu, it would be
as if you would try to portray someone you're not, like a kitchen
aid, but without actually doing it. In these games, I tended to
stay away from magic based people. I would always take a person
who could do tech or build things even though I personally would
have a clue as to how to build the things my characters would."
Continuing on, Jazz said "Let's say, in a game similar to
Metallicana, I would be a blacksmith of a weaponsmith, not a
mage, or sorcerer. I'm just about out of words, so can we just
get back to learning magic?"
Nodding, Darschu reorganized his teaching patterns, still
not quite understanding everything Jazz had said. After two
hours of multiple attempts, Jazz stumbled away, having tapped
reserves he didn't know he had.
Stopping at a fountain, Jason splashed water on his face,
trying to get revived. Sighing heavily, Jazz continued on to the
church. Entering quietly, Jazz strode up the center isle,
looking for Tia.
Seeing him, Tia called, from a small side room, "Jazz, over
here."
Entering the side room, Jazz bowed and asked "How are you?"
"I am well. And you?"
"I am...well enough. What is to be thy role of the
enlightenment of this ignorant fool?"
Giggling softly, Tia replied "Jazz stop. Your other teacher
has yet to arrive. Please take a seat at the table."
"Other teacher?" asked Jazz, taking a seat at the table Tia
indicated.
"Yes, and here she is now."
Looking back towards the doorway, Jazz's jaw hit the floor.
"Princess." acknowledged Tia with a nod.
"Tia Yohko." replied Sheila.
Turning towards Jazz, both saw his head shift between the
two of them rapidly, many times. Imagine a spectator at a tennis
match.
"Problem, Sir Jazz?"
"Ummm...mmm...nnnn..." faulted Jazz, as his mind tried to
re-orientate itself. Rebooting, Jazz replied, with a blush, "Ah
no...just didn't expect...ayi-yi-yi..."
"So, shall we begin." said Tia.
"Wha...what will you two be instructing me on?" asked Jazz,
his voice fully returned to normal.
"Social and court etiquette skills. You seem to have some
but need a great deal of refining." replied Sheila.
"Ayi-yi-yi..." Jazz Alpha Fived once again. He noticed that
he seemed to be doing that a lot lately and it wasn't gonna stop
anytime soon.
After an hour, Jazz asked for a break. "Why?" asked Sheila,
looking at Jazz with concern.
"Information overload. Too much, too soon, too fast."
replied Jazz, holding his head in fear of an imminent explosion.
"Okay...I guess we can quit." said Tia.
"I will see you both tomorrow at the same time here." said
Sheila, packing up the scrolls she had brought with her.
"Okay..." replied Jazz, hesitantly, wondering where someone
would have to go to get an aspirin.
"See you at supper, Jazz." said Tia as both ladies exited
the room.
"Tia, one more moment of your time, please."
"Yes, Jazz?"
"I will most likely need your father's permission,
but...could I go down to where the tomes are stored?"
"Why?"
"Well, Tia, I would like to possibly get a few tomes to
study for tonight, see what you have available, and just be where
there happens to be a lot of written text."
"I don't see a problem with that, daughter. I will take him
down there myself." came a voice from the doorway.
Turning to see Geo, Jazz bowed, saying "Thank you, Lord
Geo."
Following Geo down several flights of stairs and along
several corridors, Lord Geo and Jazz came to a LARGE wooden door.
Large as in great Blue Whale large. Putting a key in an equally
large lock, Geo opened the door with a slight shove. Jazz winced
as the odor of preserving fluid washed over him.
Stepping inside the doorway, Jazz reveled at the amount of
tomes in the space before him. Having always been fond of
libraries, Jazz had just entered his idea of printed word heaven.
Imagine, if you will, a high school gymnasium with a built in
track around a full sized basketball court. Now triple that to
get an idea of the room size.
"Geo..." started Jazz in awe.
"Yes?"
"Thank you..." said Jazz softly.
"For what?" asked a very confused Geo.
"For making me a very happy boy. Is there some paper and
writing tools handy? I have a feeling I am going to want to take
some notes."
"There." replied Geo, pointing to a small table inside the
entrance with what Jazz had asked for.
"Ah yes..." Jazz said softly, unable to take his eyes off
the amount of printed material. As Jazz moved among the stacks,
he barely heard Geo's statement that supper would be in about an
hour. Moving among the bookcases, Jazz noted that several of the
books actually still had bindings while rolled up scrolls filled
the rest of the space. Steamology 101 by Prof. Steamhead??
1001 Uses For Duct Tape by A. Macgyver?? How to Build a Power
Armor From Household Items by G. Diggers?? Quantum Physics
Related to Spectral Capture and Containment by E. Spengler??
What is up with these titles??' Jazz thought marking down
potential volumes to read. Taking about a dozen bound texts,
Jason situated himself down at a table, adjusting the reading
lamp, and dug into them excitedly.
One hour ten minutes later up in the dining room, everyone
waited for one person to arrive. "Where is he?" asked an
impatient Tia.
He can't still be down in the tome storage?' asked Geo of
himself.
"After he finished with you, Tia, where did he go?" asked a
hungry Gara.
Standing up from the table, Geo said before Tia could
respond "I think I know where he is. I will be back shortly."
That way I can also have a word with him about being late.'
thought Geo, grimly.
"Lord Geo, may I come with you?" asked Arshes.
"Why?"
"Just in case he doesn't show up to one of my sessions with
him. He needs to be taught what it means to be late."
"Okay...anyone else?"
Everyone at the table nodded affirmative, Darschu with a
slightly increasing mischievous grin. Following Geo down to the
tome storage, the entire troop came to the giant open door. The
lamps on the walls gave a soft illuminance to the room.
"Anyone see him?" asked Tia, her imagination going wild with
what she would tell him.
A resounding negative came up from the group. "Is that glow
moving?" asked Felicia, indicating a low lying glow that seemed
to be moving in straight line in the middle of the room.
"Yeah, it is. Let's go get him. I'm hungry." said Gara,
starting to head towards the now stationary glow.
"No." commented Darschu with an evil grin. Getting several
questioning gazes, Darschu continued with an evil grin "He has to
learn not to be late. I have an idea."
"Darschu, what are you thinking of?" asked Tia, her voice
promising retribution for anything too far out of the ordinary.
"Just a little illusion spell. Who wants in?" asked
Darschu, his grin infecting practically everyone of the group.
Sheila with an evil grin, a horrifying concept. *shudder*
Gara and Arshes were in automatically. Felicia, Tia, and
Sheila joined in with a little hesitancy. Geo opted to guard
the door. "Okay, I picked these images up from Jason's mind so
they should have a great deal of meaning to him." said Darschu as
he cast the spell.
Felicia became a catlike girl with enlarged clawed hands and
feet with white fir pin striping. Gara's appearance shifted to
an even larger gray skinned male with bolts sticking from his
neck. Sheila shifted into a blue Chinese dress with her hair in
buns and spiked bracelets on her wrists. Tia looked down to see
a form fitting green leotard and green markings on her legs.
Moving her head to look at the rest of the group, she noticed a
long blond braid. Arshes noticed that her hands almost dragged
on the floor in giant metal gauntlets. Otherwise, she found
herself to be wearing a red, long sleeved Chinese dress with
trousers. Darschu noted that he wore a red karate gi with a red
headband holding back his hair.