divi ♔ the way back

[balzams]

[It's been over a month since he arrived. Over a month since he set foot in his own country. Over a month and he still hadn't the foggiest idea why he was here. If he had been called for some higher purpose, if it had been explained to him then he might feel a bit better but he'd been pulled from his home with without warning or reason.

At least they'd been nice enough to give him a place to stay and food to eat but they still didn't let him out of the academy. He was supposed to stay here and learn a craft that they'd chosen for him. Normally he would have been enthalled by the whole idea, had he chosen it himself but the implications of the situation left a bad taste in his mouth. This wasn't right, he had responsibilities and he needed to go home.

Latvia stood at the top of the stairs, infront of the gate in the courtyard just as dusk was beginning to fall. If he had come through here it would make sense that entering the gate would take him back. Wringing his hands he took one last look at the school building before reaching out and... nothing. Instead of passing thought as he had hoped his fingers brushed against the portal as if it was solid. Originally he had been worried about where he might come out, but now he was worried he wouldn't be able to get back through. Becoming slightly more desperate he began to push and kick against the gate but it still held strong.

From his burning desire to return home he managed to tap into what little magoi he had. With his strength magic to aid him he took a step back, readying to charge, hoping that it would do something]

Comments

[idolizer]

[ Sayaka just happens to pass by... sometimes she would come there in a vague hope that the gates would open. It's not like she's not enjoying this experience, eventually. Dying and ending up in this place where she could use magic and is actually improving at it, and having fun, even despite her crushed dreams... but she would hope that her schoolmates that were trapped in here would find a way out, since many of those she met had things to do back home.

Ah, she's not alone this time. That guy she... met under that mistletoe. How awkward. There she hoped such awkwardness wouldn't have returned. She'll stand there at first, not saying hi not to attract his attention, but then it dawns on her that he's trying to bust the gate open...? ]

What are you doing...?

[balzams]

[The sudden voice made him loose all concentration and he feels slightly sick as the magoi he'd started to built up suddenly dispersed. When Latvia turns to look, the sight of Sayaka only made him feel more nauseous. He really hoped he hadn't offended her last time, it wasn't like him to ignore personal boundaries like that and the memories only make him feel embarrassed and ashamed. Keeping his eyes to the ground besides her he straightens up to greet her]

Ah, hello Miss... um...

[It suddenly occurred to him that he didn't know her last name and first names seemed too informal right now. As if he couldn't feel more out of place]

I'm sorry for causing such a disturbance, I was trying to see if it was possible to get back through the gate but...

[idolizer]

It's not working, right?

[ She sighs, also keeping her eyes away from him. ]

If it worked, we would have been out of here way sooner. But I also think you would get in trouble if you try doing that again, you know.

[balzams]

I know a lot of us wouldn't still be here if it were as easy as just going back through, but I suppose it's good to keep trying...

[He keeps a polite tone as he gives the only reasonable answer he can think of for his actions. Even with her warning, he gives it another kick with the same results as before]

And sometimes you need to do things that would get you into trouble. We can't really stay here, especially with what little they're telling us.

[idolizer]

I understand how you feel, but there's no future for me if I returned home. I would rather stay here.

[ And still... ]

If you do get in trouble, they're going to give us less chances to return home.

[balzams]

[Latvia looks down again, remembering how they first met. If what she said was true then maybe she was better off staying here]

Well... I mean I guess you can stay if you want, but I have responsibilities back home that I need to take care of.

Perhaps, but in these kinds of situations you can't do nothing. In a way that's worse.

[technophiling]

[Being away from home was easier when he had a purpose. That was something Estonia had always known about himself, so it was always just a matter of finding something to fixate on, something to claim as a purpose. Reading and studying and practising was good for that, even if he didn't necessarily have a larger goal in mind, which was rather frustrating.

Evening walks were good for thinking, which was why Estonia was out, and catching someone who looked familiar trying to do something that looked stupid. Flinging one's self at a wall didn't seem as productive as other things might have been, after all.]

Latvia? [He cleared his throat, stopping a few feet from who he only assumed was his neighbouring nation.] Has the gate offended you?

[balzams]

[The moment he stepped forward to charge a familiar voice distracted him. In an odd attempt to stop and start at the same time Latvia ended up face-planting into the floor, leaving a notable crack in the stone. Thankfully it was more the result of his magic gone awry than any bad collision. Besides a bit of bruising, his forehead would be okay.

Latvia shuffled up to sit on the stairs, besides the tears pricking at the corners of his eyes from the impact he couldn't help but smile. It wasn't that often he was this grateful to see Estonia]

It won't let me through.

[technophiling]

[Estonia winced, cringing a moment at the audible impact of his neighbour's face meeting the ground. That didn't sound nice. Oh well, at least he knew Latvia was durable. Walking the rest of the way over, he crouched, peering at Latvia's head for anything more than some redness.]

No, of course not. Are you alright?

[balzams]

[Latvia ran a hand over his forehead and looked at his palm. No blood was a good sign and he stood up, a little wobbly on his feet]

I'm okay, it stings a bit but that's a given.

How long have you been here anyway?

[800isenough]

[Zhang Liao's still training hard to catch up with the first batch of Magnoshutatt students who came in a month earlier. Taking one last jog around the academy, he passes by the dungeon he had stumbled out off just a week ago. He usually only spares it a passing glance, choosing to ignore the gateway that had dragged him to this foreign academy; it merely made him unnecessarily angry at the near impossible situation he had been placed him. He would rather spend his limited energy training to get back to the state he was in before his abduction, than rage about it.

However, he catches sight of a figure, readying for a charge. Curious, he slows down and calls out.]

You there, what are you doing?

[balzams]

[At the sound of that voice Latvia trips backwards down the stairs, quickly scrambling to his feet and straightening up he tries to look as proper as possible. Any statement that begins with 'you there' is usually followed by something less than pleasant]

N-nothing sir!

[800isenough]

[Zhang Liao frowns and walks over.]

I would not recommend attacking the gate; I fear that the instructors of the academy would not approve.

[The pale skin and the blonde hair reminds him of the other magicians that had been drawn in from different worlds.]

Where are you from, boy?

[balzams]

[Latvia takes a step backwards as Zhang Liao approaches but manages to stop himself before running off completely. Even in place he seems to shrink down once he gets close enough]

Me, sir? I'm from Latvia...

[He was surprised that this person was not another instructor, he was certainly intimidating enough. Or if not an instructor at least someone else affiliated with the academy.

Latvia was torn between hopes that he'd got the attention of the headmaster and hopes that he hadn't]

[800isenough]

[No such luck Latvia. Zhang Liao's stuck here as much as you are. Latvia's nervousness around him reminds him of the young soldiers back in the Wei army, always walking around egg-shells when he was around. While some fear is required in the army, it wasn't advisable in the long run. Zhang Liao preferred to lead men who weren't intimidated by him, who trusted him.

The frown grew deeper slightly, but he makes no comments about his own brooding. Instead he merely tries to assuage Latvia's concerns.]

There is no need to fear anything from me. I only wish to check if you are from a familiar land, but it would seem not so.

[balzams]

Well... If not Latvia then perhaps Livonia or Terra Mariana.

[It was a long shot but judging by the man's manner and way of speaking Latvia assumed he was someone from before his present]

[800isenough]

[Try 1200 years before him. Zhang Liao has never bothered to learn much about the lands outside of the Han Empire; of course he's heard of a few but he's never paid them much attention. Right now, he's coming to rue that decision of his. He despises appearing so uninformed.]

Those are unfamiliar names for me. I am sorry.

[balzams]

It's alright, perhaps Europe isn't very well known in Asia at that time.

Um... You are from Aisa, aren't you?

China...? Japan...?

[800isenough]

["That time...?" Zhang Liao doesn't understand...but he is from China, "Zhongguo", the Middle Kingdom, so he nods.]

I am from the Han Empire.

[fearlessherosheart]

Ah, so you are experimenting as well?

[Tazendra isn't sure what she's planning to try to open the gate, but she has magic and it's the way they arrived, so let's see what happens.]

[balzams]

[He snapped his head around to look at her. Strange voices always made him feel anxious. Latvia glanced around to check that she wasn't talking to anyone else before replying]

Um... I suppose. Things aren't working out so well though.

[fearlessherosheart]

Well, if it were an easy problem, why, we would be home already!

[balzams]

I suppose so...

[He fidgets a little, embarrassed at how silly his actions seem in hindsight]

But it's worth a try, right?

[fearlessherosheart]

But of course! In fact, I would like to assist.

[balzams]

You would?

Oh, please by all means!

[He steps aside, offering her the spot in front of the gate he'd been standing at]

[fearlessherosheart]

[so Tazendra is going to direct her own magic into the gate]

[... its' not going to work]

Bah, this is a puzzle.

[balzams]

[Latvia looked on wide-eyed as Tazendra used her magic]

That was still very impressive! Were you able to use magic back in your world?

[fearlessherosheart]

In fact, I was a sorceress.

[balzams]

Ah, of course you would have a good hand with magic then, I can't quite seem to get the hang of it.

[fearlessherosheart]

Well, naturally the differing sources of power of sorcery in this realm have but slowed me down.

[balzams]

[Latvia just nods a little, not really understanding it]

So are you saying you're not as strong as you are back in your world?

[fearlessherosheart]

Why, not at all! I am saying I am unfamiliar with this power source, so cannot draw on the full power I need for spells. A sorceress's spell is powered by amorphia, and it is her control and skill that determines what limits in power she has.