The Irene Girls

The Test

Marie leaves the safe hold and hollows the path through the village, Marie explores but never takes too much time in one place. Marie goes into what seems to be an abandoned guard tower, she climbs up the ladder to the top floor. Once there she walks to the side that looks to the beach, and sits with her legs hanging over the edge. Marie takes in the view trying to clear her mind over what's happened in the last few days, or 150 years.

Marie leans back with arms supporting her and realizes she been wearing the same outfit for 150 years. She's wearing a light brown skirt that goes down to her knees, a white t-shirt, and a light brown sweater. Avalon is wearing something similar, although she is wearing a white jacket and blue jean shorts.

Marie decides that her current mission is getting new clothes for herself and Avalon. Marie is ripped from her thoughts by the floor squeaking behind her. Marie gets up and whips around in only a few seconds, Marie has heard of bandits in the area and isn't keen on taking chances. Marie relaxes when she sees Laurence behind her. "Laurence?" Marie asks confused. "With reflexes like those you could become a guard." Is all Laurence says. "Oh uh... Thanks, I guess. Anyway what are you doing here?" Marie asks Laurence while brushing the dust off herself. "Oh just checking to see where you where heading. You should really keep track of time it's been over half an hour. Although from what I've heard you're great at keeping time." Laurence says playing with the handle on his sword. Marie tenses, "What are you talking about?" Marie asks trying to keep a calm tone.

"We'll see the last time a Time Keeper was ever heard of was around a 153 years ago... A little girl and her father. In Okasis. Although, it's fabled she had a sister who got away. That's what keeps their legend alive, the thought that they're still out there... Or in this very guard tower." Laurence says staring at Marie. Marie stands tall and doesn't back down, "You know Laurence, I really don't think trying to be a tame shadow knight and giving out threats mix well." Marie says taking a step closer to Laurence. Laurence grips his sword and through gritted teeth says, "Hurt anyone and I won't hesitate to kill you." Marie scoffs and yells, "Laurence, Time Keepers are supposed to protect people, protect kingdoms, protect villages. If anything I should be watching you because Shadow Knights do the exact opposite."

With that Marie pushes past Laurence and climbs down the ladder. Marie crosses her arms and clutches them close to her body as she walks through the village. Marie comes across a training dummy for sword fighting, there is a sword in the ground next to it. The sword is a light blue sword and sleek, it's weight is perfect for Marie. Marie positions herself across from the dummy. Marie always had a fascination with sword fights when she was young and her father tough her how to fight before he died. Once Marie's mother and Marie had settled into their new village far away from Okasis, Marie began guard training. Marie was always the odd man out because she was one of the few girls and she had her own style of fighting that worked.

Marie inhales, exhales, then locks herself onto the target. Marie uses one hand and slices through one side of the dummy with the sword, she swiftly slides under the dummy's arm and stabs it's back. Then she hits it over and over and over hitting full force, she hits it one last time before it snaps in half. Marie wipes a tear from her eye from trying to take her anger out on the dummy.

Marie stabs the sword back into the ground and stares at the dummy for a moment evaluating the damage she did. Marie had stricken from both sides of the dummy repeatedly, accurately hitting the same two spots before delivering the blow that cut it in half.

"Did you do that?" Levin's familiar voice asks. Marie turns around to see Levin with Dante. "Yes. I-I'm so sorry. I'll help make a new one I just- I was upset. And I'm really, really sorry." Marie says apologetically. "No, don't worry it's not hard make those. I just haven't seen someone break the post in the middle." Dante says pointing to the dummy. "Yeah, you probably haven't seen my style of fighting either." Marie says with and awkward smile. Levin whispers something to Dante that Marie can't hear, whatever Levin said, Dante nods in agreement.

"Okay, I'm going to my post. I'll speak with you later, Lord Levin." Dante says, then walks across the bridge and out of view. Levin steps off the path and walks towards Marie. "Where'd you learn to fight like that?" Levin asks, taking the sword out of the ground. "My dad, actually." Marie says smiling slightly. "Here." Levin says holding out the sword for Marie to grab. Marie takes the sword and asks, "Why are you giving me this?" Levin smiles at her and says, "You need a weapon." Marie looks confused and asks, "For what?" Marie's attention is grabbed by the sound of gravel crunching behind her.

By instinct Marie snaps around and holds the sword in front of her, she sees Dante trying to sneak up on her with his sword drawn.