New people [OPEN]

[Luxin Rhodes]

It was dark starry night, the air smelled of firewood and freshly mowed grass. The stars were bright, and a full moon had appeared. Luxin walked up a hill just outside of Magnolia town. He could still hear the people shouting, laughing, and everything was peaceful. As he made his way, the view started to reveal it self. By the time he was on top, everything was so beautiful. There was the town, with its shimmering lights, and the sea behind it. The moon right on top. It was perfect. Luxin sat down against a tree and sighed in relief and admiration.

Luxin had found a perfect spot to write. A nice, fine, solitary space. He took out his notepad and a pencil and started to write.

[Kaiba]

Well, here it was. Another day was over, another night had begun. Kaiba smiled up with his face half-lit by the moon, it's basking lights shining down over the seemingly empty world below. He thought, just for a second, that somewhere under this pale moonlit sky there would be someone for him. He laughed quietly. People in this world just really wanted to meet someone else. Whether it was to love, to become friends with, or in Kaiba's case, to match wits with. The world was filled with dull, dumb people so it really wasn't his fault that he had never managed to find anyone smart enough, witty enough, to pit his own against.

As he continued to walk up the hill, his sword bag jangled behind him, calling out to be filled with more blades, more beautiful paintbrushes that would allow him to bring out the most artistic style of life, the life of pain and death. But tonight... tonight he just wanted to practice somewhere nobody else would see him. Not the art of war, no, but the art of music. Violin, to be precise. As he reached the top of the hill, not noticing his company, he took it out of the case he held in his hand, the bow in the top of the case. After a quick tuning, he started to play.

His song:

[Luxin Rhodes]

"...hitherto, I hath not seen anything remarkable..." Luxin whispered under his breathe as he quickly scribbled down a piece of literature in old writing. He felt the cool air cut through his skin and hair, the paper rustled . The soothing feeling was broken off by music... Slow music. Scratch that. Not broken off, but added. He smiled.

Luxin stood up and looked for the source, it had come from his left. He looked down from the hill and saw a young lad playing a violin. What harmony! Luxin though. He loved it. It was beautiful. As the violin ascended, and gained speed, it had become a great piece of music. The sound itself was marvelous. Luxin walked down the hill slowly, putting the pencil behind his ear and pocketing away the notepad.

When Luxin made his way to him, he sat down and waiting for him to finish. Luxin sat there for almost two minutes, it was glorious, the music was perfect.

"Hello, my friend!" Luxin exclaimed. He got up and held his hand out. "You played beautifully!"

[Kaiba]

Playing to his silent (and unnoticed) audience, Kaiba allowed himself to come to his musical climax, the song turning into his most beautiful piece yet. He called it "Dancing with sorrow", and would love to perform it another time but he knew that it was already perfect and that even once more would ruin the moment forever. However, when he finally finished, a voice popped up behind him, causing him to jump slightly. Crap.... how long has he been standing there... He thought to himself, embarrassed that his music had been heard. He had never allowed another living soul to hear his music practice... perhaps that should change. Perhaps he should start performing in things other than small ale houses.

Turning around, he smiled at the young man. He'd never seen him before, but that wasn't exactly anything new. This world was big, and so was this man. Smiling an impeccable (but false) smile, he held his hand out and shook the man who'd eavesdropped.
"Molto Graze, messere." His accent shone through, before he continued in the normal language of Fiore.
"I wish you had told me you were there, I would have played something more appropriate for a night of such beauty. My name is Kaiba, Kaiba Takeda of the Takeda Clan. And you would be?"

[Luxin Rhodes]

It had seemed that Luxin had surprised him. It was pretty creepy, Luxin should have known better. He had accidentally startled the man. He had said something in Italian that Luxin understood.

"You are most welcome." Luxin responded, but his thanks wasn't enough. The man seemed very literate with his words. He had requested that Luxin had not sneaked up on him like that and had introduced himself. "I am Luxin Rhodes of Pelistine city." Luxin spoke. "Very nice to meet you, Kaiba." He shook his firm hands.

Luxin was towered by the white haired man. He had a black cloth covering the right side of his face and neck. It seemed he was hiding something. It freaked Luxin out a little.

"So, what brings you here on this starry night?" Luxin wondered. If it was for piece, Luxin and him would have been very alike.

[Kaiba]

Bowing his head slightly, he smiled at Luxin
"Well, Luxin Rhodes of Pelistine City, I am pleasured to make your acquaintance. It is nice to see someone out here, even if they didn't tell me they were here in the first place." He said, a small polite dig, but nothing too unfriendly. As he was asked what made him come out here, he smiled simply

"Ah, but if you heard my music, you already know why I'm out here. Sometimes Magnolia City is too loud for my baby to sing, and that's when I have to come out to the hills. I can't wait to get back to Falcon City, the noise around here is simply insopportabili, know what I mean?" He said, before putting his violin back in his box, bending over and showing all six of his swords for the first time. Seconds later, he had placed it back in it's case, and secured it properly

"But what about you, Luxin Rhodes of Pelistine city, what brings you out here? You don't seem to be someone who minds loud noises. It would allow you to creep up on someone easier."

[Luxin Rhodes]

Luxin had enjoyed this little conversation. It had been some time since he had conversed with another person.

"Well, my mistake, I just didn't want to interrupt your lovely piece of music." Luxin complimented. He was happy to hear Kaiba's response, it was one he was sure to hear. "I know exactly what you mean my friend. I just can't get away from all that noise so I looked for some place peaceful, so here I am." He saw the man put away his violin. As Kaiba did, Luxin caught a little glimpse of five or six swords. He was about to say something but he was asked a question.

"Ah, well, I have come here to write." Luxin pointed to his pencil that lay on his ear. "I know, I deeply apologize for my sudden appearance, but I couldn't think of another way. If I tapped you, I might have made you more startled and you could have dropped that lovely instrument of yours." Luxin said. "Speaking of which, Are you a warrior? I saw the numerous swords you kept in that bag... I was just wondering. My father was a warrior you see." Luxin seemed curious, but he didn't let it get the best of him. Just a simple question would do.

[Kaiba]

Hmmm? The pair seemed to be quite similar, as it turned out that many of the concepts that Kaiba held dear was the same for Luxin. He even feigned a blush as his music was complimented. He'd been told it many times before, but if you didn't act at least a little bit grateful for a compliment people tended to become rather paranoid. That was the last thing he wanted tonight, as he was looking for a conversation instead of a fight. Then, he was asked if he was a warrior, and he giggled slightly, turning away slightly

"No need to mock, my friend. I am no warrior...." His hand went fluidly to the bag, pulling Kaiten out of his bag, spinning it around on the ring, before throwing it up into the air. the sheath slid off, landing in his outstretched hand, before he caught the handle in his other hand.
".... I am an artist. My soul screams for music and beauty, and my musical skills are best par none. As for my beauty skills, I can paint red upon the canvas of the human body without someone even knowing I've made the stroke. Swordsmanship is one of the few great arts remaining in this land, so naturally I try to keep at the top of my game. What about you, Luxin... may I call you Lux? What is it that occupies your mind."

[Luxin Rhodes]

Kaiba appeared to be no warrior but a swordsman, who considered it a lost art. Luxin was intrigued by his choice of words. What a classy man, he thought. Kaiba had asked about Luxin and what he could do. For some reason, Luxin liked the sound of 'Lux', it was a nice little nickname.

"Hmm... Lux, I like it! But only if you let me call you Kai. As for what I do," Luxin poked the man's chest. "Metamorphosis..." Luxin murmured quietly.

Suddenly, Luxin transformed into an exact mirror image of the man in front of him. "I am you." Luxin joked slightly. It felt comfortable, the clothing, Luxin liked it. Still, seeing through one eye was a pain, but he didn't want to take the other cloth off, as it may have disturbed the man's appearance. After all, he covered it for a reason. Luxin quickly grabbed a sword and practiced some swordsmanship.

"Now, you may be stronger than me in swordsmanship, but let's see you try and touch me." Luxin grabbed his bang and pulled out roller blades. He quickly slipped them on and jumped a little to get used to them.

[Kaiba]

"Metamorphosis..." what is he.... oh god no!! The man infront of him turned into a mirror image of him, even the clothes. He had better not try to undo that face mask, or I'm up shit creek without a paddle. Thankfully, he didn't seem to be doing it immediately so perhaps he had a chance to kill him before he revealed everything? A part of his mind was telling him to just kill him right now, but that would be too easy. As Lux pulled a sword out, Kaiba slapped it out of his hand, taking it back annoyedly.

"Don't you know it's rude to copy? Now, don't take that mask off and don't do anything that you'll have to regret later." His tone had lost it's earlier friendliness, this was a threat to revealing his hidden identity so he didn't want to take any chances. Slipping his free hand into his bag, he pulled out Anshin and span it, before pointing it directly in the middle of Luxin's face
"Make any movements towards the mask edge and you'll lose that side of your face. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"

[Luxin Rhodes]

Four assassinations, and theft. Images like flashbacks rolled into Luxin's head.

"So, you are a dark mage, huh?" Luxin said. "If you are looking for a fight, you will have to give me a sword. I've heard that swordsmen fight their opponents fairly, not like you who fights his enemy who doesn't even have a weapon." Luxin mocked slightly. "Tell me, how does it feel to murder a person?" Luxin asked. "I know how it feels, and I have decided to never take a person's life anymore. Oh, and don't worry, I won't take this ridiculous mask off. I respect others, even if they are dark mages like you." He sat down.

"Would you care to tell me your story? how you became who you are, or do you seem to keep things to yourself. I'm sure you have your reasons but for all I care, I don't think there is any reason in this world to take someone's life. Trust Me. I know." Luxin tried to calm Kai.

"Now, If you want to fight, care to hand me a weapon? Or do you want to be a cheap mage who has no honor?"

[Kaiba]

Wait... this man, he knew what he'd done. Maybe morphing into him gave him the memories of him, he didn't know. What he did know was that somehow this guy knew everything. He smiled slightly, as he finished talking

"You're acting like I had a choice!! I was born a slave, my mother a kitchen wench to some corrupt bastard who didn't know that people were people no matter where they come from. I didn't want to become a mage, but that same fool decided to make me his private toy, manipulate my body to suit his purpose. He deserved to die!!" He called out, before his hand moved to his facemask, starting to unwind it. Finally, it fell and there he was. His uncovered face, marked by the tattoo that all slaves of his master wore, the red dragon of Eridus. But worse than that, his eye was completely black, blinking as it hit sunlight for the first time in a long while.

"I kill those who deserve death, those who betray their fellow man for causes unnoble and selfish and mean. Do you think I'd kill if this world was a perfect paradise, do you think that there would be a stone unturned in my quest for universal freedom if there was any other way? There is no choice but to kill some people, or watch other people who don't deserve it to die. The only man who should be willing to kill others is the man who's willing to be killed himself, so you can call me dark or corrupt or whatever misguided foolish term that you want, but know that if I didn't do the job I do then there would be women and children starving to death, abused and in pain."

He tossed Kaiten into the same hand that he held Anshin, before slipping off his bag and throwing it to Lux
"If you want to fight me like that, I have one clause. No magic. You fight me with swords and body, not with magic and tricks. You claim to want to be noble, then fight with nobility. Do you understand me, Lux?"

[Luxin Rhodes]

Luxin pondered at Kai's answer. It was a brilliant answer. There was a saying... 'Always think about yourself before you think about others.' Luxin finally understood what the author meant by that saying. He could imagine himself doing the same thing Kaiba did. Maybe worse. He tossed Luxin a sword.

"I see what you mean. I'm sorry for judging you so quickly, it wasn't what I would normally do. I don't know what came over me." Luxin said.

He looked from the sword to his opponent and shook his head. Luxin went back to his original body. He tossed the sword back to Kaiba.

"Thanks, but today, I don't want to fight. Maybe some other day, huh?" Luxin held his hand out. "We'll make good friends... or rivals. No matter, friends or rivals... we are alike ,you and I. Let's keep it like that." Luxin picked the black cloth off the ground and gave it to him. "I didn't expect myself to be taught something so simple. It was just idiotic of me. You made me realize it." Luxin sat down and sighed. He stared at the sky and its never ending realm of stars. What a beautiful place it was.

[Kaiba]

Lux was.... backing out of the fight? Why? He had just a moment ago told him that there was no excuse for murder, and whilst Kaiba might disagree, it was obvious that Lux truly believed that. So why was he suddenly so against fighting like this. Surely it would allow Lux to think that he was showing Kai the error of his ways. Still, it was nice to know there wouldn't be a fight tonight. Blood shed under a beautiful sky like this made the moon go red, and tonight it was the most beautiful shade of blue he'd ever seen in his life. Why ruin the perfection?

Catching the sword, he placed it back in his bag and smiled as his cloth was returned. Wrapping it back around his face, he once more hid his deformity from the world and wore the same smile as he had before, one that showed no sign of the horrible world he lived in. The moment his face was returned to it's normal state, he pulled Lux into a hug, tight and embracing.
"Don't worry about it. Everyone makes dumb mistakes, but when those mistakes ruin the lives of others.... there is no coming back from that. You're wise to know when and when not to fight, a trait too many people nowadays lack."

[Luxin Rhodes]

After Luxin made the decision to not fight, he had been pulled into a big tight hug. It was the first time he had been hugged. It felt warm, nice. Luxin had learned that appearances can be deceiving and people are not who they seem like. Even if a person looks bad, deep down inside, they always had that little tiny light that lights up the mind. They just have to find that light. Once they do, everything will be fine.

Kai was not a bad person. Even after what he had done, Luxin had no say in it. It was not his business. Listening to Kai's words, Luxin got embarrassed. Backing out of a fight was the right thing to do. Luxin imagined if he didn't, if he fought Kaiba that second, what would have happened... Decisions like these are what change the course of a person's life. This time, Luxin was certain he made the right one.

"Thank you for that..." Luxin said. "You know... I have your appearance and everything stored in my mind, so I can use it whenever I like... Is that fine by you?" Luxin didn't wanna just take Kai's body for use, he wanted to ask permission.

[Kaiba]

As Luxin told him about his ability to use his body whenever he wanted, Kaiba scowled, breaking off from the hug and looking him seriously in the eyes, his own bared eye somehow catching both of Luxin's at the same time
"Lux... this isn't a game, you know that right? I'm a hitman for Sable Pantera, that gives me a lot of enemies. I don't want you using my face because I don't want to give you my magic, or my memories, or my problems. I'll always be hunted like a dog. and you ask if you can pretend to be me? That's disgusting, and your magic is wrong on so many levels..." he turned away, sighing slightly, and pulled Anshin out and handed it to Lux

"Look at my sword. See the perfections and the imperfections, the cloth and the steel melding together to make one beautiful piece of art. It's so beautiful because there's only one of them in creation. Even sister swords are beautiful because they have their own differences, the same with people. Everyone's their own person because that's how the world made them. Your magic... it perverts that beautiful cycle of nature." he said, before looking back over his shoulder
"Don't you understand Luxin? Every single person on this world is a piece of art, and their own body and mind shape their own destiny. But you would have all of that merely because you trained yourself a certain way? Isn't that the same thing as theft?"

[Luxin Rhodes]

Luxin listened to his words quietly, he knew what Kai was trying to say, and maybe he didn't understand.

"I know what you mean Kai... but This," Luxin pointed to himself "...is my art." Luxin grew up this way and he had learned a lot. Especially right now, in this moment. "I know that this is a type of theft, but it won't be theft if I ask the permission, it would be called borrowing someones power. Like a helping hand...you know?" Luxin explained. But he knew that sometimes there will come a time where he wouldn't ask the permission.

"I was given this magic, by the two most important people in my life. I want to cherish it. Become stronger. They gave it to me when they were at death's door. Do you know what that means? I meant that much to them!" Luxin pointed to the sky. Tears started to pool in his eyes, remember their last words. He could still feel the moment they were laying on the ground. The moment Luxin killed the man to avenge his father. That evil power. It was not something for that. It was used for good.

"Kai, If you think I won't be safe using your appearance as a power, you are right. I know you are because I feel the same too. So I wont use it." Luxin gave back the sword. "This is your art, and this is mine." He went all emotional. He didn't think it would be like this. Kai, was a good person. He just needed to fix his life.

[Kaiba]

Kaiba frowned slightly as he continued to protect his magic that was a sin in Kaiba's eyes, but then again so was his behaviour so he wasn't sure what to do....

"Luxin... I killed the men who gave me my power. It makes me into a monster..." he said, as a small glint appeared behind his eyes before scales started to creep over his body, his face seeming almost snake like.
"This is the power you want? The power to pervert your body from it's original shape? If there is a god, which I doubt, he made everyone their own way for a reason. Both of us break god's divine laws, but you would break it twice... One more strike and your head's on the chopping block, my friend." he said, before gently wiping away a tear that had trickled down Lux's cheeks

[Luxin Rhodes]

Luxin knew the dangers that came along with his magic, but he knew that he wouldn't die.

"My head wont even be near that thing even if I have my last breath. Giving up is a shame." Luxin looked at Kai in the eyes. "You may seem bad my friend, but inside, I know there is good in you." He paused. "Screw those people out there. They don't matter, because they are just wasting their own time. You have your own freedom to live." The wind blew to the west, the grass and leaves flew with it. What a critical moment this was...

"Yes, I change my original body into another, but inside, It's still me! The magic is inside the shell.... not outside! You, of all people, should know that!" Luxin wanted to say more, but he couldn't.

[Kaiba]

He had to admit it, he was laughing at this. Not because he was mocking him, but because Luxin's words so reminded him of his own. He wouldn't give up even if it was his last breath, he would never care about other people's thoughts on his freedom, if he was enslaved again he'd just kill his master, and live on as he always had. He put a hand on his shoulder and looked at Luxin

"As much as you might say, the inside is as important as the outside. This eye would get me into jail just for showing it in public... this magic is not legal. It's corrupt, dark magic, and I wouldn't even be able to defend myself. All because of outside. You think that outside doesn't matter.... well, it does. Even if not as much as inside."

[Luxin Rhodes]

He knew that Kai's words were right and he did admit it, but he just didn't get it.

"Look, when I got this magic, I knew there were going to be people who wouldn't like it, but then there would be some who would. Not too long ago, I helped a magic with his fire magic. If there are people like you, I won't copy them if they wish for me to not to." Luxin took a breath and sighed. He got goosebumps.

"Everyone is different. We all have to deal with it." Luxin's words of wisdom. He felt like a wise old man. Who always had the right thing to say. Right now was the perfect time and place.

[Kaiba]

Putting his hand on Lux's shoulder, Kaiba nodded. This boy.... this man, this brilliant man was able to say words that few would have the guts to say. He didn't know what it was about this man that made him like him so much, but there was a creepy amount of similarity between the pair of them. Luxin seemed to understand concepts that nobody ever would, the need to kill to save lives, the fact that sometimes by doing the wrong thing you can do the right thing over the long period, that art is both what it means and what it is. Kaiba's smile was sincere for the first time in years, not faking it to learn information, not trying to make Luxin think he was okay, just smiling because he had found a kindred spirit.

"You're right... Everyone is as different as the stars in the moonlit sky. They might look the same at a distance, but pay close attention to one, see it sparkle and shine and you will know that everyone is their own masterpiece. Some masterpieces were never meant for an art gallery, but all were meant to be made."

[Luxin Rhodes]

Luxin loved Kaiba's words. The way he spoke was so wise and sincere. his smiling, his true feelings had come out.

"I just love how you talk. Your metaphors are so wondrous, it gives me chills." Luxin spoke. His mouth filled with air as a cold breeze of air raced past him. The pencil that lay on his ear joined the winds.

"Well, fate calls upon my soul! See you around my friend!" Luxin exclaimed as he turned around and chased his pencil.

[Luxin Exit]

[Sponsored content]