The Magic of the Heart (OPEN)

Sun 12 May 2019, 5:45 pm

How many months had it been in the human world since he had seen her? He imagined that by now she had moved on with her life and had continued to prosper, that alone brought him a moniker of comfort in knowing that. It did not, however make his heart feel any better. The heart and the mind were two completely different things and though his mind was at rest, his heart refused to allow him to adjust to his new life living in this thatched hut in the middle of nowhere. Every day presented challenges to him to simply get up out of bed and tend his garden, gather fire wood, and go on the hunt for food. His heart dismayed him while his mind continued to tell him that he had to move on, that he had to keep going because things could only get better from the rock bottom that he was at right now.

Yet, his heart continued to tear him to pieces inside.

He felt empty most days, barely eating, and barely getting any rest whatsoever, and on other days? On other days he could barely be asked to get up from his bed to even do simple tasks. Yet even though his heart was broken and his body weary from lack of sleep, Zunza found time to write for Anna, and he would spend the vast majority of his afternoons doing that. Writing about the world he was in, a world filled with splendor, and wonder, but also filled with chaos and treachery. He had long since adjusted to his new environment, but it bewildered him as to how conflict could continue to spring forward with little to no provocation. The world teetered continuously between destruction and salvation because no one could get along, there could be no compromises, and it reminded him of home. Still he did his best to write to Anna of the positives and very few of the negatives. He did this simply because he didn't want her to worry about him. Though he doubted she would ever see this long journal of notes that he had been writing for her, he knew that if he ever grew the spine to send this back to her, that he hoped she would go to the outside world much like he did, and enjoy it for what it was.

This world was a wondrous place.

It was truly a shame that he couldn't enjoy it more, but that is just how things were for him. Food didn't taste right, sleep didn't come easy, and work took much longer than anticipated. In fact as he stood in the garden, a small thing he had put together to grow a few vegetables for stews and steamed vegetables, he realized he had been staring at the watering pale for a good ten minutes. He shook his head and filled himself with determination to at least get this part of his day done and then maybe he would write to her? That would give him at least a brief respite he supposed. So, that is what he did. He lifted the pale, doing it all manual as the value of physical labor far exceeded doing this magically, and then began to get to work. Marching to patch from patch, pouring the contents of the pale out to help his vegetables grow as a feint feeling of satisfaction passed over him.

This was one of the few things that made him happy, tending to something that he started. It was like learning a new spell or reading from a particularly fascinating novel, it was bliss, and for a moment it gave him a break from the throbbing sadness inside. He stretched and let out a rather audible yawn after placing the pale on the soil, he decided to admire his work for a bit before going back inside to write to her again.

Mon 13 May 2019, 5:11 am

How long had it been since that day? The day love was given and yet she pushed it away out of a misguided fear that she would be judged? How many months had passed since she had not felt that love nor the sensation of a kiss not easily forgotten? To the Magus known as Anna Lebenstein, how long had she been so afraid to simply gather her courage and move past her doubts? She was not a clever girl nor very smart but she knew that her feelings from that day had never wavered.

It wasn't simply momentary affection - Anna had fallen in love with the magician of the west, Zunza Lowellen. She detested herself for not being straightforward with the way their meeting ended.

For someone frequently used to a straight shot, she had missed the target of the conversation entirely.

She wanted him to teach her the ways of magic and further her ability to be someone strong enough to protect those she loved. Her intent was flawless, the execution not so much. As the dinner had progressed on that evening, she found herself attracted to the way he carried himself and the heartfelt compliments he had praised her with. Anna was not gullible by any term. She didn't fall in love with every person she met. Zunza was different. He was so gentle-minded, caring, and possessed a heart of gold.

He made her feel so affirmed in the kingdom even though she was but an individual who roamed the castle walls as a handmaid and assistant. They had confirmed at the moment they kissed, that they would protect the other no matter what.

That kiss had signified so much more than love. Anna was ready to accept him and love him unconditionally until she pushed away out of fear she would be judged and ran away. How much of a fool was she? She wondered. True love was within her grasp and she ruined it. Even so, she had prayed to any god that was willing to listen, that she be granted the opportunity to reunite with him and apologize. She could no longer deny that he was her true love and all she wanted to do was see him again and assure him she would never leave again, that she would always be by his side.

Fate had seemed to answer her prayers as her sister Reinhilde had informed her that Zunza had left the kingdom of the West. Part of her felt guilty, hoping that it had nothing to do with anything she had done. Even so, she took the opportunity, along with her sister, to finally travel to earth. There would be no return to her realm for some time - she was content with that. Her only desire now was to find him. The first few days were difficult on earth as she not only had to worry about searching for Zunza but finding a temporary home she could reside in until things cleared over.

On this day, in what seemed to almost be the middle of nowhere, she continued to roam around, calling out his name, hoping he would hear her. He had to be out there, somewhere...

Mon 13 May 2019, 5:54 am

The Flame Of Hope

Artist: Carrotwine - Song: Dark Side Of The Road

The wandering and screaming certainly attracted something. Though it was not quite Zunza as she desired, but rather a very large and hungry looking canine Hollow. It lumbered towards Anna, but was destined to go hungry this day when it's head was splattered by a Bala, and a muscular redheaded woman appeared and looked over it's struggling body, trying to stand after the immense blow it had just taken.
"Sit" The woman quipped, before looking to Miss Loud and giving off a smile. "Know any other tricks?" Ulv asked sarcastically. The hollow struggled back to it's feet and then Ulv held out a hand. Clearly, she was playing with the thing, from how casually she was dealing with it.

"How about...Play Dead?" she then blasted the creature to dust with a Cero, and finally looked to the shouting woman proper. "Probably far more theatrical than I needed to be, killing a Hollow. But yea. Hello, I am Ulv. Was just passing by when I felt some guy in real emotional pain. So wandered closer, and found a woman shouting and a hollow attacking. So, you know, white knight, shining armour, all that jaz. You got a name?"

Mon 13 May 2019, 5:27 pm

The Magic of the Heart (OPEN) 310?cb=20151108191249

As he walked away from the garden to head inside his thatched hut, perhaps to write some more for his dearly beloved the noise of her voice permeated into his mind. For a second he brushed it off as mere whimsy. Why would Anna of all people be on Earth looking for him? She should be living her life free of fear within their home realm. She was better off there without him around, better off without his pariah-like reputation hanging over his head, and she would more than likely find a better man to hitch herself to than he.

That is when the sound of her voice filled his ears once more.

Instead of him ignoring it this time, brushing it off as mere wishing her to be around him, this time Zunza turned to look out into the forest near his hut, and begin to expand his senses looking for the source of the noise.

It didn't take long to find her.

It was her. The one he loved so much and couldn't stand to be without. She was here in this area looking for him! In that moment all of the aching and dullness in his world seemingly faded away, it was if in a moment all of the gray that had clouded his vision faded into nothingness, and the world was bright once more. He instantly grabbed his staff and made his way out of the hut at a brisk pace, ignoring the fact that he looked quite a mess. At that moment it didn't matter, the only thing that mattered to Zunza at this very moment was appearing before his beloved, and being reunited with her. Everything else was secondary. He marched through the brush and foliage of the forest near his hut, rushing as fast as he could with as little care to his surroundings as possible, well at least until...

BOOM!

Zunza staggered a bit at the sudden sound of an explosion and as his eyes looked above the tree line, he spotted smoke. His horror had been realized in this very moment. Anna was here in this world, looking for him, but she knew so very little about this place, she knew nothing of the natural predators, or the war brewing. She knew nothing of Hollows, of Arrancar, or of even Shinigami. All she knew was the kingdom she lived in and fear spread through him like a wild fire.

Other thoughts spread through his mind and quickly took root as well.

What if she was injured or in danger? What if she was dead? In that moment Zunza hastened himself to the source of the smoke, jumping over fallen trees, and dashing through muddy brooks to reach his beloved. His face squinted with the rage of a man who had everything to lose, but did not wish to lose it. Protectiveness and the need to see his beloved overrode any caution he may have had as he finally reached the meadow where Anna was at, a sole woman stood between him and the woman he loved. He would not hesitate in this moment.

"Get away from her! I will not hesitate to scatter your ashes to the winds!"

Zunza shouted as he leapt from where he had entered the meadow from the woods to be between her and Anna. His staff pointed directly at the woman with one hand and his other hand reaching back to Anna, beckoning her to him. He was concerned and scared for her safety, he would not hesitate to destroy anyone who targeted her, no matter how strong they were.

"Anna, are you alright? Take my hand...I won't let any harm come to you."

And he meant that, no harm would come to Anna while he was here.

Tue 14 May 2019, 9:40 pm

Familiarity with the realm of earth was nil when it concerned Anna. She traveled here on occasion, ever curious to see the sights and sounds of different nations, admiring landscape and countries alike. Earth, for all the war going on, could be a truly beautiful place and Anna did not blame Zunza for coming here. Thus, as she continued to call out, she had not been aware of the hollow that was descending towards her vicinity. Her eyes had turned around, her body froze into fear, and her senses had aligned themselves to plan a counterattack but she was unprepared.

The hollow would reach her by the time she could initiate an incantation or chant for a spell. Fortunately, fate would be all the more in her favor as a Bala struck the hollow unexpectedly.

Within a flash, a woman with a warriorlike appearance came before the hollow, mocking it with gestures one would extend to their pet and then killed it with a cero, incinerating it into nothingness. Anna blinked as she saw the sight happen before her eyes, breathing a sigh of relief as she turned her attention to the woman who had now introduced herself as Ulv. She seemed very friendly and Ulv sensed no ill-intent whatsoever. Even so, before she could introduce herself, she caught wind of a familiar voice.

Get away from her! I will not hesitate to scatter your ashes to the winds!

In a moment that seemed like an infinitesimal blur, he had appeared before her, hurrying between her and Ulv. He was... well, not exactly how she had remembered him. He seemed so panicked and unrelaxed, and there were signs of exhaustion she could sense which had worried her more than the way he rushed between them. Anna would correct him for not assessing things but at this moment, none of that truly mattered.

He was right here, in spirit and flesh. The female magus could not contain herself as she pulled him by the arm, into a warm embrace, and then no sooner, kissed him upon his lips. It wasn't as magical as the first... and it seemed to be a taste reminiscent of some type of stew... and yet, to her, just to have him in her arms, at this moment, was nothing short of magical. A reunion she had longed for ever since that day. Tears of joy began to trickle down her cheek as she gazed into his eyes.

"Zunza... I'm sorry. I ran from you that day and avoided you out of fear...I was foolish to do something so stupid. Each day that passed by was torturous and when they told me you had resigned from your position and traveled to earth, I felt like I had betrayed you. Please, forgive me... " Hugging him tight, she paid no heed to Ulv at this moment but she would definitely thank her. In the meantime, all that mattered was that her beloved was here in her arms; a place she wished to have him permanently.

Wed 15 May 2019, 2:56 pm

The Magic of the Heart (OPEN) Latest?cb=20160511161553&path-prefix=protagonist

His caution flared more so than his rationality at that single moment, but to confuse his abrupt appearance, and assessment of the situation as him not thinking things through would have been inaccurate. Through his head hundreds upon thousands of combat strategies that he had learned as a child from his father's instructors blurred in a single line as he assessed his opponent's strength. He had met a Shinigami before, just one was not a good sample size, but it was very clear that Ulv was very much the superior in terms of strength. It was almost night and day in terms of comparison, and that was extremely concerning for him. If someone like this was just walking around looking to attack whoever crossed their path, then it could be potentially lethal. Especially Anna. If his assessment of Ulv's power was accurate she was stronger than him.

Way stronger.

A ping of fear did manifest itself in his psyche, but his rational mind that was cycling through all of the "files" that his photographic memory had in store, pushed that all aside to make way for more searching. He would not falter in the face of someone stronger than even he, not in front of her, not in front of the woman he loved more than even himself, or his own kingdom. She was his everything and in the face of this threat...

His thoughts were pointless as he felt the warmth of Anna grab on to his arm and drag him back, for an instant he thought he was under attack from behind, but the feeling of Anna was unmistakable. She dragged him back to the world around him and brought him into her embrace for a kiss and in that moment all of the other things did not matter. The year they had been separated? The struggles of living in a new realm with no idea how it functioned? The anxiety of living on his own and trying to make the most of his situation? All of it faded away with a single kiss from his beloved. When their lips finally parted, Zunza realized just how much of a mess he was right now, and just how he must appear to her.

His hair disheveled, a beard flowing down from his face, and his eyes sunken in from lack of sleep. Zunza was a wreck far beyond the mere words of description that he had available to him. And Zunza was an avid reader. For the first time in a while he felt right, even though he looked so wrong, and looked deep into the green eyes of the woman he loved, and held her tight as his arms wrapped around her. She spoke to him, for the first time in a while he heard the native Sugiuran tongue, and at first it almost seemed too complex for him, but his mind adjusted, and he understood her rather rapidly. She was asking for him to forgive her, which caused a great deal of concern to him as she seemed to have misunderstood the reason why he had left in the first place. Had Reinhilde said nothing of his reasoning when he had explained it to her in detail?

Zunza didn't need to listen to another word as he leaned in and kissed her once again on the lips before pulling her into a warm hug. At least he smelled good, he mused in his own mind as he began to talk to the woman he loved calmly:

"What are you talking about? You ran away from me? I assumed you needed time to process what had occurred...I myself needed time to process why a girl like you would be interested in a man like me. But this trip to Earth had nothing to do with that and everything to do in making sure that you were safe. I told your sister that I was going to exile myself as to take the blame for the king disappearing....after hearing of what had happened to you last time that was the only way I could repay the kindness you showed me and the love you made me feel that I hadn't felt since the days that my house still stood."

Zunza pulled back a bit and looked her dead in her eyes, he wanted to take in all of her before saying what he had to say.

"I would never run from you, Anna...you are too important to me to ever do such a thing. Everything I do...everything that I ever thought of since that dinner was you and how I could best insure your safety. Because...I love you."

He realized at that moment he had dropped his guard, his staff had been discarded, and he had focused solely on Anna. His eyes panned over to the weird woman with confusion. Why had she not attacked? Had he made a mistake? Still, he would not allow her to harm Anna, even if it cost him his life.

Thu 16 May 2019, 7:03 pm

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdk_76z38bA)

Emerald orbs stared lovingly into Zunza's eyes as Anna held his gaze, listening to him as he spoke of his reason for resignation from their kingdom. Love had eluded Anna once in the past, and when Zunza had done so, she was certain that it was due to her sudden departure during their interaction long ago that Zunza made residence on earth. She was certain love had eluded her again; Reinhilde had never told her why, which furiously annoyed Anna. Did her sister derive some type of pleasure from seeing her look like a clown? Each word that left his lips had eased any tension she may have felt.

In truth, seeing him in the flesh was all that she needed to find peace of mind. Reinhilde allowed her to come here whereas she remained in her own realm, intent on maintaining the kingdom that her glorious king built in his image.

Anna knew that with the way the realm was seemingly sealed off, an immediate return was out of the question. As such, Anna had made the conscious decision to find a home on earth. It wasn't a grand mansion or a large house, rather a modest home with all of the necessary appliances anyone could ask for. Lovely mirrors, a kitchen with gracious space, and one bedroom for now. If she so desired, Anna had improved so much with her magical prowess that she could easily build another room if it crossed her mind. Hearing Zunza's explanation was all that was needed to shatter her misconceptions. However, he gazed deeply into her eyes and said;

I would never run from you, Anna...you are too important to me to ever do such a thing. Everything I do...everything that I ever thought of since that dinner was you and how I could best insure your safety. Because...I love you.

Hearing those words made her pale cheeks blush with red as she gazed up at him and her heartbeat quickened. She could not deny how her emotions were for this man nor would she ever abandon him again. Even though his appearance was unkempt, none of that stopped her from kissing him once again. Deeper, this time, with all the affection she could muster as she held him in her embrace. Pulling away, she flashed a warm smile that would lull the heart of any beast and returned his affection.

"I love you too. Truth be told, I had fallen in love with you the first time we met - as cliche as that may sound. Even now, with you looking like this, nothing has changed the way I felt about you since that day. To be with you has been an ardent wish of mine. To love a kind man with a noble heart and spend my days at his side, I could not think of anything more I wouldn't enjoy. In fact... "

Anna pulled out an ornamental ring gleaming with golden light, bedecked with diamonds that glowed with a mystic aura, and held it before Zunza. It was perhaps the most unconventional way of asking for marriage one could think of and yet the Magus was never one for conventional methods and never would be.

"Zunza Lowellen, it would be an honor to have your hand in marriage. Or... um, if you want it to be conventional, you can ask for my hand in marriage? S-sorry, I'm still getting used to earth customs "

Fri 17 May 2019, 6:42 am

The Flame Of Hope

Artist: Carrotwine - Song: Dark Side Of The Road

Ulv stood with a smirk on her face as Zunza appeared and threatened to scatter her dust. She wanted to put him eight foot underground with a slap from that, might knock some sense into the git. But, she waited because romantic reunions were cute. Plus these two were proper puppy love pair, so she didn't even mind being ignored. And then, super cute, the girl even proposed to marry the guy. Being an Empath, she felt the real deep emotions from the two of them and was actually pretty loving this whole thing. So much so that she even stepped forward and spoke to Zunza.

"You know, I was going to slap your teeth out for that scattering my dust comment, hopefully replace them with some intelligence, but I've lost the drive for that particular action. Consider it a wedding present" Ulv would then turn to Anna and smile. "So, you two seem new to Earth. If you don't have any venues picked out, and want to do it here, you are welcome to host it in my City, Minatumi. I can aid you with delivering your invitations as well. I have friends in pretty much every realm you care to mention, so I am able to go where I will"

Fri 17 May 2019, 9:20 pm

The Magic of the Heart (OPEN) Tumblr_p5krr78awf1qbn3x9o1_400

Marriage!

She wanted to marry him!?

For a good while Zunza stood mouth agape as he tried his best to put all of the pieces of what had just happened into his head together. He was now a weird ball of emotions so tightly knit together that simple thought seemed to fail him, all of his rational thinking was thrown out the window with the potential of being engaged to Lady Anna. Speechless did not describe the emotion he was feeling and the feeling of butterflies so neatly fluttering about in his stomach caused him to stand there much like he had for the last few moments. Mouth open, mind blank, and emotionally overcharged to the point of almost bursting. He tried his best to demand his mouth to speak and his brain to formulate some kind of well thought out speech, but nothing was coming, and instead he looked like an idiot.

Which wasn't hard to do with how he looked! He looked filthy like some kind of vagrant walking around from place to place wallowing in filth. The mere thought sent him into inner-disgrace! To be seen by the one person he loved the most in this manner caused him a great deal of mental distress, but he took a deep breath much like he did on many nights of frustrating reading, and focused on what was important.

Anna.

She was handing him a precious ring and in return, Zunza decided to do the same. It was only natural that they would swap important heirlooms and for Zunza there was only one thing that he could think that would match that. He took from his own hand the last family heirloom outside of his sacred weapon that he owned: The Lowellen Family crest emblazoned on a silver ring. This was the last fragment of his old family he had left and he supposed that trading it for this to start a new family was more than acceptable. No, he knew it was more than acceptable, in fact this was a complete steal!

"Normally it is an old tradition that the man would hand the ring to the woman, get down on one knee, and ask for her hand. Sadly...you've beat me to that! But who cares about tradition when all I need is you. So...I will only accept this ring if you will accept mine and me of course, the fool that has been mucking about in this realm. Even if I do think myself as unworthy of such a perfect woman."

Zunza spoke honestly, his eyes darting over to Ulv as she took her step forward, there was a tenseness between them, and as she spoke, Zunza kept his eyes on her. He was paranoid, but he believed he was in the right to be, but after hearing her speak he dropped his guard a tad, but not completely. She had threatened to knock his teeth out, something he found humorous, but didn't doubt she was capable of beating him to a pulp physically, still he wasn't afraid of that, and he probably deserved it for thinking so irrationally.

"I can't speak for Anna, but I wouldn't mind having it here as me returning to our realm...that would be bad for me. I exiled myself to protect her from the wrath of our people after our king disappeared, I took full blame so that she could live freely, but she followed me here...which I'm happy she did."

Zunza kissed Anna on the forehead as he began to speak again, with extra purpose.

"I can't have my wife to be living in a thatched hut in the middle of the wilderness. She deserves better than that. You own this city correct? Would it not be possible for us to live within this Harbor? In return I would offer my services in defense of your city, my magecraft would be fully at your disposal. I wish I had money to offer, but all I have is my craft and little else to offer....please tell me that would be enough. I do not wish for the woman I love to be forced to live in such conditions that I have lived in over the last year."

Zunza pleaded with Ulv with all of his might, his original wariness washing away as he tried his best to fix their living arrangements. He refused to have Anna live in filth like he had. That was no place for a family to be started, no place for a new path to be taken. He just hoped that the muscle bound Ulv was capable of being negotiated with.

Sat 18 May 2019, 5:41 am

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tI1_KlO6xI )

To an outsider's perspective, marrying someone you hadn't seen in what essentially equaled months, seemed to be the decision only a fool would make. Anna was prepared for him to say no as a possibility of this reason; perhaps he would tell her that they needed time to know one another, that they weren't ready. If such an answer was his reply, Anna would despondently accept his wishes and would earn his affection until the time was right. Even so, deep within her heart, she had no fears towards being so straightforward like this. In short, she loved Zunza.

There was no way around that. She did not care if it sounded cheesy or cliche', nor did she wish to appease anyone else by saying it differently. For once, she wanted to be happy, and to her, spending the rest of her days with Zunza was her unequivocal form of happiness. She could not properly read his expression, so she awaited his next actions and once he seemed to settle himself, he revealed a silver ring with a crest emblazoned upon it. Her eyes lighted up as any worry of being turned down disappeared within an instant.

Zunza spoke of how it was an old tradition for the man to announce a marriage proposal, but it seemed that he didn't mind her beating him to it. Anna Lebenstein would gladly accept his ring and eternally cherish it as the finest treasure to ever grace her finger. Gazing into his eyes, she smiled and took the ring from his hand and placed her own within his.

"Of course I'll accept it! You are no fool, Zunza. You are a great man with a noble heart. You could never be a fool. I love the compliments but I wish you'd stop treating me as if I'm some Goddess who is above your love and affection. "

Playfully pouting, she pulled on his ear, and finally directed her emerald gaze towards Ulv, an embarrassed expression clear upon her face as Anna realized she had yet to introduce herself. She was so lost in the moment... and Ulv had remained so quiet that she almost lost sight of the fact she was here. She finally spoke, and it was an offer to have their marriage in Minatumi Harbor.

Anna remained quiet, allowing Zunza to speak, as she had no complaints whatsoever. She would not be able to return to her realm any time soon, anyway. Nor did she have any intention to do so. The future that awaited her now was one she would spend by his side.

As Zunza continued to speak, she gazed at Ulv, and awaited her answer, staring at her ring like a child who had just bought a new toy.

The Magic of the Heart (OPEN)

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