Outfit of the day:

Ittindi had heard much about the Herald of Rapture, so few figures in modern Illumin history. It didn’t surprise him that such a figure had graced the Rune Knights with their enlistment. What caught him off guard was the notice that they’d be coming to the Vander Citadel to train with their fellow Rune Knights. Naturally, Ittindi had expected there to be a large crowd, imagine his surprise when the training grounds were empty, all the training dummies collecting dust, normally it at least had privates with delusion of grandeur. Perhaps Ittindi misunderstood what kind of training would take place.

Either way, he was there in a grey three-piece suit, accompanied by a white button up with a black tie and a small walking cane, the suit had just the right luster to show his dignified nature as Colonel of Communication. His dominator in his coat pocket, while his Punisher was on his back on full display. He had brought with him his newest companion, Sylvia she had a habit of following just a meter or two behind him. It had taken weeks before he had been able to get her to leave his side when there was danger, now she knew a certain look and tone of voice that signified she needed to distance herself from Ittindi. Though even then she rarely left farther than 40 meters from his side. Ittindi hadn’t thought he needed any true companionship until he met her in those abandoned labs. He’d give her a couple scratches on the right side of her cheeks past the whiskers.

” Hmm looks like it’s just the two of us for now Joshua, make sure you get the best angle of the island in any photos. We want our first internal newsletter to be good.”

Joshua was a private that Ittindi had decided to take along this trip, many hadn’t been to Vander Tower yet. Ittindi saw great promise on the island and found himself more drawn to it than Era, though he hadn’t decided where he would spend his hard-earned wealth for the new Communication building he was designing. Though this island would make a great spot for his school of etiquette.  

Ittindi, its likely that this Herald has the crowd around them and that’s why it seems empty. Though I do hope they wish to fight you, that would be truly interesting.

Ittindi would ignore Naki’s words, even though he found the logic valid. He’d start listening wondering if he’d hear a crowd or the Herald first.

The roar of a Wyvern echoed through the space. If Ittindi looked up, he would see someone falling from the sky over these heretical training grounds. She crashed unharmed inside an explosion of white and blue flames.

The clearing sparks revealed a small girl in a dark blue Habit with a back that fell down to the girls upper back. A gold band sat over her forehead with the symbol of Illumin etched into the cloth. A simple dark blue sleeveless dress with a skirt that fell just above her knees rested underneath a gaudy white and pink "sleeveless robe." A Pink halo hovered over her head while gold lined the edge of her dress. She wore no shoes letting her bare feet feel the suffering in the cold ground before her.

Her yellow eyes quickly skimmed over her surroundings before closing. "So empty... a test of faith maybe... A waste of time more likely." The girl huffed before clasping her hands. "So Illumin help me... This will be in my report to Saturn." The girl started walking forward. She did not need to see to understand how dirty and dusty the place was. No life... no sin... no suffering to purge. What fruit was there to be except to rid the ground of its heresy for being dusty. A job for a broom.

The girl then stopped and opened one eye. There she saw 3 figures. One of which was Ittindi, an equal ranking Knight, a bit in another branch. The other two she didn't know though one looked to be a low ranking knight. At least she wasn't the only one tricked. She walked forward a bit more briskly.

"I see their games involve others... This is our first time meeting... How unfortunate it is under these circumstances. Tell me..." The girl grinned, "Are you three suffering... It hurts to know how poorly they treat us despite our hard work... Yet... I can still help. I can offer you freedom... Freedom from the chains of suffering." Tempris stopped with an almost innocent grin. "Have you experience A baptism of fire?"

(PS. Ittindi, you especially would have been warned to not accept the girl's offer of the baptism.)

He’d hear it her? But his danger sense was not yet going off, as he peered upon a wyvern in the sky. From it sprang the Herald, as she collided with the ground of a sea of flames and combustion. He had seen something similar from Colonel Tōga on a beach. While Ittindi could fly he preferred to stay and travel on the ground, or at sea, he’d also notice that there were viewers indeed. They were in the buildings peering from the windows, he’d hear the Herald’s complaint as she started to walk forward. He had heard many rumors regarding her, but he hadn’t expected her to be so young, that was ok at least she was one of the only races that Ittindi enjoyed besides humans. An angel in the flesh, while the glory of Divine Everesia was represented partially by this race. Ittindi still found the sacrifice of her humanity more important and signified the true race of Illumin.

He'd give a deep bow as she moved toward them, he hoped that Joshua had captured her arrival as well as his bow with her in frame. If not there’d be repercussions in the form of a extra training on how to capture moments of the heart. Sylvia would lay prostate if she was mocking Ittindi’s bow or offering respect wasn’t clear.   As she began speaking, Ittindi would go upright, if not for their equal rank he’d consider going down to a knee so he wouldn’t have to look down while speaking to a fellow Colonel. He had been warned by council what exactly constituted a Baptism of fire. If not for his companions and the fact they were at a newer Rune Knight facility he might consider it. Mostly for his ability to resurrect, though burning was one of his least favorite deaths, right up there with being crushed.

Remember Lady Lumikki’s poor response to your death, who knows how an Unknown angel might react. Worse they might see it as an act against Illumin, better to keep in your back pocket.

Naki was of course right Ittindi had learned over a short period of time the reaction of most to his “deaths” generally went poorly. Only his Young Master seemed to recognize the usefulness of his abilities. Even with them now in the open they still resembled a secret, the shame of the last year with Ittindi coming to accept his new magic was felt now by those he shared his secrets with. Responding to the Herald Ittindi’s response was more reverent than stoic.

” Welcome to Vander’s Tower Herald, I hope your flame continues to burn as pure as Divine Everesia. We are all free, our Ministry continues to serve the people; while directly and indirectly honoring Illumin. Though with my rebirth I have lost all my brandings more times than I care to count. This is Private Joshua, he is here to commemorate your visit to the Island. Is there anything I can help you with in particular, I haven’t heard word of your activities in quite a while.”

The last time Ittindi had heard about the Herald was when he was still in Sleeping Calamity, another time a different Ittindi. Though some things remained the same, he hadn’t used the hidden rooms in the Ministry often, but the few times they needed to be employed…his sadism had not left just been redirected.