Doing...something [Open]

[wally]

The need to do something, anything, was probably what this restless feeling came from, Wally knew, as he paced yet again before the small gate he'd been put on.

Three of their four monarchs were still missing, and if anyone knew anything on it they were far between, it seemed, because the young guard was still clueless.

Of course, the facts of the matter just made it all the more important that he and the other stay about the castle to make sure Queen Susan was not next on the list to disappear.

A small temptation whispered at his mind that with the amount of centaurs in the duty, one young human guard wasn't likely to be all that pertinent...he could go search.

Yet Wally knew this was folly. It would no doubt take longer to notice, and he wouldn't be as missed, but he would just be added to the list of missing personages one couldn't get a hold of at the moment.

Plus, at such a time, and despite his own thoughts on his importance, any lessening of the guard without the queen's permission at this time just seemed the hugest betrayal ever.

Not that he was the perfect guard right now, perfect guards were still.

With another pace to the left, Wally pulled his back up sword off a twitch type habit and movement and test flourished it, accidentally striking the gate he was suppose to be guarding.

With an intake of breath, and as quickly as he could manage, both replaced the weapon and touched the gate to still any telling vibrations perhaps caused.

Then, slowly, Wally let his breath out, "Professional, Scottson" he whispered to himself, calling himself by his last name in a type of chiding, "Quite nice...".

Turning, he smoothed his tunic, and with typical embarrassed guilt splayed on his face, glanced about to assure himself of no witnesses before attempting to just stand still and at guard once more.

[bella]

The day had taken a turn to the intolerable worse. Lucy and Peter had been taken by Jadis, all because of Cain. Ed was surely going after them and expecting Susan to go after them was stupid. It was a suicide mission, Susan needed to stay put, safe at Cair Paravel and Indi knew that. Now more than ever she needed some one, anyone that could help her. She had sworn to Vardin she would save them, but she surely could not do it all alone. She couldn't help but think it was hopeless but at the same time she hated herself for giving up.

Each step closer she took to the palace made the burden a little heavier. If she could find Evelyn then all would be well. She shuttered at her friends name, that wasn't an option anymore. With Evelyn came Cain and he was the reason for all of this in the first place. "Why can't anything be simple?!" she half screamed questioningly. It seemed that no matter where she went or what she did tragedy followed her. Every time she became more useless than the next. Indira was afraid that soon enough she would have no use at all, a fate much worse than death.

She went over the people she had met since she first came to Narnia. They were all either bad, kidnapped, going to save somebody or running away from their troubles. Not a single one of them was useful for a rescue mission, but then it clicked. There was one, one very important person to Lucy that could help them. She ran quickly, excitedly to the nearest guard she could find. "Excuse me," she said breathing heavier than normal. "Do you know where I can find Mr. Tumnus?" She hoped that he could help, she needed at least one person on her side right now.

[wally]

At the urgent tone within the voice of whoever called out, Wally was immediately at attention and turned, full focus on this girl as she rushed up. He hadn't seen her before but then Wally probably couldn't count the amount of creatures or people combined Narnia probably held that he hadn't seen yet. Plus part of him wanted to say he had spotted her before, or heard of her, or something; Oh Wally wasn't sure, there were a million guests in and out sometimes not counting the recent ball.

Gesturing, Wally's first instinct was to want to calm this poor young lady down. More than just a typical lady the thought hit Wally's mind and for the life of him the young guard couldn't find where it might have come from.

Somehow just looking at her though, he could catch the glint of something...different. Oh but this was pointless, whatever background she held the young lady had just asked his help and he should give it!

Wally always did try to stick to honor and duty as much as he could. With that knight's duty he could feel possessed of, the taking of a simple guarding position could be seen as unambitious; yet there was something in the background aid of it all that was satisfying enough.

Plus, if they expected no excitement from his life, they wouldn't have outfitted him with a back up sword, Wally reasoned, not that he'd ever had to fight anybody at the gate...yet. But again, this was not pertinent at the moment.

Wally wracked his brain, but couldn't recall if the faun was still at the castle or out. He'd heard a statement or two to the effect of the later, but now, on the spot as it were, was at a loss as to how long ago.

The castle was nearest and the best bet for starting out, though.

"I...I admit, Miss...", it always did for a guard to be utmost polite, "...that no, I regret to say I don't quite know where Mr. Tumnus is at the moment". Before the lady's face changed, Wally just felt he could feel the despair this useless statement was going to give.

"B-but don't worry, if you need Mr. Tumnus I'll help you find him to the best of my ability". Wally quickly went on. He just had this sense...this was big, and urgent.

"Half a moment" He almost pleaded her pardon for leaving her at the gate just a few moments, enough to duck into the very side grounds he was guarding, not but a few paces away, and grab the first replacement he could find, a young Centaur pretty near his own age he thought, though didn't take the time to fully find out. He'd completed initiation of guarding duties and that was all Wally needed to recall.

He simple explained he was swapping off, swapped off the spear he hadn't been holding and had merely left leaning against the wall, and then turned to the young lady once more.

"If you'll follow me, I'll see what service I can be in helping you find Mr. Tumus, Milady" he gave a polite sort of bow and gestured for her to walk ahead of him through the gates.

[bella]

Indira felt as he heart dropped to her toes. There was a gentle quietness about, proving to her that near everyone was still clueless about what was happening. How could Mr. Tumnus not be around. Surely an adviser to the kings and queens, as well as a dear friend had to be somewhere, right? He wouldn't just abandon them or go off on his own, would he? Indi doubted that, he was so honorable and would never do anything of the sort. Much like the guard seemed entirely committed to helping her find him. He didn't have to, he could have simply pointed her into the right direction and went on with his business. He didn't though, he offered to help her and for that she was grateful. It was kindness like this that made her love Narnia so dearly. In most places they would have told her no and carried on. Treating her as though she was a bother and nothing more. "Thank you," she replied to his offer to help.

Being alone had always been something that Indira didn't like. She had spent most of her time alone and learned that no good ever came of it. Too much time alone made you think and it was always the worst thoughts that came to mind. Which was why she was so happy for his companionship in the search. Though given the situation, in the brief situations he went to find some to relieve him, unfortunate thoughts filled her mind. She breathed a sigh of relief when he returned. Indira was most definitely over reacting. Fates like she imagined could not befall anyone, not in Narnia at least.

With a small nod to the centaur guard that replaced her guide she followed willingly. Every step she took that brought her closer to the castle made her think more and more of the ball. Her last moments there had been so perfectly pleasant, the complete opposite of everything she was feeling then. Indira chewed on her lower lip, considering if the question was worth asking. She was sure that she already knew the answer but she couldn't let her, not when it came to him. "And what of the King Edmund, is he here?" she wondered, trying to make it seem as though it didn't matter one way or the other. She had failed miserably and mentally scolded herself for not guarding her feelings better. Indira knew it was a price she had to pay for what Narnia had given her, but she hoped that the reward was greater than the price.

[wally]

As Wally lead the way forward, the feeling of uselessness was hard to shake. He should have had Mr. Tumnus' whereabouts firm and in hand to hand off, instead of having to all but force his company on this young lady to help her find the faun around his own short-comings.

Then again, the gate he'd been put on wasn't the prime spot for news and gossip flow. Not that that really mattered, but...well it was causing hindrances right now in terms of legitimate news. Did he miss everything?

Wally was brought from his thoughts by his companion's question and could read familiarity enough in the words and tone. The young guard paused. Apparently so... came the answer to his own question. He also couldn't hide the shock from his own face, before it passed and an embarrassed smile flittered past, for many things.

"My apologies" he cast his glance down, "I should really try harder on that stoic mask of a guard that lets through none of what we're thinking".

His embarrassed look fell to a more regretful look as to the news he had to convey as he continued, "And perhaps if what I know and don't know were switched, t'would be better". Wally took a breath, "I do indeed know enough of King Edmund's whereabouts to know he is not here at the castle at the moment".

As his own thoughts flowed on and he continued with his companion towards the castle and hopefully someone who knew something, Wally went on in perhaps his own loose tonged bit "It's that last bit of knowledge that puts such a feeling of something being amiss in the air that I confess a less dedicated guard would have abandoned his post to saddle up himself". At their hurried pace, Wally couldn't turn properly to look at his companion after saying this, and he was glad since he wasn't sure if he should look sorry for such a duty iffy statement or not.

((Sorry it's kinda short))

[bella]

Having emotion was never a bad thing. Granted, there were times when being too emotional was trouble but it was always better to show you care than to pretend nothing matters. That was why Indira found it so curious that he wanted to hide what he was thinking. "Don't apologize, I would rather encounter a guard who seems to care then one who appears as though they don't want to be bothered. I am extremely grateful for your help by the way," she commented with a small smile. Given the situation it was rather impossible for her to be completely happy. Peter and Lucy had been kidnapped thanks to Cain, Evelyn was god knows where as of now, Zorian was out there somewhere and Ed...was missing, for lack of a better word.

Indi tried hard to convince herself that he wasn't off doing something completely stupid, even though she knew better than that. Peter and Lucy were in trouble and he was no doubt doing something unbelievably heroic to get them back. She hated that she didn't know where he was or what he was doing but it was probably better this way. The way he danced around the answer to her question made her even more on edge. It was getting harder and harder to pretend that it didn't matter to her. "Aslan be with him," she said under her breathe. Indi didn't know much of Aslan, but she did know that he had saved Ed once before and she hoped greatly that he would do it again.

"I am afraid it's not a question of dedication at all. There is a reason no one knows the location of his majesty, of that I am sure. All that's left is the hope that something can be done about Lucy and Peter before Ed's effort is made a waste." She had been talking more to herself then anything, but she wasn't excluding him in anyway. What was going to come next surely required as much help as she could get. Rescuing royalty from the grasp of an evil queen was going to be no easy task. Now all she needed were people who could be trusted. The only trouble with that was, most of the ones she knew were either missing or imprisoned. She sighed, no longer attempting to hide her helplessness. Soon enough she would have to disregard it all together, there was much to be done.

[It's alright. All my posts are shorter than yours, if anything I should be the one apologizing ]

[wally]

As he pressed on, looking for someone who knew something, Wally again proved how he wasn't just rushing his guest off to someone else, but genuinely attentive and trying to help but sending back a small smile at her thanking him.

"Well that is no problem at all; I feel it's our duty as guards to help guests in whatever legitimate business they have about the castle and would be embarrassed to hear of one of Narnia's fine guards not upholding that duty...I know you weren't saying anyone had and just speaking of example though" he went on to explain.

The walk in was extremely...tense, Wally felt, in a quiet, worriedly thoughtful sort of way, but then that didn't surprise the young guard given what he knew must weight on his companion's mind and the thoughts going through his own.

Thoughts that weren't helped by what came next, but then he'd guessed as bad as what his companion had to say. A serious frown crossed Wally's brow and pursed his lips.

"Well you'll pardon the slight eavesdropping I hope, but I feel that in line with what I couldn't help hearing you mutter, Aslan may be the best hope any of us can hope for...". There was a worry behind this statmenet, but not a quite disparaging type and hope still came through that if they needed him that badly, Aslan would be there, and if not...well there was a reason.

Even being Archenland bred, Wally had seen enough in that slim bit he had seen to know that Narnia's champion protector was...well it was more than 'good to his word',but the statement was a good starting point.

As they entered the castle and made their way down hallways, the young guard finally spotted someone he thought could be of some help.

"Yes, he usually knows all that's going on about the castle" Wally himself half muttered as he spotted a servant about and, walking up, inquired as to if Mr. Tumnus was in and where he was last seen.

He was told yes the faun was in and last seen in his own quarters for use in the castle. Thanking the servant, Wally lead the way on once more.

He still felt it might be a bit odd, just knocking upon the faun's door, even if he'd seen him in passing, but Wally figured if his companion knew of Mr. Tumnus she must know him well enough to have it under control.

Wally silently thanked Aslan, though, that they were getting results this speedily given the urgent matter of the business.

[Not sure where or how far we want to take this before there is a meeting with Tumnus, I mean obviously Wally should probably make it leading them to the door, but just saying ]

[bella]

His dedication to the search was obvious. In fact Wally sort of reminded her of Kasim's guards back home. Those Paladins were cruel and careless - that was true - but they did what ever was necessary to make sure things got done. She hated what they were, but she respected them much as she had grown to respect Wally in these short moments. There were so many things one couldn't depend on in a strange world and the things she could were scarce. So, Wally was like a breath of fresh air. One she grew more grateful for every second. "Yes well, I fully appreciate it anyways. It is never easy finding someone willing to help a stranger. Especially one not from here," she said carelessly. It didn't really matter to anyone that she wasn't from Narnia, it was all about the magic. As long as she didn't mention that, then no one would bother her.

Aslan being the best hope any of them could wish for, some how made things better. But his hesitation in finishing the sentence, then not finishing it at all just made Indi's mind give into the painful possibilities all over again. What if he didn't come? she wondered. What if Ed was gone for good? What if she couldn't save Peter and Lucy? What if Evelyn made her go back before she had the chance? There were to many questions and Indira hated no knowing the answers to any of them. Back in Tabluna she had answers for everything, because she was careful. She cared for few people and the only risks she took were a danger to simply to her. If she had died in Tabluna then that would have been it, there would be no one to care. But here, things were so different. The Pevensie's had been so kind to her, had given her a chance. If she failed them, the thought terrified her.

"It is all right," she said to his eavesdropping comment. "The less time that I am left to my thoughts, the better it will be for us all." It was sad, but true. Once again, for the millionth time since she had met him, Indi was thankful. This was the one time in her life when she truly needed, no wanted, a distraction.

When he went to talk to the other man, Indira figured he knew where to find Mr. Tumnus, hopefully. It wasn't as though it was taking forever, or that they had to search all of Narnia. It was simply that time was of the essence and every second wasted, was one moment where the possibilities were not very bright. She needed to find Tumnus, to warn him and Queen Susan. She needed to find people willing to help her. Trustworthy people, ones who were useful, though the only useless people she had met in Narnia were from other worlds. "I am Indira Benizar, by the way," she said realizing for the first time she had rudely not introduced herself before seeking help.

[wally]

[Oh don't worry, Wally's not going to leave, leave, least of all now He'll be nearby to help]

Wally found that for most of his companion's reassurances to his slight apologies, he just had a smile to give back, but he was grateful in his own way that in the midst of such turmoil she would try for a simple guard, much as he may be helping her.

Actually, Wally's smiles may have been bumped a bit just to try and give the both of them any comfort to be had in this worrisome time and search. If things were to happen quickly and the monarch's need them, morale was important Wally knew and they had to have some sense of hope, which despite his own hesitancy on if Aslan would come or not, Wally had. If the Lion didn't come...well that just meant that they could handle it.

These were deep seeded knowns though, to make himself believe in the harried moment was something he was still working on.

Wally didn't ask what she exactly meant about it being best if she weren't left with her thoughts, it sounded like a personal statement and thus left as that and to as much as she would tell.

Wally figured it was best his own unsure thoughts were halted by conversation every now and then as well, though.

It wasn't until Wally had been given actual hope and they were heading in a direction Tumnus was known to be in that he noted, mainly due to his companions' introducing her own self, that he had yet to give his own name as well.

"Oh, well pardon me as well Miss Indira" the young guard smiled, "for leading you here and about every corridor this castle has and not introducing myself as well. Wally Scottson, as I've already proven, at your humble service", he gave as much of a bow as was possible while walking.

"And as for helping a stranger, well, even if I've heard rumors, you'll excuse again I hope, of yours and other visitors in Narnia's travels being wider than my own, even I was new to Narnia at one point. I actually hail from the neighboring land of Archenland, which is and hopefully always will be an Allie of Narnia, because if that ever ceases I shall have some hard job decisions to make", his smile showed that at that last part Wally was sort of, yet still respectfully, kidding as much as could be in this situation and for the sake of the situation in fact.