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Saiko gazed wistfully out into the night, alone and content on the deck. He took a long, slow, drag on the smoke he himself had rolled, savoring it until he breathed back out. He had gotten the tobacco in Lys; "Sea tobacco" they called it. Though he'd picked up smoking in Adak (a western country in the mainland), he much preferred sea tobacco to that of the western variety. Tobacco from Lys was almost sweet. It was stronger too, less apt to muddle his brains than a drink, and calming enough to soothe him.
However, it had not been his smoking habit that had drug him all the way out to Lys. Saiko had heard rumor that the son of Lonar (Flinn?) was soon to compete in his trial to become a blue mage. Since Lonar, and perhaps Flinn, were directly related to his cause, he thought it worthy of investigation. He arrived nearly a month early. Mostly he had layed low, playing the part of Laeylon Shinku. Laeylon had a grand old time on this little 'vacation'. He drank, smoked a lot of sea tobacco, and payed a few tavern wenches for several nights of pleasure. Being around for a month, he didn't arouse any suspicion when he stopped by the trial.
The boy had not performed as well as expected. Saiko thought he could have done better. Then again, there were few rookies who weren't lured in by the Adamantoise's Mighty Guard. He had made a good comeback, but Saiko still felt that he let himself sustain too great an injury. Then again, it might be a good thing. If he had been as good as his father, Saiko would have had to kill him.
After that, Saiko boarded the ship, still playing his role as Laeylon. No one ever saw through this lie anymore. Saiko had been perfecting the act for more than a decade. Sometimes he himself believed, and lost himself to his alias. That was why he smoked. It calmed him, and kept his mind clear. Saiko was behind the thoughts, but his alter ego Laeylon was undoubtedly behind the action. Saiko drew in another breath of the smoke and looked down at the deck. It was covered with a thin layer of sea mist. He pondered life, love, and smoking, restless and dreaming. He allowed himself to be lost in wandering thoughts. A double life is hard on a mind, after all.
Then a tremor rocked the boat violently, and Saiko heard an ominous shriek. Saiko looked up instantly, to confirm the suspicion. The moon stared back at him, merry and winking and directly overhead.
Shadow serpent.
Saiko was a man of many predjudices, but a shadow serpent definitely fell in the top ten. Shadow serpents were down right mean, and were some of the most vicious creatures of the night. He grabbed his spear and shook the weapon at the monster angrily.
"You crazy bastard!" Laeylon yelled. A gleam of orange from eyes that were almost jewel-like appeared beneath the water, and he caught a glimpse of shimmer that was probably the onyx like scales. The serpent responded to this seemingly insane name-calling, causing the boat to shake once more.
"Slimy SOB. Get yer ass up here then!" Laeylon taunted, undeterred. Laeylon was always overconfident. The serpent raised his head above the waters, revealing how big he truly was. Laeylon had nearly forgotten. If it had been Saiko, the cigarette would have fallen out of his mouth. Laeylon threw it at him, thus preventing a slip in the masquerade. He did not however, stopped the comment that escaped his lips, because for once, him and Saiko were of one mind.
"SHIT."
((Sorry for the whole multiple personality thing I've got goin' on. I'm sure the more I play the character, the smoother it'll get.))
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