Holy Templar Sanctum (Aincrad)

[Bloodedge]

Aincrad is the mobile fortress containing the Order of Holy Templars. Since his disappearance, it has been the base of operations belonging to Anu and the Holy Knights that remained loyal to "the Holy Father" as they know him. It is surrounded by sixteen obelisks which amplify the magical barrier around the Sanctum, which doubles as a perception filter to all who seek it without bearing the Templar Seal. Those who possess a seal are linked to one of the obelisks, each of the sixteen belonging to a subdivision of the Holy Templars.

Aincrad is an iron-and-stone made floating castle that has about ten kilometers floor base diameter and consists of a hundred floors stacking straight upwards, meaning that each floor's diameter is a bit smaller than the previous one. On each floor, there are a couple of large cities along with countless small scale towns and villages, forests, plains, and even lakes. Only one stairway links each floor to another, and the stairways exist beyond the boss room of each Labyrinth. The Teleport Gates of every unlocked cities are connected to one another.

Luviagelita's Floor (Floor 99)

12 Peers Floor (Floor 98) *Formerly the Headquarters of Jeanne d'Arc*

[Bloodedge]

For quite some time, the Holy Templar Sanctum had been without its most renowned warrior, Jeanne d'Arc. Years had passed since the alleged heresy of that pious woman, and in those years, the one regarded as the Templars' Holy Father had been uplifting a new beacon among the warriors of light. For a few days, the elder male had been missing in action. He'd returned to his throne in Aincrad's highest floor as if nothing were amiss. Tall, slick blonde hair, a perfectly-shaped goatee, he was a symbol of regality as he sat upon the throne.

The Ruby Palace was the location of his throne, nestled in the hundredth floor in a spiral tower of actual enchanted ruby. Once the man sat, the throne and tower themselves seemed to radiate divine power through the whole of Aincrad. All who inhabited the floating fortress would know of his presence. Alas, there was but one individual he sought, and it was none of the fully-armored Holy Knights lining up around the throne carpet. "Archbishop Turpin," he called out, grabbing the attention of a younger male with long, blue hair kept in a ponytail. "Yes, Father?" the apparent archbishop responded after stepping out to the front of the throne, lowering himself to a single knee. "I have returned, and I am ready to progress our plan to bring God's grace to this entire world. Bring Luviagelita to me."

The Holy Father's command had been given, and the one called Turpin nodded. "She should be home. I'll locate her immediately," he replied, taking his immediate leave of the Ruby Palace. He'd walk a path toward the central teleporter, headed one floor lower to... a very different sort of palace.

[Apollymi]

One of the highest floors ninety-eight was empty, unoccupied. But the floor above that was occupied by a single individual. A young woman with blonde hair that spiraled into large blue curls lived on a singular floor. She was a person of highest dignity, but she was prone to small fits of temper in the right situations. Of course, she was dressed in a sapphire blue dress with large blue and white flowers. Of course, she was in one of her favorite places a tower with one of her thrones in it. Her castle was immaculate with small changes being made to it over time to make it more stunning against the mountain backgrounds. Balloons could be seen floating by with large gliders and the like. But what was she doing at a time like this.

Sitting in her throne, listening carefully... She could hear the sounds of some gentle whispers. She'd been quietly concentrating trying to hear them further but she seemed to need to be in a state of meditation and as such was trying to reach it. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was rather quiet. She had her head propped up on her left hand and her entire body was leaning in that direction. This place was peaceful and quiet enough... but perhaps it would be better under a bit of starlight?

[Bloodedge]

The starlight would not come. What did come, was that very same man, Archbishop Turpin. He descended to floor 99 of Aincrad, appearing via teleportation to the start of a long bridge leading to an immaculate palace. He walked that bridge in long, purposeful strides. A long, white cloak billowed with every step he took toward a structure that was... frankly far more appealing than anything on the hundredth floor. It took quite some time for him to reach said palace. When he crossed the bridge though, he was met by one whose name he didn't know. They knew him, of course, and therefore knew exactly why he'd come. There was only one reason this particular man would appear on floor 99. Naturally, he was directed to a tall tower at the palace's rear.

... One issue presented itself. The tower he reached had no proper entrance, or at least not one that led all the way to the top. Turpin had no way of accessing the woman he sought from within, so his only option was... to reach her from outside. From the tower's base, Turpin materialized a golden crosier and tapped the ground with its base. A holy aura overtook the entire 99th floor, granting a heavenly glow to every surface. The woman in that tower sought starlight, but what she'd get instead was a calling card in the form of stars that rose from below.

[Apollymi]

What this young woman wanted was starlight, and what she got was a holy light calling card interrupting what should have been her meditation. Her eyes remained closed for quite a few seconds but still she felt the growing holy light. 'Ugh... what does he want?' she thought as golden eyes finally opened. She saw the spread of light more officially and her unoccupied right hand rose. She snapped her fingers making a prismatic diamond appear between her fingers. What an annoyance this was... she knew that she was being called upon, and she knew only a trusted few would be sent to her floor at all. But the question remaining in the air would be, what did the man in the less amazing looking palace want from her?

Whatever it was, she was sure it would be annoying, and what terrible timing this man had, to stumble upon her just before she would have reached the quiet necessary to hear the voice calling to her. "You can ascend," she claimed as she snapped that jewel. A road made of rainbow would spin around the whole of this particular tower, creating a solid bridge which could be ascended by this man. Her eyes had closed once more as she gathered herself. There was no reason to be rude to this man... he was only a messenger after all.

[Bloodedge]

Mere moments passed before the archbishop received some sort of response to his call. Luviagelita was one many would not wish to be sent for, but also one very few could be sent for. Turpin took no particular issue with her temperament, shortness and all. He was given permission to ascend the tower after feeling the activation of Luviagelita's magic. In the very next moment, Turpin witnessed the materialization of a rainbow path leading up the tower from outside.

There was no need to hesitate. Turpin stepped onto that magical bridge. He walked and walked all the way up, taking a few minutes to reach the exterior entrance to a throne room with purpose he couldn't imagine. Ah, but it wasn't his place to question the choices of what one would call the Holy Princess. Upon reaching the room, he disregarded all questions in his mind, and bowed. "I'm sure you know why I've come here. The Father has returned after a few days' absence. His first order was to send me to find you."

[Apollymi]

Within a few moments, the young man in his robes had ascended. He was a reasonable looking man, and one considered to be most noble. She'd observed him a bit when he was sent on these sort of errands, and she had nothing negative to say about him. He was a man of ambition but not the disgusting sort, and she never questioned his motivations. He was duitful but also personable and that was an interestingly hard combination to make possible. As such, she tried her best not to be a bad host to the man who upon reaching the top bowed his head an made the proclamation she knew was coming. A gentle huff left her at his words. "You don't have to stay like that you know... it's hard to converse if you spend your time with your head bowed. It's not like a get many visitors," she said kindly. She always treated this group as kindly as her station allowed. It was easy for those like Archbishop Turpin who didn't throw themselves at her or anything like that. She'd also been quite fond of a few of the others. "Of course, my father has been gone for days, and instead of just stopping by before going back to his floor he sent someone to come get me..." she said her voice starting steadily but showing an obvious amount of annoyance at the antics of the Holy Father.

She went on, her face gaining additional pallor as she riled herself up with her own assertions about this 'summons'. "And let me guess, he didn't actually give you any sort of message. He's decided that I need to move, even though he was the who was gone to see what he wants?" she posed it as a question but they both knew it was rhetorical. "Ugh, and that place of his is hideous, but I have to go there and speak to him directly because it would be too much to ask for him not to send someone to talk to me to make me come talk to him..." she scoffed. There wasn't outrage in her person, just annoyance. "My apologies, it isn't your fault of course, I wouldn't put you in a bad position by making you go back empty handed but I still find it..." there was a word to use her for propriety's sake. "Unreasonable." she finished. "His timing his horrid," she said aloud. 'But I can assume that since he's calling me to see him, it definitely isn't his voice that is reaching out to me...' she mused. Her arms crossed over her chest and she huffed one more time before she let her face settle into a less abrasive look.

[Bloodedge]

Turpin remained bowed for the duration of his own speech, and while awaiting Luviagelita's answer. The first words passing her lips were about that bowed state, or more specifically, an indirect suggestion that he put an end to it. With a nod, he acquiesced right away. He may not have been here to make idle chitchat, but he was always willing to entertain such a simple request. "As you like," he said while rising. Luviagelita went on to gripe about the fact that the Holy Father didn't just stop by her floor on his way in. Of course, there was much sense made in that little complaint.

Luviagelita continued speaking on the matter, and her annoyance almost seemed to be growing by the word. Nothing she said was wrong. As for how much he could agree, well... it was impossible to disagree. The effort of at least two people could have been saved this day. Moreover, as father figures went, it would have been ideal to seek out one's own daughter in Turpin's opinion. Sadly, that was not to be the case today. Unreasonable, she called the Holy Father, though only after strangely apologizing to Turpin for her ramblings. "You have nothing to apologize for. I understand your frustration. Venting is sometimes the best tool we have for overcoming tribulations, so feel free to unload if you are still upset. And yes, you're right; he gave me no specific message, and wishes to speak with you directly though he just returned minutes ago. The strong will always determine who moves, when, and why. I'm sorry you have to exert yourself, but I thank you for agreeing on my behalf. If it makes things less strenuous for you, may I offer a sedia for the trip?"

[Apollymi]

The 'Holy Princess' as she was being colloquially referred to had many problems with upper leadership and their drab sense of design. Even so, it seemed she was not truly alone in her distaste. Her venting with Archbishop Turpin netted her the understanding that he could at least follow what she thought of as problematic about the Holy Father. He claimed in the moments they were talking, after his posture returned to normal, that she had nothing to apologize for. His words held a certain conceptualization of the issues at hand. While going about it he confirmed that there was no specific message for the girl, and that instead he could offer easier transport for the inconvenience of having to go so far to meet with her father. "Still, I can thank you for hearing me out. Venting is one thing, but you didn't have to hear me out..." she mused. She did like Turpin. A man who understood most things and was easy to talk to was particularly hard to come by, as for his offer of a sedia, she had to give it consideration.

"I wouldn't want to make it inconvenient for you. Though, I am considering it. Maybe if Father sees me being carried in he will understand how very inconvenient it is for everyone else when he does this sort of thing," she said seeming to like the idea more and more by the second. "I mean he's probably not going to get it, but taking a minor moral victory where it presents itself isn't a real negative," she said while nodding. "So then, I'll take you up on that offer, as a method of silent protest against being summoned in such a way!" she said having finally lifted her head she punched her right fist into the open palm of her left hand. Though regal in demeanor this lass in particular preferred more hands on methods of handling her problems. Sticking it to her father in minor protest for his inability to understand how to interact with her, seemed to be right up her alley. Besides, that she wouldn't want to be terribly insufferable to Turpin or anyone else sent directly to her for any reason. "Oh but where are my manners. I haven't seen you in quite a while Archbishop Turpin, are you well?"

[Bloodedge]

"Please, it's nothing. I'm honored to be of help to you, even if only by listening." Turpin spoke those words and meant them wholeheartedly. The woman standing before him was a princess by all rights, and for all intents and purposes was to be viewed as something beyond a Holy Maiden. To be in her presence alone was something perpetuated as a great honor, even a privilege allowed to very few.

Turpin offered a sedia gestatoria, a throne of sorts that would allow Luviagelita to make the trip upstairs without having to walk herself. This situation was nothing but an inconvenience to the likes of her, as Turpin saw it. Would she take his offer though? Some consideration ensued while Luviagelita addressed the 'positives' of saying yes. Her reasons were a bit... bratty at best. Regardless, Turpin also doubted the Holy Father would think twice about his daughter being carried into his throne room; he'd probably think of it as the way things should be. Turpin's offer wasn't for him, though. Luviagelita needn't be inconvenienced any more than necessary. "Your reasons are your own. I would just hate to inconvenience you when you are already going out of your way for a reason you weren't even given. I won't speak against our Father, but..." Turpin paused there, hazarding a light chuckle at his own train of thought. "It always goes south at the 'but', doesn't it? Anyway, there's no reason to make you exert yourself on someone else's behalf. My Lady is no servant," he concluded.

Luviagelita accepted his offer in the end, yet there was more. She inquired as to the archbishop's wellbeing. There was a kindness in the 'princess' that would never be found in her father, and it could only be appreciated as Turpin held out his crosier to conjure a glowing throne atop a floating platform. "You needn't concern yourself with my state of being, though I'm honored. Frankly, I've been very well, if a little bored. I was assigned to the hundredth floor a few days ago while Father An went out for business. It was only meant to be a short while, but I was left at the post until... well, until I'm released. What of you? It seems you've been very busy with the décor of your palace."

[Apollymi]

Luviagelita was quite used to be people fawning all over her. It was pretty much standard for her lifestyle, even so... there was something remarkably honest about the way that Archbishop Turpin spoke. It led her to believe that he was being rather sincere in his understanding of life. "You are truly kind, Archbishop..." she said a small smile forming on her face. She truly hadn't had a conversation with someone not a servant in quite a long time.

What was more, as Turpin created that magical little throne for her, he had more to say. He wouldn't speak ill of the Holy Father. That wasn't truly surprising there were very few people who would even begin to question him, much less actually speak against him. Even so, and after a brief chuckle as he came around to the idea of saying a but being the downfall of such sentences. He claimed that she was no servant and thus moving about as such truly was a inconvenience to her and he would spare her. "You know, I figured people were a bit too uptight about this sort of thing but, you're alright Archbishop Turpin~" she said seeming to find something about his sincerity quite refreshing.

Of course, she went on to ask him about himself, she wasn't a completely selfish sort of person. But to Turpin's credit he claimed she didn't need to worry about him, how outrageous. According to him, while Anu was gone on business, he'd been in charge of Anu's floor. He even claimed that he'd been just a bit bored and inquired about her doings. "Don't be silly, it'd be a bit weird not to wonder what everyone gets up to when they are not around. And it's always good to hear you're doing well..." she said with a smile spreading across her face. Sure they didn't have many things to converse about, but that didn't mean she wasn't the sort of person who'd hear him out. "You noticed?!" she seemed a bit excited only to calm down a bit soon afterwards. "Ahem, I finished my observatory recently. I haven't gotten to use it properly yet which is why I said Father had horrible timing. Oh and I made some changes to the gardens as well. It took a while but I am finally feeling like this place is like me~" she said happily, as she boarded her mode of transportation for their coming journey.

[Bloodedge]

Luviagelita thought many would be 'uptight' about matters such as their current discussion, as the woman herself put it. In Turpin's opinion, she couldn't be farther from the truth. "The Party I joined could be an exception to the norm, I suppose. If we aren't, perhaps you just haven't heard enough people's opinions. You should ask our leader what he thinks if you get the chance," he suggested with a nod offered.

Apparently, the woman thought it strange to be anything but curious about his wellbeing. How strange. He was standing here before her, so he was physically well by all accounts. That was normally all one needed to make their requests and move on. "I only need to be well enough to perform. That is all that is expected of a Templar," he said flatly, his expression implying an additional opinion buried just beneath the surface. Whatever the case, he wouldn't keep Luviagelita nor Father An waiting. As the woman took her mobile seat, he turned on his heel and stepped out of her personal throne room. The sedia would move ahead until Luviagelita herself was a mere two paces before Turpin, all while the latter walked toward the floor teleporter. En route, he took note of her sudden excitement. "I take it you're quite proud of this. You should be; it is very different to what I once saw here. What I see certainly shares your charm."

[Apollymi]

It seemed that Luviagelita's ideas were off of the norm. According to Archbishop Turpin the group he'd joined could easily share more open opinions about what was going on. If she recalled properly this man was in the group with a few of the other people who managed to visit her from time to time. "You're in the same group as Bradamante and her brother right? The one being run by Charlemange?" she asked mostly for clarification. "Charlemange is one of my few visitors, I'd probably do well to ask his opinion, though he's always quite busy," she mused. If that was the case, she was sure she could get a more straightforward answer to her type of inquiries out of a group like that. Even its more intimidating members seemed to be rather honest people.

His next sentiment was one she heard and could tell there was more to. Perhaps he didn't feel it right to share such an opinion but Luviagelita wasn't the sort who wanted to be lumped in with those who didn't truly understand the human condition. "Blah, all that is expected of a Templar, but you're still a person. Everyone who is a part of the Order is still a person. And there is way more to the well-being of a sentient living being than just their physical needs... you don't have to be the one to say it though. I have no issue saying so~" she mused seeming to understand the kind of position the Templar often found themselves in. It wasn't simply a matter of their jobs or physical well-being. In order to maintain justice and goodness their emotional and mental states should also be strong and without wear. This was only common sense to her, no one performed well at anything if they were unhappy. Speaking of unhappiness and rather her lack of it.

She was quite excited about her works. "I am rather proud. I am glad you can appreciate my vision. I am not quite done yet... there are a few little things I want to do, but I think it suits me better than this place did when I arrived," she said, appreciating his sense of her own style and glad that someone else could appreciate the goodness of her works. The only other person she thought might have been excited about it, was long gone from this place.

[Bloodedge]

"That's the one. Bradamante, Renaud whom I believe you are at least mildly familiar with... Roland." Turpin paused on the third name given, knowing there was quite a history between Roland and the woman to whom he spoke. Clearing his throat, he continued walking and continued talking. "Olivier de Vienne, etcetera etcetera. Charlemagne is our leader, whether he accepts it or not. We would be more of a real Party if he wasn't so busy, but perhaps he shouldn't have cleared the Labyrinth if he didn't want to be made busy."

Very few had ever reached the end of Aincrad's Labyrinth. The first to do so had been the now-infamous Jeanne d'Arc, and the second was Charlemagne a long time after. That man had done what many believed they would never see again in their lives; it was only natural that the prestige carry him from one task to another. Moving on, Luviagelita's assertion regarding Templar expectancies was rather close to something he previously heard from Charlemagne himself. "That's almost a perfect recreation of something he said to me before. You really should get his opinion on the matter," Turpin stated.

Soon enough, they were approaching the teleporter for floor 99. Floor 100's teleporter was not as far away as the one found in Luviagelita's domain, but it would be a bit further still... once they teleported, of course. First, the woman continued sharing her satisfaction over the remodel of floor 99. "It certainly does. The Sapphire Palace may have been suited to you on an ideological level, but I'm afraid there's only so much of a single color the eyes can tolerate without aching. I believe this one better captures the vibrancy of the floor, and lets the holy radiance of our Lady stand out as she is meant to," he stated, taking an additional glance at floor 99 before initiating teleportation. With that, they would appear just before the less-vibrant Ruby Palace of Father An. . .

[Apollymi]

"We don't talk about Roland..." she said that rather quickly. Roland was a strange case, she'd turned down his affections when they'd met, and he'd gone a bit crazy. She wasn't sure why this was the case, but she'd been very careful since to make sure she didn't give off the wrong sort of vibes when meeting with people. Moving on from him, apparently the Grand Inquisitor, Olivier was also among the group led by Charlemange. How interesting, his group seemed to be full of rather colorful characters compared to others. "Olivier is a bit intense..." she said of the woman she'd seen around once or twice. Her fingers were quite wide when she said a 'bit' but it was quite accurate, though she had no problems with that woman either. At the end of that sentence though, there was the acknowledgement that Charlemange had brought his busy-ness upon himself by completing the labyrinth. "Ah well, he brought a great deal of hope to the people. Though you sound like you'd rather be out on adventures~" she said seeming to take note of a bit of underlying discontent.

The prestige and adventures of Charlemange aside there were quite a few things that apparently he and Luviagelita had in common. This included their thoughts on the well-being of people being rather important. "I'll be sure to ask the next time we chat. Unlike my father, he usually stops by when he has time..." she said, those words were a pointed bit of a jab, but she'd found herself to be quite the lonely individual since the departure of Jeanne d'Arc. Ah but they were moving on, and discussing fun things like the changes to the Sapphire Palace and its surrounding floor space.

"Right? It's basic design principle. And it's not like I can change the color of my hair or anything!" she said finally getting out the main part of her frustration. Even so, this man had nothing but compliments to offer her change in decor. She felt rather proud to have had her work noticed and was happy to accept the compliments given by Archbishop Turpin. "You know Archbishop Turpin you are quite good at this. And I am glad you like what I've done with the place... I don't get the opportunity to do such things as much as I would like."