Seta blinked for a moment, his ears pressed down more as he was a bit bewildered as to what they were talking about. "I think the weather is quite pleasant. I'm sorry I'm not who you came here for, but I'm Seta. May I inquire as to who you are?" Seta asked, looking around at the others.
It was his first time being around so many people at once, since he mainly kept to himself in his small clinic on the outskirts of the nearby village. He only came up to the mountains to gather medicinal herbs and then rememebered about a flower he heard of that only grows during the winter season and mainly blooms when it's snow. He looked over at the three people, and wondered to himself why they were up there waiting for someone.
He paused as his eyes fell on the only one that didn't say anything, not that he expected him to since Seta did just sort of randomly pop out of the blizzard. The thing that threw him off about the man was he had been staring at him since he came up to the group, that made him uncomfortable, and in a way, a bit creeped out.
what did I get myself into? he thought to himself, wanting to leave but his legs remained stuck in the snow. I guess it would be kind of stupid to wonder off in a blizzard... but the flower... hmmm...
Full Version: Call of the Fire
Phaen allowed a false smile at the accusation to brighten his otherwise sleep-deprived features. He never threatened those who he meant to harm. There was no point in parlaying with promises of malevolence. Not only was it a waste of time and usually sparked fruitless arguing, but there was no advantage in foreshadowing one's intentions if you had a genuine desire to kill that person. No, Phaen wasn't one for threats.
"Don't worry yourself, Kalani. It's merely advice that you'd benefit from considering. The higher the concentration of people you're around the more prevalent it becomes." He slightly chuckled as his focus moved to the always protective familiar that hovered near Kalani, reflective of his mood. They shared an obvious bond, which made Phaen wonder how much of that was due to the magic that provided Kit with an affinity toward it's master. How readily would they betray each other?
Following the dilution or storage for later -- it didn't matter, of that thought process, he permitted the hood of his cloak to once again shroud most of his features. He'd said enough, for whatever reason. He was too tired to explain any further and even the dull moonlight was like impaling icicles to his eyes. The pulsating headache wasn't working in advocation either.
"Don't worry yourself, Kalani. It's merely advice that you'd benefit from considering. The higher the concentration of people you're around the more prevalent it becomes." He slightly chuckled as his focus moved to the always protective familiar that hovered near Kalani, reflective of his mood. They shared an obvious bond, which made Phaen wonder how much of that was due to the magic that provided Kit with an affinity toward it's master. How readily would they betray each other?
Following the dilution or storage for later -- it didn't matter, of that thought process, he permitted the hood of his cloak to once again shroud most of his features. He'd said enough, for whatever reason. He was too tired to explain any further and even the dull moonlight was like impaling icicles to his eyes. The pulsating headache wasn't working in advocation either.
OOC: sorry for the short post, I'm tired, and in very bad mood
IC:
Nera sighed at the assassin's comments. There was no reason to make the kids nervous. What practical use was to warn Kalani, who was already paranoid about his appearance. She shook her head, her hair fluttering over her face. She was still not quite used to the shorter hair. Nera laid a light hand on Kalani's shoulder.
"This city is diverse. There are all sorts, however race isn't that much of an issue here. While some may cling to their prejudice the majority here don't care. You'll see in the morning when the markets open up. Oh but do keep a close eye on your possessions. This is the governing section of the city, so it is well kept. The poor parts of the city are less cared for." Nera slide a glance to Inmreari. Most of their group looked wearied from the trip and could use some rest but Nera knew little of their finances. She also was aware that she had no money on her, in the more she could perhaps trade something in but at the moment she was reliant on their charity.
"Inmreari? What do you want to do about an inn?"
IC:
Nera sighed at the assassin's comments. There was no reason to make the kids nervous. What practical use was to warn Kalani, who was already paranoid about his appearance. She shook her head, her hair fluttering over her face. She was still not quite used to the shorter hair. Nera laid a light hand on Kalani's shoulder.
"This city is diverse. There are all sorts, however race isn't that much of an issue here. While some may cling to their prejudice the majority here don't care. You'll see in the morning when the markets open up. Oh but do keep a close eye on your possessions. This is the governing section of the city, so it is well kept. The poor parts of the city are less cared for." Nera slide a glance to Inmreari. Most of their group looked wearied from the trip and could use some rest but Nera knew little of their finances. She also was aware that she had no money on her, in the more she could perhaps trade something in but at the moment she was reliant on their charity.
"Inmreari? What do you want to do about an inn?"
[OOC: I'm working on Choice and Destiny at the same time, so I'm sorry if this is too short.]
"It is too late for us to be doing anything else anyway, so let's find one and get some rest. Even if Sileta is a governed town, it is still better to stay in at night." Inmreari's serious look lasted until a rumbling sound escaped from his tummy. With a helpless smile and a slight blush, he continued. "Besides, I'm hungry. I'll need to find supper before my stomach tries to eat itself."
"Is there any place you guys can recommend?" Inariea asked quietly as they made their way into the town, not wanting to wake Fera up from where he was resting in Geral's arms. The boy had not had a good night sleep since the day they entered the mountain, according to the swordsman. It was almost a wonder that he had only started swaying with exhaustion when they reached the bottom of the valley. "It don't have to be the best, but it has to have clean beds, food and a bath."
"It is too late for us to be doing anything else anyway, so let's find one and get some rest. Even if Sileta is a governed town, it is still better to stay in at night." Inmreari's serious look lasted until a rumbling sound escaped from his tummy. With a helpless smile and a slight blush, he continued. "Besides, I'm hungry. I'll need to find supper before my stomach tries to eat itself."
"Is there any place you guys can recommend?" Inariea asked quietly as they made their way into the town, not wanting to wake Fera up from where he was resting in Geral's arms. The boy had not had a good night sleep since the day they entered the mountain, according to the swordsman. It was almost a wonder that he had only started swaying with exhaustion when they reached the bottom of the valley. "It don't have to be the best, but it has to have clean beds, food and a bath."
"Well, when I stayed here I was with Lord Celin, so the inn where we stayed was very high end." Nera pressed a slender finger against her lips as she thought. She remembered seeing several medium end inns. She glanced quickly at Phaen, having no idea what kinda of places the assassin would have stayed at.
"If nothing else there is a street intersecting with this one about three blocks down, it has several inns that looked decented. Well, at least they were there the last time I was here. Perhaps we can take a look." Nera guided the group down the well lite street towards the mentioned area. Some of the inns had changed names but seemed to be at the same level. Most of the buildings were made of wood but painted brightly and well kept. They had glass windows as well. Poorer inns tended to not have windows due to the expense of glass. Judging by the spacing of windows, probably most rooms had one and rooms seemed to be decent sized. The smell of roasting seasoned meat drifted on the air from one of the inns. Nera pointed in the direction of the inn, smiling.
"Should we inquire over there," she asked, raising an eyebrow at Inmreari.
"If nothing else there is a street intersecting with this one about three blocks down, it has several inns that looked decented. Well, at least they were there the last time I was here. Perhaps we can take a look." Nera guided the group down the well lite street towards the mentioned area. Some of the inns had changed names but seemed to be at the same level. Most of the buildings were made of wood but painted brightly and well kept. They had glass windows as well. Poorer inns tended to not have windows due to the expense of glass. Judging by the spacing of windows, probably most rooms had one and rooms seemed to be decent sized. The smell of roasting seasoned meat drifted on the air from one of the inns. Nera pointed in the direction of the inn, smiling.
"Should we inquire over there," she asked, raising an eyebrow at Inmreari.
"Why not?" The dark-haired magician gave the building a brief look which eventually ended at the source of the delicious aroma, and quickly led the way into the inn.
Inariea, being the more efficiently practical and least distracted, made the necessary arrangements with the innkeeper with Nera's help. Prompted again by Inmreari's tummy attempting to imitate a drum, the most of them dumped their belongings in their rooms for a meal in the common room, leaving Geral and Fera alone.
"I'll bring something up for you later." Inariea said to the swordsman as she closed the door. Geral nodded and closed his eyes as he leaned back against the chair he was sitting in.
Neither of them noticed a suspicious glow outside of the glass window.
Inariea, being the more efficiently practical and least distracted, made the necessary arrangements with the innkeeper with Nera's help. Prompted again by Inmreari's tummy attempting to imitate a drum, the most of them dumped their belongings in their rooms for a meal in the common room, leaving Geral and Fera alone.
"I'll bring something up for you later." Inariea said to the swordsman as she closed the door. Geral nodded and closed his eyes as he leaned back against the chair he was sitting in.
Neither of them noticed a suspicious glow outside of the glass window.
(OOC: Sorry for not posting... I didn't really think I had any place to say anything at the time.
Pixelvixen has exams this/next week. Once she's done she'll be posting more. I'll try to remind her to post something before then.)
Phaen joined the others at their meal, opting for an abnormally large order. He needed something to counteract the sleep deprivation that was threatening to force itself upon him. A plethora of platters were eventually set out before him, comprised mostly of various species of fish, pastries, and region specific dishes. Phaen wasted no time, immediately indulging in the best cuisines this particular inn had to offer.
It didn't take long for the assassin to finish his first plate, at which point he placed a veritable pile of small sacks on the table. They each looked different, but all were made with fine, brightly colored fabric. "Working under Elkasna I always made sure to attain some recompense for my services, however forced. I had no expenses, aside from the occassional purchase on longer assignments, so I had the opportunity to horde." He bit a chunk out of a seasoned bread roll and continued on. "That's really just excess. Feel free to use it as you wish, as long as that starts with paying for our meals." He didn't await any answer and wouldn't accept disapproval. Phaen knew that would, at the very least, please Imnreari's blatantly excessive appetite.
The nutrients provided by the feast were already allowing some life to return to his otherwise tired features. Phaen yawned, stretching his arms out behind him and staring at the other half of the meal which he hadn't even began to eat yet. The cook had outdone himself, but it didn't matter. Better too much food than too little. For the first time since his induction into slavery, Phaen took a moment to relax and allow his ever-present radar to flutter away. This allowed the inconspicuous observer to remain unnoticed and the drowsy assassin even shut his eyes, promising himself it would only be for a moment. Yoika didn't even voice any disapproval. Before he knew it, Phaen had drifted off into the welcome embrace of dreamless sleep, slouching in the wooden chair.
Pixelvixen has exams this/next week. Once she's done she'll be posting more. I'll try to remind her to post something before then.)
Phaen joined the others at their meal, opting for an abnormally large order. He needed something to counteract the sleep deprivation that was threatening to force itself upon him. A plethora of platters were eventually set out before him, comprised mostly of various species of fish, pastries, and region specific dishes. Phaen wasted no time, immediately indulging in the best cuisines this particular inn had to offer.
It didn't take long for the assassin to finish his first plate, at which point he placed a veritable pile of small sacks on the table. They each looked different, but all were made with fine, brightly colored fabric. "Working under Elkasna I always made sure to attain some recompense for my services, however forced. I had no expenses, aside from the occassional purchase on longer assignments, so I had the opportunity to horde." He bit a chunk out of a seasoned bread roll and continued on. "That's really just excess. Feel free to use it as you wish, as long as that starts with paying for our meals." He didn't await any answer and wouldn't accept disapproval. Phaen knew that would, at the very least, please Imnreari's blatantly excessive appetite.
The nutrients provided by the feast were already allowing some life to return to his otherwise tired features. Phaen yawned, stretching his arms out behind him and staring at the other half of the meal which he hadn't even began to eat yet. The cook had outdone himself, but it didn't matter. Better too much food than too little. For the first time since his induction into slavery, Phaen took a moment to relax and allow his ever-present radar to flutter away. This allowed the inconspicuous observer to remain unnoticed and the drowsy assassin even shut his eyes, promising himself it would only be for a moment. Yoika didn't even voice any disapproval. Before he knew it, Phaen had drifted off into the welcome embrace of dreamless sleep, slouching in the wooden chair.
[OOC: Okay, this is my 'I'll be gone for now, be nice' since I won't be able to come up anymore before I leave for the trip. ^^; Uh... just continue onto the next day without me first?
Inmreari and Inariea will go to the guildhouse first thing in the morning, while Geral looks after Fera who probably will be sleeping until afternoon or even later. So that free up a lot of time for you guys to interact with each other and stuff. ^^; Alright, I be off now.]
Inmreari and Inariea will go to the guildhouse first thing in the morning, while Geral looks after Fera who probably will be sleeping until afternoon or even later. So that free up a lot of time for you guys to interact with each other and stuff. ^^; Alright, I be off now.]
OOC: I have my finals on Tuesday, so after that I will be on winter break. I'm still studying at the moment. Sorry for the shortness.
Nera had ordered a light meal of fruit, bread, vegetables, and only a little bit of fish. It was the type of meal she had been raised on. The sugar rich foods provided the energy she needed for mage work, since Nera did not possess a large appetite (unlike some of the males around her at the moment) she made sure a significant portion of her meals was fruits.
She finished her meal well before the others did. So she watched them eat with mingled dismay and amusement. Nera continued to sip at her cheap wine while pondering over the size of Inmreari's stomach. She still didn't know what was going on exactly or how long they wanted her with them. Perhaps the next morning she could inquire, everyone was pretty tired tonight. Nera got up and stretched.
"I'm going to bathe and get some rest," she said with a yawn, then strode off for the room she and Inariea.
Nera had ordered a light meal of fruit, bread, vegetables, and only a little bit of fish. It was the type of meal she had been raised on. The sugar rich foods provided the energy she needed for mage work, since Nera did not possess a large appetite (unlike some of the males around her at the moment) she made sure a significant portion of her meals was fruits.
She finished her meal well before the others did. So she watched them eat with mingled dismay and amusement. Nera continued to sip at her cheap wine while pondering over the size of Inmreari's stomach. She still didn't know what was going on exactly or how long they wanted her with them. Perhaps the next morning she could inquire, everyone was pretty tired tonight. Nera got up and stretched.
"I'm going to bathe and get some rest," she said with a yawn, then strode off for the room she and Inariea.
Kalani also left and went to rest, tired after all the traveling and such. Well, he wasn’t that tired, but he thought maybe Kit was, so he picked up the little fox and excused himself, going to a room. He didn’t know if he had to share with anyone or anything like that. He didn’t mind if he had to share. He could understand.
~*~
"I think the weather is quite pleasant. I'm sorry I'm not who you came here for, but I'm Seta. May I inquire as to who you are?" the new guy asked.
“I’m Ferrin!” Ferrin pointed at himself, then pointed up in the trees. “And she’s Fellis, my cat.”
“Acacia.” Acacia blinked, then bowed gracefully. “And I feel like I’m about to die in this weather, so I would hardly call it pleasant weather…” Pausing, Acacia (as well as Ferrin) looked over at Firefly, waiting for his introduction. Firefly continued to keep his silver eyes on the newcomer. His eyes narrowed just the slightest.
“Ahem!” Ferrin hated silence. He often found himself filling it with the sound of his own voice. “That’s Firefly….” Flicking a glance in Firefly’s still silent direction, Ferrin continued speaking. “Aaand, what are you doin’ in this necka the woods?”
(OOC: I wasn't sure what to do with Kalani... Sorry it was so short...)
~*~
"I think the weather is quite pleasant. I'm sorry I'm not who you came here for, but I'm Seta. May I inquire as to who you are?" the new guy asked.
“I’m Ferrin!” Ferrin pointed at himself, then pointed up in the trees. “And she’s Fellis, my cat.”
“Acacia.” Acacia blinked, then bowed gracefully. “And I feel like I’m about to die in this weather, so I would hardly call it pleasant weather…” Pausing, Acacia (as well as Ferrin) looked over at Firefly, waiting for his introduction. Firefly continued to keep his silver eyes on the newcomer. His eyes narrowed just the slightest.
“Ahem!” Ferrin hated silence. He often found himself filling it with the sound of his own voice. “That’s Firefly….” Flicking a glance in Firefly’s still silent direction, Ferrin continued speaking. “Aaand, what are you doin’ in this necka the woods?”
(OOC: I wasn't sure what to do with Kalani... Sorry it was so short...)
(OOC: I'm leaving tommorrow to see Pixelvixen. I'll be back in a week. Have fun guys!)
"He's still sleeping?" A frown accompanied the first words that came out of Inmreari's mouth when he let himself into the room Geral shared with Fera. He had ended up sharing a room with Phaen and Kalani, deeply amusing the child when he elevated the sleeping man up to the room with his magic. Thankfully, the room was big enough for the three of them. "Is it normal for him to sleep so much?"
Geral rubbed the spot between his brows tiredly, "I'm not sure. He slept for most of the night, but he keeps tossing and turning. Yesterday he told me after lunch that his appetite is getting worse. I'm worried, Inmri."
"What about the Fury? Has he appeared?"
"Not since the day we met. Fera says that they talked in his dreams some times. He won't tell me what their conversations were about though."
Inmreari absorbed all that in silent, before he said softly, "There's one thing I'm quite puzzled about, Geral. What is that language you used when talking with Fera? I have never heard of it."
"I thought you would notice." Geral grinned, but his expression was solemn. "To tell the truth, I don't know. Fera told me that he was going to teach me his mother tongue, and touched my forehead. Then suddenly, I know another language."
Inmreari stared at his best friend for a long moment before he sighed heavily. "Aren't you ever tired of how much a mystery Fera is?"
"All the time, my friend." Geral chuckled and glanced at the sleeping child on the bed. "I don't think he'll be waking up soon. Sorry, Inmri, you'll have to go to the guildhouse by yourself."
Understanding Geral's concern, Inmreari shook his head with a smile as he left the room. "Don't worry about it. I'll ask Riea and Kalani then."
Geral rubbed the spot between his brows tiredly, "I'm not sure. He slept for most of the night, but he keeps tossing and turning. Yesterday he told me after lunch that his appetite is getting worse. I'm worried, Inmri."
"What about the Fury? Has he appeared?"
"Not since the day we met. Fera says that they talked in his dreams some times. He won't tell me what their conversations were about though."
Inmreari absorbed all that in silent, before he said softly, "There's one thing I'm quite puzzled about, Geral. What is that language you used when talking with Fera? I have never heard of it."
"I thought you would notice." Geral grinned, but his expression was solemn. "To tell the truth, I don't know. Fera told me that he was going to teach me his mother tongue, and touched my forehead. Then suddenly, I know another language."
Inmreari stared at his best friend for a long moment before he sighed heavily. "Aren't you ever tired of how much a mystery Fera is?"
"All the time, my friend." Geral chuckled and glanced at the sleeping child on the bed. "I don't think he'll be waking up soon. Sorry, Inmri, you'll have to go to the guildhouse by yourself."
Understanding Geral's concern, Inmreari shook his head with a smile as he left the room. "Don't worry about it. I'll ask Riea and Kalani then."
(OOC: I'm back 
I'm going to just post something for the early morning and you guys can do as you wish before then.)
Even as he was levitated Phaen remained uncharacteristically undisturbed. He was typically a light sleeper, which was an asset derived of training in association with his profession, not natural circumstances. Even so, deprivation proved to be the greater influence.
That night Phaen met no resistance. Aspects of his mind were still just as subject as he to be conquered by uncontrollable exterior pressures. Hence, the next morning arrived with what had grown to be almost alien solace.
There was momentary surprise when he awoke to surroundings that didn't mirror those which he last saw, but then he surmised the owner wouldn't have taken well to a customer spending the night at a table. With that Phaen looked around himself, finding that his quarters were relatively featureless and unimpressive. That was to be expected, yet he preferred renting lavish rooms merely because he could.
Phaen sat up on the edge of his bed and rubbed his eyes drowsily. The sun still hadn't tackled the threshold of the horizon, so it was safe to assume that he had awoken particularily early. Against his better judgement, Phaen made the decision to venture out by himself while the town was still shrouded in darkness. There were a few curiousities which the assassin hoped to explain before their departure. He'd just have to move carefully.
I'm going to just post something for the early morning and you guys can do as you wish before then.)Even as he was levitated Phaen remained uncharacteristically undisturbed. He was typically a light sleeper, which was an asset derived of training in association with his profession, not natural circumstances. Even so, deprivation proved to be the greater influence.
That night Phaen met no resistance. Aspects of his mind were still just as subject as he to be conquered by uncontrollable exterior pressures. Hence, the next morning arrived with what had grown to be almost alien solace.
There was momentary surprise when he awoke to surroundings that didn't mirror those which he last saw, but then he surmised the owner wouldn't have taken well to a customer spending the night at a table. With that Phaen looked around himself, finding that his quarters were relatively featureless and unimpressive. That was to be expected, yet he preferred renting lavish rooms merely because he could.
Phaen sat up on the edge of his bed and rubbed his eyes drowsily. The sun still hadn't tackled the threshold of the horizon, so it was safe to assume that he had awoken particularily early. Against his better judgement, Phaen made the decision to venture out by himself while the town was still shrouded in darkness. There were a few curiousities which the assassin hoped to explain before their departure. He'd just have to move carefully.
Nera awoke, yawning. The sun had not yet rose, but the sky was turning pink at the edges, false dawn. As she climbed out of bed she felt the tendons in her legs pull tight. The ache was nothing she couldn't ignore. The downhill travel from the mountains had its toll. Her first task of the day was to check on the wards she had set around herself. There were no crackles in them. Satisfied, she renewed the wards to prevent people from scrying her out and a minor one to prevent someone from peeking into her mind. It would be nice to not have worry such things anymore. She sighed and started preparing for the day.
Finding herself alone for the morning, she decide to go out. It had been a while since she had been in Sileta. The sun had risen and the merchants had set up their stalls. She wandered among the stalls, peering at some of the unusual materials. Nera felt comfortable in the crowds. She wasn't a noticeable in the ethnically varied masses and she wasn't carrying any coin at the moment, so pickpockets were no threat. The kids would probably enjoy looking at the stuff out here. Maybe after Fera woke up...
"Thief!"
Nera slid over to one side, avoiding collision as a child ran past her. A red-faced, overweight man jogged after the child, but the little thief had already disappeared into crowds. Yes, crime was still a well-practiced profession in this city. The man turned on her.
"Why didn't you stop him," he demanded. Nera blinked in her best efforts to emulate a ditz.
"Huh?"
Finding herself alone for the morning, she decide to go out. It had been a while since she had been in Sileta. The sun had risen and the merchants had set up their stalls. She wandered among the stalls, peering at some of the unusual materials. Nera felt comfortable in the crowds. She wasn't a noticeable in the ethnically varied masses and she wasn't carrying any coin at the moment, so pickpockets were no threat. The kids would probably enjoy looking at the stuff out here. Maybe after Fera woke up...
"Thief!"
Nera slid over to one side, avoiding collision as a child ran past her. A red-faced, overweight man jogged after the child, but the little thief had already disappeared into crowds. Yes, crime was still a well-practiced profession in this city. The man turned on her.
"Why didn't you stop him," he demanded. Nera blinked in her best efforts to emulate a ditz.
"Huh?"
(OOC: Pixelvixen wanted me to let you guys know that she'll try her best to post soon. She was busy with exams and then I was visiting her for the last week.)
Phaen firmly placed his hand on the shoulder of the hardly imposing, rotound accusor of Nera. The figure started to turn in protest, but a dagger, hidden to all but Phaen and the man who's back it was prodding, punctuated the seemingly well-mannered words that followed. "Surely she would've stopped the child if she knew he was the thief you were yelling for. Poor lady must have so much on her mind." He increased the pressure of the blade in order to accentuate his message and the man, more inclined to retain his life than some meager stolen goods, left as hastily as he had arrived.
The crowd hadn't stopped it's continuous tumult, so the individual was soon too far off for his departure to be tracked without pursuit. Phaen didn't think he was enough of a threat to even bother with, so he didn't follow. Turning back to Nera, he shook his head. "I'm sure you could've done that yourself." Phaen frowned at the woman and looked about him, half out of the habit of observation and half out of lack of knowing what to say.
The hours before were spent scouring for any information that would prove fruitful in his attempt to discern the impetus for this group that he had haphazardly become a part of. Unfortunately for Phaen, there was no information to be found. It bothered the assassin somewhat to be in the dark of their motives, but he still possessed the patience required for his profession and made good use of it.
Phaen firmly placed his hand on the shoulder of the hardly imposing, rotound accusor of Nera. The figure started to turn in protest, but a dagger, hidden to all but Phaen and the man who's back it was prodding, punctuated the seemingly well-mannered words that followed. "Surely she would've stopped the child if she knew he was the thief you were yelling for. Poor lady must have so much on her mind." He increased the pressure of the blade in order to accentuate his message and the man, more inclined to retain his life than some meager stolen goods, left as hastily as he had arrived.
The crowd hadn't stopped it's continuous tumult, so the individual was soon too far off for his departure to be tracked without pursuit. Phaen didn't think he was enough of a threat to even bother with, so he didn't follow. Turning back to Nera, he shook his head. "I'm sure you could've done that yourself." Phaen frowned at the woman and looked about him, half out of the habit of observation and half out of lack of knowing what to say.
The hours before were spent scouring for any information that would prove fruitful in his attempt to discern the impetus for this group that he had haphazardly become a part of. Unfortunately for Phaen, there was no information to be found. It bothered the assassin somewhat to be in the dark of their motives, but he still possessed the patience required for his profession and made good use of it.
ooc: just a quick post
Nera tilted her head to one side considering the assassin. He hadn't need to help her out, the problem have resolved itself quickly. The merchant was a hardly a threat, particularly not to someone like Nera. Still she appreciate his actions.
"Well, he would have eventually left off. I didn't really want to threaten the guy." She smiled slightly. "The man's eyes went pretty wide, even if you hide your actions, the physical effect is quite clear on the subject," she said in explaination. She moved off to the side of the crowd, finding a nook to prevent her from being a blockage in the flow of people.
"Anyways, I've actually wanted to ask you a question. You've seemed bothered since you came along with us. While the circumstances are certainly a good explaination, that doesn't seem to be it. Is something wrong?"
Nera tilted her head to one side considering the assassin. He hadn't need to help her out, the problem have resolved itself quickly. The merchant was a hardly a threat, particularly not to someone like Nera. Still she appreciate his actions.
"Well, he would have eventually left off. I didn't really want to threaten the guy." She smiled slightly. "The man's eyes went pretty wide, even if you hide your actions, the physical effect is quite clear on the subject," she said in explaination. She moved off to the side of the crowd, finding a nook to prevent her from being a blockage in the flow of people.
"Anyways, I've actually wanted to ask you a question. You've seemed bothered since you came along with us. While the circumstances are certainly a good explaination, that doesn't seem to be it. Is something wrong?"
Phaen only moved forward enough so that conversation was still audible, content in allowing the flow of the crowd to weave instinctively around him. He considered her question momentarily; he was indeed stricken by the haunting images of his deceased relative. Every occurance of her arrival was far more than unsettling. Phaen wasn't sure how safe it would be to tell her this. He didn't want to be thought of as crazy because his sister found it appealing to taunt him so frequently.
He frowned to himself; something that often marked his expression. Diplomacy was never something that he excelled at. He felt that it was required he say something, though. It crossed his mind then that it was odd Nera asked in the first place. While it was plausible she acted with alterior reasoning aside from mere curiousity, Phaen decided there was no way of knowing without taking the chance. The idea seemed humorous to him. He'd lived for so long under the pretenses that taking risks involving dependence on the integrity of another would surely lead to his demise. Yet, here he was, about to do exactly that. It was to be expected, he thought, as his life was nothing like it had been before. He was travelling with the closest thing to companions that he'd known since her death. "Well," he started, trying to word his response properly, "I'm not sure exactly. All I know is that..."
Phaen paused and moved closer. He could see why Nera had moved farther back, as the constant wall proved more of a barrier to sound than expected. "The only relative I've ever known died of suicide years ago. For some unknown reason she's thought now the perfect time to... return. I've seen worse things in my lifetime, but it's still very unsettling..." Phaen trailed off then, considering his words and how ridiculous he positively sounded. "I'm sorry. I must sound like I'm losing my mind. I assure you it's nothing of the sort, but it's difficult to sleep when she doesn't want me to. It's really nothing to worry about. I'll deal with it."
He remained silent for a few passing moments, looking idly off into the crowd. Phaen never developed an affinity for conversation, much less apologizing. "Anyway, I hope you can see that my previous motives have been nothing less than erradicated. You needn't worry about the threat of another attempt at your life or freedom. At least, not from this source." Phaen added the last bit in hopes of projecting something he wasn't sure of asking. "I'd like to be more than a temporary asset to this party you travel with."
(OOC: Pixelvixen is going to download what she's missed and catch up, hopefully to post soon.)
He frowned to himself; something that often marked his expression. Diplomacy was never something that he excelled at. He felt that it was required he say something, though. It crossed his mind then that it was odd Nera asked in the first place. While it was plausible she acted with alterior reasoning aside from mere curiousity, Phaen decided there was no way of knowing without taking the chance. The idea seemed humorous to him. He'd lived for so long under the pretenses that taking risks involving dependence on the integrity of another would surely lead to his demise. Yet, here he was, about to do exactly that. It was to be expected, he thought, as his life was nothing like it had been before. He was travelling with the closest thing to companions that he'd known since her death. "Well," he started, trying to word his response properly, "I'm not sure exactly. All I know is that..."
Phaen paused and moved closer. He could see why Nera had moved farther back, as the constant wall proved more of a barrier to sound than expected. "The only relative I've ever known died of suicide years ago. For some unknown reason she's thought now the perfect time to... return. I've seen worse things in my lifetime, but it's still very unsettling..." Phaen trailed off then, considering his words and how ridiculous he positively sounded. "I'm sorry. I must sound like I'm losing my mind. I assure you it's nothing of the sort, but it's difficult to sleep when she doesn't want me to. It's really nothing to worry about. I'll deal with it."
He remained silent for a few passing moments, looking idly off into the crowd. Phaen never developed an affinity for conversation, much less apologizing. "Anyway, I hope you can see that my previous motives have been nothing less than erradicated. You needn't worry about the threat of another attempt at your life or freedom. At least, not from this source." Phaen added the last bit in hopes of projecting something he wasn't sure of asking. "I'd like to be more than a temporary asset to this party you travel with."
(OOC: Pixelvixen is going to download what she's missed and catch up, hopefully to post soon.)
OOC: apologies for the late reply
"I'm glad to hear that your intentions are well, however to be honest I have no idea what Inmreari and the others have planned at this point. We'll have to ask when Inmreari gets back," she said with the slightest of frowns pulling at the corners of her mouth. She contemplated her hands for a moment, considering his problem. While Phaen had tried to assure her that he was sane, even insane people could sound very convincing. She couldn't see any specter hanging around him and she should given her magic abilities, however she also knew little of such things. Further more his statement "I'll deal with it" concerned her. Every time a male had said that to her, something unfortunate had happened. The question was whether Phaen would let anybody help him.
"If you are having trouble sleeping perhaps I could ward you at night," she asked blinking up at him. "You may want to ask Inmreari what he knows of ghost and such. Unfortunately, supernatural creatures were not considered important for a mage. At least we can head back to the inn and see if they have returned. Please think about my offer, I would be glad to help you if I can."
"I'm glad to hear that your intentions are well, however to be honest I have no idea what Inmreari and the others have planned at this point. We'll have to ask when Inmreari gets back," she said with the slightest of frowns pulling at the corners of her mouth. She contemplated her hands for a moment, considering his problem. While Phaen had tried to assure her that he was sane, even insane people could sound very convincing. She couldn't see any specter hanging around him and she should given her magic abilities, however she also knew little of such things. Further more his statement "I'll deal with it" concerned her. Every time a male had said that to her, something unfortunate had happened. The question was whether Phaen would let anybody help him.
"If you are having trouble sleeping perhaps I could ward you at night," she asked blinking up at him. "You may want to ask Inmreari what he knows of ghost and such. Unfortunately, supernatural creatures were not considered important for a mage. At least we can head back to the inn and see if they have returned. Please think about my offer, I would be glad to help you if I can."
"So what did Rudric tell you back then?" Inariea's feline ears twitched with curiosity, as she returned her attention from the morning activity on the street to the man she was accompanying to the Scarlet Dragon guildhouse. "You did not manage to tell me because the others were around."
The magician swallowed the mouthful of bread in his mouth, "Well, apparently some people found out where the nest of the Phreya Fury may be located. Which is good news. But there was something more urgent. Some of our men spotted some suspicious people loitering in the area."
"Suspicious people?"
"Yeah." For once, Inmreari stared at his food for a long moment without his usual enthusiasm. "Magicians suspected to be members of the Tower of Babel. There are witnesses for both sightings, so I have to confirm the content myself."
"Those magicians... they couldn't have found out... could they?" Inariea's expression was troubled, and her ears twitched unhappily in response.
Munching on the rest of his bun without really noticing, Inmreari sighed. "There's the possibility. When they couldn't get to Fera directly, they could have changed their target to his Fury's soulmate so that they could to ambush Fera, or better yet, captured the other Fury as well."
"Either way, it doesn't sound good for Fera."
"That's why we are going to check it out and see if we can leave for Mount Phreya as soon as possible. It's going to take us all week on horses to reach the Valha Range, and that is, if we don't take any detours." Inmreari pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly. "And I'm not sure if Fera is up to hard travelling, what's with his condition."
"I am sure the Fera person you are talking about can do with some rest before you depart for Mount Phreya, little brother." A deep baritone cut in before Inariea could respond, surprising the two of them into stopping in mid-steps.
"Kuroryu?" The magician blinked a few times, and even shook his head twice, to make sure that he was not hallucinating. Beside him, Inariea did much the same thing. Having confirmed that, yes, it was his eldest brother standing before him, he frowned. "What brings you here? And what did you mean by that?"
"Oh it's nothing." The darkly handsome half-elf smiled grimly. " It just have to do with the little problem we both have... my dear mother Elkasna."
[OOC: Plot twist!! XD]
The magician swallowed the mouthful of bread in his mouth, "Well, apparently some people found out where the nest of the Phreya Fury may be located. Which is good news. But there was something more urgent. Some of our men spotted some suspicious people loitering in the area."
"Suspicious people?"
"Yeah." For once, Inmreari stared at his food for a long moment without his usual enthusiasm. "Magicians suspected to be members of the Tower of Babel. There are witnesses for both sightings, so I have to confirm the content myself."
"Those magicians... they couldn't have found out... could they?" Inariea's expression was troubled, and her ears twitched unhappily in response.
Munching on the rest of his bun without really noticing, Inmreari sighed. "There's the possibility. When they couldn't get to Fera directly, they could have changed their target to his Fury's soulmate so that they could to ambush Fera, or better yet, captured the other Fury as well."
"Either way, it doesn't sound good for Fera."
"That's why we are going to check it out and see if we can leave for Mount Phreya as soon as possible. It's going to take us all week on horses to reach the Valha Range, and that is, if we don't take any detours." Inmreari pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly. "And I'm not sure if Fera is up to hard travelling, what's with his condition."
"I am sure the Fera person you are talking about can do with some rest before you depart for Mount Phreya, little brother." A deep baritone cut in before Inariea could respond, surprising the two of them into stopping in mid-steps.
"Kuroryu?" The magician blinked a few times, and even shook his head twice, to make sure that he was not hallucinating. Beside him, Inariea did much the same thing. Having confirmed that, yes, it was his eldest brother standing before him, he frowned. "What brings you here? And what did you mean by that?"
"Oh it's nothing." The darkly handsome half-elf smiled grimly. " It just have to do with the little problem we both have... my dear mother Elkasna."
[OOC: Plot twist!! XD]
He wasn't sure what to make of her offer. Phaen was surprised, to say the least. Not only had Nera inquired as to what was troubling him, but now she presented him with her aid in an attempted remedy. Either she feigned interest in impressive equanimity, or exhibits kindness not native to most. Phaen pulled his hood back over his face in attempt to conceal how perturbed, hence uncomfortable, he was at the moment.
"Your offer is very generous, Miss Nera. Could you then?" Phaen sighed at his own words. It's almost as if all discipline was driven out by something so feeble as a mere ghost. The fact that he had seen thousands of them, been one of them, made him even more agitated at his deficiency in dealing with the presence of just one. Phaen grew increasingly angry with himself. This was manifested in his voice more than he expected. "It's something trivial. We should head back to the inn as you suggested. They're probably wondering of our whereabouts as we speak."
The assassin didn't bother to wait for a response before starting off. Not due to any disdain toward Nera, but because he was infuriated with his recent decline. All this wouldn't have happened if it weren't for Elkasna. He would've still been revered as an assassin, not progressively and seemingly exponentially deteriorating so that a ghost could cause him to falter. Phaen didn't know that was true, but it was reassuring to have her image as an obelisk through which he could channel his discontent.
"Your offer is very generous, Miss Nera. Could you then?" Phaen sighed at his own words. It's almost as if all discipline was driven out by something so feeble as a mere ghost. The fact that he had seen thousands of them, been one of them, made him even more agitated at his deficiency in dealing with the presence of just one. Phaen grew increasingly angry with himself. This was manifested in his voice more than he expected. "It's something trivial. We should head back to the inn as you suggested. They're probably wondering of our whereabouts as we speak."
The assassin didn't bother to wait for a response before starting off. Not due to any disdain toward Nera, but because he was infuriated with his recent decline. All this wouldn't have happened if it weren't for Elkasna. He would've still been revered as an assassin, not progressively and seemingly exponentially deteriorating so that a ghost could cause him to falter. Phaen didn't know that was true, but it was reassuring to have her image as an obelisk through which he could channel his discontent.
Nera smiled when he accepted the offer, relieved that she could do something, even if it ended up not helping the issue. Using a variety of wardings should at least determine if the entity was just in his mind or a real presence. Of course, sometimes even if the person had made the thing up, the thought of having someone ward them reassured them, resulting of the disappearance of the made-up entity. Either way, she truly hoped she would be able to aid him.
Phaen moved off quickly into the crowds, navigating skillfully around the milling people. Nera was less proficient and proceeded much more slowly as she attempted to follow him. He disappeared behind a wall of people. She sighed and continued, wondering over what he was thinking. She was aware that his confession to her was against his nature. She felt sympathy for him, not merely because he too had been in Elkasna's hands unwilling but because she had the feeling that friends were never a luxury he could claim to. If she was correct in this assumption then Phaen must be truly distressed to relate such a concern to her.
She reached the inn and immediately went to check and see if the others were back.
Phaen moved off quickly into the crowds, navigating skillfully around the milling people. Nera was less proficient and proceeded much more slowly as she attempted to follow him. He disappeared behind a wall of people. She sighed and continued, wondering over what he was thinking. She was aware that his confession to her was against his nature. She felt sympathy for him, not merely because he too had been in Elkasna's hands unwilling but because she had the feeling that friends were never a luxury he could claim to. If she was correct in this assumption then Phaen must be truly distressed to relate such a concern to her.
She reached the inn and immediately went to check and see if the others were back.
(ooc: weee im finally back, sorry you guys, have been pretty busy lately, my parents are really into holiday parties, ill try to post more consistently from now on)
ic:
Darah gave a sigh as she dropped her face into her hands. Three days in this wretched place and still she hadn’t found any work, despite her charms. There were no wealthy pashas here to bother with something so frivolous. No, the wealthy here were far more “practical” they wanted something more than a little dance. The fact that she had the attire of one who had just spent a few days traipsing through the forest didn’t help. “Of all the miserable luck.” She sulked for a time, absently kicking at the dust, until the store owner chased her off his stoop. For once in her life there we’re no pointed fingers, harsh glares, or hushed whispers, and yet she found herself to be even more alone than ever before. ‘Well time to toughen up girlie, you weren’t raised on the streets for nothing. You've more than one talent afterall.’ She chided herself. Determined to turn things around she walked into the crowded marketplace, her resolution driving her to pull off a job better than any she had ever done before. Indeed Darah moved more skillfully than ever. She easily glided through the crowd, murmuring an apology as she brushed against a passerby. She walked quite a ways more before casually slipping her hand into her pocket, cheerily noting the weight and bulge of the pouch she had lifted. However the cold steel pressed against the small of her back quickly became the more pressing matter.
ic:
Darah gave a sigh as she dropped her face into her hands. Three days in this wretched place and still she hadn’t found any work, despite her charms. There were no wealthy pashas here to bother with something so frivolous. No, the wealthy here were far more “practical” they wanted something more than a little dance. The fact that she had the attire of one who had just spent a few days traipsing through the forest didn’t help. “Of all the miserable luck.” She sulked for a time, absently kicking at the dust, until the store owner chased her off his stoop. For once in her life there we’re no pointed fingers, harsh glares, or hushed whispers, and yet she found herself to be even more alone than ever before. ‘Well time to toughen up girlie, you weren’t raised on the streets for nothing. You've more than one talent afterall.’ She chided herself. Determined to turn things around she walked into the crowded marketplace, her resolution driving her to pull off a job better than any she had ever done before. Indeed Darah moved more skillfully than ever. She easily glided through the crowd, murmuring an apology as she brushed against a passerby. She walked quite a ways more before casually slipping her hand into her pocket, cheerily noting the weight and bulge of the pouch she had lifted. However the cold steel pressed against the small of her back quickly became the more pressing matter.
"A lady should not be doing something like this." The deep smooth voice was practically breathed into the ears of the pickpocket, as a hand reached out from behind her to take the pouch away from her, the dagger withdrawing at the same time. "You could have just asked."
"Do we really have time for this, Kuroryu?" The Scarlet Dragon magician frowned as he tucked the pouch back to where it was taken from. It was easy to tell he was more concerned for the lack of time instead of his eldest brother's antics. "We should ge-"
Abruptly, Inmreari cut himself off and collapsed onto the ground, a moan escaping from his throat as he grabbed his head in both hands. His youngish face was pale and sweating, and pain filled his emerald eyes.
Alarmed by the sudden turn of events, Inariea half-knelt to check on the magician. "What's happening to him?!"
"Magical backlash. I'm guessing that the wards he set around the inn shattered." Kuroryu's expression was dead serious. "They are here."
---
When Fera stirred, a small spark of relief lightened Geral's heart, and he quickly pushed himself away from the chair to reach the boy's side. But when he noticed that Fera was paler than normal, and panting visibly, he knew that something was wrong.
"Run..." The usually blood red eyes went wide and glowed bright orange, and the Mark on his hand start flashing violently as blood flowed from it. Fera grabbed the bleeding hand so tightly that his fingers went white, and again, he gasped to his guardian. "Run, Geral!"
Geral did not have time to do anything before the outside wall of the room suddenly exploded, and the whole room was engulfed in a brilliant white light.
[OOC: Super plot twist! You guys don't think I'll do another typical quest, do you? *cackles evilly*]
"Do we really have time for this, Kuroryu?" The Scarlet Dragon magician frowned as he tucked the pouch back to where it was taken from. It was easy to tell he was more concerned for the lack of time instead of his eldest brother's antics. "We should ge-"
Abruptly, Inmreari cut himself off and collapsed onto the ground, a moan escaping from his throat as he grabbed his head in both hands. His youngish face was pale and sweating, and pain filled his emerald eyes.
Alarmed by the sudden turn of events, Inariea half-knelt to check on the magician. "What's happening to him?!"
"Magical backlash. I'm guessing that the wards he set around the inn shattered." Kuroryu's expression was dead serious. "They are here."
---
When Fera stirred, a small spark of relief lightened Geral's heart, and he quickly pushed himself away from the chair to reach the boy's side. But when he noticed that Fera was paler than normal, and panting visibly, he knew that something was wrong.
"Run..." The usually blood red eyes went wide and glowed bright orange, and the Mark on his hand start flashing violently as blood flowed from it. Fera grabbed the bleeding hand so tightly that his fingers went white, and again, he gasped to his guardian. "Run, Geral!"
Geral did not have time to do anything before the outside wall of the room suddenly exploded, and the whole room was engulfed in a brilliant white light.
[OOC: Super plot twist! You guys don't think I'll do another typical quest, do you? *cackles evilly*]
OOC: XD Correct anything that needs to be corrected Sel.
IC:
The building shuddered as a explosion sounded from upstairs. The startled patrons at the inn's restaurant either flicked their gaze upward or dove under the tables. Nera's wards flared rapidly around her, she found herself racing up the flight of stairs before she had a chance to take in significance of the noise. She felt Inmreari's wards breaking up and a huge amount of magic energy swirling around the room where the child had been sleeping. She reached for the door knob but paused. Nera thickened the protective magic around her and kicked the door in, instead.
A blinding white light pierced her eyes as she entered the room. She held up a hand, both to shield her eyes and release a spell. Tendrils of black energy flew gracefully from her palm and sliced through the white. The light flicked then died. She took a quick peer about the room to assess the situation. Debris from the explosion littered the floor, Geral was on the floor, motionless. Never taking her eyes off the open area where a wall had been, she walked over to Geral and knelt to gently place two fingers on his neck. A pulse beat firmly. Geral bore many cuts from flying debris, but it seemed nothing major had been harmed.
"Good, he lives," she whispered. Under her breath, she began to chant. Four symbols appeared, circled around Geral and faded. The ward was set. While she could cast her own wardings fairly effortlessly, setting them on others took more effort. The magic force in the room had dissipated. She frowned and searched the room with her eyes. There was no trace of Fera any where. Fear for the child clutched at her stomach. What the hell had happened here? A groan from Geral turned her attention back to the man. She kept her guard up as she leaned over to check him again. She still didn't know if the ones that did this were still around. Delicately she pulled a shard of glass out of his arm, stanching the bleeding with her sleeve.
"I'm surprised you aren't more singed," she said more to herself than to the unconscious man beside her. Wind whirled around her as she stood up. "Inmreari, Geral is hurt, not badly. Fera is missing. At the Inn." The wind flew away carrying her message. She was concerned. Inmreari's wards had been severed suddenly, he might not even be able to get over here. At least if Kalani was with him, the boy's magic should be able to pick up the message and any other mages near Inmreari. She grimaced, hoping whatever attacked this place hadn't gotten to them as well. Nera struggled to move Geral's mass into a more comfortable position on his back. Unclasping her cloak, she balled it up and slid it under his feet. She rose once again to look about the room hunting for clues.
"By the goddess, what is going on?" She shook her head, watching over the area with both magic and her physical senses.
IC:
The building shuddered as a explosion sounded from upstairs. The startled patrons at the inn's restaurant either flicked their gaze upward or dove under the tables. Nera's wards flared rapidly around her, she found herself racing up the flight of stairs before she had a chance to take in significance of the noise. She felt Inmreari's wards breaking up and a huge amount of magic energy swirling around the room where the child had been sleeping. She reached for the door knob but paused. Nera thickened the protective magic around her and kicked the door in, instead.
A blinding white light pierced her eyes as she entered the room. She held up a hand, both to shield her eyes and release a spell. Tendrils of black energy flew gracefully from her palm and sliced through the white. The light flicked then died. She took a quick peer about the room to assess the situation. Debris from the explosion littered the floor, Geral was on the floor, motionless. Never taking her eyes off the open area where a wall had been, she walked over to Geral and knelt to gently place two fingers on his neck. A pulse beat firmly. Geral bore many cuts from flying debris, but it seemed nothing major had been harmed.
"Good, he lives," she whispered. Under her breath, she began to chant. Four symbols appeared, circled around Geral and faded. The ward was set. While she could cast her own wardings fairly effortlessly, setting them on others took more effort. The magic force in the room had dissipated. She frowned and searched the room with her eyes. There was no trace of Fera any where. Fear for the child clutched at her stomach. What the hell had happened here? A groan from Geral turned her attention back to the man. She kept her guard up as she leaned over to check him again. She still didn't know if the ones that did this were still around. Delicately she pulled a shard of glass out of his arm, stanching the bleeding with her sleeve.
"I'm surprised you aren't more singed," she said more to herself than to the unconscious man beside her. Wind whirled around her as she stood up. "Inmreari, Geral is hurt, not badly. Fera is missing. At the Inn." The wind flew away carrying her message. She was concerned. Inmreari's wards had been severed suddenly, he might not even be able to get over here. At least if Kalani was with him, the boy's magic should be able to pick up the message and any other mages near Inmreari. She grimaced, hoping whatever attacked this place hadn't gotten to them as well. Nera struggled to move Geral's mass into a more comfortable position on his back. Unclasping her cloak, she balled it up and slid it under his feet. She rose once again to look about the room hunting for clues.
"By the goddess, what is going on?" She shook her head, watching over the area with both magic and her physical senses.
[OOC: It's good, Sydra, don't worry about it. Where is Ember though?]
"Like Inmri was saying, we need to get back." Kuroryu ignored the dark look his pale-faced young sibling threw him, and turned to the lady he had caught stealing from Inmreari. "Why don't you continue what you were doing, on different people though?"
With that, he stepped away from her and extended his hand towards Inmreari, who took it reluctantly and pulled himself up. It was when the two were steadying themselves, when they heard the message in the wind.
"Fera... has been taken..?"
The sympathetic look on Kuroryu's face conflicted with the calculative coldness in his eyes. "It is as I guessed then. If he is as precious as you indicated, it'll stand to reason why Elkasna joined forces with the Tower of Babel through Lihen Celin, even though she still hated the Babel mages for exiling her. They must be very desperate to have approached her."
"Yes, he's very precious." Inmreari rubbed forehead and fixed solemn green eyes on his brother. "He's the bearer of the male Fury we were talking about in the guildhouse."
"I guessed correctly again then." Kuroryu clapped a hand on the human mage's shoulder. "So, what in the name of the dragons are we waiting for?"
[OOC: Just clearing up a few things. XD *Added* The female thief that Kuroryu caught is pixelvixen's char. ^^;;]
"Like Inmri was saying, we need to get back." Kuroryu ignored the dark look his pale-faced young sibling threw him, and turned to the lady he had caught stealing from Inmreari. "Why don't you continue what you were doing, on different people though?"
With that, he stepped away from her and extended his hand towards Inmreari, who took it reluctantly and pulled himself up. It was when the two were steadying themselves, when they heard the message in the wind.
"Fera... has been taken..?"
The sympathetic look on Kuroryu's face conflicted with the calculative coldness in his eyes. "It is as I guessed then. If he is as precious as you indicated, it'll stand to reason why Elkasna joined forces with the Tower of Babel through Lihen Celin, even though she still hated the Babel mages for exiling her. They must be very desperate to have approached her."
"Yes, he's very precious." Inmreari rubbed forehead and fixed solemn green eyes on his brother. "He's the bearer of the male Fury we were talking about in the guildhouse."
"I guessed correctly again then." Kuroryu clapped a hand on the human mage's shoulder. "So, what in the name of the dragons are we waiting for?"
[OOC: Just clearing up a few things. XD *Added* The female thief that Kuroryu caught is pixelvixen's char. ^^;;]
His vision was utterly interloped by blazing, white blindness. The only audible sound was an impenetrable ringing that throbbed within the confines of his skull as though he were just struck with a hammer. He held his weapons more than firmly in his grasp, squeezing them as he physically shuddered. Discord had erupted around him, and he had taken to his knees after his deft landing. Normally, Phaen could defend himself with some efficacy even while blinded, but he had no way of doing so while deaf.
Phaen was heading toward the inn when he noticed a voilent struggle in the room where Geral and Fera should've been staying. The inn only had two levels, so Phaen decided it would be prudent to scale the building and achieve a measure of ambush through the window, which would take just as long as if he were to run through the inn and up the stairs. Just as he perched at the window, a roaring explosion rocked the structure. Phaen retained enough composure to twist with unnatural dexterity mid-air as he was vehemently forced into flight. This allowed him to land safely on his feet, albeit while staggering and bewildered.
After a few passing moments that seemed like decades, the encompassing white was replaced by fluttering aurorae and, in a swift second, his hearing now mirrored the panic of the crowd around him.
The inn was farther away than he expected. There were at least three blocks between him and the structure; the only reason he was capable of seeing it is because it resided at the end of a street. Phaen sighed and didn't manage a flinch as he pulled the shards of glass from his face, thankful for the protective enchantments placed on his leather armor.
The assassin was on his way back to the stricken montage of the inn surrounded by chaos. The river of a crowd was moving almost entirely away from that area, which prohibited his progress even more than normal. When he finally made his way out of the crowd he broke out in stride, but immediately felt himself barrel into someone that stood in his way.
He maintained his footing, but she was knocked completely over as he had ran into her back. Phaen was growing angry. He took a moment to wipe the blood that had proven as a second blindness attributed to the explosion from his eyes. It wasn't much, but a cut above his eye was enough to allow the warm fluid to trickle down.
Phaen was about to kill the person he'd hit in pure frustration, when he blinked her visage into sight. His short sword and dagger were at the ready as he looked down at the young lady, his face etched with confusion now more than anger.
(OOC: Hurray, Pixelvixen! Now we have explosions and carrots all around us!)
Phaen was heading toward the inn when he noticed a voilent struggle in the room where Geral and Fera should've been staying. The inn only had two levels, so Phaen decided it would be prudent to scale the building and achieve a measure of ambush through the window, which would take just as long as if he were to run through the inn and up the stairs. Just as he perched at the window, a roaring explosion rocked the structure. Phaen retained enough composure to twist with unnatural dexterity mid-air as he was vehemently forced into flight. This allowed him to land safely on his feet, albeit while staggering and bewildered.
After a few passing moments that seemed like decades, the encompassing white was replaced by fluttering aurorae and, in a swift second, his hearing now mirrored the panic of the crowd around him.
The inn was farther away than he expected. There were at least three blocks between him and the structure; the only reason he was capable of seeing it is because it resided at the end of a street. Phaen sighed and didn't manage a flinch as he pulled the shards of glass from his face, thankful for the protective enchantments placed on his leather armor.
The assassin was on his way back to the stricken montage of the inn surrounded by chaos. The river of a crowd was moving almost entirely away from that area, which prohibited his progress even more than normal. When he finally made his way out of the crowd he broke out in stride, but immediately felt himself barrel into someone that stood in his way.
He maintained his footing, but she was knocked completely over as he had ran into her back. Phaen was growing angry. He took a moment to wipe the blood that had proven as a second blindness attributed to the explosion from his eyes. It wasn't much, but a cut above his eye was enough to allow the warm fluid to trickle down.
Phaen was about to kill the person he'd hit in pure frustration, when he blinked her visage into sight. His short sword and dagger were at the ready as he looked down at the young lady, his face etched with confusion now more than anger.
(OOC: Hurray, Pixelvixen! Now we have explosions and carrots all around us!)
(ooc: carrots! Rwar!)
ic:
"A lady should not be doing something like this." A shudder ran down Darah’s back as he spoke. She spun to face her assailant as he withdrew his blade. There were two others a man and a- well a female of some sort, it was a certainly a species she had never laid eyes on before. How had they come upon her unheard? Darah trembled as she remembered how thieves we’re punished back in Umberlee’s Dune. Her thoughts of dismemberment fled though as the other man dropped to his knees in pain. The trio conversed amongst themselves and Darah found herself to be too bewildered to catch a word of it. Perhaps now was her opportunity to run. ‘Yes! Run, run, run!’ her mind screamed yet her legs would not move. ‘Too late!’ her captor turned to face her.
"Why don't you continue what you were doing, on different people though?"
She stared at him dumbly for a moment. A reprieve? Ye gods! Darah gave a mute nod, stumbling backwards and away from the trio, right smack into yet another passerby. She yelped and fell to the ground. She looked up to see an armed man staring back at her. He was cut and bleeding in places, more importantly two blades hung at his sides. The man looked far from pleased. She found herself trembling yet again but steeled her resolve.
‘Now is not the time to cower! You have defended yourself before and you shall again! It is true you have been caught unawares twice now but few encounters in life are planned. You have not endured so much to die for such a slight! Ready yourself woman.’
“M-my apologies, I was not watching where I was going.”
She stuttered as one hand slipping to her thigh ready to unsheathe the dagger concealed there if need be. While such tactics had proved useful before this man seemed a battle hardened warrior, not one to be taken lightly. Her fingertips grazed the cold steel and prayed that in this instance it would not be necessary.
ic:
"A lady should not be doing something like this." A shudder ran down Darah’s back as he spoke. She spun to face her assailant as he withdrew his blade. There were two others a man and a- well a female of some sort, it was a certainly a species she had never laid eyes on before. How had they come upon her unheard? Darah trembled as she remembered how thieves we’re punished back in Umberlee’s Dune. Her thoughts of dismemberment fled though as the other man dropped to his knees in pain. The trio conversed amongst themselves and Darah found herself to be too bewildered to catch a word of it. Perhaps now was her opportunity to run. ‘Yes! Run, run, run!’ her mind screamed yet her legs would not move. ‘Too late!’ her captor turned to face her.
"Why don't you continue what you were doing, on different people though?"
She stared at him dumbly for a moment. A reprieve? Ye gods! Darah gave a mute nod, stumbling backwards and away from the trio, right smack into yet another passerby. She yelped and fell to the ground. She looked up to see an armed man staring back at her. He was cut and bleeding in places, more importantly two blades hung at his sides. The man looked far from pleased. She found herself trembling yet again but steeled her resolve.
‘Now is not the time to cower! You have defended yourself before and you shall again! It is true you have been caught unawares twice now but few encounters in life are planned. You have not endured so much to die for such a slight! Ready yourself woman.’
“M-my apologies, I was not watching where I was going.”
She stuttered as one hand slipping to her thigh ready to unsheathe the dagger concealed there if need be. While such tactics had proved useful before this man seemed a battle hardened warrior, not one to be taken lightly. Her fingertips grazed the cold steel and prayed that in this instance it would not be necessary.
The expression on Phaen's face instantly turned to a scowl. Though Darah reached with subtlety for what was likely a weapon at her thigh, it was redundantly obvious under his scrutiny. This led him to one premature conclusion.
"You parlay with innocence and sensuality right after a direct attack? I'm afraid that's not going to work. Get up, whore, or I'll kill you on your back. Or would you prefer it that way?"
Phaen had closed his left eye unwittingly at the small stream of blood and wiped away the obstruction immediately as he noticed. This woman appeared far from formidable, but she was an enemy and he knew that appearance had little influence over true prowess.
Although he doubted she would provide, Phaen hoped the young lady would prove an adequate opponent. Aside from regular sparring, he hadn't the opportunity to defeat a worthy fighter outside of the shadows in quite a while. Inwardly a desire to prove his worth hummed with life, and adrenaline. Not only to himself, but to the others as well.
The crowd that usually cluttered the streets had mostly dispersed in favor of their lives, which left the perfect setting for him to put an end to this enemy guerilla.
That's when ambition and rationale ceased. The female before him flickered in and out of existance. Her face distorted and blurred into obscurity before being replaced by that of Yoika's. That was all he needed. A lust for blood drove him mad and, at that moment, he was fighting her physical manifestion, seeded in Darah.
Phaen grinned widely and switched the dagger in his right hand to an inverted position, bursting forward in acceleration, weapon poised to stab at the downed Darah.
(OOC: Kinda forced >.<)
"You parlay with innocence and sensuality right after a direct attack? I'm afraid that's not going to work. Get up, whore, or I'll kill you on your back. Or would you prefer it that way?"
Phaen had closed his left eye unwittingly at the small stream of blood and wiped away the obstruction immediately as he noticed. This woman appeared far from formidable, but she was an enemy and he knew that appearance had little influence over true prowess.
Although he doubted she would provide, Phaen hoped the young lady would prove an adequate opponent. Aside from regular sparring, he hadn't the opportunity to defeat a worthy fighter outside of the shadows in quite a while. Inwardly a desire to prove his worth hummed with life, and adrenaline. Not only to himself, but to the others as well.
The crowd that usually cluttered the streets had mostly dispersed in favor of their lives, which left the perfect setting for him to put an end to this enemy guerilla.
That's when ambition and rationale ceased. The female before him flickered in and out of existance. Her face distorted and blurred into obscurity before being replaced by that of Yoika's. That was all he needed. A lust for blood drove him mad and, at that moment, he was fighting her physical manifestion, seeded in Darah.
Phaen grinned widely and switched the dagger in his right hand to an inverted position, bursting forward in acceleration, weapon poised to stab at the downed Darah.
(OOC: Kinda forced >.<)
"You parlay with innocence and sensuality right after a direct attack? I'm afraid that's not going to work. Get up, whore, or I'll kill you on your back. Or would you prefer it that way?"
“Direct attack? I just bumped into you, and just who do you think you’re calling a whore?”
The girl sat there dumbfounded. She had hoped to avoid a fight but this man was clearly looking to pick one.
“Please sir, I sincerely apologize for knocking into you but certainly this sort of reaction is- YE GODS!”
Darah yelped as she spun out of the way just in time to avoid an untimely death. She stared wide-eyed at her assailant and felt the numb sensation of blind terror spread through her body. A realization had dawned on her. The man was mad, stark raving mad, his expression was unmistakable. She scrambled to collect her thoughts. There are three important things to remember when fighting a madman: one they are unreasonable, two their actions are often suicidal, and three they are nigh impervious to pain. Darah took these things into account but she also realized that this mentality would mean he would take bigger risks and thus leave many openings. And while his threshold for pain would be unfathomable it would mean that killing blow would not affect him until he was on the brink of death. Taking all this into consideration she realized that she would have to quickly deal a mortal wound than keep her distance until he bled out. Considering her fighting style it wasn’t impossible. Darah let loose her dagger and rolled to the side as it sailed toward him. She came into a fighting stance some ten feet away and drew yet another dagger from her garter; it was enchanted with an inexhaustible supply. With a flick of her wrist she let fly another string of daggers centered on his arms and legs in the hope of immobilizing her foe.
“Direct attack? I just bumped into you, and just who do you think you’re calling a whore?”
The girl sat there dumbfounded. She had hoped to avoid a fight but this man was clearly looking to pick one.
“Please sir, I sincerely apologize for knocking into you but certainly this sort of reaction is- YE GODS!”
Darah yelped as she spun out of the way just in time to avoid an untimely death. She stared wide-eyed at her assailant and felt the numb sensation of blind terror spread through her body. A realization had dawned on her. The man was mad, stark raving mad, his expression was unmistakable. She scrambled to collect her thoughts. There are three important things to remember when fighting a madman: one they are unreasonable, two their actions are often suicidal, and three they are nigh impervious to pain. Darah took these things into account but she also realized that this mentality would mean he would take bigger risks and thus leave many openings. And while his threshold for pain would be unfathomable it would mean that killing blow would not affect him until he was on the brink of death. Taking all this into consideration she realized that she would have to quickly deal a mortal wound than keep her distance until he bled out. Considering her fighting style it wasn’t impossible. Darah let loose her dagger and rolled to the side as it sailed toward him. She came into a fighting stance some ten feet away and drew yet another dagger from her garter; it was enchanted with an inexhaustible supply. With a flick of her wrist she let fly another string of daggers centered on his arms and legs in the hope of immobilizing her foe.
Her reasoning was lost on Phaen. To him everything was shrouded in complete serenity; a state that now came naturally, induced by years of rigorous training. All that mattered was the kill.
Phaen deflected the first dagger with practiced precision. He had fought in this situation before. The opponent resorted to using a missile weapon in attempt to gain distance, thus safety and strategic higher ground. If the enemy couldn't reach them all they had to do was wait. It would be grudgingly slow reaching them, and that's if they decided to stand still.
He found Elkasna's lasting curse to be quite the aid in defending himself against her barrage. Phaen used his right arm as a shield to impede the projectory of the plethora of daggers, each successful block accompanied by an appropriate thwoop as it was lodged in his leather armor. His other hand worked in unison as a deterrant, the clang of intercepting metal eventually followed by another softer rendition as each successive dagger hit the ground.
Although the blood in his cut was beginning to clot, Phaen still found himself blinded once again. A dagger sunk hard into his lower left abdomen, a resounding grunt came immediately after. He halted his forward assault and hopped backward behind the nearest obstacle: a merchant's fruit cart. Phaen could hear the thud of a few missiles that stuck firm in the wood on the opposite side of the cart.
He gritted his teeth and yanked the dagger from his side, crimson flowing freely from the wound. "Not today," he thought to himself. Phaen proceeded to resheath his weapons, then pull all the daggers from his right arm. He gathered them up and stood up abruptly, pulling various fruits from the stand he was behind and hurling them in the direction of the coward. After a few of those he began to return her own weapons in the same manner, only after plunging each of them into the sheath that housed his most deadly poison.
(OOC: It's time to d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-DUEL! We let the others post now.
;;)
Phaen deflected the first dagger with practiced precision. He had fought in this situation before. The opponent resorted to using a missile weapon in attempt to gain distance, thus safety and strategic higher ground. If the enemy couldn't reach them all they had to do was wait. It would be grudgingly slow reaching them, and that's if they decided to stand still.
He found Elkasna's lasting curse to be quite the aid in defending himself against her barrage. Phaen used his right arm as a shield to impede the projectory of the plethora of daggers, each successful block accompanied by an appropriate thwoop as it was lodged in his leather armor. His other hand worked in unison as a deterrant, the clang of intercepting metal eventually followed by another softer rendition as each successive dagger hit the ground.
Although the blood in his cut was beginning to clot, Phaen still found himself blinded once again. A dagger sunk hard into his lower left abdomen, a resounding grunt came immediately after. He halted his forward assault and hopped backward behind the nearest obstacle: a merchant's fruit cart. Phaen could hear the thud of a few missiles that stuck firm in the wood on the opposite side of the cart.
He gritted his teeth and yanked the dagger from his side, crimson flowing freely from the wound. "Not today," he thought to himself. Phaen proceeded to resheath his weapons, then pull all the daggers from his right arm. He gathered them up and stood up abruptly, pulling various fruits from the stand he was behind and hurling them in the direction of the coward. After a few of those he began to return her own weapons in the same manner, only after plunging each of them into the sheath that housed his most deadly poison.
(OOC: It's time to d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-DUEL! We let the others post now.
;;)
(OOC: I'm sorry, I'm not sure where to put Kalani, so I've been stalling... I guess I'm having a major brain fart/Writer's Block or something. And I couldn't post with the other characters, because the person I was RPing with disappeared.)
Another groan from Geral alerted Nera to his coming around. She knelt, leaning over him with a frown of concern.
"Are you all right? Do you think you can stand? I don't trust the building's foundation after a blast like that." She slipped an arm behind his back, helping him into a sitting position. He opened his eyes, but barely seemed to recognize her. His look was pained.
"If we can just make it to the opening over there, I can get us down to the ground." He didn't respond, but when she put his arm around her shoulders to assist him in standing, he struggled to rise as well.
Together they staggered forward, most of his weight leaning on her. She grimaced but stubbornly continued forward. When they had reached the opened area where the wall had been, she pulled them both over the edge. The wind gusted powerfully beneath them and slowed their descent. They touched the ground, Geral still leaning against her. The area was desolated. People had the good sense to run away from the exploding building. She was sure the city's authorities would soon arrive to get a handle on the situation. She didn't want to be around for questioning. She readjusted Geral's arm and pulled him with her. He stumbled forward with her, she could sense that he was barely holding on. They crossed the street and she lowered him slowly, so that he could lean against the wall of one of the other building.
"I guess we'll just have to wait here for the others to come," she said kneeling next to him, gently blotting some of the blood from his wounds. The sounds of a fight reached her. She frowned and stood up, cautiously moving to the edge of the building to take a peek in the direction of the sounds. Her eyes widened as she recognized one of the combatants. Phaen. The person he was fighting against was female and demonstrated had skills with blade. She doubted that the woman had that much in the way of magics. She turned back to check on Geral, who was still leaning against the building, eyes closed. Nera chanted low in throat, lifting her hand up, palm facing the woman. Fire flew from her fingers and encircled the woman with a wall of flame that stood just a bit above her head. The circle was wide enough not harm to the woman, but narrow enough to prevent excessive movement.
"Phaen," she called out. "Are you all right over there?" She didn't run over him, not wanting to leave Geral alone. Her voice echoed her worry though.
"Are you all right? Do you think you can stand? I don't trust the building's foundation after a blast like that." She slipped an arm behind his back, helping him into a sitting position. He opened his eyes, but barely seemed to recognize her. His look was pained.
"If we can just make it to the opening over there, I can get us down to the ground." He didn't respond, but when she put his arm around her shoulders to assist him in standing, he struggled to rise as well.
Together they staggered forward, most of his weight leaning on her. She grimaced but stubbornly continued forward. When they had reached the opened area where the wall had been, she pulled them both over the edge. The wind gusted powerfully beneath them and slowed their descent. They touched the ground, Geral still leaning against her. The area was desolated. People had the good sense to run away from the exploding building. She was sure the city's authorities would soon arrive to get a handle on the situation. She didn't want to be around for questioning. She readjusted Geral's arm and pulled him with her. He stumbled forward with her, she could sense that he was barely holding on. They crossed the street and she lowered him slowly, so that he could lean against the wall of one of the other building.
"I guess we'll just have to wait here for the others to come," she said kneeling next to him, gently blotting some of the blood from his wounds. The sounds of a fight reached her. She frowned and stood up, cautiously moving to the edge of the building to take a peek in the direction of the sounds. Her eyes widened as she recognized one of the combatants. Phaen. The person he was fighting against was female and demonstrated had skills with blade. She doubted that the woman had that much in the way of magics. She turned back to check on Geral, who was still leaning against the building, eyes closed. Nera chanted low in throat, lifting her hand up, palm facing the woman. Fire flew from her fingers and encircled the woman with a wall of flame that stood just a bit above her head. The circle was wide enough not harm to the woman, but narrow enough to prevent excessive movement.
"Phaen," she called out. "Are you all right over there?" She didn't run over him, not wanting to leave Geral alone. Her voice echoed her worry though.
[OOC: I'm a bit confused so I didn't post. Phaen bumped into Darah when she was stepping away from Inmri and co., while Inmri and co. runs towards the inn. But Phaen and Darah are near enough to the inn that Nera can see them... so where are mai mages? o.o
*Edit* Ah, I figured it out (with kurai's help) so it's ok now. I'll post when I come online next.
Erm, Ember, do you need any help getting back into plot?]
*Edit* Ah, I figured it out (with kurai's help) so it's ok now. I'll post when I come online next.
Erm, Ember, do you need any help getting back into plot?]
Darah watched than man approach, unable to comprehend what she was seeing. Several of her daggers had embedded themselves into his right arm and yet he still pushed on. She would have wrote it off as a high pain threshold except that it wasn’t physically possible for it to remain in that upheld position, he should have lost all motion in it by now. In fact it didn’t look like the damned thing was even bleeding. Was he some sort of flesh golem? More importantly his left hand was moving with a speed and grace the likes of which she had never seen. Despite the man’s advance she kept her ground and continued the barrage determined to remain level headed. Finally a blade sunk home slicing into his abdomen. ‘Yes!’ Her heart leapt with joy. The man in turn dove behind a fruit stand. Darah frowned. Something was wrong here; a madman would likely have blindly rushed at her. Her opponent on the other hand seemed to perfectly sensibly. While using an arm as a shield didn’t seem like the sanest of ideas it had obviously worked and he was no worse the wear for it. Now he was seeking cover? Was the man sane or wasn’t he? Before she could ponder this any further an apple hit her squarely in the head.
“What in the blazes?”
It was promptly followed by a rotten peach that smeared itself over the skirt of her gown.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She looked over herself with a sense of disgust and turned her attention to the cart. “Hey halfwit, do you have any idea what this thing costs? I’m talking to you; you pile of chicken dr- ahh!”
Darah gasped as she barely dodged a hail of blades. Something warm trickled down her cheek and moved to wipe away the blood. Darah frowned. It was sticky, her blood was sticky, blood wasn’t supposed to be sticky. She examined her fingertips and realized that it was mingled with something else. Her blood ran cold. Poison? It had only been a shallow cut, and it had not pierced a vein or vital organ but she did not know the extent of its potency. At any rate if she avoided being hit again and worked quickly she could save herself before the poison spread through her. She crouched behind an overturned cart and tried to reassess her situation. There was no way she could run in these shoes, and perhaps that was best, seeing as that would only circulate the poison through her all the faster. A dagger clattered past the edge of the cart and came into view; it was one of her own. ‘That thieving bastard!’ She grimaced and gritted her teeth. She fingered the jewel that hung from her ear and sighed. There was only one thing to be done. Before she could even put her plan into action however, a wall of fire encircled her. ‘Don’t tell me he’s a mage as well!’ She groaned in exasperation as her plan b went up in smoke.
"Phaen," Came, a voice from around the corner. "Are you all right over there?"
Two of them! Darah gritted her teeth in frustration.
“Is he alright? Your friend is a BLEEDING MANIAC! HE’S TRYING TO KILL ME! OR ARE YOU A PSYCHOPATH AS WELL!? GAGH! I HATE THIS CITY!!!” Darah was at her wit’s end. ‘Here I am about to be murdered because I bumped into some idiot. This must be why they hate outsiders in the dune; they are all bleeding nut jobs! This can’t possible get any worse.’ She clutched at a sharp pain in her abdomen and coughed up a small puddle of blood. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” She croaked before the world around her spun into blackness.
“What in the blazes?”
It was promptly followed by a rotten peach that smeared itself over the skirt of her gown.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She looked over herself with a sense of disgust and turned her attention to the cart. “Hey halfwit, do you have any idea what this thing costs? I’m talking to you; you pile of chicken dr- ahh!”
Darah gasped as she barely dodged a hail of blades. Something warm trickled down her cheek and moved to wipe away the blood. Darah frowned. It was sticky, her blood was sticky, blood wasn’t supposed to be sticky. She examined her fingertips and realized that it was mingled with something else. Her blood ran cold. Poison? It had only been a shallow cut, and it had not pierced a vein or vital organ but she did not know the extent of its potency. At any rate if she avoided being hit again and worked quickly she could save herself before the poison spread through her. She crouched behind an overturned cart and tried to reassess her situation. There was no way she could run in these shoes, and perhaps that was best, seeing as that would only circulate the poison through her all the faster. A dagger clattered past the edge of the cart and came into view; it was one of her own. ‘That thieving bastard!’ She grimaced and gritted her teeth. She fingered the jewel that hung from her ear and sighed. There was only one thing to be done. Before she could even put her plan into action however, a wall of fire encircled her. ‘Don’t tell me he’s a mage as well!’ She groaned in exasperation as her plan b went up in smoke.
"Phaen," Came, a voice from around the corner. "Are you all right over there?"
Two of them! Darah gritted her teeth in frustration.
“Is he alright? Your friend is a BLEEDING MANIAC! HE’S TRYING TO KILL ME! OR ARE YOU A PSYCHOPATH AS WELL!? GAGH! I HATE THIS CITY!!!” Darah was at her wit’s end. ‘Here I am about to be murdered because I bumped into some idiot. This must be why they hate outsiders in the dune; they are all bleeding nut jobs! This can’t possible get any worse.’ She clutched at a sharp pain in her abdomen and coughed up a small puddle of blood. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” She croaked before the world around her spun into blackness.
Phaen was quick to pursue Darah as she took cover, taking the chance to close the distance between them as it was given to him. He leaped over the fruit cart and covered the ground that seperated the two in mere seconds, but was forced to a stumbling halt as a wall of fierce fire was conjured right in his path.
His blades were at the ready as he circled the boundary of flame, visibly twisted in pain at his left side, yet continuing onward. A knowing smile crossed his face and he dropped his arms to his sides, basking in the image that punctuated his victory.
The woman was already unconcious, and now suffering minor convulsions -- an early indication of the poison's permeating consumption of life. Phaen could be merciful and apply the antidote, however he found the image of his absolute dominance far too alluring. He wanted to watch every phase of her demise and enjoy every moment.
"I'm fine," Phaen echoed in response to Nera, although only loud enough for himself to hear. "Wonderful."
His blades were at the ready as he circled the boundary of flame, visibly twisted in pain at his left side, yet continuing onward. A knowing smile crossed his face and he dropped his arms to his sides, basking in the image that punctuated his victory.
The woman was already unconcious, and now suffering minor convulsions -- an early indication of the poison's permeating consumption of life. Phaen could be merciful and apply the antidote, however he found the image of his absolute dominance far too alluring. He wanted to watch every phase of her demise and enjoy every moment.
"I'm fine," Phaen echoed in response to Nera, although only loud enough for himself to hear. "Wonderful."
"Forgive me for leaving you alone for a moment, Geral. The ward will hold against magical assualt," Nera said softly, then walked towards Phaen and the collapsed woman. She stood beside Phaen. The flames evaporated as she dropped her arm. The symptoms of poisoning were obvious. Nausea threatened to overwhelm her when she looked over at Phaen. He was enjoying this. How could he take pleasure from such a horrible death? She closed her eyes momentarily, pushing the nausea behind her.
"You will give her the antidote. Now." She glared at him with iron in her gaze but agony lurked in the depths as well. She had desperately wanted to find some good in him, a task made more difficult by this situation. "We have been attacked and given your current location, you already knew that. Why you choose to get into a fight with somebody with no connections to our problems instead of helping us, I do not understand," she said, frowning at him and shook her head. "Whatever your reasons, you will spare her now."
Nera stood, her focus crystal clasped in one hand, prepared to defend herself if necessary. Phaen had said he would not make any attempts on her life, however his actions spoke of an unbalanced nature. The golden eyes stared steadily at him, waiting for his response.
"You will give her the antidote. Now." She glared at him with iron in her gaze but agony lurked in the depths as well. She had desperately wanted to find some good in him, a task made more difficult by this situation. "We have been attacked and given your current location, you already knew that. Why you choose to get into a fight with somebody with no connections to our problems instead of helping us, I do not understand," she said, frowning at him and shook her head. "Whatever your reasons, you will spare her now."
Nera stood, her focus crystal clasped in one hand, prepared to defend herself if necessary. Phaen had said he would not make any attempts on her life, however his actions spoke of an unbalanced nature. The golden eyes stared steadily at him, waiting for his response.
The wall of fire gone, Phaen started forward, but was interrupted by Nera. His delighted smile dissolved into a disappointed frown. He didn't look at her, or make any attempt to acknowledge what she'd said, although his expression did so for him.
He had no idea why he'd attacked the girl, aside from an overwhelming recognition that she had intended to kill him. In fact, he didn't even remember engaging the now shivering figure in the first place. All he could recall was that she'd wounded him with one of her numerous throwing daggers, and that seemed to suffice as evidence of her maliciousness. That, and he couldn't deny the reassuring warmth that branched from the sight of the woman's poisoning.
Phaen finally looked to Nera, and was surprised by the intensity in her eyes. Not only did he owe her a favor, but he didn't want to betray the trust of the group he was travelling with for as trivial a purpose as visceral pleasure. He sighed in resignation and nodded in agreement with her sentiments. "Of course."
The assassin replaced his weapons and unlatched one of the many pockets that his armor housed, procuring a clear vial filled with a magenta liquid. He proceeded to kneel beside the dying girl and place his hand on the back of her neck, nudging her mouth open and gradually pouring the small amount of fluid down her throat.
He allowed her to rest once more and stepped back. The antidote was almost instantaneous in it's removal of the parasite. It had to be because of the efficiency in which the poison operated. "You'll need to heal the damage it's done and she'll be just fine, save the excruciating pain that she's about to wake up to," he explained to Nera.
He had no idea why he'd attacked the girl, aside from an overwhelming recognition that she had intended to kill him. In fact, he didn't even remember engaging the now shivering figure in the first place. All he could recall was that she'd wounded him with one of her numerous throwing daggers, and that seemed to suffice as evidence of her maliciousness. That, and he couldn't deny the reassuring warmth that branched from the sight of the woman's poisoning.
Phaen finally looked to Nera, and was surprised by the intensity in her eyes. Not only did he owe her a favor, but he didn't want to betray the trust of the group he was travelling with for as trivial a purpose as visceral pleasure. He sighed in resignation and nodded in agreement with her sentiments. "Of course."
The assassin replaced his weapons and unlatched one of the many pockets that his armor housed, procuring a clear vial filled with a magenta liquid. He proceeded to kneel beside the dying girl and place his hand on the back of her neck, nudging her mouth open and gradually pouring the small amount of fluid down her throat.
He allowed her to rest once more and stepped back. The antidote was almost instantaneous in it's removal of the parasite. It had to be because of the efficiency in which the poison operated. "You'll need to heal the damage it's done and she'll be just fine, save the excruciating pain that she's about to wake up to," he explained to Nera.
Nera nodded at Phaen, relieved. She knelt feeling the woman's pulse, it was steadying. Actually now that she had taken a good look, she was more a girl, middle teens. Not that Nera was much older. She didn't look that badly stratched up on the outside at least. Nera blinked and looked over at Phaen. He had a nasty wound on his side.
"I can't heal. I'm going to take her over there, where Geral is and hope Inmreari gets here soon. You need to be healed as well, I hope that isn't too deep." she said, flicking a finger in the direction of his injury. She slipped her arms under the girl's clasping her around the upper body and began to drag her over to the building against which Geral was resting. Gently she lay the girl down, then checked on Geral again. Satisified, she leaned against the wall of the building and slid downward to sit.
"I can't heal. I'm going to take her over there, where Geral is and hope Inmreari gets here soon. You need to be healed as well, I hope that isn't too deep." she said, flicking a finger in the direction of his injury. She slipped her arms under the girl's clasping her around the upper body and began to drag her over to the building against which Geral was resting. Gently she lay the girl down, then checked on Geral again. Satisified, she leaned against the wall of the building and slid downward to sit.
Darah lingered on the edge of consciousness, wavering in and out of the dreamlike state. It was something ephemeral that she couldn’t quite grasp at, and when she finally caught hold of it she regretted it deeply. Darah’s first waking moments we’re punctuated by a series of ear splitting screams. No words, nothing sensible in the least, just scream after scream after scream. When it finally ended she sat rocking back and forth, clutching at her arms and staring blankly ahead. She was vaguely aware of other people around her. Her eyes briefly flitted over those around her, seeing, but not quite comprehending. There was a woman and a man lying next to her, there was another man too. She stared at him for a moment; she had seen him before somewhere, but where?
"Phaen, are you all right over there?" The voice echoed in her head. Phaen, his name was Phaen, he, he… recognition finally dawned on her. Darah’s could feel her body seize up as a cold chill spread through it. She remained in her seated position arms wrapped tightly around her torso feeling rather certain of her doom.
"Phaen, are you all right over there?" The voice echoed in her head. Phaen, his name was Phaen, he, he… recognition finally dawned on her. Darah’s could feel her body seize up as a cold chill spread through it. She remained in her seated position arms wrapped tightly around her torso feeling rather certain of her doom.
(@ Seluna, yeah I could use help. I can't keep up with all that's happening; people are posting way more than once a day now, and I just don't have the time to read through it all, and then post. Even before that, I got lost and couldn't think of what to do. I guess my inspiration up and left me... I'm sorry... Iv'e got work, dying animals, two different projects going on... Then I have my nephew dumped on me tonight for the third time this week. I feel bad about not posting in...forever. I tried to keep up with some of the other RPs I'm in, but it's seriously insane here... But I'll try and get back on track! It's just a bad time for me right now.)
[OOC: Ember, don't worry about it. Real life is always more important. If you need, we will just take it that Kalani went somewhere else on his own and didn't know what happened. Or he and your other chars are just on auto-pilot. ^^;]
At times, Kuroryu wondered at his unnatural ability to keep his calm despite the situation. One of such moments was when he went through the annoyingly slow process of pushing past the crowd going opposite of them, and finally, reaching the room which had a wall blew out. Inariea certainly was shocked, judging by the gasp she released.
He had seen scenes of destruction caused by magic on a much larger scale, but to step into one and feel the residual amount of energy congregated in that one room was quite another thing. Thankfully somebody, probably another sorceror, had managed to neutralise the more destructive forces, or it would not only be the room that was affected.
However... what exactly could have happened?
The same question ran in circles in Inmreari's mind. Unlike his brother, he was stunned when he entered the room, and stood there for a few seconds just staring at the once occupied room. Immediately after he recovered his wits, he felt the unique vibes of Fera's demon magic in the air, and Nera's magic presence.
Alarmed, he stepped out further into the room to get a better sense of things when he caught sight of Nera and the others on the street downstairs. Worry flooded his heart when he realised the Geral was injured and his heart sank when he saw that Fera and Kalani were nowhere to be seen.
"Nera! Are you alright? Stay there, we'll come down right now." Without waiting for even a moment longer after Nera nodded, Inmreari turned and would have went straight out of the inn if not for the innkeeper coming up to him.
Frowning darkly, he comtemplated whether to ignore or hex the man when Kuroryu, who must have read through his intentions, gave him a light push on the back. "Go to your companions, Inmri. I'll handle things here."
[OOC: Just tying up some loose ends. Feel free to use Inmreari as appropriate.]
At times, Kuroryu wondered at his unnatural ability to keep his calm despite the situation. One of such moments was when he went through the annoyingly slow process of pushing past the crowd going opposite of them, and finally, reaching the room which had a wall blew out. Inariea certainly was shocked, judging by the gasp she released.
He had seen scenes of destruction caused by magic on a much larger scale, but to step into one and feel the residual amount of energy congregated in that one room was quite another thing. Thankfully somebody, probably another sorceror, had managed to neutralise the more destructive forces, or it would not only be the room that was affected.
However... what exactly could have happened?
The same question ran in circles in Inmreari's mind. Unlike his brother, he was stunned when he entered the room, and stood there for a few seconds just staring at the once occupied room. Immediately after he recovered his wits, he felt the unique vibes of Fera's demon magic in the air, and Nera's magic presence.
Alarmed, he stepped out further into the room to get a better sense of things when he caught sight of Nera and the others on the street downstairs. Worry flooded his heart when he realised the Geral was injured and his heart sank when he saw that Fera and Kalani were nowhere to be seen.
"Nera! Are you alright? Stay there, we'll come down right now." Without waiting for even a moment longer after Nera nodded, Inmreari turned and would have went straight out of the inn if not for the innkeeper coming up to him.
Frowning darkly, he comtemplated whether to ignore or hex the man when Kuroryu, who must have read through his intentions, gave him a light push on the back. "Go to your companions, Inmri. I'll handle things here."
[OOC: Just tying up some loose ends. Feel free to use Inmreari as appropriate.]
(OOC: I hope you get things together, Ember. The RP is nothing to worry about.
Seluna, I'll leave Imnreari to Sydra, but I figured I'd ask for the sake of clarification: Can Inmreari use healing magic?
Normally I'd assume not, but there haven't been any limitations on magic-users to this point. Not that I mind if he can... Just seems prevalant to know.)
Seluna, I'll leave Imnreari to Sydra, but I figured I'd ask for the sake of clarification: Can Inmreari use healing magic?
Normally I'd assume not, but there haven't been any limitations on magic-users to this point. Not that I mind if he can... Just seems prevalant to know.)
[OOC: Both Inmreari and Kuroryu can do healing. Especially Inmreari, because his occupation requires him to heal beings at times.
I should probably do a profile for Kuroryu when I have inspiration.]
I should probably do a profile for Kuroryu when I have inspiration.]
(Okay, it's perfect if Kalani was elsewhere, but where would be a good place, so that he wouldn't even have noticed what all went on? I'm sorry for being such trouble, but any suggestions are welcome, and hopefully can get the ball rolling (on my end) again. As for the other characters, if the other RPer doesn't show when I go to make my next post, I'll find a way to post for them anyway.)
OOC: Well, it is morning maybe he got some money went out to bakery to find something eat and ended up across town. Or perhaps he went across town to look at some landmarks that Inmreari mentioned, statues, buildings. hmm, or maybe they have a nice park somewhere in the town.
I'll get a post up in a just a bit. Resting at the moment, was running around quite a bit today.
EDIT:
Nera rose when she heard someone calling her name. Inmreari was in the room once occupied by Fera and Geral. She nodded her head at his query, pathetically glad to see him. Inmreari disappeared from the room and exited the inn moments later. She strode over to greet him half way.
"Geral's physical injuries are nothing serious thankfully. He is suffer from the magic assault on his senses though. I don't think it is anything permanent though. Phaen got into a fight with this woman," she said, gesturing at Darah. "She doesn't seem to be one of our enemies though. I believe she is suffering from internal hemorrhaging. Phaen has had some fairly serious injuries as well. So you might want to see to those two first." Nera took her place beside Geral once more and watched as Inmreari worked. She was a bit jealous of his ability to heal. Wards were the best she could do to help others. It made her feel helpless when others were hurt and there was nothing she could do. There was one thing she could do now.
Nera closed her eyes and gathered her wind around her and then sent it hunting after Fera. At first she felt nothing, but then she caught a trace. As she tried to pinpoint the source, her seeking wind magic was engulfed by fire. She canceled the spell with a grimace. It was clear that method wasn't going to work. Perhaps she could use the bond between Geral and Fera to scry out the child. She glanced at the man, then shook her head. No, that could put him at risk particularly in his current state. Kalani was missing as well. She could attempt to find him, hopefully he hadn't been taken with Fera. She summoned her magic once again.
I'll get a post up in a just a bit. Resting at the moment, was running around quite a bit today.
EDIT:
Nera rose when she heard someone calling her name. Inmreari was in the room once occupied by Fera and Geral. She nodded her head at his query, pathetically glad to see him. Inmreari disappeared from the room and exited the inn moments later. She strode over to greet him half way.
"Geral's physical injuries are nothing serious thankfully. He is suffer from the magic assault on his senses though. I don't think it is anything permanent though. Phaen got into a fight with this woman," she said, gesturing at Darah. "She doesn't seem to be one of our enemies though. I believe she is suffering from internal hemorrhaging. Phaen has had some fairly serious injuries as well. So you might want to see to those two first." Nera took her place beside Geral once more and watched as Inmreari worked. She was a bit jealous of his ability to heal. Wards were the best she could do to help others. It made her feel helpless when others were hurt and there was nothing she could do. There was one thing she could do now.
Nera closed her eyes and gathered her wind around her and then sent it hunting after Fera. At first she felt nothing, but then she caught a trace. As she tried to pinpoint the source, her seeking wind magic was engulfed by fire. She canceled the spell with a grimace. It was clear that method wasn't going to work. Perhaps she could use the bond between Geral and Fera to scry out the child. She glanced at the man, then shook her head. No, that could put him at risk particularly in his current state. Kalani was missing as well. She could attempt to find him, hopefully he hadn't been taken with Fera. She summoned her magic once again.
"So, you're the one who cancelled out the rest of the explosion up there." Kuroryu raised his eyebrows as he joined the little group congregated near the inn, after paying the innkeeper for the damage to the property. Since Inmreari was devoting his entire attention to healing the injured, he quickly concluded that the probing magic would have to come from the fair haired maiden with them. "Smart girl. The inn would be gone if not for you."
"Inariea... this is...?"
"Kuroryu. Kuroryu Sireaus, Inmreari's half-brother... even though they don't have any blood relations at all." Inariea quickly stood up and introduced quickly. "He's a high sorceror.... and err... an expert on dealing with Elkasna Di'Meseril."
"Why don't you just out and say that I'm also her only son?" Kuroryu gave the feline girl a mirthless smile and gestured to his own robes, made of midnight blue silk with the crest of his position elegantly embroidered in silver. "Those vermins calling themselves high sorcerors would certainly love to make sure that everyone in this entire continent know about my esteemed parent."
Turning to look directly at Nera and Phaen, the twist of his lips and his dark purple eyes sharpened. "However, I am certain I am not the only one with certain connections to Elkasna. So care to explain why I can sense her taint on the two of you... especially when Elkasna managed to find my kid brother and his pals so easily?"
[OOC: Kuroryu's profile is on the way. ^^ *profile added!*
Name: Kuroryu Sireaus
Hair color: Dark green
Eyes: Violet
Skin tone: Pale due to lack of exposure to sunlight
Build: medium build, taller than Inmreari but slightly slimmer
Height: Around six feet
Age: 74 (in human years)
Physical Description: Long curly hair flows down to his waist if not kept in its usual braid that he leaves swinging behind him. Being a half-elf, he inherited the pointy ears and sharp delicate features, and the lack of influence by the years that left him looking like he is still in his early twenties. However, his good looks were often marred by the smirk he wears.
Clothes: He wears the standard high sorceror blue robes with silver crest of the high sorceror, not so much as a sort of identification or symbol of position, but to spite the other sorcerors that dislike him because of his background. He wears a simple black armlet with a mysterious material sealed in it on his left arm as a substitution for the standard wands and staffs that most magic-users use.
Personality: Growing up as the object of much dislike, he became accustomed to it and even knew how best to provoke the worst out of people, and it eventually became a habit. His direct manners and sharp tongue does not make him popular, but he has quite a talent with ladies even though he is the sort of man that no mothers would want as a son-in-law. However, he cares a lot about his family, even though they are not related to him by blood, and will go to lengths for them.
History: Kuroryu's father is an elven noble and his missing mother is a notorious sorceress rumored to be involved with the Tower of Babel, so Kuroryu did not have a nice childhood in the elvish city he lived with his father. It became worse when he became interested in magic, and was very good at it. When his father re-married, he began to study it in earnest. Two years later, he became a high sorceror, and his younger sister Syia was born.
It was then, when there was an incident that he refused to talk about unless to his own family, which was a magical battle that resulted in him sealing his mother away and in his father dying. He then stayed and supported his family until his step-mother re-married and gave birth to his youngest brother of no blood relations, Inmreari Ruikanus was born. Settling them somewhere safe and setting up strong wards around their new house, he left and took up a wandering life. He made it a habit to visit his step-family every now and then, even though he never would stay with them for long or leave word of where he would be.]
"Inariea... this is...?"
"Kuroryu. Kuroryu Sireaus, Inmreari's half-brother... even though they don't have any blood relations at all." Inariea quickly stood up and introduced quickly. "He's a high sorceror.... and err... an expert on dealing with Elkasna Di'Meseril."
"Why don't you just out and say that I'm also her only son?" Kuroryu gave the feline girl a mirthless smile and gestured to his own robes, made of midnight blue silk with the crest of his position elegantly embroidered in silver. "Those vermins calling themselves high sorcerors would certainly love to make sure that everyone in this entire continent know about my esteemed parent."
Turning to look directly at Nera and Phaen, the twist of his lips and his dark purple eyes sharpened. "However, I am certain I am not the only one with certain connections to Elkasna. So care to explain why I can sense her taint on the two of you... especially when Elkasna managed to find my kid brother and his pals so easily?"
[OOC: Kuroryu's profile is on the way. ^^ *profile added!*
Name: Kuroryu Sireaus
Hair color: Dark green
Eyes: Violet
Skin tone: Pale due to lack of exposure to sunlight
Build: medium build, taller than Inmreari but slightly slimmer
Height: Around six feet
Age: 74 (in human years)
Physical Description: Long curly hair flows down to his waist if not kept in its usual braid that he leaves swinging behind him. Being a half-elf, he inherited the pointy ears and sharp delicate features, and the lack of influence by the years that left him looking like he is still in his early twenties. However, his good looks were often marred by the smirk he wears.
Clothes: He wears the standard high sorceror blue robes with silver crest of the high sorceror, not so much as a sort of identification or symbol of position, but to spite the other sorcerors that dislike him because of his background. He wears a simple black armlet with a mysterious material sealed in it on his left arm as a substitution for the standard wands and staffs that most magic-users use.
Personality: Growing up as the object of much dislike, he became accustomed to it and even knew how best to provoke the worst out of people, and it eventually became a habit. His direct manners and sharp tongue does not make him popular, but he has quite a talent with ladies even though he is the sort of man that no mothers would want as a son-in-law. However, he cares a lot about his family, even though they are not related to him by blood, and will go to lengths for them.
History: Kuroryu's father is an elven noble and his missing mother is a notorious sorceress rumored to be involved with the Tower of Babel, so Kuroryu did not have a nice childhood in the elvish city he lived with his father. It became worse when he became interested in magic, and was very good at it. When his father re-married, he began to study it in earnest. Two years later, he became a high sorceror, and his younger sister Syia was born.
It was then, when there was an incident that he refused to talk about unless to his own family, which was a magical battle that resulted in him sealing his mother away and in his father dying. He then stayed and supported his family until his step-mother re-married and gave birth to his youngest brother of no blood relations, Inmreari Ruikanus was born. Settling them somewhere safe and setting up strong wards around their new house, he left and took up a wandering life. He made it a habit to visit his step-family every now and then, even though he never would stay with them for long or leave word of where he would be.]
Darah flinched as another man approached her. She found in impossible to suppress her fear. The pain in her abdomen was too great, and had she the presence of mind to contemplate it she would have found it surprising that she was even conscious. A drop of blood trickled down her chin; she had bit her lip to suppress the screams. She sat stock still as he came closer, her eyes wide and half-crazed. If the man said anything she was unable to hear or even comprehend it. He set to work at whatever it was he was doing and she felt a cool sensation spread throughout her body, the pain gradually faded, and although she had never experienced the phenomenon before she was quite sure her flesh was knitting itself back together. She glanced up at the man rather stunned and confused. Why had he helped her? Who was he- “Hey didn’t I rob you this morning?” She blurted out before gasping and covered her mouth. Apparently her senses were a bit slow on the uptake. “Ah, I’m sorry, th-thank you very much for your aid.” She moved to stand but her knees gave way and she found herself slumped back against the wall. There we’re others present, the group from earlier. She felt slightly panicked especially with Phaen present but tried to keep her cool; it didn’t look like she had any other options.
Phaen did little to hide the blatant glower that stemmed from the straightforward accusations made by the sorcerer. If anything, he exaggerated his tone to further project his despisal of Kuroryu's haste in labeling blame. "Maybe you could've prevented the attack outright if you would have put that incredibly useful insight you have into a productive activity such as, I don't know, knowing that someone was going to attack while we were away." Phaen halted momentarily, clutching his wound and concealing his deep brown eyes in both frustration and to ward away the dizziness that was crawling into his mind.
After a moment's pause, he continued with the same dripping spite as before. "Now that you mention chimerical deceit, I think more emphasis should be placed on the individual who just happened to show up in conjunction with a violent kidnapping." Phaen took a mockingly pensive pose, still favoring his injured side while Inmreari finished manipulating the weave of healing magic through Darah.
He didn't hold any empathy for the missing boy, Fera, but didn't take well to falsified claims to his guilt. The irritation founded in his side only worked to amplify what would normally have been a mere annoyance; trivial, save a bother. Phaen was working hard to contain his escalating irritation from several sources. Kuroryu was just another encumberance to his success.
He inhaled slowly and moved to use the wall of the building they were relatively lined up against as an aid in supporting his weight. Now that the adrenaline derived of battle had subsided, pain rose from it's previous confines of numbness. Phaen didn't have anything else to say. Instead, he just lowered his hood to hide his features and contemplated the events of the past few moments. Kuroryu was already a mere ripple in his thoughts that had almost entirely faded away.
After a moment's pause, he continued with the same dripping spite as before. "Now that you mention chimerical deceit, I think more emphasis should be placed on the individual who just happened to show up in conjunction with a violent kidnapping." Phaen took a mockingly pensive pose, still favoring his injured side while Inmreari finished manipulating the weave of healing magic through Darah.
He didn't hold any empathy for the missing boy, Fera, but didn't take well to falsified claims to his guilt. The irritation founded in his side only worked to amplify what would normally have been a mere annoyance; trivial, save a bother. Phaen was working hard to contain his escalating irritation from several sources. Kuroryu was just another encumberance to his success.
He inhaled slowly and moved to use the wall of the building they were relatively lined up against as an aid in supporting his weight. Now that the adrenaline derived of battle had subsided, pain rose from it's previous confines of numbness. Phaen didn't have anything else to say. Instead, he just lowered his hood to hide his features and contemplated the events of the past few moments. Kuroryu was already a mere ripple in his thoughts that had almost entirely faded away.
OOC: sorry for the crap post.
Nera sighed and rose. She kept one eye closed to help focus the part of her mind that was still working to seek out Kalani. The young woman seemed to be recovering, but was still unable to walk and seemed alarmed. Nera shook her head with another sigh.
"Blaming one another is not productive area of discussion," she said with more serenity than she felt. After a quick glance at Phaen, she spoke again. "I assure you that neither of us have any desire to help Elkasna. In fact we have good reason to hate her." Nera slid her sleeve up, to reveal the remaining marred skin around her upper arm where the arm ring had been. She allowed the sleeve to drop back down, once Kuroryu got a good look. "I was enslaved by Elkasna as a child and my abilities sold... until your brother freed me. Phaen was also forced to do Elkasna's bidding. So if you smell her magic on us it is not of our free will." She ran a hand through her short hair, closing both eyes for a moment. "While my explanation may not earn your trust, I do believe we should spend our time doing some useful than bickering." She paused and considered the situation. She made an elegant bow to Kuroryu and then turned to repeat the gesture to the young unknown woman. "I always make late introductions. I'm Sainera, but called Nera by most. My apologies to you for the fire eariler ... miss?"
Nera sighed and rose. She kept one eye closed to help focus the part of her mind that was still working to seek out Kalani. The young woman seemed to be recovering, but was still unable to walk and seemed alarmed. Nera shook her head with another sigh.
"Blaming one another is not productive area of discussion," she said with more serenity than she felt. After a quick glance at Phaen, she spoke again. "I assure you that neither of us have any desire to help Elkasna. In fact we have good reason to hate her." Nera slid her sleeve up, to reveal the remaining marred skin around her upper arm where the arm ring had been. She allowed the sleeve to drop back down, once Kuroryu got a good look. "I was enslaved by Elkasna as a child and my abilities sold... until your brother freed me. Phaen was also forced to do Elkasna's bidding. So if you smell her magic on us it is not of our free will." She ran a hand through her short hair, closing both eyes for a moment. "While my explanation may not earn your trust, I do believe we should spend our time doing some useful than bickering." She paused and considered the situation. She made an elegant bow to Kuroryu and then turned to repeat the gesture to the young unknown woman. "I always make late introductions. I'm Sainera, but called Nera by most. My apologies to you for the fire eariler ... miss?"
"Diplomatic." Kuroryu's eyes no longer sharp and even held a hint of respect as he gazed at Nera. "Your explanation fits what I pieced together, so I apologise for my accusation. Though you can't really blame me for having such thinking. The timing is too coincidental."
Then, the razor edge in his smile returned with full force as he directed his attention onto the person who was rather forceful in his denial. "Yes, I knew that something bad will happen, because I managed to trail Lihen Celin until he meets with Elkasna and went into Tower of Babel territory, and they are never up to anything good.
"But I didn't know they will move this fast, and use power of so large a scale. I imagine at least three magicians of my level were casting together, or more. Which is why I did not teleport in and stop it when Inmri's wards broke, because I won't be able to do a thing. And I have no idea why they kidnap the boy, until just now."
Then he stopped and frowned. Without another word, he walked to where Inmreari had finished healing the girl, and extended an arm in front of the younger magician just in time to catch him as his knees buckled.
"... Ryu...?" Inmreari took a few long moments to respond, and his green eyes were dazed as he struggled to look up at his brother.
"Idiot. You over-exerted yourself. You shouldn't even be using magic after that backlash. I should have stopped you."
Inmreari smiled weakly as he tried to keep his eyes open, but kept failing. "Don't worry... I just need to... sleep..."
Muttering darkly under his breath, Kuroryu shifted so that his younger sibling was all but leaning against him, his actions containing a gentleness the contradicted with his words. Purple eyes were narrowed with displeasure as he glanced at everyone and took in the situation.
Fishing a vial out of a pouch hanging from the belt at his waist with his free hand, he threw it to Phaen, who caught it more out of instinct than anything else. "You're hurting, aren't you? Drink that, and help Geral. Riea, you and Lady Nera here grab Miss Thief there. We'll discuss more later, but now, we are going to the Scarlet Dragon guildhouse."
[OOC: Well, it's more logical this way. Everyone benefits, except uh... Inmreari. ^^; ]
Then, the razor edge in his smile returned with full force as he directed his attention onto the person who was rather forceful in his denial. "Yes, I knew that something bad will happen, because I managed to trail Lihen Celin until he meets with Elkasna and went into Tower of Babel territory, and they are never up to anything good.
"But I didn't know they will move this fast, and use power of so large a scale. I imagine at least three magicians of my level were casting together, or more. Which is why I did not teleport in and stop it when Inmri's wards broke, because I won't be able to do a thing. And I have no idea why they kidnap the boy, until just now."
Then he stopped and frowned. Without another word, he walked to where Inmreari had finished healing the girl, and extended an arm in front of the younger magician just in time to catch him as his knees buckled.
"... Ryu...?" Inmreari took a few long moments to respond, and his green eyes were dazed as he struggled to look up at his brother.
"Idiot. You over-exerted yourself. You shouldn't even be using magic after that backlash. I should have stopped you."
Inmreari smiled weakly as he tried to keep his eyes open, but kept failing. "Don't worry... I just need to... sleep..."
Muttering darkly under his breath, Kuroryu shifted so that his younger sibling was all but leaning against him, his actions containing a gentleness the contradicted with his words. Purple eyes were narrowed with displeasure as he glanced at everyone and took in the situation.
Fishing a vial out of a pouch hanging from the belt at his waist with his free hand, he threw it to Phaen, who caught it more out of instinct than anything else. "You're hurting, aren't you? Drink that, and help Geral. Riea, you and Lady Nera here grab Miss Thief there. We'll discuss more later, but now, we are going to the Scarlet Dragon guildhouse."
[OOC: Well, it's more logical this way. Everyone benefits, except uh... Inmreari. ^^; ]
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