NationStates Jolt Archive

Wouldn't it be great to pick your destiny...
Child you can choose your path...
That path is already decided...
Says who, you do not know...
No, but I know that I don't...
And why would you say that...
The way I want it is not the way it is...
Things can be preceived in different ways...
Ways that I do not want or need...
How do you know you do not need them that way...
Because they are illwanted and illneeded...
You do not know what you say, you are too young...
Well, even the wise do not know the answer, do you...
True, the wise cannot say, nor can I...
Wouldn't it be great to pick your destiny.

The sun shone bright and beads of perspiration dripped down her golden skin. It ran the course of her body and plopped on the green ground. The soft strands of grass tickled at her bare feet. Her glistened face pointed to the sun, she sat there in the middle of the pasture.

Alone.

Or was she. THe sun beat down, breathing hot air on her, but the wind came by telling secrets it knew. She turned her head down and opened her eyes, a violet deep purple, scanning her surroundings. She stood up, she was tall, taller than the human species. Well, she should be, she wasn't a human afterall. She was an elven witch. A mixed breed. She was not excepted by her elven clan nor by the human witches. She was in exile, she was cast out.

She was alone.

Her long black hair clouded her features, but her eyes could always be seen, seen searching. Searching for what, she did not tell.

SHe wore simple clothing. And that was all she had. A white gown that flowed about her body as if fog followed her.

Now, she stood in front of two paths. One continued through the endless pasture and the other into a dark forest.

She looked at both.

Wouldn't it be great to pick your destiny...

ooc: mind if I have a half-demon?

"I can't believe it-that was genius. Setting him up against his peers is one thing. But setting him up against the rest of the students. We know he's competitive, but this will surely reach his potential. But I'm not sure this'll..."
"At least he's gotten the attention of the rest of the non-believers in the academy. We've already set up our...I mean his goals, all that is left to do is wait. Wait for him to grow."
"But I'm still not completely sure that advancing him this early in his training is a good idea. I mean, this is a pretty arduous task you gave him."
"I know."
"Won't this unravel all of the things you have set up for him in the academy?"
"Not at all."
"Do you think he'll figure out what you're doing?"
"He might be thinking it, but I am sure that he can manage all by himself. We need not coerce him any longer."
"But..."
"I am telling you, don't worry. Time will tell that my decision will win us the war."

------

Mazer sat down on a newly cut tree stump on the side of the road and sighed as he put his pack next to him. "About two more miles, right?" he said to himself, while he massaged his feet. He glanced back at the tiny mass of dark structures that littered the horizon to the west. In his head he replayed the moments he first stepped outside of the academy walls and into a journey that had lead him away from the only place he called home and from his friends, or who he thought were his friends before. Not to mention his one and only purpose - a student, training to be a warrior to fight for the Alliance.

He was told only to head east, towards the forest, where you will meet up with someone.

How vague can you get, repeated Mazer over and over again in his head. Now this give me this assignment that has no purpose whatsoever. I never wanted to leave. I just wanted to protect my home.

The young boy in his late teens eyed the large imposing forest that stretched for miles and miles in all directions in front of him. Mazer, if that was his real name, sighed as he picked up travelling pack and groaned as he stood up. He pulled at his chainmail shirt underneath his black cloak and adjusted his metal shoulder guard on his left upper arm. It was still late in the morning, but the heat was intense, luckily, as Mazer walked down the road, the shade of the forest provided him comfort. His trained senses calculated what lay ahead of him.

A girl?

An elven girl to be more precise. He shook his head. This couldn't be the person he was told to meet up with. But she was beautiful. Just radiating an amazing aura around her. Magnificent. Graceful. Enticing.

Distracting...

Mazer quickly shook his head again. I am on a mission, I can't be distracted this easily. Ah...Umm...Rendevouz with informant...Find out next part of the mission.

Stuck in a sort of trance, Mazer inched closer and closer to the girl.

"No where to go, no where to go. What do we do, what do we do? Fíona?" yelled the small boy of about ten. He was overly fidgety, if not jittery. There was a loose tunic draped on his small body, with golden embroidary around the edges. He had thick brown hair that was knotted and had straw sticking out of it. He barely had fingernails due to his nervous bitting.

"I don't know, Néall. Just sit down and be quiet, I am trying to think." The girl was no more tidy than the boy. She was older the he was, well into her teenage years. Her long red hair was roughly plaited on her back. A loose white dress hung under a deep green robe tied at the waist.

Why, God, have you forsaken us, thought Fíona.

Nothing had been the same since their parents had died. Ever since that day Néall had been a basket case. Jittering, spewing out random words. During his sleep he would scream and yell about the fire.

After all, that is what had killed their parents. The ó Cuibhaim clan had raided their village during the night, killing everything in sight. Fíona and Néall had narrowly escaped. They had been scavenging and sleeping in the woods for several days. Fíona didn't know what to do, she had never had to be self-sufficient.

Her father had been the ri tuaithe of their village, everyone had bowed down to him. She had always had the best of the best, now she had nothing. But with prominenece, comes knowledge.

She and her brother had been trained in the arts and tutored in the ancient histories of there country. But none of that training helped her now. Weaving a basket or knowing the dates of ancient battles couldn't help them find clothes or somewhere to stay.

She laid back in the soft grass off to the side of the road. Néall kept pacing back and forth, panting some unintelligible words. Living was useless, they had no where to go. She thought about killing her brother, then herself, just to stop the misery.

"Néall, come, sit with me."

"What do we do? No where to go."

"You can come and sit with me, and we will think of something to do."

She sighed as her brother walked toward where she laid.

She paused. Closed her eyes.

Then her body slowly drifted in the air and stopped about a foot before the ground. Her toes still touching the grass and sand. It appeared as if the wind itself held her.

Still.

Her chest moved up and down, but very slowly.

Deep sleep.

Blackness.

Bursts of light flitered through the eternal darkness. And she mouthed the words known in her heart.

Stars so brillant,
stars so bright.
The light lent,
no longer fright.
Brighter now,
Map the way.
Stars so brillant,
stars so bright.
The message sent,
Light and dark to fight.

An old spell, to lighten the dark way.

Why would I think of it during the sunlight?

She opened her eyes once more. Blinking several times, her eyes adjusting to the intensity of the sun. She floated back to original spot.

Still don't know which way to go.

Mazer blinked. Is she floating? Couldn't be, that's impossible. He rubbed his eyes with his hands. He tried to walk slowly and quietly, but the various metal items on his person made a noise every step he took. Dang it, he thought to himself.

She's so...

Argh...I need to concentrate he yelled in his head. Ok, take a deep breath and act normally. Mazer walked closer and closer to the girl, he could feel his heart racing. It has never done that before, and I have butterflies in my stomach. What is this? What's wrong with me? Is she the one I am supposed to meet? I hope so... Wait...Errr.

Without noticing Mazer had come up to about five meters from her.

Four meters.

Three meters.

Two meters.

One meter.

Point blank.

Mazer took a deep breath. Act natural.

"Oh, hello. Are you lost?"

What am I saying! Ok. Calm down. Let her answer.

OOC: my keyboard is acting up...it's harder to type. or it's all in my head.
OOC2: going to be gone for like 3 days...good timing to post, then not participate for 3 days...

"We'll wait for someone to come down the road. We'll ask them for help." Fiona told Neall.

"What if they hurt us? What if they kill us? It's not safe, it's never safe." said Neall, though he was only ten, his voice had the infliction of an old man.

Fiona herself had thought of that possibility, but they were at the end of their ropes, if any time called for trusting strangers, it was now. Then again, what if someone did hurt them, Fiona couldn't live with herself if her brother was injured due to her indescretion.

"Then let's start walking. We'll come to a town eventually."

She didn't like that possibility either. Towns were full of theives and murderers, or so her mother had said. What scared her even more was what would they do once they were in a town. She could get a job, but she wasn't skilled in anything particular. Neall could give good advice, maybe that is what they could do, give advice to the lost townsman. But Neall had been different since the fire. Lately his words sounded more prophetical, more than advice, but less than prophecy.

"A town. What town?"

"I don't know. But we'll come to one eventually, why else would there be a road in the middle of nowhere, it has to lead to something. A city, a town, a parish, a hamlet. For Christ's sake, I don't know, but it has to lead to something, and that something is where our future lies."

Neall gave her a strange look that was half-grin, half-frown and shook his head. Fiona got the strange feeling that Neall knew exactly where this road led to, but for the first time in his life, he wouldn't say.

"Well, don't just stand there, let's go." She stood up, dusting off her robe. "The first thing we'll do is get some real clothes." It was more of a thought than an actual suggestion, considering their complete lack of money and/or goods that they could barter.

Fiona started walking down the road, her plaited hair bobbing up and off her back and she strode down the road. She looked back and saw Neall hadn't moved at all.

"Come on, scraiste," taunted Fiona.

"I'm coming. And I'm not worthless." At least his words made sense, and that was better than yesterday. "What will we do in the town? Where will we stay?"

"I don't know, but we'll find out. Let's not waste time wondering what will happen, páiste ciotógach. All we have is time, and I'd rather not spend it worrying."

Khevit loped throught the forest when he pulled up short, he could smell three humans, two male, one female as well as what smelt like a female half-elf. He decided to see what the young humans were doing. He headed to the edge of the forest to the side of the road where he sat down with his back to the road, long blue hair nearly touching the ground and large sweeping ears twitching. As he was presently about a kilometer upwind of the children he started a fire and began cooking a large piece of meat.

A voice, someone was talking to her.

Blink.

Dark purples swirled with hues of black. Then came the blinding light.

She covered her eyes...


PLEASE LET IT STOP!

She shook her head, her raven hair spraying blackness about her face.

Lost.

She was definitely lost and I guess now not alone.

A smile, if she was able to came across her face, hidden by her hair.

Her voice was deep and cold, "Lost, now that is an understatement. But really are we lost in this environment," pausing as her arms spread out across their surroundings, "or are we lost within ourselves."

She didn't direct it as a question, but something rather to ponder. She was lost, she had lost so many things in her life, but the most thing she missed was her innocence. It had been taken away from her so early in life.

Blink.

She wouldn't think of it anymore. There was a path for her to take, for destiny to deside and now there was an obstacle.

THis obstacle might be taken care of very easily.

Her obscure ideas normally scared them away or her blank stare.

Purple consumed her eyes and now all he could see was her eyes. Only eyes.

OOC: That is fine noir because I am moving to southern california this friday. My posts will be numerous til then, until I am able to find a computer down there.

Leaning against a tree was a man in a black coat. He could have stepped out of any time and any place really, but was here for some reason. He was pale, with black hair, which seemed even darker in comparison.

He would have looked at the two kids walking down the road... but he was asleep. So he merely leaned against the tree a few feet from the side of the road, motionless.

"Fiona," said Neall as he tugged on her sleeve. He was pointed toward the woods, at a man in a black coat, leaning against a tree.

"What? It's a man sleeping. Let's keep on going."

"No, he needs help. He's not moving."

"Well, someone else can help him. Let's keep going."

"He needs our help. He is lonely. He needs friends."

"Someone else can be his friend, páiste ciotógach! We need to keep moving!"

"No, I am gonna stay!"

"Amadán! Chugainn, ar aghaidh linn!"

"Aon! Níl dochar ar bith ann!"

******
OOC: "Amadán! Chugainn, ar aghaidh linn!" is Gaelic for "Idiot! Let's Go!"
"Aon! Níl dochar ar bith ann!" = "No! He's harmless."
"páiste ciotógach" = left-handed child

She turned her head slightly.

How did I miss him? He is just out there in the ordinary, not looking so ordinary. What is with not one, but now two people who do not fit into this place, appear now? Am I supposed to meet either of these two?

There was a time when she thought chances were her own, those times had long slipped out of her fingers.

Destiny, I despise that word.

She scrutinized this man with an aura of black. He appeared to be resting. His respirations were slow and internally his body was relaxing.

No harm in him at the time.

--------------------
"There is no harm at this time, you must not worry so much. For you are a child and these are the matters of the elders. Run and play with your cousin. She is in the garden." The words were stern, but she was stubborn.

"I SAID, go. Ferka will escort you there now."

Just as soon as she heard her name, Ferka, appearing around the age of thirteen appeared next to Rutaea Araea and placed her thin hand on her shoulder, "Come Ru, you must do what the councilor says."

Ru shruged of Ferka's hand. She spit out the following words, "Servent you shall never lay your fithly hands on me again." She flipped her black hair over her shoulders and marched in the direction of the gardens.

A pink glow came across Ferka's pale cheeks. I was told she was a difficult five year old, but gee she doesn't have to be so cruel. Ferka followed the young elven child to the garden.

"Do you ever wonder if you can create your own destiny?"

"I don't think so. Who controls us, but ourselves."

Sighs,"Ru, you are too young to understand."

OOC: Amanda, are those girls talking about the same guy mine are talking about. And if they are, is he like in two places at once, or are they in the same time the rest of them are. Just a little question to make sure the rp goes smoothly.

[OOC: I believe she is talking about mine. He's not near her character, yet.]

While they argued, the man woke up, but stayed still. After a second, he spoke. "What are you two doing so far from civilization?" he asked, quietly. His voice was low and allmost cold. His eyes opened and he stared at them with piercing blue eyes. "Besides waking me from a nap?"

Outside a small teahouse, sat a beautiful woman with long raven hair and eyes that could change color, sometimes including the entire eye. She was dressed oddly for a woman, and people were inclined to notice this, mostly when she was not wearing her cape/cloak, and especially in the small villages.

She wore black leather jeans, a black leather halter-top, which showed off her curves, and a black leather belt carrying her weapons. At times, she would wear a full cloth facemask, which covered her entire head and ponytail, but allowed her to see through. Over all of the clothing and weapons, she wore a black cape.

She was highly trained in most martial arts and was extremely proficient with many weapons. Her weapons belt held katanas, wakizashis, sais, throwing stars, throwing knives, and various other weapons. She wore leather gloves, which, with a flick of the wrist, could snap out daggers. Above all this, she was very fast when fighting… a mere blur, and very efficient. She was a shinobi of sorts... and sometime assassin, although she refused to kill innocents.

Strangers… for protection of persons, or entire villages approached her, due to the fact that much of the time, her weapons were exposed, and it was obvious what she was. She was their protector, and thus usually accepted by the villagers in the places she stayed.

It was a beautiful day, Karasu thought, her long black hair blowing in the wind. Perfect weather. She sighed. Karasu was a bit tired after fighting off a gang of thieves, intent on pillaging the village where she was currently staying. The tea was very soothing, and the floral scented wind helped cover the smell of blood spilled last night. She inhaled the scent deeply.

This was her life. Karasu had decided long ago that she would use her talents to help those who could not help themselves. She had seen much carnage throughout her life, and tried to stop it whenever possible. Compensation for her skills was more than adequate; however, she helped those who could not pay, as well. They were usually the ones that needed it the most.

Karasu tended to roam from town to town. She also had another set of allies... the dragons.

Karasu had one unusual trait… the ability to change into a huge, powerful, black and gold dragon. The humans did not know of this because she never let anyone see her change. This allowed her to help people more easily than if she was a mere human. Karasu wanted to keep this part of her life secret from the humans.

The sun on her face… the breeze, and smell of flowers… and the wonderful green tea. She was in heaven.

OOC: Fixed it. Will edit this for IC post later.

"Céad míle fáilte romhat!" yelled Neall as the man spoke. Fiona quickly grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him to her.

"We are looking for the nearest town. Can you help us?" asked Fiona.

"Cá as duit?" questioned Neall

"Dún do bheal! He wouldn't know the language. I'm sorry for my brother. He forgets his manners sometimes." Fiona looked at the mans eyes for the first time. They reminded her so much of her fathers eyes. She herself looked just like her father. Red-hair, or as her people called it, "rua". She also had sharp blue eyes. Neall looked more like their mother, brown hair with the same sharp blue eyes. "Is there any way you could help us."

******
OOC:
"Céad míle fáilte romhat!" = A hundred thousand welcomes to you
"Cá as duit?"= Where are you from?
"Dún do bheal!"= Shut up!
If you would like me to stop using Gaelic, I will. I think it adds authenticity.

He smirked. "Actually, I recognize it. A little rusty on the dialect though..." He pushed away from the tree, walking into the light, showing his full form. Tall, muscular under the long coat and behind his head was the unmistakable handle of a sword. "I know where it is. Only about half a day's walk. You didn't answer me though. What are you two doing out here? You run away or something?"

Khevit had finished cooking the chunk of meat and decided to see why the two children had stopped. As he jogged, at a pace most humans would call running, he noticed the strange man as well as what appears to be sword, he sped up in case the man was going to kill the two.

"Céad míle fáilte romhat!" yelled Neall as the man spoke. Fiona quickly grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him to her.

"We are looking for the nearest town. Can you help us?" asked Fiona.

"Cá as duit?" questioned Neall

"Dún do bheal! He wouldn't know the language. I'm sorry for my brother. He forgets his manners sometimes." Fiona looked at the mans eyes for the first time. They reminded her so much of her fathers eyes. She herself looked just like her father. Red-hair, or as her people called it, "rua". She also had sharp blue eyes. Neall looked more like their mother, brown hair with the same sharp blue eyes. "Is there any way you could help us."

******
OOC:
"Céad míle fáilte romhat!" = A hundred thousand welcomes to you
"Cá as duit?"= Where are you from?
"Dún do bheal!"= Shut up!
If you would like me to stop using Gaelic, I will. I think it adds authenticity.


OOC: It's fine, as long as you keep translating! :D

After enjoying her cup of tea, Karasu decided she would enjoy the sun on her back much more if she was flying.

She walked into the forest, and in a blinding flash of what looked like gold dust, changed to her other form, knocking down a few trees in the process. She was not a small dragon by any means. Karasu was large enough that if she flew somewhat low, she would cover large amounts of the ground with a huge, intimidating shadow.

Most the people in the land knew of the Black and Gold Dragon, and that it was friendly to humans, so she was rarely hunted, and then of course, she could change back to her human form.

Karasu took to the skies, enjoying the warmth on her back. She scanned the world below as she always did, when her eye caught two children talking to a man and another man coming up to them. She circled them high above, swooping low enough one time, letting her shadow block out the sun over them, letting them know of her presence. No one wanted to be attacked by the Black and Gold Dragon.

She was a protector, and she would watch over these two children for now. Perhaps for a while.

Khevit saw the shadow and glanced up, Dragon, if it tries to harm those children, it will die. he thought, as he stopped near the children, watching to see if the man would threaten the children.

Karasu continued to circle high above, but could see and hear with her accute hearing and sight.

Hmmm.... he must be new around here to not know that I am a protector. If any of 'them' try to harm those children, 'they' will die before they knew it was coming. Don't worry about me, Mr... It's your movements I'm keeping my eyes on.

ooc: the text in italics is thought, not spoken

ooc: the text in italics is thought, not spoken

ooc: I'm aware of that. I'm thinking this.

"No, our village was destroyed," answered Neall. "We have nowhere to go."

Fiona's eye caught the glimmer of the sword. Thief, murderer, danger she thought. "If you mean to kill us, go ahead. It would at least put us out of our misery, but then you would have the wrath of God upon you. But I forewarn you and maybe this can be used as advice for the future, don't mess with a strong-willed girl and a strange little boy."

All of a sudden, the sky darkened. Fiona need not look up. She could sense the presence of the dragon, the majestic beauty radiating from the creature. She breathed in the air, the magic that sorrounded the dragon sustained her, gave her strength. She looked down at Neall. The look in his eyes told the whole story of what had happened to them. The raid. The fire. The wilderness. It was leaving him, her. The magic was absorbing their pain, their worries.

The wind started to blow. Fiona's long hair ripped out of the braid. It whipped around her face, the redish-orange hue giving the illusion of fire. As the images were leaving her, she saw something for the first time. A small woman clothed in rags was behind her home. She was holding an arcane book, reading something. A bandraoi. She was casting a spell onto Fiona's household. As quick as it came, it was gone. Her head was clear, the wind stopped. Neall looked up at her, his eyes clearer, his face different. They looked up and saw that the dragon was still there.

"Ár cosaint," whispered Neall.


****
occ:
bandraoi = witch
Ár cosaint = our protection

Teh man was indeed all the things she thought of. He blinked though. "Why would I kill you? You didn't do anything to me. If anything, I'd help..." He looked up at the dragon and scowled. "Wyrme." he mutters, then steps back under the trees, clearly unhappy about the flying presence.

Khevit, hearing the man say he wouldn't kill the children, relaxed slightly before walking up to the two kneeling and asking "Are you two hungry." His ears twitching, blue hair over his shoulder and yellow eyes, marking him as non-human.

These children must have been through a lot to assume a stranger would just kill them. Poor kids. Karasu thought. She was happy to be able to assist with her magic aura. It was very strong.

She heard the first man and watched him leave. Obviously has a problem with dragons.

She would still watch Khevit with the children for a bit, then she would change back and 'chance' upon them and offer them shelter.

"Some people kill because of innate need, not merely because they are led to it, " yelled Fiona after the man. Anyone who ran from a dragon as majestic as this was definitely insane in her book.

Neall suddenly swung back, hearing a clear voice say, "Are you two hungry?".

"Yes. We are." Neall tilted his head slightly to the left, staring at the stange looking being. "You're not human. Deamhan? Sióg? Bandraoi?"

Fiona snapped back, looking for what had spoken. She saw the creature with which her brother was conversing. It scared her at first, but the look on it's face was kind. She looked at it, trying ,as Neall, to figure out what exactly it was.

*****
Deamhan = demon (or devil)
Sióg = fairy
Bandraoi = witch

"As I'm unsure what a Deamhan, Sióg, or Bandraoi is, I couldn't answer. I am a half-demon thought. So would you like something to eat?" Khevit asked as he sat down beside Neall

The man had vanished into the forest, but he heard her words. In fact, he was not that far from them. Climbing a tree deftly, he poked his head above the forest to look at the dragon, then closed his eyes. A vast swath of air in front of it chilled dramaticly. No where near enough to hurt the beast, but enough to let it know he didn't like large flying reptiles.

Leaping to the forest floor, he vanished into it, moving as silently as an animal of the forest. He emerged further down the road, quite near the 'lost' girl, glancing up at the sky to see if the beast had followed.

The man had vanished into the forest, but he heard her words. In fact, he was not that far from them. Climbing a tree deftly, he poked his head above the forest to look at the dragon, then closed his eyes. A vast swath of air in front of it chilled dramaticly. No where near enough to hurt the beast, but enough to let it know he didn't like large flying reptiles.

Leaping to the forest floor, he vanished into it, moving as silently as an animal of the forest. He emerged further down the road, quite near the 'lost' girl, glancing up at the sky to see if the beast had followed.

Karasu listened to Fiona's words, and sadly, she mentally agreed with her. She kept her eye on the man who had gone toward the forest.

The man had climbed a tree and was staring at her. He used a power of some sort and cooled the air in front of her.

Two can play that game, she thought, as her eyes turned solid ice blue and she opened her mouth and shot an even colder blast of air at him, not too cold, just colder. She then let out a blast of ice and covered the trees in a circle around him with beautiful glimmering ice, while letting out a roar that shook the ground. This guy is trouble. She wanted him to know she had her eye on him.

The man went back into the forest and came out not far from the children. Karasu promised herself she would protect them, so she soared high above him. She would not let him harm them. They had no protector until now.

She continued to keep an eye on Khevit. He seemed to have good intentions, but she would make sure she watched him as well.

Karasu's anger was rising seeing that this other man was still so near the children. He obviously had some intention toward them, and she felt it was negative. She swooped down low above him, creating a dark shadow over him. The shadow lasted a while... she was that big. She looked at him with eyes of solid black, just for intimidation purposes. Karasu just wanted him to go on his way and leave the children alone.

She flew high up into the air, still being able to see everything below. When she flew over the children, Karasu breathed out a breeze of glimmering gold dust to rain down on them. It was something she liked to do to show she cared.

OOC: This is still open, isn't it?

IC: Somewhere On a Road Near a Forest
Suddenly, in a brilliant flash of light, someone appeared. He was tall and slender, with pointed ears, black hair, and deep green eyes. His lined face wore an enigmatic smile, and he was robed in a shimmering, silvery material that always seemed to dance in the light when you looked straight at it. He carried an age-blackened staff of some indeterminate wood, crowned with an oddly pulsating green stone. On his shoulder was a grey falcon, with an inquisitive, humorous look that made you look back after quickly glancing over it. The elf stepped out of a fading ring of magical runes, and said, before the light had dimmed, "Ah, Chancellor, what a pleasure. I thought I would drop by to discuss that new book you found..." However, then the light dimmed, and he found himself in the oddest place: On a road, surrounded by a kindly half-demon, an irate dragon, a mysterious man, and two children.

He looked around again, in disbelief, and the falcon appeared to be laughing at him, however birds laugh. He recovered, and said, "I'm terribly sorry to have disturbed all of you in your no doubt important business." At that that the falcon laughed again. The elf seemed apologetic, and waved his hands, at which the falcon promptly shut up. In fact, it appeared quite difficult for the animal to get air. "You see, as you most likely have not realised, there has been a disturbance in teleportation effects lately, and, instead of appearing at the Chancellor's house, I appear to have come to this barren wasteland... No offense meant, of course, to any of you who live here. You don't happen to know where here is, do you?"

OOC: I'm back from my Kairos retreat...Let's see if I can catch up.
OOC2: AtG, where in Southern California are you?

"He has not moved from his spot for a long time."
"Yes, I know."
"Is he that much in a daze, can...Does that girl impact him this much?"
"We'll see. We might be able to use this to our advantage. It would make it easier to control him."
"You have a point. Oh, by the way, who is this informant he is supposed to meet in the forest."
"It's designated."


"What the!?!" exclaimed Mazer, who had drifted away into 'La-La-Land.'

Mazer shook his head again. This was a common reaction he had since he was a child. He slowly began to return to reality. I was going to speak to the elven girl over there with the white gown. Yes, that what I was planning to do, but what happened to me? It seemed as if God had frozen time.

"Excuse me? Is there anything the matter?" asked Mazer lamely. Dang it, this is ridiculous. He began to approach closer to the girl who just stood there looking up at the sky.


IC towards AtG's character (read this when you get back)

As Karasu was soaring around high above the group, she noticed another man just teleported right up to the others. Odd... this is turning into a real party.

She continued to circle above the group, and would continue to do so until she felt the children were safe. She would step in after that as well.

Karasu managed to get the attention of all below her with a ground shaking roar. She then directed some more gold dust so that it would land right on the children.

THe falcon cawed when the dragon roared, and the man flinched. He raised his hand, and a glowing purple shield enveloped him. However, when he saw the dragon was only throwing gold dust on the children, it dissipated. He remained ready, however. Turning to look up at the dragon, he said, as suddenly his voice was amplified, "Pardon me, but where is this place?"

THe falcon cawed when the dragon roared, and the man flinched. He raised his hand, and a glowing purple shield enveloped him. However, when he saw the dragon was only throwing gold dust on the children, it dissipated. He remained ready, however. Turning to look up at the dragon, he said, as suddenly his voice was amplified, "Pardon me, but where is this place?"

Karasu wondered if the man was speaking to her.

He was.

Karasu made it a policy not to speak to humans when she was in her dragon form. She just roared slightly while nodding her head to the west.

I can't leave this form until I find out what's going on down there... especially with the man who seems to reek of malice. Then I can change and take them to the next town. She wished these people would disperse.

Karasu knew she could deal with all of these people in her human form, but didn't want to do that. Especially not in front of the children. And she definitely didn't want to anyone to see her change.

The mage thought it odd that the dragon would not respond. he knew that dragons were highly intelligent creatures, often capable of conversing fluently in thousands of languages. Still, this dragon seemed... odd, as if not quite entirely draconic.

I wish the man with the sword would leave... I could change and bring them back to her village. But the man with the sword. The children need protection from him.

OOC: i will edit this later with an IC post, no time right now. I am gunna have to figure out how to handle this, because there are so many people everywhere, at the same time.

(OOC: are all of you interacting with Amanda the Great's character? or just your own?)

ooc: my character knows the general location of AtG's character, but is presently with SC's character

OOC: That's the way I figured it as well. The other two are off somewhere else.

The man stared up at the great beast, then down the road at the others. He had moved down the road, but not far enough to be out of their sight.

He looked back to the dragon. He didn't trust the beasts, but he wasn't stupid enough to try and pick a fight. He walked back into the forest and vanished again. After a time, he found himself on a path, quite near the other two wanders. Approaching slowly, quietly, he listened to them talk.

Convinced that the threatening man had finally gone on his way, Karasu flew away the opposite direction in which everyone seemed to be traveling. When she was out of site, she landed in a puff of crystal dust and emerged in her human form, in her human clothing.

She proceeded to walk toward the group in the direction they were traveling and finally caught up to them.

"Hello, my name is Karasu," Karasu said cheerfully. "You all look a little lost? Can I help you?" She hoped they would take her up on her offer.

"The next villiage is only about an hour's walk from here. I live there. Would you like to come with me?" Karasu asked.

"Children, judging by what you are, or should I say, are not carrying, you are welcome to stay with me. I have plenty of room and plenty of food. The villagers are very nice as well. What do you say?"

Khevit glared at the man who appeared as well as the woman who was walking up. He didn't know what the mage's intentions were. As to the women, her scent appears at the same time the dragon's disappeared.

Khevit glared at the man who appeared as well as the woman who was walking up. He didn't know what the mage's intentions were. As to the women, her scent appears at the same time the dragon's disappeared.

OOC: I kind of didn't want the scent thing to be noticeable, so she can remain anonymous at least for quite a while... if that's ok?

Everything was going on so fast. The dragon had disappeared, as well as the strange man with the sword. Fionna found herself sorrounded by a group of people she didn't fully trust. There was the friendly half-demon who had offered them food, the strange mage that had appeared in a blinding flash of bright light, and now this women offering them a place to stay. The whole situation reminded Fiona of stories her mother would tell when she and Neall had been younger, about the great warrior princess Aoinne, who traveled around the land with a dragon, a magician, and the fairy-king, Buariuhn.

"I am not quite sure what is going on here," said Fiona. "Will you excuse my brother and I while we discuss our, er, situation."

Fionna pulled her gawking brother over to the side, out of the middle of the strange group.

"What are we going to do?" asked Fiona.

"Follow our hearts, they will show us the way."

"Neall, you can be so cliche sometimes. Besides, my heart isn't telling me to go anywhere, it is trying to jump out of my chest and hide."

"Fiona, remember when we were little and Ma told us stories, each story had a moral, something to teach us, even though we didn't know it then. We remember those stories because they are important to us, they did what they were made to do. I know this reminds you of a story, it sure reminds me of a story. When Aoinne was in a situation, and she didn't know what to do, she always asked Cuchalain for help."

"Neall, Cuchalain is just a legend, he isn't real, he can't help us."

"He will if you just ask. He is real to me, and I know he will help us!" Neall kneeled and started muttering in there native language. He looked up and saw that Fiona was still standing. She can be so stubborn sometimes, he thought. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down, yelling "Tit agus impigh!"

Fiona fell and stared at her brother as he mumbled his requests. She almost felt guilty for the way she treaed him.

*****
Tit agus impigh! = Fall down and beg!

Karasu realized what this must look like to these children. All these people descending on them at once. I'm sure they're frightened, and don't know who to trust. I'm glad all my weapons are under my cloak. If they don't come with me, I fear their fate.

She smiled as the children kneeled, praying for guidance. Karasu, being a dragon/human had one rare quality. Many of her dragon powers stayed with her as a human. Karasu turned and faced the forest. Her eyes started flipping from color to color, like a rainbow. She closed them, and sent out an aura of kindness, and trust toward the children.

Karasu had made the decision to protect them, and she always followed through.

Khevit remained where he was sitting as the children walked a short distance away and began talking and praying.

The mage was startled by the appearance of this strange woman. She was obviously a fighter, from her poise, but appeared to be a magic-user as well, when he sensed the aura she directed at the children. However, needless to say, she was the only one who seemed to know where she was, so he said, "Greetings. I am Aramil Holimar, Mage of the Second Degree, of the Collegiate Arcane of Caladonn." he bowed gracefully, and continued, "I will kindly take up your offer, but I could not help noticing that these children seem to be on their last legs," he smiled kindly at them. "I would be honored to help. As most of you now know, I am something of a teleportation mage, and could teleport as many as would wish to the village Karasu speaks of," he gazed around at the group. "I know that you must doubt my intentions, but if you, Karasu, being something of a magic-user no doubt, could cast a truth spell on me, I will demonstrate my truthfulness."

OOC: Amanda... where did you run off to?

"Pleased to meet you Aramil. I certainly can cast a truth spell on you. These kids really should get out of the sunlight and have something to eat and drink, as well as get some rest." Karasu acknowledged the man's invitation.

"My only concern," she said grinning, "is that you were teleporting somewhere else and you ended up here. Is is possible we may ALL end up lost, teleported to the wrong place?" I mean no disrespect by asking, sir. I just want to make sure everyone is safe."

Karasu waited for Aramil's answer.

OOC: Sorry everyone. I moved to California and now I am at a place where you can buy time on the net. I live in Riverside, Noir. Sorry about my hiatus. I will try to keep up. I believe Noir and my character are interacting and Crimmond's character is approaching us.

IC:

"Am I okay? Physically enduring. What exactly is okay. I mean I can always be better, but whatever. I am babbling."

She wiped the perspiration from her forehead with the back of her right hand and wiped it on her white dress, which currently was sticking to her body because of the sun's intense heat.

She finally looked at the male in front of her. He appeared that he was hiding distress.

She blinked and her once purple eyes turned two shades darker.

"Babbling, Ru why are you babbling, child I do not like that at all. If you choose to speak, you must use your words wisely and get the point across faster. Your rants lose their meanings quickly."

Ru's small oval face flushed and she meekly said, "Yes, pappa."

He nodded sternly and moved her back into the study area. "I am going to have you work on your grammer with the tutor more extensively because you disappointment with your lack of improvement. Sit here and stay."

He left the young girl sitting at the table. Crystalline tears ran freely down her rosy cheeks and popped onto her pink dress, splotching it into a red colour.

A man appearing in his late sixties, walked into the room. Grumbling,"It appears we have much work ahead of us Ru."

"As I am with you. Thank you for that, although I could cast a truth spell myself, I doubt any of you would believe in my integrity. And as for the teleportation mishap before, I believe that was due to the congestion of teleporters in Caladonn City, and the thousands of kilometers to my destination. If this village is as close as you say it is, then we should have no difficulty. To aid in my precision, if you could either draw or describe the town to me, I would be much obliged."

"That is very simple... it is down this dirt road about 8 miles west. The village is right off the road. You couldn't miss it." Karasu told him.

"Is everyone OK with this?" She smiled at the children. It was a smile that said, 'don't worry'.

Karasu did cast a truth spell on him, and it seemed he was telling the truth. The half demon named Khevit probably thought he wasn't invited.

"Khevit, you may come with us if you like." Karasu smiled at him.

Karasu hated to see people sad or in pain. Being a half human half dragon, she had all the traits of a dragon, but could have all the traits of a human. It was almost like being two people. This included longevity. She was hundreds of years old, however, her human form appeared to be about thirty. Over time, she had seen so much pain and misery. And the pain a being went through because of rejection was something she hated to see. Karasu would always involve the one person who was being left out. It seemed that helping and protecting had made her stronger and stronger as time went on.

While they teleported, Karasu would put a shield around herself and the children.

Now Karasu was waiting for the children to agree to go along.

Neall looked up after his prayers and looked straight at Karasu. All of a sudden he felt a sense of goodness and helpfulness. He decided that Karasu was safe and decided that he and his sister should go with her.

"Fiona, you can stop pretending. I know your not praying. But I have been. I think we can trust in the women, Karasu, for now. I feel a sense of goodness from her. But Fiona, I think these people see us as small, defenseless children. We are much, much more than that, and you know it. I know what you saw when the images were leaving, because I saw it, too. I don't think she casted a curse, Fiona. I think she put something in us. I don't know what it is yet, but i am trying to figure it out. I think these people can help." Neall told Fiona.

Fiona opened her eyes and stared at her brother. She knew exactly what he was talking about. She had felt it all, too. Something was in them.

"I know, Neall. I feel the same things. These people want to help us, but I can't help to think that they have other, er, motives. I just want to get to town, then maybe we can ditch these amadán. For now, let's just act all innocent and helpless, maybe we can get something out of them."

"That doesn't sound very moral, pretending to be something we're not to gain material possesion. I think that's illegal."

"Sometimes, you can't be moral all the time, or legal for that matter. Just follow my lead, and everything will be fine, trust me. I'm all you have, and I won't let anything happen to either of us."

"If you say so. The mage just said something about teleporting, and the women said that wasn't a good idea."

"How do you do it, Neall? Listen to five conversations at once, it blows my mind. Ok, well, this is how it is going to go. Act all scared about teleporting, say it isn't a good idea, if we start to, start crying. I'll pretend like I'm the epitamy of innocence and prudence. I'll be cautious, but not too much. Got that?"

"I think so. I don't know if I can just cry."

"Pretend like if you do, you'll die. Or, better yet, be left alone with a pack of ravenous wolves that will never eat you, just rip at your flesh." Fiona decided to change the outcome because Neall would probably want to die, and she rather like the idea about the wolves.

""Wow, ok. I'll do that, but i don't understand your part in this."

"I'll just be there, being square. Use correct grammar, big words, no Gaeilge. Unless you need to tell me an urgent message, and don't want anyone knowing what you're saying, don't speak Gaeilge. Um, I guess that is all. Let's go."

"Ugh, ok, I'll go along with your little plan, it sounds intriguing."

The two schemers walked over to the group who were saying something about truth spells. Fiona looked at her brother, sending him the look that she would take the lead. She turned to Karasu, and started the biggest play she had ever been in. She was an excellent actress.

"Karasu, if I may call you that. My brother and I have decided to take your offer on the shelter you offered. We don't want to be pests, but we do need your help." Fiona put on an excellent innocent face. Neall stood next to his sister, putting on a puppy-dog cute face. No one would suspect that there was wisdom, strength, and wit behind the cute kid masks that they were putting on.

*****
OOC: I don't want any of these magic things sensing or whatever the act their putting on, that would make it lose interest. That can be uncovered later with a more fun approach with whatever happens eventually. I am trying to let ya'll know that these aren't normal children. I haven't quite decided what I'm gunna make them into. I was hoping ya'll could help me with that, later, through roleplay. Um, that is about it.

OOC2:
amadán = idiot (hope it isn't too harsh)

Khevit remained where he was as the children talked. When he heard the lady inviting him along when they teleported, he simply smiled to himself as he knew magick tended not to work on him and when it did had very unusual side effects.

Karasu, being a dragon, recognized the word 'idiot'. She sighed.

"So we're all going then?" Karasu asked?

"I guess we're ready, we better stand closer together." Karasu stood with the children next to her, and cast a spell which enveloped the three of them in an invisible shield."

Now they were ready to go with Aramil. Then they could have a nice dinner. If any of them wanted to leave and needed money, she'd give it to them. After all, she was a dragon and had enough treasure for eternity. She would just put them up and they could do whatever they wanted.

If any of them had evil intentions, they would regret crossing her. Eventually she would be able to read their aura. She could usually see auras.

Most beings that crossed Karasu in either form, depending on what they had done, were simply killed.

OOC: ah, Riverside...Then UCR pops up in my head. Good ol' M.U.N.



"Am I okay? Physically enduring. What exactly is okay. I mean I can always be better, but whatever. I am babbling."

She wiped the perspiration from her forehead with the back of her right hand and wiped it on her white dress, which currently was sticking to her body because of the sun's intense heat.

She finally looked at the male in front of her. He appeared that he was hiding distress.

She blinked and her once purple eyes turned two shades darker.


Mazer looked into her deep purple eyes. Interesting, was the only word he thought of in his head. These eyes are probing me. I just can't shake the feeling that she knows what I am thinking or feeling. No, what really distresses me the most is that I could have sworn i've looked down these eyes before and been enveloped in the warmth of this strange but familiar radiant glow.

This feeling is incredible, I just can't figure it out. The only times I could remember are those at the academy. I've lived my entire life there, within the cold stone walls and the high towers. Everything there was cold and lifeless. But this feeling brings back memories. Better said, shadows of memories from the past. But from when.

Mazer immediately cleared all of these thoughts from his head as he approached. Sure, free my mind.

"Are you travelling alone?" he asked. "If you are going into the forest, I suggest that you do so now. I heard that it is not advisable to go later when the sun sets." Mazer punched himself mentally. Why didn't I just say the obvious, that it was dangerous. 'Not advisable.' I'm so used to the military jargon used at the academy. They can drill anything out of you, especially the ability to socialize. Mazer's self-confidence sulked inside of him.

OOC: AtG, is there a way we can talk about character development, somehow.

The heat of the day didn't seem to bother the man as he stepped closer. In fact, the temperature around him seemed quite comfortable, compared to the rest of the area. "Seems the woods are a popular gathering spot." He says, softly. "There's another group down the road, complete with dragon."

As Karasu put the invisible foce field around her and the children, they could feel it, and knew what was coming. Fiona looked down at Neall, once again giving him the look that she would take the lead, and for him to cry only if the situation seems against her.

"Um, what are we doing? I can feel something around us. I heard the mage say something of teleportation. Neall and I would rather not teleport, if you don't mind." Fiona said in her best cautious tone, she usually wasn't cautious. She looked at Karasu, she knew this women would help them, but the plan. The plan didn't call for friendship, it called for mutiny. Fiona decided she would have think about that later.

Neall reached out and touched the force field. It made him shiver. Draíocht, diamhair, thought Neall as he pulled his hand back. He wasn't sure he like magic too much, it was too...strange.

****
OOC: Hyperslackovicznia, the childrens intentions aren't evil, per se. And I plan on them having a change of heart later, maybe. Like I said earlier, something will happen with them through roleplay. They won't die or anything, just change, but I need ya'll's help, through role play. And I didn't mean for their conversation to be overheard. If she just heard that one word then, ok, but it would give a way their act.

OOC2:
Draíocht = magic (strangely, it is also the word for romance)
diamhair = strange, weird, eerie (you get the idea)

OOC: She just heard the one word and didn't know who it was directed at.


IC: "There should be no problem teleporting since it's in a straight line, but if you would rather walk, I will walk with you. It will take a lot more time, and I'm afraid the two of you may not make it. It's sunny and warm, and it's a long walk. You'll probably die of dehydration." Karasu told them, hoping the kids realized this was the truth.

"I would prefer we teleported. I don't want to see you two die from dehydration."

Karasu looked at the mage and back at the kids. "We should be quite safe. And by the way, you two never told me your names. What are your names? Why don't you tell me while we teleport?"

Karasu hoped this mage knew what he was doing and that they didn't end up in a lake or something.

I just want to get back to the village. I need to keep an eye out for that other man as well. I don't want him showing up. If no one was here right now, I'd just fly back. She sighed.

Dying doesn't sound so bad right now, thought Neall.

"I am Fionna, and this is my brother, Neall, of the clan ó Baetheghaile. I suppose that teleporting wouldn't be that bad. What do you think, Neall?"

She gave him the look that meant start crying, now. Neall found it hard at first, but suddenly the tears just started pouring as he thought about his family. He remembered he was acting scared of teleporting, so he added a "I don't wanna" in a couple of times, just to make it sound convincing. Fionna kneeled and hugged her brother, saying it will be ok aloud, but whispering in his ear, "Good job."

Somehow, Fionna knew exactly what her brother was thinking. She thought maybe he knew what she was thinking, too. She looked down into his teary eyes, and he shook his head. She told him, through their minds, that he could cut it out, they should teleport. It would be an adventure if they did get lost, and they were able to handle themselves if anything were to...happen.

This new revelaiton was an important discovery for the two, it meant they could talk, without actually talking. They were connected now more than ever.

"He will be well. Will we leave soon, before he, or I, have a change of heart?" Fiona couldn't help but smile, on the inside. She was better at this than she had expected, and Neall was doing even better.

***
OOC: Just the two are connected, they can't read other people's minds. And I would hope no one would read their's either. It gets boring when everyone already knows all about the other charcters through magic.

ooc: Khevit will be going with them when they teleport, but their will be some sort of side effects.

"Aramil? We're ready any time." Karasu told him.

Aramil looked up from his meditation, even though it was only a short distance, he was worried that the half-demon might do something to the spell. He said, "I sugest you close your eyes, as the astral plane can be somewhat disconcerting to the uninitiated." He straightened, raised his arms, and intoned in a deep voice, "Suredar un Gelthrontor! Veriton habenminur! Fuhrias contelhumath, ram wendilare ath romineth."

A silver circle appeared around the group, etched in runes of ancient power. A ball of golden light appeared between Aramil's outstretched arms, and grew, until suddenly, in a bright flash, it enveloped them. Aramil could feel the familiarity of the absolute nothingness of the Astral Plane around them, then suddenly, fleeting images passed through his mind. They passed fast, but Aramil uttered a command, and they slowed. He saw an image of a village near them, smoke rising from the thatched huts, but then, he could feel another presence. A chaotic murmuring surrounded his ears, emanating from the half-demon. The image began to grow fuzzy, and speed up again. Aramil uttered another command, and they slowed. He quickly ejected them before the village was passed in the fluid motion of the Astral Plane.

He was worried when they appeared, and his fears were justified. They had appeared on top of the roof of a building, and the thatch could not support their combined weight...

Thump! Aramil landed on his feet when the roof collapsed, blessing his elven reflexes. Unfortunately, he knew his companions most likely would not land so well, and did not want to face the building's owner when the dust cleared.

Khevit landed, balanced on his hands, slightly shocked that the magick had effected him. He noted the damage to the house and was wondering where the owner was.

"Oh man!" Karasu shreiked as she grabbed each kid and landed on her feet.

She gave Khevit a dirty look. "And just what were you trying to do? Where were you trying to take us?" Her eyes narrowed.

Just then the owners of the building came in from outside ranting and raving.

"Sir, ma'am, I apologize for this. A little teleportation gone wrong." She said sheepishly.

"Oh Karasu, it's you!" the woman said, feeling a bit relieved but suspicious of the strangers.

Karasu reached into a pocket and gave them enough money to build a far better hut. "I think this will cover the damage. I am so sorry. If there is anything I can help with, please let me know."

"After what you did for us last night, this is more than enough. Thank you Karasu." The woman bowed slightly and nodded. The group walked out of what used to be the hut, pretty much unscathed.

"Are you two hungry?" she asked the kids. I'll make sure some food is on in just a bit." Karasu paid a woman to make a large dinner for them outside her dwelling.

As they walked over, she held Khevit back. "Khevit? I think you have some explaining to do?" She stared at him, her eyes showing their anger.

"I wasn't doing anything, I'm actually surprised the magick effected me, normally it doesn't." Khevit replied sounding hurt.

Aramil whirled around, a greenish-transparent shield materialising around him and flames bursting up in his hand. He spoke harshly to Khevit, saying, "Do you realise what you did? Not only did you jeopardise all of our lives, but ruined these poor people's hut! Teleportation effects are not confined to the Material Plane. We could have ended up in Baator, or the Abyss!" His eyes glittered dangerously.

When the owners came in and seemed to know Karasu, he apologised along with her, and produced a small gold pendant from his robes. "This may bring you better luck than was visited upon you today," he said apologetically.

When Khevit replied, he softened slightly, and the flames disappeared. "How would the magic not affect you? The disruption of the Astral Plane you caused back there was very powerful. I believe you are more than you seem."

"Try casting a spell on me. The last time a magick spell affected me I was twenty-four, I am presently eighty-two." Khevit replied, protesting his innocence. "I don't know if it's related to my parents, or what causes it."

The teleportation made Fionna a little woosy, but all in all, she rather enjoyed it. She thought the whole falling into the roof scenario was rather fun, but wouldn't dare tell anyone.

When Karasu asked if they were hungry, she replied, "Yes, please we are very hungry, and we would like to change our clothes, if that possible. We've had these on for days, they were our night clothes." Fiona was hoping that Karasu would give them clothes, seeing maybe they were poor and had no money, which they didn't.

"Anything will do, as long as it is clean."

"Well, you two are in luck! There is a seamstress a few houses down. She sells clothing and has a large selection in many sizes. Her husband is a shoemaker, so we can get you some new shoes. Dinner is being prepared right now, and you'll both have time to take a bath before you change into your new clothes. It sounds like a pretty good deal to me! After your baths, I'll show you to your sleeping quarters so you can change. If there is anything else you need, just ask." Karasu smiled. She was truly happy when she could help the less fortunate. "Let's go kids!"

The three of them walked to the seamstress and shoemaker's home. "Shia!" Karasu yelled into the door. "I have some customers for you!" She yelled again.

The woman named Shia came running to the door. "Oh Karasu, it's so good to see you. I didn't get a chance to thank you for last night!"

"Shia, no thanks are needed. What we do need are some clothes for these kids. Some shoes as well. All they have is what they're wearing." Karasu told Shia, and introduced them. "This is Fiona, and this is Neall. Fiona and Neall, this is Shia."

Suddenly a man came in from the back room. "What's going on?" he asked, smiling.

"Gerard, these two children need clothing and shoes. Perhaps you could find some shoes for Neall while I help Fiona find some clothing, and then vice versa." Shia proposed.

"Will do! Come with me Neall." Neall went in back with Gerard where all the shoes were.

"I have quite a selection of clothing for a young girl your size", Shia told Fiona, while bringing out a large quantity of clothing.

"Choose whatever you want, Fiona." Karasu smiled.

Karasu stepped outside for a little air while Fiona went through the clothes.

She overheard Aramil yelling at Khevit. Let's see where this goes.

Fiona stared at all the clothes. Clothes were one of her favorite pass-times. She picked up a few beautiful dresses and looked at a few simple tunics. She decided that she didn't need to get anything to involved, seeing that if the need came, she wanted to be able to handle herself. She picked out a green dress, it wasn't to heavy, just perfect for the heat. It hung down a little below her ankles, Perfect, she thought, I can conceal some type of weapon. It had short sleeves and revealed a bit of her chest, but seeing that she had a, er, full figure, that wasn't much of a problem. Green was her favorite color, it looked good with her flaming red hair. She would have to do her hair later, she was sure it was a mess.

"What do you think, Shia?"

****

Neall looked through the hundreds of shoes, he was astounded. He never really cared much for clothing, it was just something you had to wear. He knew he needed somehting he could run in, something that would be comfortable. He looked though the shoes. Most of them were boots, so he decided he would chose a good pair of boots. He picked out a pair and gave them to Gerard.

"Those are the ones."

Shia fussed around with the clothing. "I think it's perfect Fiona, but do you want anything else? You can get more than one dress. Go ahead and pick out a few more. Karasu will pay for them. That's just the way she is. Look at this one." Shia held up a black floral silk gown. "This would be perfect for a special occasion and would suit you well." It was extremely expensive, but that didn't matter. "What do you think Fiona? I think it would be stunning on you!"

Meanwhile, Neill picked out a pair of boots. "Good choice," said Gerard. "Very sturdy and will last a long time. I suppose you ought to get over to Shia and look at some clothes now." He smiled at Neill.

Karasu was still listening to the mage and the half demon having their loud 'discussion'.

"It is beautiful! I think I'll take it. And this one, too." She held up a rose-colored silk gown with gold stiching and sea-green lace trim, made similar to the black gown. Fionna didn't think twice about the cost, it was all part of the plan. Besides, growing up, price was never an option. Her and her mother would travel to Beouin to check out the latest fashions. She couldn't wait to look at the shoes.

"Shia, tell me about Karasu. She seems very kind. Have you known her long?" Fionna wanted to get a little information about her new friend.

****

Neall smiled a big smile up to Gerard. He reminded him of his father. Some of the men in his village were tough and showed no emotion toward their children. Neall had always been glad his father was different from the others. He was also glad that Gerard was kind to him.

ooc: Hyper, could you have Karasu come interrogate Khevit as Crim isn't around?

"Good choices." Shia said. "They are all beautiful."

Shia sighed. "So you want to know about Karasu. Well, she's different than most people. She's a very giving woman, and yes, perhaps the kindest woman I've ever met. She considers it her duty to make good on her promises, and can't stand to see people hurting. She's also very protective of those who need it." Shia continued, "Karasu has been here about 9 months. In that period of time, she's helped nearly everyone in this village in one way or another. She is wealthy, and she has no problem just giving money to those who need it. She is also the village protector. Without her here, our village would have been pillaged and burned down. Many roving groups have tried, but she has thwarted them all. Karasu is extremely skilled with weapons."

Shia smiled. "You're very fortunate to have run into Karasu. She will take care of your needs and do everything in her power to make sure you're safe."

ooc: Theao... Sure, but tomorrow. I'm going to crash now!

Fionna thought over all that Shia had told her. Protecter, saving villages, wealthy, generous; this women sounded invincible. Fionna started to feel guitly about her and Nealls plans. Maybe she should just wing it with Karasu, she did't want to hurt her.

"I think I'm ready to get shoes!" exclaimed Fionna, smiling from ear to ear.

Karasu heard Fiona in the building and decided she would go check out the shoes with her, and catch up with Khevit later.

"Let's see what clothing you chose."

Fiona showed her the dresses. "You have good taste!" Karasu smiled. "Shoe time! Gerard, Fiona is ready for her shoes."

"Come along with me, Fiona. I'm sure you'll find something you like." Gerard said.

Shia was already showing Neill what she had in his size.

Karasu looked at the clothing. She couldn't really afford to wear dresses much. She had her clothing made custom by Shia and Gerard. It had to be leather and hold all her weapons. One of these days I'll buy a nice dress.

She decided she would have a talk with Khevit while the children were bathing.

Angelus walked casually down the street, occasionally looking side to side as if he was searching for somthing. Anyone who would have paid close attention would also notice that every so often he would pause, lick a finger delicatley, hold it up in the air, and carry on. This was strange since there was no wind but he appeared to always be satisfied with the result. He walked in a coat that stretched down to the floor, and there was a reason for this that was one of the reasons he was tired of humanity. The leather itched, it was restricting, and he always longed to simply stretch out his wings as far as he could. His wings of course being the reason for the coat. people rarley ignored a pair of downy wings passing by. They were from his mothers side he was told, and so here he was, a half angel. Why an angel, a perfect being of light and beauty, would decided to mate with anything as crude as a human was beyond angelus, but nevertheless he was stuck with the human blood in his veins. He had been passing the area on the way of his journey and somthing had jumped out at him as vivid as luminous pink in a green feild. Somthing was on the verge of happening here, two very different futures were about to be decided upon here, and Angelus was although disgusted by alot of human activity, amused by it a the same time. He had even considered some humans friends, as much as the apes could be.
Yes....it is here. And so many colourful characters! This will be interesting

OOC: Sorry about this Amanda, I appear to be signing up for alot of your threads latley :D Blame the thread search tool

As Aramil continued bitching at him, Khevit noticed Karasu was coming back. "Could you explain to him, that I am not responsible?" He asked her.

ooc: Half-demon and half-angel in same area, this will be interesting.

As Aramil continued bitching at him, Khevit noticed Karasu was coming back. "Could you explain to him, that I am not responsible?" He asked her.

ooc: Half-demon and half-angel in same area, this will be interesting.

OOC: Haha, didn't see that, this will be interesting

"I'm sorry about my reaction, but I would have appreciated it if you would tell me magic affects you oddly beforehand. I barely saved us from a possibly nasty situation. However, I ahve heard of other creatures for which magic behaves oddly, although it is a very rare occurence," Aramil said, remembering his training at the Collegiate Arcane of Caladonn a century before, pouring over ancient tomes of magical knowledge such as this. He was about to continue, but suddenly stopped. "I sense another extraplanar presence here, not too far off. I suggest we tread exceedingly carefully," he said, the shield materialising again as he glosed his eyes and searched his senses.

"I'm sorry about my reaction, but I would have appreciated it if you would tell me magic affects you oddly beforehand. I barely saved us from a possibly nasty situation. However, I ahve heard of other creatures for which magic behaves oddly, although it is a very rare occurence," Aramil said, remembering his training at the Collegiate Arcane of Caladonn a century before, pouring over ancient tomes of magical knowledge such as this. He was about to continue, but suddenly stopped. "I sense another extraplanar presence here, not too far off. I suggest we tread exceedingly carefully," he said, the shield materialising again as he glosed his eyes and searched his senses.

Angelus frowned as he felt somthing probing for him. He grasped the thin tendril of consciousness interestedly and followed it back to the source, where he was quite suprised
Hmm, hello there. you know, most people would just shake hands He chuckled in his mind
Now what would a human be doing searching for me like this?

"I'll try to remember that, but when magick doesn't effect you under all but the most powerful or unusual circumstances, you tend to forget." Khevit replied as he sniffed. "The smell is very odd, like yet totally unlike my own."

Aramil heard Khevit, but was too deep in his mind to respond. He felt that the being had found him, and at the same time, he found who it was, and was suprised also. He opened his eyes and said, "A half-angel is near here, and has just identified me. I do not think we have anything to fear." He picked up his staff and strode down the street, towards the half-angel. He found Angelus quickly, and said, "Greetings. I am sorry if my search disturbed you, but I cannot be too careful. I'm sure you know of many of the more threatening denizens of the Outer Planes." Smiling, he outstretched his hand in a more conventional greeting, and said, "I am Aramil Holimar, Mage of the Second Degree of the Collegiate Arcane of Caladonn."

"Khevit, I can't tell him this was an accident! If this was an accident, why did I hear you chanting? You knew damn well this was going to get fucked up and yet you put everyone in danger. Aramil is right. I truly don't know whether to trust you Khevit." Karasu spoketo him sternly. "For now, no."

Suddenly Karasu felt another presence... a conflicted presence... a conflicted aura. She turned to see Aramil speaking with the man whose presence she felt. She walked over to see the newcomer, whom Aramil was speaking with. I'm glad no one can sense my dragon presence in any way.

"Hello! My name is Karasu." She smiled.

"I wasn't chanting." Khevit protested, he turned and glanced at the new person, "Interesting a half-angel, this will be interesting." He thought as he extended one hand to the newcomer, claws retracted, "Greetings."

Khevit better conduct himself in a decent manner. Karasu thought, and was keeping an eye on him.

"I love shoes!" exclaimed Fionna. She picked out a pair of boots that would be good to run and fight in, then a few to look good witht the two high-fashion dresses she had bought.

"This'll be it, Gerard. Thank You!"

She went back into the main room where Neall and Shia were picking out clothes. Of course Shia was doing all the picking, Neall wasn't much for clothes.

"Here, I'll help. He isn't much for fashion. Something simple is probably the best." She said to both Shia and herself.

She picked out a simlple pair of breetches and a white tunic. She picked a few other items that were simlilar to the originals.

"It is so hot outside, I don't think a coat is needed." She said to Neall, and herself.

They gave all the clothing to Shia and she packaged them and handed them over.

"Bye! We're going to find Karasu. See you soon!"

They walked out the door, and into a mess.

OOC: Sonorus Capita, Hyperslackovicznia...Should I even ask?????
OOC2: Amanda, where are you???????

ooc: they were having a ooc argument
AtG is suppose to be somewhere in the process of moving/unpacking

OOC: Wha???
Sorry, this is Caladonn. Logged in as puppet accidentally.

He smiled at the apparent mage's refreshing cordial manners, courtesy was somthing dying out in recent times and he was glad to see a man respectful of a half angel. And also a woman, another intriging character, he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but when he shook her hand, it was as if he was shaking hands with two people
'I am most glad to meet you both I must say. Angelus, at your service' He bowed extravagantly
'Certainly an unusual pair. I see so few users of magic around who actually have any resonable knoledge to use it, its good so see a practitioner who knows his art' He turned to Karasu
'And you...you certainly are a mystery aren't you madamn?' He rubbed his chin for a second thinking, then raised a finger when an idea came to him
'A possession perhaps? No..not the right eyes, a creature of an ascension? Hmm, perhaps not, no divine aura about you...' He spread his hands in defeat
'I simply have no idea, congratulations, you are more of a mystery for a half angel to solve' He grinned
He turned to the last man
'And you sir, I know theres somthing different about you' He shook the mans hand and froze when he felt the claws. he stared at the man for a moment and then spun away, balancing in a crouch with an arm raised towards the man in preperation
'Half demon! What are you doing here?!' he glanced over to the other two and noticed they were nonplussed by the half creature
'He is....a companion of yours?' He relaxed a little but still scowled at the man
'What business have you with them warp spawn? Are you simply posessed of demon blood? Or a servant of the same'

"I am here because I was born, same as you. What my origins have to do with who I am, is beyond me." Khevit replied "By the standard you apparently hold that I should be amongst the lowest, then by that self-same standard, you should comport yourself to the highest. I am not spawned of the warp as you have called me, nor am I a servant to anyone."

ooc: the claws are similar in nature to cat claws, normally slightly extended( appear to most as simply longer/sharper fingernails), but can be full retracted(to length of a normal fingernail) or extended at will.

"I am here because I was born, same as you. What my origins have to do with who I am, is beyond me." Khevit replied "By the standard you apparently hold that I should be amongst the lowest, then by that self-same standard, you should comport yourself to the highest. I am not spawned of the warp as you have called me, nor am I a servant to anyone."

ooc: the claws are similar in nature to cat claws, normally slightly extended( appear to most as simply longer/sharper fingernails), but can be full retracted(to length of a normal fingernail) or extended at will.

'I comport myself to the standard of reality half demon. Born of woman or the lowest pits of hell, neither make any difference to me' He relaxed a little more seeing this one only held his demonhood from his lineage, and not from any dark pact. he held out a hand cautiously
'Angelus, it's....nice...to meet you half demon'

ooc: the claws are similar in nature to cat claws, normally slightly extended( appear to most as simply longer/sharper fingernails), but can be full retracted(to length of a normal fingernail) or extended at will.

OOC: Noted :D

"The name's Khevit, and it's a pleasure to meet you." Khevit replied as he shaked Angelus's hand.

OOC: ah, Riverside...Then UCR pops up in my head. Good ol' M.U.N.



Mazer looked into her deep purple eyes. Interesting, was the only word he thought of in his head. These eyes are probing me. I just can't shake the feeling that she knows what I am thinking or feeling. No, what really distresses me the most is that I could have sworn i've looked down these eyes before and been enveloped in the warmth of this strange but familiar radiant glow.

This feeling is incredible, I just can't figure it out. The only times I could remember are those at the academy. I've lived my entire life there, within the cold stone walls and the high towers. Everything there was cold and lifeless. But this feeling brings back memories. Better said, shadows of memories from the past. But from when.

Mazer immediately cleared all of these thoughts from his head as he approached. Sure, free my mind.

"Are you travelling alone?" he asked. "If you are going into the forest, I suggest that you do so now. I heard that it is not advisable to go later when the sun sets." Mazer punched himself mentally. Why didn't I just say the obvious, that it was dangerous. 'Not advisable.' I'm so used to the military jargon used at the academy. They can drill anything out of you, especially the ability to socialize. Mazer's self-confidence sulked inside of him.

OOC: AtG, is there a way we can talk about character development, somehow.

OOC: Hey, can we all just chill out for awhile. I know we all get excited, but some of us have huge things going on right now. I am sooo stressed, but anyway, noir to character development, tell me what you think.

IC: Blink blink.

Words were being directed to her, but all she heard was mumbling, not being the speaker's fault, but her own.

She concentrated on what he was saying. She pulled out words like alone and not travel in the forest during the nighttime.

She turned her eyes on him once more. Now a soft shade of pastel purple.

The word gave so many different meanings to her, but the definite description of melancholy.

Alone.

After the day's work she finally let out a loud sigh.

"Ru, how many times do I have to tell you to learn to control your emotions. There are not vital in our lives and only confuse us beyond what we should be. Your father will not be pleased."

Ru bit her soft pink lips. She bowed her head and swallowed hard. She lifted her chin up and stared at her professor dead in the eyes. Now a cold hard purple stare. "Go ahead, see if it bothers me." Her voice freezing to the ears.

The professor nodded, with pleasure. He patted her head roughly. "Now we can progress onto subjects you want to learn about. Spells."

The five year old girl vowed to herself that she would never let her wall down, nor would she crumble infront of her father again.

A sweet voice filled Ru's ears, "Ru, darling, come read with me."

Her heart fluttered, "Yes, mamma." She ran to her mother's den and jumped on her mother's lap. She looked up into her mother's soft purple eyes and smiled, "Mamma, promise you will never leave me."

"I have been traveling alone, yes. And yourself?"

"Nice to meet you Angelus. So I'm a bit of an enigma to you, huh?" She chuckled. Well, it keeps people wondering. She smiled. A half angel... She felt silly, but she wanted to see his wings. She giggled.

The kids came running up with their bags of clothes and shoes. "Oh great! You found some things you like! If you want, you can take your baths. By the way, Fiona, Neall, this is Angelus."

OOC: Hey, can we all just chill out for awhile. I know we all get excited, but some of us have huge things going on right now. I am sooo stressed, but anyway, noir to character development, tell me what you think.




Consider us chilled. Everything is cool. Sorry about all those deleted posts... :rolleyes: It won't happen again. :)

He smiled at the apparent mage's refreshing cordial manners, courtesy was somthing dying out in recent times and he was glad to see a man respectful of a half angel. And also a woman, another intriging character, he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but when he shook her hand, it was as if he was shaking hands with two people
'I am most glad to meet you both I must say. Angelus, at your service' He bowed extravagantly
'Certainly an unusual pair. I see so few users of magic around who actually have any resonable knoledge to use it, its good so see a practitioner who knows his art' He turned to Karasu
'And you...you certainly are a mystery aren't you madamn?' He rubbed his chin for a second thinking, then raised a finger when an idea came to him
'A possession perhaps? No..not the right eyes, a creature of an ascension? Hmm, perhaps not, no divine aura about you...' He spread his hands in defeat
'I simply have no idea, congratulations, you are more of a mystery for a half angel to solve' He grinned
He turned to the last man
'And you sir, I know theres somthing different about you' He shook the mans hand and froze when he felt the claws. he stared at the man for a moment and then spun away, balancing in a crouch with an arm raised towards the man in preperation
'Half demon! What are you doing here?!' he glanced over to the other two and noticed they were nonplussed by the half creature
'He is....a companion of yours?' He relaxed a little but still scowled at the man
'What business have you with them warp spawn? Are you simply posessed of demon blood? Or a servant of the same'
Aramil nodded geneally, saying, "Actually, I am not from around here, I am merely in these parts due to a now, possibly fortunate accident." He turned to Karasu, "Yes, I noticed some oddities about you also. However, you have not jeopardised our safety in any way because of them," he glanced at Khevit, "And your mysteriousness, no doubt, I will solve at a later date, with your permission."
Noticing the reaction of Angelus to the half-demon, and Khevit's hasty defence, the elf contented to watch them bicker and then come to terms.

OOC: Is This Rp Closed Yet?

"Hello, Angelus!" said Fionna with a huge, cheeky grin.

Neall looked up and gave a half-smile.

"Where do we go to bathe?" asked Fiona. "I fell absolutley disgusting in these things."

"Oh, Karasu, before I forget. Neall and I would like to give you something for helping us, and seeing we don't have anything material to give you, we would like to sing to you, if you don't mind. Neall plays the pennywhistle and I'll sing for you. Do you know of any people who might have a pennywhistle that we could borrow?"

OOC: Is This RP Closed Yet? And Are There Any Assassin Characters?

"First of all, the bathtubs are already warm for you. Go into that larger building. Take the first right. There are two bathtubs, robes, towels and all you will need. They are, of course separated by a wall. When you get into your robes after your baths, and you come out of that room, turn right. The first room on the right will be your sleeping quarters Fiona, the second one on the right will be yours, Neall." Karasu told them.

"While you're bathing, I'll see if I can find someone with a pennywhistle." She smiled. "Now go and enjoy your hot baths!"

Karasu turned to Aramil and Angelus. "So you both think I'm weird or something?" She grinned. "You two are silly!"

"Dinner is almost ready, but there are some appitizers and drinks out. Will you join us for dinner Angelus?" Karasu asked? "You are also most welcome to stay here for the night if you like. You as well, Aramil. I have a huge house and the kids are staying with me also."

She looked at Khevit. She didn't want to discriminate against him. She just didn't know what to think of him. "Khevit," Karasu felt guilty saying this. "I just don't know what to think of you at this point. You are welcome for dinner, but I don't know about staying the night. I will let Aramil be the judge. I'm sorry Khevit. It's just that teleporting problem. I heard you chanting." She said sighing.

"I'm going to go and make sure the kids don't need anything. And can someone find a pennywhistle?" Karasu grinned.

OOC: Is This RP Closed Yet? And Are There Any Assassin Characters?

Contact the RP starter... imported Amanda the Great. Don't know about assassins... this is a fantasy type RP...

"I keep telling you, I am not responsible for what ever happened." Khevit protested as Aramil subtle accusation, and Karasu comments. "I swear upon all the gods, I wasn't chanting."

ooc: As best I know it is still open, and no there are no assassins

"Thank you!" exclaimed Fionna. She grabbed Neall and pulled him to the big buildings.

"You can let go! I can walk. And what are you doing volunteering me to play the pennywhistle?!" Neall was acting a little fussy.

"It is all part of the sugary-sweet image we're, er, portraying. And besides, I like Karasu, and I love to sing. Maybe after this she won't think we're charity, but are useful for something, at least for now. You like playing pennywhistle, right?"

"I guess it is ok, but what are we gunna play that is appropriate. All I know are ballads."

"Then play the tune to a ballad and I'll make up some lyrics. Don't worry about any of that. Just take a bath and get dressed and we'll worry about the rest later. We'll talk after we're done. I think these are the tubs."

They entered a large room divided in the middle with a satin room divider. A maid was standng over one of the tubs, putting perfume into the steaming water.

"I think that'll be good thank you." Fionna told the maid, the maid smiled and bowed her head before leaving the room.

****
OOC: I'll post more later, I'm tired and in no rush. Sorry for all those posts, everyone. It was a small disagreement that was quickly settled.

"I certainly hope you weren't but I thought I heard you chanting." Karasu said. "Aramil, it's your decision, but if Khevit stays, I'd like you to share a room with him." Karasu turned around and went to one of the tables to get some water.

Karasu felt kind of bad. What if Khevit was completely innocent? She had such an urge to just get away and fly, but there was no chance now.

OOC: Hey, can we all just chill out for awhile. I know we all get excited, but some of us have huge things going on right now. I am sooo stressed, but anyway, noir to character development, tell me what you think.

IC: Blink blink.

Words were being directed to her, but all she heard was mumbling, not being the speaker's fault, but her own.

She concentrated on what he was saying. She pulled out words like alone and not travel in the forest during the nighttime.

She turned her eyes on him once more. Now a soft shade of pastel purple.

The word gave so many different meanings to her, but the definite description of melancholy.

Alone.

"I have been traveling alone, yes. And yourself?"


Light purple, now...

"Well, you see...Yes, I am travelling alone, also."

He looked straight into her eyes, but not staring. He could sense the feeling of saddness and subtle depression through the now pale purple eyes. The alertness from moments ago was gone. Now what is left are eyes...Eyes that bring about a feeling of...Some strange feeling of nostalgia.

'I know you from somewhere?' was what he wanted to say deep in his heart, but he could not find any way to convey the question.

They could really brainwash you of all social skills and any other way to express emotion. 'You must not show emotion. It is a weakness.' 'Emotion leads to poor decisions.' 'Be wary of the enemy, they use your emotions to take advantage of you in combat.' But I am not fighting at the moment. It's just a girl. Elven girl. I don't see how she could be a threat. She's just by herself. Alone. No harm in someone who is by herself or himself.

All alone...

Wait...

Mazer shook his head to rid him of these 'traitorous' thoughts. I was brought up to be law abiding, help those in need, follow the academy's code of ethics, loyal, obedient, and stoic.

"I am heading towards the forest, would you like me to accompany you?"

Angelus laughed at Fionna's cheeky grin
'And I am very glad to meet you madamn. And I would be glad to stay here for a while. But you know, I think it would be rude not to earn my keep here.' He drew out a small instument somthing like a pennywhistle and raised it to his lips, and played a short toe tapping tune that sounded more as if it was coming out of a flute than a small thing like it was. After he had finished he laid it carefully on the table
'I think after her bath, Fionna may have more use from this than I would ever have. Now is there a room I could go anywhere for a while? Leather is not the most gentle of fabrics on feathers' He shifted inside his coat uncomfortably

"Well, from many people's point of view, we would all be considered 'wierd'" Aramil said. He looked at Khevit, trying to ascertain his motives. He seemed innocent, but still... "Khevit, if you do not mind, I will attempt to cast a truth spell on you," he said. "I am confident there will be no side effects, but it may simply not work. ILs that agreeable to you?"

"Feel free to." Khevit replied

Aramil closed his eyes, drawing power for a truly great truth spell, one that might be able to override Khevit's apparent spell immunity. He meditated for at least ten minutes, but eventually opened his eyes, raised his arms, and began to chant...

"Forogath serviantar,
Jerinoth lieray-lamar.
Fuhrinor ingalarin,
Ereston Herialdfin.
Unglioth, wevetriar!
Charanath, vontelekar!
Querinar forendintin,
Deranoth on lequisim."

The arcane words came out as golden light, and swirled over to engulf Khevit in their glow. Then, all of the sudden, they disappeared, with the exception of two balls of light hovering above his head.

Aramil whistled. So far, so good, he thought. But now came the real test, to see if the spell actually worked. He aksed the first question...

"Did you wilfully attempt to defeat my teleportation spell?"

OOC: Theao, do you want this to work or not? Or possibly have some side effects? I'm open if you want this to go in a certain direction.

"I already told you, no." Khevit replied, he then noticed the spell had turned his hair green. "What'd you do to my hair?" He screamed.

ooc: The spell works, but you need to ask the questions very precisely.

Karasu enjoyed the tune Angelus was playing. "Very good!" She said. "I'm sure Fiona and Neall can use that." She smiled.

"As far as a place to go, I have more bedrooms. Follow me." Angelus followed her.

"I know what it's like to be in leather all the time. That's all I wear. At least this type is a bit breatheable." Karasu sighed.

"Over here, fourth door on the right. She opened the door for him. You may stay here if you like. I hope it's comfortable for you." She said.

"I have a question for you." She was embarrassed asking him this, but she was so curious. "Could I maybe see your wings sometime?"

Karasu left him at his room and walked back outside where she saw that Khevit's hair had turned green. What the...?

Now that everyone was busy with something, this was her chance. It would be a short break, but she needed to soar. Karasu ran into the forest to an area quite hidden from any people passing by. It was actually a crater with no trees. With a flash of crystaline rainbow dust, Karasu changed to her dragon form and was airborne immediately.

Oh, to feel the wind! She flew high above the clouds and soared and did flips. Karasu loved to play in the air. Flying was heaven to her. She flew a distance away from the village and dove down and nearly skimmed the trees in the forest, hoping no one was there, as her shadow frightened many people, and that was never her intention.

Eventually, she flew over her villiage... high of course. She took in what was happening below. It looked like the mage was casting spells on Khevit. She sighed. I hope all goes well tonight. I don't want to fight bandits again.

As she flew over the villiage, she breathed out gold dust to land on everyone. She loved doing this... letting the people know they need not fear her.

At this point where the sun was, the gold along her back and tail was catching the sun and flashing it all over. It looked like someone had a mirror and was flashing the sun all over. I don't need to be blinding anyone,she thought.

Karasu flew back to the crater, and in a flash of rainbow dust, changed back to Karasu, the human. She walked back to the village to see how everyone was faring.

Karasu enjoyed the tune Angelus was playing. "Very good!" She said. "I'm sure Fiona and Neall can use that." She smiled.

"As far as a place to go, I have more bedrooms. Follow me." Angelus followed her.

"I know what it's like to be in leather all the time. That's all I wear. At least this type is a bit breatheable." Karasu sighed.

"Over here, fourth door on the right. She opened the door for him. You may stay here if you like. I hope it's comfortable for you." She said.

"I have a question for you." She was embarrassed asking him this, but she was so curious. "Could I maybe see your wings sometime?"

Karasu left him at his room and walked back outside where she saw that Khevit's hair had turned green. What the...?

Now that everyone was busy with something, this was her chance. It would be a short break, but she needed to soar. Karasu ran into the forest to an area quite hidden from any people passing by. It was actually a crater with no trees. With a flash of crystaline rainbow dust, Karasu changed to her dragon form and was airborne immediately.

Oh, to feel the wind! She flew high above the clouds and soared and did flips. Karasu loved to play in the air. Flying was heaven to her. She flew a distance away from the village and dove down and nearly skimmed the trees in the forest, hoping no one was there, as her shadow frightened many people, and that was never her intention.

Eventually, she flew over her villiage... high of course. She took in what was happening below. It looked like the mage was casting spells on Khevit. She sighed. I hope all goes well tonight. I don't want to fight bandits again.

As she flew over the villiage, she breathed out gold dust to land on everyone. She loved doing this... letting the people know they need not fear her.

At this point where the sun was, the gold along her back and tail was catching the sun and flashing it all over. It looked like someone had a mirror and was flashing the sun all over. I don't need to be blinding anyone,she thought.

Karasu flew back to the crater, and in a flash of rainbow dust, changed back to Karasu, the human. She walked back to the village to see how everyone was faring.

Angelus shook his head in puzzlement. Whatever humans had with his wings always confused him. They were simply appendages they did not have, would they marvel at a tail or an extra arm? But- he admitted with slight pride, they were a magnificant pair. He slipped off his coat and streched them out with a sigh of relief to have them out of that binding garment. Each wing brushed the opposite walls such was the span of them. He made his way outside to satisy Karasu's curious request, noticing Khevits hair
'It suits you half demon' He chuckled to himself.He found himself on the outskirts of the village following Karasu's life energy, and just before he broke through the sheild of trees he noticed a different energy. A huge energy, an inferno compared to the candle like flames of most people's energy. A dragon burst through the canopy and began soaring through the air above with all the grace of the most artful water creature.
The display of arial expertice wiped all thoughts of Karasu from his mind, and he did not notice that Karasu's flame had dissapeared from the forest. As he was watching the display his wings streched out ready to lift off without him thinking about it, instinctivley wanting to join her. But he caught himself remembering the bitter truth. He could not fly, only the pure angels had the lightness of form to take off, and he was nothing but a half breed. Disgusted with his own form he turned round and went back to his room without a word. Dragons were rare things, and although in most situations he would have marvelled at the sight of one, today he was only reminded of his diluted lineage.

When he got to his room he covered the mirror with a sheet.

OOC: No one is supposed to know that Karasu is a dragon... Black and Gold

OOC: No one is supposed to know that Karasu is a dragon... Black and Gold

OOC: Errr, is there a serious problem with one person knowing?

OOC: at this point, I wanted no one knowing.

Neall and Fionna went to their separate tubs, which were made of a blueish ceramic, with clawed feet. Absolutley stunning, thought Fionna. She slipped into the bath, moaning ever so slightly. The warm water and perfume drove her crazy. It had been weeks since her last bath, forging for food in the forest, walking miles on dusty roads, it had taken its toll on her body. As she washed she thought about her and Neall's future.

On the other hand, Neal just jumped into the steaming bathtub. He didn't care about the tub, or the perfume. He just wanted to feel better, and baths always made him feel better. The tub was so much bigger than him, he could swim around in it a bit.

"Fionna, what are we gunna do now?" Neall asked his sister, the question was more rhetorical than anything, though he wished she could answer it.

"I don't know. I guess we'll stay here with Karasu for a while. But I feel something is going to happen, something big, but I can't put my finger on it. I am just as confused as you."

"I know what you mean. I feel it, too. I just wish I could know exactly what these feeling I get mean. It drives me insane."

"Me, too. I think we should keep up the act, though. Your'e doing great, by the way. Keep acting shy and stupid, it suits you." teased Fionna.

"Hey! That isn't funny. I am only doing what you told me to do. Do you feel like all these people we've met are special, but we're not? Sometimes it feels like they're better than us."

"Well, they're not. They have so many problems, I can just tell by looking into they're eyes. We have one big problem, but we're smart enough not to let it bother us. I think that we can make it, if we just stick together. That way, we'll never be lonely. Lonliness is why people fail at what they do."

Neall got out of the tub after washing off. He grabbed the drying cloth and dried himself. He dressed in one of the outfits Fionna had picked out. The breetches reached a little below his knees. The white tunic fell to around his waist. His boots were perfect, and very comfortable. He plopped himself down in an overstuffed chair by the tub. Karasu likes to give her friends the best of the best, he thought.

"I am ready to leave, Fionna."

"Hold on. I am almost finished." She had been washing her hair in the perfumed water. She lightly stepped out onto the glossy wood floor. She wrapped the drying cloth around her body, and walked over to a table with a few different things to spruce up her appearance. She took a ribbon and tied up her wet hair. After she finished drying herself, she put the drying cloth aroudn her body. She decided to wear the black dress with the floral print. The undergarment went on next, the she slipped into the black beauty. It fit her perfectly, well, supported her bosom perfectly. She rummaged through her parcels to find the perfect pair of slippers before she put them on her small feet.

"What is taking so long?" asked Neall, sounding frustrated.

"Beauty takes time." Fionna said soflty.

"Girls." Neall said.

Fionna took the ribbon out of her still-wet hair and rubbed it dry. She grabbed a few things off the table that she would need; a brush, some powder, and a few hair ribbons. She lightly powdered her chest and grabbed her packaged clothing and shoes.

"Come on, Neall. Let's go to our rooms."

They walked out of the luxurious bathing room and into the hall.

"I'm first on the right, your second on the right." said Fionna, starting to open her door.

"Uh, Fiona, er, what about all that, um, er, lonliness stuff."

"You don't want to stay alone?"

Neall shook his head, saying no.

"Sometimes, I forget you're only ten. I guess it won't hurt, this room looks pretty big. Come in." Fionna understood why her brother didn't want to stay alone, because she didn't really want to either.

OOC: at this point, I wanted no one knowing.

OOC: Aw nuts, I have to edit my log post now :(
More to the point, I have to figure out how to edit my long post....

Aramil started at the look of Khevit's hair. The golden orbs were still there, but instead of them changing color in accordance with whether the subject was lying, his hair had instead! He chuckled, and said, "It appears to have been a side-effect of the spell. I'm sorry, I did not intend for this to happen. However, it does show that you told the truth. If you would prefer red hair, you should lie to my next question. Here it is- did you chant while we were in teleportation?"

Karasu walked back to the villiage... Khevit's hair was still green. The kids were still inside, likely still getting dressed. She didn't see Angelus either. He must have gone to his room as well.

I'm going to have to get them up soon for dinner.

"No I did not chant during teleportation. Last time I dyed my hair it a full year to wear off, and that was normal dye, how the hell long till I get my hair back to normal?" Khevit raged.

ooc: he really likes he's blue hair.

"Khevit, from what I've heard, you're welcome to stay as long as you and Aramil share a room." She smiled at his hair. "Interesting hairdo", she teased him.

The people from the village were starting to sit down for dinner. A huge dinner.

"Why don't you two grab that table over there." Karasu pointed to a table. "Save the other seats for the rest of us. I'll go get them."

Karasu went to check on Fiona and Neall and nearly bumped into them as they were coming out of one of the rooms. "I can have another bed brought into this room so you'll be more comfortable." She assured them. "Don't you two look great!"

She motioned for them to go outside. "Dinner is served!"

Karasu then went to Angelus' room and knocked on the door. "Dinner is ready! It should be very good. I hope you're hungry!" She yelled through the door.

Exiting the house, she looked down and saw gold dust all over the ground. Karasu smiled.

"It's all his fault." Khevit said as he glared at Aramil. "I thought you wanted to share a room with me?" He said with a raised eyebrow.

ooc: you did say that, post 118, page 8

"I do insist that the two of you share a room." Karasu told them. " It's a large room, so it's not like you'll be in each other's faces." She smiled.

"It's your house, so your rules." Khevit replied as he took a seat.

ooc: why'd she change her mind, from him with her to him with Aramil

"It's your house, so your rules." Khevit replied as he took a seat.

ooc: why'd she change her mind, from him with her to him with Aramil


OOC: It was always Khevit with Aramil. I must have mis-written something previously. It was because I didn't trust Khevit, so I wanted the wizard in there with him.

OOC: Oh, thanks! Make Me suffer! Not only does Aramil have to be with a crazy half-demon, but it's mad at him for changing its hair to boot! :D

IC: Aramil frowned, trying to contain his laughter, "I'm sorry, but you submitted to the truth spell, it must be soem side-effect of your resistance to magic. I'll try something to change it back, but I can't guaranteee it will work." He closed his eyes, and in a sudden motion pushed his hand toward Khevit. When he opened his eyes, they went wide with suprise. "I fear your magic resistance has struck again," he said, pointing to Khevit's now bright purple hair. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'm too tired to do any more spellcasting right now, so you'll have to live with it until after dinner. Although, I'm hesitant to try anything else, in case it gets worse."

Not waiting to hear Khevit's no-doubt scathing rebuke, Aramil strode off towards their table. He sat down, and conjured two mice, which his falcon proceeded to eat.

Victen's eyes went wide at the sight of his hair, he then shot Aramil a look, that if looks could kill would leave Aramil six feet under. He then left the building, speed out of town where he proceeded to demolish a stand of trees, to the benefit of the local loggers, before returning and resuming his seat.

Khevit and Aramil made their way to the table, and and Karasu tried her best to stiffle a laugh. She was unable to and started chuckling. "I'm sorry Khevit... I just wasn't expecting purple." She said grinning. "Although it does look good on you." She was still grinning.

"Everyone, you can start eating. I don't know when everyone will get to the table, so enjoy your meal."

She looked over at Aramil and was wondering if they had a tumultuous night ahead. Karasu grinned again.

Khevit just glared at Aramil before starting to eat, starting with meat dishes, before going to the vegtables and back to meat.

Angelus came down with his wings folded back to avoid knocking anything over. He sat down carefully, being unused to sitting in a chair, they weren't very well suited for him.
'I must thank you for the offer of a place to stay. It was most generous, and I might take you up on it' He nodded to Karasu and looked down at his plate. He delicatley speared a piece of vegetable on his fork and chewed it thoughtfully before wiping his mouth and setting down his knife and fork again.
'I am curious why such a group has come together. Have you not noticed? A human proficient in the arcane, a half demon, a...' His gaze landed on Karasu
'An interesting female, and a young pair who I sense are whilst not as set apart as the rest of us, definitly important in somthing. I'm sure at least some of you have noticed it. And of course a...half..angel, as far as I know the only half angel' The words half tasted bitter in his mouth but he carried on.
'Either one of us has as yet not revealed somthing, or there is another, or some force, that has drawn us here. The individual laws of chance dictate this meeting as far too unlikley to be feasable.'

"The laws of chance can get quite a bit more unlikely than these circumstances." Victor replied as he popped a peice of meat into his mouth.

As Fionna sat and started to eat her food, she heard Angelus talk about how unusual there meeting was. She groaned inside. She disliked, if not hated, when poeple talked about things like that. He talked if they were some kind of mystery, for all she knew, they were.

Neall, Neall! Can you hear me? This is weird. Just wanting to try the whole read-each-others-mind thing out. Fiona was looking straight into his eyes.

I can hear you, ok. I can always hear you. Fionna glared at Neall on that last comment.

Fionna continued eating, the food was more than delicious in a body that had been eating berries and bugs the last few weeks.

"Well Angelus, it is odd that we all came together. I was merely out for a walk when I came upon Fiona and Neall speaking with Khevit, who was trying to help them out, as they didn't know where they were going. And Aramil showed up because he teleported to the wrong place." Karasu grinned. She knew this explanation was going to cause some embarrassment, but it really was all in good fun.

"There was a man up the road, who seemed to be watching the children, and I sensed malice from this man, as did Khevit, I believe." Karasu took a sip of her juice and looked around the table. A motley bunch we are!

"The kids had no where to go, so I invited them to stay with me at my village, but it was 8 miles away and they wouldn't have made it without water. So Aramil agreed to teleport us there, which, I admit had me a bit worried, since he ended up in the wrong place the first time." She grinned at Aramil.

"Eventually we convinced the kids that it was safe, and we teleported to the village. However," Karasu burst out laughing, "we landed on the roof of someone's home and went right through it!" She had to stop for a moment to collect herself from her laughing fit. "Sorry, but it has been a humorous day." She couldn't stop grinning and laughing as she talked.

"Then Aramil accused Khevit of using magic while we teleported, and there was a long standing arguement there. As it turns out, magic doesn't affect Khevit normally, as you can see by his new hair color." Karasu grinned, not looking up, as she could imagine the look Khevit gave Aramil.

"Then we ran into you, Angelus." Karasu smiled. "By the way, I am sure you can't be the only half angel around." She smiled at him.

"As far as sensing something odd here? I feel a a strange aura around many of you... perhaps secrets are being kept. Hopefully nothing negative."

She started to eat, and when she was finished chewing, spoke up. "Aramil and Khevit, you can each have your own rooms. I think you two have gone through enough together today, don't you agree?" Karasu grinned.

"That's fine by me, thought I would prefere sleeping outside." Khevit replied as he took a drink of water.

"You really would rather sleep outside?" Karasu asked. "If that's the case, that's fine. I just thought you'd be more comfortable in a bed. It's your choice."

"I'm more use to it and tend to sleep better." Khevit replied

"If that's what you prefer, that's fine." Karasu smiled at Khevit.

"So what is everybodies story?" Khevit asked as he took a bite of dessert.

"I'll start." Karasu replied. "Well, I protect this village from pillagers and bandits and the like. This is my job here. I am a very accomplished shinobi. I have done this in other towns as well."

Karasu decided to leave the 'occasional assassin' part out. It was rare, and she accepted only targets that had to be removed to save the majority, or those who were evil.

"That is my job here. I will admit that I like it best when I don't have to work. People hurting others... I find that unacceptable." She said, a bit of anger showing in her eyes.

"I have become a member of the village, and the people here are just wonderful! They welcomed me as soon as I showed up and have treated me like I've been a village member forever." Karasu looked at Khevit.

"So that is my story. Who's next?"

'I have no story' Angelus chewed on another carefully chosen vegetable
'I was just here, and happened to notice that somthing was about to happen here. I am quite interested in the rest of you're stories though. I rarley meet a human mage, most unusual, and an unbound half demon' His looked at Khevit pointedly
'Most unusual...I still have no clue about you madamn, and as for you two' He looked down the table at the young pair
'Well, perhaps we shall have a chance to talk alone later. There is certainly more to you than I sense. But if you would excuse me, I believe I have played the part of the insector for long enough' He got up an bowed to the table
'It is late, I hope I shall see the rest of you in the morning' He turned and walked up the stairs to his room, then shut the door behind him. He had noticed earlier that his room was above where the were eating and the sounds were filtering up through the floor, so he could hear reasonably clearly the conversations below. He carefully messed up his bed to appear as if it had been laid in (he had never got the hand of beds either) and bowed his head in a corner with his back to the wall, his eyes closed listening for the conversation.

"Well, he seemed a bit unhappy. Everyone has a story. I wonder why he wouldn't tell us his?" Karasu wondered aloud. "Perhaps it's just too painful to talk about."

It made her sad to see Angelus obviously in some sort of psychological pain. Plus she could see his aura and feel it. It definitely contained conflict, anger, and sadness. Maybe if I fly over the building later I can pull it out for just a short while, the way my magic did with the children. They had a moment of clarity with no pain as she flew over them on the road earlier. She could feel it when she flew over them drawing out the pain for a moment.

I'm such a dreamer. I'd like to end everyone's pain.

All of a sudden she got a telepathic message from some large dragons over the next village down. They were all going on at once. "One at a time! I can't hear you all at once. She comunicated to them telepathically.

"Karasu, marauders, bandits, pillagers. They're tearing apart the village 20 miles from yours. I'm sure they will hit yours next." he said.

"They're ruthless. Be prepared!" another chimed in.

"Thanks for the heads up. I'll get everyone ready." Karasu replied.

Shit! I have all these guests, and this happened last night. Maybe I'll head this one off at the pass. In a little bit, I'll transform and fry the bastards. I can't let the villagers go through this again after last night.

"So, who's next?" Karasu asked.

Aramil replied to Khevit's glares with a benign smile, and made himself comfortable. The food was rather too human for his likeing, but he did not want to offend the villagers by conjuring up his own elven fare. He listened to the stories, and smiled ruefully at his miscast teleportation. He now believed it might have been caused by the presence of Khevit, but did not say anything. He continued listening, but sat bolt upright at the Half-Angel's mention of him as a...a human. He gave him an even more withering glare than Khevit while he went upstairs, but did not say anything. He hoped the half-angel's slight was not intentional, but it was deeply insulting.

However, banishing his anger, he looked up and said, "Ah yes, my story. Well, I was born in the Great Magocracy of Caladonn, and grew up there. I attended the Grey Elven College of Magic, and graduated at 120 with, I must say, no small esteem. I stayed in Caladonn for a while, and served in the navy as a battlemage for 50 years. I have now gone out to seek arcane lore. that, in brief, is my story. Alas, it is quite brief, but how do you condense 200 years into a few short sentences? But I don't want to keep you up all night. Who wants to go next?"

As he settled back to listen, he suddenly sensed a jolt of psychic energy close by. He didn't know what it was, but he knew one thing- it was directed at Karasu, their host. He stood up and said, iwth as much casualness as he could muster, "Karasu? May I have a word?"

"Of course Aramil", Karasu replied, and they walked away from the others. "What is it?"

She was eyeing the time and figuring out exactly when she needed to leave to stop the bandits. Usually she wasn't forewarned by anyone, as they usually didn't know, so she had to fight in he human form. However, this time she could be prepared. She had to make sure she got away from everyone at the right time.

Karasu looked at Aramil. "What can I do for you?"

Khevit looked up as Aramil asked Karasu for a private conversation, he wondered what Aramil wanted from thier host.

Aramil looked at Karasu, once they were out of earshot. To be safe, he cast a charm to prevent eavesdropping. He said, "Karasu, I know you've got secrets, as we all do. So long as they don't interfere with anyone's safety, I'm fine with that. But... that telepathic message you got had an air of urgency to it. If you would let me, I'd like to help."

Aramil wasn't so imbecilic that he didn't have any clue as to what the telepathic message contained, but he didn't have a great idea. He waited for her response.

"Well, unfortunately, it is a safety issue. I am the main protector of this village, as I mentioned before." Karasu sighed. "I got a message that the village is going to be raided tonight, so I have to deal with this."

Karasu shook her head. "Aramil, this happened last night too. I wish these criminals would just leave these people alone." She looked up at the sky to guage the time.

"Aramil, please do not tell anyone I communicate telepathically. And by the way, I can't do it with everyone. Last night there was no warning. The village was attacked in the middle of the night, and I was able to fend them off, but for the villagers to have to clean up bodies in the morning... It's just not right."

It was beginning to get dark. "I don't want to alarm anyone if there is no need. What I intend to do, is go ahead ten miles or so until I reach them and deal with the problem there. Yes, I am that good of a shinobi. If I am not back in 2 hours, I would appreciate that you prepare everyone for the raid under my orders. Otherwise, please don't wake anyone or anything. I will likely handle this myself. I will go on horseback, and meet them far enough up the road, that if I don't come back, everyone else has time to prepare. To answer your next question... Yes, I do have to go alone. And I'm sure I can deal with it." Karasu said smiling. "There should be no need for anyone to worry about me. I've got a great horse. Also, I was told there weren't too many of them." That was a lie. There were about 100 of them, but she wasn't going to let anyone know this.

"So that's basically it." She sighed. "Aramil, if anyone asks where I'm going, or where I am, just tell them I went on a ride with my horse. Thanks."

Khevit finished his food and headed outside. He noted that Aramil and Karasu were talking, and attempted to listen. He couldn't which surprised him and hopped into a tree and stretched out on the branch, his hair the only visible part of him visible.

After a while Angelus noted that all conversation had ceased, and he opened his eyes letting the noise below drain away. He saw it was late when he looked out of the window showing the reddish setting sun and he walked over to the bed laying down with his hands resting on his midsection. He tried this for a while, but every movement ground his wings against the seemingly soft matress, that was in fact quite hard after a while.
'Accursed human inventions' He muttered several curses under his breath before swinging out of the window, and leaping spryly up onto the roof where he crouched still as a stone decoration. He had always had a love of high places, it felt as if he were closer to the celestial and it was in some ways comforting. And of course- the view.
It was a world sized canvas with the golds and reds of the dying sun shed onto it. No artist hand could ever hope to capture such glory with any tool in existance, only seeing it in the moment could fully show the beauty. Short lived Angelus knew. It was the nature of such things to die, thier lives as short as they were perfect. Nevertheless, he was free to enjoy it as it lasted.

"Well, unfortunately, it is a safety issue. I am the main protector of this village, as I mentioned before." Karasu sighed. "I got a message that the village is going to be raided tonight, so I have to deal with this."

Karasu shook her head. "Aramil, this happened last night too. I wish these criminals would just leave these people alone." She looked up at the sky to guage the time.

"Aramil, please do not tell anyone I communicate telepathically. And by the way, I can't do it with everyone. Last night there was no warning. The village was attacked in the middle of the night, and I was able to fend them off, but for the villagers to have to clean up bodies in the morning... It's just not right."

It was beginning to get dark. "I don't want to alarm anyone if there is no need. What I intend to do, is go ahead ten miles or so until I reach them and deal with the problem there. Yes, I am that good of a shinobi. If I am not back in 2 hours, I would appreciate that you prepare everyone for the raid under my orders. Otherwise, please don't wake anyone or anything. I will likely handle this myself. I will go on horseback, and meet them far enough up the road, that if I don't come back, everyone else has time to prepare. To answer your next question... Yes, I do have to go alone. And I'm sure I can deal with it." Karasu said smiling. "There should be no need for anyone to worry about me. I've got a great horse. Also, I was told there weren't too many of them." That was a lie. There were about 100 of them, but she wasn't going to let anyone know this.

"So that's basically it." She sighed. "Aramil, if anyone asks where I'm going, or where I am, just tell them I went on a ride with my horse. Thanks."
Aramil looked down at her. "I understand about you not wanting people to know about your telepathy. I understand your need to defeat these bandits and help the village. You may be that good of a shinobi, but my experience with these things is that they can get very big very fast, in ways you would not expect. I...I have sensed another mage several miles away, and he is powerful. I am worried he is connected with the bandits. I am a battlemage, and I can deal with him. I would like to come with you."

Karasu was worried now. She had fully intended to take these bandits by surprise, in her dragon form, and fry them. She had the capability, whether or not they had a mage with them.

"Aramil... I-I do need to go alone. I need you to prepare the villagers if I'm not back in two hours. This is important from the information I received."

It had gotten dark out. Karasu put out a call to the dragon that she spoke with earlier. Is there a battle mage there?

"Yes, but he is not strong. He can't shield you, thankfully." The dragon replied.

Thank you.

"I'm going to grab my horse and get going. I'm counting on you Aramil. I need you to prepare the villagers and attempt to help protect them here should I not be back in two hours. And I will be." She smiled. "Don't worry."

Karasu walked off to get her horse.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is going to be tough with all these people wanting to help. I hope no one follows me.

She got her horse out of the barn. "Blackjack, how are you tonight?" She patted the horse. "We have a job to do, but you won't be involved. I just need you to transport me a short way."

Karasu got on her horse and took off down the road. When she was safely away from the village, she pulled into a clearing in the forrest. "Wait for me here buddy." She told Blackjack.

In a flash of rainbow colored crystal, she was the black and gold dragon again. She gracefully lifted herself and was soon airborne. She flew at a high level, so as not to be seen. Eventually, she came across the band of marauders.

It seemed they didn't see her. They were coming down the road. A raucus obnoxious bunch. Here goes.

Karasu's eyes turned gold and when she opened her mouth, lightening came out all around the group, electrecuting most of them. The ones that survived, which weren't many, were injured. She would get rid of all of them.

Her eyes changed to red and she exhaled fired and burned everyone and everything to ash. It didn't even look as if there had ever been anyone there.

One man still stood. He must be the battle mage. She put a shield around herself. Her eyes turned ice blue and she exhaled ice on him. This seemed to work. She then flew down, picked up a boulder, and smashed the ice, breaking him into a million pieces. Then Karasu burnt him as well.

She sighed. Those bastards are gone for good. She looked up. What a beautiful, clear, starry night. Having time to kill, she decided to take some time to enjoy a beautiful flight. She was just in heaven as she flew high up, and over everything.

She decided to make a quick pass over her villiage and drop some gold dust.

Karasu arrived high above her village and dropped gold dust all over. She smiled inside.

After an enjoyable flight, she flew back to Blackjack, changed back to her human form, and rode back to the village. When she got to the barn, she put Blackjack in his stall, and headed for her house.

Fionna and Neall sat in silence as everyone left the table. They were now alone, sorrounded by half eaten food and wine.

"What do we do know, everyone just left." Neall said.

"Let's go outside, get some air. Maybe explore a bit. I am too restless to go to sleep."

"Good idea."

They got up and walked out the door. They noticed Karasu walking toward what looked like a stable and Aramil standing, staring at the woman.

"Where is she going? And what is going on?" Fiona could see the look of worry in Aramil's eyes and the urgency in Karasu's walk.

As Angelus was beginning to doze of gently, he caught a whiff of somthing in his nostrils.. Confused smells from out across the village, he tossed his head and opened his eyes looking around. He couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. But-
He snatched a pinch of strange golden dust out of the air as it floated by on the breeze.
odd....
He looked at it closley then sniffed it again. It was like a smell he had sensed ealier bu changed.... he sighed, another mystery. He was not used to so many things he did not simply know the answer to. He jumped silently off his perch onto the ground where he floated for a moment before lowering himself to the floor. He looked around to ask the others about the dust and if they had seen it before, much as he loathed to ask for help, but....
'Fionna' He asked from behind the young girl whilst staring intently in the direction of the wind that carried the dust
'Where is Karasu?'

OOC: sorry for the absence, was in las vegas for weekend...where be Amanda?

"Very well then." Aramil turned away. It wasn't very likely the mage was powerful, anyway. Karasu could almost definitely handle this on her own. Aramil had wanted to practice his powers a bit for a good cause, but if she wanted to go alone, then that was fine. He suddenly noticed that the two children were nearby, and had asked him a question.

"Oh, don't worry," he said reassuringly. "Karasu has gone to deal with a small bit of trouble, but I'm confident she will return shortly. You shouldn't worry yourselves unduly."

Karasu stayed away for an hour and a half... to make it look good. When she arrived home, no one was around in back. Angelus was on the roof, but his back was to her.

Quietly, she made her way to her room, noticing everyone else's bedroom doors open. They must be in front. She changed into a silk nightgown, and put on some perfume. Telepathically, Karasu spoke to Kyr, a dragon friend of hers, and asked her to drop a small rock on the stable in ten minutes to startle Blackjack. Everyone would hear her horse, know she was back, and Aramil wouldn't need to prepare the village for attack. "Will do." she said.

Thank you.

The bed was so welcoming... She would just go to sleep. No one would know when she had arrived home, and she could tell everyone she didn't want to wake anyone, so she just went to bed.

Besides, it felt good to rest... Sleeping would be easy. Karasu fell asleep within two minutes.

OOC: Amanda just moved or something and doesn't have internet access at the mo, but should be back soon.

OOC: Amanda just moved or something and doesn't have internet access at the mo, but should be back soon.

OOC: I know, I know...

ooc: how small a rock?

ooc: how small a rock?

ooc: Is that important? :confused: Lets just say a rather small one, just enough to make a little tapping noise that the horse would hear.

Khevit opened his eyes at hearing the horse neigh, and realizing that it was only a dragon that was leaving, went back to his sleeping.

ooc: if it had been large enought, I might have had Khevit go after Kyr.

ooc: no one was supposed to see the dragon or hear the rock, just the horse making noise...

ooc: he was outside, remember, he saw the dragon as it crossed the moon.

ooc: fine... but everyone heard the horse so they know Karasu is home.

After six hours of sleep, Khevit woke up and hopped down out of the tree. He then began wandering the streets of the town.

OOC: Don't you think that's getting a bit far ahead? I'm still awake waiting for the kids.

IC: Aramil was outside talking to the children when he saw the dragon fly over, after a quick scan he realized it wasn't hostile, and hear Karasu's horse, so she was home. He returned to the children.

ooc: I put my entire encounter with the bandits in one post, including coming home... Then the posts of the kids coming outside and such were posted afterward...

ooc: post # 164

ooc: Everything is happening so fast. Why don't we just cool it down. I can't keep up because I'm not online 24/7.

ooc: That's fine. I won't be on as much after this week or so. But I hope this doesn't turn into one of those threads where nobody posts for days. We can take it slower, I have no problem with that.

OOC: Once everyone's asleep, though, we should skip to morning.

ooc: At this point it's evening/nightish and some people are sleeping and some are up. (Khevit sleeping outside, Angelus trying to sleep, but can't... then the time warp....Aramil up, and the kids just leaving the table .... I think we have a rip in the space/time continuum. :p We're not all on the same page as far as time goes. I'll try to slow down. It's just that I've had an inordinate amount of time on my hands for a while, so I come back and post a lot. I'll slow it down. Sorry.

As far as Karasu going to meet the bandits, I kind of wanted those two hours to just fly by, have the other characters surmise what they'd like about Karasu, and then move on. Sorry! I'll slow down. Plus I won't have as much posting time. I can check the puter and respond, but I won't push the time. It's just those 2 hours in particular, that I wanted to move really fast, so we could go on. Since I was gone anyway, I didn't think I should post a long drawn out battle that no one else was involved in, unless you'd rather I did that. I also didn't want to give the other characters a chance to follow. Not at this point anyway. :)

OOC: Once everyone's asleep, though, we should skip to morning.

OOC: I assume you mean the characters? The RPers aren't all in the same country.

OOC: Yeah, I meant characters. I'm in Boston USA, but I'm sure everyone on here is in different time zones.

ooc: yes, but no one is posting IC... :(

ooc: how about we skip to morning, or Hyper you can have a village person come upon Khevit.

ooc: I don't know what to do because NO ONE IS POSTING except us! Right now, Angelus is on the roof, and will probably suspect something, I don't know where the kids or Aramil are, because no one is posting!

OOC: I'm with the kids outside, seeing if they want an illusion show. As for the posting, calm down please. I can't be on all the time.

OOC: I AM calm. I'm just talking about getting the timing right, and it seems that the posting is dragging. Some of the RPrs are on, but not posting at all. Which drags things for everyone. I don't expect you to be on all the time, or anyone else for that matter. I'm not. And probably will be on less in the future. However, if no one is posting, I certainly hope this RP doesn't stagnate and die. I've seen that a few times and I think this is a really good RP.

Shortly, I'm going to delete all my OOCs... they're taking up too much space. :p

Angelus streched in the early morning glow, and slid off the roof gracefully to land gently on his feet. He looked around noticing Khevit was going off down to town and decided a trip wouldn't be so bad for himself either. He grabbed his long coat from inside and furled his wings underneath the slick leather, and then made his way down the winding streets of the village.

Khevit noted Angelus, was heading toward him and stopped to wait for him to catch up.

OOC: Well, since many people have skipped to the morning, I'm just going to edit out my offer to the kids.

IC: Aramil returned to his room in Karasu's house, and magically sealed the door and window. Although he felt confident in Karasu, he couldn't take any chances, and didn't want to maintain a shield all night. He quickly went to bed, after conjuring up some mice for his falcon before it also fell asleep.

The morning dawned bright and early, and Aramil awoke early and stretched. He donned his robe, which had been magically cleaned and pressed during the night, and, desiring a little exercise, floated down out the window after he dismantled the window, and strode quickly to join Angelus and Khevit. He noticed with a wry grin Khevit's still very violet hair, and hoped the half-demon had forgotten his quarrels during the night.

Karasu heard everyone getting up, but thought she would sleep in. She rolled over and went back to sleep.

"Sir, are you not going to turn in for the night?"
"No, not yet. I was thinking of making things a little interesting for Mazer and Ru."
"So you have read her dossier. I was waiting for you to mention her name. She has quite an interesting background, if I may be so bold to say."
"No, I have not read her dossier. But you are correct about her background."
"How many years has it been since..."
"Since the last time I saw her?"
"Yes."
"Almost a decade ago. I still remember her playing on her mother's lap."
"Reminiscing?"
"No. The past is the past. So far, all is going according to plan."
"Really..."
"Her years of conditioning has paid off."

------

The tall ancient trees of the forest loomed over the two travellers as they looked toward the forest. Silence was deafening, but was occasionally broken by the crackle of twigs by the rustling of some startled forest animal. But it was too quiet, even the crickets that were common everywhere else did not make a noise. So quiet that it was unnerving.

The tops of the trees gleamed orange, as the sun began to set deeper and deeper behind the horizon of the forest. The dark crept slowly towards the two travellers standing at the edge of the forest. A young military type and a young beautiful elven woman. Mazer, looked towards the forest. West. He looked briefly toward the girl and returned his gaze towards the setting sun. How sad is this mission of mine. Just head west and past the forest. He thought. Can they be any more vaguer?

"So, shall we go? The sun has almost set, and I can't leave you here by yourself." Mazer said as he looked at the girl from the corner of his eye. "I'm in no rush."

Karasu finally got herself out of bed and dressed for the day. When she came out of her room, she saw no sign of anyone. Khevit and Angelus were gone and she didn't know where the kids were.

This is the perfect time to get in a morning flight. She smiled and ran into the forest to the open area and changed into her black and gold dragon form, and was soon airborne.

Nothing like taking to the air on a beautiful sunny day.

Karasu flew all over, doing loops and flips... almost an acrobatic show. As she looked down, she noticed Khevit, Angelus, and Aramil out for a walk. She smiled, as she thought she would never see those three together anywhere unless they were chained.

She was happy to see the three of them together, and decided to fly low and dust them with gold. She did this under various circumstances. Karasu shielded herself so they couldn't get a scent, and dove down and slowly flew low over them. Low enough to cast a shadow that lasted quite a while. She really was HUGE. All along the way, she breathed gold dust over the three of them. She had a feeling of joy seeing them all together and not fighting. As she flew back up after passing them, she could see the gold dust glimmering in the sun. It really was beautiful.

Karasu felt quite content and decided she would get a little more flying time in prior to changing back and going home.

Angelus caught up with Khevit and nodded
'Well half demon, I don't suppose you've noticed any-' He paused, more of the gold dust was streaming down from the sky
'What?' He stole another pinch of the stuff from the air and passed it to him
'There, I saw some of that yesterday, it had a scent on it' He lept towards a wall and sprung off it, somersaulting before landing on a roof of a hut
'There!' He pointed to a shape in the sky
'Thats what I saw!' He peered at it but gave up, his vision was not good enough
'They say elvin eyes are sharper than any man or beast' He said without taking his eyes off the shape

"It's a dragon," Aramil said, coming up. "A dragon of the black and gold variety, known as Draconiens Aureas. This is most certainly the same dragon we saw earlier, before you came, Angelus. It appears this village has more protectors than it thinks."

"It's a dragon, there's no real reason to be concerned." Khevit replied in a tone that said he knew more than he was telling. "If she wanted you to know about her she would tell you." He said, as he glanced at the receeding form of the dragon.

"It's a dragon, there's no real reason to be concerned." Khevit replied in a tone that said he knew more than he was telling. "If she wanted you to know about her she would tell you." He said, as he glanced at the receeding form of the dragon.

Angelus's ears pricked up at somthing
'She?' he looked round
'That would indicate you are familiar with the beast'

Karasu spent a little more time flying with the sun on her back, when it occurred to her: Where are they going? And where are the kids? She decided to fly over the village to see if there was any sight of the children, and after that, she would fly back to where the others were walking, and try to figure out their destination.

Karasu did not want to spend too much time on this, as she wanted to spend some time with the kids. Maybe do something fun. As someone said before, I can't help but believe that EVERYONE is concealing something, including me.

As she was enjoying her flight, she got a telepathic message from another dragon: "I see you managed to destroy the marauders... all I see is ashes. Good show!"

Thank you Kehya. However, it is my job. When there are so many, I can only hold out so long under those odds as a human. The villagers are so kind, and no one deserves to be treated the way those monsters treat people. Karasu was getting angry. What gives them the right? How can any being be so horrible?

"I'll never understand it either, Karasu. Have a good day!"

You too Kehya! And Kehya flew off.

Karasu desperately wanted to take a flight over the ocean, but didn't have the time, what with trying to figure out where those three were going and going to make sure the kids were OK.

"Not with this one, but I've spent considerable time amongst dragon kind, and have learnt to identify the subtle indications of gender, both from sight and smell." Khevit replied while thinking If I'm right, I know her somewhat personally as well."

Not wanting to take too much more time away, Karasu landed in the open area of the forest and changed back to her human form. She would go look in on the kids.

"Not with this one, but I've spent considerable time amongst dragon kind, and have learnt to identify the subtle indications of gender, both from sight and smell." Khevit replied while thinking If I'm right, I know her somewhat personally as well."

'I'v not had the pleasure of conversing with the creatures....'
Very interesting

Karasu walked back to the village and didn't see any sign of the kids. She walked around the various homes and chatted with the villagers, figuring she'd run into Fiona and Neall sooner or later.

Aramil, walking pleasantly with the extraplanar creatures, suddenly stopped in his tracks. "A death has occured!" he pronounced, and was off running down the street, a shield materialising around him, and a fireball springing to life in his hand.

He turned the corner, and saw a man standing over Karasu with a strung bow. Without stopping, Aramil strengthened his shield, and uttered a deadly incantation. A web of silver bones rose up all about the man, blocking off all of his escape. When Aramil reached the body, he shouted again, and frost billowed from his robes, toward the man, to freeze him solid.

Inside, Aramil was in anguish over the death of Karasu, but his subconcious mind kept looking for the enemy's next move.

OOC: I know this is an absolutely terrible time, but I'm going away for five days. I'm really sorry!

Khevit dashed to Karasu's side, and once he'd pulled out the arrow, began dressing the wound. Once he'd finished bandaging it, he pulled his money bag out and spread it on the ground and lifted her on the money, if his suspicions were correct she would be able to heal, thought she would be quite weak.

ooc: welcome back, and hope you don't mind me 'resurrecting' Karasu like this.

ooc: any chance that this thread is open? I'd probably wait a few days to appear, but I'd like to get the 'ok' first.

ooc: yes it's still open, thought read it throught first.

Karasu awoke on the ground and everything was blurry. She saw Khevit next to her. "What happened?" She tried to get up but was too weak.

"Khevit, what happened to me?" She asked again, confused.

"Someone shot you in the chest with an arrow. You need to rest." Khevit replied

Shot me? Who would shoot me? Karasu drifted off into sleep.

Angelus collapsed to the ground in his room, he had channelled more energy than he had entended and it had drained him to the core. It wasn't often he channelled life into anyone but when he had felt the pain Karasu was feeling he couldn't bring himself not to help, it was also forced upon him by his angelic blood. No angel could let a mortal die without trying to do somthing. But he couldn't understand it, why had it taken so much energy to mend the woman? It was like he was healing the body of two people instead of one. He rollwed awkwardly onto his back through his spinning vision and found himself breathing shallowly
Get a hold of yourself Angelus, or has your magic rusted with disuse?
Angelus forced himself upright by using the bed as a support, and when he got up he made his way out of the door carefully. About halfway accross the landing his legs gave up on him and he fell back down to the floor
What is this, why do I feel like this? It shouldn't have taken this much out of me
He crawled up to the wall and leant with his back to it sitting on the floor

Khevit balanced on his ankles as he watched Karasu's measured breathing. He began looking for someone who might care for her, so he could see if he could track the dragon he had seen the night before.

Karasu was dizzy and disoriented, and still confused. "Thank you... Khevit..." It feels like someone gave me their energy. Who could have enough energy to revive ME? She passed out again.

OOC: I'm back! I'm glad you decided not to kill yourself, Hyperslackovicznia (Did I spell that right?).

IC: Aramil sat down next to Karasu after freezing the culprit for her wound. He cupped his hands, and healing magic flowed out, multitudes of blue sparks sinking into her wound. He sensed that this job should have been far harder, but someone else had done much of the work already...

However, this was not time to think. The magic had drained him, but he was still alert for any more assassins lurking in the area. Hopefully, the man would tell him about the attempt when the frost wore off.

Now that Aramil was taking care of Karasu, Khevit was free to search out someone he was sure could help. He lopped out of the village and began tracking the dragon that had been around earlierer. It was harder at first as time and wind had eliminated most of the scent, but he managed to track the dragon into a mountainous region, but lost the trail in the overall confusion. Realizing he was stuck he stopped and with a might yell call out "Dragon, Where are you."

Karasu finally woke up to see Aramil next to her. She sat up but felt a pain in her chest. "Thank you Aramil." She looked around and saw the frozen man.

"Who is that?" She asked Aramil. "And why is he frozen?" I'm alive. They must have all given me much of their energy. What good people.

"All of you gave me much of your energy to keep me alive." Karasu said with tears in her eyes. She was truly touched as she saw how tired Khevit was earlier, and also could tell that Aramil had used a lot of power as well. And she just knew Angelus put a lot of life force into her. She couldn't stop the tears at this point. It was no easy task to revive a dying dragon.

"Thank you Aramil... and I know the others helped as well. You really put yourselves out for me and I don't know how I can ever repay you. You saved my life." The crying was hurting her wound, but she knew she would have done the same thing.

Karasu was breathing hard. "I suppose I should be careful of my wound." She knew the wound would heal more quickly than a wound should, but she'd fake that it was still there. I know how much energy it takes to revive a dragon. These people are very special.

"Is everyone else OK?" Karasu asked Aramil.

Aramil knelt beside Karasu, his extreme weariness only apparent in his eyes. It took quite a lot of energy to imprison a man, then freeze him, and then revive a peculiar human from death's door.

"He... He is your assassin," Aramil said. "I have imprisoned him in the Elemental Planes, but the effect will wear off eventually. It is fine. I know you would have done the same for any of us, were we in your position. And what you do for this village... that truly is special, Karasu. Despite my centuries of experience, I think you have changed me slightly for the better. No payment is necessary, of course." he stood up slowly. "I believe Khevit is well, although I am sure not in that good shape. I felt the healing of Angelus coursing through you, but I do not know his healing limits. However, I am inclined to believe that he is fine. You should be able to stand and act normally, although I recommend several days of rest. If you excuse me, I desperately need to meditate." He walked a few paces away, sat down, and closed his eyes. He gradually began to rise into the air, regaining his power.

"Assassin?" Karasu sighed. "Someone must really want to sack this village, although I don't know why. It isn't a wealthy villiage." She wondered what to do with the assassin.

"Aramil, thank you again... What do we do with the assassin when he melts?"
Karasu had no clue, but she did have some questions for him.

"Perhaps I'll talk to him. I think I want to know why he wants me dead." *she had a good idea, but wasn't going to say anything*

"Where are Khevit and Angelus? I want to thank them and make sure they are ok. Also, where are the kids?" She began to panic. "Are they OK?!" she asked, very worried about them.

ooc: ATG where are you? *cries*

------

Almost a hundred yards away from the near fatal assasination, a man lurked in the shadow. Backed up against the splintered wall of a nearby tavern, he watched as several people gathered around the girl he was sent to kill. His plate armor clanked against each other under the rags he called a traveling cloak as he walked further into the alley between the tavern and some other building.

"Dang it." he grunted in disgust. "Incompetent fool, I should never have sent an peon to do the work of a professional." Placing his gloved hand on his moist forehead, "and I assume I have to rescue the guy later from that stasis field."

Wiping the sweat off of his brow, he placed his hand to his chin. "It's just too much trouble to have to rescue him. He did fail. And miserably." He thought for a few seconds. "It'll be just easier to get rid of him and the evidence."

The man sighed and walked deeper into the darkness and disappeared with the swish of his cloak.

In less than a second, he reappeared with a soft pop on top of the tavern. Walking toward the edge of the building, he pulled out a small scroll from inside his cloak. Holding the piece of paper between his index and middle fingers in front of him, the scroll then straightened up in front of the man and began to levitate several inches from his chest. Placing the palms of of his hands together, as if he was praying, some intangible script began forming on the levitating scroll. The lines and curves of the script began forming letters and then words. A name. The name was not important, because as soon as the letters lined up vertically on the scroll, the paper began to disintegrate into tiny particles. At the same time, the would-be-assasin, the inanimate statue of a man running away and still holding his bow and quiver of arrows he used to kill the hit, began to dissolve. Within a few seconds, the entirety of the assasin was gone, as well as the paper.

"You failed your mission..." said a muffled voice from inside the man's cloak.

The man grimaced, as he turned away and headed away from the roof's ledge. He again reached into his cloak and pulled out a small orb. Inside the glass-like exterior, the orb swirled with some sort of black gas or smoke.

"The beast still lives. But do not worry, the council has decided to give you a second chance at...Executing the rebel."

OOC2: mind if I join this part of the RP? and maybe twist it a little...*hehe*

"Aramil!" Karasu shouted. "That man... the assassin! He just disintegrated! Someone is controlling him! Someone with magic! Aramil, you know far more about this than I do. Who could do this and how?" She was quite upset, because in her human form, she had no powers.

Someone with magic... controlling an assassin wants me dead! Moreover, doesn't want him talking. One of the other dragon clans? It has to be... but how could they know who I am?

"Where are Khevit and Angelus? They may be of help as well" It was obvious to everyone around Karasu that she was extremely unsettled.

Part of the reason was that if she were killed, her village would suffer. Her clan would suffer.

She got up, her wound healed, and acted like it hurt. "We must get everyone together and figure this out! I am sorry Aramil, but now that magic is a part of this, I am frightened. I can't use magic. I am just a human. I can't fight back against this!"

At least not in her human form. She could toast the guy in her dragon form. Karasu was one very powerful dragon. She could shield herself from magic in her dragon form, and she had an amazing number of powers and magic knowledge learned throughout thousands of years. She could not be killed in her dragon form, for the most part. All those who tried were unaware of this. She could bounce any spell or attack back at the attacker.
No one was aware of her true power, so she was attacked anyway.

However, she could be killed in her human form. She was just a human. Who could possibly know I'm the black and gold dragon? Karasu was at a complete loss.

"Aramil, what happened here? He disintegrated before your spell wore off."

Karasu had some of the villagers go to find Khevit and Angelus as well as the kids.

Who could know?

"Aramil, please help me. I can't defend myself from magic like that." Karasu begged him.

ooc: Khevit is out of town, searching for the dragon that dropped the pebble, he's found the general area, and has called out to the dragon. Post 220.

OOC: That's perfectly fine! I'm glad someone wants to stir this up. But also, Hyperslackovicznia... Most powerful dragon in existence? Don't you think that's a bit much?

IC: Aramil had been peacefully meditating, regaining his energy, when he suddenly snapped awake. His eyes flew open and he landed on his feet, in time to see the man in stasis melt into Death. I have been out of the navy too long, he thought. I have become too trusting in my security.

It was pointless to attempt a counterspell now, but he sensed powerful magic, close by. He searched his mind as he spoke quickly to Karasu. "Only a mage of at least the sixth degree could do this, and then only with a scroll or other motif to focus his power. They must have known at least the name of the target creature. It is a very powerful Death spell, immediately catapulting the target into Death.

Khevit is off somewhere, and Angelus is, I'm sure, recovering from his healing. I agree with you, we must get all of us together, for protection. However, I fear that I must face this mage alone. As you said, non-magic users have a very slim chance of defeating a wizard."

Suddenly, his senses picked something up. It was the use of a Palantiri, commonly termed Crystal Ball, on top of the tavern nearby. He flew up into the air, alighting on top of the tavern within seconds. He stood face to face with a man, dressed in a tattered cloak and plate armour. A shield materialised around him, as he sent three fireballs cascading toward the man. Almost simultaneously, a lightning bolt came down from the sky, at the place the man was standing, and jagged spikes erupted from the rooftop below him. Aramil hoped this would harm the enemy, and prepared for his attack.

He forced himself to stand up and place one foot infront of another, getting towards the stairs
Outside, then it will be fine
After the first few steps he stumbled and tripped the rest of the way, he slammed his side into the wall at the bottom. He mumbled a strained curse in an odd language before getting up again. When he stepped out into the sun he could feel his senses returning. Lght was energy and life for angels, being without it for too long was death, and using too much energy without replacing it was the same
'Well, that was quite the experience' He leant against the wall and grunted in pain, when he looked back at his left wing it looked slightly off. He couldn't tell if it was sprained or broken, it hurt all the same
'Either way, it will heal' He focused for a second and then straightned up to regain his pose and dignity his kind was bestowed with.

OOC: I'm using a borrowed PC by the way, so no, mine is still kaput :D

OOC: We can all stop until Amanda gets back if you want.

OOC: Due to Noir's brilliant idea, I started an ooc thread, since this is getting clogged and there are many things to discuss. "Destiny/OOCThread" I'm moving all my oocs over there, and deleting them from here. Please, eveyone else do the same. If it is no longer relavent, as I have made some changes because of people's suggestions, those can be deleted. OK, here we go! UNCLOGGING the thread! I'll get rid of the occ post about this thread in a few days.

There are some very important reasons to read the occ thread. There is an important issue everyone has to see.

Please move your OCCs to the Destiny/OCC Thread and remove them from this thread. Keep our thread clean!

OOC: Following Hyper's advice, here's my last post...FOR NOW

The man stood and watched Aramil land in front of him and unleashed his fireball and lightning lightning attack at him. Lighting, so amateurish. He quickly held up the orb he was holding high above his head. With his other hand, griping his cloak, deflected the three fireballs as if he were swating flies. And he did not as much as flinch as the lightning attack was absorb into the dark object.

"You haven't learned one bit." sighed the man as his cloak bellowed in the wake of the attack. The dark figure turned to Aramil and smiled and gave him one of his coldest stares that would have unsettled anyone weaker. "You should have attacked me by now instead of standing there like a statue watching me deflecting your attacks. Haven't you learned anything from the academy?" He laughed. "Wait...You didn't stick around long enough to complete melee combat and strategy class."

"Is that Aramil?" said the voice in the orb.

"Yes, sir, it is. He's being foolish again."

"I see. If he intereferes, you know what to do.

"Affirmative," he said as he put the orb back into his robe. "Aramil, Aramil, Aramil," he repeated as he approached the man, but stopped as Aramil clenched his shield tighter. "Settle down. If you can't remember, who's the senior Magister Magi here? And who's the one who left the academy before graduating? I suggest you stop here and do not interefere with official business."

The man approached Aramil, regardless if Aramil was beginning to let his guard down or not, and placed his arm on Aramil's shoulder. "I don't want to hurt my apprentice. I swore to your parents before they died that I would protect you, and I am a man that keeps his word. I did not break that promise when you left suddenly from the academy. Nor do I wish to break it now because your relationship with this...Dragon." Gripping harder, he leaned forward and spoke into Aramil's ear, "leave now, and I will dismiss your attempt to interefere with my mission. Stay and defend this dragon, against the wishes of the high council, then I will have to dissolve that promise I made with your parents."

Releasing his death grip on Aramil, the man turned around and began to walk away.

"Choose."

ooc: TG Amanda

After taking his loose linen shirt off and leaving it hanging on a branch outside, he turned on the cold water hose and let the freezing water wash over him. It felt good on his twisted wing and he closed his eyes in relaxation. At least it wouldn't reduce his flying capability he thought with a bitter twist of the mouth. Since he had none to begin with. Eventually after he felt the swelling reduce he turned the water off and pulled his shirt back on.
'Well that was fun' He rubbed the back of his neck and went back around the front of the building to look for the others

we're going to start a new thread...

we're going to start a new thread...

Really? Awww, what a jip

OOC: we will continue this RP in another thread...we're saving this RP till AtG comes back.

OOC: we will continue this RP in another thread...we're saving this RP till AtG comes back.

OOC: Ah, THAT makes sense :D

After taking his loose linen shirt off and leaving it hanging on a branch outside, he turned on the cold water hose and let the freezing water wash over him. It felt good on his twisted wing and he closed his eyes in relaxation. At least it wouldn't reduce his flying capability he thought with a bitter twist of the mouth. Since he had none to begin with. Eventually after he felt the swelling reduce he turned the water off and pulled his shirt back on.
'Well that was fun' He rubbed the back of his neck and went back around the front of the building to look for the others

Karasu noticed she was healing faster than usual, even though she healed faster than usual because she was a dragon. Someone aside from Aramil gave me energy. I think the only one who could have done that was Angelus. She sighed, knowing Angelus had some issues to work on. He wouldn't accept himself. He was so kind and giving and wouldn't accept being only half angel. I want to help him with that.

Angelus came around to the front of the building looking bitter as usual. Karasu walked up to him.

"Angelus, I know it was you who gave me that extra energy and I thank you very much. That was very kind of you." She looked at him. "You gave me more than your body could handle. I appreciate it, but please don't put yourself in harms way again. What you did is wonderful, but I don't want to see you suffer." Karasu took her sunglasses off and her eyes radiated gold. She smiled at him and gave him a hug. She wanted so badly for him to accept that he was a worthy angel and should be proud of himself.

"Angelus... ummm... If you ever need or want someone to talk to, I am here for you." Karasu lowered her head and put her sunglasses back on. She looked back up at him. "I know you're seething about your situation. I'm here if you want to talk." She sighed. She wanted him to be happy.

"I need to go and get some rest... But Angelus... Be pround of who you are. You are worthy." Those were Karasu's last words before she left to go lie down.

*Sighs* I hate not having internet...

Welcome back, where were you?

Hi AtG! We just started another thread waiting for you! lol!

Oh,I'm hype... lol!

*Sighs* I hate not having internet...

It's AtG!

here's the link to the OOC thread

Destiny/OOC Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9383815#post9383815)

We sort of started a new thread for another RP that spawned from this one. If it's possible, post your AIM/MSN/Yahoo screen name, then i'll fill you in on what's happened and is happening.