New Arrivals

[:: Pandie ::]

Lieutenant Xukuth D'Streea
BlackRobed Mage Magi
Alexander
Valorie
Nathaniel Holbein
Idris Ithellamir Anian

:::Xukuth moved through the portal that conencted the two realms, she figured she may as well explore these lands a little more. She was a mess at this moment, so much going through her mind it was better that she got out of Elyndra, she really did need the break. Standing there on the edge of the forest, lengths of platinum blond hair hung loosely down ehr back and over her shoulders, she wore black suede trousers and matching boots that were laced to her calves. A black corset pressed against that pure white flesh and over the top was an open dress in a wine red velvet, buttoned at the front to her stomach where it opened up and ran at angles down her legs, the sleeves cut just over her shoulders, down to her elbows where they ended before a long white train flowed down just missing the ground beneath, her weapons hidden below the dress and a single crystal snowflake necklace on a elather chain hung round her neck. Looking around to see where she was, those clear blue eyes taking in the surroundings and already her body seemed to relax::: "I guess this is a place I can hide in if I need too." :::Talking to herself was a normal thing:::

Though Magi had quite a bit of experience with talking to herself, she hadn't expected to hear a voice drift back through the trunks of the old trees. Talking to oneself for a purpose made complete sense to the black robed mage, but speaking for the sake of hearing one's own voice... Now that was pointless.

Magi was positioned within the trees of the Forgotten Forest for one reason, and one reason only. She had been on her way to the Market Place in hopes of finding a few uncommon ingredients. Why else would one wander the Forgotten Forest?

Her black robes, which had been shifting quietly about her feet as she moved, came to a complete stop, and the silence deafened her. She could have sworn she had heard a voice.

With her left hand gripping the Staff of Elements, Magi forced her weight to lean against it, and shifted her posture so that she would be able to gaze behind her without straining her neck. From beneath the drawn up cloak hood, eye's scanned the trees searching for movement. Her voice, quiet, always cursed to be just barely above a whisper, sought confirmation for what instint was telling her.

"Who's there?"

One would have to either be listening for a voice, or a keen good hearer to catch the actual sentence.

::::Xukuth was about to move forwards as she heard that voice, she hadn't expected to hear or see anyone. This made things a little awkward as she stood there for a few moment, ignoring the voice as she gained her composure, she ahd to get everything to the back of her mind, she had to show that emotionless mask, swallowing and clearing her throat she drew in a deep breath and clearedher throat a little, her lips curved just a small amount:::

"I am here."

:::Her right hand slid to her thigh where she slipped the mithril dagger loose, it was an easy precaution to take and a necessary one, but the dagger was less intimidating than the sword tucked nicely under the front of the dress robe.:::

"Lieutenant Xukuth D'Streea of the Winter Queens Army."

:::There, at least that was clear enough. Taking steps forwards she began to follow where the voice had called from, stopping at nearby trees and looking about, her own questions now rolled form her tongue.:::

"And who might you be my Lady?"

:::The voice had been feminine so Xukuth figured she'd at least try that or find she'd insulted another man. Did she care if she had? Men were the last thing she needed about her at this time, unless of course it were Alexander, though she ahd not gotten his name, or Ness, he kept her calm at least. Oh she would need to visit him. He could help her out of this pregnancy mess she was in.:::

The voice seemed to drift back to her and with a bit of a shuffle, thanks to the aid of the staff, Magi could now see a faint shape and form of whom it belonged to. Her eye's never blinked as they watched the form in the distance, masked by the occassional trunk and tree limb.

"Lieutenant of the Winter Queens Army, you say?"

Magi purposely did not answer the question of whom she was. Who was she, anyways? She had many names, none of which were the one she had been born to. How to answer as simple a question like that could take days.

"Bringing war to Tranquility, are you child?"

Her expression was impossible to read, given the distance and the added protection of the drawn cloaks hood, though she wasn't skilled enough to mask the sneer in the tone of her voice. Polite, but sarcastic. She at least had that one down pat.

"Well, come now child. The war won't be won standing within the trees."

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:::Sighing softly but still following the voice as best she could, she was tall, 6 foot in height, but graceful and agile like and Elf, her boots pressed on the forest floor as she ducked under a couple of branches, tuching her hair behind those small pointed ears as she listened, stopping to clsoe her eyes and just listen for the voice.:::

"That is what I said."

:::She started moving once again, drawing in a breath and scenting the air about her, pulling out the scent of the woman. Child? Well it was better than everything else she was called, it was even nicer than what she gets called a lot of the time.:::

"I thought bringing in a one man army against this whole island would be a brilliant idea. My best yet."

:::She let her own sarcasim roll, if there was anything other than being a soldier that Xukuth was good at, it was the sarcasim.:::

"I think I stand a pretty good chance."

:::She moved into the clearing, her back now pressed against a tree as she looked round, pretty sure the woman was there as she spoke once again, this time smirking.:::

"Not a child."

:::She didn't know how to be a child, she had not had once, not part of the breeding programme, she was born to die as a soldier. Trained from the time she could hold a weapon:::

Magi chuckled quietly at the sarcastic comments fired back at her. The robe shuffled ever so slightly, the only indication that the back robed mage shook her head.

"Surely little thing, aren't..."

Her sentence broke off as the woman actually came closer into view. Well, certainly not a child, and surely not little in the slightest. This woman towered over Magi herself, which the mage found entertaining all on it's own.

"You speak with confidence, cockiness, and yet here you are buried within the Forgotten Forest."

The corners of her lips turned upward ever so slightly in a smirk. Surely smiles.

"You are either bold or stupid. Suicidal or lost."

The woman known as Magi by most, shifted her posture so that she no longer depended on the Staff of Elements for support. Her feet planted firmly with the forest floor, somewhere beneath those neverending folds of black cloth that composed her cloak.

"Sneaking up on a magi is never a wise thing, child. What you seeking for?"

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- oh yes alex was there well kind of the soft sound of air being displace as woob blinked them into his new area coudl be herd followed by a startled yelp as alex found himself falling from about five feet off the groud, the commical swingignof his arms as if tot rya dn fly as he landed flat on his face makeing grumbeling about the ground hurting-

"woob?......... the groud is not soft"

-there woudl come a almost mewing laughterf rom his pack as woob apeared to be rather happy about the fact his prank worked-

:::She moved from round the side of the tree so that she was in view, the mithril dagger clearly in her hand, her legs stepped shoulder width apart, slightly bent at the knees, her eyes broe down onto the black robed figure:::

"Why should I not be confident. I am a soldier of the Winter Queens, an elite force."

:::Yeah, she was being cocky again, but somehow this female was bringing it out in her, making ehr slip ehr problems to the back of her mind, oh she had cried herself to sleep after Alexander had returned to his room, but she woke in the morning with a new found energy in her, something she'd missed for some time now.:::

"Perhaps I am none of the above, but then again perhaps I am all four, the fact that I did not run say something else about me."

:::She stepped forwards a few more paces now.:::

"I was not sneaking up, merely arriving by portal and going to wonder, if I were sneaking you would not have heard me. I seek nothing but time away, a place for me to rest and clear my mind."

:::That was all she was ging to give for the time being:::

Alex: :::She heard a sound in the distance behind her and spun round, drawing her breath quickly, she did not care that she had turned her back to the Magi, but soon enough she turned to the side having the both in her line of sight, or at least the noise from the other, not really sure where they were:::

"Whatever or whoever that is, it is not my doing. You might actually have an enemy here."

:::She spoke to the Magi.:::


-slowly pushing himself up he woudl spit out dirt and leaves as he made a face to himself-

"woob realy now i knew we haven't had lunch but that no reasont o blink us into the air like that"

- sighign he got up and slowly dusted off his leather armour, the armour was a wrap of vary thick leathers all sown together from bits and pieses, apearing vary off on this young mans fram, from his size it apeared to be far to big for him to handel wareing but he didn't seem to midn much-

"i meanr ealyw hat if i had fallen back hmm?"

-there was another couple hisses and mews from his pack and he sighed softly-

"thats not the point of it"

Magi didn't seem all that concerned with the noises in the distance. She had her own agenda for being within the Forgotten Forest, an agenda she had absolutely no intention of sharing with strange portal hopping individuals.

"If it is enemy, child, it most likely is one of mine, I assure you."

Alright, so that sounded a little conceited, but it was the honest truth. Magi, especially Magi of the Black Robes had more enemies then could keep track of. Anyone whom did not serve the dark queen was considered an enemy, and many of those whom did.

"IF you seek the quiet and comfortable surroundings to clear one's head, the Forgotten Forest may not be the best location, child. There are thing's within this forest comfort does not bring. Perhaps you should seek out the Realm. It is a quarter mile to your left."

A bit true, a bit incorrect. It was true that the Forgotten Forest was anything but comforts, but perhaps Magi was only saying that for she didn't wish to have anyone discover where she was initially heading.

The driftings of another, rather annoyed sounding, voice reached Magi was quite ease. Though her own voice was always difficult to hear, being way too quiet, she had nothing wrong with her ears. Curious... Curious indeed.

:::She couldn't help but laugh at that.::: "And what makes you think one of mine did not follow me here?" :::Xukuth was listening to both now and she smirked as she recognised the voice she heard in the distance, her Elvish ears moving and she finally turned her back to the one that had made the noise before she looked the the Magi again::: "The most unlikely place is usually the best place, I do not do well around people. I find it too easy to make enemys smongst large crowds of people. I stand out in a crowd enough to draw my own attention." :::She went to the point before anyone else did, and it was true, perhaps she was like Magi, she managed to maek an enemy wherever she went, she never really got a break from one prson or another hunting her down for something she'd gone and done, if it were orders or not from those she follows. It was apparently always her fault in the end. Perhaps one dya ehr and Zessazar might actually be able to talk aboutt hat point rather than shoult and throw insults at one another while she tried to defend her ill-intended actions::: "now where were we? Oh yes... You're still calling me child... Who are you?"

"why are we here anyways woob"

- there came a small amount of chirping and mew from the pack and alex blinked a few times-

"huh she is? well we can't just walk up to her you know she might be here to be alone,she didn't seem to want to talk about what was bothering her yesterday, and i was not going to push the matter "

- he would start walking in her directiont hough, even if he had sead he was not going to, but then he did not know where he was and the ice elf was the closest one to anythign resembeling a link to home-

::::She could hear him approaching, though she had not heard his words entirely, she was too busy concentrating ont he MAgi and watching her, but her nose was tingling a little and she gave it a slight twitch. She could smell Woob, that was not good and already she sneezed again. Well, perhaps it was jsut this animal, she couldn't actually recall ever havign problems with any others, none that are within Iverlind, the cold northern lands she prefers to call home. Sighing softly she watched the Magi still and just kind of waited upon a response from her:::

Magi knew she was supposed to respond to the woman's question, but she had been too busy watching her reactions to the approaching individual. You could tell a great deal by the expressions one makes. Finally, she spoke.

"I am known as magi. That is what you may call me."

Not her name, but there wasn't a single soul living or dead whom knew it. Magi was what people called her, or the nice version at least, and Magi is what she responded to.

"It seems your peace and quiet is about to be distrupted. Call forth your friend, before he stumbles further into the forest and finds himself forever lost."

:~She wore a cloak, not something she did often, but she did try. It didn't help, it didn't do anything for her really; rather, it didn't do anything for her. Darkness, even in the absence of darkness, seemed to come from her, not in the physical form as much as the feeling of darkness. Even if you didn't feel the darkness the anger was something she couldn't hide, she didn't even try to hide. She was angry, even in the soft twist of a smile her anger was clear. Dark eyes roamed the forest floor as she walked, her chin held at an average level, not too high as to be haughty, not to low as to be submissive. Studying the area she mused to herself, finally speaking, her voice carrying the anger and age in it, the anger being part of her as much as the age.~
It's here....somewhere...I ran into it once, but then there was a...feeling. Some sort of surpressing thing that had me find it, so left of course...but this could be interesting no Nathaniel?

~She had no idea where he was, but she spoke towards him anyway. If he listened he did, if not it wouldn't bother her. She continued to examin the area, waiting for that sense, that strange feeling that would mark the arrival of this new realm, this new area to explore.~

:::Nodding her head softly to MAgi, she wasn't yet letting go of the dagger as she gave a slight smile.:::

"Very well, a pelasure to meet you MAgi."

:::turning ehr head over her shoulders she called out to Alexander:::

"We're this way, follow my voice and you shall find us."

:::She looekd back at Magi, shrugging her shoudlers, she di not know the mans name, she really hadn't had a chance to get it, well she did, but she never bothered to ask and find out, he had helped her get home and that was all the semmed to matter.:::

"Be careful and keep your guard high."

:::she called back to him again, her attention to the Magi knowing Alexander would easily find them now:::

"My peace and quiet is usually disrupted, what can I say except there's never any rest for the wicked."

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-he stoped hearing the voice call to him and woudl laugha s he had been going the wrong way and would slowly make his way over to pair of them stopping short once he spotted magi there and would swollow hard staying put where he was and starting tonervusely fiddelw ith his leather gloves-

"oh umm i didn't know you where speeking to another i can leave you be if you like"

~Of course he was nearby, he had been getting bored with the other place, and ol' angry face was the most interesting thing he had encountered in a while, and where things were interesting there was likely to be trouble, and it was trouble -albeit of a certain kind - that he gravitated towards, something was written in to the blood of his clan, something that demanded he, well, do bad things. It was different for each one, his sire had been different, and told him as much about the inherent variation, and presumably Echo had been different too...Echo, a mistake he wouldn't make again in a hurry, she was probably dead by now, useless little thing that she was. He chuckled softly at Valorie as she spoke and he slipped forwards from his thoughts like a swimmer exiting a body of water; heavy and weighted, yet alert and rejuvenated by the process, a light shrug whether she saw it or not as he leaned against a tree off to her left, rolling a coin along his knuckles idly as he regarded the forest. His tone was playful, knowing that angry as she was, she wouldn't pick a fight with him for silly banter, she seemed to have a degree of common sense about her despite that scowl she always wore - it was perversely funny, because she wasn't unattractive even when she was glowering, if she smiled and tried to be charming she wouldn't need to hunt, he wagered, they would line up out in to the street.~

What exactly did you find, that could suppress you, oh delightful smile on a gloomy day?

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~She might have raised her brow, or looked towards him, or any other number of different things, but instead she continued to look forward to study the trees and try to find what she had found, and decided to avoid the area. Glancing towards him only after a time she watched the movement of the coin for a brief moment before her lips twisted to an upward angle. Brushing the hood back from her hair she raised her shoulders in the slightest of shrugs, turning to face him instead of just looking towards him.~

That, my boy, is the question is it not? The reason for my returning. I have no idea what it was, some sort of shield or ward, something. I didn't pass that far into it to see what it was protecting, or maybe holding...

~Holding, she highly doubted that was what it was, but she quite enjoyed entertaining the idea that something held in the barrier instead of being pushed out. Glancing around the area with dark eyes once more she started walking again, looking like she was choosing a random direction when instead she had an idea of where she was going. At least, she knew which direction she was going. Speaking over her shoulder this time, or to whatever direction he had disappeared to as she had stopped paying attention, something that she well knew could kill her.~

We've passed the area where I had felt it, I thought I was mistaken, but...I'm never mistaken.

~Conceited? Maybe, or maybe it came with true knowledge. She didn't care, either way she had said it, and now she was continuing on her way as if she knew exactly where she was going. Though she had no idea of the physical location, she did know where she was going. Into the unkown of course.~

::::She turned her head to Alexander and chuckled, giving a sneeze as he approached. He would see that she did seem much happier today, though something still irked the back of ehr mind and she nodded her head to him.:::

"You found the key then?"

:::She finally slipped the dagger back in its sheath on her right thigh and moved so he could stand beside her:::

"No, you od not have to elave us alone, we were just talking. Debating which one of us has the most enemies about the lands.

Magi: :::She nodded to her and gestured to the man next to her:::

"I would introduce you, but I do not know his name and he does not know mine."

:::That really said nothing for Xukuth, seeing as she had let him within her cottage for a night. Really, that was bad of her letting her guard down like that.:::

"He will bring you no harm and I would expect you to bring none to him either."

:::she had sheathed the dagger which showed she really was not in the mood for fighting and she wasn't raging a one man army through these lands, even if it woul be fun, and probably get her killed as well. Yeah, getting her killed was more than likely. then again. did that really matter to her right now, it would solve everything, but the Winter Queen would probably bring her back to life just to punish her for it. Being a soldier really was a great life.:::

"Are we going to stop dancing and play nicely?"

- slowly he would make his way over to the pair now smileing soflty to magi-

"oh umm well in these lands it's simpler to call me alexander it's the closest translation to my name"

-he would smile sheepishly and rub the back of his neck with his gloved hand-

" and no i don't mean to harm any, well unless your adeer and i and woob are hungry"

-he laughed soflty then blinked noteing the sneez finly and sighs-

" hmm your still haveing problems with him?"

- about thats time the small griggar would pop it's head out fromt he bag and give xukuth a rasbarry it's tongue sticking half out it's mouth-

Magi stood completely still, using the support of the Staff of Elements to keep her feet firmly on the ground. The forest floor, though sturdy, wasn't exactly to be trusted. It all depended on who was in control of the Tower. Magi never did trust the tower to that crude Vampire. Actually, magi didn't trust vampires at all. Then agian, Magi didn't trust anybody but Magi.

She watched as the Leut. called back to the one whom had been talking to himself. Seems the two had that in common, talking to themselves. She also crained her neck so that she could glimps in the direction more voices were drifting from. The forest was not to be trusted, those in the forest even less so.

She didn't take any offense to the Leut. issueing warnings to be on one's guard. They were still standing there, so they obviously weren't from around here. People just didn't get up close and personal with the mages of the Black Robes.

Then again, the issue might not have been aimed at her to begin with. Perhaps, it was moreso for the benifit of the two bodies in the opposite direction, who's voices drifted out towards them.

Magi did, however, raise her eyebrows as this Alexander fellow spoke of him and another being, yet Magi didnt' see anyone else but them. When the critter from the bag poked it's head out however, Magi's eyebrows relaxed. So he wasn't talking to himself after all.

"Well then. Leut. Sire Alexander. It has been a pleasure, but this is not the location for such casual conversation."

She had it on the tip of her tongue to lash about how she would find no need to cause trouble for mere normal people, battled or otherwise, but there were other thing's afoot.

"Do you seek the comforts of the trees, the marketplace, or the quiet tranquility of the village?"

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Something like a ward you say? Must be pretty big to be so bold and noticable, someone was overcompensating there, in a blatant manner; those mage types, best to leave them alone for the most part; twice as dangerous as a normal human just with the magic, and then threefold again on the dangerousness through the pretense of being all-knowing. Some of them smart when they throw something out too. The hubris, that's my favourite part, even dumber than a normal person if you play on that, but I am rambling. You're never wrong, sunny maiden? It must be a great world to live with that knowledge, maybe you are angry because no one else can see it? There is always a first time Valorie, and let's face it. it wouldn't be that bad if it turned out to be something harmless like guessing a location or direction wrong; people who are wrong in our line of existence usually pay with a departure in to nothingness - no, I would consider this an excellent opportunity to be wrong, my most joyfully flavoursome friend.

~He followed her at what was for him a meandering pace, regarding her direction choosing without a care in the world from his apparent expression, coin bouncing in to the air as he flicked it up, catching it deftly only to roll it along his knuckles again; it had become a habit to do this to pass the time and alleviate the boredom a little, and while it did that only barely, it improved his sleight of hand, which was very useful, so he carried the mundane action in to most situations. He was curious as to why she was interested, as she was mostly a very solitary 'leave me alone and I'll ignore you happily' kind of person, she hadn't seemed the adventurous type. Maybe it was just anothe facet to her skewed personality, or maybe there was something motivating her to be here, that would be far more interesting - doing something interesting with someone interesting was well and good, but something interesting and specific, about someone interesting? That was far more appealing.~[/color]

Bold, and big? If it were bold and big don't you think we'd have found it before? No, you have to find the right trail because there are no trails to get to it. And perhaps it is good to be wrong, but then again perhaps it is better to think one is right so it's always an adventure when they are wrong?

~Smiling a bit as she turned to him she left the sword words where they were and looked back in the direction of voices. She hadn't been sure of them, and considered avoiding them. But then how would she figure out what sort of fun came with being here if they avoided everyone. Maybe if they moved off to the side of the people talking they'd find what was hidden? She hadn't decided yet, and she likely wouldn't until just about the time they were on top of the group.~

Might be good to avoid magic, but there's two of us now no? So we can handle what might come and leave then. Much more interesting to see what's being protected than it is to run away...

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:::Xukuth turned to look at Woob and quirked a brow at him, narrowing her eyes for a few moments and then moving her hand to scratch behind his ear.:::

"Give me time and I will adjust to you, Woob."

:::She spoke to cat like thing and then looekd around the forest, seeming to tense up a little more once again.:::

"Give it time, problems will go away."

:::Looking to Woob for a few moments.:::

"Did he bring you to me?"

:::She was curious, wondering why he had decided to follow her, most people tend to just try not to look at her again, keep their distance, well, except perhaps for Ness and Anis, they didn't seem to care about being in ehr presence. However she was touchy about the voices drifting near them.:::

"Xukuth, by the way."

:::She whispered her name softly to him:::

Magi: :::Watching Magi shifting about she loooekd down her more, all the robes, it must be hard to menauver in it all, how could anyone really wonder when wearing a cloak like that?:::

Perhaps not, but it is peaceful and I take my chances, but as you seem to be the wise Magi of this forest, then perhaps you could tell us where it would be best for us to travel too?"

- woob would purr softly and alex nodded to her question-

" well you left before i had awaken so that i coudl thank you, and woob here does not like to leave things undone for long, so he tracked you down and brought me here, well he also brought me here five feet int he air and dropped me so"

- he shruged slowly then looks around then back removeing a glove slowly to rub his hand, the area about themb ecomeign slighlty colder as he did-

"oh it is vary nice to meet you xukuth, i am glad to finly know your name"

megi) -looking over slowly he would blinka few times-

"hmm? this place seems rather quite and piecful to me, but then person my view is scewed, and my ignorance of this place"

Magi gave a brisk nod of her head, and shifted her poster once more to easily move off with the Staff of Elements in her hand.

"Very well. May the forest treat you kind."

And then, bravely, she turned her back on the two strangers, facing then the other two from the opposite direction. She didn't want to be stopped again for the Magic shop would be closing soon.

Her hand worked beneath the many folds of her robes, reaching into one of the sashes tucked away there. Her fingers enclosed around a small gathering of ingredients, and withdrawing her hand, she allowed it to sprinkle from between her fingers. Her lips moved, and just barely above a whisper she spoke. Her words seemed jumbled, incoherent.

As she finished speaking, a haze of smoke rose from around her feet, where the spell components landed, circling lazily upward until they reached well over Magi's head. When it would clear, she would no longer be standingthere.

A simple spell. A boring spell. But effective.

[:: Pandie ::]

Oh, I never said anything about running away, you only do that in the event of something really drastic, fire or sunlight are good examples, although with your radiant disposition, I might, for just a moment, be led to believe that I am not longer to be concerned by the light of day. As for finding it, it's not like we will get tired, the only enemy is the hours as they roll by, but there will always be more of those too so long as we're not up and about for the ones we should be missing...

~He paused for a time and canted his head curiously, like he had seen an interesting bug fly past, or some curio in a store, never one to be all that worried, and certainly never one to show it; it would do him no good even if he felt a serious amount of concern about something, the dice rolled whatever way they would, and it was the job of the player to move in harmony with their tune, if not with the circumstances they brought. He had only a passing interest in the voices right now, still more interested in this mystical, magical thing that Valorie was looking for, whatever it might be, or contain as the case may be, the possibilities were limitless and worthless in potential, at the same time, and it wasn't until they found it that they would know what category it would fall in to. This was the kind of thing that Ramona would warn him about and then leave him to it, knowing he would go and do what she told him not to, wanting him to do it to get him to learn some harsh lessons; he was lucky, so they weren't as bad as they could have been. He was no fool though, and so didn't fling himself on to the fire just to find out how hot it was, better to hold a hand out and feel the heat, or convince someone else to jump in for him and see what they thought, preferably after they had unburdened their wealthy -monetary or knowledge based - so he could make sure it didn't go to waste, it was terrible when assets were left behind with no one to take care of them, especially secrets - they were to be held close and nurtured like a lover, until they could be sent on their way in to the world for whatever purpose might suit them best; nothing wounds quite like a hidden truth, it was one of the best weapons available to him. He looked to Valorie and watched to see what she might be doing with regards to their ad-hoc orienteering course, still considering what this fiasco might mean to her, if anything - it was a good way to entertain his brain, ascribing all kinds of weird, wonderful, strange and stirring attributes to her that might explain the adventure.~[/color]

:~She simply chuckled, a dark sort of sound that held very little actual mirth in it. Shaking her head ever so slightly as she kept her dark gaze forward she listened to the voices. After a time she paused, aware that at this point they'd likely be able to hear her and Nathaniel talking, but she didn't mind in the least. Either they would say something or they would ignore the two vampires standing not far from them. Leaning against a tree herself this time she pondered, her head tilted ever so slightly to the side as she glanced towards her travel companion, however brief it might be.~

So, where shall we go now? I do believe the actuall affect is missing, do we find the source or call it a day and return? We could continue the hunt by following the voices...we might not be welcome however...

:::Nodding to Alexander:::

"Mind if I..."

:::She sneezed again and gestured that she might hold Woob. It was like a comfort thing but she would not admit to it, but if she was going to get past this sneezing, then what better way, plus the little thing had looked for her after she had left.:::

"I do not usually leave anyone in the cottage, I jsut had to get out of Elyndra like I had to get out of that tavern last night."

:::Looking to Woob.:::

"Well thank you fro dropping by so you could say thank you. Sorry I had to leave, I guess I didn't disturb you this morning while I was sneaking about the room grabbing fresh clothes."

:::Alex had been in ehr room, the only room and she had stayed in the main room all night, it had been easier and more peaceful witht he cold atmosphere he had given off. Looking to Magi, she backed up at the casting of the spell, and as the smoke rose Xukuth took that moment to ignore Woob, having waited for Alex to give his permission, too late now, magic had been cast and she feared Magic, the Frost sword in her hand. Xukuth was definately on edge now. She could hear the voices near by, something made her want to call out to them, something else told her to shut the hell up. Which voice would she listen too?:::

"Whose out there?"

:::She called, still on guard but that Elven nose of hers seemed to catch that it might be Vampires. Walking dead. something she was not a fan of, again that would be apart of her training.:::

"oh he isn't mine it's up to him, he is not a pet, simply a traveling companion"

- alex laughed soflty then jumped abit at the sudden sword drawing needing to get used tot aht but he would watch tilting his head abit as wob jumped from his pack and over to her sholder makeigna soft mewing sound, a;ex had been completly int he dark about others being there so he would put his glove back on and look around-

"there are others here?"

I thought we were following your direction? No matter, there does seem to be a notable lack of presence, or feeling, or whatever this thing emanates; maybe it is gone? I suppose the question really is: do you want to continue regardless of the knowledge that there might be no source at all? We can always flip a coin on it, neh?

~The coin span in to the air in a dizzying manner, rapidly rotating until he snatched it out of the air, looking to her with a serene smile that conveyed anything but serenity, a great many things that those of the right mind might interpret, or the shrewd maybe; the average person would see the surface expression. Truly he was a little excited, everything hinged potentially on the flip of a coin, maybe some great discovery, maybe nothing at all, it was that, that made it more interesting, there was a trade to take place, and they would lose time and need sustenance for no reason, or they might find something really eye-opening. Added in to that was the potential of maybe losing the chance at that thing, or pursuing it - even leaving might draw them to something new and interesting by accident, the coin decided it all if she felt so inclined. his moment of anticipation was ruined as someone called out to them, the smirk rising on his face as he considered his response and gave it, sidling up to Valorie, feeling the prickle of anger around her -no doubt she would feel something of the sinner, the rogue about him too, vampires just knew their own - and as he stood next to her, held out his hand, palm open with the coin in the middle, a gold piece stamped only on one side with some monarch or another, the gesture offering her the choice of dancing to fate's tune, an undertone of daring and anticipation to it.~

No one at all, a good eve to you....

[/color][/b][/u][/center]

~She watched his sudden sort of change. Tilting her head ever so slightly as he snatched the coin out of the air and just grinned at her. Interesting indeed. At the voice calling to them this time she shifted her gaze in the direction of the earlier voices before looking back to Nathaniel as he came up close. There was something odd about him, but not in a bad way as far as she'd seen. Glancing to the coin while he replied to the call she looked back up to him with a brief ponder. Taking the coin with cold skin just touching his as she did so she smiled and flipped it up and caught it, not yet looking at it as she glanced towards the voices. First, she'd wait and see what the reply was. A slow, smirking smile touched her lips as she waited, maybe the choice would lay on what was said next instead of the coin?~

:::She glanced at Woob on her shoulder and smiled at him.:::

"Hey there."

:::She spoke softly and raised her hands to scratch behind his left ear again. Looking to Alex as if to say sorry for making him jump, she had a tendancy to just react, she couldn't help it. Hear noise or see magic. Draw your sword or run for the hills. running wasn't an option. Well not in all cases, the Magi had vanished in a puff of smoke. Seemed alittle poetic to her, but now there was something else out there and she had no clue as to what it was.:::

"Yeah, there's two."

:::She pulled back part of the long open dress she wore and showed him the mithril dagger at her thigh, more or less telling him to taek that, somhow she wasn't going to wait for him to go through his bag for the sling shot, the dagger would look good enough for the time being. Perhaps he could see how truely paranoid she was. Maybe she should have stayed in the cottage in Elyndra and hid out there instead of looking for somewhere to hide out at. Silly elf once again doing things the hard way:::

"Oh good more sarcasim and comedians oh there."

:::She growled low, she really didn't like Vampires and called tot hem again.:::

"Good eve to you also. we mean you know harm if you mean us no harm."

:::There that would deal with that for the time being.:::

"What is it with this forest attracting those with a flippant mind."

:::So she caught herself in that comment too, but that was Xukuth all over.:::

"The other chooses silence. Oh goody."

:::She sighed as the sarcasim rolled off her tongue.:::

"Apparently this is going to be a bad week."

[/b][/u][/center]

-he would take note of the offered dagger nearly turning a slightly blue int he cheeks aparently blushing as he woudlt ake it and cough softly looking to woob there and nodding as woob would hiss at the trees where the noise had come from and disapearf rom view into the pack in a blink of an eye-

"hmm do you pan tof ight them if they are here to harm?"

- he whispered softly holding the dagger in one hand oveusly not knowing how to use one save for skinning-

~He looked to the hand holding the coin, a sense of anticipation still in the air around them, wondering what it might come to, when another variable was added in the sort of ongoing dialog with whoever was hollering after them, a look of bemusement to Valorie as he considered what to say, conferring with her at a casual conversational volume. It seemed he coin might be choosing to not choose; how delightfully anachronistic, another gear added to the machine of fate, or just a paranoid warbler delaying the true answer? The path of paradox decreed that everything was to find its place, and to be helped to in its own fashion, maybe there was more to it than previously thought? Ramona had never really been clear on that one, something he felt was deliberate on her part, sly old fox that she was - for a moment he wondered where she might be, or what she might be doing.~

So, the coin or the paranoid voice, what are we thinking? I hadn't planned on setting out to harm someone, but as the offer is there, it seems rude to not oblige. What say you, my sweet ray of sunshine?

~Twisted words, Nathaniel loved them; certainly she had said there would be no harm if he and Valorie intended none, but the implication of that was that they would be harmed too, it might even be a threat of another sort if one liked harming, or being harmed, to have the threat of inaction - which one did she mean? Of course he knew full well which one, but that didn't stop him twisting the intent, it was a hobby and a reflex for him really, to take the word of something and twist it, ignoring the spirit of it. He wanted to see what Valorie might do as well; he had never seen her do much at all really, he wanted to know how she approached conflict, how she felt when she was all hot and bothered and hungry, to see what ticked beneath that shroud of ire that draped her form. Waiting for her input so he could respond if it was deemed necessary -or maybe she would even respond herself- he looked in the direction of the sound, and then back to Valorie, still stood next to her, waiting the big reveal and all its many results, some exciting, some boring, some downright exhilirating, just maybe....~

:~Valorie chuckled again at the words from the woman. Keeping her gaze on Nathaniel for the time she spoke, her head tilting a little as she started to fiddle with the coin, rolling it between her fingers instead of her knuckles like Nathaniel had been doing.~

The same could be said of your friend M'dear...

~She chuckled softly again, flipping the coin up and catching it once again. This time she looked at her open palm, the coin showing its blank side on her open palm. Ironic, the option would be to leave. Instead she had another intent in mind for the coin now. Raising a brow as she looked at it she smiled slowly to Nathaniel and his words. Her choice it seemed, that was an interesting twist. Someone not intent on taking the lead of it all. Watching the air before them she finally glanced back to Nathaniel, holding the coin out towards him in case he wished to take it back.~

I do think this could be mildly amuzing...No harm she says...but I agree, it would be rude to not oblige. So which part do we follow? Agree to no harm? It hadn't been my intent or I would have implied as much already...The coin says we should be nice, boring as it is.

:::Glancing to the dagger in Alex's hand she quirked a brow. Oh he had been right baout not being able to weild a weapon, her eyes flowed to her weapon, gesturing that he look how she held ehr sword, gripping it not too tightly with one hand, giving him a shrug of her shoulders.:::

"Not really, no. I'd debate manipulation first, if that fails. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Either way they're going to be a lot stronger than I am, if they're what I think they are."

:::She gave him a blank look, something she had learnt to do quite well, masking her feelings, except perhaps for when he met her of course.:::

"you don't have to fight, just throw the dagger and run. I do not mind, but leave the dagger for me, that's my favorite one, usually the one that ends up being stabbed into me."

:::At least he would know that wasn't sarcasim after what she had said to him before. Clearly she was getting a little impatient as she stood there waiting for their answer.:::

"My battle is not with them, mine is with the so-called Emporer."

:::She had the sword relaxed at her side, the point a fair few inches away from the ground, she didn't want to fight, she was tired of fighting in all manners of the word. She was exhausted, but she would do anything to survive right now, and wasn't it stress relief too:::

"I think they've cowarded away, they're not going to appear at all."

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-he would look down and fix his grip frowning deeply at the thought of simply throwing it and runninga way-

"hmm i can't simply flee, it's not in my nature to do so, now if you like we can see if woob would not mind an exspedent retreat and regrouping if thigns get to overly vilent"

-he would force a smile and look tot he dagger he had thought she had been jokeing bout the stabbing-

" besides if it comes down to it i have way of deffence"

Magi could hear voices up ahead again, and knew instantly that those within the forest had not yet decided to find better accomodations. For a brief moment, she considered just using her magic to transport her back to the village, but didn't relish the idea of exausting herself for something she could do easily without. Even if it meant crossing paths with the strangers roaming the Forgotten Forest.

Her footfalls were slow, however, as the journey had been a long and weary one. The forest was never safe for any individual whom was not close personal friends with the current master of the Forest, thus even for Magi it was a difficult journey. She looked forward to being free of it, and all it's inhabits.

Slowly, she walked, straining her ears to listen in on the conversation that was clearly ongoing upahead of her. All this talk of battling each other was rather amusing to the black robed mage. Travellers never seemed to learn. When in the Forgotten Forest, it is best to stick together and battle what cannot be seen rather then bicker between each other.

Magi longed to speak loudly enough for both parties to hear, but her voice simply wouldn't go that high. Her voice was the cost of her magic. It never went higher then a whisper, and even then could vanish completely if she used too much magic in a day.

So, instead, Magi ceased walking, and using the Staff of Elements, studied her posture. She didn't dare lean up against any of the trees within the Forest, for this was no ordinary forest. The trees, the grass, the rocks all were controlled by the Master of the Tower, and Magi didn't relish the idea of giving them leverage.

[:: Pandie ::]

Anian bounded toadstool to root to rock like a grasshopper, likewise using his wings to aid his leaps. The branch of a flowering bush shook as he landed, pausing for a moment to let his eyes flit among the trees and their inhabitants. The wings were sculpted more elegantly than any butterfly, swirling above the fae’s head and tapering below its knees. Like stained glass more beautiful than the most skilled artist could create, riotous splashes of color as brilliant as nature could conceive were barely held separate by spidering black lines. Few mortal eyes could truly see the full, fragile beauty even with the soft light filtering through the canopy and flowing though the translucent membranes, casting Anian’s rainbows over the ground much as the aura of his magic splashed out from him. Bathed in the evening glow, the fae’s skin was as moonbeams: purest pale and somewhat translucent, delicately fitted over angular and ethereal features. Black cloth shaped into a long-sleeved shirt and straight-legged pants hung loosely off his slender frame with no apparent place for his wings to have emerged, bare feet and long-fingered hands poking out of the cuffs. Raven hair fell carelessly about his face, the faintest shimmer of rainbow colors with every movement as locks reflected the trickling rays. Peeking through the dark fluff, ears sculpted in an elegant slope and patterned like lace illuminated against the black. Carefree joy spilled forth from the lips of the little fae, giggling that caressed the leaves, petals and charmed the song birds who added their voices to the sweet music of innocent delight. His sparkling energy flowed freely, invisible but yet perceptible to those who rose above the mundane, touching everything around him with a heightened awareness of and connection to the forest.

::::She smirked.:::

"Then do not flee unless you truely have too. If Woob can take you to safety than let it be so."

:::She knew she could take care of herself, and right now she didn't care much for her life or her health, if she truely was going to be carrying this baby, then she was going to get all the fun she could have, she'll make Zessazar realise he picked the wrong Ice Elf to mess with, there was no chance she was taking this from him and not making him suffer at the same time.:::

"Oh the joy of holding the upper hand."

:::She whispered to herself, but at least it gave her nine months where he wouldn't be trying to kill her, that was something to look forward too. She never realised how much fun this was going to be and she couldn't help but chuckle softly, forgetting where she wa and who was around her. she was definatley a happy Ice Elf now.:::

"If you need to, return back to the cottage, it is a semi-safe place and you have the spare key. I hope."

:::Well with Woob he could get in without it.:::

It seemed thing's were starting to quite down quite abit within the forest. Magi didn't feel like stepping in between a battle, thus she detoured a little ways, heading off the beaten path, if one could actually call it a path.

A dangerous thing to do, no doubt, but no matter which course she took, it posed it's threats. She could walk into a battle, or she could take her changes with the Forest itself...

The travelling was rough walking, as the forest wasn't exactly a welcoming spot for wanderers. There was only one path within the forest that led from the Marketplace to the village itself, and since Magi opted to avoid confrontation, she was now walking on untravelled ground.

Up ahead the village beckoned to her, comforting and uncomplicated. At least there, she knew what to expect.

The otherworldly giggle glittered through the forest, as apt to entice one to come closer as to make the hairs on the back of one’s neck stand straight… perhaps both, or perhaps it was not heard at all. Though the two-legged mammals oft tended to be ignorant of the fae, the rest of the forest basked in the glow that issued forth form his being and swooned with unparalleled love for him. A human or otherwise weak-minded creature thus fae-touched would be driven mad by such depth, but for the forest… the mighty oak, the soon-to-be-dead flower, the creeping ant, the sentinel wolf…the forest was comforted by his presence, his incorporeal touch, the lingering warmth passed sun’s due, the feathered brush of magic. Anian bounced upward from the bush and lifted on a small eddy of warm air, tilting his wings to drift in a lazy, zig-zag pattern. Shortly, he looped upward and dove with a faint rustle into the dense foliage at the end of an elm branch. Hooking his knees over the thinning end, he hung upside down and peered through the leaves at the big person approaching, though he could not see her yet, only sense her. He had not yet shown himself to anyone here, he did not know their sentiments.

:::Looking to Alexander as he moved closer to her, he was handing the dagger back to her, she couldn't tell if he was goign to turn and run or not, but what she wasn't expecting was for Woob to jump out the back and onto his choulder, looking at them both, obviously the Gigger had its own ideas of what was about to happen, and before anything could be done. Xukuth's fingers touched the blade of the dagger, there was a popping sound and Woob had teleported them. Pesky little thing really didn't want any form of fight or sarcasim attack to take place. who knew where the three of them were going to end up next.:::

~She watched, and waited, and basically took her time. She had a lot of time after all, nothing pressing to do in the next twenty years or so at least. Staying leaned against the tree as she watched Nathaniel she blinked slowly after a time. Tilting her head she pondered, frowning ever so slightly; well, more just stopped smiling but the effect was the same. Had they just left? Seems that the two took too much time to decide if they'd play nice or not. Oh well, times a waisting for them anyway right? Chuckling softly to that nature she glanced around, taking account to the other happenings of the forest as she spoke.~

My my...such impatient creatures...What shall we do now oh slayer of words? Continue to explore and see if we find any other un-suspecting creature or take our venture elsewhere...That really doth be the question...

~Her smile, or smirk, touched her face only briefly before fading away as well. The lighter air that anger, that darkness, had taken seemed to fade away as she looked around. She was certain that there was at least one other in the area, but there was something ever so slightly off as well. She couldn't not, however, tell what that might be. Maybe it was what she had been looking for? At this point it was completely uncertain, so the question remained, figure out what was around them, or turn back to the land where they come from.~

Magi had no special abilities to detect those around her. She was not friends with the forest, like a fae, and she had no heightened senses like a vampire. Magi was just magi, and right this minute, she wanted to be free of the dangers of the forest.

Her slow deliberate footsteps had nothing to do with age or weariness, and everything to do with caution. She'd spent enough time in the darkness to know when something was stalking her, and the forest just gave her an unsettled feeling that urged her onward.

There was a defensive spell on the tip of her tongue, and with each and every step she took, she forced herself to remain calm. She was, by no means, the most powerful of the black robes, and was probably the least threat when travelling the Forgotten Forest. But rumor had it that the most powerful black robed mage that ever were lay up ahead in the village, in the tower. The tower that controlled the forest. That wasn't a comforting thought.

Magi had been asked to remove the protective barrier surrounding the Hidden Realm of Tranquility, and seeing as it suited her purpose, she had complied. Now, however, with that duty completed, Magi was back on track of her own agendas.

Those within the forest may keep their peace, their ideals of being protected for none were truely protected from the enchanted forest. None were promised an easy journey without the blessing of the one whom controlled it, and it was that one that Magi was determined to meet.

So occupied with her thoughts, Magi forgot about the sensation of eyes upon her, chalking it up to the many critters alive (or not so alive) within the forest. She forgot about the sounds of voices, and slowly continued her pace.

Still and quiet as the leaves absent of wind, the fae’s tunnel-black eyes peered down as the dark hood passed nearly beneath him. A faint sparkle flickered in the back of those pools, lacking a distinction between iris and pupil: a reflection of the comparatively small bit of innate magic that resided within this woman. The fae swung back and forth after the woman passed, pondering over whether or not to show himself. He could sense tension in her, yes, a focus on something not here… but was she dangerous? No malice he felt… but that did not mean it would not blossom if she was confronted by something she did not expect, did not like. His wings buzzed softly as he flapped them, tumbling off the branch like a trapeze and upsetting, though not harming, the rest of the leaves as he dropped below their cover. Here was the real question: to assume a larger form or remain as he was. It was easier for the big people to interact with him shifted… but he had more difficulty accessing his magic thusly changed, so it was a bad idea if she turned out to be a threat.
In a moment of youthful – nigh eighty years and still a child among his kind – arrogance, he decided he could best her easily if it came to it and surrendered to his curiosity. Circling behind the trees, he flew out to be ahead of her and with a small surge of magic transformed to a human-like form of average height, his wings melting into his back. His slight form, those delicate features, even with the flat chest it would be difficult to be sure he was male. Grasping his hands behind his back to try to alleviate the temptation to touch, Anian edged around the trunk, his shoulder brushing the bark. He stopped just at the point where he was visible, for he knew most creatures found fast movements and quick appearances cause for alarm, and especially advancing strangers.. So he let her approach him, instead. Thin, colorless lips curved into a bright smile, but he said nothing yet… Waiting, as like the Scandinavian tradition, for her to accept and be sure he was real before engaging with her.

Hmmm, seems they left, that somewhat makes the decision process one-sided. I believe the coin has spoken my special little beacon of warmth, trudging around the forest is probably less interesting than it would first appear given the luck so far, we may fare better in a place that is a little more people-centric. I think I could do with a little sustenance before too long anyway, one should never starve for no good reason, and who knows, it might end up being someone really interesting, who can shed more light on your elusive phenomena, which would be much more constructive than wandering around hoping to find an answer, as many merits as random adventure has; I find it's better to stay near buildings as the night wears on anyway, that daylight stuff, you don't want a lick of that across your face - your sunny disposition is bright and warm enough for me, Valorie.

~He smiled in a mockery of benevolence and gestured with a hand away from their present location, taking the coin back from her, skin as pale as hers as he palmed the coin from her hand, the metal disc seeming to vanish before it appeared rolling over his knuckles again, getting a feel for the air and the surroundings, for things that might warrant attention at some point as he waited for her to start walking so he could fall in step with her, whether manners of whim dictated the action, was not clear.~[/color]

It would appear so....My, my, your words have raised up, be careful or you might give the wrong impression when calling me special...

~Smiling a bit she closed her palm slowly, lowering her hand as she dipped her head to him just a little and turned in the direction that he was gesturing, taking a single step in the direction he motioned while she began to speak.~

I would agree, the daylight could be trouble, but I do so hate dealing with a lot of people...

~Something else appeared to be happening. She wasn't sure what, but it was there, off in the distance. Pondering for a time she glanced to Nathaniel before heading that direction, there was at least one person, or thing, there. As he'd said, they would have better luck if they found someone, or something, who could actually tell them the answers instead of wandering around lost. Lost was good, for a time, but this was something she really did want to sate her appitite over, wanting to actually get answers so that she knew she wasn't going crazy, which was another option really, but she would feel better not having to admit it.~[/color]

So focused on her journey, her task at hand, making it through the Forgotten Forest alive, Magi had to blink a few times before she was certain she saw something up ahead. Her fingers tightened around the Staff of Elements, which she carried in her left hand, and her slow steps ceased completely.

Even squinting it was difficult to make out exactly who or what was positioned a bit of a ways ahead of her, directly in her line of path. It appeared human, but most thing's did these days. Appearances can most certainly be deceiving.

And then, once more, she caught the sound of a males voice coming from well behind her. Perhaps the two she had come across on her earlier journey towards the Market Place? Magi wasn't skilled enough around people to establish the differences between tones of voice. Of course, she was no imbosol. She knew a males voice from a female. Generally, that's all she needed to know.

Though she could hear the voices, she couldn't quite make out what they were talking about. The defensive spell was still on the tip of her tongue, and feeling as of thing's were closing in on her from all different directions, Magi risked the chance of using it.

Her robes shuffled ever so slightly as, with her right hand, Magi reached within the many folds of black cloth, into one of the equally many pockets hidden within. Her fingers blindly, yet expertly, worked through a drawstring that fastened the small sacks closed, and dipped inside. Powered substance of one of her many ingredients ran like sand through her warm fingertips.

Magi pinched a bit into her hand and withdrew her arm, slowly, eye's locked on the shape ahead, attention locked on the voices from behind. And yes, it was voices, plurel. Now, she could hear the voice of a woman as well.

Her robes rustled once more, as the black robed mage withdrew her hand and raised it up above her head. Slow. Careful, so as no one would mistaken the move for drawing a weapon.

She rubbed her fingers together, sprinking the sandlike substance in a counterclockwise direction around her head, as it fell over hood, and to speck along her black robes, shining like lightening bugs. Her lips moved, and in that too quiet voice of her's she spoke.

The language of magic parted her lips, sounding jumbled and in all honesty made up. Fictional. Of course, many of which one thinks is fiction proves to be otherwise, and with these words it does just that.

The dusted sand settled, and Magi returned her right arm to her side, the sleeve of her cloak instantly drifting over her skin. It wasn't a spell for violence. Or a spell for enchantments. Actually, it was rather simple. A spell of space. A spell to prevent anyone from touching her. Of course, they'd receive a small shock, barely worth a tingle, but she would feel nothing.

Not exactly the best spell to use, seeing as fast travelling weapons could easily penetrate the sheild, but it would keep anyone from touching her. Magi wasn't what one could call a 'great' magic user, but she was satisfied. At least if death was to come, it would need to be quick to penetrate the magically enchanted shield.

Her fingers once more gripped the Staff of Elements in her hands, and Magi continued walking. Towards the outskirts of the Forest. Towards the Village of Tranquility where the Tavern awaited her. Towards the shape of a body standing upon her path. She never took her eye's off the person standing before her, though her undivided attention was skitterish at best. Afterall, her ears were listening for the sound of voices getting closer, just incase...

A fluttering giggle, which further called into question the gender of the fae and indeed would make one wonder if the forest was playing tricks on her eyes for it sounded more like it ought to belong to a small child, issued from his lips as she scattered her dust and worked the spell. The moment she invoked, a small flare lightened in his eyes and then faded to a quiet hum deep within the liquid black.

“That was not needed,”

he smiled, the giggle echoing in the timber of his words. His melodic voice flowed and caressed her ears: though it was spoken quite softly, she would hear him as though he had whispered it so closely his breath ought to have been felt on her ear.

“Ani means no harm…. And should your blood sing to the undead…”

his gaze flicked passed her toward the voices making their way toward the village,

“Ani will keep you safe.”

The latter was spoken as a simple fact, not an offered kindness or a deed to be rewarded or even a brag… just a statement of truth as seen by the fae. His form shifted a little as he spoke, but he remained as he was, leaning his shoulder slightly against the oak’s trunk with his hands safely behind his back.

Maybe it is my intent to make you think such, oh ray of sunshine. And on a separate note, it is interesting that someone so reliant on people as you are, should not want to be around them....Well, it's not uncommon in the slightest really, it's only interesting because you are in yourself; self- flagellating, isolationist kindred are everywhere really. It is far better to deal with the worst of them than to have burst of your body burn away like wool to a flame, that kind of thing hurts in a big way, no quick heal from that I assure you.

~He nodded with an almost cheery ease, like a human might enthusiastically talk about being disembowelled, following her stride as he fell in to unison with it, wondering if she was going to leave of trudge around some more, her thoughts and actions did not have to be in tandem, and most peoples thoughts often weren't equal in such a manner either, so she could very easily say one thing then do something else altogether, it was the way people worked, even people who had become like they were; a fickle nature was far from exclusive to the living after all and some of the most fickle creatures he had known had been vampires, and they far outstripped humans in the matter, making it sort of strange and ironic that these creatures, of slowly eroding humanity, would be more fickle than any human might try to be. Tucking away the thoughts for now he looked to Valorie again and waited to see what she might say next, his interest already piqued as she seemed almost happy for a few moments, and the smiling too, that was very off kilter for her, albeit just as brief as the sense of slightly reduced ire that saturated her - maybe she hadn't been this way long enough to get stuck in the rut of two dimensional personality traits that the aging kindred started to show, taking on one trait more than the others -usually paranoia - and then they became a monstrous epitome of that trait; he hoped she wasn't that way, she was getting more interesting, and he so hated to be disappointed.~[/color]

Ah...dangerous land you tread then...As you say, I'm not so interesting, or uncommon, rather unique and common in fact, how dull. As for my body burning away, at least it'd be some sort of break in the day? No, I'm always careful, well, in a sense of the word at least...Let's find the village.

~Stilling looking forward she nods softly as she continued to walk in the direction she was now hearing voices from. At least one voice. Word were indistinct still, but it wasn't really a matter, aiming for them she tilts her head slightly, glancing to him to see what he thought of the idea, maybe they'd stay over the 'day'.~

The voices lead the way?

[/color]

The easy, if not somewhat disturbingly childish, voice echoed through her as if the individual had been standing right over her shoulder. Infact, she even glanced quickly back to ensure that was not the case.

As far as she knew, the only person who could protect her from the forest was Raistlin, but then again she had never met a fae. Now, mind you, she didn't exactly KNOW this being ahead of her was fae, so her reaction was entirely warranted.

The corners of her lips turned up in a slight smirk. She didn't bother to call out her response, however, not just yet. She was too far away for someone to hear her words. When she was close enough towards him, her, it, she spoke.

"You... Protect me... A black robed mage. You.. I..."

A chuckle escaped, and it wasn't one of those musical pleasantary laughs either. No, Magi's laugh was more one that caused the little hairs on the back of ones neck to stand at attention. Then again, she knew it had that effect which is why she always chose to laugh that way.

"And who might you be, child, that blocks my way home? Are you los.."

There it was again. A woman's voice. Magi didn't like people being behind her, and she didn't like the forest. Taking another step, Magi attempted to walk around the one standing on her path, anxious to reach the Tavern, the only public place Magi was permitted to go, providing she did not cause any damages.

Anian nodded avidly when she repeated the sentiment that he would protect her, seeming to miss the mocking tone in her voice, or else not caring. Nor did he seem outwardly bothered by the eerie tone of her laugh, though internally he wondered if he had been foolish to appear thus to her or at all. He did not move as she drew level with him, looking at her from a height of around five foot eight… perhaps slightly less as he was leaning into the bark. However, he showed no objection to being called child for he was among the fae even if he was, he estimated, over twice this woman’s age.

“Not lost, no,”

Anian shook his head, raven’s wing hair flopping a bit over his angular and fragile features. From behind his back floated a long-fingered hand, veins visible beneath the seemingly thin, pale skin, and he gestured toward his slender chest.

“I am Idris Ithellamir Anian…”

the words flowed off his tongue even more a song than his voice normally was. His hand twisted in mid-air with a flourish to then indication her,

“Ani wished to meet you… Will walk with you if home you would hurry….”

He offered, not to be deterred from his exploration. That dark gaze, still subtly lit by the workings of her spell, flicked behind her toward the voices,

“They have heard us… but I feel no aggression… They are going to the village, too,”

he told her with a slight nod, a gentle hum in his voice to ease her paranoia. No, his hearing was not really good enough to stretch that far, but the trees heard them just fine and he listened to the whispers of the forest.

It is not for you to decide how dull you are or not though, neh? That is up to the beholder; maybe I find your alleged dullness appealing, in a sea of people and creatures that are trying ever so hard to stand out and be noticed. You have a sensible, angry, and pretty head on your shoulders, and sometimes, as poorly given to company as our kin are, I like to spend time around someone who isn't a blatant idiot, or blatantly scheming to rob me of something, up to and including my existence - shifty eyes and gestures of pleasant communion right from the introduction are painful transparent in their intent, at least the ones that run after me swining a weapon have the good grace to be direct about their intent to make up for their lack of subtlety. Ah yes, the village, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look in on the place, I'm not sure what the population is like but we can find out on the way there, we'll just trail those people nearby, and see where we go for a little while. More interestingly though, what does a ray of sunshine do with her time, pray tell? There must be something to occupy you with all those isolated hours to pass?

~He continued to walk with her, the tangible sense of something nearby to point them in the vague direction, so he may as well try and engage her in small talk, see what she had to say; something real angry no doubt, but that was just her way it seemed, short of the odd flash of something else like prior to now. He wondered who she might target to feed on too; what her preference might be, if there was one at all, some kindred just weren't fussy at all, while others absolutely had to have someone from elevated social status or the like. It didn't often improve the taste, but it was known to happen now and again. He pictured his earlier remark about people lining up for her attention if she just played on her presence and appearance - maybe that was it, first come, first served? It was often interesting and funny to see and hear about preferences in food, those Ventrue types cracked him up with their inability to feed on anything but one type of person, it put a real crimp in their day when they found out that they chomped some homeless sap rather than someone of note - he could mess that kind of thing up forever and never got bored of the reactions.~[/color]

:~She chuckled softly at his words, a soft sound that wasn't saved from the anger that made up her very presence. Anger, darkness, more anger, everything she did seemed tainted with those things. Glancing at him sideways as she raised her lips ever so slightly with his words. Her cloak was still hung around her shoulders, an odd piece to her normal clothing but she wore it as if it weren't so odd, the cloak of her anger being enough to make her not think twice of the real cloak. Keeping her step even and slow as they didn't seem to be in a rush to catch up with those, and now she knew it was more than one, before them.~
My free time? Why, I'm a ray of brilliant light and charm of course. I read and sell books sometimes, of course, not often do they get looked at as the room is far darker than most care to visit. In otherwords, I keep the time to myself....That way I can scheme to rob someone of something, up to and including their existence...

~Her grin seemed to grow a little more as she added the last part in a slight barb, a teasing way of things really, nothing beyond what he'd done and not aimed straight fot gaining anger from him. She found she was actually enjoying the time spent with him, and that was a very rare thing. Rare and dangerous as the whip which was currently hidden beneath her cloak would testify to, a wicked sort of thing that was riddled with pieces of iron. Brushing a bit of hair back from her face she turned her gaze forward again, pondering on what they would do when they reached this village. If they were careful they might even get the chance to linger for a time.~

Magi listened to what Idris had to say, if Idris was really his name. Now upclose, she could tell what sex he was, but it didn't make it any easier to understand him. The last name, for example, was completely lost on her thus she didn't attempt to understand, repeat or commit it to memory.

Ever since she was 14 years old and decided which robes she would dawn, Magi had been avoided. An outcast among outcasts. People knew that the back robed mages tended to care for nothing but themselves. They would do anything, in their means, to establish what they wanted. And more often then not, that was more knowledge, more power.

From the first time she dawned on the Black robes, people avoided her as if she carried the plague. Mothers turned away their children, men avoided her gaze, or boldy glared at her, waiting until she was far enough away, to start their rumored whispering.

So, for this fae, as it was now clear of his race, to speak not only to her, but so casually, as if he were not afraid of her at all, both intruged her and annoyed her. At her small 5'2 height, she wasn't exactly a threatening appearing woman, but the robes and staff of Elements should have been enough to set him on edge.

She was torn between being greatful for the gesture of friendship, if one could call it that, and giving the man reason enough to act as everyone else had. However, upon his mention of those behind them, Magi had other thing's to worry about. She couldnt' detect a weapon on this man, thus he really wasn't of any concern to her. The worst he could do was cause her to lose her way within the Forgotten Forest.

"Well, child, what say we get moving then. I care little to be sidetracked before I can sit and quench my thirst."

She paused, looking up to him. He was frail, tall, but tiny. She didnt' quite see him as a threat, then again Magi had the habit of underestimating people, alive or otherwise. With her left hand gripping the Staff of Elements, Magi used it as a walking stick, and began moving towards the Village once more.

It wouldn't take long at all to reach the Tavern, since Magi could already see the outlines up ahead through the break in the trees. Well, not exactly the outline of the Tavern itself, but the many shadows of the buildings. Things were just too closely crammed together to make out which was what. The only things that one could tell right off the bat was the beautiful white stoned castle, and the shabby looking Tower.

She travelled in silence, never being one to talk when conversation wasn't needed. Besides, what was she to say to the stranger that looked weak enough to snap in half, but had proclaimed he would protect her. The corners of Magi's lips twitched again, as she remembered this silently. Protect her, indeed.. Perhaps she could convince him to buy her a drink. After all, Magi work wasn't exactly raking in the coin.

“Okay,”

he brightly agreed, lifting his shoulder from the oak and turning to walk abreast of her at least as much as the forest allowed. Indeed he had no weapon nor even a shoe to throw, his bare feet touched lightly to the ground and the black shirt and pants – fabric of no human make, of cottonwood fluff and spider’s silk – hung loosely from his frame but not so much it would seem there was anywhere a weapon could hide. There was a slight spring in his step as one might expect from an excited child, and too, like a child, he nearly stumbled over his own feet but moments after they had set out from the village. He giggled slightly, unabashed, uttering,

“Yise,”

which, by inflection and context, she might guess was equivalent of ‘oops’. Sweeping locks of dark hair that shined alternately red, blue and green as the angle of moonlight filtering through the forest changed, he inadvertently exposed for a moment a lacewing-like ear. Thereafter he was more careful to watch his own footfalls and stepped daintily around fallen pinecones and outstretched roots that might threaten his diminished kinesthetic sense. After several moments of silence had been allowed to pass, he asked,

“Have you a name? Ani gave his…”

He smiled and chanced a glance toward her and then toward the buildings looming ahead of them, then focused again on his feet.[/color]

[:: Pandie ::]

~Tracing the rough path of the people nearby, it wasn't hard to eventually find the outskirts of the village, the abundance of life almost announcing itself with an exploding scoreboard to him, such was the nature of the hunger and the senses that came with being such as he was. He wore a bemused expression for a time, imagining Valorie making a sales pitch - please, please oh fickle fate, let him see that one day, it would be too much to ever miss out on, taking time to imagine all the variations of her sales pitch, which likely involved a scowl and a threat of bodily harm for not buying. The question had been asked though, and as it had been responded to, he may as well carry on with the enquiry.~

Books you say? What kind of books exactly. Heh,,,Well, there's nothing wrong with plotting so long as you accept the realities of it - plot, by all means, more power to you if you pull it off. But, at least take the consequences of failure with dignity, it's especially sad to see the way some of these types, human and otherwise, will grovel and simper their way out of things on occasion. Anyway, I was asking about the books... Do you sell them from your home? I can imagine that would make things a little more challening with your sunny disposition so hidden by dark rooms and corners; you should get out there a little more, make the sales pitch, show them your endearing people skills, no?

~He smiled after a fashion, more of a smirk as he tipped his head to her a little, extending the banter that bit longer while they strolled, his attention coming back to the village again as he pondered idly and then smiled a little conspiratorially, looking back to her again as he asked the question with a degree of casualness that rivalled something like 'do you like the colour green?'~

So.... Do you prefere a particular kind of person to sate your hunger? I realised I never asked, and have never been with you when you are indulging in a meal...

[/b][/u][/center]

What kind? Why all kinds of course. Spell and fantasy, even kinds that will make a virgin blush and....well, let's leave the vivid images to your imagination. I have the innocent kind as well. My home? Why, pray tell, would I ever want some sniffling and smelly human in my home? No, I travel with my books..in a way...

~Chuckling she was well aware that she hadn't fully answered any of his questions to any full extent. Eyes lingering on the village ahead of them she almost wanted to change her mind, to turn and walk the other direction. Instead she didn't pause, though her nose wrinkled a bit, her anger deepening briefly as she walked. His next question did catch her off guard, despite the casual way he said it. Apparently she didnt' hang around her own kind enough. Raising a brow she tilts her head slightly as she glances at him, watching him for a time before shaking her head, raising her should and asking her own question in return, watching the two before them enter the village before they would follow.~

People have favorites? That's news to me. It's always more fun if you can have a bit of a trial but it tastes pretty the same no?

[/color]

Magi's pace wasn't nearly as energetic as the young man that accompanied her through the forest, but she held her own. She was quite content to walk in silence, her attention split three ways; between the man that accomapnied her, the travellers behind her, and the forest that surrounded them all.

When he did speak, Magi couldn't help but turn her eye's towards him. Instint, really. Facing forward once more, using the Staff of Elements to make a path through the treelimbs, Magi gave the same aswer she gave to the Leut. earlier. The same answer she gave to everyone.

"I am known as magi. That is what you may call me."

Even though she had repeated that same sentence many times over, it never seemed to sound monotoned. Soft spoken, yes. Difficult to hear, perhaps but never dull. Magi actually took quite pride in the fact that people had a nickname for her that wasn't impolite, even if it was not her own.

"Do be careful, child. I have not the strength to cart you to a healer should you fall and break your pretty little head."

Ducking the last branch, Magi blew out a breath she hadn't been aware she'd been holding the last few steps. She made it, once again, through the Forgotten Forest. Perhaps the master of the Tower that controlled said forest wasn't as tough as rumored to be. Or perhaps, her god had been looking out for her. Pr, even still, perhaps the scrawny little boy had protected her just as he proclaimed to be able to do. Either way, it was a trip she was glad she didn't have to make again any time soon.

"What are you doing here in Tranquility, child?"

A random question, but the black robed mage felt she had to say something. After all, tonight she had stumbled across more people within the Forgotten Forest then she ever had before. Not that she travelled there much, but it was called the Forgotten Forest for a reason, was it not? Perhaps they would soon have to be renamed, for clearing with the construction of the new Market Place, many others would soon find the forest.

Magi blinked her eye's slowly, drawing her attention back to where it belonged, here in the present. She may very well be out of the Forgotten Forest danger path, but it wasn't wise to drop one's guard now. Then again, Magi is always suspicious. Perhaps that is how she's survived in this world thus long. Not that dawning the black robes helped it any.

Even now, she could see a few strangers take notice of her. The energy people waste hating and even fearing that which they do not understand was a mystery that irritated the black robed mage. Energy better spent on more important things.

That giggle issued forth again as she referenced a fragility he did not have,

“Ani no break,”

he told her with a quick glance at her before he focused again on his own feet,

“Not from falling, no, no…”

he shook his head a little, seemingly amused by the prospect of actually getting hurt by something so mundane.

“Doing?”

he asked as though that question was just as strange, his thin dark brows arching. As they emerged from the shade of the trees, his skin took on a soft glow, like moonbeams itself stretched into a translucent covering for his slight, angular figure.

“Ani was…”

he paused as there was not an English word for what he was doing,

“Touching…”

his inflection told that he knew the word was wrong,

“Feeling..? Sharing with the forest…”

He settled on that word, it seemed closest to what he wanted to say and smiled because of it.

“Trees here very old…”

he said, spinning around to look at them inhumanly fast but also nearly unbalancing again for this form was not meant to move like that.

“Have much to say…”

he smiled bright, transferring his gaze to her as he now walked backwards, though the movement was a bit ungainly.

“Now Ani is sharing with Magi… yes?”

he grinned slightly. Just before he might have tumbled backwards, he spun back around to walk correctly and picked his way carefully over the stones littering the road onto which they crossed. He giggled, glancing toward the few people out so late: one would think their stares and whispers ought to be directed to the creature that screamed otherworldly… that could not even be mistaken for elfin, so obviously of the fair folk… But then again, maybe they did not see him at all? Though it was less likely for people to over look him when he had taken this form… then again, maybe they cast glamour over him with their disbelief, made him normal to their eyes.

Magi listened, not really caring what the tall little man had to say. At least, at first. But the more he messed up his sentence, the more he sought the right words to express what he wanted to say, the more it drew Magi in. When he finally finished his small speech, Magi actually had a genuine smile on her face.

"Yes, Ani. Sharing with Magi."

How odd, that this strange being could make her smile. The only thing's that seemed to make Magi smile these days were power, magic and knowledge. And, of course, the rare pleasure of bating people into arguementive dicussions.

Her pace slowed to a stop, and she crained her head upward, causing the black folds of her cloak hood to slip from their previous position snugly atop her head. Her appearance wasn't anything remarkable, cept for the small fact that she looked younger then what her voice and posture gave the illusion of.

Above them, the marketplace. Suddenly, Magi didn't much feel like a drink. All she wanted to do now was get to the Inn, and snug herself away for the last few hours of the evening. Turning to face her companion, Magi actually nodded her head, the closest she ever got to bowing in respect to anyone.

"It has been a pleasure, Ani. Thank you for escorting a old woman such as myself."

Alright, so she wasn't really old. Not in human years, and most certainly not in his years, but it seemed the thing to say. Magi wasn't very good at this whole conversation thing. Nor had she ever met someone whom didnt' come to her wanting something or another. For this reason, the black robed mage's hand escaped the many folds of cloth once more. Within her fingertips, a single coin. This, she offered to her escort.

"For your time, child."

[/b][/u][/center]

He grinned as she confirmed, as she bared the slightest bit of herself with that smile, his black eyes fixed upon her for an abnormally long moment as though seeing deeper than her face. That childish giggle spilled forth as she called herself old, but he did not contradict her. He held up his long-fingered hands to show her his palms,

“Ani has no use for… coin,”

he had to think of the world.

“If Magi wishes thank Ani, Magi says Ani can share again with her?”

his brow lifted hopefully, actually rocking slightly on the balls of his feet. The writer takes the liberty of assuming she agree and thus Anian actually bounced, turning himself in a full circle and showing her a grin when again he faced her.

“Good dreams, Magi…”

he said, though she had never actually told him she was seeking rest. He lifted his hands again, palms toward her, and moved his fingers toward his palm and then up again several times in a strange version of a wave. Never giving a possible time he might seek her out again, for the fae could never bind himself thus, Anian bounded away and would seem to vanish as he passed through the shadow of a building on the way back to the forest, though in truth he really just shrank to his normal form.

((Rp Finished for the Night. Ani and Magi retire, Val and Nat paused.))