:[ PLOT ]: Mystics in the Forest (Criofan & Kurt)

[Seiana_ZI]

It seemed every time he ventured very far towards the City or into the Loka Nei Forest ... Jungle, he ran into someone he didn't want to deal with. In the Loka Nei Forest, it had been Pandora, who still gave Criofan the occasional shiver. In the City, he seemed to be running into people lately whom he was okay ignoring as a part of his life at all--Amapola, most significantly.

Growing up did not necessarily mean he wanted to deal with people that he wasn't fond of beyond the necessity.

Criofan was always at least somewhat mobile, though. In his mission to gather more treasure, he could never be stationary, especially if he were to stop himself from ever needing access to his main horde in order to keep his family well-fed, stable, and housed. There was one place where he was almost positive none of the people he wished to avoid were that often, or a place that was not infested with weird women who could jump on stags and literally rip their necks out...

The leprechaun faerie shuddered.

That was how he had ended up flying into the Ithyl Forest, a much quieter forest that had formed on the other side of the Mereth Falls. Today, he was looking for anything that seemed to be out of the ordinary. He had not come this way terribly often, but honestly, that just meant it was a whole new area to find mysterious, undiscovered things in.

The promise of something he had not once seen was something that immediately excited Criofan, and further he dove into the wooded areas, heading in any direction that he felt a strong tug towards. The sixth sense he had gained about him had most certainly been useful for these explorations. He was not entirely sure how he had managed so well without the sensations he was able to get now with just a bit of concentration.

EvilSilverDragon

 

[EvilSilverDragon]

Naiads lived in the water most times and left on occasion. He had learned that much of a race that was brand new last he was awake. So the first step to finding one was to find water. Believing that there would be a large majority in the main bodies of water, he instead went for the smaller areas. It had been his logic that smaller ponds would hold less naiad but would still have them.

If he went somewhere small, he reasoned, it would give him a chance for a one on one. Shrugging his blanket pack higher on his shoulders, the blue angel made his way up to the slime pond. He didn't know its name but knew it was there.

Bundled warmly, he still shivered at the cold. This was a tropical island! Grumbling a little, he broke through the tree line and looked right at the pond. Should he have brought a fishing pole? Perhaps it was a bit late to wonder about that, the pae thought to himself as he edged to the water's service to investigate.

Seiana_ZI

 

[Seiana_ZI]

Criofan's sense eventually lead him to what seemed to be a clearing in the woods.

This place felt like something so familiar, though last he knew, the Fae Clearing was located in the Loka Nei Forest and did not contain a small, oddly clear pond. Criofan stopped when he entered the area, body relaxing as he realized he may have been closer to home than he realized.

Still, he didn't see any overt treasures here, and that troubled Criofan. His sensation had felt particularly strong but--hm, did it really matter? This was nice, too. There did not seem to be much of anyone here and Criofan loved being able to relax almost as much as his brother Magnus.

(That was a lie, Magnus tended to take it overboard.)

He kept a small distance between him and the pond, not immediately approaching as much as it felt like he should. That was ... mostly because he had spotted other people by the shores already. There was a grey-blue angel with some starburst patternings he could see in the distance, peering over the water's edge. Did he see something of interest underneath the surface? If the angel saw something interesting, perhaps it was best to let him get it out from there.

Then Criofan could come fetch it afterwards with some simple convincing or slight-of-hand if needed.

Attempting to keep himself out of slight, Criofan leaned against a tree, closing one eye and mostly closing the other, keeping it open just enough to track the blue angel's movements.

EvilSilverDragon

 

[EvilSilverDragon]

Frowning, Kurt leaned over so he could look deeply into the water. Looking for just a Naiad, he ignored anything that didn't fit what he believed he was looking for. At the same time, the pae's survival instincts were monetarily off-line as he had not sense that he had company.

Rather, he focused intently at the task he was trying to accomplish. Putting a hand on the water, just one finger touched the surface. Speaking to the water, he called out, "Hello?" Then he sat back on his heels waiting for a response never taking his eyes off the water. Any minute now an aquatic pae will pop its head out, he was sure of it.

Seiana_ZI

 

[Seiana_ZI]

Was he trying to fall into the water? The only Pae'il he had ever known to crane themselves so far over the edge of anything and not tumble was his own daughter Zaria--

Wait, was he trying to say hello to the water?

Criofan's brows rose in curiosity. Was there someone in there? Did the blue angel see anyone? It was hard to keep his curiosity under wraps, taking all of his want to keep hidden from the blue angel to not just run over there and look into the water himself. If he revealed himself, he would not be in as good of a position to simply swipe the item from the angel later if need be. If he was recognizable, the blue angel might try to get it back.

Of course, if what he saw was another Pae'il, Criofan had little interest in stealing that. With the exception of a few, Pae'il were not treasure. ... There were some treasured Pae'il, though ...

Criofan adjusted a little bit, opening both blue eyes and leaning forward, attempting to get a better look at whomever the angel was calling to.

EvilSilverDragon

:D

Menelie

I think Portia might be interested in this...

 

[EvilSilverDragon]

There was nothing he saw that looked like what he believed a naiad looked like. The lack of a response solicited a heavy sign from the angel. Were the naiad that shy? Or was he way off base trying to locate one in such a small pond?

Running his hand through his blonde hair, the angel shifted his pack so he could get a bit of ration before folding it back up. All that was visible was the alpaca fibers keeping everything he carried safe. With jerked meat, nuts and a few dried berries in hand, he looked at his canteen then back at the water.

To continue the search he'd need to refresh his supplies so he sat fully on his back side and ate a little while opening the canteen. Dipping the item in the water he attempted to draw from the pond.

Seiana_ZI

^-^

 

[Menelie]

Portia had sensed the travelers in her pond's space. It's not a normal occurrence, but normally her pond is so carefully-disguised that anyone would pass it by. Today, though? The moon is still full, and her pond refuses to let its beauty be concealed. It shines with a silver luster that is obviously special and otherworldly. There's no way that anyone wouldn't notice it. So when the Pae with the goofy gold ring floating above his head pokes his finger at her pond, Portia reacts explosively.

"THAT IS NOT FOR TOUCHING!" she screeches as she comes flying out of her hut-on-stilts, barreling toward Kurt. She knocks him backwards, bodily, and swats at him with a rolled-up piece of paper with tiny black lettering on it.

:edit: Ouh, a post was made while I was writing!

Portia snatches his canteen away and pours the water back into the pond. Then she tosses it aside, away from her pond. What was with people and trying to drink her pond water?!

EvilSilverDragon

Seiana_ZI

 

[Seiana_ZI]

Criofan was usually pretty observant, but even he wasn't expecting the explosive burst from the house, jumping slightly when the yell hit his ears.

Apparently something was very wrong with touching the silvery waters, from the way that the admittedly gorgeous demon female burst out of the hut with a vengeance, anger flaring in her eyes. At first, he thought she was going to do something worse, like try and kill him with the way she was barreling in, but when she resorted to knocking him down and smacking him silly with what looked like a rolled up piece of paper, Criofan had to bite down on his lip.

That didn't necessarily stop the small, amused sounds that slipped out of his lips anyway.

Apparently the waters were very important to whomever this demon was. Considering how strong the draw felt to him--akin to how the Fae Clearing made him feel, actually--he was not necessarily terribly surprised by her reaction, now that he gave himself a moment to think about it. Perhaps she was guarding something very important, there. That probably meant there was some sort of treasure nearby...

Of course, Criofan didn't exactly want to get whapped by the demon himself, so maybe he shouldn't make any sudden movements. Instead, he would edge a bit closer to the duo, as if he was trying to get a better look at what they were shouting about--

Criofan had to duck a flying canteen in the process.

EvilSilverDragon

Menelie

 

[EvilSilverDragon]

His whole body jerked in a full startle reaction. The food in his hand got thrown haphazardly as the angel had a few seconds to start to get into fight mode before he was knocked completely over. The screech told him something important. He had angered someone, someone loud and not shy in the least. The sudden and uncalled for attack set him into defense mode. With no useable weapons on himself, he was just getting ready to ball up his fist when the attack impacted. Rolling once, he had started to get into fight mode. Righting himself, he stayed crouched low to the ground. Tensed and ready to move at a moment's notice, he just waited for the confusion to clear up.

With a snarl and narrowed eyes, he was ready to defend himself now that he had the femme in his sights. That was until he was hit by the rolled up paper. The anger drained from his face, as well as a few shades of blue. Blinking with utter confusion he did something he'd never be proud of, he shrunk back. Rising a hand to protect his face, he shied back from the bazaar attack. He felt and looked much like the puppy punished for something he didn't know was wrong.

"Miss, I didn't know!" He tried to reason with her, his voice slightly strained. As his attacker was female and not trying to harm him more than baffling the heck out of him and giving him a heart attack, he had no intention of fighting back.

It was then the movement of yellow caught his eye and for a moment he took his eyes off of the attacking vengeance demon to the other figure. It was a fea and that so didn't make his life better. Was he being punished for cutting the branch in the Fea Clearing? Not knowing if he should expect another attack, he stayed tensed and wide eyed, his ego bruised.

Seiana_ZI

Menelie

 

[Menelie]

With Kurt's words, Portia hops to her feet, her entire demeanor changing. "Oh, sorry about that, then," she says, dusting herself off a bit. She puts on a smile, but it comes off slightly more unsettling than welcoming. She doesn't get much interaction with people, but this was her job, after all. Take care of the pond, help people who want visions to see them, then interpret their vision for them.

"If you're interested in a vision, you'll have to wait until nightfall," she says cheerfully, clasping her hands behind her back. "That goes for you too," she says, louder so that the other pae hovering at the edge of the clearing can hear her as well.

"Unless you aren't here for a vision. In which case I don't know what you're here for."

Seiana_ZI

EvilSilverDragon

 

[Seiana_ZI]

A ... vision?

This pond was fascinating. How was it able to give visions? Was it something to do with the very environment he felt in the area?

Now that Criofan had moved closer, he wasn't able to stop himself, deciding to break some more of the distance between himself and the crouching angel and hidden-until-now demon. He needed to know what the fuss was all about with this pond. He didn't see anything readily obvious inside the water from where he stood--well, anything out of the ordinary--but he did note the odd, silvery sheen of the water, and the fact that the feeling continued to remain.

Visions, though? Could this pond give visions? Criofan glanced over to the water. The silvery demon seemed to think it was a strong possibility, but...

Maybe he did find some new treasure.

He'd have trouble possessing this, though.

"This gives visions?" asked Criofan, gesturing over to the water. "I was just here because I was led here ... something drew me this way."

Lying would not be useful to him here. Leaving out some facts? That would be.

EvilSilverDragon

Menelie

 

[EvilSilverDragon]

The smile she used was more unsettling to the angel then the assault moments earlier. It is hard to trust a smile after you were whacked by a piece of paper moments before. Now that she seemed in a better mood, he cautiously backed up a little bit and dusted himself off.

Visions? Looking at the silvery water, it was clearly different but the idea of visions he didn't know what to do with. "I was just looking for naiad, thought a small pond would have fewer number." But he did think they would be there. Glancing at the fae, he was relieved that the male didn't seem to be looking for vengeance, and glad he had stored the item prior to this meeting.

The idea of the visions was deeply intriguing and he looked back at the water again. He wondered just what one would see. Could it be visions of the future? Or maybe it was the past? What he would love to see is finishing his quest with the Guardian's blessing.

Somewhere he caught himself remembering that he did have some decorum. "My name is Kurt." He introduced himself to the two as he awkwardly shifted from foot to foot having a hard time not looking at the water with curiosity.

Seiana_ZI

Menelie

 

[Menelie]

"Naiads? Why would naiads live in ponds? No, they live in the lake," Portia says, pointing in its direction with a sage nod. "Sometimes in the ocean too I think." She turns around and peers into the pond. "Nope. No naiads here." She spies the weird not-pearls.

"Well if you don't want a vision then perhaps I can interest you in these weird things I found?" She kneels down and pulls one out of the water. Perhaps if she gave them something different they'd go away. She holds it out to Kurt. Right. His name was Kurt. "Portia," she says with a nod.

She keeps sort of a side-eye on Criofan. He was led here? By what? She's not sure she trusts him. But then again, she thinks, looking back at Kurt, he hadn't poked at her pond so rudely. She narrows her eyes.

"I'm willing to part with it...for a price." She did still need a string of pearls, after all...

Seiana_ZI

EvilSilverDragon

 

[Seiana_ZI]

The angel was here looking for naiad? Criofan quirked a brow, glancing over to the angel. Either he didn't know much about the naiad or he didn't know much about where they came from. They had that temple thing out in the lake somewhere--he could occasionally see the top of it while flying.

The angel's name was Kurt. Criofan filed that away, along with the demon's name of Portia, in case he needed either later. With how interesting this pond was, it was quite possible he would at least need the second at some later point.

Was she trying to trade them something?

A trade piqued his interest, though he was not sure what he could offer in turn for such an odd-looking pearl. It was almost iridescent in a way that a lot of other pearls he had seen were not. In fact, he had to doubt it was a normal pearl at all. Weren't pearls usually white? He hadn't typically seen one of a silvery color. Of course, noted Criofan, that only made the pearl more valuable.

Criofan distinctly wanted anything valuable.

He was intensely interested in whatever the woman wanted for trade, though she did not seem to be readily mentioning what she wanted. Perhaps he would keep quiet and feel the scene out, see what Kurt was going to offer her before he made his own offer. He didn't want to give up anything more useful than he had to.

... Besides, he didn't have a whole lot on him.

EvilSilverDragon

Menelie

 

[EvilSilverDragon]

Kurt nodded his head once taking the knowledge she gave him about the Naiads. Having never seen one himself, he had no clue where he was supposed to go. Now he knew that his previous methods wouldn't work.

He was at a loss now, what he wanted wasn't there so what did he do now? She had her own answer by reaching into the water and pulling out the weird things she had found. Now seeing them up close, he could tell they weren't something to over look. Before they didn't meet his idea of what he was looking for thus got over looked.

For a few moments he started to reach out to touch one but halted. The memory of how she reacted when he touched her pond still fresh in his head. "What would you like in return, Portia?" While he didn't think he had much of value, the items intrigued him and he was willing to part with just about anything he had to have one.

Menelie

Seiana_ZI