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 Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:17 am
In one of the deep more abandoned areas of the forest there was a clearing that let the light shine through the otherwise dark and foreboding foliage. This particular clearing had been claimed as one of Bane's many gardens of poison. This one was a favorite of his though, no one ever came this way so he felt safe to put his more delicate works of art. The clearing was overflowing with plants that were as beautiful as they were deadly. Some even the slight p***k of their thorns would kill a man almost instantaneously. Each and every last one of the plants were hybrids Bane had created and were seen no where else in the forest. Bane seemed to be immune to his hybrids which he was thankful for it got annoying taking antidote all the time when taking care of his plants. Bane had moved himself to this portion of the forest for a reason today. Not that he needed an excuse to visit his favorite garden but if he did a good one would be spotting Emrys. He had been snooping around one of Bane's gardens. Did he know Bane was alive? Was he looking for him? What had led him to a place so far away from his precious village that he and Bane had come from? The thought of facing Emrys was not something Bane could accept. Not so much actually seeing him but to admit what he truly felt about seeing his childhood friend again after so many years. Bane turned from the sorrow he was feeling and used it instead to feed the rage and insanity that was already in him. He stormed along the path feeling rather violent wishing he had someone to take his rage out on. He spoke to himself in a hushed growl asking the same questions over and over. It felt like nothing was going to calm him from his fevered dementia. That is until he reached his garden their voices called out to him. Each one knowing how much he cared about them. Bane felt thankful he was a druid and could communicate with them. They were his family the only ones he could truly stand to be around for he never felt anything but happiness in their presence. He smiled and made his way to check on each on everyone, ridding one of them of a pesky bug that thought it would get away with eating the plant. Bane was now in a completely different mindset, calm, collected, and could even be called sane. Once he had finished tending to the garden he climbed high into a near by tree to rest and listen to the sounds of the forest putting his soul at ease and helping him to forget his past once more.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 2:06 am
The oddly haired Druid stared at the plant.
The plant stared right back at the Druid, cocking its leaves in a manner that could only be provoking.
Keiskei couldn’t believe that a plant was fighting him. Sure, he had picked a few leaves off of it and may have overdone so. Verdant green eyes peered back to the plant looking a bit balder than he’d earlier admitted. Okay, so he might have been a wee bit out of line there. But it was a plant…it was meant to be plucked.
“You’re a plant. You’re meant to be plucked.” He stated.
It merely looked at him, long vine-like tendrils filled with poisonous fluids curling around its base irritably. ‘I’m not even yours.’ It finally stated after, what felt to Keiskei as an infinitely long and tedious amount of time.
Oh. That’s a surprise.
The wild and beastly patch of forest he’d found himself in had been nigh almost impossible to find. Somewhere between nowhere and irredeemably lost was his current location. Keiskei was almost sure he was going to be horribly lost for at least a while before being able to come home. Nunna was definitely going to be a little put out with him. If he was unlucky, he’d have to tend to the clinic for one solid week. Ugh. He hated doing clinics! Patients were such a bother!
‘You done getting lost in that big head of your flower-Druid?’ the plant mocked him, spiny tendrils seemingly growing larger in front of his eyes with its counterparts around it seemingly using their tendrils to loom about him and fairly bristling with ill intent.
Hm. Never seen plants do that before.
“So who do you then belong to plant?” Keiskei rebutted. No way was he loosing an argument with a plant! It was a plant for Gaia’s sake! He’d loose the little self-respect he had.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 2:32 am
The plant seemed to take a moment to turn to its counterparts before turning back to Keiskei. A hushed whisper seemed to spread through them catching like wildfire from one poisonous plant variety to another stretching far back through the clearing. They seemed to be saying a name over and over but it was almost to obscure to understand since they were saying a jumbled mix of Bane's real name and the one he went by. It took a bit for their whispers to reach Bane who had fallen to sleep in the trees arms. When he finally heard them he woke with a start looking down at his plants. Something had to be wrong they never woke him from a nap. He moved swiftly and silently down from the tree unsure of what was going on. The clearing was large so he did not see Keiskei from here but he could tell something was off and he wasn't alone. One of the plants spoke to Bane to tell him that there was a stranger plucking leaves from the Whiproot flower. This was all the info Bane needed to be set back into a fit of rage. Drawing his dagger he moved swiftly through the plants. Using them as cover as he barreled towards Keiskei. The plant Keiskei had been talking to seem to move quickly revealing Bane as he pounced towards the other Druid. Intending to pin him to the ground and raise the dagger to his throat. What he would do past that not even Bane knew but really it was going to be up to Keiskei how this whole ordeal would pan out.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 2:46 am
The plants seemed to be in agitation. Leaves were rustling, tendrils unfurling, blossoms closing and spikes seemingly becoming sharper right if front of him. It also seemed like they were vocalizing something. A name perhaps? But all the joined voices were drowning out any coherency in the chorus of fenzy.
Suddenly, as if in slow motion, a wide section of the snarling wall of thorny plants parted to reveal another Druid seemingly intent on barreling Keiskei down, with a rather sharp dagger poised, no doubt, for the kill shot.
Oh Gaia, he was so skewered.
Spazzing out mentally, and panicking more than a bit. Keiskei quickly tried to think of anything and everything that could in anyway defend himself. The other Druid was coming on quick and he really had not much time to think about it. He threw whatever clump of poisonous ingredients he’d collected in his sleeve-pockets at the raging being heading his way and then threw himself on the ground, arms covering his head and all the while babbling almost endlessly.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to but well you know it was in the middle of the forest and there were no property lines and no names and signs posted anywhere and you know the forest is sort of public property I mean how was I to know anyone owned it and the plant didn’t say anything until I plucked it and now it’s blaming me I mean what kind of plant is such a meany---“ and on and on while cowering like a little frightened squirrel on the ground.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:34 am
Bane bared over Keiskei and growled holding the dagger in a threatening way and yet he looked curious. One of the ingredients the other druid had picked was one that there was no way to touch it without being poisoned by it. He seemed to ignore the druids babbling as he picked up that particular leaf. Bane seemed to study it for a moment before his yellow eyes found Keiskei again. The plants around them seemed to be excited not much ever happened in this part of the woods. They were getting quite noisy and Bane suddenly hissed and they quieted down immediately. "You speak like people of the cities." Bane growled leaning in to meet Keiskei eye to eye. "Signs, property lines, owning plants? What manner of druid are you? I own no plants these are my family. Why did you not just ask the plant if you could pick it in the first place? I know well the whiproot flower would have told you no." It would be obvious now that these plants were used to being treated a certain way by Bane. He treated them like they were on the same level or one higher then humans. "I was just going to dispatch with you I do not tolerate anyone harming them...but you are lucky to have won my curiosity." Bane said putting away the dagger, but he seemed never the less threatening with it gone. Bane held up the leaf he had picked up from the ground earlier. "How did you manage to touch the Yarrow tongue plant without its poisons killing you? I designed it so it could not even be touched without someone dying from it." He tilted his head in a curious manner as he awaited the frighten druid's answer.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:52 am
Keiskei waited for his fate still curled up in a defensive position though his babbling had soon ended and faded into tense silence as the other Druid suddenly quieted the plants around them.
A few moments passed, and you could feel the tension growing heavy within the clearing.
Peeking up and slowly lowering his arms to a less defensive posture, Keiskei blinked and suddenly found his gaze riveted by curiously golden eyes. He blinked again as the other started to accuse him of not being a proper Druid.
He mentally traveled back to his upbringing and realized that aside from being raised by a Witcheater who was no doubt very much a city folk sort, his Druid clan really never did accept them as belonging to them entirely. Even with his casual helping out at the ‘Clinic’. Keiskei found himself wondering if he was more a part of Nunna than a real Druid after all.
Sensing the waves of anger albeit tempered with curiosity focused his way; Keiskei licked his suddenly very dry lips and settled into a sitting position. Gosh, it must have been terribly rude of him to pluck those leaves but he’d gotten terribly used to having the plants around him agreeing to his bidding he’d totally forgotten to ask. Where were his manners, really? Nunna would no doubt be scolding his a** right now as much as whomever this guy was.
Feeling the intensity of the stare increasing, Keiskei tuned in to the question. Now there was something he could answer very well. Clearing his throat, a little too dry from the close call, Keiskei answered.
“I’m immune to any and all poisons.” He explained.” Actually it’s sort of my ability you see. I can control almost all aspects of poisons—even make myself equally as poisonous as anything I encounter.” The petal-haired Druid stopped, realizing something, “Wow. You crossbreed plants to become more poisonous? WOW! That's…wow!” Wide-eyed, Keiskei looked up into golden eyes, and felt wonder and admiration blossom in his chest.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 12:25 pm
Bane moved back from Keiskei a bit with a curious look. Bane's motions were more like an animal then a human really. Likely an after affect of being around them and plants more then humans. This druid seemed to be lost in thought a lot which Bane was guilty of himself at times, most times actually. He was starting to get tired of waiting for an answer when the other finally spoke. Now that answer was indeed a very interesting thing to Bane. Someone he could not affect or kill with his poisons, he wasn't sure rather to be excited by this or pissed of that he couldn't poison this man. What really made him more curious is the fact that Keiskei said he could make himself poisonous. Did that mean Bane could use his blood like a poison? Bane closed the gap between them again ignoring all concept of personal space. This was one of Bane's places so he could do what he wanted here. Bane inspected the druid's...hair? It was more like petals and there was a sweet natural smell coming off them. Was that the part this male could make poisonous about himself? Bane blinked as though the druid's last statement had finally caught up with him. "Yes....all in this clearing is my work....my more fragile yet no less deadly plants are grown here. We've never had a visitor before, most avoid this part of the forest because its very easy to get lost in if you do not know it. Which is what I might assume has happened to you. Now....what to do with you." Bane growled locking eyes with Keiskei he didn't like the druid to know about this place. Despite his curiosity over the other male he couldn't trust him. Bane wouldn't trust anyone easily it wasn't in his nature. Bane drew the dagger again but seemed to be playing with it more then getting ready to use it for the moment. "If I ask the plants what to do I know their answer already....but to be sporting what do you think I should do with you flower headed druid?" Bane smiled wickedly his eyes seeming to betray his ill intent towards the other.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 12:43 pm
Keiskei eyed the other Druid warily. He really was on a tight rope this time. Nunna would be horribly disappointed in him if he came home in pieces.
The petal-haired Druid watched the dark haired man prowl around the clearing like a lithe predator and thought a little wistfully that he could possess even a smidgeon of that man’s grace. Keiskei was rather tall, even for a Druid, but he’d never quite grown into his limbs and continued to be painfully awkward even until now. Something the others in his small Druid enclave never stopped pointing out.
Keiskei suddenly gasped and couldn’t help but draw back as suddenly the other Druid drew in frighteningly close and seemed to be—yes, sniffing him. Okay. Now the other was sure to find out that he smelled like a girl, sissy little girls with their flowery perfumes. No manly musky smell from him. Keiskei couldn’t help wincing. This never boded well.
When the other began to explain about the wondrous patch of deadly forest he had accidentally found himself in. The green-eyed Druid couldn’t help but run his gaze around the flora surrounding them again. Marveling at species he’d never encountered before. Truly amazing!
Keiskei blinked again, and licked his lips a little nervously as the man brought out the dagger again. Oh. Damn. He’s going to kill me. Killed for plucking a plant. How sad would that be? What?
I get to decide my fate? Really?
The robed Druid couldn’t stop the feeling of hope from growing in his chest.
“Ah…” He hesitantly began, “I have some gold? If not, some goods to barter in payment or…I could always work it off with something else?” Keiskei smiled a little tensely.
Oh Gaia, he was in such trouble. Lost in the middle of the woods. No one knew exactly where he was. No help coming….Damn.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:11 pm
Bane both enjoyed the fact that the other was showing clear fear of him, but deep down it reminded him why he was alone. He didn't belong around others because he could rarely control how he acted. It was rather surprising to Bane that he had not killed this man already. The flower scent did not mean the same thing to Bane as it might to others. If anything it made Keiskei more interesting to him. Though he liked the smell of poisonous plants better. Plant smells of any kind coming off a humanoid put Bane at more ease with Keiskei. Bane spat at the mention of gold he had no use of it. He had what he needed and the things he didn't have he would steal simple as that. Goods could be interesting but what could this druid have that Bane couldn't get himself. Bane couldn't think of anything the other could do for him. Well....he was attractive and it had been a long long time since Bane had had some fun but he wasn't about to suggest that. Besides that was not the answer Bane was looking for from the other. "You want me to kill you don't you? Least that is what I can gather from your answer. You hurt one of my children, does a parent take payment in return or revenge? Likely revenge. Which if you listen, that is exactly what my pets are asking for. I'm offering you a way out though and this is only because I'm sorely curious about you. So I'll ask once more what should I do with you druid? Give me a reason not to kill you. If you can figure out what I cannot then you have a chance of walking away from this." Bane said a slight psychotic on his face this was getting fun in Bane's mind. Trying to lead this druid to say the right things to save him from Bane's dagger.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:31 pm
Keiskei could feel the bead of sweat making it’s way down his back. He carefully adjusted the glasses on his face with a shaking hand as he sensed that the other seemed to be enjoying his discomfort. It was more than a miracle the man hadn’t gutted him yet.
It was odd though that when the man sniffed his hair, he seemed to be a little bit less tense than he’d started out with. Huh. Maybe his annoyingly perfumed head would help him for once in his short life.
Oh. Oh crap! Okay so gold was certainly not in the agenda. Bartering was thrown right out the window following that. Keiskei sweated and swore inwardly. What else did he have? His body? He doubted the Druid would like anything to do with that…it was much too scrawny to work any decent jobs…maybe gardening? He looked at the plants around him and found them practically dripping with malicious intent his way – maybe not.
What he didn’t want the guy to kill him! That would be absurd! Keiskei was trying his best here. Give him a little credit for trying!
Keiskei adjusted his glasses again nervously and found his eyes darting around trying to look for escape routes and thinking furiously on his reply. He was never good at reading people but by the rather psychotic look gracing the other Druid’s face…nothing good was going to come of this for him no matter what he did.
The green-eyed Druid, gulped. What could he want? What did he have to offer? Oh wait…think about it stupid! He was in the middle of the forest filled with poisonous plants! Keiskei darted a look about again and used the senses gifted to him by the warm beating pulse of magic that lived within him and touched the plants around the area. Yes, all of them were poisonous. Very poisonous. A lot more poisonous actually and that was certainly a common ground there. Maybe even a bargaining chip.
“A reason!” Keiskei almost spluttered out, “I have it! I mean, you see, ah –“ The petal-haired Druid swallowed almost irritated by his own inadequacy, “ I think you’re, uhm, fascinated by plants and poisons right?” He asked rhetorically and pushed on with his plea, “I’m poison? Sort of like a plant? And uhm…I’m really good with poisons? And plants? And ah…..I can make really great poisons?---even make you poisonous? Wait. That would kill you. Ah….yeah….he he he” Oh great Gaia he was so so so very dead. Where was the brilliant potions mind his Nunna was always bragging about when he needed it?
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 2:34 pm
Bane grinned a toothy and amused look to Keiskei. He could smell the scent of fear on the other coming off in waves mixed with the flower scent coming from his head. He idly twirled the dagger in his hand wondering why the other had made no move to attack Bane first. He was giving him every opportunity to do so, or for him to run for that matter. Both would be the wrong choice, Bane would no doubt over power him or out run him. So it was rather good that Keiskei was keeping still for the most part. He moved into a cross legged position as he stared at Keiskei waiting for a better answer then he had been given before. He didn't mind giving the other time to think after all there wasn't anything else for him to do other then gut this guy and go back to sleep. Bane blinked like he had been in a daze when Keiskei finally spoke. Staring at him silently for a few moments Bane broke out into sudden laughter. He put the dagger away if nothing else this druid was amusing to him and could prove useful either for entertainment or poison mixing. While Bane could make the plants himself he was no potion genius. "We will let you live on a trial basis shall we?" Bane said still laughing and getting to his feet. Moving to cue at the plant Keiskei had been plucking before. "Just ask before you pluck there are other ways to extract poison you know." Bane said as his hands moved over the plant his magic growing leaves on the plant where they had been plucked. "Oh and tell anyone about me or any of my gardens and I will hunt you down and gut you." Bane growled flashing his yellow eyes back to Keiskei. He then smiled it was obvious this man was a very volatile subject. "By the way my name is Bane what can I call you flower head?" Bane was known a bit among some druids as an outcast that was not to be trusted. Rather Keiskei had heard about him was up in the air, but sometimes he got a kick out of his name proceeding him.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 2:57 pm
Keiskei eyed the toothy grin in trepidation and couldn’t help but follow the twirling dagger with his eyes. He really should have tried harder to escape really. Fighting hadn’t even entered his thoughts because the man was seriously radiating danger and Keiskei couldn’t even fight off that one pissy fowl that Nunna wanted him to harvest eggs from….and running, with how his luck was going. He’d probably trip and fall flat on his face. Wait…why didn’t he poison the man? Keiskei you’re such a stupid stupid fool! One of these days he’d have a good sit down with his instincts and give them a major overhaul.
The evil villain of poisonous plants laughed. Wow, okay he has a really nice laugh. The petal-haired Druid couldn’t help but feel a shiver crawl down his spine. Fear. Probably. He reasoned to himself.
What trial basis? – Was he some kind of test product or something? Return if defective. Argh! The nerve of the guy! And…Keiskei knew 10- NO! 20 different ways to extract poison from plants just on the top of his head! The Druid fumed silently.
Keiskei couldn’t help but glare a bit at the guy and hoping deeply in his gut the man wouldn’t take offense at his behavior. It wasn’t like he was going to tell anyone. Really. He was probably the only one even interested in the stupid yet annoyingly interesting garden. Bane? Really? What kind of name was that? Keiskei huffed to himself. Probably something to make himself more intimidating, the Druid reasoned.
“Stop calling me flower head!” Keiskei couldn’t help but grouse out. Some nicknames should never be tolerated. Flower head happened to be an old and much hated nickname from his childhood. “And my name is Keiskei……uh, Bane.” His courage failing him that last part, making his voice crack a little high pitched.
Oh the horrors. Maybe Bane should just kill him now from embarrassment.
Red flushed the Druid’s cheeks, reaching all the way down his open chest.
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 3:54 pm
It was probably a good thing Keiskei didn't try to poison him it was hard to tell what would work and what wouldn't. He wasn't immune to everything but there was a great deal that he was immune to and an aggressive act towards Bane was a bad idea. Bane wasn't a name he had given himself, it was one he had adopted. Others he had run ins with had decided to call him that for some reason or another. With his want to erase his past a new name was needed anyways so why not Bane? Bane turned to look at Keiskei taking an almost flirtatious stance. "Don't get your petals in a bunch I had no name to call you before...I'll call you Keiskei from now on." He placed his hands on his hips looking down at Keiskei. "Do you want me to help you up or do you prefer to stay on the ground like cornered prey?" Bane mocked before offering his hand to Keiskei. "I suppose you'll want my help back to where ever you came from too won't you?" Bane said with a fake annoyed voice. It was good for him to spend time with humanoids every once and awhile.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 6:26 am
Keiskei could feel his eyebrows drawing together in consternation. The Druid called Bane was treating him like some pawn he played in a game. Inwardly Keiskei was really and truly frightened but he just couldn’t let the other think he was only all meek puppy all too willing to show his underbelly to an alpha wolf. The green-eyed Druid thought to himself that maybe, somehow, he might be able to slip a little Alprazolam into the other’s system and maybe add some Lithium into the mix. He certainly seemed to need it and maybe even help stabilize the erratic mood swings.
“….Keiskei is my name you know.” The Druid pouted thought still wary and tense enough to flee at a moment’s notice, “Not because you decided to call me Keiskei.”
Green eyes then focused on the hand being offered in front of him. It was his chance! Slowly and acting like he was considering the proposition deeply, Keiskei concentrated the tiniest flicker of his magic to coat the top most skin cells on the palm-side of the hand he’d use to clasp Bane’s offered one and infuse the cells with about 1mg of Alpazolam. The unique thing about his ability was the fact that it was basically such a minute amount of change that normally another Druid or Witch who wasn’t actually sensing for it would never realize he’d done anything. The drug would diffuse into the other’s bloodstream as soon as touch was initiated without feeling like anything would change. Maybe with the Alprazolam in his system, the other would be a bit calmer. He certainly could use calm that was for sure.
Looking up, he pursed his lips and took the other’s hand.”Ah…uhm, thanks for the hands up.” Keiskei tried to smile willingly, but winced as fear still somehow made his voice tremble. ”You don’t need to show me the way out. I’m still a Druid after all….and ah, Forest Lore is still in our blood?” Green eyes looked away.
Usually the drug started working about fifteen minutes after, if taken orally but Keiskei had infused it directly into his blood…probably about five to seven minutes. Maybe he should have poisoned the man, but Keiskei didn’t really like killing anything if he could help it and currently, he just wanted to go home in one piece.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:27 pm
Bane smiled he was pretty good at reading emotions. He could tell Keiskei had realized how much Bane liked to toy with people. Jerking them from left to right never making his true intentions clear. Or his favorite displaying one thing when he meant another. "Just because its your name doesn't mean people will choose to call you that. You should be thankful I've chosen to honor your real name instead of giving you a new one." Bane said with a sudden serious look on his face. Bane's eyes widen not sure what had just happened, but the other druid had just done something to Bane. s**t! He had let his guard down way to much and if this was a poison he was unfamiliar with it which meant he likely didn't have the cure for it and would have to hope he was immune. Bane's grip tightened around Keiskei's hand. "You b*****d! I decide to let you live and this is how you repay me? What did you just do?!" He let go of Keiskei's hand and seemed to want to go for his dagger, but he didn't want to kill him if he needed an antidote. And yet he could feel something going on in him. He just didn't understand the change that he was feeling. He felt rather betrayed in away or at least disappointed that he let the tables turn like this.
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