|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:14 pm
Talia waited as Jacob and Tamaro finally reached her at the entrance of the city,
Her lips a full blast smile, as she walked side by side with her saviors.
It was not long after, that thanks to Jacob asking for direction, they arrived at the Hanged Dog.
Jacob looked towards the window and silently they agreed to go in.
It was the young medic who first peered into the place, she tried to look further inside as well but as he pushed through the doors closed behind him.
"Well c'mon Taro...?"
Talia watched as the guards did not let him enter, probably because of his weapons.
She walked over to Tamaro but he was off, a growl escaped her lips as she was now left alone in the entrance.
"Great...just great!"
Talia waited for a while, pacing in front of the place.
She cursed as Tamaro took a while to get back and she started to worry.
"I could go inside..but i don't want to leave him out...what if they don't let him in?"
She was about to go search for her mute companion, when he arrived without the weapons, Talia was about to yell at him for leaving her, but decided otherwise.
"Don't leave me like that! i was worried..."
Talia then walked with Taro into the inn, she first spotted the group because of Aliana.
The girl had a face full of energy and to Talia that was a relief.
Talia walked towards the Table, and looked at Lu who was the closest to her. The silvery haired woman walked up behind her and wrapped her arms around the raven haired beauty, her limbs trembling slightly before pulling back to search the woman's face.
Talia could see the slight bruises Lu had on her face from the bandit "incident" and it angered her slightly, She shot a glace at the bandit with them and quickly had to remind herself that it was not his doing, but his companions.
"I am glad you are safe..." was all Talia spoke to Lu before turning to glare slightly at Aliana.
"You monstrous child! have you any idea how worried i was about you!...i practically made Taro and Jacobs ear's bleed from my constant worrying!"
Talia shook her head and ruffled the young girls hair, a soft smile on her lips.
"I am glad you are safe...Now, tell me who your friend here is." Talia motioned to the bandit, her slight annoyance easily detected.
"And where are those two b*****d mercs?...they abandoned us already?"
Talia watched as a waitress passed by them with a bottle of Ale and with quick fingers she snatched it, and dropped a coin of gold on her tray.
The waitress gave her a once over and just left to the bar again.
"here.." She handed the Ale to Tamaro and Jacob smiling.
"Have a drink...you can have some too Lu"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 4:58 am
Lucrezia had expected a few words of greeting but she had not expected the hearty welcome from Aliana that she received; the younger girl flung her arms around Lucrezia and she was so shocked at the sudden contact with another person that she simply stood there for a moment, but Lucrezia quickly collected herself and awkwardly returned the hug; she was surprised to note that Aliana was almost as tall as she was, she often thought of the girl as a child but it wasn't really the case anymore. When Aliana asked her about her journey to Barro, Lucrezia shrugged off the concern "I'm fine," she said with a crooked grin that never met her eyes "I've just discovered that nature is more difficult for me than any villain."
She was distracted by Ragni's appearance at the table, she nodded when he acknowledged her but her attention was on the piece of parchment that lay on their table "Dragons?" she said, raising an eyebrow in disbelief "What is this? Some kind of joke?" She was skeptical, it had to be some kind of prank conjured up to lead some money hungry fool on a mad hero's quest but a sudden thought told her that she could speak to shadows, so was the idea of dragons really so ridiculous?
Lucrezia snapped out of her thoughts and saw Ragni had left and the bandit had asked them to read him the sign. Lucrezia let Aliana do the talking, as she still wasn't sure if she trusted him despite the trust Ragni and Aliana had in him; after all, Lucrezia wasn't even sure she fully trusted Ragni despite warming up to him over their travels together. Still, the bandit didn't seem that awful "I'm Lucrezia," she said simply to him. She was about to speak to Aliana when arms wrapped around her.
Lucrezia whirled around, her hand on her sword, she wasn't used to being touched and it made her tense, but when she saw it was Talia, the anger evaporated and she awkwardly returned the hug, patting her on the back the way she had with Aliana. She saw Talia's concerned eyes searching her face, and Lucrezia waved her off "I'm fine!" she said, with false brightness; truthfully, she was far from fine but she would deal with the events of the day when she was alone. "What about you?" she questioned Talia "Are you all right?" She nodded to Jacob and the silent boy "And you two?" she asked them, her ghostly cold smile flickering across her face "Did you three come across any danger?"
Lucrezia leaned against the wall as Talia peppered Aliana with questions, Lucrezia was silent again, there was so much to think about, it seemed like when they reached one destination a whole new world of adventure was opening up to them, was this going to keep happening? She accepted the mug of ale Talia offered her and drank it in one swig; it burned her throat but it felt good and it warmed her.
"Well," she said with a nod to the group "I'm hungry and I look frightful so I'll be in my room cleaning up." She began to walk away but stopped and said "Keep me posted on the dragon hunting, I wouldn't mind a crack at it myself." With that said, Lucrezia headed to her room, her sore limbs aching for a hot bath.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 1:09 am
Nox listened what Darius had to say and dropped his arms to his sides. It was obvious that he wouldn't be able to stop Darius from leaving then Alina rushed off before he could say anything to her. Nox looked down, everything was falling apart all the people were leaving.
"What have they ever done for you?" he heard the mistress say to him "Just abandon them like they abandoned you. You do have me after all." he hear the mistress laugh after the last remark and her voice faded away once again. Just then he heard Talia adress him and put her hand on his shoulder she made a crack about leaving them and voiced how she thought he would have chased down Alina by now. Just after Talia stopped talking to him he grabbed his stuff from where it had been. He would probably sell his cot he didn't really need it, but then again it was light enough and didn't take up much room he might just keep it. Once Nox had gotten his things all packed together he began to walk along with Talia and the others they seemed like an odd group: A mute shoemaker, the son of a small town doctor, the blackbelt, and a young silver-haired beauty. Nox couldn't help but remember the old tales of "the four warriors" that saved the world; he chuckled at the thought of these four becoming saviors of the world and gave a small smirk to himself.
Nox remembered the bag of gold he had inside his pack and how his sister had insisted that he take all of the moeny from the family's vault; Nox could only take the gold prices and his sister had accepted it she told him that she must close the dojo completely because even though she knew the style but she couldn't get out of bed let alone teach a class on martial arts. After remembering Nox continued to walk in silence with his hood pulled over his face to hide the burning red-orange color of his eyes and the canine teeth in his mouth that were becoming strangely sharp. As he walked his little bird stayed perched on his shoulder.
A while later...
Nox had been traveling with the group of Talia, Jacob, and Tamaro for most of their journey; it was a little over a day and a half trip from the site of the unfortunate events in the woods and his speech which he deeply regretted. Due to another unfortunate event at night Nox had become separated from his group; he himself would be fine, but he wasn't sure of the others so he had worried about them a bit even though he knew most bandits that inhabited these woods were either long gone, dead, or avoiding any encounters with those from the band of travelers that killed off their brethren. Nox had not spoken much during the journey to Barro while with the others because even though his eyes went back to normal his canine teeth had stayed slightly elongated and sharp; he taught himself to talk around them during his alone time, but still did not want anyone to see them.
At long last Nox arrived in the city a few hours after Talia's group had entered the city. The boy got past the guards easily despite the bow and arrows on his back. Nox took in the sights of Barro; he had been to the city with his father before to pick up gear for the dojo that Orsin Vear blacksmiths couldn't make or that his father couldn't make enough of, but something was much different than his prior visits to the city. It had been nearly ten years since he had come to the town with his father, but the city looked more run-down than ever then Nox realized why. A lot of the buildings had scorch marks on them some even burnt to the ground; someone or something was attacking Barro with fire. After seeing all the destruction Nox made it to where the Hanged Dog was and got past those front gaurds easily as well sometimes his youth had advantages like this. Nox knew that room would already be reserved so he went straight for the tavern part of the inn and after a bit of looking found his companions around a table in the back. Alina was up and hugging people and so was Talia. Nox made his way up to the group and greeted them by putting one arm across Talia's shoulders and the other across Tamaro's and said "Man I need something to drink that includes liquid that gives me bad judgement and slurred speech!" he said this with his head pointed at the floor to hide his fangs. "Hey Taly how did you guys manage without me?" Nox smiled a bit to himself after remembering the nickname he gave to Talia when he was a small child. Although Nox had made his journey alone he wasn't actually completely alone because the little sparrow that he adopted had stayed with him the entire way. The small bird was now perched on top of his head chirping merrily with all the hubbub of a tavern going on.
((OOC:You keep spelling his name wrong miss talia there is no k in Nox. XD))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:37 am
"Well, I'm sorry I never asked one of the other bandits on how to read earlier in life. I'm sure plenty of them knew how, ya know, with the fact that mos' of them could barely count," Sebastian said to Aliana sarcastically. He listened intently, staring at the parchment as she read it off to him, trying to make sense on how those symbols could actually be made into spoken words. Only one bandit had known how to read and that was the leader, and he had never shared the knowledge to the rest of them. The others were all mostly orphans who had never had the chance to learn due to committing themselves to a life of crime early on, or just didn't have any sign of a mind that Sebastian could see.
"Dragons? Ain't those extinct, or just plain stories?" Sebastian asked, without acknowledging the other people who shown up, he was more interested in the idea of the gold. If anything he'd just do this gig for that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 11:06 am
A smile spread a crossed his face, grateful for the warm welcome. Jacob stood to return her embrace "I'm good! Yes, they were right behind me.." His voice trailed off. He looked over Aliana's head, at first he didn't see Talia, Tamaro, nor Nox and lines of worry appeared above his eyes. Sure enough within a beat, two of his fellow travelers came striding in. Jacob nodded in hello to Tamaro and Talia, glad to see he hadn't lost them, but still, where was Nox? He returned to his seat next to Sebastian.
Lucrezia shrugged off Talia's worry but Jacob wasn't so convinced. He made a note to try and treat her later, if need be. "Smooth sailing, well for the most part anyways."
Jacob caught the scent of sweat liquid as Talia offered him a drink, his nose cringed at it's strength. So as not to look like a young boy he grasped the outside tightly and lifted it to his lips. He wasn't sure why exactly but he felt like he had something to prove. He tipped the cup more, gulping it down. It felt like fire flowing down his throat and his eyes started to water, he coughed and tried to play it off like it was nothing he couldn't handle.
Lucrezia started to make her leave and Jacob called after her, "Wait If you need-" He sighed, she was already gone. He took another gulp, it went down a little easier this time.
Nox's voice rose above the drull, "You made it, good." He acknowledged him with a smile. Though he had no doubt that Nox would have been fine otherwise. "Anything happen after we got separated?" He didn't see any apparent wounds so he guessed nothing bad. Jacob chuckled slightly to himself, noticing that his main concern was if any of his companions needed to be patched or bandaged up. It had become a habit to look them up and down searching for the slightest scratch.
Throughout everyone reuniting he kept hearing the word Dragon being spoken. It wasn't until Sebastian brought up their existence that Jacob actually paid attention. "I thought they were just apart of legend too. Why are we even talking about it?" He cocked his head to the side waiting for Sebastian to answer. Jacob was itching to ask him something else, but now didn't seem like the best time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 10:32 pm
“Normally this is when I would say that your skills never cease to amaze me, but you sure made quick work of that didn’t you soldier?” Iris scoffed and smirked at the half naked Mercenary as he stumbled around trying to get his clothes back on. He was now successfully drunk and his flushed face scowled at the beauty who lay on the bed.
“Had you been what I had been through you would understand, besides I would think that after four times in a row, with the fifth you would be a little lenient about the duration. Besides you sure sounded like you enjoyed.”
“That is a part of my trade Darius Ketzer.” Laughed Iris.
‘Bah!” Shouted Darius, then smiled. “Your legs wouldn’t be shaking so if that was the case darling. Now, I must be downstairs to talk to that whoreson mutt that I call my friend and we are gunna kill ourselves a dragon.”
“Do you really think you can do it? You said you practically pissed yourself when you saw it. I would think that if it scared you that bad that you would just get eaten. Then who would actually give me some enjoyment with my job?”
Darius nodded. His vision was blurred with the alcohol in his veins. “Of course I can kill it. At first I was doubting my sanity, and whether or not such a being could even exist. I was startled. Now that I know it’s there I will cut it down. With Ragni’s help I’m sure we can take care of it, then be rich and can settle down, or maybe even start up our own mercenary band. Who knows?”
“Is that the booze or the gold talking?” asked Iris.
“Probably a little of both, but I know if we think about it carefully, we can do it.” Said Darius, finally linking on the last of his attire. He grinned at her as he walked to the door.
----------------
Darius wandered down to the main hall of the Hanged Dog and found that by the time he had finished all he was doing, the others he had left behind had made it to Barro, Ragni wasn’t there, and Darius muttered a little curse. He was drunk and was probably not going to be taken all too seriously considering the fact. So he found his way to the table where they all were and made himself known. They were all talking about how they thought dragons were only in legend. He felt a stupid grin come across his face.
“Well those legends have crept out of some hole in the world and are here to bite our content asses and burn our corpses. The scaly b*****d tried to kill me along the path here, practically almost pissed myself and barely survived. It was fast, smart, and had me frozen with fear, but I mean to go get my revenge and open it up with my blade. I will be the only man I know who has chewed on the heart of a dragon will be rich from the reward. I do have to give fair warning to anyone who is thinking about going out to try and take on this hulking monstrosity, I have seen the beasty and don’t know if it would be wise for you all to go tromping through the woods after it. It doesn’t play around, and it breaths flame.”
He looked to Aliana and Sebastian. “Do you two know where the other slutsword went? I need to ask him if he is up to this.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hermit Omega Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:37 pm
He gave Talia an apologetic look as he entered, but was actually pleasantly surprised at her worry. It was very sweet of her to worry about him. He followed her in and to the table, where most of the others seemed to have been waiting with news to share.
He passed up the offered Ale even as his younger cohorts partook, but hearing mention of dragons, he did manuever from Nox's friendly embrace in order to get a closer look at the poster offering the reward. Being a cobbler, and thus having had his own business while he did, he could read enough to get the message. Dragon heads for 10,000 gold.
Assuming it was real, along with dragons, that was quite a choice to be made. Anyone confident in their ability was sure to find that worthwhile. For Tamaro, that was a much greater risk. He'd survived his previous fights through a combination of blind luck and unbridled fury. He would need more than that to take on a dragon. Assuming they were real.
In any case, it wasn't quite what he'd expected he would be doing when he arrived. He hoped maybe he could find work in a city. The city was big and unforgiving, though, and nothing like he imagined. He doubted his skills would even be up to the much higher city standards, where the shoes men wore weren't being worn through mud and filth but on fine streets in the midst of important people. Those shoes were made by skilled craftsmen, and repaired by delicate hands. Tamaro was not that. He did not have those.
With little else in terms of options, he stayed there. Maybe he could at least follow and help them if they intended to chase this dragon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 4:56 pm
Lucrezia was thoroughly enjoying her bath; her limbs seemed to loosen as she sank into the hot water and soon enough she felt cleansed both physically and mentally. Lucrezia then washed her hair, she was horrified at how dirty it was as she washed out some old dried blood and dirt; Lucrezia couldn't help but think that the Lucrezia of a month ago would never have appeared in public in such a state; even though she had no desire to marry again or even take a lover, she still cared about how she looked, it was the only thing she ever had to rely on despite the fact that it almost led to her ruin at the hands of the filthy pig that her father had given her up to.
With some regret, Lucrezia climbed out of the tub and quickly dried off; as she looked in the mirror, she was surprised at what she saw; her beauty had not faded, but it was sharper somehow and her dull cool eyes were brighter now, as though lit by a secret fire. Lucrezia had a new-found desire to live now, and as she looked down at the sword that she had killed a man with, she knew she would never be the doll-like plaything she once was.
There was a knock at her door and Lucrezia quickly threw on one of her dresses and answered the door. A golden haired young man stood there holding a tray and she quickly thanked the man as she snatched it from his hand; she was so hungry she did not even care that the young man eyed her delicious figure with more than a little lust; instead she shut the door and quickly ate the simple meal of cheese and bread. As she finished, she set to drinking the pitcher of ale she had requested. It burned and made her feel a little light-headed but she decided that she could get used to it; it made her feel bold.
Lucrezia fixed her dress up, it was snug and highlighted her breasts but she didn't care, showing them off might get her out of a future scrape and if they didn;t work, the sword hanging at her side would certainly help. The ale was like liquid confidence and Lucrezia suddenly felt like she could take on a hundred mercs or even a dragon. She kept her hair loose, with the black glossy curls hanging down her back prettily and she threw her black traveling cloak around her shoulders. She looked herself over and was satisfied, her looks would either get her into trouble or soften an enemy's heart, either way, Lucrezia felt she would be ready for it.
She quickly left her room and walked down an empty hallway; the young man who had brought up her food stepped from behind a corner, his eyes bright and interested. "I've worked here for years and I have never seen a beauty like you before," he said appreciatively "I would love to meet you later." Lucrezia laughed loudly; the man was quite good looking and clearly used to getting his way with women. "Pretty words," she said with a smirk "I'm sure they've worked quite well on foolish girls that would take any attention they can get but I am not one of them." Lucrezia wasn't even bothered by the man's attention, it all seemed so funny to her as the ale worked it's way through her system. The man didn't see the humor in the situation though "A lady would be grateful for the compliment," he said in a sniffy voice "They wouldn't be rude." Lucrezia laughed again "I'm sorry I have offended you," she said and folded her arms "I forgot that ladies traditionally drop to their knees for any man who compliments them."
The man seemed to view her as a challenge now as he stepped closer to her, Lucrezia tensed but continued to smirk at him "You're a bit of a princess aren't you," he said "I like that, you have personality." He raked a hand through his hair, messing it up in what he must have assumed was a sexy way "I like a feisty girl every now and then," he said "You and I could have a nice time together." Lucrezia rolled her eyes "While I'm grateful that you are willing to give me a chance," she said "I don't think so... I have dignity and I won't shed my clothes that easily... Besides, I've heard that Barro men are rather lacking in a very important area and a princess like me requires something a bit bigger." Lucrezia began to walk away from him when he grabbed her wrist and she whirled around, her sword in her hand and pointed at his belly "I will gut you like a fish," she hissed at him, pushing him against the wall "Men like you want my gratitude for your c**k's attention but you will never have it, I'd rather slit my own throat." Her eyes had hardened and her face was filled with rage and the young man held up his hands and slipped away "You're a mad b***h," he sputtered before running off.
Lucrezia laughed a little, she was a little drunk and the mere touch of a man who did not ask permission made her furious. Of course, if he had been bigger and more of a fighter he could have easily over-powered her; Lucrezia wrapped her cloak around her, she didn't feel like being looked at anymore. She felt vulnerable again and she hurried back to where her companions had been.
Lucrezia saw that Darius had appeared, she could see him above the crowd in the bar, he wasn't hard to miss. She walked through the crowd, men smiling at her but she ignored them, she had enough of that for the day.
When she reached the table, she said nothing to them, she simply sat down and waited to see what would happen next.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 7:57 am
"A scaly b*****d? Sounds more like one of the bandits personally. The bastards skin was always peeling, but damned be the person who pointed it out to him. Unless that person had access to dangerous wildlife or other such pranks," Sebastian said to Darius with a smile as he remembered the past. That 'Scaly b*****d' was one of the few people who never messed with him after his pranks. Then again, who would mess with the boy who used his own food to attract thousands of ants for the sole purpose of pouring them onto the sleeping body of someone who wronged him. The thought of that prank brought an even larger smile to his face.
Even with an eyewitness Sebastian could trust, for he did trust the man that helped get him out of the life of a bandit, he found it hard to believe. There was a chance that the mixture of wounds and the fact that he was traveling by himself could have made Darius half-mad. It wasn't unnatural, Sebastian's seen the forest drive wounded travelers mad a few times. A few of those times these travelers would meet his dagger, it was out of mercy seeing as the bandits would torture those few that they found. A game to them.
"As for Ragni, he ran out a while ago. No real idea where he went, just said he was to sell stuff and that he left a note," Sebastian said as he leaned back in his chair and put his feet on the edge of the table. The more he just sat there the more sober he felt, what he really wanted to do now was either retire for the night, or just leave the tavern for a while.
"If you're searching for him about this job, I'll be glad to help you search. Hell, you two could use my help. Can't fight a dragon with just swords, need some arrows, knives, and traps," Sebastian said to him, offering his help. As he looked around the table he saw that the ground had grown considerably. All those people from the forest had been finding their way here, it made him curious. Why do these people follow each other so closely? That was his main question, but he didn't ask it. For all he knew it could turn into a sob story, and he's had enough of those
As he sat there waiting for the mercenaries reply, Sebastian overlooked the last few days. Obviously this ground was more exciting to be in, the seemed to go from one danger to another, and none of the dangers seem to include killing innocent people. He liked it, but at the same time he couldn't figure them out. What was making them do this? Why were they doing it? Most importantly was why the inexperienced fighters were even thinking of dragon hunting? For someone who prided himself on being smarter than the other bandits, not just for the fact that he had more common sense and survivability but for the fact that he understood people, he felt slightly dumb around this group. In more than just one way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 5:53 pm
It was like Aliana's worries all melted away with the arrival of her companions. The stress seeped out of her tense muscles and she relaxed, even as Talia scolded her. She could only manage a sheepish little smile in response. When Nox arrived, she contained her joy and refrained from hugging him as well, if only for the welfare of the bird. It was a cute bird, and it made Aliana happy that Nox had it as a companion. He was always the type who seemed like he needed a pet, in her opinion.
She smiled when Darius finally showed back up. Her smile wilted when he told of his trouble on the road. The thought made her a little nervous. What if Darius hadn't made it? He was one of the bravest people she had ever met, and the dragon frightened him so much, she was now a bit more afraid of the menace lurking around. She glanced quickly at Sebastian. It could have been their party... She shook the thought away.
As Darius and Sebastian spoke, the mercenary's words sunk in. I don't know if it would be wise for you all to go tromping through the woods after it... Did he want the villagers to stay behind? It wasn't an unreasonable thing to ask, once she thought about it. None of them were actual fighters, despite the tumble with the bandits. Most likely, they would run around and get in the way. And if there was anyone that should be excluded from this particular venture, it had to be the child. Then again, the thought of being left alone in this city frightened her as much as, if not more than, the dragon. She was young, inexperienced, and damn near penniless. There was no way she could get by on her own in Barro--she figured it was unlikely she could even find a job.
As she thought, she chewed and picked at her lip. A habit that had stuck with her as long as she could remember. Not as bad as biting one's nails, but it always made it very obvious when she was thinking too hard.
"I can come, right?" Aliana finally blurted out. She winced, realizing she probably butted into a conversation she was not a part of, but the damage was done. Might as well get it over with. "As Sebastian just said, you need knives as well as swords, and I have knives to use. Of course I'm not a professional, but I'm probably good enough. Also, I'm a small target, and....well, I daresay I might be the fastest here. At the very least, I could be a good distraction. I just don't want to be left behind." She chewed her lip again, afraid someone was going to think she was conceited or silly. She wondered if she would ever grow out of these awkward moments that her existence seemed to spawn. After a short moment, she just sighed and hung her head slightly, apologizing very quietly for the outburst.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 2:54 pm
After offering then ale and watching as everyone drank, she smiled and held back a chuckle as she notice Jacobs discomfort.
"Don't drink too much...just enough to warm up!"
She then turned to Lu, who had excused herself and noticed she looked somewhat...well broken.
"Oh Lu...you are too pretty to look so sad.."
Talia's thoughts were interrupted as a strong hand snaked across her shoulder.
As she heard the nickname Taly, she instantly knew who it was and pulled him to her.
"NOX!" as she was about to squish him into a hug, Talia noticed the small bird looking rather panicked on his shoulder and she just burst out giggling.
"how adorable!....I see who you left us for"
Smiling she tried to look into the boys face but noticed he was looking at the floor, She idly wondered why he wouldn't face them but shrugged it off and pet the boy hooded hair and softly touched the bird under its chin.
"Well if you must know...We made great time, i was worried sick but ya...we knew you would be fine kid."
Talia then watched as Darius came close, he had a goofy grin and she could tell he was drunk.
Laughing with a little irritation, she patted Darius back a tad too hard, as she remembered how he ignored her in the woods.
"Glad to see you alive and enjoying the good life!"
Turning her laughing lips into a smile,she started to take notice of the conversation at hand.
"Dragons?"
Her smile thinned as she started to understand what everyone was really talking about.
"Dragons?...please they don't exist..do they?"
A warmth took over her body and she knew the goddess was stirring.
"Is it true?...is there really dragons?"
Talia heard a hiss and her mind was filled with fire and the image of some monstrous being, she shivered and sat down quiet as the others kept their talking.
"Yes...that is what they look like....well one of them at least"
Talia thought and found her breath caught in her chest, as this new possibility was becoming real in her mind.
"They are like children..."
Talia started grinding her teeth.
"Children?...they are beasts!"
She wailed to the goddess in her mind.
"If you raise a child..with the taste of blood, they too would be murderous..."
Talia could not fathom a creature that looked so fierce be like a child, she could not accept this thought.
"Go with them...hunt them, and i promise..you will understand, you will see with your eyes how uneducated they are"
Not understanding and wanting to hear no more of this she shut out the goddess, something she started to learn just now.
"Madness...all of this"
Talia looked up and noticed that Lu had joined them again, and instead of looking at them with her broken expression she was wearing earlier, she wore another full of annoyance and something else.
"Pity?...weakness?...Hmm"
Talia was taken from her thoughts as Aliana just blurted out she wished to join, to this the silver haired woman shot up and crossed her arms in the form of an "x" over her chest.
"You Cannot!
In some part in the back of Talias mind she knew that Aliana had the freedom to do as she pleased, but she couldn't bear to see her hurt.
Not aliana, not the one she considered still a child in need of protection.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 12:00 am
Nox was listening to all of the people talk of hunting a dragon and thought to himself Well if I'm gonna go fight a dragon I am gonna get as much ale in me as possible tonight. Just as he had this thought a waitress came by with a tray of mugs about seven in all with a large pitcher as well. Nox took the tray from the girl and dropped a gold peice in her hand saying "Keep the change." the girl hurried back to the bar and Nox set the tray down on the table grabbing a mug for himself. "This rounds on me!" he said just before taking a large gulp sending the ale down his throat. "Well that's good mead!" he said with the mug in the airhe then looked at Talia and Lucrezia and said "You two should takebsome mugs after that long journey you deserve it. Especially you Lulu you made by yourself a feat for anyone of those from our little hole in the wall village." Nox took another big gulp of his mead and took a seat next to Alina and put his hand on her shoulder.
"I would feel much better if you stayed here as well. Tell you what if you stay and if I come back from this I will teach you how to use those blades backhanded like the shinobi I am and the kunoichi you could become." He was smiling at the end of his little speech to Alina and he finished his mug. Nox then reached for the pitcher and refilled his mug. "What are ya waitin for? Drink! It's free and makes ya feel good! Hahaha" he gave a hearty laugh and resumed drinking his mead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 1:36 pm
Aliana's heart sunk. Every word from Talia's and Nox's mouths was like a painful stab at her self-confidence. You cannot! ... I will teach you...kunoichi you could become... She was weak. Helpless. Useless. Young. Naive. She could hear it in their voices. Two of the people she probably liked most (though she didn't make a habit of playing favorites, so she entirely wasn't sure if she actually liked them more than others). Nox and Talia, people she admired and loved and looked up to. She had considered them friends, but now she was not so sure. How could one be friends with people better than them? She had been considering herself their equal, but clearly she was far from it. Unworthy.
It was possibly the most unfair thing that had ever happened to her. Aliana didn't expect too much out of life, she knew it was often frustrating and quite unfair by definition. But this...this was just unspeakably horrible. Her mind raced. What could have caused them to think this?
Was she too young? She couldn't be, Nox was a year younger than she was. Too stupid? Impossible. She was probably one of the best-educated people of the group, one of the many opportunities provided by rich grandparents. The only logical explanation was that they thought she was too weak. How could they think that? She made half the time they had getting to Barros and had outrun the monsters that invaded Orsin Vear. Perhaps it was all the weight she had lost recently. Yes, that must have been it. She looked down at herself. After a moment, she estimated she had shed nearly thirty pounds, judging by how thin she was. But she didn't feel that much lighter, perhaps only a third of that, and though she had not been eating the same way she had before being banished, she had been eating fine. And running to Barro was easier than it should have been. She concluded that instead of starving, she had simply shed excess tissue in her body, as if all the fat had simply disintegrated. (Her breasts were even a bit smaller, though she found herself unconcerned by this. One could not easily run with large floppy bags hanging from one's torso.) Her body was not scrawny. Thin, yes, but streamlined. Her bones protruded a bit, yes, but from beneath a thin layer of sleek muscle. If she had a mirror, she thought that perhaps, for the first time in her life, she really would look like a dignified adult.
There was no excuse for her not to go, she realized. She could probably be even more useful than Talia. Of course, she was not undermining Talia, but just now seeing the potential that had been hiding beneath the slightly tan skin drawn tightly over her body as a bird's streamlined feathers were drawn closely to its skin. For a moment, she felt a flash of anger. They could see it better than she could, they were just making excuses, perhaps they didn't like her and were simply too cowardly to admit it. It quickly subsided and her usual calm demeanor reclaimed her mind.
"I can," Aliana finally said, looking straight at Talia. Nothing in her expression had changed. She was still a little sheepish, just a bit shy, and sincere. She turned to Nox, and couldn't help but frown. She really did like him a lot, and was grateful to him for supporting her the night her parents died. But she was a little bit upset with him. She reached out and knocked the cup from his hand. It could have been an innocent little prank from one teenager to another, but it had just a hint of the deliberate speed of an act of spite. Enough to show her frustration. His cup went clattering loudly to the floor, spilling mead everywhere. "I don't need to be a kunoichi. I don't want to be a kunoichi. I don't need you to teach me. Sebastian has taught me some, and Ragnvald has promised to teach me more. That aside, I'm fine. I can do things. I'm probably not as powerful as you but I'm fairly sure I'm faster. By saying you could teach me to be a kunoichi after I sit and wait for you to go try to kill yourself, you are assuming, first, that I have no skills and, second, that I could be of no use in this hunt. I don't mean to be rude, Nox. But you said something mean and, quite franky, my feelings are hurt." She fixed him with a steady look, her eyes exposing the sorrow and hint of anger that his words had brought her.
Then, Aliana turned and looked at the others, her expression sheepishly apologetic. "I really am sorry about the outburst." Her glance turned to Darius. "My question was directed at you. I feel like I could help and I promise not to be a bother."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 11:10 pm
Nox listened to Alina's outburst intently, he knew how she felt; like they were calling her weak and not skilled enough to help with the fight she even went so far as to knock Npx's drink from his hand to the floor; this sent his bird fluttering above his head a few inches the settling again in the middle of Nox's head. The boy felt his eyes begining to change, the fiery red color replacing the deep emerald green he inherited from his mother at the edges of the irises. He was angry, but not for Alina yelling at him or even the spilt mead, but the fact that she wanted to go off with the hunting party and probably get herself killed whilst just chasing a bit of coin.
Nox stood up and took Alina by the wrist. "Alina... Come with me I need to speak with you in private." he said just before leading her outside of the tavern, past the guards, and to a quiet alley next to the building that was completely devoid of people. Nox then turned to face Alina and let go of her wrist. "Your probably wondering why I led you out here and you probably know that it has to do with you going on the dragon hunt. Well I have to say this to you I... Care for you much more than I do the others," Nox was fumbling for words, he knew he probably sounded like a fool to Alina. "And i just can't... I can't loose anymore people that I feel like this for!" He placed his hands on her shoulder and looked deeply into her eyes his own were full of sorrow and the fiery orange color was fluxuating around the edges of his irises. "If you need me to say it I will then. Alina, I am falling for you. It grows more each passing day and if you were hurt in this expidition then I wouldn't be able to live with myself and if you fell to that creature then..." Darkness spread over the boys features and he tightened his grip on Alina's shoulder slightly. The fiery orange was spreading in his eyes he would loose control if the color spread much farther. "Look we are all changing it seems you and I the fastest, but I can't be sure. I am becoming a beastial person who looses control when his rage and bloodlust takes over, and if you were taken by the animal we are going to hunt I don't think I'll ever be able to come back to humanity from what I will become. Just please if you must go don't die because I couldn't live with myself if you did." after his last sentence Nox fell to the ground onto his knees. His fangs and changing eyes had been in full view the whole time Alina was probably scared wondering what the Hell he was becoming, but he didn't care he said what he needed to say and that's all he needed to do was get his point across. Nox just sat there on his knees in the snow at Alina's feet hoping she at least listened to what he just said and didn't hate him for it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 5:34 am
Ragnvald lay in the cold stiff snow. His body not reacting and feeling numb as he stared up at the obsidian darkness of his strange new world... It was not where he was used to, but it was familiar to him. Slowly he tried to tense muscles.
But, slowly albeit, he found that nothing was responding. Ragni felt panic rise as he heard the dark chuckle of the wolf that haunted his visions.
“What do you want now you foul beast? You already sent your spy. Now you are lonely?” The mercenary tried to rise once more but failed.
The wolf only stared down at the lifeless form of Ragnvald Jeste Daussier, letting his deep dark laughter rumble forth and shake his standing form which seemed to be drenched in scarlet blood that soaked the trampled snow beneath his strong powerful paws. “What makes you think I need anything pup, not my fault you passed out in an alley from being overly drunken. You no longer have dreams you understand. I am your dreams at leassst...”
The wolf seemed to his the last part of his word almost.
The swordsman strand and finally felt his fingers and toes and began to sit up slowly but surely. His dark gaze falling to the dire wolf beast which lurked before him, standing on the pool of blood which surrounded him with a low steam from the heat of the red substance.
“Why do you haunt me beast, what have I done...” He stood groggily, stepping from foot to foot, from side to side, weaving and leaning.
“I do no such thing pup. You but fall before my paws in prayer, for I am the spirits you once put so much faith in. So believe.”
Ragnvald spat at the beasts paws, “Well I am not your dog so leave me be. Find some other fool to praise you!”
The swords man turned on his heel and began to walk away in a zigzagged path.
“You will not turn your back on me you pitiful human! Turn and face me or you shall invoke my wrath!”
The mercenary continued to amble away, falling to his knee but surely standing again; walking off into the luminescent snow of the vision world he stood. But it soon ending as a snarl whispered passed his ear and slithering scaled forms flew past. Red sprayed the snow all about the mercenary as he was snared by thick muscles wrapping his body.
“Ahhh! Let me be you cur, I just want to be left to my gambling, whoring, and killing...” Ragni's body strained and wreathed, but he could not break the almost suffocating hold.
He closed his eyes for a time trying to make his blurry vision clear, but all that was there to visit him was a white and black snake head bobbing back and forth staring into his very soul.
They moved back toward the wolf. But it was a scene he could have lived without. The snakes large forms wreathed and twisted forth from the wolf's own jaws, the tongues flickering in and out constantly at his very face unnerving him.
“What the hell are you beast,” Ragni's words were strand as the snakes continued to squeeze tighter.
After a few moments everything vanished, water was pattering down, dripping from thatched eaves to hit Ragni square on the forehead. Slowly he opened his eyes and there the prickling was yet again and he was up, springing to his feet with surprising speed and agility.
His head seemed to crack, or feel like it, but his eyes were ever searching. There was nothing but a small dark form at the entrance to the alley, sitting, watching, and waiting.
The mercenary winced at the pain from his hangover and pressed his palms into his eye sockets, giving a large yawn as he felt the waves race over his body.
“I see at least one of you wolves is kind enough to not try and devour me or torture me... But I must say I am still wary of you dog. Not your fault or anything I am just unpleasant most of the time. Personally I think I am starting to hate my self and whatever I believe in,” Ragnvald just stared down at the pup which in turned stared back, “You don't really feel like listening to me prattle on I am sure. Sad that my only company is a wolf pup... And I am talking to you. Maybe I should start praying to the spirits again.”
The only answer he received from the pup was a sideways cocked head. “Let's go you little b*****d.”
The pup let a low whimper but happily followed after Ragni, paws prancing up and down in rhythm through the wet cobbled streets.
Ragnvald pushed open the door to the Hanged Dog, his calloused hands feeling awkward on the rough surface, they were to dry it would seem, and if it was one thing he hated it was the dry feeling of his hands. A cold sweat overtook his body and he noticeably shivered. Powering through he moved through the crowd. Eyes darting all about, he slowed, turning to look back as the wolf pup yelped and danced away from a pair of oncoming boots stepping back his way.
The mercenary gave a grudging smile and bent, picking the small dark, and now wet, pup up to rest under his left arm.
“Give me a horn of apple cider... with alcohol... And three tumblers of whiskey, that table,” Ragni pointed at where Darius sat at the table.
He made it just in time to hear Darius' tale and the others bickering and not to mention Aliana's short defense against the others. But before he could make his presence known Aliana and Nox scampered off for a private discussion.
“So now we are calling each other slutswords you smelly b*****d...” Ragnvald shook his head with feigned disgust of his mercenary friend, but could not hold back a smile as he pulled a chair up to the man and wrapped a arm about his broad shoulders, but alas he was not able to reach quite all the way across the breadth of the man, even with his long arms.
Ragni set the pup in his lap and placed his hands in front of him on the table, watching as one of the tavern wenches made her way over with his order.
“Here ye be good sir,” She gave a pretty smile even though she looked haggard and stressed over a full house.
The mercenary produced a gold coin and placed it in her hand, already he knew it would be a long night with Darius if they were to plan an attack on a dragon... But in truth what plan could they have. They would do it the old fashion way: Charge the ******** and hope to slay the scaly b*****d from hell!
Ragni took all three tumblers in quick succession and then blew out a pint up breath.
“Wooo...”
Slowly he took a gulp of cider as he felt his mind slowly cloud and his body grow heavy from the quick burst of liquor.
“Like I was thinking to myself though, we can just do it the old fashion way. Charge, hope to kill it and move on or be thankful the godless b***h left us with a pyre... Am I right!” He downed the rest of his cider and held the empty horn mug up for another, hoping that the girlies would not tire of coming back and forth to his table.
“Also everyone has a cut from the gold.” Ragni slid a small pouch to each person around the table, each pouch held at least ten coins. He would give the missing members there cut soon enough.
Ragni let out another gust of breath and looked to each person in turn, “There is more to each persons cut but I was going to buy us all mounts in the... afternoon when I awoke. If you do not want that and provisions I will give you the rest of your cut in privacy... Until then let's drink some more maybe...”
At that another girl showed up with a mug of ale for the mercenary, and unknowingly he drained the contents, noticing the taste all to late. “Okay, so I might vomit...” The whore soldier cold only give a large grin at the prospect of throwing up over a good night soon to be in a real bed. But for now more drinking and later more throwing it all up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
