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 Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:29 am
So would you mind if I bared my soul? Jessie made no response to her comment save for a small smile. Of course it wasn't.
Ech. He didn't like where this conversation was going. Still... it was only polite for him to answer. "Technically, yes. Any elf with dark skin is a dark elf. More specifically, I am drow. We are elves who live underground... not native to Gaia, but our numbers seem to be increasing here. It makes sense. This is neutral ground for us; a place where we can make a fresh start."
After taking a sip of tea, he glanced round at Coline, almost moving to stand up and help her. He froze in his seat, however. They wouldn't let him help, would they? Not even if he wasn't in the middle of a conversation with the priestess. He'd just be told to relax - as if that were possible in this conversation - and drink his tea.
He wished Coline would come and sit down. Not only because her presence might cause the topic to change, but because if it didn't... well, it felt strange to be telling this to the priestess before he told it to her. He took comfort in the fact that the room was so small she might have been able to hear.
Wait... the priestess was thirty six? Good lord. He was old enough to be her father, let alone Coline's. This situation was becoming altogether too uncomfortable for him. Well... he'd just have to ride it out, wouldn't he? Answer her questions, but give no more information than was necessary. He could manage that.
If I came right out and said 'You're beautiful'?
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Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:45 pm
 Evelyn  Evelyn groaned audibly at Xeiashi's comment about the last time he'll eat real food for a while. "Garçon, really? Another person to watch over in the Practice Hall. How lovely. Well let's get some food for you there than...pancakes?"Evelyn grabbed Xeiashi's wrist and lightly pulled him along behind her towards the kitchens, wary of his somewhat fragile state.
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Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:42 pm
Eurydice slowly made her way to the seat in front of him, nodding solemnly all the while as he explained himself. "Drow... I don't believe I've come across a drow before. Or if I had then I certainly was not fully aware." she remarked, reaching over to pour herself a cup of tea. "That is very interesting. I cannot imagine how life must be underground, though sad to say life here on Gaia is far from neutral these days."
She took a sip. "We live in a world torn by two factions. The mainland is cruel to those who choose to remain aligned with the Overseer once the war had ended. The practical choice would be simply to... submit, as many have already done." There was a certain weariness in her tone, almost as if she'd spoken of the matter countless times before, but a few more sips of tea seemed to alleviate the air of gloominess looming over her form.
The Priestess' head snapped up in surprise and she rose her hand to cradle her flustered cheek. "Oh, goodness, I'm rambling again. My apologies, Captain; it has been a long time since we've last received a visitor. I can only exercise my ability of speech every so often." she clasped her hands together. "How are things going in the Order? All is well, I hope?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 6:22 pm
 If a diety created all that is...
"If a good deal of BOOretheren are here, does that mean the Overseer has showed up too?"
"Is there anybody here I should stay away from?"
"Who's running the show around here right now?"
By the time Evelyn finished answering the barrage, they had arrived at the Kitchens. Before the door was even opened, Xeiashi's nose was assaulted by many good smells piling on top of one another in a mad rush to advertise their deliciousness. His only words were, "Wow...who's the chef?"...wouldn't all writers be dieties of their own worlds? -Xeiashi Zakariz
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:03 am
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:25 am
"Just let me give you everything, as I desire..."
Jessie listened to her speech with slight impatience. He'd heard this from the other Order members many times that the debate between doing what was practical and what was right, which applied so very well to him, didn't even spark his interest. As it was, the Order's struggle was a matter of very little concern to him. If they were to choose to capitulate, however, he would have more to say on the matter.
Her question caused him to sit up a little straighter. "I don't think it's my place to say."
It really wasn't. He was not the one to tell her of the trouble with the Overseer, of the deaths and the struggles of the leaders. It... was not his place.
"...And believe me when I say that I love you." (( LAME POST IS LAME ;3; *just woke uuuup* ))
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:15 am
"Hmm... Is that so..." she muttered in thoughtfully. Something was telling her this man was not the talkative type. That, or she may have just been pressing the wrong buttons. Either way, it didn't seem like pursuing deeper conversation was the best course of action, and so she decided to tackle much lighter topics. The last thing she wanted to do was upset her dear Coline's good friend.
Sighing, Eurydice turned her head towards a nearby window with a frown. Thankfully she'd already brought in the laundry much earlier; it was absolutely pouring outside. "...Where will you be staying for the evening?" she inquired, genuinely concerned. "I certainly hope your lodgings are not too far away. It is not ideal to be walking around in this kind of weather."
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:28 am
"Just let me give you everything, as I desire..."
The Captain gave a small, apologetic frown, bowing his head slightly. "I'm afraid my home is on the other side of the island, south of the Temple. I'm perfectly happy to make my way back there even if the rain doesn't let up, but after all the trouble you've gone through to keep me dry and comfortable it would be rather ungrateful of me."
He took another sip of tea, before bowing his head even more deeply. "I do not like to suggest it, but if the rain doesn't ease I may be forced to impose on you for the night. I'm dreadfully sorry. The floor is a fine place for me."
"...And believe me when I say that I love you."
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:34 am
Eurydice placed an idle hand upon her chest, a tad startled. The other side of the island? Oh dear... that will not do. As she was about to suggest it, however, the drow went on. A warm smile returned to her lips. "We are in agreement, then." she said, slowly rising from her seat upon seeing Coline--now donned in a loose shirt and a pair of shorts--approach the fireplace.
She watched the girl for a good while, silently, as she hung her damp robes up by the fire the same way she had done with the Jessie's. The Priestess turned to the bubbling pot, a mischievous smile curling up her lips as she opened the lid. How was she going to react to this, she wondered... "Coline?" she called out in a pleasant tone, eliciting a prompt yet brief response. "The good Captain will be staying with us for the night."
Coline froze in place. That certainly was... unexpected. Though considering how hard it had been raining outside, perhaps she should have seen it coming; it didn't seem like the rain was going to let up any time soon. "I... understand." she answered, taking a quick glance over to Jessie before approaching a nearby stand lamp. With a slight twist of the handle the lamp cooled down into a comfortable dim light--comfortable enough for him, she hoped.
As the Priestess busied herself with filling bowls with soup, Coline took this as an opportunity to take the empty seat beside Jessie. Her shoulders were tense. Somehow, the thought of him staying over made her a little nervous. But why should she be? It's not like they were going to sleep in the same room.
...Right?
"Umm..." she began, turning to look the drow in the eye hesitantly. "Y-You can stay in my room. I'll be fine sleeping downstairs."
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:08 am
"Just let me give you everything, as I desire..."
The drow took her hand beneath the table as she sat down, giving it a gentle squeeze. Their eyes meeting, he smiled for the first time since... well, since he'd last looked at her properly. Jessie replied at first in an undertone meant only for her, injected with a hint of teasing. "Why do you look so frightened? I'm not going to murder you in your sleep," his lips quirked a little further "Unless, of course, I am. Then we have a problem."
Come to think of it, his little joke probably didn't do anything to ease her concern. Glancing at the priestess' turned back, he covertly pulled her hand up and pressed his lips to the back of it, gaze locking with hers. Having performed this reassuring gesture, both their hands were quickly replaced out of sight, and he began to speak again; this time in a volume intended for both women to hear. "I'd never dream of such a thing. You forget that I need only two hours or so of sleep a night. I wouldn't displace you for such a-"
He blinked. Turning to the priestess, his tone was one of surprise. "Oh. Of course - I hadn't thought. You hardly want me knocking around your home unsupervised while you both sleep. I could always leave as soon as the storm lets up, not waiting until morning..."
He looked back towards Coline, eager for her input.
"...And believe me when I say that I love you."
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:34 am
"yes well....most of those people don't tend to respect me, and would rather have someone else to go to. That's why it's refreshing to have someone like you around." he said looking to her before turning back to the book.
"Well, you are an intelligent woman. It wouldn't take much for you to learn how to translate the books or help with ingredients for potions. Especially if your interested in it. You just have to be causious. I don't know if you can heal yourself or not." he said half joking
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:24 pm
 ☼ "My God-- maybe I don't know how to love..."The wet was not so much coming from below him now as from above. The cold stabbed in to him with each hit of the drops. It was much less bearable than the other wet had been. He didn't know how long he'd laid there before he felt his body moving. He was dragged over the wet, cold grit, and suddenly the cold, stabbing drops stopped. Now he felt something completely different; warm, soft, inviting. He cuddled into whatever it was; all he could think of now was warmth. Now he was dragged again, feeling the stabbing drops on his head and ears, and a noise like... purring, almost? If he'd been any more lucid, he would have investigated, but he was content with what little comfort he had at that moment. Suddenly, his movement stopped again. The crystal in his left hand twinged, loosening itself just that little bit farther. Fingers began to jab into his sides, his legs, his arms, heck, even his ears. Frankly, he didn't care. He moaned, and finally slept. Come back to me, Mei'tane..."...Maybe that's why I love so easily." ☼
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:11 pm
Harata wandered around aimlessly.
(Long post, I know)
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:22 pm
Coline was dumbfounded. She hadn't really thought about it, seeing as she was still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that Jessie was staying over. It made sense though, and to be honest... she would probably do the same thing. Not that she would be able to say that out loud. Brows curling up in discomfort Coline glanced over to the Priestess, who had just about finished filling up a third bowl.
"I would take more comfort in the fact that I have seen both of you off properly," the Priestess began, turning to approach the table with two bowls in both hands, a spoon in each one. "But it is your decision. You are, however, free to stay with us for as long as you'd like." she smiled at the girl. "Isn't that right, Coline?"
"Ah... Y-Yes, of course." she muttered, giving the Captain's hand a squeeze to make up for wherever her enthusiasm was lacking. She would have given him much more reassurance had the Priestess not been looking, but... oh well. There would be time for that later.
Carefully, Eurydice set the two bowls in front of each of them. A thick soup greeted them, in all its steamy glory, embellished with hearty chunks of meat and freshly-chopped greens. It looked pleasant enough, nothing too fancy nor distinctively suspicious about it. The smell, however... Needless to say the appearance and the odor didn't quite seem to match. Normal senses would be able to take that as a fair warning, but unfortunately for this group...
"Go on, children. Don't be shy now," Eurydice urged, clasping her hands together in delight. "We have enough for second servings!"
Coline, after slipping her hand away from Jessie's, turned to regard her with a small bow. "Thank you for the food..." she said. She held her head in that stance for a while longer, uttering a small prayer in her mind, before straightening herself up on her seat. It had been a long time since she's had a taste of the Priestess' cooking, and by experience she found it to be quite filling.
...But was it really safe to trust an orphan's tongue?
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:27 pm
So would you mind if I bared my soul?Jessie gratefully thanked them for their hospitality. He was distracted halfway through, however, by a whiff of something strange. Sentence finished, he glanced about, not sure if he was imagining it. He was capable of smelling only that which was close enough and strong enough - and of course, his gaze was drawn to the bowls which had been newly placed on the table.
How strange, he thought, pulling the dish towards him. There was nothing particularly suspicious about the soup. He'd detected poisoning for less than this... pungency, but what motive would the priestess have to poison them?
He looked over at Coline, his concern not yet apparent. Her head was bowed - in prayer, he would imagine - but as she looked up and began to dig in it was obvious that she couldn't sense anything wrong with it. The Captain leaned towards her slightly to see if the scent was confined to his own dish. It didn't seem to be, but then again he WAS relying on his weakest sense. Were any of his judgements viable until he actually tried the soup?
He glanced back at the Priestess, and realised with a shock that she was watching him beadily. Head snapping down to the dish, he picked up the spoon and fished out some of the liquid. The utensil hesitated for a moment in front of his lips, before entering.
Its effect on the man was astounding. "AUGHAK!" was the cry; the spoon was dropped; he thrust himself back from the table with quite some force, expression contorted in disgust. The liquid was mainly swallowed despite the copious amount of choking and hacking, mainly due to the fact that he semi-consciously realised he had nothing to spit it back into.
Jessie had eaten some strange things in his early life. It was part of survival. Nothing, however, especially after the many years of refinement and standards he'd become accustomed to, could have prepared him for this. The soup tasted like rancid, pickled vomit. As that apt description flitted through his mind, his stomach turned and he coughed again. No - it was like a skunk had crawled into the pot and died, rotting there for a week until the soup was made on top of it. Okay, enough with the descriptions! They only made things worse! How could they stand to eat this s**t?!
Nausea threatened to engulf him, and yet the thought made him turn his gaze back to the others at the table, who were both staring at him in - he wasn't sure what. The room didn't seem to be making too much sense at the moment anyway, desperate as the need to heave and vomit was.
A few deep breaths. Deep breaths. That helped. It helped a lot. His mind began to focus again.
Oh, dear. That wasn't such a good thing. Now he had to fix things - the situation he'd inadvertently landed himself in.
"I... I... I..." was all he could get out at first, between a few more bouts of coughing. "I..."
Abruptly, he seemed to recover himself enough to push the dish away firmly, before gesturing a rather vigorous "no" with the same hand, similarly shaking his head. The words that came out of his mouth were garbled and shaky, and a touch desperate. "Can't eat. Allergic. I'm allergic. Can't eat. See eye? Yellow. Allergic. Means allergic. Drow thing. Can't eat."
Wait, was that even a coherent sentence? That was definitely the quickest thinking he'd had to do in a while. Technically it was only half a lie. He hoped he'd gotten the point across, at least...
With a shaky sigh, he bowed his head. "...Sorry. I apologise." If I came right out and said 'You're beautiful'?
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