Welcome to Gaia! ::

((Oookay... think I'll try trotting through that portal anyway. whee ))

Tanya was happily skipping along beside Tanyeera, animatedly babbling away at her friend whatever came to mind. "...you know I think there are even actual shades of darkness, not like usual black-black darkness you understand, but actually, no wait, there has to be black-black darkness because after all, what other darkness is there? But anyway, then there's sort of extra something-else-blackness inside the black-black darkness but you can only see it if you look really closely and its sort of... bluey-reddy, you know? But black at the same time of course. And then there's orangey-purpley and greeny-yellow-blue, and sorta greyish-whitish with a kind of... of... brownish over it? There are all kinds of shades of darkness, so everything's black, but at the same time, different kinds of black!"

Tanya continued to babble but Tanyeera tuned her out. She'd gotten the knack of how to do it now rather than be drawn into Tanya's twisted paths of logic. She paid no attention to her annoying shadow until the noise she was making suddenly, abruptly stopped.

Turning sharply to the little girl, Tanyeera was relieved to see she was still there rather than having gone haring off. However, she was frozen stock-still, absolutely motionless with her head cocked to one side. "What's the matter Tanya?"

"Something..." she muttered distractedly. "There's sorta something.... different-ish. Darkness is supposed to be classical with overtones of peanut butter and rainy rock... I think someone is making jazz with caramel-covered beansprouts and sour hot spring....plus, pop rock with sugar and cheese and chocolate tuna is leaking in from somewhere...."

Before Tanyeera could question Tanya further, or even decide if she wanted to question Tanya further, the child had darted off with a gleeful shout "Come on, come on! I think this is going to be fun!"

Grumbling and cursing to herself, and silently praying they weren't dashing into anything they wouldn't be able to get out of with their skins intanct, Tanyeera had no choice but to follow and chase after her idiotic little shadow.

They arrived at what looked like a titanic battle involving some Tainted and a non-Void creature. That was all Tanyeera had time to register before Tanya was suddenly behind her, pushing her towards a portal in which a lot of other Fallen were disappearing into. "Hurry up!" she urged. "That's where the chocolate tuna is leaking in from! Let's go, let's go!"

Completely bewildered by everything, Tanyeera's brain laboured to understand Tanya, and, after deleting the words 'chocolate tuna', managed to figure out basically what was going on. Then it re-inserted the words 'chocolate tuna'.

"You think the world outside the Void tastes like chocolate tuna?!"

"Yup!" Tanya nodded happily, oblivious to the aghast expression on Tanyeera's face. "Chocolate tuna, sometimes with mayonaise. And generally sounding like pop rock although if you listen hard there's also a bit of Mozart. And it smells very faintly of socks, but mainly cheesy bananas and chicken pie!"

Tanyeera's brain gave up at this point and simply focused on the main factor. "That is a portal to the outside world?" Tanya nodded and started pushing Tanyeera to the portal again. "Come on, it might close soon!"

That last comment galvinated Tanyeera into action and now she ran for the portal without Tanya's urging, looking neither to the right nor left as she did so. As far as she knew, Lord Riven was still stuck somewhere else in the Void. If she could actually manage to stick an entire world between herself and him, that would make her a very, very happy person.

Tanyeera and Tanya crossed through the portal at the same time and were greeted with the sight of a large bunch of unfriendly looking Ookami. There was a moment of frozen silence fraught with tension.

Then Tanya grinned widely. "Aww, cute doggies!"

Before Tanyeera could stop her, the girl-child had toddled off, practically bouncing with eagerness as she rushed at the nearest Ookami warrior. "Here doggy, doggy! Its time for huggles! Hugs for everyone!"

((Tanyeera: rofl ))

Axys had amplified his prayer when the shield came around him came down. So absorbed in it was he that when he finally did realize it was gone, it was nearly too late to stop the raging ball of ice hurtling in his direction. His Tainted were dead or dying, bound to be reabsorbed within the roiling mass of conscious minds found within the deepest fathoms of the Void. They would resurface as new Tainted, less powerful than before, but alive nonetheless. The summoner stared into the angry eyes of the Ookami before him midsentence, knowing that if he continued the prayer, the ice ball would shred him to bits. And so he forsook the portal, for at heart, Axys was attached to his life--it was the only one he was going to get. Lord Riven could forgive him, right?

At the last instant, Axys flicked the staff in front of himself, summoning all the remaining strength he had left into an Elemental shield made entirely of flame. The ball of ice pushed towards him, and Axys stepped back as the magic collided, his blue skin being burned by his own flame magic. The summoner turned his head against the heat closing his green eyes before he was blinded, and bit back a howl of agony as the mingled ice and fire froze and burned his exposed hands at the same time. How could he have underestimated these creatures? As the magic faded, he found himself gazing into the eyes of the angry wolf-creature that had managed to stop the fissure's opening. Dimly he realized that two more beings had exited. Who were they? He hadn't noticed them before now, he'd been too embroiled in the battle...

I hate your kind and all your magic, but if I knew the spell that you call the rune of oblivion, I would forsake my pride and my life to kill you! Was that right? Ha ha. Axys smiled weakly. He'd faced Silverwing--a powerful dragon--and won, and now he couldn't even hold off one single Ookami? Well, not for long. He'd finish off this creature if it was the last thing he did. Where was his staff?

It had fallen to the ground. Axys wondered distantly why that was, but then he realized that his hands were tingling. The smell of charred flesh filled the air. Utterly exhausted, Axys knelt to collect his weapon, the flesh on his hands screaming in protest. His fingers locked around the shaft of the staff, and he winced in pain as he stood. The portal beyond was shrinking...

"You had better run along, before that closes up," Axys laughed lightly, but he raised his staff offensively anyway. Perhaps he'd only mentioned the closing portal to throw Hene's attention off. The summoner pointed his weapon at the wolf, and let loose a cone of white hot flame... probably his last reserve of energy--probably.

Apollo howled happily as the last of the Tainted escaped the quickly closing hole, but stopped abruptly when he realized that Hene was still within. He knew the rest of the pack was probably holding its collective breath, waiting for something to come out of the portal.

It did.

More Tainted. Quite an odd couple; so different from the black shadows of fury that had run loose only minutes before. What on earth? The little girl seemed to be rushing towards them with all the innocent intention of giving them all hugs. What in Tzentei's name, was going on? Apollo wondered if her antics were just a trick to throw him off, and quickly stiffened, ready for sudden attack.

The white-furred wolf was even more surprised to find a falling Nen'Shri out of the entrance! He realized that the poor soul needed help, and quickly leaped over the two Tainted in a magnificent bound that took him to the fallen Nen'Shri's side. The warrior seemed to be unconscious, and Apollo hoisted her over his back and made his way to the hot pool, where he summarily dumped her in. No more Tainted were coming from the fissure, and he supposed it was safe enough--he didn't have a choice anyway. She needed water, and fast...

The rope is looped on her right shoulder now and she takes hold of her herding staff, taking in it's rich scent to further settle down. She rubs her thumb on the smooth wood as she listens to another question. Some jobs in Rizane?
"I doubt there would be any...we do not need much and everyone is busy with their own job, getting everything that they can done. That can be asked for too, though."
Felda becomes silent again and leads them around the tall, thick village wall. The lamb lazily stumbles after her, bleating softly for his mother's warm milk and wool. While walking, the girl realizes something.
None of them are being rude yet. They seem very nice...if I can keep my face hidden long enough, I'll bet we could become frie-
The other half of her mind, the pessimistic one, speaks freely and cuts off the optimistic side.
They are complete strangers and will need to leave soon, or figure out a way home. And you must attend to the herd, you will be too busy. Leave them be.
The hope was nice while it had lasted. Once approaching the front gate she is stopped by a few guards. They all recognize the hooded shepherdess, but not the strange group. One of them, a young man no older than Felda and with perhaps the most gentle of green eyes, nears them first. He is one of the few in the village that will openly talk to the girl, his name is Ardan.
"Hail, miss. Who are these folk?" as a precaution, guards do not utter names before strangers.
"They are safe...they just want a place to rest." she stares at her lantern and wonders if Ardan ever guards over her section of the grazing fields.
The young man nods slowly. "Alright...if you say they are, then I trust you and will permit them." he turns and signals to the other guards with his spear.
Within moments the gate is raised for the party.

By now most have eaten and there is plenty of food left over, still warm and fresh. The shepherdess shows the group first to the food tables.
"It's free food. Eat if you like, I will go find the inn keeper..."
She leaves them abruptly, her bells hardly audible over the music and joyful cries. At first the lamb, still wanting to know more of these people, dawdles around the group's legs. He soon recalls his hunger though and trots under the crowd and onto the main dirt road leading to the small farms. Felda keeps her left arm stiff and close to herself in order to prevent someone from running into it. So many faces and colorful clothes swirl around her, the girl begins to feel dizzy and dull by the din. As she uses her right hand to rub her right temple a familiar sight relieves her strained search. It is the inn keeper Cooper, a lean and lanky man with blonde hair that appears nearly orange in the dim world of Nathoran. If, of course, it is unattended by the lanterns. Talking is not fun for the girl. Used to be, a year ago, but not anymore. Shakily does she approach Cooper whom pauses his merry story to glance at her.
"...sorry to interrupt...there is a group that needs a place to stay. They have little money..."
The middle aged man laughs kindly although rather nervously, "I saw you lead them in here and was not sure if I really saw you leading people into our village. They will get a room, child."
Felda gives a slow nod and rather than return to the group, heads off down back home after the lamb. Those people will be fine. Inn business is slow since very few travelers migrate to small Rizane, so it would be good to have someone just enjoy a stay. Besides, she is tired and should go to bed.

Cooper walks to the food tables, the newcomers stick out easily.
"If you need a room, right this way! Free of charge these next few flames, only because of the festival!" flames are the hourly term for the humans, because of their Fire and
He ushers them over to his inn, it is a common one but it is still comfortable on the inside. The blonde man and nearly everyone in Rizane, has left the front door unlocked and so leads them inside. Everyone knows each other in the village and theft has never been an issue. He hands them a key to a room with three large beds.
"Upstairs three doors down, to the right. Sorry I can't stay to make you comfortable, I really enjoy this festival."
He bids them goodnight and walks back outside to celebrate.

[You guys can make it the next "day" or whatever you'd like.]

“End this unholy intrusion, Amen.” Kenia finished the prayer and passed out reverting to her wolf form, the portal was closed, but the tribe knew it was still vulnerable. The void now knew about their cave, and it would take a person more in touch with the goddess then any the pack knew to prevent another portal from being opened. Cavanté saw the two other void residents come out of the portal at the last minute, they didn’t seem to be part of the army from before but they came out of the portal, and Hene didn’t.
“Bind Them!” Cavanté barked, the collective pack, at least the ones that still had magic, used their ice magic to contain both the creatures in blocks of solid ice. However unlike normal Ice, the prisoners were not in any danger of freezing to death because of it.
“You seem different then the mindless ones before, however you still came uninvited into my home. Even for an Ookami, that is an offence.” Cavanté looked at his other visitors “However in this case I’ll assume those of you who came down the proper entrance came to help. As for you vermin, if you are able, tell me why I shouldn’t kill you.”

((Feel grateful Tanyeera, I broke character for you, you should be ripped to shreds...))

---

Hene didn’t let herself be distracted by the portal closing, from the moment she jumped into the void she had resigned herself to it closing behind her. As such she was ready for the attack coming for her, the ice wall she summoned would do little to a fire that hot, but it would slow it down enough for her to jump out of its way when it broke through. Hene then fired 5 ice missiles, each one curving to hit her for from a different direction. She was about to deal the ending blow when she felt a pain from where she had been bitten. She just realized that she had been poisoned by the creature and her magic automatically began to cure it, leaving her powerless to cast other spells. The flame shield only adding to the villain’s damage from her magic, but would prevent her from attacking with just her fangs and claws. She gave a look of disgust at summoner knowing his death would have to wait.
“You got lucky this time, but I wouldn’t advise tiring to open up that portal again, you won’t luck out like this another time.” Hene had no choice but to run into the unknown void, she had a feeling that she might meet that summoner again, and she knew that she would have to try to kill him.

Atrosk and his fellow male warriors reached the bottom. He nodded grimly and waited for an opening in conversation to reaffirm Cavante's assumptions. He wished not to interrupt anything, so he was silent. He gave a nod to one of his elites whom then proceeded up the cavern to inform the others of the Kekin pack that it was safe to traverse deeper. They returned slowly and as quietly as possible, keeping fair distance. This was Cavante's domain and therefore they had no right to be so near, let alone within the cave.

The time to explain would come soon and then Atrosk would delve into his reasons for being there and ask to be excused for the intrusion. His only real reason for invading their space was to learn the location of the Fallen's escape. Perhaps Novos would be able to assist in the permanent sealing of the Void's opening. For now, the words were left within Atrosk's mind, so that they may be editted for the time when they were truly required.

Tanyeera had to admit the Ookami had a valid point. On the other hand... her gaze slanted in Tanya's direction. "The young one," she stated dryly, "can defend herself better than you might think."


Tanya peered at and wonderingly touched the cold, pretty white walls. They were pretty, they really, really were. Very, very pretty. If she looked closely, she could even see interesting little patterns in and on it. And it was clear too with the light shining and dancing inside. That made it even more pretty. In fact, she silently decided to herself, it wasn't just pretty, it was beautiful.

It occurred to Tanya that since it was clear, she could probably see from the other side too. Hey, then maybe if she did it fast enough, she'd be able to look and see herself inside if she looked from the other side. How cool would that be?

She sat back to study the pretty, no, the beautiful white walls some more, and tried to figure out a way of getting outside so she could look at herself inside through the cold walls. If she just wanted to get outside, she could always call or make a friend to crash right through, but she didn't want to destroy the beautiful walls. And besides, that'd be defeating the whole point wouldn't it? How could she see herself through the walls if she destroyed them to get out? Then she wouldn't be able to look back in, would she, since there wouldn't be any "in" anymore?

So she decided to think of another plan. One struck her almost immediately and she wondered why she'd never though of it before. It was so simple.

She stepped back from the walls a bit, then went forward again, but between. She took a few more steps in the between just to be sure, then stepped back out again. Turning, she was pleased to see the wall was completely undamaged and rushed forward to press her nose against its cold whiteness. Now, where was she? Oh dear, maybe she hadn't gone between and out again fast enough to catch herself.

She stepped inside the between again, just long enough to go back inside, then popped out, and immediately popped back between, took a few steps, came out and found herself on the other side of the beautiful walls right enough. She rushed to peer inside again, but was disappointed to find she still wasn't fast enough.

Oh well. she thought, then decided to stay outside a while, to better admire the beautiful walls from this point of view. They really were beautiful.

((Just think of the "between" as another dimension overlying this one that Tanya can access, ok? And what Tanyeera saw at the beginning of the post that made her tone so dry was Tanya blithely apparently stepping out of thin air to turn back and inspect the ice walls.))

As soon as the group was safely out of sight, Wyvern dashed through the crowds towards the cantina. The brewers there were serving up their finest; frothing mugs full of amber liquid, foam spewing the populace in every direction. He’d heard about this kind of thing around the Temple, where visitors talked about various topics of interest. Unfortunately, his informants had failed to mention anything about ‘hangovers’ or ‘alcoholism’. To Wyvern’s eyes, it was all good natured fun, the men that were completely intoxicated laughed while everyone else laughed at their antics. Some were waltzing drunkenly about with still more laughing ladies, running into passersby occasionally and falling completely over. Synrai would have called this fiesta a completely disorganized mad brawl, but as Wyvern looked around at all the happy faces, he wondered how his brother could say such a thing. After a couple of glances about, just to make sure he wasn’t being tailed; the tousle-haired dragon dashed to the bartender and ordered a drink. The man behind the counter grinned good-naturedly at his young customer, his ruddy cheeks standing out in the firelight.

“Go have yourself a good time, laddie,” the man drawled; he’d obviously had a few mugs himself. As soon as Wyvern had the mug in hand, he took a sip. The ale was richly flavored, the foam on top light on his tongue. He swirled it around for a few moments before swallowing, feeling an odd tingling sensation run down his throat. Ooooo! Wyvern laughed and drained the entire flagon before ordering another. The bartender looked at him incredulously as he handed him another glass. “You were just here, weren’t ye? Better slow down, or you’ll be asleep before the fireworks start up again!” Wyvern nodded, and drank more conservatively. He wanted to see the fireworks, whatever those were.

The loud hubbub had broken into song. Someone was playing a merry tune on an odd stringed instrument while a woman with a beautiful lilting soprano lifted her voice to the heavens. Wyvern found it enchanting, and stood spellbound as the woman sang. That is, until someone bumped into him, and he staggered backwards a few steps. A wavy-haired blonde girl with unnaturally light amber eyes gazed up at him with the tiniest of smiles on her flawless face. She didn’t say anything but quickly snatched the empty mug from Wyvern’s hands and placed it on a nearby table before grasping his wrists and stepping into beat. The tousle-haired dragon could only follow, speechless. What strange people these humans were! The stringed instrument played faster and faster, while Wyvern quickly learned the steps; adding his own interesting flair in the mix. He laughed happily, and whirled about into an empty space, trading hands with the blonde, to a tall raven-haired girl, back to the blonde again, and then to an auburn-haired woman with braided tresses and twinkling hazel eyes. A trio of flutes and another stringed instrument joined the ensemble…

A red-haired young man around the same age as Wyvern sauntered over into the forefront of the dance, his feet clipping wildly over the earth, and his hands making elegant patterns in the warm night air around him. The light bathing his hands suddenly began to glow brighter, and Wyvern’s heart caught in his chest as tongues of flame wove in delicate patterns all around the young athlete. The other spectators had stopped the dance to watch transfixed, but the musicians only continued playing, smiling as they regarded the man in front of them. Fire! They can use Fire! And quite well, he would have added, if his ego hadn’t been so overblown. I can do better! With a determined grin plastered on his face, Wyvern leaped in front of the dancing man, who stopped his whirling dance and beckoned the traveler in with a wave of his hand. The young dragon threw his armor plating aside, feeling the extra weight lift from him, and tossed his wild mane of hair about. The crowd held its collective breath in anticipation. Less weight granted him freedom of movement. The musicians ceased the dance song and played another, more vibrant melody that sent Wyvern’s heart racing. He remembered the dance he’d learned long ago in the Temple as he watched a group of traveling Elves perform. It was beautiful, and Wyvern had found that mastering it was actually quite easily done, though it had taken a few months to get it exactly right…

Reaching for his Flame element, Wyvern closed his eyes as the ensemble began the main theme, an exotic sonata that was both strangely melancholy and yet fast-paced. Turning towards the group, Wyvern stretched out his arms, a rope of fire connecting his palms, its light reflecting in his dark eyes. With a series of lithe leaps and bounds, the tongue of flame circled about him, and the dancing dragon bent his will over it so that a myriad of hues coalesced along its length before turning the deepest shade of burgundy and elongating into a cage of scarlet light, with Wyvern at its center, dancing in the midst of the flames. The spectators roared with delight and awe as the cage changed shape again and again, whirling vibrantly like a laser-light display before collapsing into the dragon’s outstretched palms; a pair of glowing suns. And now for the finale!

With an almighty leap, Wyvern spun into the open air, his arms tightly pressed to his sides as the pair of twin suns revolved around him, creating two tails of multicolored flame that moved around him in beautiful patterns before Wyvern landed in an elegant crouch on the ground, right arm extended as he drew the longblade at his back. The dragon looked very fierce with his long black hair oscillating about him and the length of the weapon gleaming in his own firelight. The twin orbs of white energy spiraled up and down the blade, casting prismatic hues at the feet of the people, who had fallen silent. Wyvern gave a friendly smile and a wave and they relaxed before the young dragon continued the show…

The orbs met at the sword’s tip and exploded in a shower of controlled sparks, which Wyvern made shift color as they fell to the ground. The enormous katana itself was radiating in kaleidoscopic incandescence. He leaped back into the open before gyrating it about, moving the weapon in intricate ways a sword master might envy. Most of the tricks he had actually learned from Synrai, but he added in his own style to the movements, as well as a good bit of Fire magic. The onlookers cried out in surprise as blasts of destructive energy nearly missed the dancing traveler, only to turn into more gleaming rain as they flashed by him. The musicians prolonged the song as long as possible… they were as transfixed as the crowd. Finally, the song came to an end, and Wyvern sheathed his blade, gazing at the crowd as sweat poured off his frame. He smiled widely as they burst into wild applause. The redheaded man at the beginning of the show came near and bowed.

“That was truly unbelievable, Master Flareweaver,” he breathed. “Thank you for such a wonderful display of your talents. May we have your name?” Wyvern smiled toothily and laughed.

“It’s Wyvern,” he said, panting. “I’m glad you liked it!” The redhead stood again and ordered drinks all around. Suddenly the celebration seemed to center around Wyvern, who was happy to display a few more tricks for the masses—though maybe not quite so exhausting. Tankard upon tankard was served up, and Wyvern began to feel a LOT more relaxed around his newfound friends. The fireworks display had been wonderful and the conversations he'd had with the villagers had been great and the food and ale he was enjoying now were spectacular.

“Yerr-huh,” he chuckled for about the hundredth time that day. “You guys sure know -hic- how to have a good time! Yep.” The redhead, who had decided to stick to Wyvern like glue, laughed and took another gulp of—chicken? For some odd reason, the meat wouldn’t pour…

“Where’d you learn such—crazy tricks, Wivvie?” the human asked. Wyvern shook his head.

“A magi—magi—magic-man never reveals his –hic- secrets,” he replied importantly.

“Aww—crap,” the man beside him garbled before the two of them fell backwards against the table, utterly spent.