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 Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:35 am
 08.04.04 - I'm feeling worlds better today, though not exactly up to par, but far better off than I was the last few days. I gathered up the bloom in it's vase last evening, and I brought it with me down to the river not far from the tower. There I sat to watch the stars come out and release my Lija, Malevolence, into the water. I felt it was safer to keep the demonic creature outside the tower rather than inside where she seemed to be plotting with Maleficent, my Cait.
The night air was still and calm, and fairly cool, and the moon was hidden by clouds, which kept it rather dark. The bloom opened up and seemed to flourish in these conditions. I carefully watered it from the river, even though from my understanding it doesn't need any such thing. But the tower tends to get dry, and I didn't want it's beautiful ebon petals to wither or fade in hue. If it had any objections to the impromptu shower, it didn't voice them.
I laid out under the stars for an hour before the Sphinx came to fetch me back, worried I'd catch a chill and make myself sick all over again. She worries and fusses far too much. I've been feeling an odd pull towards Tir Nan Og again, but curiouser still, Emiko's bloodline has shown up in my research for Kithain of the Silva Regia. I may need to invite her to the tower soon to see if she can step through the Fairy Ring.
I haven't taken the bloom through the ring yet, and I don't know if I should. That's another reason to invite Em over, to see of she thinks that would cause any harm to it. I just don't like leaving it alone in the tower when I cross over.
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:38 pm
Date: 08.05.04 Location: Sajhiri's room in the Silva Regia tower. Synopsis: A tired and sickly Sajhiri accidently knocks a vase, and with it her bloom, off a shelf. Participants: Sajhiri and The Bloom. The Scene: Sajhiri sat in her room at her writing desk, penning something in the journal she'd been keeping since Emiko had delivered the Feien bloom to her. The bloom itself sat on a shelf nearby, about 6 feet off the ground and well out of the reach of the mischevious menagerie which lived in the Silva Regia tower with the doctor.
The bedroom looked somewhat like a cyclone had hit it, having not been properly tidied since she'd been bedridden, and resulting in everything most of her pets and charges owned being dropped in there while they were visiting with her.
She yawned tiredly and pushed the journal aside. It had been a long day, and she still wasn't 100% recovered from her illness. Slowly rising from her chair, she spotted a lovely black satin ribbon she had been planning to tie around the bloom's vase strewn on the floor. One of the Aduthule twins must have knocked it off her desk in the last few days, and she'd totally forgotten about it.
She bent to pick it up, and straightened again to stretch. She felt groggy and achy and not altogether herself. It was certainly time for a nap. But first things first. She moved to reach up towards the shelf that housed the bloom's vase. With normally deft hands, but ones slightly less dextrous from fatigue she looped the ribbon around behind the vase and began tying it around the neck of the purple crystal container. That was when the pile of blankets she was standing on shifted, her weight sending several toys tumbling out from beneath.
With a shriek, Sajhiri fell, and as her body arched towards the floor she looked up in horror as the vase followed, pulled down by the ribbon she was still clutching. She hit the floor with a whulf, and the bloom's vase struck the carpetted floor beside her. The vase shattered, sending the bloom into a pile of purple shards.
With a gasp Sajhiri ignored the pain in her side where she had landed, hard, atop a toy pirate ship of Saevire's. She rushed to reach for the fallen bloom. The black petalled flower twitched violently and shied away from her touch.
"Oh sweet heavens, I'm so sorry! Please don't be hurt, please be all right. I'm so sorry." She picked up a small soft receiving blanket she had once carried Sedare around in and with all due gentleness lifted the bloom out from amid the vase shards to cradle it.
"I'd best get Emiko to see you and be sure you're all right. I can't believe I was so STUPID!" tears welled in the woman's eyes as she carefully set the bloom atop her desk and penned a quick and panicked note to Em. She sent it off by one of her Dragon messengers hurridely, then returned to sit vigil over the bloom.
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Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 7:20 am
08.09.04 - It's been a long and difficult weekend. I had so many obligations to tend to, and so little time to attend to them. If only the days were a few hours longer, I might be able to get everything done I need to. Alas, I have to make do.
The bloom is still cringing away from me whenever I near it. I decided to leave it in my room in the tower today rather than risk traumatizing it further by bringing it to the tavern. I spent the weekend trying to give it some space, hoping my not handling it would help it relax some. I put on soothing classical music and let it be for the most part. It helped that I was up to my eyeballs trying to keep the rest of the menagerie out of trouble. I didn't even get to spend too much time in the tavern.
The Tall Tales has been an interesting place. I've met quite a few of the Feien, and I do look forward to my bloom-bound one emerging, even though I have some fears they will dislike me due to the accident. I've learned that one of the Fairies has gone missing. A fellow named Tosten came in with a drawing of one named Merrimack, who has evidently vanished inexplicably. I hung the portrait up so that anyone who might know what happened to them can let me know and I can relay the info back to Tosten. He said he was a short kid with three eyes who was a bit grumpy. Hopefully he can be found. My experiences with the Silva Regia fey have shown me how easy it is for such a small sentient creature to get into severe trouble in our much larger-scale world.
I've also met a rather interesting young Feien named Ianios, who seemed to enjoy the tavern's sake. He and another Feien got quite cozy. I suppose such things are to be expected in a tavern when alcohol is present.
I haven't heard back from Emiko yet about my bloom's possible injury. I need to talk to her for other reasons as well. My research has pointed to her as being a possible Kithain of the Silva Regia Fey, so I need to see if she can pass through the fairy ring to Tir Nan Og. Hopefully we can attempt the journey sometime this week.
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 12:00 pm
Date: 08.10.04 Location: The River by the Silva Regia tower and Tall Tales Tavern. Synopsis: Averno emerges from her bloom. Participants: Sajhiri and Averno. The Scene: Sajhiri leaned back against the tree by the river. The stars were out and glimmered in the night sky overhead as the soothing sound of water rushing by eased her mind. Beside her sat the Feien bloom cradled amid layers of soft dark flannel cloth in a woven basket. In the water Sajhiri’s Lija, Malevolence, flitted to and from the bank, seeming to converse with her dark Cait Siobhan, Maleficent. Back in the tower, her twin Aduthulë girls, Saevire and Sedare, slept peacefully, under the watchful eyes of the Sphinx and the little Muadhnait, Patria. Cervus was off in Tir Nan Og, Imbrium was watching ESPN in the tower, and the shard of Zith Ice and tarot card the young woman was responsible for were both tucked safely away inside. All in all, it was a peaceful time, shortly past midnight, with a cooling late summer breeze drifting through the trees of the wooded area. The sounds of the Tall Tales Tavern echoed dimly from across the distance from where it lay on the other side of the tower in the old Caretaker’s cottage. The bloom was ruffled lightly by the breeze, and the motion curled the petals inward, around the violet heart of the flower. Sajhiri was quietly singing a song, a Faery Lullaby written by a dear friend, though not a sweet and gentle lullaby by any means. This told of the dark Faeries of the old legends, the ones who preyed upon human children. Why she had chosen to sing it was not foremost in her thoughts. It was a catchy song, haunting in melody, and it streamed from her lips to serenade the Feien beside her, trapped in her floral form. ~0| The wind in the valley is bitter and cold.
Sing Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
The wolves prowl the hilltops or so I've been told.
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
The fair folk watch over good children at night,
And keep them from harm, so they say...
...But stories and legends are not always right...
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
When I was a girl I went walking alone.
Sing Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
I sat down to rest 'neath the tall standing stone.
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
I drifted and dreamed 'neath the full autumn moon
Of silvery laughter so gay.
I'll always remember that dark, haunting tune.
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
I saw figures spinning in garments of green,
Sing Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
I moved to the shadows so I'd not be seen.
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
They whirled and they danced round a figure so small
Like ravens that circle their prey.
They kept the child silent and still in their thrall.
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
And then in an instant the dancing had ceased.
Sing Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
The revelry's end was the start of the feast.
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
Perhaps I remembered, perhaps I but dreamed,
The changeling was carried away.
But burned in my mind is that horrible scream...
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
The fair folk in autumn are hungry and wild.
Sing Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
So keep to thy cradle and sleep well my child....
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
Hushabye Lullaby Ley...
Hushabye Lullaby Ley... |0~ As the song swept over the bloom, it began to pulse with a dark rhythm in time with the melody of the lullaby. Sajhiri was unaware of the change, continuing to sing the beautifully haunting and dark tune, the Cait and Lija having moved off around the bend to plot in private. Darkness began to bleed from the sable petals of the flower, drifting in wisps to shroud the bloom, coalescing around the violet heart of it, an impenetrable blackness. As the song ended, Sajhiri glanced down at the basket and her eyes snapped wide at the sight of the petals curling, claw-like, towards the center of the flower, around the pulsing ball of darkness. “What on earth!?” she exclaimed, fear seeping into her voice, fear that she had injured the bloom more seriously than suspected when it fell to the floor in the tower, fear that the flower was dying and the Feien with it. Then a pair of tiny luminous violet eyes appeared within the darkness. “Do you not mean, ‘What on Gaia?’, Sajhiri Jihaar? Or should I call you Sangariel?” From the darkness at the heart of the bloom a lithe and willowy figure stepped, with consummate grace oozing from every slender limb. A cascade of Victorian-style sausage curls tumbled about pale shoulders like a waterfall of fluid, ebon locks. Skin the shade of winter moonlight stood in stark contrast to the pair of leathery black wings unfurling from the Feien girl’s shoulder blades, tasting the starlit night for the first time in a languorous stretch. Patches of black adorned her form, like liquid night clinging to her curves. Sajhiri gawked at the Feien, gobsmacked. She blinked several times before she found her voice. “You...you’re here!” she breathed. “How very…observant of you, Sajhiri. At least you didn’t trod on me or accidentally drown me in the river. Your clumsiness should be legendary.” Ah yes, guilt, such a wonderful tool. The pale and horrified expression on her caretaker’s face was enough to tell the Feien that her words had their desired effect. “You may call me Averno. And you may bring me to meet the others now. I have a desire to speak with some of those who peered at me so curiously when I was inside that bloom.” The tiny Feien stood imperiously looking up at Sajhiri, one hand on her hip, the other twined within one of her luxurious curls. Sajhiri nodded mutely, and carefully lowered her hand for Averno to climb into. Once the fairy obliged, albeit with a disdainful inspection of the cleanliness of the hand before she alighted in it, the woman headed off towards the tavern to introduce her newly blossomed charge to the others, leaving the husk of the bloom and the basket which held it behind.
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 11:53 am
From the Pages of Averno's Diary...08.11.04 - So...this is the journal that my caretaker, Sajhiri Jihaar, has reserved for my use. Interesting. I suppose it would not hurt to put my thoughts and plans to paper, providing that they can be sealed to prevent unwelcome eyes from seeing them, especially Sajhiri herself. Or should I say Sangariel. She was most verbose in the presence of my bloom, and took no caution in protecting her secrets. I know what she truly is and where she came from...one of the Seraphim, and the guardian of the portals to heaven. I do not yet know why it is she has been sent or bound to Gaia. I must determine this at some point, however, as it can be used to my advantage, I'm certain.
I really don't care to dispell the illusion I've created in her mind that her bout of clumsiness during my bloom state did terrible harm to me. It was nothing I was unable to recover from, but making her feel guilty about it has already been a most convenient tool for getting what I desire. She didn't even argue with me when I insisted she take me immediately to the tavern to meet other Feien, and she's been waiting on me hand and foot.
I need minions...those who can be of use and perform the tasks I need done, but do not wish to sully my hands with. I do not wish to overly make use of Sajhiri's vast menagerie of pets and companions, as I have to share living space with them. One does not dirty one's own home of course. So I shall turn to the other Feien and see which ones can be turned to service through my wiles. I need to learn all I can of this place, and what has been discovered in it thus far. I need to meet others so I can learn the names of those who can educate me properly.
The first Feien I met was a youth with white hair and crimson markings. He tried to ignore me...the fool. I suppose I should be grateful he was intelligent enough not to simply oggle me and drool like a dog. In that, at least, he might prove useful. If my beauty cannot sway him easily, then every other pretty set of wings that flits by him should not either. He seemed intent on getting me roused to anger, so I put on my best mask of indifference towards him. He was an arrogant lout though. I let him walk away this time. He may be too tough to tangle with in the arena of verbal jousting though. Perhaps if I display a definitive sweetness towards others, he'll push that chip off his shoulder and stop pretending to be the master of all he surveys. Only I qualify for such a lofty position in life.
I'll close this for now, and write some more when time permits.
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Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 6:32 am
Date: 08.11.04 Location: The common room of the Tall Tales Tavern. Synopsis: The newly emerged Averno has her first meeting with Silva and verbally fences with him, then with Calico, which nearly comes to blows. Participants: Sajhiri, Averno, Silva, and Calico. The Scene: Jhiri opened the tavern up for the morning, unlocking the door and drawing back the curtains from the windows. The open sign was flipped around to welcome patrons in. As she went about her morning routine, vibrant violet eyes measured her movements from where Averno was perched on her left shoulder. "Maybe you'll get to meet some Feien today, Av..." Jhiri murmured to the fairy. She slipped behind the bar to put on a pot of coffee and warm up a danish in the microwave. Averno arched a brow and launched from Sajhiri's shoulder to land gracefully on the bartop. "I should hope so. And my name is Averno, not Av. You do know what that means, don't you? Or are you as uneducated as you are clumsy?" Sajhiri grimaced and settled on a stool behind the bar. "It's Latin for 'Hell' isn't it?" Thus the grimace. Nothing like a Seraph caring for a creature named after the place she had warred against for eons. "Precisely," Averno replied in a cool tone. "It is therefore impolite for you to shorten my name, as it does carry specific meaning. Please remember not to do that in the future. It is bad enough how you abused my bloom..." Jhiri frowned, but the glimmer of guilt in her eyes betrayed how the words cut her. "That was an accident, not abuse, and you know it." Averno shrugged. "If that helps you sleep at night, dear." The Feien began to explore the cottage's main room with cold curiosity. Silva whistled, halting his ferret outside the tavern and jumping off. He had had a long day already, and he needed a drink. He walked into the tavern, his eyes adjusting to the darker area easily as he made his way across the room. With a smirk he levitated himself up to the feien area and headed for his corner seat.
He didn't bother shouting to be served, just waited, looking around idly, chewing on his toothpick. Sajhiri looked over at the sound of an entry and she smiled at Silva. "Hello there! What can I get you to drink today? Another cherry phosphate?" The fizzy olf-fashioned soda was one of Sajhiri's own favorites. In the corner of the room a dark figure flitted from shadow to shadow, inspecting, investigating, and absorbing information. At Sajhiri's address of Silva, Averno turned to investigate the new arrival. First impressions can only be made once, she thought to herself, and with a motion and a mumbled arcane word, she invoked a spell of flight to increase her airborne maneuverability. As the magic settled over her, she launched up towards the ceiling, then streaked into a dive above Silva's head, pulling up at the last moment to somersault twice in a display of aerial acrobatics. She kicked out into an langourously stretched position to alight, soundlessly, on the Feien-sized bartop in front of him, on the tips of her toes.
"I do not believe we've met, sir..." she purred out in a cool, but velvety tone. He raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly at her enterance. She had class, he thought, leaning back in his chair and studying her. Black curls, dark purple eyes that spoke of danger, black markings... This one expected to be fawned over.
There was only one route to take in his mind. He turned, ignoring her completely and focusing on Jhiri. "Sure, darlin, that sounds good." Then he waited, sure that it would ruffle her feathers good. Sajhiri nodded and bustled about to get Silva his drink. She took up an eyedropper to fill a Feien sized mug with the fizzy sweet beverage that was often only found these days in old fashioned soda shops. She hummed merrily as she worked. Averno's jaw set slightly, the only indication of her disgruntlement at Silva's ignoring her. With a flick of her sable curls, she strolled down the length of the bartop to it's end, hopping down to the floor with a smooth motion. Two can play at that game... she thought to herself. Her curls bobbed as she strolled away from the bar, towards one of the Feien-sized tables, sliding into a seat. With a distinctive lack of interest, she began to examine her nails by the dim light of the table lamp. "Whut the ******** is that??"
How was it a feien so small could be so loud, heard from where he was hovering momentarily outside of the tavern. It was like someone put a rat in a stretching rat and ripped its torso a couple extra inches. What an ugly little... thing! But getting over the ferret, Calico decided to go on inside.
The shop was becoming too damn common a place for him, if he wanted to stop running into the same feien (and increase his risks) he had to stop going to the same places. Besides, it was a tavern, maybe they had food. Easier to get it from here then go back home, where he was still in no mood to return.
Calico made no hurry for service though, absolutely perplexed upon entry and requiring him to study every inch of the commons in a leisurely flight. Oooohhh... the little one was ignoring him. He almost laughed, watching her for a second through lowered lashes. Then he turned away, his mind turning to something else, even though he had a perfectly new good toy.
He waited till his drink came to stand, sauntering slowly across the room and sitting across from her. "Pouting, darlin?" Sajhiri waved to Calico as he entered and called out in a jovial tone, "Welcome to the Tall Tales! What can I get you today, sir?" Averno crossed her legs, leaning back in her dixie cup chair and arching a brow. Her lips pursed in utter amusement as her eyes glittered with unvoiced laughter. "Pouting? What on earth would I be pouting for? I was just debating what to order." She wrinkled her pale nose slightly at the smell of the sweet soda in Silva's mug. "What on eaarrrrrth are you drinking?" she drawled with an air of disinterest. Calico cocked an ear for the human's words but ignored her polite offer regardless of how clear it was he had heard her. He put his attention between two things of interest: the flirting feien and the sunny windowsill. Well, he had a bad night, he could really go for the laughs of two feien trying to out charm another (though he still dubbed females too damn tricky to be worth his time).
So he flit to the feien commons of the tavern to settle wearily, itching lazily at the back of his head. God damn but he felt like hell so only now made his order to Jhiri, "Jus' water or whatevah..." Silva took his time answering, his focus drawn to the feien entering the room. He hadn't met this one, either... but something told him it wouldn't be just another encounter. He scowled, then wiped the scowl off, focusing on the female as the other made his way towards them.
"Something much sweeter than you seem to be, darlin." He replied, taking a lazy sip and watching her with amusement. "And I figured you were pouting because you didn't get the attention you wanted."
He paused, evaluating her through lowered lashes once again. "That opening move, darlin, just screams 'look at me.' You might want to tone it down." Sajhiri nodded towards Calico, and went about getting a little mug filled with water. She moved to deliver it carefully to the table the Feien was heading to. She glanced between Averno and Silva, but rather than interrupt, she retreated back to the human-sized bar once more. Averno laughed musically at Silva's words. "Don't flatter yourself. I wouldn't stoop to trying to gain attention from a little boy. I was practicing flight maneuvers and you happened to be in my designated landing area. Matter of fact, you were standing on the spot I had intended to land. Had I not adjusted course, I'd have been standing on your head, rather than the bartop." She glanced over at Calico, taking him in with a curious gaze as she added to Silva, "I also don't recall having invited you to sit at my table." "Seems like a strange place to be practicing, darlin. But if you say so." He followed her eyes, smirking slightly as he stood. Leaving right now was probably the best step to keep her paying attention. Besides, she had already tossed him off, he thought.
"You're right, though. Whatever was I thinking, sitting at your table. You have... bigger fish to fry." He stood, stepping back and looking over at Calico. "You want a go? I'm not... high-class enough for this one." Maybe this place wasn't SO bad. The human wasn't noisy but instead just gave him things when he asked for it - now why couldn't Nekota be like that at home 24-7? Calico clasped the little mug when he was fully settled, downing a majority in one throwback to quell his dry throat.
Once satified it was thunked down, as was his elbow, making his palm the resting place for his chin as he looked off toward Silva and Averno. He made absolutely NO attempt to conceal the fact that he was watching, why should he? So needless to say he arched an eyebrow nice and high when Silva called such a thing over.
"...." Sajhiri went about cleaning the bartop, humming her tune once more. Averno quelled a smirk and managed, in an almost cordial tone. "I did not say you had to leave, I merely brought up the fact of your inconsideration that for someone making presumptions of another's faults, perhaps you should turn your eye on yourself first." At his comment to Calico she merely smirked and settled back into her seat again. Calico snorted and turned suddenly back to his mug, peering to its empty bottom in debate if it was worth getting himself or demanding another. "A bloody ace example tah why girls are just too noisy." He grumbled aloud without concern to if they listened enough to hear. He almost snorted at the look on the brightly colored feien's face, but hid the amusement as he went about pandering to her highness in his own personal way.
"No, princess, you've made yourself clear. I wouldn't want you to be forced to put up with this... commoner's crass actions. So I should get going." He finished off his drink, then gave her a mocking bow. "Next time I feel like hobnobbing with royalty I'll be sure to call you." He turned, heading for the ledge of the area and turning his back to it so he could see her.
"It's been a trip, princess." He smirked, chewing on his toothpick before he took a step back, falling into a dive and barely managing to catch himself before he landed. "Put it on Ice's bill, Jhiri." He called before walking out.
She wouldn't forget him easily after this one. Sajhiri waved to the departing Silva's words, blissfully oblivious to the Feien drama going on far below her perch on a bar stool. Averno let out a softly derisive snort as Silva departed, refusing to follow him with her eyes. "Princess indeed..." she muttered under her breath. "I'll settle for nothing short of Empress, thank you very much...." She called out to Sajhiri, "I'd like a cup of chai, light on the nutmeg." Sajhiri looked a bit perplexed at the sudden order from her own charge, but she nevertheless put a teapot on to boil water for the chai. Calico, against all his better judgement (which is severely lacking to begin with), decided he might as well investigate. Females were annoyingly clever and clearly this one would test his temper but damn it, he was going to do it anyway.
"Oi." He called over, too lazy to actually go to her. "Who was he? - Eh, 'n I dun't play the 'royal manners' game so skip the big words 'n sarcasm just a tad." Averno smirked as she looked over at Calico. "Just someone who needed to be taken down a peg or two. I'm not sure of his name, really. At this moment, he is not important. "
As her tea was placed before her and Sajhiri headed into the back room, the dark girl beckoned the other Feien to her table. "Would you care to join me? I promise I don't bite...much." Calico had been all but ready to recline with a proper 'screw off' reply but noticed the human had vanished into a back door somewhere. Eh? Hmm... he cocked his head a little curiously at that and decided to change his game plan. With a droning hum charateristic to insect like wings he lit from his own seat to join her at her own.
"Do yah know anyone?" He inquired skeptically, beginning to figure out that she might not have as much useful information as he had been expecting. Averno's lips curved into a tight smile as she sipped from her cup of tea. The spicy scent of the chai wafted up from the mug. She looked over the edge of the vessel at Calico from under thick lashes, her violet orbs fixing him with a calm, cool stare. "That would entirely depend on whom you consider "anyone". If you refer to other Feien, it would be a no. I've only been out of my bloom a few hours at this time. If you mean beings other than Feien, I know several, including the human who owns this tavern." There was no concealing his disappointment. Calico scowled openly and issued a low hiss between his teeth as he looked back forward a moment, away from her. "Abso-bloodly-lutely useless."
Ah well. He sighed and tipped his head back so to be eyeing her sidelong instead, dipping more then a few dreads into his vision but he never cared for putting them in order. "Yah know love, 'm sure yah go'n 'ear this a lot... but sumthin bout'cha reminds meh of a spider." Averno's brow arched skyward at Calico's exclamation. "If I'm useless because I don't know any Feien at the age of a few hours old, then how useless does that make you if you need to ask a few hour old Feien for information on others?" Calico's hands twitched and he tucked them against his lap where the resulting fists weren't so obvious. "Yer being noisy 'gain... if'n yer so 'new' then yah jus' get a warn'n."
He brought up that fist suddenly then and, true to his favorite habit, buried fingers into her ringlets of dark hair so to fist a handful and wrench it backwards. "Do not ******** wit' my temper, darlin. 'm not happy today." Or ever. But especially today. Averno's head was snapped backwards by the rough grabbing of her hair by Calico, but her cold, calm expression didn't change one bit. Which might have seemed even odder as she calmly dumped the steaming hot contents of her mug into his lap.
"And don't you EVER presume to touch me without permission, or I'll cut your hands off. Or other things." She smirked darkly. "Now, if you can behave yourself, I will go get some ice for those...unfortunate burns and we can 'discuss' just what it is you need information for. As a new member of the 'family' other Feien will likely underestimate me and tell me things they wouldn't tell you with your...charm. Otherwise, I'll call for Sajhiri's pet Cait to come out of the back room and have you as a snack." ... blink ... blink.
"Ah, ********!" It took a moment to register that it was indeed hot, that moment where your nerves just kind of blink as stupidly as you do in reaction. But sure enough he was long since releasing her hair and withdrawing entirely from her company, tipped back to crash on the floor in surprise. Ah, ********, hot - what the hell?!
And why the hell was she babbling through this? He hardly even caught the end of her rambles let alone the beginning, leaning back on one hand as he glowered in a dazed fury at her. Well that didn't help his mood, his mistake. He heaved himself in time back to his feet, flitting his wings a few testing moments as he stared at her... ah, bugger. He flit to the air and left the tavern at once, what he desired to do in response he couldn't do here. Averno's mask of calm fell away once the violent Feien departed, and she went a shade paler than she had been already. "That one...is extremely dangerous. I'll need to find someone to protect me from him..." She swallowed and looked down at the mess on the floor and table. With a shake of her head, she leapt into the air to wing her way after Sajhiri and seek the sanctuary of the back office.
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Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 6:44 am
From the Pages of Averno's Diary...08.12.04 - Now that I've had time to calm down and reflect on the rest of the events of last night, I feel I can put them on paper. After the red-marked Feien departed, I made the dreadful mistake of inviting another young male who was present to my table. He seemed uncouth, and I figured he would just need a bit of polish but might otherwise make a capable minion. He seemed strongly built at least, and was vibrantly colored in shades of red and yellow. His skin was a deep rich mocha, but any beauty he possessed was washed away the moment he opened his mouth. He was rude, crude, and blunt, but I decided to make do. That was a dreadful error on my part.
During the course of our conversation he called me useless due to my only being a few hours out of my bloom. Of course I always rise to the challenge when my intellect and skills are called into question, so I returned that if he was needing to ask a freshly emerged Feien for help, then he was the truly useless one. His response was violent, to say the least.
He grabbed me by my hair and threatened me. His temper was set off by what I would simply consider witty repartee with most others, and the threat was real and physical. He was very strong, and very fast. But mercifully I was able to keep my wits about me, and I dumped hot chai in his lap. That got him to let go and although I offered to return to our conversation after a strict warning to never touch me without permission, he fled the scene.
Part of me wants to believe I intimidated him, but the rest of me knows better. He knew that Sajhiri was not far, and I made mention of her Cait Maleficent, who actually wasn't there, but seemed as good a threat as any in the moment. I think he will not easily forget the humiliation and pain I inflicted on him, and he seems so violent that I can only surmise that my very life is in danger.
I will have to gather protection from him, and see about perhaps hiring on a guardian to protect me. Sajhiri told me there is a Feien bouncer at the bar named Sunil. Perhaps she can protect me or point me towards someone who can. I shall have to investigate further.
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Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 6:51 am
From the Pages of Sajhiri's Diary...08.12.04 - Last night was a most interesting experience. Averno's emergence from her bloom was both a jouous relief, and a bit frustrating. I was relieved and happy that she seemed unhurt by my former accident, but I am most frustrated that she seems to quite enjoy berating me for my prior mistake. Nevertheless, she is a beautiful creature, with long sausage curls as dark as night, and the prettiest purple eyes. She seems very possessive of her name, which is a little disturbing, since it is the Latin word for 'Hell'. I hope that is not an indicator of what life with her will be like.
At her request I took her to the tavern to meet some others. That pretty white-haired red-marked Feien from the other night was there. I believe he came out of the bloom that Ice had, as he told me to put his drink on her tab. I don't recall what she said his name was, but he seems nice enough. He and Averno chatted for a little while.
I saw her talking to another Feien, that bright red and yellow fella with the darker skin, and since they seemed to get along I headed into the back to take care of some paperwork. A few minutes later Averno came tearing in there, looking even paler than normal. I don't know what happened and she won't tell me, but I think he scared her somehow. She asked about how I keep the tavern protected, so I told her about the bouncers, Nerpin and Sunil. She seemed interested in Sunil, so maybe whatever trouble she's having can be resolved by her.
In the meantime she seems content to stick very close to me. She's been on my shoulder all morning.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:45 am
Date: 08.13.04 Location: The Tall Tales Tavern (Sajhiri's Tavern) Synopsis: Averno rats out Calico to Sunil, hoping for protection. Participants: Sajhiri, Averno, Sunil, and Maleficent (Sajhiri's Cait Siobhan). The Scene: Sajhiri strolled into the tavern, humming, and seemingly in a good mood. At her heels stalked a strange and demonic creature, a Cait Siobahn better known as "Maleficent" by those in Jhiri's menagerie. The Cait looked slightly put out as she glared up at the woman indignantly, but mostly focused her unkind stare at the tiny Feien perched on Sajhiri's shoulder. "Don't you think I have better things to do than pad about this tavern of yours, Sajhiri? Malevolence and I had plans to do some fishing." The Cait twitched her leathery wings and paused to inspect one of the Feien-sized tables. Sajhiri murmured, "Averno asked if we could bring you with us today, Mal. I don't know why, but you can at least be polite enough to visit my establishment. Besides, I have some double fudge brownies I thought you might like..." Maleficent's glowing eyes widened at the mention of brownies. "Why didn't you say so in the first place, silly creature!?" She trotted fully in now and leapt up onto one of the human-sized barstools, her tail flicking back and forth methodically. On Jhiri's shoulder, Averno sat rigidly, her eyes sweeping the common room as if for threats. The presence of the Cait seemed to be the only thing which convinced her to come; her estimation of her caretaker's protective abilities seemed minimal at best. "Seems like a slow day at least..." She murmured from her perch, one hand gripping a lock of Sajhiri's hair to make sure she wouldn't topple. Slow? The perfect time for Sunil to come into work, that way she didn't actually have to do anything.
Sunil sauntered into the tavern like she owned the place, looking around to see who might be there. Hmmm... her boss and some damn cat. Sunil made her way up the bar anyway.
"Hello Sajhiri. Doesn't look too busy around here today."
Sunil frowned and kept the cat in her peripheral vision. Sajhiri smiled at the entering Fey as she organized glasses behind the bar. "Why hello there, Sunil. How are you today? I don't think you've met Averno yet, have you?" She gestured to the raven tressed Feien on her shoulder. At the sound of Sunil's name, Averno's head whipped about to take in the female. Yes, she looks like a warrior. She can protect me. She put on a smile she hoped looked both nervous and charming at once. "Hello, Sunil. Sajhiri tells me you help to protect the patrons of the bar. You must be a splendid fighter!" Maleficent yawned boredly and eyes Sajhiri until the woman obediently placed a plate of brownies on the counter before her. She set about devouring the chocolately goodness. Sunil frowned at the cat and muttered something about cats and pigs not being all that dissimilar.
"I'm alright. And no I haven't."
Sunil looked at Averno for a second before replying. Another useless juvenile. The world was overrun with them.
"I do what I can."
She crossed her arms over her chest, obviously bored with Averno. Sajhiri headed into the kitchen to work on the evening offerings for dinner. Averno launched from her shoulder to land on the bartop, and arched a brow at Sunil. "I see. Well it is truly a pity then, that you weren't here last night. There was a most disagreeable and violent cretin in here. He threatened my life...even grabbed me by the hair. And there was no one here to toss him out." Sunil raised an eyebrow at Averno.
"Ah. I am sorry I wasn't here to put a stop to that. You have rather pretty hair."
Sunil scowled while she said it. Hair like that would be nice, but it would make fighting impossible. Useless really.
"I don't suppose you did anything to him to provoke this attack?"
Sunil wondered idly if she knew the feien who had attacked Averno. She actually knew a couple different candidates. Averno blushed slightly at the compliment to her hair. "Thank you, but I'd have gladly traded it for the ability to fight that lout off last night. He asked me if I knew anyone, and when he clarified Feien, I mentioned that I'd only been out of my bloom a few hours. He called me useless...only he used a much more vulgar term for it, and when I noted that if I was useless for not knowing any Feien so soon after my emergence, what did that make him if he required a new Feien's knowledge of others? He grabbed my hair then and made his threats, saying I should never test his temper. Apparently he expected complete acceptance of his insults." She frowned sharply. "So I introduced his lap to my steaming cup of tea." Temper? That did sound like someone she knew. But was not actually supposed to know. She played it cool.
"It sounds like you did alright then. I don't suppose you could describe this... cretin to me? Then I can be on the look out for him in the future."
Tea, not a bad idea. Improvising, Sunil liked. Averno nods her head. "Yes, he had dark skin, very dark, and his markings, hair, and wings were yellow and red, quite bright in hue. His eyes were gold I think, and his wings were insectoid, not like yours or mine. He was a youth rather than an adult as well."
The girl toys with one of her curls absently, as she thinks back on the experience. For effect she puts on a bit of a shudder. "He spoke very crudely as well." Crap, it was Calico. Sunil hoped they actually were never here at the same time. It was possible he wouldn't know not to admit he knew her.
"Doesn't ring a bell, but I don't know many of the juveniles."
Sunil thought for a moment and eyed Averno. Hanging out at a tavern was a good way to keep a finger on the pulse of feien society. She might be useful.
"I hope he isn't the only experience with a feien you've had so far. Most of them are very nice."
She couldn't help grimacing as she spoke. Making friends was not really her strong suit. Averno shook her head. "I'm afraid it was just him, and another Feien who seemed to think awful highly of himself. He left before the violence began though. This was the first time I came back since, and only because Sajhiri let me bring Maleficent along. I told that disagreeable fellow if he touched me without my permission again, I'd feed him to her as a snack."
She tucked a ringlet behind her ear and folded her arms over her chest. "I'm hoping that the others will be much more pleasant than those two. You are certainly a step towards restoring my faith in Feien-kind." Sunil couldn't help but snort. Restoring her faith. If only she had a clue what Sunil did with her spare time. So cute and innocent some of these feien were.
"That actually is rather amusing to hear someone say. Most people who know me either dislike me or distrust me. I even have a few people who would probably like to kill me."
Sunil shrugged and smiled at Averno.
"It looks pretty empty in here, so I'm gonna head out. I'll be around later." Averno affected a surprised look at Sunil's admission, then she nodded her head. "Take care..." she murmured pleasantly, before she flitted into the kitchens to seek out Sajhiri.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 8:23 am
From the Pages of Averno's Diary...08.16.04 - I spent a long weekend plotting how I could turn the unfortunate events of my first night out of bloom to my advantage. It will not be an easy task, as I know so few Feien at this point, but perhaps, just perhaps, I can garner enough sympathy to both find out more about my assailant, and gather up those Feien who would be capable of defending and protecting me.
My first attempts at impression-making were done trying to look important and worthy of adoration. Unfortunately the Feien seem an arrogant lot as a whole, who are more easily swayed by sweetness and gentility than bravado and capability. It seems that each one wishes to think of themselves as the King of the Mountain, and any threat to their supremacy greatly agitates them. My purposes may be better served pretending to be sweet and innocent and abyssmally pleasant to those egocentric individuals.
Sajhiri told me, "One catches more flies with honey, than with vinegar". For a moment I thought she was instructing me on pest control, but then I realized she was making an analogy. I suppose it's good to know she is at least bright enough for such things. The point of the matter is that I can draw in more Feien to my side, and more easily get them to do my bidding, if I act like I actually like and admire them, and treat them reasonably well until they are fully in my sway.
This promises to be a long and arduous task, but I have already begun by playing the victim to the tavern's Feien bouncer, Sunil. She seems very strong and self possessed. I only hope I can ignite some instinct in her to keep me from harm, as of the three Feien I've met, she is thus far the only one who has not tried to insult or assault me. I need to make a point of finding out what it is she desires in this life, and at least make a show of supporting her in it. Perhaps that will build a bond of friendship of some kind. I need to make these Feien want to protect me, therefore they must be made to like and appreciate me in a manner that is not heavy handed or they will balk at it.
I most certainly need to meet more Feien. Surely not all will be like the three I have met. Surely there will be others of a gentler and...less intelligent...nature who can be bent to my will? I need to learn more about our people, more about what I can strive to in this strange world we have been brought to.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 8:35 am
From the Pages of Sajhiri's Diary...08.16.04 - I've spent a busy weekend going to see movies and watching the Olympics, and playing videogames. I was hoping Averno would tag along and spend some time with me, but instead she insisted she had things of her own to tend to. I had really hoped this Feien would have a happy bond with me, but I fear the leftover resentment from my accidentally dropping her in her bloom stage has seriously marred our relationship.
Open Water was the biggest overhyped piece of garbage I've ever seen. And I love bad B movies, monster movies, and the like. I love to be scared, and I figured, no matter the low budget for it, a shark movie is guaranteed to frighten me, right? I have a severe shark phobia, and it doesn't take much to creep me out when a shark is involved. This movie didn't make me the least bit scared. It bored me to tears even though it was only 79 minutes long. I told Averno how disappointed I was because the critics had gone gaga over it, it was a Sundance Film Festival entry and all. She snorted at me and told me I should never believe everything I see or hear. I suppose she's right. The Village was better than the reviews said it was afterall. Maybe I should ignore the scathing reviews of Alien vs. Predator and go see it anyway.
Averno watched me play Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy for a little while last night. She asked me what the point was, if I really couldn't have a lightsaber or do any of those acrobatic maneuvers in real life. I think she thought it was some kind of training program. I tried to explain that it was just for fun, but she seemed to find it an utter waste of my time. She told me to go draw something.
She doesn't seem to understand that I can't just "Draw on demand" like that. At least not well. I haven't been in a mood to draw the last day or two and when I'm like that, there is no force on earth that can move me to the task. I think she just wants me to draw her portrait. She seemed infinitely jealous that I took time to draw "Some freakish Feien male" and haven't drawn her. I didn't bother trying to explain that the picture of Corvus was done for Em's contest. I don't think she'd understand that either.
Living with a Feien is not the picnic I thought it would be. I suppose that's my fault though, for hurting her, as unintended as it was. I'm going to take her to the tavern this afternoon again. Maybe interacting with some other Feien will change her disposition.
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Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 8:21 am
Date: 08.16.04 Location: The common room of the Tall Tales Tavern. Synopsis: Averno and Silva meet again, and the dark female Feien begins the machinations of making him sympathetic towards her. Participants: Sajhiri, Averno, Silva. The Scene: Sajhiri made her way into the tavern, the afternoon sun slanting through the windows to cast crosshatched patterns of light across the wooden floor. She immediately moved to put a pot of coffee on to brew, straightening the mugs and other items behind the bar fussily. Averno launched off her shoulder as she began her organizations and alighted on the top of Guiness beer tap sticking up above the bar proper. She watched her bond for a while and shook her head. The woman really needed to learn that menial tasks were what minions were for. She sat crosslegged on her perch and gazed around the nearly empty room, frowning. "At this rate, you'll go right out of business, Sajhiri..." She murmured.Sajhiri chuckled. "Nonsense. I don't have to pay for rent or the property or anything. I bring in enough for the employees, and it's not meant to be making me a profit, just to give everyone a safe place to meet." Averno snorted at the very idea that the tavern was safe. But as she hadn't told Sajhiri about her encounter with the red and yellow Feien, she didn't speak on it.Silva stared up at the tavern sign, chewing on his toothpick a little as he contemplated going in. The debt was paid when she gave him a gift... in his mind that meant Ruya was finished with this so-called relationship. Besides, she had tried to stone him just the night before.
So with a mental shrug he walked through the door, heading for the feien area of the bar and making himself comfortable at his usual table. It was just a matter of time... Sajhiri smiled as Silva entered, and she poured him a cherry phosphate in a Feien-sized mug. "Well hello again! I don't believe I've caught your name yet, but I think I met you earlier when Ice brought you in here as a bloom?" Averno looked over from her spot on the beer tap and arched a brow at seeing Silva entering. She mustered her most saddened expression and looked away. "She did, did she? What'd she tell you about me back then?" He asked, looking around. He wouldn't tell her his name, either. He paused at the sight of Averno's sad look, smirking slightly. New approach, huh? Not bad.
"What's the problem, princess? Get turned down too many times?" Sajhiri chuckled, "Oh she was quite excited about having a Feien bloom, quite proud of you." She moved to organize the chairs at the tables. Averno shots a scathing glance at Silva. "Not unless you consider being violently assaulted as being 'turned down'." She looked away from Silva again and over at Sajhiri's bustling absently.Finally her bond finished her fussing. "Averno we have to head back to the tower for a while. We can come back later, maybe..." Sajhiri held a hand out for the little Feien and Averno climbed into it forlornly. The human woman waved merrily to the nameless Feien boy and carried her charge out. Violently assaulted, huh? He nodded his farewell, not really paying attention. If someone was willing to violently assault the princess... that would be Sunil's type of feien. He scowled, heading for the door as he thought. "I'm going to have to hit the princess up for more information sometime..." He muttered to himself as he left.
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Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 8:24 am
Date: 08.18.04 Location: The common room of the Tall Tales Tavern. Synopsis: Ruya comes to the tavern seeking a job and finds one. Averno meets her for the first time and they talk of hobbies and other Feien. Silva arrives and finds himself between a rock and a hard place with his recent ex. Averno continues to seek out sympathy and protection from Calico. Participants: Sajhiri, Averno, Ruya, and Silva. The Scene: Jhiri pushed open the door of the tavern and put out the "Open" sign once again. She shuffled some papers in her hands and glanced over them absently as she slipped behind the bar. On her shoulder, Averno peered at the papers as if looking for anything of interest or use in them. Seeing nothing she cared about she leapt into the air and flitted over to the Feien-sized portion of the tavern and settled into a chair at one of the tables.Jhiri put on her usual pot of coffee and settled on a stool behind the bar to balance her finances. Fuuuun! Ruya slipped in the door to the tavern and purposefully made her way up to the bar. She spared a glance for the other feien present, but made no move in her direction.
Instead, she made her way over to the human sitting behind the bar.
"Excuse me? Are you the owner of this establishment?" Jhiri smiled merrily at the Feien and nodded her head. "I am indeed. Can I get you something to drink or eat, miss?" Averno's eyes flashed doorward at the glimpse of motion, her body stiffening in anticipation of an unpleasant visitor, but relaxing again to see it was not Calico. She got up and winged her way to the human-sized bar, alighting not far from the new arrival to study her. Ruya smiled up at the human and replied happily, "Oh, well yes something to drink would be lovely. May I have some lemonade?"
Then she laughed a little at herself.
"That isn't the primary reason I'm here though. I would like to apply for a job. A waitress I think, if there is an opening." Sajhiri looked elated as she eyedroppered some lemonade into a tiny mug for the Feien. "Wonderful! I just so happen to be in need of a waitress. Can I get your name to add to my records?" She carefully handed the mug to Ruya. Averno wrinkled her nose for a moment at the very thought of manual labor, but she composed herself again quickly and gave a smile to the multi-colored female. "Hello...I don't believe we've met yet. I'm Averno." Ruya took the mug with care and sipped a bit of the lemonade before replying. It had been a long flight there and she was a little parched.
"Excellent. My name is Ruya."
Ruya then turned to face Averno. She studied the girl for a second, while drinking a little more of her lemonade.
"Hello. I'm Ruya, as you undoubtable already heard. It's nice to meet you Averno. Are you bonded to the owner? Do you work here too?" Averno quelled the brow that threatened to arch, her past few experiences tempering her outward shows of arrogance a bit. She smiled instead. "Ruya...that's a lovely name. I am bonded to Sajhiri, yes, though I don't work here, really. I suppose I could, but I want to get a bit more settled into this life before I do something like that. You're only the 4th Feien I've even met so far." Sajhiri jotted down Ruya's name with a grin on her roster. "Great! It's always good to have some more folks delivering drinks and such. Especially Feien-sized ones. It's difficult for me to even get a hold of some of the mugs." "Ah, so you must be new, " she guestured over to the feien sized area of the bar, "Mind if we sit? I'd love to chat, but I'm a little tired from flying over here."Averno smiled her best approximation of a warm smile. Perhaps this being friendly thing had merit afterall. "Of course." She flitted over to one of the Feien-sized tables and settled into a chair. Sajhiri brought over another mug and a tiny pitcher of lemonade for the two to share before she headed back to her paperwork. "So, how long have you been out of your bloom, Ruya?" the dark haired Feien queried.Ruya followed after Averno and settled herself at the same table as the other feien. She thanked Sajhiri with a smile and a nod as the human brought over a pitcher and another mug.
"I'm not sure, " Ruya thought for a moment, " several months, I believe. It doesn't seem like that long, " she laughed softly, "time flies I guess."
She drank a little more of her lemonade, finishing off the mug.
"You haven't been out long you said, but do you have any hobbies?"
Ruya smiled and poured herself a little more lemonade. This was nice, she didn't really know any other girls. She hoped they had something in common.
Averno blinked a few times in mild confusion. "Hobbies? Hm...no, not at the moment other than a burning curiosity to know more about this place and about the other Feien who are here." She poured herself a mug of the lemonade and sipped from it, narrowing her eyes in thought.
"I've only been out for a few days, so I'm not really entirely sure what there is to do around here for a hobby. What do you like to do?" Ruya thought for a moment before replying. She probably hadn't had any hobbies either when she was new.
"Well, I like to paint. I picked that up from my friend Tosten. He is very nice, if you haven't you should meet him, " she paused briefly, "I also like to read, lots of different things, " Ruya waved her hand absently, not wanting to bore Averno with the specifics of her literary tastes, "and I have a whole herd of pets I take care of."
Ruya stopped, that was quite a bit about herself and it seemed rude to go on, even if she did enjoy sharing her interests with others.
"You said you'd met four feien? I'm curious to know who. I don't really know all that many feien myself." Averno brightens at the mention of painting. "You paint? Would you perhaps be interested in painting my portrait? My bond is an artist, but she's always too busy to paint me."
As to the question she murmurs, "Well you were one, and the tavern bouncer, Sunil, who seemed relatively nice, then there was some arrogant jerk who is bonded to someone Sajhiri calls 'Ice' and some violent b*****d who assaulted me because I sniped back at him when he rudely insulted me." Silva looked up at the tavern for a second, just out of habit before walking in. "Hey! Princess, I need to--" He stopped, his expression going blank as he got close enough to see who Averno was talking to. He levitated up to the feien area, dropping down and smirking slightly.
"Well, well... ain't this a pretty picture. Long time no see, Darlin." Ruya glanced at Silva, and chose to ignore him for a minute in favor of answering Averno's question.
"I'm not very good, but I'd be happy to try."
Then trying to look totally unconcerned, she turned and looked at Silva.
"Indeed. I assume you've been well?"
She tried to go for a cold tone, but really only succeeded in being neutral. It was sorta nice to see him. Averno flitted her eyes towards Silva narrowly. She had to admit, being called a Princess wasn't all that bad. She'd still prefer Empress but it would do for now. "You need to what, Red?" If he refused to give her a name she'd give him one.
She looked between Silva and Ruya at the recognition that they seemed to know one another and her brow creeped up slightly. "Would you two rather be alone?" She took a sip of her lemonade. Ruya turned back to Averno and drank some more of her lemonade after glaring at it for a second.
"No. I have nothing to say to him that can't be said in public. Besides, it sounds like he came here to speak with you anyway."
That earned the lemonade another glare. He called her Princess? Ruya was not pleased and the fact she even cared made her less pleased. Now this... was tricky. He smirked, looking back at Averno. "She doesn't like me at the moment, princess. I'm sure you know how that is." He looked around, grabbing one of the chairs and straddling it so he could keep an eye on both of them.
"I was hoping you might tell me more about your... what did you call him? Violent assaulter. Was it a tall blue female with a bad attitude?" If it was Sunil then he was back to where he had started from... Averno nodded to Ruya, then arched a brow at Silva. "Not even remotely. It was that red and yellow lunatic who was in here the day we met. It happened just after you left actually."
She leaned back in her chair, tasting the tension between the other two Feien fairies as if it were a fine vintage of wine. Ruya took a deep breath and finished off her lemonade, half listening in on the other feiens' conversation. Then she glanced up at Averno with a shocked expression as something processed.
"You were attacked? In the tavern? That sounds awful!"
What sort of feien, other than Sunil, who had already been eliminated from the running, would attack Averno? The girl seemed sweet.
And then Ruya frowned, could this whole thing have something to do with Sunil sending her out into the woods that night?
"You said you met Sunil. Did you happen to speak with her about your attacker?"
Ruya felt bad highjacking the conversation, but her curiosity was piqued. Silva relaxed, letting Ruya take over the conversation as he thought back. Red and yellow... violent... Yeah, he kinda remembered seeing another male that day. Hadn't actually talk to him much, other then offering the princess over...
But that's the guy she had said assaulted her. He smirked slightly, noting the concern in Ruya's voice. He hadn't even bothered trying to sound as if he cared. But Ruya... Ruya would get the entire story for him and he wouldn't have to do a thing. He blinked, realizing that he had been watching her for the past few minutes, then turned away as if it hadn't happened.
"You happen to catch his name?" Averno shook her head sadly. "Sunil said she had no idea who he was, and I never got his name. He told me I was useless because I didn't know anything about any other Feien, so I replied that if I was useless, being as I was the first few hours out of my bloom, what was his excuse if he had to consult a newly emerged Feien on other Feien. That was when he grabbed me by the hair and threatened me. So I dumped my hot tea in his lap and got away." Ruya leaned forward to put her hand on Averno's shoulder briefly.
"That sounds awful, but at least you're ok."
Sunil didn't know him? Huh, it seemed hard to believe there were lots of dangerous feien running around. Perhaps Sunil had been lying. No real way to tell now. "Yeah." Silva muttered, chewing on his toothpick. He didn't sound very convincing. "Try and get his name next time, princess. In case... he decides to attack again, that is. I'm sure there'll be people willing to give you a hand."
Non-commital. But it sounded good. He turned, looking at Ruya again, unable to help himself, then away. "Think I could get a drink?" He called over to Jhiri. Averno scoffed quietly. "Who would be willing to protect me from him? He's a homicidal psychopath. And I really haven't met many other Feien to inspire them to come to my aid. I'm afraid to even stray to far from Sajhiri..." she glanced towards her bond. Sajhiri looked over at Silva and chuckled. "Surely, Mr. No Name. I'll have to ask Ice what your name is." She brought over an already poured cherry phosphate for the male and set it on Averno and Ruya's table. Sajhiri stooped down to gently scoop Averno up in her hand. "Time to go dear. You can talk to your friends again tomorrow I'm sure." With that the pair departed.
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Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 8:46 am
From the Pages of Averno's Diary...08.19.04 - I believe I may have discovered a few cracks in the otherwise haughty armor of the local Feien population. Firstly, they most certainly are prone to believing anything told to them by someone who seems sincere or seems to be weaker than they or susceptible to harm. A victim can easily gain their attention, and even thaw some of the customary arrogance.
Secondly, they are not all one big, happy, family. They suffer jealousies and squabbles, and this means they should not be too difficult to pit against one another. A solid plan, so long as I make sure I am on the side of the sure victor.
Thirdly, they have some of the biggest egos one can imagine and are easily swayed by compliments. Complimenting them usually results in a friendly attitude or a blush even, and a willingness to comply with a request.
Take Ruya for example. She came to the tavern to apply for a job, and after I complimented her on her name, she agreed to paint my portrait. A few simple and seemingly sincere words resulted in my gaining a foothold towards obtaining something I have wanted since emergence. Brilliant really.
I've also noticed that if one pretends to be nice, they have a hard time seeing through that veil to any darkness beneath. That arrogant Feien of Ice's came in again, and he seemed utterly surprised to find the kindly Ruya getting along with the likes of me. He even seemed more interested in talking to me by my association with her.
It's either that or he's trying to make her jealous by being less dreadful around me. I don't care which it is, it can be used to my advantage. I'll wrap this up now as I think Sajhiri is fussing about something or other and I'd prefer she not be privvy to my machinations.
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Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 8:14 am
Date: 08.21.04 Location: Sajhiri's office in the Silva Regia tower. Synopsis: Averno observes and taunts Sajhiri, and gains more insight. Participants: Sajhiri and Averno. The Scene: Sajhiri sat at her desk in the tower and carefully worked on tracing the bloodlines of several of the Fey families of Tir Nan Og. She frowned as she looked at where several pages of her notes had seemingly been torn out. She brushed the eerie feeling that she should know what happened to those pages aside and went back to her scribing. Averno buzzed over her head and perched on the top of her inkwell, settling there with an elegant crossing of her legs. Bright violet eyes peered at her bond with a calculating gaze. "What is it you're doing, Sajhiri?" she questioned imperiously.Without glancing up, Jhiri murmured, "Just some paperwork Averno. I'm trying to help Cervus find more of his kin to free the children of Tir Nan Og." Her quill traced a line of ink from one name to the next. Across the desktop many thick tomes of family lineages and records were strewn, filled with ribbon bookmarks of different colors to brimming. Averno hopped down from the inkwell and glided over to one of the open tomes, climbing up onto it to scan the ancient pages with a frown. "And how is it one of divine lineage is related to these...lesser fairies?" Her vibrant eyes fixed on Sajhiri to guage her reaction to the taunt, and her answer.The quill paused for a moment on the page and the woman finally looked up from her writing to the Feien taunting her. "I wasn't born divine. Only the archangels were. The rest of us were souls who ascended after death. Had I not been assumed into the ranks of the Seraphim upon my natural death, I dare say Cervus may never have been freed. I'm far older than his curse." Averno found that most curious. She rubbed her chin with slender fingers. "I see. So you were born before modern conveniences then? How ever do you manage to set the time on your VCR?"Jhiri actually laughed at that and set the quill down. "I've been earth bound many times over the millenia, Averno. I've had various missions which required me to live among humanity on various worlds, in various planes. I learned the ways of each era I served in. And I've been bound to Gaia for over 3 decades now...so I'm quite 'caught up' on modern necessities." "Yet you still persist in doing this lineage work with dusty books, quills, and ink rather than computers. How...inefficient of you my dear..." the Feien purred with her most condescending tone. One hand flicked back a stray curl from her shoulder.Sajhiri snorted softly. "In all my years, I've found most technology to be cold, humorless, and impersonal. People may be swayed by bright and shiny tech for a little while, but they remember and respond best to the personal human touches. I employ them as often as I can..." Averno's eyes widened for a moment at this droplet of wisdom from her caretaker. "I see. Interesting. Do you find fairies respond to this as well, or just humans?"Sajhiri pondered for a moment. "Well, I can't say I know many of the Feien, but the ones I have met seem to have appreciated the rusticness of the tavern. The fact I make their drinks rather than letting a machine do it. The fact that I talk to them besides just serve them. Personal attention is what everyone craves at heart, I think. Feien and human alike..." Personal attention then. Building a rapport with those she would someday wish to call minions. Yes, Averno would act on this information to make her contact with the others personal, rather than distant. The beautiful feien girl let her bond get back to her work as she headed off to think and plot.
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