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 Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:57 pm
*Djanni tosses back the crystal-whiskey, feeling its icy chill immediately go to work on the fires within her. She sighs, pressing her face into her hands while sliding her glass forward for a refill. The flames inside her have abated for now, but how long before someone stirs them up again?*
"Hatred is a curse," she mutters to no one in particular. "Nirvan...forgive me."
Feeling the eyes of another upon her, she displays outward calm, though the heat begins to flare within her once more. Setting her cup down gently, she closes her hands in a vain effort to control the sudden and violent emotion.
"May I help you, sir?" she inquires politely. The fire has not yet reached her voice.
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:02 pm
Fury starts slightly as the woman addresses him. "Oh, umm, hello. My name is Fury, and I was wondering the same thing. If I could help you I mean." Somewhat flustered for no apparent reason, Fury sits back in his chair and begins to concentrate on his tea quite intently.
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:10 pm
*Djanni takes another swallow of her whiskey, the fires dying slower than they rose. That was the way of it; quick to flare, hard to put out. She finishes her glass and signals politely for another.*
"That is a kind offer to make to a stranger," she says. "Though I am no stranger to the sensation of rage." Rising to her feet, she smooths a tangled strand of hair from her face and watches Fury from behind kohl-rimmed blue eyes. "I am Djanni. Pleased to make your accquaintance." She gives him an elegant bow. The stiff control with which she acts is almost desperate in its formality.
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:15 pm
Fury stands, offering Djanni a seat. "Please, consider yourself welcome at my table any time. You speak of rage as if it is a long time friend; or possibly a hated enemy. Would you care to speak further of it?
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:21 pm
*Djanni smiles and accepts the offered seat. Perhaps it is the copious amount of crystal whiskey she's imbibed, as it has been a hard day, that has made her more receptive, or perhaps it is the stranger's manner. Whatever the reason, she sits beside him and speaks*
"Neither enemy nor friend, but constant companion. It is my curse; I am a Berserker, though an unfinished one."
She smiles bitterly.
"I was never supposed to be one to begin with. That was Nirvan's duty". She reaches for another glass of crystal whiskey, wondering if she'll end up drunk again tonight. At least if she's drunk she won't dream.
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:21 pm
Puc continues to stare in the direction of Fury, and now the new comer...
he gulps down the rest of the redberry and wiggles around in his chair. He looked thoughtfully at the mug in his hand. Then, continued staring at Fury.
He was about to offer some help for his quest, but had recalled he had something to do already. It was a shame, really. He would have been more than helpful for what he had to do...
He shrugged to herself and worked on catching the barkeep's eye. He was all out of juice.
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:29 pm
Fury smiles at Djanni's comments, well aware of her predicament. "I also, an unfinished with my own instruction. I have heard that those who ride the beast of rage are powerful warriors; though sometimes a liability to themselves. This Nirvan, was he someone important to you? At this, Fury once again notices the gaze of the small one gazing upon him. To the watcher he says, "Please, feel free to join us at my table. I have no secrets to hide, especially to someone who may be one day considered a friend and ally."
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:32 pm
*Djanni stiffens. The memory is so...painful. Hot tears threaten the corners of her eyes, vying with the fire for supremacy. Her voice is even when she speaks, the result of years' worth of hard-won practice*
"He was my brother, and heir to the curse-and gift-of our line. The Fire."
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:40 pm
"I am sorry to hear of your loss. Losing those close to you can be difficult to bear." Fury pauses a moment, unsure as to whether he should continue the current topic. You speak of the Fire as cursed gift. What do you mean by that?"
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:50 pm
*Djanni leans into her chair, pulling her wreath of shadows closer to herself.*
"It is an ancient curse. The story is long but I will give you the taste of it. We are the Barua, a high-standing family in our land. Long ago, an ancestor of ours was known for his infamous temper. In his time, there was an accident. A woman driving a cart struck and killed our ancestor's first-born son. It was not her fault, and by our laws she would have granted our family a heavy sum as restitution but our ancestor decided that the law was not sufficient. He beat the poor woman to death with his bare hands and cut off her head to mount on a fence post."
*Djanni takes another long drink before continuing* "Our king was furious at the spectacle, the sheer horror of it all. He called upon his wisest advisor, that she might guide him in how to respond to all of this. So she responded with her curse. 'The fury that drives thee shall own thee, and all thy children, until thou sees it for its true self and cleanse they soul of it.' And so it was, the first born of each generation to bear the Berserker curse, doomed to slaughter and maim all who cross their path when the fury takes hold. Generations have struggled to gain control of the gift, but none have succeeded completely. Nirvan was the firstborn of my generation, but when he died it passed to me." She sighs. "And I am afraid I lack the proper training to restrain it."
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:55 pm
Fury looks at Djanni, alarm clearly written on his face. "Are you saying that when the curse takes hold you cannot stop it? If you were to join a team of fellow adventurers, would you be forced to fight them to the death? It seems a hard fate for someone who pledges their loyalty to you."
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:58 pm
*Djanni smiles, but there is sorrow in her gaze. It seems she has spoken too much and alienated yet another would-be ally*
"Do not fear. I may not be able to restrain it all of the time, but I can direct it. That much I have accomplished to through much trial and effort. The rage will turn inwards if I cannot find an acceptable target, as my brother's death is as much my own fault as my enemy's. Rest assured, I will harm no innocents."
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:07 pm
Fury seems relieved at Djanni's comment, but disturbed as well. It was unfortunate that she would resort to hurting herself. But at least the innocents of the world would not be harmed by her uncontrolled rage. "That is a sad tale you tell, Mistress Djanni. If I can be of service in any way to help you achieve your search for a solution to your predicament, you have but to ask."
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:10 pm
*Djanni thinks for a moment, before reaching out to touch Fury's hand. The gesture is sudden, startling even her for she did not intend to do it*
"Help me find the men who killed my brother. They have taken my sister, Djalini. She is the reason why they came, for it was foretold she would have the power to break the curse. I care nothing for myself, only that I can bring Djalini home and avenge my brother's death."
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