Welcome to Gaia! ::

The sun is setting, dripping a molten river of reds and oranges along the line of bruise-colored mountains. Shadows pool into the valley, darkening the rolling grasses and flowing into the edges of Ändra City, eagerly anticipating the full moon to rise in just another hour or so. The valley is large, the opposite edge beyond the view of the naked human eye, and the city is virtually in the middle of nowhere. The reason why is just beyond the human mind.

"Moonlight eyes at my back,
Silver singing, caressing, watching the fall..."

Ändra is an average sized town, but walking through one would sense how very closed it is, clustered together in secrecy, a secret you didn't really know that whispered in the back of your mind. None of the buildings are taller than two stories, save for two separate apartment buildings both three stories high. There are several petting zoos near the outskirts, containing simple barn animals such as sheep and cows, but the zoos are never officially open to the public. It is the same with the three subway entrances/exits at equally spaced points outside the city, where the subway is never actually seen or heard.

"Night on my flesh, so drowning black,
I could never resist your call..."

Within the approaching twilight, the citizens of Ändra are out and about, and so noticeably alive. Each person you pass has a certain flair, something about them that speaks, whether it is the flash of an oddly colored eye, the startlingly bright and predatory smile, or just the overall glow no matter what shade their flesh may be. Everyone moves with a purpose, and with confidence that says their agenda is something incredible. It is possible to detect a magic within the air, but without a trace of romanticism.

"Your lips staining crimson,
Chilling me right to the bone..."

In the center of the city, solid buildings made from old brown bricks are squeezed together in a near-claustrophobic sense, but the wide streets give room to label it 'cozy'. One smaller building in particular has a cloth awning above the door, a deep purple color. Sitting above it is a glaring neon-blue sign proclaiming 'The Luna Cafe'. Inside is what would be considered the stereotypical cafe, using the natural bricks as wallpaper and leaving the beams exposed. The tables are round and only large enough to seat two or three, the chairs and table legs made of wrought-iron curls. Red candles light each one, held on little black plates that allow the thick crimson wax to drip ever so slightly onto the tables. At one side is a small bar with matching iron stools, topped with old scarlet cushions. The place is only half-full, but each customer is dressed in a Gothic style, each elaborate costume out-matching the last. Conversation is kept quiet, a very subtle background noise in respect to the young woman currently performing on the wide stage along the back wall.



The stage is not very tall, just short enough so that it does not require stairs to get on and off. It takes up the entire back wall, black curtains as the backdrop that don't actually lead anywhere. The edge curves into a wide circle, making room for a variety of performances, although tonight's consists of a single person. Upon the stage is a tall, slim woman singing to the guests. Her skin is pale, luminescent like moonlight but ghostly white against her black clothing. Her long white dreadlocks are tied in high pigtails, adorning each with a black ribbon bow. Her face is heart-shaped, carved into subtle beauty with a naturally wide smile, high cheekbones, a straight nose and slightly curved yellow eyes. As she sings, soft but dominating, one could catch subtle glances of her slim legs as her hips swayed to the tune. Her dress is black silk with a halter top and a floor-length skirt slit up the sides high on her hips. She wears no jewelry and, strangely, no shoes.

Kyrus had been wandering the streets, a staff in his hand, since he'd gotten here... This was one of the stranger places that he'd been to since he began to wander. He'd seen a lot of things that would freak most people out, but it didn't seem to phase him.

Kyrus was a tall, lean young man, he looked frail almost, and had a soft voice... One might even mistake him for a female, but the mistake wouldn't be made for long. When he hit you with his staff, you shut up about what sex he was. There was a lot of strength in his body.

As he walked the streets of Ändra, he noticed a cafe, he also had noticed he was desperately parched. He walked into it and saw the figure singing on the stage. He went and sat at a chair in a corner and began to listen to her, and watch as she swayed to the music.

A waitress finally came, he'd heard a strange coughing from somewhere else in the room, but paid it no mind. He was more interested in the entertainment. He heard her say "No booze for the beasties." but since he wasn't looking for booze, he didn't respond. He wasn't going to say anything about the 'beastie' part, either.

"Water. Nothing else, what's the girl's name?" He indicated the singer, and pushed his hat back to look into the waitress' eyes. She would see, his eyes were blood red. His facial structure looked feminine, but the voice didn't match it. He wore a green cloak, a red coat underneath it, which seemed unnessesary, black shirt, pants, and shoes. All were worn from travel.

The waitress seemed a little unnerved, and after a moment simply said "Her name is Sylenne. I'll be back with your order in a moment."

The creature known as Sylenne surveyed the room as the words fell from her lips, each note coiling forth with ease. The last verse fell away to just singing, spiraling along the tune so vividly one might have thought there was another performer behind the curtain, echoing along. Yellow eyes swept back and forth lazily over the patrons; none could tell if the gaze was sultry or predatory, or perhaps a sweetly poisonous combination of the two. As the notes and volume fluctuated, pale hands fluttered and swirled like abandoned lilies caught in the breeze, pulling her arms and then whole body into a hypnotic, arching sway.

All eyes that met her own were familiar in one way or another, whether they had ever been acquainted or not. All were captivating—but the spell was common by now, and not quite as interesting as the newcomers. She saw petite, black-haired young Lily—the only waitress on duty—scurrying about with her natural, childlike grace between them. The one to the left, closer to the back, was slim and lovely, with tumultuous crimson eyes and a wonderfully masculine voice. The other, however, was utterly extraordinary; strangely unique and beautiful, oozing mischief like a pheromone.

Sylenne watched the two as closely as they watched her, dedicating the last powerful notes to them. Her voice curled around the room like a warm presence, up higher and higher. The slim being bent forward, hands still dancing as her chest pushed out with the effort. And almost too soon the sweet caressing sound ended, her arms wrapping around herself as though to capture it against her own body. The music pandered its last beat and she laughed softly, the utterance soft and thick as melting chocolate, teasing the crowd one last time with her voice and piercing eyes.

Untangling herself gracefully, Sylenne slipped off the stage in total ignorance of the applause, as if she had done nothing but sweep the floor. She looked at them all again, and without the smile the predatory gaze was chilling. Raising one hand for a bit of quiet, the woman giggled prettily and made a slight bow.

“Not long now!” she hummed pleasantly, followed by another laugh. “Enjoy your last drinks of the evening my darling beasties, and I shall announce the rules in twenty minutes or so.”

With that Sylenne whisked between the tables, blowing the waitress Lily a kiss before seizing and empty chair and twirling it ahead. The young woman sat herself boldly in front of the two newcomers, folding her long legs and revealing a nearly vulgar amount of the right one. She laughed again, another pleasant sound not quite as invasive as the first and gave them a warm grin.

“Evening children,” the snow-haired woman greeted with sincere happiness. “Welcome to Ändra; my name is Sylenne. Who are you?”

A steady clip-clop of footfall sounds while Taigeku walks towards any relavant people standing about, in this area. There is a certain lazyness about his walk, and a lazy look on his face. His attire consisted of strange goggles on his head, heavily sprayed hair, a bandana, and tight skinny jeans. He didn't have a shirt nor shoes on. His body was very lanky and specacled with tattoos focusing around his middrift, collarbone, and forearm.

His strange grey eyes would glance about, meeting each set of eyes for a brief moment, before moving onto the next. His smile was delicate and intentional, lacking reason.

"Kyrus, Noire," Sylenne replied, bringing her hands together in simple delight. "Wonderful! I hope you'll forgive me if I appear to be condescending. In this place, the word child means something entirely different." As the statement went on, the pleasantness faded from the woman's features, the last words leaving her face solemn, sharp eyes shifting purposely to Kyrus. The look was not to counter his protest, nor out of forgiveness, but perhaps a bit of a warning not to question this. Sylenne hoped they did not notice her avoidance of their compliments.

There was a faint static about the room, growing faintly stronger by the moment. The general buzz of conversation became sharper, more excited with every snippet that rose clearer than the rest. The world itself felt sharper in this little room, each and every member shining and shifting restlessly. The subtle rush of power crawled up Sylenne's spine, tightening her flesh in goosebumps to make her spine roll a bit. By now, even Kyrus should have felt it, whatever creature he may be.

A quiet, somewhat tired sigh slipped past her lips, and the gentle smile returned. Lily gave her a confident smile, raising both hands, one fist closed and the other leaving two fingers open. Both hands then opened fully, signaling about twelve minutes remained.

"You've come on a rare night," Sylenne continued. "We have all sorts of beasties from all over the country." She snuck a coy little glance at a table towards the right, which contained an avidly speaking, petite red-haired woman, and two equally small, silver and brown topped men. They each had sly, sharp features which may not have been so apparent before she began to sing.

Turning back, she murmured with play conspiracy, "My favorites are the fox. They always prove to be lovely and play the best games. I think you would have fun with them, my dear Noire." She gave the 'weird unicorn girl' a little wink before asking, "If it is not too personal, which breed are you, Kyrus?"

((Sorry I've been absent, everything went nuts for me after Feb. D: ))

Kyrus listened and attempted to place Noire's accent, but could not. He'd been carried to so many places by his wanderlust, he should have been more than capable of pinpointing this. If he could not, this meant the accent was not from a place... but from a type of being he had not encountered yet.

Kyrus pulled his attention away from the new enigma he had to solve, and returned his focus to Sylenne. He caught her meaning, and would not press further. He gave a slight nod after she had mentioned this, in hopes she would understand that he would obey the rules of this domain.

Kyrus long ago had began to pick up on the energy that was in the room, the tension and excitement. He began to wonder exactly what he'd wandered into, as Sylenne mentioned that they had arrived on a special night.

Is this why I felt drawn in this direction? The pull was like a magnet, and lead me straight to this city... Then again, does it matter? I'm here, I'll participate, I have nothing better to do.

The question snapped him out of his reverie. He arched an eyebrow and smirked.

"If only I knew the answer to that question. I've lived an exceptionally long life, so I know for a fact I'm not human. Beyond that... Well, your guess is as good as mine." he shrugged. "Maybe I was drawn to this city to find the truth."

Kyrus had some inkling of what he might be, but the Gods only knew for certain.

"If you don't mind me asking, what are you, Sylenne? And what kind of fun have Noire and I gotten ourselves into?" He smiled, changing the subject away from what HE was. He didn't think anyone would be able to solve it tonight, so it was best not to dwell on it.

The reports from the hunt came back sooner then usual all boasting their kills. When the reports of new prey in the field reached town the frenzy renewed the tired and invigorated them and soon the town was empty again. Just as the last remaining left the wounded begain to return.

Whatever this new prey was it had begun to give a fight. As the wounded returned home the stories of a large silver beast that was causing all the trouble. They had begun their attack as they would of a creature this size but quickly found his speed and strength greater then they expected. More of the incoming wounded added their tails to the growing story. They chased the beast into a corner where they thought him defeated but instead he attacked. Many described the bestial fury in a since of reverance as the creatured struck out with his hands and feet. At one point he flung a attack back into the group in order to make a path for his escape.

All the stories ended that same, with the beast fleeing into the woods. In all the chaos the new prey had only injured a few while many had bite marks and bruises.

The confusion was aided by the arrival of a man in the tavern. It was quickly clear why he sat alone as his presence was overwhelming. Radiating with a primal power it was as if a tempest had been embodied inside this human form. It became even mor apparent he was an outsider as he rose to his feet easily standing over six feet high. A wool shirt draped over him and even while it was loose it couldn't hide his pronounced chest his arms as thick as his legs. Easily he reached over the bar and refilled is cup. Slowly he turned with the cup raised as he finished the cup. Enlarged k9 teeth were visible but not protruding but otherwise he would esily be taken as pure human. His silver hair had been cut short and red bite marks covered forearms. A red slash across his face appeared only recently to had stopped bleeding.

It was difficult to understand him when he spoke as the deep baritone of his voice resounded throughout the room as if a growl.

"Where I come from thbe dogs stay on a leash"