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 Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:14 pm
 A pale figure slipped through the darkness, seeming as at home in the shade as in the light. She liked the nighttime. It was when the dark things came out to play, and while she may not have counted them as friends, she felt at home in their numbers.
Lailah didn't think any of the other Squires felt the same affinity for the darkness as she did. Not that she'd observed in passing, at least, though she had to admit, she hadn't really bothered to pay all that much attention. She had a hard time caring what the others did without making a conscious effort to even pretend to give a damn, honestly.
On a similar note, she believed she could see better in the darkness than her fellow Squires. Her night vision seemed reasonably strong, in her opinion, though she didn't exactly have an outside source to compare to. Still, it was nighttime, she was free, and tonight she'd decided to explore the area of the Isle where that massive tree rose above all else. She'd heard that the heretics called 'fauns' lived there. Might as well call this a reconnaissance mission then, right?
Totally not just taking off into the night because she could.
Obviously, the Guardians smiled on her efforts. Her golden eyes glittered with malice, locked on the odd figure before her, reclining oblivious in the clearing ahead. The grass sparkled with midnight dew, odd for such a warm night. The figure had to be one of those she sought; one of the heretic fauns, those that claimed to be 'Ancients.' Ha!
She seemed to be alone. No others could be seen, no sounds to give away any other presence. Lailah's attention turned back to the lone female. The odd tree-like antlers were hung heavy with leaves, sprouting from a head of long, ornately-styled hair that fell to the female's mid-back. Silly woman. Who could fight with that much fancy hair hanging everywhere?
The faun herself did not impress Lailah. It was the long staff at her side that gave her pause. It was close at hand, and Lailah knew enough not to underestimate one of these faun-things. Even they could fight if they needed to. Probably anyway.
Times like this, she wished that she were allowed to carry her weapons with her. She'd chosen a pair of short, fighting blades as her weapons, and though she practiced with them as often as possible, Grand Champion Hania still would not allow her to carry them outside the training dojo. She wasn't ready to use them in true combat, he swore. Much as she respected the master, this was the one time she thought he was wrong. Not that she said so aloud. She harbored her belief quietly, resenting the decision, but unwilling to push the matter. Soon. Soon, she'd prove she was ready, even to him.
Even without her blades, however, she felt she could handle some silly faun with a stick if need be. She had the hand-to-hand skills, thanks to the master, and she had her power, and her magic besides. Practice had taught her to use these skills, almost as well as she used her body itself as a weapon. Not that the Squires were supposed to engage in any open hostile action with the Isle residents, not even the Ancients...at least officially. But, no one was here to see. They were all alone. Perhaps she could have a little fun...her special brand of 'fun'...
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:35 pm
 The moon's light washed over the clearing, casting everything in an ethereal, silvery glow. It made little difference to the clearing's occupant, but she enjoyed the night nonetheless. The soft grass beneath her hooves, touched by dew; the strong, earthy smell of the soil; the rough tree bark at her back...the power of the Earth, steady and strong all around her. It was reassuring.
She could use some reassurance. Her nights had been less than peaceful as of late, occasionally spotted by nightmares and visions. They didn't visit her every night, but when they did, the only reason she got any rest at all was the care and comfort of her mate. Dear sweet Takis.
Speaking of which... One ear flicked lightly, her other senses having long since made up for the one she'd lost. It wasn't much of a noise, someone was trying to be careful not to be heard...but she heard just the slightest rustle nearby. A gentle smile crossed her face and she called out, "Takis? Is that you? I told you, I'm fine. I just thought I'd take some time to enjoy the night air, that's all." As much as she tried to assure him that she was fine on her own, he still worried over her. It was cute; even if she sometimes felt she needed to do things by herself, she knew he meant well.
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:22 pm
A sharp intake of breath. A hiss. She'd been noticed! But, how? None of the other Squires could move as silently as Lailah; she'd begun to take this for granted, apparently. Perhaps the heretics had super senses, or some other advantage to wield over the faithful! This would have to be investigated, reported back to the Guardians at once. She would be praised for her good work and reconnaissance.
But first, she had a job to do. Though, there wasn't anything to say that she couldn't have a little fun while doing it.
Taking greater care than before, Lailah began to side-step, moving around behind the faun, circling to keep her off-guard, confused. "I don't know what a 'Takis' is," she crooned softly, grinning in the darkness. "But no, not 'Takis'."
Vanya's surprise showed in the way her eyebrows lifted, the tension that seemed to ripple through her frame. She'd not been expecting anyone else to come out here looking for her in the darkness; most of the others would be asleep anyhow, and she didn't feel that many would be driven to look for her in any case. Not for being gone only an hour or so in the dead of night.
The voice was completely unfamiliar. Youthful, but with a strange undertone she couldn't quite place. While she had been trying to get to know the other Faun who lived in the Tree, and she had made good progress, she felt, especially during the storm...she didn't recognize this female as any she'd encountered before.
Vanya knew better than to ignore her instincts. They'd never steered her wrong before, and she relied more on them now than ever before. But, while they were sending her loud, obvious warning signals, the stranger had yet to offer any real threat to her person. She had no right to respond as if she had. Instead, the Seer kept her voice even, if wary, and called back, "I'm sorry. My mistake. I'd expected someone else. Forgive my error." She nodded politely, silently tracking the voice as it moved around her. "Is there something I can help you with, Miss?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:04 pm
Lailah chuckled softly, her sharp golden orbs picking up the subtle change of tension in the faun's posture. Like a deer that's caught the scent of a predator. Not a far stretch actually, now that she thought about it. The similarities were almost eerie.
Continuing to circle, she answered the heretic calmly, "As a matter of fact, yes. I'm new to the area, you see. Maybe you could tell me something about the place. And yourself?" She didn't figure she could just come out and ask for all their secrets, obviously. But maybe the faun was more foolish than she appeared. Which would be a stretch.
"New to the area?" Vanya repeated, eyes staring forward, ears tracking the stranger's movements. Perhaps so, but...who was she?
Be careful...
"I'm sure you've noticed the Great Tree," she proceeded cautiously. One would have to be blind to have gotten this close without noticing it towering over the area, even in the dark; it blocked out much of the night sky. Ha.
"Perhaps we should introduce ourselves before moving further, as is polite," she redirected, head tilted slightly. "My name is Vanya. Spiritual Healer and Seer of the Faun. And your name is...?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 9:24 pm
Lailah stifled a snort. Sure thought highly of herself, didn't she? High Poobah of Healing and Seer of Things! She nearly giggled, but managed to keep her composure. Barely.
Still circling, Lailah noticed that something wasn't quite right about the faun female. Something about how she moved...or wasn't moving, as a matter of fact. She was abnormally still; most prey animals would panic, take flight. And she was acting enough like a deer. And yet, she held almost perfectly still, except for her ears twitching slightly at every sound. Her gaze was locked forward, fixed on nothing. What was she looking at? Or was she...? No...it couldn't be...it'd be too funny...
"You're blind!" she burst out, laughter spilling forth. "Seer? I don't think you're seeing much of anything, lady!" The angel cackled, clutching her stomach; she hadn't laughed this hard in so long, it nearly hurt.
Well, that wasn't nice. Vanya's cheeks flushed hot, but she held her tongue.
Patience. Calm. Focus.
The surge of laughter was accompanied by something else; something only the Seer would see. A flash of color, pinpointing the other's location, and also something more. Red, touched with gold at the edges. Vanya hesitated, frowning as the colors faded. What...did that mean? She'd never seen a color combination like that before. Of course, all the other auras she'd seen had been other Faun. She'd suspected that the stranger was no Faun from Laisidhiel, but...what did those colors mean?
As she puzzled this over, Vanya turned her attention back to the laughing female. "I see more than you think, young one," she spoke with deceptive calm.
Still chuckling, the angel couldn't resist calling her bluff. "Oh, really? Something more what I see when I close my eyes? Cause the back of my eyelids isn't really all that impressive." Ah, this was entertaining. Maybe she wouldn't learn much from this endeavor afterall, but at least she'd not have wasted the night.
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 2:07 pm
Vanya had never known herself to have much of a temper before, but the rude young woman was really getting on her nerves at this point. Yes, the Seer had begun to accept and adapt to her new abilities in exchange for the loss of her sight, yet, that didn't mean it wasn't still a sensitive issue. At least, enough so that it wasn't meant to be the target of jokes.
She held her tongue, holding back so many things she wanted to say, hands clenched into fists at her sides. At the back of her mind, a voice continued in a soothing rhythm, sounding familiar and reassuring all at once. Relax, young seer. Words are of no danger, though they mean to cut. Let them pass over you, like the breeze. Focus inward, allow yourself to see the truth...
When she spoke again, her voice was steady and even. "I see you, young one, perhaps better than you see yourself. You speak with confidence bordering on arrogance, sounding so sure of yourself; but only because you doubt yourself and you don't want others to know."
The laughing angel's chuckles had subsided a bit and she paused to wipe her eyes before looking back towards the heretic. What was she going...on...about...? Her amusement sobered swiftly, and she narrowed her golden eyes on the stick-headed woman. She caught herself before she could say anything; no, that would only confirm what she'd said if she objected. And besides, of course she sounded confident when dealing with a blind foe. She was just making a lucky guess.
Vanya continued, interpreting the flashing images and impressions that passed through her mind as she focused on the stranger. "You take joy in others' pain. You revel in it, thrive in it. Violence came to you as naturally as water to a fish. Where others hesitated, you were eager."
The Squire was growing distinctly uncomfortable now, fidgeting and tapping her fingertips against her thigh, missing her dagger, counting slowly with each tap, counting to remain calm and in control. Alright, perhaps this wasn't as fun anymore; but nothing had been lost. She could leave, and the backwoods heretic would be none the wiser who she had been talking to.
"Dark wings from above," Vanya's voice had changed, growing softer and yet more ominous at once. "Serving a higher power and bringing death and destruction in their wake. Wings stained with blood..." her voice cracked, and she stopped, mind slipping back to her nightmares...
"You liar!" Lailah spat, holding her hands before her and murmuring a few words to herself as she began gathering energy. "You're not blind!" Obviously, the wench could see her, all this muttering about bloody wings and stuff; she'd been seen, meaning she could be described and recognized in the future! The game was over; time to cut her losses and run. At least the fool knew nothing more than there was a teenager out there who didn't like her much.
There wasn't much light out here tonight, but it might be enough to help her make her getaway.
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 8:29 pm
Vanya couldn't tell exactly what was happening, but she could sense the sudden gathering of power in front of her. Her first thought was of alarm, that she should flee, but the voice spoke to her again. 'Be calm, young seer. Stand your ground, strong as the Earth. You have ways to defend yourself, do you not?'
Lailah had begun gathering the light from the area; there wasn't much to work with, but it was enough. Even the moon seemed to grow dim as any light in the area seemed to gather and coalesce between Lailah's hands. She was concentrating on what she was doing, but also keeping a wary eye on the Faun...she was up to something as well. Wait, what was she...?
Vanya lifted her hands towards the stranger, palms forward, as a small sigil burned into each of her palms began to glow with an eerie red light. "I would suggest that you take your leave of this place, child. Go now, and you leave in peace." It took everything she had to put such an authoritative tone in her voice. She could swear the child would see her shaking.
Oh, Lailah was leaving, but not without a parting shot. Without warning, she threw the light orb in her hands, turning to shield her eyes and flee in the same motion. As the orb hit the ground, a brilliant flash filled the area with blinding light. Lailah chuckled to herself, zipping through the trees while the opportunity allowed her to escape unseen. 'That'll give that lying seer something to think about!'
Unaffected by the brilliant light, Vanya held her position, confused by the dissipation of gathered power with no noticeable effect. Odd. She didn't sense any other presence in the area anymore, no color auras remained, nor did she hear anyone. Was she truly alone again? Only when she was sure, did she lower her hands and begin muttering the spells that would re-strengthen the seals on her darker powers. She'd begun to loosen the seals on her chaos abilities, a sure sign that she'd felt threatened and desperate. It was a last resort, if she could help it. Hopefully she could keep it sealed for now, as there was no telling what might happen when they were loosed.
What in the great earth had just happened? She'd read the stranger, much like she'd read the female fauns vying to become Rais' wife back in the ceremony...and yet, she hadn't needed to touch her, like the others; only concentrate on her solely. It hadn't been easy, but she hadn't believed it possible in the first place, so that alone made it remarkable. And the things she'd seen...felt...
Shivering, Vanya crouched in the dirt, folding in on herself, arms to chest, chest to knees. Such darkness...her nightmares come to visit again. What did it all mean? Why here? Why now? There were no more answers to be had here tonight. As soon as she felt steady, she would grab her staff and head for the safety of Laisidhiel. The warmth of her mate. Home. Tonight was for comfort; tomorrow would be business.
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