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 Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:48 pm
It seemed so overwhelming when the first travel-worn boot stepped through the amazingly undisturbed camoflauge placed over the mouth of the cave, everything inside just the way they had left it. It had brought a tear to Mikaril's eye; not long ago, he had thought he would never see this place again. Humble as it was, it had been their home, his and Kyil's, and looking at it for the first time since they had set out to discover what had become of his house, it did his heart good more than anything else that had happened since their escape.
He had never really had any true concept of time when he had traveled the Wilds, but now he could honestly say that the trip back had been the longest he had ever known. They had been awakened gently as promised by Anon and they had departed, Mikaril slyly leaving a few coins on the chair for their host's trouble, and had sought out what Mikaril knew to be the least-used gate. They had stopped in a shadowed alleyway to cast a few 'borrowed' spells upon themselves; Kyil had turned his eyes to a dull red, and Mikaril had cast a spell on his armor that muted the shimmering designs and even one to darken his cloak to a dull, weathered brown. They had slipped out without any cry of alarm following them, but neither of them seemed at ease until the city of Undrek'Thoz was far behind them.
Mikaril himself had kept looking back as they travelled through endless caves and stony corridors, as though expecting his sister to come flying after them on her hoverdisc, flanked by Nuumia and her guards. It was only when they reached the docks of the Glimmersea and met with the packed crowds and endless bustle that he found himself relaxing more; here was a place where Lolth herself would be hard-pressed to find a specific pair of drow, and once they hit the Glimmersea, he was certain it would be impossible to find them. Haellara had never even been this far West before, let alone been on any body of water bigger than her own bathtub. It was one of the reasons he had always thought the Glimmersea to be the most peaceful place in the Underdark; unless you were dumb enough to attract a leviathan, nobody could find you there. As they floated peacefully along, somewhere where the ocean had been deep and forboding, Mikaril had leaned a little over the side and dropped his house insignia into the water, watching it sink deep down into the inky depths, continuing to stare long after it had vanished from sight.
The journey had been quiet for the most part, neither one saying much, but enjoying each other's company and just the fact that they were alive and traveling instead of wandering the regions of Lolth's domain. Often they huddled close together whenever they stopped to rest; one keeping watch while the other slept. There had been times when he had felt Kyil shaking beside him, and he would reach down, wrap his cloak around his friend, and pull him closer to him until the shaking stopped. His own dreams were troubled, filled with visions of Haellara emerging from the shadows of the stalagmites or rising up from the mineral pools to drag them back to her House. He could only imagine what sort of ruckus he might be making in his sleep; he could only hope that the instincts that usually kicked in when he was out there were not affected by his time of torture and kept him silent in his sleep.
They met relatively few fellow travelers; so much the better, as Mikaril found himself checking the few they did see for any signs of yellow-tinged eyes or jet black hair. He did get a chance to slow and show Kyil the dangling baited 'line' of a cave angler laying against a wall, just waiting for something to blunder up against it. Looking up at the top of the wall, he could almost see the beast's form, silent and patient as it waited for the feeling of prey ensnared in the trap. It had been a welcome distraction despite the danger, and he was able to spend a bit of time hand-signing to Kyil, telling him about cave anglers and a few other creatures that they hopefully wouldn't see in their journey. He was certain though that Kyil was thinking the same thing he was at that time; anything in the Wilds would have been preferrable to drow from the city pursuing them down the tunnels. Mercifully, they met with nothing of great threat, and by the time the city of Eryndlyn came into view, Mikaril almost found himself crying with relief. They had made it. They were home.
The first thing he did when he stepped inside was to lay the supplies he was carrying down and pull out his rosebush. He couldn't stand it staying for one more second in a lightless place with no water, even if it didn't need any. The plant seemed none the worse for its suspended journey, and after a quick watering from the skin, Mikaril set about pulling out the items they had hidden to prepare a pair of beds for them. He placed the supplies down beside the wall; they could be unpacked later. Right now, they still needed to catch up on their resting, and now that Undrek'Thoz and House Torlyl was far behind them, and with no sign that anyone even knew of this place, they could finally get som real rest, and begin the rest of their lives in earnest.
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:37 pm
The cave. It's appearance stirred Kyil's weary brain from it's muddied slog. Over the course of their travels, Kyil had begun to greatly admire Mikaril of his endurance. All he wished, more then anything, was to lay his body down on a spider silk mattress stuffed with feathers, a spider silk blanket lined with soft fur draped over his sore muscles, and a scented candle lit near his bed. Perhaps a glass of weak watered down wine to sip before drifting off into a repose of comfort. He knew that he would not find that within the cave of course. No feathers or silks or filigree type comforts would welcome him. Nothing but a coarse unfinished cavern with hard stone floors and woven mats of dusty reeds would be greeting him today.
Honestly, he could accept this with enough gratitude. It was a stable change from the constant mind numbing trudging through danger filled tunnels. At least here he could sleep as long as he wished with only half the alertness for danger. That would change soon. It all would. He would have begged Mikaril for the chance if he honestly thought it was needed. Primarily, Kyil knew that Mikaril would not deny him a request of comforts if he brought it up. What he worried is how Mikaril may feel if he knew just how hard this type of lifestyle was for him. His feet had long since blistered and chafed and swollen. Unlike in their initial travels, Kyil had worn slippers enchanted for endurance and they provided a measure of magical comfort and protection to his feet. That enchantment had been drained away and used for another purpose. That of ensuring their escape and safety. Kyil's slippers had been cast aside and hard travel designed boots had taken their place. His very toes had ached after only a day of lifting and carrying those boots. But he had said nothing and did not allow himself to slow. There was far too much at risk to be slow! He would admit though, his feet could have been in worse condition of course, if Mikaril and he had not invested in the travel lizard.
The beast itself stood to Kyil's left side, it's scaled head turning this way and that as it inspected the rocky opening of the cave. Learning to ride it had been another painful lesson that he was certain he shared in part with Mikaril, so there had been no shame in rubbing his inner thighs after his turn in the saddle. Personally Kyil felt the Lizard had sped up their travel, as it allowed the pair to rest in turns and extend the distance they could travel in one day. Not to mention allowing one of them to rest and sleep in the saddle while the other walked along holding the beasts reigns.
Despite the hardships and the fear of pursuit, there were good things about this trip as there had been with the one previous. Kyil had been utterly fascinated by the hanging lure of the waiting monster. He and Mikaril were right there, yet it stayed hidden and unmoving as what would have been easy enough prey wandered away in safety. How strange! He marveled over the creatures ingenuity yet weakness all the same, and it got him thinking as well. What if they applied the same sort of ploy in the defense of their cave? Aided by memories of the hanging chain hall, Kyil had spent a good three days wrapped up in scheming a way to effectively use such an idea. In the end though he had discarded it, as the cave itself was far too unworked to place a extravagant defense in place.
Kyil placed his hand upon the waiting beasts green scales and tilted his gaze over to look at Mikaril. Had they not been so worried about Haellara's pursuit, he was certain Mikaril would have enjoyed the trip. Now that they were home he would have to invest in enchanting his gear to better withstand such travels. Better shoes for certain, a softer cloak, and some sort of waterskin that would carry enough water to allow him to wash himself at least every other day. His hair and body itched fiercely for a good clean scrubbing. There was more to it too of course... Kyil hoped deeply that by returning to their cave perhaps this would put to rest some of the nightmares he had been suffering lately. No..not lately... Since their escape. After they had quietly departed from the inn room they had taken refuge in with the strange drow named Anon, Kyil had been suffering from dreams of a disturbed nature. Sometimes they were only inflicted with his feelings. The feeling of fear and guilt troubled him so he did not rest well. Other times however...oh...the dreams.. They had been terrible. Dreams of Mikaril as he pulled his friend from the rack. Only something had gone wrong and in these nightmares he had somehow pulled his friends skin completely off, leaving the bloody muscled body of his friend flailing in his death throes. Or dreams of haellara, somehow finding him and cornering him in the very tunnels, a bottle thrust past his lips and down his throat as he is forced to drink some foul potion. It clogs his throat, making it hard for him to breath as he feels as if he were being pushed out of his own mind. Somehow the drowning of his lungs equaling the drowning of his very spirit so he can not do anything but surrender into a cold and numbing darkness. Then in other dreams..that horrible cry. So pitiful and full of painful longing. Haellara coaxing his name...crooning it with sweet desperation. In his dreams it chases him like a guilty admonishment of his cruelness. Kyil was unaware that when he dreamt these dreams his body trembled as if extremely cold. he did not know he curled upon himself in a futile attempt to hide from his own dreams. He did not know that Mikaril held him during these nightmares, though had he known he'd have felt only warm gratitude and love for his friends concern. Kyil had not spoken to Mikaril of his dreams, and merely hoped they would leave him soon. Perhaps after they had made their cave safe from intruders?
Kyil shifted his feet and began to lead the lizard into the cave. "I'll set the lizard in the back of the cave for now, something so large near the front of the cave should be easily spotted and alert others that there is something back here." His head tilted a little to glance at Mikaril. "Are you hungry master? I could see if I can find something to make a special homecoming meal if you like. We could discuss the improvements to the cave while we eat. Now that we are home I think it will be easier to imagine and plan out." Ah...he wanted to find a way to put in a bathroom! A nice ornately tiled bathroom with golden pipes and faucets and a lounging bench right in the middle of a bathing pool big enough for seven men! Kyil;s eyes dreamily swept over the rocky wall as he imagined a unrealistic bathroom branching off the tunnel. This really was only a cave after all, it was not as if they could hire workers to come in and make the cave look like one of the noble Houses suites..
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:49 pm
Oddly enough, Mikaril found his train of thought on a path parallel to Kyil's. For as long as he could remember, he had wandered the Wilds reveling in the freedom it brought him from his stuffy and dangerous house, not caring about the meager fare or the constant need to be on the alert for dangers and trouble. But now that he found himself making more and more trips out of need instead of for pleasure, the experience had become markedly less fun. He had loved being alone before, no one to worry about but his own self, enjoying the quiet and not having to do anything he didn't want to just because a female threatened him with harm if he didn't. But now that he had a friend beside him, someone that he knew would never betray him or abandon him, he was beginning to feel as though he had......outgrown his desire for solitude. Kyil was here now, and he had put his house behind him forever. He no longer needed the Wilds to escape; he had a new sanctuary to run to, and incredibly, it had become home.
Now that he no longer needed to wander about friendless and alone, he found himself wondering what he had been missing. He looked down at the beds he had put together, merely blankets on straw mats, and he remembered Kyil's room, back when they had first met. Walls draped in silks, a bed doubtless lined with fur, feathers and silk sheets, fine clothes that felt good and didn't need to have any particularly practical use. He knew that Kyil missed such comforts, now more than ever after such a joyless journey over half of the Underdark. He himself had never really had such things; Haellara always had the best of everything, and his brothers had always jostled over what's left, leaving almost nothing for him. He had always feared that too many luxuries would dull his senses, make him less alert and more open to 'misfortune'. After all, how much easier would he have been ambushed in his bedroom as a child if he had been slumbering peacefully in a soft feather bed?
But now that he was in a new place with no need to worry about demonic sisters sneaking into his room and doing things to him in his sleep, he found himself thinking how nice a bed of feathers would feel. Of course, Kyil would need it first; he was not as used to being without more comfortable things. He found himself glancing at Kyil. He looked so worn out! He had never heard Kyil complain once, but Mikaril could tell that the entire trip had taken its toll on his friend. From the endless quiet and gloom of the caverns, to the plain fare they had had to survive on, to the extraordinary discomfort of learing how to ride a lizard for the first time. Mikaril sighed inwardly; Kyil didn't need a dreary cave and straw mats, nor did he deserve them. He deserved feathers, and silks, and meats loaded with spices. Mikaril swore to himself that when they got started with thieving again, he would donate his share and see to it that Kyil had everything he had had back at the Black Bottom. For Mikaril, it was the least he could do for Kyil for once again saving them both from his dear friend's folly.
Mikaril turned his gaze to the riding lizard. He didn't care for the way it looked, and his legs and thighs tended to agree with him. Granted, it had been a tremendous help in making their trip shorter than it could have been, but he knew from seeing them in his home city how a riding lizard often had no loyalties except to its stomach, and a carelessly sleeping drow just might be seen as a tasty snack. If they were to keep it, Mikaril was going to figure out a way to house it some other way; he had heard of crystals that slavers used to keep their 'merchandise' safe and protected inside a chamber that to the occupant was about the size of a small room, but to the owner, would be small enough to fit in a pocket. Perhaps they could secure one for their mount, taking him out when they needed it, or to give it some food and exercise.
Right as his thoughts were wandering down this particular road, he heard Kyil mentioning a new place for the lizard besides the mouth of the cave. He decided to present his idea to Kyil as soon as they got themselves properly unpacked and situated. "Hungry?" he echoed as he turned toward Kyil. Truth be told, he was ravenous; though he still turned three shades paler at the sight of any red meat, he had found that his appetite had increased the further they were from his home city. Perhaps it was finally starting to sink in that he was safe enough to start actually regaining his strength without fear of it being taken away. In any case, he was up for a meal, and now that they were close to Eryndlyn, they could always go out anytime afterward and restock on food; more perishable food that they wouldn't have to worry about it going bad on them after carrying it around for weeks. "Yes, I could go for something. Why don't we see what's left of our supplies and make something? I'll help, and then we can plan on what we're going to do to make this place truly ours." The first thing he wanted was a more secure defense; even if they were to live in a hole in the ground, a secure defense would ensure that they would be safe there, which was more to be said than many extravagant drow houses. But most of all, he wanted to hear Kyil's input. He was certain that now Kyil would put forth what he desired from his home, and with a sackful of loot and a city waiting to be picked clean, Mikaril was determined to make these past couple of months up to Kyil.
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:13 pm
Kyil led the scaled beast into the cave as Mikaril would inform him that he was hungry as well. The thought of scraping together a meal from what scraps they had left over was not too appealing. In truth Kyil had this terrible craving for something hot and moist and not weeks old or preserved for long journies. Something fresh with traces of herbs or pices. Something sweet and indulgant, coupled with a magically cooled drink that frothed and bubbled sweetly over the tongue.
"Hmm, we could just throw what we have into a pot and boil up a stew. I am sure the preserved foods would soften nicely, and I believe we have some flour and salt to flavor and thicken the broth. It would be a good way to get rid of the travel food without wasteing it, whatever is left I am sure the lizard will eat. Then tomorrow we can go into the market and stock up on some fresh supplies." Though in truth Kyil was wondering just how fresh of a meal they could make. With Mikaril's dislike of mushrooms and new disgust over meat, there was little less then fish and moss that he could easily think up to feed his friend . Perhaps if he just...hid it... Mikaril had not minded the mushroom crust on those fish before after all, if it did not readily look like meat or mushroom perhaps his friend would enjoy it. Eggs maybe?
Kyil's thoughts concerned themselves over recipies that he could doctor up and serve for a few moments as he found a small crack in the cave wall where he could hammer a iron ring securely into place. He always hated the sharp ringing sound it made, and he supposed that his fear of attracting some monster was still hanging over him as he wrapped a leather strip over the head of the hammer he intended to use so it would not make too loud a sound. Once the ring was in place, and the lizard's halter securely tied to it so it would not wander off, he returned to the general area where Mikaril was. Kyil unslung his heavy travel bag and dumped it next to one of the blanket covered mat's. His shoulders and back ached for a few moments following, but the knowledge he'd not have to don the heavy items anything too soon made that ache more of a welcome feeling this time. "Did you have any ideas that you wanted to discuss Mikaril?" He felt a stirring of eagerness as the topic of working on their home hovered about them. Kyil knelt by his backpack and began to pull out the wrapped journey rations he had left. Home...it may have only been a cave, but this place was indeed their home. His and Mikarils. The warm feeling that followed chased away some of the travel weariness.
"Since the cave goes into the rock face here there is a unbelieveable about of potential. Provideing we manage to think of a way to expand the cave." Kyil lifted his head to glance over at his friend and master. "I was thinking about perhaps suggesting we have a hidden door or something carved into the cave somewhere, or we could discuss some sort of magical protection for the cave. I...I...recall there being a very interesting protection on one of the rooms back in House Torlyl. The magic that emenated from these spiders seemed rather powerful. Do you know anything about it?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:05 pm
As determined as he was to make Kyil as happy as possible now that they were safely back at home, Mikaril didn't miss the underlying lack of enthusiasm that his friend put forth at the thought of turning all of their leftover rations into a stew. He even found himself reddening slightly; what had he been thinking? The last thing one wanted to do when better food became available was to eat the same food you had been eating for the past several weeks! Smiling at Kyil, Mikaril shook his head. "You know what? The lizard can have the rest of our rations. Why don't we just go out, find the nearest marketplace, and see what we can find? We have all kinds of loot to spend, and since it comes from so far away, it won't be pegged as stolen goods." Truth be told, another reason had occured to him to encourage finding someplace to eat; he could eat and not have to worry about his kind, caring and exceedingly well-meaning friend disguising his food.
"And while we are out there, perhaps we can have a look around for inspiration and see what we can find in the way of decorations and spells to furnish our home with. Do you know I've heard of very advanced magic; portals that one can set up and step through to take them to a whole other room, so that all the racket and hassle of remodeling wouldn't be necessary. Granted, it's expensive magic, but to a pair of thieves like us, there's no such thing as too expensive." He pondered for a bit, not wanting to let his mind travel back to the House they had escaped from, but trying to recall what he had known about Matron Dilayne's door. "Well, it was designed to react to intruders, I know that much. They were just drawings, and if the intruder drew near, they came to life and attacked. I'm not sure how she got them there, or even if she had been the matron mother who put them there, but I bet the concept could be duplicated. We could carve pictures of creatures just outside the cave and infuse them with magic so that they would come to life and attack any intruders." Not crazy about the thought of spiders, Mikaril wondered if they might use something else for a guardian if they chose that route. A gigantic bat, perhaps? Maybe Kyil would know of something.
He smiled encouragingly at Kyil, makign sure that his friend was looking him in the eye before he continued. "One thing I know we'll need to do for sure is find you some new things. New clothes, new grooming tools, and maybe something more comfortable for you to lay on than a straw mat. I know you haven't said anything, but I know you're more used to the fine and fancy, and for as long as you're staying with me, I want you to enjoy yourself. Hell, might as well make a day of it and find a bath house; I know the both of us could use a thorough washing up after triapsing through half of the Underdark." He could almost still feel the grime that had accumulated into his hair from his time on the rack, and poor Kyil probably hadn't bathed since before Hael's wedding. They could get a nice quiet room and soak their weary bodies, and this time there would be no little thief falling from the rooftops to lead them into a trap, he would see to that.
Rising up and stretching, he looked over at the riding lizard, which stared back at him hungrily. "We might also be able to find a more convenient way of keeping our friend here penned up. I've seen these crystals that slavers use to confine their prisoners to a room that fits in the slaver's pocket. We could see about finding one on the market; it'll be safe and comfortable, and we won't have to worry about it eating us in our sleep."
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Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:15 pm
Despite his weariness, Kyil felt a small jolt of energy at Mikarils suggestion. Somehow his friend had managed to pick up on his unspoken desire and Kyil could not have been more pleased due to it. His head nodded up and down slightly as he set the unappatizeing rations aside and opened his bag again. "That is a excellent idea master. Should I leave the travel bag's here and just take what we will need for our purchases in market? I can hide them in the back of the cave behind the lizard." He added the last after a moments pause. Withdrawing his hand from the bag, Kyil opened his fingers to look at three small gemstones. A emerald, ruby, and diamond. Surely they would be enough to barter for the food they wished to eat. Kyil was hesitant to part with any of the jewelry at the moment. They were the only luxury items he could claim to own right now, and like a spoiled child he wished to cling desperatly to them. Or perhaps more correctly he was like a young dragon whelp digging his claws into the pitiful hoard he had collected.
The added lure of shopping though moved Kyil to drop the gemstones back into his bag. "Ah, if that is the case I'll just bring the bag. Just in case we may possibly come across something a bit more expensive that we may wish for the cave." He slipped the strap over his head and pushed himself to his feet, the heavy sack cut into the travel numbed curve of his neck, though Kyil showed no signs of discomfort. "That actually sounds like a excellent thing Mikaril. A magical portal that opened up into another room... since we are going to be traveling, do you suppose we could install a few portals like that into our cave? The portals could lead from the cave to hidden rooms in other cities, that way we could just be everywhere at whim. One day we could be stealing in Menzoberazzan, and then the next we could be back here waiting for the commotion to die down and selling off whatever we did not wish to keep." Kyil turned to the enterance of the cave, but tilted his head a little as he thought of something.
"Master, I was thinking, what about createing a sort of trophy room? We could place items of special value in it from each of our thefts. It would be a interesting place of pride maybe?" His pink eyes glittered with a interested light as he imagined paintings leaping out to threaten intruders. "I like that idea. I like it very much. I think paintings of surface creatures would be very effective in frightening off intruders. What do you think?" His train of thought faltered as Mikaril brought up the tpic of new clothing for him. Kyil glanced down at his travel worn outfit. The delicate pink cloths he had purchased so long ago had been packed away in his magical pack. He had not worn them since their capture, which seemed like years at this point. The enchantments protecting them had been drained off and used to fuel his spells in their escape and he worried about destroying them in the same way he had the pink slippers. The remaining outfit had become too important to him to risk wearing it.
"I would really love a relaxing bath, but I do not wish to make you feel like you must indulge me master." Kyil lifted his eyes to look at his friend and he smiled faintly at the other. "I have had years of sheltering and conditioning. But that life is long lost and to try and cling to it will only make me a liability. I can not let my weaknesses hinder my progress. It is best that I simply adapt to this lifestyle that you live Mikaril. Honestly...What if our lives were in danger again and I was just... too weak because I have a fear of pain or discomfort?" Haellara's cutting words still bled from the deep wound. He could not count how many times during their return trip that Kyil had anxiety born feelings of fear for Mikaril's safety. They had been so fortunate to have avoided any real danger. What if they had been attacked by monsters? Or worse! What if they had been attacked by the dwarves or gnomes that wandered the underdark as well! The constant question of whether or not he'd be able to bring himself to strike out at other creatures haunted him. He questioned himself, his ability to defend that which he had come to love so dearly. Yes, he had lashed out at Haellara. He had made her drink her own potion and he had unleasehed her most powerful fire spell upon her room of torture. But he had not inflicted physical harm on anyone. Not once had he even bruised another.
All these things fluttered between Kyil's mind and stomach in the space of seconds as Mikaril would speak about a slavers transport crystal. "That would be a very wise purchase Mikaril. The lizard would be less likely to be noticed in the cave and would be at hand should we need it in a emergency. If nothing more it would be easy to clean up after it, and yes there would be the added assurity of the beast not trying to swallow one of us." Kyil glanced once more towards the back of the cave, then stepped out to glance off towards the city itself. He waited until Mikaril joined him so they could walk side by side into the city. Kyil's eyes remained fixed ahead as he pondered the pending bath with a sense of eagerness. It was the sound of music that caught his attention, as it seemed rather out of place. Then, as he peered about, he noticed the presence of some very bright colored cloth. Kyil lifted his hand, and with a furrowing of his brows, he pointed down the street they were about to pass. "Master...what is that?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:09 pm
Mikaril's mind had been busy all the way to the entrance of the city. Now that the rush to get someplace was over and they were free to enjoy walking at their own pace, already it seemed much more relaxing. He nodded as Kyil took up the travel bag; there was more than enough plunder in that magical bag to easily give them a relaxing and productive day. He could imagine the pair of them returning to their cave hours later, bathed, fed, and laden with items and spells that would turn their humble home into a miniature palace.
The very thought of their own network of potrals was both exhilirating and staggering. To have access to possibly every big drow city in the Underdark and be able to plunder each one without extensive travel was something everyone from the most ambitious crime boss to the grimiest pickpocket dreamed about. Doubtless the former had such means of transport, and if that was the case, why not? Such variety of hunting grounds would make the portals pay for themselves, and they would then be able to work on the more complex spells that involved the chambers they would want more secure, such as bedrooms, the gigantic bath, and yes, a trophy room. When Kyil spoke of a trophy room, Mikaril found himself thinking of his sanctuary, where his favorite stolen items resided. But this time it would be a room that he and Kyil would share, each displaying their favorite things in harmony with each other, much in the way of their new owners.
"A trophy room sounds great," he had said, "While we're out, we can probably find some books and look up fearsome surface creatures to use in our defences. With it being so dangerous, I am sure there will be hundreds to choose from." He had shaken his head then, and had to restrain himself from wagging a finger at Kyil. "Hey, keeping yourself clean isn't indulging. Remember what I said; if you have a ripe scent, you're no good for thievery. Besides, warm water would be good for helping our bodies heal, and we both know we cuold use as much of that as we can get." He had smiled and reached out to clasp Kyil's hand. "I remember all those things you whispered to me when you thought I was asleep. Granted, I didn't always hear it all, but I heard enough. When our lives are in danger, I trust you to look out for me as I would look out for you. I trust you, and you should in turn trust yourself. You bested Haellara after all; even I couldn't have done that." He knew that his friend had a great deal of power and ability, fueled by emotions that were so foreign to their world that the emotions in themselves were an added edge. Like when Kyil had first discovered his power, Mikaril was determined that his friend realize the extent of it and learn to trust in his own abilities. Not as a crutch, but enough to realize how much it could help him, help them both.
So between portals, remodeling, and his friend, Mikaril's mind was quite preoccupied when they entered the city. He was hoping to at least secure a slaver's crystal; just putting that beast away would improve the cave in size, security, and most of all, smell. So lost in thought was he that Kyil's question caught him off guard, and he had to blink a few times before registering what his friend was pointing out. Down a street they were just getting ready to pass, a crowd was gathering amid brightly-colored banners and drapings. A slight strain of music wound its way toward the pair, and sounds of laughter and astonishment mingled in with the general hubbub. Tilting his head, Mikaril wrinkled his forehead. "Not sure....maybe it's some sort of public humiliation or execution, though it seems too lighthearted and nonviolent for that. What's say we find out? If anything, that huge crowd is just begging us to lift a few purses." With a wink at Kyil, Mikaril began to wind his way down the street and toward the commotion, figuring a few additions to their fund wouldn't hurt, and even if the crowds proved too packed, he was curious as to the cause of the ruckus.
He was quite surprised to find a sort of entertainment troupe that seemed to be as large as an entire house, dressed in costumes that vied for attention and all seemed to be directing anyone caught in the whirl of color to a large tent erected in the center of the activity. They passed a contortionist doing impossible feats of movement as a gaggle of females statred at him hungrily, and a dancer who did an intricate flowing dance as she laced a crystal-studded whip around her, not once nicking her perfect skin. A long-haired male juggled several colorful balls, and a strange, silent drow in a red costume with a painted face gestured with much exaggeration at the pair, pointing them toward the tent. Mikaril turned to Kyil. "This looks like an entertainment troupe to me. I've heard of them passing through Undrek'Thoz from time to time, but I've never seen one. What's say we have a look? It'll be fun." Pulling a few coins out of a pocket in his cloak, Mikaril walked over to the entrance to the tent, where a sour-faced goblin was taking payment for admission. Mikaril gave the surly creature the coins and walked inside, making sure Kyil stayed close in the crowd. Inside, a large space had been cleared and was surrounded by benches. Clamoring to get a spot in th very front row, Mikaril sat down and gestured for Kyil to join him. "This should be fun."
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Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:45 pm
Kyil felt a sense of pride and satisfaction that Mikaril was open to his suggestions for their home. He could not wait in a way. A eagerness was quickly making the travel tiredness vanish from his body. A home. Their home. Kyil glanced towards Mikaril as he reached out and clasped his hand. There was...a warm feeling that formed in his chest at the simple motion. His lips spread into a very happy smile and he gave that hand holding his own a small squeeze. Of course...his features turned darker as he blushed. Mikaril remembered all of those things did he? Kyil had such mixed feelings now. A part of him was embaressed to have been overheard, yet at the same time he felt encouraged due to the fact Mikaril did not scoff or speak down to him for his foolish words. He also felt a mix of sharper shame and pride when the mention was made of besting Haellara. "I am certain that you could have master." He polietly protested, though he did not pursue his words with any others. In the situation they had been in...Mikaril would have been dead by this point if he had not finally acted. He should have done so earlier and thus saved his friend from all that pain. He was such a coward...weak of will and heart... Perhaps not so much anymore though.
Mikaril and he both had fallen silent then, their minds caught up in their own thoughts for that time until he made his curious question. It made some sense that the laughter would come at the expense of another. A bout of humilation or a execution made a great deal of sense actually. Yet still Mikaril had made a valid point. That laughter did not have the cold edge to it that Kyil was familar with when one drow was commiting a wicked act upon another. His head nodded at the suggestion they go and find out, though his interest was more for finding out what was going on and less out of a desire to lift a few purses.
The costumed drow...the colors and sounds... Kyil found his pink eyes widening much like a young childs. One of the drow was moving in ways that even Kyil would have to admitt would have been difficult for him to perform himself. How did he manage to do that? The danceing female with her pretty whip captivated Kyil. Her style of dress was beautiful, and the sounds that seemed to surrond her gave her a aura of enviable beauty. Kyil found himself taken aback slightly as he and Mikaril passed a male juggling some colorful balls. His steps paused as he stared openly at the male he seemed to have a great deal in common with. Long white hair, a strange ornate tattoo that incorporated blue upon one arm, pink eyes! Kyil could almost imagin himself possibly related to such a male. Then though a silent drow had caught Mikaril's attention and Kyil found himself being directed towards a large colorful tent. "Entertainment troupe?" Kyil echoed softly. "I have never heard of such a thing before master. I would like to see inside though..." Kyil followed with a continued wide eyed look on his face as Mikaril purchased their enterance and led him into the tent.
Kyil was surprised by the size of the tent. It was as large as a House courtyard of one of the Higher Houses! Hundreds of drow sat on raised bench's surrounding a large circle. Flags of multiple colors fluttered overhead in a breeze Kyil could only faintly detect. As he sat and watched, young drow scampered up and down the steps, calling out various treats and drinks that they carried on tray's slung over their neck. Kyil leaned in and gently nudged Mikaril to whisper to him "I think I should like to try a bag of the flavored sugar crystals and one of the flavored drinks. What about you?" He asked while diverting his attention from the nearest boy and down to the ring where there was a stirring of activity. A loud well dressed female was introuduceing the circus to the crowd and promiseing amusement and amazement along with a long string of other words meant to instill excitement. As she stepped down from the center, Kyil tilted his head to watch the performers below.
Ssussun sat within her wagon. her legs were crossed and she was inhaleing deeply the smoke from a brazier before her. The calming and slightly mind altering smoke helped calm Ssu before her performance. Being a fire 'eater' her act had to incorporate a few dangerouse elements so she could stand apart from the simple 'Fire Elementalists' that could be found scattered through out the underdark. She needed to give the crowd something worth wanting to watch. So... Ssu did, and she did it a damn sight better then many would expect from the flighty female.
A knock came on her wagon door and she opened red eyes hinted with a amber orange to peer across the small floor. "Your up in twenty Ssussun!" The voice informed her.
"Great. Just five more minutes." She replied and moved to twist the top of the brazier closed. The smoke cut off and she lifted the small metal pot to set it on a box shelf. With a flick of her wrist, the wound a bit of wire over the top to hold it in place and moved to collect her tools. Tools...well..more like her ribbons really. Ssussun clipped the long white ribbons in place under amber stones set in flattering places on her skimpy performers outfit.
Ssu stepped out of her wagon, smileing happily as she crossed over to the back enterance of the tent. "Is my enterance ready?" She asked a drow holding a clip board that stood near a flap and peered out into the ring.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah. We put down the fire resistant material on the stand and the Ringleader has warned those 'weak of sight' that there will be a dazzling display soon. So...you think you can pull it off?" He asked while glanceing at Ssu curiously.
"Practice has been successful." Ssu happily informed him as she watched a pair of clowns carry out a gold 'birdcage' to the stand. The pair quickly locked the cage down in place, and with their usual awkward tumbly way, they tripped over themselves to get away from the cage as if in fear.
Ssu heard the Ringleaders voice calling out to the crowd again, introduceing 'Ssussun the Pheonix of the Underdark' to them all and warning them once more to sheild their eyes or purchase the red tinted glasses for the act to follow.
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Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:54 pm
Mikaril found himself on the edge of his seat as the impressive female began to announce the fun and amazement that they were about to enjoy and bear witness to for their paltry fee and a couple of hours of their day, promising it to be one of the best of their lives. He let himself be caught up in the excitement, glad that any daring feats he was about to witness would not be placing either himself or Kyil in harm's way. This to him was a safer excitement, and right now it was no less exciting than if they were fresh from a robbery and had half the city's guard on their heels.
Hearing Kyil's whisper reminded Mikaril of just how hungry he was, and his friend was undoubtedly just as ravenous as he was. Even though he had never been to something like this, it somehow seemed proper to have treats as they watched. Digging into the bag of jewels, Mikaril flagged down one of the youngsters. "We'll take two of your bags of sugar crystals and two drinks." Handing one of each to Kyil, he settled back to enjoy the beginnings of the show. The crystals were wonderfully sweet; he even had a fleeting thought that Hael would spit in her bowl of holy water to get her hands on something like this. The drink was likewise refreshing, almost fruity, and kept him cool in the general closeness of the tent.
Once the impressive-looking drow was gone, the acts began. First was the long-haired juggler, who started off with only a few balls, but soon turned his act into a complicated dance as he tripled the amount of balls before their eyes and still managed not to drop a one. Mikaril was amazed that he could maintain such a fluid grace with his long, flowing hair. Next was the contortionist, who in spite of his unremarkable attire, mande Mikaril cringe with all the complex twists and turns he put his body through. The only time he had seen a body twist like that was...... He shook his head immediately; he was not going to let this time be tainted with thoughts of his former life. He was determined to put as much of that behind him as he could, and he WOULD enjoy this. They both needed this distraction.
He almost found himself overcome as the knife-thrower's act came out. Seeing the female strapped down to the spinning board while the dashing but cold-eyed male threw knives at her with seeming abandonment made him clench his fist and make small dents in the drinking cup. As he noticed the fear in the female's eyes, he found himself imagining that it was Haellara strapped down and having knives thrown at her, clipping her golden locks and coming close to marring her perfectly formed breasts. By the time the last knife was thrown and the male was bowing and throwing winks to the females in the front rows while the obviously unnerved female dashed to the back, Mikaril found that he had enjoyed that act more than he thought he would.
As the dancer with the whip was introduced, Mikaril was able to push the unwelcome thoughts away. The female's dance was a thing of true beauty; the music that seemed to come from nowhere complimented her as she intricately danced about, her whip moving in perfect sync and all the grace and fluidity of a ribbon. Several times he was certain that she would nick herself, but then she would gracefully execute the move and the dangerous weapon would gently brush her, as though it were making love to her. He noticed more than a few males looking covetously at the dancer, and he grinned in spite of himself. Did they think they stood a chance against a pretty thing like that? She probably had would-be suitors in every city in the Underdark. Personally, Mikaril felt that he had had more than enough female attention to last a lifetime; they were nothing but trouble. He would be perfectly happy just being with his friend Kyil. Speaking of which.....Mikaril stole a glance to his side, delighted to find that his friend seemed to have a happy and awed expression on his face. Glad that he seemed to be enjoying the show as much as he was, Mikaril gulped the rest of his drink and returned his attention to the stage.
After an act with a drow strong-man that looked as though he could eat hook horror legs like crab legs, Mikaril noticed that the young drow who had previously been selling sweets were now selling pairs of red-tinted glasses. Curious, Mikaril beckoned one over, intending to ask the youth what they were for, when he noticed two clowns emerge on the stage with a large golden birdcage. The ringmaster announced the next act: Ssussun, the Phoenix of the Underdark, and warned the crowd of the impending brightness of the act, suggesting that they purchase the glasses. Grinning slyly at the cleverness and downright greed of not including the glasses with the tickets, Mikaril bought two pair and handed one to Kyil. "Are you having fun?" He had to speak a little loudly as the crowd around them murmered about what the next act would bring.
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:58 pm
Kyil happily took the sugar treats and drink in his hands. Between delighted sips and nibbling on the candy, Kyil's eyes remained glued to the scens below. He barely even blinked as the performers worked their special skills below. "Amazing" He breathed one moment later. The skill of the contortionist and jugglar left him nearly breathless. While so many males looked on with lustful expressions to the danceing whip weilder, Kyil merely looked on ith a thoughtful studious expression. SHe was terribly pretty. Her outfit made him want one of his own. Danceing had never really been a skill he had mastered. His hands had been the most skillful result of his training after all. If he could learn to dance like that though! It would be one more thing he could add to his list of..well..useless he supposed traits. It was a sobering thought but he doubted being able to dance skillfully would win him any victories in future battles.
Now the knife thrower...those were skills that would surely be useful. However Kyil could not help but flinch and cringe as the daggers were thrown so callousely at the female. The fear on her face! The poor woman! Kyil felt sympathetic for her fear, and tried to calm himself by telling himself this was all an act. A game to excite the audiance, and it surely did!
Soon after the boy's who had carried treats returned, this time carrying box's full of red tinted glasses. Kyil accepted his pair from Mikaril and carefully slipped the simply made wire rim glasses over his eyes. he blinked as the world fell into hues of red. Mikaril asked him a question, and Kyil tilted his head to speak loudly so his friend could hear him. "Yes master. This is wonderful. I am going to remember this as fondly as I do the Glimmersea." Kyil paused then and looked back down to the stage.
The Faerie lights that had been used to light the stage were dimmed so darkness nearly overwhelmed the entier setting. Ssussun watched eagerly as the crowd waited. There was still a curious buzz, but she knew that all eyes were set down on the golden cage. Ssussun placed her hands at her breast and clasped her palms over the amber gemstone there. She intoned the incantation for her spells under her breath behind the curtain.
Out in the circle, the golden cage glimmered faintly in the very weak light. A sudden flare of bright crimson and yellow flames engulfed the cage then. The flames burst from the cage and surged up into the air above. Flames twisted and stretched while they streaked over the heads of the audiance. Two large wings and a long graceful neck formed of crimson flames. A flowing tail and beak with head plumage of yellow flame formed as the flame created bird flew. It's eyes glowed in eerie contrast as white hot flames. Behind the protective lenses of the glasses the flaming bird was more clearly visable. Independant flames flickered like feathers, such was the control of the flames that even a tiny blue flame split the center of the birds white pupil to give it a distinguishing eye. The bird of fire circled the tent in three quick swoops. Heat emenated from it's body to bask the audiance in it's warmth before it took a swan dive back towards the cage. The fire bird struck the cage with enough force to send a slight tremor through the feet of the audiance. The golden cage remained standing firm however, and in the wake of the flames explosion, Ssussun appeared. Her cloths burned but were not consumed. The ends of her ribbons trailed like the fire birds tailfeathers from her outfit. her head was tilted back and her face upraised, her arms spread overhead as if they had been the wings that had flapped just moments before. Ssu dropped her hands to the golden bars of the cage, which still had licks of flame darting up their lengths. The bars of the cage fell away in a musical clatter and she stepped through. Flames flickered and waved in her passing, and Ssu moved with a purposeful gracefulness. As if imitating the grace of the bird that had flown before, she called forth spiraling whirlwinds of flame with a twist of her body and a wave of her hand. Fire rose from her feet, and Ssu seemed to inhale the fire into her very lungs. Arching her back, she exhaled, sending shooting yellow flames high into the air overhead. Those flames scattered and fell like a rain of fire across the floor of the circus ring. Ssu coyly bent her head, causeing her loose hair to sweep over her shoulder while tendrils of flame arched over her body like a serpent winding about her.
As part of her act, Ssu performed a flirtacious sort of dance with the flames. At times the small flickers merely followed in the wake of her movements, other times small pillars roared up around her, the wind heated and moving about her independant. Like a living candle flame she exhaled streams of fire, inhaled it, embraced it, and in the end appeared to be utterly consumed by it. The fire burned hotter in the last moments and it roared about her like a bonfire. She fell to her knees with her head bent, as if submitting to the powerful flames, then vanished in a white hot burst. Clowns darted out into the ring carrying pails of water and sand to fling over the diminished flames and smother them out.
Ssu appeared behind the curtain in a small flash as the teleport spell took her from the circus stage the same way it had carried her out when she made her flame created image strike the golden cage. She trembled and laughed softly as she staggered out of the red circle that had been marked for her return spell. Sszor the mime stood by waiting patciently, and as she stepped out of the circle he moved forwards to quickly drape a water logged cloak over her shoulders. A hiss of steam immediatly followed and whisps of white curled up from her shoulders. Ssu once more gave a high pitched little laugh. Her eyes were bright, the red orbs shimmered with amber orange as she leaned in towards the silent mime.
"Ooooh Sszor. Your looking so serious today. More so then usual. Let's go back to my cabin and see if we can put a smile on those lips Hmmmhmmm?" She teaseingly murmured while the mime held her by the rapidly drying cloak. Sszor shook his head and began to direct Ssu to a iron seat. She unresistingly sat, and accepted the large cup of water the mine next placed to her lips and tilted upwards. In deep and thirsty swallows Ssu guzzled the cup empty of it contents and the two that quickly followed it. As she finished the third, she held her hand up to Sszor and leaned back. "Mmm. Enough Sszor. I am cooled down now. Go and help the next act." She urged the mime while slipping the now dry cloak from her shoulders with a sigh. Sometimes she wondered just how far she could push herself with the flames before something seriously went wrong aside from raiseing her body and blood tempeture.
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:57 pm
Smiling at Kyil's response, Mikaril donned his glasses and adjusted his vision to the rather pesky resulting dark tint. It made him feel uncomfortably as though he was staring through watery blood. But he supposed that it was necessary if he didn't want to hurt his eyes. Setting his empty drinking cup beside him, he ate another piece of candy and waited to see what would happen.
At first, the lights dimmed instead of brightened, making Mikaril squint as he peered at the stage. He deliberated on removing his glasses for just a quick peek in case they were adjusting something around the cage. Luckily for him, before he could even make a move toward his face, the cage seemed to catch on fire, causing the audience around him to gasp in surprise. He found himself ducking down almost low enough to bend in half as flames stretched out toward the audience, seeming to almost playfully lick at the audience's collective white heads. He looked up in time to see the flames gather together and form the shape of a bird, the detail so intricate that he could see the tiny blue flame in each of the creature's eyes. Astonished, he spared a glance at Kyil before returning his eyes to the stage. He watched the flaming bird circle the tent, then land on the stage with a thud that he felt clear through the floor.
When the female appeared in the midst of the searing flame, Mikaril's eyes went huge behind his glasses. It was as though she had been the bird itself, and had now morphed into a drow female with flaming clothes that did not burn. He watched as she called forth flame to her, blowing it out in a blinding plume like a dragon and causing him to instinctively brush at his clothes, in case any stray sparks might have happened to make it that far. His old fear of flame was beginning to surface, remembering how Haellara had loved to use it, again and again. Yet as the act continued, he found it was becoming more and more difficult to compare this graceful female with his more violent sister. This dancer seemed to enjoy the closeness of the fire, dancing about as though it was her partner in the act, whereas Hael would use it as a tool, a mindless thing for her to let loose on people like a Hellhound off of a chain. The fire dancer exhibited more grace, more fluid movements, and clearly enjoyed pleasing the audience with her performance. Mikaril found it easy to imagine that if the very spirits of flame had had a child, this dancer could easily have been it.
He actually cried out and half-rose as the dancer suddenly vanished in a burst of flame so hot that he actually felt it drying out his hair. He watched open-mouthed as the clowns emerged to souse the flames, not seeming to care that one of their own has just combusted. He removed his glasses and peered about for any sign of the female, but there was nothing save for a bit of miniscule rustling of the curtain at the back of the stage. He reminded himself that if something had truly gone wrong, the otehr members of the circus would probably be doing a lot more than calmly pouring sand and water onto the stage. Still, he was actually sorry the act was over; the blossoming colors of the flames had reminded him much of a flower; a wild, exotic flower who's petals danced from wind even down here where the only wind was recycled and stale.
The final act, the dragon tamer, didn't hold his attention for very long. As the sour-looking male handled his charges in ways that made the females turn to their own consorts with critical eyes, Mikaril's eyes were still full of the image of the dancing flames. What sort of magic was this, that one could embrace the fire like an old and trusted friend rather than a source of pain and destruction? These circus people were quite impressive.
When the dragon tamer exited, the ringmaster appeared once more, thanking the audience for coming and announcing that they would be in town for a week should they wish to come and see them again. As one, the mass of drow rose and began to file out of the tent opening, enthusiastically buzzing about what they had just seen. Pocketing his pair of red glasses and what was left of his crystal candy, Mikaril rose from his seat and made sure Kyil was close behind him before they made their own way out of the tent. He noticed that much of the crowd was gathering around various members of the circus who's feats they had just witnessed. Many young children were gathered around the juggler and the strong man; one showing a bright-eyed youngster how to juggle two of the balls he had used, the other rising with ease, three children balanced on each arm and shrieking with delight. He noticed a familiar flash of dark red and saw a familiar swirl of silvery hair, and he found himself smiling with relief. "Looks like the fire dancer's okay after all."
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Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:48 pm
When the flame exploded from the stage, Kyil gasped as loudly as the rest of the crowd. His head ducked as the fire soared overhead, but he could not tear his gaze away from it. The creature was beautiful. It reminded him of the creatures his first owner had often associated him with. However, as the fire bird would vanish in a ground shuddering way, Kyil had to call into question just how much he had in common with the bird creature.
Kyil's eyes never once left the floor. The fire female was not as dangerouse or sultry as the whip dancer had been, but there was certainly some other element to her dance. He could not stop stareing as she summoned flames large and small. Yet not once was she burned. Fire licked at her cloths but was not consumed. When the dance came to an end, Kyil heard Mikaril's cry and turned his attention to his friend. Obviously Mikaril had felt the same dissappointed alarm when the female vanished into flames. Yet that was how she had arrived wasn't it? In a explosion of flame? Still...was she okay? Kyil watched the clowns chaseing down errent flames and extinguishing them with sand and water before the next act moved in. Unlike Mikaril, Kyil still found the show absorbing. He was unaware of the effect the stern commanding male was having on the females in the crowd. His eyes were drawn to the poor dragon creature that was being so coldly controlled. He was quiet relieved when the act came to an end.
Just as Mikaril had stored his glasses away, Kyil tucked his into his side bag along with the empty wrapper of his candy and cup. He did not feel comfortable leaving his trash behind. He rose and followed the throng of exiting bodies, though he kept a hand lightly resting upon Mikaril's shoulder, so his master would not have to keep a eye out for him in the case they were seperated. Not that it would matter. Kyil would only go to the cave if such a thing happened. Mikaril spoke up then about the fire female, and Kyil tore his eyes away from the pink eyed jugglar to look about until he caught a teaseing flicker of flame in the crowd. Recalling his master's little outcry, Kyil smiled and leaned in to murmur into Mikaril's ear. "Would you like to go and see her up closer master?"
By the time the main attractions came to a close, Ssussun had managed to regain her composure. She no longer felt nearly consumed by the flames energy and her body was no longer in danger of being overwhelmed. Truthfully Ssu did not know what would happen if she ever did give in to the flames, though she assumed it would probably be fatal. Perhaps...but she was not about to test any of that!
The viewers filtered out of the tent, and Ssussun followed the crowd of performers out the back. Once out they scattered a bit, to allow the admireing customers throng about and present better targets for the pick pockets amoung them. Ssu was no exception of course. She found herself surrounded by children and adults alike. All who had admired her skills on the stage. She loved this part. Ssu flicked her fingers under her bottom lip and blew out a few small flames to tickle the tips of her painted nails. With a wink and a flashy twirl, she laughed with open enjoyment at the scattering of applause. "Oh thank you! Your all so flattering! Heee hee ha!" She cheerfully giggled with a lightheartedness.
"Who wants to help me with a trick?" She turned to the crowd. Children of course started to call out 'Me me me' and a few amused adults lifted their hands. Ssu glanced about herself, and as she oft did, she picked out the smallest child from the crowd. Children responded with more delight at being picked first, and she did not want to dampen their excitedness by selecting an adult first.
"Come here handsome." She coaxed a small male towards her. She watched as the plain dressed male approched her, his excited yelling for attention suddenly transformed into a wary shyness. Well, that was to be expected. A unknown female was focusing on the poor thing. He was probably used to hideing from females after all. Still, the boy came forwards at her coaxing. Ssussun reached down and picked the boy up. She settled him upon her hip and turned to the crowd with a smile. With a flick of her wrist, Ssu held up a suddenly appearing stick. It was nearly five inch's in length, and as thin as a incence stick. A white crusting had been painted onto three quarters of the stick. Ssu handed the stick to the boy by the uncoated tip. Once he took it, Ssu smiled at him and instructed the boy. "Okay handsome. Now your going to help me with a little trick. Okay?"
"Kay." The boy replied as he eyed the stick suspiciously.
"I want you to hold that stick up into the air for me." She continued, then waited as the boy held his arm up. "A little higher...make sure everyone can see." She coaxed him uontil his arm was completely outstreched over his head. Ssu tilted her head back and inhaled a short but deep breath. Purseing her lips, she exhaled a very thin line of fire much in the same way one might spit out a stream of water. The fire streaked upwards and struck the tip of the stick with a sure accuracy. The boy squinted his eyes against the flames brightness, then he blinked them rapidly as the tip of his stick ignighted. Tiny blue and green sparkles exploded from the sizzling tip. Ssu cut off the stream of fire, and the sparkling tip was all that remained. She slid the boy down off her hip and to his feet. "Look at that! Now you have a little fire magic of your own!" She smiled down at the open mouthed boy. His eyes were still squinting against the brightness of the sparkler, but with Ssu's encouragement he waved the sparkling stick about.
"Go on now, go and show your friends before the magic fades away!" The boy glanced up at Ssu, and a genuine smile broke out upon his face before he dashed off through the crowd, his little sparkling stick held over his head while a delightful little laugh came from the happy child. Ssu placed a hand upon her hip and turned to the crowd with a flashy and delighted smile. "SO! Who wants to help me with my next little trick? Hmmm?" Ssussun circled the ring of the crowd watching her. Once more the chorus of voices called for her attention and a raiseing of hands moved before her eyes. However...it was a flutter of green and something a bit brighter then usual that caught the fire eaters eyes. She dodged into the crowd, and reached out to grasp at Mikaril's cloak with a bright grin upon her face. "How about you cutie? Wanna come play with some fire? I promise it won't bite!"
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Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:44 pm
Glad that Kyil had managed to stay close in the throng of bodies, Mikaril wondered if now would be the perfect time to snatch a few purses. But then he heard his friend's words; he must have noticed how he had seemed so concerned when she had vanished at the end of her act. Well.....it had been fire, after all, and even a seasoned performer might have an accident or two. At least now she seemed pretty much whole; no raw or burned skin, no charred clothes, not even any singed hair. Her eyes, as he got a bit closer, did seem to retain the fire that had danced in them on stage. He almost found himself drawn to them, like one of Anon's flying insects. Unlike the mixture of red and yellow that Haellara's eyes had, the seething colors of madness, this female's eyes spoke of an inner flame, one that instead of destroying her seemed to feed her, or perhaps it was that inner fire that aided her in keeping the outer fire in check, the one she loved to wow crowds with.
He smiled back at Kyil. "I'm glad she's alright, and I would like to at least compiment her on how well she handled the fire, but the crowd around her does seem kind of thick." He also added silently that if he was to go up to her, then he would have to refrain from picking any pockets until they were finished, for if he pulled a purse and then stopped to talk, the owner might realize it was missing, retrace their steps, and be able to hold and search him. He didn't dare put anything in his satchel until he could reconfigure the spell so that it no longer magicked things into his former sanctuary, and one of the safety rules of the thief was that you had to keep moving, much like a river once someone has dropped something in it. That way there was a much less chance of their getting stopped and caught.
As she called out for a volunteer to help her with a trick, Mikaril found himself curious as to what she had in mind now. Nothing as extravagant as what her act had consisted of, but probably worth a look anyway. Making sure Kyil was still sticking to him, Mikaril edged his way further into the crowd, dodging a bit to avoid being hit in the face by an overzealous adolescent eager to be chosen. Betting that he had something else in mind than being merely picked for a magic trick, Mikaril hid his smile and looked past a few heads to where the fire dancer was handing a rather curious stick to a child, bidding him to hold it steady and high. He blinked and widened his eyes as she ignited the tip with a flourish and the stick seemed to blossom in a flower that gave off colorful sparks of blue and green. Telling the child to show it to his friends before it fizzled out, Mikaril stepped aside as the child began running through the crowd, holding his stick aloft like a torch.
As he passed by, a few stray sparks shoot off of the stick and land on the edge of Mikaril's cloak. Eyes widening, Mikaril caught up his cloak and began to shake it, hoping to dislodge the sparks before they ignited, much to the annoyance of a few onlookers standing around him. He peered at his cloak and was surprised to see that there wasn't so much as a burn mark marring the green fabric. Apparently the fire that she had given the boy to run around with wasn't like ordinary fire. Of course, she probably would get in trouble if she gave real damaging fire to a child, but one never knew. Maybe she expected a frowning matron to act quickly and remove the wonderful toy before he burned himself. Trying not to imagine the scene, and the sadness in the young child's eyes, he focused more on the female who was incredibly bringing a moment of joy to so many joyless lives.
He heard her call out for another volunteer, and he looked around at all of the eager hands, waiting to see who she might choose this time. He watched her circle around, meeting everyone's eyes. Suddenly conscientious of how close he and Kyil were, Mikaril began to carefully back away, but to his surprise, he noticed that the female was following him through the crowd. He felt a stab of panic as she reached out and took hold of his cloak, and he immediately brought his hands up to ensure that his hood remained up as she persistently pulled and assured him that he would come to no harm should he agree. He looked helplessly back at Kyil; he had wanted to meet this girl, but this was NOT what he had in mind! And yet if he resisted, he would certainly look suspicious, and he would most definitely get nothing done in the way of purse-lifting. Looking back at Kyil and pulling him along to ensure that he ended up at the very front where he could see him, Mikaril reluctantly complied, ignoring the envious eyes of the other males and hoping ferverently that what she would have in store for him was as harmless as the sparkle stick.
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Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:26 pm
Kyil could not help but smile in slight amusement at Mikaril. He wanted to tease his friend, but in truth the crowd was just a bit too loud. Perhaps later he could tease his friend over his obvious interest in the female...but not now. Together they moved through the crowd until they could see the fire eater more easily. Kyil watched as she gave the sparkling stick to the boy, and though he sensed no magic coming from the sparkler, he still had to smile. The boy seemed so happy at this moment. The female was a rare one. Or perhaps it was just this House that was so rare. How many others were scattered about doing the same thing and bringing smiles to lips most often turned downwards? The female called for another volunteer, and just as Mikaril had looked about, so too did Kyil. Who would she pick now? At a glance he could pick out a few well dressed males that were boldy baring House Insignias. Perhaps one of those? It would make sense for the travelers to pay special attention to the Houses of this city. He spied the flash of the females showy garb as she cut through the crowd near to where he and mikaril were slowly melting back into the crowd. What a surprise it was when she grabbed at Mikaril's cloak! Kyil's eyes widened a little and he could not help but grin widely at Mikaril despite the backwards glance he gave him. It seemed that his master would have a chance to speak with the female after all! Kyil was pulled along to the front of the ring, and there he paused to watch in curiousity what the female had planned.
The male, like a few others in the past, had a rather trapped look for a moment on his face. It was not that uncommon really. Ssussun expected it half the time. Not all males were trusting enough to believe that just because she had sent a little child off running innocently meant that she had something likewise planned for them. Ssu dragged the male back to the opened area, though she noticed that another male tagged along to the edge of the circle. A servant or companion perhaps? Pity if it was the latter. This male with his uniquely colored cloak and attractive armor made quite the handsome sight.
Ssussun smiled boldly at the male and pulled him to the center of the circle. Releaseing her hold, she took a step back and swept her gaze over the male quickly, as if taking him into consideration. "Well now. aren't you a handsome male!" She appraised of him. "So tell the Dark Pheonix your name cutie. Whats the name of the fellow who's going to help me with my next trick?" she prompted Mikaril with a innocent glib to her features and voice. Ssu lightly twirled a finger through her hair as she waited forms some mute mumble to come from the male. He seemed keen to hide his features, so she would make certain not to give others a better opportunity to spy him. For all she knew he was being sought out and even though it was none of her problem, Ssussun hated to bare blame for calling down some wrath upon her temporary partners.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:09 pm
Had Mikaril known that the female currently pulling him right to where he'd be the center of attention thought him the least bit handsome, he probably would have increased his pulling in the other direction. He had never really sought any attentions from a female, easily deeming them more trouble than they were worth, but after the deliberate and malicious attention he had had so recently, it was the last thing he wanted. But he continued to let himself be drawn to the center of the crowd, trying as hard as he could to look amused rather than inwardly terrified. At least Kyil seemed more than a little amused at his expense. That actually caused him to ease up just a little; if Kyil didn't sense any danger, he would probably be okay after all.
Unfortunately his friend's amused smile did little to banish the sudden feeling of stiffness at being the center of attention. Being used to the shadows and avoiding being seen, to suddenly have so many eyes on him was enough to make him feel like dashing into the nearest alley and hiding. His eyes went wider as he was asked his name, and he almost replied indignantly that she hadn't asked the little one for his name before giving him the sparkle stick. Then again, had she shown the same interest in a child as she would with a fully grown drow, she would probably have offended the adult or thought of as coming on to the child; either way, it was better this way. At least now was another chance for him to practice saying his name sans the surname. "Mikaril", he managed, more easily this time than he had with Anon. He found it easier to focus on the female instead of the crowd and their dozens of eyes. He could see her curiousity, probably stemming from his attire. He didn't blame her; it did seem odd that a drow who would take the trouble to hide his head with a hood would use such a colorful cloak to do the job. On the way back to Eryndlyn, he had actually considered getting another, more practical cloak, but he found that he just couldn't let it go. It had been with him through so much; it had become more than just something he held on to because it was all he had left of his brother.
He offered the female a disarming smile, hopefully to assure her that he was a little bit more at ease and would serve as a good helper for her next trick. He couldn't deny that he felt a little excited; he very well could end up doing some of the things he had admired so about this female's performance; becoming so friendly with the fire. If that wasn't a step in the right direction to recovery from his experiences, he didn't know what was.
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