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 Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:24 pm
 Tenepolis City in the Wastes
A city that could almost be called something between a grandiose slum and a citadel built from a twisted, metallic nightmare, Tenepolis, though a place that appears horrifying to travelers and outsiders, is a beacon of hope to those who live within the Barren Wastes to the South. Exiles and Shadows alike wander the City streets while doing their best to make a living off a very dead land. However, the city's doors are very closed off except to people who may prove to be useful in trying to make life in this darkness-covered waste more bearable or to those who have been Exiled by their original nation.
The City itself is walled and gated, though crudely, with a strange metal found in the Southern Lands called Enferantite, a malleable yet sturdy substance that is said to be very magically in-tune as well as an effective chemical catalyst when broken down. Much of the city is consisted of tents and shanties that make up small shops to the massive, twisting and spiraling towers of the black metal that make up the residences of the people. Guards in the city are usually only Shadow Citizens and Exiles being given weapons and armor, though the security in the city is tight and offenses dealt with on a very personal basis.
The city of Tenepolis is ruled by a group of Seven Members: Six people on a Council, 3 of them Shadows and 3 of them Exiles, and at the top to oversee council decisions is a person they refer to as the High Adjudicator, who is a different person every 3 years (in suit with the council, every three years the High Adjudicator switches from being occupied by a Shadow and an Exile). Each High Adjudicator makes the final say on Council Decisions and approves of propositions that any particular council member makes.
There is a militia that has been formed at the Council's behest which is swiftly growing into a large military force. While most trade jobs in the city don't do very well as of late with the growing threat of Demonic Attacks outside the borders when resources need to be gathered, the Gray Militia is growing in strength and is frequently hired to protect merchants and laborers who travel to the outside world to try and make a living.
Currency in Tenepolis is typically the standard gold coin, though bartering is also still frequent here. Mostly anything someone could need can be gained with the right quantity of Enferantite, usually measured in its quality, weight, and whether or not it was already enchanted before (Already-Enchanted Enferantite is considerably more valuable than raw Enferantite, but the black metal needs to be enchanted by a highly skilled specialist). Trade in the city has less to do with profit and more to do with individual survival. Purified Water is an incredibly expensive commodity that takes weeks of work to come out with, thus the Water Cart coming out through the city is a highly celebrated event, particularly among the Exiles.
Tenepolis also faces a rather pressing danger from Demons in the surrounding area, claiming the city to be built on land that belongs to them. As such, attacks have been frequent and tensions between the Demons and the Shadows have been rising significantly with exiles caught in the middle of it... Also caught in the middle of all the bedlam are rumors of a strange traveler from the outside lands, an eccentric individual who seems to be seeking after some sort of secret... If he can survive earning the trust of the local people first.
The attitudes toward Demons are generally those of apprehension, paranoia, and outward hatred for the fact that it is their kind laying siege to the city and killing their people on a constant basis when they go out and try to gather resources to survive. The general policy on Demons is "Kill On Sight." The exceptions are Demons who have been exiled from their own people for more humanoid behavior, half-Demons with more of an inclination to help their mortal brethren, or the descendants of the Shadows who were forced to be infused with Demonic Power from the war that destroyed the entire region who would be guaranteed to turn on the Demons who destroyed their homeland.
The Shadows, while trying to maintain their hold on Tenepolis, are getting into a worse and worse situation as resources run dry and the Demons are knocking on their doorstep... Will they be able to finally make the best of their lot in life, or will the local Demons force the citizenry of Tenepolis to once again become exiles...?
Idea came from Tzelael
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:39 pm
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:41 pm
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:59 pm
"Shinobi" XXX XXX XXX XXX静かな戦士"the Silent Warrior"  The man sat upon the blackened ground, his face masked with red tilted towards the dull skies. His visible eye was shut gently, veiled behind his black lashes. Across his lap lay the Ninjato sword, next to it’s black sheath. It was here the sword was forged, and it was here the sword became his--by an unwilling force. For, once this place was a green mountainside, and once there was a clan village he grew up in.
The war tore the lands apart into their current blackened state, and his home was no exception. Where there were once trees, there was only corrupted black soil. The air stung foreigner’s noses, and it carried the scent of metallic sulfur, and if one had the nose, perhaps of blood. Blood wafted into his nose, perhaps because of the memories that invaded his mind, or perhaps it was forever stained into this place. Though his face was still, calm in appearance, something about him gave an air of slight grief.
Slowly, his eye slid open, it’s red glow pierced the lightless surrounding like a dagger. His black, gloved hands slowly sheathed the sword, as if the action drenched his mind in regret. As if touching it did. Slowly, he stood upon his feet, and strapped it tightly back onto his back waist. His head turned to survey his surroundings grievously, before he gave a deep bow to a crushed infrastructure of what used to be his old dojo. Minutes passed before he let himself straighten out.
Passing it by, the man was silent, not so much as a patter came from his black tabi boots. He continued through the country side at an inhuman pace, his head slightly downturned to the black soils. Silently, unnoticed, he made his way to the metal city, Tenepolis. By this time, the man’s eye had lost it’s light of emotion, now masked with an unreadable blank stare. Though his mind still spiralled with memories he did not wish to sitr up. With ghosts of his past seething in the corner of his sight, and with a feeling of distaste for the land’s turn of events. He stepped through the gates of Enferantite.
Once inside, Narinthe peered about. It was a city he’d not visited in many years, but the gleam of familiarity still accented his eye. He meandered through the black streets, his eye’s piercing glow streaking across the air as he moved. He stood at 6’5, a height that towered easily above most. His eye shifted like a fickle flame upon a candlewick, for a certain place..
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 8:17 pm
So when I'm crying alone
Yeah, when I'm cold as a dying stone
 Neysa 
Her deep green eyes watched the women speak to one another. Their voices lower to a hush whisper and one leans in to speak quietly in the other's ear. Then the woman covered her lips with with the top four fingers and gasped
Rumors?
What where they about?
Her deep green eyes flickered back and forth between the two women. How odd why would they be whispering? It's not like anyone would noticed them....she thought with a soft sigh.
Even after all these years she didn't understand why they would be acting in such a matter. Why not say it out loud. To keep so quiet seemed rather shameful and sneaky.
Her attention shifted to the sky above. It was dark but not as dark as it gets when night comes about. She couldn't help put wonder what happened so long ago. In the books she had read, this land was beautiful. She would have loved to see what that land looked like. The dark skies above was not something she enjoyed to look up at too often.
Neysa shrugged and continued on her way. She walked through the streets of the dark city. She wore a cloak that covered her body and wore the hood to shadow her face. In her hand she carried a wooden staff with engravings of the mood, sun, and characters from some sort of a language. Much of the engravings had faded over the years. Neysa did not feel like she belonged in this city and wanted to stay clear from any trouble. She was lucky that she was able to get into the city in the first place. There was a of bribing and sneaking. She had almost been caught quite a few times but now that she is in the heart of the city, she was a bit more relaxed. Thank the goddess...now to stock up on some things..possibly find a place to stay would be rather nice. she thought and smiled to herself.
She had heard about this city from a fellow traveler and it's conflicts. The shadows that seemed to fear the demons from entering this city put up barriers but she did imagine that such begins still roam inside the city walls regardless. She had ran into many demons during her travels, they weren't the type of creatures to meddle with. She had also heard of the powerful council that controlled this city though the information that she had received was very little. It didn't matter...soon she was going to be out of this place and on her own again.
 Grow me a garden of roses
Paint me the colors of sky and rain
Teach me to speak with their voices
Show me the way and I'll try again
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 8:35 pm
"Shinobi" XXX XXX XXX XXX静かな戦士"the Silent Warrior" People came and went, the city was bustling, whispering voices dancing across his eardrums. There was an odd feeling, suddenly, as he kept on his way. Narinthe's eye shifted suddenly. There was an aura of the likes he'd never felt before. His head did not turn, to avoid making his glance obvious. His eye met with a woman, her bodice cloaked in black. A staff was in her hand, of it's surface, many runs and drawings covered it. She had to be foreign to these lands, it was her aura..
The masked man had to shake it off. In the cities of the South, many people were paranoid. they had reason to be, and his looks alone made many shoulders tense in agitation and fear. He continued to move forward. His throat felt dry and hoarse. Water was a scarcity in this city, and something he was going to have to purchase very carefully, and consume with just as much caution. His eye floated from the cloaked woman to the left of her, a water stand. His foot suddenly turned, and so did he.
Dancing with agile ease through the people, and in front of her, the man's eye sent another red streak across where he'd moved. Eventually reaching the side, he held his gloved hand up, his finger pointing towards one of the waters. Swiftly, his other hand procured the correct amount of golden coins. He'd been pain recently, for the assassination of a demon lord outside of the city.
His first day back home, and he'd been paid well, but it didn't make him feel any better. Perhaps later he'd go get another type of drink.. Sake came to mind.
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 9:26 pm
Sefas
The Alchemist
Approaching the mighty Enferantite Gates was a rather oddly clad individual, one who wore an unbelievably red robe with Hexagrams emblazoned on either shoulder... Behind him he carried a cart of crates that contained what looked like strange vials of arcane, unusual substances. He looked around, hearing a vague echo of the hustle and bustle of the city behind it, but behind the gates he only saw the twisted, black, metal towers spinning and twirling around themselves... What a curious bit of architecture. The red-robed man called out loudly, hoping to be heard behind the gate.
"Hello! Is anyone there?!"
A raspy voice replied in kind, hovering over a tower to the side of the gate, croaking in a bitter, almost paranoid tone. "What do you want? Who are you?!"
"I'm a traveler searching for a substance called Enferantite! Could I come in?"
"Traveler?!" replied the raspy, croaking voice in what sounded like outrage. Now, in the city of Tenepolis, outsiders are looked upon with a great deal of fear and suspicion... And these days, it was rightfully so. Not too long ago, a group of Demons approached the gate, disguised as human beings and declared themselves to be "Travelers," though when they got in, they killed a good 3000 people and waged one of the bloodiest battles that had been seen on this soil since the Kingdoms originally destroyed each other. Even if this person was indeed a human, another person who claimed to be a "Traveler" was actually some nut from the nation of Aden, who torched half the trade/slum district of the city looking for a single exile... Needless to say, he found him and took him back to the East to deal with him as he saw fit... Naturally, travelers weren't looked upon well, though it usually turned out that Travelers are not actually Travelers... Not to mention the fact that usually these travelers were dressed in red clothing, very unusual red clothing at that... So unbeknownst to Sefas, he just set off a big, honking red flag for the gatekeeper to check him closely.
"Did you just say you're a TRAVELER?!"
"Why, yes. I came here from the North and I'm looking for some Enfer-"
"SUMMON THE GRAY MILITIA! THERE'S A MAN AT THE GATE CLAIMING TO BE A TRAVELER! SUMMON THE MILITIA!" The gatekeeper ran down, frantically dashing about the city streets, shouting over and over again, "SUMMON THE MILITIA! THERE'S A TRAVELER AT THE GATE!"
Sefas was so far completely clueless... He had no idea that in a few minutes, there would be armed Shadows and Exiles coming to that gate to seize him for interrogation, though all that was running through his mind was whether they were going to inspect his cargo. Well, he supposed he could wait, as long as he got that wondrous Enferantite he heard so much about... Still, that man running and panicking over a traveler at the gate couldn't help but make him think...
"...What a strange person."
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 10:32 pm
So when I'm crying alone
Yeah, when I'm cold as a dying stone
Neysa
Neysa felt the heat of another's eyes on her back. It made the hair stand up on her neck and she sifted a bit in her cloak to hide herself more. Ignore it...if you don't pay any attention then they will leave you alone right? she though. Though her curiosity started to poke at her until she looked about to find who was looking at her. when her gaze returned in front of her, a man seemed to have appeared in front of her. She blinked, now it was her turn to stare. Her eyes followed him over to the water stand. She titled her head to the side as her eyes studied him.
He looked rather odd to her. She had seen few people with horn coming out of their head before but none had long horns like his. Why is his mouth covered? She then covered her mouth with her own hand out of curiosity. After a moment she felt slightly silly and dropped her hand to her side. He just bought a water...wouldn't he need to remove it anyway? Her eyes moved to the top of his hair. Neysa had never seen such a deep shade of red in hair color. It reminded her of the color blood. The woman then shook her head and frowned. No no..no...thats rather unpleasant..why not roses?...no...roses are not all that color..at least that is what it had said in a book once..what else is red...apples? she thought and stopped in her track. I don't really like red apples through...they are too tart. Yellow tastes so much better. Perhaps strawberries...they are always red...but not really that shade of red though.. Neysa sighed and shook her head again. Focus now. She silently told herself.
Her gaze shifted to the water stand and she swallowed. She was thirsty after the long walk to get to this city and she didn't care for the dry taste in her mouth. Neysa walked over the the water stand and asked for some water. She dug into her pouch and pulled out the coins to pay for it. Once she had the water she opened the container and took a drink. Neysa then looked up at the man and titled her head to the side. "You stick out in a crowd, sir." she said to him with a small smile.
Grow me a garden of roses
Paint me the colors of sky and rain
Teach me to speak with their voices
Show me the way and I'll try again
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 10:42 pm
"Shinobi" XXX XXX XXX XXX静かな戦士"the Silent Warrior" Narinthe grasped the jusg of water in his gloved hand carefully. He bowed his head deeply to the stand's manager, as if a polite way of saying thank-you. Slowly, as he was turning, he noted the cloaked figure again. His eye rolled downward to peer down at her, his eye's glow piercing the darkness of the city. As she got her own jug, he prepared to step away, but she spoke, tilting her head. With the movement, her face became visible. He looked at her green eyes, vibrant like emeralds in her head. Her hair was that of a golden hue. Her smile was warm, though it was only slight.
He looked down at himself blankly, at his dress and stature, then back up to her. He shrugged his shoulders, tilting his head to a side as well, his eye rolling in the same direction. In this sort of city, he was feared for his looks. He was a demon, and everyone knew it. But this city especially hated demons. It was a comfort that she didn't seem too afraid of him. At least, she wasn't spiteful. Her smile could have told him that..
He nodded to her, looking back to the jug of pure water. He reached into a hidden pocket, and procured a straw of bamboo. He pulled the cork from the lip of the jug, and dropped the straw inside. After this, he bent the straw, and slipped it through the folds and wraps of his mask. He sipped at the water like that, continuing to peer at Neysa. She was.. very odd to this city, and he couldn't help but wonder where she hailed from..
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 11:16 pm
 Captain Salnesh
Of the Gray Militia
&
Sefas Minos
Alchemist The Enferantite Gates opened briefly, but were blocked off by what appeared to be a mish-mash of humans and Shadows, wearing armor and brandishing a plethora of weapons. Standing in front of the group stood a female captain of the Gray Militia, a Shadow by the look of her. The woman's crimson eyes looked over the strange Traveler, raising a brow at the odd dress.
"So... You say you're a traveler."
She stared at Sefas, the violet-haired alchemist being so far completely oblivious to the gravity of his situation. He nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, ma'am! I'm here to get myself some Enferantite. So, can I get i-"
Sefas was interrupted by a sword being pulled on him, pointed at his throat. She remarked rather angrily, seeming pretty ready to swing the sword, though not appearing sure that she would win...
"The attack on the town a few years ago."
The tension in the area almost tangibly rose, the blade still pointed, seeming to quiver... No one wanted him to call in any other Demons that might be nearby to strike on the town. The others suddenly felt their hearts leap into their throats as Sefas opened his mouth, finally speaking with an almost vacant voice...
"...Huh?"
Captain Salnesh seemed dumbstruck by Sefas' apparent ignorance... It was almost offensive! How did he not know about the attack not too long ago?! Was he really- Wait... That was it. He really was a traveler that didn't know anything about where he was going. Still, there were some unruly folk, so it couldn't hurt to keep an eye on him...
"...Alright. He's all clear, let him in, but... Keep an eye on him." She sheathed her blade, walking away and ordering her men to stand down. They put their weapons away and walked back into the city to resume their duties. The giant, Enferantite gate slowly creaked open, allowing passage for Sefas to enter. He pulled the cart behind him inside the city.
"Well... That was really weird." He looked around the city, entering the Trade District... He seemed to be rather shocked at what a slum this place was! Somewhere so rich in Enferantite was so poor? He didn't quite understand, though these Shadow people were rather odd folk... Maybe they didn't realize the value of the metal they had? What a pity that they'd be made so impoverished by their own ignorance...
However, Sefas made his way about the city, and first things were first... He had to find out where he could get some of his own Enferantite. He began asking random locals, though so far, no one would answer any of his questions on the sheer fact that he was an outsider and still looked upon with suspicion. He sighed, looking at the pair of Narinthe and Neysa, having no idea whether or not they were citizens.
"Excuse me... Know where I can get some Enferantite?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 11:54 pm
So when I'm crying alone
Yeah, when I'm cold as a dying stone
Neysa
Neysa watched the man's movements and gestures yet there was no sound coming from his mouth. Was he a mute or did he just not want to talk to her? Perhaps he wears that because he doesn't have a mouth? But why would he need the water. she thought with a slight frown. Her mind reeled as she tried to come up with a reason. Then he pulled out some small tube that seemed to made some odd wood or something like that. She blinked and raised a brow as she watched him stick on end of the straw in one end of the jug and the other he slipped under the wraps. "Eh? Why go through all the trouble of that?" she asked. "Why not just take it off?"
Then she heard another voice speaking to them she turned around and found another man. Her deep green eyes scanned over him and she titled her head to the side. Why was he wearing red too? Did she miss the memo some place She looked down at her dull colored cloak. She didn't even own a color in the little clothing she had brought. "Uhm...Enferantite?" she asked. "I'm really not so sure what that is..." she said in a quiet voice. She tried to think where she had heard that term used before from her books. "I think you've asked the wrong person.." She turned around and looked up at the odd man sipping out of the jug from a straw. "Do you know?" she asked.
((sorta short ^^; ))
Grow me a garden of roses
Paint me the colors of sky and rain
Teach me to speak with their voices
Show me the way and I'll try again
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Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 12:07 am
"Shinobi" XXX XXX XXX XXX静かな戦士"the Silent Warrior" Narinthe's eye floated to watch her, sipping in silence through the straw. Her face was one of curiosity and confusion. Perhaps she was wondering why he was masked. It happened quite often. Perhaps she was pondering the more common, 'why doesn't he talk?' He listened to her inquiry, and gave her a small shrug. Who knows..?
As the man approached, his brow furrowed slightly at first, as if to expect something hostile from him. He turned as soon as the first sound had come from Sefas, and looked at him with a piercing gaze. A red robe, and a cart of enchanting, arcane supplies. After a moment Narinthe seemed to ease back into what looked like normal relaxation. In reality, he was more prepared to fight than he was before. But as she spoke, his head turned to look at her.
Did he know..? He had an inkling. They were in the trade district, it was a large sprawling section of the city. However, the business of Enferantite was a secretive, but profiting business. He gave a small nod, pulling the straw out of the folds of his scarf-woven mask, before folding it, recorking the water, and putting them both in a small sack on his hi. Nodding, as if to point out the direction, he began to walk forward, dancing through people
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Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 1:58 am
Sefas Minos
Alchemist Sefas sighed, seeming to be incredibly disappointed that Neysa didn't know what Enferantine was... But it seemed the silent, masked man knew something about it. Most intrigued, Sefas followed him closely through the marketplace.
"Oh, well, do lead the way!" Sefas beamed brightly, completely ignorant of the nature of his company. He appeared to be somewhat relaxed, seeming to suggest to Sefas that he was comfortable with the question, in fact, it was almost welcome. Enferantite, however, as Narinthe realized, was a very difficult and secretive business... Though having Enferantite was as good as having money in this city, the precious Black Metal was extremely difficult to come by, not necessarily because of scarcity, but more so because of the Demons that dwelt outside the city limits. Simply going out to find anything out in the Southern Wastes was a risk of life and limb, and the residents were all too aware of that with each report of an attack they receive. Getting someone to part with a quantity of Enferantite was incredibly difficult to do... As they'd walk through the Shanty Trade District, several people who appeared displaced and destitute tried to sell their wares to the passers-by... "You sir, you look like someone in need of protection! I've got knives, plenty of knives..."
"Enchanted filters! Perfect for your drinking needs! Guaranteed to make your liquor clean or your money back!"
"Sir in the robe! Having a hard time with the ladies or want to impress your special someone? Try some Succubus Blood! 100% genuine and perfect for improving your love life!"Sefas inspected each stand as he walked through... As far as he could tell, so far there was no one willing to part with Enferantite... The din of the marketplace overpowered the group as they passed through, the merchants trying to make the most appealing offer to whoever would pass by... They were even approached by a few of the merchants who mistook them for the Water Cart, something they even got excited enough to leave their stands for... Though when they inspected the cart itself, they were sorely disappointed to find that nothing there looked like water... Or at least, it wasn't bottled like water was. "So... What's everyone here on edge about? I mean, in a place like this, I can understand a need for security, but I never imagined they were so paranoid about visitors..."
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Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 5:46 pm
Captain Salnesh
Of the Gray Militia The Captain sighed as she went back into the city, trailing the strange traveler with a degree of distance between them... It seems he really did want Enferantite, but why? Such a hard substance to come across and he was hoping to just buy it in the market? He'd better have a damn good offer if he was going to get anywhere...
The Militia Captain kept looking around, holding her left hand over the hilt of her black-metal blade... Her own sword was made of Enferantite, and it was particularly expensive because the metal was enchanted to cancel out Magic when swung. However, such a hefty price was worth it when Demons were concerned... Speaking of which, things have gotten too quiet lately. Just what were those monsters up to...? The only reported attacks came from Water Gathering and Enferantite Mining, but it seemed the creatures have put off an active frontal assault lately... Were they gathering intelligence or just waiting for a time when the city would be unprepared?
No matter. She would have to take this up with the council, particularly in regards of what to do with the outsider... He seemed to be harmless, but he also looked clumsy, careless, and a bit too oblivious and friendly for her liking.
At this thought, she traveled the streets and made her way to the Central Tower, at the top of which was where the Council and the High Adjudicator resided in order to bring up this problem...
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Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 8:43 pm
So when I'm crying alone
Yeah, when I'm cold as a dying stone
Neysa
Neysa blinked as she watched the man walk away through the people as if he was leading the way to what the other man is looking for. She thought for a moment before following after them. "Ah! wait up!" she called after them. He moves so fast...how could he even move like that...he's not even bumping in to a single person in the crowd.
Neysa moved through the crowd, ignoring all the things that the people were trying to sell, though some of them did sound rather interesting. She then found herself walking beside the robed man. She looked over at him and titled her head to the side. "I'm not sure why every one is one the edge..I heard something about the fear of demons in the city from the whispers and rumors that I had caught....but that is all that I could pick up. " she said in a low voice. She looked ahead at the other man. But wait..isn't he a demon? Isn't he risking a lot to be in this city? She shook her head and let out a soft sigh. "My name is Neysa..soo what is your name?" she asked him with a small smile.
Grow me a garden of roses
Paint me the colors of sky and rain
Teach me to speak with their voices
Show me the way and I'll try again
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