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| Topic Started: Aug 9 2011, 04:32 AM (1,009 Views) | |
| Shrista | Aug 9 2011, 04:32 AM Post #1 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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The morning had dawned crisp and cool, pale fingers of light creeping across the sky as the traveller approached the first buildings, weary and footsore after an eventful night. She never stopped to admire the changing sky, near dragging the the heavy sack in the dirt, feet kicking up dust as she trudged along on leaden legs. The air already felt the first touches of warmth, the tang of salt thick on her tongue. Shrista paused only long enough to haul the canvas bag onto her shoulder, bowed slightly under the weight before she adjusted to it, and entered the city. People flowed around her as the day begun, bringing food and various goods to market, to be shipped, or just to buy. Most ignored her, just one more traveller coming to unload. Squeezing between two oxen drawn wagons the drow bulled her way through the gradually compacting press and through to the gate where she stopped, dumping the sack onto the ground with the faintest of squelches. The guard raised an eyebrow, a brief change from the expression of perpetual boredom. "What's in the bag?" This male dared to question her! ..But no, she was not meant to think so much like that...this was the surface. Her home now. The muscles along her jaw tightened as she lifted her chin slightly, imperiously. "A trophy. You may look, if you must." Her lip curled in a sneer as the guard carefully unknotted the bag, recoiling at the stench of decay as he opened it, his face paling, blanching and turning away at the contents as if he would vomit. He should know better, I have passed through like this often enough. "Y-you may pass..." "How gracious of you...Sir." Before any could remark on her tone, Shrista retied the sack and swung it over her shoulder, melting into the throng and into the city. Wiping a bead of stinging sweat from her eye she brushed the back of her hand across her eyebrow and scowled. Not far.... The drow stopped with a sigh of relief, sagging a moment in front of the building, tall and made of that dark reddish stone. Despite the people running back and forth fetching horses for the wealthy, despite the curious glances, none offered to assist. She growled low in the back of her throat, knuckling the small of her back. The sign was still nailed to the board outside, proclaiming the need for aid in hunting down the beast. Well it was done with now. Whether these weak and foolish surfacers could pay or not was what was important. They would just have to put up with her for now, caked with dust and grime as she was, aching and her eyes burning with the accursed light. Face like thunder, Shrista tapped her foot impatiently until a young man in grey hose and cloak embroidered in white approached, peering down his nose at her somewhat dishevelled state. Shrista bared her teeth and shook the bag at him until he took it from her with a distasteful wrinkle of the nose. "I trust you killed them all?" "Let's say I killed enough of them to claim my reward." The young noble made a noise of disgust as he examined the contents then turned and signalled a stablehand to take it from him. "Burn this, and make sure you bury anything left." He tipped him and turned back to the woman, glaring. "Your contract said you were to kill them all. You kill them and then collect your reward." "Oh no. You see, I have to make sure I have...collateral." Her lips curled in a dirty smirk as she pulled from the inside pocket of her cloak a piece of cloth, which once unwrapped revealed several small pale red orbs nestled in the folds. At the intake of breath, she knew it had the desired effect. "Now you give me my money, or I'll make certain they are set loose and you'll have a problem worse than the first, because I'll make sure I train them before I let them leave the nest." The noble swallowed visibly and reached for his purse. "You will destroy them? You must! I will pay you, but they must be destroyed!" "Naturally." Accepting the proffered coins she tucked the eggs away safely and offered a seductive smile. Not so effective as it was. "You have my word I will be rid of them within the hour." Yes my beauties, you'll fetch a nice price in the bazaar indeed. I'll be able to eat for a month, and even afford to bathe with warm water... She did of course consider refusing to shake on the deal initially, but seeing his revulsion at having to touch her, deliberately spat on her hand as the street rats here did when sealing a deal. Delighted with his disgust, she flourished a bow and strode for the gates, not bothering to aknowledge the stiff formality in return. To the bazaar then...before it becomes too bright...perhaps a drink and a bath first...decisions, decisions... Shrista returned to her slow hip-swaying gait,keeping one hand on her purse, the other holding her cloak closed around her figure as she glided between the people. |
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| Aniketos | Sep 18 2011, 11:10 PM Post #2 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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Even early in the morning, Aniketos turned heads, and he adored it. The streets were alive with early-morning bustle and while the native of Reine mostly overlooked him, there were still many who would double-take at the sight of him, even pause to stare unabashedly. He was quite the site to take in- his purple, gold-embroidered tunic which fell open to expose a strip of pale skin, his gracefully twitching hips, his delicate white face, his eyes shining golden under long lashes. He walked the line between male and female, and he walked it well. The attention made him glow even more- he emanated confidence in his smile and his mincing gait. Yes, today, cool and bright, was a good day. He opened his lips slightly to let the taste of salt rub against his tongue and let out a contented sigh. There was one thing in the world he loved, and that was Reine, with its sea breezes and wooden houses, the crowds and seagulls. He made his way to the bazaar, relishing at how the people seemed to part the crowds for him. Of course, they'd do this for anyone who looked rich, especially for a man reputed to carry a purse full of needles for any unwise pickpockets who tried their luck with him... So, Aniketos made his way to the bazaar without mishap. Not that he wanted to buy anything, he just turned up there to socialize, as did other nobles. They always pretended to be on some errand or other but really they just wanted gossip. Well, he'd give them gossip. The crowds were thick at the marketplace, but they found space for him. He nodded a greeting at several he knew from afar, smiling at how they always tried to catch his eye without losing decorum. They'd wave lightly sometimes or just stare for several minutes until he noticed. One or two called his name in carefully moderated tones, trying not to sound too sycophantic and usually failing. Finally, he spotted someone who he actually had to talk to- Lord Rathurn, who seemed to be telling off some stall-owner. Aniketos laughed to himself- this was Rathurn's way, always trying to make up for the qualities he lacked by expressing his dominance over any one possible. Aniketos made his way over to the Lord, straightening his tunic and managed to catch a snippet of his tirade- "...blaggard! I'll see to it that you are evicted from this spot within the week! Such a dis-" Aniketos touched the lord lightly on the shoulder, making him spin around in mid-sentence, exclaiming "By the gods-" It was then that he recognized Aniketos. "Oh, Lord Hesperes, it's you." His cheeks were still red with rage, but now they seemed to be flushing with embarrassment. Rathurn worried his moustache and goatee into a proper shape and went on. "A bit of trouble with this vendor...tried to sell me a bracelet with a broken clasp. For my wife." Aniketos nodded and smiled politely. "You can't trust people these days." "Perhaps you could do something?" "Now now, you know that the Council doesn't deal with such minutiae." He waggled his finger and winked, which made the roses in Rathurn's cheeks burst into ever-brighter colour. "Ah yes...well." "Nevermind, you can find someone else, I'm sure." He paused, caught Rathurn's brown eyes with his own snake-like ones, entranced him. "I was just wondering if you'd heard about Lady Alin." "What?" Rathurn had been caught in Aniketos' gaze like a fly in honey and it took him a moment to register what he had said, "No. No I haven't." "Well, I heard her say just the other evening...it wasn't clear, but I think she mentioned that she 'dines from two dishes now.' If that means what I think it does..." He trailed off, letting his face fall smoothly into an expression of contemplation. Rathurn's eyes widened. Aniketos hid a smile of satisfaction- the Lady's husband was close friends with a friend of Rathurn's. The drama would bloom swifter than flowers after spring rain. "Is that so?" asked Rathurn, trying to hide the curiosity that laced his voice. Aniketos shrugged and smiled innocently. "Perhaps I heard wrong." It wasn't entirely a lie- the lady had snubbed him over a year ago for a certain Alcidas, and Aniketos would have none of it. He knew how to hold a grudge until the opportune moment for revenge. As far as he knew, she was still seeing this Alcidas, but that was irrelevant. Things had been boring, too calm, and he truly desired the flurry of duels and gossip surrounding an affair. "Also, my good friend," Aniketos started, tilting his head to the side so his tawny curls would fall to the side to show his smooth, porcelain neck, "when will I get that money you owe me." "S-soon," stammered Rathurn, his eyes snagging on Aniketos' neck before finding his face, "I promise." Aniketos let his shirt fall to show his shoulder, again distracting the Lord's gaze, and said, "Well I'd hope so." He reached out to tweak the man's nose playfully, "There surely will be benefits for you." Rathurn's mouth hung open, he tried to form words and managed to say something like "yes." Aniketos simply winked and said, "Well, I must be off." Without another word, he turned away, exaggerating the swaying of hips ever so slightly until he was out of Rathurn's eyeshot. His mission accomplished, he headed for the exit of the bazaar, a satisfied smile lingering on his face. He was just about out of the crowds when he collided with someone who was wrapped up in a dark cloak, so strange for such a temperate day. Who would dare ignore his presence in such a way? Inflamed, he drew himself up to face this strange person, his snake-eyes flashing, his words lashing out like a spiked whip. "Well excuse me! Are you in such a hurry that you've forgotten to look about you? Or are you simply too dim to notice?" |
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| Shrista | Sep 22 2011, 11:10 AM Post #3 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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'Whol l' ssinssrigg d'-!' Muttering a curse the Drow caught herself before her arm attempted to slam the heel of her palm into his jaw. For a simple bump, it would not be acceptable. At least not here, in the middle of the street. The hood of her cloak had been knocked somewhat askew and the bright morning light caused her eyes to water, making them glitter as does the moon viewed through a screen of leaves, though the fire that burned low there was cold. Shrista released her hold on her cloak, revealing soft ebony curves and intricate tatooing, her hand resting firmly upon the length of spined and coiled leather at her hip and straightened her back, raising her chin proudly and turning to face the offender, but for her eyes, the woman's foxish face a picture of cool serenity. A spark of annoyance pricked at her as she realized that he was taller than her, and clad in those overly ornate garments these pale skinned cousins preferred. Of course the more ornate, the higher their rank...still she met those golden eyes that seemed to blaze with indignation as great as the fury of the sun, and peered down her nose at him. The crowd by some instinct, drew away from them and flowed past, drawing nothing but a few glances. All kinds came through here, and one exceptionally pretty lordling and a perhaps scantily clad, dark-skinned elf weren't likely to draw too much attention, despite the few tense seconds. Seems there is at least one mincing peacock with a few ruffled feathers this morning. Running her small pink tongue over painted lips, she flexed her free hand and make a placating gesture to the human. And what a pretty human he was, bound up in his finery. Some snooty noble's son no doubt, out to cause trouble for the lesser folk. She should walk away now, push past and ignore him, or, she could play with him a little, and teach him civility... Before she had even thought, the words, positively dripping with sarcasm fell from her tongue in their lilting accent: 'Do excuse me my Lord, I was positively blinded by your magnificence and had not the option to remove my unworthy self from your wonderous presence.' Sniffing loudly, she neatly stepped to one side and prepared to move forwards, just close enough that they would barely brush shoulders. Inwardly cursing her thoughtless words, she had meant to move on without giving the satisfaction of a reply. If he let her pass with no more than the typical indignation of a lord she would be lucky. It was not as if the guards could arrest her, the words themselves were subservient enough, the tone however... Shrista offered the faintest sneer of derision, and stepped forward, making to pass the young man by, tearing her gaze away from his oddly enchanting eyes. |
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| Aniketos | Sep 22 2011, 08:17 PM Post #4 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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Aniketos stood back and watched her cloak fall askew, so he could see a lock of white hair, a clever face, swathes of dark skin- more skin than any human lady would be willing to show. So it was a drow he had run into- he had seen one or two travelling through Soto but he'd never actually conversed with one. Her comeback hit him like a slap in the face, and he was stunned for a moment. She pushed past him and he began to laugh. He did enjoy a good joke, even if it was aimed at him. She was exotic as well- this intrigued him. He'd only ever really known human girls, a half elf or two and one elf who wouldn't let him anywhere near her. Still grinning, he turned around and jogged after her, soon falling into step beside her. "My apologies, I thought..." He didn't know how to finish that sentence without risking aggravating her further, so he shrugged it off. "You're not from Reine, are you?" He assumed not, otherwise she would have known who he was. He offered a handshake, trying to peer into her face. "I'm Aniketos Hesperes, member of the Sotoan Council. And you?" |
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| Shrista | Sep 22 2011, 08:37 PM Post #5 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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Shrista's gaze snapped back once she realized the man had decided to follow her, and was even striking up a seemingly amiable conversation. The faintest frown wrinkled her forehead a moment before smoothing out once more into a thoughtful expression. "Don't apologize if you believe you were in the right." She walked with him in silence for a moment, considering whether to rebuff him after her snappish remarks, and decided against. He clearly wanted something and she was curious enough to stay, for now. "I am not from here...there is not so much light, water or..salt, I think is the word." Removing her hand from her waist cautiously now, she eased out of her near 'stalking prey' walk and back into the familiar hip-rolling stride."I am not sure why you, a Councillor, has any business with one such as myself...nor why I should hand you my name, other than formality...perhaps I will tell you, eventually. Perhaps if you could direct me to a fair establishment, preferably one with a bath of sorts. I have been...busy. Working through the night." She left the question hanging whilst neatly avoiding a cart rolling their way, giving the woman an excuse to pull her gaze away from the nobleman's disconcerting golden eyes, noting the gaze of at least one more peacock among the pigeons with an interest in the young man keeping pace with her. |
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| Aniketos | Sep 22 2011, 10:05 PM Post #6 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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(Sorry I didn't reply to your messages on MSN, there was a snake near the laundry lines and some guy came to catch it...yay Australia!!) Aniketos looked suitably curious, tilting his head in that way he did, to show off his neck. Where did drows come from anyways? People never seemed to have a straight answer for that question, or any involving the mysterious race. "Well, as an government official and a native of Reine, I feel it is my duty to make you welcome here." He beamed at her with highly convincing cheer and good will and at her request, looked up briefly to check which street they were on. His gaze landed on several who were familiar to him- Lord Priapos who had been trying to catch his eye for weeks now, Lord Eflem who still held a grudge against him for sleeping with his wife, even though this man had been frequenting the seedy neighbourhoods by the docks for some time now. Aniketos smiled and winked at them and turned his attention back to the strange lady at his side. What she meant when she said she'd worked through the night, he did not know. Had she been human, he would have assumed prostitution, but with such an odd creature, he could not know. "Well there is a public bath house not so far from here, though perhaps that's not to your taste. Sometimes you walk out dirtier than you went in." He then gestured to an inn nearby- "Or you can stop by an inn but they'll probably charge you extra for the tub. And then the water. Or you could allow me to provide you with a nice hot bath at my home not so far from here, with a meal and servants waiting upon your word. If that suits your fancy. Free of charge." He smiled earnestly, peering again into her face with a rosy-lipped smile. |
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| Shrista | Sep 23 2011, 08:13 AM Post #7 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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(That's quite alright, and wow XD ...Lord Priapos lolol.) At the mention of the bath house, the drow perked up a little, but his description of it made her dismiss it. If humans could not even keep their own bath water clean, she certainly did not want to be sharing with anyone any time soon. Turning her head to look at the inn, she watched as someone on the street pushed open the door and ducked inside, a dark cool recess lit mostly by flickering lamplight and the scant daylight that seeped through the windows. And how she longed for the cool dark. Aniketos' offer raised her eyebrows as she returned her gaze to him, now tinged with uncertainty. He seemed earnest enough, at least by his expression, and she could detect no falsity in his body language either as her eyes briefly scanned him up and down. But it surely was not an offer made to anyone, least of all a footsore and battered dark elf. Yet he seemed so sincere... "Your offer is most generous...but I would have nothing to repay you with sir. And my kind are usually associated with trouble. I would not bring that upon you who have extended a kind hand unto me...so the inn would be more suitable I think." She blinked, realizing she had been staring at his exposed neck and following the contours of such pale skin to the shoulder. Her cheeks darkening a little with her shame she folded her arms beneath her breasts and bowed formally, that he might not see. "Thank you once again, for your assistance." I lower my eyes, yet again. Yet more shame on my shoulders for Lolth to judge me by...if she even cares. It could be worse, they could be throwing vegetables again. |
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| Aniketos | Sep 23 2011, 09:04 PM Post #8 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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Aniketos frowned a little at her rejection. Certainly, it must be odd for a stranger, especially a noble, to offer his hospitality to someone who had been openly insulting him just a few minutes before. She had no inkling of his motives- which were truly like those of a magpie, always collecting shiny baubles. He hid this, always hiding it with earnest and endearing smiles, and sometimes he felt like these smiles came from truth rather than from an elaborate act. That's what it was today, it seemed- he was genuinely intrigued by this character, not just the skin he wasn't allowed to see. He looked disconsolate for a moment, then brought back that winning smile of his, touching her on the shoulder as benignly as possible to halt her mid-bow. "If that's what suits your fancy, though really, I must insist. I really don't have enough trouble in my life, or anything interesting really. But you-" he looked her in the eyes, searchingly, lowering his voice "-you are intriguing." He held that look for a second and then stepped back, letting his hand fall by his side. "Even if you just want to stop by for a visit sometime, I'm sure we can introduce ourselves in a fashion that doesn't involve insults and sarcasm." He laughed, tossing his curls a bit and tugged at his shirt to make it sit straight, only to have it fall open again. |
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| Shrista | Sep 24 2011, 08:35 AM Post #9 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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Shrista hesitated now, a little confused but to her own disbelief feeling the shame grow. Living on the surface was surely a bad influence, perhaps this is what they meant when they said it was worse than the quick merciless death she was denied. SHe was going to become one of them, what if her skin paled as well, and she could no longer see in the dark?! Would she start fancying everything in a skirt that walked past her on the street as well? Blinking to dispell her train of thought, she considered the man before her. A man who was apparently, sincerely offering his hospitality, even if it was out of curiosity the shame that she had been close enough to spitting in his face but a moment before lowered her eyes. Lowering my eyes? How can I possibly lose any more face when I am not among...nevermind..speaking of eyes...it grows brighter by the second. Curse that...that..fiery thing! Whatever you are! "Mister..Aniketos." She rolled the word in her mouth a moment, familiarizing herself with the sound and giving a short nod. "Your offer is generous..I will admit, I am weary, and if you insist so strongly, I shall accompany you." She shifted uneasily, like a stray cat lured by the scent of fresh fish and the promise of a warm cushion. "A deal is a deal..I have my word and my honor, if nothing else. My name is Shrista, and we shall keep it to that as most humans cannot pronounce the rest right." She smiled wryly, the corners of her mouth pulling up and dimpling her cheeks for a moment. |
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| Aniketos | Sep 24 2011, 08:42 PM Post #10 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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"Shrista," he said, tasting the name as if it were a foreign fruit. He seemed thoughtful for a moment, then smiled brightly, showing off his straight teeth. "Let's hurry, the sunlight can't be pleasant for you." That much he knew about drows- they were so accustomed to the darkness that they were nearly blinded by the sunlight. Much like a man with a hangover, he thought with a grin. A stroke of good fortune then that the curtains which he used to shut out the light after a night of drinking should come in handy here. He led the way through the bustling streets and after several minutes, realizing that she probably didn't want to look up into the light too much, laid his fingers on her elbow and guided her that way. The morning crowds were at their peak- people bumped into them on all sides and he received several strange looks from people he knew, to which he merely responded with a smile and a nod. It may look strange now, leading a cloaked stranger through the streets, but when he told people his tale, they would be most impressed. Before long, he stopped in front of a great plaster-white building, locked up behind iron gates. It was imposing- wide, and two stories high with a flat roof serving as a balcony. The doors were dark imported ebony, inlaid with gold and mother-of-pearl designs showing the pale-armed Sotoan goddess of the sea holding up the Hesperes family crest, which featured a fox and an owl. The space given to gardens was limited, as Aniketos had chosen to build this outlandish monument in the middle of the city, but what space he had was given over to strange, exotic flowers, blooming improbably far from their homeland. The house was much different from the standard Reine-styled mansion- people who had seen the thing being built years ago still let their eyes linger upon it is as they walked by, in a combination of disbelief and admiration. People still whispered about it- "that Hesperes house" they'd say, from what he'd heard, "What debauchery..." Even though the house was hardly as large as many others, especially not the Priapos mansion... The two guards posted at the entrance opened the gate without question, and Aniketos led the way in, smiling. "Here we are! Many malign this place as a monument to vanity and extravagence, a sign of my hubris. I simply call it home." He laughed lightly, and led her down the path to the door. "But I shan't keep you standing in the sun, it'll be much more comfortable inside." |
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| Shrista | Sep 24 2011, 08:58 PM Post #11 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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Casting him a grateful smile, Shrista allowed Aniketos to lead her along the street, wondering to herself just how many of her kind he had encountered in the past to know about their light sensitivity. All thoughts of her kin fled however when she saw where they were going, and her eyes darted from one feature to the next, flighty as a small bird that couldn't decide where to perch. From the intricate inlays and designs on the wide doors to the elaborate stonework, to the blooming garden with it's strange scents and colors, her eyes grew wider as she took it in. As they walked down the neatly tended path towards the house, her escort leading once again, she reached up and slipped the hood of her cloak back from her head, feeling the warmth of the sun on her hair. Glancing around at the flora, her nose twitched as she inhaled the scents, eyes drinking in color. Bright as it was, she wanted to see it properly now, that her memory would not taint such wonder later. Truly, she was like a small child in a candy store, fascinated by each thing. Of course..they did not get such flora below ground. The Drow realized she had a peculiar smile hovering on her lips and had stopped walking, in fact had been swivelling around such was the curiosity. Quickening her pace she caught up to the Councillor. "You have a lovely...place for these." She gestured lamely at the garden, unable to quite find the words. |
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| Aniketos | Sep 24 2011, 10:40 PM Post #12 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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Aniketos stopped and turned around when he realized Shrista wasn't at his side. She stood there, in the garden- such a strange sight, a night creature in a dark cloak, standing in the sun surrounded by lush green leaves and rainbows of flowers. He went to her side, gestured to the plants that lined the main path- long green straps of leaves with flowers like cones of bright paper in white, yellow and pink. "Arum lilies," he told her, "They grow in the north, near Loniar Swamp. Notice how lovely they smell." He then pointed to a bushes giving off sprays of tiny purple and white flowers. "And those are coral peas- they grow up near the Scrublands, can you believe it? Somehow, they flourish in that wasteland." He then hurried up a smaller path that split off to the left, pointing out a few more flowers as he went- some roses, for the sake of tradition, the only peach tree in Reine, a bush of flowers like tiny red candles. And then, lined up along the side of the house, he showed her the tall bushes growing there, saying with pride- "Hibiscuses, my favourite. A pain to keep warm in the winter but worth it, I say." They came in white, yellow, pink, mixtures of these colours in a single flower. "Especially this one." He held a flower with lacy petals, detailed like tongues of flame. He practically glowed with pride. These things had cost a lot to import, more to grow, and some days, if had the time, he'd do a bit of pruning or watering, just to say he had. |
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| Shrista | Sep 25 2011, 09:51 AM Post #13 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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Scrubbing a hand through her hair she smiled at his passion and followed cautiously along the side path, careful not to crush so much as a blade of grass could she help it, examining each specimen with curiosity and delight. She had no idea as of yet where these places were, but nodded despite her confusion. A swamp? She had not come across the term yet, but knew what a wasteland was at least. To think something so small and delicate could flower in one, she felt disbelief. As they stopped by the hibiscus, Shrista tilted her head on one side. "It looks like tongues of living flame but you hold it so freely...it is beautiful. I have never seen such things since coming here. Thank you for showing them to me." Reaching out she brushed a fingertip against the shivering petals, marvelling at their softness. True she had never seen flowers like these, the only one that she had ever grown that could live in the dark, could not live in the light and were so fragile they would break down on touch, not to mention the time they took to flower was a considerable length. Unconciously her fingers brushed the velvet pouch within her cloak, feeling the tiny hard lumps within. Possibly her most prized possession, it had been one of the few things she had left with. Perhaps one day she would be able to settle and grow them again, though it seemed a long way off. Gazing wistfully at the flowers, a smile of longing and bitterness twisting her lips, she withdrew her hand. "There was a flower that bloomed in the dark, with long fluted bodies of darkest midnight, and inside it was like the color of a new dawn. The petals curled out like tiny stars, with tiny stalks of white inside...sometimes they would come out like a shelled beast leaving its home...and the tip glowed like a tiny star. They were like lanterns when they finally bloomed, but so delicate that to touch one it would become fairy dust...but they rarely flowered...you could spend a lifetime searching for it, and waiting, and it would not be a wasted life." Shrista touched a tiny crystal pin holding her cloak in place at her neck, shaped like an odd flower. "When they die they are...I do not know the word. Their blood preserves them. In my tongue they are called Elemmiire Kalyar. That is..roughly, Star Lantern." |
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| Aniketos | Sep 25 2011, 10:59 AM Post #14 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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The drow's fascination and wonder were more lovely than any flower. Aniketos tried to see into that dark face mostly hidden by the hood. Strange, he thought, his smile fading for a moment, Since when did goodwill and kindness mean anything to you? Especially towards someone you just wanted to sleep with. Genuine emotion was so hard to find in Aniketos, coming only in flashes. He frowned for a moment but then she began to tell him of this strange, exotic flower, and he was entranced. That such a thing could exist...That strange flash of emotion disappeared, overtaken by his magpie-like interest in collecting the exotic. He wanted that flower. "Elemmiire Kaylar..." He rolled the name around his tongue, and with a grin he said, "Well, that's one thing in your language that's easy to say. That it should be a name for such a beautiful thing...It would certainly be worth it to spend your life searching for it, to see what no one else is likely to ever see again." His smile faded into thoughtfulness. Though really, I have more important things to be doing. For Soto, for Reine. But such plans were not here or now- he did not want to think about politics at this moment, it could be so tiring with all the elections, all the persuasion and secret negotiations. "In the face of such things, all these human preoccupations seem so pointless," he said, rubbing the smooth hibiscus leaves thoughtfully. "But they must go on." He smiled again, that earnest and endearing grin, "Would you like to see more of the garden? Or would you prefer to bathe and rest and avoid the light? You can always return and see this when it is not so sunny." |
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| Shrista | Sep 25 2011, 11:26 AM Post #15 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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The smile faded from her lips, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth at the memory of soft petals dissolving into spangled dust, settling on her hair as she was forced to her knees, arms bent painfully behind her back while they searched the few meagre belongings in the room, ruining the plants as they did so. Fury brighter and colder than any illuminated flower had consumed her then at the thought of her most trusted and beloveds betrayal. She tasted bile at the memory, pushing it forcefully away into the closed recesses of her mind. "Yes...I suppose were you to use some kind of..growth magic, you could probably make it bloom faster. The trouble is to harvest a part of the plant, or aquire the seeds in the first place. And then the creatures you would have to skillfully avoid in order to get to it, like a Destrachan...horrible things. And for some, there are more valuble things to do with their life than cast it into the darkness in search of a blossom." Glancing around the garden again, she felt tied, explore and learn about the flowers more, or bathe? "I think I would like to bathe...but do you really mind if I trouble you to look upon these again later? I do not wish to impose on your good nature." |
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| Aniketos | Sep 26 2011, 01:42 AM Post #16 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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(Mlargh! x_x) "It's not a problem at all. You may come view this garden whenever you please." With a warm smile, Aniketos laid his fingers on Shrista's elbow and guided her towards the front of the house, and to the entrance. The doors sprang open as soon as they approached, moved by magic. The hall inside was extravagant- of course it was- with a line of marble columns running down the centre and a polished floor that stretched out in front of them. The various rooms branched off from here, hidden behind doors of the same polished ebony that made the front door. The hall was bright with the magical lights that lined the walls. Aniketos extinguished them with a graceful wave of his hand for the drow's comfort, and led the way down the hall, looking for a servant to give his orders to. "Would you prefer a hot bath, or no?" he asked the drow, "And food...I'm afraid I know nothing of what you eat." A servant came out of one of the rooms and, seeing Aniketos was there, looked down at her feet. He called out to her- "Ione!" and she jumped a little and then hurried to his side, still refusing to look into his face. Such a strange girl, ever so shy and Aniketos hadn't even flirted with her, she was too new. "Have Melia fill the bath, and fetch me Nephele." With a shy little nod, the girl was gone, swift and moth-like. Edited by Aniketos, Sep 26 2011, 01:43 AM.
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| Shrista | Sep 26 2011, 10:47 AM Post #17 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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"A hot bath would be wonderful." Again she felt gratitude at his attentiveness, and as the lights went out, pushed her hood from her head with a relieved sigh, revealing her short hair and fox-like visage, the markings below her eyes and the paint on her lips stark against her ebony skin. The faint luminescence of her eyes winked out and returned as she blinked, admiring the interior before them. Polished marble floors and high columns...not so different from what she had once in the temple. "I shall eat whatever you shall eat sir. We may be different races, but we still bleed the same." Her lips pulled back, showing her teeth in a fierce smile, then it was gone again, swallowed by the shadows. It certainly was more comfortable, and she felt a little of the tension slip from her shoulders, closing her eyes and breathing deeply. Footsteps. Shrista's eyes fluttered open, alighting on the timid human hovering to one side of the entryway. With mild curiosity she watched as Aniketos called the youngling to his side and bid her orders. A young slave? She watched as the child scuttled away, head down meekly, glancing back at them where they stood in the dim hall. For the second time that day it seemed as some other force were nudging her, she spoke without thinking, "There is a saying among my people, Nindyn vel'uss kyorl nind ratha thalra elghinn dal lil alust. Those who watch their backs meet death from the front...but I think perhaps you best start watching yours." She rubbed her arms, trying to dispell the sudden goosebumps. "Sorry I...am not sure why I said that. An odd feeling." Turning to look back at where the girl had vanished, she shrugged, her cloak whispering around her boots as she rolled her shoulders. "Pay no mind to me, I seem to be doing and saying much out of the ordinary today." If Lolth is trying to give me some sign, I wish she would simply tell me, instead of playing with me like this...unless it is something else...perhaps I should simply give in any thoughts of the higher powers...I'm already going my own way. Still...something felt off... |
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| Aniketos | Sep 26 2011, 09:26 PM Post #18 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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Aniketos tried to take in her face without seeming rude. It was difficult for him in the dark, the only light being the sun that came in through the windows at the end of the hall. The light was eerie, doing little to illuminate Shrista's features. She was a pair of glowing eyes, a glinting smile, she looked like a creature from an unsettling dream. No wonder people associate drows with trouble, Aniketos thought. Her pronouncement sent shivers up his spine. It was oddly fitting, considering what he was planning to do in a few days. But nobody knew about that, least of all some strange drow he'd picked up in the street. He nearly let rage and suspicion bubble up but he soon recognized that this was good advice, simply uttered at a strangely fitting time, a coincidence surely. He struggled with his frown and turned it into a more neutral expression. "No, it's advice I should listen to. It's just strange that you should mention at this time. I must be diligent, things are-" He was cut off as a door opened down the hall and another servant came his way- this time an older woman, who Aniketos could barely make out, though he could tell she was frowning. Aniketos winced, "I apologize, Nephele, it is dark for my guest. I thought I'd have special conditions for you but I was mistaken, if you could prepare us breakfast. She'll be in the bath by the time it's done, I should think." The servant went off with a nod- she normally would have given him an earful about the dark but she knew better than to trouble him around his guests, understanding that they were often important to his career. He liked her, even respected her, followed her advice. and sometimes she also said he should be more careful, watching his back... He frowned again and gestured down the hall, talking but a bit distracted. "Over here. I believe they should be finished with the water- I have the most advanced plumbing money can buy, augmented with magic." He opened one of those doors to reveal a room, well lit with the same magic lights. He dimmed these as well, quickly, and stood aside to let Shrista in. The bath was more like a small, shallow pool, waist-deep at one end and chest-deep at the other, with stairs leading into the water closer to the door. The floor was tiled, each green tile painted and glazed with the utmost care with flowers and insects. The tiles in the pool were painted in the semblance of pebbles. This, combined with the walls and ceiling that were painted with frescoes to resemble distant Sotoan hills and the sky made the place look like a small pond in a tranquil landscape. Aniketos was proud of the place, even more proud when he saw that the pool was already filled. However... "The water probably isn't warm yet. It's heated from underneath by a hypercaust, but it can take a long time. I think I can fix this." He went over and put his hand in the water, directing his energy outwards into the pool. He looked strained for a bit as the water began to warm up. "Not too long. There are towels at the far end of the room," he gestured with his free hand. |
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| Shrista | Sep 26 2011, 10:01 PM Post #19 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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((I am unashamedly going to have a lot of fun with this, though probably not as much fun as playing Foo *snort*)) Shrista noted his discomfort as he spoke, though didn't push the issue despite her growing curiosity, but merely nodded and observed the exchange between Aniketos and an older slave. Yet he had apologized so...that meant she was not a slave but a...servant. A paid slave that was not a slave but a free person. Confusing. Following him along a corridor, she waited til he had dimmed the lights without managing to throw them into darkness. Unfortunate, for him at least, had he done that. Still she was impressed at his magical skill, her own related to scrying and tracking mostly, her real skills lying in her speed at combat than anything else, having had her powers stripped from her when...well, best not to keep returning to that. Close it behind a door and leave it there until the wound is not so fresh. She had no idea what a hypercaust was, and stood admiring the decoration as she loosened her cloak, allowing it to fall with a gentle rustle to the floor, then pushing it aside with the toe of her boot. "It is certainly a clever device, whatever this..hy..per..caust, is. I sometimes bathed in the hot pools but they always left the skin smelling like sulphur." Bending lightly she touched the engraved spiders on her boots, causing them to release the clasps with a shiver, loosening the leather from her skin, the heavier metal plates dragging them to bunch about her ankles. She kicked them to the cloak idly, relishing the cool tiles under her bare feet, wiggling her toes. Aniketos appeared to be staring at the pool, one hand reaching over, with his back to her. If she nudged him, he might fall in... Shrista's lips twitched with mirth before she loosed the clasps on the rest of her armor and shrugged out of it, leaving it in the now untidy pile against the wall. She hoped he would not decide to send slaves...servants...to attend to her, she was more than capable of cleaning herself at least. Curiosity finally won over, and padding over to stand a little to the side and behind of her host, she watched him, concentrating, steam rising from the water and beading on her skin. The Drow stared, arms folded beneath the curves of her breasts, eyebrows arched. "I am impressed, how can you heat this inside the dwelling in so short a time?" |
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| Aniketos | Sep 27 2011, 06:01 AM Post #20 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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(Tehehe. :3) "Ah, a hypercaust is rather like...a furnace. Under the pool. Fires are lit underneath to heat it from below. Like boiling a pot." He laughed to himself. "But it takes a while and I usually prefer to warm it...myself." He had looked up to see Shrista naked, her dark skin just visible in the light coming in from the windows. He could just make out the elegant curves of her body and the luminous glow of her eyes, the shine of her hair. Stunned for a moment, he stood up slowly, drinking her in. He realized, from the way she stood, that she felt that it was quite natural to be standing there in the nude- this wasn't some foreign fashion of flirting. He thought. Well, can't hurt to take advantage of this situation. He put on a polite smile as if yes, he did this all the time. He turned his head to his armpit and sniffed and though he smelled didn't smell like much really, he said, "Perhaps I should bathe as well. If that's alright with you." |
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| Shrista | Sep 27 2011, 10:39 AM Post #21 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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Turning her head she flicked her eyes from the water to Aniketos, catching his eye, her own glinting with the echo of a challenge. Her lips curved up and she began laughing, a throaty purr, then turned and seated herself on the edge of the pool, dipping first her toes, then as far as the calf as she sat paddling the water. "Certainly. The streets give must dust, and heat, and I would be glad of the conversation...your people always seem to have great shame for their bodies, or maybe it is something else. They always run like they have smelled a fire if they walk in on me in my skin." She laughed again, sliding now from her seat into the water with a gentle sigh of pleasure as the heat sank into her skin. Twisting about the Drow settled her arms on the edge of the bath and rested her chin on her hand. "Do you plan to stand there all day Aniketos, or did you decide to keep company from over there instead?" Chuckling she retreated from the edge and glided into the shadowy deeper end, ducking under the water, watching the dim lights dancing on the surface above. Standing again, she pushed her sodden hair out of her eyes with the flat of her hand and tipped her head, making her ears pop as the water ran out of them. Sinking back down til the water came up the the bottom of her nose, she allowed her eyes to drift shut, blissful warmth enfolding her as the tension leaked from her muscles. ((Blah)) |
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| Aniketos | Sep 29 2011, 07:27 AM Post #22 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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Oh, she was a wonderfully exotic creature- that laugh! The women of Reine always tittered like birds, it was cute at first but how he tired of it! Aniketos pulled off his shirt, revealing the pale and well-built body underneath- a chest that had never grown hair and remained soft as silk. "I don't understand why people are so squeamish about their bodies," he said, "We were born with this-" he gestured at himself, "-why not love it?" He was soon naked, the steam from the bath warm on his skin. "Now, now, don't rush me!" he said jokingly, his voice carrying the hint of a purr. He went to a cabinet by the wall and retrieved a small glass bottle, uncorking it and walking to one end of the pool. "I hope you like orange blossom, it's one of my favourites. He began to pour it into the water, taking long stride all the way to the other end of the pool. The sweet, tangy fragrance began to rise with the steam, filling the room. Satisfied, Aniketos finally slid into the water, sighing as the warmth enveloped him, the smell of orange blossoms swirling through his mind. Bathing in the dark was quite nice, actually, relaxing. And even better with a lovely drow to keep his company... (WHEE.) |
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| Shrista | Sep 29 2011, 10:54 AM Post #23 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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Her eyes followed him as he stalked around the edge of the bath, sure of himself as a tomcat on his own turf, half admiration, half wariness as he poured the oil into the water. She relaxed once she caught the sweet perfume of the garden again, thoughfully tracing a design of birds in flight on one of the tiles. How long must it have taken to paint each and every feather? And then it was only one of many lining the room, birds and flowers, plants and petals. Forgetting to remove her mouth and nose, so close to the surface, from the water first, she inhaled as if to speak, and got a lungful of steam, making her sneeze, then flail with a loud splash, echoing from the tiles to bounce back. Face burning she ducked under the water again, and on resurfacing, found her host already enjoying the warmth. Leaning against the edge of the pool she shuddered, began to relax again and allowed her eyes to drift closed, when the tickling in her nose began again. Twitching it furiously had no effect and she sneezed again, almost losing her balance and going under unintentionally. "Drow cannot breathe water...I would have thought my past experiences taught me that but here I am trying again..." Shrista coughed, shaking her head and spraying water everywhere like a wild animal. ((Sorry for the shortness, feeling a bit bleh.)) Edited by Shrista, Sep 29 2011, 11:21 AM.
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| Aniketos | Sep 30 2011, 06:17 AM Post #24 |
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Unter friedlichen Umständen fällt der kriegerische Mensch über sich selber her.
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(N'awww it's k. :3 She's cute lol. I just realized that, with her glowy eyes, she'd be like when cartoon characters are trapped in the dark and all you can see is their eyes...xD It's be like -exaggerated blinking noises-) There was a small explosion of coughing from the drow as she choked on the water. Aniketos laughed, his voice tinkling off the tiles. "Really! Don't drown yourself, please!" He kicked off the bottom and sailed through the water in her general direction. "It would be quite the mess to clean up, you see," he said in jest, his smile wide. He allowed his weight to be carried by the water, sunk up to his chest. He looked in her direction, though was only able to discern an outline of her face and nose, the shine on her hair, the luminescence of her eyes. Drops of water glistened in his curls, fell from his long eyelashes. He allowed himself to drift closer, feigning ignorance to their proximity as he closed his eyes in seeming bliss. |
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| Shrista | Sep 30 2011, 10:48 AM Post #25 |
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Pariah, Apostate, Heretic
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((I thought of Scooby Doo just then haha)) Shrista found herself tracing the contours of his face in quiet contemplation, the way his cheeks lifted as he bared gleaming teeth in a smile, the shiver of his hair as he moved, causing tiny droplets, glittering like precious gems to plop into the bath water. The graceful curve of his slender neck, the powerful muscle beneath the creamy skin. Propping herself against the edge of the bath, one arm resting on the end, fingertips trailing in the water she allowed her eyes to drift shut as he appeared to be doing, and tried to tune out, to become lost in the heat and the steam, filtering out the worries of the day. It was a hard thing to do she found, when you were floating from place to place with no real order to your days and nights, endlessly moving, grasping at anything that might allow you to survive for just a little longer. Without a purpose, she realized, it was hard. But until she found that purpose, she was merely drifting, one tiny piece of flotsam in the ocean, swept along by the tides. Perhaps just surviving wasn't enough. Reaching out she splashed a little until she felt skin, her hand gasping at his shoulder, reluctant to open her eyes now she'd gotten slightly lethargic and comfortable. "Aniketos." Unable to think of anything to say, the thought scurrying from her mind, quick as a shadow, she sighed. "I have forgotten what I was going to say." |
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