The tavern was abustle, full of the kind of people you'd expect on a full moon in the city of Balefire. Murderers, Gangleaders, Necromancers, Dark Sorcerers, and Vampires. The presence of the Werewolves was noticably missing, due to the current lunar phase.

Towards the back of the room, more away from the fire and bar, the people thinned out, leading up to the absence of all at the last few tables. It was here where a cloaked and hooded figure sat, with roasted meat and ale before him. He chose this spot because of the usual absence of people, his Unholy Aura adding to the 'keep away' effect.

Slowly, a reddsih grey hand raised the mug of ale to the figure's lips, letting the malty taste trickle past his lips, as a pair of glowing red orbs shon over the brim, looking at the inhabitants. Previously that day, he had fought against thugs on the streets, improving his skills, appeasing the Demonic entity fused to his soul.

Here you sit, eating and drinking. It is the full moon! We should be hunting the weres! The gutteral voice of said entity came into Stirling's head, giving his opinion once again.

"I cannot fight them yet," came the whispered reply, "Maybe soon. But until then, I shall dine."

The Thief lifted up a joint of meat, tearing a large chunk out of it with his sharp teeth, chewing slowly. He was still looking for something to entertain himself with. Just then, the tavern door opened, letting in a small gust of cold, night wind.

Aberon pulled the door of the Purple Lantern Tavern open, letting the night wind rush past him into the warm tavern. Aberon's black eyes, lined with scales, surveyed the people who sat at the myriad tables. It was one of the biggest taverns he had ever seen, to be sure, and the people were obviously all of the same mind. A crafty smile played across Aberon's face. He scratched his red-scaled arm absent-mindedly, and then let the door bang shut behind him. A few heads looked up at the noise, but most ignored him and kept to their conversations, or their brooding silences.

His blacker than black eyes looked for someone who would not mind his presence. His eyes immediately went to the back of the tavern, where he knew there would be loners. His eyes caught and held bright red eyes. For a moment they seemed to fight against eachother, dark black against blood red, but then both gave, and Aberon walked slowly towards the table where the man was sitting, gave a small smile, and then sat down silently.

After a moment of brooding silence, Aberon spoke up. "My name is Aberon, known as Ron to most." His black eyes glittered darkly, and again he scratched his scaled arm. He eyes the red-eyed man curiously, if not somewhat warily. He could probably best him in a fight, if it came to that. They didn't look all that different in age, either. Aberon's eyes stared unblinking at the man's face. He did not look away.

Stirling's eyes didn't leave the scaled newcomer as he threaded his way towards the back of the crowded tavern. HE seemed to do it with a slightly irritating slowness. As soon as the stranger sat down, he gave off the courteous offer of his name, as most people do.

Aberon? I have never heard of this name, but to you it sounds familiar. Before the Infusement. The Thief nodded his head slightly once, to show that he had heard.

"And I am Stirling Strych. Just called Stirling." Beneath the shadow of his hood, his grey forehead was furrowed, trying to revive a distant memory. Finally, no longer being able to remember and irritated that he couldn't, Stirling decided to put the question to the half-dragon.

"Aberon. that name sounds familiar. We wouldn't have met before, have we?"

Aberon looked closer at who he had supposed was a stranger. He did not look like the Stirling he remembered. But then...that had been years ago. How was it that Stirling could have become younger while Aberon was growing older? Had something horrible happened to him in the years they had been apart, or was this his own choice?

"Yes, I believe we have met. I was...oh, nine, I think. And you looked...about fifty or so." He smiled at the insult, but it seemed to bounce right off of Stirling's silent form. He had been so much different all those years ago. So was I, he thought. To think how far he had come from the cowering wimp in the forest to what he was today. An almost-notorious thief in Taras. He smirked, delighted with his almost-title. He was going to become "notorious". In his opinion, that was one of the best words Kevian had ever taught him.

He gazed around the tavern once more, admiring the purplish glows coming from the lanterns, and then turned black eyes and red scales back in Stirling's direction. He brushed his hand through his silky black hair and threw an irritated look at a nearby vampire, who was making rude noises to the person next to him.

"So...how has your life been recently? Anything exciting been happening?" He was bored. That's all there was to it. Perhaps small talk might relieve him of his burden of boredom.

Yes. That was it. The young boy he had met in the forests. Time has increased his stature and outwards appearance, making recognising the Half-Dragon a tough business. Still, how many other Half-Dragons did he know? His Reddish-Grey face kept impassive at the remark on how old he looked. Stirling knew it was just pointless banter.

"Excitement?" The Half-Drow gave a small chuckle. "Well, let's see what has happened. I got a slash to the face by a city guard, tore the heart out of a Daughter of Lolth, got into some strife with a black dragon, stumbled through the marshes for a while, and finaly got to the Temple of Darkness."

He picked up his drink and took another sip, thinking. "And what else? Oh yeah, i've been Infused." He set down the vessel and brough his leathery hands to his hood, removing it and letting ligt onto his features. His red eyes, gray/red skin and the pink scar over his eye made him stand out a bit more.

"So, what have you been up to, Aberon?"

"Oh. Well, now, that's interesting. Judging from your looks and present location, I'd judge you were demonic infused. Am I correct? Thought so." Aberon released a sly smile and tried to organize his thoughts, which were mostly revolving around demons and infused. What would it be like to have a demon living inside of you? Would it be different with each different kind? Would you be able to talk to the demon, or would it be able to talk to you? Or both? Could it control you? Or did you control it? Aberon was unschooled in the prestige classes and so had plenty of questions, none of which he voice aloud.

"Oh...a little bit if everyting. I took your little burglaring speech to heart and tried it out. Turns out I was good at it. I've made it my living now. You should see some of the things I've stolen. Right little beauties they are.

"My life has been...different...since you last saw me. I've grown up a little, obviously, and lost a few of my more dragonish features. If I remember rightly, I even had a tail back then, a rather short one to be sure, but a tail nonetheless. And my claws are shorter now." Aberon glanced at his fingernails and then to his clawed hand, then back up at Stirling. "I'm also stronger, and more confident, as I am sure you have also noticed."

A small smile flashed upon the Half-Drow face when Aberon came to the conclusion about his Demonic Infusement. True, it wasn't that hard to see, but the boy had always had brains. He knew that when he first saw him, all that time ago...

He was snapped back to the present when the half-Dragon said that he had followed the path of the Thief. This pleased him greatly. Maybe Aberon would follow him yet again, and join the forces of Ranewen? One could only hope.

"Yes, Aberon, you have changed. For the better." He added, thinking on how it might have sounded. He took another drink, taking the last of the ale down his throat, then continued. "It is good you saw beyond your first doubts. Thievery is an excelent occupation. Mounds of gold to be had. I do however regret that it tends to make one more, shall we say, feeble?"

Aberon nodded contentedly as Stirling complimented his changes. He knew they were for the better. Just thinking of the whimpering coward he used to be compared to the new, confident, fit, handsome young man he was now caused him to laugh. Now he lived up to his dragon mother's notoriety. He refocused his mind on Stirling, listening with rapt attention and nodding as he explained the benefits of thievery. One word popped out at him though, and he rose from his chair.

"Feeble?" Aberon cried indignantly. Thievery did not make him feel more feeble. He felt stronger than he ever had in his life. Suddenly Aberon calmed and sat down again. Stirling was going to introduce him to a new idea. His last idea had been intriguing and very helpful. What would his latest do for him? Aberon's scaled torso rippled with dragon-like flexibility. A new adventure was just around the corner. He could feel it. He could almost smell it...

"What are you getting at, Stirling?" Aberon asked casually. It was obvious, though, that he knew Stirling was up to something, try as he might to hide it. Aberon was an experienced liar, but sometimes he just couldn't help himself. Now was one of those times. He smiled and licked his dry lips conspicuously.

Stirling smirked at Aberon's upstart. Pride seemed to be strong in this one. The boy had cooled down quickly, though, and began to reveal his interest in what the Half-Drow was talking about. But the Half-Dragon would have to wait a little, until drinks were refreshed.

Waving his hand, the barmaid came over to their table, a little cautiously if anything. "Get another mug of this for me, and the same for him." He pushed a handful of gold over to her, and she scurried off witht he money. The Theif refused to continue the conversation until the two large mugs of alcohol were placed in front of them.

He leant forward and arched his fingers, letting his chin rest on thepinnacle of them. Both red orbs were set upon Aberon, looking at him as if to see through his scaly body. Then he began.

"Aberon, I wont lie to you. As you currently are, yes, you are strong. But not strong enough to survive. A good warrior could easily beat you, not to mention a mage. Out there, at this very moment, is power, enough to make any mortal nearly a god. Now, if you do want to be stronger, to have power, you must find out how to tap this force." Stirling paused for a second, and lent back. "And I can introduce you to a Goddess, who will more then help you, as long as you give your service."

Aberon listened to Stirling's words, bit back sharp replies, and at the end assessed exactly what had been said. Evidently Stirling followed a god now. The Goddess of Darkness, most likely. And, if he could introduce him to the goddess of darkness, that would mean he would have to swear to serve her for the rest of his life. Aberon didn't like to serve, but somehow he doubted that the Goddess of Darkness was one who would order him about like he was an obedient, witless servant.

"This Goddess, presuming, of course, that you are speaking of the Goddess of Darkness, would be able to make me stronger? I must admit I am not fond of the idea of becoming infused like you. But would she make me stronger even if I didn't get infused with a demon? Or would she shun me?" Questions hung in the air for a few moments, then Aberon spoke again, before Stirling could answer. "Now, don't get me wrong, I mean no offense by saying I do not wish to be a demon infused. I can see you look much...better...now than you did before. I am just not comforted by the thought of having a demon inside of me. Again, no offense meant."

"If the Goddess shunned anyone but the Infused, then she would have little followers indeed." He raised the cup to his lips, taking a few gulps down, before continuing on.

"It is fine that you do not wish to be Infused with a being from the Abyss. There are few who would find it a pleasent experience." for a few seconds, a grin passed over his face again, distorting the pinkish scar. Nota’man could get quite irritating at times, even with the power he was bringing Stirling.

Ignoring that abuse that was now coming from his Demonic counterpart, the Half-Drow continued. "Power will still come to you, if you are infused or not. The priests at the temple have extensive training in the arts, and can teach you. And, if you prove your worth and loyalty to Ranewen, then she may just gift you herself. There are more things to power then being Half-Demon."

Aberon smiled thoughtfully. He didn't have to be an infused to be favored by this power. This "Goddess of Darkness". It was amazing how much his life had changed by meeting up with Stirling. First all those years ago, and again, now, when he was offering to him the chance of a lifetime. How could he refuse it? He wanted power and abilities more than anything else he had ever wanted in his whole life.

"Stirling, I would like to meet her. I've never even been to her temple, or close to it, for that matter, and I'd love to. But...about the service. How would I serve her, exactly? I wouldn't have to become her slave or anything, would I?" Aberon bit his lip gently, careful not to draw blood. He was sure that the Goddess wouldn't make him serve her in that way, but it was always good to make sure that everything is being covered before you jump right into things.

((OK...I think that was about the worst post I've ever written. Sorry...I can't really think of much to write right now, and my creativity is ::drop:: ...dying.))

He let out a chuckle at the mention of being Ranewen's slave. It wasn't a very pleasent sound, cold and grating. He couldn't help that. Before the Half-Drow answered, he picked up the joint again and took a bite. The food here was good. When he had swallowed the mouthfull along with a portion of ale to wash it down, he replied.

"No, not her slave. Not unless you incrediably dissapoint her, and then she will control your mind. I doubt that you would have that happen to you." he added the last bit when realised that it would sound alittle unapeasing.

"To serve her is to do her biddings. When she asks you to go out and do something, then you will do it. However, this is not incrediably often, so most of the time you will spend traveling Imythess, looking to better yourself, returning every now and then to the temple to pay homage."

At the mention of the temple, he remembered that it was about time he returned as well. There were a few things he wanted to check in the library, which were contained in books found illegel in most of the land. Picking up the mug, he drained it to the last, setting it down to the bare peice of bone, which was then thrown to the dogs nearby.

"I have to visit the temple myself, so I can guide you if you so wish. The lands about are periless, so it is a mean feat to get there unharmed. If you still want to serve Ranewen, then get yourself a room, and we shall leave at dawn. Any objections?"

Aberon winced slightly at the cruel-sounding chuckle that Stirling emitted. He knew even before Stirling told him that he had nothing to worry about. Although what Stirling said about Ranewen controlling his mind frightened him a bit. He would surely do nothing to displease this Goddess. There was no way.

Aberon smiled at the end of Stirling's explanation, satisfied at last. The journey was perilous, maybe he could prove himself on the way there, instead of showing up with very little of anything to prove himself worthy to be a follower of this great goddess.

"I would like to go with you, Stirling. Very much. I'll just grab myself a room and we'll be off in the morning, yes?" He gave him a rather toothy grin that clearly showed the unnatural points.

A nod was all the Half-Drow gave as an agreement. He was glad that Aberon had decided to travel with him. Not only would it increase the chances of him actually ariving at the temple, but the two of them could discuss what had happened over the years as well.

Turning to go up the stairs to the rooms, Stirling stopped for a second, then turned. "If you have anything to get at all, make sure you get it now. The night markets are opened at this hour if you so wish to visit them. We are leaving at dawn, with no delays. At all."

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Stirling wrapped his cloak about him tighter, ceeking the morning chill from his reddish grey skin. Fire and darkness were his elements, and the cold and wet made him feel almost sick. He was waiting for Aberon outside the tavern, standing underneath the night lantern which hadn't been extinguished yet. The bar was usually open all night for patrons.

Looking to the east, the Half-Drow saw some golden pinkness starting to blossom on the horizon. Dawn was near. They would be heading off as soon as the Half-Dragon was back. Impatiently, Stirling rubbed warmth back into his leathery skin.

"I'm offering you the chance of a lifetime, Aberon, now where in the name of the Goddess are you!" He muttered beneath his breath.

((Well, I take it that this Rp will probably end when you post. Do you want to make an Rp of us arriving at the temple of Darkness now, or do you want a few over the country side by yourself?))

Aberon nodded in response to Stirling's statement, and then stood up quietly and quickly exited the tavern. He would steal a few gold pieces, if he could, and buy food to sustain him on the so-called dangerous journey to the Temple of Darkness.

He reentered the Purple Lantern Tavern later that night, around one o'clock in the morning, and retired to one of the tiny rooms above the empty common room. He slipped between the clean sheets and drifted off to sleep, sure that he would not sleep past dawn. He slept restlessly, however, his dreams filled with visions of dark chains and rotting corpses.

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He awoke to the first hints of sunlight and sprang out of bed. He felt like he hadn't slept a wink, and was all the more awake for it. He dashed around the room, grabbing his cloak, dagger, and his sack and then sprinted downstairs. It was dawn, and Stirling had said no delays. He rushed into the tavern room and saw Stirling waiting there. He smiled cheerily and walked over to him.

"Sorry I'm late, overslept, you know." He smiled and pulled a wrinkled apple out of his sack. He began munching on it as they walked out of the tavern...

((I don't mind what we do...probably start the next rp at the temple itself. :)))