Dark clouds languidly drifted by, hanging ever so ominously overhead as they threatened to bring down a torrential downpour on the poor souls who had been stuck outside. It was at that point when he had finally set foot upon the ancient ruins. With no destination in mind, he simply continued on throughout the ruined city. Emerald hues would flicker cautiously across the various ruins that lined his surroundings, knowing full well that he would not be alone in such a place. Slowing to a sudden halt, his eyes would cast themselves up momentarily to the sky as a loud rumble emanated forth from the ominous clouds. It was at that exact moment when the rains would begin, threatening to soak anything caught out in it. Heaving an exasperated sigh, his gaze would part from the clouds and off to the distance where the large cathedral rose up high above the city ruins, signaling to all its dominating presence. That would be his goal, if he wished to get out of this soaking rain. By far it was the only building that still could actually be called as such; since it still had a roof and was actually quite structurally sound compared to the rest these rundown buildings.

Folding his wings in around his muscular frame, they would clasp themselves just in front of him as though they were some sort of cloak. It was at that moment when he would push off into a light trot through the ruins. With each step he would take, the soft sloshing sound of the water on the ground would sound out his presence, surely alerting who or whatever was here. But it didn’t matter to him anymore; all he wanted to do was get to some place dry and away from this rain. As he approached the cathedral, he would falter in his steps and his gaze would immediately trail across the elaborate building until it would reach the empty stain glass window that bore itself on the front of its structure. Peeling his gaze from the window, his eyes would swiftly move down to the rotten doors that had only seemed to barely cling to the building itself. One had been ajar slightly, but the top and middle hinge that held it to its place were long since broken, making it lean perilously as it had yet remained. Slipping in past the broken door and the other, he would find himself within the embracing bind of the large cathedral itself. Rotten pews lined themselves just on each side of the aisle leading up to the shattered appearance of the altar at the front. A large section of the ceiling lay broken off at the corner of the room, but smaller versions of it had lined the floor all throughout the building itself. Fragments of the broken stained glass window lay scattered across the flooring just beyond the threshold of the doors, but it was quite apparent that all the pieces were indeed no longer there. Obviously taken by passerbies and the few stray rogues who had hoped to fetch a few pieces of gold from the fragments.

Releasing his breath in a sudden huff, his emerald hues would drift across the cathedral making certain that it had been barren before delving further within the structure. Step by step he ventured further within the structure, his right hand instinctively moving to his right side and to the hilt of the rather large blade that adorned his side. Grasping tightly to the hilt of the massive blade, he would pull it out in one fluid motion and sling it up to his shoulder only to rest the blunt side of the blade at its crook. Faltering in his steps once against, his eyes would situate themselves upon the figure at the altar. It was almost like a repeat of the last time that he had come here, but this time the figure didn’t even seem to be aware of his presence in the cathedral. Slowly, his wings would open themselves gracefully, spanning themselves outwards behind him.

It was at that instant the figure would turn sharply to him, only to immediately turn a blade to him, “Fiend! I refuse to leave and you will do nothing to make me!”

Blinking a few times, Varonen stared at the figure dumbfounded and simply took a few steps back out of habit, “Easy there guy, I’m not here to hurt you, just talk to me this time, will you?”

The figure swung the blade threateningly in response to his words, “Your words won’t fool me this time, fiend. You will die where you stand, because I refuse to leave.” Breaking out in an all charge at Varonen, the figure would draw its blade high over its head and bring it careening down at the celestial being.

Astonishment riddled his countenance at the figures unrelenting defiance to simply talk this out. Whatever this had been that is…Because he honestly had no idea why this man was so intent on trying to kill him every time he had come to this place. But it was too late to wonder now, because his main focus was now upon the charging man who was coming towards him. Making no move to stop the oncoming blade, he would simply stand and watch as it came down to him. Because the second it would draw near, the man would stumble backwards, dropping the blade as it had, a hole presently opened in his chest and blood riddled itself all across his torso. And it was at that moment when the figure would disperse as though it had never existed to begin with. Heaving a sigh of annoyance, his eyes would trace their way back to the altar, “Why does this happen? Is it just with me or do others who venture here come across the same? Why do you spirits toy with me….?” He knew there would be no answers to follow such questions and he had never expected such, but only wished….

Rain and ruins—the collision of water against earth may be an annoyance to most, but to Marii’s ears it was a delightful, even sprightly, symphony. Collapsed, beauteous forms surrounded her slight frame, creating an ideal environment for reflection. As the great cathedral, a creation of mankind, crumbled beneath the force of nature, she was reminded of her own impermanence. Stray drops of rain fell through the ceiling’s cracks and laid to rest to be absorbed by the rotting pews—the smell of soft wood and mildew filled Marii’s nostrils with each breath.

There weren’t many places she felt safe, swaddled by the Gods. A place in which nature overtook man’s ingenuity put to ease the restlessness Marii had of the intelligible world at large. Amongst the immense marble crossbeams, she felt like a bird above the land. If only she could attain such heights and soar like a winged wonder along the breath of the celestials.

Cempiyan Mahâdeviyâr, queen of mine heart’s temple—breathe into me the locks of the approaching storms—a west wind to carry my soul up through the bowels of physical tribulation. Drive my dead thoughts over the universe and revive mine withered limbs to quicken a new birth!

But then a new symphony arose, nay, rather a cacophony of steps, of feet! Marii risened from her knees and withdrew her folded hands from her bowed head. Her gaze fell onto the altar, the origin of the strange sounds and muffled footfalls. It was then a great creature, adorned with awe-inspiring wings, filled her vision. Her curiosity became piqued.

“Perhaps spirits toy with you in the interest of returning the favor,” she called down. Her body was well hidden by the shadows and luggish structures of the cathedral’s great ceiling, “To command respect you first must offer it.” With a renewed confidence and strength, Marii took a couple steps forward, out onto one the crossbeams. She yearned to fly, yet this was the closest she could ever come to attaining such heights, “Perhaps you feel a power in dispatching those who harbor fear towards you?” Marii chuckled. What was it with her predisposition to philosophical ramblings? How childish.

“Forgive me,” she spat. A friendly smirk crept upon her face, “I was in the middle of an incantation and the ruckus you caused disturbed me. Needless to say, I am slightly perturbed.”

((OOC: This isn't a very good post, but it's the only thing I could whip up in the time I had available.))

A simple sigh passed through his parted lips at the sound of her voice. It wasn’t as though he had expected to be alone in such a place, but her comments seemed to annoy him slightly. Never turning his gaze from the altar or even attempting to shoot a glance at the direction in which the voice had come from. He would speak in a subtle tone just loud enough for her to hear, “Those who question the unknown often find themselves never knowing anything to begin with. I suppose the same could be said about me, but I consider myself a rebel… You…I’m not so sure about.” A faint grin tugged at the corner of his lips, “Command respect…It’s not like I’ve done anything to deserve disrespect; after all, I do come here to pay respects to the dead.”

The grin ebbed away, leaving a blank expression upon his countenance once more. Pressing forward again, he would slowly make his way towards the altar and finally up the three steps that lead to it. Coming to a sudden halt just shy of it, his left hand would reach out and gently touch the cracked structure before speaking, “As for fear, what do they have to fear from me? I am not the one to take up blades, nor am I one for violence. Though, it proves to be often necessary from time to time, but I refuse to kill. There’s always options you can choose that doesn’t result in death, after all what right do we have to choose who lives or dies in this world…?” Again he was rambling, but it really didn’t matter at the point. Whenever he got the chance to talk, others would laugh and call him weak, or his words would never be heard. Those days were over, they would listen to him whether they liked it or not, because he wasn’t a pushover anymore. Nor was he a person to take lightly as they had often done when he was younger.

Relinquishing a wayward sigh, his right arm would tense and bring forth the blade from his shoulder only to bring it to a vertical position. Giving his wrist a twist, the blade would drop off to the left and down to his waiting hand, where it would catch the flat side of the blade just at its mid-point. Extending both of his arms outwards, he would lightly place the shimmering blade upon the altar’s broken surface. Bowing his head slightly, his right hand would lift itself up towards his face. Curling his pinky and ring finger in towards the palm of his hand, his middle and index would bring themselves together, and his thumb would position itself so the space between it and the two fingers would resemble a C-like shape. With three quick motions, they would appear to trace an appearance of a cross just in front of his face. Lowering his arm slowly to his side, he would gracefully turn in the direction the voice came from. Clearing his throat, his emerald eyes searched aimlessly through the dark corners and shadows of the rafters, only to be unable to place the woman’s exact position. In a soft voice he would begin to speak once again, “I apologize, I am a little aggitated myself with the past couple events that have taken themselves upon me. If I seem a little sharp with my tongue or on edge, I don’t mean anything by it. After all my bark is often times worse than my bite.” Offering her a faint smile, his right arm would lift in a graceful manner and then swing itself across his midsection as he bowed in respect, “The name is Varonen Skeirs.” He paused for a moment, before rising back an erect stance once more, “And your name might be…?”

(OOC: Oh, don't be so modest. =p )

“I am Marii. Tis all I care to reveal, for relinquishing my family name may prove to be trouble.” She began to chuckle slowly. At the realization that the man who stood before the altar was of no ill repute, to her anyway, Marii allowed the chuckle to grow and resonate throughout the stony, ruined cathedral. There was no harm in showing herself, she mused, and rather than further lurking amongst the shadows of the ceiling and crossbeams she folded her legs neatly beneath her bottom and curved her back. A slim beam of light cut through one of the cracks of the building’s roof. Dust and musk danced through the illumination, as stage performers might—Marii reached out a single, thin arm, interrupting their spinning, dizzying routine.

“As for questioning the unknown—how else is one to learn anything in this crazy world? Much is unknown, but each day we reduce the pool of the unknown through curiosity. And exploration.” She paused for a moment and considered a way in which to make herself clearer, “Exploration of the self is overrated, it’s far more interesting to uncover secrets concerning others.” Suddenly, she thrust a second arm out into the light and tucked her chin to her chest and hunched her back forward. From the position Marii was formerly in, she rolled off the crossbeam and fell through the air, most gracefully. From Varonen’s situation before the altar, it was not clear what kind of creature Marii may have been—her small form was enveloped in a flurry of emerald green fabric and glinting rubies.

With a muted thud, her soft boots landed upon the shoulder of great statue carved upon the sill of one of the cathedral's shattered windows. The dress settled, the rubies took up point above her breasts and her grand earrings rang quietly beneath shaggy auburn hair. Marii rose triumphantly and brushed the fringe from her eyes. She looked down at Varonen and narrowed her eyes in interest, “Well, from this angle, its quite clear you’re not human. Perhaps it would be wise of me not to inquire further about the ‘events’ that’ve recently transpired. Or mayhap, I could be of help.”