The four witches met where the water met the earth, fire met the sand, air lifted the currents and gave life to the fire. They all stood with silent tears running down their cheeks, eyes pained and greiving. After a moment or two they began to cry openly, falling to the floor in sobs and screams.
The images of the dead bodys of their beloved men on the ground from fighting was like a knife in the heart, breaking their hearts right down the middle.
The dark shadows were watching this, and with a smile they came out of the black mist and stood before the four witches.
"Women of magic, we see your pain. And the great power you hold. Let us take away your pain so you shall never have to feel this way again." The head man of smoke said, his voice like a velvet whisper.
They all shot him at first an angry look, then after some moments of talking they all nodded their heads in unison.
The men of dark shadows smiled. "Lets start with the mistress of air shall we?" He asked coming up close to her and smiling, he placed a hand on her heart, smoke wound its way down her mouth and into her chest, then came back out with a stone heart so deep purple it was nearly black, it sparkled like the stars she so often studied. The man smiled. "You will never feel this kind of pain again." And with a quick flourish it lay in a box in her hands, and she was numb.
One by one her sisters did the same. Each heart exquiste and beautiful in its own way, each box protected and each witch numb.
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Aira lay on the marble edge of the fountian, her long white and silver dress flowing past her legs and onto the stone floor. The memory was vivid, and she now slightly regreted it, but she also was glad. Now she never felt love, or the pain that came with it.
Aira sighed and got up, waving to the stars she had been speaking to she walked into a near by pub. Some stared, but she ignored them and walked to the bar tender.
"May I ahve a tigers blood on the rox?" She asked.
He simply nodded and handed her her drink. The shoking red blood looked feirce against her pale skin, nearly white hair, grey eyes, and white dress.
Aira was shocked when she heard someone talk to her behind her.

She had found the activity in the bar seriously lacking this evening. All the men either had paid women bouncing on their laps or wives chiding them for looking. It seemed as though she was the only single person in the tavern, which was odd. She let out a little sigh and sat back in her chair; a barmaid gathered up her ale and disappeared before she could even tip her. Business from the couples was booming enough that the only loner wasn’t much of a matter.

She had her lips painted a dark ruby red, and her cheeks pinched a little to bring some color to her pale skin. Her long golden hair shimmered and was let loose down her back. She was a dazzling sight in her long white gown and garlands in her hair. Almost as a virgin fit for the alter. It was a shame that the few men in here were so low class that they cared more for the trash of… hired help… than for a true beauty.

She could be a bit of a black widow though.

Finally she spotted another loner walk into the bar. Sadly a woman. They were much too fickle for her tastes, however their beauty made up for what they lacked. She rose gracefully from the chair and glided over to the woman. She stood just behind her, drinking her in before she spoke.

“What brings a lovely thing like you here?” She didn’t wait for a response but lowered herself into the seat next to the woman and gazed at her, fitting a smile on her ruby lips.

Eliel walked through the town, eyes dimmed considerably. This place held a huge significance for him. It was here that he'd raided the ship of an enemy house, here where he'd tortured a dwarf, here where he'd come after leaving Menzoberranzan.

It was also here where he'd met his first love, and one of his many betrayals with it.

Eliel walked by a familiar door, looking to have warped in it's frame. He turned the handle and pushed, to no effect. Eliel frowned and stood back, kicking the door violently. It swung open jerkily, letting him enter the dusty home. He looked around, tears in his eyes. He could see the room he'd stayed in while here. Even the papers were still on the table, after 50 years.

Eliel shook his head and left the house, walking to the plaza. He saw a statue, a tall, handsome, confident drow, hair pulled back into a ponytail, seeming to be the most free man in the world. It was he who Eliel took after. He'd passed out at the bench by this very statue. Eliel sighed and ran a hand through his hair, deciding he needed a drink. He made his way to the docks and into the bar.

Eliel sat at the bar and ordered an ale. The bartender straightened at Eliel's appearance. A drow walking in with piwafwi and drow scimitar usually meant that if you weren't polite, you'd die, as the drow nobles were arrogant, murderous folk.

He gave Eliel the ale and he payed, a few gold coins. Turning to look at the other patrons, he smiled a little, seeing a familiar face on the other side of another woman. He leaned back and watched her, wondering if lilith would see him.

Aira was surpised when a woman came up to her and called her lovely. Especially when some of their traits were almost the same. They both had long blonde hair, though the strangers was more golden and her own was nearly white. They both had full lips, though the strangers were a ruby red, her own wore a dark purple dye. And the stranger was older than her. No matter she smiled and twised her chair to face the new comer.

"Well I was thirsty, and I saw a tavren and as far as I know they carry drink." She said lifting up her cup. then after a momen she realized she must have sounded a little ilke a smartie pants. But she didnt eman it like that, only answering her question, in a slightly sarcastic way. Not meaning to be rude.

Aira watched the ohter people around her and spotted a man looking in the strangers direction. She wasnt much suprised she was beautiful and after all; Aira's heart was made of stone. She could not love another man. So it would be natural that he would subconsiously go for the one that still had a steady, warm, heart beat.

None the less she wanted ot have some fun and so she motioned for him to come and sit with them. "The man over their was watching you! I think you should have a little fun with him." She said with a glint in her bright grey eyes. "And one should always make new friends." She added thoughtfully.

Lilith didn’t answer her remark, but she felt at the same time that it didn’t really need one. Instead she merely nodded her agreement and ordered up a strawberry ale. She sipped at it, letting her tongue dart across her lips after she was finished.

As for the woman’s second comment she only smiled. “I know,” She had seen Eliel walked in but chose to ignore him until the woman mentioned him. She looked over at the man and fitted a smile on her face, letting it brighten her whole demeanor. “Eliel,” She let it out almost in a squeal loud enough for him to hear. “Come sit with us,” She copied the woman’s motion. With two encouragements there was no chance he would resist.

Before Eliel made it over Lilith lowered her voice. “I love having fun with this one, and I agree friends are nice.” Her voice dropped even lower, as if exhaling a breath. “Lovers are better,” She turned to face the women again, ignoring Eliel for the moment. “And speaking of… What’s your name?”

Eliel looked at the witch with a smile, getting up. When Lilith beckoned him to the table, there was no going back. Eliel drained his ale and ordered another, going to sit by his would-be lover. A while ago, he'd been interested in her, and still may be. He smiled as he sat and took another swig from the next mug.

“Hello lilith dear.” He said, sinking into a seat next to her. “What brings you here?” He said with a smile. The same could be asked of him,. Since he was wanted in the underdark. He had a price on his head. It wasn't as sought for as it used to be, only a few knew of it, but still. It wasn't small, and there would always be someone after it.

Eliel looked at the witch. “And who's your friend?” He said, leaning over the table to look at her properly. He had been away for a while now with no news from Sil. He had no idea where she'd gone. She hadn't been around the tower and he'd been worried. But it had been at least a couple months now. He was getting restless. With only Gwen, Abel, and Roy for company wasn't the same as having a woman around.

Eliel smiled at Lilith and looked at the barmaid. “Give me the bill when we're done, dear. I'll pay.” He said with a wink to the waittress. She blushed, a young drow girl, and rushed off. Eliel smiled and leaned back.

Aira laughed at the womans comment, it was true teasing was only the best part of playing with men. But at the moment Aira was giong through a spell of being without the opposite sex in her life. But that was something she could easily handle.

When he came over she looked at his smile, he indeed really like this woman. It made a smile creep its way onto her lips. They really do truly feel something for each other. Mostly she just watched those two, it was entertaining in its own way. "I'm Aira." She said to both of them, shaking both their hands, standing up straight as if this were a buisness transaction.

When the man said he would pay for their drink Aira smiled, she wouldnt let him, that was far too kind. "Thats far to kind! you dont even know me. So I insist upon myself pay for me. Its ok, really, dont worry about it!"

Aira took another swig of her tigers blood, letting the ice fall into her mouth and chewing on the ice while watching the two have conversation, swallowing incase they adressed her.

Lilith leaned over and put her hand on Eliel’s knee. “You’re too kind,” She smiled at him, not one to turn down a free… anything really. As long as someone else was paying she’d take it. Lilith turned back to the woman who she now knew as Aira. It was a pretty name and after she shook hands she said so.

“Beautiful name Aira,” She rolled it around her mouth testing the sound of it. She wasn’t sure why she turned down the free drinks but Lilith assumed she must be too proud. It wasn’t really of any consequence. She didn’t seem too interested in Lilith and most women we’re straight after all, and Eliel had shown up.

Lilith turned her attention back to him for the moment. “So Eliel,” Lilith purred his name and leaned closed to him. “What have you been up to all these months? I’ve missed you,” She let her lips drop into a pout and a sadness fill her eyes as she waited for a reply.

Eliel waved his hand at Aira. “ Nonsense. I know your name, and that lilith here likes you. That's all I need. Not as if I can't afford it.” He said with a laugh. “I'm Eliel.” He said, catching himself on saying his full name. That was dangerous business here. Sure, he could handle himself just fine, but he didn't want to cause any trouble for the bar when it had treated him so well.

Eliel looked at Lilith while she spoke to him. He gave her a nervous chuckle, a guilty thought of Sil entering his mind. He brushed it away. “Well, other than Sil disappearing, I've been up to the usual. Near-death experiences, making enemies, obtaining more trinkets. The good stuff.” He laughed.

He sipped his ale as he looked at her pouting expression. He smiled and took another drink, feeling all the sadness he'd accumulated in this place wash away.

“And what of you two ladies? What have you two been up to?” He said to the both of them, as if he'd met Aira years ago. Eliel was sort of like that, a charming drow who liked to befriend people. He mistrusted easily with the wrong people in the wrong place, but sometimes it couldn't be helped.

Aira enjoyed her new company, for many reasons. The woman, she was very nice and shared her love for teasing mens hearts. As was a dangeorus game but a fun one. The man was generous and charming. Both of them were attractive, she decieded she liked her new friends very much.

"Thanks for the compliment lilith, yours is great too." She said taking another sip of the sweet drink. She then regarded the point of him paying, now she was just saying no to have fun, to play a game. Aira raised one eye brow and smiled at him. "Convince me, then, if you are able to convince me I will let you pay. Other wise I'm paying for ALL of us. Or we could dance for it. But dont think you dance the way I do." She said leaning back in her chair. "So. Convince me."

Oh now she got it! They were simply friends before, but from other things she noticed possibly lovers. Maybe not lovers, but for srue their lips had met. Aira smiled. "You two can talk first, I dont mind." She said turning to the bar tender.
"Uhm I'm out of tigesr blood! Can I get some more please?" She asked holding out her empty cup.
"Yes ma'am." He said with a smile and taking her drink begining to re-fill it.

"I'm so sorry," Lilith reached out and touched Eliel's arm. She was sad for him, the two had seemed happy together. But there were bandits and other terrors in the woods around Imythess. She gave him a small smile and decided that tonight he didn't have to think about Silendra at all.

When Aria told Eliel to convince her Lilith couldn't help but smile at her. Clever girl. Lilith congradulated her in her head. "Nonsense." Lilith shook off her offer to talk. It had been awhile since she had done anything but talk at a tavern. Someone was offering entertainment and she would gladly accept it.

"A dance sounds wonderful, and we can always talk again once we've worn ourselves out." Lilith finished off her ale and regarded her two companions. To be honest she didn't really see Eliel dancing, but who knew he might be good. It would make her happy anyway and ... wasn't that what taverns were for.

"Since you dance so differently would you mind leading Aria?"

Eliel listened to Aira and sighed. He nodded as she spoke, then watched as she ordered another drink. “Have as many as you like.” He said with a smile, reaching under his cloak to pull out a money purse bursting at the seams. “I brought some pocket change.” He said with a wink.

Eliel chuckled, ready to begin convincing her when Lilith spoke. She was actually considering taking Aira up on the dancing! Eliel groaned a little. He wasn't too much of a dancer for an elf, but for humans, perhaps he would pass. Besides, it might take his mind off Sil.

He looked at the girls and smiled. In any case, this would happen interestingly. Either he ended up dancing with the both of them, or they danced with each other. No matter what, tonight would prove fun. Eliel leaned back in his chair and smiled at the girls.

“You two go ahead. I'll watch from a safe distance.” He said with a wink.

Aira smiled. "You two can dance together, I can lead." She said abandoning her drink and getting off her stool. Aira made her way through the crowd and went up to the people with the instruments. They smiled as she came over and she did a quick curtsie. Then wtih many hand movements and hip swooshing she asked if they had music for her kind of dance. A girn spread across their face and they nodded, also pointing to a man dressed in black in the corner.

Aira came back. "Peice of cake! They have my music, and evidentally that guy over there." She said pointing a lean finger at the man dressed in black. "Loves a dance challenge. I intend to beat him. You two can just follow us the best you can." She said knowing very well to leave the two alone.

The music began, it had a strong and steady beat unlike the familar waltz of the time. It was faster, and had more suggestive beats than the easy thingsthey wre use to at the time.

Aira winked at both of them and walked onto the dance floor where the man dressed in black waited. She moved her hips much like that of a belly dancer and went over to him. He held her waist firmly while she placed hr hands on his shoulders. At first it was just a really fast samba, which many found scandilous. But that was too easy. Aira did a high kick by his side, he held her thigh up to his waist in a firm grip and dipped her. He then lifted hre back up and spun her before him. Aira shimmied her shoulders until her partner was bending over backwards. He easily found his hands and did a back flip. Walking up to her with a sparkle in his eye. Aira droped to the ground and spun on the ground. The rest of the dance was composed of a spicy samba, a series of flips turns, hip swaying, and body rolls. All of which if any high class members whitnesse would have gotten surly Aira arrested. ((imagine a mix of the samba, rumba and hip hop if you will ^_^ only one of which I can do successfully in real life but just go with it! thanks!! :) ))

It ended with the man holding her in a tight grasp, their bodys dangerously close together. Aira knew it was one of them. One of the dark shadow dancers that turned her heart to stone. But she didnt say anything, not wanting to upset the people in the pub.
"You see, now you are nothing but a tease. Your love is a lie. And its because of us. Hope we see you again soon Aira." Aira could feel his hot breath on her ear. And with that he left, sinking back into the shadows while no one watched.

Aira quickly shook it off and ran to the bar, vaugly aware that her new friends were probably still dancing. She smiled with satisfaction and placed her gold on the table. She turned back to her new friends when the came back from dancing. "Ha! I paied. So Eliel, did you still want to do that convincing, or would your rather deal with me paying?" She said a huge grin on her face.
"And lilith! Your a good dancer. You can really do some damage on the dance floor." Aira could still feel sweat making her skin glisten.
"Oh bar tender! Water pleease!" She said handing out a hand before it was even made.
Then with her hand outstreatched she turned to the bar in general. "Just so you know! I dont act like that most the time so dont get any wild ideas!" She shouted in between breaths.

Lilith rose from the table and reached out for Eliel’s hand. Before even waiting for him to take it she pulled him up to his feet and dragged him onto the dance floor. Lilith wasn’t much for the fast dances, she preferred the slow sensual ones. The way bodies gently brushed together. However the fast ones were also every good as well.

The music didn’t exactly call for a slow dance though and so she moved at a faster pace, allowing her body to shift and flow with the beat of the music. She hardly even knew what she was doing anymore she just seemed to get lost in the moment. When she stopped the music slowed and she brushed up against Eliel and wrapped her arms around him. She laughed breathlessly and smiled at him. She stood for a moment before releasing him and moving back to where Aria was already sitting.

Lilith smiled at the compliment. ”You’re not so bad yourself.” Her cheeks were still hot and she could almost feel the flush in them. She ran a hand through her hair as she sat at the bar. ”A water for me as well.” Lilith smiled at Eliel then. “What did you think?”

Eliel loved these women.

He joined Lilith quickly, taking her hand. The drow matched her moves, doing so in a way that didn't seem like something someone young would do. He smiled as Lilith brushed up against him and wrapped her arms around him. Eliel slid his arms around her with a smile. A little part of his mind yelled at him for doing it, but he pushed it away, smiling at Lilith. He almost kissed her at that moment.

When they all broke away, Eliel returned to the bar with a big grin, this time sitting between the women. He chuckled, setting his arms on the small backs of the stools.

“Oh, very nice ladies. Very nice.” He said in a charming voice, winking at the bartender. The drow merely chuckled and continued about his business, giving Eliel a silent congratulatory nod. Eliel smiled and sighed.

“Another round on me, my friend.” He said to the bartender. The man smiled and pulled up another round of drinks for the trio. Eliel leaned over to Aira and laughed. “I already paid anyhow.” He smiled, returning to his position and looking at Lilith.