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| Old Friends and Old Wounds (FIN); [p] Diana | |
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| Topic Started: Fri Oct 7, 2011 12:56 am (287 Views) | |
| Shan Orison | Fri Oct 7, 2011 12:56 am Post #1 |
 
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The lanterns of Balefire shone as always, coloring and shaping the eternal darkness, but never truly banishing it. Still, the entire town looked as though stars had populated Imythess's surface, joining those bound by gravity and living among them. The gloom of Balefire attracted quite a number of unsavory sorts, this was true, but there were so many shades of black that make up Balefire's social strata. Here, many who would shrink away in full daylight could relish in the sanctuary the shadows brought, shrouding them and helping them step forward to a new potential. Balefire was not just for the eyes, however. Someone only looking would certainly miss most of the things tucked into the gloom. The smells of cuisine not cooked anywhere else on Imythess, made from fresh findings from the Gloomwood forest. Unique sounds filled the air, voices speaking in what seemed a hundred different languages, laughter and song, and music. Many tunes were from all over Imythess, but some had a unique tone that seemed to fit into Balefire like no other sound. One strand of this music, if one could follow it back to its source, would lead the listener to a tall man leaning against the wall of a restaurant, his eyes closed, auburn hair partially obscuring his lowered face. His fingers deftly play an old violin, shifting almost lazily from tune to tune, melody to melody. An open case at his feet is occasionally blessed with the clinking of a coin. Enough had gathered to guarantee the fiddler would at least get a meal and room for the night, a blessing for a traveling bard. Shan smiled at another metallic clink. Oh, yes, he loved Balefire. His research led him to spend a great deal of time in the libraries of Cascadia, and his travels led him all over the country, but it was hear in Balefire that one could really lose themselves in the shadows and simply enjoy the night. |
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| Diana Sin | Fri Oct 7, 2011 7:33 am Post #2 |
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A woman followed a tune familiar to her ears, not being too long to have let her mind forget. But when she saw him, he would not get the chance to see her, or at least not the true her. Her skin was fair, her eyes blue and her hair blonde, but it was merely a magical charade. Changing her features with magic was something she did when she felt too recognizable after a while in one place. And certainly many would recognize her in her own home town, but she was not after the regulars. Her eyes was on the one who got away. Or rather, he was the one who had become so much trouble she had to abandon him. But tonight it seemed fate had weaved their destinies together again. But there was more then simply food on her mind as her eyes looked down to the coins he had earned from his songs, from the small crowd she was now a part of. It wasn't much, but she could not afford to go after wealthier victims anyway. She wondered quietly how she would go about secluding the young man this time around as around her the crowd applauded his song and a few more coins were dropped in his case. Diana clapped as well, and as she looked at the bard's face she waited to see if his eye would catch hers. If it did, she would wink coyly. She had to be patient after all or else scare him away when he had a chance of getting away. Hopefully he would not see the Vampire who had once sold him out to a rat, and instead see a playful woman with some interest in this dashing bard. A lot of men were so easy, why wouldn't he be? |
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| Shan Orison | Fri Oct 7, 2011 8:59 pm Post #3 |
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Shan finished another song, and looked up at the small round of applause. It looked like he'd gathered an appreciable crowd of listeners. At least there was no jeering like the first time he came here. He even got a wink from a rather attractive blond woman hanging near the back. He smiled. He had improved since leaving home, and it was nice to have reality fit his colorful if naive dreams of a few months prior. He played another few sets before deciding he had enough coin for now and his fingers were getting sore. He bowed to the crowd, thankful that his music was growing in skill enough to make passersby stop and think that they had some time to spare for him. There were a few more metallic clinks from a few spectators who'd chosen to wait till the end to tip their street entertainer, and the crowd began to drift apart. Shan knelt beside his case. Yes, he had enough for food and board for a day or two, more if he wasn't choosy about quality. There was also a washer and a round wooden disc with the word "Tuit" carved in. He tilted the case so they fell into a small compartment he had custom made for his case and sealed them in with a simple latch. Reverently resting his violin and bow inside, he closed the case and started off, wondering if that blond woman was still about. She looked nice, and seemed less than interested in his music, if he read her coy little smile correctly. |
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| Diana Sin | Sat Oct 8, 2011 1:52 am Post #4 |
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Diana let herself get hidden in the dispersing crowd before she would show herself to Shan. She had to be careful not to scare him, after all, and practiced making her voice sound as different as she currently looked. It took a few little coughs to get it right, but no one around her seemed to notice. With that it seemed time to make her move and lure the man where she wanted him. As he began to walk, she sprinted closer to walk beside him, making herself look eager to talk to him. But this performance would not be sold on looks alone, she needed to act the part. "I liked the music," she said, her voice young, eager, full of life but not entirely innocent. Of course, she was not talking to him because she liked the way he played that violin, nor was she really talking to him for any reason he was likely thinking of, but hopefully he would see her as simply flirtatious. "Care to share a drink with me?" she asked, stopping just short of offering to share a room too. She recalled Shan as a rather polite sort of man who she might should try a slower approach with. But, if she could have her way she would not likely need to even suffer through too much chatting. "There is a lovely inn and tavern right through this alley right here." She pointed down a dark, seemingly empty alley but the light of lanterns could be seen at the end of it. It certainly looked safe, what with a clear way out, but looks, as Diana was already proving, could be deceiving. |
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| Shan Orison | Sat Oct 8, 2011 8:56 pm Post #5 |
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Shocked and a bit pleased, Shan found the woman from the crowd appear by his side, a wide smile and intelligent blue eyes looking up at him. Shan slowed down to keep pace with her. "I liked the music," She said in a tone suggesting that wasn't all she liked. Her voice was also a touch nasally, as though she were trying to sound younger than she was. The bard couldn't understand why. She certainly looked young enough, and he knew of few men who'd turn down someone like her just because her voice revealed her to be older than she appeared. Well, it could also just be the way she was brought up to speak, or she didn't realize she pitched herself to high. It was best not to mention it, then. No need to inadvertently insult her by mentioning it. "Care to share a drink with me?" she asked. Shan had to smile at her eagerness. Well, drinks were safe enough, and maybe she'd feel less rushed and high strung after she got a chance to relax a bit, not to mention learn he wasn't going anywhere for a few days if things went well. The chances of that were slim, he knew, but it was nice to plan for it. "I wouldn't mind," he said in reply. "There is a lovely inn and tavern right through this alley right here," she said, pointing down a straight alley that, like many of the less populated places in Balefire, went unlit. People were expected to bring their own lights there. Shan calculated in his head. If he were by himself, he'd fell no compunctions when it came to traveling down such a byway, however, since he wasn't alone... "I think it'd be best if we stick to the main streets, m'lady," he said. "I've been harassed by muggers in such places before, and while I can outrun them, I'm afraid a life of barding has left me unable to fight them off if they were to attack you. "We should be able to get to that street if we turn here and then head down Lakedeep Lane to Scour Street. Shall we go?" he asked, gesturing with a hand. "My name is Shan, by the way. May I ask yours?" Edited by Shan Orison, Sun Oct 9, 2011 6:31 am.
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| Diana Sin | Sat Oct 8, 2011 11:18 pm Post #6 |
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Diana did not show any displeasure at being unable to end this charade quickly. Perhaps she needed to test herself this way, see how long she could go before being found out. "I suppose you're right," she said, with a nod as though she had just thought about it and came to the conclusion that she agreed with him. "Better safe then sorry." She smiled, her fangs not appearing while she was playing her part and instead her teeth seemed normal and human. "Call me Ana," said the smiling, disguised vampire, taking Shan's hand in her own in greeting. "It's good to meet you, Shan." She kept his hand and began to walk with him. "Just arrived in Balefire and it looks like I have already found myself a friend. Lucky." Now that she had set herself ready for the challenge of keeping a character, she chose now to start giving that character some life. The thought of being someone new to Balefire, adventurous but maybe a little naive appealed to her. "Have you been here long?" she asked. It seemed a good question for making conversation. "Since your a bard I bet you like to travel around all over." |
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| Shan Orison | Sat Oct 8, 2011 11:40 pm Post #7 |
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"I just showed up today, though I've been here before. I like Balefire, though I haven't been here in some time," Shan said, allowing his hand to close gently around Ana's. Together they walked through the streets, Shan ignoring the hawkers and shouts in favor of his new company. "I do travel around a lot, playing for my living, meeting new people and hearing their stories. I find travelings the best way for me to learn new songs and tales, though it has its own problems." They reached the corner and turned left, walking outside of the marketplace area toward a section featuring the crafters and artisans. The shouts of merchants shifted to clangs from hammers and the buss of saws on wood as the market's goods were created around them. "I bet you were talking about the Swarthy Hog," Shan said with a grin. "I've heard they brew their own ale, though I've never tried it myself. "So, what about you? What brings you to Balefire, Ana?" |
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| Diana Sin | Sun Oct 9, 2011 12:13 am Post #8 |
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Diana would normally have been ready to slit the throats of the men calling to Shan, looking at her as some great prize he had collected, but she hid that seething anger well, as she did most of her life as a girl who grew up here. She would have to try to remember those faces later. Perhaps they could be her meals for the next few days since they were so interested. Poor bard, having no idea he was holding hands with a monster who was just waiting for the chance to be alone with him so she could take her time in feeding on him. The grin on her face was there only for the thought of how good the blood would feel going down her throat. Now, why was her character here in Balefire? She could not say her real reasons of being a Vampire and thus unable to take the sun and lacking the funds to find a new home in some other city of village. Young, adventurous, 'Ana' would be here to... "This may sound a little silly," she said, now looking just a little embarrassed. "But I am here because Balefire is so..." She paused, looking as though she was struggling to find the word. "Lively? Or maybe because it's dangerous." She looked around as though in awe of the city that in truth she knew like the back of her hand. "It's exciting, isn't it? Never knowing what could be around the corner. Home was very peaceful, safe and GODS, was it dull." She looked back at Shan. "I just like a bit of adventure in my life. Seeing new places and meeting people." |
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| Shan Orison | Sun Oct 9, 2011 12:35 am Post #9 |
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Shan smiled and nodded. Ah, yes, he knew this type. He met others, some older, some younger, some his peers, who weren't interested in him musically but in what he represented: a wild, free rover, wandering the land and having adventures, or at least hear of others having adventures, which all sounded so exciting and fun. Life outside their safe little hamlet must be exactly like those tales, they thought, and they wanted to hear everything about it from someone who lived it. Shan knew all about that attitude, since he had it once. His upbringing did temper his optimism enough that he expected long, cold nights sleeping on the ground and not being accepted immediately as a musical genius, though he never really expected that. The lack of success while minstreling and the long boring days of travel didn't begin to crack his naivete, however. A trip through a marsh did. The only thing that kept him from turning homeward after that adventure was he was used to things going wrong for him, and the tale he received, though it didn't put him on the map, did earn him coin, food, and lodging. Enough to keep going, at least. And for those who wanted to travel or had just started, he gave them the best gift he could think of: honesty. "I like the darkness," Shan said. "I know that sounds odd, but I have very good childhood memories of being stuck down a mineshaft. That event started me on this path." Shan cast his memory back, remembering why he left home. "My home was also fairly dull, and I wanted to play. Barding seemed the best way to get adventure and fiddle for wider audiences than for the village at spring and harvest festivals. It's a lot harder than what I first thought. I didn't pack as well as I should have, and I'm just glad I was used to sleeping outside, though being hungry was new. And the first day I played, which was actually in Balefire, I think I got three pennies, a button, two bits of string, and an apple." Shan smiled at the memory. "It was a bit old and wrinkled, but I was famished at that point. As for the people...Well, you meet all sorts, and not all of them are nice." They turned another corner, arriving on the street the Swarthy Hog squatted on. "Sorry, I tend to go on. If I ever speak too much, just let me know I need to shut my mouth a bit. I won't be offended, trust me. "So, what is it you hope to do out in the wide world, Ana? People don't tend to pay you for seeing the sights, not unless you can tell them about it in a way they appreciate." Edited by Shan Orison, Sun Oct 9, 2011 6:34 am.
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| Diana Sin | Sun Oct 9, 2011 1:38 am Post #10 |
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Shan responded to her own made up reasons with his true reasons for being here. He did like to blather on a bit, but she didn't mind as the less she had to say the less she had to make up. It was also interesting to actually get to know one of her victims before killing them. Not every day one got to know their meal. She had spoken to Shan before, but already she was learning more about him. As they neared the inn that sounded rather lively even from outside, it seemed Shan was sorry for having blabbered on so long. "I'll keep that in mind," she said, a sly grin on her face. "But I didn't think you were talking too much." A small problem appeared when he asked what she was doing, in the assumption she would need a trade similar to his own as a bard. She thought quickly about it and decided to slip in a little truth. "I'm a decent hunter," she said. "I like to sell furs and eat the meat when I catch something." That was how Diana used to get by when she was out in the woods. Of course, she also got a lot of her food from her victims who were well packed for travel, but she wouldn't tell him that. "It's a way to keep myself with enough money to travel around for a while. Although the creatures of Gloomwood around here are a little much for me." |
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| Shan Orison | Sun Oct 9, 2011 2:36 am Post #11 |
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"That's a good, steady trade," Shan said, relieved to hear she hunted. That meant that she had some experience outside a village, could rely on herself for food, and could adapt those skills to protect herself. It was more than he had when he started out. "And I've been to Gloomwood. It's a fascinating place, but it's dangerous if you aren't careful." They reached the entrance to the Swarthy Hog. Shan quickened his step slightly and pulled the door open to the warmly lit tavern. "After you," he said with a smile. Edited by Shan Orison, Mon Oct 10, 2011 12:05 am.
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| Diana Sin | Sun Oct 9, 2011 3:43 am Post #12 |
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Shan was a proper gentle it seemed as he opened the door for her and let her go through first. "Thank you," she said with a warm smile and entered the well lit inn. It seemed crowded, but Diana knew a lot of the people here were there for the brew rather then a bed to sleep. The lively drunks were having fun with themselves, being rowdy and cheerful as one would suspect. Of course, she noticed a few of the shadier characters in spots she herself would frequent, namely the corners if they could get them. But this time she was not among them who kept their hoods up and their faces cold and blank. She led Shan in towards a table recently abandoned, three empty glasses on the table and the men who left them just passing them by. "Lucky us, eh?" she said, taking a seat before Shan could be a gentlemen again and pull it out for her. It was not long before a barmaid came to take their orders and Diana had to resist eyeing her. Some men got a little odd when one woman found another attractive, some worse then others. "Ale for me," Diana said to the woman. She looked back at Shan and waited for him to order. When he did and the woman left them, Diana had to think of where to drive the conversation next. "So, what sort of adventures have you had in your travels, Shan?" she asked, thinking it a good question for the character she portrayed. "I doubt my stories of skinning animals on the way here will be quite as interesting." |
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| Shan Orison | Sun Oct 9, 2011 4:09 am Post #13 |
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Shan sat across from Diana and ordered a meat pie and some house ale. He didn't worry too much about the kind of meat they'd serve him. That's what mustard was for. The Hog itself was full of...interesting characters lurking in corners, being conspicuous by trying not to be conspicuous. Here in Balefire it worked, but he wondered if any of them went into taverns elsewhere and thought that a shadowed hooded figure in a dark corner would pass without comment. At least they'd be guaranteed to be left alone. People such as that registered in the minds of normal folk as crazy. Thus Shan quietly wondered what each of their stories were, but only to himself. Then she asked about his adventures, which was an awkward topic. His pride goaded him to elaborate everything he'd done, increasing his own importance in events to make him greater in Ana's eyes. His honesty tsk tsk'ed the idea of making things up. Shan sided with his caution as the barmaid returned with their drinks and food. "To be honest, my 'adventures' aren't that adventurous," Shan said, lying through his teeth. Shan enjoyed being anonymous except for "That one guy down at the pub who plays the fiddle good." Staying anonymous meant not bragging or even saying what he'd done. The closest he ever got were the stories he told to supplement his playing. "I mean, I've certainly met interesting characters, but I get my adventure stories from them. Mine usually involve wishing I had a thicker blanket or sneaking around bandits. I could share one of the stories I've heard, though, if you'd like." |
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| Diana Sin | Sun Oct 9, 2011 2:57 pm Post #14 |
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Ana swigged her ale a bit. Truth be told ale did not go through her system very well, nor did food. Her body was made to drink blood. But if she could play it right, she could make it look like she was drinking little by little. Hopefully he wouldn't notice it later on, and he certainly wouldn't notice too soon. Otherwise she might have to after really consume the beverage and end up throwing up. That would be disgusting. Meanwhile, she listened to him and knew immediately he was lying. It wasn't that she could just tell from his face or anything, but that she happened to be part of at least one adventure. Seemed Shan was content to not being famous. It was a pity, she might have enjoyed hearing how he got out of that mess between the woman on the dragon and the Rat Master of the Marsh, since she herself had to run. One tended to not stick around when a dragon was in battle. "I'd love to hear some of the stories you've come across," she said excitedly. Perhaps if she were lucky he would merely tell the tales as though someone else had lived them. Or perhaps she might just get to hear an interesting story. It might also give her some time to think up a way to get in the same room here at the inn as her victim here. |
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| Shan Orison | Sun Oct 9, 2011 3:32 pm Post #15 |
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"Well," Shan said, thinking quickly and deciding one true story couldn't hurt. It wasn't as though he did much, anyway, and she probably wouldn't believe him. That was his greatest cover. People heard his tales, looked at him, and decided there was no chance of a connection beyond a chance conversations and a large smattering of imagination. "I suppose I could tell about the time I met a dragon." Shan quietly wove the tale of his chance meeting with Vyse in the Dragonspire Mountains, they're wayward journey down a side path, and their meeting with a ferocious dragon. "Useless as I was, Vyse was wise to send Umbriel, his tiger, with me into the closest sanctuary: the dragon's den. We both felt it was safer than outside, since that's where the dragon flew." He painted a picture of the lair, which was more like a hollowed out mountain, its middle filled with gold and jewels sparkling in the light, and Shan realizing how unwise it was to touch it, instead devoting his energies to looking for an escape, as the path they arrived on had been destroyed. "I suppose it was my lack of greed that made the other dragon show herself. She was an ancient black dragon, beautiful in dragon and human form, who allowed me not only to live, but to call her by name. "She was apparently being wooed by the dragon outside, and had no interest in him. In fact, she was rather grateful Vyse was fighting him outside since, if he lost, he'd be disgraced and finally leave her alone without her needing to do anything." Vyse, of course, had beaten the dragon. Shan skipped on the details, since they were eating. Not only that, the man had refused any sort of reward, and left Shan in her care. The dragon decided that escorting the bard to the other side of the Dragonspire's would be how she'd settle her debt with the human, and Shan went on the most breathtaking and terrifying ride of his life. "I hate flying. I can do it, or else I'd never reach places like Cascadia, but I much prefer having my feet connected to the ground. However, riding on a dragon over the mountains at twilight...that was something. It makes me with I could paint, so I can show all the colors I saw in the sky and on the clouds far below. It was the only time I truly enjoyed flight, not just tolerated or ignored it. And when she placed me down in the foothills, she directed me to the nearest village and informed me, no matter what my friend Vyse had insinuated, I had as little chance with her as the dragon Vyse killed. I suppose that's a small blow to the ego, but, well, I really wasn't expecting anything like that anyway. "And that's that tale," Shan said, taking a bite out of his cooling pie. |
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5:34 PM May 22
