The Merchant's Daughter (S:ARG RP) - Traditional Fantasy IC

[Irell Starling]

”He is interesting isn’t he?” Epi said, not nearly as excited about Xerus’s appearance or behavior, ”I don’t really understand what his problem is. He was all for joining the quest but has been like this ever since right before the interview.” She pondered his motives for a little but just came up blank. Most of the time she didn’t understand why Xerus did what he did and when he did it or even where, but he was a good companion to have even when he dodged out of bills, fighting, and generalized responsibilities. Wait…

Epi watched as Alaron finished his cigar and reached for another one while she listened to him. She didn’t like the idea of squeezing anything besides lemons, as she had made it clear to Lord Deltran before joining. The elf excused herself briefly and filled up another plate of food, this time choosing vegetables and fruits instead of so many sweets. She smiled weakly at the Mortificator as she passed him and offered a small greeting. There was that niggling again that she couldn’t quite shake. In a few minutes she returned to her seat by the window. As the second plate finally began to slate her hunger, Alaron questioned her about her occupation.

The elf reached behind her and unclipped her bow, holding it out for his inspection. It was stark white, like her hair, and was shiny and worn in some places. Little figurines were carved into the limbs. The upper one depicted various farmers going about their jobs sewing and harvesting crops while the lower one showed sheep herders looking after their flocks. They were the typical symbols for her village’s prosperity and carved in different forms on all the weapons made their.

”I was one of the top hunters in my village, so by default I guess that makes me a good tracker. ” After she allowed him time to study the weapon before she clipped it back. ”I wouldn’t consider myself a ranger because Xerus isn’t my pet or familiar. If anything, he treats me like I’m more his pet. Nevertheless, it’s Xerus who’s the best at finding things out. He’s a gossip monger by hobby and by trade but don’t ask me how he does it. He’ll never tell me. Still,” she said, motioning to the group that was gathering in the room around them, ”even if he’s not willing to help out I’m sure another person in our group is also good at tracking. This is of course, assuming we can all manage to get along long enough to find anything.”

[Zhaliora]

Number 117, that was her name; Serenity is what the unknowing called her. Being mute and strictly forbidden to show her powers to those who do not know part from in emergencies, even now when she had been cast out, she could not correct them, but when she heard the name, Serenity, she thought it was very ironic, since she was made for battle, so she had come to like it.
She had always followed the way that her “mother” had taught her about, being praised when she did. She liked praise, and she was sure that she would be praised a lot when she was done with this quest, both by the father of the girl, and the sisters at the church.

She pulled down her hood and mask and knocked on the door to the room, waiting for the men inside to call her in, the call came and she strode in, being so nervous she almost shook in her boots.
"Hello gentlemen, I am Serenity and I am here to join in on the quest to find the Lord’s daughter" she signed fast and fluently. "I want to help you find her, and I don’t need any payment for my services, it’s a heroes duty after all" she hoped that she didn’t come across as greedy or too arrogant.

Traynt immediately looked at the girl, slightly confused. She was dressed as a traveler but she was, well. A girl. "I'm sorry girl, but we are interviewing for help with a--"

"Traynt, she is here for that. She must be mute, but I can interpret." He took a moment and repeated to Marcurio and Traynt what she had said. Upon further study, both Traynt and Ateo could feel something was odd about her. She wasn't small exactly, but her face was young. Then again, she looked fit and there was the slight feeling of power in her. Perplexed at how much of her was aloof, Ateo asked "how old are you Serenity?"

He studied her intently, Ateo's gaze piercing into her. It didn't feel intimidating--well perhaps a little, but it was curiosity mixed with the feeling that she could tell him whatever she felt necessary, so long as it wasn't a lie.

"What should I do now? I don’t even know the exact age myself. " she was perplexed. "I….honestly don’t really know, but I would guess that I am not too far away from the age of eighteen. I have been at a secluded church for a long time, I did not really keep track on time, I’m sorry" sadness and regret for not knowing made their way into her complexion.

"Well, Serenity. 18 seems young to be sending out on a quest amidst the ranks of goblins and giants, and who knows what else. I am a priest after all. What makes you think I should feel comfortable going out into these dangers knowing the posibility you could be hurt?" Traynt could definitely sense something underneath her, but he didn't want to send a girl with power out to die in the wild. Nor did he want to send her with the group if she needed to be watched and cared for by the other group.

Ateo nodded at the question and studied the girl in what was a more casual manner. Marcurio moved forward and whispered into Ateo's ear, "why are we even entertaining this?" Ateo leaned up and whispered, "patience."

He then shook his hand, dismissing Marcurio as he would a real coinsman, smirking at the backwards scenario and taking advantage of it.

"I can take care of myself!" her signing increasing in pace, her face changing from remorse into anger. "I fear none a goblin nor giant, I fought in the last war. I stood in the front lines during the final battle and I'm still alive to speak about it!........or sign about it at least" her fast arm movements caused her cloak to shift behind her, giving the men short glimpses of her swords. "If anything, evil should fear me, and if it's goblins and giants that have taken the girl, they shall find no peace in this world, if they haven't the one who has shall not" she finished her signing outburst, her face returning to normal.

As she signed, again, Ateo repeated her words to the other two, smirking appreciatively at her comments. "Giants. Goblins. They will not fear you. And that makes them dangerous Serenity. Remember that. Fear is a tool, but not a weapon. Anyway. I have a few questions for you. What can you provide the group that we may not already have in abundance? And if you come across a source of information who is unwilling to divulge information, how are you going to handle that?"

"I am a good fighter and tracker, and I can, 'see things'. Evil magic has little or no effect on me and I can see into souls if they have bartered with evil." all small grin appeared on her face. "I fight evil wherever I find it, both with my swords and with my soul" she signed proudly.
"As for information acquisition...if it's an evil person, my interrogation skills are one of a kind, but if it's a good person I can't, my code forbids me and I'll fight anyone who tries to harm him or her. Evil should be fought with evil, and good things should be cherished, that is also part of my code."

The three watched her, Ateo speaking as she signed. However, after she spoke to them of fighting evil, the look on Ateo's face changed slightly and his voice was a little more...deflated?

Once finishing, to the surprise of the other two and most likely the girl before him, he signed back to her. "Evil you say. Be careful what you consider evil, Serenity. The gods often dictate what is evil, whispering their lies and their manipulations and man eats it up, following blindly, like damned sheep. To the enemy of your god, YOU are evil, Serenity. But very seldom will you see any of your gods here, fighting their own battles. Standing behind their own lies and their words at the threat of dying. The moment you stop THINKING about what gods say and act without thinking, you're a fool. A god damned fool."

Then Ateo looked towards both Traynt and Marcurio and nodded. Marcurio didn't respond, but Traynt nodded. Well enough.

When Ateo spoke next, he was slightly agitated, but forced his bitterness down. "Serenity. You are accepted. If you have nothing further for us, please step through the door and help yourself to a seat and whatever food or drink you would like." His tone had a hint of anger behind it, but all of the other 3 people in the room could tell it was not directed towards the girl, but it was there none the less.

Serenity looked sad, she felt pity for the man, pity for all the anger he carried inside. "I want to look inside of him, but the code forbids" she thought dejected. Instead she waked up to Ateo and stroked his cheek and formed the words for: "Don't let your anger consume you, or you shall become anger itself" with her mouth. Afterwards she put her right hand on his heart and her left on her own, and then went towards the door to the next room.
When she came to the door, she heard that they were doing introductions inside. "Cheer up, you have to give them a good impression" she thought to herself, trying to cheer herself up. "All right, here we go" she then opened the door and entered the room. However, after she did, she was dumbfounded; Cassandra was there, the one whom she had chased, the one she had run away from the church to follow, that same Cassandra was here, in this room.

[Hymusia]

Vel.

Apple was bitten, barely a thing left of it now but regardless she could not help but savour it's delicious flavour. Licking the sweet juices off her lips only to freeze mid motion as he touched her cheek. The fact that it felt like he was patronizing her was neither here nor there, despite the way she acted she had actually very rarely had any physical contact with anyone. Her job, her family, didn't have much time for such things, they were rather popular with the under dark and with the surface races too. Breeding in the Degrassi house was a clinical thing, putting two strong genes together to create stronger genes. There was little that humans would identify with love while growing up in the under dark too, as soon as they could walk they were trained, as soon as they could read they were given notes to read and it wasn't unusual for the parents of a child to disappear on a mission leaving them to fend for themselves.

Vel could remember distinctly...but she chose not to, it was not something to dwell on, like the winter frost fleeing from the sun she thawed and slid her eyes first to the hand on her cheek and then the offending wrist. Half of her wanted to retreat from the warmth at those fingertips, alien and cruel regardless of the crueller motives behind the touch. Emotions leave you open, bonds are weakness, we are the best because we have nothing we can be threatened with. She finished her mouthful of apple and slipped one hand away from Ben, stroking back her own hair which had taken to fall over Ben's shoulder. With eyes closed she took a steadying breath, this was all a game after all, they were battling with wills. It was no different to wrestling a bear, only this bear cheated.

As she dropped her hand back against Ben's back the familiar weight of one of her own throwing knives rested along with it. Hers did not caress nor did the handle trace patterns, instead the edge of the blade rested not inches from his throat, hidden from sight by the width and length of her own arm. “Past transgressions? Setveo?” Both concepts were alien to her, she was an atheist and thus had no care for penance nor for forgiveness, she did what she did and to hell with the consequences. Setveo was also something not present in the underworld, then again had she a need to know his name surely she would, infiltration was hard without the right tools but there was no point in swamping all their house with the same information. They were given the information they needed to know no more and no less.

“And if I keep calling you Ben, will you look me in the eye? Will you kill me Ben?” Perhaps it was unwise to poke this bear, perhaps she ought to remember that not all humans were declawed, but the name Benjamin annoyed her, for personal reasons she could not stand the name. Her mind drifted back to a time when she was much younger, one of her first missions, she was barely out of her teens and... I refuse to remember. I don't regret it. Standing straight the Drow ruffled the Human's hair, smoothing it through her long fingers. The game had gone on long enough and she did have another contract to procure, there would be plenty of time to play with the human later and perhaps then she'd be drunk enough to forget.

Cassandra.

It seemed only some had listened to her but such did not surprise her, the unwashed masses with their lies and deceit. She could smell the reek of dishonesty upon them and it made her stomach turn. What did surprise her were those she thought least likely to introduce themselves were the ones she had been expecting the most grief from. To each introduction she offered a slight bow of her head in greeting and committed the names to memory. They were the ones she and her goddess would be looking for on the battle field, the ones who spoke with honesty, even the creature who had belched in his introduction had shown pure honesty by that act alone.

She waited several moments for the others scattered about the room to offer their own names but nothing leapt from their lips but their continued conversations. Such people were dishonest in Cassandra's eyes, not evil but perhaps naïve and perhaps they had no business on this mission if they had no desire to speak with their comrades. The Sky elf and the hooded figure in the corner and some others. Offering a further bow to the side of the room that had introduced themselves she rose her voice but her tone did not change. “Please, indulge me children, is there something more important going on in your little corner than getting to know your comrades in arms and their abilities. These are the people who will be keeping you alive in the journey to come. SHOW THEM SOME RESPECT!” Her voice rose loud enough that surely even Ateo would hear it through the door, further her aura didn't just flare, it was obvious to all, even those with no magical power would see the flared wings of a bird in ethereal golds and silvers behind the maiden's back, her shout causing them to flare like a bright light. The end of her sentence was punctuated with the scabbard of her sword striking the wood. “If you can not even show basic manners.” Her voice once again quieter but with an icy edge that reflected in her hard as diamond eyes, “Leave now for you will be of no use to us.”

As she turned from those who had blatantly ignored the bonding acts from the rest of the group, even the Drow for goddess' sake, she spotted a familiar face hovering by the door. Had she seen the little act before hand? The first thing a kin to a smile tugged the corner of her mouth and her aura didn't so much recede but seemed to fold upon itself like wings on a dove's back. “Serenity! As I live and breathe!” Moving to greet her Sister she offered one sturdy hand to the girl, “By Nemesis light I am glad to see you here. Come, introduce yourself to our brethren in this endeavor.” Gesturing to the Drow, the orc and human and the other small group who had done them all the courtesy of introducing themselves rather than ignore their group. “My friends, let us drink and be merry until it is time to set off on this adventure!”

[Azseth]

While he was no means a psychic, he was very smart, very in tune with the energy around him, and he felt the shift in Vel most likely around the same instant she did. Little things gave it away, mostly in movements, posture and minute contractions of muscles. A difference in a touch, a lack of a feeling that was there moments ago. Regardless, he himself holstered his knife and a sigh of genuine disappointment could be heard. It was a game yes, but a game he enjoyed and a welcomed distraction from the rest of the room. “Setveo, the deity that has blessed me with, well, many things. And yes, past transgression. Something that I am sure you would not understand or be empathetic to.” He spoke those words honestly and bluntly, but his tone did not convey anything derogatory or accusatory, just simple truth. He had no reason to attempt to toy with or take shots at the Drowess, and he didn't.

She stood up at that point and Benjamin simply leaned back in the chair for a moment, taking in her words, feeling that there was something in her questions, something behind them. He couldn’t tell if she was testing him, or looking for a reaction, or venting, but it also didn’t matter. The answer would be the same nonetheless. “Vel. You may call me Ben. Will I kill you?” He took a moment to think about his answer, rubbing his index finger and his thumb together, something he did when in deep thought. The fact that it required thought would have thrown most people for a loop, made them feel somewhat awkward. When he spoke, he avoided the part entirely about looking her in the eye but answered the other question honestly. “Yes. I would kill you. But only if given cause. You, and anyone else here.”

About that time, Cassandra started off on her tired and Benjamin sighed. He stood up and moved away from Vel, back to her, and decided to humor Cassandra slightly. And also throw a few jabs. “I apologize for not dropping whatever conversation I was in m’lady. I didn’t realize you commanded such... immediate obedience and attention. I am sure no one here will forget that in the future your highness.” His eyes were on the floor per usual and he made a grand, mocking bow just about the time Cassandra started speaking with Serenity.

“May I continue or should I wait for her majesty to finish conversing?” The only answer Benjamin got back was an icy stare that he didn’t care much for, but when all is said and done, the glare was the outcome he was looking for.

“I thank you, your majesty Cassandra.” His mood was up and down, and at the moment, it was up. He was the old Ben, loud, talkative and sarcastic. “I am Benjamin Leedak. I am Setveo’s Sword, High Bringer of Justice. I am here to help bring back this girl alive." At this point, he moved to the table and poured himself a glass of ale while speaking. “I am born of Estmord to the north, but it is no longer my home. I am a swordsman and spell slinger of sorts. “I am a great ally to have, a wonderful sword to have at you side. Even ask Bitch. I mean Fitch about this and he can attest. Albeit, my...exploits are not nearly as widely known as his own.” He held up his drink in salute for a moment, allowing anyone to return salute in some kind if they wanted, then promptly downed the entire mug of ale.

In his home state, cheers are done after a drink, something that was slightly foreign to most people. So after his drink was done, he loudly proclaimed “to speedy travels and good company!” And he smacked the mug down onto the table. Once again, the oddest thing with the whole thing was Benjamin’s eyes—always on the table or the chair or floor, even the wall, but rarely on any individual, and never higher than their shoulders.

[Zhaliora]

Serenity saw Cassandra standing in the middle of the room, shouting at some of the people inside, golden and silver wings sprouting out from her back. Maybe by some pure chance, Cassandra’s eyes noticed her. Cassandra’s wings folded in on themselves and she was moving closer. Serenity was lost as for what to do. Her biggest rival seemed happy to see her; she even stretched out her hand, asking for her to introduce herself to the others.
"I’m her rival, I’m not her friend! She is the one whom I must be better than, I just can’t take her hand like I’m her friend, I just, can’t" Serenity looked into the eyes of Cassandra, a little pleadingly, unsure of what else to do. "You want me to introduce you since you’re mute?" before Serenity could stop herself, she had already nodded her yes to Cassandra.
"Why did I do that!?" she cussed herself, but now it was too late.

Just when Cassandra was about to start, Benjamin got up and made a few mocking statements about her being some sort of queen. Cassandra only responded with an icy stare to his mocking antics. "I think I’ll have to revise my judgement of the man, he looked like a fine man, but I’m not so sure anymore."
After Benjamin’s “grand” introduction, Cassandra noticed that somewhere in the middle she had grabbed Serenity’s hand, or was it the other way around? She did not know, but she decided that this was a good time to introduce her sister. She walked further into the room with Serenity’s hand in her own and started the introduction.

"Thank you Benjamin, for your introduction, but I’d like to introduce someone myself now" she said. "This is Serenity; she is one of my sisters from the church of light. She is a mute so don’t be mean to her if she doesn’t respond to your questions."
Both De’Myr’s and Zakein’s eyes were drawn to the girl who “de-winged” Cassandra in the blink of an eye, but when Zakein laid her eyes on the girl, she felt uneasy, that unease also caused Zakein to crush the apple that she held in her hand.
"What is it mother?" De’Myr asked after seeing her mother shift uncomfortably in her chair.
"That girl is dangerous, mark my words, she is not normal."
"Who was this girl who could make even mother uncomfortable?" she thought and focused harder on the girl who was standing there looking like a lost chicken.
"There is something about her, I can’t pinpoint it though. Guess mother has a better understanding of her though. But if she is able to make mother uncomfortable, I might have use of her" De’Myr thought while a smirk appeared on her face.

Still unsure of herself, Serenity just waved her hand in the air as a greeting and tugged at the hand that was holding her, not used to this many unknown people staring at her, she did not like the looks that some gave her, especially the two Drow’s near a table in a corner, one of them looked at her with disgust, and the other looked at her as a hunter that had found a prey.
Cassandra saw her frightened look and led them both to some seats near a corner.

"What are you doing here sister? The church never told me that they would send someone along with me."
"They don’t know that I left. They are probably still searching for me at the church" Serenity responded a little regretfully.
"They don’t know? But why did you leave then if they did not send you?"
"I….." Serenity was unsure if she was supposed to reveal her motive for coming to this city in the first place "wanted to be a praised and become a hero" she then said, it was the truth, but she never mentioned that she had followed Cassandra here. She wanted to become a bigger hero then Cassandra and be praised at the church too.
Cassandra saw the uncertainty in her eyes and said "So you followed me?" Serenity nodded. "Idiot" she said and lightly tapped Serenity’s head. "Come on, I’ll pay for your journey back to the church" Cassandra started to get up from the chair but the look in Serenity’s eyes made her stop, a fire burned there, absolute determination.
"I’ll not leave, that is not what a hero is supposed to do! I’ll find the girl and all back home are going to praise me, I’ll become a hero, despite what you think about it" she signed defiantly.
"This is not a game Serenity, you might die. Do you even know how to fight?" Cassandra asked a little worried.
"I can fight just as well as anyone here" her face showed a hint of annoyance at being asked this same question twice in such a short time. "There is no need to worry about me" she signed and looked away from Cassandra then walked over to the table with food and drink, signalling that the discussion was over.

On her way there, she could feel the piercing stares from the scantily clad Drow’s. The one who was sitting down shifted in her chair and the one standing behind her looked at Serenity with a thin grin on her face.
"What does she want with me anyway? She has been staring at me for a long time now, and always with a grin or a smile on her face." Serenity felt uneasy with the Drow staring at her all the time but was relieved when she broke her stare and shifted her gaze towards the last Drow inside the room who was approaching the other two Drow’s.
Serenity then took notice of a lone woman standing by a window, staring at the outside world; she looked so lonely and lost standing there. Serenity walked up to the woman and very carefully put her hand on her shoulder, holding her left hand close to her own heart, waiting for the woman to take notice of her.

[Dark Project]

Alaron Examined Epi's bow closely as she held it out to him for inspection. He couldn't help but admire it. The craftsmanship put into the detail of the carvings was beautiful. For a moment he wondered what it could be worth to his fences. 'It could appeal to both weapon collectors and art collectors alike.' However he stopped himself from continuing that train of thought. He wouldn't dare steal from Epi for fear that Xerus always had an eye on him from somewhere. "Very Ornate." He couldn't help but take a quick glance back at his own bow resting on his back. It was a simple Yew bow. Alaron had never spent a substantial amount of steel to invest in a fine-quality bow. He'd grown so used to the one he had, and didn't much care for an unnecessary upgrade. He'd much rather spend his surplus metals on booze or a game of cards.

As Alaron examined the bow a while longer, he could hear a few introductions going around the room. Most notably Fitch's. Alaron couldn't help but crack a smile at Fitch's introduction. His straightforwardness on his role as the muscle pleased Alaron. He genuinely did feel better knowing Fitch was so eager to serve as the one who would lead the charge. Alaron had rarely fought in open group battles aside from a few boarding attacks during his time as a sailor, and he felt much more comfortable being at the back of the pack as a support archer. With Fitch and whoever else leading the charge into combat, Alaron could lay back and pick off any targets that may catch them off guard.

Epi affirmed Alaron's suspicions about her being a tracker. What puzzled him was her mention of Xerus being the one who was best at information gathering. Though as he thought about the concept it began to make sense to him. Xerus could be the embodiment of the 'Fly on the wall' expression. Very effective. However before Alaron could make a verbal response he could hear a woman's voice bellowing in his direction. As he looked past Epi he could see through a cloud of his own smoke the face behind the voice. A woman. Chestnut hair, no armor, but she did carry weapons. “Please, indulge me children, is there something more important going on in your little corner than getting to know your comrades in arms and their abilities. These are the people who will be keeping you alive in the journey to come. SHOW THEM SOME RESPECT!”

Alaron couldn't help but let out a wide grin and laugh a little. He had planned on introducing himself as the woman had asked, though he wasn't thrilled about it. In a way it worked out for the better. Now he didn't have to announce to the group that he was but a common thief. The woman's attitude however came off as a little silly to him. Here she was trying to take a little leadership over this group of misfits, whom some of which he could already feel were at each others throats. Before he could issue a smartass remark Cassandra's attention had turned to another woman who had entered the room. A woman dressed in armor made of both leather and steel accompanied by a hooded cape which was pulled back to reveal her face. The two seemed to already be antiquated with one another.

However another man felt the need to chime in to Cassandra's invitation for an introduction, and he did so almost mockingly. This brought an even wider grin to Alaron's face. Once he had finished Cassandra introduced her 'friend' as Serenity. And furthermore identified that she was a mute, and a fellow sister of the church of light. He couldn't care less about the whole 'sisterhood' part. Alaron never involved himself or even cared for anything of the religious sorts. He recognized their warrior's zeal and commitment to their duties, but aside from that he didn't care. Her being a mute fascinated him. He knew it couldn't be easy living a life where most people couldn't communicate with you properly. Serenity gave a wave to the group then moved away with Cassandra to some seats in the corner. Alaron turned back to Epi and couldn't bear his desire for a good drink any longer. "If you'll excuse me for a moment Epi, I REALLY need a drink." As he got up and began to move towards the refreshment table he leaned down close to Epi's long ear. "And between you and me, I hope that assumption proves true. I don't want this quest boiling down to a free-for-all." he whispered.

As Alaron made his way over to the table, a trail of white smoke followed from the tip of his cigar. He'd decided to give up of the whole courteous smoking act. If anyone had a problem with it he figured they would've told him by now. Once at the table he reached for the first bottle of rum he saw. With it in his hand he pulled the cork out, making a loud hollow sound. The first few swigs burned his throat. The sandpaper texture of his dry throat made the rum go down rough. As he removed his lips from the bottle he let out a satisfying sigh.

[Terminal]

She smiled weakly at the Mortificator as she passed him and offered a small greeting.

He returned it as he passed by, giving her an easy smile and a wave with one of his gauntlets accompanied by a brief stony stare from his glass eyes. "Divine meeting you, lass. Don't eat too much of that, least you get sick." He took a moment to look her over, and made note of her bow. He had thought when he'd first seen her he'd thought she was some spoiled daughter of a prominent elven family (he wasn't entirely sure if elves had a similar power base in this land as they did in his). But now that he thought about it, that didn't make much sense. She looked like she had seen a bit of wear, and it was obvious she was a bit ravenous. Perhaps she was a runaway?

He decided she probably wasn't as bad as he had originally thought. It was surprisingly refreshing to meet an elf who didn't look down their nose at him and wasn't a psychotic git, and if she /was/ a runaway that at least meant she probably had some practical skills by now, which was something most of the elves back at home couldn't claim. Most of them couldn't even get dressed by themselves in the morning.

“Please, indulge me children, is there something more important going on in your little corner than getting to know your comrades in arms and their abilities. These are the people who will be keeping you alive in the journey to come. SHOW THEM SOME RESPECT!”

If he had been able to, Temer would have rolled his glass eyes in their sockets. He settled for an exasperated sigh."Seein' as ya appear to be a child in body and mind, I think I'll show ya the respect a child deserves until you grow up." Temer said offhandedly as he passed by Cassandra. She looked to be in her early twenties by his reckoning, but if she was going to rail on everyone because they didn't immediately leap to appease her then he wasn't even going to bother dignifying anything she directed at him. He hadn't spent nearly a decade of his life fighting the wretched dead just so some woman could come along and tell him he didn't have his priorities straight.

'Sheesh, what is wrong with everyone here? We're all either complete arses, rude brutes, wanton whores or prissy twigs. Would it kill anyone here to not to throw out some kind of insult every other time they open their mouth? Not that I'm any better, but I didn't walk in here expectin' for everyone to be so damn tense.' Temer thought to himself grimly. He sighed inwardly as he approached Fitch once more. This was going to be either a very short job (they all killed one another) or a very long job (everyone withheld killing each other until after the job was done). As much as he loathed to admit it, he had met necromancerrs who were more pleasant than this bunch. True, they were sacrilegious thieves, defilers and degenerate scum, but on occasion they had a pretty good sense of humor and didn't take it too personally when you cut their heads off.

"Hey Fitch, a whole lot of us seem ta have a god or three watching over us. I'm not too familiar with the ascended in these lands, is it common for this many people to be godwatched? I feel like if we get any more everyone's heads will explode or somethin'." As he spoke, he subtly pointed with a finger to each person in the room who had a presence hanging over their head. There was Fitch and himself, both of the drow wearing silk, Cassandra and Serenity, Benjamin, as well as Liandra who he had last seen leaning against a wall near one of the windows.

[Azseth]

Fitch was glaring at Benjamin for the comments he had made, but thought better than to say anything and potentially anger Ateo again. Once again it was the comment of another that snapped Fitch’s attention back to less murderous things. His brow furrowed for a moment at the term ‘godwatched’ as the term ‘god’ was rarely used.

He moved back to his bench, having still been standing since his introduction, and sat down heavily, which put him almost at eye level with Temer. “I forgot you were a foreigner. I have not been elsewhere, to any other realm, but from what I have read and been taught, the ‘gods’ as you refer to are different here. They are known as the Ascended, or just Ascended. With that, the Ascended have a lot more vested in the going ons of mortals here than in most, if not any other realm as their powers are derived from worship and belief. So in essence the more worship, the more power a god has and in turn, the more power they may grant to their champions.”

He glared around the room and yawned, somewhat bored, but not of Temer. Fitch was a creature of action, not made to sit around in his armor and do introductions. He was starting to get the itch…

“So while it is not uncommon for people to be, watched as you say, it is very rare to be a champion, or acolyte or be in a more…direct relationship with an Ascended. In my case, we are called Crusaders. It is an honor to serve Go’Shirik as he sees fit and because of that, I am granted certain things. In turn however, many things are taken from me. And so it is with the Ascended. You give to get.”

[Irell Starling]

”Thank you,” Epi said to Alaron’s praises of her bow. ”It’s all I still have left from my village. I treasure it very much.” Just as she was about to say more a voice echoed through the room. “Please, indulge me children, is there something more important going on in your little corner than getting to know your comrades in arms and their abilities. These are the people who will be keeping you alive in the journey to come. SHOW THEM SOME RESPECT!”

The words caused Epi to look over at its owner and to the elf’s surprise, the female was speaking to her. Red flashed across Epi’s pale face and ran up her ears. For an elf, she was considered young but it had been many, many years since the coming of age ritual. She was no longer a child, in fact, she suspected she was much older than half the people in the room. Was the other female being rude or was she just that ignorant? True, Epi hadn’t been paying attention to the introductions in the room, but she hadn’t been ignoring them on purpose.

Alaron excused himself, leaving Epi alone by the window. Apparently, however, the embarrassment did not end there. No, to add insult to injury, the Mortifactor, ”Termer was it?, felt the need to comment on her eating. If her face could have possibly gotten any redder, it would have. She stared down at her empty plate and her vision became blurry. ”It’s just been a while… that’s all.” Still, he was right. She shouldn’t be stuffing her face like she hadn’t eaten a decent meal in weeks, even if she hadn’t.

Epi tapped her satchel to see if Xerus had appeared there again. She was surprised to find it wasn’t empty so she picked it up and gently placed it on her lap. ”Shall I introduce you?” she whispered down at him. ”I’d rather you didn’t.”his voice called back, ”If you think I’m going to do something just because some trollop suggests it, you don’t know me very well at all, darling.” Epi tried to stifle a laugh, his words making her feel better but the elf didn’t want to waste any more time waiting on her introduction for fear she would be called out again

Her sensitive ears picked up on the discussions around her as she waited for a lull in the conversation.”I am Epimeliad Malus,” she began, ”but I go by Epi for short.” She paused trying to decide what to say next. Her voice was low and shook slightly while she spoke while her eyes darted about, not focusing on anyone in particular. This was the first time she would be working in a group and the inclinations of some of the other members added to her nervousness. ”I come from a small forest village east of the Mountains of Assention called Iradillen. I am a hunter and am pretty skilled at tracking. I am…um… a decent healer and I can provide fresh drinking water.” Epi thought about what Fitch and Temer had been talking about and added a bit more. ”The patron deity of my village is Aphelion, ’He who controls the changing seasons’. ” she said directing her words at them, ”Like all followers of an Asended we are blessed with powers but we are taught that we must not put too much stock in faith alone. We must take control of our own lives.”

Xerus smiled to himself at the idea, as he sat cozily in the satchel. Some of the Asended had larger groups of followers than others, of course, but the wise Asended was the one who had followers and barley had to lift a finger. It was almost too good for words.

[Hymusia]

Vel

It was perhaps for the best that Ben moved away, it gave the Drow girl time to recover and prepare for the second game. Besides she really did have important business, three contracts, she could almost climax with joy right there. The money of course was a huge part of why she did it but the thrill, something to simply do was the true reason she went out of her way to gain contracts with people. She actually kept every single transaction she'd made with people in a neat little box, stashed in a secretive place. Even once the job was finished she liked to keep a record of her achievements, only missions she had failed would have their contracts burned and she had never had to burn any.

She mused that it was perhaps this pathetic, almost human, nostalgia that kept her mind wandering, though more important matters demanded her immediate attention and thus she didn't dwell upon it. Grabbing the first undefended tankard she drained the contents and stole the first chair without a person in it dragging it with her to where the mother and daughter pair were. She wondered what kind of mission the mother would have, the daughter was clearly not on good terms with her and so perhaps it would be she would get to kill both? Not very good for getting paid mind but still she'd work with that. It would certainly be a job worth remembering.

Her attention was caught by Ben who stood up before all and proceeded to make an ass out of himself in an effort to show up the prissy human bitch. To be honest Vel didn't care what she did, someone had to lead and it sure as sin was not going to be the Drow. Chuckling she shook her head lightly and continued on her way, pushing away the nostalgia that came with the thoughts of his namesake. Though thoughts as powerful as these had a way of forcing themselves to the forefront.

Below her body his flesh was rapidly cooling, a faint and shaky arm reaching up to cup her darkened cheek and he dared to wear a smile. Noble features set on quite pallid skin for a pinky, long black hair that cascaded in waves was spread over the bed like raven's feathers while a pair of the most piercing blue eyes stared up at her, already losing their light. Draped across a four poster bed with silken sheets and more pillows than Vel had ever seen, he was dressed in nothing more but a robe that had spread open as they fell. Revealing the scar from a previous fencing duel and the twisted handle of a dagger sticking from his gut. His lips moved silently, mouthing words to her that she'd never forget.

Shaking her head she placed the chair down with a loud clatter and offered the two women a grin. Ignoring De'Myr for the most part Vel gave the Matron another of her grandiose but respectful bows before posing herself to straddle the chair, her arms folding on it's back and her head resting on her forearm. “So, you have a job for me. I gave you my only term, written contract. So what do you want me to do?” Vel would not allow faint memories of another life to hold her down, not today on this most auspicious day, she had things to do, places to be and people to kill if she was lucky. The best part of it all being that she was going to get paid for all of this!

"Yes, Vel. I did have a proposition for you. I want you to guard my daughter, help her out if she needs it and make sure that she is not able to run away from this little venture. I also want you to follow any reasonable request she might come up with, apart from asking you to break the guard duty." Zakein said her toying and playful nature dropping to the more familiar one of a stern and demanding mother, a person who knew what she wanted, how to get it and didn't like to be defied. Vel could only be both envious of and sad for the woman, such power to command at her will and yet Vel knew exactly what that kind of power meant. It meant political assassination attempts, scandal, corruption within the house, it was al only and dangerous position at the top. Often with no one to turn to or rely on but oneself, even ones daughters or even sons could and would rise up against their mother to take control of the house. Vel should know, her family had helped a lot of people like that over the centuries.

"Mother! There is no need for this, and I'm sure Vel has better things to do." De'Myr sounded a little indignant in Vel's mind, she certainly looked it with folded arms, puffed out chest and what might pass as a blush of anger. Or embarrassment, streaking across her dark cheeks. Vel watched the younger of the two but soon drew her attention back to Zakein and finished listening to her proposal. While she had a contract with De'Myr the two things were not mutually exclusive, right now De'Myr was an outsider intruding on their business deal and she was given the same amount of attention as any one else in the room at the moment, none.

"Be quiet girl. Vel, you may ask for any price you seem fit for this job and I'll guarantee that they'll be met on my word as the matron mother of house Amesril."* Zakein with but a wave of her hand silenced her daughter and turned back to her business negotiation, Vel had to admit she liked the sound of 'any price' a house such as Amesril could certainly afford quite a bit. However, Vel's skewed morals did not allow her to take more than the job was worth as payment. “The job is accepted, bring me the written and signed contract before we leave today and I shall get straight too it. My code says I shall not take a copper more than the job is worth. However until the job is done I do not know its worth. The price, with your approval Matron, will be discussed and agreed upon after the fact, which I would like written into the contract as well.”

"Done" Zakein said with authority. "Mother!" De'Myr face contorting in anger. "There is no need for this"
"I said done girl! Be quiet or I'll add to your punishment later."
"Sila uns'aa natha ypic'ha d'sidlorut lu'ussta p'sebon anth" Zakein waved with her hand and a paper and a signet ring appeared. She also started making gestures over the sheet, and letters started forming, writing out what was supposed to be included into the contract and then branded the contract with her signet ring and handed it over to Vel. "Here you go, young one, signed and ready."

Vel's tone was quite formal despite her informal posture, to her business and fun were two separate things, at least initially anyway. Standing she gave De'Myr a wink, finally acknowledging her, “Do not seek to tell me what is worth and not worth my time De'Myr, business is always business and this job I have no problem with. Now if you'll excuse me I am far too sober right now, I'll be right back once I've acquired something to numb my mind.” That said she went to the table, poured a drink, downed it as Ben had and slammed the empty tankard on the table. “What you said.” She uttered before refilling it and heading back to De'Myr and Zakein. Human alcohol was a piss water but it was better than nothing and she didn't have the gall right now to ask Ateo to bring back some real liquor. She really didn't fancy being yelled at again.

Reaching the table she took up the contract, swigged the liquor and rolled up the parchment. "By taking this the job begins and I shall not rest until it is completed, you can have every faith in me Matron as I will see to it your will is done." Sticking the parchment into the top of her corset she took another swig from the mug, put it down and turned to De'Myr. "Is there anything you need My lady?"