Post by Joliette Thorne on Aug 15, 2006 1:02:32 GMT -5
_____Vailkrin______
Tenebrae stood in shadow, the darkness wreathing her form seeming to shift about her frame gently, almost affectionately; the necromancer herself was looking pensive, arms folded and slight shoulders leant to the tavern's outer wall. Her body was at an angle, most of her weight supported by her upper back, and slender legs stretched forth to cross at her ankles. Her stance, to the observant, might have suggested one not particularly open to being approached. But, were they foolhardy enough to disturb her, the pale face that showed through the swathe of black and scarlet surrounding the vampiress would have assured them of their mistake. Tene didn't look happy, brows knit and lips set in a thin line, her peridot stare cast to the road before her. It'd be one or two individuals that wouldn’t meet the sharp of tongue or sword, were they to approach her in that moment.
Leoxander had been hanging around that tavern all day, spending some time inside it, more time outside, lingering in shadows, watching who went in and out. Jack spent most of his time sniffing and marking new territory, until one patron in particular caught Leo's interest, and the two went out, on a mission. Only the canine continued to track this individual, while the human walked back down the roads looking casual. He was just settling that pirate captain hat and assassin mask into place to stay sneaky, inside the Hanging Corpse, when he caught sight of her. Instead, he removed that hat in an almost gentlemanly gesture, and paused to tip his head and shoulders in a slight bow. Mismatched eyes dared to lift through his hair toward her, noticing the tension in the air surrounding her. Damn shadowmancers and their moods. Because he knew what the vampiress was capable of when angry, he kept some distance and spoke only one word. "...Mistress?"
Leoxander took off pirate-captain hat.
At the sound of the Captain’s voice Tenebrae lifted her head, gaze snapping that way. Shoulders pushing from the wall to bring her upright, her arms lowered to her side. Tene, mercurial of mien as ever, stepped from that darkness that remained behind like a vile cloud and into the light of the street, a few paces taking her closer to her rogue. “Cap’n…” would come the reply from rosy lips that broke to a soft smile, and she’d resist the urge to run to his arms like some heroine from a romance novel. Barely. After all, he was Leo, and a man who’d always valued his space. Still, she couldn’t stop the smile, the shift of posture to something more feminine. Just the sight of him made her heart hammer. “What’cha up to?” No good, she hoped.
Leoxander valued it almost as much as he valued her touch, but before he could creep forward in his usual sly manner, a bark from down the street caught his attention, made him dart a glance over his shoulder, that hooked securely to his belt, conveniently concealing one blade. With a cloak draped over to hide it's pair, he was making an obvious attempt to look somewhat friendly, though the face cover still clung to his jaw, a material he knew her kiss could penetrate. "Jol-..." The slight slip of name made him blink, hasty to cover up what he assumed was a deadly mistake. But who was Joliette? "Tene, I have to go." His gaze returned to her to speak the only request he would before turning to follow Jack. "Come with me." He'd... explain on the way to the Meadow.
If she had any reaction to the rogues’ slip of the tongue, it didn’t show, the necromancer’s keen gaze too shot toward the sound of that familiar bark, a subtle nod the only reply to his deep-voiced order… She really didn’t mind a bit when he spoke like that. Kind of made her skin goose-bump and … Shaking her head, grinning to herself, metallic heels would tick along the cobbles behind Leo. She’d follow him to the ends of the world, if he wanted her to.
Leoxander appeared from the shop, a grin hidden behind the mask while left hand casually slipped into pocket. Poor Angrod, he never saw what was coming when the dark clothed rogue wandered in behind the canine and female, striding passed shelves with a subtle glance and quick grasp. A little heavier pocketed, the worn cloak on his shoulders was adjusted to cover the hilt of daggers always present, and behind hair left to conceal his different colored eyes, they darted in search of the human Jack was already loping toward, barking triumphantly at his find. "Shuddup, Mutt." Was the gruff introduction the tall male would make.
___ Meadow___
Deilakrion trots into the area, smug look settled comfortably onto her features at finding her clanmates. Of a sudden she slows somewhat, eyes flashing as she takes in the newcomer. "Flesh." She grunts, looking from Leoxander and Tenebrae to Jaidin.
Jaidin looks up from his seated position at the sound of steps coming his way. Only one person he recognized; springing to his feet, the man sends a confused glance to Tenebrae with eyes the hue of mints-- almost as if to ask, why she would do such a thing. But then again, how could she know she was here? Or had they come to take him away and put him back where he belongs? Taking a step back, the one visible eye widens as the horrors come flooding into his mind. One hand comes to rest over the top of the pick, ready to dislodge it from its place in his belt should he need to. "Tenebrae..." he says, cautiously, as if testing his voice. Another glance, especially a lingering one over the trotting woman, and he finds himself glaring at the dog. "You again!" he roars contemptuously. Looking up at the rogue, a scowl crosses the man's rugged features, "This beast yours?"
Tenebrae hurriedly knelt to entangle fingers in Jack’s shaggy ruff, a few soothing words of assurance to calm the dog offered to his ear, and when he’d quiet, she’d regain her feet, a look to her clansmates given by way of request to wait. Icy green gaze cast back to Jaidin, the sight of whom had brought a smile to her lips until she realised he might not take well to the sudden invasion, and she held both palms up in a supplicating gesture. “’Ello, pet. Don’t mind Jack…” She laid a hand on the mutt’s back to indicate him. “He’s just … being friendly.” Yeah. Possibly. Tene stepped forward slowly, that pale hand now sweeping in loose gesture toward Leo and Deilakrion. “These are friends. They’re Cabal. Like you. Like, family now, so please don’t be shy of them…” The smile returned, a kindlier light warming the frigid depths of her eyes. Half-turning to her companions -- she was quite used now to the naked elf’s appearances and accepted her sudden presence without breaking stride – she ventured: “Leo, Creature, this is Jaidin. I just offered him a place with us.” That she hadn’t bothered to wait for an affirmative reply was just like the vampiress. She was good at making assumptions. And getting them wrong, quite often. “Jaidin, This is Creature, clan tracker, I suppose… and Leo, Captain of our ship, The Eternity.” Tene looked rather pleased at this little gathering. She’d slip Jack a treat later, for the favour.
Deilakrion was halted now, lower lip outthrust as surprise faded into muted confusion. There seemed to be too many new important figures within the crazed woman’s mind, and the adjustments necessary were likely taking a toll. Rather than step forward as she might to assess this newcomer, she sidestepped, circling the other three. Leoxander she hadn’t seen for a good long while, so it was him she ventured closest to, eyeing him unobtrusively—though he might not think so. A grunt was pulled from compressed lips at the introductions with a muttered word sounding much like “pack” following shortly thereafter. A brief shake of her head dismissed whatever thought had taken to her mind and then she was nearer to Jaiden. She was skulking now, though her hands remained free of her belt and the dagger attached. Sounds fell from her lips, though without discernable words. This she would see develop and make her own judgments later. With a careless shrug she retired beyond the three, flopping to the ground and keeping a close eye on both Jaiden and Jack, though it was the latter she seemed more suspicious of.
Leoxander couldn't help but find some sick amusement when the dog lost his tongue-lolled grin, hearing this new friend screaming his rage. Skidding to a halt, the canine shied back to Tenebrae in time for an embrace, leaving Leo to wander ahead only so far before he met green eyes for the accusing question. Sparing Jack a glance, the thief sent a similar scowl the 'beasts' way, particularly when he huddled behind the Vampiress' heels. "I'm not claiming kinship with that sausage stealer..." This was the only mutter he'd offer, before falling silent, allowing Mistress of the Clan to do her duty and give introductions. He cast his attention toward Deilakrion, red iris hidden briefly for a wink. Hers was never a close presence he minded; hell, she was a better guard dog than Jack. It was after that silent greeting this new human being brought into the ranks would have Leo's full and undivided scrutiny, his gaze even narrowing to test a stranger's stare. He'd only nod when his title came up in the conversation, quiet as ever.
Jaidin , at first, just stares at Tenebrae, his singular visible eye wide as ever. Clan, family, home?? It all seems to strange to him, and he is quite at a loss for words, until finally he stutters out, “R-real-ly?” A deep clearing of his throat allots the man some time to regain composure, and he simply nods to the woman-- though if one were good enough, they would see the inlaid expression of gratefulness as he answers, “I’d be honoured,” in reference to the clan. Now it is time to acknowledge the introductions. When Leoxander took a step towards him, the fellow human took one back-- Captain or not, plenty of that type were inclined to trade slaves. “He ate my meal,” the assassin blurts out, referring to the dog Tenebrae doted upon. The ship is pushed to the back of his mind, the scrutinizing of these two new people more important for the moment. Reluctantly, his gaze shifts to the odd one that gets dangerously close to him-- but lack of weapon allows the man some peace of mind, and he merely gawks oddly at the one that called him ‘flesh’, and he tries to discern the odd language she speaks, but finds himself unable. Jaidin has seen her type before-- like ones that are caged up underground for days, weeks even, on end. No food or water saved once every other day, and they are left there to wallow in their own misery. Insanity takes over when the constant chiming of steel upon rock, yelling, and different language invade their minds. Oh, he knew all too well the type of people like her. At least, that’s all he could assume the Creature’s behaviour was for. A certain sense of respect comes from this, and the man slowly inclines a stubble-aligned chin politely in the direction of where the crawling woman went. Once more, his singular eye is returned to Leoxander, his expression hard and not the least bit warm. Still, no words to offer to the man, himself, just a perusing; a sizing up and down, which would likely go on until he had something good and important to say.
Tenebrae cleared her throat softly, the small sound hopefully breaking the bubble of tension that had surrounded the small gathering. A glance down to Jack was given, the vampiress approaching Jaidin, merely another pace. “This is Jack. He’s a terrible thief. And is Cabal, like us.” There she went, assuming again. The mutt didn’t look much as if he minded, though. She’d turn back to the one-eyed human, then. “I’m glad you decided to stay with us. If there’s anything you need, just tell me. I’ll take care of things, ‘til you’re settled.” A wide, thin smile, accompanied by a definite nod would go Leo’s way. “We take care of our own, don’t we, Cap’n?” She might have sounded a bit too cheerful, Tene ever sensitive to the rogue’s brusqueness, and now to the thief’s looming insanity. Not to be excluded, Tene would step aside toward Deilakrion, to kneel to the grass at the woman’s side. A small flower, plucked from the grass, was handed the elf. “Creature. We have a job to do later. I think I might have found that lost rider, can’t be sure…” This was said quietly, while her eyes drifted back to the two men with not a little apprehension. With a bit of luck, they’d not wind up skewering each other, and the clan would be one stronger for it.
Deilakrion was watching, ever peering at the others with who knows what thoughts running through her mind. At Tenebrae’s approach she lifted a hand, fluttering her fingers loosely at the woman. The daisy she accepted with elegant grace, curling her fingers loosely about it. She smiled gently at Tenebrae—though it might have been a smirk—and also turned her attention to the two males. She nodded once, gaining her feet with little grace. She took a few steps closer, though she folded her arms lest they think she was becoming, well, fond of them. Her lips pursed and something of scorn leaked through, matted hair partially covering her face. “Should the fleshes spread scent for territory?” Her tone was disproving as she sent a glance back to Tenebrae. Then she moved closer to Jaiden, eyes roving him up and down. Another nod then, and a slight twitching of her lips. “Pack.” This said firmly, without room for disagreement. She stepped between the two men, turning her back on Jaiden to tilt her head at Leoxander. “Pack.” This softer as she flicked her fingers toward him. Were she a child she might have stuck her tongue out at him—at least that was within her expression. Then she stepped back and scowled, looking between the three and, reluctantly, the dog. “Pack.” Then another shrug, this one rather flippant. “The sky predator should know better.” She heaved a sigh, as if reluctant to be stepping forward as she was. With her expression the sulky grimace of a young adult put to chores, she offered the daisy to Jaiden, managing to keep distance from him. His jumpy attitude she understood only all too well, holding the flower as such that they would not brush skin if he chose to grab it.
Leoxander had found the time to crouch, a swift removal and stab of blade silencing the abrupt squawk of a white feathered bird. He looked up in time to see the blame go to the dog, and casually flung the bird corpse off his blade toward the assassin's feet, watching the stiff body go rolling. This caused the dog to dart out with intentions of chasing it down and possibly tackling the human in the process if Jaid' wasn't quick enough to move. With this cure of boredom came his free hand, peeling down his mask to reveal the white cheshire grin he naturally wore. The dagger, one of two, had already been stealthily replaced. "Yeah, sure we do- I mean, we sure do, Mistress." Always one to leave people guessing, he sent a teasing look Tene's way, while standing to a full height a couple inches passed six feet. Again, he was looking the new guy over. Jaidin seemed a few years older than the Captain, but about the same generation. And since he was in robes... "What're you, magic user?" Sometime awaiting the answer to this question, he'd catch the Creature's repeated word, and the name she'd given him (or so he assumed) some time ago. The statement made the center of his brow crease.
Tenebrae kept herself to the soft grass, the feel of it under her quite soothing to limbs so often pushed almost beyond vampiric endurance, even. She’s lap it up, while she could. Her palms pressed to the spongy turf, she leant back to watch the interaction unfolding. A grin that was given Deilakrion’s actions – the woman positively civilised, these days, compared to their first meetings, though only in the confines of the Cabal it seemed – was broadened at that look Leo sent her way. A little more tension left her body with her next breath, and arctic eyes would stay on the trio, watching. Nothing made her happier than when her people were gathered about her. An ebon brow twitched to a small arc over one eye as the thought occurred to her that soon it would be time for the gauntlet to be run…. There was too much dead wood in her fold, and she had a plan to cut it away. They needed to be sleek, streamlined, to weather the coming storms. With this in mind, she watched the newcomer with renewed interest, wondering what role he’d be playing in their plans. Of course, she couldn’t help that attention straying to Leo now and then, especially now his mask was down.
Jaidin looks scornfully down at the mutt at the necromancer introduces him. “Jack,” he says, as if it were ordinary to address and speak to a dog like it is a human. To Tenebrae, he shakes his head, “I’ve my old house to stay in, food I can catch, plenty of drink to be given, and I know how to mine-- my parents were quite apt at it.” For a quick instant a horrified expression crosses his features, thinking he had said too much, given too much information about him. Setting his face like to stone, he pretends he had not and that he would have told anyone that sort of stuff. A brow is quirked at the part about taking care of each other, but he dismisses the awkward, nice tone in which it was said. Next he came to view the Creature as she stalked towards him, and eventually the daisy given to her moments ago was outstretched, held aloft for himself to take. He does, while pondering on the word she repeated several times. “Pack?” Perhaps she means the clan, he thinks, and supposes that one could look at it that way… Odd as it is, it’s not too far-fetched. Holding the stem of the flower gingerly between two digits, he is left with little time to think on it when suddenly the rogue in front of him slices the bird up neatly and tosses it at his feet. A moment’s scowl for doing what he, himself, could have done, and suddenly the dog is dashing before him, threatening to bowl the human over. Not finding it particularly amusing, seeing as he is in a bad enough mood already, a mad dash brought the man forwards, bending at the waist to quickly scoop up the bird in his left hand, while his right splayed against the flank of the black beast to push him away, off-target. Holding the avian high enough, an offended look takes over his rugged visage as he stares at the Captain. His voice, when he answers, is rather huffed in an arrogant way, and gruff, “’Course not! Magic is useless.” Or so he thought, as did the poor pixie he argued with earlier. What need for it did he have? None that he could see, he was far too confident in his abilities-- at least, during certain stages of his waking hours. Shaking his head, he says, “Murderer, I suppose one would call me.” Unschooled in the titles the land has for people, that’s the best description he could come up with for ‘assassin’.
Deilakrion turned a circle, attention clearly waning now that the new man had accepted her token. Her head tilted back as she set eyes upon the sky with easy joy. What tension there was she had clearly dismissed as settled, and now it was merely fleshy details. She grinned at all three of them, eyes brightening and dimming as her mind whirled. Finally she settled upon an open-mouthed grin, eyes once more becoming feral as she started pacing around the others. “Hunt! Let the pack hunt!” She looked to Tenebrae, perked up and eager as she fondled her knife with an almost disturbing amount of affection. Then her lips tightened as she considered Tenebrae’s quiet words. “Prey.” She jerked to a halt, eyes seeking the distant mountain line with murderous lucidity. “This creature owes the prey blood.” This last spoken simply, merriment replaced with gravity. Her eyes jumped from one to the next, weighing expression and body language. She tugged at her hair idly, shifting from foot to foot in suppressed movement. Once more her features shifted, this time to pleading as she glances between Leoxander and Jaiden. Was there sympathy in the gaze given to Jaiden? Her eyes kept moving as she fingered her dagger. “Hunt with this creature? Blood the prey?”
Leoxander watched, arms folding over the flat of his chest in what would appear to be a comfortable and relaxed stance, though the rogue was never off his guard. He watched Jack get beat at the game of fetch, and lofted one brow in question as the bird was displayed and irritation matched Jaidin's tone with his expression. The other brow would lift to join it's pair at the unexpected response, one that clearly impressed the Captain of the Eternity. "Good answer, mate..." He'd wander over to his sulking companion, who's scruff was lifted with annoyance. It seemed at last the dog had met someone he didn't really care for, and that was odd coming from a people pleaser such as Jack. Leo, on the other hand, felt his interest slightly caught. He ruffled Jack's ears roughly, a lopsided grin shining through beneath the uneven cut of ashen hair that hid the spots on his nose.
Tenebrae caught the word ‘murderer’ with a casualness that came from having grown up among murderers. She thought the word ‘assassin’ a bit flashy a title, anyways, and would have been less impressed by that than the honest simplicity of Jaidin’s answer. As to the man’s views on magic … she’d let that slide, too, the chuckle that came from the rogue’s dog being done out of the bird clearing her mind of any retort. Clambering to her feet, the necromancer was witness to the naked elf’s sudden shift of body language, Deilakrion’s demeanour suddenly electrified. At her words, Tene’d nod. Her thoughts, exactly. Dead or alive, the FC had one of her men, and it was time they bit back for the loss of a dozen riders and their dragons. How much the few of them could do would remain to be seen, but she was hell-bent on at least getting the man out of enemy territory, if he lived. “You’re on, Creature.. and blooding is a great idea.” Tenebrae took the few steps toward the men, and an arm would slip to Leo’s waist briefly, if he’d let it. To Jaidin she’d offer a brief explanation. “Things that are not Cabal, and annoy us. Or are edible. Or both.” Snickering softly, she’d cant her gaze up to meet Leo’s unevenly hued eyes. “Want to kick some Claw behind, love?” She looked excited at the prospect, breaking from him to swoop up her voluminous pack and weaponry, where she’d shed it, watching Leo turn to shadows, chin tilting to the others, gesturing east. “Cenril it is.”
____Cenril____
Deilakrion was trotting at a ground-eating pace, occasionally loping ahead with unnecessary speed. A grin was pasted to her features, though it was not a pleasant one. Her dagger had been freed from its sheathe along the way, and it now sat comfortably in her hand; an extension of her arm. Whatever happened this night, the woman clearly intended to spill blood.
Jaidin nods slowly, the information given enough for him to understand-- the ‘Claw’ was the enemy clan, and they’ve got a fellow member; thus, death they’ll be meeting, or at least they’ll lose their precious prisoner. Either way, all was well and good for the man. The others left the area, and he followed quickly on their heels, sure that Leoxander was somewhere nearby. The whole ‘Prey’ bit amused him greatly, and the relatively short walk he spent with a shadow of a smile at the corners of his mouth. Once the others stopped and he met up with them, he is left to finger the handle of his pickaxe; his weapon, and simply wait. He’d cast an amused glance towards the Creature, here and there, his spirit lightening and his mood slowly turning into the hyper-manic stage.
Tenebrae was up ahead a bit, her own speed enhanced, though the woman wasn't tall and wearing killer heels (quite literally), by her vampiric flesh. Turning back, though she would keep pacing, she addressed the others in a quiet voice that nonetheless seemed to carry clearly through the air. Some days, it was good to be a vampire. "Right. We'll have to scout the obvious places. Likely he's in the bowels of their prison somewhere, if they haven't cut his throat..." She swing back around, almost vanishing over the rise of the road, such was her haste. The wicked gleam of steel would flash, as her sword escaped its sheath.
Leoxander appeared somewhere just before the bridge, armored, incognito, with his crossbow armed and ready. Revenge on the Claw for threatening his boat was something that pirate had wanted for some time, now.
Tenebrae pointed ahead. "We'll have to sneak past the legions, we're too few..." Yeah, four against four thousand... "There you are, love." A word of assurance, mainly to herself, as sight was caught of Leoxander, and she'd move on.
Leoxander told your clan, "The Claw..." The rogue was laughing... "They're gonna pay..."
Tenebrae told your clan, "Today, we get our rider back. If any should get in our way, we'll deal with them. "