Ginnrol gritted his teeth, he glared at the woman who just saved his lady from another bird assult, whether at the cost of her life or not.

"Not a very good guard, are you?" her taunting voice said, he was sure there was a smirk as well beneath that dark cloth.

He quickly glanced at his knights, who were quite busy with dealing anonymous bird attacks, by the fallens or new ones. He was hoping it would be a lot less bothersome, but birds seemed to be coming one after another, forming a dark cloud beneath the rain clouds. If he couldn't protect his lady honestly, what kind of a knight he was?

"Enough is enough..." he muttered.

Leaving his hold over his lady, he drawed both schimtars and crossed them above his head. They gave a weak golden shine, which was brighter under this dark sky. With ease and in a unique elegance to an elven swordsman, he began slicing off the beasts one after another, keeping the lady behind him. Some called sun elf knights, warriors who used twin swords such as schimatars as blade dancers. That title was how fitting to Ginnrol, the most skilled blade dancer desert has given birth to. Meanwhile Lady Kel'irana was trying to cast another spell, as a summoner, she couldn't think of a better spirit than of a aquiline to call forth. Something which can effect all birds of kinds.

"Divine spirit guiding wings that beat skies, hear plea of thy humble servant." she said, placing her hands together like the time she prayed. "Aid us, with thine wisdom none shall hold, with thine strength none shall bear, with thine courage none hast..."

Birds stopped attacking at once when a cry shook skies and earth. But it seemed they were somehow struggling urge to obey to two masters, one wanted them to kill, one wanted them to forfeit. Ginnrol glanced over to his lady with questioning eyes.

"May there be a cure for them?"

"If there is, I do naught hold the knowlegde."Lady shook her head sadly.

"Oh come on!" Isis cried chuckling, she turned to elven lady and Ginnrol. "The reason for this manace is obvious, if you know the reason for a problem then you have a solution!"

"Not all the time." Lady answered thoughtfully.

Isis pouted like a child, she frowned and curled her lower lip.

"Statue of maiden is broken to pieces, madiden was sent by the goddess. If this is an attack to Sierra herself, which is true without a doubt, since everyone here had gathered for her anyway! Then that leaves only one option for the reason of this chaos!" She pointed her finger up to sky. "Nastasia is at work... And if she's doing this with such ease under the time of balance and peace, something up there is reaaaaally really must be messed up."

Now if one looked up to sky, they could see a ghostly figure of a huge bird, floating in air, while the beast birds were gathering around it in large amounts. They were drawn to it, and you couldn't harm a spirit unless you're a priest or a summoner, or a shaman.

[[enough tip given 8D that's all for now. next time I'll bring down a messenger so be prepared ^^]]

Morperel slashed several more of the birds, now less fierce in their onslaught due to the confusion of conflicting orders, and kicked one to somersault back onto the pavilion as the human lady explained the situation to the sun elves.

"Good to know I'm not the only person here that's caught on," she said, flicking a needle at an incoming bird without so much as sparing it a glance. "Nastasia's power has been in the air since the clouds started gathering." She caught some of the sun elves glaring at her, probably either for what she'd said earlier or for not telling them that she knew the cause. She failed to see what the big deal was with both. "What? It's not like there's anything we can do while these monstrosities are attacking in droves, is there? Before we get to dealing with any shit Upstairs, we're going to have to solve our own problems." Another bird fell to her chakram.
"Elven mage lady. Please tell me you know a lightning spell that will hit more than one target. It's about the most effective damage dealer I can think of given the circumstances." She caught the lady's head knight glaring at her occasionally out of the corner of her eye. It seems she'd wounded his pride. She hid an amused smile. That was always a good thing; men of the knighthood always were far too full of themselves anyway. Ignoring him, she turned to address the human lady as she kicked another bird into several of its kind. "Any ideas, madame? It seems you know a lot more than you're telling."

[[It looks like my Mysterious Assassin is having fun pissing Ginnrol off. Maybe he'll feel a sense of rivalry? :lol:]]

"My my..!" Isis couldn't help a heartily laughter, one you'd hear in a festival among drunk who had less worry then mere kids in their minds. "No one moves a single finger without a payment it seems!" she glanced up to purple haired girl, who seemed quite qualified for the job."Then a payment you shall recieve..."

She glanced around to knights, msyterious lady and the others who're upto fest of a killing. With every move of her pretty head, a wave of chocolate mane was dancing, like it was alive on its own.

"The one who gets rid of this mess will be free to enjoy my services!" she exclaimed, putting a hand on her curvy waist, she hit another bird with blade of spear quite effortlessly. "Which shall be a kiss and dance singed along. And I dare say sirs, ladies, that's something none alive on these lands can perform. Though I agree with you mysterious lady, a lightening spell could hit them hard and make them gone forever!" then Isis looked at Fai again, with a challenging shine in her eyes, a confident charm in her voice. "How this meet to your expectations, m'lady?"

[[no messenger yet 8D why don't someone try a lightening spell?? if none has it then I'll havet Kel'irana handle it.]]

"Well, well. Payment, huh. Sure sounds like something I'd say were my Goddess Alara not the one asking," Morperel drawled as she slashed at several more birds. "Though I daresay most people mean something more material when they request payment, I should think."

[[Not within the scope of Erdaime's power yet, I'm afraid; she won't learn Discordant Judgement until later in the journey. ;) And pure necromancers don't use elemental spells. I'll refrain from godmoding.]]

[[Pursuant to your question about what you need to change, just the line of dialogue you used. XD" Joaquin's the flamboyant flirtatious type who tends to like using more words to say things than is absolutely necessary. :lol: And I shall totally do as we planned earlier. 8D" Poor Thalel won't get Joaquin at all, nope. :rofl:]]

The elf got to his feet a little unsteadily, still looking very out of his element as he frowned at his surroundings. Joaquin began to wonder if he'd been heard at all and rephrased his question. "I don't suppose you'd care to tell to me if you're capable of defending yourself?"

The other turned to look at him, still frowning, and the vampire couldn't help but contemplate ways to displace the frown from that pretty face. "...My brother taught me a little," came the reply.

Joaquin's smirk widened. "Well then," he said with a tone of finality, as if that answer settled matters. "I suppose..." In a fluid motion too swift for mortal eyes to properly capture, he lifted the slender elf in both arms like a groom would carry his bride to step over the threshold of their new home. "...that means it's safe to take you to a better vantage point, since you seem so utterly transfixed by the view!" he exclaimed with an amused chuckle as he sped off towards where his undead minions were attacking the hoards of demonic birds.

"...H-Hey!" the elf in his arms protested before he was again distracted as the necromancer leaped gracefully into the air, jumping from one bird to the next to climb up to the flat roof of one of the buildings. The hood fell back as he did so, and silver tresses glimmered in what little light the stormy sky could afford to compliment them with as they streamed back from the motion.

Here, Joaquin put him down to gesture expansively at the surroundings. "Now, this is more like something one could call a panorama, elf boy," he declared somewhat smugly with an amused chuckle. Turning to look out over the pandemonium below, he was pleased to find more dead birds to reanimate and fished out his crystal ball to cast the spell again. "Rise, my minions! Defend your master from his foes!" he intoned the command as the rays of light from the crystal briefly illuminated a number of dead birds once more. As the dead began to move again, some ascending to circle around them as guards, he pocketed the sphere and turned to his still very bewildered companion. "Now that we won't be disturbed for a while, think I could have this dance and the knowledge of your name, Narulieran?" he invited, offering a gloved hand with a slight bow, the entertained smirk still curving his blood-red lips and the twinkle of amusement never having left his radiant teal eyes. At the sea elf's continuing confusion, he added, "Can you not hear the symphony? The music of death, the night, the living dead? It is a toccata flattering the secret arts, the perfect tune for a dramatic tango into a blood-soaked nightmare, wouldn't you agree?"

(Oh my god. I think I just fell in love with Joaquin XD)

Harren had finished off about fifty of the flying oddities now and was beginning to tire out, in a moment of calm he surveyed his companion fighters to see how they were doing and noticed a bird swooping directly at the purple haired elf from the tent. Her head was turned the opposite direction and it appeared she was conversing with another fighter from a distance. Harren Flapped his wings and spun in midair, putting centrifical force into the attack, he then flicked the chain towards the bird. The blade made a graceful upward arc and embedded itself in the creature's chest, spraying the wall with sickly green gore. Harren smiled at the elf,
"No need to thank me, just be more careful. I mean, chatting in the middle of a battl--"
Suddenly Harren's body convulsed and reverted to his human form. He hung there for a moment, his face aghast, before plummeting 2 stories into an alley. The dull snap of his legs breaking rang off the stone walls. Harren pulled himself into a sitting position and leaned against one of the walls for support.
"Damn him, He's supposed to watch the time..."
(whoops. I think I accidentally deleted that from my final revision of his profile. Harren's full demon form is a different persona. Harren's human form is more reserved and shy)
Harren Pulled himself to the edge of the alley and spied the elven lady surrounded by guards, his other self had seen her summon the massive entity that was confusing the birds, and if she could do that she most likely had powerful healing magics too. He then shouted,
"Excuse me, miss? I might be able to pull off a lightning spell, but I'd need you to heal my legs..."

Morperel gave a short sharp laugh at the purple-haired girl's reply. "Figures. It takes a materialist to know a materialist, I say!" She tossed several more needles at some of the further birds before turning to gesture at the the Sun Elf mage lady's ornate golden jewellery, the tiara and bracelets. "I believe the petite lady there had something more like these in mind when she mentioned payment," she said, flicking her chakram at an approaching bird like a discus and leaping in the appropriate direction to retrieve it. Leaping back, she added with a smirk, "And someone might want to attend to our lightning caster if possible. I'm afraid those of my profession are far better at dealing damage than alleviating it."
Recasting frenzy, she charged back into the hoard of attackers while sparing a glance at a nearby rooftop. A silver-haired man stood with a blue-haired elf circled by some of the reanimated dead birds. It seemed she'd found their necromancer...rather more preoccupied with the art of seduction than that of reviving the dead presently. "Some people sure have some luxuries," she muttered with a hint of annoyance, slashing at some surrounding birds with a little more vehemence than was absolutely necessary. Really, you'd think he'd be a bit more helpful or concerned! she mentally griped crossly. This is why I can't stand those who defy Lady Alara.

[[Thank you, flamingcat! XDD Joaquin totally made a pass at Harren earlier in the tent. Did you miss it? XD" Also, yes, Erdaime's dark side doesn't generally have a pleasant disposition. :lol:]]

(oh my I think I missed that XD what part? Also, kurobizzle, you just totally gave my character the cold shoulder T.T he helped you out even talked directly to you and then you ignored him...)

[[Here, quoted the salient part of post with the appropriate text bolded. XD If we're going to continue this discussion though, we should probably take it to the OOC thread. :lol:]]

[[What is that discussion for btw? =P someone forgot someone out? XD Oh, and you're writing quite small posts kuro <.< you're not upset or bored, are you? ._. *huggles* lemme know if something troubles any of you!! I can be slow sometimes ^^; ]]


"Aww...." Isis pouted, with a playful smile. "Sadly comrades, I'm against material bonds and charms. All shall fade into dust anyway when the time comes." She continued with a melodic voice, hinting a well trained throat which was used to casting charms via songs or mere words.

To be honest she was pretty useless, the flirty woman who idly stood in middle and took care of beasts heading her way only. All she did so far was talking, playing around and just looking for simple ways to have fun. When she offered her 'services', Ginnrol winced slightly. But he returned his attention to the masked woman, who suggested a payment concerning his lady's belongings. He slashed a two birds with a little hint of fury building in, then turned to face assasin, pointing a scimitar of the twins to her. Raindrops were collected at edge of blade and dropped down to stone path.

"Do lay a finger on Lady Kel'irana's hair, I shall see myself you naught face another sunrise!" he glared with flames shadowing his hazel eyes.

Lady Kel'irana was just frowning slightly, unhappy with her situation. She was more of a thinker, strategist and perhaps a passifist than a firghter. She wasn't used to being in middle of chaos, lost in heat of fights or standing in middle of corpses covering a town square. She was more concerned with the unnatural feeling she was getting though, some scene greater was at play and she was quite troubled with this more than the sight of gore and death.

"If I knew you'd nag about it like old hags, I'd have done the job before bothering to ask any of you." Isis said bitterly, looking bored and quite upset, her soaked hair was already sticking on her face and naked neck.

She looked up to sky, looking at huge mass of birds, gathering around the great spirit. She began chanting a spell, unnatural wind was dancing through her hair, making waves run high and low with a current now running around the town square, eventually in Valkeseiren. Rain clouds were already up above, all it took was a lightening charge to hit big catch. So did the lady called for; after a few cracking, flashing and growing grumbling from dark clouds, a bolt charged down on the wet, flying pack of beasts none can dare to call as birds anymore.

After a little more cracking and showdown of deafening and blinding lightenings, skies calmed down. Rain got less angry, less violent as slowly spell died away. But then, a rain of dead, burnt bodies of coals started rain. It lasted quite short compared to the nightmare everyone lived through. Knights shielded themselves from falling bodies by a shield spell, while enchanter dodged them with help of his spear skills. Soon, it was over, like the way it started.

"There..." Isis smiled, smiling like it was a sunny day in a green valley.

Lady Kel'irana moaned weakly, covering a hand on her mouth, disturbed with the burnt smell of flesh and sight of the town square after the storm is over. Ginnrol sighed, not sure if they should expect more. Helai'te walked ahead of Ginnrol and sun elf lady, glancing around and scouting for the other knight who was left at platform casually, he seemed like smell and sight didn't even effect him.

Thick clouds were thurst by a light again though, not a deadly flash of charges this time. As the light came closer, down to earth, the more visible it's distinguished features were. A silent tapping on the broken headless marble statue of the maiden, an ethereal set 3 pairs of wings, which looked like they were made of light itself... A beautiful woman, illuminating an unearthly light was standing on the statue, in the main square of Valkeseiren. Her blue dress was made of finest silk, golden emboidered patterns were bolding outlines of the magnificent gown over the chest and at the end of skirt. Maiden wore an elegant armor made of gold over her shoulders and arms, which looked dull compared to golden locks falling from her petite head down to her hips. Her features hinted a bloodline that resided on highest layers of skies, magnificent shines in her brilliant blue eyes only gave a slight idea of the capabilities of this being, if not the armor itself speaks already.

It was an angel that now examined ruined square of crystal city. A frown appeared on the angelic face, she wasn't pleased with what she saw apparently, but she wasn't completely alien to it either. Finally angel spoke, ringing silver bells in minds.

"I see trouble was taken care already, but it hasn't ended yet. Please hear my words brave warriors, since you bear a strong heart they'll reach to you only." she glanced at Fia, perhaps she thought of speaking to former angel, but then she decided against it. "I'm archangel Adorielle, came on account of Goddess of Life and Light, her elegance, Sierra. Her grace is in need of your courage, of your blade and strong heart." her voice was echoing like silver bells in main square, surely in rest of Valkeseiren. "As long as you bear genuine feelings of wishing to aid goddess, you'll be welcomed to her grace's Shrine. It's located at north of Valkeseiren, out of city walls. If you truely wish to hear me out, meet me at Great Shrine. Our time is limited though, I shall be waiting until next sunset." With a simple beating, her ethereal wings lifted angel up. "May Sierra's eyes watch over you." Adorielle said finally, glanced each alive being listenning to her.

Then she flew of to north, heading to shrine apperantly. Leaving a weak trace of light after, which melted into night soon.

[[I rewrote last part again!!! Since it disappeared mysteriously <.< lemme know If I forgot abything]]

[[Things of note, Valendra dearest, in summary:
1. Discussion between flamingcatdemon and myself was regarding flirtatious advances between our characters.
2. flamingcatdemon was just reminding kurobizzle that his character was talking to hers, which I'll presume slipped her mind..?
3. I think Kel'irana was being asked to heal Harren. XD"
4. Something seems to have gone wrong with your post.]]

From where she was killing several more avian monsters, Morperel caught sight of the elven lady's head knight pointing his scimitars at her and sighed, barely hearing his threats. Men, she griped mentally. Important matters of life and death going on around them, and they still manage to think of frivolous matters like seduction and pride. I don't know what could possibly be wrong with them.

She rolled her eyes as more birds fell to her blade before leaping back up to the pavilion without so much as sparing the knight glaring at her a glance just as the human lady bitterly said, "If I knew you'd nag about it like old hags, I'd have done the job before bothering to ask any of you."

"Somehow, madame, I don't recall taking any part in the nagging," she retorted acidly. "If there's something I could be doing about the situation that I haven't already done, I don't see it."

But the woman wasn't listening; she was busy chanting a spell. The half-elf recognized the words from long ago and gazed up at the sky, preparing to dodge what was to come. The bolts of lightning lit up the sky as they struck their targets, and it was not long before the burnt carcasses of the monsters came raining down upon them. With the remaining effects of frenzy, she evaded them gracefully, using the flat sides of her chakrams to knock them aside when they could not be avoided. Soon, the sky was calm and devoid of monsters again, the city silent in the aftermath of the earlier chaos that now settled in around them in the form of the dead and the dying. The undead too ceased in their movements as their master released his hold over them, no longer in need of their aid.

Lady Alara's ideal scene, Morperel thought with a grim smile. Aloud, she only murmured, "The blessing of the Goddess Alara has come upon you. Fret not for all things pass through Her infinite halls unto Shathi's realm. So it is truly."

Just then, a ray of light shone through the clouds upon what was left of the marble statue of the maiden. The glass one they only brought out for the event had shattered when the anarchy commenced, so the marble one in the square was all that was left. Even so, it had lost its head in the onslaught of attackers. The light coalesced into a seemingly feminine humanoid form with three pairs of wings. The assassin recognized it as an archangel. She waited as the being delivered its message from Sierra in silent contemplation. Since Alara had summoned her at this time, she could only assume the goddess wished her to aid in whatever task the angel would request of them. If so, then as the deity's loyal servant, she would certainly go.

The only thing she suddenly found puzzling was the angel's message that was purportedly from Sierra herself. If Sierra were up in heaven, then none of Nastasia's actions on this plane made any sense. They could simply have duked it out directly on the celestial plane, since it didn't look like any of the other deities were interfering. But if Sierra was missing from the celestial realm as Nastasia's work seemed to suggest, then the coming of this angel was a little more than mildly suspicious. Just what is going on up there? she wondered, casting her gaze heavenward. Well, only one way to find out, she figured. She would head to the shrine the following morning. In the meantime, it was about time she disappeared. While the other's continued to stare after the disappearing angel, she too pulled her evanescence, dashing off in the opposite direction without a word.

Candice's house was still empty when she returned. The tailor had probably run for the first form of shelter she could find. Changing out of her work attire and returning everything to its proper place, she cleaned and polished the chakrams till not a trace of the recent carnage remained on it. By the time Candice returned, she had gotten out of the bath and was forced to masquerade as her other self, pretending to be terrified while listening to the tailor lady's account of the horror that had occurred. The last thing she did before she slept was write herself a note to head to the temple. Her other self was as madly devoted to Sierra as she was to Alara. She would go, certainly. The only problem was what would happen if they switched places during whatever was to come. There was no way of knowing. She'd have to play it by ear. Despite her restlessness, the half-elf eventually fell into a fitful slumber.

(=.= oh yes. I don't feel like an extra at all, I had been reading through my posts and noticed I was starting to become a stand alone factor, so I attempted to interact with everyone. I was completely ignored by everyone except luel. *cries in the emo corner*)

[[Please excuse our Game Master. She's having computer problems right now, so I'm afraid she's not keeping up as well as she could be. Moreover, (correct me if I'm wrong, Valen, but) English isn't her first language, so do be forgiving if she occasionally misses a few details. XD" My dearest Iroase takes over 3 hours to type an RP post I can type in approximately 45 minutes, so please don't mind the unresponsiveness on Iro's part. I'm sorry you feel left out. I try to include everyone to the best of my ability, but for the sake of characterization and plot, it is unfortunate that not everything can be done in as timely a fashion as would be ideal. OOC discussion to plan certain desired scenes does help though, so if you'd like to engage in that, there's always the OOC thread. I spend an absurd amount of my time online, so no matter when you post, you should find I won't be too long in replying. XD"]]

[[... I knew it!! I thought you were talking to me! But I doubted it so I kinda didn't do anything. And no, I'm not bored or upset, I'm just having a writer's block ^_^;; And I think you keep spelling my character's name 'Fai' instead of 'Fia'.]]

Before Fia could say anything else, she noticed the wounded boy from before. She walked up to him and nudged him lightly with her foot. "I'm no good at healing spells boyo. That's one of the powers I gave up when I fell from Heaven. I could wrap your wound, that's just about it." The sound of lightning cracking interrupted her as she turned to watch the scene unfold before her. Lightning struck the birds until none were left, spreading the smell of burnt flesh and smoke around the area. The petite woman cringed in disgust, but that disappeared when a shining light appeared from the skies.

Fia watched in slight interest. She knew what was happening for she has seen it happen dozens of times back when she was in Heaven. This was her first, however, to see an angel descend from a mortal's point of view. When the light finally began to fade just a bit, Fia was able to see the golden locks of the angel and her stunning blue eyes. Her own eyes widened. 'If she's here... then this must be important...' A small sense of shame befell on the purple haired woman's heart as she stepped back a couple of feet. She did not want to speak to any angel yet, especially someone of such high caliber.

(Also, a little something my absentmindedness left out of Harren's profile,

Harren human form: Excels at defensive and surround magic, his direct attack magic and hand to hand combat skills are very weak.
Harren Demon form: Excels at Physical augmentation spells, combat and high level demon spells, all his other magic is very weak.

^.^)

Harren smiled at the purple haired girl that had walked up to him. He seriously doubted wrapping two broken legs would help much but he didn't want to be impolite.
"Thank you for your concern..."
His sentence died out as he spotted the angel descending, he didn't care much for those snooty archangel types. Harren scooted himself further down the alley at the same moment Fia did. He looked at her oddly, why would she have any reason to shy away from the gods' blessed messenger.

(sorry. it seems I was under the same false assumption Harren was, I thought Fia was an elf...)

[[Gosh darn it, I can't do anything until either Valendra or Iroase post something because one of my characters has left the scene, and the other is waiting for Iro's character to respond. :sweat: No sense talking about Erdaime heading to the temple if everyone else is still stuck in the night before. :stare:]]

[[GAAAH!!! XDDDD I missed stuff again... sorry sorry!!! ^^;;
Luen is right though, english is my second language *points ridiculous mistakes in her posts often pointed out by luen or others* and my computer crashed on weekend and I could format and install vital programs, yet there is still quite a lot work to do ^^;
If you didn't know until now, then I take no one is actually paying attention to what others write =P
Sorry I didn't notice someone asked kel'irana to heal someone? <.< let's assume it's a forgotten idea in heat of fightXD
And yes, I tend to spell names wrong often, my characters as well ^^; sorry kurobizzle.

In short, I'll try to post today, if I can't i'll post tomorrow. Sorry ^^;;;;; gather in shrine will you?]]

[[flamingcatdemon's character, Harren, presently can't walk. So yes, he was asking Kel'irana to heal him. Don't think he'll reasonably be going anywhere until his legs are fixed.
Joaquin is currently stuck with Thalel on the roof of a building. If Iro doesn't post, I can't do anything with him.
Fia is currently talking to Harren. Kel'irana, Ginnrol and company are still on the pavilion with Isis.
In short, the only person for whom the day has ended and who can pretty much head to the shrine at any time is Erdaime, since she sneakily ran away as soon as the archangel was done talking. :sweat:]]

(Zydrate comes in a little glass vial...
Tooootaly not a sneaky random way of letting luel post again <.< >.> )

[[ Saa... I need to backtrack a lot. Hope the rest forgive me for my tardiness. Luel, you have to post to continue before I write the next part up to the recent events. x_x

And thank you very much for all your help, Luel. ;_;]]


Symphony? Toccata?

Thalel stared at the taller man, completely baffled, and still feeling utterly at a loss. Yet, through the haze of confusion, he understood that the other was speaking of music.

Music. His flute. That's right.

He gripped the instrument in his hand a little harder, pondering. Playing it would make everything better. It always does. Still, his rescuer's words intrigued him. There was music in the air? He paused to contemplate it, letting his eyes slide close, shutting out all else but the sounds surrounding him.

Suddenly, he gasped. If he closed his eyes and listened hard enough, it was true…There was a certain rhythm to the battle, a clear song of death amid the anarchy. Without thinking, he raised his flute to his lips and began to play, to complement the sounds he heard resonating in the air above the battlefield.

[[No problem at all. Goodness knows, darling, if I don't give you a hand with it, this post wouldn't be here till next week. ;) And there are other ways to talk to me besides this thread, you know, flamingcat. XD"]]

Joaquin retracted his hand and straightened as the elf began playing his flute, ignoring him completely in the process. The other seemed to constantly be living in his own little world, treating everything around him like a dream or illusion that he was no part of. The vampire smirked again. That detachment from reality was intriguing, and he fancied a number of possible ways in which to bring a person down to earth, back to reality in the here and now. And as the melodious sounds of the flute filled the air, sliding fluidly over the sounds of battle below and smoothly blending in to form a macabre harmony, he found himself reaching out to the musician slowly. Ah, it would be so easy to break that slender body, to wrench the elixir of life from his veins and watch his confusion as he was forced to accept the reality that he was dying...to let the pain abduct him from his pretty little dream cloud to the land of the dead, where he would belong to Joaquin forever.

His fingertips were barely an inch from that slender tanned throat when he stopped. Something was not quite right. It had been millennia since he'd last felt this burst of sadistic bloodlust. It was strange that he should be thinking of murder now, when he'd just decided to keep the elf alive several minutes ago. Letting his hand fall to his side, he turned to gaze at the chaos below them and in the skies again. True enough, the remaining birds around them were attacking each other. It seemed that he'd found himself quite the catch this night. The Narulieran was no ordinary musician. Interest piqued, he slid the other a sideways glance, taking in the finer details of the sea elf's appearance, finding his eyes inadvertently drawn to the soft, moist lips on the flute. He could imagine any number of better uses or places for them. He sighed, resisting the urge to join in the carnage the others were partaking of below.

"Ah...the things I would do now if my gloves weren't pristine white..." he murmured with the barest hint of chagrin.

Suddenly, he felt the hum of magic in the air shortly before several bolts of lighting lit up the sky accompanied by a loud clap of thunder, hitting almost all the birds. Efficient, he had to admit. The loud noise seemed to startle the elf for his aquamarine eyes flew open in shock as he stopped playing, lookling as lost as he'd always been, if not more so. There was a moment of silence before Joaquin caught sight of the first batch of blackened birds falling out of the sky above them and he moved swiftly to cover his companion in his thick cloak with him.

"While I am a generous man and see no reason to take offense at the fact that you've been ignoring me, I don't suppose it'd be too unreasonable for me to ask something in exchange of my efforts?" he said with amusement. And then he was kissing the sea elf full on the lips, taking advantage of the other's gaping shock to explore the other's mouth briefly before pulling away and putting a socially acceptable distance between them again as the rain of charred carcasses came to an end. He smiled, somewhat satisfied. Those lips had been as soft as he'd imagined. The musician still looked stunned witless, completely dazed by the events around him. With a hint of smugness, Joaquin spoke again to interrupt the other's reverie. "Your first, I take it?"