(I just laughed at her because its so true that people revert back to their natural mannerisms in times of extreme stress, so I understood her pain. It was still funny though :D )

Kiric spent the next few hours tutoring his other students verbally, he didn't train them the way he trained Alexa not out of simple favoritism but because most of them didn't need it. He had trained all of them when they were young but now they were well beyond the age of physical lessons except special occasions. The one's that did need the extra instruction would die for the glory of the Vai'on household or would get better with experience but those were their only options. They were allowed to train with one another, but Kiric was rarely in such a generous mood to give physical lessons anymore, none of them showed the type of potential that he had at their age. There were a few that looked like promising warrior but none looked like they would become dominant. Once he was done critiquing his other many students the weapon-master went to leave and locked eyes with the matron sitting and watching. His eyes stayed focused on her for no longer than a breath's passing and he then made an exit. He had plans to finish and he had reports he needed to look over for the next upcoming battle.

Spending a few moments looking over the reports, he took notice of the large number of alliances that had been formed over the past moons. The number was astonishing, there were only a few households that remained unaligned with someone or another. There was only one thing that could cause such a massive change in the drow and that was fear. It would seem that the Toshiba house was not simply conquering the other houses, they were annihilating them. The past few houses that were defeated had no survivors of their noble families and although this was not unheard of before it still sent a chill down Kiric's spine to think that it was possible for that to happen to them. He knew Alexa wasn't prepared to be a matron and the Toshiba head, Selk, was a ruthless young elven woman who seemed intent on leaving her mark on history. Speaking to himself aloud Kiric announced calmly, "The city will be painted crimson by the time she is done. We have to get our troops stronger quickly."

Sighing lightly the drow sat back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest in thought. Thanks to the Toshiba house's actions things were going to be more difficult when it came to taking over rival factions. No longer would they have to deal with battling one house. They would have to be ready to combat multiple within the course of a simple day. The ambitious clans will be lashing out at others and the weak were destined to fall soon. War in the Underdark was coming in full swing and it would be bloodier than many before. Only the one's prepared would last long enough to see it through. Would the Vai'on house survive?

(Oh..I never posted sorry. I haven't been in the mood. But I'll try to post sometime. Sorry. And it's okay esmme. I didn't even remember no one posted until now..)

Alexa lifted her head. She's taking over the entire city. The City of Tears was no longer a divided society. Selk Toshiba was consuming the dark elves; she would soon be unstoppable. The Vai'on matron shivered, rubbing one arm before looking back down at the map she was studying. We'll be part of that soon. If Toshiba came for them, the Vai'on house wouldn't survive - Alexa would be killed.
Pushing the map away from her, the young woman raked a hand through her long hair. What should I do? With a quiet sigh, her red eyes lingered on the streets of the city. The inked passages and sketched house symbols were, for the first time in many years, changing. Every single one of them would bear the Toshiba's emblem within a few months' time.

Slowly pushing the book she'd planned on reading away from her, Alexa stood. Her movements were silent as she slipped from her chambers. She stole through the house silently until she came to the magic users' quarter. The glow had always turned Alexa off; she hated magic.
Slipping into one of the priestess' rooms, the Vai'on matron bit her lip. She was going to protect her house - even if she did things that she detested. The woman who's room Alexa was in looked up in curiosity. The moment their glowing eyes met, the young matron inclined her head. "Show me your talents." They needed more than physical protection.
-

Fayne trained with his students harder than ever. By the time he was finished, nearly everyone was out of breath. Not only had the weapon master taken each of them one by one, but the male prompted a group battle. He'd still beaten every single one of the drow that turned against him.
Just as the weapons for training were being stashed on their stands, Fayne recieved a message. Selk had sent yet another messenger to call him to the throne room. With a grim smile, the tall male looked to Holly. "Selk calls for me once again." As though I were her lap dog. . . . He pulled his cloak over his shoulders before heading for the door briskly. "I'll be as quick as I can."

Despite how quick Fayne intended to be, Selk placed a new burden over his shoulders. Not only did his job require training the Toshiba household, but doing whatever the matron pleased. She was sending him out to kill some rumored escapees. Apparently a few children had escaped one of their house desecrations.
Knowing how much Fayne despised the killing of the youth, Selk put him up to the task of hunting them down. With an evil smile, she waved him away . . . and without his own prompting, the male felt his feet moving for him. As he left the house, he glanced back at the Faery-Fire lit balconies. There is no single entity that I hate more than you.

He would seek the children out . . . but he would not lift a blade against them. Just as he had the last time, he would break away from Selk's control . . . and she would find out far too late. The youth would be out of the matron's reach by the time she even sensed that Fayne had broken away from her leash.

Kiric's planning was as stressful as it could possibly be, with the rapidly increasing power of the Toshiba household growing, the weapon master had to come up with a crafty plan to preserve his home. To his surprise he had received word that Alexa was doing the same and that gave him a brief sigh of relief although not enough to allow him to rest easy. He looked over his maps and how their elven home had transformed almost overnight. Entire houses had been erased from the books and it was all thanks to the Toshiba matron Selk. The Vai'on assassin had taken sent spies to her home to gather Intel on her force so that there was a general idea how powerful they were and the reports were shocking. It seemed that she herself was quite an adept fighter unlike Alexa and she had amazing generals that made her successful. The two most dangerous of all her subordinates was a half breed who was said to be highly volatile by the name of Vik and a fellow drow by the name of Fayne.

Based off of his reports it seemed that Fayne was highly rebellious against matron Toshiba for some reason, and this was the most useful information to Kiric by far. If there was some way that he could reach Fayne and find out what his problem with his matron was, maybe he could gain a powerful ally for Alexa. So that would be his new focus for now, to try and get a secret audience with the one called Fayne. Although, this would be troublesome to accomplish if matron Toshiba didn't trust the male as she would be likely to keep an eye on him, but there had to be a way...

---

Stalking the halls of the Toshiba house dimly lit by the magical faery fires, Vik had spent the last few days in solitude. He had now mastered the language of the drow and had studied their history extensively, while of course making time to feed when necessary. He hadn't seen the matron since their last conquest and something inside him longed for her and it made him feel uncomfortable. It was true that he wanted to see her but it seemed that there was more to this feeling than that. Trying his best to keep the internal conflict at a minimal the fairly tall and lean male went out to the training yard and stretched his limbs. When he arrived he noticed Fayne taking on all of his student at once in a group, and nodding his head in approval, the assassin admitted that the elf was talented. Fayne's power and speed was not on the same level as his own but his skill was no less that admirable and impressive. Once the bout was over the half breed resumed his short stretch before a warm up. He was tight, obviously from all his studying over the past few days, and now his body was itching to be exercised. Grabbing two of the training swords Vik immediately went to work refining his blade technique, for some reason it bothered him to see how Fayne was more refined than him even if he didn't have the natural talent to match.

The golden eyed half breed spent the next hour working up a good sweat and somehow really unsatisfied with how his training had went. 'What's wrong with me? Why do I feel so... unbalanced?' The though burned through him like a wildfire through a forest and gave his body a strong feeling of restlessness. Putting the swords away, the male needed to find a place for peace and tranquility, however contradictory that was to his natural state.

Vik roamed the halls of the Toshiba house until he came to the room that was given to him originally. The sweat he had worked up was gone and his bones still carried that unnerving restless feeling giving him anxiety. Sitting down in the darkness against the wall with both his arms and legs crossed, he closed his eyes slowly and his breathing slowed within a few minutes. He soon found himself on a desolate battlefield, no chaos, no havoc, no nothing... just him. There were corpses of all the legions of slain foes that his hands had laid to rest and as he walked through them, he noticed that they were all watching him. Unphased by the ominous glares that he received Vik continued to walk until he found a man. Long black hair flowing in the breeze that carried the stench of the long deceased. Strong golden eyes that intimidated even the strongest of souls and a physique that was not unlike his own.

The man opened his mouth and began to speak but no words came out. It was as if he was mute, but that wasn't the thing that struck the half breed. What the half breed noticed was the fangs that were protruding out from the pink gum of the other male. It was then that he realized whom he was looking eye to eye at... his own Father.

Holly sat on the floor, out of the way, watching the others train just as wide-eyed as normal. Her mind was in a state of awe at how they all were and how amazing Fayne was. There was something about that fighting that Holly knew she couldn't ever quite understand. It was as if he was a whole different person when training then when he was talking to her.

As he left Holly nodded and waved goodbye to him. Slowly she stood and looked around the room, before walking to Selk's throne room. "Hey Matron Selk? Are you busy?" She asked slightly bowing her head before looking at the woman. "If you're not, I was wondering if you could help me train. So that maybe I could surprise Fayne when he gets back." Holly paused and tilted her head slightly. "It would mean a lot to me. You see he normally tries to help me between other drow, but he doesn't have very much time, and I'm afraid I haven't learned all to much."

(okeydokey. Feel better soon. :hug:)

(okay that's fine XD we can wait :))

(Take ya time, no hurry ^_^ )

((-_-' You guys are so patient with me. *sighs* I'm always ditching in here now! :sarcasm: Thanks for waiting!

Oooo, intense moment for Vik. :eager:))

"You want me to train you," Selk repeated, holding up the blade she was examining so it would catch in the dim light. Her slender form was decorated in what appeared to be painted webs. The silvery paint made her movements seem other-wordly - it was her delicately painted face that changed her the most. The Toshiba matron looked . . . kind.
"Are you so sure that your friend cannot do it?" Selk passed the thin sword to the nearest handmaiden. Muttering something about it being a pathetic attempt at a weapon, she then focused on Holly. "What have you learned already, if any of it has stuck in your head?" The drow's voice dripped with hardly concealed mockery, and her glowing eyes caught on the vampire.
-

"People are starting to disappear," Alexa blurted. She had just burst into the room where Kiric dwelled, her red eyes wide. She was beginning to get worried. Her eyes might have given away her fear, but the rest of her spoke of eagerness. I want this to end. The only way for that to happen would be if she stepped up and defended her house . . . or had lain down to die.
"What should I do now?" the young matron asked, her small hands clenched into fists. Alexa moved to stand near her only trusted friend, her glowing eyes darting about as she thought. "Selk now rules almost half the city. The only ones that aren't with her are rogues and high houses. The rogues will join her soon for fear of destruction . . . but where does that place us?" The only reason they were in the position of a high household was because of Alexa's mother - she'd been a matron worthy of the title.

"Fayne could, if he had more time. I don't know." Holly stated, she blushed slightly at Selk's comment but wasn't ashamed. She hadn't ever been in a place where she needed to know how to defend herself. Fayne wasn't going to be around her all the time down here, and it could be dangerous. The vampire looked over to Selk and sighed slightly. "Well, I, uh, he didn't teach me that much with wepons so I don't remember that. But he taught me a little bit about defending myself and fighting without wepons. I haven't had to much time though." Holly nodded slightly noticing the painting on Selk's skin. It looked like Fayne's, only not quite as odd to her. Maybe it was just because she was used to Fayne's and Selk's hadn't been there before. "Will you help? Please?"

Kiric sat quietly through Alexa's outburst, and shook his head as he stood and placed a soothing hand on the woman's delicate shoulder, "Calm yourself matron. How would the rest of the house react if they saw you in such a panic right now?" It was a good thing that no one was allowed in his office unannounced aside from her. Walking around the desk he stood next to the shorter elf and leaned back onto the front end, "I can understand your distress believe me, this turn of events is... unnerving." The male sat there silently and thought to himself about what could be done and what they should do but there was only a few measure that could be taken and they be effective. Looking the matron in the face but slightly below eyes trying to focus mainly on her cheekbone region the male added, "Well, we are allied with them so thankfully their eyes are blind to our activities for the most part but I've taken steps to ensure that we know what they're up to at all times."

It was then that a knock on the door came and Kiric answered it without allowing the servant inside to their meeting. When he heard what the man had to say, a devious smile came to his lips. It would seem that fortune was on their side as a prime opportunity was upon them. Excusing the servant the male turned and looked to his matron with a solemn look on his face as he returned to his previous position. Now looking her in the eyes Kiric placed a hand softly on her cheek, "Alexa, I have a favor to ask of you... in regards to the future of this house. One of matron Toshiba's generals is wandering the streets alone. I would like for you to go talk to him, and appeal to his sense of honor and humility. I'm sure he will come around as he seems to disagree with the methods that his leader takes. If you just be yourself and talk to him not as a matron but as a person, I'm sure he'll come around."

---

Once the realization set in it was followed by a strong sense of fear and desperation... Vance was the only being on earth that Vik had ever been afraid of in all his years. The vampire's strength was so enormous that it was almost as if looking death straight in the eye with no chance of escape. Following the realization of the man was the thunderous tune that was his voice. "It's been a while has it not boy?" Trying his hardest not to tremble in fear of the stronger male, the assassin replied, "Not long enough. Now, why do you plague me with your presence?" The older being let out a laugh that frighten even the most hardened of warriors, "Is that any way to speak to your father dear boy?" Vik's eyes narrowed at the notion but he made no reply to the man's words. Disregarding the fact that the child didn't answer Vance continued, "You look like you're doing well, almost like you've learned a thing or two from me. Is that true?" The half breed met his father's remark with a scoff, "You taught me the ways of a killer and yet you doubt if I've learned anything?" Shaking his head at his son the elder countered, "Do not mock me child, just because I played the roll of the teacher does not mean that you played your role of the student." Vik averted his eyes from the man, remembering how much he hated the authority in his voice and how he lacked the courage to stand up to him face to face.

Anger flaring when he saw the gesture Vance calmly barked out, "Look at me when I'm talking to you boy! This is why I know you have yet to learn and why you are never going to learn. You will spend your entire eternal life suffering from being inadequate." Hearing these words made Vik fly into a rage and snap back at the man that had oppressed him in his youth, "And what makes you think I'm in any way inadequate? You know nothing about me and never understood me in any way you old fool and that is why you lay dead!" Keeping his anger in check Vance replied back in a poisonous tone, "No, the reason I lay dead is because the coward in front of me never had the balls to try and take me on man to man. Nor will he ever..."

Without thinking the half breed's body reacted to his father's taunt and he threw a clenched fist, that to his dismay, was caught. "Well, what a pleasant surprise. It seems you have found a little gall after all, but no brains to go along." Vik tried to pry his fist from Vance's grip to no avail and was caught unprepared for the rib cracking fist that found its mark. Vance let his son go and looked down on him as he chocked on his own blood. His eyes held that same distant glare that had haunted the assassin all the years of his youth and gave him debilitating nightmares on nights. When he was finally able to catch his cough, the half breed looked up to his father and revealed a smile covered in blood right before he spat at his feet. Then the punishment commenced. Vance beat the younger male until he was barely within an inch of his life. Vik laid at the stronger man's feet, bloody and a shell of his usual self, and soon found himself being lifted by the hair. "You were never going to be good enough to take my mantle so you decided to steal it from me. If it weren't for your mother I've done this when I first realized you couldn't succeed me." Extending his arms back in the sort of fashion that you would in order to thrust your fingers at another beings throat, the blue eyed vampire readied the final strike. Looking at his son who still manged to keep a defiant look in his eye he whispered, "See you in hell..."

Just as the strike reached his neck Vik found himself panting with his hand at his throat staring into the darkness that was his room. His skin was glazed with an unusual amount of sweat and he still felt a light sensation of the beating he received. Even in death he torments me...

"I have a few moments of spare time," Selk said with a low laugh. She didn't bother tossing her short cloak to the side, but instead pushed it over one shoulder. "Perhaps you will catch on to a woman's teaching faster than that of a male." Though her tone was condencending, it was hatred that drove the comment. Fayne had really been getting on her nerves lately.
The tall matron took a slow breath before motioning for Holly to follow her to the middle of the throne room. With enough open space to move, the dark elf nodded. "It's wise to learn with weapons," Selk said, a blade appearing in each of her hands. "Males have an abominable advantage over us with their strength." She tossed one dagger to the vampire.

"Let me show you how to hold it." It was then that Selk (for the first time) offered Holly a slight smile that held no malice. Interested in improving the vampire's skills, the black-skinned woman began to softly teach her. Perhaps you truly can learn our methods.
-

"If my people saw me, they would doubt my abilities." Alexa calmed down as Kiric spoke, taking a few deep breaths to steady herself once again. She didn't want to fall back to childhood. Many times she'd clung to her mother's leg, or even Kiric's pocket (if and when he'd allowed her to) when she was a child. I am no longer a toddler. I can control myself better than that.
By the time Kiric's hand left her shoulder, the young woman was composed. Her glowing eyes shot to the door when she heard movement, but kept her mouth shut until her friend returned. Curiousity nearly killed her while she waited for the male to speak.

The warm hand that met her cheek made Alexa frown in thought. It was Kiric's eyes that made her freeze. This was the only male that had ever looked at her like that. She was so startled, that the young matron nearly missed what was being said. By the time she snapped to, her fingers reached up to touch Kiric's.
"Part of the Toshiba house?" she repeated, blinking a few times in shock. "Just . . . talk? As me?" Alexa shook her head slightly. "I . . ." The pause that followed was short, and resolve slowly re-entered her crimson gaze. "If it will help us, then it must be done." Honestly, the thought of going out into the streets made her cringe - but it was necessary. If the Vai'on family was to survive, they needed to stop Selk from gathering further allies. It wouldn't be long before no one could stand against her.

((O_o' Whoa, Vik. *shudder* I would hate to have that kind of past . . . and dreams that relive it. *cringe*))

"Selk...I'm a vampire. If I knew how to use it, I'd be just as strong as a male..." She took the dagger carefully in her hand. Sell had definatly tried to teach her some of this before, her mind just didn't quite remember everything. "Thanks." She stated shifting her grip on the blade to hold it more like Selk did. "Is this right?" Holly asked quietly, looking for Selk's input. This was amazing to her, for once it seemed that Selk actually didn't mind being nice to her. Holly wasn't even trying to be extra good like normal, and for some reason it was really easy to get along with the Matron.

(He has an interesting past... no? lol ^_^)

Kiric smiled warmly, a fake smile to any other drow, but modestly real when aimed at Alexa as he nodded, "Yes, I want you to simply be you." Feeling Alexa's touch had sent an unfamiliar feeling through the red eyed male's body. It was distracting to an extent but he forcefully rejected the feeling, he had other things to worry about. The weapon master figured that her being herself would be the easiest way to keep her out of danger as well as get them what they needed. If Fayne was anything like the reports he was receiving then this plan should have a chance at success but even he had no idea how much good it would do. All the man knew was that this was an opportunity that he was unwilling to pass on and that they needed to take advantage of it no matter the outcome. There was always the possibility that Fayne would turn out to be loyal and he could run home to Selk and reveal this plot but, that was a situation Kiric was ready to handle should it arise. Pulled from the whirl of thoughts, Kiric focused back on Alexa with a strange emotion in his eyes.

He allowed his fingers to slide down the woman's face until they rested beneath her chin. Unconsciously he admired the soft features that the young Vai'on matron had grown to have. Suddenly, an unnerving thought struck the elf; he had never mated with a woman before which was probably why he was reacting this way. Never had he felt a woman's touch... it was new to him. Finding the thought unpleasant in many ways, Kiric almost angrily pressed the thoughts and emotions to the back of his mind. He had to put on this act for Alexa in order to save this house but hopefully this would not weaken him in return. Finally ready to speak again Kiric asked, "Would you like for me to accompany you Alexa, as your bodyguard?"

Memories of the past came surging back as he thought of when she was just a young girl and he was tasked with the job of protecting her. The years had been kind to her, not so much for him, as she had never seen some of the danger than he fought off to keep her safe. He had almost lost his life more than once in his youth looking over the future matron. The thoughts brought back a serene smile that he was unable to pull back in time to hide its existence or the realization that he truly cared for her.

---

I must be losing it... Standing up weakly, Vik had found himself oddly tired and to honestly in need of some pleasant company. He had thought it would be better to avoid Selk for the time being but it turned out that maybe he needed to see her more than he originally thought. The half breed was hoping that this wasn't the first signs of a dependency developing in him, the thought of something like that happening to him was simply disgusting and unbearable. Walking down the corridors of the ever expanding halls of the Toshiba household, Vik was unaware of the glances that he got. He had no idea that his eyes were almost lifeless and he walked around in a daze that was uncharacteristic of himself.

His first stop was the throne room and when he arrived he was told that the matron was not there so he promptly moved on to his next destination. Finding her personal chambers wasn't difficult as he had been there many times in the past but again he came to notice that her presence was absent from this area as well so naturally, he kept searching. With her not being in her usual two spots the male thought about going to the magic wing but elected instead to go admire the dedication that the black elves had towards battle, this house especially so. When he arrived, he saw a scene that was wildly out of the ordinary here, Holly and Selk together. On top of that their mannerisms seemed to suggest that they were actually getting along in earnest. Feeling weary Vik's golden eyes scanned the area for a dark corner to rest in where he could watch the events unfold and possibly hear what was going on. When he found a suitable area he promptly made his way there. It wasn't as concealing as he had wanted but it would do for the time being.

((Oh, yes. :)))

Alexa smiled, nodding. "That would be nice." The girl then took a deep breath and pulled her eyes toward the door. "We should go then. Before he gets back to Selk." Her red eyes met Kiric's for a moment more before she gave him a genuine grin. "I want to be back in time for dinner."
The young woman pulled away from the male's hand, giving one of his fingers a tug. "I can be myself. That isn't something you tell me often." Alexa laughed quietly, but looked honestly worried. Things will be fine. Now that Kiric is with me, everything will be just fine.

The two of them left the house soon after, Alexa walking at an easy pace beside her friend. Fayne was just another drow - but it was his pace that pointed him out. The male kept his hood down, weapons easily within reach, and gaze lifted. When she saw him, Alexa cast a questioning glance to Kiric. "Is that him?" They weren't far behind him . . . Fayne picked up on their presense swiftly.
-

Is Selk watching me even now? The weapon master kept expression off of his features. The glowing web of scars that covered his eyes and cheeks signalled that he was on a "mission" for Selk - that didn't mean he was listening. A young child followed him closely, a cloak wrapped about her form tightly. This was the last survivor of a destroyed house; the youth that Selk had sent him to kill. Fayne was going to get her to safety, even if it meant endangering himself in the process.
Discreetly glancing to the two figures he thought to be following him, the tall male drew his new companion closer. "Step lightly. We need to keep moving."
-

"Good," Selk said with a nod. It was then that she slowly began to prompt the vampire to use a correct stance. Working on footing and movement wasn't easy - but it was more important that wielding a weapon. The matron kept her tone softer than usual, guiding Holly until she eventually caught on to what was being taught.
"Don't let me hit you," the dark elf said with a smile. With a sudden advancement, Selk slapped the woman's arm with the flat of her blade. "Move quickly - you have more speed than I could ever manage."

((Aaaand she never noticed Vik enter. :sweat:))

Kiric nodded in agreement with her request to be back at dinner time, something he too wished to accomplish if possible and then again when she pointed out the freedom he'd given her. They set out soon afterwards and the male keeping a nice and easy walking pace with the matron while keeping his eyes peeled for their target. It wasn't long before they spotted him and he nodded to confirm Alexa's suspicions. He met the description that had been given but he had not been told that the male was under a control spell... this could be used to their advantage. He had a child companion with him, but the reason's for this was unknown. Did Selk secretly have an heir? This almost made the elf want to charge and attack but there was no evidence to support his question, so he had to tread on thin ice for now. "Alexa, we have to be careful. I was no informed about him traveling with a child so he will be weary of our presence. We should reach out to him, but not make him feel threatened."

(That's fine he's just minding his own business right now.)

"Okay," Alexa said quietly. Watching as Fayne took the girl's hand, the young matron frowned. "Isn't that D'Nara?" Without waiting for a response from her friend, Alexa stepped forward. "Excuse me?"

Fayne frowned, turning his attention to the approaching woman. She had been one of the two that were trailing him, but the fact that she approached in such a manner made his mind reel. Who do you think you are? His silver gaze locked on Alexa, and he pulled D'Nara behind him protectively. "What do you need?" he asked, looking wary as he kept a hand on the child's arm.
"Where are you taking her?" the matron asked, her red eyes full of worry. "Please say she isn't in danger." It was then that a thought struck her. D'Nara's house had just fallen. Alexa's voice dropped suddenly, and she felt her breath quicken. "You wouldn't . . . you couldn't . . . " Her eyes filled with sad tears as she met Fayne's gaze. Certainly he wasn't going to kill her in silence?

Seeing the young woman's expression, Fayne hesitated. His fingers traced over the hilt of a blade - he was going to protect this child even if it meant trouble. The weapon master froze when Alexa looked distressed about D'Nara's safety. "Who's asking?" he breathed, watching the stranger's features contort with sorrow.
With a deep breath, the girl bit her lip. "Alexa. I'm a friend of D'Nara's."
His practiced hand slid away from his blade. Thoughtful, the male scanned the street. "I won't harm this child. You shouldn't draw attention to my presense here."

Kiric was silent as Alexa made her move and he made no effort to stop her but he did elect to close the gap that had been made between them. Fayne was obviously on edge and the Vai'on house couldn't afford to lost their matron over a gamble. Stepping up to stand beside Alexa the male waited until there was a break in the chatting to try and get their point across, "Fayne, we just want a brief audience with you." He looked at Alexa and gave her a reassuring smile, "Leave the girl with me for a moments time and speak with Alexa, there are some matters of which you should discuss..."

The weapon master wondered if the male remembered him or rather if he even saw him at the time that they made their alliance. He was sure that the monster the Toshiba house held had seen him but not him. But he soon banished the thoughts there were more pressing matters at hand.

No doubt Alexa would be nervous as this was her first time a true diplomacy and she had to do it alone, for Kiric was too willing to kill to give off the impression that was needed. So he would watch over D'Nara until the chat had ended. Speaking only loud enough for his matron to hear he told her, "Remember, try to appeal to his sensitive side and I can see now that he is under the works of a control spell. Offer to have it removed for him and I'll work out the details with him if he accepts. And lastly, be yourself. He won't be able to resist." Having given her the last bit of advice he could give the male looked at Fayne, "You have the word of the Vai'on house that the girl will not be harmed." Hopefully that would be enough.

Alexa beamed a nervous smile, and bowed her head to Fayne in reassurance. I can do this on my own if Kiric thinks I can. Knowing that the male thought she would succeed made her far more willing to do so. "You have my word that D'Nara will come to no harm with him. He is trustworthy." Such words were rarely said in the Underdark - and they were never true. Seeing the conviction on Alexa's face was what made Fayne nod slowly.
Muttering something to D'Nara, he ensured that the girl (a child of perhaps ten) was within Kiric's care. "I don't have long," the man said. Looking to Alexa, the weapon master cleared his throat. "Walk with me. It will seem less . . . conspiritory." It was then that the tall drow glanced to D'Nara again before turning to walk slowly down the street. His silver gaze lingered on the few elves that paused to watch him pass. This had better not be some sort of trick.

Alexa shot Kiric a small grin before moving after Fayne. She was speaking in hushed tones before she ever caught up with the drow. She hadn't been the most diplomatic member of the Vai'on house . . . but her kindness made up for it in many ways. Alexa had the heart of a surface dweller - one that was akin to Fayne's spirit. The two of them were talking easily within a few minutes, and Fayne seemed to be genuinely interested in what Alexa had to say. His glowing scars weren't the only thing that set him apart from the others around him - it was his yearning for virtues that other drow scoffed at.
"I can shelter D'Nara," Alexa offered after a few moments of peaceful silence. She watched as the weapon master turned to face her for the first time.
"You are either very naive, or too trusting for your own good, M'lady." With a small bow, Fayne sighed. "I will speak with you again soon. I must be returning before Selk notices I'm still missing." He said nothing about accepting her offer of peace - nothing about Alexa's thoughts toward Selk. Indeed, his expression showed that he didn't mind the girl's presense in the least. But whether or not he would help the dying breeds of the city, he gave no opinion.

Slipping his way toward D'Nara, the drow gave Kiric a small smile. "She isn't like the rest of us," he whispered. Taking the child's hand again, he bowed his head to the male. "I will contact you soon. I don't think it is the right time." The increased glowing about his features showed that the spell was beginning to take hold again - Fayne didn't want to risk the safety of the two strangers. He would talk to them later when Selk wasn't being so pressing.

Kiric took the girls hand as she came to him and gave Alexa one last reassuring smile as she departed with Fayne, leaving him to entertain D'Nara. Luckily, Kiric knew quite a bit about the young elf's family and passed the time telling the girl the history and some tales he thought would be interesting to her. D'Nara listened in to Kiric with the wide eyes of a girl fascinated by the tales being told and the orator could tell it was soothing a heart full of despair. On the inside the male was full of disgust that he had to put up with such a tedious task but it was for the sake of the Vai'on house and they desperately needed this done. It was not long before the two returned and Fayne retrieved the girl. Nodding to the fellow drow's words he replied, "I know." Kiric almost told him that he had spies in the house of Toshiba but that was a piece of information he was unwilling to part with just yet, he wasn't sure if he could be trusted just yet, "Do what you must." He watched for a moment as Fayne departed then looked to Alexa, "You did well I see. I knew you could do it." What happened next even Kiric couldn't foresee, he walked over to the woman and placed a kiss on her lips... He wasn't sure what had compelled him to do so but the deed was done. When their lips parted he stared at the woman but didn't speak.

((:XD I'll have to post later! I have to go, but I HAD to read this!))

{O.O I read the last line of your post "Kiric couldn't foresee, he walked over to the woman and placed a kiss on her lips..." I was like what the heck? And had to go read everything up to there xD}

The vampire nodded standing as she was told, and moving her body the way Selk told her to. The matron didn't even seem to be getting annoyed at the fact Holly had no idea what she was doing. The girls hand was still onto the dagger, much tighter than needed, but as a vampire Holly never actually realized her own strenght.

Holly nodded her head and watched Selk's hand carefully, along with the rest of her just in case she pulled another blade from somewhere. Her movements were just stepping to the side, ducking, or stepping back as often as she needed to. Something moved out of the corner of her eye and she quickly glanced over, almost expecting to see Fayne coming back in. By the time she refocused on Selk relizing it was just Vik she had to quickly duck out of the way again. It was funny that Selk didn't notice him, but then again he was part vampire, maybe the whole not much body heat thing affected that.