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Seek and Ye Shall Find
Raina Annette Dagrun was known as knowledgeable by some but merely obsessed by others. She always had her nose in a book and was chasing down information on this or that myth. In recent years, however, it was not such a literal chase. Due to an illness which caused damage to her heart she could not do anything too physically laborious or she would end up with darkening vision and on rare occasion fainting. So she was trapped in an inn at a sleepy little town in the middle of a tropical rain forest. She could not even safely journey home... not that she wanted to. She was too close to her dream...
So as usual at noon she sat by the window at the Broken Cup Inn enjoying her usually green tea and a good book. She was an odd sight in the inn of perfectly ordinary travelers, though not really due to her appearance. She had medium brown hair that looked rather a drab dull color until the light hit the hidden blond in it just right and wasn't perfectly beautiful or long. Her dark blue eyes hiding behind wire framed glasses were perfectly human and so was her skin, even if it was rather pale from illness. She was not particularly tall or short but rather average at not quite 5'7' as well. Her breasts were a little larger then average was the only thing that remotely stood out about her perfectly average build as well. Even her black cat familiar looked perfectly normal as it slept curled up on her lap. No what drew ones eyes was her staff. Not because of how it looked though it was crafted beautifully but rather how it behaved. It floated next to her like a silver ghost with the blue gems upon it's surface glittering slightly, the dragon on its top peering at anyone who got to close with its wings out stretched. It stood ever ready to tear into any who approached. It was likely animated by her own magic, as she was known to be an enchanter. If the relaxed way she read and her innocent eyes were any sign, it was not made to guard her per say. No, what it guarded was the large opal that hung around her throat. It did look valuable and the gem itself was likely worth a lot of money but it's true worth was beyond estimation. It was one of three keys that could be used to open a lock to a treasure that could grand one's greatest wish. It was the kind of thing that easily attracted thieves, not that any in the village were foolish enough to try. Her body was weak but her magic was more powerful then her love for books... and that was saying something! The book she was reading now, however, didn't seem to be interesting her too much as her eyes lifted to gaze out the window. A soft sigh parted her naturally pink lips and she leaned forward on an elbow. She fell into a day dream, as she often did and her tea began to grow cold...not that she'd notice or particularly care. She loved green tea hot or cold! As long as it was sweet she was happy... |
((Picture because I have one ^^ though it's not very good... I keep meaning to re-draw him. Also, I'm sorry this took so long >< ))
Silthryk Lithonion had always considered himself be an 'accidental'(though still excellent) rogue. His quick mind, silver tongue and dexterous fingers made the roll fall naturally onto his shoulders, not to mention he was an clan-less outcast, a half-elf with no home to call his own. Didn't that just set him up to be an outlaw? He really hadn't a say in the matter, if you asked him. Still, no matter how he explained it to the guards of the last town, they had been intent on seeing him swing. Well, they probably still are, come to think of it. With miles of thick, dangerous forest between him and the town, though, he hardly had to worry. They would take the roads that made long, winding trails that took at least a week to travel. By cutting through the dense jungle, he had a few day's leeway, just enough time to regain his footing on his self-appointed quest. This lead him to the door of the inn called the Broken Cup, where he hoped to find the one person in this country that might be able to actually help him. Taking a breath, he relaxed his shoulders, flicked his hair behind his shoulder, then pushed open the door. His took a few moments to adjust, his pupils overtaking the spring green irises then shrinking back to a normal size. Once he could see properly, his gaze was immediately drawn to the staff hovering next to a brunette woman who seemed to be just staring out the nearby window. A quick search of the rest of the room told him that she was indeed the person he was looking for. A smile crossed his lips and he took a few steps away from the door, only to freeze as the dragon on the staff turned to look at him. His eyes narrowed a touch and he watched it as he quietly moved closer. Once he had determined the staff was probably hostile, he turned his attention back on the pale young woman. "That's quite the impressive enchantment." he said, his voice holding a warm, appreciative tone as he walked close enough for conversation bur far enough away the staff did not attack. |
((I like the picture xD. He looks yummy <3))
Raina looked up slowly, blushing slightly at a combination of the compliment and the fact he was handsome. It wasn't so much that she'd never seen a handsome man before as much as it was that she was surprised suddenly with a attractive man suddenly complimenting her. She did manage to give him a slight smile, however, and regain herself in a few moments. As she did so she closed her book to indicate she wasn't busy and waved to the opposing chair as she figured he wanted to speak with her. Few would dare incur the wrath of her staff otherwise. "Thank you, It is harmless though... as long as you don't try to take anything of mine. I... assume you wish to speak with me?" She said quietly. Her voice held a slight accent that didn't sound like it belonged. It was difficult to quite guess but it seemed to have a slightly western quality hidden beneath the cultured tones that created quite a contrast. She gave him a warm smile as she spoke but honestly she was inwardly a little guarded. He was very good looking so she knew he wasn't simply talking to her because he thought she was cute... he wanted something. What she didn't know, but something. Of course... part of her hoped he wanted something very specific. She hoped they were on the same quest and naively believed they could work together. |
(( XD I like it too, but you know, just because he's shirtless in the picture doesn't mean he's shirtless in the RP, I would think he would have at least a vest on. ))
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(hey you've had characters who would soooo run around shirtless xD but there, fixed it :P))
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(( Lol, You're right, I have, and Sil is actually one of them, but he knows how to be more polite too.... mostly. XD ))
Sil gave a quiet "ah" to her explanation, then a nod as he moved closer, looking her over. She certainly looked like his informant had described, and she had the definite feel of magic about her. His eyes strayed to the opal at her throat for a moment, but didn't linger long, nothing to raise alarm. She was nothing extraordinary in appearance, but it made him believe in her power even more. She could change her appearance with spells and enchantments, but didn't, a good sign she had a level head and decent moral compass. Giving her a winning smile, he nodded again and slipped the bag from his shoulder. "Well, if you are Miss Raina Dagrun, then yes. I hear you are the local- no, the leading academic on lost artifacts." He said, leaving off the name of the legendary artifacts purposefully. If she was the person he was looking for, she would know what he was talking about so he saw no reason to invite fraud. There were too many that would readily give you false information for a few coins. |
Raina shifted slightly as he looked her over, showing one of the many reasons she would never be interested in using her magic to increase her looks. She simply didn't know what to do with the attention. Her intelligence often brought her attention but the more subtle kind she could ignore fairly easily. Intense study or long looks like more beautiful people often received made her want to run away. Still, she did manage to hide it enough to return his smile with a warm, if cautious, one of her own.
"I ... wouldn't say I'm anything so grand. I do know a few things though about this and that. Is there anything in particular you seek?" She responded thoughtfully, her hand absently going to play with the opal on her throat. It was a simple gesture, easily dismissed as nervousness. It did help keep her calm yes, but part of her wondered if he knew what it was. Few did... and even fewer knew how to find the other two. She had scrounged up a few leads but was not healthy enough to grab them herself. As she looked into those jade eyes of his it was hard not to trust him... but that made her know she needed to keep her guard up even more. The prettier the package, the easier to hide ugliness with. He could be just another fortune hunter who sought to talk her out of artifacts or try to get information on this or that local treasure to take it for their own gain. She didn't mind helping out an adventurer or two but there were secrets she trusted only herself with for good reason. Still, if he did seek the same things she was perhaps they could work together... |
Silthryk gave a short laugh, though his eyes followed the movement of her hand. "Nothing so grand, hm? Well you're still the only thing I've got, Miss Dagrun, therefore the grandest." He said, moving to stand beside the table so he could speak a bit quieter while making sure he was heard. "My name is Silthryk Lithonion, and I am seeking something on the legendary scale... The three artifacts of the Oracle." He said, his tone serious and sincere. He was laying himself on the line now, and if she was a fraud, he could only hope she was not a well-practiced one and would slip up.
Still.... he had a feeling she was the real thing and that opal... there was something odd about it that he couldn't place, but his gut told him it was important and his instinct rarely lead him wrong. He watched her carefully now, sharp eyes catching any tell-tale facial expressions or body language. |
His continuing to call her miss felt strange to her, having become use to everyone here becoming casual enough to call her Raina. Any thought to suggest he call her Raina fled as he spoke of the oracle. She felt her heart leap into her throat and she bit her lip a moment. Her hand grew still against the open and for a moment her eyes searched his as if debating if she could trust him. Was he the sort of man she'd want to lead there? She didn't know, but she knew her only way to repair her heart was to do so... so finally she nodded.
"Well....then it seems you're a lucky man. You just found one and i will allow you use of it as well as give you the clues i have found to the location of the other two under one condition. I have sought the oracle for many years to try and recover my health. If i help you find the oracle you must take me with you." She said simply, her tone final as she laid out her single condition. She watched him as she spoke, the innocence gone momentarily from her eyes and replaced with so many things. Distrust, hope, the desire to believe, and weariness... all mixed so delicately. Of course she didn't mention she was wearing the artifact in question, though her hand subtly tightened around it. She didn't know him well enough yet ot be sure he wasn't the kind of man to just reach out and try to take it. As if in reaction to her uncertainty and emotion the dragon on her staff stired and the cat in her lap awoke. Both eyed him with suspicion in defense of their beloved mistress. |
Silthryk's smile widened with an almost childish joy as she explained that she had one already as well as clues to the others, but when she stated her conditions of the sharing of information, he couldn't help but simply blink at her for a moment. He had expected to make a payment of some sort, or to offer his skills in return for hers, but for her to come with... could she survive out in the jungle? She seemed too frail, and had just admitted she was ill... He looked to the black cat that was now glaring at him then to the staff, his ears drooping bit as he was unnerved by the eyes on him. But then he looked to her eyes, the mesh of emotions raw in her eyes.
He looked to the table, then, brows furrowing slightly as he tried to sort out his thoughts and weigh the situation. However, like so many times before and surely more to come, his heart quickly won out over his mind and the words started to slip from his lips before he could think further. "You.. You're ill, but you're still willing to make the journey. You are willing to trust a stranger to help you out in the wilderness and risk death on the chance you may get better.... I have to say I admire that, Miss Dagrun. Some may call it naivety, some stupidity, but it shows me the passion and determination you have." he said, looking back up to her with a smile. His instinct told him this was right, and his heart told him to help her, so he listened, logic be damned. "Do we have an agreement, then, Miss Dagrun?" he asked, lifting his arm to hold out a tattooed hand for her to shake. |
The wait for him to make up his mind was of course only seconds but to her it felt like an eternity. She knew it was dangerous and foolish... but being trapped by her illness was something she simply couldn't take. She could not even give her family back home what they needed as she was, and she'd give anything to change it. Passion...determination, maybe he was right to call it these things... her family would have called it stubbornness. Still as he spoke she could only give him a warm smile no matter what he called it.
"We do... I'll show you the object in my room. I may as well pack now and arrange to pay my bill" She said quietly as she hesitantly shook his hand. Her touch was light as a feather and her skin the unmarred hands of someone who worked more with books then tools. Her hands were almost dainty with long thin fingers and lengthy fingernails, they felt even more delicate to her in his stronger hand. She pushed away the thought, however, and slowly withdrew her hand. She then turned to put the book away in her bag and glanced at her tea thoughtfully. "Perhaps... we should have a meal first? You look like you've had a bit of a journey" She suddenly said thoughtfully and looked over him. She seemed actually concerned, being a fairly caring individual. She was anxious to get going but he likely needed food and rest. It could wait a bit. |
(( I had thought you went to bed, it had said you were offline for a while, sorry ^^' ))
While her hands told of a life behind books, his told a much more active tale, one of someone who is not afraid to use their own two hands to get something done, and perhaps a reckless nature. He gave her another warm smile that showed his boyish nature and good looks as he nodded in agreement to the showing of the item in a more private setting. At the mention of food, his ears seemed to perk up a touch. "Ah that sounds like a wonderful idea, but... er, I had been planning to take herbs to the local healer and sell them but I came here first, so I haven't a coin on me." He said apologetically as he held out his hands in a gesture to emphasize his statement. He had also been planning to do some pick-pocketing while in town but he doubted Raina would stand for something like that. He would just have to do his best to barter with the doctor and not get swindled. |
((I'll probably pm you when i'm heading to bed xD. though you realize neither of us has slept tonight and that's bad xD))
"I have plenty, so this meal is my treat. Enchanting... has payed well. So order what you wish" She responded with a wave of her hand. She actually seemed a little confused, as if she had expected to be paying for everything as she had technically recruited him for her quest. It seemed only fair to her that she pay for everything since he would be doing all the physically taxing tasks for her as well as biding his time waiting for her when she had to rest. For all her information and power his time was still valuable and she did not expect to get it for free. As she doubted her charms or 'good' looks compensated she would give what she did have in spades... money and magic. ((lame short post is laaaame xD but until he tells her what he wants her to order there's not much i can do xD so i use that as my excuse for my lameness.)) |
((Ah, well I actually have to get Ky up and moving so she can start her lessons in a hour, she's being more stubborn than usual. And yea, I realize... I know it's not good for me but with these nightmares, I don't want to sleep. >< *sigh* but I'll take a nap this afternoon. You should rest too, alright? Oh, and don't worry about the post ^^ it's just us so if we have a few one paragraph posts, no harm done, really.))
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((alright as long as you rest well >.< .... you need sleep whether you like it or not. xD. ))
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((Hai, I will. Hm... I'll probably just take a few shots of rum XD that'll relax me! ))
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((that's one way of doing things I suppose lol))
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((Heheh, yea but Mimi wouldn't be too happy with me. Ah well. *hug* I'll talk to you later, matte ja! ))
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((hugs tight* take care dear))
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((*kicks computer* I'll get an actual response up in a bit ^^' ))
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((It's short, but it's something ><' this is the best I've come up with for nearly two weeks so it's good enough, ne? ))
"Really?" He said excitedly before clearing his throat and regaining his composure. "I mean, if you're sure.... It's greatly appreciated." he said as he untied the leather thong that held the blade at his side to his belt. He leaned it and his bag against the wall beside him and sat down across from Raina, not noticing the slight confusion in her voice and features. His mind was far to preoccupied with the thought of a actual hot meal. He had been living off the land he traveled for so long he had nearly forgotten how a roast looked, let alone tasted. "Stew and bread, if it's available, would be wonderful." He said as he tucked his hair behind his ear and gave her another smile. There was something about this woman and the idea of another journey that made his heart flutter in anticipation. Maybe it was just the excitement of knowing his quest for the oracle is finally not proving to be totally futile. |
((it's not like my post was that awesome you know?))
Raina realized the duties she'd thought were hers without any need of discussion were not the same ones he assumed. He looked so surprised... was being offered a meal really so unusual? She tilted her head to the side, briefly wondering what life he must have lead. She didn't spend too much time on it, however, as her innocent nature always made her think people would tell her when he wanted her to know. She gave him a soft smile, however, and nodded to indicate she was sure. She stood, her cat moving to her shoulders with the seamless type of movement that only time could give. She would take her staff with her to keep it from doing anything it shouldn't and order Sil's meal as well as ask them to prepare her own bill. She would then return to the table with sil, the meal in her hands. The staff would float next to her as she held the meal in both hands. She would then set the meal in front of him with a warm smile before she sat back in her seat. "Eat up. I'll pay for the meals and equipment as payment for you keeping me safe and waiting when i have to rest hmm?" She finally suggested, clearly happy to soon be able to start. Her dream... and the fact he was good eye candy didn't hurt either. She then reached forward to take a sip of her tea and made a face as she'd forgotten it was cold. She liked cold tea but she had expected it to be warm so it had surprised her. |
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