Vik sat there listening though seemingly in his own world at the moment. He looked down at Selk with softened eyes as she sat back against him and grinned as she massaged his wrist, then he looked around the room at all the creatures she had gathered together. It was a rag tag bunch but a powerful assembly of being indeed and now they had two wood elves to add to the collection. Tomorrow would be an interesting day for them all.

Neam nodded, silently leaving the room to go to her own. She lay down and started meditating, slipping quietly into a light sleep quite quickly. Tomorrow would come all too soon, and she would need the rest.

Niam wasn't surprised that the redhaired woman guessed correctly at how much experience they had. Most of the siblings battles had been two on one, with four being the larest group they had ever fought. He wasn't about to admit this and decided to let the subject drop once her attention turned away from them. He was intrigued by her the most, though he wasn't sure if it was because he was actually interested in her or if he was fascinated by how engrossed she seemed to be in them.
Amastacia did her best to ignore the woman and all her questions. Instead she watched Selk and the only person among them who seemed to be in anyway decent. When the girl offered them a room she thanked her. Amastacia had no idea who Alex was or what room he stayed in either. "Could you take us there? We don't know which room that is."

Holly and Alex both stood. "Yup" Holly said. "Lets go." Alex added keeping an arm around her. Holl turned her head slightly. "Night Selk, night Vik." She said grinning at the love birds and walking out showing the two to Alex's room. "Here you go. If you need anything we're right across the hallway.

The twins followed Alex and Holly without saying goodbye to either Selk or Vik, not know what they should say even if they wanted to. They rushed out of the room as fast as they could and walked behind the obvious couple down the hall. Niam walked into the room immediately so he could avoid any conversation with Holly. Amastacia stayed behind for a second to speak with her because she seemed to be the nicest of them all. "Thank you. I'm sure we'll be fine. Sleep well." She wanted to ask Holly questions about what they had gotten themselves into but instead she slipped into the room and closed the door. They both took off the armor, leaving them with the clothes they had worn going into the Underdark.
"I call the bed," Niam joked trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm scared, Niam."
"I know. I'm sorry I got us into this. From now on don't listen to any of my ideas."
"I should have learned that years ago." She smiled. "Move over I want the bed," she said as she laid down on the mattress. It didn't matter how soft it was she was too tired to stay awake long.
"We'll wake up early to prepare, okay?" Niam turned to look at her and she was already asleep. He rubbed his face and sighed. "I'm such a fool." He took off his boots. He was glad that they bought his story and they still had the few items they stole from others rooms but he knew it wasn't enough. Once they woke up they would have to fight in a battle they were in no way prepared for and then hope that the Drow and her friends would keep their word. And even if they did make it back to the surface intact they would still be in trouble because they hadn't collected nearly close to what they needed. He didn't even want to think about all the other problems they had on the surface. Niam laid down on the bed and went to sleep.

Watching most of the people leave the room, Selk nodded to herself. "It is good to see some of them listening to my verdict," the woman said, smiling slightly. Glancing back to Vik, she sighed. "If I lose you in the fight tomorrow," she hissed, "I'm going to be disappointed in you for your lack of skill." Since he had refused to fight, Selk wasn't sure how good he was - but she didn't truly worry. She had a feeling he wasn't a weakling.
Slowly getting up, the woman stretched her arms over her head, yawning slightly. Even elves needed a bit of sleep every once in a while. "I will see the rest of you in the morning," she said, her red-glowing eyes flashing to each of the remaining individuals. Pausing on Vik, a hint of a smile crossed her features.
"I want that dinner tomorrow evening," she said, poking his chest with a slender finger. "So live through the fight, or I'm going to have a priestess raise you as a corpse so I can kill you again."
Spinning around, the leather-clad elf headed for her room for the night.
Almost time.

Holly and Alex walked back into their small room and sat down again. Alex fell asleep leaning on her arm as she held his hand staring at the wall afraid she would loose him. As a full vampire she didn't need sleep or any time to rest. It worked out mostly except times like this. Sometimes she wanted to dream of happy things not the horror that could be waiting ahead. She knew in her heart something bad was going to happen the next day. It was just weather or not it was death or just the fighting. She could never know till the next day. A darkness set into her she wouldn't let Alex die. She couldn't loose him not after all this time. Even if they hadn't really been ment for eachother because they weren't the same anymore she loved him so much and He loved her just as much but whatever happened to either of them they wanted the other to be happy.

Vik watched as everyone begin to leave and looked at Selk figuring he would follow suit soon. After hearing her give what he felt was a short motivational speech he laughed at her replying, "You have nothing to worry about, I can hold my own I assure you." He wasn't sure how strong her faith in him was but he didn't mind the encouragement. After she got up he did the same and gave her a slight grin. He looked down at her finger then back up at her with a raised eyebrow, "I get the point madam," he answered with a smile. Then he watched as she trailed off then returned to his quarters.

((The morning comes soon. So . . . if anyone wants to post something now, do it before there's no time left. *laugh* Battle timez!! :boogie:))

{Lol. Ok....I'm ready :ninja: lol}

(I'm ready)

((Ready! :)))

It seemed everyone was preparing for the battle ahead. He figured he might as well too. Taking his leave from the room they had all gathered in Truinthil headed for his room where he would meditate and prepare his body and mind for the upcoming battle. Sitting in the middle of the room as was his custom now, he emptied his mind and focused on his surroundings. Within a short time everything was clear as day to him despite his eyes being closed. He could feel the others nearby, their heartbeats, their breathing. He would be ready.

((I'm ready!!!))

((*drum roll* The battle will begin shortly. ^_^ So sorry for the delay . . . I've been swamped with finals and homework. :sleep: SO if this comes out sounding slightly stilted, it's because my school's taking up far too much of my imagination and typing skills. :cry:))

Selk stood in front of the only mirror in her room, brushing her silver hair until it was smooth enough to tie back into a tight ponytail. Today she would take the entire household from her mother. Today . . . she would be the new Matron. Lifting her chin a bit in pride, the dark elf smiled. Today was a good day. Selk adjusted her form-fitting leather armor, making sure her metal-studded gloves were tight enough. Her whip was at her side, her blades at her hips, and a few more daggers hidden throughout her armor. As a last minute thought, the drow snagged her heat-hiding cloak and slipped it over her shoulders. It was time.
She flung her door open quietly, sweeping out into the hallway. Selk's purple eyes glowed with glee, challenge in her gaze. "Wake, surface dwellers!" she called out loud enough for them all to hear. "It is time to begin. You have less than an hour to eat and prepare - I will meet you in the training room when you are ready."
The dark elf nearly trotted off to the training room, her hair bouncing back and forth behind her. Almost an hour later, she rested on her back in the middle of the room, a purple flame spreading about the cavern's ceiling as she controlled it. It painted scenes of blood and violence, of spiders and elves - war. She was eager to begin. The shifts in her mother's guard would be changing soon. Her group had better not be late . . . if anyone was, she'd have their hide flayed and use their blood to paint a new history on the walls of the Underdark.

Alex woke and looked at Holly. They both stood and kissed again. It was time to begin. They couldn't focus on eachother, they had to keep themselves safe. Alex took her hand and they walked back to eat the same meal they had the night before. It didn't take them very long to eat and they walked to the training room opening the door to see Selk lying on the floor. Holly looked in wonder at the purple flame and smiling slightly. I think someone is looking forward to this." She stated watching the pictures being formed. Alex leaned against the wall with his arms folded glad he felt better then he had the night before.

Finally it was here. The day he had been anticipating for some time and it brought a sinister smile to his face as he was jarred from his meditation. His eyes glowed a bright crimson red from bloodlust and he was ready now. Knowing that he would be on a short fuse today he made a mental note to keep as quite as possible to avoid any quarrels that would arise were he to tease someone. Rising from his medatation position he walked out into the hall and then to the training room where they were instructed to meet. Seeing the woman who had orchestrated this all lying there on the floor brought about a strange rhythm in his chest but he was no rookie, he let the feeling pass slowly as he posted up on the wall to her left. Holly and Alex were already there as well but he made no attempts to say anything to them or Selk, the time for talking had passed...

Amastacia and Niam were already up and packing when they heard Selk's voice. They cursed in unison as their hopes of escape vanished and prepared for battle.
"No way we can back out now is there?" Amastacia asked as she took the short sword she had pilfered the other day and fastened the strap around her hips. It wasn't her weapon of choice but it would be more useful in a battle.
"No, but don't worry. We will survive this."
"I know. I'm not worried about surviving. I'm worried about getting maimed." She turned to see if her brother was ready. "Just so you know, I will leave you behind if you lose a leg or something." She smiled at him.
"Thank you. You're such a loving sister. I'm blessed to have you." He smiled back. "Let's go get food."
They joked about a one-legged Niam as they walked from their room to the dining hall and all the way to the training room. Once they entered the training room though their laughter and good mood suddenly died as what they were about to do became more real.

Opening his eyes Truinthil stood and exited his room to wait. The time had come. The battle was near. He was ready to face his opponents without fear of failure or death. Others in their group would likely die, but that didn't bother him. It was completely possible that everything could fail, but that didn't bother him either. All would turn out as it was meant to turn out and at the end of it all, he planned to walk away still alive no matter the end results. Death was not in his cards this day.

Neam crept silently out of her room, leather armor making only a whisper of sound as she stalked down to the training room, following the other members of the rag-tag group. She gave a grin when she noticed the patterns on the ceiling, tankful that she was allowed to destroy the walls if she had to. She would, of course, try not to, the structures here were oddly beautiful...

Originally Posted by Esmme

Selk went over the plans once more.
Truinthil would fight the weapon’s master of House Toshiba, Fayn, distracting him from aiding the Matron. Alex and Holly would be fighting off the drow that undoubtedly followed the Matron in her throne room. Balthazar would be taking care of outside influences. Neam would be fighting the larger threats – the priestess’ and mind flayers that would be guarding the Matron. And Vik . . . Vik would help Selk herself.
“Dante,” the dark elf tilted her head. “You will help Balthazar in keeping the rest of the city unaware of the battle. I don’t want anyone finding out about this . . . mutiny.”

Selk suddenly let the scenes writting in flame disappear, the purple light surrounding her in a rush. It didn't burn - Faery Fire never did.
"It is time."
Standing, the black-skinned woman smiled gleefully. "Remember what you have been told. I will not be giving you any further instructions from this point forward." Her red-glowing eyes narrowed. "Everyone remembers what to do, yes?"
Without waiting for an answer, the drow spun on her heel, heading for the door. It wasn't long before she was out in the hallway, her leather boots keeping her steps silent. Eagerness led Selk on, and she led the way toward the throne room. As planned, the guards were not at their posts outside of the leader's door.
At last.

{Not sure what to post...}

((I have no instructions. Should I wing it or do you want to give me some Esmme?))

Truinthil watched Selk travel down the hall. He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath and grinning slightly to himself. Now was the time where his blade would be bathed in the blood of his target and likely many others beyond that after his primary objective was accomplished. Beat the best and all the underlings tended to rush you in anger, fear, and desire to show themselves better than you and those dead at your feet. His feet began moving, silently. Wrapping his mind in a blankness, free of emotion of any kind, his senses would sharper. Not truly increased, but he was simply more aware of his surroundings. Everything would appear sharper to his eyes, sounds more clear to his ears, and the various scents in the air more distinct to his nose. His presence would be harder to notice as well, not just because of his silence, but because he all but radiated that silence. To his upcoming opponent, skilled in the ways of combat he would likely be picked out of a crowd because of his ability to mask his presence. To someone less skilled, he would seem to all but disappear, becoming just another nondescript face in the crowd. Until, at least, his blade was sliding across their throats.

{Ok....now I know what to post.}

Holly tried to smile. Everything would be fine. It had to be. Anyway Alex would help her with the fighting so how bad could it be. He was a werewolf after all. She didn't say anything but looked up at Alex and gripped his hand tightly. They would both be fine, or so she thought. Alex looked down at her and nodded it was time. They would be fine, hopefully.