You Were Looking For Me? (Reaver)

[Aello]

Fall 2, 511 AV Location: The Merchant's Ring Aello moved silently from one stall to the next, in search of the best weapons, and only the best. There was no need to buy something that failed to be artfully crafted, for the weak always broke. The weak always failed. They could not break the skin of the animals she hunted in order to receive pay. They could not shed their blood well enough to weaken them. To make them fall to her. Aello wasn't looking for any sort of weapon though. Not anything that was sharp and pointy, and could kill. She was looking for arrows, something she already knew how to use so that she may kill. As of yet, Aello had not encountered more than a single stall selling arrows, and by the looks of what she had seen, the seller didn't know the first thing about archery. The girl sighed, why is it always so difficult to get anything done around here? Aello wondered, as she weaved in and out of the narrow spaces between stalls, until she came to another selling archery equipment. That's more like it, Aello thought, as her left hand tightened its grip upon her father's old bow, after she had stopped in front of the place. Her eyes darted over the multitude of arrows on display- each sort marked by their type of fletching. Raven feathers for standard arrows. Barbed arrows had eagle feathers, broad arrows snow white feathers, armor-piercing were grey, and so on, and so forth. Aello lifted a single broad arrow from the table, and pushed the tip into the center of her left arm. Testing it. It seemed to press lightly into the skin, causing her to believe the arrows to be relatively well made. But then there was the fletching, bits of feather had been torn away, causing her to wonder if the arrows would fly well. Straight. If they had already been used. Aello looked up from the arrows to the man standing behind his stall, trying to be certain that no one robbed him whilst he was not looking. "And how much are these?" Aello asked. "Twenty for 15 GM," the man replied. Aello simply nodded. It was not worth it, for arrows in those condition. The girl put the broad arrow back on the table, alongside its brothers. Shopping in this city was simply proving all too difficult.

[Reaver]

Spirits, ghosts, the very gods, and the undead. It never really hit him before, but he knew so little about them in general. He had a touch of knowledge about a particular undead, and heard quite a lot of the changed Rhysol's view of himself, but that wasn't enough. He found a lead from the very source of such curiosity, though the lead itself was very hard to track down. Lots of searching, lots of hunting, and he got two things. She used a bow. The one who told him knew more, but he didn't give it. He had a rather sarcastic responce to the whole thing. "Tracking the star that stole your heart?" What a jerk, but after all that trouble at least he had something to work with. What sort of spiritualist was she? Reaver found himself touring the market for answers. If he asked every vendor who sold arrows, one might know her. If she made her own arrows, he'd be out of luck once again. What would he do then? Travel the wilds at random and pester all the hunters? Oh, there was an idea. He'd ask those that traded in pelts and other goods hunters worked with. What sorts of things were those? His thoughts cut out there as he came across his next objective. He found a third vendor, and a woman was just leaving... with a bow. Why not ask them both? "Excuse me, young miss, with the bow and the cloak?" He thought to catch her before she got too far. He walked up briskly, and stood next to the stall. "And the vendor here, too. I'm having trouble finding someone, and was hoping one of you might know her. Her name is Aello, and I heard a rumor she uses a bow." The store-keeper spoke up quickly. "I don't ask the name of my customers, it could just as easily be her." He gestured to Aello as he spoke. Reaver glared at him, almost giving off an aura of discontent. He turned to Aello, the glare replaced with emotionless eyes. His hand drew out, almost as if offering her to a dance. "And you?" OOCI'll change as needed. Any troubles or complaints? I can shift as needed.

[Aello]

Aello turned to find a curiously dressed figure approaching her. This city never does cease to surprise us, her mind whispered, as she whisked her magic into play. Instantly, her pupils dilated as her senses were overcome with Reaver's aura. She could feel a deep breath of air make its way into his system, she could hear the sounds of all the stalls. But as she concentrated, she could not hear his heart beating. She could not sense another need to pull in a fresh breath. She felt cold, empty. As Aello continued to wait on her mind, willing it to show her more, the sound of the pages of a rather large volume being pushed back, as though by a frantic reader or imaginary wind filled her ears. She could hear them fluttering, crinkling, as they were tossed this way and that. The words the book held swirling madly around her. Dancing around her slender form, as her grip tightened around her father's old bow. The man to whom this aura belongs is far older than you. Far older than most of those present, her mind began to whisper. He knows of a great many things, although what he knows is not very great. Aello supposed that such a comment meant he was a jack of all trades, and simply waited. Something was bound to come of it. Aello felt as though her skin was growing cold. Like ice. She shivered, as a strange sensation overcame her. The notion that her skin was being split. It felt like a knife was carving slender lines along the entirety of her body. Strangely, spilling no blood, although they caused her to feel all the more cool. The largest concentration of these marks seemed to be predominately around her face and the back of her hands. What is going on? Aello wondered, as her eyes grew wide and she lifted her free hand to inspect it. Turning it slowly one way, and then the other, just to be certain she wasn't actually experiencing anything as horrific as what she was feeling. Just to be certain that it was merely her magic playing games with her. Aello was relieved then, when she noticed nothing. When she flexed her fingers, and found no cracks. Although, the motion caused her to feel as though the cuts were splitting. Growing wider. Allowing the sun to trickle in through the empty spaces, and try to warm her. To try to get the touch of death away. Aello gasped. Her heart skipped a beat. He's not truly dead, nor is he alive, Aello's mind whispered. He is an abomination. That with Dira hates. The undead, a nuit. Instantly, the girl tensed. Her muscles rippling beneath her flesh as her grip tightened around her father's old bow even further, her right hand falling into the place just above where her dagger rested. Beneath the folds of her dress, strapped to her thigh. "I know someone who goes by that name," Aello growled, as she forced her gaze onto the ground. For her eyes to return to a more natural state. "Although she may not be the one you seek. For surely, she is not the only one within the city walls who bares that name." Aello paused for a moment. "Why? What would you have with her?" she asked. OOCI might have gone a bit overboard with the undead feeling.

[Reaver]

It may have been his dress, his attitude, or any number of things. She was clearly uneasy the moment she focused on him. There was... something wrong. She got rather tense, and intensely nervous. Perhaps she thought him an enemy of some sort? His odd demeanor would leave many interpretations, he supposed. He thought carefully, he had to keep her from deciding to act against him. As he thought a fight would break out, she spoke. She, knew an Aello? Well, quite a surprise. She seamed... to utter it out in a hostile manor, however. She tensed even further, would she reach for an arrow? This armor didn't cover his chest, he wouldn't like removing that. She didn't mention that this Aello used a bow, or anything of her. Well, that always lead to more questions, her rather incomplete answer was to be expected. Even so, it was time to boost her confidence that he wasn't a threat, which she seamed to decide right away. He also wanted to keep himself looking vulnerable, he didn't want her thinking he had some advantage... that would only accelerate the hostilities. He decided to add a touch of surprise to his voice. "Oh, really? I found the name to be rather uncommon, truly." He decided to work in various emotions, or his attempt at them. Next, curiosity, something he had an abundance of. "Does this Aello use a bow as you do?" He tried a bit of whim next. "That would be a wonderful twist." Still hostile, maybe this Aello was a troublemaker of sorts. He decided to slide the emotions and take the demeanor of a caring father next, a soothing pass to his voice. "There is no harm in mentioning what I want, I would like to have a discussion with her. A dead man's words lead me to seek her, and there would be no reason to simply abandon his final words." He wasn't sure if they were his final words, but he could not find the ghost sense. "He left this world with those words, the least I can do is my best, you see." He left the answer half-answered. It wouldn't help her hostility, but it would even her answer with his. "I'd love to meet her, even if it's just a chance to be the correct one. It can be a safe place, any time. I doubt fate would choose that time to put someone's life in my hands." A strange comment, but perhaps it would lead her to question him properly, and leave less to the imagination. OOCReaver may have gone overboard with the monolog thing.

[Aello]

Aello's eyes narrowed. "Never said it was common, simply, that it was unlikely she was the only one," Aello growled, as the heels of her boots dug into the ground, producing a low scratching sound, similar to sandpaper being drawn over a length of wood. "And she does use a bow... she rarely misses her mark, I'm told," the girl added, as a slender smile crept across her lips. "And from what little I've seen, the rumors are true..." Aello let her voice trail off, simply leading the nuit on. Not allowing for any full sort of answer. Nothing complete. "And as for this... dead man," Aello went on. "Whom might he be? Someone who wishes her harm? Or, someone in a state of neutrality, or even allegiance, who simply wishes a message to be delivered on his behalf?" The young spiritist paused for a moment, supplying Reaver with a bit of time to explain himself before she went on. "You, do understand of course, the need for all these questions, don't you?" she asked. "I simply cannot allow complete strangers, who mean the poor girl harm to go anywhere near her..." Aello's voice trailed off. "But then again... would you even be the one to admit it, should a nasty being have sent you on their behalf?" The girl shook her head lightly. "No, the wicked tend not to share their intents, until the very last moment, and even then, it may be only after they have lodged a knife in your gut." OOCAhh, the lovely nature of my pc...

[Reaver]

This time she spoke for quite a bit longer. Though, still very hostile. Something seamed odd, though... she was overly protective. Perhaps, this mischievous spirit Aello was also related to her in some fashion? Almost as if, no, that would be too cruel of fate. A mother instead, perhaps? She was trying rather hard to sound more distant then that, so maybe a sister? That distance was what was bothering him the most. A long-term childhood friend might still be an option. Well, it just kept getting harder. He rather hoped he wouldn't need to try following her, she didn't look half bad with a bow herself. "His name was Liam Ward, if it rings any bells. I honestly don't know the relationship between the two, as he never mentioned more then her name in his final comment. I'm sorry for misleading you, it wasn't intentional. I was learning quite a bit from him, and he said Aello could teach me more. I'm sorry to say, it's not in his interest I'm seeking her out." She was rather likely to stay fully hostile, perhaps he should try and contemplate a defense, should she attack him? Reaver began to wonder if he said too much, it was rather likely this Aello could have mentioned the ghost to this person, which might cause trouble depending on their former relationship. It sounded short, but all the same it could have been very bad as well. The ally of an enemy is another enemy, or so one should believe. He took a step back, and glanced at the vendor. "Perhaps we could talk elsewhere? Even if just a few feet away, as I don't think we're helping this man's business." A good excuse as any, he'd prefer to stay close to some water, he'd rather not run with arrows sticking out of him. OOCReaver's not dense, take too long avoiding answers and he might really surprise you.

[Aello]

Liam? What does the nuit know of Liam? Aello wondered. When did they meet and why? Surely, the undead have no business with those already deceased... considering they run from death as though it was the worst fate in the entire world. Extending their pitiful lives by taking the living and turning them into their puppets, their hosts... so like ghosts though, that perhaps, they may come to an understanding. There was a slight pause, No! The undead would fear ghosts, what they represent. Any interaction they may have had must have been hostile at best. There was another pause, especially when their patron gods hate each other, and everything they stand for. At the suggestion, Aello strode forward, breaking herself off from her thoughts. She reached for Reaver with her free hand, and made to tug him away from the stall, towards the opening of a nearby alleyway. "The ghost, Liam Ward?" Aello asked. "How do you know him, and what in Dira's name did he teach you?" Her tone was cold, urgent. "For neither of us have seen the poor ghost for ages... it must be seasons now. Or maybe only one. It is difficult to say when each day here sinks into the next. Flows into it, a continual, endless stream." Aello paused. "Has he simply grown too busy to visit?" Aello wondered aloud, as she tilted her head to the side. "Perhaps that is why he would send you... to remind us of that... although, you don't seem willing to admit it." Aello pulled her hand off of Reaver, and placed it on her chin, which she rubbed gently, as though deep in thought. "Why did he mention Aello's name? What was it that he thought she would show you?" Aello finally asked, before falling silent, waiting.

[Reaver]

He was lead, by her hand even. He shrunk back a bit as she reached out, but seeing her hand empty he stopped and let her grab. He rather hoped she wouldn't take his low temperature badly, but she was hostile enough without him running away. She was heading to, an alley? So, she thought her chances better without spectators, that was fine. He walked a bit further down the path, near a building. "The ghost, Liam Ward?" That was, far from hostile. He wasn't going to be shot like his first thought. Her voice was cold, like the rest of her words, but not hostile... was that even a sense of urgency? Well, maybe she had cared for the man in some regard. She not only knew the name, but had dealt with him before. Not a far cry from his first assumption, though it left some odd traits. She jumped... to the wrong conclusion. Well, it was time for the tell, he supposed. She asked the question she should have ask first, then. All the same, he felt the 'distance' she held to hug close to her chest, like a toy now. She paired VERY close to Aello, and the ghost never mentioned another. Even if he was wrong, silly as it sounded, it wouldn't matter either way. He looked up tword the sky, leaning against a nearby structure. He let off a heavy sigh, as if a burden were to leave his chest. He almost spoke as if he was lost, not sure where he was trying to go. "I was reluctant to mention... he isn't around any more. I have looked for him longer then for you. When ghosts pass from this world, it is a wonderful and colorful light, yes? I was, his final contribution to the world." His attempt might be viewed as lame, but the relief behind the voice was genuine. He finally found someone who knew something, for sure. His eyes focused once more, as he looked to the lady before him. He smiled behind his mask, at the thought that calling her that would offend her. "I came to learn of ghosts themselves. I can just ask you instead, could I not? After all, you share so much." He could only imagine that would restart the hostilities, but maybe if he could slip in an offer before it took hold... He spoke again in his own cold voice this time. The lack of emotion may hold her offending nature off. "All I can ask, is if there could be something I can offer in return. What can I offer to become a student of yours? I have lessons of my own I can teach." He glanced down at the opening he was leaning over, the gap between the walkway and the building. The water was right below him, and that was perfect. If she changed her mind about that planned attack, he'd have something to work with from here. Maybe she'd try and follow, but he could always take the longer way back. Maybe he'd find something of Liam down there, he mused. The situation had reversed itself quite swiftly.

[Aello]

"So he took our advice and returned to the cycle after all?" Aello asked, as she lifted a single brow, finding herself feeling somewhat concerned at the news. Although it was indeed, a good thing that Liam had returned to the cycle, for it meant that he had made peace with both himself, and his past, she knew that he could not have gone easily. Or even, entirely willingly. For no man, who had been treated in the fashion he had indicated, and who had been filled with such an intense longing for revenge, against so great a people, against so many people, against so many ideas, could simply... easily, give up everything he wanted. Everything he had every dreamed of. That simple desire to level the playing field. To make everything even. "Dira will be pleased, if not somewhat surprised to meet him... he didn't seem as though he was anywhere near ready to let go, and return to the grand scheme of things," Aello continued, before pausing a moment, absently running her thumb along the length of her bow's wooden frame. She was deep in thought now, that Reaver had finished speaking. Wondering what he could want to know about the dead. Why he would want to know about them, when his kind, by their very nature, seemed so repelled by the very notion of it. In the small sense, that they seemingly, sought endlessly to extend their lives through the use of an unwilling host. Or at least, Aello imagined them to be largely unwilling to serve a nuit's needs. She also wondered then, if Reaver had realized she was more than the girl's friends. That she was indeed, the woman he had been searching for all along. Aello shifted her weight from her right foot to her left, leaning into it. Slouching a little, as she placed the end of her bow on the ground, and eyed the nuit warily. "It depends on just what you wish to know," Aello replied finally, thinking it best to conceal some things, and reveal others, until she had figured the man out. "Not that there is much to know about them. Their make-up, their appearance, and general nature, if you will... their ability to stay here a little longer than most, for the most part, simply because they have unfinished business to attend to." Aello sighed, perhaps that was why the nuit stayed around so long themselves. They too, had unfinished business. She shook her head lightly, she could not think that way. If Dira didn't approve of these undead beings, then it must be for a reason, which meant she would have to be on her guard. Not let him lower her defenses, or get too close. She couldn't let herself divulge information that could come to harm her goddess, or worse yet, herself in this life, as she attempted to serve. "Now, if you intend on being taught by one of us, let alone myself, I should need to know your name, Stranger," Aello went on, her voice low, and relatively neutral. "Taught more in depth, anyway... like I said, there isn't all that much to know about ghosts..." The girl's voice trailed off for a long time, as she cast her gaze out towards the sight of faraway stalls, and then the walls of nearby buildings. Seemingly searching for something that only she knew. Finally, her eyes settled on Reaver once more, "and you shall need to know mine." Her eyes sparkled mischievously, as her lips curled into a slender grin, as she lifted the end of her bow off the ground. "I AM the woman which you seek, Aello." Her grin widened as her thumb danced across the wood. "And should I see fit to offer you anything, other than perhaps, your own head upon a silver platter, you shall have to do more than teach me a thing or two, nuit," she hissed, as her grip tightened around the bow. "And the first thing, I'd like to know Stranger, is why you would prolong your own life by taking the body of one once filled to the brim with it," Aello sneered, her eyes betraying her growing level of hate. The fact that a nuit was in her presence. The fact that Liam sent him to her, seemingly, for a reason. Surely he knew of her love for Dira. Her hatred for anything she despised. Aello put her hand on her hip. "Well? I'm waiting." Her fingers tapped against her side, drumming a death tune. Something only she and her goddess may appreciate. OOCSo much for keeping some things hidden... she always does that... but then again, you don't know bout that cursed dagger now do you Reaver? ... Well IC you don't anyway... >.<

[Reaver]

Reaver watched her intently, she had plenty of information she gave out with body language rather then words. Reaver's own body language had deadened over the many years, perhaps that was for the best here. She was a strange person, a very strange person. She seamed concerned about him leaving, only to say it was for the best? She spoke of Dira, a god he knew very little of. Wasn't she the god of death? Real death, anyway. Reaver had to agree, he was quite surprised to never teach his own lesson. He wondered what sort of an impact he left on such a man. Aello seamed to be thinking a lot herself, good. He let her think, it might not be for the best, but he had his escape planned. The worst she could do was add herself to the list of people who hated him. Anyone he never knew was on that list, and he managed to nudge this person a little closer to off of this list. She finally started to speak business, or at least along the lines of Reaver's favorite hobby. She still didn't give any straight information, but that was always expected, though he was hoping his answers would lead to some better ones. She listed the things to know about ghosts, and yet the very things he wanted to know. She knew them rather well, but did she know any depth? He rather hoped so. She sat there thinking, and drew what he assumed was a bad conclusion. She seamed to steel her emotions again, and ready herself to deal with him. Shortly after, she spoke again. She asked, his name. How odd, this much information, and only now does it come up? He supposed it wasn't important, but some people held onto such things. He rather liked his picked-out name, though. As he thought to answer, she began muttering a bit, and almost seamed to start the lesson without it. All the same, it seamed a good time to mention it, but she spoke first... "and you shall need to know mine." He paused, he wondered how much she'd say without him speaking a word. He finally found his straight answer. As much as he anticipated that very answer, he still found himself rather surprised. Though, her next comment was far less surprising. "And should I see fit to offer you anything, other than perhaps, your own head upon a silver platter, you shall have to do more than teach me a thing or two, nuit," A death threat, and a reveal that she knew of his nature. It was half surprising, but not everyone was fooled so simply. She knew of ghosts, perhaps all undead had such a tell? He would need to ask of that, too. She seamed overly hostile, even more so then before. She was far then pleased, and even asked of the ritual itself. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, he couldn't even remember when he turned, it was so very long ago. "Well? I'm waiting." He held up a hand, holding a single finger up. He had to think about this one, even if she would assume it a fake answer. He tapped his foot along the edge of the walk, and folded his arms. It was hard, very hard. He couldn't remember anything of that day, or the ritual. After a minute of thought, he lowered his hand once again. "My name is Reaver." A simple comment, void of emotion. "I simply can't remember the rest, real name included. I can't remember anything of my life before I held this condition, and I certainly don't remember gaining it. As far as taking life, it would be a foolish thing to do. I can extend my life using the dead, so I have no need to hold such a threat to the living." Would that due? Would she believe his words? He thought not, but she spoke a lot. Perhaps he should hold his turn a touch longer. "You never asked, but an extra answer may be fine. I would much rather extend life, though not in a way Dira will hold against me. I became a doctor, and only those that I cannot help will in turn help me... I hold their body as a reminder of my failure, and do my best to prevent my ability to continue on using the dead. Strange, yes? So, I think it's my turn for answers, you've given so few that compare to my wonderful answers." He stopped there, and waited. Rather then simply start asking, he wanted her to acknowledge him. She had done a lot of targeting, it was time he started targeting back, and this was the start of his social attack. OOCOh boy, Reaver's best form of combat, vocal combat! XD And in other news, what's this about a cursed doo-hicky thinger-ma-jab?