[Location] The Woven Gate (All Non Syms Enter Here)

[Laszlo]

Spring 44th, 512AV Half past eighteenth bell. It was evening by the time Laszlo and his party reached the gates of Kalinor. The lot of them were exhausted from over half a season's worth of travel, and still freshly scarred from the storms and earthquakes that had nearly killed them all some month and a half ago. Not everyone had made it here; there were bodies from their caravan still lying out somewhere in the deep crevasses of the Unforgiving. Every night had been spent fearing the same thing would happen to them again, and frequently they had experienced landslides and searing rivers of volcanic rock—frozen solid from exposure to the Kalean air, but still hot enough to burn a man to cinders. No one, not even the guides and mercenaries Laszlo had hired to bring them here, could believe that they had actually arrived safely in Kalinor. The only way they knew they were still alive, and not wandering some lost realm of the dead, was the tired ache that plagued every inch of their bodies. Kazhi and Ysira, and the rest of their men, hung back at the cavern's entrance to account for all their gear and prepare it for the baskets that would take them into the city. Laszlo was eager to find a bed for Abalia, and speak to a man who should be expecting him. Fortunately, as Leth's light dominated the sky outside, the Ethaefal's Symenestra visage would make entrance into Kalinor quite easy. Especially with a pregnant woman at his side. Somewhat familiar with Kalinor's petition ritual to gain entrance, Laszlo reached into the nearby trough, then tossed a handful of dust into the pit of fire next to it. As the renewed flames hissed and danced, briefly taking on new hues of green and stark gold, Laszlo slipped an arm around Abalia and waited for a guard to descend from the ceiling. "Don't worry," he whispered to her, forcing a confident smile. "Kalinor is very different from Alvadas, but I've been here before. I'll take care of everything." When the guard arrived, Laszlo straightened and offered a respectful nod. "Good evening," he greeted them in practiced Symenos. He couldn't completely mask his accent, but it was not unreasonable that someone gone from Kalinor for an extended amount of time would speak with a different cadence. "We require passage into the city. I would carry her myself, but I'm weary from travel. Besides…" Laszlo gave Abalia a serpentine look, as if inspecting a prize cattle. When he turned back to the Symenestra guard, his eyes stung with hypnotic djed. I'm a fellow Symenestra. Why wouldn't I be trustworthy? they seemed to imply. "She's already withchild. If I dropped my surrogate into the chasm, I'm certain the members of my Web would gut me." OOC: Languages : Violet is Common tongue. Red is Symenos.

[Abalia]

If someone had asked Abalia, the street rat from Alvadas, which path her life might take over a year ago, she certainly wouldn't have guessed anything like this. She'd been happy then, with a kelvic companion who was her match in every way. They'd frolicked and played with the innocence of children in a city built on illusion and fascination. They'd been happy. When that had fallen to shreds, Laszlo had somehow stepped in to fill that void and before she even realized it was happening, Abalia was inextricably attached to the ethaefal and determined to become just as important to him. Against his better judgment, they'd become lovers and, well... that'd landed her here. In a strange and frightening place, having just survived the most unbelievable and ridiculously difficult journey possible, all while her body worked so tirelessly to create the child that promised to kill her. Things weren't exactly peachy. But... There was Laszlo. With his arm wound about her like a protective vice, and his sheer determination to keep her safe. There was his unspoken love that hung over her like a protective umbrella, shielding her from the troubles of each new day. Even now, as she dropped her gaze and subconsciously settled into the role of the obedient surrogate, she could feel his fingers tighten against her arm as he spoke in that language that had never before seemed so unholy and strange. Abalia had always loved the traits Laszlo shared with the Symenestra. She'd always found them beautiful and fascinating. That was before, of course, she'd learned that this miracle she'd unintentionally created with the man she'd never meant to love would require her life in exchange for its own. It was a sacrifice she knew she'd willingly make, but thinking of saying goodbye to Laszlo made her ache in a way even their perilous journey could never touch. Such thoughts made for a subdued and quiet Abalia who stood beside her man with all of the will of a sheep being led to the slaughter. The guard would certainly find no threat in her.

[Destaveka]

21st Summer

Desta slid down the long rope and walked over to the guards. "Hi guys, I am away to Nyka to visit the wizards thumb" He said to the guards "See you tomorrow"

He walked away smiling at one of the human visitors. Well he showed his fangs of course.

[Navisya Curare]

Fall 60th, 512 AV Assaulted by a spray of glittering dust, the yellow flames of the brazier hissed and shuddered, flaring bright green for a brief moment. The colored light swept over both Navisya and her human companion, and rippled across the jagged contours of Kalinor's cavernous entrance. Her golden eyes reflected the lonely brazier, sitting ever vigilant as the only sign of the Symenestra civilization visible above ground. Navisya wiped her slender hand on her skirts, cleaning off the excess copper dust. "Gods alive, it's good to be home," she said aloud with a heaving sigh. She lifted her hand to examine her long, black nails. For the first time in over a full season, she would not be one of the only Symenestra for miles around. Her traveling companion, however… Well, he certainly wasn't the only human in the vicinity, but perhaps one of the few male ones. The Symenestra turned to him, regarding his austere silhouette, black against the glaring light of the night sky beyond the cavern entrance. The poor man was alone though, wasn't he? Why else would have come? Mixed in a surge of pity that swelled in Navisya's being was an uncommonly warm sense of duty. She was really the only friend he had in this place, at least for the moment. Having him as a guest for a short stretch might actually be enjoyable. See Kalinor through an outsider's dull eyes. Zlynge, standing obediently at Navisya's side, began to bark as he spotted a Symenestra guard descending from the ceiling. A clawed hand pet over his hanging ears to calm him, but the dog was just as excited to be home as Navisya. There was no containing his vigor. "I am hoping the others won't be too much longer with our things," Navisya shouted over the barking at her human friend. "They may just wait until morning, but they have to restock their supplies here anyway. I doubt there is any danger of having them sail off with our possessions." The guard stepped off the wall and approached the pair. He was tall and thin, a proper male figure. Not like the broad things that existed above ground. He smiled at her, and the dog, and Navisya smiled back. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "It is good to see you, Endasya. Finally home from your Gleaning?" The guard paused, nodding to the dog. Navisya's elder sister was a Kalinor guard, so few details about her life went untold. She didn't mind. His Symenos was sweet in her ears. "I heard the dog barking in the mountains earlier and wondered if it was you." "Kivedri, I'm relieved to finally see another proper Symenestra." She swept a sharply pointed hand toward the nearby human. For his sake, she continued to speak in Common. "Allow me to introduce my guest, Vhast, who has traveled far from the city of Ravok. Vhast, this is Kivedri, a friend." After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Navisya and Vhast could finally be on their way.

[Vhast]

Home. The very word held bittersweet meaning to Vhast, addressing Navisya's relief with a rueful smile of his own. Ravok would never again be the city his heart longed to return to, nor did he imagine that Kalinor could replace it. But there was still a void that needed filling, an attachment yet to be written into the pavestones. This? This was little more than a golden opportunity, a chance to study a race that bordered with the occult and was largely hidden from the public eye. He could understand the outside world's apprehension with the Symenestra. Very rarely did good things spawn from the depths of caves. But Navisya had an ambassadorial quality to her whether she knew it or not, an attractiveness that stemmed from more than just a refined appearance. She was graceful and dignified, two traits which had initially attracted the scholar to her presence amidst a sea of Eypharians in Ahnatep. They had shared drinks, discussed the finer points of existence, and then...revelation. Vhast was running. The ideal of self preservation was a feeling more profound than any he'd ever felt his entire life. It did not strike him as cowardice when the enemy one faced was superior in every way that mattered. Perhaps he could outwit the Ebonstryfe, but what place did wordplay have when facing the end of a sword? His moss colored eyes were blanched by the overpowering glow of green flame flickering within the brazier, Zlynge's barking the only indication Vhast was given that another approached. To Navisya he chuckled, albeit dryly, the thought of having his things taken from him subduing his mind only briefly. There had been much more taken from him in Ravok, after all. "I hardly think a few articles of clothing is worth the effort. But of course, I have been wrong before." From above he caught sight of a silhouette tearing apart from the fabric of shadow, his masculine frame bestowed with the same finesse Navisya exhibited when she moved about. Kivedri, as he was to be called, flashed Vhast only the slightest look of mild interest before a macabre smile was shared with the two he knew. There was someting about a Symenestra's fangs which coaxed the beat in the scholar's chest to intensify, perhaps because he knew of their purpose. But very little about them actually frightened the young man so much as intrigued him. There was still a great deal to learn. When it came turn for his own introductions, Vhast placed a palm against his left breast and dipped his head politely. "It is an honor to be here. I do apologize that my Symenos is somewhat lacking." Which was to say, he knew not a lick of it. Witnessing hardly any strain in the other's voice, Vhast could clearly tell that the man was an expert in the common tongue. It seemed a softening precursor for what awaited him with the rest of the population. "Welcome to Kalinor, Vhast. I hope Navisya chose you well for the Gleaning." With a satisfactory smile, the scholar turned to glance at his female guide for only a brief moment before settling back on Kivedri, a light and cheerful tone humming from his lips. "I would certainly hate to disappoint."

[Vul]

TimeStamp: Day 2 of Fall, 512 AV Vul stood before the cave enterence gazing at the vastness of the place. The ceiling of the cave stretched so far the light of the large bonfire that sat at the center of the cave couldn't reach the top, leaving it cloaked in darkness. It somehow made Vul uneasy. He was used to the dark of the forest, but the sounds of the night always were there, a quiet mumur of calming music that let him know he was not alone. But here, in this cave, the silence was deafening. The only sounds were the cackling of the fire and the occational distant sounds of wingbeats, high above him. Vul swallowed his fear, shifted the deer slung on his backand entered the dim cave. He had come to trade. He figured that a deer and four rabbits should be enough for at least a pair of woven leggins. He heard that the silk was both the softest and the strongest in all of Mizahar. His hunting and trapping kit was getting old and he need to replace some of his tools. The silken clothing would fetch a high price in other cities. Many of those with money would wish for the legendary silk. He just wanted to get out of this eery place as soon as he could. Vul watched as other travelers walked in before him. He eyed them cafully as one of the members of the group grabbed a handful of what looked like dust and throw it into the bonfire. Vul jumped in suprise as the fire his and turned green and gold, nearly dropping his deer. He pulled it back onto his back and watched as a Symenestra slid down on a rope. The being talked to the leader of the group, in a strange language Vul didn't recognize. The Symenestra nodded it's head and helped the group up into the dark shadow above. Vul took a deep breath and walked towards the fire. He repositioned the deer and grabbed a handful of glittering dust, throwing it into the fire. He stepped back and waited. Soon, another pale humaniod slid down and looked at him. "Umm, Hello. I don't know if you speak common or not, but I brought some animals I would like to trade with you." Vul motioned to the deer and to the Symenestra, not knowing if the being understood. The Symenestra nodded. '' I can understand," it said with a rough accent, "You wish trade with us. Come" Vul came closer and then all of a sudden, his feet left the ground and the two beings raced up into the shadowy darkness above them.

[Odessa Meryados]

From the public Meadow House, Desa wear her silken cloak and packed all her things. She covered her face with it. She also made sure that no strands of hair fell upon outside the cloak to conceal that she was a girl. Odessa was running from a male Symenestra when she finally decided to gone through the woven gates. She had finally decided to escape Kalinor, for she had no future in the said city. Without Chiako , Desa’s Symenestra friend on her side, she wouldn’t survive the cravings of Symenestras for surrogates. She thought of transforming to her hummingbird form and flies evading each of Symenestra in the streets. Descending under the silken streets almost to the cavern floor, between the hanging stalactites houses as fast as she could in order no one would catch her. Like what she was doing before... But, she didn’t let herself, her family’s heirloom and possessions were so much important for her to leave behind. She was lucky that there were still traders present inside the Meadow’s house. She went with them through the pulley… Before the pulley run, she took some pieces of handful stones from the entrance flooring of the building. This would be a good remembrance of the place. At last, she will feel again the warm air, the sun, the moon and the stars. On her way, she saw several non-Symenestra travelers who visited the cavern city for trades. The burning pit just turned greenish and gold, a sign that a visitor once entered the gate. Waiting for a Symenestra to assist him, she saw a red fox Kelvic with a dead deer. As the pulley landed, she quickly gone near the fox and was excited to make a new conversation. A symenestra suddenly appeared before her… Desa got afraid and turned the opposite way. Just as she saw them departing, Desa leave her stuff together with her clothes in a secluded place, between the crackings of the cave walls. Now naked, she transformed from a hummingbird and followed the two. Because of curiosity and fascination toward the Kelvic, Desa later then realizes that she was coming back inside again. However, she didn't mind it, she need to talked with this Kelvic maybe he can helped her discovering where were her lost brother and sister was...

[Gracen]

1st Fall, 512 A.V. Grace took a handful of the fairy dust and threw it into the fire, coughing and waving his hand in front of his face as the fiery reaction irritated his lungs. That done, he hefted the dead mountain goat back over his shoulder, made sure the bag of gathered fruits and mushrooms remained tied properly to his belt. One had to have offerings, of course, to prove one's skill and worth. After all, he didn't even have a bow. The hunters weren't going to take him serious otherwise. But he could rise to a challenge. Remembering previous time spent in Kalinor, he was determined to learn to climb as well as a Symenestra, and with as much grace. As soon as possible, he would not need to rely on any of them. That was the way he liked to live. When the guards lowered themselves down, he called up his name and references, both from his previous visits and the trader with whom he had traveled here, who had assured him he would leave word with the guards at the entrance to Kalinor that he should be allowed to enter. And so it was, they eventually had him in a basket, only one complaining about the added weight of his sloppily killed game. Grace didn't mind. He never did. It would be worth everything if only Kalinor still held Jacobi Hardai. [/frame]

[Bear]

53rd of Fall, 512 AV The cave wasn't an escape from the cooling weather of the land above it, but it offered refuge from the lightening sky and was spacious enough to be comfortable. As Bear looked around, she almost got the sense that it seemed to be too spacious not to have already picked up a few residents. But it was quiet, it was dark, and aside from her it was deserted. The search for shelter had been a long one and the muscles of Bear's wings had a dull, constant ache from overexertion that pulsed with every beat of her heart. Her hunting hadn't been successful, this continent new to her and it's beasts unknown. And although she could sate her hunger, she ignored the ache in her stomach and unstrapped the heavy harness from her back, dropping it to the ground. It made a loud, sharp clank as it hit the ground, her battleaxe hitting the rock first. Dark and quiet the cavern remained, so Bear continued to settle down for the morning. One thought remained constant in her head, the thought that the area seemed thick with life but life was well hidden. There was life in the forests, but there was no prey. And in the mountains she had looked, but there was nothing to see. She'd find life tomorrow, Bear thought briefly before dropping to the floor of the cavern, throwing the warm hide of a wolf over her to warm her bare fur. The Zith's eyes closed, and then slowly, her instincts for survival took over: inhale, listen, exhale, inhale, listen... but there was the life that she had desired to find, although it was all too close for comfort. Far too close for her to be comfortable enough to sleep, and that made Bear mad. Her hunger was aching and her wings were outstretched in anger, and soon Bear's black eyes searched the darkness of the cave in frustration, trying to find the intruder that had disturbed her near-sleep. It wasn't in front and behind her was a wall, but neither was it to the left or right, or the entrance. So up and above her eyes scanned, Bear's nerves becoming tighter by the second like a fist clenching an ax in annoyance and... there! Further beyond where she laid was the smell of old fire, of smoke that rose up above and into the nostrils of the intruder. She could hear the inhale and exhale and it began to drive her anger further above until Bear had taken flight and found herself staring at offending fire, nostrils flaring at the smoke that filled them. And above, someone was there but Bear couldn't see who, so while her instincts rang for her to pursue higher, her sense told her to stop! Bear was still. Her wings flapped, but her hand remained tightly gripped on the weapon she hadn't even realized she'd picked up, and her harness remained clenched, lopsided, dangling in the air. Staring, waiting, her black eyes searched above, and she waited for sound from the one above. All that had passed seemed in her imagination, replaced with maddening silence and the gritting of her teeth. Bear had been heard.

[Poison]

At first nothing happened. Whoever it was that she had heard, was careful. They didn’t reveal themselves right away, but watched and listened just as she did. She could only hear vague sounds, somewhere in the distance, high above her. And then even those undefinable sounds stopped, and for a while the only things she could hear were the crackling of the fire near her and her own breathing. And then two creatures appeared above her, seemingly out of thin air.

They climbed down the nearly straight wall seemingly effortlessly and incredibly fast. At first glance she might take them for humans, but no human could climb like that. They were pale as well, paler than humans should be, thin, with long, graceful limbs that ended in black claws and white and silver hair, almost like ghosts. A moment passed, and then another one, and then they were in front of her, drawing their swords.

And above her she could hear the sound of a crossbow being loaded.

The creatures looked at her with a mixture of suspicion and vague curiosity, and then they started talking to each other in a strange, musical language. They were probably trying to decide what they were going to do with her. Finally one of them cleared his (the creatures all appeared to be male) throat and asked, in heavily accented Common,

„What is your business in Kalinor, Zith? Explain yourself! Are you alone?“