Completed Won't Back Down

[Tallis Ishtari]

What warmth the sun gave off would be dispersed into the very cool Ravok spring evening. He wanted to be home in his apartment and clean up a little before leaving for one of the closest taverns. He reflected for a moment about his parents’ large private apartment that he had spent his childhood in. Compared to his tiny apartment it was huge. It was apparent from the beginning that they had planned for a large family, and a large family they did have. Razor and Maya Ishatari had a fairly large brood of two boys and two girls. They had what some considered the perfect family.

“I’m sure my sisters will like you. They will probably be the only ones at home. My parents will be working in their jewelry store and probably teaching my brother the gem cutting part of the trade.” Tallis was trained as well and was competent at it for a novice. Had he actually spent any time working at the skill he could become as good as his father. Razor was known for his gem cutting and Maya was renowned for her arrangements. They complimented each other and had a thriving business among the elite of Ravok. There were hushed overtones as to why they were successful though and it was because Razor had “connections” within the city and a few in Syrilas.

Tallis took Marx’s hand and led her down the pier to the dock itself and looked around to get his bearings. “We don’t have far to go. We should be there in ten minutes.” He said with a warm smile and tilted glance at Marx. “It’s close to that bridge over there.” Tallis pointed off to the east, away from the setting sun. He was glad that they had landed at the section of dock that they had. If they had landed in a different part of the docks they could be walking into the sun. It would have been difficult to keep an eye on who, if anyone, had eyes on him.

[Marxander]

Marx followed him, strolling down the way. People still gave her odd looks. She was use to it. Some blood was still smeared at her jaw. Being in a city was nothing new to her. But being in Ravok was. It was a pleasant sight, the city was. But she didn't think many people were accustom to seeing a free Kelvic. She was sure they knew of them, and prehaps seen one or two, but seeing them without a collar or leach, it was odd.

The sun continued to set behind them. Her eyes looked up and she could begin to see the makings of the stars. It was good that they were going out this late, if she got lost, she would easily be able to find her way back to Tallis'.

[Tallis Ishtari]

It was journey along the dock toward the bridge that went over a canal in the direction of his apartment. Thankfully the dock area was not packed with people. Most had meandered their way to their lodgings and those that were left on the docks where either sailors, workman that worked on in the dock area, or those that had lost their way. And fortunately for them there were not anyone left in their area of the docks that looked out of place.

As they walked a steady but normal pace took in the smells of the city. He could smell the lake and fell the humidity that emanated from it. It would be worse in the summer especially if the wind did not blow. On those days a person could lose ten pounds just in sweat alone. But it was spring and the temperature and humidity were perfect for the night out they had planned.

As they neared the bridge he could also smell food of one tavern he had in mind to do some dancing at. Not only did the odor from the kitchen delight his senses but he could hear musicians turning up their instruments. They would be getting ready for the dinner time rush of people. Tallis wanted to go slightly before this rush left. By then the festivities would be getting into full swing for a night of enjoyment. He could not wait to see the look in Marx’s eyes.

He crossed the bridge still leading Marx by her hand and sometimes towing if she got caught gawking at the sites. They were almost there and without incident. “We’ll be home in a few more blocks. The building itself isn’t much, and frankly neither is the apartment, but it does have a nice very of the canal. And if you lean out the window you can catch a partial view of the lake.”

[Marxander]

"Can I jump into it from the window?" It was true, she was caught looking into the sites. The sun, now fully set, turned the sky dark and with it came the lights of the night and the beautiful stars and the moon.

She let go of his hand, going to walk on the raised edges that prevent people from falling into the water. With her arms out, she stabilized herself. She tripped at some parts of it, but managed to stay upright.

[Tallis Ishtari]

The whole world was her playground, Tallis could see it in her reactions. It was childlike innocence that radiated around her entire being. Everything was new, fun, and interesting. He had once been like that. Having to scratch out a living on the streets of Ravok changed that in him. If had followed the path that his parents had set for him his life would have been a lot easier. He chose, for now, not to be a gem cutter and be a thief. Being a thief was fun and provided enough for him to eat on most days. He could recall how it all happened so innocently one day.

He watched with eyes glittering with affection for Marx as she danced on the edge of a precipice. One miss step and she would be wet from head to toe. Tallis was not worried about that. He was certain that Marx would take it with the grace she so often presented to him.

“I’m not sure you would want to, but I would advise you against it unless you really had to.” He said as he raised a hand to rub the slight beard he had on his chin. He remembered the time in another part of Ravok, before he had to leave the city that he had to ponder that question. At that time he lived on the fourth floor of the building, now he lived on the third and jumping into a canal was plausible without having to worry much about going “splat” on the lip that divided some the canal and the buildings.

“We’re here!” He announced as if they were entire a grand palace. “You just have to go up a few flight of stairs and then to the right down the hall.” Tallis held the door open for Marx to go in. He watched to see if there was any hint of distaste for where he lived.

[Marxander]

There wasn't. Living somewhere was like living anywhere else. You made do with what you had and you appreciated the fact that you had it. She went into the building after jumping off the ledge, taking his hand since she didn't like his slow pace. He made sure she went down the right hall on the third floor, excited to get inside.

In case he didn't remember, she was the one to help him steal early that afternoon. being a thief wasn't exactly a nobel task, but when needed, it was a must. What he didn't realize was that she usually just didn't care about things. It's such a task to care. If she ever cared about something, it might as well be important. What you did, at times was important, but in most instants, it wasn't. It was more of a how bad was it, and do I really care about the subject kind of a matter to her.

Marx was a very free spirit, anyone could see that. She lived that way because she didn't have the time to live any other way. She wanted to enjoy her life, however short it may be. It had to be that way, if not, what else was there?

[Tallis Ishtari]

Was there anything that Marx did not look graceful doing? She scaled the steps that lead to the third floor in a manner that let Tallis breathless. He could not think of anything that could compare. Each of her steps were evenly place and with a slight spring in her step, even the landing of her feet on the steps done softly and without a sound. It left him believing that she could sneak up on anyone without them knowing.

He smiled softly as he opened the door to his apartment. “This is it! It’s not much, but its home.” He said with a mixture of wishing it was more so he could impress Marx. It was a guy thing, but it still mattered to him. As he entered the room and closed the door behind them he looked around the room. He had his shrine to Rhysol and The Voice in one corner of the room near the window, the wash basin over to one side and the bed which was just barely large enough for the two of them, provided Marx liked to cuddle a lot. The walls desparately needed a coat of paint and it was chipping off in some areas.

“So what do think?” He said gritting his teeth in hopes she accepted his humble and meager home.

[Marxander]

"It's nice." She looked around, before turning in a semi circle to him "You should add something to the walls though. Something that's you. If you can draw, you should color on the wall. I think it'd look nice." She commented. It wasn't at all a bad apartment, but it defiantly would need a woman's touch. Sometimes men just didn't know how to live in a home by themselves.

The only part of the room that seemed to be more vibrant and hold meaning was the little shrine that she knew nothing about. She went to it, touching the wooding holdings that held it up with just her fingertips, afraid of breaking it "What is this?"

Marx had never really had the time to practice religion, she hardly knew what it was when she saw it. She swore to no god or goddess. Her mother had tried to get her into it, but she was small, and couldn't understand, and squirmed, and cried far too often. Her mother thought it would be best then to wait until later, when her brain was a bit more mature and could get what it was all really about.

She was now, and she knew it had to be religion in nature, that she was sure of, but she couldn't think of the right words to say it. So naturally, she blurted out what first came to mind "Is this your god?" She of course didn't mean to ask if the shrine was his god, but what it represented. She couldn't find those words though.

[Tallis Ishtari]

Tallis saddle up behind Marx and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s a shrine to my god, Rhysol. It’s said that he gives power and riches to those that follow him.” He said calmly. He personally had yet to see in his life directly but his parents were close to being rich. It was too bad they did not have any time to enjoy it. “And there, on the second shelf to the shrine is a statuette of The Voice. She has many followers in the city and it’s said that she rewards them handsomely. She is, as the name suggests, the voice of Rhysol on earth.”

“If you go to the Temple of the Black Sun you can worship in the central chamber. I’ve only been there a handful of times. I like the personal time alone in prayer that you don’t get at the Temple.” The truth was that Tallis felt uncomfortable around the Ebonstrife. He did not like the militant arm of the The Black Sun and the fear that emanated from them.

“The Temple is wonderful though. Besides the worship chamber there is the museum that holds a most of the history and artifacts from the founding of Ravok. Maybe we will visit someday.” Even as beautiful as the Temple was he hoped that day would not be to soon.

[Marxander]

Black Sun. It sounded familiar to her, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She shrugged. She had a feeling that she shouldn't go there. Something about the name Black Sun was giving her all sorts of negative tones. She just couldn't remember what it was "You sound like you have a nice god." She didn't know how to comment about gods or religion, it just wasn't in most Kelvic to be. She knew that they could, but it wasn't a theory she held very deeply. She believe in concepts. It was a much easier thing to understand.

She moved from the shrine, going to change. She took off her dress and laundered it in the wash basin, trying to remove the stains. She hung it to dry, getting her new clothes out of her bag. The shirt, simple as it was, hugged her form in ways the dress just didn't, namely her breasts. It was very easy to tell that she wore nothing underneath, but having to wear clothing was a drag for her as it was. No need to add complex gear underneath it. The pants were a looser fit and darker in color. Her feet remained barefoot "Alright! I'm ready Tallis." She turned to him, amber blue eye sparkling with excitement. She bounced on her ankles, body humming to go.