Closed Look, can you see me? (Russel)

[Viridian]

68th of Spring, 514 AV
Time: Night

Vi stretched slowly, her breathing measured as she first bent forward, and then back, her hands carefully touching her shins and calves respectively. Straightening she pressed her hands on her thighs, spreading her feet apart more, and more, and more until she did nearly a completely split on the wooden planks, her feet still holding her body an inch or two from being completely flat. Then she bent forward once more, stretching her arms out as far as she could, hooking her nails i the wood and pulling until her forehead nearly touched down, hair sweeping past her face. She held this for a few ticks, still breathing slowly, in through the nose and out through the mouth. Pulling her arms back in, her nails making a scraping sound against the wood, she pressed her palms flat on the docks, pushing up so that she lifted her entire weight on her arms, keeping her legs extended out as she did. With a swing of her hips she threw her feet in the air, pressing together as the reached the top of their arch so that she was now in a uniform handstand, her body still as she balanced on hands, screaming as still as possible. She held this position for a few seconds as well and then slowly, once more lowered her feet to the ground, her bare feet making a similar scratching sound as her clawed feet scraped against the wood. Finally she straightened up once more, stretching her arms high over her head and interlocking her fingers and sighing deeply.

Her eyes had been closed during this little warm up, and now they blinked open as she looked up at the clear sky above. Lowering her arms the girl looked off into the distance, toward the heart of Ravok. The hour now ensured that there would not be many around the area to see her, which was to her advantage as she doubted they would be all to pleased of her existence...

Shaking out her hair Vi checked to ensure her clothing was fitted well. She tied back her hair with a makeshift tie woven from bits of thread she found lying around Caridan's apartment. He wouldn't mind she was sure. She doubted he would even ask, but there was no doubt that he would notice. He had that way about him. he knew everything that was in his apartment and knew exactly where it belonged. But now was not the time for that. Now it was time to be free.

For the first time in bells she smiled wide, not bothering to hide her fangs as she set off at a trot, quickly turning down an alley that she knew ended in a dead end. Picking up her pace she leap, fingers and toes splayed out as she hit the wall, sticking to its surface like a spider. Scrambling up the wall as easily as a man might walk an even path Vi pulled herself up over the lip of the building, coming into a handstand once more before pushing off to flip back to her feet once more. She smiled at the maneuver, remembering how many times she had stumbled doing something similar when she was younger. She did not pause to muse though, but kept going. From roof to roof she lept, vaulted and spun, her toes pressing off to send her soaring through the air again and again as when she landed she rolled back to bare feet once more. She loved it, the freedom, the life without stares, without discrimination. At night SHE was the one who belonged. She could see as well as another person might see in the day, her body screamed to be set free and released to the world and she smiled and did not try to hide who she was.

Before her she could see the end of this part of the city, a wide channel where no buildings rested that would aid her in crossing. Instead her eyes found the rope, several feet out and slightly below the buildings height that connected one part of the city to the other. Without hesitation she sprinted, pumping her arms as sweat beaded on her brow, and with all the strength of her muscles she lept high into the air. She twisted and turned her body, kicking with her legs to angle herself downward slightly, shifting so that her outstretched hands reached forward toward the large rope that connected the docks. The wind whistled through her hair, the sound defening as she hurtled toward the waters. If she missed she knew her fragile bones would shatter against the waters of Lake Ravok, but still she was not afraid. She laughed, joy at the feeling of free fall. Surely this was what it was like to fly!

The rope was coming closer. It was as thick as her waist, and swayed slightly in the wind. One hand brushed it as she fell past, but the tiny tiny hooks on her palms hooked and instead of passing it by she swung, locking her angles together and swinging her legs forward to follow the momentum. Her other hand found the rope now as she leveraged herself up and up until once more she was in the air, this time over the rope as she twisted and rolled her body, tucking her arms and legs in as she tilted back. As she came down she extended her legs, and as her clawed toes touched the rope she bent her knees and rolled forward on the rope. It swayed violently with her but even then her hands were reaching as she came back to her feet once more, falling forward and grasping the rope with both hands as she crouched on all fours, waiting for the swaying to stop. Once it stilled she slowly stood, extending her arms out to either side and carefully walked, one foot in front of the other, to the other dock. There she paused, breaths coming in deep waves as her chest rose and fell and she smiled up at the sky as she closed her eyes. Resting a moment after the exertion.

[Russell Wood]

Russell found himself in a back alley that rarely cropped up in a city like Ravok; he was currently busy experimenting around with this man in front of him. He had yet to truly do anything, it was still a pretty amiable conversation. ”Ah great to meet you Mr Dravern.” He said with a nod, he ran into this man while on his way out toward the back streets of the docks. He had recently pumped up the number of times he had been out scouting for useful people, and this man was someone that might be of use. He walked like he had something to offer. ”Well Mr.Draven, I can see that you’re a busy man, do you wish to walk and talk?” Russell said in a rather polite tone. The man in question, Ronald Draven was a rather tall fellow, standing at about 6’5’’, he was taller than Russell which said a good deal. The conversation between the two had been merely of introductions. Russell weaved a quick suggestion. ’I wonder why he talked to me.’

Russell had planted the seeds of curiosity; it was a dangerous little thing that offered a lot more than what one would expect. Curiosity didn’t kill the cat, but drew it into a web; the spider is what killed the cat. Russell was acting as both. ”No no, I’m quite alright; you’re a most interesting fellow. So what are you doing out so late my friend.” Ronald’s tone was polite, and sincere. It was something that Russell could appreciate. An emotional response of comfort was weaved next, the man looked relaxed enough already. Russell could barely stop himself from shaking his head, but then again maybe the man had something up his sleeve.

Russell thought about his response. ”I felt like appreciating the night sky above us, it’s certainly a marvel to behold, wouldn’t you agree?” Russell said in a rather casual tone, his hands were to his side as he walked through the sparse streets of the city. ”I can appreciate a good sight, I sometimes find myself looking at the architecture of some of the more exquisite buildings that are found in Ravok.” The man said in a relaxed tone. Russell found himself nodding; maybe he should drop the question already.

”So Mr.Draven; have you any hobbies?” Russell said in a calm tone. ”I should at least tell him.” A light suggestion was all Russell needed at the moment, he wanted to play it simple; his skill at manipulating others had grown considerably during his time in Ravok. Ronald pondered for a few seconds as he thought on the question, it wasn’t a weird question by any means. ”I do dabble in a bit of reading should I find myself with any books, a drink in the taverns, and my favourite hobby is messing with herbs, they’re something I really like to work with.” Ronald said it in a tone that clearly conveyed his love for what plants could offer someone.

Russell looked once more at the man, before calling this one another bust; he’d have to get this over with somehow. ”That’s certainly quite a great set of hobbies, there is no man that doesn’t like a good drink once in a while, although it’s getting quite late. Hopefully we’ll run into one another again my friend.” Russell said as he waved him off. Ronald waved back. ”It’s certainly been fun Mr.Wood, we’ll have to talk again in the near future.”

Russell zipped through a back alley, and then hopped on a ravosala and gave the man his payment. He wanted to see what else this city had to offer tonight, he couldn’t waste anymore time at the moment. Time was clearly of the essence; Russell hoped the next person he ran into would at least be interesting in some way, shape or form. Russell nodded to himself with that thought and hopped off the ravosala and onto the small walkway; giving a quick wave to the ravosalaman as he paddled away.

Russell then noticed something from the corner of his eye, and turned straight away, a woman was falling, his eyes widened a good deal as he saw her hang onto a piece of rope. It was an amazing sight to behold her display of acrobatics and a light-bulb went off in his head right then and there. He was lucky, and he couldn’t have been any happier at the moment. But he made sure not to show it, he had a small smile on his face, his walk was as awkward as always.

Russell’s hands were tucked behind his back as he approached the woman who had just landed, that was certainly amazing and he’d make sure to let her know that he thought that way. ”Hello Madam, it’s a pleasure to run into you this evening, my name is Russell Wood, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Russell said as he bowed, instead of holding one hand against his abdomen, he held them both to the sides with palms facing her way. It was a strange bow, but it conveyed that he wasn’t concealing anything, it was going to be an open talk, or he’d make it appear that way to begin with.

”I have to say; that showing of skill earlier was amazing, I’m still finding myself wondering how you moved so effortlessly.” He said as he stood up straight. As he spoke Russell weaved a suggestion. ”I can appreciate someone who likes my show of skill.” He followed it up with an emotional response of happiness. Using that right after another was a little taxing, and Russell had to be careful of his use of magic tonight; lest he ruin this chance. ”Now I’d really appreciate it if you would join me for a little walk, it certainly seems sudden but I’d like to learn a little about what you’ve just shown me, it was inspiring, like watching a piece of art.” Russell took a closer look at the woman in-front of him. He noticed her extremely pale skin and cobweb coloured hair straight away, she was a good bit shorter than him too. Russell hadn’t met many non-humans, and at the moment she did appear to be such, although they were in a fairly shadowed area.

[Viridian]

Suddenly a voice broke the silence. Broke the peace, broke the security. Vi flinched, and instantly she hated herself for it. Her amethyst eyes turned quickly to its source, showing a man coming toward her hands behind his back. He was taller than her, but that was not unusual. Tanned, and while not bad looking he was a bit average in his build. Perhaps Vi would have appreciated him from afar, especially those eyes like emeralds awash in a sea of white, but right now, in this moment, she could only think of herself.

She quickly wrapped her too long arms around herself, stepping back even as he stepped forward. She thinned her lips, pressing them together. Had he seen her fangs? Did she know what she was? Was he here to hurt her, kill her for what she was...? It was then she remembered her feet were bare, and there was no hiding the black claws there that scrapped slightly on the wood as she stood on her toes more out of habit than conscious effort.

She could not relax even as he bowed, splaying his hands wide, an odd gesture and one Vi did not understand, but even more so were his words. Vi was not used to being talked to she was now. Direct, questioning and almost respectful. She had trouble fitting a meaning to his words, but maybe it was only her imagination. She felt a blossoming of happiness in her breast, so maybe her heart heard and understood a compliment before her mind could comprehend... or maybe she was still a bit high on the thrill of falling and running free.

Vi didn't want to speak. If she did she could not hide the fangs, could not keep him from noticing that she wasn't human. that she wasn't like him. It wasn't that she was ashamed. No, in fact she was quite proud of her heritage, and for her natural gifts and talents, but she knew that her kind were not well liked or received. The trials of gaining citizenship had more than shown her that... So while she did feel as though the man meant well-- She could not explain that-- Vi could not be rid of the natural suspicion, the fear that she would be hated and killed for what she was. Is that natural for a Symenestra?

As he came close Vi took another step back, smiling a very small smile in return to his words, though she did not show teeth. Inching back ever so slowly she turned to the side, brushing her hair over her features and only glancing sideways at the man, "Um.. thank you for the kind words but... I really should be getting back home. Its getting late, and I will be missed." She added this last part purposely. If it was revealed that someone would miss her then maybe she would survive, the person in question not wishing to deal with the trouble of someone coming to look for her, or possibly seeking revenge after the fact.

Glancing once more toward the man Vi turned back to the rope, quick and light steps carrying her closer to the man, but just as she was near arms length she dipped her shoulder and rolled sideways, one hand extended in an half cartwheel that ended with her balancing once more on the shaking rope. She looked back at Russel, giving a slight wave and despite herself smiled, walking backwards as she said, "Maybe another time...?" Why did she even bother? She did not plan on seeing him again... Did she?

[Russell Wood]

Russell found the silence a little awkward the woman seemed to be rather hesitant; he couldn’t help but wonder why that was. From the small distance between them now Russell began to notice a few rather strange quirks, her arms were pretty long, not too strange his arms were longer than average himself. What he noticed next was rather strange, he wouldn’t have noticed if he wasn’t for a scratching sound, black long nails. A normal person would have either reacted violently in such a situation or they would have run away. Russell was far from you normal person, he couldn’t quite tell what it was about this woman but she didn’t appear to be quite human, but that only made him more interested.

Her physical skills from earlier didn’t help to change his mind about his conclusion, but he had to dig in more. The woman was surely scared of something or hesitant to talk to a stranger. Russell took a deep breath as he thought about what he was going to say, but she seemed to have talked before he could make up his mind. Russell found himself sending a nod her way, but within his mind his thoughts were racing at a mile a minute, he had to think of a good reason to keep her around. Hypnotism would have to help him do the trick. It’d be a huge drain on him but then again he didn’t think he would a gem like this anywhere else.

”I understand completely, although it’s too bad that we didn’t get the time to talk a little, I truly would have loved to know a little bit more about you.” He said with a smile on his face. A suggestion was weaved as he spoke. ’This man seems friendly’

It was going to be subtle work from here on in, Russell found himself wanting to talk to her even more after the cartwheel and seeing the amazing balance she had on the rope. ”I’d be delighted to madam, but please do allow me to walk you home at the very least. It’s rather late outside as you can see and you can never be too careful right?” He said with a smile on his face. Another suggestion was weaved. [shadow]’He seems trustworthy.’[/shadow] Along with the suggestion came an emotion response of being comfortable. Russell hoped that these would help move things along in the right way.

Maybe he should try to make her comfortable about her differences? ”And anyway, everyone is different right? Even if you were to have a few traits that others don’t; I’m not one to neither comment nor be bothered by such minor things.” He said in a rather amiable tone, he was sure that he was getting her roped in. A suggestion followed it once more; Russell could feel the heat building up behind his eyes as he weaved this suggestion which was followed by an emotional response. ’Maybe he’d be a good friend.’ It was followed by an emotional response of longing.

Russell was sure this was enough for the time being, although if she still wanted to leave there was nothing he could do short of forcing her to stay which would ruin any possible relations in the future. Plus he didn’t have the djed to waste on anymore hypnotism combinations, everything from this point on would have to be left to Russell’s own charisma, words and possibly his wallet.

[Viridian]

She could not explain it. She felt a drawing toward this man, a gravitational pull that tugged on her heart and soul, begged her mind to listen to the feelings within that felt so sudden and so right all at the same time. Her mind did not comprehend it, because she had never felt like this before. She never trusted, or longed for another person. As a slave who could you ever feel such things for? As a murderer, how could you feel trust for anyone? But still she did. She didn't know why, she didn't want to trust it, but still she could not ignore it. What would Caridan say?

Vi looked back over her shoulder, thinking for a few ticks as she laced her fingers together in front of her. She was no longer walking backwards, but paused on the rope as it moved every so slightly beneath her. Vi did not even have to think about the adjustments to her stance to account for the shifting rope. It was all natural. Move this way, tilt slightly here, shift a foot there and she could remain still despite what the rope decided to do. Though it helped that she had little fear of falling because of her ability to cling to the surface effortlessly.

Looking back toward Russell Vi bit her lip, revealing the fangs that were in place of her canines. She could not help it, smile smiled a smile that showed her teeth, revealing her other fangs as well as she seemed to come to a decision. She was a bit uncertain of course, but she approached slowly on the rope, "My home is some ways across the Canal. To walk me home, you will have to cross with me here." By that she meant the rope on which she stood. Vi giggled-- what the petch was she giggling for?-- as she extended one long arm, hand up for Russel to take if he chose, "I can help you across if you really want to walk me home... Otherwise we will have to part for tonight. Maybe we can meet again, if Rhysol allows." She secretly hoped he accepted. She didn't know why she wanted it so badly, but she did. She wanted to push for him to try, to accept the hand, to come with her, but all the while a small voice in her head whispered that it would be best that he refused. They shouldn't trust him, he was a stranger. She didn't even know his name. Stubbornly though, her soul said they would meet again if he refused. She would make sure of it.

She extended her hand out closer to Russell, palm up with claws positioned so they would not hurt the man if he accepted her hand. Vi was at war with herself, and she did not even know why.

[Russell Wood]

Russell could see that his hypnotism had some effect on the girl in front of him, and it made him rather glad it did. It was times like this that he was glad that he was able to bend the minds of others to follow what he wanted it to. He could only wish to see what would come from this in the future, Russell watched her smile and noticed the rather large teeth, it was hard to call them such as they appeared to be more like fangs, like what one would find on an animal.

Russell was rather surprised at the offer to have him cross the rope with her, for some reason he could not trust the rope, he doubted it was strong enough to support two people. Nor did he trust his ability to keep his balance, he sure as hell knew how to fight, and use the flux…Didn’t really help with crossing a rope, even if it was a rather thick one. He stood there pondering for a while as he watched her hand, what were the chances of him actually running into her again? He had yet to meet anyone who could move in such amazing ways.

With a sigh he decided to give in, he looked at the space between the canals, it was a good 4 meters, not something any normal human could clear, he’d be able to do it though, that much he was sure off. Russell smirked. He approached the woman, and held the hand before planting a kiss on the back of it. ”I think I’d be able to do it myself, just watch carefully ma’am.”He let go of the hand before making his way toward the middle of the walkway. He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes allowing the djed from his pathways to flow into his right leg; it was a slow and awkward movement, it took a couple minutes. He took a quick run up to the canal edge before kicking off with his right leg with as much force as he could muster. It was a rather thing canal closer to the back-streets and less well known areas. Russell found the world almost moving in slow motion as he cleared the distance, any normal person had a small chance of clearing this, he had a boost to help him out. Russell barely made the edge; the momentum he had built up forced him to take step forward.

Russell looked over to the woman, it was a rather hard jump to make…The distance was a little longer than he estimated, well a lot longer but he still couldn’t believe that he had actually made it. His right leg was shaking as he stood; it was waving around a little, the legs were really unstable, but Russell felt as if he could keep on doing it, going even further. His leg didn’t hurt, but it was unstable, Russell let the djed rejoin the natural flow of his pathways. ”I believe that did the job, wouldn’t you agree? I don’t believe it’d be right for me to burden a lady such as yourself; so I picked the other option.” Russell said as he held his arms behind his back with a smile on his face.

On one hand Russell didn’t believe he could continue to use magic for any longer, the next jump had better be something that a normal person would be able to jump. ”Now Ma’am, I believe I have a lady to escort home, don’t you agree?” He said with a smile on his face. He walked toward the rope with one of his hands held out to help her down. ”I don’t think I’d be able to do it once more, it was rather tiring as you can see.” He said with a smile on his face, his voice was rather soft, easy on the ears.

[Viridian]

Vi was surprised and a bit taken aback by the sudden kiss that was placed on the back of her hand. It was an odd gesture, was it meant to be flattering? It might have been a human custom, or maybe it was a part of Ravok culture. In either case Vi, as a Symenestra, was not familiar with it. .

Tilting her head to once side Vi stepped back on the rope, hands out to her sides as she watched what the man would do. Did he really think he could balance across the rope on his own? Then again, maybe Vi was underestimating him. He could very well be as good an acrobat as her, or have some other hidden talents. Vi was quietly amused as she thought of him hiding wings somehow beneath his clothing. That would be odd, even for one such as her whose features could not be said to be normal by the standards of humans. Instead, however, she watched him walk by a few steps showing no obvious signs of changing at all. Then as he ran and lept Vi gasped, extending her hands to wave a warning but by then it was too late and he was sailing across the impossibly large gap, landing on the other side if not gracefully then safely.

Quickly snapping her mouth shut Vi walked to the middle of the rope, looking from edge to edge of the canal, her thin eyebrows furled in confusion as she looked at the man with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "How did you do that?"

She looked at the offered hand and hesitated for a tick or too, but finally she easily walked the rest of the distance, carefully laying her hand on his as he helped her down onto the solid platforms. As soon as she could, however, she released him, lacing her fingers together in front of her and looking sideways at Russel, "I guess I can't refuse now, can I?" Her tone did not sound displeased, but she quickly looked away, walking away from him down an alley. She glanced back over her shoulder as she did, "My name is Viridian. Who are you?"

He had already revealed his name, but that was not what she was asking. Who are you that can do what you do. Who are you that seems so unafraid of me, of what I am. Who are you to be so bold so late at night, alone and with what some would call a monster? Vi had offered him two choices before, and he had instead created a third option which suited him greater. He wasn't a normal man, but then again what did Vi know of Normal? Could she say she really would recognize an ordinary man if she were to meet one, or were they all like this?

A part of Vi wanted to run. Something in her distrusted him, some primal part screamed at her in soft tones that there was something wrong with him. He was dangerous, he couldn't be trusted. Then, louder still, a part of her whispered that it was OK. Maybe it was the danger that attracted her curiosity. She wanted to know this man, to know who and what he was. and what he wanted with her. Curiosity... Maybe that would kill her one day, but hopefully not today.

[Russell Wood]

Russell’s leg continued to shake, he felt amazing, what was with this feeling. He helped the woman down from the ropes and was glad that he finally managed to get some way for her to trust him. He didn’t want to explain just how he had managed to do what he had done; it wouldn’t be a pretty sight. He wasn’t scared or worried about telling people he was a mage, nor did he fear their reaction…They weren’t going to faze him much anyway, and those who could knew of magic already.

Russell was glad that she didn’t change her mind, and watched her walk into an alleyway, he followed a little behind. Russell could help but think that he wasn’t as trusted as he thought he was, while a little more hypnotism could do the job, Russell had to make sure to stay calm and know his limits. He felt great, and that’s what worried him, his master had warned him of what delving too deep into the flux could do to one. What she said next made him smile a little, things were going pretty smoothly. ”That’s a beautiful name madam; I’m Russell Wood, a humble man that’s merely enjoying the night-sky set before him.” He said with the same smile on his face.

Russell made an effort to catch up to her, he seemed to be rather calm and relaxed, even if his right leg seemed to be shaking, it was hard to contain his excitement, but he hadn’t practiced keeping his calm for nothing. ”So ma’am, where am I escorting you to?” Russell said in a friendly tone. He had a smile on his face, his back was completely straight, and his were by his side. He looked like the very picture of confidence. He knew that he could have her where he wanted, which was to trust him; these things came slowly, very slowly.

”So Viridian, how long have you been in Ravok?” He didn’t mean much by this question, it was a simple way to move into a deeper conversation, maybe have her slip something by that would show something about her. Russell felt a little better than he had earlier, the heat behind his eyes was slowly dissipating, but his leg was still very much the same, every few seconds a small jerk would pass through it, Russell was going to try his best to not have her notice such a thing.

Russell had to keep the conversation flowing. ”Those were some amazing things you did earlier, how’d you learn to do such things. Russell said in a rather calm tone, he knew things could lead back into what he had done with the canal, the distance was larger than he had estimate, but he had still made it. Russell thought carefully about his future answer, it wasn’t going to be simple answering it, he’d pass it off as something that he learned to do from someone else from the city, without giving names of course.