Roadside Machinations [Callisto]

[Rhuryc]

Rhuryc's jaw continued to ache. So did his arm. The one with the sword in it. When the petching bastard stepped onto the road he considered lopping off his head. Or his arm. Or both arms. Maybe just his legs. He wanted to flay the man alive, the constant pain that wracked the bottom of his face an-ever present reminder of his rage. The bruise to follow would be fun. Sure. Despite the anger and will to cause pain, Rhuryc managed to somehow reign himself in. He was still, silent, his eyes narrowed as he glanced to the foppish man and to the bushes around him. Was there only one? No. Rhuryc was ill convinced that this Harren was alone, not on this road, at this time of night. A sling would hardly do away with less savory inhabitants of the wilderness. Maybe piss them off.

Harren spoke and Rhuryc listened. He kept both the shield and sword out, ready, one poised beneath the other in his vigil. He ignored the quips, the insults, they were childish at best and, after all, he had been called far worse. Besides, in his limited dealings with the Konti he imagined that Callisto could not only handle herself, but that Harren was in for some kind of verbal berating Or at least a swift kick to the ass.

Still. He imagined what the man would look like without his fingers.

[Callisto]

Callisto smiled, a perfect, guarded smile as Harren revealed himself. A boy, no less and no more. The Konti didn’t appear to be at all flattered over his words, nor his formality. He was a child to her, and children did not rub off on Callisto very well. She’d had her share of them in Syliras, and although he might have no inkling as to her body during the day, she still expected his hormones to be raging over her scant attire. She glanced over at Rhuryc, who seemed to be speechless, or perhaps too angry to even consider speaking to the boy, knowing he’d spew obscenities at him the minute he had the opportunity to. Men, such a trifle, and for what good outcome?

“Don’t assume that because I sport a bosom I require assistance, boy.” There was no hint of animosity in her tone. She appeared as serene as ever, even with her sharp tongue. “Harren, is it? I don’t take kindly to boys who prove themselves cowers and strike from the safety of the shadows. If you had a quarrel with sir Rhuryc, you would take it up with him personally.” Concentration was due as the Konti allowed her astral limb to slip from her arm, swiftly, like water through rocks, the joints were unhinged, and a phantom, invisible limb grasped the slingshot from the boy and tossed it aside. To the observer, it would have been akin to paranormal activity, but Callisto simply stood, awaiting the boy’s reaction.

She continued, “You won’t be needing that primitive weapon, child. I know there are others, why do you hide?” She glanced toward the trees, shrouded in darkness, “What are your true intentions, a reward perhaps? Begone, I’ve no further use for you.” She began to walk past Harren, her astral limb hovering beside her, just in case.

[Leviathan]

It was with little effort that the weapon was pulled from the stranger and tossed. The young man simply stared at Callisto in a mesmerized manner. "Others? None, I am alone out here, or at least none are with me that I am aware of. There is you and your... friend here, of course, but none others are with me? Why do you assume so? I do confess my motives though. I wish to be near you m'lady, or even just to have your name I could leave a happy man." Harren watched her move past him, his face slowly darkening as she did so. He was either very sincere in his words, or an incredible actor. After a moment, Harren did glance at Rhuryc, finally acknowledging his presence. He shrugged lightly. "I assume I jumped to conclusions. I was truthfully in those bushes when you nearly severed my head from my shoulders." Harren's apology wasn't particularly much of an apology at all, but it was, at some extend, an attempt to mend the situation, most likelyy to impress Callisto, or maybe to get them to drop their guards. Would either really surprise the two?

[Archon]

Illumination of Development Rhuryc +2 Observation +2 Rhetoric Lores: Mysterious doesn't mean dangerous, Catching a rock with your face, Power of a slingshot Care to see more? : Observation experience for your scrutiny of the world, and Rhetoric for the faint attempts at conversation. Callisto +2 Rhetoric +2 Interrogation +1 Projection Lores: Unusual chatiness, Always talking down Care to see more? : Rhetoric and Interrogation experience for the conversation, and Projection experience for your brief use of the skill. Notes:An interesting introduction thread with an exciting twist. Shame it died.