Footsteps in the Shadows (Open)

[Nyea Delaisse]

31st of Winter, 511AV Alvadas is a city of twists and turns, where no single street is the same. They change even as you look back over your shoulder, constantly shifting around, like a pit of snakes that is still when you look at it, but wriggles into new contortions the second you glance away. The City of Illusions is alive, it lives and breathes was the people within it. It hums with life. But only a few can hear the hum. The pulse. The city's heartbeat. One of those few, a young vantha with dark hair and bright eyes, made her way down one of the ever-changing streets to a stone courtyard. Her large eyes flicked from one end to the other. Empty. A good place for practice. Under the glow of the midday sun, she began her dance, flying barefoot across the stone, twirling through the different steps with ethereal grace, her long limbs gliding through a complex string of moves with practiced ease. Her name was Nyea Délaissé. Nyea twirled on one foot, dark hair that shimmered an iridescent rainbow of blues and greens flying, toxic green eyes glistening in the midday sun. Her tawny skin had an opalescent sheen under Syna's light. She spread her arms and bent her left leg at the knee, pulling it towards the sun even as she felt gravity's loving embrace, pulling her top half headfirst toward the cobbled ground beneath her. The lengths of silky chiffon hanging from her waist mimicked her every movement, swaying and falling in the air around her. She straightened her bent leg, foot pointing up to kiss the sky, sunlight dancing across her shimmering skin, and twisted her arms at the elbow, palms hitting the ground flat as she kicked up with her right leg, lifting it from the ground. Even as she did, she let gravity take control once again, pulling her left leg toward the cool stone before the right had reached the apex of its flight. Her eyes were closed, thick lashes standing out as dark crescents against the smooth skin of her cheeks. Her hair tumbled down in a tangle of night-dark waves even as the lengths of her skirt fell around her like a waterfall of translucent blues and grays. The toes of her left foot kissed the ground as her right leg followed the path of its partner. Pushing up on the palms of her hands, she lifted herself from the cobbled courtyard as her other foot met the stone. She continued in a single movement, bending backwards until her head was hanging above the ground and her body was as a living archway of shimmering golden skin. She hung still for a few seconds, then kicked off her feet, pulling her legs together as she flew upward, flipped head-over heels and landed in a crouch, one leg bent underneath her, the other straight, at an angle to the ground, arms to the side for balance. She stood, frame straightening with not even the slightest hint of imbalance, before starting a different routine, one that concentrated more on twirls and leaps than contortions and flips. Eventually the courtyard disappeared. The dance took over. Nyea became one with the beat she moved to, the tips of her fingers and soles of her feet feeling the vibrations through the ground beneath her; the pulse of the city, its heartbeat. Her thoughts dissolved, she became a being of movement, no thought, only action and reaction, until she forgot the routine entirely and simply moved as her body willed. The dance became sheer instinct, a natural thing. Her focus was so intense that she failed to notice the small audience she had gathered. She did not know for how long she danced, but when she stopped, the chiffon clung to her legs and her skin glistened with a thing sheen of sweat. Her hair was slightly damp and her face shone, but her breathing remained steady. She rolled her neck, stretched her arms behind her and twisted her spine, hearing pops and clicks up along her back and through her joints. She pulled her hair off her shoulders, letting it slap against her back, and took a deep breath before sliding down into the splits, seemingly oblivious to those watching her. And hands, bend at the waist, straighten up until you can see between your legs, what am I even talking about? It's not as if I can see through all this bloody chiffon! I hate skirts, why didn't I get some elaborately decorated shorts or something? Urgh. She felt a muscle in her arm cramp. Not good when most of her weight was on her hands. She cursed under her breath, air hissing through her teeth. Gods damn it Nyea! Concentrate. Okay, now lean all body weight on hands, tip forward slightly, pull legs up. Slowly...slowly...ach! Muscle burning, muscle burning! I need to run through Sunrise more often. She took in a deep breath, eyes locked on a weed that had clawed its way up between the stones in the courtyard. Her legs met. She was standing on her hands, so still she could have passed for a statue. She blinked, then let gravity have its way as her legs pulled away, falling down until they were horizontal, then further down until her toes met the ground at an angle to her soles. Then back up, only faster this time, and when they snapped together she bent at the waist, pushing off the ground with her palms for what felt like the hundredth time in a few hours. She landed straight up on her feet, curtsied, and walked off.

[Nyahna Sasin]

Sasin wandered the city without a care in the world, at least for now. He slid over icy streets, hopped over pits of fire, petted the fuzzy illusions, and avoided the toothy ones. The city was constantly changing, and he moved fluidly through changing streets.

He found himself before a stone archway somehow, and walked through into a crowded courtyard. Even in the throng of people, his eyes were immediately drawn to the young woman dancing so gracefully. On instinct, he drew close to the wall, taking cover in the shadows, hiding from Syna's rays, not wanting to be associated with the gawking crowd.

She was graceful, energetic, and passionate. He smiled softly, admiring the way she moved so fluidly. She had her audience captivated, and he certainly wasn't going to let an opportunity like that go by.

His eyes roamed over the crowd, searching for the perfect mark. He passed over the ones who seemed likely to toss the dancer a coin. He would much rather they didn't discover their loss until he was far, far away. Settling on a young man evidently being dragged around by his lady of the day, he slipped through the crowd until he was right behind them. Bumping into the man lightly, he slit the string holding the coin purse on. Before them, the dancer landed on her feet, curtsying. Sasin clapped with the rest of the crowd for a moment, before bringing his hand down, deftly snatching the dangling pouch.

Pushing through the crowd, he followed the woman quietly, keeping a short distance from her. "Nice show." He said after a moment.

[Tainon]

Tainon gritted his teeth as he wandered through the city. He still hasn't gotten used to it, even though he has been living here for more then twenty years. The constant changing, the twists and turns and the frequent disappearing of the streets when he was in a hurry was getting on his nerves. He got lost in here almost every time he went somewhere. Today he went for a simple walk, thinking that he can't get lost if he walks around his house, but somehow he found himself on a courtyard. Strictly speaking, on a crowded courtyard. Full of people. He sighed and looked around. How was it possible that simple walk around the house could lead him on a place like this? He was certain that he had never been in this courtyard before. Then he noticed that the people were standing in a circle. Did something happen? The Isur stood and considered his options. He could look what was happening in the middle of the crowd and forget about his troubles, or he could continue with this terrible task of finding the way home. He chose the first option. He approached the crowd and, not very gently, made his way to the front row so that he could see what was happening. Oh, you'll live, he thought and rolled his eyes when he heard some shouts of protest. As he got closer to the middle of the circle, he saw some movement there and as he arrived to the front row, he saw a woman. She was moving gracefully in quick and precise consecutive movements. It was clear that she practiced this very well. Tainon didn't care much about dancing. He thought it was boring, but this was different. He could see that some of the moves would be very useful in fighting. Once she stopped, the people began to clap, but he was still lost it thoughts. He waited until the crowd dispersed and then he saw her walking away. Then a man approached her and followed her. Tainon looked around and saw that he had no choice, but to follow them, because this was the only other way to go. He came from the other corner of the courtyard. He began walking after them, but kept his distance. Still, he could hear their voices.

OOCNyea, put a Timestamp on your first post, please. So that we know when does it take place

[Nyea Delaisse]

Nyea turned down a paved street, skirts rippling with the gentle sway of her hips. A breeze clawed her dark locks even as she slid a hand down the front of her corset, pulling out a burgundy silk pouch into which she slipped a small handful of mizas before returning it to its hiding place. She looked up to the sky, gazing at the milky coloured clouds as they drifted overhead. With each step the soles of her feet brushed the mosaic of stone beneath her. She exuded an aura of calm, eyes fading from green to the cool blue-grey of mist that rolls over a still lake. If she hadn't been so preoccupied with the sky, she might have heard soft footsteps behind her. Then again, that's a very big if, and still only a might. She whirled on hearing someone speak, skirts flying, then flushed crimson with embarrassment when it struck her that they probably weren't even speaking to her. Her gaze landed on a young man only a short distance behind. He was looking straight at her, he must have been talking to her. Her cheeks faded back to tawny gold and the blue of her eyes took on a violet glow. "Thanks." Her tone was light and laced with gratitude, full berry-tinted lips stretching over pearly white teeth in a soft yet dazzling smile. She faltered slightly, lack of people skills turning around to bite her in the arse. Well what the hell do I do now? I can'y just walk off, can I? Ach, maybe actually attempting to make conversation the odd time would be beneficial.

[Nyahna Sasin]

He smothered a grin as she spun around, visibly startled. He really should stop scaring people like that, but it was so fun! Her eyes shifted color, and he actually did grin a little. There were a surprising amount of Vantha in Alvadas, for some reason, at least among the Alvads he had met.

He nodded at her thanks, slightly taken aback by her smile. Ionu's balls (if Ionu was a male. Sasin wasn't quite sure), she looked like she was glowing. "I'm Sasin. Sasin Arelen." The alias sounded odd to his ears, but he had no desire to give out everything about himself to everyone he met.

Now what? He wasn't sure what to say, or really why he had ended up following her. Perhaps he was really that bored.

"Can I buy you a meal and a drink? It's the least I can do for such a talented dancer." What.

What was he saying? He wasn't quite sure how, or why that had slipped out, but he certainly wasn't about to retract it now.

Well, what was the worse that could happen?

[Nyea Delaisse]

Nyea blinked, doe eyes wide. She looked slightly shocked, but the cogs in her mind were spinning, trying to think up an excuse that wouldn't be just plain rude. She'd picked up a lot of things since escaping the underground, one was that manners tended to serve you well in Alvadas. So simply bolting wouldn't suffice and she could hardly do the whole ice queen act. She was beginning to realise the disadvantages in hiding behind such a cold and uncaring facade. She had noticed that more and more of her inner self was starting to leak through her mask. The act was getting harder to sustain. So logically, why even bother? Well, she was afraid. Not so much of the unknown or of the people she would encounter, but just...of living without the mask. It was a form of protection, a comfort, and she was fearful of abandoning it. That and she wasn't quite sure how to. Well, maybe if I, not that wouldn't work, it's obvious I'm not exactly busy. I could tell him that...but if word of that got around...that I was working alone..what if hehears about it and comes after me. Oh Leth help me. What do I do?! The loud gurgling noise that emanated from her stomach answered for her. Scarlet blossomed across her cheeks even as she tried and failed to stifle a laugh of embarrassment. There really was no avoiding it. Oh well. Hey on the bright side, free food! "Something to eat would be lovely."

[Bob Barton]

That was not really a question that should be asked because then, there is a temptation to show it. Bob would not be the one to do it since he was no mindreader but he did know something about Alvadas from one of its people and it was capable of having...moods! So it was like some sick and twisted desire of isome higher power to keep himself amused by using the poor and unsuspecting duo of Bob and Jinsen. People should be a lot more nicer actually then at least Bob would not have miss that beautiful performance, but no. Bob Barton had to be allowed to enjoy some semblance of normalcy and security not afforded to him in the treacherous streets of Sunberth where there are muggings, killings and rapings because of the worthlessness of its powers to be unlike Alvadas with its nice government, barring the random golem attacks that is.

Yes, Bob got up and did all the boring, mundane morning routines that are so repetitive no one ever pays attention to until he told Jinsen that "hey, we need to get more used to this place because I still get petching lost" and Jinsen was no help at navigating either since Bob had no favorite places yet. It was time for exploration to find out all the different things in Alvadas because as much as Bob would welcome help from other people to get around, he knew it would be no use from his visit to the Wilmots. That was the reason why he put on his captain's clothes like the great seaman he should have been if he made better choices in life but at first glance on his red coat and brown pants, because to experience different things he had to be different from what he is normally. No one would be the wiser that he might just be the real thing if he was on a real ship and if the attire did not look so loose. Oh well, looking that strange he would not be bothered by the stranger people in Alvadas either.

And so comes the time that Alvadas was disgraced by the presence of a landlubber dressed up like the best seaman walking...walking! With a dog no less. Just how bad could things get? Someone had to put a stop at it soon and Alvadas as it would seem kept throwing distractions at the both of them. First to Bob with promises of mizas when he passed through the colosseum and Wager only because he was human and knew what he wanted. "Remember those places Jinsen. We will get to them soon." It was an evident fact that even if Bob was the owner, Jinsen was the one at the front so different distractions were thrown instead. Food, lots of food which took a lot of effort for Bob to reign in the dog by pulling the leash closer to him crying out "heel! Heel! I am not spending any mizas yet Jinsen." If this was two seasons ago, Bob would have failed miserable but now he knew his dog pretty well. After that it was the head of Bob again telling Jinsen where to go when he told it the directions it was supposed to head to. "Straight, straight, left, right..." accompanied with the leash getting either looser or tighter so that the dog could feel just how right its course was.

But it could only last so long when everything was stacked against him. Bob heard the applause first getting a little bit curious and telling Jinsen to "go there" where the sound is coming from. He stepped into the stone courtyard where the crowd was already dispersing much to his disappointment but "I guess we can come here earlier next time Jinsen" because it looked like one of those places where things happen. Exciting things like songs, dance, arts that Bob got accustomed to back in Syliras. The crowd could be going to see somemore and Bob told Jinsen to "follo-" but something else got the dog's attention and this time Bob was not prepared for it seeing how well behaved it was before. It was quite hard to do anything else other than to keep up with the dog which was pulling him forward, the sound in his ears changing from the applause to his own heavy feet running forward together with the padded muffles of the dog's paws.

Then another sound came where everyone else would hear as Bob and Jinsen came barreling straight at them. The panicked commands of "stop, halt, wait" soon were replaced with cries of distress for the dog to just "stop!" Failing to get through the excited dog and Bob unwilling to let go off the symbol of power that is the leash he will redirect his energies to shouting the people he was going straight at. Hopefully they would hear it in time to avoid him. First it would be the isur with their signature arm which he would tell to "stop blocking the road!" and if he passed him it will be the dhani he would meet the next day together with another woman that lucky snake in the grass. "Do your lovey dovey somewhere else!" he would shout out just as Jinsen was going to go in between them. Someone should take his warnings to heed even if running into them would be funny because the thing which would stop him could be funnier. What exactly could it be? That of course would only be seen when Bob finally stops and smashes into the thing which brought Jinsen to it.

[Tainon]

Tainon was still walking after the couple. They seemed to have agreed to go and buy some food and drink. The man was clearly flirting with the young dancer. According to the Isur, the young woman appeared a bit uncomfortable. He frowned, musing about whether he should do something or not. But he decided not to intervene just yet. The woman could think that he was an accomplice of the other man. So he, just in case, watched and listened to them, trying not to make much noise and trying to appear like he wasn't following them on purpose, because from now on he was doing just that. Suddenly, he heard some shouting from behind. He turned around sharply and his eyes widened. There was a hairy dog running straight at him and behind him a man shouting frantically at the dog to stop him. "Whoa!" yelped Tainon, he jumped back to narrowly avoid the dog and his owner. When he heard something about him 'blocking the road', he shouted angrily. "What?! It's your fault! You are running here like a lunatic, you know!"

[Nyahna Sasin]

He grinned sheepishly, as uneasy as her about this. This had been a bad idea. She was hesitating as well, visibly reluctant, and he found himself hoping she was going to say no. Of course, petching humans tended to be so polite. Thinking quickly, he was about to tell her she didn't have to, when her stomach rumbled.

Well Shyke.

"There's a-" He hadn't finished his sentence when he heard yelling and barking. He turned to see what was going on, and jumped back to keep from being knocked over by Jinsen. Practically the moment he caught himself, he was barreled into by a man even smaller than he, holding on to the dog's leash.

He twisted, catching himself agains the wall to keep himself from falling. "Bloody illusions." He grunted, certain that was what Bob and his dog were.

[Nyea Delaisse]

Nyea followed Sasin's gaze, her own landing on the dog and owner. It was coming their way. She blinked, pupils contracting as her eyes flashed pale green flecked with yellow. She stepped back hurriedly as Jinsen barreled past, almost tripping over a stray rock. On instinct, she reached for the leash to try and stop the dog. She managed to get her fingers round it, but when she pulled back, it continued forward, chafing against her skin. White-hot pain exploded across her fingers and palm. She dropped the leash like it was on fire, biting down on her lip. Her eyes stung and her vision distorted. She blinked several times, clearing her sight. Nyea looked up as Bob followed Jinsen, dragged along unwillingly by the large dog. Her fist remained closed, the pain having lessened to a stinging smoulder. "I don't think they were illusions, Mr. Arelen." Curiosity winning over apathy, she turned and took off after the dog and owner, feet pounding the cobbled street in a fast-paced rhythm, the wind pulling at her hair and skirts.