By the side of the Fire (Open)

by **Aello** on February 3rd, 2011, 6:22 pm

68 Winter, 510 AV
Location: Wilderness just outside of Ravok

Aello was sitting in a clearing in the middle of the forest. She was surrounded by tall trees that seemed to reach up so high that they could touch the clouds. Most of them were bare, their leaves having fallen off many moons ago, sometime during autumn. The wind whistled through the branches, causing the smaller ones to sway in the wind. It gave the illusion that the trees were dancing, and the wind was their music. The moon was just barely visible through the tree branches, and was illuminating the tops of the trees in such a way that it cast long shadows across them. The sky was dark, a midnight blue, a few stars shining here and there, the only beacons of light that glowed in the night. The sky was beautiful, a true sight to see.

Aello sighed, as she looked down at her hands again. She was sitting on the ground by the side of a large bonfire. She had set it a few hours before, just as the sun was starting to go down so she wouldn't freeze overnight. Her quiver was still latched to her back, while the rest of her belongings rested on the forest floor to her right. Aello's body was curled into a tight ball, her knees had been brought up to her chest, and her arms wrapped around them tightly, tucking them into place. Her chin was resting on her knees as she stared into the fire light, the light it produced casting the larger portion of her pale face in shadow. The fire crackled as sparks shot out towards the sky, and the orange flames danced. A steady stream of blackened smoke swirled around her, and floated slowly up towards the sky. The fire was hot, burning through the large pile of dry logs she had set it upon, leaving a trail of blackened dust in its stead. Aello smiled as she watched the fire, it was strangely beautiful, as was the night, but the night was far more peaceful.

by **Robert Cithon** on February 3rd, 2011, 7:47 pm

Robert had spent most of his day hiking in the woodlands. He knew that it was a dangerous thing to do, especially during Winter. But he was by nature, an outdoorsmen. Staying cooped up in a massive city ate away at him. It would drive him nuts if he had to stand those living conditions his entire life.

No this is where he belonged, outside in the elements. He loved the thrill of not knowing where your next meal would come from, what was lying around the next bend, or who you would run into. He had left early this morning, Robert had planned on only being out a few hours and back in city walls before dark. Because he was still relatively new to the city, he did not know if they would permit passage back inside after the sun fell. But sometime during the day he had lost track of time, he was enjoying his day in the wilderness. Then the cold started to set in, not to soon after the sun was falling behind the horizon and he was nearly lost in darkness. He could just barely make out where he was going by the starlight.

He stumbled through the darkness for at least an hour, desperately searching for a safe place to rest. He had no tools with him, he had intended to be back by now. No means of starting a fire, or a tent to sleep in. He was nearly to the point of giving up, when out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of light. He weighed hi options, it could be anything, or nothing. But he decided better to risk a fight than almost certain death of freezing outside. So he began to stumble toward the flickering flames, the closer he got the more he realized it was not a mere flame but a huge roaring fire.

A few more minutes of stumbling in the dark, he stopped at the edge of a tree line. There was a girl sitting around the fire, alone it seemed. She was curled into herself holding her legs with her arms. She seemed innocent enough, but best not to startle her. So Robert stepped forward out into the fire light, making a point not to have his weapons drawn and make plenty of noise coming out. “Hello miss, hope I did not startle you.” If she wanted him to leave her alone, he would but he hoped to share the warmth of the fire. His numbness was wearing off already from it. The fire was a lifeline in the wild.

by **Ssaelrellvian** on February 4th, 2011, 12:40 am

Relli had spent her day in the merchants place outside the cities. She had only lost 2 gold mizas but had obtained 3 valuable items. Now she wandered through the forests. She felt confined in the city, and her snake nature wanted to be out in the world. So here she was. She always stayed where she could see the city, but if she did get lost it would be easy to just shift into her Dhari form and feel the heat of people in the city. Red eyes gleamed as she tasted the air with her ever so slightly forked tongue. Monsters were not sensed, so she relaxed. How much longer would Ivan and his group be? The sooner Kajaren was avenged the better. Relli soon sensed heat in an area and picked up on it in her vision. Slitting her eyes she concentrated and found that it was fire by the body and wildness of it. Pulling her hood over her eyes the Dhari girl, looking about 19, neared the flames. Two people sat here, both appearing human. She breathed a long, quiet, deep breath and turned away. The more friends you have the higher you will rise, a voice in her head told her. Relli hesitated for a moment but eventually turned to the fire and walked in. She was farthest from the others, which was good. She sat down cross-legged, both soles up, she were no shoes so she began plucking the burrs and spikes from here feet without even wincing. Say hello. Relli's accented voice slurred words soflty and vaguely sounds like a snake hiss, "Hello," her tone was completely neutral, "My name is Ssaelrellvian, you may call me Rellvian or Relli."

by **Aello** on February 4th, 2011, 1:40 am

Aello heard a rustling sound coming from behind her, and a low snap, that sounded like a twig being split in two. Startled, and instantly growing alert, her eyes grew wide as she glanced around, and instinctively reached for her bow. She gripped it tightly with her right hand, and looked over her left shoulder, slowly getting to her feet during the process. At first, she couldn't see anyone in the shadows cast by the trees, but after a few moments, she noticed someone, a man, approaching her from the left. "Hello," Aello called simply, as he came into view. The man was far taller than she, at least by a full head, that much Aello could tell, but the rest of him was shrouded in shadow, and she would be able to make out nothing more until he had stepped closer to the fire. "And who might you be?" She asked, as she tilted her head to the side and awaited her answer.

The man's tone had seem neutral enough, which made Aello think that he could be trusted, or was desperately trying to get as close to the fire as he could. Aello squinted at him, trying to get a better look, was he shivering? She wondered, as she opened her eyes fully again, and simply stared, not saying anything for a few moments, as she contemplated trusting the man that had just approached her. Perhaps she should simply look into his aura, after all, auras never lied, and would more than likely make the decision process far easier. Aello took a deep breath in through her nose, and then out through her mouth before staring at the area just above the man's head, concentrating. It took a moment for her to notice the deep red aura that swirled around the man's body like a bloody mist. It seemed to be beating; pulsing like a heart. Along with his heart? Or her own? Someone else's entirely? Aello wondered, as she turned away, instantly breaking the connection, and causing the aura to disappear in a puff of red smokey mist.

Aello gasped as she felt the effects of her magic use. Exhaustion, a strong and powerful wave swept over her, and she had to fight to keep her eyes open. Breath, Aello thought, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Each breath out was a sigh, an attempt to regain control of the tiredness that swept through her body like a storm. Deep red auras signified being survival-oriented, grounded. She should be able to trust him, Aello thought, as she reluctantly put her bow back on the ground, sat back down, and made herself comfortable before patting the empty ground next to her with her hand. "Sit," she instructed him, just as another figure approached from the other side of the fire, and sat down with her legs crossed. Aello turned her head and stared at the newcomer angrily, how dare they, without even introducing themselves? Aello's brain roared as she sized the cloaked figure up, glancing up and down their body. The being seemed small enough for Aello to take, should need be, she thought. Not adding her mounting level of exhaustion to the mix.

"And who might you be?" Aello growled just before the newcomer introduced themselves. Their tone was neutral, but sounded very much like a woman's voice. Still wary of Relli, Aello cautiously said, "hello," as her eyes narrowed to tiny slits and she continued to breath evenly in and out, trying to calm her heart as it pounded in her tiny rib cage. "And what brings you to the fire?" Aello asked, pressing the middle and index finger of her right hand to her temple, partially to calm herself, partially to help her concentrate on the newcomer's aura. Aello's eyes were blazing as fiercely as the fire, the only thing that separated her from Relli. But even so, Aello still managed to make out the outline of the woman's aura. It was difficult to make out in the darkness and the long shadows cast by both the fire and the moon as they lit up the night. But, after awhile, Aello could clearly make out the image of two snakes wrapping themselves around her head. One was black, with red eyes, and was slowly slithering in a counter-clockwise fashion around Relli, its head resting just above the top of her hood, as its pale pink, forked tongue slipped in and out of its mouth, seemingly licking the air. The other snake was a bright green one with black eyes, it was making its way clockwise around Relli's head, and its head was just below her chin. Its mouth, unlike the black snake's was closed. Their long slender bodies twisted and overlapped at times, and their two heads seemed to be the only thing that suggested their being two of them at all.

Having had seen enough, Aello waved turned her head to look away, over at the man she had invited to the fire. This instantly broke her concentration, causing Relli's snake-filled aura to slither away into the darkness, and another fresh wave of exhaustion to overcome Aello. Fighting to keep her eyes open, as they tried to force their way shut, the lids feeling like lead, willing themselves down to the earth, Aello blindly unfurled her legs, stretching them out before her, but not far enough to make their way into the fire. Her hands shot out to the side, unsteadily. They slowly made their way against the cold forest floor, small bits of dirt imbedding themselves in her fingernails before she reached her bow, and gripped it tightly again. It seemed to be one of the few things other than fear that was forcing Aello to stay awake. "Dhani," Aello whispered into the night, almost breathlessly, as though she didn't want anyone to hear, or didn't have the energy to say it loud enough for anyone to hear her.

Relli's aura had told her little of the woman's personality, instead, it showed, or at least, strongly suggested that the woman was a dhani, and although Aello was by no means racist, she hadn't discerned enough from the aura to tell whether or not the woman was trustworthy. And thus, until the snake managed to convince Aello that she meant her no harm, and perhaps, started to show some manners, Aello would not so much as consider being nice, or letting her guard down. Not only that, but what was a snake doing in Ravok? It wasn't exactly what one would consider a non-human town, after all.

Snake 1 :

Snake 2 :

OOCRelli please link your CS to your profile using the user control panel so that it is easier for players to access! Thanks!

by **Ssaelrellvian** on February 4th, 2011, 2:25 am

Relli looked up when the woman spoke her face still half shrouded. Replying to her question she spoke, "I just needed to get out of Raku," then whispered to herself, "or stay out of." Heat seeped into her skin and she felt fueled with energy. The Viper within her pushed against it's confines. Relli felt ready to explode with adreneline, but contained her neutral and secretive manner. "Are you alright?" She asked when she could tell the woman was acting differently. Concern threatened to enter her tone,but she contained it. Was this why she got the sudden boost? Was this girl going to die? Death. Relli didn't want to witness the penelty upon innocent people again.

OOC: Writers Block. Sorry. Dx

by **Robert Cithon** on February 4th, 2011, 5:48 am

Robert almost instinctively reached for his axe when the young woman reached for her bow. The fact that he didn’t might have saved his life. She appeared as if she knew how to handle that specific weapon. Robert was no fan of ranged warfare, he preferred to look the opponent in the eyes as you fought for survival. It kept an animal instinct fresh in your mind, survival was the most important thing above all else. Besides Robert knew that if he reached for his axe, she would undoubtedly have loosed an arrow into his heart before he brought it around full swing. So he kept his hands at his side, waiting for the worst. Robert breathed a small sigh of relief when she seemed to relax a bit.

Robert stepped out of the shadows completely, the fire light engulfing his entire body. Throwing any shadow or chance of hiding something out the window. He was not unfamiliar with scenarios like this. If a stranger approached your fire in the night, you had every right to demand them to stay visible and put their weapons away. He had done it on many occasions. But on this specific occasion, he would have to refuse to let his weapons go, he was hunted now. He could not afford to take his guard down. Though he honestly did not expect trouble from the woman in front of him. She could have stricken him down long ago now. “My name is Robert Cithon” He had hesitations about telling the truth about his name, but decide it wouldn’t mater out here.

Soon after Robert had introduced himself, another figure was appearing out of the darkness. Robert must have been distracted by the woman in front of him, he had no idea of another approaching. Robert made his way to a nearby log, a nice enough seat for him. He appreciated her sharing her warmth and light. It was a livelihood he needed tonight.

Robert was nit so blind that he didn’t see pain in the woman’s face. Maybe pain was not the right word, it seemed like she had just been through a fight. One that she barely came out alive in and lost many who were very near to her. It was exhaustion, wanting to give in to your bodies needs. As Robert was studying her, she began to stretch and seemed to fall aleep. Robert was kneeling beside her in two heart beats. “ma’am are you alright?” His voice was calm and steady, though edged with concern. He placed one arm under her back, letting her fall into his palm. He had no problem holding her up, she was tiny compared to him.

by **Aello** on February 4th, 2011, 2:45 pm

"Speak clearly," Aello enunciated to the best of her ability, her voice roaring across the fire so that it may reach Relli's ears. She was steadily growing more and more tired, and frustrated with herself for having felt the need to consult her magical abilities, and allow herself to grow so tired. Aello grit her teeth as her eyes shut again, and her body started to tilt back. Wobbling, as though she were about to fall on her face... err back, and slip directly into a deep slumber. Had the fact that she had used a lot of energy to speak so loudly merely sped up the effect's of her magic? Was it draining her of her energy even faster now? Aello wondered, as her right hand hastily shot up to her head. She clutched a few strands of her long brown hair in-between her fingertips, scrunching it up, and then releasing. It must have appeared as though she were scratching her head, and her hair had gotten in the way, or that she was angry, or deep in though and struggling with how to express it.

Just then, Aello's eyes shut completely, and she started to fall back behind her. Luckily, Robert reached out a hand to support her, and keep Aello from falling. It took a moment for Aello's eyes to open again, and for her to seemingly revive herself. But then the arrows that rested in her quiver started to poke the top of her neck, Robert's hand having pushed her quiver into her back as opposed to out and away from it, Aello was jerked awake. Her eyes burst open, and even though her eyelids still felt heavy, she was now capable of keeping them open. Her back straightened up instantly, as it grew wary of the tops of her arrows poking her in the back of the neck. "Yes, I am alright, thank you Robert," she muttered as she looked over to him for a brief moment, only to thank him, nothing more, nothing less.

As soon as that was done, Aello turned back to facing Relli, she glared at her. Her eyes reflecting the sight of the roaring flame that crackled before her, shooting tiny orange sparks into the sky along with a long grey swirl of smoke. "And you," Aello spoke, her tone cold, the only thing filling it a mounting sense of anger at the rudeness of the dhani that sat across from her, "as I have said before, I am asking you to speak clearly, or you can happily remove yourself from the side of the fire," Aello added, reaching her hand out for the bow, knowing that if the woman took one step towards her she wouldn't hesitate to shoot, or use the knife that was concealed beneath the folds of her skirt. After all, she wasn't certain, but didn't it take a while for dhanis to change forms, and while the snake was busy with that, couldn't she strike?

"So," Aello tilted her head slightly to the side as though she were going to listen to what Relli had to say after she had posed her question. The firelight was dancing across her face, casting it in shadow, making Aello seem both dangerous and mysterious. "Relli, you spoke of a place called Raku, if I am not mistaken, and to my knowledge, and more than likely to his," at this, Aello turned to Robert for a moment, glancing at him in such a way as to portray that she had caught the being in some sort of trap, "there is no such place. So, now you can either tell me the truth about who and what you are, or you may leave," Aello finished, her voice dripping with angry undertones.

OOCCan you two please work out a posting order, and not stray from it. For example, we started with my posts, then Robert then Relli, but then we seemed to have switched from me to Relli to Robert, please pick one and stick with it.

Also Relli, once again I ask of you to copy the address of your CS, go to your user control panel, click the profile section, and then paste your CS in the appropriate box and save it. This way your CS will show up under your avatar when we post, and it is far easier for other players to access.

by **Robert Cithon** on February 6th, 2011, 3:30 pm

Robert was holding Aello up with his hands when she seemed to get a burst of energy. She jerked awake as if she had a full nights rest. He had no idea the reason she had gotten a second wind was because in fact he was gabbing her neck with the quiver of arrows on her back. After all, he was just attempting to be a helping hand. She leaned up rather quickly, and looked toward Robert thanking him. The thank you was not much and seemed rather bitter to him. Robert was beginning to wonder if he felt welcome to this blazing fire or not. Only time would tell how the nights events would unfold.

Aello seemed to be very rude to the newest addition. Robert wondered if she knew something about the stranger that Robert had yet to identify. He was busy examining the stranger when Aello basically caught him in a trap of words. He knew nothing of a place Raku. And he had personally traveled nearly everywhere known to man. So either the stranger was mistaken about a name, or bluntly lying to there faces. Ignorance was no crime, though it may change someone opinion about you. But lying to someone face, that on the other hand could be a death sentence. Robert would not raise a word of protest if Aello decided she wanted the newcomer dead, it was her camp therefore it was her decision. He just hoped if it came to bloodshed, he was not forced to face the bow she seemed so fond of holding a white knuckle grip on.

(OOC Sorry it was so short, been busy lately and didnt want to hold up the thread for to long.)

by **Aello** on February 10th, 2011, 3:51 am

OOCI know Relli hasn't posted yet, but I'd like to keep this moving so.

Aello waited for the dhani to answer her, but soon grew impatient with her waiting. Slowly, she got to her feet, and strode over to the snake. Her bow was tucked tightly beneath the folds of her right arm, ready for action. When Aello reached Relli, she stood over her, eyes blazing, every muscle in her tense. Her back was straight, allowing her to use every inch of height she possessed in order to intimidate the dhani. The fire was casting long shadows across her body, illuminating half of it while the rest remained in darkness. Aello imagined she must appear truly intimidating in the darkness, especially with her bow at hand.

"I asked you a question," Aello roared, her eyes on fire, her teeth gritted, glimmering in the firelight. "And I expect an answer," she said, growing so impatient that she finally bent at the waist and with her free hand, grabbed the woman's hood, along with a clump of the hair it concealed, and pulled it up and back, so that she had tilted Relli's face back enough where she was looking up at the sky, her chin tilted slightly, so she would be glancing up and into Aello's face as she stood over her. "For the last time," Aello bellowed, "I asked you a question."

Frustrated, and not in the mood to deal with the dhani, Aello's face contorted into one of pure rage and hatred. Aello pulled the hood back, and then grabbed a clump of Relli's smooth hair in her hands. She tugged upwards on it, ignoring any cries that Relli may have made while in pain. "Next time you should answer me," Aello hissed, as she brought the dhani to her feet, turned her around, and gave her a swift kick in the rump.

"Now get out of here, and don't you come back!" Aello hollered into the night, watching Relli's form disappear into the darkness. Aello watched her go, and as soon as she had been lost behind a thin line of trees, Aello turned abruptly on her heels, and looked back at Robert, "sorry about that," she said in a sweet voice, the sudden surge of adrenaline she had just felt slowly seeping out through her pores, only to be replaced by the intense feeling of exhaustion she had endured just before she booted Relli from the fire.

As the tiredness washed over her, Aello yawned as she crossed back to her place at the fire, and sat down. Once she had, she sat cross-legged again, and rested her bow at her side. "Forgive me, but I am not one who appreciates strangers inviting themselves to partake in my company, perhaps then, Robert, you should tell me a little bit about yourself so that, perhaps, by morning, I will be incapable of calling you a stranger anymore. Perhaps then, you could start with where you come from, and go on from there."

Aello sat back and made herself as comfortable as possible, before yawning again, as her eyes grew more and more heavy. "Excuse me," she said, patting her mouth with her left hand, in order to appear more polite, as though she were still capable of making up for what had just happened, before glancing at Robert nervously, "and don't you worry, I won't fall asleep on you."

OOCSorry this is kind of mean of me, but Aello prefers polite people, and what a hypocrite she is!

by **Robert Cithon** on February 10th, 2011, 7:21 am

Robert was slowly walking toward a nearby tree, still in the warmth of the fire and yet out from in between the intense look Aello was sharing with the Dhani. He leaned backward against the rough trunk, propping one foot against the lower portion. He was at ease in the warmth, the nights coldness slowly fading from his blood. His fingers were no longer useless extremities. Robert was bidding his time waiting patiently for the Dhani to answer Aello.

Then she seemingly snapped. He had personally never seen someone react so intensely over such a small incident. Small in his opinion, people had different trigger points. And one of Aello’s seemed to be being ignored. She was on her feet in a flurry, bow in hand. Relli had no time to react. Before a moment passed Aello had yanked Relli up by her hood, more than likely a handful of hair also. Robert was torn, he wanted to intervene badly. He didn’t know if he felt sorry for the young Dhani, being pulled and bullied. Or if it was just his instinct, he sees a confrontation and he has to be a part of it. It was what drove him.

Robert took several steps in the direct o the two women. His hand was on his axe, for what, he didn’t know. He had no intentions of violating the trust of the woman who openly shared her fire with him tonight. No if it came to bloodshed, he would end it swiftly and brutally. It would save one young girl from any grief she might feel later, Robert had quit feeling anything for those he killed a long time ago. The Dhani would have just been another thud of his battle axe. But to his surprise, and before he managed to interfere Aello had literally booted the girl out of sight. He stepped in his track and began to search the surrounding area for a place to sit, he located a fallen log a fee feet away.

When she apologized he nearly fell over laughing. Not because she apologized, no it was because of how she did it. He was amused because mere moments ago she was a blazing ball of rage. Pulling hair, bullying another, all with a look of pure hatred on her face. And now, she turned and apologized to him. In a sweet and innocent enough voice, it was just amusing to his. But he nodded in acceptance of her apology nonetheless.

From where he was he could barely make out Aellos facial features. The flighty glow of the fire hiding most of her. But he began to answer her question anyways, though he felt as if he were talking to a spirit of some sort. “Well..where to start?” He though out loud. “Well from childhood I suppose? Yes, thought so. I don’t have a specific birthplace really. You see, my mother gave birth to me in a warcamp.” As he started into a brief description of his history Robert began to undo his weapon straps from his back. Making himself more comfortable. He tossed his axe a few feet from his foot, and his sword followed closely behind. He did not however, reveal the fact he had ten hidden daggers on his body still. “My father was a general of an old mercenary group. Nothing special you probably wouldn’t know of them. But during my childhood, and beginning of my young adult life. I myself was apart of that army, raised by everyone, taught basic skills, and learned who you could and couldn’t trust.” Robert leaned back little, relaxing a bit more. If Relli only knew the opportunity of a peaceful nights sleep she was going to miss. Im sure she would have been quick to answer Aello’s questions then. “Not much to me really. I have traveled a lot in my days. I have seen and done many things I will not speak of, for the simple fact I refuse to relive the memories over in my mind.” His voice was stern in mentioning that. He hoped she would not attempt to dig into his past to much. “I am currently housed in Ravok awaiting a group of mercenaries to come along. I hear they are Ravok bound, and I intend to join ranks with them for a short time and build up my coffers.” Robert was staring into the fire by the time he finished speaking. Fire had always mesmerized him, the way it danced and flickered. “Not to be rude miss, but if you want to know more. I am not to good with words, ask specifics and I will answer truthfully. I promise you that.” He finished and raised his fist to his mouth, clearing his throat. He looked into Aello’s eyes, awaiting her response.