Red Meets Black

by **Red Daghul** on December 27th, 2018, 12:12 am

Red gave her a knowing smile "very well, if you say so" he tried to make it come across as playful, though she didn't seem to have a great grasp on their tongue which he had been picking up a bit over their dance. She was bold for her caste which was kinda a odd thing, but then again if you really dove into what each caste meant at some point you could say one only needs to act the part to be counted among those of a high position. Then again that wasn't true either, at least it wasn't as simple as that one would need to be able to show some skill or be bonded to move up.

The Endal went to ask another question when the drama he had seen from afar seemed to come clashing back to the dark hair Lani. "hey Black eyes" he shot out and Red's eyes shot quickly to the voice. From afar he hadn't been able to place who she was with, but now that he was closer there was no doubt in his face. Narth, a Endal flightleader, and one who normally had the reputation of a cool head, and a easy tongue... At least for the Endal caste. " Looks like you have a thing for Endal. Red could feel Lani tense up at his words, and even though Red stopped the dance it was clear she was already moving towards action.

”Hey Narth, shut the petch up!” She launched the verbal attack at the Endal and Red felt tensions fly through the roof his hand moving towards a knife he kept hidden on his belt not ready to pull it out, but readying himself. Narth, from what Red knew, was not a bad fighter though his rep always said he was more of a talker. Then again the Reach was not a place where tempers didn't win out.

Narth glared eyes wide at the disrespect ”Watch yourself, Stranger.” it was low and threatening, and that is when Red decided to step in between. Putting his right hand out towards Narth as he stood between the two his left hand grasping the sheathed knife behind him. Daghul let out a screech flying over head.

"That is enough, Narth" his voice was strong and firm even though he knew that Narth held a higher rank, but it was the Endal way to speak as such "maybe it would be best if we just dropped it and went back to our dances" he let a bit of friendliness in his voice hoping to defuse the situation. It was risky as by Reach standards he had a right to show Lani his displeasure, but Red complicated things which meant they were entering into a clash of sorts. The two stood eyes locked.

by **Lani Stranger** on January 3rd, 2019, 12:30 am

Lani gladly took a safe step back when Red stepped forward. She was used to Narth displaying odd shows of power to her, but it had always been in private, he simply avoided her in public. Perhaps he was showing off for his lady-friend as he had for her, but either way it angered the mixed blood. A small part of her wanted the two to fight. She knew now that they were both Endal, so Red wouldn’t get in trouble. Narth had once mentioned he was something called a flight leader, but she didn’t know Red’s ranking. A fight might have been interesting to see.

”No worries man, just teasing a friend. Not worth a fight.” Narth’s calm voice smoothed over the spike of anger she had heard in his previous words, and she knew that Narth would never start the fight she wanted to see. His last words stung, and the mixed blood’s anger flared. He was so level headed, at least for an Inarta, but he could still cut with his words. Lani, on the other hand, had her own weapons against the man whose bed she sometimes shared, and so it took her a split of a tick to imagine what she would need to do to try and instigate this into a fight. Without thinking further, Lani stepped forward again, smoothing her right hand over Red’s shoulder and snaking her left one around his waist. It was far too intimate for having just met the man, but it was a clear possessiveness and clingy form of body language. If Narth could use that woman to make her jealous, she could make him jealous with this man. She did not know Red fractionally enough to know what would entice him to begin fighting, but she had an idea of what could irk Narth enough to either throw the first punch or do something worth a fist to the face.

”Don’t matter, He is capable,” She spoke the words with intention, flashing her metaphorical vocabulary muscle at the new word. Lani spoke of Red, but her black gaze did not leave Narth’s, and her lack of self-control dipped into the clay-like djed within her. Anger and emotion made the mage’s work easier and she found the magic forming into the sharp roiling feeling of hypnotism. Not pausing to decide if it was the best idea or not, she flung the emotional response at Narth, sending false anger towards him with her hypnotism. She knew it sometimes didn’t work at this distance, but the mage could only hope that since he already harbored such an emotion this would only help tip him over the edge. She knew one thing that would grate at the flightleader’s pride at least, and it was the idea that he wasn’t the most powerful one in the room. It was why he was always trying to show her that he was stronger than she, because Lani had spent so much time trying to get into the bearded man’s head and discovering how he ticked. It seemed to have paid off, and now Lani flung every weapon she had at him.

”You are better.” She leaned slightly closer to the stranger named Red who she hung on, whispering a bit of encouragement as she saw Narth’s hand fly to his sword. Lani focused on smoothing her face over and utilizing the hypnotism djed she currently had out, sending an emotional response through her finger tips towards the man she held, trying to offer encouragement and bravery. Except it was too close to her shot of anger at Narth, and Lani wondered if she had accidentally sent some of it to Red as well. She supposed she would find out, if it even worked.

”Oh, is that so? You’re really gonna challenge me buddy?” Narth spoke, answering Lani to Red as if Red was instigating the fight and not the woman who hung on his shoulders. Narth’s hand lay on his sword, but he dropped it, bringing two fists up in challenge to the man, not making a move but waiting for once. Lani’s ego swelled with the idea that Narth was irrational enough around her to be drawn into a fight, even with his level head, even with her weak hypnotist help. If Red found a way to de-escalate, she was still be proud that Narth thought her worth raising fists for, her mind glazing over the small detail that she had practically orchestrated the thing once the idea was in her mind. Still, she was not going to let Red go until she felt him move to return Narth’s challenge, if he did, which was when she would step away.

Rolls :

by **Red Daghul** on January 5th, 2019, 11:12 pm

The Tension from the moment only seemed to grow as Red stood his ground though as he had heard to some degree Narth's reputation held... at least at first. Lani wasn't really helping the situation much as she had wrapped her arms around Red, and he would be lying if he said it didn't feel good. A fire seemed to start to burn with in the Endal, though Daghul's emotions cut through them giving him some distance at first.

”Don’t matter, He is capable,” the words escaped from the woman behind him, and Red watched carefully at Narth something seemed to be happening. The emotions in his face seemed to take a... strange change. Though strange wasn't really the best word for it. It wasn't anything that Red had ever really seen. ”You are better.” she whispered into his ear and a odd feeling started to cut through his body. It was not entirely different from when Daghul would speak to him. Like a foreign thought slipping into his head. It wasn't his own, and yet it felt so easy to take hold of it. It wasn't negative, yet not his either.

Lost in his thoughts he almost missed Narth's hand reaching for his sword, and Red almost sighed as his hand to slipped to the hilt of his Talon blade. This wasn't going well at all. The crowd was starting to catch on to the tense moment and a circle was already forming around them as the Inarta closed in to watch the brewing drama. It was their way to want to see the passion in people, and what better passion then to see a fight over a woman. A good piece of drama to pass to their friends later and to talk over a meal.

”Oh, is that so? You’re really gonna challenge me buddy?” Narth spat out and Red eye narrowed on the other Endal. His words came out as if Red himself had just issued a challenge. Red sent Daghul a quick feeling of peace letting him know that it was okay, but just keep a eye out. Truth was he didn't know where Narth's Eagle was and he was hoping thatthis would get out of hand.

"Narth, just slow down for a second" but it seemed to late as Narth brought his fists up. Anger rose in Red, and this he was sure was his own. The fact that this man would be so aggressive over such a little thing seemed quite childish and over dramatic which Red had little patience with. Not to mention now rumors would be going around the Reach if Red didn't fight. There was a amount of honor that was now on the line. With a sigh Red stepped forward "This is above you" was all he said as Red let his hand go away from his sword. At least it wouldn't come to that.

The two Endal stood their ground eyeing each other studying the other as both knew how to handle themselves in a fight. Red had very limited knowledge of fighting unarmed he much rather the feeling of a talon sword in his grasp, but Narth had clearly chosen to keep this match away from his blade... Almost sadden Red. Narth moved first his fist going wide arch towards Red who tried to drop under it as if it were a sword. It wasn't a failure, but it came way to close for comfort.

Red returned the attack with a jab towards Narth's gut and though it connected and the Endal let out a grunt it didn't seem to do anything other then make him made. With great speed the older Inarta swung at Red's face and this time there was no avoiding it as a thundering fist knocked into his temple. Red stumbled back for a second shaking it off just as Narth sent another fist his way. This time Red was able to get his arm in the way stopping the attack and seeing a opening sent a punch at Narth's face cleanly feeling his fist nail him between the eyes. It was clear that both preferred the sword over fist.

Mean while the crowd was exploring in whispers and yells as they egged on the two's battle even though they wouldn't have any idea what it was about. Watching to Endal fight was something of a event anyways. The two continued to engage with the crowd watching. The major hit towards Narth's head seemed to leave him shaken as Red was able to land a few more blows to his gut and arms, but the fight was still close.

Secret :

by **Lani Stranger** on January 9th, 2019, 3:51 am

As soon as Red seemed to draw himself to action as well, Lani unwrapped her arms from the stranger, taking a safe step back. Her eyes could not leave the men who grew to physical violence in front of her, and a small giddiness floated up in her chest. For a mere tick she though there to be magic flowing through her and then the mage realized it was just vindication. Vindication that Narth was willing to fight for her, even with some suggestion, vindication that this stranger did so as well, although she was not sure if she had quite the effect on the stranger that she intended. The manipulator recognized that she had nearly orchestrated this event, and so a little extra giddiness floated up inside her, as she watched Narth square up. She knew him well enough to know that the fact that he was not using his sword was a good sign, or perhaps a bad one. It was good because it meant that he had no intention of seriously wounding Red. It was bad because that meant he was not choosing to fight very hard. She had known the man to be the kind healer that he was, and was beginning to realize the fault in her plan. Narth was a capable fighter, but he didn’t like it.

She could work with that.

Black eyes flitted across the crowd that was now parting a bit to allow the tussle between Endals to begin, and Lani’s gaze met the Avora’s. The redhead that had clung so possessively to Lani’s man now sprung back as well, but it was clear she was not nearly as excited about this fight as Lani. A jealous ting imagined it was because she did not like to see Narth fight for another woman, but she could not deny the reality that she had just ruined their day. Narth would not be dancing after this surely, and Lani doubted he would visit her bed for ten days if he ever did again.

Suddenly the hard impact of knuckles on solid bone sounded in her ears and Lani’s eyes snapped back to the men, watching her bed partner land a square hit on her dance partner’s temple. The mixed blood shook slightly, clenching her fists to keep from interrupting. She didn’t actually want the peaceful flightleader to kill her new acquaintance. For the first time it occurred to Lani that a fight meant they would actually be fighting, and her entertainment might have real consequences. Someone whistled encouragement behind her, and Lani turned to glare at them, finding a small group of rowdy Yasi cheering on the fight. She regretted this.

Turning back to the fighting pair, Lani stood riveted in place, watching as Red deflected a hit, using the opening to land one on Narth. Without thinking about it, Lani’s foot stepped forward, and her fists unclenched slightly as if her hands were preparing to do something. But the chiet was smarter than to interrupt a fight, especially one between Endal. Especially one where one Endal was mad at her, and the other might be about to realize her hand in the fight he had to take. Lani took two steps back, trying to shrink back into the crowd. She wanted to stop them, she wanted to see her beloved’s bearded face whole and happy again, but shame was beginning to eat at her.

Pull yourself together, take responsibility for what you’ve done. Lani chastised herself, and then an idea occurred to her. Get rid of the competition. Carefully Lani took a few steps to the left, circling sideways around the men, making sure to give them clearance so that she did not become the receiver of any blows. Her gaze narrowed in on the Avora girl who had clung so desperately to Narth, and was grateful to see the Inarta was wholly distracted by the fight. Two soft uncalloused hands rested on her jaw, as if she had been covering her mouth in shock but had forgotten she was doing that. ”I didn’t know… He is so… rash.” She spoke slowly in thick accented Nari. Lani narrowed her gaze on the woman and urged a suggestion forward to try and emphasize her words. Innnocence It spoke to the woman and Laani watched her eyebrows flicker, green eyes dragging towards her own as if she wasn’t sure if the thought was hers or not. Lani was not able to immediately tell if the hypnotism had worked because the red-haired Inarta immediately rose to anger.

The mixed blood barely had time to react before the stining slap of an open palm collided with her face straight black hair whipped forward, covering her vision as Lani stood, shocked, her head still turned from the force of the slap. By the time she had recollected herself within a tick, she saw the bouncing braids of the back of the Avora’s red head weaving through the crowd. She hadn’t known what she wanted, but she was glad to be rid of the Avora. One sensitive hand reached up to feel the heat in her cheek from the abuse, and she brushed the hair from her face, turning back to the men. She was now standing on Narth’s side, facing Red and watching her dance partner closely in the fight. The caws of eagles above her spoke of someone’s displeasure at the fight, but the mixed blood was determined to see it through and hoping that no wind eagle had the mind to come break it up… or no other Endal either.

Word Count: 935

by **Red Daghul** on January 9th, 2019, 10:15 pm

Narth and Red were trained fighter their body's used to the task of long combat this would mean that unless one or the other bowed out it would take some time for this to end. Of course, the gathering crowd was having the time of their lives they didn't often get to see such a spectacle. Hooting and hollering filled the air as Daghul soared about his eyes locked onto the battle at hand.

The two men's focus was locked in place neither seemed overly concerned with the crowd at the moment, though Red was sure that they only reason this fight kept on was based on pride. For Red it was simply for the fact that he didn't want to be known as the Endal who let another walk over him, and when his words failed to stop Narth he wanted to make sure it was known that he wouldn't take disrespect from another so easily.

Narth sent a punch towards the other Endal, but Red could see that the hits that he had made against the other were taking their toll. Seeing the weakness he moved to make quick work of this fight moving his right arm like a sword to push a stab away from his body hethen rotated his own body and caught Narth's arm with his left hand and finishing the move by catching on with his right hand as well. Using the others motion he lead Narth passed him sticking out a leg so the Endal would trip and fall onto the ground. It was in no way as graceful a move as he had seen some fighters do, but some times simple was better.

The tired Narth hit the ground hard the air being forced out of his lungs at the impact. Red stood ready for action just incase the other was still ready, but it seemed that the loss of breath gave a brief calm to the storm. Daghul seeing a chance to put his presence into play landed on top of one of the shops and let out a ear piercing screeches. Dead silence followed as the Inarta stood still and the moment drew on. All eyes locked on the two waiting to see which one would make the first move.

Red took a much needed breath as his head cleared and he watched as the world fell back into view, scanning the crowd he saw just what the fight had created and he held back a smile. This would make a great story, but now wasn't the time to gloat or let pride get in the way. Seeing the black haired Lani over by Narth he focused on her for a moment, and taking in a breath his thoughts went to a bit of supicion. This drama seemed just a bit out of place, never the less he needed to figure things out with the Endal before him. Narth! Red's mind had wondered and he hadn't watched his foe.

In the time that red scanned the crowd the other Endal stood anger on his face at being thrown to the ground his hand on his Talon sword and his red hair like fire as his eyes locked on to the younger Endal. Red's hand went to his own hilt as the second one stretched out infront of him.

"I think this is enough" Red's voice rang out in the quiet as Narth's head seemed to be swimming in thought "this doesn't need to escalate anymore" Daghul added a small cirp almost just to add his agreeance. The crowd seemed to lean forward, and all eyes darted between the two Endal. This was about to become a way bigger deal than it started as. Fist fights were one thing, Talon swords made this a much more dangerous situation. Red was a much better swordsmen than unarmed combatant, but he wouldn't call himself a master if he couldn't figure this out with words things were bound to get worse.

by **Lani Stranger** on January 13th, 2019, 5:38 pm

Lani’s eyes were glued to the scene before her, almost forgetting they were in one of the most crowded areas of the mountain. It was meant to be a beautiful day. The first market day outside since the storms hit, and relaxation and a tangible release of tension was in the air. Of course these were Inarta, and even on the best of days fights were to break out. And even though she had clearly meddled and created a fight where one normally would not have taken place, she hadn’t expected it to go this far. She realized that Narth had started with his fists because he was not serious about hurting Red, although when the Flightleader sprang to his feet after being knocked down, his talon sword at the ready now.

Not good. Lani thought, skirting the edge of the room that the crowd provided the two in order to get a better look. Red was trying to calm Narth down, but if the easy going Endal had been pushed to bring his talon sword out, he intended to finish the fight. Lani had not known Narth in a fighting situation, although she thought she knew the man well enough to guess. Focusing on her auristics she tried to guage the emotions of each man and figure out where the fight would go before it did. It wasn’t as if she had the power to do anything about it, she was a chiet and a scribe of all professions, she was at a loss to hope to stop them, even with her own sword. And her hypnotic magic was not strong enough to do more than a suggestion, so understand where their emotions remained would tell her what she could or could not do.

Focusing her fingertips on Narth, Lani read his aura with the expertise of familiarity and skill. She knew the vibrations of anger that resonated off of him, and there was a soft twirling something that she couldn’t name. Red’s aura, on the other hand, was emanating strong pulsing vibrations, and she read a bit of anger but not nearly as much as Narth’s, and found she had to concentrate more on this strange aura to realize that they shared an emotion. Pride. Each was following the pride that emanated from their auras. Wonderful.

While Lani was trying to read the men, Narth was preparing to finish the fight. He had brandished his talon sword, and Lani could see a wavering of confidence in Red’s aura, while noticing a flare in pride in Narth’s. Without heading the younger Endal’s attempt at peace, the flightleader leapt for Red, twisting his sword in his hands so that the talon faced down and then slashed at Red’s sword with his own. Lani realized he was not aiming for the other Endal directly, but he was going to disarm him if Red could not hold his own. The move successfully stumped Red, if only for at least a tick, it was a tick enough. With an uncanny confidence, Narth invaded the other Endal’s space, a move that normally would not have been smart in a sword fight, but Lani could already see he was not aiming to kill or hurt Red, but Narth had a plan. If Red attempted a slash with his own sword, now that Narth was in easy range, Narth had no issue deflecting it with his blade, advancing further, until he was a mere arm’s length away.

With practiced skill, the man flipped the sword in his hand, grabbing it by its hilt so it now faced away from Red, and with a quick move he slammed the rounded hilt of the sword into Red’s Temple. Lani couldn’t help when a small gasp broke free from her mouth. But her shock was not at the violent action, but rather that Red was still standing. She was not the most experienced fighter herself, but she anticipated a move like that to send Red cold to the floor, and the fight to be over. Narth was not the kind to kill a man on the ground, and the healing gnosis would not allow him to bleed Red to death, but it was clear the older Endal had no reservations about making sure the fight ended, even in violence. Narth himself seemed a bit shocked by this action, and smartly took a few steps back, preparing his sword again to fend off the reactions that were sure to come.

by **Red Daghul** on January 13th, 2019, 6:29 pm

Red grunted at the attack and felt the scolding coming from himself and Daghul. It was stupid of him to question himself and it gave Narth a opening that the young Endal could only soften rather then dodge. Though it wasn't a complete loss for Red learned two things, one Narth was using his blade in a less lethal manor, and two that he thought he had the upper hand with the Talon sword. It was true Red couldn't be called a master, but he had been top of his class and it was his favorite weapon.

As Narth made a retreat Red didn't give him a moment to wait his feet leaping to action as his sword sprung to life with a easy jab that he knew Narth would deflect with ease. The deflection seemed to make the older Endal smile thinking Red was charging in recklessly, and he moved to reply with another attack to Red's temple, but this time he was ready for it. Using his right hand he pushed Narth's attack aside spinning his left shoulder into the Endal shoving him off balance. Of course after a step or two the other was already back into the fight no longer playing it safe. The sound of the crowd roared to life when the saw that this wasn't going to be one sided at all.

Red felt his confidence surge as he felt his footing and the feeling of the hilt in his hands. Daghul screeched a challenge from above as he watched perched sending his own aid and senses to his Endal. This was no time to let up if he was going to beat Narth he was going to have to keep him off balance as best he could. Moving forward he started with a testing open slash from the left knowing that Narth would have little trouble blocking it, but not letting him get a attack he he followed it up with a back slash towards his foes right. Once again it was deflected with ease. Red simply wanted to gather some intel on the Endal's style.

Narth found a opening and sent a passion driven attack as he slashed down above Red, and then sent three or four cuts towards the younger Endal's gut. Now though the two had the understanding this wasn't gonna be easy for either, and Red dodged and blocked each attack. Seeing his opening he sent his sword through the air sun catching the metal with brilliant light as sparks flew when Narth caught his blade on his and the two locked sword for a moment. Anger flaring with in the older, Red decided he was gonna have to prey on that and he winked at Narth before using his foot to try and kick at him. The attack didn't work overly well, but it wasn't expected and Red used that to break the lock and slam the side of his blade into the side of the now tiring Endal.

Not waiting to see the result Red spun around using the butt of his sword hilt like Narth did to smack it into his foes face. There was a crack and Narth shoved his whole body forward and they both felt to the ground swords leaping from their grasps as the two grappled. Narth had the Inarta flame of rage in his eyes as he swung a bit recklessly trying to get any hit in he could, but Red rolled him off Daghul sending him the location of the Talon swords. Knowing that he had pushed Narth's rage far he need to end this fight soon.

Still on the ground Red did a small roll over to where the two blades lay in the sun that broke through the clouds, and the chance to end this came into sight. Finding the hilts in the roll Red came to his feet both blades at the ready and a fire of strength lingered in the light as Red stood. The crowd erupted in cheers.

"Enough Narth, this is over" Red said summoning all of his strength in his voice, Narth half standing held a dark glare at the younger Endal that spoke mountains of the humiliation and anger with in the other.

Spitting out blood Narth opened his mouth "You fool, this isn't the end" there was a bite in his voice and you could see that his nose seemed out of place "we are done for now" he said trying to salvage what ever pride he could. Red swallowed the feeling of pride for a moment and tossed Narth's Talon sword to the ground next to him. Though Narth seemed down Red held his sword at the ready as Daghul on his perch behind him opened his wings and gave a Screech of challenge as Narth stood and took his sword and disappeared into the crowd. Red stumbled to his knee as the crowd lost it in excitement over the Endal's victory as the music started again and the dancing began once again.

Red wipe sweat and blood off his face as his breathing slowly came back under control and he moved out of the middle of the way to sit and rest for a moment. His mind rushing over what had just happened, and of course what it could really mean in the end. The whisper would already start at how two Endal had fought each other, and how the younger won. Narth would not be happy about it, and if he had to guess Red would bet that he had made a rival of sorts. Sighing and laying back he started to feel the beating he had taken.

"Well that didn't go to bad" Daghul sent from above and Red just shook his head and answered out loud "you get the next fight then". Red suddenly remembered how the whole event started and his eyes looked around to see what had happened to Lani.

by **Lani Stranger** on January 13th, 2019, 9:27 pm

The fight was picking up pace, and Lani could feel the vibrations of raw emotion that emanated off of each man. In a situation like this, it is nearly impossible to hide them from her auristics, especially as she now had the time to focus on them. It was quickly not turning in Narth’s favor and something inside her began to panic. The idea that Narth would kill Red had not occurred to her. The healer was too gentle, and although Narth would teach him a lesson he was not prone to such intense anger. If that was the case Lani would have been long dead by now. Unfortunately, it was just beginning to dawn on Lani that Red could kill Narth. She knew the flight leader was a more skilled fighter any day, but with her auristics she could feel the anger flowing from him in thick waves, making him irrational and sloppy.

Lani only relaxed when Red secured both of their swords, ending the fight in miraculously peaceful way. She knew that if Narth was give just a tick to breathe his head would cool, and she watched his aura carefully to feel the waves of anger diminish and retire into soft twirling of stress and the euphoria that anger always managed to leave behind. She could see the level thoughts return to his expression, which confirmed her auristic feeling. Only, his aura did not match his words. A mischievous twitch interrupted the melodic flow of his retiring emotions and he snapped an insult at Red while retrieving his sword.

Without hesitation the mixed blood felt her legs pulling her towards her almost-lover, lithe gilded hands reaching for his face, concern filling her gaze at the damaged nose. She was not medically inclined and couldn’t do anything but offer her comfort, and as she neared him, he buffed his shoulder against her. Dejection settled on her face, and her reaching hands dropped, but before he completely turned away from her, she cause the slight smile on his lips, and the remarkable wink that she would have had to been blind to miss. The Chaktawe senses the freckled her finger tips were enhanced with her auristic ability and so she could pair the odd wink with a movement of mischief in his aura and know that she hadn’t imagined it.

So as Narth walked away, she stood confused, with her brow furrowing trying to understand why he had been so uncharacteristically rude to Red and yet mischievous to her as if she was supposed to be in on some ploy he was at. The confusion was still clear on her face when she felt a twang of curiosity in her finger tips, notifying her of Red’s changing mood that she had been trying to focus on. Still wearing the uncertainty on her face she turned to him, meeting his deep blue eyes as if she had not just instigated a fight that she had clearly lose control of. Trying to spin this in her favor again, she let the onslaught of her confusion plaster on her face, and as soon as she saw the man, concern filtering into her expression as well. Narth had left her in the dust and although he was the one she wanted to chase after and preen over and care for his wounds, Red was all that was left. Lani stepped forward, watching the red that seeped into his shirt from the light slashes of his abdomen. She was quick to unwrap the scarf from her neck, folding it loosely in her hands as she walked towards him.

She had only met Red a few chimes before and so she was hesitant to begin touching him with any familiarity, but she did voice her concern. ”Are you okay?” She asked, motioning towards his gut that was likely burning up in pain, and preparing to sacrifice her scarf to try and staunch the wound. Regardless of if he refused her, the mixed blood would press into the bleeding wound anyway, her drive to care for the man and get a handle on the situation outweighing her need to remain naïve. She had never intended for Narth to draw his sword, the least she could do was damage control. The manipulative foreigner was satisfied that the fight had taken place and all too happy to take the role of caretaker afterwards. Whoever Red was, he had stood his ground and she had at least admired that. Still, she kept up the act of innocence that kept her far from the light of blame for such a dramatic event that was likely to cause rifts between the Endals in future situations. She had made sure to let Narth bear the brunt of her hypnotic string pulling, to make sure that Red wasn’t too suspicious. But she couldn’t be sure how observant he was, so she carefully watching his aura, feeling the motion of his moods with the senses on her finger tips and trying to quell any suspicion before it caught too much hold.

”I-I didn’t know he do that. I-I’m sorry, that was so—so… bad,” She stammered, letting her lack of grasp on the language help with her inability to describe the scene. Lani tried to focus on his face but let her gaze draw back unwillingly to his abdomen as she pressed her scarf into it, as if the sight of blood made her queasy. She had found the giggling naïve foreigner spiel had worked on Red, and although she had to admit it was not too far off from her genuine personality, she made sure to present the more innocent side of herself anyway.

”I’m sorry, thank you,” Lani put pressure on the scarf and then reached one hand up to grab Red’s shoulder with a soft comforting touch, secretly trying to press her skin to his to give the silent suggestion more tract than through her words alone; Believe me. It wasn’t a lie so she hoped it was not difficult, but she was so new to the magic and to the person she was using it on that she could never be sure. It wasn’t like they were going to return to their silly dancing after this.

Rolls :

by **Red Daghul** on January 14th, 2019, 7:20 am

The Endal rested easy as the crowd broke back into their festivities and shopping, and Red himself sat there as if on a throne of fame as many Inarta still looked impressed or mortified at the battle member who stayed in his victory. For Red it was just the closest place to rest as his head still beat with the "drums of war" as his heart still beat hard. That fight had been close, and though the talon sword never touched him he could feel were the rocky ground had roughed up his body. A poor choice to forgo his leather armor today.

Finding his gaze catching Lani heading back towards him questions flooded his mind. Something else had been able to touch his mind he was sure of it, and Daghul seemed to agree that something strange had been aware... or at least touched his mind. It was not like the connection between Red and Daghul, but there was a very similar feel to it. It wasn't something he had heard or ever seen a Inarta to do which left one thing that was different... Lani.

She came over her eyes seeming consumed with concern, yet Red still was wary. Letting his guard down though he allowed her to tend to him she seemed worried about something. The Endal didn't know much about this black haired woman, but he was starting to get a feel that something was a bit off with the way she carried herself. The mystery of it though, and his kind nature decided to let it play out, but to be on aware that she might have something tucked away, a weapon of sorts.

”Are you okay?” she motioned to his torso and he gave her a confused look the adrenaline still coursed through his body masking a lot of the pain he would no doubtfully would be feeling soon, and of course pointing it out brought that just a bit faster as his hand touched his shirt and found blood leaking from rock rash from his tumbling.

"Well that isn't gonna be fun" he said friendly with a wink as she moved to try and tend it which he didn't fight against. The fact that she might have messed with his mind may be true, but at the same time she didn't seem to try and put anything bad in it, he remembered the feeling was more of encouraging bravery. It was odd still, and foreign to him. "Nothing I haven't dealt with before" he decided to add reassuring her as she went about caring for him.

”I-I didn’t know he do that. I-I’m sorry, that was so—so… bad,” her handle on Nari was not great he was finding, but she was stumbling through it well enough. Red watched her closely, and was finding that she seemed... guarded maybe. It wasn't quite that, but she seemed to have had a change in her motives. It was odd, but then again most people were like that when they first met someone, and he was Endal which meant most people were careful around him. The thing was she didn't seem that way earlier, she seemed a bit more adventurous and reckless now she seemed to be trying to ease tension, but why would she need to do that. She wasn't in control of Narth.

Red grinned and tensed with a small grunt at pain as she tended his would ”I’m sorry, thank you,” this was a odd woman indeed she reached her hand to his shoulder he assumed to comfort him and that is when he felt it again a strange touch on his mind. It seemed to suggest she was to be trusted, but it wasn't his thoughts and it wasn't Daghul's. Red let it swirl in his mind testing and prodding it as if it were a new play thing that he had just discovered. Knowing that it wasn't his thought made it easy to push away, and he found that that was about all he could do with it, it was so much like with Daghul.

The Endal decided that he wanted to know more already forming a few theory's on the matter, and starting to believe that this girl was wearing some sort of mask and wanted... or maybe needed him to believe her to be a certain way. Why else go through the trouble of making him believe her, honestly he had no reason to in the first place. "How do you do that?" his voice was soft and friendly "and why do you feel the need too?" only pausing for a second he added "can you do that to anyone?" his mind was spinning from the hits, but also at the discovery he was making it was exciting and new. Who was this woman, and how can she do what she can?

Secret :

by **Lani Stranger** on January 14th, 2019, 3:46 pm

It took her a few ticks longer than it should have to realize that the blood was not all that much. Road stain at most, which had brightened and bled through his shirt but would not persist or cause too much damage. The flurry of slashes and wrestling of men had been hard to follow, and Lani had mistaken a light wound for something more serious. Before relaxing too much, the mixed blood grabbed the hem of Red’s shirt, yanking it up and looking at the abrasion. It would need to be cleaned, but it wasn’t going to be a problem. It was when he spoke again she realized she had been too bold. The new mage was still fiddling with her personal magics, the instinct of them did not require as much trained skill, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be sloppy, which she so clearly was.

It took Lani a tick to recognize the Nari words, but the message was clear. She paused, removing her hands from the man’s shirt and watching him as he spoke. It wasn’t accusatory, he didn’t seem offended, but he wasn’t a fool in this moment either. It took Lani too long to reply to the man, her face devoid of emotion as she tried to gauge the danger of the situation. He was an Endal, which meant it didn’t genuinely matter if she told the truth or not, what mattered was his opinion of her. Had he come at her with a more accusatory tone, she would have continued to lie, made some excuse to leave, and then hid away in her apartments for the day. But since he seemed curious, and perhaps a bit friendly, lying didn’t seem the best option.

Still deciding if she was going to answer him honestly she looked up at the wind eagles that flew over head. She began to wonder if it had been Red’s eagle that was screeching through the fight. And then her mind began to wonder what the eagle would think. She had only recently learned the monsters were sentient and intelligent, although incredibly selective of who they chose to talk to. Red was an Endal which meant one of these things had chosen him, to anyone in the mountain it was such an elevated honor that any Inarta would trust and take him seriously, but Lani was not Inarta. She had gotten what she wanted, and now she had to do damage control. Damage control, unfortunately, meant being honest.

”Magic,” She said the Nari word, Lani didn’t intend to be vague, but she was unsure what the Nari equivalent of ‘hypnotism’ was. ”Yes… sometime.” She skipped over his middle question answering his last one. She wasn’t going to admit that she had woven her words into Narth’s mind to try and get the calm and collected flightleader to draw to anger. It had been a selfish and petty want of hers, but as far as she could tell, Red only knew about her most recent suggestion, she hadn’t done all that much to him after all.

”Not all… people are… welcome to it.” She thought over her words carefully, trying to explain to him in a language where her vocabulary did not stretch far enough to cover magic. She was going to be honest with him, but the more she explained hypnotism the more likely he was to forget that she had avoided a question. She had a Alvadas raised mistrust of magic, which made her assume that the Inarta feared magic the same way. But she had seen the reminders and shielders and known that it was not a taboo subject here, so she continued to share. ”Work like… question. I ask with magic, you answer with… what you do. Or you not answer.” Lani then nodded towards him, because it was clear he had just been an example of it not working. ”Or do not answer.” She corrected her word order, watching his face carefully to see what he thought of her words, and trying to gauge his response before he spoke it.