Big trouble comes in small packages, especially in Selevea. This is no less true of So'ta, who at the moment was strutting down the street just as brazen as you please. Every now and then the lithe figure would hop or leap gracefully over some small obstacle, certainly with more flair and dramatics than necessary.
With the hood of her indigo traveling cloak up over her head, it was hard to tell just what she looked like under there, though the figure was undoubtedly female. The only discerning feature was a thick, bright violet braid that swayed with her fluid stride and bounced every now and then when she jumped or hopped.
As she traveled along, a dozen tiny pouches would jingle and clink and bump from around her silken belt. It was hard to say what the pouches contained though it was a safe bet at least one of them was money. Just where this money would be spent was soon decided as she turned sharply into the dark doorway of a notorious tavern.
Inside, it took her eyes a moment to adjust while gliding through the establishment to find a quiet spot that would allow her to create chaos. There were plenty of eyes who noticed her presence, though only in a passing way. No murmurs nor whispers, no recognition and certainly no one in this particular establishment was going to intrude upon her business.
So'ta pressed her tapered fingers together, pushing until the pressure gave way and her knuckles popped. It wasn't a threatening gesture, more of a "down to business" sort of routine. She always cracked her knuckles before spell working. The loosened fingers were extremely helpful when it came to mana-shaping.
The enchantress squeezed and rubbed her hands together, almost as though she were cold, and within a few seconds a small pearl of mana was revealed in an opening palm. It glowed brightly, thrumming like raw energy as she focused her energies, causing the orb to swell in size til it fit in her hand comfortably.
So'ta began to shape and pull the mana, her fingers working quickly so she did not have to touch any one spot too long as the globule took shape. First a head, then a torso, arms, legs and after a few minutes, a female figure began to take shape, the raw amethyst glow of the concentrated mana radiated against her pale skin like a candle.
A few more minutes and details began to emerge. Long hair, curvaceous hips, a slight-bit top heavy and a seductive face, the one shapeless mass had become a brilliant mana construct shaped like an exotic dancer.
So'ta set the little doll on the worn, wooden table and bent her head down, examining her work. With a grin of excitement, she pursed her lips together and gently blew breath against the figurine. At once it began to move, wobbling and unsteady at first, but quickly becoming a fluid, graceful dancer.
Her hips began to sway as she turned in small circles, showing off in a mindless dance that was certainly meant to appeal to the eye. So'ta grabbed the small construct and stood, moving quietly towards the bar were a group of drunken traders were noisily arguing prices over some ill-gotten goods they'd acquired. She waited for an opening and when one turned to order another beer from the tender, she dropped the little dancer next to him and then quickly scurried along to the other corner of the tavern. Once more she sat, though this time her actions were quiet, reserved and watchful.
The man immediately took note of the strange, glowing object once he turned back around and picked it up, dropping it with a yell as it began to move on its own. So'ta smirked behind her hood, hands coming together and lacing, clasped tightly as she waited for the fun to begin. The little dancer righted herself, moving about in a fluid, seductive motion that drew more than the target's gaze.
A few men were crowded around the construct now, watching it dance as the man who had discovered it tried to keep it from being grabbed. Prices were discussed, barters were offered, but nothing firm as those involved couldn't peel their eyes away long enough to settle any deals.
With a motion of her hand, the dancer beckoned to the first man, bending at the waist and gesturing an innocent kiss for his cheek. The man laughed boisterously, leaning down to play along. So'ta was a Cheshire cat now, her grin wide from ear to ear as she leaned in, leg tapping furiously beneath the table with excitement and impatience. Let the fun begin!
The moment the man had bent his own head down, the figurine exploded. With a loud bang, it blew apart, the enchantment turning it from solid mana into a maelstrom of glittery dust, coating his skin as he recoiled in shock, tumbling off of his stool and onto the floor as the others tripped over themselves to get away from the small explosion, rather like a bunch of startled cats.
So'ta continued to sit in her corner, but this time her figure was shaking as she laughed uncontrollably. Her head down against the table, she gasped and quaked, her body racked with laughter. Were she discovered to be the creator of such a prank, it wouldn't have mattered, she was laughing too heinously to try and get away.
Had anyone spotted her carrying out this outlandish, silly joke?